Brownie Pudding Cake (soaked)

I made this for my son's birthday cake. His first. Excellent with strawberries.

1 c brown rice flour (grind your own if you have a good grinder)
1/2 c thin coconut milk
2 T cocoa powder
1/2 T raw apple cider vinegar (or kefir)
1 T chia or flax seeds
3-4 T water
1 1/2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. baking soda
1 t. vanilla extract
1/4 t. salt
2 T melted coconut oil or butter
½ c sweetener of choice
1 1/2 c boiling water
1/3 c cocoa powder
dash of salt
½ c sweetener of choice

1-Mix together the flour , cocoa powder and coconut milk and apple cider vinegar, if using. Leave covered in a warm place for 12-24 hours.

2-When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the chia seeds in the water and let sit for 15-20 minutes, until thickened. Put the water on to boil. Then mix the baking powder, baking soda, vanilla extract and salt, oil or butter and sweetener, and the chia seed mixture in with the soaked flour mixture.

3-In another, heat safe bowl, combine the boiling water, cocoa powder, dash of salt and honey. Mix until combined.

4- Scrap the batter into the pan 8 x 8 x2 or pie dish. Then pour the boiling water mixture over it.

5-Baking for 40 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean when poked into the cake topping. Then remove from the oven. Let rest at least ten minutes and up to 45 minutes before serving. The longer it sits the thicker the sauce will become.  My husband actually likes this best cold. But most enjoy it warm with some ice cream on top.

*from nourishinggourmet.com

Frito Salad

2 cans black beans, drained
1 1/2 cup cooked corn, cooled
2 small zucchini, diced
1 red bell pepper
1 can black olives, chopped
cilantro, chopped to taste
Few tablespoons of a dressing (miracle whip, mayo, thousand island, etc.)
1 bag Chili-Cheese Fritos

Mix together; and at last minute add a bag of Chili-cheese Fritos...yep, not the most healthy option, but not bad for a quick-fix and really good as a summer salad for a BBQ.

*from Mom

Potato & Spinach Frittata Recipe

1 t. olive oil
3 c potatoes, steamed and chopped (or grated)
1/4 c chopped red bell pepper
1 t. minced garlic
2 c packed torn spinach leaves
6+ eggs
1/4 c milk
3/4 t. salt
1/2 t. dried basil leaves, crushed
1/4 t. ground pepper
1 1/2 c shredded cheese



1. In large nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add potatoes, red bell pepper and garlic; cook and stir 8 to 10 minutes or until potatoes are golden brown.
2. Add spinach; cook and stir 1 to 2 minutes or until spinach is wilted.
 3. Put into 10” pie plate and pour the egg and cheese mix over it. Bake at 370 for 30 mins.

*This yummy recipe is from Tammy Peterson

Nut Milk - Dairy Alternative

I don't have milk much, so when I came across this almond milk recipe I thought, "why not?" It's not bad. I only use it for an ocassional bowl of milk or as a milk alternative in my cooking if I've already made a batch. It only lasts about 4 days, and you'll want to figure out how to use the leftover ground almonds so you don't waste them (I threw them in some sweet bread/muffins or as a cumble topping, or oven for a pie crust.

1/3 C. Raw Organic Nuts (almonds or cashews)
2 C. Water (and 2 c more for soaking)

Need:
A pot
A blender (I use my stick blender)
A mesh strainer (clean nylons might work, maybe?)

1. Soak nuts hours in 2 c. water with 1 1/2 t salt. drain, rinse. (soak for a few hours or overnight)
2. Blend soaked nuts with 2 c. water.
3. Strain nut remnants out (might need to twice).
4. Add sweetener to taste (I normally add a swirl of agave)
5. Shake well and use (or put in fridge)

This generally lasts 4 days, and I found that I could add a little extra water while blending to make it last longer. Or, you can even run the nut pieces you strained through with another 2 cups of water and make another batch if you're lucky (it worked for me).

You can try the egg nog recipe using regular milk or nut milk!

Or try doing it with rice or oats for a 24 hour soak! Oat Milk is actually very nourishing and great to drink during winter!

Simple Feta Stuffed Sweet Peppers

Mini Sweet Peppers
Feta Cheese
Basil
-opt. version: quinoa cooked in chicken broth with spinach and salt

Cut the tops off the mini peppers and take out the seeds.
Fill each pepper with some feta and sprinkle the basil into each as desired.
Place on a tray and bake on 350 for 20-30 minutes until roasted/slight browning.


**I got a bag of these from Costco, which has the recipe on the back. These look fun and colorful and would be good appetizers. Try with cream cheese for a less-healthy option, or play around with the seasoning/flavor. They also taste great stuffed with quinoa cooked in chicken broth and added with spinach and feta inside too!

Heart-Healthy Choc. Chip Oatmeal Cookies

2 c. walnuts
3 T. oil
1 c. brown sugar
2 t. vanilla
1 1/2 c. oat flour (ground oats)
1 t. baking soda
1 t. salt
1/4 t. cinnamon
2 c. rolled oats
1 c. choc. chips

1. Blend walnuts to fine meal; add oil and blend together (nut butter)
2. Boil sugar in a pan with 1/2 c. water
3. Mix sugar and nut butter together
4. In separate bowl mix all dry ingredients
5. Stir wet and dry ingredients together; cool 10 minutes
6. Fold in last two ingredients
7. Bake on greased cookie sheets at 350 for 8-10 minutes

Submitted by Shelley Schneider