In honor of my mom’s 58th birthday yesterday, my brother, dad and I wanted to share some of our favorite recipes of hers.
These meals, treats, and snacks remind me of the deliciousness my mom provided for our family, and shared with you all, throughout the years.
I am so grateful to have had Elana as my mother and I hope you too may celebrate the ways she contributed to your lives.
Cinnamon Coffee Cake
This Cinnamon Coffee Cake was a treat my mom made frequently while I was in high school, and on numerous occasions upon my returns from college. It was always incredibly delicious and hit the spot.
BBQ Kale Chips
There was always an elusive quality to these Kale Chips. They never lasted more than a few hours after they were baked. Over the last few years, while working on an organic vegetable farm, I had access to an abundance of kale. So, my mom would mix up a jar of the seasoning and send it in the mail, enabling my indulgence in this yummy snack.
Butternut Squash Soup
I have loved squash since I was a little one and this Butternut Squash Soup brings me back to the days of my infancy when my skin turned orange from eating so many orange foods.
Chipotle Orange Chicken
Around the time when I was in middle school, this Chipotle Orange Chicken was my most favorite dinner. Something about the spicy sweet combo always excited my taste buds. Like many of my mom’s recipes, this one highlights the brilliance of simplicity.
Cream Cheese Frosting
To this day I still eat my mom’s Cream Cheese Frosting straight from the jar. It’s incredible on carrot cake and it takes Pancakes to a whole new level.
While I feel a strong sense of grief around my mom’s passing, I also feel so much gratitude. She created a life of nourishment for our family and left us all with so many scrumptiously precious gems. If you feel so inclined, feel free to share your favorite recipe/s in the comments below.
-E
Kate says
This post is incredibly touching and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to spend some time thinking about my dear online friend, Elana, again. Thank you for posting this on your mom’s birthday, her love for her family came bursting through her posts over the years. I have made a couple of these and I will now make sure I make all of them and say a prayer of thanks as we enjoy the delicious creations that Elana shared with us, while giving us hope that we could still eat delicious foods while navigating our food sensitivities. Thank you again for this special post. May you feel her love often.
Christine says
Your talented mom gave my family many delicious recipes for years. She was the first blogger I found when my son needed gluten free. We make the coffee cake every Christmas. My kids love her chocolate chip scones from her first cookbook. Numerous recipes like her chocolate pie and chocolate pecan cookies always show up at our holiday meals. Thank you so much for sharing.
Dolores says
I came to check if you have maintained this page after your mom’s passing and I am thrilled (and deeply grateful!!) to see this post. Elana was a talented, generous, kind woman and there is no one day that I don’t think of her and give thanks to God for her life… there are so many of her recipes that now are staples in my home…
I love the pictures you shared (and also the recipes). Take care and THANK YOU for this space!!!!
Nora says
You were blessed to have a wonderful mother! She continues to bless people all over the world with her recipes and blog posts. Our family favorite is the almond butter brownies! I memorized it a long time ago! Thank you for sharing and may her memory comfort you all.
Lisa T. L. says
I was so sad to hear of your Mom’s passing and I am so grateful for the role she played as a pioneer in the gluten-free space for so many of us who needed it. Her Low-Carb Chocolate Zucchini Bread is a family favorite and is her recipe that I have made the most! Even my Dad, who is hard to please, asks for this bread and gobbles it up whenever I make it. I lost my Mom 15 years ago and there’s no loss quite like it. May her memory and recipes be a comfort to you all. Sending so much love to you all.
JoAnna Pepe says
Your mom, Elana was a beacon of inspiration. She was and still is the grand dame of paleo, gluten free, healthy recipes that are so simple to make. I am grateful to have discovered her early on in my gluten free journey. May her generosity of heart and spirit, her shining presence and her kindness inspire goodness for all eternity.
Bethany says
Thanksgiving wouldn‘t be the same without your Mom‘s Chocolate Pumpkin Pie! what a delicious treat that is. I also love her Chicken Marbella recipe from her cookbook. Wishing you and your family all the best xx
Haley Moore says
Her chocolate chip cookies are on our regular rotation and are what I always bring to gatherings. Everyone asks about them. I learned so much from her through my dietary journey and even reached out to her via email during my senior thesis project in college in 2012. She responded and it made me feel so special.
Her cupcake cookbook is my foundation for the birthday cakes I make for everyone in my family. She shaped me as a cook and how I think about nutrition. Thank you for sharing recipes that are special to the pantry family ❤️
Melanie Beck says
Thank you so much for sharing these on her birthday!! What a blessing to the world she was!!❤️❤️❤️❤️
Al says
I found your moms recipes in 2009 starting with her almond butter blondies!! I made her brownies for my step dad while he was sick with cancer and my friends all request her coffee cake! Honorable mention to her chocolate chip cookies which I made daily when I was nursing. So much love to her and you guys!