Avocado “Toast” + a Yucan Crunch giveaway (AIP & Paleo)

I went AIP before the big “avocado toast” craze began; however, thanks to Mission Heirloom’s Yucan Crunch crackers, I’ve been able to enjoy my own allergen-friendly version.

In December 2015, I had the pleasure of visiting Mission Heirloom in Berkeley, CA. Various AIP friends had highly recommended the paleo restaurant with many AIP options, but they also raved about Yucan Crunch crackers. I made it a point to try the Yucan Crunch and absolutely loved it—they really remind me of triscuits. I bought a bag on the spot & used it for breakfasts and snacks throughout the rest of our trip.

Fast forward to now and I’m still a huge Yucan Crunch fan. After my initial stash ran out, I ordered it several more times from the Mission Heirloom website, but luckily, procuring some is even easier these days because Yucan Crunch is now available on Amazon! And they're even Amazon Prime eligible!

To celebrate the Amazon debut of Yucan Crunch, I’m sharing my super easy avocado “toast” recipe. This is another recipe that almost isn’t a recipe due to how simple it is. But goodness, it is so tasty & really feels like a treat when I make it. Most often I’ll have the avocado toast plain, but it’s also delicious topped with smoked salmon or prosciutto.

Mission Heirloom has graciously agreed to give one of my readers FREE 4-pack of Yucan Crunch. Leave a commend on this post sharing how you'd most like to use Yucan Crunch crackers. This giveaway is only open to US residents and will run until Monday April 10, 2017.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I did receive a complimentary 4-pack of Yucan Crunch; however, this is a product I have happily purchased in the past & will continue to purchase in the future. I would never recommend a product I didn’t stand behind 100%. 

Avocado “Toast" 
yields 1 serving

1 avocado
juice from 1/4 lemon
Yucan Crunch, broken into large (or small) pieces
truffle salt, as needed (or other finishing salt of your choice.

1. In a small bowl, mash the avocado with the lemon juice. 
2. Spread the avocado/lemon mixture onto pieces of Yucan Crunch. 
3. Sprinkle with truffle salt. Eat immediately :) 

Note: some people prefer to toast their Yucan Crunch in a skillet or under the broiler, but I most often prefer it un-toasted. Feel free to do either, depending on your own preferences. Please DO NOT toast it in an actual toaster, as it could cause a fire if pieces break off into the toaster. 

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after an Amazon link is clicked with no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support.

Beef and Broccoli (AIP, Paleo, Whole30) -with stop motion video recipe!

Though this beef and broccoli dish has become one of our favorite meals, it’s something I’ve held off posting because it almost seems too easy to qualify as a recipe. But sometimes, simple, easy, and delicious is just what’s needed, especially with how complicated life can be on AIP. And since I’ve been making this recipe almost weekly for the past few months, it’s time I shared it ;)

The Beef and Broccoli recipe comes together pretty quickly with minimal prep and minimal planning ahead AND minimal clean up. All ingredients are ones I generally keep on hand. With only a little extra time, the recipe can be easily doubled or tripled.

The ingredients are economically-priced. It travels well. It’s delicious warm or cold. It freezes well. I find my body really likes the ratio of protein/carbs/fat, plus it’s veggie heavy and features gut-healthy sauerkraut. And it’s just plain tasty!

For fun, I’ve also created a stop motion video of this recipe. While it isn’t possible to make this meal in 30 seconds like the video, it is possible to make it under an hour!

Beef and Broccoli (AIP, Paleo, Whole30) 
yields 4 servings 

For the roasted broccoli
Two 16 oz bags of frozen broccoli
5 tablespoons olive oil (or other AIP fat of choice)
1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic

For the roasted sweet potatoes
1 large (around 1 to 1.25 pounds) white sweet potato
2 tablespoons olive oil (or other AIP fat of choice)

For the beef
1 pound grass fed ground beef (85/15, if possible; see note below if starting with frozen ground beef)
2 tablespoons coconut aminos

For serving
Farmhouse Culture garlic dill pickle saurkraut (or make your own with this recipe, though I have not tried it…)
Smoked salt  (or other finishing salt of your choice)

1. Preheat the oven to 425 F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. 
2. For the roasted broccoli: spread the frozen broccoli on one of the prepared baking sheets. Drizzle with oil & and sprinkle with the granulated garlic. Roast in the preheated oven, on a middle rack, for 50 minutes. After 25 minutes of roasting, stir the broccoli & continue roasting. 
3. For the roasted sweet potatoes: cube the sweet potato (no need to peel), spread on the second baking sheet, and drizzle with oil. Roast in the preheated oven, on a bottom rack, for 40 minutes. After 20 minutes of roasting, stir the potatoes & switch the broccoli to the bottom and the sweet potatoes to the middle rack. 
4. For the beef: After the broccoli & sweet potatoes have been stirred once, heat a cast iron skillet (I use my Lodge cast iron skillet) over medium high heat. Add the beef and coconut aminos to the pan. Brown until the ground beef is cooked through. Set aside until the broccoli & sweet potatoes are done. 
5. To assemble: add the browned beef, roasted broccoli, and roasted sweet potatoes to a large bowl. Toss to combine. 
6. To serve: portion onto plates. Top with Farmhouse Culture garlic dill pickle sauerkraut (I like about 1/3 to 1/2 cup of sauerkraut on mine, but use less, if you prefer) and a generous sprinkle of smoked salt. 
7. Store leftovers in the refrigerator or freezer. 

Notes:

• If you’re starting with frozen ground beef, quick thaw it in warm water, while the vegetables are roasting, until the edges are soft—don’t worry if the middle is still a bit frozen… it will finish thawing in the skillet. Just make sure to use the quick-thawed beef immediately (i.e. don’t save it for another use). Alternately, thaw the beef in cold water or in the refrigerator if it isn’t to be used right away. 
• If not cooking the ground beef in a cast iron skillet (or if a lower fat content beef is used), a little additional fat may be needed to keep the beef from sticking to the pan. 
• Feel free to play with the ratios of beef/broccoli/sweets in this recipe based on your preferences (or what ingredients you have on hand). 
• This recipe is NOT sponsored by Farmhouse Culture…. I just really love their sauerkraut! 

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The Paleo AIP Instant Pot® Cookbook e-book + IP “Chocolate” Cake (AIP)

In addition to the the big move I announced in my last post, I’ve been working on a couple secret projects. I’m so thrilled to FINALLY share about them today!

My good friend Eileen from Phoenix Helix had the brilliant idea to compile a community e-book of Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) Instant Pot® recipes called The Paleo AIP Instant Pot® Cookbook. I was thrilled to contribute recipes for applesauce, low FODMAP beef stew, pomegranate poached pears, and coconut yogurt to the e-book.

I also had the privilege to photograph a few of the recipes & design the interior pages (the amazing Chelsey Luther designed the gorgeous cover). Having early access to the recipes (because I was working on the interior design) means that I’ve been making many of the recipes for months already. I’ve even teased a few of them in Instagram posts (#sorrynotsorry). This e-book is a total game changer. Everything I’ve made is not only incredibly delicious, but it’s all crazy easy and very diverse! The BBQ Pulled Chicken alone might be worth the purchase of the book. I loved my Instant Pot® before, but I love it even more now.

top: BBQ Pulled Chicken, Smothered Okra, Caribbean Plantain Lamb Stew

middle: Pomegranate Poached Pears, Coconut Yogurt, Applesauce

bottom: Kalua Pig, Peach Cobbler, Cranberry Apple Chicken with Cabbage

Download your copy for $17.95! 

The book features recipes ranging from broths to sauces & condiments to vegetables to poultry to meat to seafood to offal to desserts and more! No major food group is left behind. 137 of the 140 recipes (excluding three recipes in the “Extras” section) are compliant with the elimination phase of the Autoimmune Protocol. And, there are charts in the back of the book for ways to modify recipes to fit additional special diet modifications, like low-FODMAP, GAPS/SCD and Coconut-free.

As if The Paleo AIP Instant Pot® Cookbook isn’t a big enough project, I also have created a 4-recipe mini e-book of additional AIP Instant Pot® dessert recipes called AIP Instant Pot® Sweet Treats. It includes AIP-friendly dessert recipes for blueberry cobbler cakes, pumpkin tapioca pudding, “roasted” pineapple, and zucchini cakes with lemon cream. I’ll be sending AIP Instant Pot® Sweet Treats as a FREE gift to everyone who purchases The Paleo AIP Instant Pot® Cookbook through me. (NOTE: Because I’m literally in the middle of moving across the United States right now, my e-book won’t be emailed until mid-October 2016). This giveaway is open to international entries.

But wait! There’s more! (insert informercial-speak, haha!) Purchasing The Paleo AIP Instant Pot® Cookbook through me during the month of October 2016 also enters you in a giveaway to win some sweet Instant Pot® accessories: 1) a stainless steel inner pot (having a second insert comes in *really* handy when making back-to-back recipes), 2) a silicone lid/cover for the stainless steel insert (to easily store cooled leftovers in the refrigerator), and 3) an extra sealing ring (always a good thing to have on hand in case your old ring breaks, or in case it smells too “savory” for making desserts). I’ll randomly choose a winner at the beginning of November 2016. Sorry, due to postage constraints, the accessory giveaway is open only to those in the United States.

If you’re *still* on the fence about purchasing this amazing e-book, head over to Eileen’s site to enter a giveaway to win a copy. Simply answer the rafflecopter question & 10 winners will be chosen October 8, 2016.

One recipe from The Paleo AIP Instant Pot® Cookbook that I’m excited to try once we get settled in our new home is this “Chocolate” Cake from my friend Samantha at Sweet Potatoes and Social Change. It might seem unusual to make cake in the Instant Pot®, but the Instant Pot® is a great way to “steam” a cake. And you don't even have to heat up the oven!

“Chocolate" Cake (AIP) 
from Samantha at Sweet Potatoes and Social Change
Yields 3 servings

1 green plantain
½ ripe banana
¼ cup mashed avocado
2 tablespoons melted coconut oil, plus additional for greasing pans
2 tablespoons honey
5 tablespoons carob powder
½ teaspoon apple cider vinegar
¾ teaspoon baking soda
⅛ teaspoon cream of tartar
1 cup water
Optional garnishes: coconut cream, coconut flakes or fruit

1. Add the plantain, banana, avocado, coconut oil, honey, carob, vinegar, baking soda, and cream of tartar to a food processor and blend until smooth. 
2. Lightly grease three mini fluted pans or ramekins with additional coconut oil. Pour the batter into prepared pans until they are about ¾ of the way full. 
3. Pour the water into the Instant Pot® and add the steaming rack. Place the pans onto the steaming rack. 
4. Close and lock the lid. Press “Manual” for high pressure. Set cooking time to 18 minutes. Once time is up, quick release the pressure (there are further instructions for pressure release on page 7 of the e-book. 
5. Garnish with coconut cream, coconut flakes, or fruit and serve warm. 

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Egg-free Tuna Salad (AIP, Paleo, Whole30)

From kindergarten through 8th grade, my two younger sisters and I attended a very small private school that did not have a traditional school lunch program, meaning that my mom packed lunches for us most days. One of my very favorites, probably more towards the middle school side of education, was tuna salad with corn chips & a tiny can of V8. The tuna salad—based on my Grandma Jones’s recipe—was made with canned tuna, kraft mayo, diced celery, celery seed & onion powder. I can still taste her version now, if I really think about it.

Tuna salad has changed a lot for me these days. It also has become something I eat not just because I like it but because i know it’s really good for me, especially with ingredients like sauerkraut & fresh veggies that my version incorporates. What took me the longest in my AIP tuna salad appreciation has been to get over the lack of mayo. I’ve tried a number of AIP “mayo” recipes, but honestly, in tuna salad I find a mashed avocado works better as a regular mayo replacer.

I’ve also grown to appreciate tuna salad because I typically have all the ingredients for it on hand, meaning that I can easily make it for a meal if other plans have fallen through (or if I simply didn’t start lunch prep early enough). In a pinch, I’ll eat the tuna salad by itself, but most of the time, I prefer it served over salad greens, or with plantain chips (a throwback to my days of eating tuna salad on corn chips), or on cucumber slices.

Egg-free Tuna Salad (AIP, Paleo, Whole 30) 
yields 1 large serving or two small servings 

1/2 of a large (90 g) Avocado, mashed
1 tsp Lemon Juice (fresh is best, but bottled works in a pinch)
1-5 oz can Canned Wild Caught Albacore Tuna  (do not drain or rinse)
2 Tbl (30 g) Sauerkraut (homemade is best)
1/3 c (42 g, approx 1 stalk) Celery, diced
1/4 c (42 g) Cucumber, diced
3 Tbl (9 g) Scallions, sliced
1/4 tsp Sea Salt

Plantain Chips, Cucumber slices, and/or salad greens for serving

1. In a medium mixing bowl, mash the avocado and lemon juice with a fork. 
2. Add the tuna (with the juices, do not drain or rinse for optimal omega 3 level), breaking it up with a fork & combining it with the avocado/lemon. 
3. Mix in the sauerkraut, diced celery, diced cucumber, sliced scallion & sea salt. 
4. Serve with plantain chips and cucumber slices, or over salad greens. 

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Turmeric Pork Skillet (AIP, Paleo, Whole 30)

We’ve been eating mostly Thanksgiving leftovers the past week, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing...Especially since beginning AIP, I have developed a serious love for leftovers. But, after I’ve eaten the same leftovers for a couple of days, I usually crave something completely different. I like to think of this turmeric pork skillet as the opposite of Thanksgiving.

In the midst of busy life, where there’s always another meal to begin preparing, I like to have an arsenal of quick & easy meals. Since I’m not great at the whole concept of just eating for nutrition, I also like my quick & easy meals to be flavorful AND good for me.

As with the Beef Skillet Supper I shared a couple of months ago, skillet meals are one of my favorites to make and eat. Most often, they utilize ingredients that are “staples” in my fridge/freezer & pantry, like frozen ground meat, heartier veggies, and pantry staples. This dish really only takes around 30 minutes to go from freezer/fridge to table, and even less time if you’ve thawed your meat already.

I’m content eating this skillet meal on it’s own, but I often add white rice on the side for my husband. Sometimes I might supplement with some roasted sweet potatoes (I usually batch roast sweets & keep a container of them in the fridge) or with a few of my favorite plantain chips.

One other highlight of this meal is the leftovers. I think the dish only gets better as it sits. I drive several hours away to the city once a week or so for acupuncture appointments & I often pack my own lunch, especially while I was very strict elimination phase AIP + low FODMAP,  because there were virtually NO eating out options. Additionally, I lacked access to means for heating up food. I think this meal is also totally ok cold, straight from my lunch box ;) One word of caution though.... because of the turmeric content, this dish can really stain. I like to store it in a clear glass container & I’m careful not to splatter it on my clothing when I eat it.

I hope everyone is enjoying the beginning of this holiday season. Even in the busyness of the life during this season, remember to take good care of yourself. Eat good food at regular meal times, pack leftovers (or other AIP snacks) to take in a lunchbox (this one's my favorite) when you’re out-and-about in case you get hungry, reduce stress whenever possible, make sleep a priority. Happy eating!

Turmeric Pork Skillet (AIP, Paleo, Low FODMAP, Whole30) 
Yields 4 generous servings 

1-2 tablespoons Fat (I used duck fat, but lard, tallow, bacon drippings, avocado oil would also work)
1 lb Ground Pork
20 oz (approximately 8 cups) Sliced Cabbage
2 tablespoons Garlic Oil
2 teaspoons Sea Salt
1 tablespoon Turmeric 
10 oz (approximately 2 cups) Grated Carrot
2 oz (approximately 1 heaping cup) Sliced Scallion (green parts only, for low FODMAP)
4 oz (approximately 1/2 cup) Coconut Milk 
1 oz (approximately 1 cup) Chopped Cilantro (stems are OK to include)

additional scallion greens & cilantro for serving

1. In a large skillet, melt the fat over medium high heat. Add the ground pork & brown until nearly cooked through, approximately 4 minutes. 
2. While the meat is browning, use a food processor slicing blade to prepare the cabbage, or cut by hand. The food processor’s large grate blade can also be used to shred the carrots. 
3. Add the cabbage in two batches to the skillet. Cook until wilted down and all combined with the meat, approximately 6 to 8 minutes. 
4. Add the garlic oil, sea salt & turmeric. Stir to combine. Add the grated carrot & sliced scallion. Cook 2 to three additional minutes, or until the carrots begin to soften but have not become mushy. 
5. Add the coconut milk, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 2 minutes. 
6. Stir in the cilantro. Turn off the heat & cool slightly before serving. 
7. Serve with some additional scallion greens  & cilantro. If you have reintroduced white rice, it makes a lovely accompaniment to the dish. 

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Slow Roasted Salmon with Herbed Yogurt (AIP, Paleo, low FODMAP, Whole 30)

Wild-caught salmon is an ingredient I almost always keep stocked in our freezer. Not only is it a superfood protein, but salmon is also quick and easy to both thaw AND cook. Plus, it’s delicious :)

As much as I love to meal plan (really, I do love having a plan), I still find myself uninspired on occasion. There are times I find myself gazing into the refrigerator and freezer, wishing the illusive dinner faeries would show up & make a meal for me. Some days, I’m tired, or I’ve been working on other tasks & lost track of the time, or I’ve miscalculated the time it will take to thaw another protein, or I’m missing key ingredients. In those cases, salmon can come to the rescue!

Most salmon recipes I’ve seen call for the fish to be cooked at high temperatures. Sautéing at high heat. Broiling. Roasting. When I saw a recipe, via my Facebook newsfeed, for a slow roasted salmon, baked at a very low temperature, I was intrigued. The recipe required only a few very tiny tweaks to keep it completely AIP. I soon tried it out & was hooked!

The finished salmon is much more tender & almost creamy than if it was cooked at higher temperatures. We’ve enjoyed eating the salmon warm for dinner, like these pictures, often paired with an herbed yogurt & sauteed spinach. Or, I usually make an extra filet or two & eat the leftovers cold on salad the following day.

Note on FODMAPs: FODMAPs are confusing things... Certain resources will say that one item is “ok” and other resources will list that item as “avoid.” I am choosing to get my information about FODMAPs from Monash University & their app. Monash is continually updating their information & they are great about listing what quantity of food (both by volume & by weight) keeps it within the low FODMAP guidelines. As always, though, you know your body best. Just because one list says a food is fine, doesn’t always mean your body will be fine with it. Or on the flip side, just because one list says a food is on the avoid list, doesn’t mean your body is automatically going to be bothered by it. Do what makes your body & mind feel the best.

Slow Roasted Salmon with Herbed Yogurt (AIP, Paleo, low FODMAP, Whole 30)
Yields two servings, but can easily be scaled up for more servings

For the salmon
adapted from Sally Schneider via Food52

1 Tbl Olive Oil, divided
2 filets (approximately 12 to 16 oz) Wild-caught Salmon
1/2 tsp Sea Salt
bunch Fresh Thyme

sliced scallion & chopped dill, for serving
Herbed yogurt (recipe follows), for serving

1. Preheat the oven to 275 F (I usually use my toaster oven). Oil a small sheet pan with half the olive oil. 
2. Place the salmon filets skin side down on the prepared pan. Drizzle the remaining oil over the top of the fish & sprinkle with salt. Tuck several sprigs of fresh thyme underneath each salmon filet. 
3. Roast for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the salmon reaches an internal temperature of 120 F. 
4. Remove from the oven & sprinkle with sliced scallion & chopped dill. Serve with herbed yogurt (recipe follows), if desired. 

For the herbed yogurt
1/2 c Two-Ingredient Coconut Yogurt 
1 Tbl (approximately 3 g) chopped dill
1 Tbl (approximately 2 g) chopped parsley
1 Tbl (approximately 5 g) chopped scallion
1/4 tsp Sea Salt

1. Mix all the ingredients together. 
2. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.  

Sautéed Spinach 

Yields two servings 

4 Tbl Oil of choice (avocado, olive, melted duck fat or bacon drippings etc.) 

550 g fresh spinach

1. In a large pan, heat the oil over medium high heat. 
2. Add the fresh spinach (in batches, if necessary) to the hot pan, cover and turn off the burner. Allow the spinach to wilt down. 
3. Serve immediately. 

Arnold Palmer Gummies (AIP, Low FODMAP, Paleo)

This weekend--Labor Day weekend in the US--might signal the unofficial end of summer, but the flavors of summer can continue year round with these Arnold Palmer-inspired gummies. 

While lemonade & sweet tea can be consumed any time of the year, I find myself indulging in them more in the summer time than in the winter. Of course my methods for making said lemonade & tea have changed pretty drastically since I went AIP/Paleo--I’ve taught myself to drink “lemonade” with just filtered water + a generous splash of lemon juice, no sweetener, including the “allowed” ones like maple syrup and honey (high FODMAP alert). But when it comes to gummies, a little bit of sweetness is necessary to counteract the slight gelatin flavor. 

I’ve been very intentional in my gelatin & collagen consumption since going low FODMAP in July to combat my stubborn case of SIBO. Collagen goes in my tea every morning. There’s almost always a batch of gelatin-rich gummies in the refrigerator, like my various test batches of this Arnold Palmer-inspired recipe. Barely sweetened panna cotta with low FODMAP berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries) is a regular occurrence.

 While it is sort of difficult to report on how the gelatin/collagen is improving my digestive system & helping to heal my gut, I can most definitely notice an improvement in my skin, hair, & nails. Plus, a couple weeks ago, my new holistic dentist’s ultrasound scan of my jaw revealed some pretty extreme jaw cavitations (i.e. holes in my jaw) leftover from when I had my wisdom teeth extracted over a decade ago (I’ve posted more about this over on Instagram). I’m hoping that the gelatin/collagen will also aid in my (and my dentist’s) goals of stimulating my body to re-grow that bone & heal itself. When healing tastes as great as these gummies, I’ll totally take it ;)

Arnold Palmer Gummies

For the Tea...

1 large sachet of Rishi Tea Summer Lemon blend (each bag weighs around 8 g)

16 fl oz / 2 c Filtered Water

1. Bring the water to a boil over high heat. Place the tea sachet into a large liquid measuring cup. 
2. Pour the boiling water over the tea sachet & allow to steep for 8 hours, first by cooling to room temperature & then placing the measuring cup in to the refrigerator. 

Note: if you can’t find Rishi Lemon Ice Tea blend, peel a couple thin strips of peel only (no white pith) from a washed lemon & steep it with a couple black tea sachets & the hot water. 

For the gummies 

1 3/4 c Steeped Tea (see above) 

1/4 c Lemon Juice

39 g / 2 Tbl Grade B Maple Syrup

28 g / 4 Tbl Pasture-Raised Gelatin (NOT collagen--collagen will not gel!) 

a few drops of organic lemon essential oil, optional, or a couple strips of lemon peel (no pith) 

1. Mix the tea & lemon juice in a medium sauce pan. Whisk in the maple syrup. Sprinkle the gelatin over the liquid & allow to bloom for 5 minutes.
2. Heat the pan over medium heat, whisking gently, until the gelatin completely melts. 
3. Remove from the heat & add the optional lemon oil, if desired. 
4. Pour the liquid into silicone molds (I used this silicone mold or into a large baking dish. (I usually transfer the mixture to a liquid measuring cup for ease of pouring). 
5. Refrigerate the molds for 2 hours, or until set. Gently pop the gummies out of the mold or cut them into squares.
6. Store the gummies in the refrigerator. 

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Refrigerator Pickles (AIP, Low FODMAP, Paleo, Whole 30)

Dill pickles have been one of my favorite foods since I was a small child. Finding commercially made pickles that fit within AIP guidelines (i.e no nightshades, or sugar/corn syrup, or questionable vinegars etc.) was a challenge; however, finding low FODMAP pickles in a store is pretty much impossible. 

As I navigate this unique health journey, I continually come back to the quote “Necessity is the mother of invention.” Thankfully, pre-low FODMAP, I had found a recipe from Charlotte, a fellow AIP blogger over at “It’s me, Charlotte,” for refrigerator pickles that were totally AIP & super easy to make.

I have made Charlotte’s original recipe a number of times, however her pickles do rely on delicious, delicious garlic cloves to flavor the brine/pickles. Once I went low FODMAP back in July, I knew I wanted to continue making pickles, but doing so would require a garlic clove substitution. Enter one of my current favorite pantry ingredients: garlic-infused olive oil. FODMAPs are NOT oil soluble, meaning that a garlic infused oil will not contain any FODMAPs, but will have some of that garlic flavor that I’ve been unable to replicate with any other ingredient.

As with many AIP / Low FODMAP recipes, I didn’t know how my substitutions would work until I tried it.... Mixing garlic oil & vinegar is a bit like making salad dressing, but it actually works in this situation! I still prefer Charlotte’s original recipe, but this low FODMAP version allows me to continue eating a variation on one of my favorite foods. That, most definitely, is a win in my opinion.

Low FODMAP refrigerator pickles
yield’s 1 Half Pint Canning Jar | Inspired by “It’s Me, Charlotte”

1/2 tsp + 1/4 tsp Sea Salt (I use Real Salt Kosher Salt)
3 generous sprigs Fresh Dill
1 Kirby Cucumber, if possible, otherwise english/persian cucumber can work too
1 1/2 tsp Garlic-infused Olive Oil (Trader Joe's Garlic Flavored Olive Oil is my preference), divided into 1/2 tsp amounts
White Wine Vinegar
Filtered Water

1. Wash & very thinly slice the cucumber. I prefer to carefully use my small mandolin (similar to this one  set to the middle thickness, but you can also use a knife. The thinner the slices are, the better the brine can flavor the cucumber. Discard the ends of the cucumbers, as they can disrupt the pickling process. 
2. Add 1/2 tsp salt to the bottom of half pint canning jar . Top with a sprig of dill. 
3. Fill the jar approximately 1/3 of the way with cucumber slices. Drizzle over 1/2 tsp garlic oil. Add more dill. Repeat the process twice more until the jar is full of cucumber slices--there should be three cucumber layers at that point. 
4. Top off the cucumber slices with 1/4 tsp sea salt, fresh dill & the remaining 1/2 tsp of garlic oil.
5. Fill the jar 2/3 to 3/4 full of white wine vinegar, depending on how sour you prefer your pickles. Fill the remainder of the jar with filtered water.
6. Screw on the lid (I prefer the plastic storage caps for vinegar-y things like pickles, salad dressings & bbq sauces) & give it a couple gentle shakes. Let rest in the refrigerator over night before tasting. 
7. Jar will keep in the refrigerator for several weeks. Note that the garlic oil does solidify a bit in the refrigerator, which is completely normal. 

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