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How To Make Kombucha: Tips & Tools For Easy Homemade Kombucha

January 29, 2023

Today we’re talking how to make kombucha!  Why pay $6 for a small bottle of fermented goodness at the store when you can make an entire gallon for way less than that??

I have a very low threshold of ongoing kitchen commitments I can keep.  I can’t keep a sourdough starter alive, friendship bread was too much, and kefir required far too frequent activity.  But homemade kombucha is perfect in its flexibility, cost, frequency, and “hands on” time.

An easy homemade kombucha recipe that doesn't take much time, money, or skills...great for saving money

How is kombucha made?

Kombucha is simply a brewed tea and sugar mixture that has gone through both a yeast fermentation and a bacterial fermentation using a “scoby” (symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast).  It’s basically sweet tea + science!

Over the course of time (from a week to a month, depending on scoby strength), the process eats up the sugar and transforms it into carbon dioxide, producing a tangy (or sometimes vinegar-y), slightly fizzy beverage.  The fermentation is supposed to be good for gut health, and vitamin B for energy. 

What most people don’t know is that it is SO easy to make yourself at home!  It’s honestly hard to mess up.  I constantly worry my scoby has gone bad, or that I’ve done something wrong.  And basically…I haven’t.  I’ve used the same scoby “parent” for 10-15 years with no issues.  It’s incredibly forgiving.

Making a gallon of homemade kombucha costs less than $5

You might also like:  The Kitchen Tools I’m Obsessed With

Making homemade kombucha is super easy, but does require you to have a few ingredients and tools on hand.  And you’ll want to make sure they’re high-quality:

  • First, you need a starter scoby (I got mine from a friend, but you can buy them online too)
  • Organic non-GMO cane sugar (yes, organic & non-GMO is important)
  • Organic black tea (I also add in some organic green tea)
  • A gallon jar with a wide mouth (or similar GLASS container)
  • Clean tea towels (cheesecloth or muslin type) & a large rubber band (or I use a stretched-out hair tie)
  • Jars that seal well (for holding your kombucha once it’s ready to drink)

I make a gallon at a time, so that’s what the amounts below will make, but it’s easily scalable up or down.  You don’t want metal to interact with your kombucha at any time, so I get the plastic mason jar lids so I can wash them easier and not worry about rust.

That list may seem like a lot to start with, but you don’t have to replenish it that often.

How to make kombucha at home - instructions & tools you needREAD THE POST

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Tips for Surviving (& Enjoying) a Functional Medicine Detox and/or Gut Health (Candida, SIBO, etc) Protocol

October 16, 2022

So, guys…I’ve been on quite a journey the last six months or so, and so today I’m taking a quick break from sharing delicious recipes to talk a little about the tips I found for surviving (& doing amazingly on) a functional medicine detox and a longer gut health (SIBO, candida, leaky gut, etc.) protocol and diet. 

I’ve had a number of friends ask if I could share more about the details, what I cooked, and more, so that’s what I’m doing here.  A lot of you won’t necessarily care and that’s totally okay, just move on to the next delish recipe.  I definitely won’t take it personally 🙂 

Below I’ll share a little about the the diets I had to work within, some of the kitchen gear things that helped me, some tips for not being miserable, and then some of the recipes that were major winners and kept me sane and happy throughout.

How to Stay Sane on a Functional Medicine Detox and/or Gut Health (Candida, SIBO, leaky gut, etc) Protocol | Doing a liver detox or or gut health protocol can be an important step...here are amazing tips for surviving & sticking to the plan. Best recipes for a CBO protocol, candida diet, or functional medicine detox, tips for self care, the kitchen gear I used, & more! Dr. Cabral Detox tips, #cabraldetox #candidadiet #guthealth

About the protocols themselves (diet-wise)

First I wanted to share a little about the specific diet I had to follow, not because I’m trying to sell you on it, but because the specific requirements did inform what types of recipes I had to find and the tips that ended up working for me.  I’ll speak to my results at the end of the post.

Plus, I DO believe that a good functional medicine detox is a really good thing to do, and I believe THIS approach to a candida/gut health protocol is the right one (even if you don’t use this company, but I’ve done a number of candida protocols in my time and this one is a cut above).

I started with a 7-day functional medicine detox, intended to help support the liver in detoxifying the body and clean out all sorts of things stashed around the body (particularly in the adipose tissue).  I only did the 7-day as a kind of re-set before jumping into my gut health protocol, but really loved how I felt on it and will definitely go back and do the full 21-day at some point. 

You can see the detox diet specifics here, but in general it includes a simple shake for breakfast (with vitamin/protein powder), a plant-based lunch, and the option for including animal protein with dinner, and there’s a list of approved proteins, vegetables, and fats. 

Then I transitioned over to the 3+-month CBO protocol (Candida & Bacterial Overgrowth).  The diet requirements are similar to the detox, but there are more allowed foods (especially veggies & fruits, and complex carbs), and I started having a real smoothie for breakfast (frozen wild organic blueberries, spinach, nut milk, and powders).

In both diets you fully cut out dairy, gluten, red meat, sugar, refined carbs, alcohol, and other things like that (though later in the gut health protocol you can have a weekly cheat meal).  I also did a latent food sensitivities test and was cutting out dairy, gluten, and eggs for at least 12 weeks as well. 

Why it was hard: 

  • Well…I love food and drinks 🙂  So for one, that was hard.  Emotionally and in terms of the small rituals of my life, the ways I reward myself, what I enjoy, I had to find alternatives.
  • But I also usually travel a lot, and my job also often has food and drink as a key part of socializing, so finding ways to work around that was difficult. 
  • Plus, I felt like I spent like 50% of my time either FIGURING out what to make, or actually prepping food.  It took a lot of planning ahead to make sure I could stick to the plan. 
  • I already eat pretty healthy most of the time, but it was taking away some of my favorite things…garlic, brussels sprouts & cauliflower, my Mexican meat & beans for taco salad, etc.

So let’s talk about what actually worked, and how I got really good at this as time went on!

How to Stay Sane on a Functional Medicine Detox and/or Gut Health (Candida, SIBO, leaky gut, etc) Protocol | Doing a liver detox or or gut health protocol can be an important step...here are amazing tips for surviving & sticking to the plan. Best recipes for a CBO protocol, candida diet, or functional medicine detox, tips for self care, the kitchen gear I used, & more! Dr. Cabral Detox tips.

How to survive a functional medicine detox & candida protocol

I go into lots of detail below on some of the items I found super helpful (particularly for food logistics), how to bring more flavor to dishes and enjoy salads, how to “treat yo’self” within the confines of the diets, and then a bunch of recipes that were major winners.READ THE POST

Leave a Comment CATEGORIES // Cooking for One, Food-Related Miscellany, Gluten-Free Recipes, How-Tos, Super Healthy

The Best Pan-Seared Stovetop Salmon…& How To Cook Salmon Without Oil

October 11, 2022

Have you ever wondered how to cook salmon without oil?  Honestly, I hadn’t until fairly recently (for reasons mentioned below), but once I went down that rabbit hole I realized that simple pan-seared salmon is the most perfect cooking technique out there!

The Best Pan-Seared Salmon...& How to Cook Salmon Without Oil | This is not only the easiest way to cook salmon, but it results in the best restaurant-like texture. Stovetop salmon comes together in a few minutes, healthy for liver detox & full of omega-3s. The best way to cook salmon (fresh salmon, not frozen). #salmon #detox #healthyrecipes

The genesis of this recipe (technique, really) was during the functional medicine/liver detox I did at the beginning of the summer.  It includes a fairly restrictive diet of certain proteins (like chickpeas or wild-caught salmon), lots of veggies, and a few healthy fats. 

However, cooking with any oil is discouraged due to the oxidation created, so I was looking for ways to cook my favorite (allowed) foods with little or no oil.   

Enter:  stovetop salmon, which requires no oil (the fish is fatty enough without it) and actually results in the BEST homemade salmon texture!  

You can read more about the detox (& gut health protocol) & my tips for staying sane/enjoying!

The Best Pan-Seared Salmon...& How to Cook Salmon Without Oil | This is not only the easiest way to cook salmon, but it results in the best restaurant-like texture. Stovetop salmon comes together in a few minutes, healthy for liver detox & full of omega-3s. The best way to cook salmon (fresh salmon, not frozen). #salmon #detox #healthyrecipes

Don’t get me wrong, my pan-caramelized salmon is still a total fave.  This pan-seared salmon is a close cousin, just as easy and even a bit healthier.  

And the texture is as close to restaurant-grade as I’ve been able to replicate at home.  Usually when I grill or bake salmon, it ends up with all that white goo coming out, and a bit soggier than I’d like.  It’s definitely edible, but not as delicious as I can get at a good restaurant.

Instead, this stovetop salmon produces a lightly crisp exterior that gives way to perfect moist flaky insides.  WE ARE ALL CHEFS!  

The Best Pan-Seared Salmon...& How to Cook Salmon Without Oil | This is not only the easiest way to cook salmon, but it results in the best restaurant-like texture. Stovetop salmon comes together in a few minutes, healthy for liver detox & full of omega-3s. The best way to cook salmon (fresh salmon, not frozen). #salmon #detox #healthyrecipes

This would also be a great recipe for surviving a super low-carb diet (see more tips here!)READ THE POST

Leave a Comment CATEGORIES // Cooking for One, Gluten-Free Recipes, Go-To Recipes, How-Tos, Main Dishes, Super Healthy

The Easiest, Juiciest Poached Chicken Breasts (& How to Shred Chicken in 10 Seconds)

April 8, 2022

This recipe is a two-in-one kitchen hack, and it actually blew my mind.  How did I not know this was a thing???  Because today I’ve got for you not only how to make the easiest, juiciest poached chicken breasts, but also a 10-second hack for how to shred chicken.

The Best, Juiciest Poached Chicken Breasts & How to Shred Chicken in 10 Seconds | These two super easy kitchen hacks show you how to make shredded chicken with almost no effort & super fast. Easy meal ideas, keep this pulled chicken on hand for a quick, healthy meal. Hands-off recipes, healthy recipe ideas. Low-carb recipes, high-protein. #shreddedchicken #kitchenhacks #poachedchicken #chickendinner

I am all about having some cooked chicken in the fridge to snack on, or to add to pasta, rice, or a salad for a super fast meal.  But I overdid it on grilled chicken for a few years and needed to mix it up a bit. 

This super moist shredded chicken made with poached chicken breasts was the perfect answer.  I keep a container of this at all times, and sometimes add it to recipes (like the loaded Thai chicken salad shown below), but often just put a bit of BBQ sauce on and eat it straight out of the container.

The Best, Juiciest Poached Chicken Breasts & How to Shred Chicken in 10 Seconds | These two super easy kitchen hacks show you how to make shredded chicken with almost no effort & super fast. Easy meal ideas, keep this pulled chicken on hand for a quick, healthy meal. Hands-off recipes, healthy recipe ideas. Low-carb recipes, high-protein. #shreddedchicken #kitchenhacks #poachedchicken #chickendinner

I made an Instagram Reel of the technique so you can see it in motion…this link will take you to the video on IG (and follow me @findingtimeforcooking) for recipe inspiration, videos, & more!).

These easy poached chicken breasts & how to shred chicken quickly makes an easy addition to many recipes

What temperature should chicken be cooked to?

More modern thinking says 145 F to be done and safe inside (previously was considered 165 F which can be quite tough & dry). For poaching, you’ll have trouble getting the chicken much higher than 145-150 due to the gentle cooking method in water. Make sure to insert your thermometer at the thickest portion of the breast.

READ THE POST

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What Bread Should You Make? An Easy Tool To Help You Decide Based On How Long You Have…

January 7, 2022

“I only have XX hours before dinner, what kind of bread can I make??”  It’s a question most home cooks end up facing (for me, pretty frequently), and I’d often poke through different bread recipes, find one that sounded great, and then realize it would take twice the time I had.

So I’ve spent some time collecting my different bread recipes and grouping them based on the amount of time they take from start to finish.  This way if you’re wondering what bread to make, you can decide what amount of time you have, what type of recipe you’re looking for, and choose accordingly.  

I’ve grouped them into breads that can be ready in less than an hour (or a bit more), in 1-2 hours, in 3-5 hours, and ones that need an overnight rise.  These are more “normal” or savory breads, ones you might eat with a meal rather than more dessert-y bread options (you can browse all of those here if you’re looking for them). 

Tools that can help make great bread

Bread is strange in that, like baking in general, it can want a lot of precision.  But yeast is sometimes unpredictable and requires some adaptability and going with your gut.  And there are some good (not expensive) tools that can help make your bread better and more consistent. 

  • A thermometer is super helpful for knowing when bread is done (usually above 200 F, and you want it to cool to less than 80 F before cutting into it).  
  • A good kitchen scale is cheap but critical, as there’s an insane difference in the outcome when you weigh your ingredients vs. just measuring cups…particularly for bread.
  • When it comes to kneading and shaping dough, I love this multi-purpose scraper tool and these French-style rolling pins. 
  • I also use giant plastic wrap to seal dough as it’s doing its first rise, and then a giant plastic bag for doing the final rise before baking.
  • These silicone pastry brushes are a cinch to clean and are great for doing an egg wash.  A lame is a bit more of an indulgence but it’s made a world of difference in how deep and clean I can slice dough prior to baking.  

Bread that can be ready in less than an hour

Bread Options in Less than An Hour | What Bread Should I Make? Bread Recipe Options Based on the Time You Have | Wondering what bread to make for dinner based on how many hours you have (or bread in less than an hour)? I've grouped all my bread recipes based on total time (rising, baking, cooling, etc), plus tips & tools to make your bread better & more consistent. #breadrecipes #breadoptions #quickbreadREAD THE POST

Leave a Comment CATEGORIES // Bread Recipes, How-Tos

A Traditional Challah Bread (& 4-Strand Braided Round)

December 26, 2021

I look at this photo and am like…MAN, did I really make that??  There is something just so satisfying and slightly impressive about a traditional challah recipe that’s been twisted into a beautiful and compact four-strand braided round

A Traditional Challah Recipe & Instructions for a 4-Strand Braided Round | How to do a four-strand challah braid in a round knot. It's not as hard as it looks, & is really beautiful. This delicious, soft challah bread is extra glossy with two different egg washes. How to make challah, easy challah braiding. #challah #bread #breadplaiting

I definitely feel like my skill with—and comfort with—bread has increased over the last couple years.  I’ve learned a lot more about the science behind certain things…for instance why I should avoid the temptation to add more flour and keep the dough sticky, which is how you get the amazing soft texture of a challah.

But really getting creative with shaping dough and expecting it to hold its shape is still very much a work-in-progress.  I can usually manage a 3-strand braid or a twisty babka, but have been scared to try anything more complex. 

I finally pulled up my big girl pants and decided to try this four-strand challah braid.  Rather than a long braided loaf, I followed instructions a beautiful kind of braided round knot, and was super happy with the results!

A Traditional Challah Recipe & Instructions for a 4-Strand Braided Round | How to do a four-strand challah braid in a round knot. It's not as hard as it looks, & is really beautiful. This delicious, soft challah bread is extra glossy with two different egg washes. How to make challah, easy challah braiding. #challah #bread #breadplaiting

In reading through a few different recipes and techniques, I came across the idea of brushing the loaves with egg wash twice before baking—once just after braiding (whole egg and a bit of water), and then right before they go in the oven (with egg yolk and sugar).

As you can see, this gives the final loaf a gorgeous rich color and glossy sheen.  I’m a convert!

A Traditional Challah Recipe & Instructions for a 4-Strand Braided Round | How to do a four-strand challah braid in a round knot. It's not as hard as it looks, & is really beautiful. This delicious, soft challah bread is extra glossy with two different egg washes. How to make challah, easy challah braiding. #challah #bread #breadplaiting

You don’t have to have any super special tools to make awesome bread, but there are a few kitchen gadgets that will help make your bread better and the process simpler. 

I strongly recommend weighing ingredients with a digital kitchen scale rather than volume measurements.  The scraper tool is a must (in my opinion) for dealing with dough, pastry brushes for the egg wash, and a thermometer for checking doneness. 

A traditional challah recipe & how to do an easy four-strand challah braided roundREAD THE POST

Leave a Comment CATEGORIES // Bread Recipes, How-Tos

Tips & Tools For (Regular or Tailor’s) Bunion Surgery Recovery

December 7, 2021

So this is a departure from my normal cooking and baking content, and definitely just skip over if this doesn’t apply to you.  However, I decided I needed to write this post because when I was preparing myself for my bunion surgery recovery (Tailor’s bunion, to be exact), I had the DARNEDEST time finding good detailed information on the interwebs.

Tips & Tools for Bunion Surgery Recovery | What to expect from tailor's bunion surgery, what my experience was like, the tools & gadgets that helped (and what didn't), meds, diet, and more. Detailed info on my bunion surgery recovery, how to prepare. #bunion #surgeryrecovery #tailorsbunion

First things first and a MAJOR caveat…I can only speak to what *my* Tailor’s bunion surgery recovery was like, and what *my* surgeon had me do.  I’m assuming that there is some variance based on many factors so you shouldn’t consider this a “what to do” list, just me detailing my personal experience for your benefit. 

Again, I AM NOT A DOCTOR.  I can’t guarantee that what worked for me is right for everyone, and you should consult your various health professionals (for me, that was my surgeon as well as my kinesiologist and chiropractor).

One key learning I’ll mention up front (and I’m sure mileage varies, depending on your doctor)…even when you’re allowed to start doing things, putting weight on your boot a bit, etc., I’d keep it super minimal.  I ended up having to spend more time in the wrap, wait a little longer to get my sutures out, and had a setback later in the healing because I did too much too soon.  So even once the doctor lets you do some things, be super conservative!

Tips & tools for tailor's bunion surgery recovery - what to expectREAD THE POST

9 Comments CATEGORIES // Food-Related Miscellany, How-Tos

How To Make Caramelized White Chocolate (“Blonde Chocolate”)

October 17, 2021

I hate white chocolate.  HATE.  It sits on a throne of lies because it is not even chocolate.  I feel like that’s a confession I have to make at the outset of this journey together, because when I heard about this whole caramelized white chocolate trend (also known as “blonde chocolate”), I’ll admit I was intrigued.

How to Make Caramelized White Chocolate (or "Blonde" Chocolate) | Step-by-step instructions and photos on how to caramelize white chocolate yourself. It's so easy, just takes about 45 minutes and some stirring, but brings delicious & complex notes to regular sickly-sweet white chocolate. #whitechocolate #chocolate #blondechocolate #caramelizedwhitechocolate #desserts

(side note, apparently I’m incorrect on it not being chocolate but I stand by my hatred)

As the white chocolate slowly caramelizes, it loses some of its sickly sweet flavor (blech) and begins to give off some much more complex notes of toffee, butterscotch, and caramel…there’s a bit more acidity or bitterness that offsets the cloying nature of white chocolate. 

Some people describe the tastes and smells as also having nutty notes (like toasted nuts) or almost shortbread-like scents, and I can definitely see how you get both of those as well.

Step-by-step instructions for how to make caramelized white chocolate that can be used in many different desserts

And it’s SO easy!  Plus, the overall process of the color changing and deepening is super pretty and kind of mesmerizing. 

The colors in my photos below are all over the place due to lighting, but it shifts from the original cream to such a gorgeous butterscotch-like color.  DREAMY.

How to Make Caramelized White Chocolate (or "Blonde" Chocolate) | Step-by-step instructions and photos on how to caramelize white chocolate yourself. It's so easy, just takes about 45 minutes and some stirring, but brings delicious & complex notes to regular sickly-sweet white chocolate.

The most important thing to know is that you MUST use high-quality eating (not baking) white chocolate.  I used Valrhona 35% white chocolate (Valrhona actually invented this technique) and it was perfection.  Some other good brands are Green & Black’s, Lindt, Cacao Barry, Fruition, and Guittard.  Do not use white chocolate chips or baking white chocolate.

Yes, the Valrhona is a little pricey (though I bought 2 pounds and didn’t use nearly that much for my blonde chocolate adventures so have a ton left), but it’s worth it.

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Grilled Sourdough Bread with Whipped Ricotta & Toppings

September 29, 2021

That picture might be true perfection.  Golden grilled sourdough bread, creamy whipped ricotta, tart berries, and a drizzle of honey??  Sign me up! 

Grilled Bread with Whipped Ricotta & Toppings | This delicious ricotta toast (or using whipped feta, burrata, etc) is really easy & versatile, whether for a meal, snack, or appetizer at a girls night or dinner party. Making grilled sourdough bread only takes a few minutes, & your can use whatever toppings you have on hand. Easy appetizer recipe, easy dinner for one, fancy avocado toast. #ricotta #grilledbread #sourdough #avocadotoast

Given that I’ve been almost entirely avoiding bread for the better part of nine months for some health reasons (issues with processing carbs) and the fact that I’m not really a bread person to begin with, I’m honestly not sure why this idea took hold in my brain so much.

But I started seeing different versions of ricotta toast, avocado toast, crostini, and more all over food blogs I follow and I was just like…YESSSSS.  So my sister snagged me a loaf of quite good, thinly-sliced sourdough bread from the store and I played around with it.

Grilled Bread with Whipped Ricotta & Toppings | This delicious ricotta toast (or using whipped feta, burrata, etc) is really easy & versatile, whether for a meal, snack, or appetizer at a girls night or dinner party.

So what I’m bringing you here today is less true recipe and more technique + toppings.  It’s so versatile, and can be customized to your whims…what’s in season, sweet or savory, what happens to be in your fridge at this very moment…you get the picture.

Grilled Bread with Whipped Ricotta & Toppings | This delicious ricotta toast (or using whipped feta, burrata, etc) is really easy & versatile, whether for a meal, snack, or appetizer at a girls night or dinner party. Making grilled sourdough bread only takes a few minutes, & your can use whatever toppings you have on hand. Easy appetizer recipe, easy dinner for one, fancy avocado toast. #ricotta #grilledbread #sourdough #avocadotoastREAD THE POST

Leave a Comment CATEGORIES // Appetizers, Dips, & Snacks, Cooking for One, Foods I'm Obsessed With, How-Tos, Main Dishes, Snacks

Authentic Ligurian Trofie Pasta by Hand (with Fresh Pesto)

June 4, 2021

Fresh pasta con pesto has long-been probably my favorite food in the entire world.  Seriously.

If you visit the Liguria region of Italy, you’ll get the opportunity to experience pesto in its birthplace, and it will almost always be served with the traditional trofie pasta.  

Authentic Ligurian Trofie Pasta with Fresh Pesto | I am in love with basil pesto, & this traditional Ligurian trofie pasta is what's always served with pesto...which originated in Liguria as well! This is an easy handmade pasta, no fancy ingredients or equipment, the best homemade pasta to start with! How to make Italian trofie pasta with pesto from scratch.

“Life is a combination of magic and pasta.”

~ Federico Fellini

I’ve talked about this more in my post on the food of Cinque Terre (one of my favorite places in the world!) but every time I visit those tiny fishing villages I look forward to gorging myself on platter after platter of trofie pasta with pesto.  

fresh basil

homemade pesto is the easiest & best thing ever

If you haven’t made your own pasta before, it might seem kind of fussy and intimidating.  But this Ligurian trofie pasta is really very easy, without dealing with eggs or any special equipment.  All you need is a couple ingredients and your two hands!  

It would even be a great activity with kids, or just a few extra people since the work will go much quicker and you can easily chat while you work.

Authentic Ligurian Trofie Pasta with Fresh Pesto | I am in love with basil pesto, & this traditional Ligurian trofie pasta is what's always served with pesto...which originated in Liguria as well! This is an easy handmade pasta, no fancy ingredients or equipment, the best homemade pasta to start with! How to make Italian trofie pasta with pesto from scratch. READ THE POST

Leave a Comment CATEGORIES // Foods I'm Obsessed With, How-Tos, Main Dishes, Pasta Recipes

How To Make An Easy Pouring Dark Chocolate Ganache For Cakes

May 24, 2021

Ganache.  It sound so fancy, but in reality is one of the easiest and versatile weapons a baker can have in their arsenal.  So I’m going to share how to make ganache—in fact, two different methods—and specifically, my favorite dark chocolate ganache.

How to Make Ganache...2 easy methods for a delicious pouring dark chocolate ganache (for cakes) | It sounds fancy but is super easy, you can make chocolate ganache with just a couple ingredients and a few minutes. I show you two different easy methods. #ganache #darkchocolate #bakingtips

This is the pouring ganache that I use for my epic chocolate stout cake (and the gluten-free version), and it’s become my go-to any time I need this particular consistency.  The key to chocolate ganache is in the proportions…more or less chocolate will impact how solid it gets once set. 

For instance, this recipe is 6 ounces to 6 tablespoons for a pouring consistency to top cakes, while I used a more chocolate-heavy ratio of 2/3 cup chocolate to 1/2 cup cream for a filling solid enough to sit between cake layers (like in this peanut butter cake).  You can see more on how the ratios work here.

How to make a pouring dark chocolate ganache for cakesREAD THE POST

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How to Make Traditional Cauliflower Crust Pizza

April 13, 2021

If you’d told me a few months ago that cauliflower crust pizza would be making up like…25% of my diet, I’d have asked what you were smoking.  And yet here we are.  

Traditional Cauliflower Crust Pizza | How to make cauliflower crust, an easy homemade recipe (does include some squeezing)...this cauliflower crust pizza only takes a few ingredients and is full of fiber & vitamins. Grain free, gluten-free, low carb and keto recipe option. #cauliflower #keto #grainfree #cauliflowercrust #gf #glutenfree #pizza

This cauliflower crust only takes a few ingredients (most of which you have on hand).  It’s is high in vitamins K and C, low-cal, high in fiber and antioxidants, and (like all cruciferous vegetables) good for detoxing the liver.

Your topping options are also really versatile, though I stay away from super wet/soggy ingredients.  Here are a few things I typically throw on:

  • I often keep cooked hamburger on hand to throw on any dish
  • I use both shredded (parmesan, cheddar, mozzarella), and a soft cheese (there’s a sheep/goat one that’s AMAZING)
  • I usually will throw a pan of roasted vegetables in the oven along with the cauliflower crust (brussels sprouts, peppers, and onions are my fave)
  • You can use sauce, but I’m not a fan and it does make things soggy.  Sometimes I will spread a bit of dijon mustard on though for extra flavor.

How to make this traditional cauliflower crust pizza

You might also like:  10 Tips For Surviving a Super Low-Carb Diet (e.g. Keto)

Why do I call this “traditional”?  It’s because it involves manually squeezing all the liquid out before mixing and baking.  I’ve recently found an alternative recipe that doesn’t require squeezing (due to a secret ingredient), which I’ve been loving as well.

The thing about making a traditional cauliflower crust is that it’s not super fast.  Now, it’s not HARD, it just has a few different steps and ALL THAT SQUEEZING.  What I’ve found helpful in how to make cauliflower crust is to break up into a few key phases or steps so I can plan my timing around it.  

  • Rice/food processor your cauliflower (if necessary) and cook it
  • Squeeeeeeeze your cauliflower to get all the liquid out, then mix together the dough
  • Bake the dough mixture by itself, then top and bake just long enough to melt the cheese

So I’ll often do the first step earlier in the day so it can cool, then just throw the cooked cauliflower in my nut milk bag and come back to it later.  Then when I’m ready to actually make dinner, I turn my oven on and start the squeezing. 

I’ll squeeze once, let it rest a couple minutes, come back and squeeze some more…you want to get as much liquid out as possible.

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Leave a Comment CATEGORIES // Gluten-Free Recipes, Go-To Recipes, How-Tos, Main Dishes, Super Healthy

Grilling Tips For First-Timers & How To Use A Gas Grill

March 30, 2021

I am a massive fan of grilling, and actually run my grill almost every night, year-round.  Why, you ask?  Well, 1) it’s the best way I’ve found to consistently eat healthy, 2) it’s super fast and easy, and 3) it requires very little clean-up.

Did you need more reasons than that??

A First-Timer's Guide to Grilling...How to Use a Gas Grill, Easy Grilling Recipes, & More | If you're newer to grilling, these easy tips and my favorite recipes will make you a grillmaster in no time. Grilling is a healthy, easy, and fast way to cook. How to grill moist chicken, how to grill steak and salmon, vegetables, and amazing grilled pizza. Grilling tools you'll need & more! #grilling #gasgrill #howto

Since I moved into my house a few years ago and finally got a real gas grill, I’ve been working to become a grillmaster of sorts, testing all kinds of different recipes. 

So I wanted to share some of my favorite grilling tips and recipes here, particularly for grilling newbies…and I’m always looking to up my game so feel free to send me YOUR best ones too! 

(I feel like I need to caveat here, that I’m not one of those amazing obsessed grilling nerds…but that’s why this guide is perfect for newbies)

What this post covers

  • Grilling tools for success
  • General grilling tips
  • Tips for grilling various meats
  • Marinades
  • Vegetables
  • Pizza

Tools you need

It goes without saying that a good grill is a good starting point.  I use a gas grill, so all the tips here will be geared toward that, I can’t speak to charcoal.  I upgraded to a Weber recently but had a Charbroil for a few years, they’re only a few hundred bucks, and it did great.READ THE POST

Leave a Comment CATEGORIES // Cooking for One, Go-To Recipes, How-Tos, Main Dishes, Side Dishes & Veggies, Super Healthy

How To Make a Cute (& Easy) Onesie Cake For a Baby Shower

January 30, 2021

I am known for many things, but my cake decorating skills (or generally making desserts that are aesthetically pleasing) is NOT one of those things.   I make delicious things, but they’re not always pretty and that’s okay.  When I try cake decorating, it looks like a two-year-old did it.

And I still didn’t do an *amazing* job on this adorable onesie cake, but I’m PRETTY DARN PROUD OF IT and also think the idea/technique is awesome.

Easy, Cute Onesie Cake - Baby Shower Cake Ideas | Even if you're terrible at cake decorating, this onesie cake is really easy and perfect for any baby shower (or 1st birthday cake). If you're planning a baby shower you should use this cake. It can be as fancy or simple as you want. #babyshower #cakedecorating

For this shower, the mom-to-be had requested her favorite cake—regular yellow box cake with chocolate frosting.  And what mama wants, mama gets.  

HOWEVER, this hurt my baker’s soul, so I tried to figure out some way to make it special.  Well, and I also made a second (delicious) cake 🙂

While sifting through baby shower cake ideas, I stumbled upon this onesie-shaped cake, and it actually looked super easy so it felt I could tackle it.  It’s mainly just some simple cutting or carving of a 9×13 cake and then doing the frosting and just a bit of piping. 

Mine is definitely not perfect (definitely looks wonkus in the diaper region especially), but I’ll talk about a few of the techniques I used below.

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Leave a Comment CATEGORIES // Desserts, How-Tos

Grilled Margherita Pizza: Simple Perfection

August 22, 2020

I’m quite picky when it comes to pizza.  But give me an amazing Naples-style traditional margherita pizza and I am in 100% of the time. 

And make that a grilled margherita pizza??  ALL THE YES.

Easy Grilled Margherita Pizza | A traditional margherita pizza is a thing of beauty, and this recipe makes it super simple. With only a few ingredients, you can have hot, fresh pizza on any weeknight. An easy weeknight dinner, perfect grilling recipe, grilled pizza, how to make grilled pizza | finding time for cooking

This pizza is perfect in its simplicity…it’s less of a standalone recipe than it is the sum of a few delicious components.  The flavor and high heat from the grill help kind of approximate the crazy heat and fire of the traditional woodfire oven.  

It takes my favorite easy pizza dough (or use your own, or store-bought), a no-cook tomato sauce that takes literally two minutes to make, some fresh mozzarella, and some freshly-grated parmesan.

Making a traditional margherita pizza is easy

You can whip it up on any weeknight, something that always feels like a victory.  The real problem for me is that…I’m one person.  So I really can’t justify eating tons of pizza, but it’s not good as leftovers, so…

I guess what I’m saying is, my clothes are tight.

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Leave a Comment CATEGORIES // Foods I'm Obsessed With, How-Tos, Main Dishes

How To Brine Chicken Breasts: A Secret To Amazing Chicken

August 11, 2019

Not to brag or anything, but I make darn good grilled chicken breasts.  Like, my-sister-requests-them-for-her-birthday-dinner good.

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts often get a bad rap for being the iceberg lettuce of the protein world…a bland necessary evil but absolutely nothing to get excited about.  However, I really struggle with the texture and flavor of chicken thighs or bone-in chicken, so I’ve made it my mission to crack the code on delicious chicken breasts.

How to brine chicken breasts and grill them

My best friend (my Cheese) put me on to wet brining a few years ago, and it’s become an invaluable tool in my arsenal.  I often forget to put chicken in to marinate in the morning before I leave for work, and so what I will often do when I get home at night is make up a brine, throw the chicken in, go for a run, and fire up the grill as soon as I’m back.

We’re going to talk about both wet brine and dry brine methods here, as both are great (but I’ll tell you my new favorite at the end).

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4 Comments CATEGORIES // Go-To Recipes, How-Tos, Main Dishes, Super Healthy

How To Make Amazing Grilled Pizza (& My Go-To Dough)

August 3, 2019

Ever since I got a proper gas grill, I’ve been working on becoming a total grillmaster.  That means all the usual things like learning how to make moist and flavorful chicken, steak, fish, and vegetables…but one of my favorite things to experiment with has been grilled pizza.

So I wanted to share what I’ve learned and provide my best tips for how to grill pizza dough (along with some of my favorite grilled pizza recipes).  

How to Grill Pizza...Techniques & Tips for the Best Grilled Pizza | I share two easy techniques for grilling pizza dough (including my easy go-to dough recipe) plus the tools I use and several awesome pizza recipe ideas. This is such a great summertime dinner recipe, and easier than you'd think! How to make grilled pizza. #pizza #grill #pizzadough #grilledpizza

The beauty of grilled pizza is how versatile it is…you can seriously top it with just about anything, as long as it’s already cooked or mostly cooked.  From veggies to protein to fruit to cheese to chocolate, you can’t go wrong.

I’m sharing two different techniques for how to make grilled pizza, both of which I’ve used extensively, are easy, and work well.  Part of it depends on what you prefer, and also what kind of end result you’re looking for…technique #1 has a little more of a flatbread feel and #2 is more traditional style with a puffy outer crust.

How to Grill Pizza...Techniques & Tips for the Best Grilled Pizza | I share two easy techniques for grilling pizza dough (including my easy go-to dough recipe) plus the tools I use and several awesome pizza recipe ideas. This is such a great summertime dinner recipe, and easier than you'd think! How to make grilled pizza. #pizza #grill #pizzadough #grilledpizzaREAD THE POST

18 Comments CATEGORIES // Bread Recipes, Foods I'm Obsessed With, How-Tos, Main Dishes

Absolutely Addictive Marinated Feta Cheese

October 4, 2018

Marinated feta where have you been all my life?!

That was basically what my brain was yelling the first time I made this.  It was meant to be just an ingredient in garlicky farfalle with marinated feta and arugula (now a fave of mine), but I pinched a little bite while I was cooking the pasta, and my mind was blown.

Easy, Amazing Marinated Feta Cheese | finding time for cooking blog

Since then I’ve made it on its own, either for tossing in a salad, for eating on crackers, or for just obsessively snacking on by itself.  The key to making it especially amazing is to use a really good block feta (not the pre-crumbled stuff).  Any block will do—and don’t go fat-free, bring on that fat—but I recently fell in love with the Pastures of Eden feta at Trader Joe’s (and wherever else you can find it).  Amazeballs.

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Leave a Comment CATEGORIES // Appetizers, Dips, & Snacks, Foods I'm Obsessed With, How-Tos

Browned Butter 101: How To Brown Butter

August 26, 2018

The cooking and baking world has long been obsessed with brown butter.  Very charmingly called “beurre noisette” (or hazelnut butter…and it’s actually delicious *with* hazelnuts), it’s basically butter that’s been gently boiled until the milk solids evaporate, leaving you with a clarified, brown, nutty pool of YUM.

It’s useful everything from baking to simple, rich pasta sauces, and is actually super simple to make as long as you know what to look for.  So today we’re going to talk about how to brown butter.

How to make brown butter | easy steps for making browned butter, and what it should look like at every stage | finding time for cookingREAD THE POST

Leave a Comment CATEGORIES // How-Tos

How To Cut Up a Butternut Squash (& Roast It)

November 5, 2017

It’s fall, so you know what that means…

No, I’m not talking about festive Starbucks cups and new fall TV shows.  It means that hundreds of butternut squash recipes are flooding Pinterest.  You’re probably getting seduced by them as we speak.  And then you remember that getting a butternut squash from whole into bite-sized pieces is THE WORST.

Until you know how to do it well.  So that’s where I come in.  I’ve found and refined a way to dismember butternut squash that doesn’t take long, doesn’t kill your hands, and will get you perfect little cubes every time.  Sure, you can sometimes buy it pre-cut (and there’s nothing wrong with that), but you can’t always find it that way plus it gets kind of slimy fairly fast.  Better to have a good back-up.

So let’s dive in, shall we?  There are two main pieces of equipment that you need, and one of them is an actual decent Y-peeler.  I’m in love with my OXO peeler, got it a few years back and now no longer accidentally take off layers of skin when I’m peeling veggies.  It gives you so much more leverage and stability than a regular vertical-bladed peeler.

Begin peeling long, deep strips out of the squash.  You’ll need to overlap your stripes, because it will likely take two tries to get it deep enough.  Butternut squash peel is not messing around.READ THE POST

Leave a Comment CATEGORIES // Go-To Recipes, How-Tos, Super Healthy

Finally, no oil slick on top (One-Step Homemade Peanut Butter)

July 18, 2012

I’ve been buying natural peanut butter for years, because it’s generally healthier, to avoid trans fats, and overall just tastes good. But I’ve always been frustrated by the whole “stir in the oil” aspect of it, because I am apparently not capable of doing that. I start trying to stir it, splash oil everywhere, get the entire knife messy, and finally give up and put it in the fridge—where the next time I pull it out, there’s a congealed oil slick on top. So I eat half a jar of really oily peanut butter and half a jar of dry-as-a-bone peanut butter.

Suffice to say, I’m not a fan of the oil slick component. But I’d never really considered making my own, because that sounded like too much work. Plus, my grandma makes her own and just puts peanuts in the grinder attachment on her mixer, but that just ends up being dry peanut crumblies.

But behold—amazing creamy homemade peanut butter!

easy healthy homemade peanut butter

Enter Pinterest. Someone had pinned instructions for making your own homemade peanut butter with just the peanuts and a food processor, no additives. They said that if you just kept the food processor running past the crumbly stage and past the “dry ball of peanut goop” stage, magically the oils break down and it becomes creamy and delicious all on its own. No added salt, sugar, oil, etc. I was skeptical, but decided to give it a try. And, miracle of miracles, it works! So now I’m hooked.

I bought roasted & salted peanuts. Considered using honey roasted, but wasn’t sure of the additional sugar. You can use any type you like, or use mixed nuts, another type of nut, whatever floats your boat.

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2 Comments CATEGORIES // Go-To Recipes, How-Tos, Sauces, Spices, & Other Basics, Super Healthy

About Me

Welcome to my little corner of the internet! I created this blog for people who love cooking & baking but are challenged to find the time and energy to do it. Recipes run the gamut from super healthy to indulgent, but the focus is on using REAL food no matter what.

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Recent IG Adventures!

While I eagerly await warmer weather, I snuck in o While I eagerly await warmer weather, I snuck in one last winter cocktail...here's some Sage Advice! It's a winter-y version of a whiskey sour bringing both cinnamon and sage, and then skirting the line of daiquiri with the substitution of lime juice for the traditional lemon. 

Tap the link in my IG bio & pick this photo to get the recipe! --> @findingtimeforcooking
#cocktailrecipe #bourbon #bourboncocktails #whiskeysour
Forget your run-of-the-mill double chocolate cooki Forget your run-of-the-mill double chocolate cookies 🍫 These TRIPLE dark chocolate cookies (with a hint of whiskey & balance with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt) are rich indulgence without being sickly sweet. They're also soooo easy...no special tools, no dough chilling. Delish cookies in under 30 minutes! 

Tap the link in my IG bio & click on this photo to get the full recipe! --> @findingtimeforcooking 
#chocoholic #chocolatecookies #darkchocolate #cookierecipe
A recipe that gets me to eat broccoli every day?? A recipe that gets me to eat broccoli every day?? SOLD. And it is so fast & easy that it can barely be called a "recipe"...these cumin roasted broccoli bits in the air fryer (though you can use an oven instead) are crazy fast, healthy, & delicious!

Tap the link in my IG bio & pick this photo to see the recipe! --> @findingtimeforcooking 
#airfryer #broccoli #easysidedish #airfryerrecipes
I've been making these healthy 5-ingredient browni I've been making these healthy 5-ingredient brownies on REPEAT for a couple months now. And knowing that they only take a few minutes to make has been a bit dangerous on random Tuesday nights when my sweet tooth strikes! 

Oh, and I forgot to mention that they're naturally gluten- & grain-free, dairy-free, egg-free, vegan, and (optionally) no sweetener added? 

Tap the link in my IG bio & choose this photo to get the recipe! --> @findingtimeforcooking 

#healthydessert #healthybrownies #glutenfreerecipes #vegandessert
This cranberry snack cake is seriously my platonic This cranberry snack cake is seriously my platonic ideal for a cake. I DREAM of this cake. A soft, moist, dense buttery vanilla cake batter is studded with tart fresh cranberries, with a tiny crunch of raw sugar on top. A perfect dessert or snack for pretty much any occasion...including with a cup of tea on a random Tuesday afternoon...

Tap the link in my IG bio & choose this photo to get the recipe! 
--> @findingtimeforcooking 
#cranberrycake #cranberries #cranberryrecipe #bestdessert
These super easy marinated white beans are packed These super easy marinated white beans are packed with flavor & only take a few minutes to make! Even better?? They're best when made ahead of time (in 5 minutes!) and left for a day or two in the fridge for the flavors to really meld & intensify. 

This has become a go-to plant-based recipe, but I often throw some grilled salmon or chicken on top for a full meal. 

Tap the link in my IG bio & choose this pic to get the recipe!
#veganrecipes #vegetarianrecipes #whitebeans #plantbasedrecipes
A lot of people don't realize how easy & cheap it A lot of people don't realize how easy & cheap it is to make your own kombucha at home...you can have an entire gallon for less than the cost of one bottle at the store! 

I can't even keep a bamboo plant alive, yet have managed to keep the same "scoby" starter healthy & active for well over a decade. 

Here are easy step-by-step instructions for making your own kombucha at home, & the tools you'll need to do so! Tap the link in my IG bio (@findingtimeforcooking) & click on this photo to see the whole post.
#homemadekombucha #kombuchabrewing #healthyguthappylife #scoby
I'm not generally a soup person, though I'm trying I'm not generally a soup person, though I'm trying to be more 🍜 But this Turkish corba (a spiced red lentil soup) has always been one of my exceptions.  It's CRAZY easy to make, full of veggies and the protein from the lentils, and just feels like a warm hug in a bowl!  A great vegetarian dinner idea, perfect on any detox protocol, and just a great cozy recipe for the winter months.

Tap the link in my IG bio & choose this photo to get the recipe!
#corba #redlentils #souprecipe #drcabraldetox
Today, we FANCY. But also lazy. When I first saw a Today, we FANCY. But also lazy. When I first saw a recipe for the "lazy person's kouign amann", I was intrigued...and it definitely lives up to the hype! The texture isn't quite the same as the much more time-consuming and complex authentic French pastry it's hacking, but it's darn close and absolutely delicious. 

To see the recipe, tap the link in my IG bio & click on this photo! --> @findingtimeforcooking 
#kouignamann #frenchpastries #bakingfromscratch #frenchbaking
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