GF/SF/Egg Free/Milk and Butter free, Strawberry shortcake (no whip- 0% fat greek yoghurt)

DEEEEEEEEE- licious Strawberry Shortcake, who doesn't love this amazing summer treat.

This is made with no sugar added because I am more of a savoury girl than a sweet one, and I prefer natural tasting flavours. These would be 100% Vegan if you swap out the yoghurt I used for a vegan alternative. I like yoghurt over whip, because I like lower fat, and the tangy flavour combination.

What you will need:

• Plain Yoghurt - I used 0% fat Presidents Choice Greek Style 
• Biscuits - I used vegan ones my mom made with spelt flour (note:**these biscuits are vegan gluten free, egg free, milk and butter free** recipe as per Bob's Red Mill GF Biscuit mix, made with Earth Balance Vegan shortening and almond milk, see website for details http://www.bobsredmill.com/gf-biscuit-mix.html)
• strawberry jam- I used Presidents Choice No Sugar added
• Garnish with Chocolate shavings  (note:***scrape heavy straight blade knife over smooth side of the chocolate bar, toss on top, no finger touching- it breaks and melts your shavings***)

I use dark chocolate, I always have some variety in the fridge, waiting. 

use warm biscuits out of the oven or warm up in a toaster oven or microwave so it will slightly heat up your ingredients.

In a bowl or on a plate stack:

half biscuit
strawberry jam
yoghurt or white topping of choice
other biscuit half
top with strawberry jam and chocolate shavings

                                                              

You can barley see what is under the yoghurt!

ENJOY!!


Helpful Note: To make restaurant style chocolate shaving scrape a heavy flat blade knife over the bar of chocolate, on the flat side, and then sprinkle over top by tipping chocolate bar or foil. If you handle the shaving with your finger they will break or melt, they are only little babies after all.

Biscuits are made as per Bob's Red Mill GF Biscuit mix directions, my mom used Earth Balance Vegan Shortening, and almond milk, super easy and quick.  see website for details http://www.bobsredmill.com/gf-biscuit-mix.html

Fennel Pea Risotto

Ingredients ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

1 1/2 cups of veg broth

dash of saffron

1tsp olive oil

1 onion diced

1/2 bulb fennel chopped

1 clove garlic minced

1 cup of aborio rice

1/4 cup of white wine
1 cup peas

1/4 cup of freshly grated parmesan cheese

2 tbsp freshly chopped parsley
Directions :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

In medium size pan..add broth and 1 1/2 cups of water to boil

add saffron and let simmer on low heat

In a separate pan .. add oil, onions and fennel

cook for approx 5 minutes

stir and add rice into mix until well coated

after 2 minutes... slowly stir in wine

add peas, and the broth mixture from the other medium sized pan.. but very slowly and only half cup at a time....

after 20 mins..stir in cheese and parsley

Serve immediatly! TIP: bring a dish of shredded parm to the table for guests to top up their dish

Delish Summer Dish: Zucchini & Cantaloupe Salad with Feta and Mint

Ingredients

1/2 cup of lemon juice

1/4tsp lemon zest

dash of sugar

dash of Salt and Pepper

Olive Oil

1 Zucchini (trimmed)

1/4 of a cantaloupe (peeled and seeded)

3oz of feta cheese

mint for garnish

Directions

In a small mixing bowl add lemon juice, zest, sugar, S&P

combine olive oil for vinaigrette

Separately, slice zucchini and cantaloupe lengthwise with a mandolin

toss in vinaigrette and sprinkle with feta, black pepper

garnish with mint*

Voila! Great summer time dish for those hot hot summer days..

Soy and Dairy Free Dessert: Pineapple Coconut Bliss

Remember when ice cream alternative were hard to find, and then when you did find them, you didn't exactly jump for joy. Most of the ice cream substitutes I have tried have left me feeling less than satisfied. This however was introduced to me by my cousin Anna who was visiting recently from Toronto. I want to sing her high praise up the hills. Hello new fav dessert !!!!!


Coconut Bliss -available what seems like a kagillion different flavours including cappuccino, pineapple coconut, naked coconut, dark chocolate, vanilla island, chocolate hazelnut fudge in the tubs, and naked coconut and dark chocolate in the bar format. check their website for more, like ingredients or nutritional info and 4 new flavours for 2011. http://coconutbliss.com/coconut-bliss-products



YAY YAY YAY YAY. Now everyone can have dessert all together all the non-daries, soy-allergic and vegans can all rejoice.

**Notes** Where to buy:  I was perusing their website- and if you can't find it locally, just go to their website print off this form and let the wonderful people of coconut bliss know and they will contact the store to help you get it to where you are. How cool  http://coconutbliss.com/where/store-locator

Vegan: Creamy dreamy balsamic dressing

Ever wanted to lick the plate clean after a salad? I have.....hello creamy dreamy balsamic dressing.

What you will need:

2 Tbs Nayonaise vegan (or regular mayo if you are non-vegan)
6 Tbs olive oil
3 Tbs Balsamic vinegar
1 Tsp Agave
pinch cayenne pepper
Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions:

Combine ingredients in a jar or a squirt bottle like I used. Shake vigorously for a few minutes until a smooth light mocha coloured dressing is evenly blended. Alternatively you can use a small food processor using the pulse function.

Options:

Want different flavours like maple balsamic? - Add maple syrup instead of agave to sweeten. YUM!

Want to use as bread dipper- add more olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Just that easy folks.

**Notes**

What the heck is Nayonaise anyways? website- http://www.nasoya.com/products/original-nayonaise/original.html. I bought mine locally at Planet Organic, and you can also get it at AtlanticSuperStore.

Asparagus in white wine

Ingredients

2 pounds of asparagus (thick end removed)

1/4 cup of butter (VO: margarine or alternative)

1/4 cup of white wine

dash of salt of pepper

Directions

Boil water, add asparagus

cook asparagus for 4-5 minutes

Drain asparagus and let cool

In a large skillet melt butter, add wine and salt and pepper

Add in asparagus to mixture

Serve immediately

Oven Baked Sweet Potatoe Fries with Curry Mayo

Ingredients




1 & 1/2 pounds of sweet potatoes - cut and sliced into half inch strips




1/4 olive oil




1/4 tsp of cinnamon




1/2 tsp paprika




salt and pepper to taste




Directions




Pre heat oven to 425



Rinse sweet potatoes well....



Place parchment paper on baking sheet
Distribute sweet potatoes evenly on baking sheet



drizzle olive oil & spices over sweet potatoes



Bake for approx 30 minutes



turning potatoes every 10 minutes with spatula





****Serve Warm With Curry Mayo













You will need:



1 cup of mayo (VO: Nayonaise or alternative)



2tsp of curry



1tsp of fresh lime juice



1/8 tsp of cayenne

Pass the Pesto!

Ingredients

2 cups of fresh basil leaves

1/2 cup of freshly grated parmesan cheese (VO: leave off/use vegan cheese/nutritional yeast flakes)

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/3 cup of pine nuts
3 garlic cloves (minced)
salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Add pine nuts and basil in food processor & grind

Add garlic to food processor & grind

While processing... slowly add olive oil...

Finally add parmesan cheese salt and pepper

Serve in any pasta, as a dip for bread, or with cooked veggies
Tip:add basil pesto to mayonnaise for a nice pesto mayo in your sandwich!(half and half)

Tip: Add a squeeze of lemon to give it a bit of zing

No two greeks alike- Grilled Wrap

Just the thought of greek food gets me salivating.... I love the combination of flavours.  Salty olives and feta, humous and greens, fresh herbs and lemon....ok now I am seriously drooling.

No two greeks alike-grilled wrap.

YUM!!!

What you will need:

• Tortilla or pita bread (I like whole grain PC blue menu)
• Arugula greens
• humus (Mine is homemade- I will post recipe later)
• 1/2 vine ripened tomatoe sliced
• cucumber peeled and sliced 
• balsamic marinated tofu (optional)
• kalamata olives pitted and sliced
• Goats milk feta cheese
• fresh or dried oregano
• salt & peper to taste
• squeeze of lemon

Note: I go onion free at lunch to avoid bad breath- also my homemade humus is sans-garlic too!

Directions:

lay out your wrap, spread on hummus layer handful of greens, cucumber, tomatoes, cubed tofu, olives, oregano, salt and pep, crumble your feta over top of all other ingredients, squeeze fresh lemon overtop. Wrap up your wrap, pop it on a hot grill or throw it in a panini grill. after 3 minutes slice it on the diagonal and enjoy.

The arugula gives it a spicy kick, and the protein from the tofu will give you that lasting energy you need on a friday. 

Love,

Nicole 

How to Fold your wrap: I like to fold mine like a burrito with two closed ends so I can grill it without loosing ingredients and so it can be sliced in two and eaten in two helpings. Fold right and left sides in and start rolling your wrap towards the top. I stop about half way and pull the ingredient back toward the bottom because as you roll they tend to move up/forward. Finish rolling when you get to the top and press down. Then transfer to hot pan or panini press, heat and light pressure either from the grill or from a scapula will help seal off your wrap and prevent it from opening up.  

Note: cube firm tofu and let it hang out overnight with some sea salt and balsamic in the fridge- I like a big kick of protein at lunch and usually have tofu hanging around in my fridge so if you have it or want it great- if you don't it won't detracted from the taste of the wrap

When life gives you apples

Oh Brad is right.....summer is here and suddenly its a HOT one in Halifax. With all this blazing sun shinning down upon us, let me help you cool off. Here are some refreshing ways to jazz up your everyday drinking water.


We all know we need H2O to keep us balanced and properly hydrated. But....drinking the same old same old can get a little lack-luster in the dog days of summer.

why not slice up some apple or freeze blueberries in your ice cubes, why not cut half your water with green tea and throw some frozen strawberries in there to hang out. Cucumber and basil are fantastic paired together. Oddly enough basil and mango are a unique and sensory treat for both your nose and mouth. Mint and watermelon is another great and unexpected pair.

Do it...it feels soo good going down.

What you will need:

• fresh or fav fruit of choice
• frozen fruit in that freezer
• basil or mint
• ice cube tray
• pitcher, water bottle, glass
• green tea (fav herbal tea or choice)

Directions:


Thinly slice apples, kiwi, mango, strawberries, melon or cucumber. Tear up basil or mint.

fill a pitcher or beverage container with ice or go a la cart and let whatever you are infusing 'chill' for at least an hour in filtered water or tap popped in the fridge.

Don't pair to many things together, stick with two things hanging out together and see how they jive, see what your preferences are and then go with it.

Enjoy!

Want to know how to make friends with construction workers on a blazing hot day? Tell them you made a seemingly unlimited supply of blueberry green ice tea. I told them it was sweetened with agave and was all natural-but all they seemed to care about was that it was cold. 

Xox

Love, Nicole