Cherry Pecan Granola

Dark colors and flavors rock this granola into a breakfast revolution. Not very sweet, generously toasted and deeply nutty, it transforms any old bowl of yogurt into a spa retreat. It makes me want to hug the bowl the way you do a cozy bowl of steaming soup.

Granola is expensive to buy, yet reasonably cheap and easy to make. Anyway, who wants the sugar and oil packed versions you find in your typical bulk bin, at 200 calories per 1/2 cup? Ridiculous. This version is sweetened naturally with apple juice and a touch of maple syrup (look, it's Vermont, alright?) and contains no oil to speak of. I've made it before with apple juice I made fresh, and then the maple syrup was totally unnecessary. This time I was short on time and had some Santa Cruz Organic's apple juice leftover in the fridge, and found that it appreciated a few tablespoons of syrupy sweetness. But to each his own, and you can certainly personalize that aspect based on your preferences.

I like to keep my granola in the freezer so that the freshly toasted nuts stay fresh, as they are subject to rancidity once exposed to heat. Minimizing heat and exposure to oxygen and light helps prevent this from happening. General rule of thumb: buy your nuts and seeds raw, store them in the freezer and toast them yourself to capitalize on the bounty of nutrition they offer. Once toasted, consume them fairly quickly and keep them in the freezer if you will be storing them for more than a few days.

Anywho, this recipe is totally flexible and you can use any combination of nuts, seeds and dried fruit. Some are more expensive than others, so keep that in mind when making your grocery list. My version is probably one of the pricier combinations possible, but you could really keep your costs down by creating a raisin and almond version, I would imagine. I like to throw some pumpkin seeds in there as well when I have them, as they are high in magnesium and protect against prostate cancer and promote heart health.

Cherry Pecan Granola
Makes about 6 cups

Ingredients
4 cups rolled oats
1/4 cup flax seeds ( I use golden)
1 cup apple juice
1 cinnamon stick
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 tsp. salt
2-4 tbs. maple syrup
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup raw pecans
1/2 cup dried cherries, chopped

Directions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees

In a large bowl, combine oats and flax seed. In a small saucepan, heat the apple juice, cinnamon and ginger over medium heat until it reduces by half. Remove the cinnamon stick and add salt, 2 tbs. maple syrup and vanilla. Pour juice mixture over oat mixture and toss to combine. Taste and add more syrup, ground cinnamon or ginger to taste.




Spread contents of bowl on 2 baking sheets evenly. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove from oven, add pecans, stir and continue to cook for an additional 10-20 minutes, or until toasty and beginning to brown, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat, let cool and toss with dried cherries.






Serve over a generous bowl of plain yogurt drizzled with honey and topped with fresh fruit and chopped dates. Inhale, and smile.





Relax. Eat Well.

A Miso Soup of sorts

I have now been feeling sickly for nine days. 9. More than a week. It's driving me crazy.

In fact, bonkers, might be a better term (remember that cartoon?). The thing is, I am never sick. And when I am, it takes my body about a day or two to bounce back. So I am not sure what is going on, but I'm not happy about it.

However, it does give me a chance to really step back and consciously choose my diet to support my immune system. The key to immune support starts with optimizing digestion, as the majority of our immune system lives in our gut, ready to ward off an invaders that try to come in. So chewing thoroughly, avoiding high-allergen foods (gluten, dairy, peanuts etc.), and listening to your body are all super important. And then there are all the immune-boosters that lie out there in the natural food world: mushrooms (shitakes, maitakes, reishis), miso, citrus fruits and sea vegetables.

I have been making lots of fresh juices out of oranges, lemons and pineapple (I juice the cores), with some cilantro for detoxifying and kale for it's chlorophyll. I have also been enjoying big bowls of miso soup, as it seems to naturally incorporate so many of the immune boosters my body needs right now. I like it with a cup or so of rice for a more substantial meal, or simplified down to plain miso broth as a sipper to get me through the day.

This is the recipe I made last night with the fresh maitakes I found at City Market yesterday as well as a few tablespoons of red curry paste I had lingering in the fridge since spring rolls a few weeks back. It was perfect (maybe the highlight of my day?) so I thought I would share it with you. The curry paste deserves a blog of it's own, which will happen someday, but I'll include the recipe below for now. This is definitely worlds above what you can buy at the store, but you could always substitute Thai Kitchen's version if you had to. Or if you don't have any in the fridge, you can always go ahead and leave it out for a more traditional version.


A Thai-inspired Miso Soup
Serves 2

Ingredients


4 cups vegetable broth (homemade if you can!)
1 strip wakame or kelp, sliced or torn into small pieces
2 oz. fresh maitake or shitake mushroom (or 4 rehydrated dried shitakes), sliced
1/4 cup of tofu, in small cubes
2 tbs. sweet white miso
2 tbs. red miso
2 tbs. red thai curry paste, see below (optional)
1 tbs. shoyu or tamari
a handful of spinach

Directions

Heat vegetable broth, seaweed, mushrooms and tofu in a medium saucepan to a simmer. Remove from heat. Take a cup or so of hot liquid and place in a bowl with miso. Stir until miso dissolves completely. Add miso mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining ingredients, stirring to combine. Cover until spinach wilts. Enjoy immediately!

Thai Curry Paste

Ingredients

1/4 cup chili de arbol

1 tsp coriander seeds

1/4 tsp cumin seed

1/8 tsp black peppercorns

1/2 stalk lemongrass, trimmed and finely minced

1 tsp minced cilantro stem

1 Tbs peeled and minced ginger

1/4 tsp lime zest

1 Tbs minced garlic

1 Tbs minced shallot

1/8 tsp course salt

Directions

Break the stems off the chilies and discard them along with the seeds. Break the chilies into pieces, place in a bowl with just enough warm water to cover. Let soak for 20 to 30 minutes. When done soaking, remove from water (reserve water) and finely chop.

Meanwhile, heat a small heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add the coriander seeds and dry roast, frequently shaking the pan or stirring until they release their smell and begin to change color, about 3 minutes. Transfer coriander to a bowl to cool and then repeat process with the cumin seeds, toasting for about 1 minute, and adding them to the coriander. Repeat again with the peppercorns, roasting long enough to heat them well - about 1 minute.

Grind the toasted spices in a coffee grinder and  place in a small bowl. Mince wet ingredients (lemongrass through shallot) very finely (this can be done in a small food processor) and add to spices along with the salt. To finish, pound mixture thoroughly with the back of a spoon to fully release all of the flavors. Add a little bit of the reserved water if necessary.

Yield: 1/2 cup.

Store in a well-sealed glass container in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 months.

Relax. Eat Well.

Sweet Corn and Black Bean Cakes with Cilantro Almond Aioli

Whew, that is quite the title. Maybe Sweet Beans with Green, instead? Nah, I'll stick with what I've got.

I've been on a black bean kick lately. I like them mixed with a sweeter vegetable, such as sweet potato or golden corn. This dish would work even better in the summer when the corn is tall, but sometimes you just have to break away from the root vegetables when it is MARCH and STILL SNOWING. Ok, I'm done.

For a little info on soaking and cooking beans from dried, check out this post. The same basic method for cooking all beans applies, although the cooking time varies depending on the size.




I served these petite cakes as an appetizer with a dallop of aioli on top, but they could be the main show as well in a larger format with some rice and greens on the side. I like the idea of aioli, but don't appreciate the massive amounts of oil involved. This version uses soaked raw almonds that are creamed into a smooth base and spiked with a latino beat: cilantro, lime, garlic and cayenne. Once they have soaked, it easy to squeeze gently to pop off their skins. They look so funny lying there all naked!




The date adds a sweetness that balances the acidity of the lime and pungency of the garlic. I love using dates in raw concoctions because they bring loads of fiber, a modest dose of potassium and TONS of depth. I love the medjool variety which is often found in the produce section as they are moist, rich and malty.

Sweet Corn and Black Bean Cakes

Serves 6

Ingredients

1 tablespoon ground flax seed

2 cloves garlic, minced

½ jalepeno, minced (or less, depending on heat of your particular pepper)

¼ red onion, chopped

½ cup cilantro, roughly chopped

1 /2 tsp cumin

2 cups black beans

½ cup cornmeal

1 cup corn

2 tsp. honey

Salt and black pepper to taste

Coconut oil for cooking

Directions

Place ground flax in a small bowl with 3 tbs water and let sit while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.

Place onion, garlic and jalapeño in the food processor and pulse to mince.  Add cilantro, cumin, cornmeal, honey and 1 cup of black beans. Process until fairly smooth and blended. Transfer to a large bowl and add flax mixture, corn and remaining cup of beans. Mix to combine and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Heat a medium cast-iron pan over medium heat with 1 tbs. of coconut oil. Shape patties with your hands and fry for 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown. These work well as mini cakes for a cute appetizer topped with Raw Almond Cilantro Aioli (recipe below). 

Can be made in advance and fried just before serving, or shaped and baked if serving more guests. 

Raw Almond Cilantro Aioli

Serves 8

Ingredients

1 cup raw almonds, soaked overnight

1 medium garlic clove, minced

juice of ½ a lime

1 cup cilantro

1 medjool date, pitted

½ tsp. smoked sea salt

2 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil

¼ cup water

pinch of cayenne

paprika or sumac for garnish

Directions

Pinch soaked almonds to pop skins off.  Place skinned almonds with remaining ingredients in a food processor and process until smooth and creamy, adding water a tablespoon at a time to reach desired consistency. Serve on top of mini sweet corn and black bean cakes with paprika or sumac as a garnish for a darling appetizer. 

Relax. Eat Well.

Kale Chips

So I planted the seed  last week that I would I was working on a post about Kale Chips, and this time I made quick work on being good to my word. These are absolutely addicting. ADDICTING. But not in the "I can't believe I just ate the whole bag" kind of way. More like "woah I can't believe I just devoured a whole head of kale" internal dialogue. Not a bad trade. I'll take it.




I love to make these extra garlicky and spicy with a hefty pinch of habanero flakes (thanks Dulce!), but they can certainly be tamed down with just a touch of red pepper flakes, or none at all. I have used a number of different kale varieties, and all have been wonderful, although I think purple kale is still my favorite. Have fun exploring Lacinto (or dinosaur) kale as well as the traditional green curly kale as well. All wonderful AND chock full of amazing nutrients.




I could go on forever, but I will attempt to convince you of Kale's nutritional prowess in just a few sentences. Kale is a cruciferous vegetable that falls under the "hearty green" category rich in chlorophyll, Vitamin K, C, A, and iron. It's insoluble fiber content helps bind with bile in the digestive tract and effectively cleanse and detoxify the body of built-up toxins. It is extremely rich in caretonoids and flavonoids (two types of antioxidants) that have been shown to protect against cancer and lower cholesterol. Lastly, due to it's Vitamin K and Omega-3 content, it is extremely anti-inflammatory, helping ease oxidative stress within the system and promote over-all health. Ok ok, I'm done. I hope you are convinced.

When tossing the kale in the oil, you are looking to rub it in gently without massaging or breaking down the kale's structure (which you intentionally do when making a raw kale salad). You are looking for a slightly oiled feeling, but not at all greasy. I like to start with less oil and add more if needed, to find just the perfect amount. This may be tricky at first, but you will find your preferred oil level after you try it once, and will have it all figured out for the next time.

Italian Baked Kale Chips
Serves 4 (or 1, in my case)

Ingredients

1 head of kale (your favorite variety)

1 tsp. olive oil

1 tsp garlic granules
1 tsp. onion powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tbs. nutritional yeast

1/2 tsp. paprika
red pepper flakes to taste

Directions

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

Wash kale, and dry very well. Tear into large pieces, removing tough stems. Place in a large bowl with remaining ingredients and toss to coat. If you need a dash more oil, add it now and work it in lightly.  

Place on a large baking sheet (or two) in a single layer. Bake in oven for 10 minutes, remove, gently toss, and continue to cook for 5 minute intervals until dry and crispy (usually between 20-30 minutes). I find that a longer cooking time at a lower temperature results in chips that hold their crispiness.

Note: If you have access to a dehydrator, these make a great raw snack if dehydrated at 105 degrees for 2 hours.  Keeping food below 105 degrees preserves the active enzymes and more fragile vitamins and minerals. 


Relax. Eat Well.

Beet Burgers

Believe it or not, this was not even part of any intentional Vday theme, but these pinkalicious beet burgers just happened to make it onto my menu earlier this week. And I am glad they did. Boasting a clan of unusual ingredients, it is a true veggie burger unlike any you could ever find in the freezer aisle, which to me are the epitome of blah. This new version will bring your vegetarian world from the dorm room to the banquet table.

Utilizing whole grains such as brown rice and oatmeal, it has a hearty texture and will keep you satisfied through the night. Plus, it is always nice to have a few recipes in the box that use up the leftover rice that has been sitting in your fridge since last weekend.  The trick is to let the mixture blend in the food processor for several minutes until it comes together to form a sticky patty, which takes the rice breaking down and releasing it's glutenous properties.

I love the idea of shredded beets (which give the raw patties the appearance of their slightly bloodier relative), but if it is a bit too crimson for you, I could imagine using carrots and parsnips instead without sacrificing flavor.  While we are on the subject of recipe tailoring, I could easily picture these burgers heading south with cumin replacing the thyme, cornmeal instead of oats and a few fresh corn kernels thrown in at the last minute. Just a thought.

One last note (well, teaser really): See those delectable green leafies in the background? They are my new obsession- kale chips. I have been making them lately with plenty of garlic and nutritional yeast and a generous pinch of habanero flakes. I swear I eat them like most people eat chicken wings, and with a much healthier conscious. Look forward to the recipe in the upcoming weeks...

Beet Burgers

Serves 6

Ingredients

1 medium beet, roughly chopped

1 small onion, roughly chopped

1 garlic clove, minced

1 ½ cup or 15 oz can kidney beans, cooked and rinsed

½ cup oatmeal, uncooked

1 cup brown rice, cooked

1 tsp chipotle powder, plus more to taste

1 tbs. tamari

1 tbs. tomato paste

¼ tsp. oregano

¼ tsp. thyme

¼ cup brown rice flour

Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a food processor, add beet, onion and garlic and process until fairly smooth. Add beans and pulse several more times. Add the remaining ingredients and process until well blended. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using your hands, take about ½ cup of beet mixture from the food processor and shape it into a patty. Place on parchment paper and repeat with remaining beet mixture.  Bake for 15 minutes, or until the bottoms begin to brown lightly. Flip and bake for an additional 10 minutes, checking to make sure they aren’t getting too tough.

Serve Beet Burgers over fresh greens, topped with avocado, a dollop of hummus and fresh sprouts. 

Cooking Class: Indian Cuisine

February 13th 1-3pm at The Store in Waitsfield, VT

Spice of Life: Indian Cuisine

$55 per person- Hands On

Inspired by the exotic flavors of Indian cuisine yet unsure how to prepare it at home? Indian cuisine is famous for it’s complex spices, emphasis on seasonal produce and incorporation of health promoting ingredients. This class will focus on the beneficial properties of Indian spices, the nutrition behind the ingredients used, and practical kitchen tips to make your cooking experience easy and enjoyable. Expect to leave with detailed recipes and inspired taste buds.



 

Menu:


Aloo Gobi (Potato Cauliflower Curry)


Spiced Red Dal


Raita (Cooling Cucumber Yogurt Relish)

Whole-grain Naan Flatbread

Wait until you see this AMAZING classroom! Get ready to get your hands dirty.....

To register, call 802-496-4465

Relax. Eat Well.

No-Bake Chocolate Torte

Just in time for Valentine's day, this is a lusciously rich chocolate torte requiring relatively few ingredients, no oven time and little clean-up. And, oh my, so delicious. 

Funny story: So when I made this torte last week, I had to transport in my car to it's final destination. I wrapped it in plastic wrap and placed it on the bottom of the back seat, so that it wouldn't shift while I was driving. But of course, when I opened the car door with a seat full of food, the first thing the dog did was jump into the back and place two paws squarely in the center of the torte. At least there is documentation that it was at one point beautiful. And maybe it was even tastier when the flavors and textures burst so far beyond what the eye expected.

The crust is largely made from ground walnuts and pecans, making it rich and nutty and incredibly unrefined. You could take this a step farther by using pitted Medjool dates rather than maple syrup (maybe 5?). I think I'll try this next time I make it and report back. 

Soaking the nuts neutralizes the phytic acid found in whole grains, legumes and nuts, which can inhibit the digestion of their precious vitamins and minerals.  It is not a necessary step for the success of the torte, but if you can plan ahead a bit, set them to soak in water the night before. Not only will it increase the nutrition, it will also allow for a smoother filling. Just make sure to drain and rinse them well after soaking and before processing.

                                         

Another ingredient note: I replaced half of the cocoa powder in the crust with Dandy Blend, a healthy herbal coffee substitute (which is actually really delicious as a beverage as well, if you are trying to cut back on caffeine but miss your big mug of roasted beans in the morning). It offered a nice complexity to the nutty crust. 

Ingredients

Crust:
1 cup raw walnuts, soaked
1 cup raw pecans, soaked
1/3 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup good quality cocoa
1/4 tsp. salt

Filling:
12 ounces silken tofu (3/4 of a container)
2/3 cup raw cashews, soaked
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. sea salt
1 cup semisweet dark chocolate, chopped

Cocao nibs or shaved white chocolate, for decorating (optional)


Directions

Process crust ingredients in a large food processor until a ball begins to form. Place dough in a tart pan and with wet fingers, press to cover the bottom and sides in a thin but even layer.


In a double boiler, or small pot inside a large pot with water, melt chocolate over low heat. Transfer into food processor and add remaining filling ingredients. Blend until smooth and whipped.


Pour chocolate filling into prepared crust and spread to create a smooth-ish top. Garnish with cocao nibs,  or white chocolate shavings and refrigerate or freeze until firm before slicing.





Relax. Eat Well.