Marla Maples

Marla’s Mindful Eats

Gluten-Free Coconut Sugar Pecan Pie

✨ A true southern thanksgiving tradition that I made more healthy along the way as I learned!✨

Ingredients

  • 1 Gluten-free pie crust, unbaked
  • 2 Cups halved pecans
  • 3 Room temperature eggs
  • 1 Cup Organic coconut sugar
  • 3/4 Cup organic maple syrup
  • 3 TBS melted/room temp butter
  • 1/4-1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions

  1. Mix the organic coconut sugar, butter, eggs, maple syrup, salt & vanilla well with a whisk. 
  2. Stir in 1 Cup of halved pecans.  
  3. Lay the remaining 1 Cup of pecans on the bottom of the unbaked pie crust, then pour in the batter.  
  4. Bake at 400°F for 20 mins, then lower the temperature to 350°F & bake for another 30 mins.  
  5. Let cool before serving & enjoy with family & friends!

Marla’s Nearly-Vegan Eggplant Parmesan

Ingredients

  • 1 Large ripe eggplant
  • 1 Cup of corn meal, or corn meal substitute (ground flax, chia, flour, gluten-free panko, etc.)
  • Organic Tomato sauce
  • Coconut or Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • Himalayan Sea Salt
  • Cayenne to taste
  • 2 eggs

Directions

  1. Peel, slice & salt the eggplant, then set aside covered in the fridge for at least 1 hr.  Rinse it well & dry out as much as possible. 
  2. Beat 2 eggs in a bowl, & place cornmeal/substitute in another bowl.  
  3. Dip eggplant slices in the egg wash one at a time, then toss & coat in the meal.  
  4. Briefly cook the eggplant on each side in hot coconut oil on a skillet to lightly toast, then place into a lightly oiled glass baking dish.  
  5. Layer one eggplant slice with a thin slice of vegan mozzarella & a spoonful of tomato sauce, & continue to layer until all slices are stacked & ready to pop in the oven.  
  6. Bake at 350°F for 30 mins.  
  7. Sprinkle the top with vegan parmesan & let it cool until ready to serve.
  8. OPTIONAL:  Can be served over gluten-free pasta, sautéed garlic spinach or with a salad

Scissor-Cut Kale & Quinoa Salad

As featured on Oprah’s “Where are they now”

Ingredients

  • 1 Bunch or 10 oz bag of fresh Kale
  • 1 Carrot lightly grated
  • 1/2 Cup of purple cabbage
  • 1 Dozen organic cherry tomatoes, cut in half
  • 2 TBS un-hulled sesame seeds
  • 1 TBS pumpkin seeds
  • 1/4 Cup sesame oil
  • 1/2 Cup olive oil
  • 1/2 Cup unsweetened rice vinegar
  • Himalayan sea crystals or sea salt & fresh ground pepper, to taste
  • OPTIONAL: 1 TBS spicy sprouted sunflower seeds with Spirulina
  • OPTIONAL: 1 Small package or sprinkle of Xylitol or other favorite sweetener
  • OPTIONAL: Pre-cooked & chilled quinoa

Directions

  1. Scissor chop kale & purple cabbage.
  2. Grate the 2 carrots on top.
  3. Mix sesame oil, olive oil & rice vinegar with the Xylitol, then pour mixture over the kale, cabbage & carrots.
  4. Toss in tomatoes.
  5. Sprinkle the seeds & add the salt & pepper.
  6. Toss all together & let sit 1 hour before serving. 
  7. OPTIONAL: To make it a heartier, higher protein meal, top with pre-cooked & chilled Quinoa to taste. 

Lima Bean And Broccoli Casserole

Gluten-free and Vegan

Passed down as a family tradition, updated throughout the years as I learned more about food and healing… but it’s still a favorite for family and friends. 

I always seek organic ingredients and read labels for no hidden sugars or preservatives.

Ingredients

  • 1 ten ounce package of frozen baby lima beans
  • 1 ten ounce package of frozen chopped broccoli
  • 6 -8 ounces of non-dairy sour cream like Tofutti or Follow Your Heart brands
  • 1 package of Simply Organic French Onion Soup Dip Mix
  • 8 ounces drained and sliced water chestnuts
  • 1 Cup of Cream of Mushroom soup. I use Imagine Organic Portobello Mushroom Creamy Soup (gluten-free)
  • 1 stick of Earth Balance or other margarine or butter
  • 3 Cups of Organic Brown Rice Crisps Gluten-free cereal or Rice Krispies
  • Optional Sprinkling of Gluten-Free Crispy Onions

Directions

  1. In a large bowl stir in all ingredients except butter and Rice Crisps.
  2. Rub a little butter around the base of a glass baking dish, then spread mixture evenly across dish. 
  3. Melt the butter and then add in Rice Crisps and a handful of the Crispy Onions. 
  4. Add this mixture evenly across the top of the baking dish. 
  5. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes.  

Measurements can vary according to taste and size of baking dish. I love to make it up as I go along but trying to give you a good starting point