Gluten-Free Pizza Crust

This doughy and soft pizza crust is gluten-free and delicious!

Serves: 1 large pizza crust

Prep Time: 15 min

Cooking Time: 20 min

Total:  35 min

Ingredients

2 tsp. active dry yeast
1 tsp. sugar
3/4 cup warm water
1 egg or flax egg*
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 1/2 cup all-purpose GF flour
2 tsp. xantahan gum
1/2 tsp. salt

Directions

1. In a small bowl combine yeast, sugar and water. Allow to proof for 5 minutes.
2. Combine flour, xanthan gum and salt in a large bowl.
3. Add eggs and oil to yeast mixture and whisk until combined.
4. Add wet mixture to dry and stir rapidly with a spatula until well combined.
5. Scoop mixture onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet, and using wet hands spread dough evenly and smoothly over surface.
6. Top with your favourite sauce and toppings.
7. Bake in a preheated oven at 425 F for 15-20 minutes.

Recipe from bobsredmill.com

*Make a flax egg by combining 1 tbsp. ground flax with 3 tbsp. water. Allow to stand for 5 minutes before using.

Vegan Mini Lemon Cheesecakes

Light and lemony vegan mini cheesecakes inspired by Spring are a great addition for brunch or tea.

Serves: 12

Prep Time: 20 min

Cooking Time: 35-40 min

Total:  60 min

Ingredients

1 cup rolled oats
6 large Medjool dates, pitted
1/2 cup raw walnut pieces
pinch salt
1 cup raw cashews, presoaked for 4-6 hours
1 cup vegan sour cream
1/2 cup unflavoured silken tofu
1 tsp. corn starch
1-2 tbsp. water
2 tsp. lemon juice
1 tsp. lemon zest
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2-3 tbsp. maple syrup or agave

Directions

1. To make the base, combine oats, walnuts, dates and salt in a food processor, pulsing until well combined. The mixture should stick together when pressed between your fingers. Add a drop of water if necessary.
2. Line a muffin tin with foil cups and press about 2 tbsp. of mixture into the bottom of each well.
3. Rinse cashews and place in a food processor. Process into a creamy, smooth mixture.
4. In a small bowl dissolve cornstarch in water, making sure that no lumps remain. 
5. Add tofu, sour cream, lemon juice, lemon zest, vanilla, maple syrup and cornstarch mixture to the cashew cream and process until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust sweetness if necessary.
6. Divide batter evenly, scooping each portion on top of each prepared base.
7. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 F for 35-40 minutes, or until set. Allow to cool and then refrigerate.
8. Serve chilled.

Raw Vegan Carrot Cake

This raw vegan carrot cake takes a bit of time to assemble, but the result is well worth it!

Serves: 12

Prep Time: 30 min, plus 3 hours

Cooking Time: 0 min

Total:  30 min

Ingredients

2 cups shredded carrot, divided
9 Medjool dates, pitted
10 dried apricots
1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup walnut pieces
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
1/8 tsp. ground clove
pinch of salt

Vanilla Cashew Cream "Cheese"
1 1/2 cups raw, unsalted cashews, presoaked in water for 4-5 hours and rinsed
2 tbsp. coconut oil, melted
1/2 cup almond milk
2 tsp. apple cider vinegar
2 tsp. fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup sugar or coconut sugar, to taste
2 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions

1. In a food processor, process dates, apricots and spices until coarsely ground.
2. Add coconut, 1 cup of shredded carrot and salt, processing until well ground.
3. Transfer to a mixing bowl and mix in remaining carrot, walnuts and raisins.
4. Press base firmly into a large spring form pan, or into a muffin tin with plastic wrapped lined wells.
5. To make the cashew cream, blend soaked cashews, coconut oil, almond milk, vinegar and lemon juice until smooth and creamy. Add sugar and vanilla extract, blending to combine.
6. Top carrot base with cashew cream and decorate with additional walnut or pecan pieces.
7. Cover and freeze for 2 hours before removing from pan. 
8. Serve lightly chilled.

Lightly adapted from healthfulpursuit.com

Life is for Living

Life is for Living. Mixed Media Collage, 2013. [sold]

Mejadra

A Middle Eastern favourite that combines spiced rice and lentils with fried onions.

Serves: 6

Prep Time: 15 min

Cooking Time: 35 min

Total:  45 min

Ingredients

1/2 cup green or brown lentils
1 cup brown rice
2 cups water
2 tsp. cumin seeds
1 1/2 tsp. coriander seeds
2 tbsp. olive oil
1/2 tsp. sugar
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
2 tsp. good quality curry powder or hawaij spice mix
salt and pepper
3 tbsp. sunflower oil
1 large onions, peeled and thinly sliced in rings
1 tbsp. flour or rice flour

Directions

1. In a small pot cover lentils with plenty water. Bring to boil and cook for 12-15 minutes, until softened but still have a bite. Drain and set aside.
2. Heat 1 tsp. olive oil in a large pot and add cumin and coriander seeds. Toast for 1-2 minutes. Add rice, remaining olive oil, curry powder, cinnamon, sugar, salt and pepper. Stir to combine then add 2 cups water. Cook until water has evaporated, about 20 minutes.
3. While rice is cooking, prepare onions by tossing slices in flour mixture. Heat sunflower oil in a pan and fry onions until crispy. Place onions on a plate lined with a paper towel, allowing some of the oil to drain.
4. When rice is done, add lentils and 1/2 onions to the pot and mix to combine. Transfer to a shallow serving dish and top with remaining fried onions.
5. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Lightly adapted from Ottolenghi's Jerusalem (2012)

On the Rocks

On the Rocks. Mixed Media Collage, 2013.

Live

Live. Mixed Media Collage, 2013.

Old-Fashioned Lime Pie

A slice of old-fashioned lime pie is a delightful spring-inspired dessert.

Thank you Joanna for this recipe.

Serves: 8-10 slices

Prep Time: 15 min

Cooking Time: 30 min

Total:  45 min, plus 3 hours chill time

Ingredients

1/2 box Nilla vanilla wafer cookies (about 40 wafers)

1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
rind of 3 large limes
1 can (300 ml) sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup fresh lime juice
2 large eggs

Directions

1. Place wafers in a food processor and grind until fine.  Add melted butter, 1/2 tsp. lime rind and pulse until moist crumbs form.
2. Press crumbs into a 9" glass pie plate using your fingers. If crust mixture is sticky, use a layer of plastic wrap to help avoid it sticking to your fingers. Save plastic wrap for later.
3. Bake crust for about 10 minutes at a preheated oven at 350 F. When the edges turn golden, remove and set aside.
4. In a mixing bowl whisk condensed milk, lime juice and remaining lime rind.  Add eggs and whisk well.
5. Pour filling into the prepared crust and bake until it is set, about 20 minutes.
6. Remove from oven and let cool. Cover with plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for at least 3 hours.
7. Garnish with lime slices and serve plain or with whipped cream.

Adapted from Bon Appetit (August 1997)

Brown Rabbit Salad

Make this high protein brown rabbit salad for a fulfilling breakfast or snack.

Serves: 1
Prep Time: 5 min

Cooking Time: 0 min

Total:  5 min

Ingredients

1/2 cup chunky plain cottage cheese
1 apple, cored and chopped
sprinkle of raisins
sprinkle of raw almonds
1/2 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
pinch salt

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
2. Sweeten if desired.

Vegan Cornbread Muffins

Thanks for the recipe Hilary!

Whip up a batch of delicious vegan cornbread muffins in minutes!

Serves: 12 muffins

Prep Time: 6-8 min

Cooking Time: 15-20 min

Total:  25 min

Ingredients

1 cup cornmeal
1 cup flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 cup plain almond milk or soy milk
3-4 tbsp. maple syrup or agave
2 tbsp. canola oil

Directions

1. Combine cornmeal, flour, baking soda and salt in a mixing bowl.
2. In a separate bowl whisk applesauce, almond milk, maple syrup and oil together.
3. Add wet mixture to dry and stir until combined.
4. Transfer to a paper lined or greased muffin tin and bake for 15-20 minutes in a preheated oven at 325 F. Test with a skewer for doneness.
5. Cool and serve. Makes a great accompaniment to a warm bowl of vegetarian chili.

Recipe from allrecipes.com

Baked Apples with Ginger, Oats and Pecans

Warm baked apples stuffed with ginger, oats and pecans are an easy to make breakfast or dessert!

Serves: 5

Prep Time: 15 min

Cooking Time: 20-30 min

Total:  45 min

Ingredients

5 apples, washed and cored
1/4 cup large flake rolled oats
1 tbsp. ground flax seed
1/4 cup pecan pieces
2 tbsp. finely chopped crystallized ginger
2 tbsp. maple syrup, agave or honey
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
pinch salt

Directions

1. In a bowl combine oats, flax, pecans, ginger, maple syrup, cinnamon and salt.
2. Arrange apples snugly in a deep baking dish and scoop oat mixture into each apple.
3. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 F for 20-30 minutes, or until apples are tender.
4. Serve immediately, plain or with a scoop  Greek yogurt, custard or vanilla ice cream.

No-Bake Chocolate Prune Brownies

Prunes and chocolate have a high taste affinity. These healthy no-bake brownies are a winner!

Serves: about 14-16 small squares

Prep Time: 10 min
Cooking Time: 0 min
Total:  10 min

Ingredients

1 1/4 cups raw walnut pieces, divided
1 cup unsalted roasted almonds
2 cups soft pitted prunes
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup 70 % cacao vegan dark chocolate chips

Directions

1. In a food processor process prunes until small bits form. Transfer to a separate bowl. 
2. Place 1 cup walnuts and almonds in the food processor and pulse until a fine ground powder forms. Add cocoa powder, chocolate chips, pulsing to combine.
3. Add small amounts of prune pieces through the feeding tube while processing. When consistency has become dough-like, stop processing. The dough should easily stick together when pressed with your hands.
4. Transfer mixture to a bowl and add remaining walnuts. Stir to combine.
5. Line a square or rectangular baking dish with parchment paper and transfer dough. Press firmly with your hands, spreading dough to 1" thickness.
6. Refrigerate for 15-20 minutes and cut into small squares using a sharp knife. Dust with cocoa powder if desired and keep refrigerated until eating.

Apple Chips

Make this fun, crispy and healthy snack!

Serves: 4-6

Prep Time: 5 min

Cooking Time: 85 min

Total:  90 min

Ingredients

4 apples, washed
1-2 tsp. ground cinnamon

Directions

1. If desired, core apples.
2. Using a sharp knife or mandolin, cut apples into thin round slices and arrange as a single layer on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
3. Sprinkle with cinnamon and bake in a preheated oven at 225 F for 70 minutes. Make sure to check occasionally, as some apples may become crispy before others. Remove these apples to avoid burning.
4. Turn oven off and leave apple slices in oven for another 15-20 minutes to dry some more.
5. Serve when cooled.

Adapted from thekitchn.com

Spiced Warm Grapefruit Juice

Warm up with a mug of delicious spiced grapefruit drink.

Serves: 1

Prep Time: 1 min

Cooking Time: 3-4 min

Total:  5 min

Ingredients

1 cup fresh squeezed grapefruit juice
1/4 cup water
1 tsp. honey or agave, to taste
1/2 cinnamon stick
1 thin slice fresh ginger root
pinch ground allspice

Directions

1. Combine ingredients in a small pot and bring to boil over medium heat.
2. Pour into a large mug, straining and discarding solids.
3. Enjoy.