Happy Thursday, Wellness Weekenders! Hope your transition to April (what? already??) has been a smooth one. Over here in the DDD household, we don’t “do” April Fool’s, so all is still calm and peaceful.
(“What do you mean, Mum? Chaser does April Fool’s. She also does May Fool’s, June Fool’s, July Fool’s, August-–”
“Aw, c’mon, Elsie. You know that’s just my naturally exuberant personality.Better be nice to me or you might just see MY face up there on that logo next week.“).
Whatever the month, we had a slew of great recipes–as usual–from all of YOU--last week! With Easter and Passover both this weekend, I’m looking forward to lots of holiday-themed dishes along with all the regular fare this week.
Newsy Tidbits
It’s almost time for Nourished! The only food blogger conference for all special diet bloggers–not just gluten-free–takes place next Friday, April 13th! I’ll be wrapping up my presentation details, prepping some travel food and packing my bags over the coming week. Have you got your ticket yet? Hope to see you there!
Shirley’s got a great giveaway for Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips--she’s giving away SIX BAGS to ONE READER! Giveaway closes tomorrow, Friday, April 6–so hop on over to Shirley’s blog and enter!
The Blissful Chef is giving away a Silpat mat for your baking and cooking pleasure! Details here.
I didn’t publish a holiday roundup for Easter/Passover this year, but you can check out these other bloggers’ roundups, and previous DDD versions:
Alta at Tasty Eats at Home has this roundup full of healthy recipes (some vegan)
This week, I decided to focus on bloggers who are new to Wellness Weekends. So how about a warm welcome (sounds like I’m introducing a standup comic or something) to these fine folks:
Chocolate Avocado Banana Pudding from Sensual Appeal. Kammie is a new blogger whose blog is filled with healthy, yummy food and gorgeous photos, like these!
Readers’ Choice, Sweet: Raw Vegan Chocolate Brownie Bites from Wayfaring Chocolate. Hannah does it again. . . this gal knows her raw balls, all right!
Thank you to every one of you who played along by submitting your recipes! I love seeing what you all make each week. I always look forward to seeing what you’ll come up with!
Please join us for Wellness Weekend this weekend! There are so many options for healthy foods. . . whether or not you’re vegan, remember that many salads, veggie side dishes, pasta dishes, desserts, smoothies, and more are naturally vegan and can all be included!
Here’s How to Participate:
The event occurs once a week, starting Thursdays at 8:00 PM my time and running until the following Monday at midnight.
Simply link up a recipe you made (and posted about) that contains health-supporting ingredients (see list below). You may link up older posts from your archives as long as they contain a link to this post. Please do not link more than once to the same page from your blog.
Please link the post with your recipe, NOT your blog’s home page or another event page. The post must contain a recipe.
You may submit more than one recipe, but please follow the guidelines for each one individually. ONLY ONE THUMBNAIL FROM EACH BLOG POST, PLEASE. If your post contains two suitable recipes, link up once and people will still see all your fabulous recipes when they click on the linky.
Please be sure to mention this event and include a link back to this post so that others can find all the recipes posted!
Feel free to use the blog badge, above (or see the left sidebar of this page–if you need the html code, let me know and I’ll send it to you). Many thanks to Adrienne of Whole New Mom for setting up the badge code for me!
What your recipe CAN contain:
Any good-for-you, whole foods, especially those with antioxidant properties or “functional foods” (ie, offering naturally medicinal or health-promoting qualities–such as garlic, coconut oil, all vegetables, fruits, herbs, etc.)–but any fresh, real food is welcome!
Natural sweeteners (coconut sugar, agave, brown rice syrup, maple syrup, stevia, Sucanat, rapadura, coconut nectar, yacon syrup, etc.)
Vegan ingredients (even if you’re not vegan, OF COURSE you can still play along! You’ll be surprised at how many foods are naturally vegan; and if not, there are many subs you can use for eggs, milk or butter–include vegan options and we’re good to go!).
Note that this is NOT AN ACD-ONLY EVENT. Any real food ingredients that are sugar-free and vegan are more than welcome–so use that maple syrup, those mushrooms, that nutritional yeast, miso, etc! I’m just looking for healthy, whole foods recipes.
What your recipe cannot contain:
White flour, white sugar, or any highly refined, highly processed ingredients (note that regular brown sugar is actually refined!);
Anything almost entirely artificial (ie, most boxed mixes, fast food, faux “cheese,” faux “meat,” or margarine, unnaturally colored cereals or other foods, etc.);
Animal products (meat, chicken, fish or seafood, or their by-products, gelatin, eggs, dairy, butter or honey).
“Hey! Why was my entry removed?”
I will reluctantly remove any links that don’t comply. I apologize, but I will no longer be able to leave a comment telling you that I’ve removed a non-compliant link.
The most common reason entries are removed is because they don’t adhere to the guidelines:either they don’t contain a link back to this post, they contain ingredients that aren’t listed here, they link to another blog event, or they contain neither a recipe nor anything directly related to food preparation. If you render a recipe vegan-friendly by adding a vegan option to your ingredients, your post will be good to go! For older posts, you’re welcome to re-post them during the week of the event, or choose a newer recipe.
Another reason posts are removed is because the link leads to an advertisement or a business blog. Please do NOT link up posts that are merely referrals to a different post or the home page for another blog event.
I hate to have to remove links! PLEASE read the guidelines before posting!
And n0w. . . what have you been cooking up lately? Please share!
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Never miss a recipe–or a comment from The Girls! Click here to subscribe to Diet, Dessert and Dogs via email. (“We love subscribers, Mum. . . almost as much as treats!”)
Before I begin this review–and in the spirit of full disclosure–I must confess to you all that my opinions in this blog post are biased.
No, not because I was paid to do this review (which I wasn’t); not because I received a free copy of the book (which I did); and not because I was asked to write something specific by the publishers (which I wasn’t). No, it’s because my own personal views of the author and her work have undoubtedly influenced what I will write here.
You see, ever since I first discovered the cookbooks of Nava Atlas (classics like Vegetariana; or Vegan Express; or Vegan Soups and Hearty Stews) , I’ve been in love with her recipes. They tend to embody “my” kind of food: mostly whole foods, lots of comfort-food dishes, innovative and interesting combinations of flavors, textures, spices and herbs. Good, hearty fare.
And while we’re on the topic of true confessions, let me also admit that when I find myself with a bunch of unassigned broccoli in my fridge, or a few lone kiwis in the fruit bowl, or a butternut squash lingering on the counter, it’s to Atlas’s books that I turn first to see what she’ll offer. I have never made a Nava Atlas recipe that didn’t work according to directions; and I’ve never made a Nava Atlas recipe that I didn’t like.
So, with that declaration off my chest (whew!), and both Easter and Passover just around the corner, I’ll move right to my review of the book. And I’m sure it will be no surprise to learn that I think highly of this one, too.
As it turns out, most of us do judge a book by its cover, and Vegan Holiday Kitchenis a visually beautiful book. Warm, earthy tones and opulent gilt edging grace its cover (along with a show-stopping photo by Susan Voisin–she of Fat Free Vegan fame–whose photos also occupy the interior of the book). The exceptional production values are evident throughout, from paper that’s thick and sturdy, to text that’s easy to read, to additional tips and notes and winsome line drawings (which I assume are Atlas’s own–the woman is also a talented visual artist) on chapter headers. Recipes are written in an easy-to-follow, clear and concise style, each one indicating specific dietary restrictions for which it is suitable.
The introduction offers various useful tips on how to navigate the holiday season as a vegan who may be strapped for time, invited to an omnivorous celebration, hosting an event, or wishing to make certain dishes ahead of time (while not Atlas’s preference, she does include a few pointers nonetheless).
Chapters cover all major holidays such as Thanksgiving; Christmas (and the attendant holiday season in general); Jewish holidays (Passover, Rosh Hashanah and Hanukkah); Independence Day and Summer Entertaining (applicable to any summer holiday); and an entire chapter on Brunches, Appetizers and Potluck Dishes (for which this brunch lover was very grateful). Each chapter begins with an entertaining and informative section that discusses the holiday and how it can be adapted as a vegan celebration.
The first recipe I made may well be the most famous from the book (at least, I keep seeing photos of it floating around the blogosphere): the Red Quinoa Pilaf with Kale and Corn. Deceptively simple to put together, this is a filling, warming and satisfying dish highlighted by an unusual pairing of rosemary and cumin. I took Atlas’s advice and added beans to convert the side dish to a main meal. The smoky roasted peppers complemented the sweet, juicy pop of corn kernels and firm bite of kale in each mouthful. This would make a wonderful autumn or winter dish for any occasion.
Next up was the Squash, Sweet Potato and Corn Chowder. Initially, I chose this soup as a vehicle to use up the rest the bag of organic corn I’d purchased for the pilaf (and since I love sweet potatoes beyond measure, I’m happy to eat themanywhichway). Upon reading the recipe (which combines butternut squash along with the sweet potato in a slightly sweet, slightly chunky soup), I was concerned that the spices might prove too strong for the delicate flavors of the vegetables. But once the soup simmered according to instructions, it softened and developed a perfectly smooth and subtle flavor with a great savory undertone. The HH had nothing but praise for this one and made me promise to make it again.
Finally, I turned to the Spectacular Spring Salad. With my recent decision to cut back a bit on grains, I’ve been enjoying a variety of salads, most of them featuring my favorite green, kale, as the base. Since we don’t regularly consume the bitter greens in this salad (watercress, arugula and radicchio), it seemed like a good choice. Combined with more common ingredients such as radishes, avocado and carrots, it was, indeed, a spectacular tangle with greens, sprouts and seeds. Tossed with a simple, fresh dressing, it created a perfect first course.
On my list of recipes still to try are Moroccan-Flavored Tofu with Apricots and Olives; Corn Fritters with Cilantro Sauce; Watermelon and Peach Gazpacho; White Bean and Sun-dried Tomato Pate; Sweet Potato-Poppyseed Coleslaw; and Rice and Pecan Stuffed Squash. But honestly, this list is bound only by my dietary restrictions; if I could eat mushrooms, or gluten (some of the recipes for desserts look divine), or maple syrup, well–I’d likely have tagged every single recipe in the book.
I may be biased, but if you’re heading into the holidays next week still looking for menu options; or if you’ve invited someone at your table to whom you’d like to give a worthwhile gift; or if you’re planning ahead for warm weather Bar-B-Q’s and brunches–well, get yourself to the closest bookstore buy Vegan Holiday Kitchen. I know that, like Atlas’s other books in my collection, this one is destined to be my go-to source any time I’m planning a special occasion meal.
Spectacular Spring Salad from Vegan Holiday Kitchen (reprinted with permission by the author)
Suitable for the anti-candida diet, all stages
1 bunch watercress leaves
2 good handfuls baby arugula
1/2 head radicchio, thinly sliced
1 cup (240 ml) baby carrots, halved
1 medium-firm, ripe avocao, pitted, peeled and cut into small dice
4-6 radishes, thinly sliced
1 cup or so (240 ml) sprouts, preferably pea shoots or other large green sprouts
3 small seedless oranges, peeled and sectioned [not ACD-friendly; I used green apple]
1/4 cup (60 ml) toasted sunflower seeds
2 Tbsp (30 ml) extra-virgin olive oil, or more, to taste
2 Tbsp (30 ml) lemon juice, or more, to taste
salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Combine all ingredients in a serving bowl and toss together.
Makes 8 servings.
Never miss a recipe–or a comment from The Girls! Click here to subscribe to Diet, Dessert and Dogs via email. (“We love subscribers, Mum. . . almost as much as treats!”)
Good Evening, Wellness Weekenders! This past week has been a crazy melée of writing, school prep, recipe development and dealing with a disconnected muffler (we found it dragging on the driveway)–which is why I’ve neglected the blog and missed all of you!
That’s why I’m so glad to have these weekly link-ups, which bring in so many fabulous recipes and little “hello’s” from all of you in the comments section. Thanks for the wonderful contributions to last week’s event, and for continuing to stop by and take part!
Newsy Tidbits
Andrea Nakayama and I kicked off our Sweet Victory sugar detox course last Saturday, and we’re going gangbusters to get out that sugar! With almost 50 participants, our group is taking up the challenge admirably, providing all kinds of great feedback and support on the Message Board (where Andrea and I also check in several times a day). If you missed our first call, it’s not too late to join in! Last week’s call is available as a recording on the site, and you can still have access to all the other features plus our second call live this weekend. Check here if you’d like to join in this coming Saturday, March 31st!
Hallie over at Daily Bites is giving away a pack of From the Ground Up products--GF grains and baking mixes. The best part about these is that they’ll custom mix them for you–either with or without certain ingredients as you require! Hop on over to Hallie’s blog to enter.
For those of you who celebrate Passover, my friend Cara has a series called “Passover Prep” in which she discusses the different aspects of the holiday and provides a new Passover-friendly recipe each post. This week’s recipe is Raspberry Crumble Squares (which look great for any time of year, frankly!).
And now, as we move into Easter and Passover season, I thought that the theme of “good for a holiday table” might fit right in! Here are this week’s picks:
Brussels Sprouts Done Right from Green Veg’n Living. I love brussels sprouts all on their own, but I thought the addition of this second green veggie made this dish totally irresistible!
Omega Wild Rice Salad from My Munchable Musings would make a great side dish at a holiday table. And extra Omegas are always a good idea!
Five Layers of Dessert Heaven from Cats in the Kitchen. This trifle-like concoction of brownies, cream, berries and more looks like a perfect way to cap off a holiday meal. And bonus cute dog/cat pics!
And this week’s Readers’ Choices:
Readers’ Choice, Savory:Quinoa Flour Tortillas from Cara’s Cravings. These are part of that Passover Prep series I mentioned above. . .see, told you it was a great series!
Readers’ Choice, Sweet: Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Dough Cinnamon Rolls from Vegan Mommy Chef. I think the title says it all–two favorite sweet treats combined in one amazing dessert!
Thank you to every one of you who played along by submitting your recipes! I love seeing what you all make each week. I always look forward to seeing what you’ll come up with!
Please join us for Wellness Weekend this weekend! There are so many options for healthy foods. . . whether or not you’re vegan, remember that many salads, veggie side dishes, pasta dishes, desserts, smoothies, and more are naturally vegan and can all be included!
Here’s How to Participate–PLEASE NOTE NEW GUIDELINES!!
The event occurs once a week, starting Thursdays at 8:00 PM my time and running until Monday at midnight.
Simply link up a recipe you made (and posted about) that contains health-supporting ingredients (see list below). You may link up older posts from your archives as long as they contain a link to this post. Please do not link more than once to the same page from your blog.
Please link the post with your recipe, NOT your blog’s home page or another event page. The post must contain a recipe.
You may submit more than one recipe, but please follow the guidelines for each one individually. ONLY ONE THUMBNAIL FROM EACH BLOG POST, PLEASE.
Please be sure to mention this event and include a link back to this post so that others can find all the recipes posted!
Feel free to use the blog badge, above (or see the left sidebar of this page–if you need the html code, let me know and I’ll send it to you). Many thanks to Adrienne of Whole New Mom for setting up the badge code for me!
As always, I hate to remove links, but will do so if they don’t comply with the guidelines. I will try to email you to let you know, but I can’t always do so–if you’re wondering why your post was removed, you can email me, or read the last section below.
What your recipe CAN contain:
Any good-for-you, whole foods, especially those with antioxidant properties or “functional foods” (ie, offering naturally medicinal or health-promoting qualities–such as garlic, coconut oil, all vegetables, fruits, herbs, etc.)–but any fresh, real food is welcome!
Natural sweeteners (coconut sugar, agave, brown rice syrup, maple syrup, stevia, Sucanat, rapadura, coconut nectar, yacon syrup, etc.)
Vegan ingredients (even if you’re not vegan, OF COURSE you can still play along! You’ll be surprised at how many foods are naturally vegan; and if not, there are many subs you can use for eggs, milk or butter–include vegan options and we’re good to go!).
Note that this is NOT AN ACD-ONLY EVENT. Any real food ingredients that are sugar-free and vegan are more than welcome–so use that maple syrup, those mushrooms, that nutritional yeast, miso, etc! I’m just looking for healthy, whole foods recipes.
What your recipe cannot contain:
White flour, white sugar, or any highly refined, highly processed ingredients (note that regular brown sugar is actually refined!);
Anything almost entirely artificial (ie, most boxed mixes, fast food, faux “cheese,” faux “meat,” or margarine, unnaturally colored cereals or other foods, etc.);
Animal products (meat, chicken, fish or seafood, or their by-products, gelatin, eggs, dairy, butter or honey).
“Hey! Why was my entry removed?”
I will reluctantly remove any links that don’t comply. I apologize, but I will no longer be able to leave a comment telling you that I’ve removed a non-compliant link.
The most common reason entries are removed is because they don’t adhere to the guidelines:either they don’t contain a link back to this post, they contain ingredients that aren’t listed here, they are a re-post of a blog entry that is more than one week old, they link to another blog event, or they contain neither a recipe nor anything directly related to food preparation. If you render a recipe vegan-friendly by adding a vegan option to your ingredients, your post will be good to go! For older posts, you’re welcome to re-post them during the week of the event, or choose a newer recipe.
Another reason posts are removed is because the link leads to an advertisement or a business blog. Please do NOT link up posts that are merely referrals to a different post or the home page for another blog event.
Only one thumbnail per post, please. If your post contains two suitable recipes, link up once and people will still see all your fabulous recipes when they click on the linky.
I hate to have to remove links! PLEASE read the guidelines before posting!
And n0w. . . what have you been cooking up lately? Please share!
Wow, it’s been a crazy few weeks since I returned back to work on March 1st. My, my–where has the time gone? Last night marked a true melding of my work with my avocation, with the first ever college-sanctioned tweet chat for my classes. The students loved it (and I must admit I had fun), but it meant that this post was deferred until today. And I’ve been itching to share this recipe!
So, are there any Mad Menfans out there? On the season premier last Sunday, the ineffable Don Draper–that raven haired, steely eyed, cut-throat ad man with the not-so-washboard-abs–shocked his co-worker Peggy by doing something. . . nice. To what can we attribute this sudden transformation in Don (nee Dick)’s persona? Well, rumor has it, the kinder, gentler Don is most likely due to his new French-Canadian bride, Megan. Love heals all psychic wounds! (Well, and it doesn’t hurt to have a killer body in a micro-miniskirt, either).
The show got me thinking about that age-old concept of yin and yang. You know the one–the ancient Chinese notion positing two complementary forces in our lives (and all of nature), which are natural opposites of each other: Yin is known as the calm, docile, damp, female aspect; while Yang is the fiery, passionate, bright, excitable, male one . When I first learned about this theory, I was outraged at the ostensible sexism inherent in the ideas: as usual, females were pegged as “docile” and “calm” and “powerless.” However, more research revealed that the traditional definition proposes both yin and yang in each of us; and, in an endless circle, they come together, move apart, come together again, all the while supporting each other. Each is necessary for the other to exist. In other words, a perfect symbiosis bewtween equals.
When you think about it, there’s evidence of yin and yang all around us in the natural world: Morning and evening. Vinegar and oil (which actually go together well in salad dressings). Charcoal and Chalk. Sugar and salt (which go together in many desserts). Summer and winter. Sweating and shivering. Elsie and Chaser. Corvette and Volvo. Love and marriage (which go together like a horse and carriage). The HH and me.
You get the idea.
So, despite her cheesy, ratings-booster rendition of Zou Bisou Bisou during which she twitched and flitted around the room like a boozed up butterfly, Megan, I’ve decided, is the perfect foil for Don. She’s impassioned, fiery (definitely some ”masculine” yin in that lady) and unaffected; while Don is rendered calmer and more benign because of her presence, suggesting that he’s more of a complex human being and less of a wax figure at Madame Tussaud’s (albeit one with great hair). It’s a win-yin situation all around.
Before I wrote up this recipe, I posted a teaser photo on Facebook (above) and asked readers to guess what these were. I was tickled to see how many people guessed “dessert” for this recipe (I guess my reputation precedes me). My favorite response came from Bob: “If it has to do with all 3 [parts of this blog's name], then I guess its a rice cake with a carob spread on top but tastes terrible so you give it to the dog!” Too funny, Bob. In fact, The Girls do tend to “test” almost everything I create (unless it contains onions, chocolate, raisins, or other dog-antipathetic ingredients).
(“We love being your taste-testers, Mum! Your food is delicious! Then again, we never bother to chew anything before we gulp it down, so we don’t actually know what it tastes like.”)
I consider these crackers a perfect embodiment of yin-yang principles in one food. The black nori sheet provides the necessary backbone for the crunchy, spicy cracker portion to maintain its form. Alternately, the grain- and nut-free, seed-based cracker is the perfect flavor foil to the seaweed: savory, spicy, and nubby-textured, the yang to the subtle umami nori (which also offers amazing nutritional properties, mega-mineral content and Omega 3 fats). And, of course, each triangle visually evokes the yin-yang opposites beautifully with its black-and-beige color contrast.
I must admit that I blatantly copied the concept for these crackers from one of my favorite product lines, Live Organic Raw, which are produced alongside their restaurant of the same name here in Toronto. The HH and I both adore them, but at more than $1.00 (Cdn) per cracker, we just can’t buy them as often as we’d like. My version isn’t raw simply because I no longer have a dehydrator; but they could easily be made that way if you’re willing to dehydrate long enough to achieve the same effect.
If you’re feeling impatient for these snacks to bake, tap into the yin side of your personality (calm, slow, still) while you wait.
Or, you could just sing a few bars of Zou Bisou Bisou.
3 sheets of raw or toasted nori seaweed (the kind used for sushi)
Preheat oven to 200F (95 C). Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.
Place the onion in the bowl of a food processor and pulse a few times to chop it up. Add remaining ingredients except for nori sheets and blend until you have a chunky paste, stopping when it’s almost smooth but some bits of sunflower seed (about the size of sesame seeds) remain for texture.
Place the 3 sheets of nori on the parchment-lined sheet. Carefully spread 1/3 of the paste evenly over each sheet (using a silicone spatula to pat down the mixture is useful).
Bake in preheated oven about 1 hour, until the tops are starting to dry out. Cut each sheet in half on a diagonal, from one corner to the opposite corner to create two triangles; then cut each in half again to create 4 triangles. Separate the triangles and return to the oven for another 2-3 hours, checking every 30 minutes, until dry, crisp, and barely browned. If some of the pieces are ready before others (due to uneven seed mixture), remove those first and continue to bake the remaining crackers until they are done. Cool before consuming. Makes 12 triangles. Will last up to 10 days in a sealed bag at room temperature.
With our wacky summer-like temperatures this past week breaking records more than once, it may seem out of sync to post a pot pie recipe. And even though I first made this a few weeks ago, we’ve been enjoying it regularly since then. I like to think of it as my final nod to the winter weather that never really materialized here in Toronto. Yep, 2012 will go down in the annals of DDD as The Best Toronto Winter Ricki Has Ever Experienced. Barely any snow. An abundance of brilliant sunshine. Thermometer reading above above freezing almost every day.
And this pot pie.
When I was a kid, pot pie was most decidedly not on the menu. An avid TV watcher back then, I used to fantasize that my mom would one day cook it for us, perhaps rolling pastry while decked out in pearls and a pinstriped apron à la June Cleaver. With her tailored blouse and perfectly shellacked, upswept bouffant hair, my mother would proffer a huge Corningware casserole that she gripped on each side with blue quilted oven mitts. She’d set the dish just so on a silver trivet on the dining room table, lift the cover with a flourish as a burst of steam escaped. My father, still in his shirt and tie (never mind that in reality he was a butcher whose attire consisted of blood-stained apron and grease) would reach eagerly to dole out portions to my sisters and me as we sat waiting calmly for our mom to join us. Then we’d all nibble demurely for the next hour or so, the clink of silver on bone china the only background to our lively dinner conversation.
In the real world, pot pie proved far too daunting for my mother. While an avid baker, she never mastered pastry (the only pies my mother ever baked had crumb crusts, or crusts that my Aunty M made and delivered to us). As a result, pot pie was never something she attempted (and besides, her hair was too fine and thin to support that updo, anyway). Instead, the closest we ever got to pot pie was patty shells–or, as we knew them growing up in Montreal, vol-au-vent.
Whenever Mom returned from the supermarket with a box of patty shells, we girls knew we were in for a special treat. She’d transfer the shells to a cookie sheet and pop them in the oven, then set about heating a can of undiluted (a crucial detail) Campbell’s Cream of Chicken Soup on the stovetop. Ten minutes later, the shells were ready and my sisters and I would each grab one on our way to the kitchen table, where we squirmed impatiently until my mother grabbed the soup pot by the handle (she used a kitchen towel instead of a pot holder) and, her housedress spattered with soup, shuffled over to the table and ladled some of the sauce over each pastry. Before she made it back to the stove, my sisters and I had already demolished the shells and were stuffing the creamy goo-coated peas and carrots into our mouths.
Ah, nothing like a classic dinner.
Well, maybe it’s my anticipation of Mad Men’sreturn to the airwaves this Sunday, but I had a hankering for a pot pie. Though perhaps not quite as quick and easy as the patty shells, this variation is also nowhere nearly as complicated as my imaginary 1960s version, either. Taking a cue from my friend Kelly, I created a crumble topping that requires absolutely no rolling or fluting of pie crust. The filling is a simple combination of sautéed vegetables and chickpeas (browning the garbanzos deepens the savory characteristic of the beans while softening the texture for a perfect addition to this filling). Add a quick and simple creamy sauce, bake in a casserole dish and–voilà!–a latter day pot pie that won’t stress you out.
Feel free to wear your hair any way you like when you serve it.
Chickpea Pot Pie (Suitable for ACD Stage 2 and beyond)
Forget about pie crust–this pot pie with a super-simple crumble crust is the ultimate comfort food. And so easy! The chickpeas add protein and bulk so you’ll feel pleasantly full and satisfied.
For the Filling:
2 Tbsp (30 ml) extra virgin olive oil, preferably organic
2 medium carrots, diced
1 medium onion, diced
2 stalks celery, diced
2 cups (240 ml) cooked chickpeas (about one large can–19 oz or 540 ml)
1/4 cup (60 ml) coconut oil, preferably organic, chilled
1/4 cup (60 ml) plain unsweetened soy or almond milk
Preheat oven to 375 F (190 C). Grease a casserole dish with coconut oil or spray with nonstick spray and set aside.
In a large nonstick frypan, heat the olive oil over medium heat and add the carrots, onion, celery and chickpeas. Sauté until the onions are translucent and the chickpeas just begin to brown, 10-12 minutes. Stir in the parsley and dill and turn off heat.
Meanwhile, make the sauce: In a medium pot, melt the coconut oil withthe rice flour over medium-low heat. Cook and stir for a minute or two, then slowly whisk in about 1/2 cup (120 ml) of the milk until well blended. Add the other 1/2 cup (120 ml) and whisk to blend. Add the remaining ingredients and whisk until smooth; turn off heat. Add the vegetables to the sauce in the pot and stir gently just to coat them; pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish.
Make the crumble topping: In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, xanthan gum and salt. Break the coconut oil into small pieces and scatter it over the flour, then pinch the mixture between your thumb and fingers until crumbly and all the oil is incorporated. Drizzle with the milk and toss with a fork until it comes together in a moist, crumbly mixture.
Scatter the crumble mixture evenly over the vegetables in the casserole. Bake in preheated oven for 35-45 minutes, until the biscuits are lightly browned on top and the filling is bubbling at the sides. Makes 4-6 servings. May be frozen.
Never miss a recipe–or a comment from The Girls! Click here to subscribe to Diet, Dessert and Dogs via email. (“We love subscribers, Mum. . . almost as much as treats!”)
[Regular raw cookie dough balls mixed with a few Irish-inclined ones (green courtesy of spirulina)].
No, it’s not your imagination; there has not been a single St. Patrick’s Day-themed recipe previously posted on this blog. It’s not that I’m opposed to them–after all, at least 50% of what I cook is green–it’s just that, since I haven’t actually celebrated St. Patty’s in over a decade myself, it often slips by without my noticing. Then, once I start seeing all the themed blog posts popping up everywhere, I suddenly realize I missed it. . . again. Well, not so this year. THIS year, I’m posting a St. Patrick’s Day recipe at the latest possible moment on the evening before St. Patrick’s Day! Ha ha!! Faith and begorrah!
Q. What do you get when you cross poison ivy with a four-leaf clover?
A. A rash of good luck.
Another thing you don’t see much of here is any mention of the virtual panoply of other health issues that precede and sometimes supercede the ACD in my life. Without getting into too much detail, I’ve recently experienced a flareup of a different long-standing problem, and now my naturopath has decided it’s time to start an elimination diet (to rule out any offending foods that might be prompting more symptoms). Which means it’s time to revert, more or less, back to the early stages of the ACD.
To begin with, we’re cutting out grains and will cut out more foods as we go along. To prevent my renaming the blog to just, “Dogs,” I’ve been cooking and baking up a storm so that I have a stash of already-prepared recipes to blog about while I’m eating little more than celery, lemon and brown rice.
[A lighter shade of pale green. . . courtesy of matcha tea.]
What’s funny about this return to asceticism is that it feels remarkably similar to when I first started the ACD in 2009. Back then, I continued to crave sugar for much longer than the standard time period cited by most holistic healthcare practitioners (Regular People: sugar cravings eradicated in 7-10 days. Ricki: sugar cravings eradicatedtoned down on a short holiday still make the occasional appearance.)
Never iron a four-leaf clover, because you don’t want to press your luck.
In order to satisfy my raging sweet tooth (I like to think of it as my ”sweet tusk”), I would often whip up a batch of Carob Coconut Sweeties and consume the entire thing (sans guilt, since it was a single-serve batch to begin with). Keeping with the “it’s-okay-to-eat-it-all” approach, I wanted to create a recipe for a sweet snack I (or anyone) could enjoy freely on a grain-free diet. Something that is quick, indulgent, and which I don’t feel guilty consuming in its entirety, if I’m so inclined (which, let’s face it, is pretty much every time I make it).
Therefore, consider this a “mini-recipe” for grain-free raw cookie dough balls. Brittany’s recipe provided the inspiration, and I fiddled with it a bit to suit my own tastes. And because I finally got hold of some Bob’s Red Mill almond flour, I used that as a base (though I’ve been told it’s inferior to Honeyville. What do you think, if you use it?). I would love to try this with a different almond flour if I could, though I must admit it’s hard to imagine improving on this recipe. Even without the grains, these taste like veritable raw cookie dough!
Q. What’s Irish and left out on the lawn all summer?
A. Paddy O’Furniture.
If you’re going for the whimsical St. Patrick’s Day touch, either of the green variations (matcha powder or spirulina) works beautifully. I preferred the color of the matcha, which also contributed a hint of flavor as well; on the other hand, spirulina wasn’t as aesthetically pleasing but didn’t change the flavor at all. So it’s your choice.
And even though this is a twelfth-hour contribution, these can be whipped up so quickly that you’ll still be able to get them on your party table in no time at all. In other words, after you’ve imbibed one too many green beers and you realize you need something solid to mitigate all that alcohol in your system, mix these up and be ready to eat in under two minutes. Consider it a St. Patrick’s Day miracle!
Knock Knock.
Who’s There?
Irish.
Irish Who?
Irish You a Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
If you’re looking for other ways to satisfy a sweet tooth without succumbing to sugar, I hope you’ll join Andrea Nakayama and me for our upcoming online sugar detox, Sweet Victory! With strategies, the latest research about brain chemistry and cravings, plus a full menu plan, recipes and discussion forum, you’ll leave the course armed with the knowledge and skills to tame those sugar cravings once and for all. Check out the course details here. Then head over to one (or all!) of thethreeblogs currently giving away a free spot in the course ($227 value!). Hope to see you there!
Grain Free and (Optionally) Green Raw Cookie Dough Bites
Suitable for ACD Stage 2 and Beyond
These are a great snack when you’re craving something sweet and indulgent tasting–yet they won’t spike your blood sugar or crush your resolve to stay grain free and low glycemic.
In a small bowl, whisk together the nut butter, milk, glycerin, vanilla and stevia until smooth and creamy. Add the almond flour, coconut flour, salt and cinnamon and mix well to form a soft “dough.” Stir in the chips.
Scoop the mixture using a melon baller or teaspoon, then roll into balls. Refrigerate until firm, or eat as is. Makes 4-5 balls. Will keep, covered in the refrigerator, up to one week.
St. Patrick’s Day Variation: Along with the dry ingredients, stir in either 1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) matcha tea powder or 1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) spirulina powder.
Are you feeling a little green (in a good way, that is!) on this Wellness Weekend Thursday? I rarely celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, but it’s so close to today’s WW, how could I miss it?
So feel free to share all your GREEN recipes this week–and any others that are healthy, sugar free and vegan, of course!.
Newsy Tidbits
Lots of exciting news to share this week! Here’s a recap:
Essential Gluten Free Baking Guides: If you’re gluten-free, you likely already know about the long-awaited launch of two new books by gluten-free bakers extraordinaire, Iris Higgins and Brittany Angell. Their twin set, The Essential Gluten Free Baking Guidesparts I and II were published. As the recipient of an ecopy of Volume I, all I can say is, ‘WOWZAH!” (mixed with quite a bit of drool in there). The books provide an in-depth look at all aspects of gluten-free baking and how to sub ingredients. The recipes sound phenomenal and the photos are stunning. Stay tuned for a review as soon as I can bake a few samples–in the meantime, you can order your own copies here and here.
Better Health Summit: I’m honored to be part of this weekend-long online event happening March 17 and 18, hosted by Heather Nauta, a holistic nutritionist who blogs at Healthy Eating Starts Here. Heather interviewed (via video) 14 of us in the holistic health field, including luminaries such as Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn (Forks Over Knives), Donna Gates (Body Ecology Diet), Jack Norris (veganhealth.org), Dreena Burton (bestselling cookbook author) and more. You can tune in each hour–or whenever you like–to hear the interviews, then play along with a virtual “scavenger hunt” for prizes (like my 3 ebooks!). My video interview is at 4:00 PM on Sunday.
In My Gluten-Free Kitchen Event: Wendy from Celiacs in the House hosts a weekly event called My Gluten Free Kitchen in which she profiles the kitchen of a different gluten-free blogger. Some of these are spectacular, some are cozy and welcoming, some are quirky–and all are fascinating! Tune in tomorrow for the next kitchen, or peek at previous posts.
Sweet Victory is Back–and We’ve Got FIVE Free Spots to Give Away! You’ve heard me talk about it, and now it’s almost here–the Sweet Victory 2-week, online sugar detox that I co-teach with Andrea Nakayama of Replenish PDX! This course provides key information and strategies to rid yourself of sugar’s grip–plus a 2-week meal plan, recipes, and online support 24/7. We’ll be doing two live teleseminars during the course (recorded for later access if you miss them or want to review) with all the key info. We’re giving away FIVE coveted spots in this course–worth $227 each–so if you’ve ever wanted to detox from sugar, now is the time! So far, Cara, Hallie and Deanna have posted their giveaways, so head over to each of them and enter! More giveaways to come–stay tuned!
With spring so close, all I can think of is “fresh”! That means fresh ingredients–but also any fresh take on a classic dish. So that’s our theme this week! Some fresh entries:
Lavash Bhaji from Healthy Kitschy Vegan. A fresh take on Indian street food, Pav Bhaji. I’d love this over a pudla (chickpea pancake), too!
And this week’s Readers’ Choices:
Readers’ Choice, Savory:Nut Roast from GF, SCD and Veggie. I was delighted to see that you all clambor for nut roast as much as I do!
Readers’ Choice, Sweet: Homemade Protein Bars from Whole New Mom. With 150+ views already on this recipe, Adrienne hit it out of the park with this do-it-yourself protein bar!
Thank you to every one of you who played along by submitting your recipes! I love seeing what you all make each week. I always look forward to seeing what you’ll come up with!
Please join us for Wellness Weekend this weekend! There are so many options for healthy foods. . . whether or not you’re vegan, remember that many salads, veggie side dishes, pasta dishes, desserts, smoothies, and more are naturally vegan and can all be included!
Here’s How to Participate–PLEASE NOTE NEW GUIDELINES!!
The event occurs once a week, starting Thursdays at 8:00 PM my time and running until Monday at midnight.
Simply link up a recipe you made (and posted about) that contains health-supporting ingredients (see list below). You may link up older posts from your archives as long as they contain a link to this post. Please do not link more than once to the same page from your blog.
Please link the post with your recipe, NOT your blog’s home page or another event page. The post must contain a recipe.
You may submit more than one recipe, but please follow the guidelines for each one individually. ONLY ONE THUMBNAIL FROM EACH BLOG POST, PLEASE.
Please be sure to mention this event and include a link back to this post so that others can find all the recipes posted!
Feel free to use the blog badge, above (or see the left sidebar of this page–if you need the html code, let me know and I’ll send it to you). Many thanks to Adrienne of Whole New Mom for setting up the badge code for me!
As always, I hate to remove links, but will do so if they don’t comply with the guidelines. I will try to email you to let you know, but I can’t always do so–if you’re wondering why your post was removed, you can email me, or read the last section below.
What your recipe CAN contain:
Any good-for-you, whole foods, especially those with antioxidant properties or “functional foods” (ie, offering naturally medicinal or health-promoting qualities–such as garlic, coconut oil, all vegetables, fruits, herbs, etc.)–but any fresh, real food is welcome!
Natural sweeteners (coconut sugar, agave, brown rice syrup, maple syrup, stevia, Sucanat, rapadura, coconut nectar, yacon syrup, etc.)
Vegan ingredients (even if you’re not vegan, OF COURSE you can still play along! You’ll be surprised at how many foods are naturally vegan; and if not, there are many subs you can use for eggs, milk or butter–include vegan options and we’re good to go!).
Note that this is NOT AN ACD-ONLY EVENT. Any real food ingredients that are sugar-free and vegan are more than welcome–so use that maple syrup, those mushrooms, that nutritional yeast, miso, etc! I’m just looking for healthy, whole foods recipes.
What your recipe cannot contain:
White flour, white sugar, or any highly refined, highly processed ingredients (note that regular brown sugar is actually refined!);
Anything almost entirely artificial (ie, most boxed mixes, fast food, faux “cheese,” faux “meat,” or margarine, unnaturally colored cereals or other foods, etc.);
Animal products (meat, chicken, fish or seafood, or their by-products, gelatin, eggs, dairy, butter or honey).
“Hey! Why was my entry removed?”
I will reluctantly remove any links that don’t comply. I apologize, but I will no longer be able to leave a comment telling you that I’ve removed a non-compliant link.
The most common reason entries are removed is because they don’t adhere to the guidelines:either they don’t contain a link back to this post, they contain ingredients that aren’t listed here, they are a re-post of a blog entry that is more than one week old, they link to another blog event, or they contain neither a recipe nor anything directly related to food preparation. If you render a recipe vegan-friendly by adding a vegan option to your ingredients, your post will be good to go! For older posts, you’re welcome to re-post them during the week of the event, or choose a newer recipe.
Another reason posts are removed is because the link leads to an advertisement or a business blog. Please do NOT link up posts that are merely referrals to a different post or the home page for another blog event.
Only one thumbnail per post, please. If your post contains two suitable recipes, link up once and people will still see all your fabulous recipes when they click on the linky.
I hate to have to remove links! PLEASE read the guidelines before posting!
And n0w. . . what have you been cooking up lately? Please share!
* Or, CocoWal. Or, WalCoco. Or, Waco Nut**. Or, There is Really No Way to Combine “Walnut” and “Coconut” in a Cute and Catchy Contraction.
[Sometimes, you just want a dish that's quick and easy--no fuss. I've decided to offer a mini-post every once in a while, for a dish that comes together incredibly quickly or else is so simple to make that no recipe is required. Here's today's "Flash in the Pan." (For other FitP recipes, see "Categories" at right).]
So I’m a little obsessed with nut butters these days. Ever since I started the anti-candida diet (ACD) back in March, 2009 (I know–*sigh*), I’ve grown more and more to love them. And I’m not the only one. Last week, I noticed two blogger buddies who also made nut butters: Cheryl mixed up some macadamia maple, while Alta enjoyed vanilla almond-walnut.
Maybe it’sthe fact that when you’re on a low-glycemic diet, healthy fats (such as in nuts) provide an alternative source of energy to the usual glucose from carbs; or maybe it’s the fact that the taste and many flavors of nut butter are luxuriously rich and sweet, and therefore appealing all on their own; or maybe it’s that nuts naturally contain incredibly good-for-you mono- and polyunsaturates (the paragons of fat, the apotheosis of oils, the quintessence of grease, the cream of–well, cream)–those ideals of all Fatty Acids, the Omegas–to support overall health. Or maybe it’s the fact that they are just an expression of my nutty side.
Along with my nut butter obsession, I also seem to have developed a little lucuma obsession; witness my recent Butterscotch Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies (plus the previous Raw Caramel Cookie Dough Truffles), not to mention the fact that I throw lucuma in every smoothie, shake, cereal, and pretty much anything else I can add it to lately. So, I decided, what the heck–why not add it to my nut butter as well?
[Freshly made Walconut flows freely!]
I’m sure we all know how divinely delicious–and yet how expensive–coconut butter is. If you have a VitaMix or any high-powered blender, I’m here to tell you that it is super-simple to make your own. Add soft, naturally Omega-3 rich walnuts to the mix and you get a carrier that blends up so smoothly and so quickly that those little coconut shreds feel obliged to comply and join the party. This is an incredibly fast and easy combination butter that is, quite frankly, irresistible (and which, in my opinion, bears more than a passing resemblance to macadamia butter–but oh so much less costly!).
So, this is what I’ve been slathering on buns, muffins, bread, crackers, apple slices, even collard leaves, lately. In fact, I’ve been slathering it all over the place (okay, well, not everywhere, silly!).
Even if you’re not as enamored of nut butters as I am, this spread is a great way to spruce up your breakfast, dessert, or snacks. Or, you could just eat it straight. Next thing you know, you’ll be dreaming up all kinds of nutty combinations, too.
[Fresh from the refrigerator, nice and firm for spreading.]
Butterscotch Walnut-Coconut Butter
Suitable for Anti Candida Diet (ACD) All Stages
The pairing of walnuts and coconut makes for a very indulgent-tasting spread that’s firm when refrigerated and softens as it stands at room temperature. Once liquid, it’s also a great ice cream topper.
2 cups (340 g or 12 oz) walnut halves, lightly toasted
2 cups (130 g or 4.5 oz) unsweetened shredded coconut
1/8-1/4 tsp (.5-1 ml) fine sea salt, to your taste
20-30 drops plain or vanilla liquid stevia, to your taste (I use NuNaturals)
Place the walnuts in the container of a high-speed blender and top with the coconut and salt. Blend, using the plunger as needed, until the mixture is liquefied (1-2 minutes). Add the lucuma, vanilla and stevia and blend again. Pour into a clean jar or container and refrigerate until ready to use. Makes about 2 cups. Will keep, covered in the refrigerator, up to 3 weeks.
“Mum, what’s the big deal with nut butter? I’d much rather be obsessed with my ball.”
[STOP THE PRESSES!!!** I am beyond thrilled to share the news that Ellen (yes, that Ellen!) has featured one of my recipes on her "Going Vegan with Ellen" website! Thank you, thank you, Ellen, once again for your generosity in sharing my recipes! And thank you to reader Weisserose for letting me know about it in the comments yesterday. My mouth is still sore from smiling so much! (or could that be just because I basically never shut up? ]
Sure, I loved the fact that the University of Windsor was small enough that all of my profs knew me by first name (and many welcomed students at their regular “lunch meetings” at the local pub). Or that it was possible to actually become close friends with my beloved mentor, with whom I remained in touch and from whom I continued to solicit advice on life, love and literature right up until he died (far too early, at age 66). Or that U of W’s literature profs were revered, famous or a little bit crazy . Or even that the university was located near one of the all-time best Chinese dim sum places I’ve ever had the pleasure of frequenting.
But what really made it seem fun to be in Windsor (because, let’s face it, Windsor on its own needs quite a bit of help in that area) was heading across the Ambassador bridge to Detroit and spending an afternoon at the Fairlane Mall. In those days, Canadian money was accepted at par–a perfect invitation to a twenty-something fashion-obsessed female undergrad. And once the shopping was done, the new earrings, belts, mini-skirts and knee-high boots donned and the old outfit (which I’d been wearing while shopping) shoved into garbage bins in the mall’s public restroom, there was the inevitable trip to Greektown, the downtown section of the city close to the Detroit River. It was there amid many a wooden table and bench, whitewashed walls and robin’s egg blue décor that my first boyfriend and I spent countless evenings enjoying dinners together.
I’ll never forget the excitement of seeing my first performance of Saganki, also known as flambé Kalofagas cheese. First, a swarthy waiter swaggers over to your table, compact cast iron skillet balanced on a heavy towel that he brandishes on his outstretched hand. He dips the skillet down toward your table, splashes it with a good dousing of brandy, and with consummate showmanship, sets it aflame, shouting, “OPA!” with a flourish. The surrounding patrons all emit cries of “Ooooh!!” and “Ahhh!” as if the server has embodied one of the unfortunate drummers from Spinal Tap, about to spontaneously combust. He extinguishes the flames with a deft squeeze of lemon juice, leaving the skillet behind for you to dive in, relishing the salty, rubbery, lemon-kissed cheese.
While I no longer eat most of those Greek delicacies these days, I still love many of the Mediterranean-inspired components like salty, briny olives, oregano-infused tomato sauces and the fruity aroma of unrefined olive oil. What could be more appetizing, really (besides an entirely new wardrobe, at par)?
For this dish, I decided to combine some of my favorite Greek flavors in a breakfast scramble that offers a great alternative to tofu. Modeled after the concept of my Green “Eggs” and Ham recipe, the scramble is fragrant with oregano, basil and thyme; pungent with black, oil-cured olives; and punctutated by bursts of juicy grape tomatoes. Best of all, the chickpea base provides a substantial serving of protein to get you going in the morning in a form that imitates the appearance of scrambled eggs incredibly well.
And while I wouldn’t recommend setting it ablaze, you might nevertheless find your kitchen infiltrated with ”oohs” and “aaahs” once people taste their first forkful of this scramble.
** Of course I realize that there’s probably no longer any such thing as “presses” these days, what with digital media, interwebs, iPhones, yadda yadda. But some expressions are not meant to be updated. I mean, can you imagine saying, “Walk a kilometer in my shoes”? Or “rose-colored contact lenses”? Or “sounds like a broken MP3″? Or “The best thing since sliced foccacia”? Or “don’t put all your (free-range, organic) eggs in one recycled paper carton”? Or “out of the frying pan and into the six-burner gas range”? Or “$1.25 for your thoughts”? Or. . . (okay, somebody, stop me–I must be off my IKEA Poang Chair).
Greek-Inspired Scramble
Suitable for the Anti-Candida Diet (ACD), All Stages
A great savory breakfast that’s quick to put together and offers lots of flexibility in terms of veggies. I always feel totally satisfied after a scramble like this one!
Per serving:
1/2 onion, chopped
1 tsp (5 ml) extra virgin olive oil, preferably organic
1/3 cup (80 ml) chopped sweet bell pepper (red, green, yellow or orange)
1/4 cup (60 ml) chickpea flour
1/4 tsp (1 ml) dried thyme (optional)
1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) dried oregano
1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) dried basil
1/8 tsp (.5 ml) turmeric
fine sea salt, to your taste
1/4 cup (60 ml) vegetable broth or unsweetened soy or almond milk
1 Tbsp (15 ml) tahini
2-3 Tbsp (30-45 ml) chopped cilantro or fresh parsley, to your taste
2 Tbsp (30 ml) chopped black olives (I like the kind in oil)
1/2 cup (120 ml) grape tomatoes, cut in half (or 1/3 cup/80 ml chopped tomato)
Heat oil in a medium nonstick frypan and add the onion and pepper. Sauté over medium heat until the onion is translucent, 5-10 minutes (if it begins to scorch, add a splash of vegetable broth or water).
Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, thyme, oregano, basil, turmeric and salt, if using. Add the broth and tahini and whisk again until the tahini is well incorported. Stir in the cilantro.
When the onion is cooked, scrape the chickpea mixture over it in the pan and spread it out as if making a pancake. Once the edges and top begin to look dry, scrape across the bottom of the pan with a hard spatula (wood or metal) as if making scrambled eggs. Keep scraping and stirring the mixture until it begins to dry on the outsides and forms clumps. Toss the clumps around or break them up until you have pieces the size of “scrambled eggs.” The dish is ready when the exterior of the clumps of “egg” are dry and the pieces are still soft (not yet browned).
Just before serving, add the olives and tomatoes and stir until they are heated through. Serve immediately. Makes one generous serving.
[Sometimes, you just want a dish that's quick and easy--no fuss. I've decided to offer a mini-post every once in a while, for a dish that comes together incredibly quickly or else is so simple to make that no recipe is required. Here's today's "Flash in the Pan." (For other FitP recipes, see "Categories" at right).]
According to the book, Byesar is an Arab dish, “similar to Middle Eastern hummus, but uses broad beans instead of chick-peas. In Morocco, it is eaten by dipping bread into ground spices and then scooping up the purée.” I was fascinated by the fact that the spices are mostly on the bread, not in the dip, and that the garlic here is boiled along with the beans rather than added raw. Of course, I decided to try it.
And ever since I finally embraced favas, I can’t seem to get enough of them. And of course, I loved this dip.
While I’m sure it’s not traditional, simmering the beans in vegetable broth adds tremendous flavor and allowed me to cook the garlic according to the original directions when using canned favas instead of dried. This version isn’t overly spicy, but it’s a perfect texture to highlight the creamy, starchy characteristics of favas that distinguish them so well from other legumes. I also didn’t bother removing the skins from the favas as they were already quite soft.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
On the Table In: 15 minutes
1 cup (240 ml) vegetable broth or stock
1 cup (240 ml) water
one 19-ounce (540 ml) can small fava beans, drained and well rinsed
2 large cloves garlic, peeled
1 tsp (5 ml) ground cumin
1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) fine sea salt, or more, to your taste
1/4 cup (60 ml) extra virgin olive oil, preferably organic
reserved liquid from cooking the beans (see instructions)
extra cumin, cayenne, and bread, crackers, or cut vegetables, to serve, optional
Combine broth and water in a medium pot with the beans and garlic cloves. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then lower heat medium and continue to boil 5-10 minutes, until about half the liquid has evaporated and the garlic cloves are soft.
Drain the beans, reserving the cooking liquid. Place beans, garlic, cumin, salt and oil in the bowl of a food processor and blend until smooth, adding some of the reserved cooking water if necessary to achieve desired texture. Sprinkle with more spices and drizzle with more oil if desired before serving. Serve with a small bowl of spices and bread or crackers for dipping (it will still be warm if served immediately, but it will still taste great; or allow to cool to room temperature). It also makes a great filling for sandwiches or raw collard wraps. Makes about 1-1/2 cups (360 ml). Store, covered, in the refrigerator up to 4 days.
