coconut – The Vegan Love Project

Ellen’s Golden Milk

This is delicious as an energy boost, or a soothing night time night cap to calm nerves prior to going to bed. Lately I have been making this as a pick me up during the cold afternoons or taking it as a dessert a little bit after dinner time. Turmeric has so many amazing medicinal attributes, including anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.

1 heaping T Coconut Manna

2c boiling water

1/2″ piece fresh ginger

1/2t cinnamon

pinch pink salt

pinch black pepper

pinch nutmeg *optional

pinch cayenne *optional

1-3t agave or maple syrup

1 1/2t turmeric

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Heat up 2 cups water in a kettle or on the stove. Pick your mug! I don’t put the turmeric in my blender as it discolors the container – a glass container should be okay!) See below.

In a high powered blender, add all the other ingredients- ginger, manna, salt, black pepper, nutmeg, sweetener, cinnamon etc. I measure the water by the mug I chose! Big mug, more water! I pour the boiling water into the mug, then into the blender then process everything for a minute or two. While that is blending, I add the turmeric into the empty mug. When its’ finished blending, pour the hot milk into the mug, Sprinkle with more cinnamon. SO TASTY!

Kickin Chocolate Power Smoothie

Kickin’ Chocolate Power Smoothie

1c cashew nut milk

1T chia seeds

1T hemp seeds

1t raw agave or raw local honey

2T raw Coconut Manna

2T raw cacao

1t vanilla

1 large handful fresh spinach

pinch-1/2t cayenne pepper

1 scoop vegan protein powder

1c ice

pinch salt

Blend all ingredients together except the ice and spinach and process until smooth- taste and adjust if needed

Add the ice and spinach blend just until smooth.

Ellen’s No Bake Energy Balls

My sister Jill sent me an energy bar recipe and my other sister Karen was like- “Ellen, it’s OK for you to just follow a recipe, you don’t have to make it your own“…Ya…no, I really do. I made these with and without the protein powder- both delicious. You could make them with more raw, super antioxidant ingredients, like using raw cacao nibs in place of the chocolate chips, using 1/4c raw cacao powder in the dough, raw nut butter in place of the peanut butter etc…they are simple, quick and easy to make and great to have in the fridge for a quick snack before or after a workout or to get you to your next meal.

ellens-no-bake-energy-balls

1c (dry) gluten free oatmeal, 2/3 buzzed in a dry blender, 1/3 whole

2/3c + 1T dried desiccated coconut- reserve the 1T for later

1/2c peanut butter, chunky

1T chia seeds

1T hemp seeds

2T sesame seeds

1 scoop Raw Vegan Vanilla Protein Powder *optional

1/4c sprouted pumpkin seeds

1/4c crisped brown rice cereal *optional

1/2c vegan chocolate chips, buzzed in (the same) dry blender to a coarse meal with small chunks OR 1/2 raw cacao nibs

1/3c raw agave nectar

3T coconut oil

1/4t pink salt

Stir all ingredients together in a medium bowl until thoroughly mixed. Spread into a shallow square pan.Sprinkle with more coconut. Let chill in the refrigerator for at least one half hour before attempting to scoop and roll or cut.

Once chilled, using a small scoop or spoon, roll into balls OR cut into chunks. (Mine were about 1″ in diameter)

In a bowl, add the reserved coconut, toss the balls or chunks to coat.

Store in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to 1 week.

Makes about 20-25 balls or chunks.

Coconut Curry Lentil Soup with Vegan Sour Cream

This soup is DELICIOUS! Just a perfect balance of savory, coconut curry love, and sweetness. The lentils provide a powerful punch of vegetable protein- I will be making this all the time from here on out. The sour cream offers a plain yogurt tang that completes the flavor profile- especially if you make it on the spicier side like I do! I used the beautiful little french lentils but any lentils will work magically.

Coconut Curry Lentil Soup with Vegan Sour Cream

Wheat-Free, Gluten-Free

2c brown, green or french *lentils, cooked

1 medium onion, small dice

1 stalk celery, small dice

1 large clove garlic, smashed, minced

1 tomato, medium dice

1” piece of fresh ginger- grated

1” piece fresh turmeric- grated

1c fresh spinach*optional

1/4t black pepper

1/2t cayenne pepper flakes- more or less as desired

1T curry powder

1T agave, coconut sugar or other sweetener

3T coconut oil

5-6c boiling water

1/2 can blended coconut milk

1t salt or to taste

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Garnish

Cashew Sour Cream

Fresh Cilantro, chopped

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Bring 6c of water to a boil- in case you need more.

In a large soup pot, add the oil and sauté the onions and garlic until golden and soft. Add the celery, ginger, turmeric, salt, black and red pepper. Add the lentils, mixing them into the vegetables. Add the boiling water, and the chopped tomatoes. Bring to a boil and reduce the heat and simmer for 30-40 minutes. In the last 5 minutes of cooking, add the coconut milk and cook until brought up to temperature. Add the spinach just before serving. Adjust the seasonings if neccessary.

Ladle the soup into a serving bowl and place a dollop of the Sour Cream atop in the center and garnish with plenty of fresh, chopped, cilantro.

*To cook lentils ahead of time instead of using canned, take 3/4c dried green or brown lentils and wash, rinse, pick over and drain. In a large pot, place the lentils with 2 cups clean water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, partially covered for 15-20 minutes or until the water has been absorbed and the lentils are tender. Let steam for an additional 5-10 minutes. Alternatively, soak the lentils overnight and rinse prior to cooking. This will reduce the cooking time by almost 1/2.

Gluten Free Flour Free Jam dots

Gluten Free Flour Free Jam dots
makes 20 one oz cookies
1c coconut flour
1c roasted almonds
1 cup oats
1/4t cinnamon
1/2t salt
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1/2c maple syrup
1/2c coconut oil
1/2t vanilla
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3T jam
preheat oven to 350º
If you are starting with raw almonds, roast them on a cookie sheet @ 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes, careful not to let them burn. Cool thoroughly before running through the food processor.
In a small bowl, mix all of the wet ingredients together, the maple syrup, oil, and vanilla.
Put all of the dry ingredients into the food processor, the roasted almonds*, coconut flour, cinnamon and salt and process until a fine meal is achieved. *Be sure that the almonds are completely cooled before processing; otherwise you will end up with a pasty mess. In a large bowl, sift the flours, the salt and the cinnamon. Add the nuts to this bowl.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and mix with a spatula until everything is well incorporated.
With a one ounce ice cream scoop or two spoons, place batter balls onto a *parchment lined cookie sheets. With a one cup measuring cup, slightly flatten each cookie-This process is a little easier when the cup is dipped into warm water between each cookie. Using a one-teaspoon measure, press the dome side into each cookie, this is where the jam goes. This process is a little easier when the teaspoon is dipped into warm water between each cookie.
Using a 1/2-teaspoon measure, scoop your choice of jam or fruit preserves into the center of each cookie.
Bake for 12 minutes and then rotate the pans in the oven (to insure even baking) and continue to bake for another 5 to 7 minutes. Let cool on the pans for another 5 minutes then remove to a cooling rack.

Raw Chocolate Avocado Pudding

Talk about instant gratification, this dessert is not only filled with healthy fats and beautifying agents, it TASTES AMAZING. Let it set up in the fridge if you can wait and serve with fresh berries and/or a whipped coconut cream topping. It really is outstanding and takes less then 5 minutes to prepare, 35 if you are willing to wait out the chill factor. This was my first run through so I can totally see how easy it would be to change up the flavors by using different milks, extracts, even by adding texture with nuts or seeds. #FRICKENDELCIOUS

Raw Chocolate Avocado Pudding

1 ripe avocado, peeled, pitted and chopped

1/4c raw cacao powder

1T coconut oil

1t vanilla

1-2T raw agave or raw honey

1/2t cinnamon

1/3c cashew or almond milk (made on the creamier side)- more if needed

Pinch pink salt

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In a blender, combine all ingredients and process until super smooth and creamy.

Transfer into a serving bowl or dish and refrigerate to chill the pudding and let it set up- about 30 minutes.

Cacao Maca Power Smoothie

LIKE THE BEST EVER. RAW. AWESOMENESS. Pre or post workout. Fricken phenomenal.

Cacao Maca Power Smoothie

1c almond or cashew nut milk

1T hemp seed

2t raw agave or raw local honey

1T raw coconut oil

1T Maca powder

1t lucuma powder

1T tocos

2T cacao powder

1T golden flax seeds

1t vanilla

1cscoop protein powder

Pinch salt

1c ice

Blend all ingredients together except the ice and process until smooth- taste and adjust if needed

Add the ice and blend just until smooth.

Blood Orange Creamsicle Power Smoothie

This is an amazing recovery smoothie- reminiscent of an Orange Julius (remember those???) but filled with omega 3’s and healthy fats and proteins.

Blood Orange Creamsicle Power Smoothie

1c nut milk- cashew or almond

1T hemp seeds

2 small blood oranges, peeled and quartered

2t raw agave or raw local honey

1T coconut manna

1T flax seeds

1t vanilla

1 scoop protein powder

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1c ice

Blend all ingredients and process until smooth- taste and adjust if needed.

Add the ice and blend just until smooth.

RAW Cacao Coconut Hemp Crunch Chips

These are an amazingly delicious crunchy sweet and satisfying snack. Everything is raw and it is SO easy to put together. The hemp adds protein and omega 3’s while the coconut and cacao add vitamins, minerals and energy. Y U M. So delicious.

RAW CACAO COCONUT HEMP POWER CRUNCH CHIPS

2-1/2c raw coconut chips or shreds

1/2c hemp seeds

1/4c raw cacao powder

1/4c coconut sugar

1T raw agave

Pinch pink salt

1/2t vanilla

1/2c filtered water

In a bowl, toss all of the ingredients together, being sure to coat the coconut-hemp mixture thoroughly.

On a dehydrating sheet, thinly spread the coconut love all over the sheet. Place in the dehydrator for 15-20 hours. Remove and let the chips come to room temp before storing in an air proof container. You can break into small or larger pieces as you wish.

Buckwheat Soba with Ginger Sesame Bok Choy

Buckwheat is totally grain free, and gluten free, it’s a fruit seed that is in the rhubarb family! It is an excellent source of protein as well as many other important nutrients which help to regulate blood sugar and keep you feeling full at the same time. This dish is super delicious and fast to prepare- these noodles are good either hot or cold. Don’t over cook them! (taste them along their journey!)

1 pound of 100% buckwheat soba

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1-2 heads of baby bok choy, washed and thinly sliced

1 clove garlic, smashed and minced

1″ fresh ginger, grated or thinly sliced

1T coconut oil

2t hot sesame oil

fresh scallions and/or fresh jalapeño to taste

1-2T tamari

1T mirin

Salt and pepper to taste

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the soba and cook until al dente. Rinse well with fresh water, then drain and set aside.

In a large skillet, heat up the coconut oil, sauté the garlic, ginger and hot pepper just until golden. Add the sliced bok choy and sauté just until bright green. Deglaze with mirin, sauté for an additional minute or so and then add in the tamari and hot sesame oil. Toss in the cooked noodles and stir through to combine everything well. Serve hot or cold.