cooking ala mel

healthy recipes and the occasional craft

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Buckwheat Apple Cake (Gluten Free)

This week marks the first week of the semester that I really need to hunker down and start studying like crazy.. 3 exams next week!  Of course, I welcomed the week in with a killer migraine, so I missed classes today.  Tesla, the perfect kitty nurse, never left my side all day long.  It was a good day, notwithstanding the headache.  If only I had more of this cake left – it would’ve been perfect for today.

This cake is perfect for fall, which has officially begun, now!  Tart apples and lots of cinnamon make this cake really shine.  Buckwheat flour is featured here again, a way to keep things gluten free and healthy without having to worry much about how the flour will act!  It’s a dense cake, as I think all apple cakes should be. [Read more…]

Spinach Artichoke Flatbread

Sometimes, I want pizza, but I don’t want any of the classic flavor combinations for pizza.  So I take my pizza dough, and I top it with something fantastic, like a spread rivaling spinach artichoke dip.  Then I throw on some cherry tomatoes and onions for good measure.  Delicious, my friends.  So good.

This is definitely a healthier take on spinach artichoke dip.  I use greek yogurt and Italian cheeses for the base – no cream cheese here!  A nice whole wheat crust.  It’s packed with fresh spinach, garlic, and artichokes, all of which are pretty good for you.  The tomatoes and onion are totally optional, but I definitely recommend them!

Whole Wheat Garlic and Herb Pizza Dough

Since the fall semester has started, we’ve been having homemade pizza pretty much weekly.  After a long 3 days of classes, I just can’t wait to sink my hands into some sticky dough, kneading and rolling, banishing all thoughts pertaining to school.  The cheesy, carby goodness that comes out of it later definitely doesn’t hurt, either.

It’s taken me a long time to find the perfect pizza dough to suit my tastes, containing mostly whole wheat flour, a good crust, and lots of flavor.  Finally, finally, I’ve found that dough. [Read more…]