Knead to Cook

Food & fitness obsessed girl.

Cavit Pinot Grigio and Summer Chickpea Salad. Vegan. GF.

by Filed Under: Beans, Brunch, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, Party Foods, Raw, Sponsored, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free Leave a Comment

 

Chickpea salad.  

Are you excited?  Summer is finally upon us.  Parties, family gatherings, dining al fresco are all on my mind.  I can’t wait for relaxing evenings, foods harvested from my garden and beverages to celebrate a more relaxed vibe for the next several months.

As the temperatures rise, our plates are filled with colorful foods and refreshing beverages.  I’ve partnered up with Cavit Collection to pair up a summer recipe along with their light & crisp Pinot Grigio (hello, National Pinot Grigio day this Friday) for that perfect pairing.  I love easy recipes, that are quite flexible and can be prepared ahead of time so you can enjoy your family, friends or party go-ers.  Along with a wonderful veggie/bean salad, I love to stock up on lighter wines for guests. Featuring one of our favorites, Cavit Pinot Grigio is the perfect, light summer wine.  I know wine selection can be quite difficult if you aren’t familiar, but this Pinot is a wonderful option that everyone will love.

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— Knead to Cook

Vegetable Ribbon Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette. V. GF.

by Filed Under: Brunch, Easter, Gluten Free, Raw, Salads, Side dish, Vegan, Vinaigrette, Wheat Free 1 Comment

 

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Summer has made an impromptu appearance this week with our 90+ degree temperatures.  Hotter temps drive me to eating lighter foods.  I’ve created many salads like this but it worth an update and share with you all here.

Parties, picnics, brunches and gatherings are all starting and my menu planning is in full swing.  This salad is so beautiful. Local farmer’s markets are brimming with rainbow carrots, beets, zucchinis…. pretty much any color veggie that you can slice on a mandoline or with a hand peeler will work in this recipe.  It can be prepped a few hours ahead of time and serves up beautifully without concerns of spoiling with the hotter temperatures.

I love pairing up salads like this with some rice or quinoa for a nice dinner idea as well.  Leftovers also make a tasty lunch the next day.  Hope you’re having a lovely day enjoying the sunshine and warmth.  Remember to hydrate!

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— Knead to Cook

Maille FlavorHero Dijon Recipes. Vegan. Gluten free.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Condiments, Dips, Dressings, Gluten Free, Raw, Rubs, Salads, Sauces, Side dish, Snacks, Sponsored, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Vegetarian, Vinaigrette, Vitamix 4 Comments


Incorporating flavor into existing recipes or food preparation can seem daunting but going to back to basics can be quite impactful and so simple to do.  I’ve long loved Maille Dijon and have created many recipes using their flavorful Dijons.  And let me digress by saying not all Dijons on the market are created equal.  La Maison Maille has been producing for more than 267 years. The tradition is kept alive by the team of experts who create the products today, preserving the excellence that defines La Maison Maille in a continual quest for innovation and perfection. It is the attention to detail that sets La Maison Maille apart – the carefully selected ingredients, the nuances of the recipes, the expertise in the methods used and the elegant black and gold packaging.

Maille is currently running a Flavor Heroes Contest that you can enter.  All you need to do it tell them how you use a Maille product to enhance your favorite dishes and you can be featured in a recipe video along with winning  a 5 piece signature Le Creuset cookware.  Click here to enter!  And now let me share some ways I incorporate their products into 3 of my favorite dishes.

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— Knead to Cook

Good Karma Foods Flaxmilk Chocolate Smoothie.

by Filed Under: Best Vegan..., Beverages, Breakfast, Brunch, Desserts, Fruit, Gluten Free, Raw, Smoothies, Snacks, Sponsored, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Vitamix, Wheat Free 31 Comments

Lately, I’ve been sharing my favorite vegan, plant-based foods here on my blog.  Good Karma Foods flaxmilk and yogurts are just two of our favorites.  Recently, I have the opportunity to try out Good Karma’s flax protein milk.  First things first… it has 8 grams of protein per serving AND tastes so incredibly creamy!   I don’t know about you but I’m not a fan of watery milks.  If you want a luscious smoothie – you need a creamy base to start and this milk is perfect!  Plus packed with Omega 3’s… this one is a winner!

Good Karma Foods flaxmilk is packed with 1200mg of Omega 3’s.  Free of the most common allergens like dairy, soy, & nuts.  It has as much calcium as dairy milk.  The flax with protein only has 70 calories per serving in their unsweetened flaxmilk.  The flavor is extremely neutral and can be used in both savory as well as sweet recipes, like my smoothie recipe.

Good Karma Foods is based out of beautiful Boulder, Colorado and they were the pioneers to developing a flax seed based milk.  They are passionate about healthy eating and living -which is why I believe in such an incredible company and their products.  They also have an incredibly creamy drinkable yogurt that we’re obsessed with and a creamy yogurt that is unbelievable.  Okay so enough of my babbling on… let’s get to the recipe AND a sweet giveaway!

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— Knead to Cook

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

Lucy Let’s Go Blog Post – Coconut Butter Protein Bites. V. GF.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Desserts, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, No bake/cooking required!, Raw, Sponsored, Valentine's Day, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Vegetarian, Vitamix, Wheat Free 2 Comments

Ah it’s the month of love.  Love for your boyfriend, girlfriend, spouse, kids, friends and yes – even yourself!   I know tradition dictates that enormous heart-shaped box of chocolates & roses but let’s be honest here.  Homemade treats to me are best and honestly, most of those chocolates in the box aren’t even favorites.   I prefer to spend time creating a special treat from my heart to share.  If you wish to have chocolate – feel free to dip these bites into melted dark chocolate.

So recently I’ve learned & embraced coconut manna (aka butter) thanks to my dietician.  It’s a medium-chain fat & is used by the body for energy. Coconut manna is available at most grocery stores near the coconut oil.  Manna is known to helps you burn more calories & is an appetite suppressant. And the fatty acids can help boost brain activity!  Food is powerful.  So what is it actually? Coconut manna is made from the meat of the coconut, very similar to the consistency of a nut butter.  It’s decadent and heart-healthy.  It’s a lovely alternative to your normal nut butter routine so think topping toast, oatmeal or just out of the jar.  As for this recipe, these bites are chock full of protein & healthy fats leaving you satiated unlike those chocolates.  This recipe yielded 15 bites & took about 10 minutes to make.  Store perfectly in the freezer or fridge.

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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, Your Life Edit Foundations 9 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

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

Maca Tofu Breakfast Pudding. Vegan. GF.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, No bake/cooking required!, Raw, Sponsored, Tofu, Vegan proteins, Vitamix, Wheat Free 15 Comments

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Maca Tofu Breakfast Bowl.

If you follow me on Insta-story or Snapchat (kneadtocook) you know I document my food, with calories, each day.  You also know that I eat some version of this bowl each & every day.  Why?  Well I posted a version of this recipe several months ago here. I quickly realized that this bowl satiates me for a good 3.5-4 hours – which I’ll be honest, never happens.  I’ve traveled with this bowl weekly, prep it at home… wherever I am, I’m making it.  PLUS, it has 60 grams of plant based protein which is incredible.

So this recipe is a bit different than my original & includes Gaia Herbs maca powder that I was able to try out.  I’ve long been a fan of the benefits of maca powder.  Maca root powder is comprised of approximately:

18% protein

76.5% carbohydrates

5% fat

8.5% fiber (indigestible carbohydrates)

Maca provides:
Vitamins B-1, B-2, C and E
Calcium
Magnesium
Potassium
Copper
Zinc
Manganese
Phosphorus
Selenium
Sulphur
Sodium
Iron

Processed using gelatinization to make it more digestible and easier to absorb

Plus this powder is organic, vegan, gluten free and non-gmo.  It blends perfectly into water, your smoothies or your tofu bowl.  Sustained energy without caffeine.  I’m a fan!  I don’t share products I don’t personally use or love… ever!

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— Knead to Cook

Raw Pumpkin Spice Crunch Protein Bites. Vegan. GF.

by Filed Under: Brownies, Brunch, Desserts, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, Holiday, Nuts, Raw, Snacks, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Vitamix, Wheat Free Leave a Comment

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Protein comes in many forms & these little lovelies are one of my favorites.  I’ve recently had the opportunity to become wildly in love with Square Organic protein bars.  Seriously, so so good!  Since they sent me a box to try… we’ve purchased about 10 boxes.  Crunch is our favorite… well along with mint, peanut butter and cherry.  But I wanted to incorporate them into some of my recipes… think bites and cookies (coming soon). These are my first recipe to share with you all.  Of course with September officially here I fell its acceptable to start cracking open the pumpkin.  So these are a pumpkin spiced chocolate crunch bites that is perfect pre or post workout.  Acceptable when that sweet craving hits.  Perfect after-school snack idea. Or if you need something sweet post dinner.

These are packed with walnuts which are high in vitamin E, folate, melatonin, omega-3 fats, and antioxidants. Research shows walnut consumption may support brain health.  The Square Organic bars are dairy, soy and gluten free. They believing in sourcing only the most nutrient-dense organic and non-gmo foods, and striving to work directly with farmers whenever possible to ensure an ethical supply chain from crop to bar.  And you can use the code:  EVERYDAY20 for your own 20% off.   [Read more…]

— Knead to Cook