DIY Wednesday: Dairy-Free Chocolate Ganache

December 2, 2015December 2, 2015 / ktbuchs87 / 1 Comment

After DIY Wednesday: Dairy-Free Chocolate Ganache a week off, DIY Wednesday is back! I know you missed it and were totally lost without a fun DIY to fill your Wednesday. At least that’s what I would like to think.

I’m SUPER excited about this DIY because I didn’t think it was going to work and it did and it is amazing. If you don’t know what a ganache is, then you obviously don’t spend enough time in bakeries or watching the Food Network. A ganache is a glaze, sauce, icing, or filling that is typically made with cream and chocolate. It can be used for cakes, cupcakes, truffles, or donuts. Basically, anything that is delicious can be made even more delicious with ganache. DIY Wednesday: Dairy-Free Chocolate Ganache | Life Healthfully Lived

Ganache used to be one of my favorite things. It isn’t super heavy or super sweet like typical frostings and it really lets the chocolate flavor shine through. And let’s face it, chocolate is the reason many of us get up in the morning. Wait, is that just me? Oh well, it’s true and I ain’t ashamed of that.

So you can imagine how excited I was when I was able to make it without dairy but still just as delicious. I figured I would share this one with you right as the holiday season is upon us because this will definitely come in handy for all your baking needs. You can use it as a frosting or icing for you cooking, as a decadent hot chocolate drink, as a filling for pastries or sweet breads, or stick it in the fridge for a rich and creamy mousse and a simple dessert. The possibilities are endless and with just a few ingredients you can have this on hand at all times. That is a very good thing!

Dairy-Free Chocolate Ganache

1 cup full-fat coconut milk, unsweetened
2 oz unsweetened baking chocolate (I used Baker’s brand)
2-3 tbsp maple syrup, honey, molasses, whatever liquid sweetener you have on hand

Using a microplane or fine grater, grate the 2 oz of chocolate into a medium bowl until you have a little pile of chocolate shreds. Set bowl aside.
Get a small to medium saucepan and pour the coconut milk in. Heat the milk over medium heat and whisk frequently. You don’t want the milk to boil or scald. Whisk in the maple syrup or other sweetener and whisking until you get a light simmer. This should take about 10 minutes
Remove the milk from the heat and get your bowl with chocolate shreds. Slowly pour in the sweetened warm milk, whisking the whole time. Keep whisking until the chocolate is completely melted and everything is smooth.
You can use the ganache right away or you can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.

Back To Normal

November 30, 2015November 30, 2015 / ktbuchs87

Almost… I’m actually coming to you from Sycamore this week. I’m house/dog sitting and get to do a bit of “country” livin’ in my old neighborhood. I actually do miss Sycamore sometimes. It’s slower pace out here, quieter, calmer, and really quite beautiful. While I love my Chicago neighborhood, it’s nice to come back and slow things down.

I love how these two are already in cahoots and love being brothers

It’s also nice because I get to work in a huge kitchen and take food pictures with all the natural light. This house is a bloggers dream. Or at least this galley kitchen, two-window, interior apartment-dwelling blogger’s dream. So be on the lookout for some good food pics in the coming weeks…

I’m working on a few new recipes and I was thinking of a few ideas. I honestly put recipes on the blog that I cook for me and Adam. I don’t usually go out and create something that he or I wouldn’t eat or make regularly. While that sometimes limits what I put on here, I think it also shows how a real home cook prepares meals. I’m not a trained chef or even a professional recipe developer. I just put things together that sound good in my head and I think would taste good.

Grandma and the grandkids

With that in mind, I was thinking of reworking one of my favorite childhood meals. My mom’s leftover casserole. She would make this a few days after Thanksgiving and it was almost better than the Thanksgiving feast itself. I just have to figure out if I can gear it towards the healthier side of things…

I know I’ve said this before, but I am going to work on putting more meals that have meat in them up here. I don’t personally eat meat, but Adam does and I do prepare a few dishes for him that he really likes and would make good weeknight meals. I want this to be a place that anyone can come to and find at least one recipe that will fit their lifestyle, tastes delicious, and is healthy.

After feast Tripoly playing… I think Adam and I win the expression game

I hope that you are getting back to your regular routine without too much fatigue. That first Monday after a holiday can be a rough one. At least it’s cyber Monday and there are awesome presents that you can buy while still in your PJ’s!

Happy Thanksgiving from the Buchanan/Meyers/Dawson/ Bullard Family!

Do you guys have any requests or suggestions on recipes? The more feedback I get, the better I can serve you guys! Just let me know in the comments below!

Thanksgiving: Round 2

November 27, 2015November 24, 2015 / ktbuchs87

Like many people, I get to celebrate the holidays multiple times. Marriage opens up new families and traditions to be celebrated and that means twice the holiday fun.

Yesterday, I spent the day with Adam’s side of the family, cooking, laughing, drinking, and spending time together. It was a great day and I really do enjoy experiencing family gatherings with his big family. Adam’s mom is one of 10 and when you get everyone together there are easily 20 to 30 people crammed into the house. And that’s what Thanksgiving and Christmas are about right? Shoving as much love and happiness into a room as possible.

Today is the Buchanan Thanksgiving and while it is a smaller affair, it’s no less heartwarming or full of family. I love getting together with my family and sharing our traditions year after year. One of my favorites is signing the tablecloth.

Many moons ago, when Thanksgiving was exclusively at our house, my mom had the idea to get a plain white tablecloth and have the whole family sign it every year. It’s become kind of like a history book for us. I can look back and see when I couldn’t even write my name, remember when certain friends came for dinner, and watch the transformation of our family. I loved this idea so much that for our wedding Adam and I had our guests sign a tablecloth instead of a guest book.

I’m not sure what your day after Thanksgiving traditions are, but whether you are a black Friday shopper or have another meal to get to, I hope that you are enjoying your family time and celebrating your own traditions!

Last Minute Thanksgiving Round-Up

November 25, 2015November 23, 2015 / ktbuchs87

Tomorrow is the big day and instead of my usual DIY Wednesday post, I thought I would do a round-up of some of my recipes that would make a good last minute dish.

These meals are fairly simple to put together and they are sure to please everyone at the table. Which is no easy feat with a big crowd!

Appetizers

My Favorite Hummus- Last Minute Thanksgiving Round-Up | Life Healthfully Lived

Start everyone off with some veggies and dip. This hummus is my favorite and while it does take a few extra steps, it tastes so much better than store bought. You can also make it a few days in advance so you don’t have to worry about it the day of.

Carrot Fennel Soup- Last Minute Last Minute Thanksgiving Round-Up | Life Healthfully Lived

Soup is a really good first course and this carrot fennel soup could not be easier to make. The slow cooker does all of the work and all you have to do is puree it right before you serve it. Again, you could make today and then just heat it up right before it’s time to eat.

Sides

Quinoa Cornbread Bites- Last Minute Thanksgiving Round-Up | Life Healthfully Lived

Try this healthy twist on cornbread and I bet people will like them just as much. Also, other than the flax seed, most of these ingredients are things that you might already have on hand.

Spicy Cranberry Sauce- Last Minute Thanksgiving Round-Up | Life Healthfully Lived

This is my all-time favorite side dish for Thanksgiving. My mom makes an awesome cranberry relish, and I discovered the awesomeness that is spicy cranberry sauce last year. This comes together really fast and can be made right before serving.

Mains

Pumpkin Gnocchi- Last Minute Thanksgiving Round-Up | Life Healthfully Lived

I have been making a butternut squash version of these for the past few weeks and they would be a fun addition to your table. They are great for vegans and gluten-free folks who might have a harder time finding something to eat. You can prep these today and pop them in the freezer. Then you can just pull them out and cook them in boiling water when you’re ready to serve them!

Butternut Squash Gnudi- Last Minute Thanksgiving Round-Up | Life Healthfully Lived

Another vegan/gluten-free main dish that you could make today and then serve tomorrow. It is a little labor intensive, but if you have a lot of hands on deck to help, you can pull these together in time for the big dinner tomorrow.

Desserts

Frosted Pumpkin Blondies- Last Minute Thanksgiving Round-Up | Life Healthfully Lived

Like brownies but with pumpkin. Plus a simple frosting? Big win in my book.

Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies- Last Minute Thanksgiving Round-Up | Life Healthfully Lived

I love a good oatmeal cookie and the pumpkin in these make them really moist and delicious. They also make a great breakfast the next morning…

Over On Girlish

I also write recipes for Girlish and I have a few tasty Thanksgiving dishes over there that you should check out!

Cranberry Coffee Cake- Last Minute Thanksgiving Round-Up | Life Healthfully Lived

If you have guests that are going to be there in the morning, this coffee cake is great to have on hand. It tastes like it’s bad for you, but it actually has some really healthy ingredients

Thanksgiving Wild Rice- Last Minute Thanksgiving Round-Up | Life Healthfully Lived

I am going to be bringing this to the two Thanksgiving’s that I am going to this year. It comes together fast, good for vegetarians, vegans, and gluten-free folks, and tastes like Thanksgiving all in one meal.

Hopefully you aren’t stressing too much about your feast and you can find a few recipes here that you and your family will enjoy!

Happy Thanksgiving friends!

I Am Thankful For…

November 23, 2015November 23, 2015 / ktbuchs87

My husband who always loves me, even when I’m being crazy and weird which is more often than not. Who works hard to provide for me and always puts my happiness before his. Without him, I wouldn’t be half the person I am now. I Am Thankful For... | Life Healthfully Lived

My family who has shaped my very being. They know me better than anyone on this planet and support me in everything I do. They have taught me how to love and live and I cannot imagine me without them. I Am Thankful For... | Life Healthfully Lived

My Faith which is the driving force behind every decision I make, every action I take, every word I speak, and the source of my hope and love. God is good all the time and all the time God is good. I Am Thankful For... | Life Healthfully Lived

My basic needs which are unfailingly met. I have never ever wanted for food, shelter, or clothing. I have never wondered where my next meal was coming from, where I would be sleeping at night, and I have the luxury of opening my closet and choosing from a variety of clothes. Not everyone gets that security.

My freedom which has cost me absolutely nothing but instead others have paid for with their lives. I can say what I want, believe what I want, and pursue my happiness because of the simple fact that I am an American. In a world that is wrought with pain and strife, where people are oppressed and killed for their beliefs and opinions, freedom is no small matter. I Am Thankful For... | Life Healthfully Lived

My dreams that propel me to do new and sometimes scary things. Having a dream can be tough but so worth it. And having people behind you to support those dreams? That is something to be even more thankful for.

I could go on and on with things that I am thankful for because I am beyond blessed. I know it’s cliche to think about all the things we have gratitude for this week, but these are things that I give thanks for every single day. I often take these things for granted because they are so simple. But for those that don’t have them, they mean the world. I Am Thankful For... | Life Healthfully Lived