Slow Cooker Gluten Free Butter Chicken

This slow cooker butter chicken has great flavour and is easy to make! It is perfect for the person on the go, and can be frozen for lunches and dinners. It is healthy and can be customized to suit your tastes!

Butter Chicken is one of my favourite meals when I go out to eat, if I can get a gluten free option! It has become a comfort food in my mind, and is is perfect on cold winter days. It warms you up with its spice, however is light and won't leave you feeling like you over ate. This is not prepared the same way as traditional butter chicken, but it has the same great flavour. It is easy for someone on the go because it is quick to prepare and can be left in the slow cooker all day. This is a great base, you can change it as you feel necessary. You may want to lightly grill your chicken before putting it in the slow cooker, or add more curry if you prefer a spicier dish. It is necessary to use the slow cooker so the flavour is absorbed into the chicken, and the sauce gets a chance to thicken since there is no flour required. Next time I make this recipe I will make some gluten free naan bread to pair with it. It freezes well, so the left overs can be enjoyed for lunches later on when you are short on time.

Gluten Free Butter Chicken 

2 Diced Tomatoes
1 Cup Chopped Onion
5 Cloves Garlic
1/4-1/2 Inch Fresh Ginger (Add more if you want it spicier)
1 Tsp Olive Oil
2 Tsp Garam Marsala
1 Tsp Curry
1 Tsp Chili Powder
1/2 Tsp Black Pepper
1 Can Light Coconut Milk
1 Can Tomato Paste
3 Large Chicken Breasts, Chopped

In a frying pan sauté Tomatoes, Onion, and Garlic. Add in remaining ingredients (not the chicken) and mix together. Place Chicken in a slow cooker and pour sauce on top. Cook on low for 6 hours, or high for 4 hours. Serve on a bed of Jasmine Rice, with yogurt and chives on top. 

*You can also put 1/2 a cup of chopped peanuts into the sauce if you like, or use them as a garnish on top. 

Makes approx 6 servings

Gluten Free Granola

This gluten free granola is the perfect topping for your morning yogurt and berries! It is crunchy and has a great coconut, and nut butter combination. It can be enjoyed on its own, or as a topping on your favourite snack. This granola only takes thirty minutes to throw together and bake, and the combinations of seeds and flavours are endless. It promises to be your new favourite!

I hope everyone has had a great start to 2015 and has been able to stick to their resolutions, make steps closer to their goals, and have lived every moment to the fullest! Sticking to life changing resolutions can be difficult, however it is possible to achieve your version of greatness by taking small steps. This allows you to get used to the changes one at a time, over a period of time, rather than diving right into a big change and becoming frustrated and overwhelmed. My biggest goal is to stick to eating healthy. It comes and goes, depending on the day, and my stress levels. However, this year I am going to do my best to stick with it, no matter what is going on! I have other goals to, but being healthy is the most important right now. Last year had many ups and downs, this year my focus is me, myself, and I. Mental health is just important as physical health, and it is amazing how much one effects the other. By focusing on myself I hope to find a balance between my mental and physical health. Every year I reflect back on how far I have come, what has changed, and what I could have done differently. I hope that over 2015 I become stronger, smarter, and have a better sense of myself and who I am. I hope that I can learn to smile during the rough times, and laugh everyday. My goal is to reach a physical health level that I have not seen in many years.

To kick off the healthy eating (again) I made some wonderful granola. Granola is a comfort food to me. It makes me want to wear a plaid shirt with warm wool socks and curl up on the couch with a good book and bowl of this healthy snack. Granola can be as healthy, or unhealthy as you like, but it will definitely warm your soul. I love crunchy foods, and this adds crunch to yogurts, fruits, and oatmeal. It is also great on its own! The best part about granola is that it is super easy and quick to make. There are tons of variations to ensure that you never get tired of it! You can add your favourite seeds, dried fruits, and toppings to make it suit your own cravings. It can be stored in a container for a few weeks, and it can be frozen if you want it to last longer (But this stuff is so addicting that you probably won't have time to freeze it).

Gluten Free Granola

2 1/2 Cups Oats

1 Cup Flaked Unsweetened Coconut

1 Cup Chopped Almonds

1/2 Cup Unsalted Pumpkin Seeds

1/2 Cup Flax Seeds

1/3 Cup Coconut Oil

1/3 Cup Nut Butter (I used Cashew Butter)

1/3 Cup Honey

1/3 Cup Dark Chocolate Chips

Preheat oven to 350 Degrees

In a bowl combine Oats, Coconut, Almonds, Pumpkin Seeds, and Flax.

In a saucepan melt together the Oil, Nut Butter and Honey until smooth.

Mix into dry ingredients until combined.

Spread onto one, or two, parchment lined cookie sheets.

Bake for 20 Minutes.

Once out of the oven, spread chocolate chips on top. Let cool.

Break apart and store in air tight containers.

Makes 25 quarter cup servings!

I hope everyone has a great day, and has a chance to enjoy this delicious and healthy treat! Keep trying to reach your goals and smile everyday!

K.