healthy

Easy 5 Minute Pizza Sauce

July 27, 2019 by Suzi Lutke

Make Your Own Pizza Sauce

Do you shop at Aldi? If you do, you probably love it but may have some problems finding specific items like pizza sauce.

I’ve told you how much I love Aldi for my groceries. I can’t stop. Won’t stop. Talking about it. Buuuuuut, they don’t often have pizza sauce available. So, rather than stocking up while at another store, I’ve started making my own in 5 minutes. The hubs and kids agree that our pizza is pretty darn delish with this Easy 5 Minute Pizza Sauce.

This 5 minute pizza sauce is made with simple ingredients and comes together in less than 5 minutes! A Dairy-Free, healthy, and versatile pizza sauce that the kids and family will enjoy.

How to make Pizza Sauce at Home

I use an immersion blender to mix my pizza sauce but I don’t believe this is necessary. A food processor or blender will do just fine. Since I use diced tomatoes instead of tomato sauce, you will still need to use something to puree the ingredients.

Honey-Sweetened

I know it sounds a little like an oxymoron to make pizza or pizza sauce “Paleo.” Yes, I realize some readers may laugh at the idea of making pizza a bit healthier. So, here’s my thinking. Paleo pizza is a “thing” however, it would have to be made without cheese or gluten/grains….hmm, I would give up calling it a pizza at that point.

BUT, for those who like to watch the kind of sugar they consume, honey is a great alternative to cane-sugar. If you’d like to read more about the benefits of eating raw honey, check out The Paleo Mom’s article on it.

So, my pizza won’t be “Paleo” because I’m pretty okay with eating cheese but if I can use honey instead of cane sugar, I will; and this sauce is sweetened with raw honey.

If you wanted to substitute sugar, coconut sugar, or a alcohol sweetener, I think you’ll achieve a similar result. Just start with a little and add to your taste preferences (giving time for it to dissolve and blend).

If you follow me on Instagram, you probably noticed that homemade pizza sauce is a staple on our weekly menu!

Now, if I can figure out the perfect pizza crust recipe, I will be sure to share that with you! For now, I’ll continue to use our store-bought favorites!

Enjoy!

A dairy-free, healthy, and easy pizza sauce that comes together in less than 5 minutes with only simple ingredients. The kids and whole family will enjoy this versatile recipe.

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5 Minute Pizza Sauce

This 5 minute pizza sauce comes together in less than 5 minutes and makes a delicious sauce for any variety of pizza.

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Prep Time 5

Servings 2 pizzas

Calories 39kcal

Ingredients

14.5oz can fire roasted diced tomatoes drain all excess liquid
6oz can tomato paste
1 tbsp honey
1 tsp (mounding) minced garlic could use 1/2 tsp garlic powder as a substitute
2 tsp dried Parsley could use 2 tbsp fresh parsley
1 tsp basil could use fresh if available
1 tsp oregano
1/2-1 tsp salt depending on your flavor preferences

Instructions

Combine the garlic, salt, tomato paste, and crushed tomatoes in a large, wide-mouthed jar.
Use immersion blender to combine into a smooth consistency.
Add the herbs and pulse the blender a couple times then incorporate with a spoon.

Notes

You can just as easily substitute regular diced/crushed instead of the fire roasted tomatoes.

If you really want to boost the flavor and your aren’t concerned about dairy, add 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese.

Cucumber Gin Fizz Cocktail or Mocktail

July 9, 2019 by Suzi Lutke

Jump to Recipe

Let me guess, you love a good cocktail but you’re eating “clean” right now.

Or, you’re doing your first Whole 30 and you are DYING for a delicious beverage that makes you feel like you are participating in something special.

Isn’t that what cocktails are all about? Celebrating and participating in special moments and events with a little indulgent alcoholic beverage to seal the occasion?!

And, sometimes they’re perfect for making those ordinary moments feel special. Sometimes, you don’t even need a reason to enjoy a good beverage. Especially if it’s this Cucumber Gin Fizz Cocktail or Mocktail.

Cocktail or Mocktail

Well, if you are looking to celebrate those ordinary days or extraordinary, this gin tonic cocktail remix is going to make you smile! This Cucumber Gin Fizz will even make your taste buds smile a bit. If you’re looking for a more traditional holiday cocktail, try the No Simple Syrup Maple Old Fashioned.

But, fear not! If you are doing a Whole30, Keto, Bulletproof, AIP, Paleo or other diet and you really don’t want to cheat, I’m sure a Cucumber Gin Fizz Mocktail will bring a little extraordinary to your hydration game and some joy to your day.

Enjoy this light, refreshing and herby cocktail by the pool this summer! This cocktail can easily be made Whole30 or Paleo by omitting the gin and making it your favorite healthy, alcohol-free mocktail.

How to Make My Cocktail Paleo or Whole30 Compliant

WHOLE 30

So, as promised, here is my recommendation for making this Cucumber Gin Fizz a Whole30 compliant and/or Paleo approved drink.

For a Whole30 compliant drink, simply skip all alcohol. That’s it. This drink is 100% Whole30 if you omit the gin.

Now, we could have a big discussion about SWYPO here, but I think that is something you will personally have to evaluate based on your Whole30 and your personal needs and goals.

Since we are on the topic of skipping the alcohol, here is a really good read: How to Drink Alcohol without Ruining your Paleo Diet or Getting a Hangover.

PALEO

Which transitions me into making this a Paleo drink.

How can I make this Cucumber Gin Fizz paleo?

Hate to break it to you, but if you are hard-core Paleo, you already know this.

Alcohol isn’t really Paleo.

The above article is pretty spot on and provides healthy ways to approach alcohol. I also think you’ll agree that living a 100% perfectly Paleo diet isn’t really possible or necessary for most.

This Cucumber Gin Fizz Mocktail or Cocktail can be made with gin and still be an almost Paleo drink as the mixers are all sugar free (naturally sweetened with fruit). It’s basically soda water and gin with the perfect sweet and sour from the lime and the perfect zesty zip from the raw ginger root.

Also, it’s a perfect cocktail choice if you are watching your carbs (Keto) and eating clean (Paleo). Cucumber Gin Fizz Mocktail or Cocktail uses 1/2 a lime which also helps with insulin sensitivity! Bonus! It’s really a very healthy drink if you are going to drink.

Hopefully you’ve just skipped ahead to the recipe by now! But, here you have it: Cucumber Gin Fizz Cocktail or Mocktail; delicious to enjoy with any meal from my blog but I especially recommend a mocktail version with my Whole30 and Paleo Sweet Potato Nachos or Easy Chicken Stir Fry| 20 Minute Meal. Enjoy!

gin and tonic drinks that are paleo. cocktails

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