Welcome to Week 3 of A Gluten Free Holiday 2011, the holiday event created by Amy and shared each week by yours truly (and four others–check below for all the participating blogs)! This week’s topic, Gifts of Good Taste, is hosted by Alta of Tasty Eats at Home. Hop on over to see what edible gifts Alta has to share, or to link up your own favorite gifts-of-food recipes (and be sure to enter the giveaway while you’re there!).
I thought this would be a perfect week to share some of my own favorite recipes on the blog that would also make fantastic homemade–and edible–gifts.
Before we get to the food, though, we’ve got another cookbook giveaway!
The book Alta is giving away this week is Artisanal Gluten-Free Cupcakesby Kelli and Peter Bronski. So if you’re a cupcake fan, or if you want to win a great gift for someone else who is, enter the giveaway by leaving a comment on Alta’s blog or by linking up a recipe there.
And now, the food. . . .
In my younger years, I made almost all of my gifts myself (edible or otherwise). Of course, the fact that I was a student living in penury (I won’t say I was a “starving” student, because with my love of dessert, that was never even a vague possibility) was one factor contributing to my motivation for making everything from scratch (unlike today, when the motivation is trying to remain free of the dreaded candida symptoms).
More importantly, though, I always believed that homemade gifts demonstrated how much you cared about someone, giving to them both your time and your thoughtfulness. Since time is at a premium for all of us these days, we have to choose wisely–both what we’ll make, and to whom we’ll be giving it!
For those very special people on your lists, you might want to mix up one of the following. (NOTE: Some of these recipes are made with spelt and/or higher glycemic sweeteners such as sucanat or maple syrup. Recipes with an asterisk * fall into that category; the rest are gluten free and lower glycemic.)
“Mum, it’s great that you’ll be making some homemade gifts this year. . . so does that mean Chaser and I will be getting homemade peanut butter treats? Mmm!”
Now, since Canadian Thanksgiving occurred a month ago, many of you have already encountered my own list of favorite Thanksgiving recipes that I posted here (and please do feel free to use them for your American Thanksgiving, too!). Personally, I’m not averse to celebrating twice. So let’s get to it!
I was chatting yesterday with some online buddies about Canadian-vs-American Thanksgiving (I’d say the tacit consensus was that Americans make more of a fuss about it) and I admitted that, in the home of my childhood, we never actually celebrated T-Day. My memory about it is fuzzy (who am I kidding? My memory about everything is fuzzy these days), but I think the first traditional Thanksgiving celebration I attended was at the home of my first boyfriend’s mum.
I was madly in love with Spaghetti Ears and adored his mother, an Irishwoman who had been widowed at a young age and lived on her own in a little bungalow across town from the university. She was a pixieish woman, perpertually smiling, her dancing blue eyes flitting about the dinner table as she regaled us with stories of her Irish relatives and friends. Her cheeks were permanently flushed pink and her bobbed gray hair, normally hugging her head like a shawl, would swing back and forth as she reached across the table to pass bread or pat my hand. She also made the most delicious curried beef I had ever tasted (okay, so it was the only curried beef I had ever tasted). And I still possess–and use–the hand-knit tea cozy she gave me for Christmas almost 30 years ago, its red and green woolen stripes just as vibrant today as they were back then. I was honored to be invited to her holiday celebration!
Although I loved the idea behind the Thanksgiving feast (and the feast itself) from the first time I experienced it, the cranberry sauce was one aspect I just couldn’t rally behind. I always found it far too sweet for my taste; in fact, canned cranberry sauce is the reason I thought I didn’t like cranberries for many years. Last year, I decided to combine the crimson berries with some stewed apples for a stellar Cranberry Apple Compote, which I was happy to eat alongside nut roast or on toast, and the HH was delighted to enjoy with his turkey. This year, I opted for something a little different:
Today’s recipe comes courtesy of our organic produce delivery, which arrives like clockwork every week ,whether or not I’ve finished up the previous week’s fruits and veggies. As has happened in the past, I left some plums in their paper bag to languish on the counter, unnoticed until it was almost too late to save them.
I decided to combine the soft, squishy plums with their hardier, tarter cousins, and cooked up a quick Plumberry Compote. It offered up the perfect mix of tangy, sweet, and spreadable, with a deep magenta hue and gemlike brilliance.
[How I freeze my plumberry sauce. . . no, the color in the photo isn't off--this pic is frozen apricot spread.]
I hope you give this unconventional cranberry sauce a try. The flavors work beautifully in tandem to offer up a thick sauce that is nearly sweet enough even on its own, without added stevia. It’s also tasty enough to use as jam on toast–something traditional cranberry sauce can’t quite match, which means that leftovers will actually get used! It’s quickly become a favorite condiment here, as it can be used by the HH on his Thanksgiving turkey (that is, if he had had turkey this year), can be spread on some savory nut roast, can double as a chutney with a nice Indian curry, or can be used in lieu of maple syrup on a stack of pancakes or a breakfast bake (as in the photo above).
Yep–it’s time to forge a new tradition, I say!
And don’t forget about the fabulous giveaway this week!
Kim is giving away a copy of Laura Russell’s Gluten Free Asian Kitchen. Just head over to her blog to enter! Here’s a list of the other bloggers who are participating in the event as well:
And my post on Dateless Date Squares from last week, click here.
[A new favorite--breakfast bake topped with Plumberry Sauce and chocolate almond butter.]
Plumberry Sauce or Jam (Suitable for ACD Stage 2 and Beyond)
This sauce is so easy to make, it’s almost embarassing to write it out as a recipe. Freeze any leftovers in silicone muffin tins, then pop out and store in plastic bags in the freezer, for up to 3 months.
6-7 small, ripe black plums, pitted (leave the skins on)
20-30 drops plain or vanilla stevia liquid, to your taste
In a small food processor or blender, purée the plums. Transfer to a medium pot and add the remaining ingredients except stevia.
Cook, stirring frequently, until desired thickness is reached and most of the cranberries have popped (if you have a splatter screen, this is a good time to use it. Otherwise, place a lid on the pot with just a crack open to let the steam escape. That way, you’ll avoid speckling your stovetop and any other surface within sight).
Once the desired thickness is achieved, add the stevia and stir well. Pour into a clean glass jar or container and store in the refrigerator for up to 10 days. Alternately, freeze in silicone muffin cups, then pop out of the cups and keep frozen in a plastic bag or freezer container for up to 3 months. Makes about 2 cups (480 ml).
Those of you who follow me on Facebook or twitter might already know that I’ve spent eight out of the past nine days without my computer. (It was infected with a horrible virus that three computer fix-it guys couldn’t fix; we lucked out on Number Four). Because my full-time job occurs almost entirely online, and because I also write this blog and write for other websites, and because I am a wee bit addicted to social networking, being without my computer felt a little like an amputation. (Okay, fine, that is a slight exaggeration. It felt like being thrown into solitary confinement in a maximum-security prison. It felt like being transported to Oslo without any money or any interpretor. It felt like someone had shaved my head and stuck a big “Kick Me” sign on my posterior while I’d been sleeping.)
In the end, my involuntary break allowed me to do a few things around the house I’d previously had no time to do (or had been avoiding): I organized our CD collection, cooked up a bunch of new recipes, taught The Girls a new trick, spent evenings with the HH, finally folded all my sweaters, and even read a book–the paper kind!. And, as it turned out, the world did not stop spinning because I couldn’t be at my desk for the greater part of the day. And while I wouldn’t wish a computer virus on anyone (well, except maybe for the hackers who created it), the outcome really wasn’t all that bad. I retrieved most of my stuff (minus a few older files) and I had a few days of more-than-usual introspection and a slower pace. All good, right?
In fact, my leisurely morning routine from last week is what brings me to today’s post. During my week after The Crash (no, no, don’t panic; I’m not suddenly prognosticating about the economy. I mean my computer crash, silly!), I also rediscovered the joys of a cooked, hot breakfast (and even on a school day!)
[See all the crinkles on that bag? That's because I've been using it--a lot.]
Quite some time ago, the lovely folks at iHerb sent over a sample product for me to try (full disclosure: I did not pay for the product, nor was I obliged to write something about it, nor was I obliged to write anything positive). Today’s foodstuff is from Madre Labs, a company that produces a variety of superfood-based products using whole foods as raw materials. (They also created the Midori Greens I reviewed a while back). I tried out a sample of Cocoa Cardio powder, a mix of non-alkalized cocoa powder, beet root powder and hibiscus extract. Instructions on the bag suggest using it as a beverage (the way you’d sip cocoa or coffee). Of course, when it comes to anything edible, I cannot simply follow instructions!
the non-alkalized cocoa contains more polyphenols (heart health-promoting substances) than regular Dutch process cocoa;
the powder can be used in the same way as cocoa powder–who says you have to restrict yourself to beverages?;
I love beets and was tickled every time I noticed the deep red accent they imparted to the foods I made with it;
once sweetened, the powder had a lovely flavor that was almost equally “cacao” and “fruity”;
it’s chocolate, people!
The first thing I did was mix up my habitual chia pudding, using a little Cocoa Cardio for additional flavor. As you can see, the beets made their presence known in the red undertones of this pudding:
The real triumph, however, was a Chocolate Almond Butter made with Cocoa Cardio (and you know how crazy I am about nut butters). I also recently discovered Ashley’s Breakfast Bakes, and with my extra (non-computer) time in the mornings, I decided to treat myself to a version of Carob and Buckwheat Breakfast Bake, bathed in a cascade of melty nut butter and topped wtih a dollop of Plumberry Jam (about which I’ll post anon). The combination of moist, crunchy breakfast cake; melty, gooey nut butter; and tart, sweet jam was almost tranformative.
Yes, I’m glad I’ve got my computer back. . . . but just a little sad that treats like this will now be relegated once again to the weekend.
And now you can try some Cocoa Cardio for yourself!
The Giveaway: Enter the giveaway from iHerb to win one of five pouches of Cocoa Cardio! To enter, simply leave a comment on this post telling me what you like about Cocoa Cardio (or any other Madre Labs product).
The contest will remain open until midnight my time on Monday, November 7th, after which time I’ll choose five winners at random and post their names here (so be sure to come back and check if you won!).
The Rules: Winners must be registered at iHerb (it’s free) to be eligible. If you are outside the US, you may be required to pay shipping charges, depending on the taxes or tariffs of your country. Winners are asked to email me at dietdessertdogsATgmailDOTcom, with their full mailing address, once their names have been announced.
[Warm, cakey, crunchy, caroby bliss, all bathed in a melted, sweet, chocolate and fruity topping. Can you think of a better breakfast?]
Carob-Buckwheat Breakfast Bake (adapted from here) with
Heart-Healthy Chocolate Almond Butter (Suitable for ACD Stage 2 and beyond)
Although I use two ramekins, this is actually a single-serving recipe. Because I found the interior of the bake was taking too long to cook all the way through, I divided the batter in two so that it would bake up more quickly. You can always use Ashley’s method and bake it in a single-serve (heat proof) soup bowl for a single “cake.”
2 heaping Tbsp (40 ml) whole uncooked buckwheat groats, ground in a coffee grinder (about 1/4 cup/60 ml once ground)
1 Tbsp (15 ml) whole gluten-free grain of choice (I’ve used buckwheat, teff, amaranth [pictured] and quinoa, all with good results!)
2 Tbsp (30 ml) chopped walnuts, cashews or other nut; or sunflower, pumpkin or hemp seeds (my favorites were walnuts and hemp seeds)
1/4 cup (60 ml) unsweetened applesauce
1/4 cup (60 ml) unsweetened plain or vanilla almond, soy or rice milk
1 tsp (5 ml) pure vanilla extract
1 Tbsp (15 ml) Almond-Chocolate Butter (recipe follows) or any nut butter you fancy
2 tsp (10 ml) sugar-free jam of choice (I used homemade plum-cranberry jam)
Preheat oven to 350F (180C). Spray a single-serve, oven proof soup bowl or two ramekins (about 7 ounces/200 ml each) with nonstick spray. If using ramekins, place them on a cookie sheet.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the ground buckwheat, whole buckwheat, cinnamon, carob powder, chia seeds, flax seeds, baking powder and salt. Stir in the walnuts.
Add the applesauce, milk and vanilla and stir to blend well. Turn the mixture into the loaf pan or divide evenly between the two ramekins.
Bake 30-35 minutes, rotating the pan about halfway through, until the batter is dry and puffed and a tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Top with nut butter and a dollop of jam (or your favorite sugar-free jam). Makes one very generous serving. May be frozen (but why would you want to?).
Chocolate (Beet) Almond Butter
A delicously smooth and glossy almond butter flavored with Cocoa Cardio. Chilled, it’s solid and spreadable, but it will soften at room temperature. A truly delicious way to get your heart-healthy antioxidants!
1 cup (240 ml) smooth natural almond butter (I use Maranatha)
2 scoops Cocoa Cardio (may sub with 3 Tbsp plus 1 tsp/50 ml regular cocoa)
2 Tbsp (30 ml) coconut oil, preferably organic
pinch fine sea salt
1/4-1/2 tsp (1-2.5 ml) pure stevia powder, to your taste (I used NuNaturals)
Whisk all ingredients together in a bowl or in a mini food processor until smooth and evenly blended. Transfer to a jar or covered container and refrigerate until ready to use. Makes 1-1/4 cups (300 ml). Will keep, refrigerated, for up to 3 weeks.
["Mum, hang on a second here. . . did you say, 'taught the Girls a trick'? But wait. . . how can you teach your daughters a trick?! What happened to three equal beings working cooperatively through our own free will to assure that your slippers are where they should be? It's a philosophical conundrum. . . I mean, I've suspected for quite some time that Chaser and I were adopted, but is there something else I should know. . . ?! Mum?!"]
[Just interested in the Baked Pumpkin-Cranberry Oatmeal Pudding recipe? Check the link at the bottom of the page. But first, please go vote for my blog!!]
Happy Friday, everyone!
True to my word yesterday, here I am yet again with another (very short) blog post. I just had to share the news that Diet, Dessert and Dogs is one of 20 blogs nominated for aSHAPE Magazine “Best Blog” Award!! I am over-the-moon excited. I’ve been reading that magazine since at least 60 pounds ago (I tend to go up and down, you understand). And now they’ve recognized DDD as a healthy eating blog–whoo hooooo!
I know it’s Friday (of a long weekend, yet), but I hope you’ll take just a few seconds to hop over to the voting page and click your choice (of course I hope it’s moi, but even if it’s not–take a look at those amazing other bloggers on the list!).
And as always, THANK YOU to everyone who reads this blog, who stops by regularly, who comments, who links up to Wellness Weekend and the SOS Challenge–thank you for supporting this blog with your presence and input!
“Congrats, Mum, on the nomination and everything, but we cannot tell a lie. . . .we’d say that Pumpkin-Cranberry Oatmeal Pudding is way more interesting than a blog award any day!”
Thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway for Chef AJ’s cookbook, Unprocessed! I’m so glad to know that so many of you are interested in cooking with whole foods and no added fats or sugars.
I’ve done the Random Generator thing, and the winner is. . .
Number 15, Suzanne! Suzanne mentioned her favorite food, avocado, in one of her comments. Congratulations!
Suzanne, please contact me with your mailing address so that I can get your book out to you.
Next time, I’ll have a yummy recipe to offer. Hope you can handle yet another dessert. . .
Hope y’all had a great Labor Day weekend (or Saturday and Sunday, as the case may be). The HH, Girls and I had a lovely weekend despite my need to do some school work. We brunched, enjoyed a couple of sun-kissed walks (and the Girls even had a swim), I supped with a couple of nutrition school friends, the HH and I watched another of our newly-purchased DVDS and then I saw The Helpwith my buddy Eternal Optimist yesterday evening (loved it–so many fine performances!). And smack in the middle of the weekend, we were visited out of the blue by an old friend of the HH’s as he drove from Calgary to Kingston and opted for a pit stop at our house.
I don’t know about you, but I’m not ready for summer to be over just yet! *Sigh.* Yet somehow, the weather here in Toronto has co-opted my favorite season and set the perfect backdrop for back-to-school today with chilly, 12 C (54F) temperatures.
In an attempt to prolong that good summer vibe as long as possible, I thought I’d revisit a series that I ran last year called Back to School Swag (ha ha on you, TIFF–you’re not the only one giving out swag this week!). I received a few products and books for review over the summer months, and I’ll be giving away some of them (just the ones I liked!) over the next month or so. Today’s inaugural giveaway features a cookbook that impressed me quite a bit.
Some of you may recall the Crazy Simple Kale Salad I posted last winter. It’s a simple salad with a quick and stellar dressing that really elevates it to something spectacular. The HH and I adored it and I often make it as a way to enjoy raw kale.
As soon as I opened the book, I knew immediately which recipe I wanted to try: the Hemp Seed Lime Dressing. I know, a dressing, of all the possibilities! But raw kale salads are such a staple in our house now that I’m always looking for new and interesting toppers. I whipped it up that evening–so quick and simple–and we devoured it before I could even snap a photo. Luckily, I used the leftover dressing the following day on my Baked Sweet Potato Falafel:
[A perfect rich and creamy foil for the falafel!]
Once I’d scoured the book for recipes and filled it with my trademark sticky-note bookmarks, I sat down to really read the intro chapters. In the author’s own no-nonsense, engaging and humorous voice, the book’s first five chapters introduce the concept of “unprocessed” (the basic criterion is, “can you make it in your kitchen?”); explain the “evil trinity” of sugar, fat and salt, and why she never includes them in her recipes; relate Chef AJ’s own story and how she came to follow a vegan, high-raw, unprocessed diet; and provide pointers, tips, and questions for the reader to determine whether s/he wants to attempt the same type of diet, or perhaps move in a more unprocessed culinary direction.
I found AJ’s personal story to be both touching and compelling and gained a great deal of respect and admiration for her both as a person and a chef after reading it (without revealing too much, let me just say that she experienced illness, eating disorders, personal and family tragedy and a variety of other crises in her life–and came through it with a renewed determination, vibrancy, and, ultimately, health and energy).
The book will make you laugh (“Kosher salami, for those of you taking notes, differs from regular salami in that one kills you and the other is blessed by a rabbi before it kills you”); will motivate you (“The fact that you are even reading this book tells me that you are the kind of person who can see the possibility of something wonderful for your life, for your health and the health of your family. I’m guessing you already have done many difficult things in your life and have succeeded at them, so why should this be any different?); and will inspire you. Most importantly, it will provide you with over 100 easy, quick, unprocessed and delicious recipes to help you achieve better health.
After delving more deeply into the book, I turned to a couple more substantial recipes. First up was the raw Spanish “Rice” (made from cauliflower). This was a flavorful mix of veggies and creamy avocado with a spicy kick. I could have eaten the entire bowl myself (oh, wait, except for the HH’s sampling, I did!):
[Tangy, spicy, filling raw Spanish "Rice".]
Finally, in honor of fall (I may wish it weren’t here, but there’s no denying that chill in the morning air), I blended up the Cream of Zucchini Soup (also raw). This lovely, full-bodied and velvety soup combines a protein boost from hemp seeds with a subtle sweetness of fresh basil and dates (I used stevia instead). Filled with rich flavor and the luxurious silkiness from the hemp, it was a perfect lunch before moving on to a productive afternoon. (For the recipe, see below.)
[A bowlful of whole-foods, raw, creamy goodness.]
I loved all three recipes that I tried. Overall, the book offers dishes that are quick to prepare, made from simple, whole ingredients without added fat, sugars (of any kind) or salt–yet Chef AJ excels at creating interesting and satisfying flavor combinations that will please all types of eaters.
If you’re curious about how to create tasty whole foods recipes without sugar, fat or salt; if you’ve been leaning toward more raw foods; or if you’re simply seeking out healthier recipes, you’ll want to get yourself a copy of this book and begin enjoying flavorful, simple, unprocessed foods. And you can also enter to win a copy!
GIVEAWAY: Chef AJ has offered to give a copy of the book to one lucky DDD reader! (open to Canada and US only).
Here’s how to enter:
It’s simple: just leave a comment on this page telling me what your favorite whole food is.
For extra entries, do any or all of the following:
Subscribe to Diet, Dessert and Dogs, follow me on twitter, or “like” the DDD Facebook page; then come back here and leave a comment telling me you did so (a separate comment for each one, please);
tweet about the giveaway and use @rickiheller in your tweet so I’ll see it, then come back here and leave a comment telling me you did so;
post about the giveaway on your own blog or Facebook page, tagging or linking to Diet, Dessert and Dogs so I’ll see it; then come back here and leave a comment telling me you did so.
The giveaway will remain open until midnight on Monday, September 12th my time. Then I’ll choose a winner at random and announce the winner the following day.
Good luck, everyone!
Cream of Zucchini Soup (adapted from Unprocessed by Chef AJ)
This rich and creamy soup is a great way to use the bounty of zucchini you’ll find around this time of year. If the weather is chilly, I bet it would be just as good warmed a bit as well.
2 small zucchini, washed and trimmed, cut into chunks
3/4 cup (180 ml) unsweetened plain almond, soy or hemp milk
Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until silky smooth. Garnish with more basil, if desired. Serve immediately, or warm and then serve. Makes 2-3 servings.
Back in my callow twenties (and even into my thirties), I was one of those annoyingly punctual people who submitted essays three days early, was always the first one at the restaurant, or who arrived with 30 minutes to spare at the dentist. I’d cast a scowling glance at friends who arrived late for our meetings, implying that their behavior was both inconsiderate and an indication of how little they valued me and my time. (How on earth did they put up with me. . .?).
Then, when I finally acquired a car of my own and could finally drive everywhere. . . suddenly I, too, was also late at least 50% of the time. These days, if I can make it to appointments without forgetting altogether, I consider it an accomplishment. (And sorry about that missed appointment last week, Dr. Chiropractor). Needless to say, I’m much more tolerant of tardiness in others these days. (And sorry for those scowling glances, Gemini I).
That pernicious lateness vibe seems to have permeated other aspects of my life in recent years, too. The HH and I have become notorious for our exorbitant late fees at the video store (so much so that last week, the cheerful cashier suggested, “Hey, why don’t you just purchase the used DVDs instead? When you buy three, you get one for free!”–which meant that the cost of three DVDs was less than the single late fee we paid for one. Thanks, Mr. Video Store Cashier. Oh, and would anyone like a gently used copy of Date Night?).
One of the most vexing aspects of my perennial lateness is my tendency to miss out on myriad blog events in which I’d love to participate. Every month, I read over the contributions to the Adopt a Gluten-Free Blogger roundup, for instance, and think, “Why didn’t I join in? Oh, yeah–too late.” Or I browse the wonderful soups or salads in No Croutons Required and ask myself, “Gee, I made a salad this month–now why didn’t I enter it? Oh, yeah–too late.” Or maybe I pass by the post for My Legume Love Affair one month, and wonder, “Hey–now how come I didn’t submit something to this? Oh, yeah–too late.” Just call me the female version of Alice’s Lapinefriend (well, minus the red jacket and whiskers, that is. Though now that menopause is imminent, I’m told it may become just “minus the jacket” soon. Sorry, HH. )
Well, I’ve been following Lisa and Nicole’s raw challenges for a few months now, and I always intend to participate. But then. . . .yep, you guessed it, I’m too late. When I read their post about the Raw Mini Pie Challenge, I decided that this time, I’d start early and be sure to get my entry in on time. One can dream. . . . And now, here it is, the Friday night of the event deadline, and I am just writing up my post. Well, better late than. . . . oh, no, wait. Not this time!
I found my inspiration for this raw dessert in yet another Martha Stewart recipe (this one, which was baked), as well as on Lisa’s own blog. I decided to reproduce the concept of apricot cheesecake in a raw mini pie.
These little confections pair a gingerbread “cookie” crust with a satiny smooth cashew cream cheese base and tangy fresh apricot swirl. The luscious cheese presents the perfect yin to the lemon-infused apricot’s yang (and the pattern even resembles the yin-yang a little). I’d say the cheese filling in these, a cross between a New York style cheesecake and a mousse, is better than any dairy-based cheesecake I’ve ever had, hands down.
The HH and I adored these indulgent little treats a few nights ago, right before we watched The Social Network. And since we now own the DVD, there were no worries about being late for the movie.
Now if only I can manage to make it to the dentist on time. . . .
These rich little bites are a perfect combination of tart, sweet, creamy and chewy. A great treat after an end-of-summer meal.To keep the recipe raw, use raw almond milk that you make yourself.
1 Tbsp (15 ml) whole chia seeds, ground to a fine powder in a coffee grinder
pinch fine sea salt
1 Tbsp (15 ml) finely grated fresh ginger
2 Tbsp (30 ml) yacon syrup
50-70 drops plain or vanilla stevia liquid
up to 2 Tbsp (30 ml) plain or vanilla unsweetened almond milk (make your own or, if you’re not worried about it being raw, use milk from a carton)
For the Apricot Swirl:
3-4 small fresh apricots, pitted and cut in quarters
2 tsp (10 ml) white chia seeds, ground to a fine powder in a coffee grinder
1 Tbsp (15 ml) fresh lemon juice
10-20 drops plain or vanilla stevia liquid
Make the filling: Place all ingredients in a high-powered blender (such as a VitaMix) and blend until silky smooth. This make take a while and you may have to use the wand to push the ingredients toward the blades and scrape down the sides several times. Remove to a bowl and allow to sit while you prepare the crust.
Make the crust: Place the pecans, almonds, coconut, cinnamon, chia meal and salt in the bowl of a food processor and process until it resembles a fine meal. Add the remaining ingredients and process just until it comes together in a “dough”. Do not add the milk unless absolutely necessary! Try pinching the crumbled dough between your fingers; if it sticks together, it’s fine, even if it appears a bit dry.
Make the apricot swirl: Place all ingredients in a blender (or use a hand blender) and blend until smooth. The mixture will be semi-liquid but should firm up as the chia absorbs the moisture.
Assemble the pies: Divide the crust dough among 5-6 tart tins (4-6 inches/10-15 cm each), pressing on the bottom and up the sides. Fill with the cheesecake filling, dividing it evenly among the pans. Using a 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) measuring spoon, dollop the apricot spread haphazardly over the top of the cheesecake filling, leaving some white spaces. Using the tip of a sharp knife, pull it through the apricot mixture in different directions to create a marbled effect.
Place the pies in the refrigerator and chill for at least 6 hours or overnight to allow the cheesecake filling to firm up. Store in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Makes 4-6 mini pies.
Note: If you have any leftover apricot spread, save it in a covered container in the refrigerator to use as fresh jam on toast, pancakes, or crackers (it will keep up to 3 days in the refrigerator).
Hope everyone had a great weekend! Mine was filled with about 200 exams to mark. . . luckily, there were also some wonderful eats (see below), including more salad dressing made with my Nutra-Vege entirely animal-free Omega 3 oil. I’m so glad that you all seem as excited about it as I am (even those of you in the US who couldn’t enter the contest–so sorry! But the next one will be worldwide.).
I’ve chosen three winners at random, who will each receive a bottle of the oil. If your name is on this list, please contact me at dietdessertdogsATgmailDOTcom with your full name and mailing address so I can get your oil out to you asap! (If I don’t hear from you within a week, I’ll choose another winner).
And the winners are. . . .
TERRI! Terri said, “Trying to get in lots of omega 3s before we start trying to get preggo!” (Best of luck with it!)
LAUREL ALANNA McBRINE! Laurel wrote, “Went to Ascenta – learned that the conversion ratio is way better than flax and less calories/cost since one bottle of NutraVege equals FOUR bottles of flax oil!” I was really impressed with that fact, too!
JACQUI! Here’s Jacqui’s comment: “I would love to try the Nutra-vege! I am just starting to transition to a vegan diet (slowly) and am needing a vegan option for Omega 3 after my current is gone!” I think you’ll love this option, Jacqui, and it’s 100% vegan.
Congrats to all three of you!
“That’s great for the winners, Mum! And you know that we also like NutraVege, –dogs can eat vegan food, too!”
“Gulp! But we’ll still get our peanut butter treats, right, Elsie?”
(No worries, Chaser. You will still get your favorite PB treats. )
And for everyone else, here’s a little consolation prize I’ll serve up in my next post:
Quite possibly the lightest, fluffiest pancakes I’ve ever made!
[As I mentioned last time, I'm thrilled beyond words that my cookbook, Sweet Freedom, is one of only three cookbooks recommended on Ellen DeGeneres's new "Going Vegan with Ellen" page! If you've had success with the recipes or if you have the book and like it, please hop over and leave a comment to let Ellen know as well!]
There’s just enough time to squeeze in one more summer giveaway before we all head back to the city from the cottage, back to school from the parks and beaches, back to work from our holidays, or just back to autumn after the long, lazy, delightful days of summer–so how could I resist? Besides, with autumn in the air in these parts (the mornings are already feeling a wee bit chilly), I needed something to cheer me up!
These days, the importance for Omega 3s, those essential fatty acids (EFAs) that we can only acquire from foods (our body can’t make them) is being emphasized all over the media and the supermarket aisles. EFAs are even added to foods in which they’d never appear naturally (such as orange juice), in what seems to me a pseudo-GMO fashion. And everyone is concerned about how to get their fill.
When I was in nutrition school back in the early 2000s, hardly anyone had even heard of Omega 3s. In class, we learned that the best sources for EFAs were salmon, walnuts, and flax seeds. Our teachers advised us to consume at least 1-2 teaspoons (10 ml) of the stuff a day. And the product they recommended most often to ensure we achieved our daily quota was fish oil.
For couple of years after school ended, I forced myself to take my fish oil daily, despite the fact that I was entirely unhappy with its source; further, the “lemon flavor” never really tasted like lemon to me, and I had a hard time swallowing it (literally). I tried mixing it in smoothies, but found that the flavor simply overpowered the smoothie. Finally, I determined to stop taking it when I cut other animal products out completely, and I turned to walnuts, flax and, later on, chia seeds for my Omega 3s.
Well, imagine my surprise when I learned that there’s a totally vegan Omega 3 oil out there, and one that is derived from plant and algae sources! When I was contacted by Kristine from Ascenta Health to see whether I was interested in reviewing their vegan Omega 3 oil, I was most surprised to discover that the company for which she worked was the same one that made NutraSea! The product she offered me was a vegan counterpart, called NutraVege.
I agreed to try the oil, making no promises. The bottle arrived a few days later, and I set up my station by the sink: open bottle in one hand, teaspoon in the other, full glass of water to drown out the taste on the counter. I poured; I slid the spoon into my mouth; I swallowed and grabbed the glass.
And then–the strangest thing happened! There was no need to drink. No need to mask the flavor at all, in fact, because it was actually extremely pleasant! The oil is smooth and clear with a subtle citrus note that lingers for a few seconds. In fact, the taste was so pleasant that I felt I could happily incorporate the oil into my recipes, though honestly, you can eat this stuff entirely on its own.
First I added some to a smoothie (this one has kale, cucumber, lettuce, plum, cinnamon, and coconut water):
As I suspected, it was dee-licious!
Next, I made this fantastic salad based on a recipe from Nava Atlas’s VegKitchen, subbing part of the oil with NutraVege. The addition of a citrus boost worked beautifully with the lime-based dressing. (You could also simply use olive oil for the dressing if you don’t have the NutraVege at home, of course).
Apart from its lovely flavor, NutraVege is also a powerful source of Omega 3s for vegans (with 20 times more DHA than flax, according to their website). One of the problems with plant-based sources of Omega-3s is that they don’t readily convert to DHA (those with low thyroid function, for instance, have a hard time with flax-based Omega 3s), but since NutraVege is derived from the Echium plantagineum plant (I had never heard of it before, either!), its source is readily converted and so offers a great alternative to fish-based oils. And the Algal DHA it contains is identical to that found in fish, since it’s actually the source eaten by the fish to provide their own DHA. (The company also provides a neat little chart comparing their oil to flax oil in terms of both cost and effectiveness. Take a look for more info.).
I was so thrilled with the sample, in fact, that I wrote back to Kristine and I askedher if I could give some away to one of you! She graciously agreed and then offered not one, not two, but three prizes to lucky DDD readers!
So if you’d like to win a bottle of Nutra-Vege of your very own, here’s all you have to do:
1) Live in Canada (so sorry, US friends–this is one giveaway restricted to Canada. I promise the next one will be open to everyone!).
2) Leave a Commenton this post telling me why you’d like to try it.
3) For extra entries, check out the Ascenta website and tell me one interesting fact you found there; follow @Ascenta_Health on twitter; tweet about the giveaway (using @rickiheller so I see it); ”like” Diet, Dessert and Dogs on Facebook and leave a comment on the wall; follow me on twitter and send me a tweet to @rickiheller; blog about this with a link back to this page; post about it on Facebook and link to Diet, Dessert and Dogs either here or on Facebook. For each of these, please come back here and leave a separate comment so I know you did so.
I’m really excited to have a healthy, delicious and vegan alternative to fish oils available for a great boost of Omega 3s and 6s. Now it’s easy to obtain all your essential fatty acids without animal products!
The giveaway will remain open until Friday, August 19th at midnight. I’ll then choose three winners at random and post their names by Monday. Please be sure to come back on Monday and check whether or not you’ve won! If I don’t hear from the winners within a week of announcing them, I’ll choose new winner(s).
Good luck, everyone!
And if you’d like to try that amazing salad, here ‘s the recipe.
Raw Sweet Potato and Greens Slaw (suitable for ACD all stages)
The minute I saw the recipe for Raw Sweet Potato and Cabbage Salad on Nava Atlas’s VegKitchen, I knew I had to try it. Grated raw sweet potato is perfect alongside these hearty shredded greens. I recombined Nava’s original ingredients in the blender for a creamy version of her dressing.
1/2 large sweet potato, peeled and grated
2 cups (480 ml) very thinly sliced dark leafy greens (I used a mix of chard and kale)
2 green onions, thinly sliced
1/2 cup (120 ml) fresh cilantro
heaping 1/4 cup (70 ml) raw cashews
1 Tbsp (15 ml) extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil, preferably organic
2 tsp (10 ml) Nutra-Vege Omega 3 oil (or use more olive/avocado oil)
1/2-1 tsp (2.5-5 ml) dried chili flakes, to your taste
Place the sweet potato, greens and green onion in a salad bowl and toss to distribute evenly. Set aside.
In a blender, combine the remaining ingredients. Blend until smooth (you may need to add 1-2 Tbsp/15-30 ml water to achieve a pourable consistency).
Pour the dressing over the salad in the bowl and toss to coat well. Allow to sit for 20-30 minutes to allow the greens to soften a bit and for the flavors to blend. Makes 4-6 servings. Keep, covered in the refrigerator, up to 2 days.
And don’t forget: you can still submit your healthy recipe to this week’s Wellness Weekend, until midnight tomorrow (Monday)!
Thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway for a copy of Amy’s book, Simply Sugar and Gluten Free! I was thrilled that so many of you are interested in cooking without gluten or sugar. . . and having this book full of delicious and easy recipes!
Thanks to random.org, we have a winner!
Congratulations to Caroline, Number 103! Here’s Caroline’s comment:
Wow, these all sound amazing and incredibly healthy! I’m sure her cookbook has even more great recipes to look at and try!
Well, Caroline, now you’ll be able to try them! Please email me at dietdessertdogsATgmailDOTcom with your full name and mailing address so I can be sure your book gets out to you asap.
And be sure to come back tomorrow when I post my savory submission to this month’s SOS Kitchen Challenge featuring blueberries!
“Yeah, congrats to Caroline, Mum! And I do hope you know that dogs like blueberries, too, right?”
