Category Archives: soy free

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Spicy Green Beans with Homemade Soy-Free Teriyaki Sauce

My dear friend Moe loves spicy green beans.  She orders them every time we go to P.F. Chang’s.  So I made this recipe with my sweet friend in mind.  One thing I wanted to do, however, was make a soy free and low(er) sodium version.  This calls for coconut aminos, one of my favorite ingredients.  Unfortunately, coconut aminos isn’t SCD legal, but it’s still a great sub for soy-free folks.  This is a super fun side dish too for your Asian cuisine or otherwise.  Teriyaki sauce is also super yummy with eggplant, another dish Moe loves!   
I’ve been excited to share this dish with you.  
Enjoy.   
Ingredients:
-1 1/2 pounds fresh green beans (preferably organic if you can find them)
-1/3 cup coconut aminos
-2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
-1 1/4 teaspoons freshly grated ginger
-1/4 teaspoon garlic granules (or 1/2 garlic clove, minced, watch for spice factor if making for kids) 
-2 tablespoons honey
-1 teaspoon sesame seeds
-Thickener of choice (I use Kuzu to thicken, which I find at my local Coop). 

How To:
Preheat Oven to 375 degrees
1.  Wash and trim green beans and steam for a few minutes.  This takes some of the toughness out of the green bean.  Don’t over steam, you still want a crunchy bean.  No need to soak these in cold water after steaming, simply remove steamer basket from pot and rest on the counter. 
2.  In a small bowl, whisk together the above sauce ingredients until incorporated.
3.  Remove 2-3 tablespoons of the liquid and reserve for later. 
4.  Transfer steamed beans to glass baking dish and toss with mixture.
5.  Transfer to oven and roast for 12-15 minutes.
6.  Thicken sauce* (optional) 
7.  To make the green beans spicy, add freshly grated ginger and garlic to the top of the green beans (for adults only).  As is, the sauce is just slightly spicy.  My 6 year old doesn’t detect it, but my 3 year old says it’s spicy.  So, if you’re serving this to young children, add less garlic and ginger to the original mixture and obviously don’t garnish with fresh garlic and ginger.  
Serves 4 -5  

Notes
*To thicken add 1 1/2 tablespoons thickener of choice to the cool reserved liquid and dissolve.  Remove green beans from baking dish.  Add the thickened cool liquid to the warm sauce and whisk.  As mentioned above, I use Kuzu.  Top green beans with thickened sauce.  If the sauce isn’t thickening up, simply add more thickener to a little water (or more coconut aminos) and continue to add into the warm sauce.  Thickening is optional, but yields a nice presentation. 
*For more about how to thicken sauces see here.  
*Vegans use agave, coconut sugar, stevia or other sweetener of choice in place of honey. 

Shared on:Just Another Meatless Monday, Melt in your Mouth Mondays, Monday Mania, My Meatless Mondays, Mealtime Monday,Made From Scratch Monday, Fat Tuesday,Slightly Indulgent Tuesdays, Traditional Tuesdays, Allergy-Free Wednesday Whole Food Wednesdays, Real Food Wednesdays, Tastetastic Thursday, Simple Lives Thursday, Pennywise Platter Thursday, Frugal Food ThursdayWellness Weekend, Fresh Bites Friday, Friday Food, Foodie Friday, Potluck Party Friday, Allergy-Friendly Fridays, Sweet Saturday, 
Posted by Amber at

Labels: sides, soy free, vegetarian.

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Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Three Vegan, Soy Free White Bean Dip Recipes: Plain, Kalamata Olive, and Spinach (with SCD option)

Last month I made Maggie’s omega 3 white bean dip and loved it (I ate the entire batch actually).  So I decided to make a few of my own white bean recipes.  These dips are full of flavor and super creamy – my favorite combo.  If you’re a dip lover like me, then please give these recipes a try.  For SCD, omit coconut aminos.  See notes.  

*
Dip #1 
Classic Style 
Ingredients:
-1 1/2 cups prepared white beans*
-1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
-3 tablespoons oil (I use grapeseed) 
-2 tablespoons tahini (optional, but worth it)
-1 teaspoon garlic granules (or 1/2 clove garlic)
-3 tablespoons coconut aminos 

How To:
1.  Add beans, lemon juice, tahini, garlic, and coconut aminos to food processor (or blender of choice). Salt is optional here. 
2.  Blend until incorporated.
3.  Drizzle in oil while blending 
4.  Store in glass container in fridge. 

Notes:
*I soak white beans for 48 hours, rinsing 2-3 times.  You certainly don’t need to soak this long, but I think it’s worth it.  After the beans are properly soaked, boil in filtered water until tender. 
*For SCD, omit coconut aminos and add 1/2 – 1 teaspoon salt.
Dip #2 
Karazy Kalamata 
Ingredients:
-1 1/2 cups prepared white beans*
-3 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice
-3 or 4 tablespoons oil (I use grapeseed) 
-2 tablespoons tahini (optional, but worth it)
-1/2 teaspoon garlic granules (or 1/2 clove garlic)
-3 tablespoons coconut aminos 
-1/2 cup pitted kalamata olives 

How To:
1.  Add beans, lemon juice, tahini, garlic, aminos, and olives to food processor (or blender of choice).
2.  Blend until incorporated.
3.  Drizzle in oil while blending 
Notes:
*I soak white beans for 48 hours, rinsing 2-3 times.  You certainly don’t need to soak this long, but I think it’s worth it.  After the beans are properly soaked, boil in filtered water until tender. 
*For SCD, omit coconut aminos and add 1/2 – 1 teaspoon salt.

Dip #3 
Simple Spinach 

Ingredients:
-1 1/2 cups prepared white beans*
-1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
-3 or 4 tablespoons oil (I use grapeseed) 
-2 tablespoons tahini (optional, but worth it)
-1 teaspoon garlic granules (or 1/2 clove garlic)
-3 tablespoons coconut aminos 
-1/2 to 1 cup fresh spinach (I like one cup in there)

How To:
1.  Add beans, lemon juice, tahini, garlic, aminos, and spinach to food processor (or blender of choice).
2.  Blend until incorporated.
3.  Drizzle in oil while blending 

Notes:
*I soak white beans for 48 hours, rinsing 2-3 times.  You certainly don’t need to soak this long, but I think it’s worth it.  After the beans are properly soaked, boil in filtered water until tender. 
*For SCD, omit coconut aminos and add 1/2 – 1 teaspoon salt.















I made Danielle’s Savory and Sweet Crackers (SCD) with this dip and they were delicious!! Don’t mind if I do.

Looking for some additional homemade cracker recipes?  
Well look no further
THIS should get you started! 
__________________________________________________
Shared on:    Just Another Meatless Monday, Melt in your Mouth Mondays, Monday Mania  Ruth’s Real Food 101 (Mondays),  Traditional Tuesdays Fat Tuesdays,  Real Food Wednesdays, Gluten Free Wednesdays, Pennywise Platter, Simple Lives Thursday, Thriving on Thursday, Wellness Weekend, Fresh Bites Friday, Freaky Friday, Fight Back Friday, Friday Food, Lunchbox Love Friday, Feed Your Soul Friday, Allergy-Friendly Friday, Potluck Party Friday, Super Food Sundays, Slightly Indulgent Tuesdays, Allergy-Free Wednesdays, Whole Food Wednesdays 
Posted by Amber at

Labels: allergy-friendly, dairy free, gluten free, SCD, snacks, soy free, spreads, vegan, vegetarian.

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Monday, February 13, 2012

From me to You: Raw Carrot Cake Cookies. Happy Valentine’s Day!

I wish I could take credit for these delicious, healthy cookies but I cannot.  A while back I found these at my local Natural Foods Coop.  I was looking for something to snack on, and these looked perfect.  Can I tell you – they were AMAZING!!  They are super healthy, grain free, nut free, sugar free, and raw. See HERE for my homemade lemon cookies. 
Needless to say, I ate um’ all up in like 2 minutesand of course wanted more, but at nearly $6.00 for a bagno can do.  So I kept the little bag, made note of the ingredients (only 5), and then started making my own.  It took a while to find the right ratios, but I did it!  And my homemade creation taste just like the store bought variety.  So much more cost effective to make them.  My kids eat these up like gangbusters.  I made my family a batch with Valentine’s Day in mind and wanted to share them with you.  I also thought these cookies went well with this month’s “Go Ahead Honey” theme hosted by the lovely Heather at Gluten Free Cat.  Wishing you and yours a wonderful Valentine’s filled with love and laughter!


Ingredients 
-6.5 ounces of carrots, peeled then grated (3 medium) 
-14 soft dates, pitted and soaked in filtered water for an hour 
-4.5 ounces unsweetened shredded coconut
-1 cup sesame seeds
-1 teaspoon nutmeg 
*(I didn’t make these “hot and spicy” but you totally could – for the hot and spicy factor, add in some ginger and/or a pinch of cayenne)

How To
1.  In food processor fitted with the s-blade, add grated carrots and dates.  Blend well.  
2.  In another bowl, add coconut, sesame seeds, and nutmeg.  Mix well. 
3.  Add carrot and date mixture to coconut, sesame seeds, and nutmeg and with clean hands, mix well. 
4.  Spread out “dough” on a non stick surface, I use this (spray the mat with a little oil before you spread out the dough) and then make your desired cutouts.
5.  The dough is a little tricky to work with, but you’ll get it.  My advice is to use a metal spatchula – slide on the cookie and then slide off (the slide action works well).  It took me a while to find my groove.  You can make any shape; I also made cute little carrot cake balls (see below)!  
6.  Okay so, place the cutouts in your dehydrator (on a mesh fitting) and dehydrate at 105 degrees for 24 – 30 hours.  Crank it up to 135 degrees for the last hour. I know this sounds like a long time, but this low temperature really preserves all the beneficial nutrition.  I have no idea how these would work in the oven, but please let me know if you try.  

Notes
*These cookies don’t get crispy hard like the store bought.  They are slightly chewy and soft.  However, you may be able to get that crisp cookies texture if you dehydrate longer.
*I put my dehydrator in the laundry room and just forget about it.  I make a batch at night and they are ready the following night. 
*If making the cute little carrot cake bites, dehydrate 105 degrees for 12-15 hours.  
*
*
A big thanks to Heather for hosting this month’s theme!
Shared on: Just Another Meatless MondayMelt in your Mouth MondaysMonday Mania, Ruth’s Real Food 101 (Mondays)Slightly Indulgent Tuesdays,  Traditional TuesdaysFat Tuesdays, Real Food WednesdaysGluten-Free WednesdaysAllergy Free Wednesdays, Whole Food WednesdaysPennywise PlatterMiz Helen’s Country Cottage Lunch Box Love Fridays, , Wellness Weekend, Allergy-Friendly Friday, Freaky Friday, Fresh Bites Fridays, Raw Foods Thursday, Raw Foods Thursday 
Posted by Amber at

Labels: dairy free, raw, SCD, soy free, sugar free, vegan, xanthan gum free.

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Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Chocolate Pumpkin Ice Cream (dairy free, cane-sugar free, vegan)

I haven’t had “real” ice cream in ohabout 8 years.  I can’t even remember what the stuff tastes like, although when eating ice cream I do remember feeling thirsty and wanting french fries.  What’s that about?  I’m a salty-girl at heart really, not a dedicated sweet tooth like my husband.  I enjoy frozen treats, as does Scott, so we were very intrigued when we started seeing coconut ice cream on the shelves a few years back.  It was love at first bite for me and for the first time in years I was eating ice cream again – and delicious ice cream, ice cream that didn’t make me phlegmy, thirsty, or crave deep fried salty food (and hooray finally for a dairy free, soy free ice cream)!  It wasn’t long after that I started making my own here at home.  It’s ridiculously easy.  My final recipe in my chocolate + pumpkin series is a delicious, creamy chocolate pumpkin ice cream.  Enjoy.
Ingredients
-1 can full fat coconut milk (Native Forest is BPA free)
-1/2 cup plain pumpkin puree (I used the Cinderella variety)
-3 tablespoons raw cacao powder (or to tasteI liked it at 2 tablespoons, Scott, of course, needed one more tablespoon in there)
-1/4 cup Grade B maple syrup (or sweetener of choice and to taste)
-5 drops liquid stevia
-2 teaspoons cinnamon
-1 teaspoon vanilla 

How To
1. Blend all ingredients until creamy and well incorporated 
2. Immediately add to ice cream maker
3.  When the mixture is very thick (the consistency of frozen yogurt) transfer to freezer
4.  Freeze for a few hours before serving
5.  If serving the next day, don’t fret when you take the ice cream out of the freezer and it resembles a block of ice.  You’re okay. Allow ice cream to sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes, it will thicken up as it warms and will be super creamy and delicious
6.  Garnish with shredded coconut and cinnamon, or your favorite topping

Notes:
Below are other chocolate + pumpkin recipes you may enjoy 

Shared on: Slightly Indulgent Tuesdays & Traditional Tuesdays
Posted by Amber at

Labels: cane sugar free, chocolate + pumpkin, dairy free, dessert, gluten free, ice cream, soy free, vegan.

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Saturday, November 19, 2011

Raw Pasta Two Ways (with two delicious raw sauces)

 “The way you cut your meat reflects the way you live.”
–Confucius


“The way you cut your veggies reflects the way you live.” 
– Me, earlier today

I love vegetables, but like most things I get b.o.r.e.d very easily.  So cutting veggies up like pasta is nothing new friends, but what I have dressed them with today, well, hello gorgeous (yes you) and what I am tasting in my mouth.  I’m eating the “pasta” pictured in the top right as we speak. I often eat and blog at the same time.  That’s why my keyboard looks like a barnacle (so gross).  

I’ve been making pesto for years and this is my favorite recipe but I find it gets a bit washed out on pasta, so I added one simple ingredient and bam – love! 
The perfect raw pesto.  I adore pesto in any form.  It brings back lovely memories of my beloved Gramie (who was a die-hard cook).  Growing up I spent the summers with my Grandparents (and lived with them for many years).  Gramie often made fresh pesto and I vividly remember her explaining what it was and how to make it with nothing less than grand enthusiasm over the entire process from leaves to paste. Of course I thought it was awesome, and she allowed me to do the best part of the jobdrizzling in the oil.  Magic.  If my Gramie was alive today I know she would LOVE my heart-healthy version.  This one’s for you Gramie! 
Sauce #1: the perfect raw pesto
Ingredients:
-1 large beautiful organic avocado

How To:
1.  Make pesto recipe as specified above and add in the avocado (cut into chunks and blend in food processor with other ingredients)
2.  The avocado gives it just the right “something” that creates a creamy, substantial sauce 
3.  Toss sauce with raw zucchini & carrot “pasta” made with this tool.  You may need to drizzle in some oil to help incorporate the sauce with “pasta”  


Notes
*This sauce also works great with cooked gluten-free pasta (this is how I tested it originally

*Pesto is best served at room temperature (in my opinion)
*I use this gadget to get the zucchini to look like pasta noodles.

*Or this awesome julienne peeler works great too for both the carrots or zucchini.
Sauce #2: Fabulous Fig Balsamic Dressing.  This is a sweet/savory sauce from one of my favorite restaurants on the planet, Cafe Gratitude.
The first time I ate at Cafe Gratitude I fell in love; I was smitten like a lovesick teenager, seriously!  Check out their website and I dare you to not feel warm, fuzzy, loved, and excited about their philosophy and their food – my goddess the food!  I’m sure I scared the poor man sitting next to me as I moaned, groaned, and talked to myself through the entire meal (who does that? oh, crazy people like me – okay, I was having a foodgasm if you must know).  I was still chewing my first bite when I spotted their cookbook, ran to it, grabbed it, and proceeded to hold onto it (while I ate) like a miserly mouse clenching the last piece of cheese.  So if you are headed to San Francisco for a visit, call me and I will meet you there and we can be crazy about this place together!  

The fig sauce is located on page 45.  It’s fantastic.  I adapted it slightly with what I had on hand, so the original recipe is different.  My adaption is below. 


Sauce #2: Fabulous Fig Balsamic Dressing
Ingredients:
-7 black mission figs, quartered
-2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 
-1/4 teaspoon salt
-Juice from 1/2 a lemon
-A few turns of the pepper grinder 
-Oil of choice

How To:
1.  Add figs, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper, and lemon to food processor, blend until Incorporated

2.  Drizzle in oil until creamy 

Shared on: Wellness Weekend over at Diet, Dessert and Dogs, Real Food 101, Fat Tuesdays, Friday Foodie Fix, Gluten Free Wednesdays, Raw Foods Thursday, 
Posted by Amber at

Labels: dairy free, gluten free, raw, sauces, sides, soy free, vegan.

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Friday, November 11, 2011

5 Super Easy and Super Tasty Side Dish Ideas For Your Thanksgiving Feast (dairy free, gluten free, white potato free, cane-sugar free, vegan)

Turkey is great, but a side dish can be the star of the Thanksgiving show!  I love to see what people have lined up at their Thanksgiving mealyou know the turkey is going to be there, no big surprise, but let me loose on the buffet table so I can check out how the sweet potatoes are dressed, what’s going to shine in the cranberry sauce, what’s that awesome looking bread?  Creating alternatives to traditional Thanksgiving cuisine is super easy.  Check out my 5 very easy side dishes.  There are endless possibilities for your meal, but my motto is to keep it easy, keep it fun and keep it super tasty!
***************************************************
#1
Roots and Fruits
(Roasted Parsnips, Apples, Pears and Walnuts)

Ingredients
5 medium parsnips, peeled and chopped
1 small red onion, chopped
2 pears, peeled and chopped
1 Granny Smith apple, peeled and chopped
1 1/2 cups of  walnuts
Oil (of choice)
Garlic granules 

How To
*Add parsnips, onion, pears, & apple to favorite baking dish
*Drizzle with oil
*Add 2 tablespoons garlic granules
*Roast at 400 degrees for about 35-40 minutes (check at 35)
*Lightly toast walnuts in saute pan
*Add to roasted roots and fruits 
*Mix together
*Add salt if desired, I omit.  
*Serves 4-5
***************************************************
#2
Socca Bread 
Gluten free, Grain free, Sugar free, Vegan, ACD, Xanthan gum free, Yeast free, Egg free….absolutely AMAZING flatbread!!!
(recipe from December/January issue of Living Without Magazine, pg.41)
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups chickpea flour (garbonzo bean flour)
1 1/2 cups filtered water
2 1/2 tablespoons oil (I used grapeseed)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary (you must use fresh!
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon minced dried onion (I used onion powder)

How To
*Whisk together chickpea flour, water, 2 tablespoons oil, rosemary, salt, pepper, onion (minced or powder).  Let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.  This gives the batter a chance to thicken up a bit
*Coat a large round nonstick skillet with oil and heat over med until hot (add oil to pan after removing the socca and get it nice and hot for the next one)
*Pour 1/2 cup batter into pan and swirl around a bit (sort of like a crepe).  use heat-safe spatula to loosen sides
*Cook socca until crispy on one side, flip and brown on the other side
*Serves 4-5
***************************************************
#3
Smashed Sweet Potatoes and Cauliflower 
(this is really nice substitute for those of you who don’t want white potatoes at your meal; the cauliflower adds a nice texture and balances out the sweetness of the sweet potatoes – and best part, no boiling required!)

Ingredients 
3 large sweet potatoes, chopped
1 head of cauliflower, separated 
Oil of choice
Garlic granules (or 4 cloves fresh garlic)

How To
*Add sweet potatoes and cauliflower to your favorite roasting dish
*Drizzle with oil 
*Add about 1 1/2 tablespoons garlic granules (or smash the fresh garlic cloves and add in)
*Toss ingredients with oil and garlic 
*Roast at 400 degrees for 40 minutes
*Keep ingredients in roasting pan and use a potato masher to smash ingredients together.  Add another drizzle of oil for some additional moisture
*Add 1/4 teaspoon salt 
*Smash everything together well 
*Top with a little cinnamon (optional)
*Serves 4-5
***************************************************
#4
20-Minute Cane-Sugar Free Cranberry Sauce
(my kids ate this up like candy!)

Ingredients 
4 cups fresh cranberries
1 cup filtered water
1 sweet red apple, small chop
3 dates, seeded and small chopped 
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/3 cup honey
1 large orange

How To
*In medium sauce pan bring cranberries and water to a boil, stir and turn down to a simmer
*Add apple, honey, dates and briskly stir
*Turn down to low and gently simmer for about 15 minutes 
*Turn off heat and add juice of 1 orange and cinnamon 
*When cool, transfer to fridge until ready to serve
*Top with orange zest
***************************************************
#5
Fig and Walnut Stuffed Acorn Squash 

Ingredients
2 acorn squash
2 cups fresh chopped figs
1 Granny Smith apple, peeled and chopped
1 ripe pear, peeled and chopped
1 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
Oil of choice
3 tablespoons honey
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
pinch of ground ginger 

How To
*Cut squash in half and remove seeds, run oil around inside of squash
*Place face down in baking dish, coated with a little oil 
*Bake at 400 for 30 – 40 minutes (check at 30)
*In sauce pan, add oil, apple, pear, & walnuts, saute or a few minutes
*Add figs and salt, saute for a few minutes
*Add in honey and spices, saute together and cook on low until all ingredients are soft and have combined juices and most of the honey and oil has cooked off.  Turn off and allow to cool a bit before adding to baked squash
*Remove squash from oven when finished and turn over.  Allow to cool face up
*Add mixture to squash
*Serves 4 very hungry folks or up to 8 if each squash half is divided 

Wishing You a Health-full and Happy Thanksgiving
Be Well, Amber 
Shared on: A Gluten-Free Holiday Week 2 – Thanksgiving Favorites
Posted by Amber at

Labels: cane sugar free, dairy free, egg free, gluten free, sides, soy free, thanksgiving side dishes, vegan.

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Thursday, November 10, 2011

Pumpkin Coconut Almond Smoothie

What to do with all that pumpkin puree in my fridge?  Ah ha!  Give it to the kids in a super healthy drink.  Did it work?  I’m tipping my imaginary hat as we speak!  Hubby loved this drink too.  Seriously though, drink your pumpkin – it’s super yummy.

Ingredients
-1 cup plain homemade pumpkin puree
-1 cup full fat coconut milk (BPA free)
-1 cup filtered water 
-1 teaspoon vanilla 
-2 tablespoons almond butter
-2 tablespoons honey (vegans, use maple syrup) add more if needed 
-2 tablespoons carob powder 
-1 teaspoon cinnamon (or just top smoothie with a pinch)

How To
1.  Add all ingredients to blender (high speed or otherwise)
2.  Blend until smooth

Notes
*My kiddos drank this straight from the blender (okay not literally – but I did when no one was looking) so it wasn’t chilled and still a hit
*Place smoothie in the fridge for a few hours if desired (no separation will occur)  
*I used carob in this recipe.  I gave this drink to my kiddos today as a late afternoon pick-me updidn’t want to give my daughter stimulating cacao this late and my son can’t eat cacao due to his eczema.  I would just omit this completely if you don’t like carob or thinking about substituting with cacao, as if you add cacao it essentially becomes this drink – which is all good toobut this coconut pumpkin smoothie is so awesome without the very overpowering taste of chocolate.
Shared on: Pennywise Platter Thursdays, Slightly Indulgent Tuesdays, Wellness Weekend, 
Posted by Amber at

Labels: cane sugar free, dairy free, drinks, gluten free, soy free, vegan.

4 Comments

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Monday, November 7, 2011

Chocolate Pumpkin Brownies (vegan, grain free, cane-sugar free, dairy free, egg free)

Did I mention my husband is a HUGE chocoholic?  Well he is.  More than anyone I’ve ever met in my life.  And he likes the good stuff this man.  I’m not talking about a Hersey’s bar (although if you gave him one he would eat it).  My husband’s list of loves would probably go something like this: 1) his family, 2) the outdoors, 3) chocolate.  And if he was outdoors with his family eating chocolate he would probably explode (with joy).  So this chocolate series is dedicated to my sweet-teeth husbandand my daughter who is quickly following suit in the chocolate-loving department. 

Here we have recipe #2 in the pumpkin + chocolate series.  I don’t know about you, but I like chewy brownies.  Not cake-like brownies.  I thought it would be a fun challenge to make these grain free.  So the trick here was to make a grain free brownie that didn’t crumble apart.  I’m pleased with the final product.  My husband LOVES this brownie, as does my daughter.  They both gave it a two-thumbs up, and that’s saying something from my chocolate connoisseurs.  How wonderful to make something so healthy and sinfully tasty for the ones I love.    
(grain free, gluten free, dairy free, cane-sugar free, egg free, soy free, xanthan gum free) 

Ingredients
-2 cups raw almonds
-1 cup raw walnuts
-1/2 cup raw cacao powder
-1/4 cup coconut flour
-2 tablespoons arrowroot powder
-1/4 teaspoon baking soda
-1/4 teaspoon salt

-1/2 cup pumpkin puree 
-1/3 cup + 1 tablespoon grade B maple syrup (room temp) 
-1/2 teaspoon liquid stevia (vanilla or cocoa flavor is nice)
-1 teaspoon vanilla
-1/4 cup applesauce (room temp)
-1 tablespoon ground chia seeds
-3 tablespoons water
-1/4 cup coconut oil – liquified
-1/4 cup non-dairy milk (or water)
-1/4 teaspoon ginger 

How To
Preheat oven to 375

In a food processor:
1.  Add almonds and grind until fine and slightly moist 
2.  Add walnuts to almonds and blend together until the nuts start to stick together a bit- test with fingers
3.  Add cacao powder, blend/pulse
4.  Add arrowroot, baking soda, ginger, coconut flour, and salt…
5.  Blend, blend, blend, pulse, pulse, pulse

In a separate bowl:
1.  Whisk together: pumpkin puree, maple syrup, vanilla, coconut oil, applesauce and milk (or water) 
2.  In a separate small bowl stir together chia and water until thick then add to wet ingredients. mix
3.  Add dry ingredients from food processor into wet ingredients and mix
4.  Transfer batter to 8×8 baking dish
5.  You can either line the 8×8 baking dish with parchment paper or spray oil and dust with coconut flour.  I used oil & flour.  
6.  Bake 30 minutes or until sides start to harden and crisp up

Notes
*The middle will be moist, but will firm up as it cools, but overall stays rather moist.  
*I would wait several hours before cutting into the brownies (if you can) or wait until the next day (yeah right).
*Top with melted chocolate (I melted 1/2 of this chocolate bar with 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice)
Shared on: slightly Indulgent Tuesdays,  
Gluten Free Wednesdays, Week 5 of Home for the Holidays: Gluten Free Style,  Fat Tuesday, Whole Food Wednesdays, GFE’s Virtual Support Group, Fresh Bites Friday, Freaky Friday, Fight Back Friday, Friday Food, Pot Luck Party Fridays, Feed Your Soul Friday, Superfood Sunday 
Posted by Amber at

Labels: chocolate + pumpkin, dairy free, dessert, egg free, gluten free, grain free, soy free, vegan, xanthan gum free.

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