Pumpkin Carrot Lentil Soup

Weekend meal scheduling is not my forte. Breakfast at 11, dinner at 7, and a lunch snack somewhere in between. Maybe it's the fact I only pack lunches for work days, leaving me scrounging for something resembling a lunch during the day when I'm at home.

I made this soup a few weekends ago completely from my pantry and fridge. It's really amazing how easily something great can be pulled together when you stock your pantry with staples.

Pumpkin Carrot Lentil Soup

Ingredients

• 4 C veggie stock, separated
• 1 C green lentils, rinsed
• 1 tsp garam masala
• 1 1/2 C pumpkin puree
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 14 oz full fat coconut milk
• 1/2 tsp salt, to taste

Toppings, Optional

• Coconut milk crema
• Toasted pumpkin seeds
• Fresh chopped cilantro
• Sriracha
• Croutons

Method

1. In a large pot, bring the veggie stock to a full boil, then add the green lentils and reduce heat to simmer. Cook for about 10-15 minutes until softened.
2. Add the carrots and cook until tender.
3. Add the remaining ingredients to the pot. Using an immersion blender, blend the soup until your desired texture is reached. Be careful to avoid splashing the hot liquid onto yourself!
4. Taste the soup, adjust any seasonings, and add toppings as desired before serving.

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Improved Almond Hemp Milk

So...I've been making my almond hemp milk for over 6 months now and have learned a trick or two that has resulted in an even better product! I didn't think it could get better before, but boy was I wrong.

Tip 1: Blend all the ingredients (including sweetener) before running it through the nut milk bag.

This should have been obvious to any seasoned nut milk makers, but I had not a clue. The result is a silkier, smoother milk which heats beautifully. Not to mention there's no pesky pulp left in the bottom of the glass.

Tip 2: You can add more water without compromising the flavor of the milk.

I have found that adding an additional cup of water stretches the milk at least another day for me and I don't have to make as many batches.

Tip 3: A masticating juicer can help you make nut milk.

If you have a masticating juicer like I do, I like to run the nuts and seeds through the machine with water like I'm making juice. This started out of laziness to avoid my least favorite task of milk making: straining the nut milk bag. But I also feel like it gets more out of the nuts because of how dry the resulting pulp is. I also like how much quicker the mixture strains through the nutmilk bag after adding sweetener.

I have updated the instructions below and included a second set method for making this delicious milk.

Almond Hemp Milk

Ingredients

• 1 C raw almonds, soaked overnight
• 3 tbsp raw hemp seeds
• 4-5 C water
• 1/2 vanilla bean
• 3 Medjool dates
• Pinch of salt

Method #1

1. Combine all ingredients in a high-speed blender, blending until smooth, about 45-60 seconds.
2. Strain the liquid in a nutmilk bag or fine sieve.
3. Pour in a pitcher or container for storage and refrigerate. Use within 5 days.

Method #2

1. Using a masticating juicer (such as a Breville Slow Juicer or Hurom), slowly run the almonds and hemp seeds through the juicer while pouring 2 cups of water through the machine.
2. Once the nuts and seeds are done, pour the remaining water through the juicer to flush out any remaining nut milk.

Pour the nut milk into a high speed blender along with the remaining ingredients. Blend until smooth, about 45-60 seconds.

3. Strain the liquid in a nutmilk bag or fine sieve.
4. Pour in a pitcher or container for storage and refrigerate. Use within 5 days.

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Almond Hemp Milk

I recently had the most amazing and inspiring meal at a local restaurant I had read about on a vegan blog. What I loved about Prasad was that they offered simple vegetarian/vegan food with minimal fuss, yet incredible flavor combinations I'd never have thought of on my own. While I only had a breakfast bowl and drink, I walked away feeling inspired to try making some of their menu items on my own.

This almond hemp milk was inspired entirely by Prasad. The iced dirty chai latte I had featured the milk which was incredibly smooth and delicious. I've been on the hunt for a non-dairy milk alternative for a long time now; store bought or homemade, nothing seemed to work well for drinking plain, putting on oatmeal, or serving with coffee until this! I love this recipe so much and have made 4 batches (including one double batch) in the past week. These two ingredients play so well together--the extra fat from the hemp strengthens the lighter almonds, and the almonds mask the flavor of the hemp. And best of all, it makes for a great latte, hot or iced.

Almond Hemp Milk

Ingredients

• 1 C raw almonds, soaked overnight
• 3 tbsp raw hemp seeds
• 4 C water
• 1/2 vanilla bean
• 3 Medjool dates
• Pinch of salt

Method

1. Combine the almonds, hemp seeds, and water in a high-speed blender. Blend until smooth, about 45-60 seconds.
2. Strain the liquid in a nutmilk bag or fine sieve, then return the liquid to the blender and add the remaining ingredients.
3. Blend the mixture again until smooth.

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Ruhlman's Twenty Chapter 15: Roast

I think it's kind of funny that "roasting" and "baking" are the same thing; we just call it "roasting" when meat or vegetables are involved. Roasting meats makes me think of whole chickens going into the oven at fairly high temperatures in order to caramelize the skin. However, we also roast at low temperatures for longer periods of time to ensure the meat is cooked properly, like pork loin or prime rib.

• The lack of water in the process makes roasting tough meats impossible; water helps break down the connective tissues of these meats, so without it, you end up with dry, tough meat.
• For the best results, let your food come to room temperature and pat it dry.
• Ruhlman also suggests using the convection feature if your oven has it to prevent hot and/or cold spots in your oven.

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Broiled Grapefruit with Ginger

Heirloom navel oranges and grapefruits are my favorite winter citruses, in fact, they are the only ones I eat. I'm again behind on the trends, this time it's broiled grapefruit. I tried it for the very first time, making it to accompany oatmeal for a weekday breakfast treat. I love ginger, so I was excited by this pairing with grapefruit. It's dead simple, so I will definitely try this as a light after dinner dessert throughout the season!

Broiled Grapefruit with Ginger

Adapted from The Candle Cafe Cookbook

Ingredients

• 1 grapefruit, halved
• 1/2 tsp fresh grated ginger
• 1 tsp coconut sugar
• Pinch of salt

Method

1. Preheat oven broiler. Meanwhile, top each grapefruit half with ginger, sugar, and salt, rubbing the mixture evenly around the surface of the fruit.
2. Place the grapefruit, cut half up, on a small baking sheet. Broil for 5-8 minutes, until bubbling.

For a tip on eating this especially messy grapefruit, see this article at TheKitchn for a handy trick! That or eat it over the sink :)

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Ruhlman's Twenty Chapter 14: Sauté

This chapter is a strange one in that it mostly discusses sautéing meat at high heat. Very little attention is paid to lower temperature sautéing, though the point was raised which I can appreciate.

Did you realize cooking bacon in a pan is considered sautéing? I hadn't given it much thought either, but it makes sense after hearing it! Some other lessons:

• The word "sauté" comes from the French word meaning "to jump"; think of those chefs you see on TV tossing veggies in a pan to stir while sautéing.
• Tough meats should not be sautéed; this method is reserved for tender meats and vegetables.
• To sauté meat, you want to heat your pan over high heat and then add the oil. Meat should be seasoned and patted dry before adding it to the pan. These two steps will help prevent the meat from sticking.

Related Recipes:

• Spring Veggies with Truffle Salt

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Cacao Brazil Nut Milk

I'm not going to lie...I intended to make a thick cacao shake with this one but it ended up more as a milk. Totally okay though, it still tasted great.

Cacao Brazil Nut Milk

Ingredients

• 10-15 Brazil nuts
• 4 Medjool dates, pitted
• 2 tbsp raw cacao powder
• 1/2 tbsp maca
• 1/2 tbsp cacao nibs
• 1/2 vanilla bean
• 1/2 C ice
• 12 oz. water
• Pinch salt

Method

1. Combine all ingredients in a blender. Blend on high until smooth.

Makes 2 servings.

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Basic Three Ingredient Pizza Sauce

I recently started making pizza at home on a regular basis and quite enjoy it. The part I don't like conceptually is making the sauce. Simmering tomato sauce and herbs to make a thick pizza sauce requires a bit too much planning to make it into my rotation, not that it isn't worth the effort.

This recipe was born out of laziness, but I do enjoy the full, rich tomato flavor in the resulting sauce. Makes for a great sauce for my pizza crust! I love it too because I can make a double batch with one can of tomato paste and save it for next time. Dress it up how you like, fresh or dried herbs would be a lovely and welcome addition.

Basic Three Ingredient Pizza Sauce

Ingredients

• 3 oz tomato paste
• 2-4 tbsp olive oil
• Salt, to taste

Method

1. Place to tomato paste into a small bowl. Slowly whisk or stir the olive oil into the tomato paste until fully incorporated, adding as much or as little olive oil to achieve your preferred sauce thickness.
2. Season to taste with salt and add any other herbs/spices you desire.

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Sprouted Whole Wheat Pizza Crust

I first discovered a new packaged sprouted whole wheat flour a few weeks back at Whole Foods. I had the intention of buying it that afternoon, but then noticed it would be on sale (along with all other baking items) the following day...needless to say, I went back to save 15%! It was surprisingly affordable even when not on sale, only about a dollar more for 5 pounds as compared to the other whole wheat flours available.

I've been using this flour a lot in the past few weeks, but mostly to make this pizza crust. The result is a dough slightly heavier than using all-purpose / white flour, but noticeably less dense than 100% whole wheat. I think it's a great balance between the two. I had previously tried soaking wheatberries, then drying, and grinding into a flour in the Vitamix, but the result was a bit lackluster (and a lot of work!), not forming a fine enough flour. No such issue with this.

Sprouted Whole Wheat Pizza Crust

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 tsp yeast
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 1/3 C warm water
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3 1/2 - 4 C sprouted wheat flour

Method

1. Combine yeast, sugar, and water in a stand mixer bowl. Let sit for 5 minutes, until the yeast is foamy.
2. Add the olive oil, salt, and sprouted wheat flour, mixing into the liquid with a spoon to combine.
3. Using the hook attachment of your mixer, knead the dough for about 8-10 minutes, until the dough is smooth and elastic. Add flour as necessary if the dough is too sticky.
4. Spray the dough and bowl lightly with oil, then turn the dough in the bowl, cover with a towel, and put in a warm place to rise for an hour.
5. Punch the dough down and cut into two halves. Roll your dough out thinly to form your pizza crust and store the other half for another day (fridge for up to two days or tightly wrapped and frozen). Use as you would any other pizza crust, including thickness, oven temperature, and time.

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Fresh Mango Margarita

The grocery store has been having a great special on champagne mangoes the past few weeks. Not wanting to serve them straight-up, a cool and refreshing drink sounded like a good idea! Unfortunately, I wasn't able to find a recipe for a mango margarita using fresh mango (canned or frozen, sure), so I had to settle on my own.

Fresh Mango Margarita

Ingredients

• 1 champagne mango, diced
• 1 1/2 tbsp lime juice
• 1 1/2 tbsp triple sec
• 1 1/2 tbsp tequila
• 3-4 C ice

Method

1. Combine all ingredients in a blender. Blend on high until smooth and thick.

Makes 2 servings.

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Ruhlman's Twenty Chapter 13: Soup

I generally have a hard time envisioning soups as meal-worthy unless for a light meal, or to be served with something more substantial. But then again, I have rarely made soup so my views aren't really all that surprising!

There are two types of soups that Ruhlman discusses: clear and pureed. Clear soups are broth based soups, like classic chicken noodle or miso soup. Pureed soups have a pureed base of vegetables, such as potato, corn, or even fruit soups. As with all cooking, proper seasoning of your soups is extremely important and can transform a dull soup into something extraordinary. Tasting not only for salt, but also acid, is key to making soup. His takeaway tip, as taught to culinary students, is to season a spoonful of the soup (with salt, acid, etc) and notice how it improves, or worsens, the flavor.

Garnishes can play an equally important role in your soups as well, adding a textural dimension that is especially pleasing to the palate. Easy garnishes include crackers on the side of the soup bowl, to homemade croutons floating atop, to blanched and diced vegetables in a pureed soup.

Related Recipes:

• Fresh Tomato Soup with Vodka
• Thai Spiced Pumpkin Soup and Grilled Cheese Sandwich

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Ruhlman's Twenty Chapter 12: Vinaigrette

Vinaigrettes: not just for salads! I know I've never thought of it this way, but a vinaigrette is simply a sauce made of acid and fat. The traditional ratio is three parts oil to one part acid; this is a quick and versatile base which can obviously be changed up by using different acids (vinegar, lemon juice) or fats, then add other ingredients to your liking (onion, garlic, soft herbs, etc).

I make my vinaigrettes one of two ways: combining the ingredients in a mason jar and shaking vigorously, or throwing everything into the blender for a nice, creamy consistency. Either way, I like making a big batch and storing in a glass jar to use throughout the week. This method makes it easy to re-shake and serve. You can also whisk your acid and slowly stream in your oil to emulsify, but be sure to serve right away before it quickly separates.

Ruhlman includes a recipe for lemon-pepper vinaigrette which looks divine!

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Portobello and Bell Pepper Quesadillas

I recently discovered just how "meaty" mushrooms can be...surprising, right? More like I am behind on this revelation. I've been enjoying roasted portobello mushrooms on these quesadillas, but I think they'd be great served in a kale salad too.

For these quesadillas, I recommend pairing with a simple salad to get in more vegetables (I found myself missing this component when served exclusively for dinner). I also like to serve this with a zesty deconstructed guacamole--mashed avocado seasoned liberally with salt, pepper, and lime juice.

Portobello and Bell Pepper Quesadillas

Adapted from The Candle Cafe Cookbook

Ingredients

• 2 large portobello mushrooms, sliced
• 1 red bell peper, sliced
• Olive oil
• 1/4 tsp seasoning salt, or to taste
• 1/4 cumin or chili powder, optional
• 1 1/2 C cooked beans (black, white, or pinto)
• 1 clove garlic
• 1/4 tsp salt, or to taste
• 1/2 tbsp lemon or lime juice
• 6 sprouted grain tortillas
• 1/2 C cheddar or non-dairy cheese

Method

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Toss the sliced mushrooms and bell pepper with oil, salt, and any seasonings. Spread evenly over a large baking sheet and roast for 30 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, combine beans, garlic, salt, and lemon/lime juice in a food processor or blender. Pulse until incorporated. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
3. When the mushrooms and peppers finish roasting, remove from oven and increase temperature to 400 degrees.
4. To assemble the quesadillas, spread the bean mixture over one whole tortilla. Top with one third of the mushroom and pepper mixture, then top with a third of the cheese. Top with another tortilla and place on a baking sheet.
5. Assemble remaining quesadillas, placing in a single layer on the baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes, flipping half way through. Cut in wedges and serve hot.

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Quinoa Oat Breakfast Porridge with Winter Spices

I've really been enjoying oats for breakfast this winter, especially a hearty bowl of steel cut oats. I originally made this recipe for a spontaneous special weekend breakfast/brunch after eyeing it in a cookbook. The recipe could easily be tweaked to suit your tastes and even the season!

Quinoa Oat Breakfast Porridge with Winter Spices

Adapted from The Candle Cafe Cookbook

Ingredients

• 2 C (non-dairy) milk
• 4 C water
• 1/2 vanilla bean, seeds scraped
• 3-4 tbsp coconut sugar (or use granulated)
• 1/4 tsp crushed cardamom seeds
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 cinnamon stick, optional
• 1/2 C quinoa, rinsed well
• 1 1/2 C steel cut oats

Method

1. Combine the milk, water, and vanilla bean pod and seeds in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium high heat.**
2. Add the spices, quinoa, and oats to the pan. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. The mixture will thicken as it cooks.
3. Cover and remove from heat. Allow to sit for 10 minutes before serving or storing.

**Optionally steep the spices in the milk and water as you bring it to a boil. This will result in a stronger spice flavor.

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Cardamom Orange Simple Syrup with Coconut Sugar

I was intrigued by an orange cardamom cold brew post I saw on Pinterest, why had I never considered this combination? I love the flavor of cardamom, so it was only a natural to use the flavors as inspiration for a simple syrup recipe. A few weeks ago, I bought coconut palm sugar and have been planning on trying simple syrup. This recipe uses half coconut sugar and half regular sugar. Feel free to use all regular sugar if you don't have coconut on hand.

I'm using this in milky black tea as a sweetener and will definitely use it to make a Cardamom Orange Latte later this weekend! The orange flavor is surprisingly subtle once cooled which gives way for the stronger cardamom to shine through. I bet this would be great drizzled over a sponge cake to add an extra punch of flavor or drizzled over vanilla ice cream for an extra special touch.

Cardamom Orange Simple Syrup with Coconut Sugar

Inspired by 10th Kitchen

Ingredients

• 1/2 C coconut sugar
• 1/2 C granulated sugar
• Zest of 1 organic orange
• 6 cardamom pods, crushed, or about 25 cardamom seeds
• 1 C water

Method

1. Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat.
2. Bring mixture to a boil, then simmer for about a minute.
3. Strain syrup and store in an airtight container in the fridge.

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Korean Brown Sugar Pancakes

I discovered this browsing the internet on my phone and have had the page saved for a month now! I'd been craving something doughy and sweet for several days when I suddenly remembered this hidden gem saved. Simple, sweet, and tasty, I think I'll be making these again.

I tweaked the recipe a bit, using maple cinnamon nuts, vanilla sugar, and vanilla bean seeds in the filling. The subtle cinnamon flavor reminded me of cinnamon rolls!

Korean Brown Sugar Pancakes

Adapted from Notions and Notations of a Novice Cook

Ingredients

• 1 C all-purpose flour
• 1/2 C warm water
• 1 tbsp vanilla sugar
• 1 tsp dry active yeast
• 2 tsp coconut oil, melted
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 C brown sugar
• 1 1/2 tbsp chopped maple cinnamon nuts, or toasted nuts
• 1 vanilla bean, seeds scraped
• Coconut oil, for frying

Method

1. In a bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, yeast, oil, and salt. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until the yeast begins to foam up. If this does not happen, dump out and begin again.
2. Stir in the flour to make a wet dough. Cover and let sit in a warm spot to rise for about an hour, until doubled in size. Punch the dough down, cover again, and allow to rest for about a half hour.
3. In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, nuts, and vanilla bean seeds. Set aside.
4. Pour dough out onto a floured surface and knead lightly, adding flour as needed to keep it from sticking. Cut into four evenly sized balls.
5. Take one ball of dough and flatten it in your hand. Place a heaping tablespoon of the brown sugar filling into the center of the dough, then carefully pinch the sides of the dough to the top to seal the ball. Repeat with the remaining balls of dough.
6. Heat a cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add enough coconut oil to lightly cover the pan. Place one or two dough balls, seam side down, onto the hot pan.
7. Allow to cook and begin to brown, checking after 30 seconds. Flip, then press down with a spatula to flatten. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the bottom is golden brown. Flip once more, cover, and let cook for a minute to heat the center.
8. Cook the remaining dough following the same method.
9. Serve warm.

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Maple Cinnamon Candied Nuts

When I go without them for a while, I forget how much I enjoy roasted nuts. Great for snacking, adding crunch to a bowl of oatmeal or salad, these are definitely a multipurpose ingredient in my kitchen.

This recipe is so simple to make, and even better because I always have the ingredients on hand. Three cups of nuts feels like a lot, but a batch lasts me at least a couple weeks, depending on how liberally I eat them. It's just about time for me to make another batch!

Maple Cinnamon Candied Nuts

Ingredients

• 3 cups mixed raw nuts (walnuts, pecans, almonds, brazil nuts, cashews, etc)
• 1/4 C maple syrup
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp salt

Method

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl, stirring to incorporate the syrup and cinnamon evenly over the nuts.
3. Spray a baking sheet with oil, then pour the nuts onto the pan, spreading them evenly.
4. Bake for about 20 minutes, stirring a few times to ensure even roasting.
5. Cool and store in an airtight container.

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Warm Wilted Kale Salad with Lemon, Garlic, and Ancho Chili

I've been on a kale kick since I had my first delicious kale salad about a month ago now. Kale used to be one of those foods I wanted to like, but never found the right recipe. My success came first when I warmed up to massaged kale salads which soften the leaves and make it a little less bitter. My favorite this week is a wilted kale salad, lightly sautéed in a pan with olive oil and some spices.

This recipe, surprisingly, was my first attempt at wilted kale salad, but the flavors make kale more universally appealing. Nutritional yeast gives it a slight cheesiness while ancho chili powder gives it a bit of roasted smokiness. Feel free to sub in paprika if you don't have ancho chili powder on hand, I think it would be a nice pairing.

Wilted Kale Salad with Lemon, Garlic, and Ancho Chili

Ingredients

• 1 bunch lacinato kale, cleaned and chopped
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 small lemon, juiced
• 1 tbsp nutritional yeast
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp pepper
• Rounded 1/4 tsp ancho chili powder or paprika
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder

Method

1. In a large saute pan, warm the olive oil over medium heat.
2. Add the kale and saute for about 1 minute. Add the lemon juice and continue cooking for another minute or so until the kale begins to turn bright green.
3. Add the nutritional yeast, salt, pepper, ancho chili powder, and garlic powder to the kale, stirring to incorporate the seasoning. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.
4. Serve hot.

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How to Cut an Orange

It's prime citrus season again which means specials on all kinds of oranges and grapefruits. I especially love heirloom navel oranges and they make a great snack or after meal fruit. I didn't learn there was a "good" way to slice oranges until last year, so I want to pass the favor on! It reminds me of the time I learned how to cut a pineapple....mind blowing still.

I used to cut my oranges horizontally, but then I discovered you should cut them laterally first to get the nice segments. A quick Google search popped up this great tutorial on the process: My Favorite Way to Cut an Orange. You will be an orange slicing hero in no time!

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Ruhlman's Twenty Chapter 11: Sauce

The wonderful world of pan sauces! Just reading this chapter made my mouth water and eager to make a sauce or two of my own. As wonderful and easy it is to make a quick pan sauce after cooking or roasting meats, most of the time I feel too lazy to put forth additional effort to make a sauce. I regret this fact especially after reading Ruhlman's emphasis on the subject. Sometimes getting the meat out of the pan as quickly as possible and starting the pan soaking process feels a little more urgent.

How to Create a Pan Sauce

Creating a pan sauce is a very simple process: after cooking/roasting your meats, your pan has all kinds of great flavorful browned bits stuck to the bottom. This stuff is begging to be used and costs nothing to you; use it!

1. Optionally add sliced onions and/or carrots (for sweetness) and let them develop a little color.
2. Deglaze the pan with about 1 cup of water (or liquid, such as stock or wine) and bring to a boil. Use a spoon to scrape up all the bits and wait for almost all the water to cook off. At this point, add another cup of liquid.
3. Your sauce is waiting for a little something extra now, so add a splash of acid (lemon juice, vinegar, etc), maybe a little butter or cream for richness, soft herbs, just get creative!
4. Strain your sauce and you've got a fancy looking sauce for your food with minimal effort.

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Ruhlman's Twenty Chapter 10: Sugar

I realized it's been a while since my last Learning to Cook segment. This one is a very short lesson on sugar which discusses sugar's role in baked goods, frozen treats, candies, and sauces.

Lessons Learned:

• Sugar prevents crystallization in ice creams, giving it that nice, creamy texture.
• Sometimes a hint of sugar can take a sauce or dressing to the next level. Add a bit of honey to a balsamic dressing and taste the subtle difference. The same goes for BBQ sauce which often marries acidic (vinegar) with sweet (sugar).
• Compound butter is a great way to use butter as a garnish for your food, especially for meat and fish. Soften butter, then mix in aromatics such as shallot or fresh herbs, then roll in waxed or parchment paper or put into a container, then and refrigerate to re-solidify.

Related Recipes:

• Caramel Apple Pie
• Sweet and Spicy Almonds
• Jeni's Splendid Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
• Chocolate Simple Syrup
• Blueberry Sorbet
• Ricotta Ice Cream
• Low Sugar Tayberry Jam
• Blueberry, Lemon, and Chili Pepper Jam

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DIY Sprouting Jar

I've been wanting to make my own sprouts after spending an insane amount on some tasty prepackaged organic ones. I finally bought the seeds months later but opted not to spend even more money on a large sprouting jar. Cost aside, where would I even store it? Sprouting jars are pretty tall, which allow you to sprout a lot at once, but the large size seems cumbersome to fit in a cupboard. So I came up with this homemade solution using two things I have in my kitchen: a leftover glass jar and an in-mug tea strainer.

The photo below shows the sprouts prior to draining during a twice a day rinse. The tea strainer is great because it allows water to easily get in and drain out.

Find a glass jar with a mouth sized appropriately for your tea strainer; I used an old pasta sauce jar. Put your sprout seeds into the jar, put the tea strainer over the mouth of the jar, then moisten, drain, sprout, and rinse your seeds per the sprout packet instructions!

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Smoothie Inspiration - Recipe Sources

I've been relying heavily on the internet this past week for some smoothie inspiration. The standard fruit smoothies are oh so uninspiring to me this time of year. How about incorporating some seasonal oranges, pears, or even beets into new drinks?

I discovered Whole Living has a bunch of great smoothie recipes online for free. And if you've got an iPad/iPod/iPhone, the app and all recipe packs are FREE to download right now! Through this app I've discovered some great new recipes incorporating things I'd never before considered using: beets, carrots, pears, apples, oranges.

I've also searched Pinterest for new and interesting smoothie combinations. This cucumber pear smoothie was quite the delicious surprise! For a larger collection, I'm definitely loving the Healthy Happy Life blog list of drinks, juices, and smoothies. I keep revisiting this list because everything sounds so great!

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Orange Cream Delight Smoothie

It's peak citrus season again and I have been enjoying those insanely delicious little satsumas while they've been on special in past weeks. Recently, oranges have been on special and I have been loving them in this smoothie as a mid-morning snack or after dinner treat.

This is what I imagine Orange Julius to taste like (are those mall food court places even still around??). A slightly slushy, creamy orange drink with a hint of vanilla.

Orange Cream Delight Smoothie

Ingredients

• 1 orange, peeled
• 1 Medjool date, pitted
• 1/2 vanilla bean or 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp raw cashews or brazil nuts
• Pinch salt
• 6-8 ounces water
• 2-3 ice cubes, optional

Method

1. Combine all ingredients in a high speed blender until smooth.

The nuts and water can be substituted for your favorite nut milk. I think almond would be great in this!

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Breakfast Oats with Winter Fruit

Oatmeal gets pretty boring after a while. Sure, you can mix up the toppings, dressing it up with different dried or fresh fruits and nuts, but it's essentially the same thing morning after morning. So recently I started preparing raw oat groats at night, soaking them in water to be drained in the morning. These yield a much chewier oat than basic oatmeal and can be blended up and sweetened, sprinkled over yogurt, or served straight up with toppings.

With so many fall and winter fruits in stores, I put together this very seasonal bowl of oat groats topped with persimmon, pear, pomegranate seeds, and vegan sweet cream for an extra special touch. Feel free to sub in whatever fruits you like and have on hand.

Breakfast Oats with Winter Fruit

Ingredients

• 1/2 C raw oat groats
• 1/2 persimmon, cubed
• 1/4 pear, cubed
• 1/4 C pomegranate seeds
• 1-2 tbsp Sweet Dessert Cream

Method

1. Place oat groats in a bowl and cover with filtered water. Let sit overnight.
2. Drain and rinse the oat groats. Put oats in a bowl to serve. Top with the fruits, then drizzle with dessert cream before serving.

This would be equally good with fresh summer berries when the season arrives. Keep this recipe tucked away for summer berry season!

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Vegan Sweet Dessert Cream

I mentally tagged this recipe to use up the macadamia nuts I've had on hand in the freezer. Originally called "creme de la creme", this is a very rich and sweet cream, perfect for dipping berries or drizzling over cut fruit.

This recipe is super simple to make in the Vitamix; you'll need a high powered blender to break down the nuts and vanilla bean (if using) into a silky cream.

Vegan Sweet Dessert Cream

Adapted from The 30-Minute Vegan

Ingredients

• 1 C macadamia, cashew, and/or brazil nuts
• 1/2 C water
• Pinch salt
• 1/4 vanilla bean, or 1/4 tsp vanilla
• 2 tbsp agave nectar

Method

1. Combine all ingredients in a high speed blender until smooth.

Serve as dip for berries, drizzled over desserts, or spooned on oatmeal for breakfast.

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Raw Beet and Pear Salad

The first time I tried and liked beets was last fall after trying them in my CSA box. They have a nice sweet earthiness which I really enjoy from time to time. I couldn't resist this recipe by Jamie Oliver with the addition of sweet pears and tangy cheese.

Raw Beet and Pear Salad

Adapted from Cook with Jamie

Ingredients

• 1 medium beet, cut into small matchsticks
• 1 medium pear, cut into small matchsticks
• 2 tbsp feta cheese
• Lemon juice
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Method

1. Combine beet, pear, and feta cheese on a serving platter or individual plates.
2. Drizzle with lemon juice and olive oil, then season lightly with salt and pepper.

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Basic Kale Salad

Happy 2013! The health craze season is upon us which is a great time to explore new foods and try new recipes. I've been using my break to reacquaint myself with my old cookbooks and gather new recipes to try.

I so very desperately have wanted to like kale for a long time. Kale in green smoothies, kale chips, kale salad, anything kale. It's trendy, I suppose, with kale recipes popping up all the time. But as a super nutritious green, I'd like to have several go to recipes that taste phenomenal.

I had a great kale salad the other day at Veggie Grill that was so pretty and delicious, so I was inspired to try my hand again. I came across a simple rainbow kale salad in a vegan cookbook I've had for a few years. This recipe is a great stepping point into the world of kale for non-believers, I definitely recommend you give it a go. The key really is to massage the dressing into the kale for at least a minute; this will soften the leaves, giving a better texture and better flavor.

Basic Kale Salad

Adapted from The 30-Minute Vegan

Ingredients

• 1 bunch kale, about 10 stalks, stems removed and chopped into bite-sized pieces
• 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
• 1 carrot, diced
• 1/2 small cabbage, thinly sliced
• 1/2 C roasted nuts, optional
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 clove garlic, pressed
• 1 tsp maple syrup or agave nectar
• 1 tsp soy sauce
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Method

1. Combine kale, bell pepper, carrot, and cabbage in a large bowl.
2. Whisk remaining ingredients until emulsified. This will be the salad dressing.
3. Pour dressing over kale mixture. With clean hands, massage the dressing into the kale mixture for about a minute.

Serve as is as a side salad. Make a complete salad meal by tossing with leftover grains and optional protein.

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