RAW Vegan “Egg” Nog / Cashew Love Drink

*RAW VEGAN EGG NOG

RAW Vegan “Egg” Nog

1/2c cashews soaked for an hour

2c water

10 deglet dates-more or less for desired sweetness (could be replaced with 1/4c raw agave or maple syrup)

1/4t nutmeg

1t vanilla

1/2T coconut oil

1t maca powder

1/2t cinnamon + additional for dusting

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

Pour into serving glasses and dust with cinnamon. Can serve over ice or blended with ice for a thicker smoothie style beverage.

I have to say this spiked with a spiced rum is the OPPOSITE of not good.

SO. FRICKEN.FESTIVE.

Gluten Free Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

*gluten free peanut butter chocolate chip cookies

Ummmmmmmmmm…so these are INCREDIBLE….YUM! Peanut Butter, Chocolate….YUM-NESS.

Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
makes 23 cookies

1c Gluten-Free flour
1c rolled oats
1/2c roasted peanuts, to be coarsely ground

1/2c peanut butter

3/4c dark chocolate chips

1/4t baking soda
1/4t baking powder
1/2t salt

1/2c maple syrup
1/2c coconut oil
1/2t vanilla

preheat oven to 350º

In a food processor, put the oats in and grind them until they become flour-like.

In the same processor, coarsely grind the peanuts.
In a bowl, mix all of dry ingredients together, the flour, ground oats, almonds, chocolate chips, cinnamon, salt and baking powder/soda.

Mix the wet ingredients together; the peanut butter, coconut oil and maple syrup in a blender if need be to get well incorporated before adding into the dry and mix with a spatula until everything is well mixed.

Scoop or spoon out onto baking sheet with space in between. Using a fork, create a criss cross pattern across the top applying with gentle pressure.
Bake for 10 minutes. Turn the pan (s) and continue to bake for another 5 minutes or until golden brown.  Let cool for at least 5 minutes and then remove them to a cooling rack.

Sweet Tapioca Pudding

*tapioca pudding

I love this pudding, super creamy, super yummy and super comforting. Play with the flavors by adding chocolate or using coconut milk in place of or in addition to the cashew nut milk. You could use another non-dairy milk but I find the cashews to lend a creaminess and a fullness that another nut or even a soy or rice milk may not offer. SUPER FRICKEN YUM.

Sweet Tapioca Pudding

 3-1/2c cashew nut milk

¼c agave syrup or organic cane sugar

1/4c Organic Tapioca Pearls

1/4t pink salt

1t vanilla

In a smallish pot, place all of the ingredients except the vanilla and bring to a gentle boil, stirring often as to prevent the pearl from sticking to the bottom of the pot. Reduce the heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until most of the milk has been absorbed, the pudding has thickened and gotten creamy and the pearls have lost their opaqueness. Stir in the vanilla and turn off the heat and let steam, covered for 10 minutes or so. Remove to a glass container or serving bowl and refrigerate until completely cooled.

*Use coconut milk in place or in addition to the cashew nut milk for a delicious variation

 

Gluten Free Nut Loaf

*gluten free nut loaf

This was DELICIOUS with the Basic Mushroom Gravy and some Smashed Potatoes. Would be equally delicious as a sandwich filling if there is any left over!

Gluten Free Nut Loaf

1c-cooked lentils or smashed chickpeas

1c pecans- to be ground

1 1/2c cooked brown rice

4-5 slices Gluten Free toast-completely cooled, to be made into breadcrumbs

or 1-1/2c loosely packed GF breadcrumbs

1 clove garlic, smashed and minced

1 medium onion, minced

1/4c nutritional yeast

1/4c ketchup

2T extra virgin olive oil

1/2c walnuts, chopped *opt

1/8t-1/4t-cayenne pepper or chipotle powder (I LOVE Chipotle Powder)

1/4t ground black pepper

1/2t salt

Up to 1/4c water

Topping:

3T ketchup

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

In a food processor, process the pecans- set aside.

In the same processor, process the bread into breadcrumbs…do not over process!

In a large bowl, combine the lentils or chickpeas, rice, breadcrumbs, onions, nutritional yeast, ketchup, oil, nuts*, salt, red and black pepper. Mix with a wooden spoon or clean hands until all ingredients are well incorporated.

Pour out the mixture into a lightly oiled loaf pan. With the back of a wooden spoon, fill out the pan. Top the loaf with the remaining ketchup.

Cover with foil and bake for 35-45 minutes.

Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes.

Serve with smashed potatoes and sautéed greens; broccoli or kale.

CRAZYTOWNGOOD Chocolate Moose

chocolate moose

This dessert is OFF THE CHAIN……One of the very first dessert recipes that I created at the Natural Gourmet…they even asked for it to be included in their repertoire of vegan dessert recipes…It is CRAZY good on its’ own or paired with a vegan whipped cream, or a cashew nut cream and fresh berries. I have also used this to fill an extremely decadent chocolate layer cake…I promise you, this is FAIL proof and unbelievably AWESOME. It is light and airy just like a dairy, egg based mousse.

Chocolate Moose

2c cashew nut milk, or soy milk or other dairy free milk
1c chocolate chips
1T maple syrup
1/4t salt

1 1/2t agar

1t vanilla

Measure out all of the other ingredients and have them ready.

In a saucepan on the stove over a low to medium flame, combine the milk, chocolate chips, maple syrup, agar and salt, stirring frequently. Continue cooking over a low flame until the chocolate chips melt, about 10-15 minutes. The mixture should look like hot chocolate, creamy and full- bodied.
Place the contents of the saucepan into a blender. Caution, hot liquids in a blender can be extremely dangerous. Fill only half way to the top of the blender and proceed in batches if necessary. *
Add the vanilla and taste the mixture. Adjust the seasonings to your tastes. Make sure all of the adjustments happen before you pour it to set.

Pour the mixture out of the blender through a sieve, lined with cheesecloth, or through a very fine mesh strainer, into a large serving bowl. The straining will catch any lumps, clumps and/ or impurities (like uncooked agar).

To make individual servings, pour mixture directly into several, small, serving bowls
Allow this to cool and set for at least 5-6 hours, best overnight.

Serve with a nut crème and fresh berries.

Ellen’s AWESOME White Girl KimChee

Image

I FRICKEN LOVE KIMCHEE.….I’m not sure what I love about it most, making it or eating it. There is something about the process of making it that has culture, devotion and love wrapped in the creation of this amazing fermented food. It is said that whatever you send into the making of it will be in the end result… So like this morning, I was working LOVE into this latest batch, and to drive the point home, I labeled it on the glass to “feed” the ferment. This is so easy and seems like it would be much more complicated but it is so simple, and could easily be made in a small urban kitchen. You can vary the veggies, change the seasonings or could go straight up traditional. Below ismy take on the best fricken KimChee. I used local cabbage, carrots, onions, and garlic- but use what you have available to you!

Cabbage Prep

1 head Nappa Cabbage

water to cover the leaves

3T pink salt

Pull the leaves off whole from the base of the cabbage and wash well, trimming off any parts you wouldn’t want to consume (ends, dark spots).

In a LARGE non-reactive bowl like glass or true stainless steel (or plastic but I’m not a fan), line the leaves in and with each layer, sprinkle salt over them, then continue to layer the leaves, salting them, layering new leaves etc. Gently pour enough water over the top of the salted leaves then place a large plate (or two) to keep the leaves immersed. Leave this overnight. When ready to use them, drain the water off and rip the leaves into desired size

Ellen’s AWESOME KimChee

1 head prepared salted Nappa Cabbage leaves- torn up into small pieces

1/2 of one onion, thinly sliced

3 cloves garlic, smashed and minced

1/2 of one red bell pepper, thinly sliced

1 carrot, shredded

2″ piece of fresh ginger, grated

1t dried chili pepper ( more or less to suit your spice)

1-2T Pink salt ( I believe in going heavier in the salt, so taste your mix along the way to add more if necessary.

2t smoked chipotle powder

1T raw agave

 Image


In a large bowl, toss all of the ingredients together and massage the veggies and spices together for a good 5-6 minutes to break down the veggies- the juices will start to be released- you want this! This is where you massage into the mix whatever you want or desire, LOVEPEACE,HAPPINESSPOWER or all of them!! Mind your thoughts!!!  No one gonna want to eat your bad mood- including you!!!
Image

Have a clean bell jar or lock lid glass container ready to go, quart size. Start by putting some of the mix into the jar and pack it down firmly each time you add more with the top of your fingers. Add all of the remaining liquid the mix has created, this is the brine (filled with probitiotics and if you are lucky to have more, it is a great addition to savory green juices!!)

Image

Leave about an inch or 2 at the top of the jar/container and then close it up tightly. This is where I literally write on the jar what is “cooking”. You leave this gorgeous concoction on the counter at room temperature for 2-3 days (less if it’s super warm out).

After about 2-3 days it’s ready to eat! Put the mix into the fridge to slow down the ongoing fermentation- which will continue in the fridge, making it more sour and even more flavorful. The longer you let it ferment, the more beneficial bacteria there will be.

Because your KimChee is living, always use a clean utensil when dipping into it!

Image

Broccoli & Potato Soup with Brown Rice

*broccoli and potato soup with brown rice

Everything local, the broccoli, potatoes, carrots, garlic, even the ginger. Such an easy soup, so delicious and warming. You could replace the brown rice with another grain or even with a pasta of your choosing.

Broccoli & Potato Soup with Brown Rice

2c potatoes, peeled and medium diced

1c onion, small dice

1 carrot, small dice

1 bunch broccoli, separate florets, stems medium dice

1 bouillon or veggie broth to replace the water

4c boiling water

1” piece of fresh ginger, grated

1-2c cooked brown rice

1t Hot sesame oil *opt

½ t black pepper

2T olive oil

In a separate kettle, heat up the water. In a soup pot, heat up the olive oil. Add the onions and sauté until golden. Add the carrots and cook for a minute or so before adding the potatoes, broccoli stems and the rice. Add in salt and pepper, hot pepper, and stir until well incorporated. Cover with the hot water and add the bouillon.

Bring to a boil and let simmer for 25-30. Add the broccoli florets, ginger and the sesame oil and simmer for an additional 5-10 minutes. Adjust the seasonings.

Spicy Sesame Tofu

*Spicy Sesame Tofu       

I didn’t even press the tofu- which lends for a firmer texture, and it came out awesome. Fresh ginger would be and is AMAZING in this, I just didn’t have any in the house. I ate this with a big bowl of Sautéed Kale and Sprouted Quinoa, and my homemade Siracha Sauce. FRICKEN DELICIOUS.

        Spicy Sesame Tofu            

1-pound firm tofu, cut into cubes

2T extra virgin olive oil

1T tamari or shoyu

2t agave or maple syrup

½ of one fresh hot pepper or 1/2t hot pepper flakes

1 clove garlic, smashed and minced

2T nutritional yeast

1t hot sesame oil

1/4t pink salt

2T un-hulled sesame seeds

*fresh ginger

In a large skillet or frying pan, heat up the oil and add the garlic, hot pepper and sesame seeds and sauté just until barely golden. Add in the tofu and pan fry over medium high heat, tossing often to brown all sides- about 6 minutes. Add in the tamari or shoyu and coat the tofu well by tossing the tofu around the hot pan- almost until the tofu appears dry. Add in the sweetener and the hot sesame oil and continue to toss. In the last moments of cooking, add in the nutritional yeast and coat the tofu. Serve hot or cold.

*Fresh ginger is AMAZING in this. Add in 1” piece- grated when sautéing the garlic.

*dragon bowl

Spicy Split Pea Soup

I make this soup at least two to three times a month- It is truly my comfort food- my Dad LOVES this soup. Chipotle powder is what gives this soup its’ smokey flavor. Chipotle powder is a smoked dried Jalapeno with a delicious hot smokey/sweet flavor and is a spice that is always in my kitchen. If you can find liquid smoke, or smoke salt, or another natural smoke flavoring, it adds another layer of tremendous flavor that is typically found in traditional meat based split pea soup. Today I didn’t blend it at all, so I cut the vegetables uniformly. I also added a small thin skinned potato, diced in the last 15 minutes of cooking 1) cuz I had it in the house and 2) potatoes are YUMMY.

Wheat-Free, Gluten-Free

SPLIT PEA SOUP

3T olive oil

1c green split peas

1 small red or yellow onion, medium diced

1 small potato, medium diced *opt

1 small carrot, medium diced

1 veggie bouillon (or replace water with veggie broth)

4c water, pre-boiled

1t chipotle powder

1/2t cayenne pepper or 1 fresh hot pepper or chili

Salt and pepper to taste

2T Fresh parsley- to be added in at the end of cooking time

Heat up 6 cups water, in case you need more.

In a soup pot, heat up the olive oil. Add the onions and sauté until golden. Add the carrots and cook for a minute or so before adding the peas. Add in the spices and stir until well incorporated. Add the peas, cover with the hot water, and add the bouillon.

Let simmer for 45-60 minutes or until everything has softened and the peas have broken down. If you prefer your soup unblended- be sure to cut the veggies small and uniformly so they are pleasant on the spoon. **If blending, you can partially blend or puree the mixture to the desired consistency.

Season to taste.

**Use caution when blending hot liquids

FOR PUREED SOUP:

In batches, in a blender or vitamix*, puree the split pea soup. Adjust the seasonings before serving.

*Caution: blending hot liquids can be extremely dangerous. Fill the blender only half way and proceed in batches if necessary.

Fall Green Tomato Soup

*green tomato soup

This soup would be killer with fresh cilantro. When I moved out of Putney, I had so many green tomatoes still left on the vine that initially I though I was  going to pickle or marinate, after several days in a wood bowl in the new place, something had to happen….and soon!…what I had was a ton of fresh parsley, local celery and carrots, and hot peppers and onions…. I didn’t process this to completely smooth, I left it sort of rough, definitely blended,  but with texture….You could for sure make this more substantial by adding red lentils or pasta for a delicious protein fix however the simple taste of the fall veggies alone are super spectacular…..SO delicious.

Fall Green Tomato Soup

3c chopped fresh green tomatoes

1 one red onion, medium dice

1 carrot, medium dice

1 stalk celery, medium dice

3t extra virgin olive oil

1T raw agave or maple syrup

½ fresh jalapeno or cherry bomb pepper, medium dice

1/4t fresh black pepper

1/4c fresh parsley

1/2t pink salt

3c water

1 veggie bouillon or replace the water with veggie broth

Heat up a soup pot over medium heat. Add the olive oil and the chopped onions, carrots, and celery. Sautee until they are just golden. Add the fresh hot pepper, salt and black pepper and toss around in the pan for a minute or so before adding the fresh tomatoes. Cover with the water (or broth) and bring to a boil over medium heat- about 10 minutes or so. Puree and add in the fresh parsley, adjust seasonings and serve. Top with nutritional yeast and fresh black pepper. YUM!

*Caution: blending hot liquids can be extremely dangerous. Fill the blender only half way and proceed in batches if necessary.