Raw Pecan Tart Truffles

If you love pecan tarts and pies, than this is the perfect little raw treat to fill that craving. Quick and easy to make, gluten free, only five simple ingredients, no baking, no added sugars, and can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer for a lengthy amount of time. These are great given as gifts, taken to parties or just to have around the house for a quick, healthy treat!

Simple. Whole. Delicious!

Roll your truffles in one of the optional ingredients for a finished look. I have them rolled in almond meal, coconut flakes and mineral salt. My favorites were the ones rolled in mineral salt. A salted raw pecan tart truffle...so good!

Raw Pecan Tart Truffles

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups pecans
• 1 cup medjool dates (about 12), pitted and chopped (fresh is best)
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract or ground vanilla bean
• pinch of salt

for rolling, optional

• shredded coconut
• almond meal
• crushed graham crackers
• freshly ground mineral salt

Place ingredients in food processor and process until it just becomes combined. Ideally you want your dough to have visible pieces of nuts (but you can also process until smoother, see notes). It should stick together when you pinch it. Roll dough into 1 inch balls, about 12 truffles. Roll in any one or mix of the optional ingredients if desired for a finished look. Store in the refrigerator for up to a month (may even last longer) or freeze for a longer shelf life pulling them out as needed.

Notes:

To lower the fat content on these try subbing in 1/2 cup rolled or quick cooking oats for some of the pecans. I do this for most of my other raw treats but kept this one all nuts. You could even go as much as 3/4 cup oats and 3/4 cup pecans.

I have processed a batch to a smooth consistency before with great results. It was a bit more wet due to the dates and nuts releasing juices and oils from the heat it was giving off, but 30 minutes to 1 hour in the refrigerator before rolling helped with that. They were much smoother in texture which I kind of prefer now that I've had it that way. Also if processing until smooth, try adding in the oats as mentioned above, they will help soak up the extra wetness as well as lowering the fat/calorie content.

Enjoy!

Persimmon & Grape Baked Oatmeal

I had my first persimmon about a year ago. I've always admired their bright color and shape. Finally having picked one up, I fell in love at first taste. They have their own unique flavor...a sweet cinnamony flavor that I look forward to when they're in season. This recipe came about as I had a couple lying around. After a quick google search for persimmon recipes I decided to put them in a baked oatmeal, which by the way is a first for me. I found a baked oatmeal recipe for persimmons and cranberries which looked great and also one for persimmon and apple. I happen to have red grapes on hand, and after looking in my trusted Flavor Bible saw that persimmons and grapes compliment each other. I've so been wanting to try grapes from the oven so it was born this persimmon & grape baked oatmeal. The baked grapes are warm and juicy, while the persimmons are soft and flavorful. I also used a vanilla bean as I ran out of vanilla extract which was a nice touch and treat. If you have one on hand give it a try! I was super pleased with this combination of ingredients, although it sounds strange, but it's full of flavor, texture and not to mention your home will smell wonderful as it bakes. This is so easy to put together and well the worth the wait! 

Persimmon & Grape Baked Oatmeal

Ingredients

• 1 fuyu persimmon, peeled and diced
• 1 cup red grapes (use your favorite color grapes)
• 2 cups rolled oats
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon cardamom
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
• pinch mineral salt
• 2 cups unsweetened almond milk
• 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
• 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise and seeds scraped or 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

In medium bowl combine the oatmeal, cinnamon, cardamom, pecans and salt. In another bowl combine the milk, syrup and vanilla. Add wet mixture to the dry mixture, mix well. Add in persimmon and grapes, mix again.

Place mixture into a lightly greased 9 x 9 baking dish and bake for 40 minutes. Serve warm with a splash or two of non-dairy milk over top. 

Serves 4 or 2 generously.

Notes:

Sub in fresh cranberries for the grapes. Try using diced apples of choice in place of the persimmon. Use more of either of the fruits if you like. 

Enjoy!

Apple Cinnamon Muffins (Gluten Free)

Hooray for gluten free muffins. And cinnamon. And apples. And every ingredient that goes into to these muffins. They make for yummy tummies!

I haven't attempted muffins until I ran across this beautiful photography + food blog called The Vanilla Bean. After oohing and ahhing over all the photography as I scrolled through her blog, I was inspired to veganize this recipe, although it didn't need much, and it came out wonderful. So I share with you the first muffin recipe for The Simple Veganista recipe collection. It's a perfect beginning to a series of gluten free muffins to come...my mind is churning as I type. You can find the original recipe at here. Go make yourself some gluten free vegan muffins and come back and take a look at her blog...truly gorgeous! As for me, I'll be dreaming of all the muffin combinations I can come up with and pinching my pennies until I can get my hands on some great photo editing software...can't wait for it all. :)

Let's talk about these muffins now shall we. They have a nice moist center with lots of flavor in each bite. Without being overly sweet they are a great way to start your day, or to snack on any time your feeling hungry. I really had good luck with this recipe and was so happy with the outcome. All her tinkering and snacking has paid off. Best of all, I didn't have to change much making this an easy recipe to veganize. I did add in some oats which you can omit if you like. Like she suggests in her recipe, these muffins can go various ways...you could try pears instead of apples...or you can add in some grated carrots along with the apples too! I love versatility in recipes... it keeps it fresh and usable. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did. It's really a great muffin to have in your vegan/plant based library. Cheers to good eats!

Apple Cinnamon Muffins

Ingredients (makes apprx. 9)

• 2 1/4 cups almond flour*
• 1/3 cup old fashioned rolled oats (I used GF), optional
• 2 tablespoons flaxseed meal (ground flaxseeds)
• 1/2 teaspoon mineral salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk, or non-dairy milk of choice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup grated apple, cored...with or without the skin (about 2 very small apples)
• 1/2 cup walnuts or pecans, chopped 

garnish

• 2 tablespoons coconut sugar, pure cane sugar or turbinado
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• tablespoon chopped oats, optional

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a large bowl, combine the almond flour, flaxseed meal, salt, baking powder and cinnamon. Next you want to combine and heat your maple syrup, coconut oil, non-dairy milk and vanilla either on the stove top on low, or in the microwave until the coconut oil is just melted, about 45 seconds (This is to ensure that everything is warm or your coconut oil will harden when coming in contact with chilled ingredients.) Once your wet ingredients are warmed and coconut oil is melted, pour the wet ingredients into the dry and mix until just combined. Stir in the grated apples and nuts of choice. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes or so to let the flaxseeds and oats thicken a bit.

In the meantime, either line your muffin tins with liners or grease with coconut oil. In a small bowl, combine the sugar and cinnamon, set aside.

Scoop and fill each muffin cup almost to the top. Sprinkle with some cinnamon sugar mixture and add a some chopped oats on top too if you like. Bake for 20 minutes or so, until toothpick comes out clean and muffins are browned on top. Let cool, remove muffins and enjoy.

*You can make your own almond flour at home by grinding your almonds in a food processor. It's very easy, takes about five minutes and will save you 2 to 3 times what you would pay for almond flour in the store. Use 1 1/2 cups raw or toasted almonds to make 2 cups almond flour. For this recipe use 1 3/4 cups to make 2 1/4 cups almond flour.

Enjoy these lovely muffins!

Butter Maple Pecan Ice Cream

It's hard to believe January is almost over. Is time flying by or is it just me? And I know it's still winter but who can resist a great ice cream....especially when it's so easy to put together! This is for us who don't have an ice cream maker or are just too lazy to use one. I really love using bananas as a base for my ice creams and this fits in nicely with my collection. Bananas are inexpensive and when fully ripe are as sweet as can be. And they can be dressed up many ways, like this ice cream. I used to love butter pecan ice cream and now I can still enjoy it in a way that is beneficial to myself, tastes great and without using any animals in the process. It's a win, win, win...my favorite kind! I hope you find it as good as I do...

Butter Maple Pecan Ice Cream

Ingredients

• 3 large or 4 small ripe bananas, frozen or unfrozen*
• 1/2 cup raw almond butter
• 1/4 - 1/2 cup pure maple syrup, to taste
• 1/4 cup tahini
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon, optional
• 2 teaspoons or so vanilla extract
• 1 cup pecans

Place ingredients, except for the pecans, in food processor/high speed blender and process, scraping down the sides as needed, until creamy and combined. Taste for sweetness, adding more maple syrup if needed. Stir in pecans. Place in air tight container and keep in the freezer for at least 6 hours to harden. Let sit for about 10 minutes or so to soften before scooping into serving bowls. Makes about 4 cups.

* If using frozen banana's, you can serve right away as it will be a soft serve ice cream. Or store in freezer to harden completely as above. 

As with any of my recipes, adjust flavors to your own taste...I have made this using 1/4 cup almond butter along with just a few tablespoons of maple syrup and tahini with great success. I have also used less pecans. So feel to play around with the ingredient amounts. 

Enjoy!

You may also like these other raw banana based ice creams...

 Chocolate Banana Ice Cream

Almond Chunky Monkey Ice Cream

Banana Cherry Garcia Soft Serve

Salted Chocolate Pecan Sandies (Gluten Free)

I love anything pecans, and when you add some chocolate to the mix you've really got a winner! These are a welcome addition to the recipe list and my go to baked cookie. The recipe consists of an almond flour/meal and has a nice lightly sweet flavor, especially from the coconut sugar which gives it a nice caramel flavor. And the salt adds to the delightfulness of these cookies bringing an added touch that will leave you wanting another bite, and another. Pair with a nice glass of your favorite non-dairy milk, or tall glass of water, and enjoy this chocolate chip style cookie...not too crisp, not too soft...just right. They are kid tested and most definitely mother approved! When the craving for a baked cookie comes around this will be the one!

I made this batch with half chocolate chips and half without. The above picture will be what the dough should roughly look like after blending well and before adding in the chocolate chips. I used almond meal in this recipe as I like to make my own. If using almond flour, your dough will be much lighter in color since the skin will have been removed by the manufacturer before processing. I scooped out rounded tablespoons, rolled into about a one inch ball, placed on the cookie sheet and flattened slightly. They will puff up a little when cooking so leave at least a half an inch or so between cookies. 

Also, I'm looking into a silicon mat to use instead of parchment paper. Coconut oil works great too but having a silicon mat handy will be welcome. It may interest you also...you can find out more about them by looking at the reviews in the following link: Silpat Non-Stick Baking Mat

Salted Chocolate Pecan Sandies

Ingredients

• 2 cups packed almond flour or almond meal*
• 1/4 cup coconut palm sugar, turbinado sugar or pure cane brown or white sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup, warmed
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1/2 cup pecan pieces (raw or roasted)
• 1/4 or so cup semi-sweet chocolate or dark chocolate chunk pieces, you can place some strategically on top as well
• sea salt to garnish

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Combine the first five dry ingredients in medium sized bowl. In a small bowl, add the coconut oil and maple syrup together, heat until warmed and coconut oil is melted. Add in all three wet ingredients to the dry mixture and blend well. Mix in the pecans and chocolate chips. 

Prepare a baking sheet with coconut oil, parchment paper or use a non-stick mat. Scoop out rounded tablespoons full and roll dough into balls about an 1 inch or so in size, place on cookie sheet and flatten slightly with your fingers. Leave about a half inch to an inch between cookies as they will expand when cooking. Sprinkle entire batch with sea salt. Bake for 20 minutes. They may look like they need to cook more but don't worry once they cool they will darken slightly, harden a little and be a perfect cookie. Let cool and enjoy!

Makes about 16 to 18 cookies.

* I make my own almond meal in a food processor. 1 1/2 cups of almonds will easily get you 2 cups of flour/meal. It's super easy...just process for about 4 minutes, depending on your processor. Store any leftover flour in a mason jar or sealed container of choice for later use.

Happy Baking!


Inspired by this recipe from Comfy Belly

Cinnamon Cranberry Truffles

The holiday is here and these little truffles are a welcome treat. Simple to make, gluten free, refined sugar free, soy free, dairy free, no unwanted additives and no baking time. They are so full of amazing flavor and so perfect for the holiday season...be warned that you will be eating many of these so make extra and store in the fridge, they will last for up to a couple weeks. These are great for parties, given as gifts or just to have around the house for a guilt free sweet. They will do wonders for your palate and hit that sweet spot!

Just simple wholesome ingredients to keep your mind, body and spirit strong!

They're even more wonderful rolled in shredded coconut, cacao/cocoa powder or cinnamon!

Cinnamon Cranberry Truffles

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup pecans, walnuts, cashews or almonds (I used pecans)
• 1/2 cup hemp hearts (hulled hemp seeds)
• 1/4 cup rolled oats (I used GF)
• 6 medjool dates, softened, pitted and chopped or 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves 
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4-1/2 cup cranberries, fresh chopped or organic dried 

In food processor/blender, combine nuts and oats, blend into a somewhat fine meal, doesn't have to be perfect. Add in the dates, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove and salt. Process for about 30 seconds to a minute until mixture comes together. Place mixture into a medium size bowl, add cranberries and blend (start with the smaller amount and add more as desired). Mixture should come together when pinched. If mixture seems too dry, add one tablespoon of water or pure maple syrup. Store in refrigerator for about 20 minutes to let it stiffen up a bit. Roll into 1 inch balls. Makes about 12 balls. Store in air tight container in refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Notes:

For a more finished look try rolling each ball in cinnamon, cocoa/cacao powder or shredded coconut.

A mix of cranberries and mini dark chocolate chips would also be great in this recipe.

Fresh chopped cranberries are my favorite in this recipe. They add a nice light tartness that blends well with the spices and dates. If using fresh cranberries, eat truffles within 7 days.

If you don't have all the spices, you will still have a great truffle. I did them the first time with just cinnamon & vanilla and it was delicious!

Replace the oats with 1/3 cup nuts of choice if you wish.

Feel free to use whatever nuts or mix of nuts you like. Hemp hearts are full of nutrition and I try to add them where ever I can, they work great in this recipe. If you don't have any use all of one type of nut or mix and match. The great thing with this recipe is that you pretty much can't go wrong.

Enjoy!

Apple, Beet & Fennel Salad with Balsamic Maple Dijon Vinaigrette

 This is one of those unusual dishes that turned out to be fantastic. It's quite colorful and almost surreal looking. This came about as I had an extra fennel left over from my Butternut Squash and Fennel Lasagna and a beet that I was going to use in another recipe but decided against it. A google search of fennel and beet brought me to a few various recipes, some of which included my favorite apple, the Fuji. I came up with my own version using this wonderful dressing. To be honest, I don't really care for beets much but trying to work them into my lifestyle. This salad is perfect! The beets and all the flavors come together beautifully making it a go to salad that can give me the excellent beet nutrition that I'm looking to add to my meal rotation every now and then.

You could also use other colored beets too. I experimented with a yellow one and it was just as colorful and tasty as well. The maple pecans really add a nice touch. I can't imagine not making this salad without all of these ingredients as they each add their own special touch but you can adjust to suit your flavor palate. I'm looking forward to more of this in the future using some of the other colored beets again as well...really delicious!

Apple, Beet & Fennel Salad w/ Balsamic Maple Dijon Vinaigrette

Ingredients

Salad

• 1/2 cup pecans or walnuts, roughly chopped
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
• 1 red beet (uncooked), peeled and coarsely grated
• 1 fennel bulb, sliced or diced...a few fronds reserved for garnish
• 1 Fuji apple, or hard crisp apple or pear of choice, cored and diced
• handful of mint leaves, roughly chopped
• arugula or spinach, optional

Balsamic Maple Dijon Vinaigrette

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
• 1 heaping teaspoon Dijon or stone ground mustard
• salt & pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix nuts with 1/4 cup maple syrup and place in a single layer on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Cook for about 10 minutes, set aside to cool. Maple will be caramelized on the nuts and your home will be smelling oh so good at this point !

Prepare your vegetables, fruit and herbs, combine them in a large bowl or dish of choice. Place all vinaigrette ingredients in a small bowl, combine until blended adding salt and pepper to taste. Add nuts (reserve a few for garnish) and dressing to prepared mix and combine.

Serve on a small bed of arugula or spinach, garnish with nuts and a few fennel fronds.

Notes:

You may like to grate your apple and fennel. I tried it myself but didn't care for it as I prefer to have some chunkiness to my salad.

If using a lighter color beet, you may consider using apple cider vinegar in place of the balsamic so the dark color of the balsamic doesn't discolor your lighter colored beets.

Enjoy the flavor sensation !