Brownie Hummus!

Yeah, I went there. No words. Except BOMBALICIOUS DELICIOUS! Enjoy!

     Brownie Batter Hummus Dip. 

    Everything can be used as an oatmeal topper! SO GOOD!

Brownie Batter Hummus Dip! Vegan, Gluten-free. Serves one. 

Ingredients

1. 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed

2. 2 T carob or cocoa powder

3. 2 packets stevia

4. 3 T water

Method

1. Blend it, yo. And then eat, of course! Use as desired-it's delish on oats, in a sweet Sammie, or even with veg. Yum!

"Cocoa Crispies".

Long time no copycat recipe! 😂 with these luscious crisps, you can GLADLY say sayonara to sugar-laden cereals...yum yum!

                  "Cocoa Crispies."

                        Pretty legit!

"Cocoa Crispies." Vegan, Gluten-free. Serves one. 

Ingredients

1. 1/2 cup tvp granules 

2. 1 1/2 T carob powder (or cocoa powder)

3. Optional stevia, if desired (recommended with cocoa powder)

Method

1. Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and mix well. Use as desired! 

Holiday Oats!: Valentine's Day Oatmeal.

Are you ready to fall in looooove?! And yes, I realize that was very corny...😂 but in all seriousness: you will fall in love with this delicious oat bowl. Chocolate-y, creamy, oatmeal goodness...steaming and comforting! And just like always, super quick and easy. Serve this to your sweetie and they will forever be yours ❤️👌 

            Valentine's Day Oatmeal. 

                     Ooooooh yeah. 

Valentine's Day Oatmeal; Vegan, Gluten-free. Serves one. 

Ingredients 

1. 1/2 c oats of choice

2. 1 c almond milk

3. 1/2 cup water 

4. 1 T carob powder (or cocoa)

5. 10 drops liquid coconut stevia 

6. Two large strawberries, sliced

7. 1/2 tsp shredded coconut, unsweetened 

Method

1. Combine oats and carob/cocoa in a bowl and mix well. 

2. In a small pot, bring a mind milk to a rolling boil. When boiling, reduce heat to medium, and add oat/carob mix off of heat. Whisk vigorously. 

3. Return to hear and add water and stevia. Stir frequently, cooking until desired consistency is reached. 

4. Top with sliced strawberries and coconut shreds.  Serve hot. Enjoy!

Chocolate Banana Bread Overnight Oatmeal.

Ok you guys. This jar of oats is about as close to heaven on earth as you can get! Ohhhhh boy are you in for a treat! I dare say this breakfast might make you become a morning person...!

      Chocolate Banana Bread Overnight      Oatmeal. 

Chocolate Banana Bread Overnight Oatmeal. Vegan, Gluten-free. Serves one. 

Ingredients

1. 1/2 cup old fashioned oats 

2. 1 cup almond milk 

3. One VERY overripe banana

4. 1 T carob powder (can use cocoa)

5. 2 T salt-free PB

6. Cinnamon, optional

Method 

1. Combine oats and carob in a jar. Secure kid and give it a good shake to combine. 

2. In a separate bowl, mash your naner. 

3. Add mashed banana to jar and pour almond milk over. Mix well. 

4. Cover and place in fridge at least 24 hours. In the morning, top with PB and optional cinn. DEVOUR!!!! 

Note: you can hear in the microwave if you want, but I think these are better left chilled. 

Holiday Spice Pudding with Chocolate-Coconut Dusting.

Scientists say that exercise stimulates the brain...i.e. people are more creative when they are physically active. This is so true-I come up with probably 95% of my recipe ideas while I'm running or working out every day. Seriously! This is one of those recipes--I thought of it around mile 4 of my rainy 7 mile run this morning. I wanted pumpkin--I had been craving it all weekend, but couldn't quite figure out what I wanted it in. Then it hit me: pudding...of course! Take a look in my recipe index and you will quickly find that I loooove my puddings--sweet, creamy, light and fluffy...it's definitely a go-to brekkie or snack in my life. It's so versatile, too--tofu is like a blank canvas...paint it with any color and it will still look awesome! 

So I opted for the pumpkin, then spiced and sweetened it up nicely, then topped it with a light dusting of carob powder ad shredded coconut. Quick, simple, holiday deliciousness! A nice light dessert after Christmas Eve dinner...or, for a twist, serve it as a fruit dip! 

  Holiday Spice Pudding with Chocolate-Coconut Dusting. 

Holiday Spice Pudding with Chocolate-Coconut Dusting; Vegan, Gluten-free. Serves one (makes one meal-sized serving...could comfortably serve a table as an appetizer).

Ingredients 

1. One box Morinu silken tofu

2. 1 cup canned pumpkin

3. 20 drops liquid coconut ( or other flavor) stevia

4. 1/4 tsp each cinnamon and ginger

5. 1/8 tsp nutmeg

6. Generous pinch ground cloves/allspice

7. 1/2 tsp Carob powder

8. 1 tsp shredded unsweetened coconut 

Method

1. Combine all ingredients (except carob and coconut!) in yor food press or and blend until perfectly smooth. 

2, place in bowl and top with carob powder. Sprinkle with coconut an serve! 

Chocolate Basil Oatmeal.

Yes. I know. This is weird. WEIRDLY DELICIOUS! Oh my LANTA are you guys in for a crazy flavor party! Mmmm. This was THE perfect breakfast after my cold and rainy run on Saturday morning. Warm, gooey, chocolatey, oh man. Swoon. 

           Chocolate Basil Oatmeal. 

          Droooooling, much?! I am....

Chocolate Basil Oatmeal; Vegan, Gluten free. Serves one. 

Ingredients 

1. 1/2 cup oats of choice (oatbran is my personal fave)

2. 1 1/2 cups water, divided

3. 1 T carob powder (you can use cocoa if you want to. I opt for carob to avoid the caffeine.)

4. 1/2 tsp dried basil

5. One packet stevia

6. Extra basil for garnish 

Method 

1. 1. Bring 1 cup water to a rolling boil. 

2. In a medium size bowl whisk oats, carob, basil, and stevia.

3. Reduce heat to medium and remove pan from burner as lu stir in your oat mixture. Return to heat and stir vigorously--let it thicken slightly before adding additional 1/2 cup water. 

4. Cook, stirring regularly, until desired thickness is reached. Pour into bowl and garnish with basil. EAT UP! So good. 

Carob Mousse with Goji Berries.

This is a nice and quick meals or snack that is full of flavor. Since my oven is still broken, I've been having to make other plans as far as food! But I'm glad I discovered this gem...it's great! Enjoy!

       Carob Mousse with Goji Berries. 

Carob Mousse with Goji Berries; Vegan, Gluten-free. Serves one. 

Ingredients 

1. 9 oz. Morinu silken extra firm tofu

2. 1 T carob powder

3. 10 drops liquid stevia

4. Handful of goji berries 

Method 

1. In your mini food processor, combine tofu, carob, and stevia. Blend until smooth. Transfer to bowl and sprinkle with gojis. Enjoy!

Carob Pancakes with Peanut Butter and Sweet Cherries.

Um. Yum. That is all. 

    Carob Pancakes with Peanut Butter and Sweet Cherries. 

Carob Pancakes with Peanut Butter and Sweet Cherries; Vegan, Gluten-free. Serves one (3 smallish pancakes). 

Ingredients

1. 1/3 cup gluten free oat flour

2. 1/4 tsp baking powder

3. 1/2 packet stevia

4. 1 T carob powder

5. 1/3 cup water

6. 2 T peanut butter of choice 

7. 1/3 cup frozen sweet cherries, thawed in microwave for 30 seconds

Method

1. In medium size bowl, combine flour, baking powder, stevia, and carob. Whisk well to remove any clumps and add water. Stir well. 

2. Cook in nonstick pan over medium heat, about 3 minutes per side or until edges look browned and insides begun to bubble. Flip and cook 3 more minutes (approximately). Repeat! 

3. Once all pancakes are cooked, arrange on a plate. Take largest cake, spread with peanut butter, and place a couple cherries on top. Slightly mash down with back of spoon and place next largest pancake in top. Repeat until you get to the last cake. Top with a few cherries and a dollop of PB. Enjoy!

Mint-Carob Nice Cream.

When I was younger (and ate ice cream!), my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE FLAVOR was mint chocolate chip. There was NOTHING I loved more than a yummy mint chocolate chip ice cream on a hot summer day. Cool, rich, creamy, perfection. Ahhhhhhh. So refreshing. My fellow mint chocolate chip lovers, REJOICE! This "Mint-Carob Nice Cream" tastes EXACTLY LIKE THE REAL THING! Actually, no. IT'S BETTER! And it's so incredibly healthy! You have to make this...even if mint chocolate chip ice cream isn't your favorite, THIS FLAVOR WILL BE! It's definitely mine! 

             Mint-Carob Nice Cream. 

You reaaaaaaalllly want to make this. Trust me!

Mint-Carob Nice Cream; Vegan, Gluten-free. Serves one (makes one EXTRA LARGE serving!). 

Ingredients

1. 2 frozen bananas

2. 1 T carob powder

3. One peppermint tea bag, steeped in 1 cup boiling water and chilled in the fridge AT LEAST 48 hours for flavors to fully develop. 

Method

1. In your vitamix or other high speed blender, combine frozen nanas, carob, and 1/2 cup of your chilled peppermint tea. Secure lid and blend low to high. Of things are not moving, add another 1/4 cup of tea. Blend until smooth. 

2. Turn off blender and set aside a shallow baking dish. Pour your nice cream into dish, making sure to spread it evenly about the dish. The consistency should be thick but easily spreadable...think very thick smoothie. 

3. Cover and place in freezer overnight. When ready to eat, remove from freezer, let thaw at least 10-15 minutes and enjoy! So so so good! (I may or may not be eating this RIGHT NOW...)

Copycat "Wendy's" Carob Frosty.

Ahhhh, summer is finally here. And you all know what that means...swimming, vacation, relaxing, and of course, frozen goodness! 

I used to LOVE those "Frosty" desserts that Wendy's used to serve. Of course, I haven't had one in YEARS (Like maybe 8 years?!) but I remember exactly how they taste, nonetheless! Cool, rich, and utterly satisfying, I have fond memories of summer nights eating these while watching the sunset...after a day at the pool of course! 

This veganized version of my all time fave is as close to the real thing as you can get. Give it a go! You will love it! 

      Copycat "Wendy's" Carob Frosty. 

                 Frosty deliciousness!

Copycat "Wendy's" Carob Frosty; Vegan, Gluten-free. Serves one. 

Ingredients 

1. One frozen chopped pear 

2. One frozen chopped banana

3. 1 T carob powder

4. 1/3 cup almond milk

5. 1/3 cup plus 1/8 cup cold water, divided

Method 

1. Place banana, pear, carob powder, almond milk, and 1/3 cup water in your vitamix or high speed blender. Blend slowly from low to high. While blender is running, add 1/8 cup water through the top. Use plunger to get things moving of necessary. 

2. Blend until smooth. It will be thick--don't think smoothie, think more ice cream. Serve in a tall "frosty glass" and enjoy!

Blueberry-Carob Mousse.

This. Is. So. Good. People. Thick, creamy, and so easy to make, this will for sure be a new favorite for you...it is do me! 

            Blueberry-Carob Mousse. 

         Wayyyyy tooooo goooood. 

Blueberry-Carob Mousse; Vegan, Gluten-free. Serves one. 

Ingredients

1. 6 oz. Morinu silken extra firm tofu

2. 1/3 cup frozen wild blueberries

3. 1 T carob powder

4. 1/2 packet stevia

Method

1. Combine all ingredients in your mini food processor and blend until smooth, scraping sides as you go if needed. Serve! NOMS. 

"Dessert" Salad.

Are you ready to be bombarded with sala recipes?! When the weather starts warming up, all I want is SALAD. I call my salads "mega salads" because, well, they are freaking HUGE let me tell you. This one is no exception. Packed with yummy fruits (hello antioxidants!) this salad feels like a dessert, thus the name "dessert" salad. But fear not, even this seemingly "treat" of a salad is still 100% guiltless. Too good to be true?! Nope. You love me. Admit it. 

                     Dessert Salad. 

"Dessert" Salad; Vegan, Gluten-free. Served one (one GIANT salad). 

Ingredients

1. 8 cups fresh spinach leaves

2. One large plum, sliced and chopped

3. 5 oz. honeydew melon, cut into chunks

4. 1 cup fresh blueberries

5. 1 T carob powder

6. 2 T almond milk

7. 1 tsp unsweetened shredded coconut

Method

1. In a gigantic bowl, add spinach first, then plum, honeydew, then bloobs. 

2. In a small bowl, whisk together the carob and almond milk. Drizzle over salad an sprinkle with coconut shreds. Eat up!

Almond Joy Oatmeal.

Are you ready to take a mini vacation to paradise?! I am a strong believer in my theory of "taste bud transporting". And this delicious bowl of oats does NOT disappoint! Silky smooth, warm oats combined with sinlessly sweet coconut, rich carob, and crunchy almonds. This right here is absolute perfection. 

                 Almond Joy Oatmeal. 

Almond Joy Oatmeal; Vegan, Gluten-free. Serves one. 

Ingredients

1. 1/2 cup oats of choice (I used oatbran) 

2. 1 cup water (2 if using my "double your grains!" Thehu wye explained in a previous post)

3. 1 T carob powder

4. 10 drops liquid coconut stevia

5. 2 T unsweetened coconut shreds

6. Handful sliced almonds 

Method

1. In a small soup pot, bring your water to a boil. Stir in oats and reduce heat to medium. Cook until just beginning to thicken and then whisk in your carob and coconut stevia. Whisk vigorously to remove any clumps. 

2. Once nearly fully cooked, stir in your shredded   coconut, reserving about 1 tsp for topping. 

3. Once desired consistency of oats is reached, transfer to bowl, top with almonds, and sprinkle with remaining coconut shreds. Enjoy!

                     Absolute Bliss!