Chocolate Chia/Flax Pudding- A Heart Healthy Dessert

Do you love a rich chocolatey pudding? 

What if I told you this pudding recipe is not only rich, creamy and indulgent, but actually nourishing too? 

"Diwali 101 for Americans: Understanding the Holiday + Recipe

I shop at T.J Max, Marshalls, and Home Good's . In the past few years, I've noticed beautiful festive items being sold for the holiday of Diwali (pronounced Dee -Val -Lee) this time of the year. 

Crustless Sweet Potato Pumpkin Pie -vegan and gluten-free

Nothing welcomes the spirit of fall quite like a slice of homemade (sweet potato) pumpkin pie. Do you agree?

This creamy flourless recipe combines the earthy sweetness of sweet potatoes, with the warm spiced flavors of pumpkin, creating a harmonious blend that’s both comforting and satisfying. 

Peanut Butter Chocolate Nice Cream - The Perfect Quick Dessert

Calling all peanut butter and chocolate lovers!!! 

Looking for a really easy, yet decadent rich dessert that you can whip up very quickly (in minutes) that is healthy and tasty? 

You won't regret trying this peanut butter chocolate "nice cream" that I make using just 4 ingredients: frozen bananas, fat-free (PB2) peanut butter powder (see notes), cocoa powder (I use this one ( Link to Unsweetened cocoa )and a 1/4 cup of almond milk. And it can be made in a strong blender. I use my Nutribullet Rx. 

Sugar Free Chocolate Fudge Sauce

This chocolate fudge sauce is rich and chocolaty. 

It is very easy to make, has no added sugars, and is gluten-free, vegan, oil-free, dairy-free and parve. Yes, you have seen it before.

Mehalabeya- Light and Silky Pudding

Mehalabeya is a light and silky Middle Eastern delicious pudding that is traditionally flavored with orange blossom and or rose waters. It has a unique perfumey, yet appealing taste that most find very appealing. The great part is that is gluten free and egg free, and can be made dairy free!

Quick Peanut Butter Oatmeal-Weight Watchers Style

It is surprising how filling, healthy, and delicious a simple oatmeal recipe can be.

Breakfast recipes do not have to be complicated, time consuming, or unusual to warrant a post.

Sometimes you may be looking for quick and simple with an interesting twist-! Peanut Butter Powder !!

Roasted Strawberry Parfait

I love this rich strawberry decadent parfait. 

It's fast and easy to assemble, makes a lovely presentation, and tastes divine. In addition, it's relatively healthy and uses only real whole food, making it a healthy snack even for kids! 

Did I mention it's gluten free, egg free and I offer a vegan substitution?

Gluten Free Honey Cake Muffins

If you love honey cake, you will love these healthy honey cake muffins. They are gluten free, dairy free and have an egg free option.

Brie with a Fruity Topping

I

Brie is one of those appetizers that everyone seems to love and  gluten free.I don't know about you, but when I entertain I like to make delicious food that is as easy as possible to prepare and serve. It doesn't get easier than brie and a delicious fruit topping! 

Brie requires very little preparation and can be made at the last minute. It tastes great with fresh fruit, jams, and nuts.

Gluten Free Rugelach

Have you heard of rugelach? 
They are a traditional Eastern European pastry with a Yiddish name that means little twists or rolled things. Traditionally they are made with butter, sour cream or cream cheese, flour and sugar.
This is a gluten free (and vegan) version of the real thing that is quite tasty.

Pumpkin Chocolate Pudding Mousse

Want to satisfy your sweet tooth without any refined sugars? Do you love rich dark chocolate and creamy spicy pumpkin? This delicious ( gluten free and vegan) pudding/ mousse contains both!!

How to Slice a Mango the Easy Way

Do you love mangoes as much as we do, but struggle with finding an easy way to cut and eat them?

I used to make a delicious juicy mess every time I cut one up,  until I learned how to use this super easy and convenient mess-free method.

My daughter in law Wendy has been using this method for years. 

However, it was actually my friend Vicki who recently taught me how to do it! It is so so easy!

No special tools are necessary

The only tool that you will need is a sharp pairing knife to cut the mango in this special way.

 Cut the mango in 3 easy steps. 

You will actually be cutting the mango into thirds with the pit being the middle part.

Do not peel the mango. Hold the mango on its side with the stem down. 

1. Slice off one side as close to the pit as possible.

2. Turn the mango and slice off the other side- you will be left with the pit in the middle

3. Place one of the sliced sides peel down and score it by making 4 lines in each direction . 

Invert and it will be in chunks. you can eat it right off  the peel, or slice the chunks into a bowl.

If this seems confusing, I found a video on Youtube that demonstrates this super easy process. Once you see it being done, you will be able to do it ! ( video is at the end)

That is all you have to do to be able to eat a mango with dignity and no mess!

We used to only eat mangoes outside on our back deck because we mutilated them when cutting them and the juice would be unmanageable. If you are a mango lover, you know that mangoes can be extremely juicy and messy. 

I've seen so many ways to conquer the mango- but hands down - I think this is the best. 

Of course you cut use a mango slicer. I have one that I bought on Amazon, and they are easy and fun to use. They kind of look like an apple slicer but are made for mangoes and much sturdier.
  OXO Good Grips Mango Slicer, Splitter, and Corer

 Mango Demonstration Video from Youtube!!

My Mango Recipes

Mango Peach Salad/Salsa

Skinny Mango Salsa

Mango Cardamom Lassi 

Mango Orange Blossom Popsicles

It's time to leave your comment, story about mangoes, etc. 

This post is shared  " Weekend Cooking"

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My Soups Cookbook contains over 80 healthy soup recipes and 80 inspirational quotes and time saving cooking tips to help encourage, guide, and inspire readers to reach a greater level of wellness. Plant-based soups cookbook (affiliate link)  on Amazon with a "look inside" option to see all the recipe titles and introduction.

Keep this cute paper back cookbook in mind for a stocking stuffer, house warming gift, or even birthday gifts! 

  

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Papaya and Blueberries Make a Beautiful Fruit Cup

I was having company for dinner the other night and blueberries and papayas were in season.
So I decided to forgo the typical fruit salad that I usually make and instead make a dessert using only the two fruits.

Their complementary colors presented a brilliant contrast that was lovely and appealing . My summer dessert was very extremely easy to make, made a beautiful presentation, and was simply delicious. Of course it was naturally gluten free and vegan as well.

When I served it, I sliced a 2 inch thick piece for each person . Some fresh whipped would make it divine.

We ate it with a fork and knife.
Actually the skin and seeds are edible, but I don't know how good they taste.

I Live Near The Blueberry Capital of the World

We live about an hour from Hammonton, New Jersey which is nicknamed " the blueberry capital of the world." (Google it)  Hammonton is located on the way to the Jersey shore where there over 250 blueberry farms on 8,000 acres of sandy soil.

blueberry bushes 

It wasn't always that way. Fifty years ago, the farms were smaller and served mostly local markets.

However, today I understand that most of our local berries are now contracted to Driscoll.
So, no matter where you live you may very well be eating our local berries.

Years ago when my two sister in laws were still teenagers, I took them blueberry picking on a pick your own farm in Hammonton, NJ .

After picking ( and tasting) for about three hours in the vast sea of blueberry bushes, we went home with quite a haul.

We froze most of them, ate many of them, and made a few batches of blueberry muffins. It was a fun but exhausting. It was the one and only time I picked blueberries.

My dessert reminded me of my blueberry adventures.

Since blueberries are in season, why not make this simple dessert. It's naturally gluten free, low in calories, and rich in appeal.

Remove the seeds from the papaya

I sliced the papaya in two lengthwise and scooped out the waxy round black seeds from the core of the papaya and was left with a large long cavity. I filled it with blueberries.

I placed both the papaya and the blueberries in the refrigerator to chill.

My Notes:
Papaya tastes great with freshly squeezed lime..
Papayas from Hawaii are GMO ( their flesh is yellow)
Papayas from Mexico and Belieze usually are not GMO ( these have a more orange flesh)

How to Freeze Blueberries
Blueberries freeze really well and it's very easy to freeze them.
Simply wash them, dry them well, place them in ziploc freezer bags and freeze them.
Be sure to dry them well so they will not stick together.
Use the frozen berries for smoothies, muffins, pancakes, etc.

I usually freeze them when they are on sale,or whenever I can get organic blueberries at at reasonable price


How to Select a Papaya
Papaya are an extremely nutritious fruit. However, most papayas that come from Hawaii are genetically modified ( GMO) they have yellow fruit inside -
try to look for papayas that come from Mexico or Belieze which are usually not GMO- often called Caribbean Reds and Maradol- they look orange inside.
I found  an article online that explains more about safe Papayas 

Quick Blueberry Mug Muffin



I also found this Youtube that explain how to select a papaya when it's ripe- he talks about the Hawaiian variety (which will be GMO- he doesn't mention that) but he also explains about the Caribbean variety and how to identify it ( which is the non gmo type)

Healthy Halloween Snacks using Vegetables & Fruit

Halloween is definitely the season when we eat too much candy and an overload on sugar. With the best of intentions, it's difficult to avoid the temptations of Halloween candy. There are some things you can do to help bring some balance to the season! 

 

If you are having a party at home or at school, why not focus on some Halloween type snacks that are good for you and fun too! The following non-candy ideas are gluten free/ grain free and can be made vegan. 

Watermelon Limeade is simply Blissful

There is no getting around it, this recipe for fresh watermelon limeade is an all natural beverage that is beautiful to look at and blissful to drink. I made my drink without alcohol, but you could easily add some light rum if you like and then call them cocktails. Whatever you choose, the finished product will be outrageously delicious!

Guilt Free Baked Donuts - GF and Easy for National Donut Day

Today is National Donut Day and Dunkin Donuts is giving away a free donut. For those of us who wouldn't dream of eating a fried, chemical laden, white sugar, white flour donut  -whether gluten free or not, I have a better guilt free alternative!

These beautiful donuts are baked, made with high fiber almond and coconut ( gluten free/grain free ) flours, and lower glycemic coconut sugar. These ingredients are all available at Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, and health food stores. In fact, many supermarkets carry almond, coconut flours ,and coconut sugar in their gluten free isles.

You can see that my ( gluten free) donuts look fabulous, and I can tell you that they taste fabulous too!

Are they difficult to make? Absolutely not! The prep is 5-8 minutes and they bake in the donut pan in just twenty minutes. If you want to glaze it in melted dark chocolate chips- that's another 5 minutes! So go ahead and indulge-

Let's face it. If it weren't being advertised all over TV and social media, would you even be thinking about donuts?  If you've watched the news this morning and are thinking about donuts, why not make your own healthier version. Then go ahead enjoy a donut today!

I bought an inexpensive donut baking pan. It so easy, just like making muffins!

Author: Judee Algazi
Prep Time: 5-8 minutes
Bake Time: 20 minutes
Makes: 6 doughnuts
Need: donut pan

Ingredients:
1 cup of almond flour ( finely ground almonds) I get it at Trader Joe's
1/4 cup of coconut flour (Trader Joe or gluten free isle in supermarkets)
1/4 teaspoon of baking powder ( aluminum free)
1/8 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 cup of vanilla flavored almond or coconut milk
1 tsp. of pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup of olive oil or coconut oil
3 eggs, beaten
optional: chocolate chips if you are not going to ice the donuts ( ok , add chocolate chips even it you are going to ice the doughnuts) or sprinkle with grated coconut!


Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix the dry ingredients ( almond flour, baking powder, and sea salt) and set aside
In another bowl, mix the wet ingredients together and add to the dry. Mix well with a spoon.
Spoon into the doughnut pan. Bake for 20 minutes

Quick Chocolate Glaze

Chocolate Icing #1:
1/2 cup coconut oil
1/2 cup chocolate chips ( I used dairy free)

Directions 
Using a saucepan and a low flame, melt the chocolate chips and coconut oil together stirring frequently ( about 3  minutes) Remove from heat.  Spoon over donuts. This makes a smooth shiny icing. Set aside to dry for about 1 hour ( or icing will be sticky)

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Egg Free Banana Coconut Macaroons ( GF)

These easy egg free banana coconut macaroons are made from a few simple gluten free and vegan ingredients. I whipped them up with my grandkids in just 3 easy steps in less than 25 minutes from start to finish!

3 Easy Steps: 
1. Mix ingredients in a bowl with a spoon
2. Shape into balls
3. Bake for 15 minutes

It's a healthy, dairy free, dessert that can be packed in lunches, taken along in your purse just about anywhere, or elegantly served at the Seder. The ingredients are made from real food and offers a nutritional boost.

Since it's Passover this week, what better than a simple ( KP) cookie that is fun for little ones to make and tasty enough for everyone to enjoy!

Sometimes you just want something sweet; try this real food quick and easy recipe!
If you are making these for Passover- all ingredients should be labeled with a hecture.

Coconut is a good fat, the sweetness comes mostly from the banana, and they are filling.

Author: Judee Algazi @Gluten Free A-Z Blog
Prep: 5 minutes
Bake Time: 15 minutes
Total : 20 minutes
Makes: 1 dozen macaroons
Adapted from: Paleo Table

Ingredients: 
2 cups of shredded coconut ( or coconut flakes)
1 ripe banana, mashed
1 Tablespoon of honey ( or sugar if you must)
1 Tablespoon of cocoa
2 Tablespoons of oil ( coconut or olive)
1 tsp. cinnamon
Optional: chocolate chips

Directions: 
Preheat oven to 300 degrees
Place all ingredients in a large bowl and mix well with a spoon. Shape the mixture into 1 inch ( ish) balls and place on a covered cookie sheet. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove and place in mini muffin holders if desired.

Place on parchment paper and bake for 15 minutes

Shared on Weekend Cooking at Beth Fish Reads
where anyone can share a food related post every Saturday!

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Gluten Free and Vegetarian Passover Seder Recipes

Happy Passover! Looking for easy vegetarian and or gluten free Passover Seder ideas?

I've dived into my recipes and created a traditional Kosher for Passover Seder menu for you that is both GF and Vegan! Choose from the recipes listed below.

Hope you get some inspiring ideas and enjoy a delicious meal. If you are not vegan or GF the recipes are still delicious and make a great parve ( non dairy)  side.


Passover Seder Recipes

• Charoset  ( vegan and GF)
• Matzo Balls ( vegetarian and  GF)
• Matzo Ball Soup ( tastes like chicken type broth) (Vegan and; GF)
• Horseradish Soup  -Light and creamy with a slight kick ( Vegan and GF)
• Mock Chopped Liver ( Vegan and GF)
• Stuffed Tomatoes and Stuffed Peppers ( Vegan and GF) 
• Quinoa stuffed Peppers ( Vegan and GF) 
• Mini Potato Kugel Muffins
• Honey Roasted Brussel Sprouts Vegan and GF) 
• Moroccan Carrots with cilantro and lemon dressing
• Healthy Chocolate Pudding ( vegan and GF)
• Chocolate Dipped Strawberries 
• Fudgy Brownies- vegan and gluten free
• Fresh Fruit Sorbets - vegan and gluten free

These Passover Sorbets are made with frozen fruit and your blender. They are easy to make and delicious!

Did You Know ? 

The Conservative Movement Overturned an 800-Year-Old Passover Ban on Rice and Legumes( see article)- Now you can eat it.. Everyone is happy but especially vegans!

I've included recipes that contain rice! All of the recipes are vegan except the matzo balls and mini kugels which have eggs.
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