Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Granola Bars


I made these last night. I forgot to go out and get shredded dry coconut, so I had to make modifications. They seemed a little bit doughy this morning, so I rolled them in flax seed meal. That seemed to do the trick.

I made 3 varieties. One with pistachios and chocolate chips, one will chocolate chips and one with cranberries. I put the bars in baggies and everyone got to take one with them in their lunch today.


"Wet" Ingredients:
  • 1/2 cup raw cashews (can use more- get these at Trader Joes)
  • 1/2 cup raw almonds (get these at Trader Joes)
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract or 1 vanilla bean
  • 2 tsp. coconut oil/butter (can replace with canola oil)
  • 1/4 cup raw agave nectar
  • 1/3 cup raw honey
  • 2 tsp water (can use more water if it doesn't mix well)
_____________________________________

"Dry" Ingredients:
  • 1 cup shredded dry coconut (I didn't have this, so I left this out)
  • 1 cup dehydrated almond meal/pulp (left over from making almond milk) - just use almond meal from TJs
  • 1 cup rolled oats ( I use more, otherwise it's too doughy)
  • 1/4 cup raw sesame seeds (I used sunflower seeds)
  • 1/4 to 1/2 cup flax seed meal
Additions
- can add chocolate chips, raisins, dried cranberries, walnuts, etc.

Process:

In a large bowl combine all dry ingredients. Stir thoroughly. Set aside.

Trace the bottom of a 9X9 brownie pan onto a sheet of parchment paper. Cut out the tracing, and place the square sheet of parchment in the bottom of the pan. Set aside.

In a blender, combine all "wet" ingredients and process to the consistency of a smooth nut butter. Pour this mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir thoroughly until wet mixture is evenly distributed, and "dough" comes together.

store in refrigerator overnight. then cut into bars and store in little baggies.

Recipe from....

http://clairecoloredlenses.blogspot.com/2009/09/theres-nothing-like-granola-bar.html

Thursday, October 22, 2009

5 easy DIY skin care products from the Daily Green

Food for the skin: Made from simple kitchen ingredients, these 5 easy DIY skin care products promise a clear, smooth complexion.

Oatmeal and Onion Puree Face Mask Recipe: For Acne-Free Skin

Lemon and Yogurt Whitening Face Mask Recipe: To Fade Acne Marks
Yogurt Face Scrub Recipe: Scrub For Exfoliation

Clay and Eggs Mask Recipe: For a Deep-Cleansing Face Lift

Apple Cider and Aspirin Toner Recipe: For Brighter Skin

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

spinach salad tossed with raspberry dressing


spinach salad tossed with raspberry dressing


- cut up spinach leaves (can add romaine, as well) to amount desired.
- sprinkle in feta cheese or crumbled goat cheese
- sprinkle in slivered or sliced almonds (can substitute pecans or walnuts)
- sprinkle in strawberries, raspberries or blueberries &/or use dried fruit (cranberries, cherries or raisins)
- dice green onion, sprinkle in
- toss with raspberry dressing. (I use raspberry & pecan vinaigrette dressing)- kids love the sweet dressing

Monday, June 8, 2009

Chinese Chicken Salad (just don't add chicken)

Here is a recipe for a chinese chicken salad. I'm going to make this and not add the chicken. I'll add more veggies to soak up the sauce.

Link to original recipe...
http://www.globalgourmet.com/food/special/2001/parties/salad.html


Chickenless recipe....

Romaine
Good olive oil
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 pound asparagus, ends removed, cut into thirds diagonally
2 red bell peppers, cored and seeded
4 scallions (white and green parts), sliced diagonally
2 tablespoons white sesame seeds, toasted (see Note)

For the Dressing
1 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup good apple cider vinegar
1/3 cup soy sauce
3 tablespoons dark sesame oil
1 tablespoon honey
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon peeled, grated fresh ginger
1 tablespoon white sesame seeds, toasted (see Note)
1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
4 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Blanch the asparagus in a pot of boiling salted water for 3 to 5 minutes, until crisp-tender. Plunge into ice water to stop the cooking. Drain. Cut the peppers into strips about the size of the asparagus pieces. Combine the shredded chicken, asparagus, and peppers in a large bowl.

Whisk together all of the ingredients for the dressing and pour over the vegetables. Add the scallions and sesame seeds and season to taste. Serve cold or at room temperature.

Note:

To toast sesame seeds, place them in a dry saté pan and cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes, or until browned.

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Erin's Spicy goddess dressing

Erin's Spicy goddess dressing (from Erin Cote)

Large hand full of cilantro

¼ cup olive oil

1 cup plain yogurt or silken tofu

1T lemon juice

1 cup pumpkin seeds

3 T rice vinegar (or any mild vinegar)

2 garlic cloves

1T onion powder

1T tamari (soy sauce)

Chili oil or cayenne to taste

Salt to taste

Stick it all in a blender and go!

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Tiramisu

Recipe is from a friend at work. This is excellent!

Tiramisu

Ingredients:
1 large pkg./40 count of Lady Fingers
1 8oz pkg. of low fat whipped cream cheese (let it thaw at room temperature).
3 cups of low fat milk
1 large pkg. (5.1oz) vanilla pudding mix
1 tsp vanilla essence
1½ cup of lite whipped cream
½ cup powdered sugar
1½ cup cooled brewed coffee or coffee made with instant coffee powder
Cocoa powder
½ cup of toasted sliced almonds - optional
Milk chocolate (grated) - optional

Preparation:
1. In a mixing bowl add cream cheese & soften it with a spoon. Add milk & vanilla pudding to the cream cheese mixture. Beat until smooth. Cream cheese will stick to the beater, but constant removal of cream cheese from the beater & beating it well, will give a smooth mixture. Keep this mixture separate.
2. In another mixing bowl add the whipped cream, powdered sugar & vanilla essence. Mix it well & keep aside.
3. Mix 1/3rd cup of the above whipped cream mixture into the pudding mixture & mix well.
4. Prepare coffee & let it cool well.


Arranging the Tiramisu layers:
1. Need a Medium sized, deep pan to fit the layers of lady finger cookies and the pudding mixture. There will be 3 layers of lady fingers with pudding mix in between. The third layer will be topped with whipping cream. Coat the pan with Pam spray.
2. Split the cookies, so that you will have cookies for 3 layers.
3. Dip the Lady Fingers in the coffee lightly (don’t soak the lady fingers; just coat on all sides) & arrange bottom layer in the pan..
4. Split the pudding mixture in 2 equal portions.
5. Spread one portion over the lady fingers.
6. Sprinkle cocoa powder evenly on the pudding (you can also add chocolate chips and/or walnuts now).
7. Repeat with the second layer of lady fingers and pudding.
8. Place the third layer of Lady Fingers & spread the whipped topping to cover the entire pan.
9. Sprinkle grated milk chocolate over the whipped cream & sprinkle toasted almonds.

Note: Refrigerate Tiramisu until ready to serve. Best & fresh when prepared a day before the party.

Saturday, January 31, 2009

Falafal pita sandwiches

Falafal pita sandwiches

Ingredients
Whole wheat pita bread
Alfalfa sprouts
humus*
falafal**
veggie mix (carrots & zucchini finely chopped in food processor)

assemble sandwich as pictured below

*humus
1 can garbanzo beans (rinsed and drained)
3 tbs tahini
1 clove garlic
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 yellow, orange or red bell pepper
salt to taste

mix all ingredients in blender

**falafal
1 can garbanzo beans (rinsed and drained)
1/4 cup of fresh cilantro or basil
2 tsps. garlic powder
salt to taste

1. mix all ingredients in food proceesor (finely chopped but not pureed)
2. form balls and drop into pan with oil (not too much)
3. cook on medium low. flip when needed so both sides are cooked and soft in inside.