Passion Fruit Yogurt Parfaits with Cassava Crumble (AIP, low FODMAP, Paleo, Vegan)

For the past month or so, I’ve been making at least one batch of AIP two-ingredinet Instant Pot coconut yogurt a week, as I developed & finessed the recipe. I’ve used the yogurt in several applications, but this parfait might be one of my favorite sweet servings. I love using just a hint of maple & letting the sweet/tart flavor of the yogurt + fruit shine through. And let’s not forget about the crunch of the toasted cassava crumble, which makes a great stand-in for granola.

I’m not really sure if this passion fruit coconut yogurt parfait should be classified as a treat or as a breakfast food. For the sake of AIP nutrient density guidelines, it should probably be a treat, but I must admit, I have eaten one or two for breakfast, alongside a serving of protein and vegetables.  

Passion fruit isn’t always easy to find, but often Asian grocery stores will carry it. Back in August, I was thrilled to find actual passion fruits on sale at Whole Foods. I really, really love the tart, flower-y flavor of passion fruit--it’s almost like sour candy for adults. We even had passion fruit curd filing on one of our wedding cakes. And passion fruit is low FODMAP too! Yay! Just don’t eat more than 5 at one time….   

When ripe, the fruit should be dark purple on the exterior & wrinkly. Cut the ripe fruit in half & use a spoon to scoop out the pulp & seeds--both are edible. I personally like the crunch of the seeds, but you could go through the laborious task of straining out the seeds, if desired. 

This parfait could be made with other fruit too, if passion fruit can’t be found or aren’t to your liking. I’ve also tried mixed berries (blueberries/strawberries/raspberries are all low FODMAP), as well as a rhubarb compote similar to this one (substituting maple for the honey to keep it low FODMAP). 

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.

Passion Fruit Yogurt Parfaits with Cassava Crumble (AIP, low FODMAP, Paleo, Vegan) 

Crumble

5 Tbl Cassava Flour

1/8 tsp Sea Salt

1/4 tsp Vanilla Bean Powder

1 1/2 tsp Grade B Maple Syrup

28 g / 2 Tbl Coconut Oil

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 
2. Mix all the ingredients with a fork in a small bowl until the ingredients are crumbly. 
3. Spread in an even layer (clumps are ok) on the prepared baking sheet. 
4. Bake for 10 minutes, rotate the pan, and bake an additional 5 to 10 minutes, or until golden. Set aside to cool

Vanilla Maple Coconut Milk Yogurt

yields enough for 3 parfaits 

1 c Two Ingredient Instant Pot Coconut Yogurt (or other AIP-compliant coconut yogurt) 

1 Tbl Grade B Maple Syrup

1/4 tsp Vanilla Bean Powder

1. Add all the ingredients to a mixing bowl. Stir to combine. Reserve in the refrigerator until ready to assemble parfaits & serve. 

Assembly--per parfait 

**assemble right before serving**

1/3 c Vanilla Maple Coconut Milk Yogurt 

seeds from 1 Ripe Passion fruit

1 Tbl Crumble 

1. Portion the yogurt into a small bowl or other small vessel. 
2. Top the yogurt with half of the passion fruit pulp/seed. 
3. Sprinkle the crumble over the top. Add the remaining passion fruit. 
4. Serve immediately. 

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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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Marinated Flank Steak (AIP, Paleo, Low FODMAP)

While I have very limited photographic evidence of this marinated flank steak, I simply couldn’t let that small hiccup keep me from sharing this amazing recipe.

I’ve been making marinated steak for a couple years, helped in part by a childhood memory of my uncle’s recipe, though my recipe has undergone many changes to accommodate different dietary needs. This latest batch was meant to be a test for a future blog post. I had developed a habit of not measuring the marinade components, so each batch turned out a little different... But this time, I wrote down the ingredients & amounts in my recipe journal intending to make the recipe at least one more time before posting it. Fun fact: did you know that for most recipes I post on this site, I’ve tested them at least 2 to 3 times (sometimes as many as 5 times) before posting them? I just want to ensure that the results are consistent & that I can craft beautiful images.

Ok, back to steak.... After 7ish hours, the meat was all marinated & ready to be cooked. Unfortunately, the remaining daylight was disappearing quickly & I worked as fast as I could to get the steak finished + styled for a “just in case” photo. Husband and I both couldn’t stop sneaking little pieces of cooked steak off the cutting board as I styled the shot. We both realized that this marinade version was completely spot on! I quickly grabbed a photo of the steak in what remained of the daylight & we ate it with sautéed spinach & a little squash puree. Ohmygoodness, so tasty!

Immediately, I mentally added the recipe to the upcoming week’s meal plan, planning to do a more “proper” photo shoot. But when we headed to the city for a day of appointments, errands & grocery shopping, the stores we visited were out of flank steak! Bummer! But at least I grabbed those quick shots when I had a chance :)

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.

Marinated Flank Steak (AIP, Paleo, Low FODMAP) 
yield’s 3ish servings, depending on appetite 

1/4 c Olive Oil
2 Tbl Garlic Oil (My favorite brand is from Trade Joe's)
2 Tbl Red Wine Vinegar
2 Tbl Coconut Aminos
1/2 tsp Pink Sea Salt
2 tsp chopped fresh Rosemary
1.25 lb Flank Steak (grassfed, if possible)

Additional rosemary & Maldon Smoked Sea Saltfor serving

1. In a large ziplock bag, combine the olive oil, garlic oil, vinegar, aminos, pink salt & rosemary. Add the flank steak & seal. Squish everything around until the steak is well coated.
2. Marinate in the refrigerator for 6 to 8 hrs. Turn the bag over half-way through the marinating time, if you can (optional). 
3. Remove the bag from the refrigerator & allow the steak to sit at room temp, in the marinade, for an additional 30 to 40 minutes.  
4. Preheat a large cast iron skillet  lightly greased, over medium high heat. Pan fry the steak for 2 minutes per side for medium-rare. 
5. Remove from the pan & allow to rest on a cutting board for 10 minutes. Slice across the grain into thin slices. Garnish with additional rosemary & Maldon Smoked Sea Salt. 

Note: 

• You can marinate the steak in a large glass dish if you prefer not to use plastic. 
• If you’re not following low-FODMAP, the garlic oil can be replaced with 1-2 smashed garlic cloves.  
• The marinade can be boiled & used as a sauce, if desired. 

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Paleo Mocha Frappé, two ways

(left) Paleo frappé, (right) almost paleo frappé 

Instead of giving a traditional gift to my dad this year for Fathers Day, I “paleo-ified” one of his favorite non-paleo treats, a Mocha Frappé, and gave him the recipe.  My parents have followed paleo for several years, even long before I jumped on the AIP bandwagon. My dad saw great improvements to his seasonal allergies once he eliminated grains, sugars & dairy from his regular diet.

Since my dad does not have diagnosed chronic or autoimmune health conditions that I have, he is able to follow the 80/20 rule. Yet, he still has a great love for Mocha Frappés--the ones that come from a certain fast food joint known for its golden arches. I wanted him to be able to indulge in the flavors of his favorite treat while maybe consuming *slightly less* of the non-paleo ingredients found in the commercial blended (flavored) iced coffee beverages. So, I set out to create a slightly better-for-you version that he could enjoy at home.

(left) Paleo frappé, (right) almost paleo frappé

In the end, I created not just one, but two frappé versions, both of which are still very much treats. The first is completely paleo, though it requires some prior planning to make the chocolate sauce, cold brew coffee & make coffee ice cubes, prep coconut cream.... I realize that not everyone may have the right forethought to prepare so many components ahead of time (basically, you would need to decide almost 36 hours ahead of time that you’d like to make a frappé), so I created a second, less labor intensive, version. The second version potentially uses some grey-area paleo ingredients but is more easily created on a whim. Still, with either frappé, the end product will have better, more “real” ingredients than a store bought treat.

Paleo Mocha Frappé 
Yield: 1 serving

3 Super Cubes (approximately 150 g) of cold brewed coffee (see recipe below)
90 g (a little less than 1/2 c) Coconut Cream
60 g / 3 Tbl Paleo Fudge Sauce, plus additional for optional garnish
½ tsp Vanilla Extract
Coconut Whipped Cream (see recipe below), optional garnish

1. Scale all the ingredients, in the order listed above, into a high-speed blender single-serve cup (I have this Ninja  but another brand should work too). 
2. Screw on the blender cup top & blend until all the ice is pulverized. Allow the blender to rest as necessary. It may be beneficial to remove the blender cup from the base & shake it a couple times during the blending process. 
3. Top with coconut whipped cream and/or a drizzle of paleo fudge sauce, if desired. Add a straw & serve immediately.

Note:

• This frappé is not as sweet as the ones commercially sold. If desired, add 2 tsp (or more to taste) Coconut Sugar, or other Paleo sweetener of choice, during the blending process. 
• This recipe can be easily doubled (or tripled) by using a regular blender container, instead of the single-serve cups. Scale ingredients directly into the larger vessel & blend.  
• As always, use the weight measurements for the best accuracy. But this recipe isn't a fussy as a cake or other baked good, so if your amounts are slightly off, it should still be ok. 

Cold-Brewed French Press Coffee

8 Tbl Ground Coffee

32 fl oz Filtered Water 

1. Measure the coffee grounds into the main vessel of a French press. Pour in the water. Stir to combine. 
2. Place the lid on the French press, but keep the plunger up. Steep in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours and up to 12 hours.   
3. After 8-12 hours, press the plunger to separate the coffee from the grounds.  Make coffee ice cubes, if desired. Store any leftover coffee in the refrigerator until ready to use. 

Coconut Whipped Cream

Yield: enough for 2 frappés 

1 can Coconut Milk, refrigerated at least 8 hours

1 tsp Grade B Maple Syrup 

1 tsp Vanilla Extract

1. Refrigerate the can of coconut milk at least 8 hours. Open the can from the bottom & pour out the liquid. Save the liquid for a future use, such as in a smoothie. Scoop the solids into a medium sized mixing bowl.  
2. Add the maple syrup & vanilla extract to the solids. Use a hand-held mixer (or the whisk attachment of an immersion blender) to whip the ingredients to soft peaks. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve. 

Notes:

• Coconut milk with thickeners added (like guar gum) will produce the best textured whipped cream; however, thickeners can be gut irritants…. So keep that information in mind & make your own educated decision. 

Almost Paleo Mocha Frappé

Yield: 1 serving

125 g / ½ c + 2 Tbl Chocolate Coconut Milk Ice Cream 

      (Coconut Bliss brand is what was used for testing this recipe )

125 g / 4 fl oz / ½ c Cold Brewed Coffee (see above recipe) 

25 g / (a litle less than 2 Tbl) Coconut Cream

75 g / approximately 6 regular cubes Ice

2 tsp Coconut Sugar, plus more to taste, as needed

Coconut Whipped Cream, optional (see above recipe) 

Paleo Fudge Sauce, warmed, optional 

1. Scale all the ingredients, in the order listed above, into high-speed blender single-serve cup (I have this Ninja  but another brand should work too). 
2. Screw on the blender cup top & blend until all the ice is pulverized. 
3. Top with coconut whipped cream and/or a drizzle of paleo fudge sauce, if desired. Add a straw & serve immediately. 

Notes:

• Unless you make your own coconut milk ice cream, most commercial brands are not entirely paleo, due to added thickeners (like carrageenan, locust/carob bean gum, guar gum…) and/or sweeteners (like agave or cane sugar). 
• I chose to use Coconut Bliss brand chocolate coconut milk ice cream because I have diagnosed sensitivities to locust/carob bean gum and carrageenan (discovered via blood tests), which are found in most other brands of coconut milk ice creams. Yes, coconut bliss contains agave (read more about agave here), but for me, agave is a "less bad" choice than choosing a brand with those thickeners.
• This recipe can be easily doubled (or tripled) by using a regular blender container, instead of the single-serve cups. Scale ingredients directly into the larger vessel & blend.  
• As always, use the weight measurements for the best accuracy. But this recipe isn't a fussy as a cake or other baked good, so if your amounts are slightly off, it should still be ok. 

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