{ LETTUCE WRAPS }

I did it. Finally. These aren't quite PF Changs, but they're pretty good.

I mostly followed this recipe, with a few changes. Neither Mike nor I liked the suggested recipe for spicy sauce. We just drizzled a little soy sauce on top.

{ BAKED TOFU }

1 package firm or extra firm tofu, pressed
1 t. rice vinegar
1 t. honey
1 t. orange juice concentrate
3 T. water
1 T. soy sauce
1/2 T. Chinese chili sauce

• Cut pressed tofu into 1/4-inch cubes.
• Combine marinade ingredients in a ziploc bag.
• Add tofu and allow to marinate for a couple hours or overnight.
• Spread tofu on parchment paper on baking sheet.
• Bake at 375 for 40 minutes, stirring/flipping once.

{ COOKING SAUCE }

1 T. sesame seeds or 1/2 T. tahini (1 t. sesame oil)

3 T. water

1 t. orange juice concentrate

1 T. soy sauce

1/8 to 1/4 t. vanilla

1 t. rice vinegar

1/2 T. Chinese chili sauce

1 t. miso

1/2 t. mollases

1/8 t. pumpkin pie spice

1 drop stevia (1 t. sugar)

2 t. cornstarch

• Process sesame seeds into fine powder/tahini.
• Add remaining ingredients and process/blend until smooth.
• Set aside.

{ TOFU MIXTURE }

1 t. fresh minced ginger

2 cloves garlic, pressed or minced

1/4 c. minced red onion

2 green onions, sliced

1/2 can water chestnuts, diced

• Saute ginger, garlic, and red onion for 2 minutes.
• Add green onions and water chestnuts and saute for another 2 minutes.
• Add cooking sauce and stir until thick (happens very fast).
• Add baked tofu and combine.
• Serve rolled in lettuce leaves, drizzled with soy sauce.

{ THAI FRIED QUINOA }

This is another one from Peas and Thankyou. Kind of a fried rice idea, and very good.

A few changes I make:

• We like it best without the soy sauce.
• I use the skimmed coconut milk leftover from when I make coconut cream.
• I cook the quinoa in the pressure cooker: high pressure, 5 minutes, natural release.
• I use this tofu scramble recipe.

Enjoy!

{ WATCH THIS! }

{ CAVEMAN COOKIES }

These are from Mama Pea. Yum!

1 1/2 c. almonds, processed into flour
1/2 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
1 drop stevia
2/3 c. sunflowers, processed into butter
2 T. ground flax + 1/4 c. water
1/3 c. honey
1/4 t. maple flavor
1/2 t. vanilla
3/4 c. vegan chocolate or carob chips

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Process almonds into flour/meal.
• Combine almond flour, baking soda, salt, and stevia in a bowl.
• Combine flax and water and allow to sit for 5 minutes.
• Process sunflowers into butter.
• Add flax mixture and other wet ingredients to processor and cream together with sunflower butter.
• Pour wet mixture into dry and mix well.
• Fold in chocolate or carob chips.
• Drop onto baking sheet and bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes.

{ BLACK BEAN CRUMBLE TACO "MEAT"}

I think Christine was the first to try this one. Adapted from this recipe, it's great on taco salad, tostadas, or anywhere you'd normally use taco meat.

2 cloves garlic
2 cans black beans (2 1/2 c.), drained and rinsed
1/4 c. rolled oats
1/4 c. cornmeal
1 T. chili powder
3/4 t. salt
1/4 t. pepper

• Preheat oven to 400.
• Process all ingredients in food processor until they stick together and form a paste.
• Spread/crumble mixture onto a sprayed cookie sheet.
• Bake at 400 for 8-10 minutes.
• Remove from oven and chop up with a spatula or spoon.
• Bake for 8-10 minutes more.
• Chop/crumble again.
• Bake for 3-5 minutes more.

I like it even more mixed with this ground walnut meat. Make the walnut meat and add it to the beans for the last 5 minutes of baking time.

{ POTATO SALAD }

This recipe is adapted from Cathy Fisher's recipe on Straight-up Food, one of my new favorite sites.

5 medium red potatoes, diced
1/2 red onion, diced
2 ribs celery, diced
1 avocado, diced

1/2 c. non-dairy milk (I used almond)

3 T. sesame seeds
2 T. walnuts
2 T. cashews
2 T. lemon juice
2 T. nutritional yeast
1 T. prepared mustard
1/2 t. garlic powder
1/2 t. cumin
1/4 t. salt


1-2 T. chopped fresh dill (1 t. dried)
2 T. dill relish

• Steam or boil potatoes until tender but not falling apart. (I used my pressure cooker, low pressure, 1 minutes, but when the pressure floater thing popped up, I set the timer for 45 seconds and then turned it off and released the pressure.)
• Rinse under cold water and allow to cool.
• In a large bowl, combine potatoes, red onion, celery, and avocado.
• Blend milk through salt until creamy and smooth. Stir in dill and resish.
• Pour dressing over salad and mix.
• Chill before serving.

{ FROZEN RAW KEY LIME PIE }

As tasty as it looks! I can't remember how I came across this recipe, but it will definitely be a repeat at our house. The original zesty macadamia nut crust recipe is here, and the raw key lime pudding here. The only changes I made were to cut out the coconut oil/butter in both.

{ ZESTY MACADAMIA NUT PIE CRUST }

3/4 c. macadamia nuts (raw, unsalted, soaked for 6 hours, drained)
3/4 c. walnuts
3/4 c. pecans
1/2 c. dates (I packed mine in, but the crust was pretty moist, so you wouldn't have to.)
1 t. lime zest (zest from 1 lime)
1/2 t. salt
1/4 c. shredded unsweetened coconut

• Process all ingredients, except coconut, in a food processor until moist and sticking together.
• Spread coconut in bottom of spring-form or pie pan.
• Crumble crust evenly on top of coconut; then press firmly into bottom of pan. (You might have to wet your hands to do this; the crust is sticky.)
• Chill crust while making filling.

{ KEY LIME PUDDING }

3 medium avocados

1 ripe banana

3/4 c. fresh or frozen mango pieces

1 c. fresh lime juice (5-10 limes, depending on size)

1 t. lime zest (zest from 1 lime)

1/2 c. honey or agave nectar (I used agave)

1/4 c. shredded unsweetened coconut (coconut oil in original recipe)

1/4 of fresh vanilla bean or 1 1/2 t. vanilla extract

1/2 t. salt

• Blend all ingredients in a high speed blender until smooth and creamy.
• Pour/spoon filling into chilled crust.
• Freeze. (I froze mine for a couple hours uncovered before covering with saran wrap and foil.)
• Remove from freezer 5-10 minutes before serving time.
• Top with coconut cream and lime zest. Wow!

{ CARROT MANGO POPSICLES }

These are from Radiant Health Inner Wealth. We love them!

If you don't have popsicle forms, be creative. I used 2-oz. milk bottles.

{ EASY TOMATO SOUP }

This soup was Elna's idea? Mom's? Someone's brilliant idea! It's so easy and so good! We had it today topped with these kale chips. Delish!

1 can Italian stewed tomatoes
1/2 c. water
1/4 c. raw cashews

• Blend all ingredients in a high-speed blender until creamy and warm. (If you don't have a high-speed blender, you can warm it on the stove after it's blended.)

Makes 2 servings.

{ SUN-DRIED TOMATO KALE CHIPS }

This recipe is adapted from Oh She Glows.

My kids love these! They take a while to cook/dehydrate in the oven, and they are done in stages. When my kids hear me checking them, they come running and beg for the done chips as I take them out. A batch rarely lasts into a second day. (That means the 4 of us are eating 2 bunches of kale in 1 day!)

2 large bunches kale
1/3 c. sun-dried tomatoes, soaked in 3/4 c. water at least 1 hr. (reserve water)
1/4 c. raw cashews, soaked at least 1 hr.
3/4 c. garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed (1/2 can)
2 large garlic cloves
1/2 c. fresh basil (2 T. dried)
2 T. fresh lemon juice
2 T. nutritional yeast
3/4 t. salt

• In 2 separate bowls, soak tomatoes and cashews for at least 1 hour. After soaking, reserve the tomato water; drain and rinse the cashews.
• Wash kale leaves and tear into peaces, discarding the stems. Dry the leaves in a salad spinner or pat dry with a towel. Place greens in a large bowl; set aside.
• Combine all ingredients, except tomato water, in a food processor. Process until smooth, gradually adding tomato water.
• Pour sauce over the kale and use your hands to massage sauce into leaves.
• If you have a dehydrator, dehydrate for about 12 hours at 105-110F.
• If you, like me, do not have a dehydrator, spread kale leaves in a single layer on parchment paper on baking sheets and bake at the lowest temperature your oven will do. (Mine is 170F.) After 2 hours, check the chips, remove any that are done (and eat them), and rotate your baking sheets. If your oven is like mine, a few will be done after 2 hours. Then I start checking every hour. Some chips take up to 5 hours to completely dehydrate.

If you want to skip the dehydrating completely, this also makes a really good kale salad!!

{ NOT-CHO CHEEZ }

Adapted from yummly.com.

1 c. water
1/2 c. non-dairy milk
1/2 c. raw cashews
6 oz. pimientos
2 T. cornstarch
2 T. nutritional yeast
1 T. lemon juice
1 to 1 1/2 t. salt
1 drop stevia (optional)
4 oz. diced green chilis

• Blend all ingredients except chilis until very smooth.
• Cook in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thick.
• Add chilis and serve.

(This sauce is great with these homemade tortilla chips.)

{ TOFU DIPPERS }

Thank you, Mama Pea, for these! They are a favorite around here! (I use sucanat instead of brown sugar.)

We have them with this curry dipping sauce, also from peasandthankyou.com. (I replace the oil with undrained white beans.)

{ ROASTED RED PEPPER HUMMUS }

This is really good hummus! It's one of Angela's, of Oh She Glows. Here's the link to the recipe and instructions on how to roast peppers.

(I skip the olive oil and add 1/4 t. paprika. If, like me, you don't have tahini, process 1/3 c. unhulled sesame seeds before adding other ingredients.)

{ RAW CINNAMON ROLLS }

These are one of our favorite snacks. They're straight from Tess Challis, of Radiant Health Inner Wealth. Here's the link!

(She says these store in the refrigerator for several weeks. Ours never last more than 10 minutes!)

{ RAW RASPBERRY DREAMCAKE }

Lucy shared this one with me. I've made it a few times for special occasions, but just haven't gotten around to posting about it. It's seriously AMAZING!!

The original recipe is here, at My New Roots. I just added more dates to the crust, and added a smidgeon of salt to the filling.

{ CRUST }

1/2 c. raw almonds
3/4 c. soft medjool dates
1/4 t. salt


{ FILLING }

1 1/2 c. raw cashews, soaked for at least 5 hours (overnight is best)
juice of 2 lemons
seeds from 1 whole vanilla bean
1/3 c. raw coconut oil, melted
1/3 c. honey or agave nectar
1 smidgeon salt
1 c. raspberries (thaw completely if using frozen)

• Process crust ingredients in a food processor until they start to hold together.
• Scoop mixture into a 7 to 9-inch spring-form or pie pan.
• Press firmly and evenly into bottom of pan.
• Blend filling ingredients, except for raspberries, in a high-speed blender until very smooth.
• Pour/spoon about 2/3 of the filling onto crust and spread with a spatula.
• Add raspberries to remaining filling and blend again until smooth.
• Pour/spoon remaining filling onto the while layer.
• Place cake in freezer until solid.
• Fifteen minutes before serving, remove from freezer. Run a smooth, sharp knife under hot water and cut into slices.
• Enjoy. Lick your plate clean.

{ MEATLESS LOAF - REVISED }

I've made this recipe several times, tweaking it a bit here and there each time. I think I'm done tweaking and have a pretty-close-to-perfect version. We love it. Here's what I do now:

1 c. water
1/4 c. corn meal
1/4 c. sundried tomatoes
1 t. canned green chilis
1/2 t. cumin
2 to 4 T. fresh cilantro (2 t. dried)
1/2 T. tomato paste
2 T. nutritional yeast
1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. pepper
2 c. onions, chopped
2 T. fresh parsley
1 t. sesame seeds
2 T. water + 1 T. ground flax seeds
2 T. lemon juice
2 T. flour
1 c. walnuts
1 1/4 c. cooked brown rice (1/2 c. uncooked), or 1 1/4 c. Spanish rice


3 T. ketchup
1 T. balsamic vinegar
1 T. unsweetened applesauce

• Prepare brown rice or spanish rice.
• Make polenta by boiling 1 c. water in small saucepan. Whisk in corn meal and turn heat to low. Cook for a couple of minutes, stirring often, until water is absorbed and it's the consistency of thick cream of wheat cereal.
• Process polenta in food processor with sundried tomatoes through pepper. Set aside.
• Saute onions and parsley in a medium saucepan until soft and translucent. Only add water if necessary.
• Meanwhile, whisk flax and 2 T. water and allow to sit 5 minutes.
• Whisk lemon juice and flour into flax mixture.
• When onions are soft, add sesame seeds.
• Turn off the heat and add the flax/lemon juice/flour mixture. Mix well.
• Add polenta mixture from processor. Mix well.
• Process walnuts until they're the consistency of ground beef. Don't over process.
• Add walnuts and rice to the polenta/onion mixture. Mix well to combine.
• Spoon mixture into a bread pan and smooth top.
• Combine ketchup, balsamic, and applesauce. Spoon sauce onto loaf and smooth top.
• Bake loaf, uncovered, at 350 for 1 hour. Turn off heat and leave loaf in oven until serving. (I've had the best texture when I start cooking mine 2 hours before serving time: bake at 350 for 1 hour, turn the oven off, and leave it in for another hour.)
• Serve with ketchup or more balsamic sauce.

{ MILLET FRUIT SALAD }

This is a knock-off of frog-eye salad, without the white noodles, cream, and sugar. We love it!

1 c uncooked millet, rinsed
2 c water


1 to 2 oranges, chopped (or canned mandarins, drained)
1 can pineapple tidbits, drained and juice reserved
1 can crushed pineapple, drained and juice reserved
1 lb. grapes, halved

1 3/4 c. pineapple juice

1 T. lime juice (or lemon)

2 T. sucanat

1 dash stevia

1/2 t. salt

2 T. ground flax seeds
3 T. water

1/4 c. pineapple juice
2 T. whole wheat flour

solid cream from 1 can coconut milk, chilled 2-4 hours
1 t. vanilla
1 T. corn starch
1/4 c. agave nectar (or other sweetener)

• Chill coconut milk in refrigerator for 2-4 hours.
• Cook millet. I used a pressure cooker: high pressure, 7 minutes, natural release. Allow to cool.
• Chop fruit and drain pineapple, reserving the juice (should be about 2 c. juice).
• Combine 1 3/4 c. pineapple juice, lime juice, sucanat, stevia, and salt in a small saucepan. Bring to a low boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
• Meanwhile, whisk together flax and water and allow to sit 5 minutes.
• Whisk together 1/4 c. pineapple juice and flour.
• When juice in saucepan is boiling, whisk together the flax and flour mixtures, then whisk into saucepan.
• Continue to cook over medium-low heat, whisking often, until thickened into syrup.
• Remove from heat and allow to cool. (I put mine in the fridge.)
• Make coconut cream by opening the bottom of the can to drain liquid. Scrape solid cream into a bowl and, using electric handmixer, whip cream with vanilla, corn starch and agave until whipped cream consistancy. (If you use powdered evaporated cane juice, the cream is more stiff than with agave or other liquid sweetener.)
• When everything has cooled to room temperature, combine millet, fruit, syrup, and cream in a large bowl. Chill before serving. 

{ CREAMY GREEN ENCHILADAS }

Thanks, Elna and Lucy, for this one! They made it up, and it's delicious! (So good, I forgot to take a picture.)

1/2 c. onion, diced
3 c. potatoes, cubed
1/2 t. minced garlic (1 clove)
1 can white beans, drained and rinsed
1 c. frozen white corn

1 c. water
1 1/2 c. non-dairy milk
2/3 c. cashews
3/4 c. nutritional yeast
1/4 c. cornstarch
1 1/2 T. lime juice
1 to 1 1/2 t. salt
1 t. garlic powder
1 t. onion powder
1 t. cumin
1 1/2 t. miso
1 1/2 t. veggie bullion or powder
4 oz. can diced green chilis, divided in half

1/2 to 1 1/2 c. salsa verde (green salsa of your choice)

corn or whole wheat tortillas

• Saute onions and garlic.
• Boil or steam potatoes until barely tender. Add to onions and saute until brown and slightly crisp.
• Add beans and corn, mix well and remove from heat. Set aside.
• Preheat oven to 400.
• Prepare sauce by blending water through 1/2 chilis until very smooth and creamy.
• Add remaining chilis to sauce and stir.
• Pour 1 c. cream sauce into veggie/bean mix to make it saucier.
• Pour 1-2 c. cream sauce onto bottom of 9x13 baking pan.*
• Fill tortillas with veggie/bean mixture and place in pan.
• Cover with remaining sauce and as much green salsa as you like.
• Bake, covered, for 20-25 minutes. (Or covered 10 minutes, uncovered 10-15 minutes.)

*We're still an 8x8 (not a 9x13) family, so I did a layered enchilada casserole in an 8x8 baking dish:

• Pour 1/2 c. cream into bottom of an 8x8 baking dish.
• Spread 3 corn tortillas (1 torn in half).
• Layer 1/2 bean mixture.
• Pour 1/4 c. cream over mixture.
• Spread 3 corn tortillas.
• Remaining bean mixture.
• 1/4 c. cream.
• 3 more corn tortillas.
• 1/2 c. salsa verde.
• 1 c. cream sauce.
• Bake covered 10 minutes, uncovered 15 minutes.

We used the remaining sauce to pour over our individual servings, and the cilantro lime rice we had with it, but you could just use half the sauce in the enchiladas and freeze the other half for next time.

{ CREAMY CAULIFLOWER SOUP }

When we were at Joanne's a couple weeks ago, she made a delicious cauliflower soup inspired by this recipe, minus the half and half and sour cream. I, in turn, was inspired, bought a cauliflower last week, and came up with this recipe, with veganized cream/sour cream. We all loved it!

4 c. water + 1 T. Better-than-Bullion No Chicken broth, divided (or 4 c. whatever vegetable broth you like)
3/4 c. onion, diced (1/2 onion)
1 1/2 c. carrots, diced (4 medium carrots)
1 c. celery, diced (2 stalks celery)
1 c. sweet red pepper, diced (1/2 red pepper)
3 T. whole wheat flour
1 cauliflower head, roughly chopped
2 T. dried parsley (1/4 c. fresh)
1 bay leaf

1 1/2 c. non-dairy milk
6 oz. soft silken tofu (1/2 box)
1/2 c. raw cashews
2 T. nutritional yeast
1 T. lime juice
1 t. salt

• Saute onions in 1/2 c. broth.
• Add carrots, celery, and sweet red pepper. Saute for a few more minutes.
• Whisk 3 T. flour into 1/2 c. broth and add to sauteing vegetables. Combine and stir until broth has thickened and evenly coats veggies (happens very quickly).
• Add cauliflower and parsley and saute for another few minutes, stirring often to prevent sticking/burning.
• Add remaining 3 c. broth and bay leaf. Bring to a boil and then simmer 15 minutes, or until veggies are desired tenderness.
• Meanwhile, blend non-dairy milk through salt until very creamy (and warm if you have a high-speed blender).
• When veggies are tender, turn off heat and add cream.
• Let soup sit, covered, for 30 minutes or so, stirring occasionally, to allow flavors to blend.

{ CHILI BEANS }

We like chili beans at our house, but I was tired of using the canned variety. This is what I came up with; they're really good. The kids love them plain, and they are great for chili cheez fries, or any other recipe calling for chili beans.

1 lb pinto beans, sorted and rinsed
4 c. water
1 14-oz. can tomato sauce
1 large sweet onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
1-2 T. chili powder
1/2 T. paprika
1/2 T. salt
1 smidgeon stevia

I cook mine in an electric pressure cooker:

• Combine all ingredients in pressure cooker.
• Cook on high pressure for 55 minutes, natural release.

If you don't have a pressure cooker, just do whatever bean/liquid ratio you would normally do (you want it pretty saucy), soak the beans if that's what you normally do, and follow your regular cooking instructions. 

{ STICKY TOFFEE PECAN PUDDING CAKE }

And yet another from Miss Angela of Oh She Glows. Altered slightly for a little less fat, and oh so delicious!

{ The Cake }

3/4 c. chopped pecans, toasted and divided

1 1/2 c. pitted dates, roughly chopped
1 1/2 c. almond milk
1/2 t. baking soda

1/4 c. wonderslim (prune puree)
1/2 c. sucanat

1 1/4 c. whole wheat flour
1/2 t. cinnamon
1/2 t. salt

• Preheat oven to 325. Toast pecans for 8 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 375.
• In a medium pot, bring almond milk to a low boil. Add chopped dates and reduce heat to low.
• Cook for 1 minute, remove from heat, and add baking soda. It will froth a bit.
• In a large bowl, whisk together prunes and sucanat. Add almond milk and date mixture and stir.
• In a small bowl, sift together dry ingredients, including 1/2 c. pecans.
• Add dry ingredients to wet, and stir until just combined.
• Spoon/pour mixture into lightly greased 8x8 pan or 9-inch pie dish.
• Bake at 375 for 25-28 minutes, or until cake springs back when you touch it.
• Remove from oven and allow to cool for a few minutes.
• Using a toothpick or fork, poke several (100) holes in the cake.

{ The Toffee Sauce }

1/4 c. + 2 T. honey, or other liquid sweetener

1/4 c. + 2 T. sucanat

2 T. Earth Balance

1 T. vanilla extract

1 T. almond milk

1 pinch salt

• About 10 minutes before the cake is done, whisk together sauce ingredients in a pot (use the same one).
• Bring to a low simmer, reduce heat to low, and heat for about 5 minutes while standing over the pot, watching and whisking. Remove from heat.
• Pour 2/3 sauce over holey cake and smooth out with a spoon.
• Serve cake warm, topped with more sauce and toasted pecans. Serve with vegan ice-cream!

{ TART CHERRY CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES }

This is another gem from Oh She Glows. So good!

1 c. walnuts, finely chopped and toasted
1 c. dried tart cherries*
2 T. agave nectar (or other liquid sweetener)
1 pkg. (1 1/2 c.) vegan chocolate chips
3/4 c. full-fat coconut milk (cream from the top of the can)
1/2 t. salt
1/2 t. almond extract
3/4 c. unsweetened shredded coconut
12 drops red/pink food coloring

• Preheat oven to 325. Toast chopped walnuts for 10 minutes. Set aside.
• Meanwhile, soak cherries for about 10 minutes. Drain and process with 2 T. agave. Process until finely chopped. Set aside.
• In medium pot, heat chocolate chips over low heat, stirring as necessary, until mostly melted.
• Add coconut milk and stir well.
• Add walnuts, cherry mixture, almond extract, and salt. Adjust salt and sweetener to taste.
• Spoon mixture into a bowl and place in the freezer, uncovered, for 90 minutes, stirring every 30 minutes.
• Transfer bowl to the fridge for another 20 minutes, until chocolate is firm and workable.
• In a small bowl, mix coconut and food coloring until pink.
• When truffle mixture is firm enough to handle, wet your hands slightly, and roll chocolate into small balls, rewetting hands as necessary. (It's very sticky.)
• Roll balls in coconut. Mine made 27 balls.
• Store in an air-tight container in the freezer or fridge. (They get very soft at room temperature.)

*I only had 2/3 c. cherries, so I added 1/3 c. dates. Worked great. I'll probably do 1/2 and 1/2 next time.

{ PUMPKIN MOLASSES COOKIES }

I haven't posted in forever, and I have a bunch of recipes photographed and ready to post, but life has been insanely busy. Someday . . . .

But, these pumpkin molasses cookes, inspired by Mama Pea's pumpkin molasses cookie dough balls, were SOOO good. And, 'tis the season for pumpkin, so I couldn't put off posting this one. I was a bit skeptical at first, because I love our ginger snaps so much, but these are seriously good!

2 c. whole wheat flour
1 T. ginger
2 t. baking soda
1/2 t. baking powder
1 t. cinnamon
3/4 t. salt

1/3 c. pureed prunes
2/3 c. canned pumpkin
1 c. sucanat
1/4 c. molasses

1/4 c. evaporated cane juice, for rolling

• Combine dry ingredients in a bowl.
• Cream together wet ingredients and sucanat, using an electric or stand mixer.
• Gradually add dry ingredients to wet. Mix until a dough comes together.
• Chill dough for at least 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 350.
• Roll dough into balls and roll in evaporated cane juice.
• Place on lightly greased baking sheet.
• Flatten them into rounds or leave as balls (like Mama Pea).
• Bake at 350 for 10 minutes.
• Allow to cool on baking sheet.

Note: These, of course, are delicious with some coconut cream!

{RAW CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE DOUGH} and {BLIZZARD}

Warning:  Do not make this if you love chocolate chip cookie dough and you are trying to lose weight.  There are mostly healthy ingredients, but they are NOT low fat.  So if you feel like eating the whole batch, you have been warned and do not blame me. 

I found this recipe here.  It's really perfect as it is, so I'll just list the recipe like she has it.  We have a ton of frozen bananas right now, so I was looking for something new to do with them besides smoothies and the normal soft serve ice cream.  This blizzard looked pretty good, and it opened up a whole new world with the cookie dough that was made to be eaten, not cooked!

{COOKIE DOUGH BALLS}
yield: 1 cup packed cookie dough
1/2 c. unsalted raw cashews
1/4 c. oats
1/4 c. whole wheat flour
1/4 t. salt
1 1/2 T. natural cane sugar
1/2 t. vanilla
3-4 T. pure maple syrup (or a bit more if dough is dry)
1/4 c. chocolate chips (vegan)

• Put cashews and oats in a food processor.
• process until it forms a fine crumble
• add salt, sugar, and flour and process a few seconds more
• add in the maple syrup and vanilla and process until combined
• add chocolate chips and stir by hand, or process
• form into balls and store in the freezer

{BLIZZARD}
yield: 2 servings
3 frozen bananas, cut into 1 inch chunks 
splash of non dairy milk, if needed
2 T. cookie dough

• put frozen bananas in processor
• process until smooth, adding small amounts of milk if necessary
• add cookie dough and process until combined
• stir in desired amount of mini cookie dough balls
• put in a glass and serve with a spoon

*I did the nutrition profile for just the cookie dough part- obviously it will be healthier if you mix it with the bananas!  The cookie dough is 43% fat, 48% carbs, 9% protein.  Each 2 T. serving has 8 g. fat, 2 g. fiber, 4g. protein. 

{ POTATO PEEL PIE MINIS }

 I hosted my book group a couple weeks ago. We read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (a MUST read, if you ask me), so, naturally, I had to serve potato peel pie.

I didn't use the original World War II recipe (potato peels + 1 T. milk to form a crust; 1 potato + 1 beet boiled in salt water and mashed for filling). I found a few ideas online and then made my own version. They were really tasty!

{ POTATO PEEL CRUST }

3 c. fleshy potato peels, grated
1 small onion, chopped

1 T. egg replacer + 1/4 c. water
2 T. baby food prunes
1/4 c. whole wheat flour
1/2 t. salt

• Cut peels off of 8 small to medium potatoes. (I basically squared off the long sides of the potatoes and peeled the short sides, so you have some potato flesh with the peels.)
• Grate peels using a food processor.
• Chop onion and combine with potato peels.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together egg replacer and water until frothy.
• Whisk in prunes, flour, and salt.
• Add potato peels and onions and mix until well combined.
• Press a heaping tablespoon of peel mixture into each of 24 cupcake holders (lightly oiled).
• Bake at 400 for 15 minutes.

{ FILLING }

I basically used my twice baked potato recipe for the filling and then sprinkled tiny diced (boiled) beets on top.

flesh of 8 small to medium potatoes, steamed

1 1/2 c. butternut squash, steamed

1/2 c. roasted garlic sauce
3/4 c. non-dairy milk
1/3 c. nutritional yeast
1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. pepper
1/4 t. paprika

1 beet, boiled and diced small

• While crust is cooking, chop and steam potatoes and squash, then mash with potato masher.
• Add remaining ingredients and mix until well combined.
• When crust is ready, spoon potato mixture on top and sprinkle with beets.
• Bake at 400 for 15 minutes.

{ "CHEESE"CAKE MINIS }

I hosted my book group a couple weeks ago and served these. They were a hit!

I used this "cheese"cake recipe. I made the full crust recipe and half the filling recipe. It made 24 minis (regular cupcake size). Next time I might do the whole filling recipe instead of half.

Directions:

{ CRUST }

For the crust, I used a little less than a tablespoon of mixture for each mini. (The backside of the tablespoon worked great for pressing and molding the crust.)

Bake the crust at 315 for 5 minutes (instead of 8). Allow to cool to room temperature before pouring in filling.

{ FILLING }

When crust has cooled, pour 1 to 2 tablespoons filling on top of each crust.

Bake at 315 for 30 minutes (instead of 50-60).

Allow to cool to room temperature before covering and putting in the fridge.

{ CHILLED DOUBLE CHOCOLATE TORTE }

Thanks, Angela, of Oh She Glows (again)! This dessert is beyond-words good! (Mom: "Quite possibly the best thing I've ever put in my mouth!") Yeah, it's really good.

{ NO-BAKE CHOCOLATE CRUST }

2 c. pecans
1/4 c. cocoa powder
1 T. peanut butter (original: 2 T. coconut oil)
1/4 c. pure maple syrup
1 t. vanilla
1/2 t. salt


{ CHOCOLATE AVOCADO MOUSSE }

2 c. avocado flesh (2-3 avocados)
1/3 c. almond milk
2/3 c. pure maple syrup
1 T. peanut butter
1/4 c. cocoa powder
1 T. arrowroot powder (or cornstarch)
1/4 t. salt
1 t. vanilla
1 c. + 2 T. chocolate chips, melted

• Lightly oil a 7-10 inch pie dish (or springform pan).
• Process pecans until crumbly (you want some chunks).
• Add remaining crust ingredients and pulse until just mixed.
• Scoop mixture onto prepared pan and press down firmly and evenly with slightly wet fingers or a spatula.
• Put crust in freezer to set while making the mousse.
• Place all mousse ingredients, except chocolate chips, in food processor.  Process until smooth.
• Melt chocolate chips in microwave and scoop into processor.
• Process until smooth.
• Remove crust from freezer and scoop mousse on top of crust.  Smooth out as much as possible and then freeze for 2 hours to firm.
• Allow to sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before serving.
• Cover leftover torte and store in freezer.

This is delicious served with this coconut cream!

{ HEAT WAVE SUMMER SALAD }

Oh She Glows has quickly become one of my favorite sites. This is another one of hers, with a couple of adaptations. I served it last night with cabbage pitas, and I'm eating the leftovers right now. So good!

{ SALAD }

1 c. wheatberries (2 c. cooked)
1 can garbanzos, drained and rinsed*
2 c. chopped peaches
1 c. chopped strawberries
1 c. blueberries
1/2 c. chopped almonds


{ DRESSING }

1/4 c. apple cider vinegar
2 T. pure maple syrup
1 t. dijon mustard
1/4 t. cinnamon
1/4 t. salt


fresh baby spinach

• Cook wheatberries.
• Combine all salad ingredients.
• Whisk together dressing ingredients and pour over salad.
• Serve over fresh baby spinach. (Original recipe has sauteed kale instead.)

*I forgot the garbanzos last night, and it was still delicious. I added them into my leftovers today, and I like them. In the future, I'll just do with or without depending on my mood.

{ BROCCOLI RAISIN SALAD }

Elna and Mom found this one on Rawmazing and tweaked it slightly.  Loved it!

{ SALAD }

6 c. chopped raw broccoli
1/2 medium red onion, chopped
1 c. raisins
1 c. sunflower seeds

{ DRESSING }

1 c. raw cashews, soaked 2 hours
1/4 c. fresh lemon juice
1/4 c. pineapple juice
1 T. apple cider vinegar
1/4 c. water
1 shallot (2 T. chopped) (or red onion, or sweet onion)
1 clove garlic
1 to 2 T. agave nectar
1 t. mustard powder
1 pinch salt (optional)

• Blend dressing until silky smooth.
• Pour over salad and combine until well coated.

{ PISTACHIO CAKE }

I recently read Jeanne Ray's Eat Cake for my book group.  I thought it was a fun read, and the recipes all looked delicious but very un-vegan and very high fat.  The pistachio cake recipe was the only one that seemed remotely convertible.  Here it is--veganized, whole wheat, and with no processed fats.  It was delicious!

3/4 c. shelled pistachios

1 c. whole wheat flour
2 t. baking powder
1 t. cinnamon
1/4 t. salt (omit if using salted pistachios)

1/2 c. non-dairy milk
1/4 t. vanilla

1/3 c. water + 1 1/2 T. egg replacer powder

3/4 c. wonderslim
1/2 c. evaporated cane juice
1/2 c. sucanat

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Process pistachios in food processor until finely ground, but not pasty.
• Add the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Pulse to mix.
• In a mixing cup, combine milk and vanilla.
• In a separate bowl or mixer, whisk water and egg replacer until frothy.
• Add wonderslim, evaporated cane juice, and sucanat, and mix well.
• While mixing on low speed, add the pistachio flour and milk in batches, alternately, beginning and ending with the flour mixture.
• Mix just until combined.
• Pour batter into a lightly greased 9x13 baking pan.
• Bake on 350 for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

(We ate half of it a couple days ago, and I'm serving it like this for my daughter's birthday today: with vegan lemon cream cheese frosting.)

Printing Error

Users beware:  Sometimes when using the printing option for a recipe, random ingredients are left out (no obvious sign they're missing).  It just happened to me twice.

Does anyone know how to fix this problem? And, in the meantime, if you use the print option, double check the ingredient list before printing.

{ STRAWBERRY BANANA SOFT SERVE }

This tastes as good as it looks!  (I was reminded of this little treat browsing through recipes on Oh She Glows.)

3 parts frozen bananas
1 part frozen strawberries

• Process in food processor until desired consistency.

I put the extra into 2 oz. containers and made popsicles. They were a hit!

Here's one of my princesses enjoying her first of two popsicles!

{ WALNUT POLENTA MEATLESS LOAF }

If you like(d) meat loaf, this is a great one to try. I started with this recipe from The Health Seeker's Kitchen, but couldn't find green chili polenta, so I ended up changing quite a few things slightly and adding some other things. I used (and changed) this recipe from Oh She Glows for the sauce. Here's what I did (and I'll do it again):

1/4 c. water to saute
2 c. sweet onion, chopped

1 T. canned green chilies
1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. pepper
1/2 t. cumin
1/2 t. dried cilantro
1 T. fresh chopped parsley
2 T. lemon juice
2 T. nutritional yeast
1 t. sesame seeds
2 T. tomato paste

1/2 c. sun-dried tomato garlic polenta*

1 c. walnuts, coarsely ground
1 1/4 c. cooked brown rice (1/2 c. uncooked)**


{ SAUCE }

3 T. ketchup
1 T. balsamic vinegar
1 T. unsweetened applesauce

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Saute onions in water until translucent.
• Add chilies through tomato paste and mix well.
• Add polenta and mix well. Make sure there aren't any lumps.
• Add walnuts and rice.  Mix well.
• Press into a loaf pan.
• Top with sauce. (I made extra sauce for dipping.)
• Bake at 350 for 50 minutes.

*This was my first time using polenta.  I've looked online, and as far as I can tell, it freezes well.  So I plan on just dividing the remaining polenta into 1/2-cup portions and freezing it for next time.

**I knew I would be needing Spanish rice later this week, so that's what I made and used this time.  It was great.

{ CHILLED STRAWBERRY ALMOND SOUP }

I made some changes to this recipe to make a whole-foods version.  Yum!

1/2 c. water
2 T. almonds
1/4 t. almond extract
6 dates

3-4 c. sliced strawberries

Chopped strawberries and slivered almonds for garnish.

• Blend water, almonds, extract, and dates until very smooth.
• Fill blender to 4 cups with strawberries.
• Blend until smooth.
• Chill before serving.
• Top with slivered almonds and chopped strawberries.

{ QUINOA ALMOND BERRY SALAD }

Ok.  This salad is one of the most delicious things I've ever had!  Mom and Elna told me about it a couple days ago.  I immediately hauled all 3 kids to the store for berries, and we had it for dinner that night.  And lunch the next day.  Then I made it again for dessert the second night.  And I had the leftovers for breakfast this morning.  I'm not kidding; it's delicious!  (I'm making it AGAIN for a Relief Society breakfast on Saturday.  That'll make 3 times in 4 days.)  You can find the original recipe here.

3/4 c. dry quinoa

3 c. sliced strawberries
2 c. fresh (or frozen) blueberries
1 c. cherries, pitted and sliced*
1/2 c. almonds, slivered or chopped

{ DRESSING }

1/4 c. pure maple syrup
2 T. fresh lime juice
1 T. balsamic vinegar
1 pinch salt

• Prepare quinoa according to package instructions.
• Combine fruit and almonds in a large bowl.
• Fluff cooked quinoa with a fork and add to fruit.  Combine.
• Pour on dressing and mix well.
• Serve immediately or chill in fridge until serving time.  (Mike and I both liked it better chilled.  In fact, the second night I made it, I rinsed the cooked quinoa in cold water, so we wouldn't have to wait for it to chill.)

*Mom and Elna used mangoes and said it was delicious.  Any fruit, I'm sure, would be good.

{ ARTICHOKE PASTA - FAT-FREE VERSION }

Posted with original recipe, here.

{ SWEET POTATO PUDDING - WHOLE-FOODS VERSION }

Check it out here.

{ CORN CHOWDER - NEW VERSION }

Check it out here.

{ CRISP RICE FRUIT BITES }

Thanks, Elna, for sharing this recipe!  (The original recipe is here.)

1 c. almonds
1 c. walnuts
1 c. prunes
1 c. dried fruit*
1/4 c. honey
1 t. vanilla
1 t. cinnamon

1 1/2 c. Barbara's Brown Rice Crisps cereal

• Place almonds in a food processor and pulse to coarsely chop.
• Add remaining ingredients except cereal and process until finely chopped, but not pureed.
• Place in a large bowl and mix in cereal by hand.
• Using your hands, press firmly into a 3/4-inch thick square on a cutting board.
• Cut into 1-inch squares.
• Place squares on parchment paper or lightly greased baking sheet.
• Bake at 200 for 30 minutes.
• Allow to cool.
• Store in an airtight container.

*The original recipe calls for 1-inch pieces of dried mango.  I didn't have mango, so I used dried apples.

{ WHOLE WHEAT BURGER BUNS }

I found these on Notes From the Vegan Feast Kitchen. Bryanna was kind enough to give permission to post the recipe.

I changed a couple things to make them 100% whole wheat. They worked great, and we loved them! We had them with bean burgers and oven fries.

1/4 c. warm water + 2 t. yeast

1 c. leftover soft mashed potatoes, warm (or 1/2 c. instant mashed potatoes mixed with 1 c. boiling water)
1 c. medium-firm tofu, drained and mashed
3/4 c. to 1 c. non-dairy milk, warm
1/4 c. ground flaxseed
1/4 c. wheat bran
2 T. sucanat
2 T. oil (or wonderslim)
1 T. nutritional yeast flakes
2 t. salt

4 c. whole wheat flour*

non-dairy milk for brushing

sesame or poppy seeds, or onion flakes for garnish

• Proof yeast in water for a few minutes.
• Add potatoes through salt and mix well. (I used a Bosch mixer, dough hook.)
• Add flour and knead on speed 2 for 5 minutes. (Original instructions are to knead for 5-10 minutes, with a mixer or by hand.)
• As the dough is kneading, keep an eye on it, and add more non-dairy milk or water, a couple tablespoons at a time, if it seems too dry.
• Place in greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place (corn warmers in the microwave worked great) for 1 1/2 hours.
• Punch down and divide into 9-12 equal balls. (I made 9.) Dough should be pretty sticky.
• With wet hands, press the balls down on greased or cornmealed baking sheets to make circles 3-4 inches across.
• Cover and let rise for 30 minutes.
• Brush the buns with non-dairy milk for a shiny glaze and sprinkle with garnish.
• Bake at 350 (325 convection) for 20 minutes.
• Cool on racks.

*The whole wheat flour we use is home-ground from hard white wheat.  It makes a much lighter bread than other wheat varieties.

{ STRAWBERRY (SHORT)CAKE }

Wow!  This was good!  Thanks, Mom (source?).

{ Cupcakes }

Mix together dry ingredients:
2 c. whole wheat flour
3/4 c. evaporated cane juice
1/2 t. salt
1/2 t. baking soda
1 t. baking powder

In a separate bowl, whisk together:
1 c. water + 1 T. egg replacer

Add to egg replacer and whisk together:
3 T. baby food prunes
1 T. Earth Balance margarine
1 t. vanilla
1 t. lemon juice

• Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients, and gently fold together by hand until only a few lumps are left.  Do not use an electric mixer.
• Fill 12 muffin tins about 3/4 full.
• Bake at 350 for 20 minutes.
• Wait 5-10 minutes before removing muffins to cool on a rack.

{ Strawberry Sauce }

12 oz. apple juice concentrate

1/4 c. corn starch

1 t. to 1 T. lemon juice

1 to 2 t. lemon zest

3 lbs. fresh strawberries, chopped

• Combine first ingredients in saucepan and cook on medium heat, stirring constantly until thick and bubbly.
• Stir in strawberries.
• Chill before serving.

Serve with coconut cream.  So good!

Forks Over Knives

Check here to see if it's playing near you!

{ YOGURT PARFAIT }

This recipe comes from May's issue of The Friend magazine. We had them two days in a row!  Delish!  (This recipe makes four 1-cup parfaits.)

2 c. granola
2 c. non-dairy yogurt*
2 c. fresh berries
1/4 c. shredded coconut
2 t. orange zest
2 T. evaporated cane juice

• Mix coconut, zest, and evaporated cane juice together in a bowl.
• Put 1/4 c. granola in the bottom of each cup.
• Pour 1/4 c. yogurt over granola.
• Add 1/4 c. berries.
• Sprinkle with coconut orange mixture.
• Repeat layers - granola, yogurt, berries, coconut.

*The original recipe calls for vanilla yogurt.  We used lemon one day, and strawberry the next.

{ CASHEW ALFREDO SAUCE }

Aunt Elna emailed this recipe to me (original source?).  It was super easy and really good.  I think I like this recipe a little bit better, but the very best might be the 2 recipes combined.  I'll try that next time and let you know.

1/2 c. raw cashews
1 t. fresh lemon juice
1-3 cloves garlic
2 T. nutritional yeast
1/2 t. salt
1 dash pepper
1 1/2 c. boiling water (best to use starchy pasta-cooking water)

• Blend all ingredients until very smooth and thickened.
• Serve over whole grain pasta.
• Top with freshly ground black pepper.

{ WONDERSLIM (home-made fat replacer) }

There are a lot of posts on Greener Eating that call for wonderslim, or baby food prunes.  Wonderslim is a product that used to be sold at health food stores as a fat and egg replacer.   All that was in it was pureed prunes and water, with a little soy lecithin and citric acid (I'm assuming just to preserve it's color or make it more shelf stable).  We just puree our own prunes now, and it works great!  I always replace at least half of the oil or butter in recipes with it the first time I make something, and if it works well then the next time around I replace all the fat.  Use a 1:1 ratio. 

Here are the amounts I use and it works every time.  I either store the extra in the fridge if I think I'll be using it soon, or I freeze it in 1/4 cup containers (the same ones the baby food prunes come in) and just thaw it out when I'm ready to use it.

water
prunes (or dried plums, if that sounds better!)

• Fill blender with water up to the 3 cup mark
• Add prunes until water reaches the 4 cup mark (this is the easiest way to measure, because  you don't have to worry about how packed down they are in a measuring cup - plus it's less dishes to wash!) 
• Blend until completely smooth

  *Remember that if the thought of eating prunes makes you feel like an old lady (or man), it's actually what's going to keep you young!  Prunes are very good for you and replacing fat in recipes just makes it doubly good.  Don't be scared!

{ LEMON BARS }

We went to Marian's for a day last week, and she said something about lemon bars.  I've been thinking about them ever since and had to find a vegan recipe and make some. The original recipe can be found on Savvy Vegetarian.

Mike, Mariah, and I really liked them. Elaine (2) said they were too spicy.

{ CRUST }

1/4 c. coconut oil
1/4 c. baby food prunes
1/4 c. powdered evaporated cane juice
1 c. whole wheat flour

{ FILLING }

1/2 c. silken tofu
1 c. evaporated cane juice
zest from 2 lemons
1/3 c. fresh lemon juice
2 T. whole wheat flour
2 T. cornstarch

1 T. powdered evaporated cane juice

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Cream coconut oil, prunes, and powdered evaporated can juice with an electric mixer.
• Add flour, and beat until the dough just comes together.
• Press the crust mixture into the bottom of a greased 8x8 baking pan.
• Bake for 20 minutes, or until lightly browned.
• Remove crust from oven and place on a wire rack to cool while you make the filling.
• Blend filling ingredients in blender until very smooth.
• Pour over the cooled crust.
• Bake for 30 minutes, or until the filling is set.  (It will also continue to set as it cools.)
• Remove from oven and allow to cool completely on a cooling rack.
• Sprinkle top with sifted powdered evaporated can juice.

{ PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES }

These are some of my favorite cookies right now. I'm doing a new thing with my kids where if they give me the treats that they get at school/church/parties etc., I exchange it for healthier cookies that I've made. I've always got to have a few selections in the freezer in order to keep it up. So far it's been fun but I CAN'T BELIEVE how many treats they bring me (which means they would have been eating all that before- which is the reason I did this in the first place!). I know that even vegan cookies aren't super healthy, but at least they are better than the alternative!

1 1/2 c. whole wheat flour
1 c. oats
1 c. sucanat or brown sugar
2 t. baking powder
1 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
2 t. vanilla
1/4 c. baby food prunes
2 T. applesauce
1/2 c. maple syrup
1/2 c. peanut butter

• Preheat oven to 325.
• Mix all ingredients together (I use a Bosch)
• Drop rounded balls onto greased cookie sheet.
• Smash down with a fork
• Sprinkle with sugar or ECJ if desired
• Bake 10-12 minutes

{ GOT (THE FACTS ON) MILK? }

{ PEANUT BUTTER POPCORN }

This is a fun and easy snack my kids (and I) love.  I guessed on the amounts here, so play with it if it doesn't work for you.

air popped popcorn (1/2 c. kernels)
1/2 c. healthy peanut butter (no added sugar or oil)
1/3 c. honey

• Combine the peanut butter and honey and heat  in the microwave until it's melted and can be easily stirred together.
• Pour over popcorn and stir.

{ APPLE PECAN FLIP }

I saw this on Plant Based Health and thought it looked yummy.  But I also just really like the name.  Anything called "flip" should be good, right?

It was really easy and quite good.  I served it (of course) with leftover coconut cream.

1 c. whole pecans
1 apple, 1/4-inch diced
1/3 c. maple syrup
1/2 c. non-dairy milk


1 1/2 c. whole wheat flour
1 T. baking powder
1/2 t. salt


3/4 c. unsweetened applesauce
1/2 c. agave nectar
1 t. vanilla

• Preheat oven to 350.
• In a 9-inch baking dish, spread a single layer of pecans and top with a layer of apple.
• Drizzle with maple syrup and non-dairy milk.
• In a bowl, mix dry ingredients.
• Add applesauce, agave, and vanilla and stir until well combined.
• Dollap batter over apples and pecans, and carefully spread evenly.
• Bake for 25-35 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.  (Original recipe said 30-35, but mine was a bit over done at 30 minutes.  I think I'll try a few minutes less next time.)
• Remove from oven and carefully flip cake onto a platter.