Naraya Cooking Health Recipe: cinnamon

ORANGE & SPICE HOT COCOA

4:28 PM

This is a quick n' easy orange hot chocolate to change up the usual hot cocoa routine. The winter weather is finally setting in here with rain and very cool temperatures, it calls for a nice mug of hot cocoa! I love orange and chocolate together and set out to come up with a hot cocoa using this combination. After doing a bit of research on orange hot chocolate, using orange juice is not typical, usually a bit of orange extract is added or even orange flavored liqueur (which sound pretty good too on certain occasions!). Since I happen to only have some oranges on hand, I decided that would do perfectly fine. And it did! Using orange juice instead of flavoring will also give you the added benefit of vitamin C with your cocoa. Add in the cinnamon & ginger and you have yourself a nicely flavored hot cocoa. I even love this without the ginger, using just cinnamon. Use the spices to your liking and preference. For a bit of heat, you may consider adding a dash of cayenne powder. The toppings can be changed up to whatever you like or have on hand. So next time you're thinking about having a cup of hot chocolate give this version a try, I think you'll love it too!

ORANGE & SPICE HOT COCOA

Ingredients

3 cups unsweetened almond milk
1 cup 100% pure orange juice
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup raw sugar, pure maple syrup or coconut nectar/sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
pinch of salt

garnish options:

whipped coconut cream
sprinkle of cinnamon or cocoa powder
mini chocolate chips
shaved dark chocolate
orange zest
vegan marshmallows

In a small/medium saucepan, heat milk and orange juice over medium-low heat. Add cocoa, sugar, cinnamon, ginger and pinch of salt, stir until cocoa is completely dissolved. Turn heat to low to keep cocoa warm until ready to serve.

Serve in individual cups topped with any garnish you like. I added coconut cream, dusted with cocoa powder and topped with orange zest.

Serves 2 - 3.

Notes:

Feel free to use water in place of non-dairy milk or use a combo of water & milk equally 3 cups.

For the orange juice, use fresh squeezed or bottled (no pulp to medium pulp pref). If using fresh squeezed, you may like to strain the pulp before using.

Make your 1/4 cup of cocoa heaping if you like a little extra chocolate flavor.

almond milk

EVERYDAY OATMEAL

11:49 PM

Today I share with you my go-to oatmeal. It's quick and flavorful! On its own, oatmeal is nothing to get excited about. It needs help with warm spices, sweet and/or tart fruits and some crunchy nuts & seeds. Add a drizzle of pure maple syrup and splash of almond milk for the perfect finishing touch. I love oatmeal all year long, but during the fall\winter I especially eat this on a regular basis. It warms me up, fills that morning hunger, supplies me with good carbohydrates and keeps me going for a good part of the day.

My everyday oatmeal always consists of cinnamon, cardamom, maple syrup and almond milk...these are the essential flavor boosters. The rest of the ingredients will be mixed and matched depending on what I have on hand.

Cinnamon and cardamom are warming spices and both hold health benefits. They are delicious together and will add a ton of flavor to plain oatmeal!

Pure maple syrup is my sweetener of choice and contains a good dose of manganese and zinc.

For the milk, I use unsweetened almond milk but you can use your favorite non-dairy milk. Most non-dairy milks are low in calories, fat and are fortified with important vitamins and minerals (even more so than dairy milk) like calcium, vitamin D, B-12 and E, manganese, potassium, copper and selenium.

The oats can be whatever you prefer. Lately I've been using quick oats, it's what I've been baking with and have tons on hand. You can use rolled or steel cut oats too, just cook according to the package directions.

I usually always add in some sort of fruit, whether dry or not. Usually its dried fruit since I always have some on hand in the pantry or refrigerator. I prefer unsweetened dried fruit like raisins, currants, barberries, blueberries and cranberries. Chopped dates, apricots and cherries are also great. I'm loving the addition of the barberries I picked up awhile back, they add a tartness contrasting the sweetness of the other dried fruits. I've come to learn that barberries are higher in anti-oxidants than dried blueberries, cranberries, goji berries and even pomegranates! These little tart fruits can be found in Middle Eastern grocery stores (you can also order them online) and hold up well in the pantry or refrigerator. When using fresh fruits, I may use blueberries, sliced bananas or apples.

The addition of nuts & seeds will add protein and a nice crunch. Many nuts & seeds contain essential omegas that are heart healthy making them another good reason to add a small handful. You can use any combo of walnuts, pepitas (pumpkin seeds), almonds, hemp hearts, chia seeds and pecans.

It's the perfect everyday oatmeal to get me going, or end my day! Sometimes I have oatmeal for dinner. ♥

EVERYDAY OATMEAL

Ingredients

3/4 cup quick oats
1 1/4 cup water
1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk, divided
1 - 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1/4 heaping teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon cardamom
small handful mixed nuts (I used walnuts and pepitas)
small handful dried or fresh fruit ( I used currants and barberries)

Bring water to a boil in a small saucepan. Stir in 3/4 cup oats, reduce heat to medium and cook for 1 1/2 minutes. Add 1/4 cup milk and cook another 30 seconds. Remove from heat, cover and let stand for 2 to 3 minutes.

Place oatmeal in your serving bowl, top with cinnamon, cardamom, nuts, seeds and berries. Drizzle maple syrup over top and some of the remaining milk. Give a good stir and enjoy!

It tastes great with a morning cup of coffee, green tea or lemon water.

Notes:

Give or take on both the oatmeal and water when cooking, using more or less as needed.

Use rolled or steel cut oats if you prefer, cook according to package instructions.

If you don't like the flavor of maple, use coconut nectar or pure cane brown sugar.

Dried fruits you might like to use...cranberries, blueberries, goji berries, raisins, currants, barberries, chopped dates, apricots and cherries. Fresh fruits can be blueberries, apples and bananas.

Nuts and seeds you might like to use are almonds, walnuts, pecans, pepitas, hemp hearts and chia seeds.

almond milk

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.

almond butter

PEANUT BUTTER & BANANA GRANOLA SNACK CLUSTERS

9:34 AM

almond butter

APPLE NACHOS

2:42 AM

Gather some of your favorite apples and get ready to enjoy a simple, fun and delicious treat! I'm not sure why I haven't made this yet, I guess it's true that everything has its time. I've seen apple nachos here and there on the web over the last couple years, a quick google search will pull up all kinds of similar versions, but I never put it on my immediate to do list. With all the busyness going on in life right now, I was thinking of something easy to share here and this popped into mind. I'm so glad that the time has come because these are absolutely delicious! A well loved classic, and I can see why. It's fresh, sweet (if using a sweet apple), with bits of chocolate and coconut flakes all topped with warm nut butter and cinnamon. What's not to love?! I easily ate two apples and could've eaten more if in the end I felt like slicing up more. But really two was enough, and maybe one will be enough for you, but I highly recommend going ahead and slicing up 2 per person, just in case. If you don't end up eating all the apple slices, the lemon juice will keep them from turning brown so you can make it with the leftovers the next day. This is also a great way to get in some protein that everyone seems to fuse over about a vegan diet. Where do you get your protein? How many times have I heard that. ;) Have no fear, this treat will give you about 8 grams of protein for every 2 tablespoons of nut butter you use (different butters may vary). Not too bad at all! This is a great snack for kids, as well as adults. I can see myself indulging in this quite often!

If you can circle your apples similar to this, you'll be sure to have a little of everything on every apple slice without causing too much mess when eating. But I sure didn't mind liking my fingers clean and I'm sure you won't mind either!

I was asked if I'd like to try out this gourmet raw almond butter from Dastony, and being that it's from a small family business I said of course. I'm all about promoting small family run businesses, and they deliver a wonderful product that's smooth & creamy! They have a quite a few butters to choose from, even a couple sprouted ones that look delicious, all of which may work well in this recipe. Their butters are 100% organic, stone ground, raw, vegan, and free from additives and preservatives. If you're looking for that special nut butter as a gift or one for yourself to use every day, this is it!

APPLE NACHOS

Ingredients

2 apples of choice
1/4 cup natural nut butter of choice
small handful chocolate chips (I used Enjoy Life Mini Chips)
small handful shredded coconut
small handful slivered almonds
sprinkle of cinnamon
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Optional toppings:

hemp hearts
cacao nibs
raisins or currants
ground cardamom
pure maple syrup

Wash, core and cut your apples into 1/4 inch slices. I like to cut mine into quarters, take a small paring knife and carefully remove the core and upper and lower end where dirt may still be collected (even after washing). Lay apple quarters on a flat surface with the inside of the apple facing up, carefully slice your apple into 1/4 inch slices, you may even be able to get them into 1/8 inch slices if your extremely patient, even 1/2 inch slices is good too. Whatever thickness you prefer, no rules here! Place apple slices in a small bowl with the lemon juice, toss to coat.

Heat your nut butter just until warmed and somewhat runny. I like to heat mine by using a small silicon bowl placed in a small pot with just enough water to reach half way up the side of the silicon bowl, heat water on low and gently heat the nut butter until warm and drizzable.

On a serving plate, lay your apple slices in a single layer around the outside edge, then layer another small layer over those but towards the inside center of the plate (like shown in the picture above). Drizzle the nut butter in a circular motion, from the middle of the plate to the outside edge. You can also just zig zag the almond butter from one side to the other if you like. Again, no rules...just do what you feel is best! Top with choco chips, coconut flakes, almonds and sprinkle of cinnamon (or whatever you've chosen to use as your toppings). Enjoy this simple yet delicious treat!

Serves one generously, or two as a small plate.

Notes:

Use red or green apples, you may even consider using one of each for a combination of sweet & tart.

Make this 100% raw by using raw nut butters, raw cacao chips and unsweetened shredded coconut.

Live well & thrive!

I'd love to see your masterpieces...

#thesimpleveganista

almonds

CHOCOLATE CHAI ROASTED ALMONDS

4:18 AM

I've been very busy since my last post updating some older recipe that desperately needed to be revisited, not only for the pictures but to update and streamline the ingredients and instructions. In case you're interested, take a look and see if any inspire you. First up was the Smoky Chipotle Maple T.L.T., an absolutely delicious sandwich. Then I was onto the Raw Vegetable Pasta...you'll never miss regular pasta again with this one. Next, the Refried Bean & Avocado Lavash Wrap which was just a whim recipe at the time that hit the spot. Up next, I revamped the Pasta and Bean Soup with Kale which is out of this world. Lastly, the Spicy Carrot & Hummus Sandwich...delicious in every way. Today not only are you getting one inspirational recipe to try but 6! Take a look and hopefully you'll be inspired to add more of these recipes to your meal plans for the upcoming months!

I've been doing a lot of snack and dessert type recipes lately and have been loving every minute of it. Inspired by my Chocolate Chai Popcorn, I decided to try roasted almonds with this flavorful mix and it worked great. The flavor of cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, clove with some black pepper spice all lightly wrapped with a hint of cocoa. It's a fun and delicious flavor! Almonds are an alkalizing nut and eating just 9 almonds a day will provide you with all the vitamin E you need for the day. They're also a great source of magnesium, potassium, copper and fiber. These flavored almonds make for quite an addicting but healthy little snack that I'm happy to share with you today. I love that they travel well too. Bag or bottle some up in a mason jar and take them with you for the day. They even make for great gift ideas for special holidays or just because. Share the goodness, share the love!

Gather your ingredients...

Add everything together and mix well...

Spread in single layer on baking sheet and bake, stirring once...

Let cool and harden. Share the goodness!

CHOCOLATE CHAI ROASTED ALMONDS

Ingredients

3 cups raw almonds
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
2 teaspoons vanilla extract, optional
1 heaping teaspoon cocoa powder
1 heaping teaspoon cinnamon
1 heaping teaspoon cardamom
1 heaping teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon cloves
1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
a few pinches of mineral salt

Preheat oven to 350.

In a large mixing bowl, add almonds, maple syrup, vanilla and spices, mix well to coat. On a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper or lightly oiled, spread almonds, syrup and all, in a single layer, it's ok if they're touching each other. Bake on center rake for 20 - 22 minutes, shuffling the almonds around once after 10 minutes. Remove from oven, sprinkle with mineral salt and let cool to harden. They may clump together a bit while cooling but will easily come apart.

Store in air tight container for up to a month.

Enjoy often!