Browsing Tag

nutmeg

Caramelized Pear & Hazelnut Porridge

March 7, 2013
caramelized-pear-and-hazelnut-porridge

You might not have guessed it from reading this blog, but I get into a routine with recipes that I make for us at home. I will get stuck eating the same thing over and over, for breakfast especially. It is usually a green smoothie or some toast and a fruit bowl. I’ve been trying to break it up by doing something different one or two days out of the week.

Recently I decided I was going to make some porridge. You see, believe it or not I never had a bowl of porridge before moving to Europe. I was always a cold cereal kind of gal. I’ve been missing out. Porridge is super easy to make and also an easy way to switch up my routine.

I have never seen or made a fancy porridge, so I thought, why not. There is no reason simple ole porridge cannot get fancy. In this recipe, pears are caramelized lightly and infused with cinnamon and nutmeg which takes basic porridge to a heavenly level. It is then topped with warmed hazelnuts and maple syrup just before serving.

This porridge helped break up my morning recipe routine, and then some. Because it is good to break up the routine once in a while.

caramelized-pear-hazelnut-porridge

Caramelized Pear & Hazelnut Porridge

Vegan & Gluten-free

Serves 1

Ingredients:

  • 1 Tbsp. coconut oil
  • 1 pear, sliced
  • 1 Tbsp. hazelnuts
  • dash of cinnamon and nutmeg
  • 1/2 cup fine rolled oats (I used organic gluten-free)
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
  • maple syrup or honey, if desired

Directions:

  1. In a small pan over medium heat add the coconut oil and pear. Sauté the pears until they are soft and caramelized. When they start to brown, add the hazelnuts, cinnamon and nutmeg. Cook for another 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and cover to keep warm.
  2. Place oats, water and vanilla in a saucepan over medium high heat and stir gently until the porridge has thickened – about 5 minutes.
  3. Spoon the prepared porridge into a bowl and pour the pears and hazelnuts on top. Serve with a drizzle of honey or maple syrup if desired.
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Apple Spice Latte

December 28, 2012
apple-spiced-latte

A bowl of popcorn, a mug of apple spice latte, a cozy blanket, one or two favorite holiday movies and someone to snuggle with – these are my ingredients for a wonderful holiday season afternoon or evening! Sit by a lit fireplace, a glowing candle or maybe a sparkly Christmas tree.

Apples have surprising nutritional benefits that justify the “apple a day” adage. Red apples contain an antioxidant called quercetin which helps to boost and fortify your immune system. They also help to lower cholesterol, decrease risk of diabetes and aid in weight loss.

This warm drink also contains cinnamon, which has been shown to help regulate our blood sugar levels, and has an anti-clotting effect on the blood. It is even recommended for people with Type 2 diabetes to consume. Cinnamon is also believed to boost cognitive function and memory.

Nothing beats a warm mug of apple spice latte to warm the heart. You’ll know just what to serve guests (or yourself) when the cold weather hits. Enjoy the season and celebrate. Cheers!

Apple Spice Latte

Vegan, Raw & Gluten-free

Serves 1

Ingredients:

  • 3 apples, juiced (yields about 1/2 a cup)
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk ( I used homemade almond milk)
  • dash of cinnamon and nutmeg

Directions:

  1. Place apples through a juicer.
  2. Heat the apple juice and almond milk on the stove top on medium heat until warm (don’t boil.)
  3. Sprinkle a few dashes of nutmeg and cinnamon over the top. Enjoy immediately.

I hope you love and enjoy this drink as much as I do!

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Vegan Eggnog

December 20, 2012
vegan-eggnog

The holidays are upon us and I felt it fitting to recreate a traditional beverage that can be enjoyed by the entire family. I’ve spent the last few days perfecting a recipe for vegan eggnog that is quick, easy to make, delicious and authentic. I think I got it. I even got the seal of approval from the resident recipe tester (my boyfriend).

It’s incredibly rich, decadent, and will be sure to impress at any holiday parties. Unlike other eggnogs, it’s not too sweet and has a nice delicate nutmeg flavor. It’s up to you whether you “spike” it or not.

christmas-vegan-eggnog

Vegan Eggnog

Raw, Gluten-free & Vegan

Serves 2

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 cups almonds, soaked in water for 8 hours then drained
  • 3 cups pure water
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup (or 4 – 6 Medjool dates, pitted)
  • 1 Tbsp. coconut butter or oil, melted
  • 1 tsp. nutmeg
  • 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
  • pinch ground cloves
  • dash of sea salt

Directions:

  1. Add almonds and water in to a blender for 2-3 minutes.
  2. Strain mixture using a nut milk bag or fine mesh strainer to make an almond milk base for the eggnog. Discard almond pulp (or save for almond pulp crackers.)
  3. Rinse out blender and pour almond milk back in. Blend the rest of the ingredients with the milk until smooth and delicious. Place in the fridge until cold and serve.

 

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Vegan Apple Crisp

November 20, 2012
vegan-apple-crisp

Thanksgiving has always been a wonderful time for our family, filled with an abundance of delicious food and meaningful memories made together. Every year growing up, Thanksgiving meant going to Grandma and Grandpa’s house to meet all the family. Entering the house, we would smell the turkey cooking in the oven and get a kiss from Grandma. Then we’d be off to play with our cousins till dinner was ready – usually all gathering around the organ to ‘play’ tunes. I remember sneaking into the kitchen later as the hunger and anticipation got unbearable. Grandma would give me a spoon to try the mashed potatoes, she always spoiled us grandkids.

When dinner time finally came, the amount of food on the table was always overwhelming. There was the traditional fare; turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes with gravy, homemade rolls, cranberry sauce and pies galore. My grandmother was best known for her desserts. My favorite part was the mandarin orange tapioca jello salad. I would sit at the kiddie table with my sister, brother and cousins. We would eat, laugh and joke until our plates were cleared and our tummies were stuffed. To top off this joyous day, we would always have enough games of Bingo so everyone would win a prize. Grandpa would be the caller with his grand, boisterous voice while Grandma surprised us with prizes of toys and sweets.

As I’ve grown older, I’ve held on to these memories and cherish them. Every year since the passing of my Grandmother, I rise to the occasion to recreate my own family traditions, while incorporating new people and an international twist. It is now a way to share my culture and traditions with my new family; proving that home really is where the heart is.

Old-fashioned apple crisp, warm from the oven, is a favorite comfort food dessert. It really is heaven in every bite. The fresh fall apples, cinnamon and coconut sugar oozing with delight. This is just one of the many things I’ll be making for our (vegan) Thanksgiving this year.

apple-crisp-vegan

Vegan Apple Crisp

Serves 4

Ingredients:

  • 3 medium apples (I used organic dessert apples)
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 1 Tbsp. whole wheat flour
  • 1 tsp. lemon juice
  • 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
  • pinch of nutmeg
  • 1/2 cup rolled oats
  • 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1/4 cup palm sugar (coconut sugar)
  • 3 Tbsp. coconut oil, plus more for the pan
  • 1/2 tsp. vanilla

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (176°C). Using your fingers, grease a small baking dish with coconut oil to coat pan (I  used a bread loaf pan.)
  2. Slice the apples ~1/4 inch thick. In a mixing bowl, combine the apples with maple syrup, 1 Tbsp. flour, lemon juice cinnamon and nutmeg. Toss thoroughly and then transfer this mixture to the baking dish.
  3. In another bowl add the oats, 1/4 cup flour, sugar, coconut oil and vanilla. Mix until it forms a crumble. Spoon this on top of the apple mixture.
  4. Bake for 25-35 minutes, until the top is a bit browned. Serve warm with vegan ice cream.
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