Naraya Cooking Health Recipe: October 2014

CARROT BANANA BREAD

10:56 AM

Lots of baking going on around here lately. I've been wanting to make a carrot banana bread and have finally got around to doing it. It's a nice textured bread, moist but not too moist and not too dense. The batter can handle the addition of walnuts and other dried fruits but for the sake of my daughter I've left those out. The recipe is adapted from my Banana Tea Bread which has been a wonderful recipe to work with! I have plenty of notes in this recipe so you can vary it up and change it around when the mood strikes. I don't usually add anything to breads like these when eating but this would be nice with a smidge of Cashew Sweet Cream. I hope you find you love this carrot banana bread as much as I do. It's a keeper and a great way to add in extra vegetables!

P.S. The cooking holiday season is just around the corner! I have a nice collection on pinterest of 250+ vegan recipes for you to consider adding to your holiday table. Am I missing any great recipes you'd like to see? Let me know and I'll add it. You can find the resource here: VEGAN THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS RECIPES

Mix your dry and measure your wet ingredients (I measured the oil and milk in one cup)...

Grate your carrots, mash your bananas...

To the dry ingredients, add oil, milk and bananas, mix well but don't over mix. Lastly, fold in carrots.

CARROT BANANA BREAD...just slightly cooled

My bread just slightly cooled and moved to it's storage place. Once it's cooled and covered, it will look a bit moister and darken in color. I did another loaf here where you can see the difference, this is 12 hours after being covered. I would've taken more pics of the loaf shown here but it was eaten too quickly!

CARROT BANANA BREAD

Ingredients

2 cups spelt flour
1/3 cup organic pure cane or coconut sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
pinch of salt
1/2 cup vanilla or unsweetened almond milk
1/4 cup light flavored olive oil or warmed coconut oil (see notes)
3 medium bananas, mashed (about 1 1/2 cup)
3 carrots, grated (about 1 1/4 cup)
3/4 cup chopped walnuts, optional

Optional Toppings

sprinkle of raw sugar (pictured, my daughters favorite topping)
1/4 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large mixing bowl, add flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking powder & soda and salt, mix well with large slotted spoon or fork. Add milk, oil and mashed bananas, mix well, but don't over mix, making sure there are no clumps of flour (especially on the bottom of the bowl). Fold in carrots. In a lightly greased 9 x 5 loaf pan, place mixture and bake for 50 - 55 minutes on the middle rack, rotate pan half way through.

Let cool for 10 minutes, remove from pan and let cool completely. Store covered. Serve warmed or at room temperature. Slices would pair nicely with this Cashew Sweet Cream.

Serves 8.

Notes:

The riper the bananas, the less sugar you'll need. If your bananas are not very ripe, you may like to add a tablespoon or so more.

If you don't have baking soda on hand, use 1 tablespoon (3 teaspoons) baking powder instead of 2 teaspoons.

If using coconut oil, be sure your milk is at room temperature or warmer. If adding straight from the refrigerator, the coldness will harden the coconut oil.

Replace the oil with applesauce for oil-free bread. Bread may be a little denser.

Make gluten-free by using a GF flour blend.

Feel free to leave your carrots unpeeled. I felt mine needed it this time but usually skip this step whenever I can.

Fold in 1/3 - 1/2 cup dried fruit of choice. Raisins, currants, cranberries or chopped apricots or dates would work nicely.

Add in 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg for another layer of flavor and variation.

WIN MY RAW VEGAN DESSERTS COOKBOOK!

9:42 AM

THIS RAWSOME VEGAN LIFE NOW HAS T-SHIRTS!

10:16 AM

cake

WHIPPED COCO CREAM TART with FRESH BERRIES

11:41 PM

broccoli

ROASTED NOURISH BOWL

9:32 PM

Life has been very slow lately. I think it must be this time of year and changing season that has slowed me down. I'm not complaining, in fact I quite like it. It's given me a chance to really practice my yoga, spend time with my kids and bake a lot of loafs of bread, mainly these pumpkin and banana breads. I'm obsessed with them at the moment and they've both been amazing recipes, even when making new alterations that I've also added to the notes. Winter hasn't set in yet but I'm prepared for when it does. Between easy vegetable bowls, like the one I'm sharing here which can work for lunch or dinner, and my breads, that I eat in the morning and as a snack or dessert, I'm ready for the cooler months to come. And if you're anything like me...you'll appreciate the simplicity and beauty of this roasted nourish bowl. Late last spring I shared this Everyday Nourish Bowl which is full of fresh vegetables. I thought it'd be a good idea to have a roasted version here too so you can get an idea of, and be tempted by, all the goodness it has to offer. Even in the cooler months, the freshness of the everyday nourish bowl would be great. But really the roasted version is so delicious and perfect for the cooler months. Enjoy every bite...be warm and nourished!

Simply chop your veggies, add them and your beans to a roasting pan, toss in a little oil (or not), add a little salt & pepper and roast. Once done your vegetables should be nice and browned on the edges and fork tender. Feel free to use more or less of the vegetables I have listed. If you can't get them all in that's ok, a various few of the veggies called for will be enough. You can also change up the beans if you like, maybe use another white bean like cannellini or great northern. Other beans have slightly more protein and fiber than chickpeas so if you're looking to get the most protein I'd suggest changing them up.

Makes a perfect complete meal once you add a grain like quinoa and some fresh spinach. A nice big dollop of hummus and you're all set for a hearty, nutrient dense meal. So much to love about bountiful nourish bowls!

ROASTED NOURISH BOWL

Ingredients

olive, grapeseed or coconut oil, 1 - 2 tablespoons
1 large sweet potato, cut into 3/4" cubes
2 large carrots, sliced
1 1/2 cups brussles sprouts, halved or quartered
1 1/2 cups broccoli florets
1/2 large red onion, sliced
6 serrano chilis, sliced in half and de-seeded
1 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas or 1 can (15oz) drained and rinsed
1 - 2 lemons, cut into six pieces
mineral salt & fresh cracked pepper, to taste

To serve

1 1/2 cups cooked quinoa
5 oz. spinach
1 - 2 avocados
big dollop of hummus
red pepper flakes, to garnish
hemp hearts, to garnish

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Prepare vegetables: remove any unsightly spots on the sweet potato skins before cubing, peel the carrots if needed and half or quarter the brussels sprouts depending on the size.

Place vegetables, chickpeas and lemon in a large roasting pan or rimmed baking sheet. Toss with oil and sprinkle with salt & pepper to taste. Roast for 40 - 45 minutes, stirring half way through. Vegetables should be slightly browned on the edges and fork tender. Remove from oven and let cool a few minutes. If you have a favorite herb or herb blend, you may consider adding a dash or two before roasting.

In individual bowls, serve vegetables with 1/2 cup quinoa, handful of spinach, sliced avocado and a nice dollop of hummus. Top with a sprinkle of red pepper flakes, hemp hearts a squeeze of roasted lemons.

Serves 6.

Notes:

Vegetables can vary in quantity. Add or subtract to your liking.

Serrano peppers are optional. I personally love the heat they give and they are wonderful roasted! You can sub 3 jalapeno peppers as well.

If you don't have hummus on hand or want to vary it up, try using these dressings and sauces instead: Lemon-Tahini Dressing, Sriracha Cashew Sauce, tahini based Dynamite Sauce or Creamy Tahini Hippie Sauce, For a non-creamy dressing, try this Shallot Vinaigrette.

Cooking quinoa: I had a comment about cooking quinoa so here is my recipe for perfect quinoa.

In a medium size pot, bring 1 3/4 cup water + 1 cup quinoa to a boil, cover, reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes. Once done, turn off heat, remove cover, fluff with fork and let set 10 - 15 minutes.

Perfect quinoa every time! Makes about 3 cups. Feel free to add a little seasoning to the quinoa before cooking like garlic powder, thyme, garlic salt, mineral salt, lemon pepper, everyday seasoning, etc. Or simply season once done. This will give you more than called for in the recipe...leftovers can be served chilled or warmed with your favorite vegetables or fruits.

cooked

ROASTED VEGGIES with BUTTERY GARLIC + SPINACH SALAD

3:25 PM

breakfast

PERFECT RAW VEGAN GRANOLA (+ PERSIMMON STRAWBERRY SMOOTHIE)

3:03 PM

cilantro

KIMCHI BREAKFAST TACOS

3:06 PM

Now that kimchi has been added to the recipe collection, it's time to experiment with this spicy, tangy mixture. What better way than to add this spiciness to a tofu scramble. Tofu at times can use a little help, kimchi is a perfect addition and will whip that tofu into shape. This is my vegan version of a recipe I saw for a kimchi scramble using eggs. My tofu interpretation came out amazing and I'm very happy with the results. If you're a kimchi lover and tofu appreciator, than I think you'll agree! I first made this recipe using spinach (which tasted great, of course!) but ultimately decided to use kale here as we try to use the most nutrient dense foods possible whenever we can. I loved the kale, it cooks down beautifully adding a nice pop of green to the scramble. I've kept the seasoning super simple, it doesn't need much as the kimchi will shine through. Best to use your most fermented batch of kimchi, the ripened flavors will work best when cooking with kimchi. These tacos can be eaten any time of day. It pairs great with green tea. If having these for lunch or dinner and you're a beer drinker, I think an Asian or Mexican beer would be great too. Beers like Kirin Ichiban, Sapporo, Corona and Dos Esquis are vegan friendly. To see if your favorite beer or alcohol is vegen, check this great guide: Barnivore. Whatever your drink of choice is, you're going to love every bite of these kimchi tacos!

All cooked and ready to go. I could eat it just like you see it above...so good! But we're making tacos here, so fill your warmed tortillas (I used corn), you may like to use two if your mixture is very wet. Top with cilantro sprigs, scallions, sesame seeds and a squeeze of lime. Enjoy to the fullest!

KIMCHI TOFU SCRAMBLE TACOS

Ingredients

1 tablespoon sesame seed oil, optional
1 block (14 - 16 oz) organic tofu, firm or extra-firm
4-5 large leaves of kale, center stem removed and julienned
3 scallions, sliced (divided)
1-2 tablespoons tamari
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1-2 tablespoons nutritional yeast, optional
1 cup kimchi
cilantro sprigs, for garnish
sesame seeds (toasted, black or white), for garnish
lime wedges, to serve
6 corn or flour tortillas, to serve

Measure out 1 cup kimchi and let come to room temp.

Open and drain tofu. You may like to give it a quick press to remove moisture if not using a vacuum packed brand.

In a large wok/skillet, heat oil over medium high heat. Add tofu, crumbling between your fingers, cook, stirring occasionally, for about 2 -3 minutes. Turn heat to medium, carefully add tamari and garlic powder, give a good stir. Add kale and 2/3 - 3/4 of the scallions, cook, stirring occasionally until kale becomes soft and wilts, cover partially to help with the process, about 5 - 7 minutes. Lastly, add the nutritional yeast and kimchi, mix and cook just until kimchi has warmed through, about 1 minute or so. We don't want to overcook the kimchi or it will destroy some of the health benefits of the probiotics.

Heat your tortillas. I like to heat mine carefully over a gas burner until lightly charred in spots. Use your preferred method.

Layer your tortillas with the scramble mixture, add a few sprigs of cilantro, some of the reserved scallions, a sprinkle of sesame seeds and a squeeze of lime.

Serves 3

Notes:

Use spinach in place of kale.

Use ripened kimchi, the flavors will be more pronounced. You may prefer fresher kimchi, in which case use your favorite.

You may like to chop your kimchi a bit before adding it to the tofu. I kept it as it was but it's an optiona.

Try adding a drizzle of this Garlic Miso Cashew Sauce, or for extra heat try the Dynamite Sauce or Sriracha Cashew Cream. You can control the heat when adding the spice to each of these condiments.