Slow Cooker Apple Butter

Make this delicious slow cooker apple butter using this simple recipe.

Serves: 3-4 cups

Prep Time: 10 min

Cooking Time: 3-5 hours

Total:  3-5 hours, 10 min

Ingredients

5 1/2 lbs apples, a mix of sweet and tart
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice (optional)
maple syrup, to taste
pinch of salt

Directions

1. Wash and core apples and cut into wedges.
2. Place in the slow cooker, cover and cook for 3 hours on high. Stir occasionally to avoid apples from sticking to the sides and bottom.
3. Mash apples with a masher or spoon and allow to cool a bit. Transfer to a blender or food processor.
4. Blend until very smooth.
5. Return to slow cooker and cook on high for another 45-75 minutes with the lid off. This will allow the apple butter to reduce to desired thickness.  Note that as the apple butter cools it will also thicken slightly.
6. Stir in cinnamon, salt, lemon juice and maple syrup to taste.

Recipe from ohsheglows.com

Scrambled Eggs with Onions and Smoked Salmon

Smoked salmon and onions transform scrambled eggs into a delicious breakfast.

Serves: 2

Prep Time: 5 min

Cooking Time: 5 min

Total:  10 min

Ingredients

4-5 eggs, whisked
2-3 tbsp. milk, soy milk or rice milk
1 tsp. oil or melted butter
1 medium onion, chopped
3-4 pieces smoked salmon, sliced into smaller pieces
salt and pepper

Directions

1. In a frying pan heat oil or butter. Saute onions until browned.
2. In a separate bowl whisk eggs with milk.
3. Add eggs and smoked salmon pieces to the frying pan. Stir frequently, allowing to cook.
4. Add salt and pepper to taste and serve immediately with a toasted bagel or slice of bread.

Strawberry Rhubarb Muffins

A muffin packed with little bites of fresh strawberries and rhubarb. Grab this for a snack!

Serves: 12 muffins, freeze well

Prep Time: 15 min

Cooking Time: 30 min

Total:  45 min

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup oat bran
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 cup sugar
1 egg
3/4 cup milk or milk substitute
1/4 cup canola oil
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
1 cup fresh rhubarb, sliced

Directions

1. In a large mixing bowl combine flour, bran, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and sugar.
2. In a smaller bowl lightly whisk egg with milk, oil and vanilla.
3. Add wet to dry and mix until combined. Fold in strawberries and rhubarb.
4. Pour batter into a prepared muffin tin and bake in a preheated oven at 350 F for 30 minutes, or until an inserted skewer comes out clean.
5. Allow to cool and serve.

Lightly adapted from lesliebeck.com

Juice Ideas

Have a juicer? Try some of these incredibly delicious and super healthy ingredient combinations!

Carrot, ginger, apple and celery.

Serves: 1-2

Prep Time: 5-10 min

Cooking Time: 0 min

Total:  5-10 min

Combination Ideas

apple, celery, cucumber, kale, lemon, parsley
cilantro, lime, pineapple, spinach
carrot, ginger, orange
apple, beet, carrot, celery, ginger
apple, carrot, ginger
apple,grapefruit, kale parsley spinach
apple, beet, ginger, nutmeg
broccoli, carrot
apple, grapefruit, peach
cabbage (red), pear, lemon
apple, carrot, garlic, ginger, parsley
beet, carrot, sweet potato
apple, carrot, ginger, lemon
apple, fennel bulb, ginger, mint leaves

Directions

1. Wash all ingredients and juice according to manufacturer's instructions.
2. Enjoy your fresh juice!

What are your favourite juice combinations?

Carrot Cake Salad

All the main carrot cake ingredients come together in this deliciously healthy salad.

Serves: 4

Prep Time: 15 min

Cooking Time: 0 min

Total:  15 min

Ingredients

3 cups grated carrot
1/4 cup crushed tin pineapple
1 cup grated apple
1/4 cup walnut pieces, toasted
2-3 tbsp. raisins
1/2 tsp. fresh ginger root, finely grated
2-3 tbsp. unsweetened shredded coconut (optional)
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
salt, to taste

Directions

1. Toss all ingredients in a large bowl until well combined.
2. Taste and adjust if necessary.
3. Keep chilled until serving. Delicious with a spoonful of plain Greek yogurt.

Crepe Filling Ideas

Looking for some exciting new ingredients to fill your crepes? Try these combinations!

Sweet Combinations

Chutney, pear, pecans and vegan Mozerella

• cinnamon sugar and lemon juice
• lemon ricotta
• Nutella and banana slices
• berry jam and peanut butter
• apple butter
• fresh mixed berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, cherries)
• cinnamon stewed apples
• tin fruit (mandarin oranges, peaches, pineapple)
• apple sauce and cinnamon
• charoset
• compote
• peanut or almond butter
• dessert hummus
• maple syrup, agave or honey
• healthy chocolate spread
• dulce de leche
• chocolate sauce
• fruit salad
• whipped cream or creme fraiche
• ice cream, soy ice cream, coconut ice cream, almond ice cream or frozen yogurt
• toasted peanuts, pecans, walnuts, almond slivers
• chocolate or lemon mousse

Savoury Combinations

• chutney, pear, pecans and Brie cheese
• orange marmalade and cheddar cheese
• pesto, sundried tomatoes and feta cheese
• garlic sauteed mushrooms, baby spinach and avocado
• tomato slices, fresh basil and goat cheese
• grilled eggplant, sauteed spinach and toasted pine nuts
• caramelized onions, baby spinach and toasted cashews
• baby spinach, black olives, red onion slices and feta cheese
• grated carrot, baked tofu bites and wilted spinach
• balsamic caramelized beets and feta
• grilled asparagus and toasted pine nuts
• beet and apple chutney with brie or white cheddar and baby arugula

What are your favourite crepe fillings?

Buckwheat Crepes

Buckwheat adds a slightly nutty taste to these crepes. Enjoy filled with a variety of sweet or savoury options.

Serves: 8 crepes, about 8"

Prep Time: 15 min

Cooking Time: 15 min

Total:  30 min

Ingredients

3/4 cup buckwheat flour
1/4 cup all-purpose GF flour
pinch of salt
3 eggs
1 1/4 cups milk, soy, almond or rice milk
3 tbsp. butter or vegan margarine, melted

Directions

1. In a large bowl whisk buckwheat flour, flour and salt.
2. In a separate bowl whisk eggs, milk and butter.
3. Add wet mixture to dry mixture, whisking until combined.
4. Allow to stand for 10 minutes.
5. Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Ladle a 1/4 cup of crepe batter into the skillet and swirl skillet to move batter evenly around.
6. Cook for 1-2 minutes, until little bubbles begin to form. using a spatula, carefully flip crepe and cook the other side for 1-2 minutes. Transfer crepe to a plate or cooling rack and repeat process with remaining batter.
7. Transform these crepes into sweet or savoury crepes.

Recipe from glutenfreecooking.about.com

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.

Vegetarian Omelette

Whip up an omelette for a special breakfast and get creative with the fillings!

Serves: 1

Prep Time: 5 min

Cooking Time: 5-7 min

Total:  10 min

Ingredients

Thanks Elan for making this delicious omelette!

2-3 eggs, whisked
2 tbsp. milk or substitute
1 tsp. butter or margarine
salt and pepper

Vegetables
caramelized onions
cherry tomatoes, sliced
sauted sliced mushrooms
bell pepper, chopped
sundried tomatoes, sliced
baby spinach, fresh or lightly wilted
roasted red peppers
roasted garlic

Herbs and Spices
fresh basil, chopped
fresh chives
dried oragano
dried chili flakes

Cheeses
cheddar cheese, grated
feta cheese, crumbled
brie cheese, sliced
cottage cheese
Swiss cheese
Parmesan cheese, grated
fresh mozzarella

Directions

1. Prepare fillings that you will be using.
2. In a small bowl whisk eggs, milk, salt and pepper.
3. Heat a skillet or frying pan over medium heat and melt butter. Add whisked egg mixture and allow to cook for 3-4 minutes. 
4. Place filling ingredients on half the omelette and using a spatula flip the other half of the cooked egg to cover the fillings. Cover with a lid and cook on low for 2-3 more minutes, allowing the fillings to heat and cheese to melt, if using.
5. Serve immediately with a side of toast.

Tell me what you like to put in your omelette!

Broiled Grapefruit Breakfast Bowl

Start your morning with something different. Try broiling other fruits such as peaches or strawberries!

Serves: 2

Prep Time: 5 min

Cooking Time: 5 min

Total:  10 min

Ingredients

1 large grapefruit
1 cup 0% plain Greek yogurt
3 tbsp. uncooked quinoa
1 tbsp. sesame seeds
pinch of salt
drizzle of honey, maple syrup or agave

Directions

1. Slice grapefruit in half and remove pieces of fruit from each membrane section. Keep pieces as whole as possible. Place in a glass dish and drizzle with honey and pinch of salt. Broil in the oven for 5 minutes.
2. While grapefruit is broiling, toast quinoa and sesame seeds in a small skillet for 2 minutes on low heat. Stir frequently, and the quinoa will begin to pop when it is ready.
3. Divide yogurt in two bowls and spoon broiled grapefruit over top. Sprinkle with toasted quinoa and sesame seeds and serve immediately.

Lightly adapted from dkscooks.wordpress.com

Lentil Lunch Bowl

Get creative with this lentil lunch bowl and use whatever favourite fresh ingredients you have!

Serves: 1

Prep Time: 8 min

Cooking Time: 0 min

Total:  8 min

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups brown lentils, precooked and brought to room temperature
1/2 small ripe avocado, sliced
4-5 baby carrots or grated carrot
3-4 cherry tomatoes, halved
handful roasted almonds, optional
1 tsp. lemon juice
drizzle of olive oil
salt and pepper

Additioanl Ideas
crumbled feta or goat's cheese
red or yellow bell pepper slices
cucumber slices
arugula
baby spinach
chopped fresh basil
sundried tomatoes
roasted red pepper
caramelized onions
olives

Directions

1. In a bowl place lentils and vegetables. 
2. Drizzle with lemon juice and olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
3. Serve immediately.

What other ingredients do YOU love in your lunch bowl?