Norwegian Crispbread Crackers

Full of wholesome seeds, these crackers are great for dipping into spreads, served with soup or as a salad topper. 

Serves: 10-12 crackers

Prep Time: 15 min

Cooking Time:  40-50 min

Total:  approx. 1 hour

Ingredients

1 /3 cup sesame seeds

1/2 cup whole flax seeds

1/2 cup shelled raw pumpkin seeds

1/2 cup shelled raw sunflower seeds

2 tbsp chia seeds

1/3 cup cornstarch or ground flax

1/2 tsp salt

1 tbsp olive oil

3/4 cup boiling water

extra salt for sprinkling

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 275 F.
2.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. 
3. Stir the seeds, cornstarch/ground flax, any flavour additions and salt together in a large bowl. Add the oil and boiling water to the mixture and stir to combine. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes.
4. Spread the batter into a thin, even layer across top of parchment paper. Sprinkle top with additional salt.
5. Transfer to the oven and bake for about 40-50 minutes or until seeds are golden brown and crisp. Rotate the pan to encourage even browning. 
6. Allow to cool. Break into pieces or cut into squares using a serrated knife.

Lightly adapted from True North Kitchen

Grated Root Vegetable Salad

This fresh, raw root vegetable salad is beautifully coloured and delicious as a light side dish or breakfast salad.

Serves: 5-6

Prep Time: 15 min

Cooking Time: 0 min

Total:  15 min

Ingredients

2 cups grated carrot
2 cups grated celery root/celeriac
2 cups grated red beet
1 tsp. fresh ginger, grated
1-2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice, to taste
1 tbsp honey or agave, to taste
pinch of salt
1/4 cup toasted sunflower seeds, to garnish

Directions

1. Add all ingredients to a large bowl.
2. Toss to combine, tasting and adjusting lemon or honey if needed.
3. Serve cold, garnished with sunflower seeds.
4. Also can be served drizzled with a yogurt dressing. Combine plain yogurt with chopped fresh mint and either 1 clove pressed garlic (if savory) or honey/agave (if sweet), stir and thin with a bit of water if necessary.

Red Beet and Apple Chutney

Serve this beautifully bright red chutney as part of an appetizer platter. Pair with baby arugula or cheese.

Serves: 4-5 cups 

Prep Time: 15 min

Cooking Time: 45 min

Total:  60 min

Ingredients

8 large beets, trimmed
1 lemon, zest and juice
4 apples, peeled, cored and choppped
1 cup sugar
1 tbsp. mustard seeds
1 large onion, finely diced
1 cup apple cidar vinegar
1 cup raisins
1/4 cup candied ginger, finely diced
1/2 tsp. salt and pepper

Directions

1. Place beets in a large pot and cover with water. Boil until beets are tender, about 25 minutes.  Rinse and peel, then dice in small cubes. Set aside.
2. In another pot add remaining ingredients. Stir to combine and bring to a boil over medium heat.
3. Add beets and reduce to a simmer, stirring occasionally.  As the vinegar begins to reduce and the sugar crystallizes, the mixture will become thicker.
4. Once thick, remove from heat and either can using proper canning procedures, or allow to cool before refrigerating.
5. Serve chutney on a bread and cheese appetizer platter. Spread over fresh baguette slices and top with baby arugula, or make mini crostini using slice of brie cheese or white cheddar cheese.

Lightly adapted from canadianliving.com

Mashed Turnips and Potatoes with Turnip Greens

Enjoy this mashed turnip and potato dish as a side for your main meal!

Serves: 4

Prep Time: 10 min

Cooking Time: 25 min

Total:  35 min

Ingredients

3 white turnips, with greens attached
3 potatoes
2 cloves garlic
2 tbsp. olive oil
1/4 cup milk or plain soy milk
salt and pepper

Directions

1. Remove turnip greens from turnip and rinse well. Chop into small pieces and set aside.
2. Peel turnips and potatoes, cut into quarters and place in a pot with water. Boil until tender and drain.  Transfer back to the pot and mash with a potato masher or fork.
3. In a frying pan heat oil and saute garlic. Add turnip greens and cook until wilted.
4. Combine wilted greens with mashed potatoes and turnips, adding milk slowly to form a smooth mash.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve.

Adapted from nytimes.com

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

Vegan Green Goddess Dressing

A thick, creamy and vegan version of the Green Goddess Dressing that everyone's raving about.

Serves: 1 1/2 cups

Prep Time: 5 min

Cooking Time: 0 min

Total:  5 min

Ingredients

1 small clove garlic
1 cup ripe avocado flesh (1 large or 2 small avocados)
7-8 tbsp. water
2 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
2-3 tbsp. lemon juice
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, packed
1/2 cups fresh parsley, packed
3 green onions, washed trimmed
salt and pepper
1/2 tsp. maple syrup or agave

Directions

1. Add garlic to the bowl of a food processor and process until minced.
2. Add remaining ingredients, processing until combined.
3. Taste and adjust if necessary.
4. Serve with a big green salad. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Lightly adapted from ohsheglows.com

Red Cabbage Slaw

This cabbage and carrots slaw brightens up any plate.

Serves: 4-6

Prep Time: 10 min

Cooking Time: 0 min

Total:  10 min, plus 2-3 hours

Ingredients

1 small red cabbage, cut into chunks
4 carrots, peeled
1 green onion, finely chopped
4 tbsp. olive oil
3-4 tbsp. apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar
2 tbsp. lime juice
1/2 tsp. honey, agave or sugar, optional
salt and pepper

Directions

1. Shred cabbage chunks in a food processor until desired sized shred is reached.  Transfer to a large bowl.
2. Process carrots until shredded and transfer to the bowl, adding chopped green onions.
3. In a small bowl whisk olive oil, vinegar, lime juice, honey, salt and pepper.  Pour over slaw and toss to combine.
4. Taste and adjust if necessary.
5. Chill for a couple hours before serving to allow the flavours to intensify.

Adapted from wholefoodsmarket.com

Homemade Vanilla Extract

Make your own vanilla extract at home. A couple months later, it's worth the wait!

Serves: 200 ml

Prep Time: 4-6 months

Cooking Time: 0 min

Total:  4-6 months

Ingredients

2 vanilla beans
200 ml vodka

Directions

1. Carefully slice vanilla beans lengthwise using a sharp knife. Gently open to expose inner part of the vanilla bean, called "caviar".
2. Stuff vanilla beans into a small 200 ml glass bottle or jar with a tightly sealing lid. Pour over enough vodka to cover.
3. Store in a cool, dark place and gently shake every week or so. In 4-6 months the vanilla beans will have infused the vodka.
4. Use as normal in baking and desserts.

Recipe from beanilla.com

Vegan Chocolate Banana Muffins

These moist, vegan chocolate muffins make a great afternoon snack!

Serves: 12 muffins

Prep Time: 10 min

Cooking Time: 20-25 min

Total:  30-35 min

Ingredients
1 cups of flour (whole wheat or white)

1/3 cup cocoa powder

1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1 tsp. baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 cups sugar

4 ripe bananas, mashed
1/3 cup soy, rice or almond milk

1 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/2 cup vegan dark chocolate chips

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 F and line a muffin tin with paper cups.
2. In a large bowl, mix together flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and and salt.
3. In a smaller bowl, combine bananas, vanilla and soy milk. Whisk until smooth.
4. Pour wet ingredients into dry and mix well.  Add chocolate chips and stir until combined.
5. Spoon batter into each muffin well and bake for 20 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre of the muffin comes out clean.

Coconut Banana Curry

A sweet and spicy coconut banana curry served over freshly cooked rice. Delicious!

Serves: 4

Prep Time: 15 min

Cooking Time: 25 min

Total: 40 min

Ingredients

1 tbsp. oil
1 onion, diced
1 clove garlic, diced
1 large sweet potato, peeled and cubed
2 carrot, peeled and chopped
2 cups cauliflower florets
1 tin (13 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup frozen peas
1 tbsp. curry powder
1 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 ground tumeric
1/2 tsp. red chili flakes
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tin (15 oz) coconut milk
1/2-1 cup water, as needed
1 tbsp. lime juice, or more
2 firm bananas, peeled and sliced
sliced green onions, to garnish

Directions

1. In a large pot heat oil. Saute onions and garlic.
2. Add sweet potatoes and carrots, cooking until lightly browned. Stir frequently to avoid burning.
3. Add curry powder, cumin, chili flakes and tumeric. Stir well, cooking for 1 minute and allowing spices to heat and become fragrant.
4. Add coconut milk and cauliflower fllorets, stirring to combine and cover. If necessary, add water.  Simmer for 15 minutes, until cauliflower becomes tender.
5. Add chickpeas, bananas and frozen peas. Stir and allow to heat thoroughly for another 6-8 minutes.
6. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. 
7. Serve garnished with green onions and a side of rice.

Peach and Tomato Salad

A fresh summer salad that combines the sweetness of the peaches with the tangy-ness of tomatoes.

Serves: 4-5

Prep Time: 10 min

Cooking Time: 0 min

Total:  10 min

Ingredients

3 ripe peaches, sliced with pit removed
2 medium tomatoes, sliced or 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
1/2 tbsp olive oil
sprinkle of red pepper flakes
1/2 tbsp. lime or lemon juice
salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and gently toss to combine.
2. Taste and adjust if necessary.
3. Serve lightly chilled on its own, or atop a bed of fresh baby spinach.

Recipe from nytimes.com

Vegan Carrot Cornbread Muffins

It's easy to whip up a batch of delicious vegan carrot cornbread muffins!

Serves: 12 muffins or 6 mega muffins

Prep Time: 10 min

Cooking Time: 20 min

Total:  30 min

Ingredients

1 cup fine ground cornmeal
1 cup flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 cup grated carrot
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 cup plain almond milk or soy milk
1 tbsp. oil

Directions

1. Combine cornmeal, flour, baking soda, salt and nutmeg in a mixing bowl.
2. In a separate bowl whisk applesauce, carrots, almond milk 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 or make them into sandwiches.

Adapted from allrecipes.com

Peach and Avocado Salsa

Beautifully combined flavours in this peach and avocado salsa. A great addition to grilled fish or chicken.

Serves: 1 1/4 cups

Prep Time: 5 min

Cooking Time: 0 min

Total:  5 min

Ingredients

1 ripe peach, chopped
1 ripe avocado, cubed
1/2 jalapeno pepper, finely chopped
2 tbsp. red onion, finely diced
2-3 tbsp. lemon juice
salt and pepper

Directions

1. In a bowl carefully combine all ingredients.
2. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
3. Serve lightly chilled over grilled fish or chicken.