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Gluten-Free Tortillas: A Nutritious, Delicious Alternative for Every Meal

Gluten-Free Tortillas: A Nutritious, Delicious Alternative for Every Meal

This gluten-free tortilla is quick and easy to prepare and is suitable for people who are eating a gluten-free diet. The original King Arthur recipe calls for chickpea flour but I substituted with almond flour as it is more easily available than chickpea flour.

Keto Flatbread: Low-Carb and Delicious

Keto Flatbread: Low-Carb and Delicious

This keto flatbread is perfect for anyone following a low-carb diet or wanting to get more fiber in their diet. It’s a great vehicle for tacos or wraps for lunch, snacks and dinner with only 2 net grams of carbs per serving!

Einkorn Flour Tortillas: A Nutritious and Ancient Grain Twist on Classic Tortillas

Einkorn Flour Tortillas: A Nutritious and Ancient Grain Twist on Classic Tortillas

When it comes to tortillas, most people think of the traditional wheat or corn versions. But have you ever considered making tortillas with einkorn flour? If you’re unfamiliar with this ancient grain, einkorn is one of the earliest forms of wheat that hasn’t been hybridized, meaning it retains more nutrients and has a simpler gluten structure. It’s a great option for those who are sensitive to modern wheat but not strictly gluten-free. These Einkorn Flour Tortillas are soft, flavorful, and perfect for everything from tacos to wraps.

Why Choose Einkorn Flour?

Einkorn flour has gained popularity in recent years due to its rich nutritional profile and ancient origins. Compared to modern wheat, einkorn is higher in protein, vitamins, and antioxidants. It’s also easier to digest for some people because its gluten structure is different from the highly processed wheat we commonly use today.

Einkorn has a slightly nutty, sweet flavor, making it an excellent choice for tortillas. It adds a depth of flavor that you don’t get from standard all-purpose flour, and because it’s less processed, you’re also reaping more nutritional benefits.

Making Soft and Pliable Einkorn Tortillas

Just like traditional tortillas, einkorn tortillas should be soft, pliable, and able to hold all your favorite fillings without cracking. The key difference when working with einkorn flour is its gluten content. While einkorn does contain gluten, it’s weaker and less elastic than the gluten in modern wheat, which means you’ll need to handle the dough a little differently.

Einkorn dough is slightly stickier and softer, so when you’re rolling it out, be sure to flour your surface generously. Unlike traditional dough, you’ll find that einkorn tortillas require a gentle touch, and that’s okay—it’s all part of working with this ancient grain.

Ingredients that Make These Tortillas Special

To make these tortillas, you’ll need simple ingredients like einkorn flour, water, Earth Balance, and a bit of salt. What really makes this recipe stand out is the use of einkorn flour, which is rich in nutrients and provides that distinctive nutty flavor.

Einkorn flour works best when combined with a bit of fat—here, we use Earth Balance, but you can substitute it with olive oil, butter, or coconut oil if you prefer. This fat helps give the tortillas a tender texture while also adding a bit of flavor.

Rolling Out and Cooking Your Tortillas

Once your dough is prepared, divide it into small balls and roll each one out on a floured surface. Einkorn dough is slightly more delicate than traditional wheat dough, so roll it out gently to avoid tearing. If you find it sticking, dust your rolling pin or hands with a bit of flour to help.

Cooking einkorn tortillas is quick and easy—just heat a dry skillet or cast iron pan over medium heat and cook each tortilla for about 1-2 minutes on each side. You’ll know they’re ready to flip when you see those signature bubbles forming. The result is a soft, golden-brown tortilla with just the right amount of chew.

Nutritional Benefits of Einkorn

Einkorn is not only delicious but also incredibly nutritious. It has more protein and fiber than modern wheat, making it a great option for those looking to increase their intake of whole grains. It also contains higher levels of essential vitamins and minerals, including iron, zinc, and B vitamins.

Because einkorn is less processed and more nutrient-dense, it’s often seen as a healthier alternative to traditional flour. Its lower gluten content makes it easier to digest for some, though it’s important to note that it’s not suitable for those with celiac disease or a strict gluten intolerance.

Versatility in the Kitchen

Just like any good tortilla, these Einkorn Flour Tortillas are incredibly versatile. You can use them for soft tacos, quesadillas, wraps, or even as a base for thin-crust pizzas. Their nutty, slightly sweet flavor pairs well with both savory and sweet fillings.

For breakfast, try filling them with scrambled eggs, avocado, and salsa. At lunchtime, they make a great wrap for grilled chicken and veggies. And for dinner, load them up with your favorite taco ingredients for a hearty, nutritious meal.

A Nutritious Choice for Families

If you’re looking to introduce your family to more nutritious whole grains, these tortillas are a great place to start. They’re familiar enough to be accepted by picky eaters but offer the added bonus of being more nutritious than standard tortillas.

Plus, making tortillas at home can be a fun family activity! Kids can help mix the dough and roll it out, and there’s something satisfying about making your own tortillas from scratch.

Store and Reheat

One of the best things about making homemade tortillas is that they store well. After cooking, let them cool completely, and then store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. You can also freeze them for longer storage. When you’re ready to use them, just reheat in a skillet or microwave for a few seconds, and they’ll be soft and fresh again.

Enjoy the Ancient Goodness of Einkorn

Incorporating einkorn flour into your diet is a great way to enjoy the benefits of an ancient grain while still indulging in your favorite foods. These Einkorn Flour Tortillas are the perfect way to get started. Whether you’re gluten-sensitive or just looking to add more whole grains to your meals, this recipe is a delicious and nutritious option that the whole family will love.

 

Einkorn Flour Tortillas

A healthy, delicious tortilla made with Einkorn Flour – an ancient un-hybridized wheat that has a lower gluten profile than modern wheat. People with gluten intolerance may be able to enjoy baked products made with this wonderful flour.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Appetizer, Breakfast, Main Course, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine American, Caribbean, Indian, Mexican
Servings 8
Calories 144 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 cup Einkorn flour
  • 4 tablespoons Earth Balance dairy-free buttery spread or butter
  • 5 tablespoons cold tap water
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt optional if using unsalted butter

Instructions
 

  • Melt earth balance spread in the microwave and pour into the bowl of a stand mixer.
  • Add einkorn flour, water, and salt to the melted earth balance spread.
  • Using the stand mixer with the dough hook, mix on low until all liquids have been fully absorbed by the flour.
  • Cover bowl with a tea towel or paper towel and let rest for 10 minutes.
  • Place dough on a lightly floured surface and knead until it forms a smooth ball. The dough may be slightly oily. This is okay.
  • Pre-heat cast iron skillet or griddle on medium heat.
  • Divide the dough into approximately 8 pieces and roll into balls.
  • Line a tortilla press with parchment. Press out each tortilla, remove from parchment and cook for a few minutes on each side.
  • Place a piece of parchment paper between each tortilla as you make them. This will make them easier to remove and keep them fresher longer when you wrap them for the fridge or freezer.
DASH Diet Meal Ideas: Heart-Healthy Recipes for Every Day

DASH Diet Meal Ideas: Heart-Healthy Recipes for Every Day

  It’s been a while since I’ve posted any meal ideas or recipes for this blog. I’ve been focused on the high-fat Keto Diet for weight loss, but today I want to focus on the DASH Diet – the best diet for lowering hypertension aka Read more

Caribbean Green Seasoning: A Flavorful, Herbal Marinade

Caribbean Green Seasoning: A Flavorful, Herbal Marinade

Caribbean Green Seasoning used throughout the West Indies to make delicious and savory meat dishes including pork, beef, chicken and fish.

List of Foods for the Keto Diet: What to Eat and Avoid

List of Foods for the Keto Diet: What to Eat and Avoid

 

Of all the diets and ways of eating that I’ve tried in my efforts to lose weight, I only feel compelled to write about the keto diet. In all reality, I wasn’t impressed with my initial results after strictly following the keto diet for nine weeks. I lost a whopping 2 pounds! I was miffed, but the silver lining was I also lost 1 inch off my waist, thighs, and arms, and my clothes started to feel baggy.

The poor weight loss aside, I found that my energy levels were greatly improved and my normally swollen ankles were once again normal. About the ankle thing, I can gauge how much carbohydrates or sugar I’ve consumed based on the size of my ankles. Over the years, I noticed that whenever I ate too many carbs or sugar the next day I would wake up with swollen ankles and insteps.

As you can imagine, this physical reaction to carbs is a very useful tool I use to figure out if I’m eating in the right way. This is where food choice comes into play for the keto diet. There’s no definitive list of foods for the keto diet, but there are some that make following the diet much easier and more pleasant to follow.

In this post, I’ll outline a quick list of these foods and substitutes that can make following the keto diet a way of life that will make you thrive.

Fruits & Vegetables

There is an abundance of fruits and vegetables that we can choose from for the keto diet. The only caveat is that we have to choose fruits and vegetables that are low in carbs but high in nutrients. Since I’m all about quick and healthy meals, I’ll include the usual green, leafy vegetables and a few others that are easily available and easy to cook including:

  • Spinach and Kale
  • Cruciferous Vegetables – Broccoli, Cauliflower, Brussels Sprouts
  • Asparagus
  • Cucumbers and Zucchini
  • Tomatoes
  • Mushrooms
  • Artichokes

Low-carb fruits that are easily available and suitable for the keto diet include:

  • Avocados
  • Berries – Raspberries, Strawberries, Blackberries,
  • Watermelon
  • Lemon
  • Peach
  • Cantaloupe
  • Coconut

I especially recommend avocados for the keto diet. Its creaminess makes it a great vehicle for making other keto delights such as chocolate pudding or mousse. Avocados are also high in fiber and full of good mono and poly-unsaturated fats that keep you full for hours. If you choose to buy no other fruit, make sure you buy avocados.

Proteins

Proteins are especially easy to find for anyone doing the keto diet, and you can eat almost any source of protein that suits your fancy. There are even good sources of vegetable-based protein for those who are following a vegan or vegetarian keto diet. Easy sources of animal-based proteins include:

  • Chicken
  • Beef
  • Turkey
  • Pork

Some sources of vegan/vegetarian proteins include:

  • Eggs
  • Beans and Lentils
  • Tofu and Tempeh
  • Seitan
  • Beyond Meats (their burgers and sausages are awesome! The crumble styles are iffy depending on the flavor)


Approved Sweeteners

I’ve already written a post about sweeteners that may be suitable for the keto diet, so I’ll just touch on a few here. If you want more in-depth info on sweeteners, check out my article on sugar alternatives for diabetics. So which low-carb sweeteners are suitable for keto? Quite a few actually. My top 5 recommended sweeteners for a low-carb or keto diet include:

Using these approved sweeteners will make following the keto diet much easier. They each have their pros and cons but by using different sweeteners for different applications you can customize each to your taste. For example, I prefer to use liquid stevia to sweeten hot and cold beverages. I prefer to use Monk Sweet Plus to sweeten my baked goods or for hot turmeric tea and hot chocolate.

Erythritol and xylitol are sugar alcohols and may have a cooling aftertaste. They are, however, low in carbohydrates and do a pretty decent job of sweetening anything. Sugar alcohols do not spike blood sugar and are secreted from the body in the urine. One potential downfall of erythritol and xylitol is that they may cause bloating/gas if too much is used.

In summary, the keto diet can be somewhat challenging because of the lack of dessert options. Using any of these sweeteners will allow you to create desserts that are keto-friendly and delicious.

Low Carb Bread, Pasta & Rice Alternatives

I’ve found the lack of bread to be the most challenging part of the keto diet. It’s not that I ate much bread, to begin with, it was just the idea that I could no longer have a slice of pizza or a curry roti whenever I wanted. I am a problem solver if nothing else, so I set about searching for alternatives to all things high-carb, including bread, rice, and pasta.

I do my own baking, so the first low-carb substitute I searched for was flour. My post on Low-Carb Flour Substitutes shows that there are a LOT of low-carb flour substitutes available. However, many of these low-carb flour substitutes provide too much of a single nutrient that may bring adverse outcomes to our health.

For example, consuming a slice of bread or cake made with just almond flour will provide too many omega-6 fatty acids in one serving. As we all know, too much of anything is undesirable. High levels of omega-6 can induce inflammation in the body and raise the risk of high blood pressure and other cardiovascular problems.

It’s for this reason that I recommend using low-carb flour substitutes that are a blend of other low-carb flour. Some of the best include:

  • THM Bake Mix
  • Carbalose Flour & Carbquick Bake Mix
  • DIY Bake Mix (using a variety of low-carb flours – Tigernut Flour, Coconut Flour, Almond Flour, Arrowroot Flour, Coffee Flour, etc. – based on desired results)

Rice and pasta substitutes for the keto diet include:

  • Konjac Rice/Shirataki Noodles
  • Cauliflower Rice
  • Spaghetti Squash
  • Spiraled Vegetables
  • Tofu Noodles
  • Seaweed Pasta

These are just a few ideas that you can incorporate into your keto meals so you don’t miss having the high-carb version. Any good recipe should make these options delicious.

The Bottom Line

The keto diet doesn’t have to be difficult and in fact, can be downright enjoyable. If you are on a weight loss journey, I really recommend you give the keto diet a try. Make it your own by including healthy high-fat foods like avocado, coconut, nuts, olives, and grass-fed dairy.

Add a variety of low-carb vegetables and fruits and you will be on your way to creating the body you want. You will never feel hungry due to the high fat and moderate protein and you eat fewer calories overall leading to weight loss.

Are you doing keto or another type of diet? Let me know in the comments and until then: Happy Eating!