Tag: vanilla extract

Breakfast/Brunch, Dairy-Free, Drinks, Gluten-Free, Snack, Vegan, Vegetarian

Going Nuts for a Coconut Chai Latte

Annie

Coconut Milk Chai Tea Latte

I’ve always wanted to make a coconut milk latte. I’ve been saving some coconut milk for that random occasion. This latte was super mild and the perfect mid-afternoon pick-me-up during the snow flurries today. To add to that, Alex, my roommate last year from Cornell, sent me a care package back in the fall of things from the Ithaca Farmer’s Market — my favorite place. In her package, she tossed in vanilla chai tea, and it’s absolutely delicious. It’s spiced, but not too spiced with just the right amount of vanilla. That tea paired with the coconut milk was just beckoning to be used. I made this two ways: one with coffee (on the top) and one with tea (on the bottom). Choose whichever you like, but enjoy sipping on a cup of Coconut Milk Chai Tea Latte to warm up on a cold afternoon.

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Breakfast/Brunch, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Low Sugar, Vegan, Vegetarian

Add a Chill to Your Morning

Annie

Mint Chocolate Oatmeal

This Mint Chocolate Oatmeal was refreshingly different and a cool take. It’s most likely something I won’t eat daily for breakfast, but I think this would be a fun Saturday morning breakfast during the holidays. The beauty of using steel cut oats is that you don’t need to blend the oats for a smoother consistency and they give a heartier feel to the oatmeal. I added applesauce to help cut the cacao powder and mint and to give the oatmeal some more “fruit.” The strawberries complemented the chocolate and mint flavors perfectly. I made the Mint Chocolate Oatmeal in honor of the blizzard Juno: something hearty and definitely cozy, but could still give you a chill.

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Breakfast/Brunch, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Low Sugar, Vegan, Vegetarian

A New Twist on the Classic Peanut Butter & Bananas

Annie

IMG_5785 This oatmeal just seemed right on a cold winter morning. (It was snowing today and 7ºF out.) A peanut butter and banana combination was maybe just what I needed. I wanted a heartier-than-normal oatmeal, so I opted for steel-cut oats instead of old-fashioned for a change. Swirl in some whipped, fluffier peanut butter along with cinnamon and top with a caramelized, gooey banana. The end result? My newest oatmeal creation — Peanut Butter & Cinnamon Oatmeal with Caramelized Banana. Continue reading “A New Twist on the Classic Peanut Butter & Bananas” →

Dessert, Lightened Up, Vegetarian

Six Ingredient Vanilla Ice Cream

Annie

IMG_5739 Oh my goodness. I’m never buying ice cream again. Saving gift cards to Sur la table from my birthday and Christmas, I’ve had my eye on an ice cream maker since Halloween. Add in post-Christmas sales and free shipping, and I think this Cuisinart Classic White Frozen Yogurt, Ice Cream & Sorbet Maker was a steal just under $50. It didn’t break the bank, it was so unbelievably easy to use, and all you really have to do is plan ahead to ensure appropriate freezing time for the freezer bowl. Naturally, I made a classic vanilla ice cream, but had to give it a non-fast twist. Using skim milk and fat free half & half, the vanilla ice cream didn’t lose any of its creaminess or flavor. I added in Madagascar vanilla extract for a richer and stronger flavor and some agave nectar to cut the refined sugar. How great is it to have only 6 ingredients in your ice cream and to know where every one comes from? I think that is worth celebrating on its own. Enjoy your homemade Fat-Free Madagascar Vanilla Ice Cream! Continue reading “Six Ingredient Vanilla Ice Cream” →

Dairy-Free, Dessert, Gluten-Free, Snack, Vegetarian

Luscious Lemon Cranberry Cookies

Annie

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You’d never know these Lemon Cranberry Cookies were lacking butter. Made with some coconut flour, applesauce and agave, they’re citrusy, so yummy and just the perfect after dinner dessert. Their consistency would also go well with a cup of coffee or tea. I whipped these up along with the Bang Bang Cauliflower, when we had our family friends over for dinner, back from their southern hiatus. Not tart, but also not too sweet, these cookies are perfectly balanced. I might have to add them to my holiday cookie line-up. You can’t have just one.

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Dairy-Free, Dessert, Gluten-Free, Lightened Up, Vegan, Vegetarian

Moose Have Chocolate Avocado Mousse

Annie

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I’ll admit I was a huge skeptic when I saw this recipe in Giada De Laurentiis‘s cookbook, Giada’s Feel Good Food. My mom, who had also given me this cookbook, gave it rave reviews. Still, I was hesitant to make this, just like I was to try that quite green tasting kale smoothie. Won’t it just taste like a bunch of avocados poorly disguised as a dessert? Boy was I wrong. Made free from any gluten or dairy, it’s a universal, yet elegant dessert for the holiday season. Best with extremely ripe avocados to obtain that silky smooth consistency (how to find ripe avocados here). Admittedly, I must be in the mood to indulge in this dessert, but the Avocado Chocolate Mousse is decadently creamy, somehow both light and dense all in one bite, and utterly delicious. Top with some fresh fruit and mmmm, so good.

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Breakfast/Brunch, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Vegan, Vegetarian

Chocolatey Cinnamon Heaven in a Bowl

Annie

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For all you chocolate lovers out there, this Chocolate Chai Oatmeal tastes like chocolatey cinnamon heaven. I added the chia seeds for some extra fiber, protein, antioxidants and omega-3’s. I honestly forgot I added them to the oatmeal at all because they blended in so well. The chocolate chips melt into the oatmeal, creating a luxuriously decadent flavor. The end product doesn’t appear too dark or chocolatey because I reduced the amount of cocoa powder since I added chocolate chips as well. Trust me — all the flavor is there. The cinnamon in the chai tea compliments the chocolate, and the fresh raspberries contribute a tartness to the oatmeal’s sweetness. Sometimes you just need a little chocolate for breakfast.

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Dairy-Free, Dessert, Gluten-Free, Snack, Vegan, Vegetarian

Mmm, Mmm Pumpkin Squares

Annie

IMG_4646These aren’t your typical Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Squares, but they’re still delicious. I taste-tested these on my dad, the king of desserts. He not only approved, but asked me to bake more, so I’m thinking these must be good. I recently acquired coconut oil, coconut flour and coconut sugar and have been waiting for the right recipe to give these ingredients a try. I made the pumpkin squares two ways: one with coconut flour (for a gluten-free option) and the other one with whole-wheat flour. Based on the flavor and consistency, I enjoyed the ones made with whole-wheat flour more; they were more cake-like and true to the pumpkin spice flavor. Neither has a strong pumpkin flavor, but then again, we associate that “pumpkin flavor” with rich, sweet, decadent pumpkin pie. Either way, these pumpkin squares are a bite-size dessert!
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Breakfast/Brunch, Dairy-Free, Dessert, Gluten-Free, Low Sugar, Snack, Vegan, Vegetarian

Bite-size “Granola” Bars

Annie

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I could eat these Craisin Walnut Energy Bites all in one sitting. They’re so good. Why have I been buying store-bought granola or energy bars all this time? These are just under 90 calories a bite and about 180-270 calories per serving (depending if 2 or 3 bites is a serving). While it’s not that much difference calorie-wise for a commercial energy or granola bar, what is different is that you know exactly what goes into these energy bites: nuts, dried fruit and oats. No added sugar. No preservatives. Nothing you don’t want. Sounds like a perfect pre- or post-work out snack, right? I can’t wait to experiment with new nut, dried fruit and spice combinations. These craisin walnut energy bites are definitely a recipe you must try!

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Breakfast/Brunch, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Low Sugar, Meal Prep, Vegan, Vegetarian

Over the Moon for Overnight Chia Seeds

Annie

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I have to admit that I was pretty skeptical about chia seeds. My mom made a chia seed pudding, and it was not something I enjoyed, but these breakfast bowls are delicious. The mashed banana adds its own natural sweetness, as well as a thickness to the breakfast bowl; you won’t even need to add a sweetener. The addition of vanilla extract provides a rich flavor and maximizes the vanilla from the unsweetened vanilla almond milk. The chia seeds are high in protein, fiber, omega-3, calcium, potassium and iron (see more here from the Cleveland Clinic). This Chia Seed Breakfast Bowl is especially great because you can make it the night before, literally roll out of bed and viola! breakfast is served. Add fresh fruit and nuts and enjoy a tasty and satisfying breakfast!

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