VEGAN AND WHEAT FREE CARROT CAKE

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So to start I must admit I am not vegan nor have a gluten free diet but this past weekend I was browsing my bookshelf and remembered this vegan cook book I have and decided to pull it out (for anyone who is interested in knowing more about the cookbook I will post a link below). As I perused the pages I came across this carrot cake recipe I 'dog eared' (weird expression I know) and decided to try it out. The results were a very nice and moist cake that I am sure will make any vegan person jump for joy.

INGREDIENTS:

Can of vegan, oil based non stick cooking spray
3/4 Cup Garbanzo Bean Flour
1 1/4 Cup Rice Flour
2 TSP Xanthan Gum
2 TSP Baking Soda
1/4 TSP Salt
2 TSP Cinnamon
1/2 Cup Apple Sauce
1 Cup Canola Oil
1 Cup Water
1 1/4 Cup of Maple Syrup
1 TSP Vanilla Extract
2 Cups Grated Carrots

Frosting - choose whichever flavor you like (mine was cream cheese) pre-made or I can list ingredients below.

Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting
8 OZ firm Silken Tofu
12 OZ Soy cream cheese
1 Cup of Powdered Sugar
1 TSP of coconut extract
1/2 Cup of Unsweetened Coconut
2 TSP of Xanthem Gum (for thickening)

DIRECTIONS: - SHORT VIDEO BELOW

*Like with most cakes you start by mixing all the dry ingredients together in one bow.. mixing all the wet ingredients in another bowl and then combining them together...vegan baking is the same

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees

Grab a 9 inch bread baking pan and coat it in non-stick cooking spray.

In a large bowl mix your garbanzo bean flour, rice flour, xantham gum, baking soda, sat and cinnamon together.

In a separate medium bowl mix your applesauce, canola oil, water, vanilla extract and maple syrup.

Next mix your wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients and stir until it is well incorporated. Then add in your grated carrots and mix well.

Pour cake mix into the coated baking pan and bake in the over for 75-80 minutes

Once finished remove from the oven and allow to cool before adding icing on top.

To make the frosting simply place all ingredients except the unsweetened coconut in a food processor and blend until smooth. Stir in the coconut after by hand. If possible you can make this the night before and refrigerate so it has more time to set and thicken.

For those who are interested in the cookbook I got this recipe from 'Sinfully Vegan' by Lois Dieterly.

I hope you enjoyed this recipe as much as I do. If you have any comments please leave them below and I'll be happy to answer them as soon as I can! Bon Appetite!!!

BRUSSELS SPROUT CHIPS - VEGAN, VEGETARIAN

Looking for a great low calorie snack? I got you covered! Brussels sprouts are a great vegetable to turn into "chips" Not only are they delicious and crunchy when baked but they are full of vitamin K and vitamin C! This super easy recipe is great for kids and will have them eating their veggies like its popcorn!

INGREDIENTS:

1 LBS of Brussels Sprouts
2 TBSP of Olive Oil
2-3 TSP of Salt

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Wash and clean your brussels sprouts removing the stem and the outer layers. Cut cleaned brussels sprouts in half and place in a bowl.

Add your olive oil and salt to the bowl and mix well so everything is evenly coated.

Place brussels sprouts facing up on a baking pan lines with aluminum foil and bake for 25-35 minutes depending on how crispy you want them. Happy eating!

I hope you enjoyed this recipe as much as I do. If you have any comments please leave them below and I'll be happy to answer them as soon as I can!  Bon Appetite!!!

STUFFED ACORN SQUASH - VEGETARIAN AND VEGAN OPTIONS

I have tried many different squash recipes, but this has to be one of my favorites. My girlfriend Lili made it for me the other day when I went to her house for dinner and it was not only healthy, but really tasty so of course I had to share the recipe with you guys. You can add any veggies that you like and can even switch up the pesto for tomato sauce if you want. Be creative but most of all have fun!

INGREDIENTS:

1 - 2 Acorn Squash
3/4 Cup of Uncooked Quinoa
1-2 TBSP of Olive Oil
1/2 Medium Spanish Onion (chopped)
2 Celery Stock (chopped)
2 Clove of Garlic (minced)
1/2 Cup of Carrots (chopped)
1/2 Cup of Black Beans (drained and rinsed)
Pesto Sauce
2-3 TBSP of Goat Cheese, Feta Cheese, Halloumi (whichever you prefer/optional)
Salt and Pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. While oven is warming up go ahead and cut a small portion of the top and bottom of your acorn squash off to help it sit up straight. Next cut the squash in half, width-wise, and remove the seeds from the inside.

Place the squash on a baking tray that is lined with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.

In the meantime make your quinoa.

While you are waiting for your quinoa to cook you can add the olive oil to a pan and throw in your chopped onions, celery, carrots, garlic and black beans. Sauté until the onions become translucent. I also like to salt and pepper my veggies as they are cooking

Once the quinoa is ready transfer to a bowl, add in your pesto and sauteed vegetables. Mix together. At this point you can add in your cheese if you want. Save a little for garnish!!

Once the squash has been in the oven for 30 minutes remove and stuff with the quinoa mixture. Garnish with cheese and pop back in the oven for an additional 30 minutes.

Once ready remove from oven and serve warm. Enjoy!

I hope you enjoyed this recipe as much as I do. If you have any comments please leave them below and I'll be happy to answer them as soon as I can!  Bon Appetite!!!

KALE AND PINEAPPLE GREEN SMOOTHIE - ANTI-ANGIOGENESIS

I call this my anti-angiogenesis drink because it's full of great nutrients that help your body fight cancer and stop it from growing or metastasizing in your body. I designed this drink after watching Dr. William Li's Ted Talk on his discovery of anti-angiogenesis foods that help your body stop cancer cells from metastasizing and therefor helping you beat cancer. He calls it "eating to starve cancer". I will post the video below the recipe for you to see!! ENJOY

INGREDIENTS

2-3 Cups of Kale (steams removed and chopped)
1 Whole Cucumber (chopped)
3 Branches of Celery (chopped)
1 Lemon (peeled and chopped)
1/3 Of A Pineapple (chopped)
1 TSP of Spirulina Powder
A handful of Mint
 

DIRECTIONS:

Throw everything into a blender till it is liquefied and serve.

I hope you enjoyed this recipe as much as I do. If you have any comments please leave them below and I'll be happy to answer them as soon as I can! Happy cooking!!!

MUSHROOMS ON TOAST

Mushrooms are a great source of Vitamin D and Iron! They are also low in calories which is great if you are watching your weight! I really like mushrooms on toast its not only delicious but a great way to boost your immune system if you are feeling run down. Mushrooms also can boost your metabolism because they have Vitamin B which is vital for turning food (carbohydrates) into fuel (glucose), which the body needs/burns to produce energy. Not to mention they taste good! Enjoy!!!

Yields 2 Pieces of Mushrooms on Toast

INGREDIENTS:

4 Cups of Mushrooms (I used a mix of Shiitake (remember to take the stems off) and Oyster mushrooms)
1-2 TBSP of Olive Oil
1/4 Cup of Fresh Sage - chopped
1/4 Cup of Fresh Thyme - chopped
2 Cloves of Garlic - minced or pressed
Salt and Pepper - as desired
Bread (Gluten free or Vegan Crackers can be used too)
 

DIRECTIONS:

Olive oil the pan and let it heat up on medium heat. Throw in your mushrooms and let that saute. The water will come out of the mushrooms.

Once the water comes out it will start to evaporate. When the water is nearly gone, throw in your garlic, sage, thyme and salt and pepper. The mushrooms will start to absorb the flavors at this point.

Continue to cook for another 10-15 minutes on medium heat. As they start to get golden brown you can reduce the heat.

Put you bread in the toaster and do your thing.

Spread the mushrooms on the toast and drizzle some of the juices from the pan on top and enjoy!

I hope you enjoyed this recipe as much as I do. If you have any comments please leave them below and I'll be happy to answer them as soon as I can! Happy cooking!!!