Tofu Cashew Creme

Use this rich, non-dairy creme for topping broiled peaches, berries or other fresh fruit, pancakes and waffles.

1/2 lb firm tofu
1 Tbsp cashew butter
1 Tbsp maple syrup (or more to taste)
1 tsp vanilla extract or 1/2 tsp vanilla & 1/4 tsp almond

Mix all in food processor until smooth and creamy, scraping the sides once or twice.

Holiday Spinach Spread

This spinach spread is good for any time of the year and is easily made with frozen spinach and other ingredients you probably have on hand. Bring it to your next holiday party; your friends will never know it's dairy-free and healthy!
1 10-oz pkg frozen spinach, thawed and the water squeezed out
1 lg clove garlic
1 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp miso
1 Tbsp nutritional yeast
1 Tbsp Vegenaise (or regular mayo)
2 Tbsp plain soy yogurt
1/4 cup mashed firm tofu

Place all ingredients in food processor and pulse several times to mix. Continue to pulse until a spreadable consistency is reached.
Enjoy on flax or rice crackers.

Buckwheat Nutmeg Waffles

Mmm. These buckwheat waffles smell so good when they're baking! This recipe didn't make it in time for the printing of Melissa's Marvelous Meatless Meals so I want to share it with you here.

1 cup buckwheat flour
1/2 cup brown rice flour
1/2 cup tapioca starch
2 Tbsp garbanzo flour
1 Tbsp nutmeg
1 Tbsp baking powder
2 Tbsp rapadura or Sucanat sugar
1 tsp xanthan gum

2 Tbsp ground flax
3 Tbsp unsweetened applesauce
2 cups non-dairy milk
1/4 cup canola oil

mix 2 Tbsp flax with 1/2 cup warm water and set aside.
Mix all other dry ingredients together in large bowl
Mix applesauce, oil, and non-dairy milk together in a separate bowl and then add to dry ingredients. Add flax mixture to batter. Mix all together.
Make waffles according to your wafflemaker instructions.
Enjoy with applesauce, apple butter, or sauteed fruit.

Nut Butter and Fruit Toast

Try this for an after school snack or a mid-morning munch.
Start with your favorite gluten-free bread. Toast the bread.
Top with 1 Tbsp of your favorite nut butter and then some fresh fruit instead of jam. Vary the combinations.
Some delicious favorites:
almond butter with sliced apple or pear
cashew butter with sliced strawberries or raspberries
peanut butter with sliced strawberries or banana

Make Your Own Chocolate for One

Ok. I admit it. Sometimes I like a little bit of dessert. Here is a quick little dessert idea that makes enough for 1 person (me!). You make your own chocolate dip from coconut oil, agave nectar, and cacao powder (or cocoa powder), then  dip a few strawberries. Like I said, it only makes enough to dip a few strawberries but it is sweet and delicious and won't put your calories over the edge.

Mix together: 1 tsp melted coconut oil, 1 tsp agave nectar, 1/2 tsp cacao powder or cocoa powder. Mix. Spread on a few organic strawberries. Mmmmm. Enjoy!!

New LaraBar Flavors!

If you haven't tried it yet, the new Peanut Butter & Jelly LaraBar tastes amazingly like PB & J!! There is also a Peanut Butter Cookie flavor which we have not yet tried (it is in the snack drawer!) but will let you know our review soon.

Eat Your Greens!

Now is the season for some wonderful greens like kale, swiss chard, beet greens, collard greens. Try this easy and low fat way to prepare greens.
1 bunch of greens or mixed greens (kale, swiss chard, beet greens, collard greens)
1-2 leeks or a large onion
2 carrots

Wash and chop the greens.
Slice the leeks or slice the onions into half moons
wash the carrots and slice into half moons

Place the leeks or onions on the bottom of a large soup pot.
Cover with the carrots and then the greens on top.
Add about 1/2 inch water, cover and simmer 5-8 minutes until carrots are tender. Check often to make sure the greens are still bright green.
Once cooked, add 1 tsp wheat-free soy sauce and mix all vegetables together.
Serve with a miso-nut butter gravy: mix together 1 Tbsp miso and 1 Tbsp tahini or almond butter. Add warm water until smooth and creamy. Add enough water until desired consistency of gravy is reached.
Drizzle gravy over the greens.