Knead to Cook

Food & fitness obsessed girl.

Chocolate Ricotta Mousse. Vegan. GF.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Desserts, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, Holiday, Nuts, Party Foods, Raw, Running/Races, Snacks, Valentine's Day, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Vitamix, Wheat Free 1 Comment

Chocolate ricotta mousse (vegan and gluten free).  Sharing one more decadent, super easy, recipe to prepare for Valentine’s Day tomorrow.


I’ll admit, I normally don’t get wrapped up in all the to-do surrounding Valentine’s Day. I’m more of a practical mind & we just wrapped up Christmas gift-giving, right?  Plus my focus has been hard and fast surrounding my oldest, who turns 18 this week, university decisions and all that.  How did I ever get this old so quickly? Ha.

I do normally get tiny, albeit thoughtful, presents for my girls and my husband.  I found these super cute felt envelopes at Target and instantly was smitten.


I filled them with fun little goodies from lip gloss, vegan chocolates etc.  I did buy several things for my husband but I can’t share quite yet as he reads my posts.  But today, I also picked up some of his favorite snack items (think nut/berry/seed blends to snack on, seaweed wasabi strips etc. and a cute Valentine to leave in his car tomorrow morning for his drive to work.  I like the thoughtful little presents that spread love.

As for dinner… I don’t really like going out to restaurants that aren’t vegan.  PLUS going out on the busiest day of the year – getting less than adequate service, being overcrowded and sub-par food isn’t our style.  SO… I’ll be cooking at home for my entire family. Not sure of the menu yet.  May go super cheesy and make heart-shaped pizzas or some other themed dinner.  Who knows.  But this will be on the dessert menu for sure.  I whipped this up on Saturday to test it out and my daughters couldn’t wait to dive in.  They both loved it.  It reminds me of a cannoli cream filling… & we all know that can’t be a bad thing.  Totally vegan and gluten free.  I was happy I special ordered a case of this vegan ricotta from a local market.  Toppings are optional.  Enjoy!
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— Knead to Cook

Almond cutout cookies. V. GF.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Cookies, Desserts, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fitness., Gift ideas, Gluten Free, Holiday, Holiday Baking Ideas, Nuts, Party Foods, Running/Races, Snacks, Valentine's Day, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free Leave a Comment

Almond cutout cookies that are vegan, gluten free and oh so delicious.  Looking for some simple Valentine’s Day treat to share with your Galentine? Valentine?  Or some special people in your life?  These are perfect!  You can get fancy and cut the dough out into BIG or little hearts, I didn’t use a cookie cutter just my knife, or roll into traditional rounds.  Top with melted chocolate or icing and sprinkles or leave plain. These cookies are my new favorite!

This recipe is inspired by Marco Borges.  Refined sugar-free.  Really simple to make and totally kid-friendly. Would be fun with some red or pink (even a few drops of beet juice for natural coloring) to make pink!  These cookies will replace the old butter cookie recipe ANNNNND won’t blow your gym efforts.  1 cookie is around 60-70 calories and has 2 grams of protein!

Okay without further adieu… let’s get started!
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— Knead to Cook

Vegan nachos. GF.

by Filed Under: 4th of July/Patriotic, Brunch, Dips, Giveaway!!!, Gluten Free, Holiday, Mexican, Party Foods, Running/Races, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free Leave a Comment

Vegan & gluten free nachos.  My final recipe in my week long vegan Super Bowl party food fest.  I wanted to share several plant-based football watching foods that were easy to prepare for hosting or taking to a party.  This is quintessential football food for sure.

This recipe is super flexible, allowing you to add or remove whatever you have on hand or prefer.  Add beans in lieu of the meatless crumbles, mix up the vegan cheese, add pickled jalapeños for extra spice.  Also top with salsa, hot sauce or guac for extra food fun.  The other wonderful thing about this recipe is that you can make a small or large tray depending on the amount of food you need.  You simply cannot go wrong with this dish.

My recipe gives you what I used along with substitution ideas.  I hope you enjoy!
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— Knead to Cook

Vegan Queso Dip. GF.

by Filed Under: Appetizers, Brunch, Cheese, Dips, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, Mexican, Nuts, Party Foods, Raw, Running/Races, Side dish, Snacks, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Vitamix, Wheat Free 7 Comments

Vegan queso dip.  Are you planning your menu for your Super Bowl party?  Or you attending a party & need a recipe to take with you?  We will having an intimate little party with lots of yummy food – just the way I like it.  This week I’m sharing recipes for the big day that won’t blow your fitness/healthy eating.  My recipes are all super easy and most of the time with ingredients you have stocked in your pantry.  This recipe is everything.

When you migrate over to a plant-based diet, the main thing I struggled with was the lack of cheese.  I’m not a dairy/milk fan, could care less about missing bacon or hamburgers but cheese?  Yes!  I missed it.  Thankfully nowadays there are so many incredible nut-based cheeses to curb the cravings.  This dip is a spin on a classic party dish – queso dip. This dip can be incorporated into a 7 layer dip or like this, served straight up with veggies, lentil or tortilla chips.  It has a lovely smokiness & a bit of spicy kick.  Perfect paired with a cold beer for football viewing!
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— Knead to Cook

Buffalo Tofu Bites. Vegan. GF. Valentine Giveaway.

by Filed Under: Giveaway!!!, Gluten Free, Party Foods, Running/Races, Snacks, Tofu, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free 27 Comments

Buffalo tofu bites.  What? Yes, the vegan version of Buffalo wings.  The Super Bowl is this Sunday and this week I’ll be sharing some football/tailgating/party foods with you all.  If you’re hosting, attending a party or having an intimate little football party – having some festive, yes festive food, always makes the game better, right?  I mean seriously, unless your team is in the Super Bowl, sadly my team is not, the game is all about the commercials and overeating all the food.  Period.  End of story.  So plant-based people of the world do like to partake in the bar-inspired snacks/appetizers and football menu items.  We don’t always eat salads but we do always eat tofu – HA!

These bites are super easy to prep.  Even my meat-loving peeps love these and let’s face it… they aren’t artery clogging and gut busting like their carnivore counterpart.  The tofu can be pressed and cooked up easily earlier in the day with the sauce made right before you serve.  Toss the bites and sauce in the pan to warm and you are good to go!  So let’s get started.
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— Knead to Cook

Chocolate Chunk Cookies. Vegan. GF.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Cookies, Desserts, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, Holiday, Nuts, Party Foods, Running/Races, Snacks, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free 4 Comments

   

Chocolate chunk cookies hot from the oven. Vegan & gluten free.

This recipe was adapted from Oh She Glow‘s one bowl chocolate chunk cookies.  I revamped this recipe to prep all in a food processor and with less ingredients/sugars.  I’ve been making these cookies for what seems to be FORever!  My girls drool over these when they’re in the oven & safely assume that they don’t last very long on the counter.  I also adapted these sans chocolate chunk so that my husband, who is allergic to chocolate, can enjoy as well.  Both versions work perfectly.

This week I’ll be sharing a recipe a day for your super bowl party this weekend.  All will be vegan and gluten free but oh-so-delectable that none of your guests will know.  I’m all about healthy options that don’t look like celery sticks and throw everyone into a tizzy.  Super Bowl parties are supposed to be filled with stick to your ribs kinda food… my food line-up this week promises to do just that!

So no time to waste… let’s get this week started!
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— Knead to Cook

Cutout Sugar Cookies. Vegan. Gluten free.

by Filed Under: Brunch, Cookies, Dressings, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fitness., Gift ideas, Gluten Free, Holiday, Holiday Baking Ideas, Party Foods, Vegan, Vegetarian, Wheat Free Leave a Comment


Cutout sugar cookies that are vegan & gluten free… ummm yes, please!  I found this recipe after a quick google search over at Unconventional Baker.  I have no time this week to play around with sugar cookie experimentation and I needed a full-proof recipe that would save me time & yield the perfect cookie.  I did make some minor adjustments to the original recipe -please see below.

Okay so everyone is in a mad dash this week.  Finish shopping.  Wrapping.  Shipping.  Whatever.  I’m done with all of that but need to get cooking/baking done.  You see every year I make (crappy sugar) cut out cookies for our annual ugly Santa cookie contest.  Everyone decorates them… we choose the winner, normally my husband, and the winning cookies are left out for Santa on Christmas Eve.  The rest get pitched.  This year, avoiding waste and opting to use the finished cookies for dessert on Christmas – I knew I needed a good cookie that was both vegan and gluten free.  This recipe was super easy & required no chilling.  Baked up perfectly and they’re in my freezer till Saturday when they will be unveiled & decorated for our contest.  Okay… let’s get on to the recipe without further delay…
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— Knead to Cook

Spicy Thai Peanut Hummus. Vegan. GF.

by Filed Under: Beans, Dips, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, Party Foods, Raw, Snacks, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Vitamix, Wheat Free 2 Comments

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Spicy Thai Peanut Hummus.

First, happy December!  Are you ready for the onslaught of holiday parties, shopping, school events and family?  I’m going to be focusing on posting many recipes that will make your holidays a bit easier – perfect make-ahead dishes, healthy snacking or the perfect homemade gift ideas.  Check back often for all the goodies!

Lately, I’ll admit, I’ve been quite fond of hummus.  I mean I always loved hummus but for some reason lately, I cannot live without it.  It’s an easy protein.  I thin it out with water or lime juice and use in as as dressing on my salads, eat it as a dip, top homemade tortillas in it, raw green beans are my favorite!  I also have been taking Romaine leaves, washed and smearing hummus on top – wrapping like a taco.  My husband uses it on his sandwiches in lieu of Dijon or dressing.  It’s one of those versatile foods that is incredibly versatile.

I have a client that has a penchant for spicy food like I do.  I’m excited for her to try this recipe.  Just enough kick to satisfy your heat seeker.  Not a fan of spicy foods?  Remove the jalapeño seeds for a mild version.  This recipe is perfect to whip up and have in your fridge when a snack craving hits.  Post workout or to take to a holiday party.
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— Knead to Cook

Lucy Let’s Go Raw Espresso Crust Pumpkin Pie. Vegan. GF.

by Filed Under: Brunch, Desserts, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, Holiday, Holiday Baking Ideas, Nuts, Party Foods, Sponsored, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Vitamix, Wheat Free 9 Comments

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Thanksgiving/Friendsgiving feasts will be here before we can seriously accept or believe it as fall is quickly flying by.  I love taking a traditional dish and putting a fun twist on it. Especially, mixing up classics with a plant-based alternative that is also gluten free is helpful if any of your guests have specific dietary or allergy concerns.  Pumpkin pie is a customary dessert menu item but mixing it up by adding a rich chocolatey espresso crust to the creaminess of this raw pumpkin pie is seriously delectable.  And chocolate and pumpkin is a wonderful flavor combination.

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— Knead to Cook

Cranberry Pomegranate Relish. Vegan. Raw. Gluten Free.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Desserts, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fruit, Gluten Free, Holiday, Party Foods, Salads, Side dish, Thanksgiving, Vegan, Vegetarian, Vitamix Leave a Comment

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Cranberry Pomegranate Relish.

Thanksgiving is one week away.  ONE WEEK!  I cannot get my mind wrapped around it.  I’ve been working so much the past few weeks, I feel like this truly snuck up on me.  I’m starting to prep some dishes and this is hands down, one of the easiest and favorites.

Long gone are the days of that gross, canned cranberry sauce/gelatinous blob.  Creating homemade relish is super easy and takes just minutes. Seriously. Even if you hate to cook, think you cannot— this recipe is fail-proof!  Plus it isn’t sugar laden like most recipes.

Cranberry relish is great on salads, in smoothie bowls, burgers, sandwiches or wherever you need a fresh flavor punch with some texture.  Flexible recipe and this will keep in your fridge for weeks!
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— Knead to Cook