Recipe: (Yet Another) Avocado Toast with Hummus, Tomatoes and Not-Goat-"Cheese"

Heidi Ho Organics' live-cultured "ne chèvre" is our new favorite topping/addition to many veggie-full meals. It's very creamy and mildly savory and tangy, not unlike actual goat cheese, and therefore very versatile. Good vegan "cheese" is getting better each year, and Heidi Ho (Portland-based!) products are an excellent option in the mix.Above, it is pictured with sliced green zebra cherry tomatoes, layered over smashed avocado and a good schmear of lemon King Harvest Hummus (also Portland-based) on vegan, gluten-free seeds & grains bread by Little Northern Bakehouse. Topped with plenty of chili flakes, himalayan salt, pepper and garlic. Perfect for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack time -- take your pick! What you get is a filling, incredibly nutritious and delicious meal or snack (that also happens to be gluten free and vegan).Save

Recipe: Banana Chia Nutella Bread (vegan, gluten free, one-bowl)

Yes, another banana bread recipe. Never gets old!

Recipe: Banana Chia Nutella Bread

Author:

Let the Good In

Prep time:

15 mins

Cook time:

55 mins

Total time:

1 hour 10 mins

Serves:

1 loaf pan

vegan and gluten-free, and made in one bowl!

Ingredients

• 1/4 plus 1/8 cup chia seeds

• 4 small ripe bananas

• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

• 3 tbsp melted coconut oil

• 1/3 cup coconut or brown sugar

• 4 tbsp maple syrup (depending on sweetness of banana)

• 3.5 tsp baking powder

• 1/2 tsp sea salt

• 3/4 cup unsweetened almond or other nondairy milk

• 1 3/4 cup (140 g) almond meal

• 1 3/4 cup gluten free flour blend (like Bob's Red Mill 1:1)

• 2-3 tbsp vegan, lower-sugar nutella (homemade or made by Justin's or another brand)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.

2. Grease and/or line a loaf pan with parchment paper.

3. Starting at the top of the ingredient list and working your way down (except the nutella), incorporate one at a time in a large mixing bowl. Stir all well, using a whisk as well until almond meal and flour area added.

4. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, and spread out evenly with a spatula. Use a spoon to add small dollops of the nutella over the top, and spread over or swirl around as desired. TIP: You can heat up the nutella slightly over the stovetop to loosen it up before adding it to the batter to make it more easily spreadable.

5. Bake for 55 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean and the top has firmly set.

6. Let cool in pan for at least 20 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack. Store covered (like on a covered cake stand) or in the fridge. It'll keep for a few days... but good luck making it last that long :)

3.4.3177

Banana bread is an ever-evolving recipe in our kitchen, and here is the latest. It's dense, moist, and not too sweet -- but a little decadent thanks to a (vegan) nutella swirl over the top. I love all the chia seeds in it -- kind of like the banana-chia version of lemon-poppy seed. Give it a try and tell me what you think! Recipe adapted from my last version, which was adapted from this one by Minimalist Baker.SaveSaveSaveSave

Chocolate Breakfast Milkshake

A breakfast-approved, healthy "chocolate milkshake" -- need we say more?Recently came across and decided to try this Garden of Life grainfree protein, and we are loving it.Organic, very pure, superfood- and nutrient-dense, satisfying/feels good (filling and no gurgly or unsettled stomachs here) AND actually tastes good (even just shaken up with water and/or nondairy milk... and I rarely can drink protein powder straight like that because of taste/texture). Garden of Life has yet to ever disappoint in quality across any of their products.Give it and this milkshake recipe a try!Recipe: Vegan Chocolate Breakfast MilkshakeWhat You Need

• 1 scoop serving chocolate protein powder

• 1 banana

• 2 brazil nuts

• 1/2-1 tbsp chia seeds

• dash of cinnamon

• approx. 3/4 cup nondairy milk

• approx. 1/2 c water

• handful of ice cubes

What You Do

• Blend until smooth!

Spicy Sesame-Peanut Buckwheat Noodles with Julienne Vegetables and Roasted Tofu

Peanuty, sesame-tinged sauces so nicely compliment a tangled plethora of vegetables and noodles. And the flavors can be be wonderfully varied by by playing around with ingredients and quantities. I think I make it a little differently every time, but it never disappoints!A few years ago, I shared a recipe for cold & spicy sesame salad, and I recently made a slightly tweaked version of it: Spicy Sesame-Peanut Buckwheat Noodles with Julienne Vegetables and Roasted Tofu (vegan + gluten-free). I made the sauce very similarly, but modified by using rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil and adding in a tablespoon or two of Sambal hot sauce instead of a fresh hot pepper (which I didn't have on hand). I also made about 1.5x the amount in the original recipe.For the veggies, I had a ton of julienne vegetables. I often tend to roughly chop or dice, but thought it might work well to mirror the cut of the vegetables to be more similar to the noodles accompanying them, allowing for consistent fork-twirling when consuming. My OXO serrated peeler did the trick for ribboning the zucchini, carrots and cucumbers, and I thinly slivered everything else by hand.For the noodles, I used 100% buckwheat soba noodles by Eden Foods. Buckwheat has so many great qualities: it tastes wonderful, should be tolerated in people with gluten sensitivities as it is not actually wheat-based (though it's always best to assess carefully on an individual basis), high in good-quality protein (including all essential amino acids), and high in flavanoids (especially rutin) - among much more. It can be a little finicky to cook though, so make sure you have plenty of water in the pot to prevent the noodles from clumping together.In total, this fed 3 of us with plenty of leftovers remaining.Hot or cold, freshly made or as leftovers - this recipe doesn't disappoint!Recipe: Spicy Sesame-Peanut Buckwheat Noodles with Julienne Vegetables and Roasted TofuSpicy Sesame-Peanut SauceWhat You Need:

• 7.5 tbsp soy sauce

• 3.5 tbsp water

• 5 tbsp natural peanut butter

• 2 tbsp toasted sesame oil

• 2 tbsp rice vinegar

• chunk of fresh ginger about the size of a finger tip (peeled)

• 1/2 tbsp honey (NOTE: to truly make this recipe vegan, swap out the honey for agave)

• 1 large clove garlic

• 1 pinch turbinado sugar

• 2 tbsp Sambal hot sauce

• 1/4 cup peanuts

What You Do:

• Blend all ingredients (minus the peanuts) in a food processor or blender. Taste, and adjust flavor by adding more of whatever you want. Add in peanuts and pulse to a coarse consistency.

Roasted TofuWhat You Need

• 1 package organic tofu, drained (firm is ideal; if using something softer, press it between several paper towels for a minute or two to extract more moisture)

• A few tbsp of spicy sesame-peanut sauce

What You Do:

• Preheat oven to 400

• Slice tofu into small, thin squares/rectangles

• Cover a baking sheet with tinfoil

• Spread a few teaspoons of sauce over the foil, and place tofu in an even layer on top of it

• Drizzle more sauce over the tofu to lightly coat, spreading with a spoon or your fingers to cover

• Bake until the tofu and sauce begin to brown and dry

• Turn broiler on to high, closely watching to avoid over-scorching, and broil the tofu for another minute or so

• Remove tofu from oven and set aside

Vegetables + NoodlesWhat You Need

• 2 zucchini

• 2 large carrots

• 1/2 head purple cabbage

• 2 yellow peppers

• 1 large bunch of dino kale

• 2 cucumbers

• 1 bunch scallions

• A few tbsp water

• sesame seeds

• 16 oz buckwheat noodles

What You Do

• Slice the vegetables into very thin strips (try using a serrated peeler to make this easier, still using a knife for the kale, peppers and cabbage); use the middle third of the scallion and thinly slice into rings

• Set the cucumber and scallions aside

• Heat a large pan over medium heat and add a spoonful of the spicy sesame-peanut sauce

• Add vegetables to the pan along with a couple of tablespoons of water to cook until all begins to soften; cover to steam, lifting the lid to stir as needed

• Cook the buckwheat noodles, drain and add to the pan of vegetables; turn the heat off

• Add more sauce to the vegetables and noodles, add in the cucumber, and gently toss to combine

• Top with tofu, scallions, sesame seeds and more sambal hot sauce, and serve + eat + enjoy!

Collard Green Veggie Wraps with Garlic-Coconut Brown Rice

OXO Julienne Peeler

With warmer weather comes, often, the desire to eat lighter foods. It's like our bodies are in tune with the seasons, which is no coincidence if you ask me, and this symmetry works out perfectly as new crops of spring and summer produce become available.Collard greens, like other sturdy leafy greens, are a great replacement for a tortilla or other grain-based wrap - and can be used in just about any dish you'd typically use a "regular" wrap. A very quick steam adds just a touch of give and a boost of brightness (in flavor and color!) to the leaf, making it easier to work with and eat. And by throwing in an array of fresh, beautiful, crisp produce - you're not just eating healthy, you're eating your colors!Eating a variety of naturally colorful foods - aka fruits and vegetables - helps ensure you're getting the array of nutrients you need, from vitamins and minerals to antioxidants - all of the good and important stuff.For assembling the wraps, I find that julienne or finely-slivered vegetables are best. Dicing would work too. If you want to julienne some like I did - highly recommend for carrots and cucumbers in particular - I can't recommend highly enough purchasing a julienne peeler, like the "OXO Good Grips Julianne Peeler" (available on Zappos with free shipping and through many other retailers too). Works like a charm - so easy and quick! Also making this recipe even easier is a bamboo steamer (we have this one from Sur la Table - it's a pretty inexpensive and worthwhile investment!).These collard veggie wraps are good enough to become a household staple. Doctor them up as you see fit - change what you put inside, use different herbs and dipping sauces or seasonings, etc. If you want a side, some roasted sweet potatoes (cut into large chunks, toss with fresh minced garlic and a little coconut oil, and roast at 425 till browning on the outside and soft inside) are a great match. Experiment and enjoy!Recipe: Collard Green Veggie Wraps with Garlic-Coconut Brown RiceWhat You Need (serves about 4)

• 1 bunch of large collard greens

• 1-2 cups brown or wild mix rice

• 4 carrots (try the multi-color organic blend from Trader Joes - beautiful!)

• 1 large cucumber

• 1 green bell pepper

• 2 avocados

• 1/2 head of purple cabbage

• a few pinches of fresh cilantro (can swap in a different herb instead if you prefer, like basil)

• 1 bunch of scallions

• 2 large garlic cloves

• 1/2 tbsp coconut oil

• ground pepper & himalayan salt to taste

• dipping sauces (try some low-sodium/organic tamari, good balsamic vinegar, Organicville's Sriracha (good mixed in with just about anything else!), Galeo's Miso Southwest dressing, something creamy like Follow Your Heart's vegan dressings such as ranch or blue cheese)

What You Do

• Mince or smash the garlic, and add it and the coconut oil into a pot with the rice and enough water to cook the rice in - bring to a boil and then cover and simmer until the rice is done.

• Prepare the vegetables. Thinly julienne the carrots and cucumber (here's where that julienne peeler comes in handy!) and green pepper; slice the scallions and avocado thinly; chop the cabbage into short strips about a centemeter wide.

• Roughly chop the cilantro.

• Cut the collard leaves into large rectangularish pieces. It helps to cut lengthwise on either side of the stalk; because that's a little tough, it won't roll up as well as the rest of the leaf, so you can discard it. Try and slice pieces that are at least 6 inches long - makes for easier rolling - by 3 to 6 inches wide. Play around and see what size you like to work with best.

• Simmer water beneath a steamer - I use and love this bamboo steamer. Line the tray(s) of the steamer with parchment paper, and lay the leaves on it as flat as possible - it's fine if they overlap. Steam for about 1 minute, peeking at about 30 seconds in. It's done when the leaves look brighter in color and are a slightly softer or more flexible. Remove the steamer from the stove, and carefully lay out the collard pieces on a piece of parchment paper.

• Time for assembly! Spoon a couple of tablespoons of rice onto a collard leaf strip, an inch or two from one end, pressing down a bit. Then add in other veggies and herbs, laying them out lengthwise along the rice. Add a very tiny sprinkle of salt and some pepper, and then roll up starting from the end where the rice etc. are. If you make longer rolls, you can slice them into halves or thirds, or whatever you like.

• Serve alongside your dipping sauces, and devour!

Veggie & Hummus Wedges

Food for Life brown rice tortillas (wheat and gluten-free!) are great for wraps, but are even better sliced into wedges and lightly toasted in the oven into a chewy-and-crunchy (around the edges) "chip." Then you can go to town adding whatever you want on top, and the tortilla provides a light base that's supportive enough to not sog or crack beneath your topping of choice. This is yet another example of a "recipe" that's really just one example of infinite possibilities this can serve as inspiration for - and a pretty tasty (and very healthy) one at that!Without formatting this as a formal recipe, here's a basic description what I used and did - take it as a springboard to create your own! I:

• Sliced 3 tortillas (this makes for a light meal for 2, or a good snack or appetizer) into 6 wedges each, placed them in an even layer on a baking sheet and lightly toasted them in a 375 degree oven for about 10 minutes (just keep a close eye on them - they're done when ever so lightly browned around the edges)
• Diced equal parts tomato and cucumber (de-seeding both first), and tossed them with a pinch of salt, black pepper to taste, and a shake of garlic powder since I for once didn't have fresh garlic on hand
• Finely chopped a few handfuls of Trader Joe's Organic Power to the Greens (a mix of baby kale/spinach/chard)
• Spread a dollop of kalamata olive hummus on each tortilla wedge and topped with a scoop of tomato/cuke or greens, and drizzled some balsamic vinegar on top of each wedge
  • I can't get enough of Napa Valley Grand Reserve Cherry Wood Aged - it's thicker, almost like a reduction, and really just perfect

  • 

    I also added some pesto, though I didn't capture that with my camera - check out Basiltop's varieties - amazing!! I discovered them at a Santa Monica farmers market, and we've been devouring the vegan habanero pesto

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Back to basics.I'm always a sucker for a classic - especially when it comes to food. Something simple done fantastically? Yes please.Our oven hasn't been seeing as much activity lately as is otherwise typical in our house, but the other week before a trip away I decided to throw together something sweet, not too unhealthy, and portable. When you have a sweet tooth like P and I both do, you learn to prepare for these things when traveling since most common store-bought sweets are loaded with unpronounceable ingredients, are full of butter, or something else along those lines. So - homemade vegan chocolate chip cookies to the rescue!These come together quickly and easily, and the dough freezes well too - perfect for popping in the oven whenever you're craving a homemade treat, or even for eating raw (that's what happens in our house anyway - cookie dough is a common weakness!).Happy baking! Recipe: Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies*Note: These are vegan as is, and can easily be made gluten free by swapping out the whole wheat flour for gluten free flour and making sure you use gluten free oats (I used Bob's Red Mill Gluten-Free Quick Oats)What You Need:

• 3/4 c whole wheat pastry flour (or gluten free flour)
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• big pinch of salt
• 3/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 c raw sugar
• 1/8 c maple syrup (the REAL kind!)
• 1/4 applesauce
• 1/4 c coconut oil (melted/liquid)
• 1 tsp vanilla (extract or bean paste)
• 1 1/2 c oats (I used gluten free quick oats, but any kind should do)
• 1-2 generous handfuls of dark chocolate chips

What You Do:

• Preheat oven to 350
• Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon in a bowl and whisk to combine
• Combine applesauce, oil, sugars, vanilla and maple syrup in a bowl and stir well to combineTIPS: If your coconut oil is hard at room temp or if you keep it in the fridge, melt it in a small saucepan over low-med heat. Then, if you use refrigerated applesauce, warm that slightly as well - otherwise the cold applesauce will cause the coconut oil to firm up in pieces in your dough! Which won't ruin the recipe, but it's good to avoid if possible for best results.
• Add the dry ingredients to the wet in thirds, stirring each time to combine
• Stir in the oats and chocolate chips
• Drop rounded tablespoons of dough on ungreased parchment-lined baking sheets and bake for about 15 minutes (give or take), or until lightly golden brownTIP: If your balls of dough stay rounded when baking, use the bottom of a spatula to gently flatten each (can be done while baking, and then before you put the next batches in the oven)

Enjoy!

Chocolate Mousse Tiramisu

Chocolate Mousse Tiramisu.(I'm hoping the name alone is enticing you to read on!)Delicately spongy vanilla cake imbued with espresso and amaretto, layered with a deeply dark chocolate mousse, fluffy whipped cream and dark chocolate shavings.Digression/admission: I did not know until making this that Disaronno is amaretto. Blame it on the fact that my prior exposure to Disaronno was limited to the brand's commercials that used to be on TV all the time, and to which I apparently paid little attention. The more you know!So. This is an incredibly decadent, lick-the-bowl-clean delicious dessert that is easy to make for the impressive results it yields. A little advance planning is needed - a day if possible, but 12 hours is sufficient - in order to make each component and have them ready to assemble and meld together a bit before digging in.Speaking of assembly - mine would have looked a bit nicer if I had a proper trifle dish, but I don't so I made due with what we do have. It happens. And luckily does not impact taste!Oh and by the way... this is 100% vegan. Vegan tiramisu - vegan chocolate mousse tiramisu - it is real and it is GOOD. And a perfect example of a dessert that is traditionally full of dairy and eggs - but is not lacking anything without it. Make and serve this to any non-vegans, but don't tell them it's vegan until after the fact - I guarantee they will be shocked!You could even make it gluten-free by making the cake with gluten-free, and I bet it would be just as delicious.For any tiramisu traditionalists: I am fully aware that this is a non-traditional tiramisu, mainly with the addition of the chocolate mousse and the omission of marscapone or a more similar replacement. But I don't think the differences in this version detract at all - and neither did my taste-testers, so take their word for it if not mine!With what it comes down to: making layers of cake, whipped "cream", chocolate mousse, espresso, amaretto and dark chocolate - you can wing this with whatever recipes you prefer for each component, and likely have great success.My particular recipe is going to be published elsewhere, but in the meantime if you have any questions about it, shoot me an note or leave a question or comment below! 

Baked Pumpkin-Cranberry Oatmeal Bars (Vegan & Gluten-Free)

baked pumpkin cranberry oatmeal

If you like oatmeal and you like pumpkin, look no further for your new favorite healthy & delicious breakfast and/or snack! Major food blogger Kath at KathEats.com created this recipe (baked pumpkin oatmeal), which I just modified to be both vegan and gluten-free.After a great tip from a friend a couple weeks back, we stocked up on canned pumpkin from Trader Joe's - it's seasonal, organic, in a BPA-free can, VERY tasty and being that it's from TJ's, comparatively very cheap. So this recipe was a great reason to dip into the many cans in our pantry!You can eat these bars as is in hand, in a bowl with your (non-dairy!) milk of choice, on a plate with some stewed or fresh chopped fruit, or a drizzle of your favorite nut/seed butter, some grated coconut... many possibilities!They are very healthy and satisfying, and would be a beloved staple in many kitchens. I'd think these might also be a particularly great thing to make if you have kiddos, either for breakfast - especially if breakfast is needed on-the-go - or a good snack.Keep on reading for the recipe!Recipe: Baked Pumpkin-Cranberry Oatmeal Bars (Vegan & Gluten-Free!)Modified from original recipe by KathEats.comWhat You Need:

• 2 cups gluten-free oats (such as Bob's Red Mill)

• 1 tsp baking powder (use 3/4 tsp if you live at a high altitude)

• pinch of salt

• 1/4 unsweetened applesauce

• 1 generous cup of pumpkin puree

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice (or add more cinnamon, or nutmeg, ginger, etc.)

• 1.5 c unsweetened coconut milk (such as SoDelicious)

• 1 tsp vanilla

• 1/3 c unsweetened dried cranberries (or your dried fruit of choice... or dark chocolate if you want to get a little crazy...)

• 1-4 tbsp brown sugar, divided (optional)

What You Do:

• Preheat your oven to 375 (go up to 385 if you live at a high altitude)

• Whisk all dry ingredients (minus brown sugar) in a medium mixing bowl

• In a separate bowl, whisk all wet ingredients and 1-3 tbsp brown sugar if using, and then stir in dried cranberries

• Stir the wet ingredients into the dry until completely combined

• Line an 8x8 baking pan with parchment paper and/or grease with Earth Balance

• Bake on the middle rack for 30-35 minutes

• Allow to cool completely in the pan, and then cut into squares - store them in individual plastic baggies or an air-tight container on the counter or in the fridge - I think they taste great at room temp, chilled, or re-heated in the oven!

5-Bean Brown Rice & Pumpkin Seeds with Tamari

As I wrote in my last post, preparing some of your own food when traveling and staying in hotels is good for both your health and your wallet if you have the means to do so (aka have use of some basic kitchen appliances wherever you are staying). Plus, when in a foreign country, it gives you more excuses to browse the sometimes curious and sometimes wonderful and new-to-you items found on their store shelves (...orrr maybe that's just me?). So, first came smashed avocado toast, and now here's another simple yet satisfying concoction: mixed beans with brown rice, pumpkin seeds and soy. It consists of literally just 4 readily-available ingredients, is 100% vegan and also gluten-free.Interestingly, on a gluten-related note, New Zealand seems to be very gluten-conscious and it's extremely common for restaurant menus to indicate GF (gluten-free) options. From the little bit I've heard, it seems that gluten allergies/intolerance is quite common here. I'm curious to do some more digging into that and why it is so.But anyway - back to the recipe! I boiled some medium grain brown rice (read more about the benefits of brown rice vs rice here), cooled it a bit in the fridge, and then mixed in a 14 oz can of a five-bean mixture (rinsed & drained), some pumpkin seeds and some low-sodium tamari. Back into the fridge it went in a ziplock baggie, and we ate it as part of dinner one night and I had it for breakfast as well. Yes - a grain/bean/seed/veggie (though there were obviously no vegetables in this recipe) combo makes for a really great and nutritionally optimal way to start the day!I didn't have any measuring utensils to use, so I just eyeballed everything and taste-tested to get the right amount of tamari. You can definitely use a different rice/grain and any bean(s) you prefer, and use soy instead of tamari - just know that soy sauce is not gluten-free.This recipe was inspired by a friend of ours back home who has been a vegan for years and serves as a go-to source of nutrition-related info for people in her life. One challenge people on a plant-based diet sometimes face is preparing some interesting, tasty and nutritious food at home that can be taken on the go and doesn't need to be refrigerated all day to prevent spoiling. She pointed out that mixing a few ingredients, like what's in this recipe, can be preserved in the fridge for a longer time and also withstand a day without refrigeration because the tamari and its sodium content acts as a preservative of sorts. So it's a great meal or snack to have with you when you're traveling/ out and about, or - if you make it when at home - keep it in a container in your refrigerator separate from veggies, and then chop and add vegetables in as you want to eat it to help preserve freshness.Final thought - did you know that pumpkin seeds have LOTS of healthy benefits? They are the most alkaline-forming seed, are high in good quality protein, are loaded with important vitamins and minerals, can be an anti-inflammatory agent, and much much more. High in fat, yes, but good-for-you fat.