Cranberry Gratin

This delicious cake-like dessert is bursting with the flavours of lemon, almond and whole cranberries.

Serves: 8

Prep Time: 6-8 min

Cooking Time: 25-30 min

Total:  40 min

Ingredients

3 cups fresh or frozen cranberries, rinsed
2 eggs
1/2 cup heavy cream or soy cream
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp. lemon zest
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. almond extract
1 cup ground almonds
1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
pinch of salt

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400F.
2. Using an electric mixer all ingredients into a smooth batter.
3. Place cranberries at the bottom of a round 9" baking dish and pour batter over top.
4. Bake in a preheated oven at 400 F for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown.
5. Serve warm, served with a scoop of ice cream or whipped cream.

Lightly adapted from foodnetwork.ca

Oatmeal Jars To Go

These oatmeal jars are 100% customize-able and easy to make in advance. Simply grab and go!

Serves: 1

Prep Time: 2-3 min

Cooking Time: 2-3 min

Total:  5 min

Rolled oats, gogi berries, pumpkin seeds
sesame seeds and toasted almonds

Ingredients

1/3 cup large flake rolled oats (if microwaving) or quick oats (if using boiling water)
1-2 tbsp. powdered milk, soy milk or coconut milk (optional)
pinch of salt

Topping Combination Ideas
- almonds, raisins, ground cinnamon and ginger
- pecans, chia seeds, cranberries and chocolate chunks
- sunflower seeds, ground flax, sliced apricots and coconut flakes
-gogi berries, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds and almonds
-or more oatmeal topping ideas!

Directions

1. In a 750 mL heatproof jar or container add oats, milk powder, salt and your choice of toppings. Seal lid tightly. 
2. When you're ready to make oatmeal, simply add 1 cup water to the jar, and stir to combine. Microwave uncovered for 3-5 minutes, or pour over boiling water, cover and allow to stand for 2-3 minutes.
3. Stir, sweeten if desired and enjoy.

Inspired by healthfulpursuit.com

Scotch Oat Porridge

Whole grain groats are cut, toasted, steamed and ground to make Scotch oats. This delicious porridge is a favourite Scottish dish.

Serves: 1

Prep Time: 1 min

Cooking Time: 10 min

Total:  10 min

Ingredients

1 cup water
pinch of salt
1/4 cup Scotch oats (kilned groats)

Traditional Toppings
milk
cream
butter
syrup
brown sugar
molasses

Directions

1. In a saucepan, bring salted water to a boil.
2. Stir in oats, reduce heat and allow to simmer for 10 minutes, or until desired consistency is reached. Stir frequently.
3. Serve garnished with your favourite toppings.

Leek, Sweet Potato and Kale Soup

An easy to make, colourful soup. Serve with a side of fresh cornbread or bread.

Serves: 4-6

Prep Time: 10 min

Cooking Time: 20 min

Total:  30 min

Ingredients

1-2 tbsp. olive oil
2-3 cups chopped leeks, white parts only, rinsed well
2 cloves garlic, chopped
2 cups diced sweet potato
2-3 cups chopped fresh kale
4-5 cups water
1 vegetable boullion cube
salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Heat oil in a large pot and saute leeks and garlic for 3-4 minutes, until soft.
2. Add water and sweet potatoes, stir to combine and cover. Allow to cook for 15 minutes, until potatoes are tender.
3. Add kale and recover, allowing it to cook for a few more minutes.
4. Add salt and pepper to taste.
5. Serve immediately with a side of fresh cornbread or bread.

Ideas for Oatmeal Additions

Add some of these ingredients to your bowl of cooked oatmeal. Get creative and experiment with various combinations!

Nuts and Seeds (toasted or untoasted)
almonds
pecans
walnuts
peanuts
cashews
shelled pumpkin seeds

Dried cranberries and toasted almonds

sesame seeds
whole or ground flax seeds
sunflower seeds
chia seeds

Fresh and Dried Fruit
strawberries
raspberries
blueberries
peaches
plums
pears
cherries
apple, grated or chopped
raisins
prunes
dried cranberries
dried cherries
dried pears, sliced
dried apricots, sliced
dried gogi berries
dried dates, chopped

Sweetness and Spices

Maple syrup, almond milk, dark chocolate
ground flax, shredded coconut

brown or white sugar
honey
maple syrup
agave
molasses
date paste
apple butter
berry jam
vanilla extract
almond extract
ground cinnamon
ground ginger
ground clove
ground cayenne pepper
salt

Dairy and Substitutes
milk, soy milk, almond milk, oat milk etc.
cream or soy cream
butter or margarine

Chocolate and Nut Butters.
chocolate chunks, milk, white, dark
cocoa or carob powder
protein powder, vanilla or chocolate
Nutella
peanut butter
almond butter

Other Additions
shredded coconut, sweetened or unsweetened
pumpkin puree
grated carrots


Is there any ingredient that I've missed and you love? Leave a comment below!

Cauliflower Pizza Crust

A delicious gluten free and low carb alternative to a traditional wheat pizza crust. 

Serves: 1 pizza crust

Prep Time: 10 min

Cooking Time: 35-40 min

Total:  50 min

Ingredients

1 head of cauliflower, washed and cut into small florets
1 egg, whisked
1 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. dried basil
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
salt and pepper

Directions

1. Fit a food processor with the grater attachment and process cauliflower through the grater to make "cauliflower rice".
2. In a skillet, steamer basket or microwave, saute or steam cauliflower until cooked, about 5-8 minutes. Once cooked, squeeze as much liquid out of the cauliflower as possible, by patting it dry with paper towel or transferring cauliflower into a clean dish cloth or cheese cloth and squeezing the liquid out. This allows the crust to adhere together and become more crispy.
3. Place egg, herbs, cheese, salt, pepper and cauliflower into a bowl and mix well. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and transfer mixture to the sheet. Using your hands, press to 1/4" thickness.
4. Bake in a preheated oven at 400 F for 30-40 minutes, until golden and crispy around the edges.
5. Top crust with your favourite toppings and return to oven to bake for another 10 minutes.
6. Enjoy with a side of green salad.

Adapted from detoxinista.com and eatingbirdfood.com.

Gluten Free Lemon Loaf

This lemony, sweet and moist gluten free loaf will delight anyone who tries it. 

Serves: 1 loaf

Prep Time: 15 min

Cooking Time: 60 min

Total:  75 min

Ingredients

1 cup butter or vegan margarine
3/4 cup sugar
1 3/4 cups white rice flour
2 tsp. gluten-free baking powder
4 eggs
3 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
2 tsp. grated lemon rind

Lemon Glaze
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
2 tsp. lemon rind

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 250 F and line a loaf pan with parchment paper.
2. Cream butter and sugar in a mixing bowl.
3. Add eggs, flour, baking powder, lemon juice and rind to the creamed sugar and mix well with an electric mixer.
4. Transfer batter to prepared pan and bake for 60 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out clean. If the top of the loaf is browning too quickly, simple place a loose piece of parchment paper over top of the loaf.
5. Allow to cool for 10 minutes and then remove loaf from pan and place on a wire rack over a plate.
6. To make the glaze, combine sugar, lemon juice and rind in a small saucepan. Stir over medium heat until sugar has dissolved and mixture has just to come to a boil. Brush glaze over the top and sides of the warm loaf.
7. Allow to fully cool, slice and serve.

Lightly adapted from theglobeandmail.com.

Brandy Tart

Brandy tart is a traditional South African soaked cake. Enjoy with ice cream or whipped cream.

Serves: 6-8

Prep Time: 10 min

Thanks Benita for this recipe!

Cooking Time: 20 min

Total:  30 min

Ingredients

1 cup chopped, pitted dates
1 cup boiling water
2 tbsp. butter or margarine
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg, gentle whisked
2 tsp. baking powder
1 1/4 cup flour
pinch of salt
1 cup walnut pieces

Brandy Sauce
1/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup water
1 tbsp. butter
1/4 cup brandy

Directions

1. Pour boiling water over chopped dates, cover and allow to soak for 10 minutes, until soft.
2. In a mixing bowl, cream butter with sugar. Add egg and stir to combine.
3. In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking powder and salt.
4. Add softened dates and flour mixture to the bowl of creamed butter, sugar and egg.
5. Mix well and add walnuts.
6. Transfer to a greased 9" round dish and bake at 375 F for 20 minutes.
7. To make the brandy sauce, combine sugar, water and butter in a saucepan, and cook until sugar and butter have melted. The sauce will be thin. Set aside and allow to cool, then stir in brandy.
8. Spoon brandy sauce over cooked cake. If necessary, use a toothpick to poke holes in the cake, allowing the sauce to soak in.
9. Serve warm or at room temperature, with a scoop of ice cream or garnished with whipped cream.

Tomato Soup

Serve a bowl of warm tomato soup as an appetizer or main meal on a chilly day.

Serves: 4

Prep Time: 10 min

Cooking Time: 20 min

Total:  30 min

Ingredients

1 onion, diced
5-6 cloves garlic, minced
1-2 tbsp. olive oil
6 cups chopped tinned tomatoes
fresh basil, finey chopped
1 tsp. dried thyme
dash cayenne pepper
dash paprika
salt and pepper
1 tsp. sugar or honey (optional)
dash of heavy cream, grated cheddar or croutons, to garnish (optional)

Directions

1. In a pot heat oil and saute onion and thyme for 3-4 minutes. Add garlic and saute for another minute.
2. Stir in tomatoes and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, partly cover for 15 minutes.
3. Using a handheld immersion blender, puree soup. If desired, remove tomato seeds by pouring soup through a fine sieve or strainer.
4. Stir in basil and add spices to taste.
5. Garnish with a dash of cream or a sprinkle of cheese or croutons. Serve immediately.

Lightly adapted from Mollie Katzen's Moosewood Cookbook

The Tree of Light

The Tree of Light. Japanese paper collage, 6"x8", 2012.