Breakfast, Desserts, FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY, RECIPES, Snacks

Almond Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies

*Makes 6 large cookies

On the run, last minute or little time, here is an easy 6 ingredient & 1 bowl recipe, sweetened with maple syrup and ready in 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 cups of almond flour
  • โ…“ cup of pure maple syrup
  • ยผ cup of coconut oil, melted + enough to oil the parchment paper
  • ยฝ teaspoon of baking powder
  • ยฝ cup of dark chocolate chips
  • 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
  • pinch of salt

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350ยฐF (180ยฐC). Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and lightly oil the paper with coconut oil. Set aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl, stir almond flour, baking powder, maple syrup, and melted coconut oil. Add vanilla extract and salt. 
  • Stir with a rubber spatula until the dough forms.
  • Fold in chocolate chips and stir until well incorporated.
  • With a 2 inch scooper, scoop 6 equal parts onto the tray. Flatten them with the bottom of a class or a spatula because they will not spread while baking.
  • Bake the cookies on the center rack of the oven for 15 minutes at 350ยฐF (180ยฐC). Wait until they turn golden brown on the edges.
  • Let them cool them down

Storage

Store the cookies at room temperature for up to 4 days in an airtight container. You can freeze the cookies in freezer bags. Thaw them at room temperature the day before. This is helpful should you want to double or triple the recipe.

Enjoy ๐Ÿ™‚

Cristina for Peas and Peace

Breakfast, Desserts, RECIPES

PECAN & CARAMEL SQUARES

*Makes 9 squares

Ingredients

For the crust

  • 1ย cupย ofย almond flour
  • 3ย tablespoonsย of tapioca starch
  • 2ย tablespoonsย of oat flour
  • 1/8ย teaspoonย baking soda
  • 1/2ย teaspoonย of pure vanilla extract
  • 1ย tablespoonย coconut oilย (Melted)
  • 3ย tablespoonsย of maple syrup

For the caramel layer

  • 9 Medjool dates (Softened in hot water for 10 minutes)
  • 2ย tablespoonsย almond butter
  • 1/2ย cupย oat milk

For the pecan topping

  • 1ย cupย pecans (Partial halves and chopped)
  • 1ย tablespoonย maple syrup
  • 2ย teaspoonsย coconut sugarย 
  • 1/8ย teaspoonย cinnamon

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 345 degrees

Crust

  1. In a bowl, add the almond flour, tapioca starch, oat flour, baking soda and mix well.

โ€ƒ2. Then add in the wet ingredients – vanilla extract, melted coconut oil, maple syrup and mix into a dough.

โ€ƒ3. Line an 8×8 inch pan with parchment paper.

โ€ƒ4. Press the dough into the pan and even it out with a spatula.

โ€ƒ5. Bake the crust for 10 minutes.

Caramel

  1. Blend drained dates, almond butter and milk into a nice caramel texture.

Pecan Topping

  1. Toss the pecans and maple syrup in a small bowl. Add in the coconut sugar and cinnamon and re-toss again.

Remove the crust from the oven and spread out the caramel on top until even.

Let cool for 15 minutes before slicing

Enjoy !!!

Cristina

Breakfast, Desserts, RECIPES

Brownies

  • Makes 9 brownies

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 flax eggs (2 tbsp ground flaxseed + 5 tbsp lukewarm water: Add flaxseed and water to a dish and stir. let rest for 5 minutes to thicken
  • 3/4 cup of brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup of neutral oil
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 3/4ย cupย cocoa powder
  • 1 cup of almond flour
  • 1/teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • ยผ cup of vegan chocolate chips
  • Coarse sea salt and melted 70 % chocolate (I used Callebaut) for topping

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Preheat oven to 325ยฐ
  • In your stand mixer bowl, add the vegan eggs, sugar and oil and mix until well combined (Make sure there a no sugar lumps) and fluffy. Add the water and the vanilla extract and blend for another 2 minutes.
  • Add the cocoa powder, almond flour, baking soda and sea salt to the wet mixture and stir for about 3 minutes until fully combined.
  • Stir in the chocolate chips. Pour into a parchment lined 8×8 square pan and shake to even out the mix.
  • Bake for 30 minutes.
  • Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
  • For the topping, melt some chocolate in a Bain Marie, spread on top and sprinkle some coarse sea salt and chocolate chips.

Beyond decadent & delicious !

Cristina for PEAS & PEACE

Breakfast, Desserts, RECIPES

BLUEBERRY OAT SQUARES

  • Makes 9 squares

INGREDIENTS

For the filling

  • 16 oz ofย blueberries
  • 1/4 cup of agave
  • freshly squeezed lemon juice (1 lemon)
  • 1/8 cupย of water
  • 1/2 teaspoonย of pur vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoonsย of arrowroot ย powder + 2 tablespoons of cold water (mixed together)

For the crust

  • 1 1/2 cupsย of rolled oats (not instant)
  • 1 12 cups of oat flour
  • 1/2 teaspoonย of cinnamon
  • 1 1/2 teaspoonsย of baking powder
  • 1/3 cupย unsweetened of apple sauce
  • 1/3 cupย of agave
  • 1 teaspoonย of pur vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoonsย of coconut oil (melted)

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.
  2. ย Oil a 8ร—8 inch baking pan and set aside.
  3. In a small sauce pan, bring the blueberries, agave, lemon juice, and water to a boil over medium high heat. ย Once boiling, stir in the vanilla and the arrowroot mixture. ย 
  4. Remove from heat and allow to cool. ย 
  5. ย Combine the oats, the oat flour, cinnamon, baking powder in a bowl and mix well.
  6. Add the applesauce, agave, and vanilla and mix until well combined. ย 
  7. Add the coconut oil into the mixture and combine well. ย 
  8. Press the mixture evenly with the back of a spatula into the bottom of your pan.
  9. Pour the blueberry mixture on top of the crust layer. ย 
  10. Bake for 30 minutes. ย 
  11. Allow to cool before cutting into squares.
  12. Keeps in the refrigerator for 1 week.

You might want to add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top……… ๐Ÿ™‚ just saying ๐Ÿ™‚

Enjoy !!!

P.S. Arrowroot is used as a thickener, it has more fiber than corn flour and considered gluten free

Cristina for Peas & Peace

Desserts, RECIPES

Soft & Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies *Gluten free

  • Makes 9 cookies, only 6 ingredients and done in 15 minutes !

Ingredients:

270 ml of chick peas (soaked overnight), cooked & drained or if you prefer and easier 1 can (540 ml) of chick peas (drained)
2 tbsp of vanilla
1/4 cup of agave
3/4 cup of creamy peanut butter
1 tsp of baking powder
Pinch of salt

9 roasted peanut halves (optional)

Preheat oven at 350

Blend all of the ingredients in a food processor until smooth. Scoop with an ice cream scooper into balls, lay them on a silicone lined 17 x 12 baking tray, flatten to about 1/2 inch thick and top with a peanut (you may add a chocolate drizzlle if you wish or any other topping).

Bake for 10 minutes.

Let cool and enjoy !!!

*Can keep in the fridge up to 5 days

Cristina for Peas & Peace

Breakfast, RECIPES

Almond Butter Overnight Oats

Servings: 4

Ingredients


1 cup of almond milk
1/2 cup unsweetened almond butter
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
2 teaspoons of vanilla bean paste
2 cup of oats



Instructions


1. In a blender combine the milk, almond butter, maple syrup and vanilla. Blend until smooth.2. In a bowl mix the milk mixture to the oats.
3. Divide between verrines, ramekins or other. I added berries, almond slivers and white chocolate pearls as toppings ! 4. Cover, and refrigerate overnight.

Enjoy cold the next morning ๐Ÿ™‚ !

Cristina for Peas and Peace

Desserts, RECIPES

Lemon-Almond Meal Bites

*Gluten Free

Makes 8 portions

For the Bites

  • 2 cups almond meal
  • dash salt
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tbsp corn starch
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
  • 2 tbsp agave 

For the glaze:

  • 1/2 cup powdered (Icing) sugar
  • 1 tsp of vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

Sprinkled with fine rock sugar (Optional)

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven at 350. Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat and set aside.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together almond meal, salt, baking soda, corn starch, and lemon zest. Add almond milk and agave. Mix until combined.
  3. Roll dough into a large ball and press (I used a cutting board lol) down into a 1 1/2โ€ณ thick disk. Cut into 8 equal pieces. Do not separate them. Bake for 11 minutes or until golden. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely.
  4. To make the glaze, place powdered sugar in a medium mixing bowl. Add vanilla extract. Slowly add in lemon juice mixing constantly, make sure to only add a small amount of juice at a time.until you have reached your desired consistency. Use a pastry brush to brush glaze over cooled bites, give them one coat, let dry, recoat, let dry and so on until you have no more glaze left. Serve immediately, or store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Enjoy !

Cristina for Peas & Peace

Desserts, RECIPES

Raw Chocolate Chip Cookies

Perfect when hosting or perfect as a gift when invited to someone’s home !

*Makes 12 cookies

1 cup oat flour (or gluten free oat flour)

1 cup ground cashews (grind cashews by pulsing them in a high speed blender until fine)

4  tbsp coconut oil (melted)

1 tsp  vanilla extract

1 tsp pink Himalayan salt

1/2 cup maple syrup

3 tbsp of chocolate chips + 12 for topping

1. In a large mixing bowl mix together oat flour and ground cashews 

2. Next add coconut oil + vanilla extract + Himalayan salt + maple syrup.

3. Combine these into a dough and add chocolate chips.

4. Mix and form into 12 equal size balls (I used a 1 1/2 inch scooper), then flatten and shape into cookies.

5. Set a chocolate chip on each cookie.

6.  Put them on a tray or plate and into the refrigerator to set for at least two hours.

6. Keeps in the fridge  max 7 days or freeze 

Enjoy !!!

Cristina for Peas and Peace

Mains, RECIPES

Stir Fry

Stir Fry is a simple meal to prepare and filled with nutrition. Always Think of putting premium fuel into your body. Nutrients that will keep your body and mind going strong throughout the day and keep you healthy and sound through life !

Sautรฉe all of the following ingredients; Sunflower oil, garlic, sambal oelek for kick (found in all grocery stores), snow peas, yellow bell peppers, carrots, shitake mushrooms. At the very end add tamari sauce and mix well. Top with shallots and raw sesame seeds.

You can certainly change it up and add your favorite vegetables. You may also add, cashews or peanuts, even tofu !

Enjoy !

Cristina for Peas & Peace

Desserts, RECIPES

Matcha Treats !

Ingredients:

1 cup coconut cream
1/2 cup of tahini
3 tbsp of maple syrup
1/3 cup of melted coconut oil
3 tsp of matcha (Buy the culinary matcha for beverages and baking)

Blend the above 5 ingredients until creamy

Pour into a lined loaf tin and place in the freezer to set for 4 hours.

Topping: 100 gr of 56 % baking chocolate

Remove the matcha blend from freezer and pour the melted chocolate over entire surface. Let it set in the fridge for another hour.

Cut into little squares or rectangles and enjoy !!!

Cristina for Peas & Peace


Desserts, RECIPES

Caramel Cups

Makes 12 mini cups


CARAMEL:
1/2 cup pitted dates
1/2 cup coconut milk
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Soak dates until soften.
In a blender, mix the dates with other ingredients until the texture is creamy and completely smooth. Transfer to a bowl and cover. Refrigerate while preparing the chocolate cups.

CUPS
200g extra dark chocolate (70% cocoa)

Melt the chocolate into a double boiler until smooth. Set aside and allow to cool until lukewarm. The chocolate texture should be creamy and not liquid anymore. Line a mini muffin tray with mini muffin paper cases. Spoon 1 tablespoons of chocolate into each case and, using a small brush, brush the chocolate up the cases. Freeze for 10 minutes. Fill each cup with the caramel and top with the remaining chocolate. Refrigerate for 60 minutes. Remove the paper cases to serve. If you wish, you can sprinkle with chocolate nuggets, sea salt, rose petals.

Sublime !!!

Cristina for Peas & Peace

Mains, RECIPES

Vรฉgรฉ Burger

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I tried so many different vรฉgรฉ burger recipes and the problem with most, they did not maintain its shape. I have tested this recipe twice now, flavour is amazing as it has a subtle smoky flavour and yes ! the paddy remains a paddy until you bite into it. Makes eight burgers. *A note, ย I like soaking my chick peas overnight, I dont use canned goods if I can help it, healthier this way and cook them day after.

For buns and toppings, go for your favorites, I love tomatoes, red onion, mustard and a kick, but you can certainly change it up and add lettuce, avocado, pickles, ketchup

*If you cant attempt this recipe for the moment, create a file named plant based recipes and save it for later !

Ingredients:

1 cup of walnuts
1 cup of cooked  chick peas
1 tbsp soya sauce
2 tbsp tomate paste
2 tbsp Vegan mayonnaise *found in all grocery stores
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1/8 tsp liquid smoke *found in all grocery stores
1 cup of cooked couscous
1/2 cup vital wheat gluten *found in most grocery stores, I use the Bob’s Red Mill brand * if you have a gluten intolerance, you can replace it with (I suggest millet flour or oatmeal flour) but you can certainly use your favorite
2 tbsp olive oil for frying

Use a food processor to grind the walnuts, then transfer to a large bowl. Add the chickpeas, soya sauce and tomate paste ย to the food processor. Process until well mixed. Transfer to bowl with the walnuts. Add to the bowl, mayonnaise mustard, garlic & onion powder, pepper, salt, smoked paprika, liquid smoke, couscous and wheat gluten (or your choice of a gluten free flour) and mix well. Use your hands to form 8 patties. Add the oil to a frying pan, add the burgers and fry each side for 5 minutes on medium high heat.

Rest on buns with your favorite toppings and serve with chips or a side salad

Enjoy !!!

Cristina for Peas & Peace

Desserts, RECIPES

No Baking Required Date Squares

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Only 4 ingredients ! perfect for lunches, snacks, breakfast and not sweetened with sugar

CRUST

1.5 cups raw almonds
1.5 cups oats, if you have an intolerance to gluten use GF oats
10 pitted dates roughly chopped
1/4 cup melted coconut oil

DATE FILLING

25 pitted dates roughly chopped
1/2 cup of water

Line an 8 x 8 square pan with parchment paper (my trick is to put the pan above the paper,  trace with a pencil all around and then cut with scissors ๐Ÿ™‚

In a food processor , process the almonds and oats until fine, add the dates and process again. Add the melted coconut oil and process until sticky. Set aside 3/4 of a cup of the mixture for later (for top layer). Take remaining of the mixture and press firmly and evenly into your pan.

For the filling use the food processor as well and process the dates and water until a paste forms. Spread the date mixture onto the crust and spread with a flat spatula.

Sprinkle the 3/4 of the mixture previously set aside and press down with your fingers. Let set in the fridge for 1 hour minimum. Cut into squares and ENJOY !

Cristina for Peas and Peace

TRAVELS

Petit Lapin

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Petit Lapin (patisseriepetitlapin.com) is a Vegan, gluten and allergie free bakery in Montreal, they have 2 locations. You must stop by. I had the Vanilla with Macha frosting cupcake and my hobby had the Chocolate cupcake, Divine !

Desserts, RECIPES

Chocolate & Caramel Pie

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Ingredients

Crust

  • 1/2 cup  + 2 Tbsp dry roasted almonds
  • 2 Tbsp hemp seeds
  • 2 Tbsp  flax seed meal 
  • Tbsp cocoa powder
  • 3/4 cup roasted coconut flakes
  • 8 soft dates
  • 1.5 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 Tbsp  maple syrup
  • 1 Tbsp almond milk

Caramel Layer

  • 1 cup soft medjool dates – soaked in hot water for 15 minutes
  • 2 Tbsp almond butter 
  • 2 Tbsp coconut oil
  • 1/2 cup  almond milk 

Chocolate layer

  • 1/2 cup  full fat coconut milk
  • 2/3 cup vegan dark chocolate chips
  • 2 Tbsp  almond butter
  • 2 Tbsp  coconut oil
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup

    • Soak the dates for the caramel layer in hot water for 15 minutes while you make the crust.

    Crust

          Process the almonds in a food processor until coarse meal. Add seeds, cocoa, dates, 1/4 cup coconut flakes and pulse until the dates are well incorporated . Add the rest of the coconut flakes, vanilla, maple, almond milk and process until doughy. Add more almond milk if needed. Press the dough into a parchement paper lined 9 inch pie pan.

    Caramel Layer

    Drain the soaked dates. Purรฉe all the ingredients with the soaked dates until you get  a smooth purรฉe texture Spread evenly on top of the crust.

     

    Chocolate Layer

Heat the coconut milk until it starts to bubble and transfer to a bowl. Add the              chocolate chips and whisk until melted. Whisk in the rest of the ingredients. Pour on top of  the caramel and spread evenly.

Freeze for at least 4 hours, then slice and enjoy !
 

 

Cristina for Peas and Peace