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

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 

Fresh Summertime Guacamole

Ingredients

8 large avacado

2 diced tomatoes

1 small diced white onion
chopped cilantro (1 bunch)

1 small jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped (optional)

fresh lemon juice

Directions
mix together ingredients in medium dish

Serve with pita, veggie sticks, or even in a wrap,burger, or salad

Keep in the Fridge and serve Cold :)

Did you know? -> The Aztecs believed Avocado to act as an aphrodisiac& the best avacado to use for guacamole is the Hass avocado!

MexiCali Spread

Always a crowd-pleaser

This MexiCali taco dip is always a hit at parties. Great for crowds and excellent spread when you're hosting the game!

Ingredients
1 (18 ounce) package of light cream cheese
1 (8 ounce) tub of sour cream
1/2 package of powdered taco seasoning
2 diced hot house tomatoes

1 cup of diced green peppers

2 diced green onions
2 cups of fresh organic salsa

2 cups of finely shredded old cheddar cheese

sliced black olives (optional)

1/2 cup of jalepeno chopped (optional)

Directions

Mix cream cheese, sour cream, and taco seasoning in mixing bowl

Place mixture in serving dish
Top with fresh organic salsa
Cover with shredded cheese and veggies

Serve with warm tortilla chips

Rosemary and Artichoke appetizer

Great for entertaining!

Recipe

1 (14 ounce) can of artichoke hearts drained and diced
1 (8 ounce) package of light cream cheese
2 fresh rosemary sprigs finely chopped
1 clove of garlic minced
salt and pepper to taste
1 dash of tobasco
1 oz of freshly shredded monteray jack cheese


Directions
*mix together the above ingredients in medium sized mixing bowl
Place the mixture into a baking dish
Top the baking dish with 2 oz of shredded asiago cheese
place in oven until cheese is melted and browned on surface
Remove from oven and garnish with fresh rosemary sprig
Serve with baked pita chips or thinly sliced baguette drizzled in olive oil




5 HEALTH BENEFITS OF ROSEMARY

1)Improves memory
2) overcomes bloating
3)Keeps scalp healthy
4) Loosens muscles
5)Prevents cancer

Vibrant Veggie Stir-Fry

FUN. FRESH. FILLING.
Stir-fry ingredients
1 1/2 teaspoons of olive oil
1 cup of broccoli florets
1 cup of cauliflower florets
1 red pepper, cored, seeded and julienned
1 green pepper, cored, seeded and julienned
3 green onions, sliced
100g mushrooms cleaned and diced
1/2 cup of thinly sliced red onion
1/2 cup of snow peas
2 full zuchinnis sliced
1 small can of pineapples

Sauce
1 clove of garlic minced
1/4 cup of soya sauce
1 tablespoon of honey
1 slice of ginger minced
black pepper to taste

Cooking instructions
Spray non-stick wok or non stick skillet with cooking spray
Heat over medium high heat
Add olive oil, peppers, mushrooms, and onions and cook for approximately 3-4 minutes
Add broccoli, cauliflower, pineapple, zucchini, snow peas, and turn to low heat for 3 minutes

Serve
Serve on a bed of basmati rice or glass noodles. Top with toasted cashews or almonds for that protein kick!

Breakfast or Dessert: Mango Parfait

I'm a new vegetarian. How new? Well, it's been about two weeks, so I've been trying new recipes like crazy lately and came across one for mango parfait. Perfect for breakfast or as a dessert, mango parfait is delicious, filling and takes almost no time to make. My brother and sister-in-law had a Father's Day brunch and this was my contribution. My dad loves mangoes. He inhaled this.

Ingredients (serves 4-5)

1 cup of President's Choice Blue Menu Omega-3 Almond Vanilla Granola

1 tub of PC Greek Yogurt-- Vanilla

1 cup of PC Mango Chunks, thawed + chopped.

And from there, all you need to do is layer the ingredients. Start by adding the granola, then add a layer of Greek yogurt, and top with the chopped mango. If you have a sweet tooth like me, you can drizzle some agave nectar on top too... other than that, you're golden.

Enjoy!

Drink: Sweet and Spicy novel-tea

Better start licking your lips. This sweet and spicy drink will get your temperature up and best yet-Its VEGAN Yay.


What you will need:

250ml/1 cup-Organic Creme Earl Grey Tea Brewed (or chia or black tea or choice)
250 ml/1 cup mil substitue of choice (I love original unsweetened Almond Breeze)
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Agave syrop to taste
few drops organic vanilla extract (optional)
Tool: Milk frother (I just handheld about $15 to buy)
Clear glass (double-walled of with handles is recommended-thin glass gets HOT)
Garnish: Carob/raw sugar **Note** this will cause the fluffy steamed milk sub. to start sinking. So its helpful to put on just as you are about to enjoy.

This is what a hand frother looks like. 

Heat up your milk on the stove or (Shock the horror: in the microwave) and then pour into glass until its just over 1/4 way up the glass. Break out your handy-dandy milk frother and frother that puppy up until its super foamy on top.

Take a large spoon and pour hot brewed tea over the spoon against the side of the glass so the tea by-passes most of the milk froth, you will begin to see the hot tea layering in the middle of the glass between the hot milk and the frothy whipped top section. Continue pouring until froth reaches top of glass.

Then use spoon to spread milk froth to cover your entry hole where you were pouring the tea. Garnish with carob and cinnamon or raw sugar. Enjoy this brilliant little novel-tea.

Carob garnish YUM*

Leftovers re-imagined: Vegetable Curry with White rice towers

Vegetable curry with white rice towers

 

What you will need:

Leftovers in this case vegetable curry (or stir fry, tofu, or anything you want to add rice and curry sauce to)

White, or brown or basmati rice (prepare rice by package instructions. My rice cooker took two measures of rice to four measures of water)

1 Cup Apple sauce

1 quarter or segment of white onion with root attached

2 TBS olive oil
1 TBS pure Ginger (from tube or jar)
1 TBS cilantro (dried, from tube or frozen shaker box)

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp coriander

1 tsp turmeric

1 tsp cayenne pepper

1 tsp cumin

2-3 bay leaves (remember to take these bad boys out before you are done)

4-6 fresh thyme sprigs

2-3 cups vegetable stock

½ cup white wine (optional)

Handy tool:

Cuisipro Scoop and Stack Ice Cream Scoop work on ice cream, shapes, cookies, tea biscuits, and YES EVEN RICE into compact towers. See 3^rd photo Credit: Cusipro.com

http://FrozenTreats.cuisipro.com/en/

http://www.amazon.com/Cuisipro-Scoop-Stack-Cream-Green/dp/B00152MIGQ

Quick tip:

If you are just starting to stock your pantry or spice cabinet and want a quick and dirty trick for Indian cooking pick up ‘Garam Masala’ – a mix of cinnamon, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, cardamom seeds, black peppercorns, cloves and nutmeg – a North Indian all spice of sorts. You won’t regret it! This singular spice mix could have substituted in here for most of the spices listed as one step. YAY for simplicity.

Directions:

Add oil to a sauce or soup pot and heat over medium heat. Add quarter of white onion (TIP: remove peel but keep part of root attached so it doesn’t separate, you want the onion flavor but not the actual onion, you will be taking this guy out when you remove the bay leaves)

After the onion has simmered in the oil for 2-ish minutes reduce heat add apple sauce, spices and mix together with white wine. Add vegetable stock gradually, sprigs of thyme and bay leaves.

Let sauce simmer 10 minutes.

Pre-heat plates or pasta bowls in microwave and unplug rice cooker or remove inner bowl. Heat up leftovers in microwave on high for 5-6 minutes. Use ice cream scoop or scoop and stack tool and arrange two balls or towers of rice per plate. Spoon leftover around or on top of rice.

Remove bay leaves, thyme springs and onion segment from sauce. Ladle or pour sauce over each plate of leftovers and rice. Garnish with basil or sprigs of thyme as seen in picture. Serve immediately. 

Soup: Italian Minestrone

Soup: Italian Minestrone


Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
Skill Level: Beginner 

What you will need:

3 tablespoons olive oil

3 cloves garlic, chopped

2 onions, chopped

2 cups chopped celery

5 carrots, sliced

2 cups vegetable broth

2 cups water

1/2 cup red wine (optional)

1 cup canned kidney beans, drained

1 (15 ounce) can green beans

2 cups baby spinach, rinsed

3 zucchinis, quartered and sliced

1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano

2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

Salt and pepper to taste

1/2 cup seashell pasta (Try Jumbo shells if you like more stuff than broth)

2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese for topping

Directions:

In a large stock pot, over medium-low heat, heat olive oil and saute garlic for 2 to 3

minutes. Add onion and saute for 4 to 5 minutes. Add celery and carrots, saute for 1

to 2 minutes.

Add broth, water and tomato sauce, bring to boil, stirring frequently. If desired add

red wine at this point. Reduce heat to low and add kidney beans, green beans, spinach leaves, zucchini, oregano, basil, salt and pepper. Simmer for 30 minutes, the longer the better.

Fill a medium saucepan with water and bring to a boil. Add macaroni and cook el

            dente. Drain water and set aside. (If you want faster preparation cook pasta while you are making soup)

            

            Once soup is heated through add cooked pasta to soup. Ladle soup into individual serving bowls sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top. Drizzle with olive oil, top with chopped basil and serve HOT!

Naan Flatbread Pizza Tomato Mozza Basil

Naan Flatbread Pizza Tomato Mozza Basil


Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Skill level: Beginner 

What you will need:

2 pieces of Naan bread purchased or you can make your own (see blog for Naan recipe)

1 tsp olive oil

2 TBS tomato sauce (optional)

1 cup Shredded mozzarella cheese

1 cup sliced Cherry Tomatoes

Chopped or shredded basil

Salt and pepper to taste
handful of pine nuts to garnish

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees C

Place Naan breads on cooking sheet or pan. Spread with olive oil or tomato sauce. Arrange cherry tomatoes on flatbreads and sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese. Top with basil, salt and pepper to taste. Bake pizzas for 10 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and melted.

Sprinkle with pine nuts cut into strips and serve.

Entree or Side: Pumpkin Risotto

 Pumpkin Risotto


Prep Time: 5-10
Cook Time: 35 mins
Skill Level: Intermediate- Advanced

What you will need:

1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1 cup finely chopped onion

1 tablespoon chopped garlic

2 cups arborio rice

1 cup dry white wine (chardonnay or German Riesling)

About 6 cups of vegetable stock

1 butternut squash, one half baked in the oven and then pureed; the other half, peeled, cut into small dice, and Sauteed in a little oil and butter until tender

1/2 cup grated Parmesan

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

Shaved parmesan to garnish (you can use a vegetable peeler or microplane)

Directions:

In a medium-size heavy bottomed saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic and saute, stirring continuously, just until softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the rice and continue to stir, using a wooden spoon, to coat the rice with the oil.

Add the white wine and continue cooking, stirring often, until it has been absorbed by the rice. Pour in enough vegetable stock to cover the rice completely, about 3 cups, and continue to cook, stirring often, until all the liquid is absorbed.

Pour in 1 cup more of the remaining stock and stir and cook until it has been absorbed. Repeat with 1 more cup. Add the remaining cup and cook, stirring, until the rice is al dente, tender but still very chewy, and most of the liquid has been absorbed.

Stir in the pumpkin puree and the diced pumpkin and reduce the heat to very low so that the risotto doesn't simmer anymore. Stir in the Parmesan and butter to give the risotto a nice, creamy finish. Spoon it immediately into heated (you can microwave plates for 4 minutes on 50% power) shallow serving bowls/pasta plates garnish with shaved Parmesan. Enjoy!

Higher protein Alternative:

Cube tofu and microwave in orange juice bath for 5 minutes before risotto is done

top with tofu chopped apricots and finish with shaved Parmesan garnish.

Breakfast: Vegan Pancakes

Quick Vegan Pancakes

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 5-10 minutes
Skill level: Beginner

What you will need:

1 cup whole wheat flour (or flour of your choice Rice flour works too)

2 tsp baking powder

¼ tsp sea salt

½ tsp creme of tartar

1 tsp cinnamon

2 tbsp vegetable oil or Canola oil

1 tbsp agave nectar

1 cup soy or almond milk (I usually use Almond Breeze unsweetened original but you can also use vanilla)

1 tsp chocolate, vanilla, rock sugar (Optional-PC brand pepper mill style container)

Directions:

In a large bowl, mix flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and chocolate spice mix if used. Next, add oil, milk, and agave nectar. In a preheated pan over low/medium heat, pour a CD-size amount (or one soup ladle) Cook each side  until light brown or until you see bubbling

Photos shown served with Hash browns and Scrambled eggs (for Brian, I don't eat eggs)

Appetizer or Side: Vegan cream cheese stuffed tomatoes

This recipe come from Canadian Living Magazine (Photo Credit: Canadian Living magazine)


Appetizer or Side

Vegan Cream Cheese stuffed tomatoes


Prep time: 5 minutes
cook time: 20-25
Skill level: Beginner to Intermediate 

What you will need
2 boxes cheery tomatoes

Vegan Cream Cheese full container

Spinach 2 cups frozen chopped

Roasted garlic 2-3 cloves whole (or sautéed in pan for 15 minutes)
1/2 tbs nutmeg 

Salt & pep to taste

Cayenne pepper to taste

Basil leaves to garnish

6 Tbs olive oil (2 in pan, 4 in blender/processor)

Directions:

Heat thick-bottomed pan or soup pot over medium heat.

Add with olive oil right away (it will spit at you if you add it to a hot pan)

Add garlic into pan sauté for 15 minutes or until soft.

Add in spinach, season with nutmeg, salt and pepper to taste

Fry for 6 minutes keeping things moving in the pan.

Prep food processor or blender

By drizzling 4 TBS olive oil along inside

Add whole container vegan cream cheese

Prep cherry tomatoes

Cut off ¼ of top off cheery tomato and scoop out insides

Tip: You can stand up in mini muffin tin to stuff or slice thin tip off bottom without piercing into hallowed out inside so the bottom is flat and they can stand up on a baking sheet

Take pan/pot off heat and add hot contents directly on top of cream cheese in food processor.

Blend or mix for 3 minutes pulsing button until garlic cloves are chopped and blended into mixture.

Spoon mixture into tomatoes or use pastry or sandwich bag to pipe mixture in.

Garnish with single basil leave and serve right away.

Note: this recipe can be prepared in advance and chilled in fridge for up to 2 days before dinner party or kept in the fridge for easy snack. 

Drink: Sun Brewed Ice Tea

This is one of my favourite drink recipes -the concept was lovingly stolen from a friends mother who is from TEXAS and makes this in her yellow and glass pitcher similar to the plastic green one seen in my picture. I never got her recipe but it was tweaked two summers ago after several failed attempts. Enjoy

Sun Brewed Ice Tea


Prep time: 5 minutes
Brew time: 4 hours
Skill level: Beginner 


What you will need:
16-18 cups water

8 tea bags (4 black tea bags of your choice 4 lemon zinger tea bags/ or 4 peach tea bags if you prefer peach to lemon)

1/4-cup sweetener (I like splenda, or stevia, or agave nectar, you can use honey, although its harder to dissolve or good ol' fashion sugar)

Let steep in a warm sunny spot for 4 hours

Serve over ice with lemon wedge or warm from the rays the way it is!!

YUM
For 'HARD' alcoholic version add
10 oz. vanilla vodka
2-4 oz. tequila (I like Hornitos brand but you can also add flavoured tequilas or not to suit your taste)