[Kim’s Buckwheat Crackerbread with my own Sweet Potato Spread]
When I found out that my friend Kim was creating a recipe calendar, I squealed with joy. You may know Kim as my partner in crime sunworship hoarding colorful earrings the SOS Kitchen Challenge, as we alternate choosing ingredients and writing the kickoff post each month (can you guess who wrote which ones?). Kim also pens the creative, informative and often whimsical blog, Affairs of Living, where she is a vocal advocate for Lyme patients (she follows a specific diet as well, which is very much akin to my ACD), and she creates incredible, innovative, delicious recipes.
Ever since I got it, I’ve been cooking up A Year to Eat Freely recipes. Here are a few of the dishes I’ve made. Kim has graciously agreed to let me post the recipe for her Smoky Zucchini dip, too, so just skip on down to read it!
Mix and Match Raw Kale Salad
In my quest for more raw dishes this winter, I knew this salad would be tops on my list. Nothing could be easier than a collection of brightly colored raw veggies tossed in a light, tangy dressing that’s a snap to prepare. The combination of raw kale and other veggies made a perfect light dinner paired with some grilled tofu. And I’m so glad to have a delicious alternative to my standard raw kale salad!
Crispy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
How could I resist a recipe for crisp chocolate chip cookies laced with oatmeal–and there’s even an accompanying recipe for homemade chocolate chips! (okay, I cheated a little and used unsweetened carob chips instead). Normally I can’t eat chocolate chip cookies on the ACD, but there’s nothing in these babies that I’m not allowed. Yay!
Smoky Zucchini Dip with Buckwheat Crackerbreads
I loved this bean-free alternative to hummus. Although I ate the dip both with crackers and in some raw collard wraps, I wanted to make the crackerbread as well just because Kim had paired them together and I thought the flavors would be a great match. And they were. The dip is light and flavorful with a smoky undertone from the grilled zucchini. Rather than bake the flatbread as a single cracker that was later broken into pieces, I pre-cut the dough into small triangles that could serve either as crackers or chips for dipping (see photo at the top of this post). We’ve enjoyed them with guacamole and chickpea-based hummus as well.
Smoky Zucchini Dip from A Year to Eat Freely by Kim Christensen (reprinted with permission)
This is an easy-to-make yet impressive looking dip that would be perfect at a party table. We enjoyed it in collard wraps , spread on crackers and with carrot sticks.
2 pounds zucchini (about 6 medium or 1 kg)
2 Tbsp (30 ml) extra virgin olive oil, preferably organic
3 Tbsp (45 ml) sesame tahini
1-2 small, very fresh garlic cloves
1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) fine sea salt
1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) ground cumin
1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) ground chipotle pepper
1/8 tsp (.5 ml) cayenne pepper
optional garnishes: olive oil, minced parsley or cilantro, a dash of spice
Turn oven to broiler setting. If you do not have a broiler, heat to highest possible heat. Lightly oil a large baking sheet, or line with aluminum foil [I used parchment paper]. Peel zucchini and slice in half lengthwise, then slice each piece in half lengthwise again. Arrange on baking sheet, then drizzlew with olive oil. Place in broiler and broil 5-7 minutes. Remove, flip, and return to broiler. Broil an additional 4-6 minutes, until browned and softened, checking often to make sure they don’t burn. Remove from broiler and let cool 5-10 minutes.
Place zucchini in a food processor with remaining ingredients and process until smooth. Transfer to a serving bowl and cool completely. Garnish as desired and serve at room temperature with crackerbread and vegetables. Can also be used in collard leaf or tortilla wraps, or as a dip for Sweet Potato Falafel (or any falafel). Refrigerate leftovers 3-4 days in a well-sealed container. NOTE: if you are intolerant to nightshades, omit chipotle and cayenne and use 1/4 tsp (1 ml) ground coriander instead. Garnish with salt-cured or oil-cured black olives and parsley for a Middle Eastern twist.
Never miss a recipe–or a comment from The Girls! Click here to subscribe to RickiHeller.com via email. You’ll get recipes as soon as they’re posted, plus cookbook updates and news about upcoming events! (“We love subscribers, Mum. . . almost as much as we love treats!”
[Disclaimer: this post may contain affiliate links. If you buy using these links, at no cost to you, I will earn a small commission from the sale.]
What a find ~ I’m excited to make the zucchini dip! I’m really have to look into Kim’s diet plan! I had Lyme’s disease last year along with a candida infection … took forever to clear up but it made me realize that I need to research more about what I should have been eating!! Thank you for your posts!
Hi Lisa! You should check out my blog, lots of recipes along with some information about Lyme Disease. Candida often goes hand-in-hand with Lyme, as our immune systems are compromised and those nasty yeasts can easily take over.
Thank you! I definitely will!!
Sounds good! Must try the zucchini dip – and I’m curious about the cookie recipe. 🙂
Those dishes look great! Wish I had a couple of those cookies right now! Yum! rawfood60@gmail.com
I’m a big fan of Kim’s recipes, so I would love a copy of her calendar!
I’m going straight home to make this dip. It looks and sounds delicious.
YUMM! Those cookies look soooooooo good and I’m bringing that dip to superbowl parties. Thanks!
That dip looks awesome!! I have issues with some legumes (white beans are not my friend) but thankfully not chickpeas. However, that looks awesome in and of itself!!!
AndreAnna, there are no beans at all in this recipe! The creaminess comes from pureed zucchini. I made the recipe this way so that legume-sensitive individuals could still enjoy a tasty “hummus” sort of dip. I think you’ll like it! xo
You and Kim are so creative!! Everything always looks so delicious!!
Wow!! Those recipes look fantastic! In particular, the buckwheat crackerbreads look scrumptious…
Everything looks divine!
Those recipes look delicious – thanks for sharing!
Ooh! A recipe calendar would be an awesome way to get more inspiration in the kitchen!
I would love to win a copy!!
Love Kim’s recipes!
I have been eying Kim’s calendar since she first released it–I would love to win a copy!
Courtney
Love Kim’s recipes!
choose me choose me choose me!!!
Love both these blogs!
I love Kim’s blog and her calender looks amazing! I would love to win a copy!: )
The Crispy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies look yummy.
Thank you from the very bottom of my heart for such an awesome review, Ricki! I am so flattered, and your photos and write up are just beautiful. Obviously, I’m not entering the giveaway 🙂
Good luck to everyone! xo Kim
What an awesome calendar! Not only is it beautiful and absolutely adorable, but it’s so functional! The sweet potato falafels sound to-die-for!
(ashleyso2030@gmail.com)
i love the front cover of the book! and the food looks delicious of course 🙂
Oooooh, look at those cookies! I’d order the calendar for that recipe alone!!! If I don’t win, the etsy shop will get a visit from me! 🙂
Sweet potato spread… yum! This looks like such a lovely cooking resource!
this looks great!
Kim’s blog saved my life, I would be so honored to have a copy of her calendar in my kitchen to keep me inspired and on course with my treatment. Thank you.
Those cookies look amazing! And the salad! And everything 🙂
I’m new to this type of eating so I’d love to have some ideas:)
Phwoar! I’m on a bit of a dip-craze after making the Nacho Cheeze from Ani Phyo, and so this is going to be next on the agenda. Particularly as it’s summer here in Australia and so zucchini is abundant!
wow, so many enticing recipes in there 🙂 funny, now i’m craving cookies…
The chocolate chip cookie looks heavenly. I would love to have the recipe.
I love Kim’s website too, and if I don’t win the calendar I’ll be sure to order it immediately! I can’t wait to try the zucchini hummus!
The cookies look intriguing. It would be great to win the calendar.
I don’t know if I can risk not being chosen, I’m heading over to kim’s easy shop now. Thank for alerting me to this opportunity.
Chocolate chip cookies sound like a dream come true at this point! I would love this collection of recipes!
Oh, I’m definitely making this dip! I love zucchini 🙂
Hummus without beans – no way! I am still learning how versatile zucchini can be, and can’t wait until the summer to try this out. 🙂
Not entering the giveaway, but I wanted to add that this calendar is beautiful and such a great concept. Kim (Cook IT Allergy Free) found out how much I love calendars (currently have a dozen in our house and three at work–no kidding) and had this calendar waiting for me when I visited her last week. Now it’s sitting on my kitchen counter, looking gorgeous and ready for me to pluck out a monthly page/recipe any time I like. 🙂
Good luck to all!
Shirley
Now I have another idea for all that zucchini that shows up in my garden! I wish I was picking now instead of looking at 4+ feet of snow…sigh.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Yum, yum, yum. I’m cowing this gluten free, dairy free and egg free diet. You guys make it look so easy.
What a great calendar! I love that Kim’s recipes are so healthy too.
This calendar sounds awesome–I really want to try that mix and match kale salad!
that salad looks so good! i’d love to win the calendar!
I’m so grateful for both you & Kim and how much you do to help those of us going through similar struggles. Of course with all of these great recipes to try, it no longer feels like a struggle, just a yummy adventure!!! You know how excited the lucky winner will be to win the calendar! Thanks!
I’d love a copy as well! BTW – I made the cookie-dough truffles two days ago and they were delicious! I already bought the ingredients for another batch…
Wow those dishes look good. I want and hope to win this cookbook. Good luck to all who enter
I know its not a cookbook but a calendar..but to me that is what it is.
I would love the calendar
I love Kim’s creative recipes! This calender would be awesome 🙂
thanks for holding this giveaway and always spreading the word on such good resources! the kale salad looks absolutely DELISH!
I hope to win the calendar. I would love to have the Kale Salad recipe. I am going to make the dip that looks great.
Ricki, that salad looks so vibrant it’s ready to jump out of the screen. So wish we got kale here in Saudi 🙁
I can’t wait to make that zucchini dip! I’ve been reading Kim’s blog for awhile and love her recipes!
Buckwheat crackerbread sounds amazing!! I love all things buckwheat, and all things crunchy! This cookbook sounds BOMB:)
Kale salad in winter is best! It’s so hard to find fresh kale here and I usually have to buy a one kilo bag, so there’s lots of room for salad!
Thank you for sharing the spread recipe. It sounds really tasty.
Oh, I love both of your blogs, and this calendar looks amazing!!!
Wow, this is awesome! I’m still looking for a calendar for my kitchen and would love this 🙂 The cookies, yes the cookies look amazing!
The dip looks so good!
Bookmarking that dip recipe for this summer when we have zucchini coming out of the woodwork – sounds so lovely!
How cool! The dip and the salad look deliciously fresh, but my sweet tooth is not letting me think about anything but the cookies! WANT!!
Oh WOW!!! Those cookies and crackers look amazing – and yay for ACD recipes too!! I have some clients on that regimen and I know they’d love those.
Mmmm Sweet potato dip? Stop making me jealous. I’ve got my eye on that cookie as well…just don’t tell my diet 😉
What a great idea…beautiful photos & yummy recipes all year! Thank you for the link to Kim’s site and for the giveaway!
All of these recipes are mouthwatering! Great giveaway!
Wow! Looks like a great addition to the kitchen! Thanks for sharing!
The recipes sound really great!
I haven’t had any sort of “chip” cookie in a year! Looks so yummy….
the recipes sound amazing! would love a copy of calendar! 🙂
Those cookies look great!
Looks delicious – and perfect for my gluten-intolerant hubby!
Zucchini Dip? Oh, that Kim!
That smoky zucchini dip looks divine! Yum-o! And you’ve reminded me to pick up some dinosaur kale so I can make some salad this weekend. Thanks for the inspiration!
I don’t know which I want more, the dip or the kale salad.
Thank you for all the inspiration!