Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Chocolate Chip Cookies!

Chocolate Chip Cookies:


Add to bowl:
3 tbsp flax seed meal
1/2 tsp guar gum
1/2 cup applesauce
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
12 drops vanilla creme liquid stevia
2 tbsp honey or coconut sugar for vegan cookies
1/4 cup coconut oil (for vegan cookies) or ghee (which is casein-free), liquified


Mix with electric mixer.


Add:
1 cup almond meal flour
1/2 cup coconut flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder (Grain-free Baking Powder Recipe)
1/3 cup dairy-free chocolate chips (I use Enjoy Life)


Mix again.


Roll into balls and flatten the balls in your hands. (they don't really change shape in the oven)


Bake on a greased cookie sheet at 350 degrees for about 12 minutes.
;)
Compliments of the spunky coconut!

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

coconut "soy sauce" SOY AND GLUTEN FREE!!

http://www.coconutsecret.com/products2.html

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Gluten Free Almond Flour Bread and Choco Chip Cookies

Gluten Free Sandwich Bread
1 ½ cups blanched almond flour
¾ cup arrowroot powder
¼ cup flax seed meal
½ teaspoon celtic sea salt
½ teaspoon baking soda
4 eggs
1 teaspoon agave nectar
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
1.In a medium bowl, combine almond flour, arrowroot, flax meal, salt and baking soda
2.In a larger bowl, blend eggs 3-5 minutes until frothy
3.Stir agave and vinegar into eggs
4.Mix dry ingredients into wet
5.Pour batter into a well greased 7.5" x 3.5" loaf pan
6.Bake at 350º for 30-35 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of loaf comes out clean
7.Cool and serve
Makes 1 medium sized loaf of gluten-free bread


Chocolate Chip Cookies
2 ½ cups blanched almond flour *
½ teaspoon celtic sea salt
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ cup grapeseed oil
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
½ cup agave nectar
½ cup dark chocolate 73%

1.Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl
2.Stir together wet ingredients in a smaller bowl
3.Mix wet ingredients into dry
4.Form ½ inch balls and press onto a parchment lined baking sheet
5.Bake at 350° for 7-10 minutes
6.Cool and serve
Makes 24 cookies

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Raw Almond Bread!

Mediterranean Almond Bread

Makes 18 'slices'

1/2c olive oil
1c sun dried tomatoes, loosely packed
3c almond flour*
1c flax meal
3 medium courgettes (zucchini), peeled & roughly chopped
2 apples, cored and roughly chopped
3T lemon juice
1t salt
3T Herbs De Provence or herbs of your choice
2T marjoram or herbs of your choice

*You can make almond flour a number of ways. My favourite is to save the pulp from any almond milk I make and dehydrate it so I can keep it in a glass jar until needed. You could also use the almond pulp wet. Another way would be just to grind some almonds into flour in a high powered blender or coffee mill.

- Process the olive oil, sun dried toms, courgette, apple, lemon juice, salt and dried herbs until thoroughly mixed.

- Add the almond flour and process again until a batter is formed.

- In a bowl mix the batter with the flax meal by hand. The reason you do this separately (not in the processor) is that you are likely to have too much mixture for the size if the processor at this point, and when you add the flax meal it will become quite heavy and sticky and overwork your machine.

- When mixed, process the whole batter in the machine again in small batches to achieve a light fluffy texture.

- Divide the mixture in 2 and place on Paraflexx sheets, on dehydrator trays.

- Use an offset spatula (aka offset palette knife or cranked palette knife) to spread the mixture evenly to all 4 sides and corners of the Paraflexx sheet. If mixture is too sticky you can wet the spatula to make things easier. With a knife score the whole thing into 9 squares.

- Dehydrate for 2 hours and then remove the Paraflexx sheets by placing another dehydrator tray and mesh on top and invert so that your original sheet of bread is upside down. That will allow you to peel the Paralexx sheet off and continue to dehydrate the underside of the bread.

- Dehydrate for approx 8 hours more (do this overnight so you're not tempted to eat it before it's ready) or until bread feels light in your hand. If the pieces don't fully come apart where you scored, use a knife to cut them.

So there you have it. Once you have this bread, the only limit you have is your imagination. I have made bread before and used lasagna leftovers to create 'cheese and tomato' sarnies, one of my all-time childhood faves!

Let me know your favorite fillings!!! :-)

Chef Russel

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

YUM! FESTIVE

1 cup raw pecans
5 dates, pitted
1 tablespoon grapeseed oil
¼ teaspoon celtic sea salt
6 cups fresh cranberries, picked over (discard bad ones)
1 cup agave nectar
1 tablespoon orange zest

Place pecans and dates in a food processor and pulse until coarsely ground
Pulse in oil and salt until mixture begins to form a ball
Press crust into an 8x8 inch greased baking dish
Bake at 350° for 8-12 minutes until lightly browned
To make cranberry topping, place 4 cups cranberries, agave and orange zest in a pot on the stove
Bring mixture to a boil, then cover and reduce to a simmer 10-15 minutes, until cranberries start to dissolve
Add remaining 2 cups cranberries and cook covered for 5 more minutes
Remove mixture from heat and allow to cool for 10 minutes
Pour mixture over pecan crust
Allow bars to set for 60-90 minutes
Serve
elana's pantry :)

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Sugar Free Raw Treats

Cashew butter, coconut, and carob powder/cocoa powder balls
Carob/cocoa or -vanilla- coconut milk chia pudding w/stevia
avocado mousse with/stevia cocoa/carob
Banana carob/cocoa shake
Cinnamon baked apples
Pumpkin spice muffins (no sugar added)
Berry crisp with coconut flour/oil topping (no sugar added)
Raw cake with cashews, dates, carob/coconut oil
Bean brownies/blondies/cake w teff flour/brown rice flour with/ coconut oil frosting
Bean cookies with carob
Coconut flour stevia cake/muffins -eggs in
Almond meal cookies stevia w/carob -vegan
Fruit :)
raw honey
Coconut milk ice cream (agave)
sweet potato with coconut oil and cinnamon

Lasagna- sub tofu with white beans!

Friday, October 16, 2009

Food Combining, Yoga, and Life

Well, it's certainly been a challenging past few months. Now things are finally falling into place. The first hexeimer phase of my detoxing is finally leveling out, school is pretty well under way, and I'm experiencing life to its fullest.

Some notes on food combining-
no carbs with starches.
nuts with veggies or nuts alone.
carbs with fats.
protein with veggies.
fruit alone on empty stomach (preferrably first thing in the morning)
avocado- neutral (gotta double check how to use)


Eating mostly raw now. Feeling GREAT. My insides are so happy. Making many new great recipes too. :)

Ready to bring on the rest of the semester

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Cranberry Walnut Chocolate Chip Cookiesprint friendly recipe
2 ½ cups blanched almond flour
½ teaspoon celtic sea salt
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ cup grapeseed oil
½ cup agave nectar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
½ cup dried, fruit juice sweetened cranberries
1 cup walnuts, toasted
½ cup dark chocolate 73%

In a large bowl, combine almond flour, salt and baking soda
In a smaller bowl, combine oil, agave and vanilla
Stir wet ingredients into dry
Mix in cranberries, walnuts and chocolate chips
Form dough into ½ inch balls and press onto a parchment lined baking sheet
Bake at 350° for 7-10 minutes
Cool and serve


elenas pantry

cake...and garlic day!

Today I tried adding garlic back into my diet. So far so good :)

From spunky coconut! :)

Pumpkin Spice Cake:

Add to food processor:
2 cups cooked white beans, room temperature, so they don't cook the eggs (I make mine myself by soaking dry white beans, like Great Northern, overnight. In the morning I rinse them well, and cook them.)
5 eggs
1/2 tsp vanilla creme liquid stevia (do not measure over the batter, just in case it spills out)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/3 cup honey
1.5 tbsp pumpkin pie spice


Puree well.


Add:
1/4 cup coconut oil, liquified
1/3 cup coconut flour, sifted
1/4 tsp sea salt
1.5 tsp baking soda
1.5 tsp baking powder


Puree well.


Pour into greased and floured bundt pan.


Bake at 325 degrees for about 35 minutes. (I like to check to see if it's done by inserting a knife into the middle. If it's comes out mostly clean, it's done.)

Friday, September 25, 2009

Cabbage and Ground Turkey Stew

1/2 head organic cabbage
1 package free range ground turkey
rosemary, cilantro (fresh)
sea salt
kale

Viola!

Friday, July 31, 2009

Carob Skillet Drops

So I was craving cookies...and pancakes and chocolateyness. Lo and behold the birth of the carob skillet drop.

A few tablespoons namaste pancake and waffle mix
A tablespoon carob powder
Enough water to make dough
2-3 drops vanilla cream stevia
Nonstick cooking spray

Combine all ingredients and coat skillet with non stick cooking spray. Drop batter by spoonful onto skillet.

Serve warm with ice cream or fruit compote or sauce! YUM.

Monday, July 6, 2009

Chocolate (or Carob) Chip Cookies

Yields 4 Dozen.

1 3/4 cups quinoa flakes or GF oats
1 3/4 cups all purpose GF flour blend (I used coconut, brown rice, and tapioca)
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp xanthan gum
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup shortening/butter/or oil of choice (I used coconut)
1 cup brown sugar or sucanant (I used 1/2 cup agave)
1/2 cup granulated sugar (I used a little more agave)
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 package GF chocolate chips or carob chips (approx 2 cups..or more :)
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 375. Grind Quinoa flakes or oatmeal in food processor. Add flour mix, baking soda, salt, and xanthan gum and blend for 5 sec. Beat shortening with sugars until well blended. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Gradually add dry ingredients. Then Mix in chocolate and walnuts. Drop by rounded tablespoons onto aluminum or parchment paper line cookie sheets. Bake about 12 minutes until edges are browned.

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Blueberry Cake With Creamy Sugar Free Vanilla Frosting

1 package blueberries rinsed
1 1/2 cups nondairy milk (I used unsweetened almond)
1/2 cup oil of choice, butter, or shortening
2 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla
1/4 cup agave (I do half of the agave and one dropper stevia)
4 tablespoons baking powder
1 tsp sea salt
2 and 1/2 cups gluten free flour mix (I used 1 brown rice, 1 coconut, and 1/2 tapioca)
1 tbls cinnamon, if desired

Combine wet ingredients. Combine dry. Mix wet to dry. Fold in blueberries. Pour into cup cake holders, into large rectangle cake pan, or two 9in round cake pans.
Bake at 350 until edges are golden brown (about 30 mins for large rectangle- time may be shorter depending on which way you choose to bake it so I would monitor it as it bakes.)


Frosting
2 cups palm shortening (or margerine/butter)
1 cup arrowroot starch
1 tbls vanilla
1/4 cup agave nectar (or honey) or a mix of agave and vanilla stevia

With an electric mixer beat all ingredients together until fluffy. Store in an air tight container or frost cake when cooled. YUM!!!

Sunday, June 28, 2009

10 Things To Be Thankful For..err 11

I feel like every now in then it's good to reflect on the good things going on in life. Especially when the sky seems terribly grey.

First, a recap and bit of venting.
I've been going through quite a bit lately- balancing trying to gain weight, see a psychotherapist, and deal with/try to get a diagnosis for my HIGHLY* probable Celiac Disease (highly meaning I know that I have it but my blood test said I was 5 out of 8 or as the doctors say "equivocal"). Also* I was not eating gluten (for the exception of a brownie here and there and the contamination of my college cafeteria) for months prior to the test and was still having horrible problems (thus proving that I am indeed sensitive to gluten in some way shape or form). As I have been on the gluten free diet now for about 3 months and CAN DEFINATELY tell that I get sick when ingesting gluten I refuse to go back to gluten and get retested because I am feeling almost 100 percent better being 100% gluten free- with the exception of getting glutened out to eat on fathers day. So I am slightly stressed.

Now..things to be thankful for.

1. I'm alive. To put it in perspective, things could be much worse for me. I am overall getting more healthful and healing every day.
2. I have a wonderful family, boyfriend, and friends. I love you all. You all have been so supportive and helpful. Though I know at times it's very hard for you ton understand how I feel and understand exactly what I'm going through.
3. I have a job that I love that helps others. Though my current stressors and ailments have negatively effected my ability to work lately, I have been getting better everyday and I am so thankful for my job with wonderful people that I work with and the ability to help others like myself.
4. Carob. Thank you Lord, for putting the lovely Carob pod on this earth. It's lovely chocolate-like flavor has made not be able to eat chocolate much more enjoyable.
5. The beauty of God's green earth. The weather is balmy, the plants are blooming and green- alive. What more can we ask for?
6. The roof over my head and the food on the table. In this recession we are so fortunate. There are so many people who don't have healthcare, don't have homes, don't have food.
7. Music. My other solace. Thank you for bringing me peace.
8. Yoga. My OTHER solace. Thank you for teaching me to quiet my mind, focus, and breathe.
9. Modern medicine/technology. Without the advancements of modern medicine we may have never known what Celiac disease was!
10. The Camera. Thank you for fueling my passion and giving me the ability to capture life's beauty.
11. Life. Thank you for the gift of life. The ability to experience happy and sad moments. The human ability for compassion, rationale, and forgiveness. and most importantly-for love.


strawberry pie recipe coming soon!

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Ah, The Wonders of Carob





Carob Chips
1/2 Cup coconut oil
1/2 Cup carob powder
1 tablespoon agave syrup

Melt coconut oil and mix in agave and carob. Pour on to wax paper lined cookie sheet and spread into an even layer (desired thickness). Chill in fridge until solid and cut into desired sized chunks or "chips" Yields about 1 1/2 c chips.
(sally fallons nourishing traditions)

Carob Fudge Sauce
(adapted from above)
Use same recipe above but use 1/2 tablespoon agave and add in about 1/4 cup coconut milk (or until desired thickness is reached-i like my thick). Store in fridge until ready to use and leave at room temperature five minutes before serving.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

The Birth of the Carob Fudge Swirl Muffin Cookie

Well when I went to go make my weekly carob bars I didn't have my recipe in front of me so I improvised. What resulted was not a bar. Oh no. But a hybrid fudge- a fudge of REAL hot fudge consistancy nonetheless, something that I have missed for quite some time. :)

So...my carob chip cookies to be were magically transformed into Carob Fudge Swirl Cookies. They came out a cross between a muffin and a cookie and were filled witrh fudgy carob suprises. YUMMY!

Pictures and recipe coming soon!

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Crackers (For Sheila!) :)


Gluten Free Herb Crackers
• 3/4 cup organic amaranth flour
• 1/2 cup arrowroot starch OR cornstarch
• 1/4 cup almond meal
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh cracked peppper
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 tablespoons water
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon Cream of Tartar
• 1 teaspoon GF garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon GF onion powder
• 2 tablespoons Herbs de Provence OR any herb blend you like
• 1 teaspoon Kosher salt to sprinkle on top of crackers

1. Place dry ingredients in a large bowl. Whisk until well blended. Add olive oil and water and stir until dough forms a ball. If mixture is still crumbly, add water, one teaspoon at a time, until dough forms a ball.
2. Divide the dough in half with a knife. Sprinkle a smooth work surface with a small amount of white rice flour. Sprinkle rice flour on a rolling pin and roll the dough until it is very thin, about 1/16th of an inch thick.
3. Use a 1 1/2 inch round or square biscuit or cookie cutter to cut crackers- or use a knife to cut even squares. Prick top of each cracker twice with a fork. Using a small spatula, transfer crackers to two large, ungreased baking sheets. Sprinkle tops of crackers lightly with Kosher salt.
4. Repeat with second half of cracker dough.
5. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and place crackers on wire racks. Put the wire racks on the baking sheets and return crackers to the oven for an additional 5 to 7 minutes.
6. Cool crackers and store in an airtight container.
10. Makes about 65 crackers

Tips:
This dough is crumbly but don't worry- just add water, a teaspoon at a time to keep the dough rollable. Gently roll back and forth on the dough to avoid cracks. Also be gentle when piercing the cracker dough with fork. I take the loose crumbs and continue to roll and cut out crackers until dough is all used.

Make flatbread crackers by cutting dough in 5x3 inch rectangles.


Gluten Free Saltines
•4 c gluten-free flour blend
•1 ½ tsp baking powder
•¾ c shortening
•1/3 c skim milk
•1 c water
•Salt, black pepper and rosemary (optional)

Directions
1.Preheat oven to 375F.
2.Mix flour, and baking powder.
3.Cut in shortening until mixture has a consistency of coarse meal.
4.Add liquid and stir to form a dough.
5.Roll into a very thin sheet.
6.Cut into circles or squares and place on an un-greased cookie sheet.
7.Prick with a fork 4-5 times and sprinkle with seasonings if using.
8.Bake 6-7 minutes, turning once halfway through.


Gluten Free Chick Pea Crackers
1/2 cup chickpea flour (besan), sifted before measuring
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon turmeric
2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
1/2 teaspoon canola oil
2-4 tablespoons water

For dusting: gluten-free baking flour (or flour of choice)
Optional: Smoked Spanish paprika for tops

Mix all dry ingredients together well. Stir in the oil and begin stirring in water one tablespoon at a time. The amount will depend on the moisture in your flour. When the dough can be formed into a ball, you have added enough water. (I used 4 tablespoons, but your results may be different.

Knead the dough several times to distribute the ingredients, and then roll it in plastic wrap and set it aside while you preheat the oven to 350F. Dust your work area and rolling pin well with the gluten-free flour. After the dough has rested for 10 minutes divide it in half, put half on the floured surface, and sprinkle the top with flour. Roll it out until it is as thin as you can get it and still be able to pick it up. (Mine came out a little less than 1/8 inch thick or about 3 mm.) Cut it into 1x1-inch squares or use a cookie cutter. Place crackers on a non-stick cookie sheet and repeat with other half of dough. Prick each cracker once or twice with a fork (allows for air to escape and keeps them from puffing up). Sprinkle with paprika, if desired.

Bake for 15-20 minutes, being careful not to over- or under-bake. Remove from oven and allow them to cool and become crispy. Test one, and if it's not crispy, return to the oven for a few more minutes. After cooking, keep in a sealed container. If they get soft, a few minutes in a hot oven will return them to crispiness


Gluten Free Sesame Crackers
1/4 cup chickpea flour (besan), sifted before measuring
1/4 cup Bob's Red Mill gluten-free baking flour (or flour of choice)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon turmeric
1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds, lightly ground (see Note)
1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
1/4 teaspoon sesame oil
2-4 tablespoons water

Note: You can buy already toasted sesame seeds, but making them is very easy. Just heat them in a skillet or on a baking sheet in a toaster oven, stirring often, until they begin to turn golden and pop. Watch them carefully because they can burn in a matter of seconds. To grind them, put them in a mortar and crush lightly with a pestle or pulse in a food processor.

Mix all dry ingredients together well. Stir in the sesame oil and begin stirring in water one tablespoon at a time. The amount will depend on the moisture in your flour. When the dough can be formed into a ball, you have added enough water. (I used 3 1/2 tablespoons, but your results may be different.

Knead the dough several times to distribute the ingredients, and then roll it in plastic wrap and set it aside while you preheat the oven to 350F. Dust your work area and rolling pin well with the gluten-free flour. After the dough has rested for 10 minutes divide it in half, put half on the floured surface, and sprinkle the top with flour. Roll it out until it is as thin as you can get it and still be able to pick it up. (Mine came out a little less than 1/8 inch thick or about 3 mm.) Cut it into 1x1-inch squares or any size you want. Place squares on a non-stick cookie sheet and repeat with other half of dough. Prick each cracker once or twice with a fork (allows for air to escape and keeps them from puffing up).

Bake for 15-20 minutes, being careful not to over- or under-bake. Remove from oven and allow them to cool and become crispy. Test one, and if it's not crispy, return to the oven for a few more minutes. After cooking, keep in a sealed container. If they get soft, a few minutes in a hot oven will return them to crispiness.
(compliments of fatfree vegan kitchen)

Raw Carob Mousse Cake



Fudgy and nourishingly delicious! I couldn't even tell that the mousse was made of avocados!!

Carob Cake
1/4 cup raw walnuts (I used soaked cashews)
a dash of salt
8 pitted dates
1/4 cup carob powder (or cocoa)
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 tsp water
Process nuts in blender or food processor until ground. Add dates, carob, water, salt, and vanilla and process until desired consistancy is reached.

Carob Mousse
1/4 cup dates
1/4 cup plus 2 tbls water
2 tbls agave
1/2 tsp vanilla
3/4 cup chopped avocado
1/4 plus 2 tbs carob powder
Process all ingredents in blender or food processor until creamy!
Frost carob cake and enjoy!

Friday, June 19, 2009

Strawberry Rubarb Crumble


A sweet and sour delight!

1 container fresh strawberries
1 large rubarb stalk
1 tbs agave
1 tbs tapioca starch
1 tbs coconut oil
Cook in large sauce pan until rubarb is soft and mixture creates a thick syrup and bubbles.

1 cup brown rice flour
1 cup brown rice crisps
1 tbs arrowroot starch
1 tbs coconut oil (more if desired)
a drzzle of agave

Pour hot filling into baking dish. Put crumble on top and drizzle with agave.
Bake for about 30 min at 375, or until brown on top and bubbling.

Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream


A fiberous and nutritious breakfast! ..or desert ;)

3/4 can organic pumpkin
1 cup unsweetened coconut milk (so delicious)
1 cup living harvest vanilla hemp milk
1 dropper of cinnamon stevia
cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice to taste

Combine. Pour into ice cream maker and let it do its thing!
(sprinkled with cinnamon quinoa granola from previous post)