Vegan Orange Cardamom Spelt Bread Rolls (Dairy-free, Egg-free, & Refined sugar-free)
Thursday, December 28, 2017A slightly sweet, aromatic bread (sweetened with maple syrup and erythritol) flavored with the unique scent of cardamom and orange peel for the New Year or for a mid afternoon snack or lunch-box treat. You can bake this braided or in a cake pan. For a more traditional cardamom bread, use walnut instead of the raisin filling.
Dough | Filling |
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- The night before preparing the rolls, soak raisins in orange juice or rum in your refrigerator.
- Whisk the dried yeast, coconut milk and maple syrup in a jug. Set aside for 10 minutes or until frothy.
- Combine the flours, cardamom powder and salt in the mixing bowl of your stand mixer fitted with a dough hook. Make a well in centre. Add the yeast mixture, melted coconut oil, and orange rind. Stir at low speed until the ingredients roughly combined, about 3 minutes. Increase speed to medium, and knead the dough until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes.
- Place in a greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Set aside to let rise for 60-90 minutes or until doubled in size. Punch the dough down and let rest 10 minutes.
- Combine cardamom, cinnamon and erythritol granules in a small bowl. Drain the soaked raisins and reserve 1 tablespoon of the soaking liquid.
- Roll the dough out to approximately a 36cm x 24cm rectangle. Sprinkle the rectangle with the spice mixture and raisins.
- Roll up, starting at the long side, and pinch edges firmly to seal. Cut the roll into 8 slices. Place the slices, cut side down, in a 26-cm round pan lined with parchment paper. Let rise in warm place until doubled in size, about an hour.
- Preheat oven to 190C/375F. Brush the top with reserved soaking liquid and sprinkle the hemp seeds over. Bake for 25 minutes or until light golden brown. Drizzle the melted white chocolate over warm rolls. Enjoy!
White Chocolate Coconut Ganache Cookie Cups
Thursday, December 21, 2017White chocolate coconut ganache cookie cups made with a special spelt black sesame cookie dough and garnished with holiday sprinkles. You can use your favourite cookie dough and coconut cream also can be replaced with whipping cream.
Warmest thoughts and best wishes for a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year. May peace, love, and prosperity follow you always.
Cookie Cups | White Chocolate Coconut Ganache |
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- Place spelt flour, black sesame powder, baking soda and salt in a mixing bowl. Whisk to combine. Cream butter and coconut sugar until fluffy. Add in egg yolks, one at at time, beat until combined. Sift flour mixture over butter mixture. Using a wooden spoon, stir to combine.
- Divide the dough into 24 portions and shape each into a ball. Place one ball into each muffin cup. Bake 12 minutes. Remove from oven and immediately use the bottom of a shot glass to press firmly down in the center to create a well. Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then place on wire rack to cool completely.
- Open the can of coconut milk and scoop the firm cream at the top into a saucepan. Bring it to a simmer. Roughly chop the white chocolate and place them in a mixing bowl. Pour in the hot coconut cream and and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes. Stir continuously until it is shiny, smooth, and completely melted. Set aside to cool thoroughly.
- Beat the mixture until smooth and fluffy. Transfer to a piping bag fitted with a star tip. Pipe the ganache into the cookie cups and if desired, garnish with sprinkles.
Baked Harissa Spiced Sweet Potato with Pesto
Thursday, December 14, 2017This baked Harissa sweet potato side dish with a nutrient-packed kale and walnut pesto is super tasty and healthy at the same time. It is prepared with just a few ingredients and makes a fabulous accompaniment to any main meal.
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- Preheat oven to 190C/375F. Combine together the olive oil, melted butter, minced garlic, harissa spice mix, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
- Pour half of the oil-spice mixture in the bottom of a rectangular baking dish. Arrange sweet potato slices in the dish and brush potatoes with the remaining oil-spice mixture.
- Bake for 40 minutes until tender and lightly browned. Serve with pesto.
Thai Curry Roasted Cauliflower Salad with Chickpea and Pomegranate
Thursday, December 07, 2017A Thai-inspired, Paleo friendly salad that's perfect for the holiday season because of its festive colours and wonderful flavours. It's mildly spicy, gluten-free, and makes a hearty vegetarian main course salad or the perfect side dish for grilled meat or seafood. You can also crumble in some feta, but it is very delicious just as it is.
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- Preheat oven to 200C/400F. Combine cauliflower florets, red curry paste and olive oil in a large bowl.
- Place the cauliflower in a large oven tray lined with baking paper and roast for 40 minutes or until cooked through and charred. Taste and season with sea salt.
- Add in pomegranate seeds and crispy chickpeas. Scatter the chopped parsley over and serve.
Blueberry Streusel Tart
Thursday, November 30, 2017A decadent and dinner party-worthy dessert which combines erythritol-sweetened cookie crust, almond-einkorn streusel, stevia blueberry jam and blueberries. It is easy to whip up for any family gathering.
Streusel | Tart |
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- Mix all ingredients in medium bowl. Using fingertips, rub in butter until pea-size clumps form. Refrigerate while preparing the tart.
- Roll out the cookie dough on a lightly floured surface and line a 21cm fluted tart tins with removable bases. Trim the edges. Place in the fridge for 30 minutes to rest.
- Preheat oven to 190C/375F. Line tart shell with baking paper, fill with beans and bake for 15 minutes. Carefully remove paper and beans, then bake for a further 10 minutes or until pastry is dry and golden. Cool.
- Spread the jam onto the tart shell, then fill with blueberries. Sprinkle the streusel over the berries. Bake for about 25-30 minutes until golden and bubbly. Dust with powdered stevia sugar if using.
Tandoori Spiced Baked Chicken
Thursday, November 23, 2017This whole roasted chicken seasoned liberally with Indian tandoori masala and fresh herbs turns out crisp, juicy, and absolutely delicious. A perfect meal for feeding family and friends.
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- Preheat oven to 200C/400F. Trim and rinse chicken. Pat the chicken dry inside and out with paper towel.
- Place the chicken, breast-side up, in a large roasting pan. Tie legs with kitchen string and tuck wings under. Separate the skin by running your fingers between the skin and breast meat very gently. This helps the skin get crisp. Distribute 8 sage leaves and the butter under the skin.
- Brush the chicken with olive oil and season with salt and tandoori spice mix. Place the rosemary and sage leaves in the chicken cavity.
- Place pan on the lowest oven shelf. Bake chicken for 11/4 hours unil golden brown. After chicken has roasted for 40 minutes, add pumpkins and onion wedges and continue to bake, turning vegetables during cooking until juices run clear when chicken thigh is pierced with a skewer (cover chicken with foil if over-browning).
Sweet Potato Soup with Moroccan spiced Chickpeas
Thursday, November 16, 2017A thick and smooth sweet potato soup with crisp Moroccan spiced chickpeas to make this vegetarian winter warmer extra delicious and flavourful. You can easily veganize this soup serving it with coconut or soya yoghurt instead of Greek yoghurt.
Soup | Moroccan Spiced Chickpeas |
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- Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add cumin. Cook, stirring, for 30 seconds or until aromatic. Add onion. Cook, stirring, for 3-4 minutes or until softened. Add garlic and harissa. Cook, stirring, for 2 minutes or until aromatic. Add in chopped sweet potatoes. Cook, stirring, for a minute. Season with salt and pepper.
- Cover and bring to the boil. Reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer for 30 minutes or until the sweet potato is tender.
- Meanwhile, preheat oven to 220C/410F. Pat the chickpeas dry with paper towel. Line a large baking tray with non-stick baking paper.
- Combine the oil and Moroccan spice mix in a small bowl. Toss the chickpeas with the spice and season with salt. Spread the chickpeas, in a single layer, on the prepared tray. Bake for 25 minutes or until golden and crisp.
- Blend the soup with an immersion blender until smooth. Divide soup among bowls. Top with yoghurt and chickpea mixture and sprinkle with coriander, if using.
Vegan Roast Pumpkin and Black Rice Salad with Pine Nuts
Thursday, November 09, 2017This vegan, gluten free salad, made with black forbidden rice, hokkaido pumpkin, red onions, parsley, Romaine lettuce, pine nuts and pomegranate seeds, has a unique mellow-sweet taste. The rich nutty, earthy flavour of black rice pairs really well with the bright acidity of white balsamic vinaigrette. If you can't find forbidden rice, use wild rice instead.
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- Cook the rice in a saucepan of boiling salted water for 30 minutes or until just tender. Drain. Refresh under cold running water.
- Meanwhile, preheat oven to 200C/180C fan forced. Line a large baking tray with baking paper. Place pumpkin wedges on the prepared tray. Add onion wedges to trays.
- Combine 2 tbsp of olive oil, 1/2 tbsp of white balsamic vinegar and 2 tsp of maple syrup in a small bowl. Drizzle over pumpkin and onion. Season with salt and pepper. Roast for 40 minutes or until caramelised.
- Place lemon juice, Dijon and remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar and the remaining 1 teaspoon of maple syrup in a bowl. Season. Whisk to combine.
- Combine rice, romaine lettuce, parsley, onion, half the pomegranate and pine nuts in a large bowl. Drizzle with half the dressing. Toss to combine. Arrange half the pumpkin on a platter. Top with half the rice mixture. Drizzle with half the remaining dressing. Repeat with remaining pumpkin, rice mixture and dressing. Sprinkle with remaining pomegranate and pine nuts.
5 Spice Chicken, Broccoli and Dukkah Salad
Thursday, November 02, 2017Try this fresh, simple and flavour-packed 5 spice chicken and broccoli salad with a green sauce made with avocado and Greek yoghurt for a satisfying, low-calorie and gluten-free meal.
Salad | Avocado Dressing |
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- Place everything for the dressing in a blender. Process until smooth. Season with salt and refrigerate for 1 hour.
- Place diced chicken in a bowl. Add in 5-spice, potato starch, lemon juice, 1 teaspoon of olive oil, a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix well and set aside for 10 minutes.
- Heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium- high heat. Cook marinated chicken for 4 to 5 minutes or until cooked through. Transfer to a plate. Cover loosely with foil.
- Meanwhile, place broccoli in a large, heatproof microwave- safe bowl. Add 2 tablespoons cold water. Cover with plastic wrap. Microwave on HIGH for 2 minutes or until bright green and tender. Toss with the remaining 1 teaspoon olive oil.
- Place almond dukkah in a pan over medium heat. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute or until fragrant. Add chicken and broccoli and toss for 1 to 2 minutes or until coated. Place arugula, sweet pepper rings and dried cranberries on a serving plate. Top with chicken broccoli mixture. Serve with avocado dressing.