Savoury Sundried Tomato and Chili biscuits -- gluten free, grain free, sugar free, nut free, and vegan

So, you know I love savoury. I live in a house with chocolate lovers, and I love savoury. But, so does the little one. He and I can go toe to toe with a batch of seaweed,  or with these wholesome little biscuits. Chock-ful of wholesome, healthy ingredients, and a really terrific balance of flavours, these are a perfect satisfying snack for someone who loves savoury as much as I do.

ingredients:

1/4 cup extra virgin coconut oil
1/4 cup hot water
2  tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp lime juice

2 tbsp mesquite
1 tbsp chili powder
1 tsp sea salt
black pepper

1/4 cup sundried tomatoes, finely minced


1/4 cup ground chia seeds
1/4 cup ground flax seeds
1/2  cup sunflower seeds, finely ground
1 cup shredded coconut, finely ground
1/2 cup ground hemp seeds

1/4 cup coconut flour


directions:

1. combine ingredients in the order listed
2. let sit for 10 minutes
3. roll out the dough in portions between 2 sheets of parchment and cut into desired shapes
4. place on lined baking sheet
5. bake at 345 for 12 minutes

Date Cake -- gluten free, grain free, sugar free baby cakes

Delicious muffins fit for the lunchbox. I loves me some date cake ...

ingredients:

2 cups water
1/4 cup coconut oil
1 cup pitted dates

1 tbsp ground vanilla
3 tsp ceylon cinnamon
1 tsp saigon cinnamon (or 'regular' cinnamon)
3 tsp ginger
1 tsp sea salt


1/2 cup hemp seeds
1/4  cup flax meal
1/4 cup chia seeds
1 cup shredded coconut

4 eggs

1/2 tsp baking soda
1 cup ground sunflower seeds

1 cup chopped apple -- or a little more -- I used 2 small pink ladies and diced them quite finely
1 cup raisins

directions:

preheat the oven to 345

1. combine the ingredients in the order listed

2. scoop into prepared muffin cups

3. bake for 40 minutes at 345

Lentil and Veggie Crockpot -- Papa's coming to dinner!

So, Papa and Nana came for the afternoon, and with a little arm-twisting, they joined us for dinner. After a long walk on the beach and much playing! Super yummy!!

ingredients:

1/4 cup coconut oil

1 1/2 cup finely chopped onion

2 cups  black lentils
2 cups finely chopped green cabbage
3 cups frozen green peas

2 cups diced carrots
4 cups diced sweet potatoes

4 tsp sea salt
1 tsp chili powder
1 tbsp oregano
1 tbsp marjoram

4 cups tomato sauce
1/2 cup coconut butter
6 cups water

3 cups chopped steamed broccoli



directions:

1. as usual, layer the ingredients into the crockpot in the order stated
2. cook on high for 6 hours
3. add the broccoli and turn off
4. adjust salt and pepper to taste

savoury shape biscuits -- some people call them crackers ... I call them gluten free, vegan, grain free, nut free, and sugar free

These are very popular in our house. They make a great addition to a dinner of lentil stew, or provide a perfect snack when you need a little hit to keep you going. My 5 year old loves them, as does my husband.

ingredients:

1/4 cup extra virgin coconut oil
1/4 cup hot water
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

4 tbsp mesquite
2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp sea salt



1/4 cup ground chia seeds
1/4 cup ground flax seeds
1/2  cup sunflower seeds, finely ground
1/2 cup pumpkin seeds, finely ground
1/2 cup ground hemp seeds

1/4 cup coconut flour


directions:

1. combine ingredients in the order listed
2. let sit for 10 minutes
3. roll out the dough in portions between 2 sheets of parchment and cut into desired shapes
4. place on lined baking sheet
5. bake at 345 for 12 minutes

Cashews with a little Kick

800 g raw cashews
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp lime juice

2 tsp chili powder
1 tbsp mesquite
black pepper
1/2 tsp sea salt

1. combine the cashews with the lime juice and apple cider vinegar and toss until absorbed
2. sprinkled on the seaonings and toss until fully mixed
3. spread on a lined baking sheet and bake at 170 for 4 hours
4. cool in the oven
5. store in an airtight container

Chocolate Shape Cookies for School -- vegan, grain free, gluten free, sugar free, nut free

My son's kindie class has a party coming up. I thought I'd make these in the shape of frogs, pigs, and butterflies since it's for spring ...

ingredients:

1/4 cup extra virgin coconut oil
1/4 cup hot water
1/2 cup coconut sugar

1 tbsp vanilla extract

1 tbsp ground vanilla
3/4 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup raw cacao
1/4 to 1/2 tsp stevia powder


1/4 cup ground chia seeds
1/4 cup ground flax seeds
1  cup sunflower seeds, finely ground
1/2 cup ground hemp seeds

1/4  cup coconut flour


directions:

1. combine ingredients in the order listed
2. let sit for 10 minutes
3. roll out the dough in portions between 2 sheets of parchment and cut into desired shapes
4. place on lined baking sheet
5. bake at 345 for 12 minutes

Mother's Day Luncheon, 2013 -- a vegan, kid friendly extravaganza

This Mother's Day I had the privilege of lunching with 3 other moms: my mom, my mother in law, and my sister in law. Included in this fun were my sister in law's kids, as well as my own lovely boy and husband. It was great fun watching the 3 year old and 5 year old play together, and a good time was had by all. I also ended up with 4 floral gifts -- two gorgeous bouquests, a delicate sweetheart rose, and a stunning orchid. All this and hail in May -- what a day!!

On the menu:

gorgeous green and orange layered vegan terrine on a bed of baby greens
sauteed baby king mushrooms
avocado and baby tomato salad
rosemary and sauteed onion socca
lemon date squares with lemon coconut milk ice cream

Chocolate Goat Milk Ice Cream -- sugar free fabulousness!

With goat milk burning a hole in our pockets, we came up with this pretty fabulous ice cream. Chocolate, peanut butter, delicious.

ingredients:

1 cup coconut nectar
1 L goat milk
1/2 cup raw cacao powder
1/8 - 1/4  tsp sea salt
2 tbsp organic vanilla extract

1/2 cup smooth organic peanut butter


directions:

1. combine ingredients and chill
2. freeze according to directions in your ice cream maker

Savoury but sweet Chickpea flour veggie Dinner cake -- vegan, gluten free, grain free, delicious

It's pretty much delicious, and that's about all I can say. My son calls it pasta. Good for you, and good tasting. Does it get any better than that?

ingredients:



2 cup carrot, coarsely pureed
2 cups green cabbage, coarsely pureed
4 cups sweet potato, coarsely pureed
1 medium onions, coursely pureed

2 tbsp extra virgin coconut oil
1 tsp sea salt
black pepper


1 cup raw cashews ground
1/4 cup raw white sesame seeds, ground


3 cups water warm water
1/4 cup ground chia seeds
1/4 cup ground flax meal
1 tsp sea salt
black pepper
1 tsp chili pepper
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

2 cups chick pea flour

1/2 tsp baking soda



directions:

1. sauté the onion and garlic in the coconut oil
2. add the shredded sweet potato and carrot and 1 tsp sea salt, and  sauté
3. meanwhile, in a bowl, combine the ground chia seeds and ground flax seeds with the hot water and let sit for 10 minutes. Mix in the seasonings, cider vinegar,  chickpea flour, and baking soda
4. mix with a whisk!
5. when the shredded veggie mix is cooked, add it to the batter, and combine well
6. pour into a greased 3 L glass baking dish
7. bake at 345 for 75 minutes

Lentil Crockpot

yummy.

Anyway, Papa was going to be coming over so we made this because he's a huge fan of lentils. Turns out he had to reschedule, but we still got to enjoy the fruits of our efforts. 

Delicious crockpot!!!

ingredients:

1/4 cup coconut oil

1 1/2 cup finely chopped onion

2 cups lentils
2 cups finely chopped green cabbage
3 cups frozen green peas

2 cups diced carrots
4 cups diced sweet potatoes

1 tbsp sea salt
1 tsp chili powder
1 tbsp oregano

4 cups tomato sauce
1/2 cup coconut butter
6 cups water

3 cups chopped steamed broccoli



directions:

1. as usual, layer the ingredients into the crockpot in the order stated
2. cook on high for 6 hours
3. add the broccoli and turn off
4. adjust salt and pepper to taste

Date and Almond Energy Bars -- raw, vegan, sugar free, hot to trot ...

Brand new energy bars fresh off the press. These ones focus on date, almond, and vanilla, so they have a wonderful mellow flavour, all the richness you want in an energy bar, and will provide a satisfying snack for those who don't want chocolate. Which, for some reason, includes my chocolate loving husband right now. I'm not sure if body-snatchers should be implicated or not ...

Colin says these give him a hit of caramel, and he loves the way the different flavours emerge one by one. He's gone through most of the batch in just a few days ...

ingredients:


1 cup raw almonds
2 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup hemp hearts
1/4 cup ground flax
2 tbsp ground vanilla
2 tsp ceylon cinnamon
3/4 tsp sea salt

1 cup pitted honey dates

1/2 cup coconut oil


directions:

1. combine the almonds, coconut, hemp hearts, flax meal, vanilla, cinnamon, and sea salt in a food processor and process until sand-like.
2. add dates and pulse until evenly ground
3. add coconut oil and pulse until evenly combined
4. press into 2 silicone square pans and score into bars
5. chill or freeze, then break apart into pieces and store in airtight containers. we like 'em frozen, but chilled is also good!!!!

Chocolate Shape School Cookies

These are very chocolatey. They are a very satisfying snack or after meal treat. Super delicious. We made hearts because it's nice to put a little love in the lunch box ...

ingredients:

1/4 cup extra virgin coconut oil
1/4 cup hot water
1/2 cup coconut sugar

1 tbsp vanilla extract

1 tbsp ground vanilla
3/4 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup raw cacao
1/4 to 1/2 tsp stevia powder


1/4 cup ground chia seeds
1/4 cup ground flax seeds
1/2  cup sunflower seeds, finely ground
1/2 cup pumpkin seeds, finely ground
1/4 cup ground hemp seeds

1/4  cup coconut flour


directions:

1. combine ingredients in the order listed
2. let sit for 10 minutes
3. roll out the dough in portions between 2 sheets of parchment andcut into desired shapes
4. place on lined baking sheet
5. bake at 345 for 12 minutes

Some one is playing around with my energy bars ... Chocolate Energy Bar Variation

I wonder what would happen if .... 

That is how my brain works. Now I know.

ingredients:

1/2 cup raw sunflower seeds

1/2 cup raw hemp hearts

1 cup raw cacao powder

1 tbsp ground vanilla bean

3/4 tsp sea salt

1/2 tsp stevia powder

1/4 cup ground flax seed

2 cups shredded coconut
1/4 cup wheat grass powder

1 cup pitted honey dates

1/2 cup coconut oil

directions:

1. combine the first set of ingredients (up to not including the dates) and process until fully powdered

2. add the  pitted honey dates (check for pits) and pulse until completely chopped

4. add the coconut oil and pulse until combined

5. press into a silicone pan (I use 2 square ones), and score into pieces

6. chill or freeze until set

7. break along score marks and store in airtight containers in the fridge


Can you spot the difference? These bars are fantastic. I love the change!!!!!!

Split pea, green pea, and green cabbage crockpot

I've had some later evenings lately, and it's very convenient to do the crockpot thing. If you make a large batch, you can always freeze it in serving portions for next time. This was entirely constructed out of what I had lying about the house ...

ingredients:

3 tbsp coconut oil
1 medium onion finely chopped
2 cups finely chopped green cabbage
2 cups split green peas
3 cups frozen green peas

1 1/2 cup chopped carrot
1 cup chopped celery
2 cups finely diced sweet potato

3 tsp sea salt
2 tbsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1 tbsp marjoram
black pepper

1/2 cup almond butter
7 cups water


3 cups chopped broccoli
2 tbsp lime juice

salt and pepper to taste


directions:

1. layer the ingredients in the order listed, and cook on high for 4 hours
2. add the lime juice, salt and pepper to taste, and add the broccoli
3. turn off the heat
4. serve

Socca variation -- chili powder, mesquite, and sauteed onions

We've been tucking into a split pea and green pea vegetable stew. To go with it, we've been enjoying the socca variations. A few days ago it was a little chili and cumin. Today? Sauteed onion, chili, and mesquite. Oh yes, bow down to my magic cast iron socca pan. Believe me, this tastes as good as it sounds. 

For those of you who are socca neophytes, socca is like a big old pancake made of chickpea flour. Traditionally, I think black pepper and raw onion find their way into the dish. Not my thing, for sure. I won't rant about raw onions right now but no way jose. Instead, we've got a sweet little sweaty onion saute going on, and we're bringing the party to life with some choice company. Super good.

ingredients:

4 tbsp coconut oil

1 1/2 cups water hot

3/4 tsp sea salt

1 tbsp mesquite

2 tsp chili powder

1 cup chickpea flour

2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

1/4 cup chia seeds

1 onion, sauteed in coconut oil

directions:

1. saute one medium chopped onion in coconut oil with a little sea salt (I did it on the skillet that I bake the socca on FYI)

2. In a bowl, combine the hot water, coconut oil, and spices
3. add the apple cider vinegar and the chia seeds
4. stir in the chickpea flour, using a whisk
5. add the sauteed onions
6. pour the batter onto the skillet

7. bake at 345 for 1 hour or so, until crispy and chewy


I found it to be ridiculously good -- read I ate more than I should have -- and my son dubbed it 'chili fly toast' and said it went great with his 'bug stew'. He was being a cardinal, and chased the meal with grub ice cream.

Apple Sauce muffins -- vegan! Nut free! grain free! gluten free!!

Fresh, delicious apple sauce muffins. How good does that sound?

ingredients:

2  cups apple sauce (I used homemade, but jar stuff is great. The kind without added sugar imho)
1/2 cup hot water
1/4 cup extra virgin coconut oil
4 tsp egg replacer + 1 cup water

1 tbsp ceylon cinnamon (don't replace this cinnamon with other if you don't have, just skip it, or use just a tsp)
1 tsp saigon cinnamon
1 tsp korintje cinnamon
1 tbsp ground vanilla bean
1 tsp sea salt
1 tsp ground ginger

1/4 cup ground flax
1/4 cup chia seeds
1 cup ground shredded coconut
1 cup ground sunflower seeds

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 1/2 cups organic thompson raisins


directions:

preheat the oven to 345

1. melt the coconut oil in the hot water
2. mix in the apple sauce
3. blend in the egg replacer and water
4. add the cinnamons, vanilla, ginger, and sea salt
5. stir in the chia, shredded coconut, and ground sunflower seeds
6. mix in the baking soda
7. add the raisins if you are using them
8. scoop into prepared muffin cups and bake at 345 for 60 minutes, or until the muffins spring back when poked lightly

they won't rise much  .... but they still taste good!


makes 24 muffins

crockpot with friends -- vegan and delicious

2 tbsp coconut oil
1 tbsp finely chopped garlic
1 onion -- 1 1/2 cups chopped
2 cups finely chopped green cabbage

2 cups moong dal


500 grams green peas -- 3 cups

1/2 cup diced celery
1/2 cup diced carrot
2 cups diced sweet potato -- small pieces


2 cups hot water
1 cup almond butter
1/2 cup coconut butter
1 cup tomato sauce

3 tsp sea salt
1 tsp chili powder

3 cups hot water

Gorgeous orange and green Layered vegetable Goodness -- vegan, gluten free, grain free

So, it's sort of like a vegan version of my roasted layered vegetable and goat cheese terrine. Holy moly it's delicious.

ingredients:

2 cups raw cashews soaked in water with a little sea salt for at least 2 hours, drain and rinse
500 g broccoli
1/4 cup chia
1 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp nutritional yeast
black pepper
1/2 tsp chili powder

2 cups raw cashews soaked in water with a little sea salt for at least 2 hours, drain and rinse
250 g carrot
250 g sweet potato
4 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup chia seeds
1 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp nutritional yeast
black pepper
1/2 tsp chili powder

2 cups tomato sauce


1. process the cashews and broccoli, then set aside
2. process the cashews and sweet potato and carrot, and set aside
3. prepare a springform pan -- grease with coconut oil and layer with parchment
4. layers some vegetables in the bottom on top of the parchment, then cover with 1/2 cup tomato sauce
5. put your first layer (1/2 of one of the colours), then 1/2 cup of tomato sauce, then a different colour (1/2 of the other), 1/2 cup tomato sauce, then the rest of the first colour, 1/2 cup tomato sauce, and finally the last layer
6. bake in the oven on 345 for 90 minutes
7. allow to cool
8. remove springform, invert onto platter, peel off parchment, and serve

Hah I meant to put the tomato sauce between the layers and forgot. So, oops.
I put it first and last, but not in between.

Anyway, hopefully it will all taste divine.