Desserts, RECIPES

Lemon & Poppyseed Muffins made with Aquafaba

What in the world is Aquafaba ? it is the viscous water in which chickpeas have been cooked in. Due to its ability to mimic functional properties of egg whites in cooking, aquafaba can be used as a direct replacement for them in muffins and other baked goods. You can freeze the excedent aquafa for other recipes.

Ingredients

  • 2 and 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp poppy seeds
  • 2 and 3/4 tsp baking powder
  • 1/3 cup aquafaba 
  • 1/3 cup canola
  • 3/4 cup granulated organic sugar
  • 1 cup soya milk
  • 1 and 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3/4 tsp teaspoon pure lemon extract
  • 1 tbsp lemon zest (approximately 2 lemons)

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a 12-well regular-size muffin tin with paper cups or spray the wells with oil.
  • Combine the flour, poppy seeds, baking powder in a bowl. Mix well and set aside.
  • Take a separate medium bowl, add the aquafaba and, using a large whisk, whisk it until it is frothy, about 3 minutes. Add the oil slowly while whisking to emulsify. Add the sugar in the same way. Add the milk, vanilla, lemon extract, and zest and whisk well.
  • Add the flour mixture to the milk mixture and, using a wooden spoon, mix the batter until almost no more flour is visible. Lumps are fine; do not overmix.
  • Fill the wells about three-quarters full with the batter. Bake the muffins until a toothpick inserted into the muffin in the middle well comes out clean, 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Cool the muffins on a cooling rack for 15 minutes before removing them from the tin. Cool the muffins completely before storing in airtight containers, where they will keep for a few days.

!

Enjoy

Cristina for Peas and Peace

Desserts, RECIPES

Chocolate Orange Soufflé

Serves 4

Ingredients


2 cups of oat flour 
300ml soya milk 
3 tbsp ground flax  
3 tbsp cocoa powder 
1 1/2 tsp baking powder 
3 mashed bananas
3 tsp orange zest
3 tbsp orange juice ⠀

⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ 
Mix all the ingredients together. I used 3 inch ramequins. Bake at 360F for about 20 minutes. Let cool down and enjoy

*I inserted a chocolate square on top, entirely up to you or you may just sprinkle the top with powdered sugar, orange zest is pretty as well, whatever inspires you !

Enjoy !

Bread, Focaccia, Pizza, RECIPES

No Knead, Kalamata Olive, Sun Dried Tomates and Rosemary Focaccia




7 cups all-purpose whole wheat flour
1 tbsp coarse sea salt for sprinkling
1 tsp active dry yeast
3 1/2 cups warm water
1 tbsp agave
1/3 cup olive oil *
1 small red onion , thinly sliced
1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes , chopped
1/3 cup Kalamata pitted olives , chopped  *
2 fresh rosemary sprigs

& some chili flakes

Use good quality olives and olive oil it makes a big difference in flavour, I used Barakaris olives and olive oil from Mouton Vert located in Montreal

1. In a large mixing bowl combine flour and yeast. In a small bowl combine warm water and agave to dissolve. Then pour liquid over the flour mixture. Stir to combine until you have a sticky dough.
2. In another large mixing bowl add 1/4 cup olive oil only, and transfer dough to the bowl. Roll the dough to coat in the olive oil. Cover the bowl tightly, and transfer to the fridge overnight. (Make sure the bowl is big enough for dough to double in size).
3. Remove dough from fridge and line a 17 x 12 inch baking tray lined with parchment paper. Transfer dough onto tray. Push dough out with hands as best you can to cover tray entirely. Wait 1 hour for the dough to come to room temperature. It should soften and rise considerably.
4. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Pat focaccia dough again to ensure it is the same thickness throughout on the pan (about 1-inch thick). Then dimple the entire dough by pushing your fingers into the dough. Drizzle with more olive oil and sprinkle with the coarse salt.
5. Decorate with thinly sliced red onion, sun-dried tomatoes, olives and rosemary & chili flakes. Bake for 20 minutes, or until golden brown.

Fluffy and tasty !

Cristina for Peas and Peace

Breakfast, RECIPES

Soaked overnight Espresso flavoured Oats

Ingredients for bottom layer;

1 cup old fashioned rolled oats (you may use gluten free if you have an intolerance)

1 1/2 tbsp chia seeds

2/3 cup of unsweetened cashew milk

1 tbsp of maple syrup

1/3 cup cooled down espresso

Ingredients for top layer;

1/3 cup of unsweetened cashew milk

2 shots of espresso (1 each glass)

Maple syrup to taste (I added 1 tsp each glass)

Instructions;

1. In a bowl mix oats and chia seeds. Stir in the milk, maple syrup and coffee and combine well.

2. Transfer mixture into an airtight container and refrigerate overnight. 

3. In the morning froth milk in a milk frother machine or heat up in a small pot over medium-high heat for 5 minutes and froth with hand frother.

4. Transfer overnight oats into two glasses. Top off with some extra coffee, maple syrup and milk foam.

Delicious !

Cristina for Peas and Peace

Desserts, RECIPES

Orange Loaf

*Will make about 10 slices

INGREDIENTS

  • 300g all purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 185g sugar
  • 125ml canola oil
  • 200ml unsweetened almond milk
  • 130ml freshly squeezed orange juice
  • Zest of 2 small oranges
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

ICING

  • 90g icing sugar
  • 2 tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice

Extra zest for topping

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Preheat oven to 350F.
  2. Grease a 9×5″ loaf tin.
  3. Sift flour and baking powder into a bowl. Add the sugar and mix with a wooden spoon.
  4. In a separate bowl mix together the oil, milk, orange juice, orange zest and vanilla.
  5. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
  6. Pour into the loaf tin and place in the oven for 45 minutes. It should be starting to turn golden brown on the edges. Test and once it comes out clean, its ready. If it’s not, leave in for a few more minutes.
  7. Make the icing by mixing the icing sugar and orange juice together until it forms a thick icing. Spoon onto the cake once cooled.
  8. Top with some extra orange zest or oranges slices.

Enjoy !

Cristina for Peas and Peace

HEALTH

Home Made Orange Juice !

Always better than store bought.

No preservatives, no added sugars.

Made in no time.

It doesn’t have to be expensive, simply buy the less costly oranges you can find at the market.

Cristina for Peas and Peace

Desserts, RECIPES

No Bake Carrot & Coconut Energy Balls


Loaded with natural sugar, healthy fats and fiber to satisfy your cravings

Makes 12 balls


* 1 medium gratted carrot
* 1/2 cup (125ml) rolled oats
* 1/2 cup (125ml) almonds
* 1/4 cup (60ml) hazelnuts
* 1 tbsp chia seeds
* 1/4 cup (60ml) almond milk
* 1/6 cup (40ml) pitted dates
* 1 tbsp coconut oil (not melted)
* 1/2 tbsp ground cinnamon
* 2 tbsp shredded coconut (I used unsweetened but if you prefer a sweeter energy ball, use sweeetened)

Blend everything (except for the shredded coconut) in a food processor until dough is formed. Shape with your hands into bite size balls and then roll in the shredded coconut.

Keep refrigerated for 1 hour.

Stores in the fridge up to 1 week. 

Enjoy !

Peas & Peace

HEALTH

Follow your dreams !!!

I am 57 years old, and I am here to dispel the notion that being a certain age restricts you in terms of the activities you can do. I am a firm believer in the notion that age is but a number, it is all in how you feel on the inside. I would like to illustrate this via my love of ballet.

From a young age, I have been fascinated with the dance world, and the innovative ways in which it marries music, movement, and expression. I Took ballet classes in my teens, but life caught up with me, and I eventually resorted to simply spectating at performances here and there, nothing more. However, as time went on, I could no longer fight the urge to revisit it for myself. There was one small thing holding me back in my mind. If I were to go back, and start from the beginning, I would be placed in a class with young children, and would need to keep up with them, and the fear of old knee and other injuries flaring as well. Still, despite all of these apparent concerns, something compelled me to enroll myself.

This is a photo of me at my midterm recital, as you can attest, my fifth positon is not perfect and I need to work on and improve many movements and steps. Regardless, I made it! I attend two hour classes twice a week and can keep up with my much much younger class mates. My passion for the art of ballet inspired me to push my limits, stay fit, practice the sequences, and better myself with each and every class.

Somewhere, I am hoping that I could maybe also be an inspiration to a parent or grand parent, anyone really to follow their passion or dream. This goes to show that no matter how old you are, you can do anything you set your mind to, it’s never too late! If there’s something you’ve always wanted to do, find out the necessary steps, and work towards your goal.

Pies, Quiches, RECIPES

Eggless Quiche

*Makes 8 Servings

Ingredients

For the crust:

  • 1 tablespoon ground flaxseeds
  • 5.5 tablespoons water
  • 1 cup almond flour
  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1-2 tablespoons water, as needed

For the filling:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 cup chopped cremini mushrooms
  • 1 cup chopped baby spinach
  • 500 gr of silken tofu, drained
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened almond milk
  • 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

For the crust:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease a 9 inch Quiche pan.
  • Combine the ground flaxseeds and water in a small bowl and set aside. This is your flax egg.
  • In a food processor add the dry ingredients (almond flour, all purpose flour and salt) and pulse to combine. With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil and flax egg. Add 1-2 tablespoons water as needed until the dough sticks together when you press it between your fingers.
  • Crumble the dough into the pan and press the mixture evenly on the bottom and up the sides of the pan. Press firmly and evenly. Poke a few holes in the bottom of the crust, and then bake for 12 minutes. Remove and set aside while you make the filling. Increase the oven temperature to 375 degrees.

For the filling:

  • In a medium skillet, sauté the garlic and mushrooms over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, until the mushrooms soften. Now add the spinach and stir until it wilts. Remove from heat and set aside.
  • In the food processor, add the drained tofu, almond milk, nutritional yeast, onion powder, turmeric and salt. Blend until very smooth, scraping down the sides as needed. Add the cooked vegetable mixture, and pulse a few times to combine, but don’t blend entirely.
  • Pour the filling into the crust and spread evenly using a spatula. Bake for about 35 minutes.
  • Cool for 15 minutes before slicing.

Desserts, RECIPES

No Bake, Double Chocolate & Peanut Butter Treats

INGREDIENTS

  • 3/4 cup smooth peanut butter
  • 5 tbsp maple syrup
  • 2 tbsp melted coconut oil
  • 1/4 cup oat flour
  • 1/4 cup cacao powder
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Pinch sea salt
  • 1/4 cup vegan chocolate chips
  • 1/4 cup cacao nibs

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. In a bowl, whisk the peanut butter, melted coconut oil, maple syrup, vanilla extract and sea salt together until fully combined.
  2. Stir in the cocoa powder and oat flour until a thick mixture forms.
  3. Mix in the chocolate chips and cacao nibs.
  4. With a medium size scooper (*Makes 12), form round shapes and place on a lined tray. Sprinkle on some cacao nibs and more chocolate chips (optional) and place in the freezer for 30 minutes until set.
  5. Store in the fridge and enjoy !
Desserts, RECIPES

Tiramisu Verrines

*Makes 8 portions

Crust
2 cups of pecans
12 dates
1 tsp espresso coffee
2 tsp vanilla

Filling
1¾ cup raw cashews (not soaked)
1 tsp espresso coffee
1 cup soy milk


⅓ cup maple syrup
⅓ cup melted coconut oil
1 tsp vanilla
cacao powder for dusting

For the crust, add pecans to a processor and process until ground. Add the rest of the crust ingredients and process again.

For the filling, combine all of the ingredients in a high speed blender and blend until smooth.

Divide the base between small verrines, cups or jars and press with the back of a spoon to cover the bottom.
Add the filling on top of the crust. dust with cacao powder.

Refrigerate for at least 2 hours

Desserts, RECIPES

No Bake Date Squares

Ingredients:

Crust
1 1/2 cups raw almonds
1 1/2 regular oats
10 pitted & roughly chopped dates
1/4 cup melted coconut oil

Filling
25 pitted & roughly chopped dates
1/2 cup of water

Directions:

1. Line a 8 inch by 8 inch square pan with parchment paper. In a food processor, process the almond and oats until a fine crumble forms. Now add in the dates and process until crumbly again. Add melted coconut oil to the mixture and process until sticky. Remove from processor, set aside 3/4 of the mixture for later and press the rest of the mixture very firmly and evenly into the pan.

2. Grab your pitted and roughly chopped dates and water and process in a food processor until a paste forms. You will have to stop and scrape down the sides of the bowl often. You can add a tiny bit more water if needed, but you want the paste quite thick. Scoop out the date mixture onto the crust and spread evenly.

3. Sprinkle on top the 3/4 cup of mixture you set aside and press down. Refrigerate in the fridge until firm (At least 1 hour).

Cut into squares and serve.

Store in the fridge.

RECIPES

Make Your Own Chai Mix

I Love Chai tea, bake with Chai, add it to smoothies and overnight soaked oats. Store bought mixes cost quite a bit, therefore I make my own !!! this recipe is strong in flavour and has bite. I am certain you will enjoy it

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 teaspoons ground cardamom
  • 2 teaspoons ground allspice
  • 2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
  • 4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 6 teaspoons ground ginger

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Mix all ingredients together.

That simple !!!

Cristina for Peas and Peace

Desserts, RECIPES

Pecan Pie

Crust
2 cups spelt flour
6 tbsp coconut oil (solid)
1 tsp sea salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/3 cup cold water
Filling
1/2 cup vegan butter
2 cups pecans, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup pecan halves, for topping
1/4 cup plus 2 tbsp coconut sugar
1 cup pitted dates
3/4 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 tbsp vanilla extract

Add spelt flour, coconut oil, salt and cinnamon to a food processor. Pulse until crumbly. Add cold water slowly and pulse to combine. Wrap up in cellophane and set aside to chill in the fridge. 
Add vegan butter and 2 tbsp coconut sugar to a pan and melt over a low heat. Add in chopped pecans and stir to coat well.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9 inch tart pan. Add dates, maple syrup, 1/4 cup of coconut sugar, cornstarch & vanilla extract to food processor and blend well to a smooth paste. Add this to the warm pan of pecans, stir well and simmer gently for 5 mins, until thick.

Roll out chilled pastry between baking paper the circumference of the tart dish and trim off the excess. Pour in pecan filling and top with the remaining pecan halves. Bake for 35 minutes. Allow to cool.
Chill in the fridge until ready to serve !!!

If you like you could top you slice of pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream !!!

Desserts, RECIPES

Brownies

For the base:
235g pitted dates
200g hazelnuts
100g walnuts
100g coconut butter
50g almond flour
50g cacao powder
2 tbsp coconut nectar
Put everything into a food processor until finely ground.


Line a 20 x 20 baking pan with baking paper and press the mixture evenly into the bottom. 


For the frosting:
150g maple syrup
120g coconut oil (melted)
80g cashew butter
50g cacao powder
Mix all ingredients and stir until smooth. Pour on top of the base and transfer to the fridge to set. When set cut into squares. 

Delicious !!!


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