Easter – Page 4

Almond butter raw cookie dough bites.

April 8, 2014 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Brunch, Cookies, Desserts, Easter, Gluten Free, No bake/cooking required!, Nuts, Party Foods, Raw, Snacks, Vegan, Vegetarian, Vitamix, Wheat Free, Your Life Edit Foundations 6 Comments

Happy Tuesday!!! It’s going to be a good day. I’m finally on the mend from the cold/laryngitis that’s been plaguing me. I got a good night’s sleep. I ran outside in shorts (yes this is a feat for Pennsylvania after this horrible winter) and I ran 8 hilly/windy miles this morning in the rain. I was still sub 8 minute mile, which was good, not my fastest but I realize I’m still on the mend. This month, I’m bound and determined to run outside versus the treadmill, which I’ve become quite attached to over the past three months thanks to Mother Nature. I felt good pushing it and left it all on the road – it was simply all I had. Now to keep building from that.

Other news… I admit, I come from a long line of car aficionados. My grandfather was obsessed with cars back in the day (40’s and 50’s) and always sported the very best, coolest, hippest cars. I just love that despite not meeting him (he died when my dad was a teenager) I cherish the pics I have of him with his wheels. My uncles and my own father… all car obsessed. I think I have some weird car gene that was passed onto me. Did I mention that when I was in high school and had that weird “career path” test that tells you the best fields to get into I got car mechanic? Ha ha! Seriously! I did. But I digress, I love them but as I’ve gotten older, and wiser, I realize that I need something safe with great gas mileage that isn’t inhaling premium gas every time I hit the gas pedal (did I say I have a need for speed too?). Ohhhhh my father is very proud (ha ha). So after exhausting research – no lie I asked people on the streets with the cars I liked what they thought, test drives, annoying questions, brochures, internet research, overthinking way too much… oh how I hate buying cars- we are picking up our brand new 2015 wheels tonight! Great gas mileage along with speed, safety and all the bells and whistles – I’m excited! My poor husband will be a bit remorseful giving up his convertible, especially with spring weather finally approaching but we are thankful this endeavor is over! As I sit here typing this – my father is in kitchen pouring over the brochure and the features! Ha ha! This makes me laugh.

Finally, this week I’m doing an experiment with my oldest daughter. I’m removing dairy and gluten from her diet to test a theory. So far, two days into it… I’m already seeing a vast improvement. So with my test, I know I have to produce really good, delectable treats that she will eat and not miss her daily yogurt or whole wheat bread. I’m working on finding or making the perfect gluten free bread that she will deem “acceptable” and not gross. My battle of the week! But treats… I make many gluten free treats that she loves but this week I’m stepping it up. We all love raw cookie dough bites/energy balls I make and I saw this recipe in Oh She Glows cookbook and thought I would give these a try. Totally vegan. No dairy. No gluten. The perfect test! I also used Enjoy Life’s chocolate chips (dairy free) so she would have her chocolate and not miss that either. They came out great and I think only 4 remain which means I need to make another batch.

Perfect snack to make and store in the fridge or freezer for snack attacks. Filled with protein thanks to the nut butter. Hope you give these a try!

Adaptation from Oh She Glows Cookbook

[Read more…]

— Knead to Cook

Sriracha Dipping Sauce.

April 4, 2014 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Appetizers, Brunch, Condiments, Dips, Easter, Fish, Gluten Free, Grilling/Rubs/Sauces, Mexican, Pork, Salads, Sauces, Seafood, Side dish, Snacks, Vegan, Vegetarian, Wheat Free Leave a Comment

I’ve developed a fond love of cashew cream as of late. It’s incredibly easy to whip up and is one of the most versatile concoctions you can have in your kitchen. From adding maple syrup for sweet recipes to Sriracha sauce for hot and spicy. Use this as a substitution anywhere you use heavy cream. It’s perfect for anyone who is lactose intolerant because it has no dairy. The cream is actually made from cashews. 100% vegan. Gluten free. I love sharing fun, easy and super simple recipes with you. This one is perfect!

I served this up as an appetizer with fresh veggies – English cucumbers, raw asparagus, jicama and carrot sticks. My kids were also dipping pretzel crisps in it. Perfect for the Sriracha lover!
[Read more…]

— Knead to Cook

Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal Muffins. Whole Grains Give-a-way!

April 2, 2014 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Desserts, Easter, Fruit, Gift ideas, Giveaway!!!, Gluten Free, Muffins, Nuts, Quick Bread, Snacks, Vegetarian 34 Comments

I’m not a fan of baked oatmeal, I’m not sure why… just never a favorite. I am however a huge fan of oatmeal that’s been cooked, used in overnight oats, baked in in cookies or raw in smoothies- count me in! I wanted to make a muffin that was healthy and perfect for on-the-go breakfast for a busy week ahead. I wanted to appeal to everyone – kids included. One daughter loves dried fruit, the other despises it. Hubby is allergic to chocolate. Okay…. so I made two batches. One without chocolate and one with vegan chocolate chips (mini, so they weren’t loaded but still tempting). It worked! Every morning, I saw one or two of these walking out the door in someone’s hands and I was happy. Whole grains – gluten free makes for a happy mom!

It is National Whole Grain Sampling Day today… so this is the perfect recipe to share. This year I’m a Whole Grain Ambassador. I partnered with this council because whole grains have numerous benefits. Did you know?

Brown rice isn’t the only whole grain rice? It also comes in black (which you’ve seen me cook with), red and purple. What a great way to get your kids interested in eating rice.

3 servings a day of whole grains cuts blood pressure, reducing stroke by 5-20% according to a 2010 study by Scotland doctors.

Sprouting grains increases many of the grains key nutrients including B, C, folate and fiber.

Whole grains are not only fabulous for your health, they provide key nutrients you need to keep moving and stay healthy. They also taste incredible! I have hundreds of whole grain recipes on my site for recipe ideas. Here are just a few for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dinner and snacking.

They Whole Grain Council is also generously sharing (as they did with me) a box of whole grain goodies for one of my KTC friends. Please leave a comment below to be entered or on this post in my Instagram feed. US residents only. A winner will be announced tonight at 8 pm EST. The winner must email me their mailing address within 48 hours or a new winner will be chosen.

Good luck!

Lark Johnson from Texas was the winner. She entered via Instagram and has already submitted her information. This giveaway is now over.

Disclosure: I received a selection of whole grain products to sample but was not compensated for this post. All opinions are my own.

[Read more…]

— Knead to Cook

Raw Almond Butter and Banana Pie.

April 1, 2014 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Brunch, Desserts, Easter, Fruit, Gluten Free, No bake/cooking required!, Nuts, Vegan, Vegetarian, Vitamix, Wheat Free 4 Comments

I’ve been quite interested in trying my hand at a raw dessert lately. Then came last week and we had a big reason to celebrate and I wanted to make our pizza night extra special. My oldest had just passed her lifeguarding course earning her certification. That was reason enough. She had worked so hard and this will be her very first “real” job and that warranted an extra special pizza night in her honor.

I purchased some awesome supplies (raw cashews, almonds, hemp protein etc. from Nuts.com) who I highly recommend (this is NOT a paid sponsorship). I love passing along great finds to my friends. Their products are incredibly fresh and the shipping was insanely fast! Win! Win! Will definitely be a repeat customer.

Okay so this recipe does need to set up and chill in the freezer for at least 6-8 hours but I did it overnight. So remember that when preparing. This would be a fun Easter dessert or for a summer party. Nice and chilled. Packed with healthy ingredients and great fats that your body needs. Not all fats are bad – remember that! Nuts are a great source of protein and fats. Plus the addition of almond butter and bananas… I believe I was channeling Elvis on some level.

[Read more…]

— Knead to Cook

Crispy Almond Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies.

March 28, 2014 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Cookies, Desserts, Easter, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, Holiday, Holiday Baking Ideas, Nuts, Party Foods, Snacks, Vegan, Vegetarian, Vitamix, Wheat Free 5 Comments

Oh I’ve been enjoying my new vegan cookbooks my husband got for me. They’ve been the highlight of this incredibly long, difficult week. I’m not sure what its been this week but everyone I’ve spoken to has felt the same way. Weird, right? Definitely a cookie because I survived the day kinda week. Ha ha. Altho a super long dragging week it has been productive. Kids passports photos/applications/processing done. My oldest is officially a trained and certified lifeguard! Myriad of doc appointment completed. We’ve decided that we need to buy a new car. Oh how I loathe this process. Not my car, but my husband’s. This probably means a bit of changing around. He will take mine, he drives an hour each way to work and I have the hybrid and I will get said “new” vehicle. As much as I love cars… I do not like shopping, researching and doing all of the due diligence to acquire a new one. Anyone who would like to share what they drive and their opinion with me, please feel free! Looking for something a bit more rugged. Something we can throw our bikes on and go. Hiking. Trails. Oh I miss my Hummer. Okay back to reality at hand… cookies. Happy place.

I’ve been testing out so many awesome recipes and I have really enjoyed sharing them with my family as well. These were a huge hit!!! One batch I divided up – half with vegan chocolate chips and half without because my husband is allergic to cocoa. I made them and they were gone in 2 days! They are super crunchy yet chewy. Packed with flaxseed, oats, almonds… great vitamins, minerals and protein. Gluten-free too! Great snack for school lunches or for after-school.

Face it, who doesn’t want to have a cookie once in a while (or more often)? So why not make it healthy without losing the flavor, texture or yumminess. These fit the bill… hook, line and sinker!

Adapted from Oh She Glows cookbook.
[Read more…]

— Knead to Cook

Cream of Asparagus Soup. Vegan.

March 25, 2014 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Brunch, Easter, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, Soups, St. Patrick's Day, Vegan, Vegetarian, Vitamix, Wheat Free 2 Comments

I have been making copious amounts of cashew cream in my kitchen. It’s so versatile – adapting to either sweet or savory dishes. This weekend I scored several pounds of fresh asparagus from my local farmer’s market and knew I wanted to make soup. I love asparagus soup and wanted to try this healthier version. It turned out great. Thickened the soup perfectly and I added some hemp protein, after all it’s green as well, to the soup for an extra protein punch which is great for muscle recovery.

I whipped this soup up in about 30 minutes and it was perfect before we headed off to church service. Leftovers only taste better as the flavors deepen. Would be a great weeknight Meatless Monday dish served up with some whole grain crackers or a crusty loaf of bread. Leftovers make the perfect lunch the next day.

If you’re hosting an Easter brunch… think about this one on your menu. Make ahead. Would keep perfectly on the warm setting of your slow cooker. Although my daughter insisted I use the Malbec wine for this photo, I would pair up with a white wine of your choice. So good!

[Read more…]

— Knead to Cook

Cashew Cream Dijon Sauce, Dressing, Dip.

March 20, 2014 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Brunch, Condiments, Dips, Easter, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, Grilling/Rubs/Sauces, No bake/cooking required!, Salads, Sauces, Vegan, Vegetarian, Wheat Free 2 Comments

Today I made a batch of cashew cream and coincidentally roasted about 4 lbs of golden beets that I scored at the grocery store (rare gems that they are). I am a huge beet fan. I love red, candy cane and golden beets – with the latter being my favorite. So while they cooled, I sat thinking that I need to make a sauce to top these (my standard is some aged balsamic) and immediately came up with this recipe. I will now admit that I think I ate about 2 lbs of the beets for lunch with the sauce because it was SO GOOD! Seriously, I’m counting the minutes until its socially acceptable for me to gorge myself of the remaining beets and sauce. You have to try this! No other words necessary.

Additional uses for this sauce: Salad dressing, vegetable dip, toss with pasta, top chicken, pork or fish or as a sandwich spread. Totally vegan.
[Read more…]

— Knead to Cook

Buckwheat and Hemp Encrusted French Toast.

March 12, 2014 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Breakfast, Easter, Egg dishes, Gluten Free, Grilling, Valentine's Day, Vegetarian 1 Comment

I’m very excited and honored to be an ambassador for the Whole Grain Council. I partnered with them because whole grains are apart of a heart healthy diet. They aren’t only healthy but they also taste great! As a mom, I incorporate whole grains into my family’s diet each day from gluten free oats to quinoa, kamut and freekah. I was not financially compensated for this ambassadorship and do it happily because I believe in the power of whole grains in a diet. As a vegetarian, I eat many whole grains to fuel my very active life and my recovery from aggressive workouts.

This recipe is super fun and a great way to get more healthy ingredients into your kids/family without them really paying attention to the ingredients. This crunchy French Toast is great topped with fresh fruit or yogurt. My kids devoured it! Perfect weekend breakfast and leftovers store well in the fridge for quick weekday breakfast for on the go families.

[Read more…]

— Knead to Cook

Chocolate Peanut Butter Oat Cookies. Gluten Free.

March 7, 2014 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Brunch, Cookies, Easter, Gluten Free, Party Foods, Snacks, Vegetarian, Wheat Free Leave a Comment

Every once in a while I throw in some chocolate cookies for good measure. There is just something inherently right about chocolate. And there are many health benefits to dark chocolate so I count this as a good-for-you food! It just makes the world right again! Ha. Well I made these gluten free, flour-less and gluten free. I bought some Peanut Butter & Co. Dark Chocolate Dreams on sale and thought it would be fun in this recipe. My kids loved it. Easy to make, whipping up in minutes. Bake really quickly and are the perfect match to a glass of cold milk. Once again, chocolate saves the day!

[Read more…]

— Knead to Cook

Sprouted bean veggie salad.

March 6, 2014 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Brunch, Easter, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, Side dish, Vegan, Vegetarian, Wheat Free 1 Comment

I found this spouted bean trio at my local Costco several months ago and snapped it up. I’m always on the hunt for a good source of protein and iron with my vegetarian diet. I’ve subsequently found this in many other grocery stores etc. These beans can be used in a salad, as I did or in soups or stews. Taco fillings, mixed with quinoa, stuffing or in a casserole. They are so versatile and quite delicious taking on the flavors that you infuse in them. Would also be fun in summer salad with some citrus and cilantro! (Will be working on that one.)

Beans are a great alternative to eating meat or if you’re looking to add more protein to your diet. Also packed with fiber and iron – they are a superfood in my book. Best to locate these in the organic section of your grocery store, health food store or Costco type of warehouse venue. You can also sub out these sprouted beans for dried or canned beans that I would mix (black, kidney, garbanzo etc.). This salad could replace your traditional pasta salad at your next brunch or buffet. Perfect for an Easter brunch too or summer salad.

This dressing that I used on this salad is also wonderful on a traditional salad. Combining a great quality balsamic with my favorite Dijon mustard Maille just puts this over the top with flavor!

[Read more…]

— Knead to Cook