Tag: vegan

Peanut Crunch 🥜 Salad 🥬 in a Jar

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One day I sent 10 empty ‘Planters Peanut‘ wrappers to their office in exchange for a Planters coloring book. I remember the day my coloring book arrived with a nice letter from Mr. P. Nut and bonus stickers. I was a happy child. I always eat peanuts or peanut butter. It is not clear if Mr. P. Nut really existed or was a good marketing ploy? However, “MR P. NUT“ did arrive at the Planters factory in 1896.

Mr P. Nut

My favorite “Peanut Crunch Salad In A Jar” is a joy. If you have never had a peanut or sesame/pumpkin seed salad you need to try it out. Use different nuts. You can buy these salad toppings pre-packaged. It’s the best way to eat nutritious cabbage. I do not like tofu. But, I am a big, big fan of edamame beans. My bean caviar. You can have this quinoa salad without peanut butter to give a fluffier salad. It’s all good!

Peanut Crunch Salad in a Jar

  • Servings: 1-2
  • Difficulty: easy
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INGREDIENTS
For the quinoa
▢ 1 cup (180 grams) quinoa , or 2 cups (370 grams) already cooked quinoa
▢ 1¾ cup (420 ml) water
▢ pinch salt
Dressing
▢ 5 tablespoons natural peanut butter
▢ 4 tablespoons lemon juice
▢ 2 tablespoons soy sauce
▢ 4 tablespoons water
▢ 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar, or apple cider, or white wine vinegar
▢ 1 -2 tablespoons minced garlic
▢ salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
▢ Optional : 1 tsp maple syrup with peanut butter unless already sweetened
Salad
▢ 4 green, spring onions, cut into thin rounds,
▢ 1 medium julienne carrot
▢ 1 cup (150 grams) frozen edamame beans
▢ 1½ cups (160 grams) chopped red cabbage
▢ 1½ cups (160 grams) chopped green cabbage
▢ ½ cup (73 grams) roasted peanuts

INSTRUCTIONS
Cook the quinoa. Add the quinoa, water and a pinch of salt to a saucepan. Bring to a rolling boil, then turn the heat down to the lowest setting, cover tightly with a lid and cook for 15 minutes. Turn off the heat and let stand with the lid on for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork before using.
▢ Make the dressing. Add all of the dressing ingredients to a small bowl and whisk them together really well. Divide the dressing evenly between 4 x 17oz (500ml) mason jars.
▢ Layering–>Dressing starts at the bottom. Add green onions, then quinoa, carrots, edamame, cabbage and end with the peanuts and a tight lid. Store in the fridge for up to 5 days.
▢ To serve shake the jar vigorously. Plate it or eat directly from the jar.
NUTRITION
Serving: 1 jar Calories: 438kcal Carbohydrates: 44g Protein: 20g
Fat: 23g Saturated Fat: 4g Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g Monounsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 1g Sodium: 626mg Potassium: 869mg Fiber: 10g Sugar: 11g Vitamin A: 3158IU Vitamin C: 49mg Calcium: 124mg Iron: 4mg
Fridge time 3-5 days.

You Gotta Eat Here!

You Gotta Eat Where?
Home Cooking Goes To Work!

What’s better than home cooking?
No-o-o-thing!

Jar up these salads and bring your appetite!

Substitute cashews, almonds or walnuts for peanuts. Roasting the nuts is even better. Peanut substitute: Switch the peanut butter for sunflower seed butter (tahini) and top with crunchy sunflower and/or pumpkin seeds instead of peanuts. You can use any combination of seeds. You can roast nuts in paprika, garlic powder, black pepper and salt for a big punch. Next time use hazelnut butter. If you don’t have soy sauce use coconut aminos or tamarind.
Be a MacGyver and substitute as needed!

Bring home made meals to work.
It is 100% worth it!

Use plastic containers instead of mason jars. (a) TO WORK or (b) at HOME.

Salad-In-A-Jar `Yumm`Yumm

INGREDIENTS: lemon juice+ olive oil, shaved carrots, currents, pumpkin seeds, cauliflower + nappa cabbage [left]<~ ~>[right] creamy dressing + roasted tofu, black beans, tomato +shredded parm. cheese, topped with spinach

Salad Layering ~Salad Jar ~Video

Beginner’s Guide

More “Salad Jar” Ideas~ Make Ahead on Sunday ~ Good Eats for the Rest of The Week!

The Very Best DYN-O-MITE Salads!
New Dressing Ideas!

A peanut is not a nut but a legume like soybeans and lentils. Athletes enjoy the protein and healthy fats for good digestion, magnesium, manganese, biotin, CoQ10 and minerals such as zinc, niacin (B3) phosphorus, selenium and Vitamin E.

The Green Life…..If you are doing a 5 day vegan cleanse, reset or detox, then this is the healthy salad for you!

I used green and red cabbage in this salad because it stands up well in a jar and great for digestion. The quinoa, a seed, adds nutty nutrition to the salad!

Recycle! Reuse!

RECYCLE ♻️ these plastic containers instead of using mason jars. I save plastic containers from my market purchases. They are easy to use as many times as you like or toss out at any time. You can also substitute them for glass jars.

Banana Bread ~ in a Blender

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“Gluten-free, dairy free banana bread.”

Let’s reinvent a great classic. Trending!
🍌 Banana Bread 🍌 made in a blender!

Top down: This blender banana bread has yogurt, peanut butter and coconut powder with brown Monk Fruit. NO CANE SUGAR!

Cut your banana bread into a heart shapes on Valentines day..💘.. Your family and friends will love it! ~ The extras you do! A great breakfast treat.

Banana Bread~ in A Blender

  • Servings: 6-10
  • Difficulty: easy
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INGREDIENTS
(1) 2 cups old-fashioned oats
(2) 2-3 bananas ( about 1 cup)
(3) 2 large eggs
(4) 1 teaspoon baking soda
(5) 1/4 cup maple syrup = 4 tbsp. [standard] [some people use 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce]
Note: I added 2 Tbsp of brown monk fruit & One loaf without any added sweetener (optional)
(6) ¼ teaspoon Fine Grain Sea Salt
(7) Add complimentary spices (below)
SPICES1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp cardamom
1/2 tsp cinnamon (+ a dash of nutmeg)
PLUS
2 tablespoons of flax seeds, slightly crushed in a mortar and pestle
2-4 tablespoons peanut butter (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
1    Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease 9×5-inch loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
2     Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth and well combined. ( you can have some chunks of banana)
Be sure not to over blend. If the batter is over blended, it will start to warm and cook the oats which prevents the loaf from baking into a bread-like texture. It will have the texture of oatmeal if the oats start cooking before you bake the bread.)
3     Pour batter into prepared loaf pan. Bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. (If the top of the loaf is browned, but the center is not baked all the way through yet, simply cover the top with foil and let the loaf continue to bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.)TOPPERS: walnuts, banana slices, coconut flakes, cranberry and lemon zest. You can also add these toppers to the batter itself

Let loaf cool completely in loaf pan. Store bread in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Do Not “OVER BLEND The Batter!

CAUTION ⚠️

If the batter is over blended, it will start to warm and cook the oats which prevents the loaf from baking into a bread-like texture.
If the oats start cooking before you bake the bread, you will end up with the texture of oatmeal–> gooey gummy bread.

Keep an eye on your baking. Rotate bread halfway through cooking. If it’s too brown, you can still save the day. Covered the top of the bread with tin foil and back in the oven. Check for doneness when inserting a toothpick in the bread and the toothpick comes out clean.

Blender:> Banana Bread ~ Muffins ~ Choc. & Peanut Butter Chips Added

You can even make banana bread muffins!

Cinnamon Swirl Recipe

INGREDIENTS:Add 2-3 tbsp of butter, 3 tbsp. brown monks fruit, 2-3 tbsp. of cinnamon. The proportions is up to you. If you want a heavy swirl or a light swirl.

METHOD: Add 2 inches of batter in your baking container, followed by dollops of cinnamon. Swirl it around with a knife. REPEAT for the next two layers.

VARIATIONS:You can even add cardamom, chopped dates, figs or walnuts in your swirl.

The amount of cinnamon is up to you! But, don’t go overboard. Note: You can swirl with peanut butter (2-4 tablespoons)

For pumpkin blender bread, you only need to exchange the bananas with a 15 oz can pure pumpkin and you standard pumpkin spices. 15oz or about 2 cups of apples is a great substitute for bananas, and goes well with cinnamon.

VARIATION: Cut banana bread slices in half and toast in the oven for delicious biscotti! Dip 1/3 of each piece in dark chocolate and place on a cooling rack.

FREEZER Friendly: Slice frozen banana bread. Pop in the toaster. They taste amazingly fresh

To My Cat Friends: This is the only sugar I need!

Sweet Potato Soufflé

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This healthier version of the original version of sweet potato pie. No crust and no sugar. And it tastes wonderful! Friends and family still say,

..“this is the best sweet potato soufflè I have ever had!“

Long ago, I was invited to classmates dinner during a crisp autumn weekend. I decided to bring a sweet potato cassarole with marshmallows. This was the first time I made this thanksgiving classic. I watched mom make lanttulaatikko at Christmas and substituted sweet potatoes for the rutabaga. She did not use a recipe and we didn’t have internet in those days. As I arrived, the host did not know what I brought. Too much studying. However, it was all gone. I kept my wheelhouse of spices when I made the sweet potato soufflè . I have never added sugar or syrup to this dish because mom never did. Subsequently I did not add any sweetener. Frankly, I never understand the addition of extra sugar to this delicious soufflè . I knew from basic chemistry that oven baking turns the sweet potato even sweeter.

Recipe ❤️

Sweet Potato Soufflè - Mildly Spicy

  • Servings: 4-6
  • Difficulty: medium
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INGREDIENTS
5 tablespoon salted butter, plus more for soufflé dish(es)
Fine ground rye bread crumbs -enough to coat the baking dish(es)
3 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3/4 cup whole milk
1 1/2 cup mashed sweet potatoes
3-4 large eggs, separated, and at room temperature
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp. chili pepper
1 tbsp. lemon zest (one lemon)
3-5 cardamon pods – ground (optional)
A pinch of turmeric (optional)
A pinch of cumin (optional)
1/4 tsp cream of tartar (for egg whites- stabilizer)
A pinch of salt (for egg whites)

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.(Prep dish as oven is heating) Butter a 1-quart soufflé dish -or ramekins- and coat inside with butter, followed by fine bread crumbs, tilting and turning dish to coat sides completely.
Prepare Sweet Potato
2. Microwave sweet potatoes by puncturing with a fork in several places & wrapping in a moist paper towel set at high for 5 minutes. Check if done by poking with a fork. Flip the potatoes over and continue to microwave for another 2-3 minutes. minutes. The moist paper towel allows for fast peeling.
Purée Sweet Potatoes
3. Cool potatoes to room temperature, then transfer to a food processor or blender. First, purée fresh chilli peppers. Then add sweet potatoes. Purée until smooth, to yield 1 1/2 up to 2 cups.
4. In the microwave, heat milk (about 20-30 seconds) until hot, but not boiling. Place hot milk in the bowl of an electric mixer and slowly add sweet potato, butter and spices. Blend well. Taste to determine if you need more spice. Then, whisk 4 egg yolks and add to sweet potatoes. Blend well.
Egg Whites
5. Beat 4 egg whites with a pinch of salt + 1/4 tsp. cream of tartar in a very clean chilled bowl (copper bowl -if you have one) until stiff peaks start to form.
6. Fold egg whites into sweet potato mixture; pour into prepared soufflé dish(es). Flatten the top of the dish with a knife and use your finger to follow around the inside rim to create a rounded, high, even puff. Turn oven down to 375F. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until well puffed and browned on top. Serve immediately.

Egg Whites: Fix

The most crucial step in all soufflès are the egg whites. Whisk egg whites until foamy and just turning to a peak. Some chefs add cream of tartar ( in lieu of sugar or plus sugar) to prevent the egg whites from collapsing. Over whisking egg whites will result in dryness and breaking of the soufflè. If your souffle does not rise a lot do not worry. It will taste great. If you like this dish, you can achieve great heights the next time you make it! 🙂

Vegan Version

  • Olive oil instead of butter
  • Unsweetened vanilla almond milk instead of regular milk
  • Leave the skin on because it’s full of nutrients
  • Add a little bit of turmeric to balance blood sugar. [ you can not taste it in the pie]

Healthy Nutrition

Sweet Potatoes are known to be beneficial to individuals with type 2 diabetes due to the high levels of magnesium and fiber, which helps in reducing insulin resistance and stabilizes blood sugar.

Sweet potatoes have a large level of carbohydrates. But, they generally have a low glycemic index: of 61.

VARIATIONS

To the base: add grated ginger, garlic, apples, pineapple, cranberries, currents, cheese or white potato. Sprinkle cinnamon on top. Add au juice: hot cinnamon/apple/cranberry juice to the table.

<– This souffle is broken. As the famous Julia Child would say, “No one will know.“

Orange Sweet Potato (most common), Red Jamaican (white inside) and Japanese Sweet Potato (All red)

Coffee Soufflé ☕ by Julia Child

You may guess I am a big fan of Julia Child. Julia Child’s coffee soufflé directions are standard and apply to the sweet potato soufflé . Good Baking Tips!

Garlic Soup -Dracula’s Kryptonite ❤️

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Garlic or Allium sativum, is part of the Alium family. Other family members are onions, leeks, shallots and chives. This creamy goodness soup DOES NOT TASTE GARLICK-Y! 💖

Heals Your Gut!

“Raw garlic is most beneficial, since heat and water inactivate sulfur enzymes, which can diminish garlic’s antibiotic effects.” published by Lee Holmes, Heal Your Gut

Hot, Garlic Soup

Garlic has great flavour and health benefits. Garlic is used for building the immune system, fighting colds and flu! The famous Louis Pasteur first discovered that garlic kills bacteria. As a topical, garlic mixed with jojoba oil (or mineral oil) is used as an ointment for itchy, dry skin.

Marchand Lamarre, Ontario Garlic Farmer

Ask The Expert

Marchand highly recommends treating your garlic as a garnish. Garlic should be peeled and minced gently. Allow 5-10 minutes for the sulphur compounds to oxidize, this is when Allicin is formed. Allicin contains all the therapeutic and health benefits of fresh garlic. Avoid putting garlic directly in hot oil, this will destroy the Allicin. Instead add the garlic later in the cooking process. The garlic flavours will be enhanced and Allicin will not be lost.

We are proud Ontario farmers located in Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton.

We specialize in growing more than 25 varieties of premium seed garlic. All of our garlic is planted and harvested by hand.  This quality control measure ensures only the best product is available for our customers.

To lean more about locally farmed garlic and buy online: please go to garlicloves.com

Three Most asked Questions: Why did you start Garlic farming? 
Ans:  Garlic is a hardy plant that can withstand a wide temperature range, poor soils, and minimal inputs.  I also consider it a plant with some of the greatest health benefits you can grow in Ontario.  When considering the multiplier effects of planting garlic,  It is possible to grow a lot of garlic in a short period of time (if you don't eat it all).  Garlic is also a staple within so many cultures, thus appealing to so many target markets.
Q2: When should you plant garlic?
Ans:  It is paramount to start growing garlic from a reliable source, disease free, clean seed stock.  Garlic is usually planted in the fall, near the end of October.  Each bulb is 'cracked' into individual cloves.   Cloves are planted 3-5 inches deep and about 8-10 inches apart.  Cover with mulch and leave in the ground over winter.  The plants will sprout early in the spring and harvest comes late in July when half of the plants leaves have turned brown. 
Q3 Where is the best place to store my garlic?
Ans:  Garlic should never be stored in the fridge. This will only encourage the cloves to sprout. I recommend a cold storage room if you have one, lots of air circulation, consistent temperatures around 5 to 10 degrees Celsius and low humidity around 34 to 42%. In the kitchen, we usually keep a two-week supply of bulbs on the counter out of direct sunlight.  Extra stock is kept in the cold cellar.
Recipe

Thirty-Clove Garlic Soup (Vegan, Paleo)

This healing and nutritious roasted garlic soup is full of anti-inflammatory, antibiotic and gut-loving properties.

Thirty-Clove Garlic Soup

  • Servings: 2-3
  • Difficulty: medium
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INGREDIENTS

  • 30 cloves of medium size garlic (3-5 garlic bulbs): whole, unpeeled, garlic heads)
  • 2 tbsp. coconut oil (ghee or unsalted butter)
  • one large onion -chopped
  • 1 1/2 litre (50 fl oz/ 6 cups) vegetable stock + 1/2 cup of water
  • 1 potato
  • 2 tsp ground turmeric
  • 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar ( or lemon juice)
  • 60 ml (3 fl oz/1/4 cup/ 4 tbsp.) coconut milk** (optional)
  • 1 tbsp wheat-free tamari
  • 1 tsp sea salt -with added iodine (thyroid protection)

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Pre-heat the oven to 175 C / 345 F.
  2. Slice off the tip of each garlic bulb to expose the cloves Drizzle olive oil. Wrap in tin foil, place on baking tray cut side up for 35-40 minutes. Note -oven timing: Every oven is different. Make sure you can easily slip the garlic cloves from the head. Blend garlic with some stock in a food processor until smooth). You may use raw garlic* instead of roasted. (Raw garlic is preferred.)
  3. Saute onion in coconut oil for about 5 minutes, or until translucent. Add the stock , turmeric, pepper, cumin, vinegar (or lemon juice), tamari, red pepper flakes and blended garlic. Reduce heat to low-medium.
  4. Chop potato, add to blender ( magic bullet -or wand ) and puree. Hint: Add the lemon juice to the potato to prevent oxidization.Then, quickly add to your soup.
  5. Reduce the heat further to simmer, uncovered for about 15 minutes.
  6. Added coconut milk, salt and stir thoroughly. Serve immediately with croutons. Add your own toppings like mushrooms or crispy capers (my favorite).

GARNISH: Chives, parsley, croutons, crispy capers [ Submerge capers in oil and microwave about 5 minutes until dark in color for a crispy topping ].

The garlic flavour in the soup wasn’t overpowering. The flavour is mellow, sweet and nutty. Turmeric gives the soup its golden colour. (Add a pinch of saffron for a richer golden colour.)

* Raw garlic -mince gently and allow to sit for 5-10 minutes, for sulphur to oxidize, before adding to the hot soup …garlic tip provided by Marchand Lamarre

** Coconut milk – If the spices are too strong, add the coconut milk until you find a good balance to your palate.

Variations

GARLIC TONIC SOUP

1 head of raw garlic. Once you have minced the garlic and let sit for 10 min. All that beautiful Allicin full of antibacterial, anti-parasitic, anti-fungal and anti-viral properties is ready for consumption.  It should then go directly into the blender with the rest of the of warm stock. Add salt, pepper and turmeric. You may want to add cayenne pepper (boosts metabolism), red pepper flakes or minced ginger. [Serves one or 2 people]. To your base garlic soup, add cooked vegetables such as carrots, pumpkin, cauliflower, broccoli or zucchini ( puréed or chopped). Any left over veggies would be welcomed. Be creative.

Garlic -Another Super Food!

Drinking raw garlic with warm water in the morning can bring such effects and gives a refreshing feel. It enhances the proper functioning of your metabolic system. 1. Aids in weight loss 2. reduces Cholesterol levels 3. Controls Blood sugar, 4. Eases digestion 5. Antibiotic properties 6. Detoxifier 7. Improves bone strength

Note: Chew parsley to get rid of garlic breathe.

PISTACHIO /LIME Truffles

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“Great Balls of Fire” 🔥 (Vegan, Paleo) – No Added Sugar

We all need an energy boost ♨️ Especially during the festive season. 🎄 ☃️ During the holidays, you will find me rolling and coating my favorite truffles for a healthy burst of energy! Great holiday gifts! 🎁

RECIPE
INGREDIENTS
2 cups pistachios
I cup pitted dates (Medjool dates)
A pinch of pink or sea salt
4 Organic Limes,  zest and juice of each lime.
DIRECTIONS
1. Mix  1 1/2 cups of the pistachios, salt and the dates in food processor until it becomes a ball. About 3 minutes.
2. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pistachios for the coating.
3. While this is mixing, zest the limes and then juice them.
4. Chop or grind the remaining 1/2 cup pistachios into tiny bits to be used for coating.
5. Break up the pistachio-date ball and add zest and juice of all key limes. Process until well combined.
6. Shape pistachio/date mixture into 18 bite size balls and then roll in chopped pistachio.
Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 month; ready for your guests and visitors. Store longer in your freezer.

Lime Pistachio Truffles

VARIATIONS

  • Dip 1/2 of the pistachio treat in sugar free ganache. (vegan dark chocolate)
  • Substitute with different nuts and tangerines (instead of limes).
  • Add a cherry, dried apricot, dried cranberries or anything you like inside your truffle.

Chocolate Chili Truffles for a hot, spicy holiday! Mo’Better –> Three more! My personal truffle recipes

You can add anything you like to your Holiday Truffles. Add chia seeds, hemp seeds, nutritional yeast, figs or chili powder. Apricots will brighten up your festive season! Add your favorite blends. Mix and match!

Photo by Monstera on Pexels.com

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!🎄