Pumpkins have become eponymous with autumn, especially when spiced, but technically they are a winter squash so we legitimately have at least another month to fairly enjoy them. Pumpkin butter is smooth and sweet, a great cold-weather alternative to berry jams that can be put on toast or swirled into oatmeal, yogurt bowls or chia pudding for an extra boost of flavour. Continue Reading →
Nutty Chocolate Banana Bread
Loaves, like muffins, are a great item for meal or snack prepping because they can be quite healthy with the right ingredients and they are easy to package individually and transport. I kept this version ultra nutritious with a combination of sprouted buckwheat flour and almond flour to form a hearty and dense base. Each has a nutty flavour and together they contribute many important nutrients including protein, fiber, manganese, iron, zinc, calcium, vitamin E and B vitamins. Continue Reading →
Apple Cranberry Muffins
Muffins are a great item to prepare in advance. They freeze well and are very portable, perfect for a healthy, on-the-go snack or light meal. For this version I tried to keep them as nutritious as possible by starting with a base of sprouted spelt and sprouted buckwheat flours. This extra step in the processing creates a whole grain flour that is easy to digest, with more bioavailable nutrients.
From there, the muffins get some density and healthy fats from almond meal (ground almonds) and moistness from apple sauce, Greek yogurt and a bit of cultured butter. Natural sweetness comes from dates and maple syrup and vanilla and cinnamon add a bit of seasonal spice.
Pecan Pumpkin Muffins with Maple Marscapone Filling
It’s the first day of fall, time to fill the kitchen with pumpkins and incorporate them into healthy, hearty culinary creations. Here I used some puréed pumpkin to make some nutrient-dense muffins. They are also based upon sprouted spelt flour and sprouted buckwheat flour. Spelt is an ancient grain that has been shown to be easier to digest than several newer varieties. Both spelt and buckwheat have a nutty flavour that works well for muffins and using sprouted options ensures maximum nutrient bioavailability. Continue Reading →
Berry Chia Jam
One of the most common ways to preserve the bounty of our summer berries is by turning them into jam. The process can be a bit intimidating because the right temperature, sugar content and pectin levels have to be spot on. Out of the nutrition world has come a simpler process that utilizes chia seeds as the thickener. Continue Reading →
Pears Poached in Peach Juice over Chia Pudding
Poaching fruit in some kind of other fruit juice makes for a succulent, flavourful treat. Pears have a texture that holds up well and is transformed perfectly by poaching. They become extra sweet and velvety, plus they are neutral enough to take on other flavours well. I like to use bartlett pears that are just starting to soften, they should press in slightly to touch with a bit of pressure, but any variety can be nice. Continue Reading →
Creamy Nectarine Vanilla Cashew Smoothie
Smoothies can be as light or as decadent as desired. They can be filled with a myriad of superfoods or made from a few simple ingredients. This version is more of a dessert combination, made from only four ingredients- fresh nectarines, vanilla bean, cashew ice cream and cashew milk. The nectarines give it a sweet, summery flavour while the cashew ice cream and milk give it a velvety smooth, rich texture and the vanilla increases the decadent factor. Continue Reading →
Pancetta Leek Frittata with a Yam Base
There are few breakfast options more universal yet varied than bacon and eggs. Here I used thickly cut pancetta, a type of Italian bacon in a frittata, along with some leeks and a base of thinly sliced yams. Continue Reading →
Summer Fruit Skewers
Skewing fruits is a way to make fruit salad into finger food, an easy option for summer get togethers or for snacks on-the-go. This definitely doesn’t require a recipe or specific measurements. They can be more uniform with the fruits in the same order or they can be more sporadic. Continue Reading →
Mini Cherry Strawberry Chia Pudding Parfaits
These Canada Day inspired parfaits are made from layers of chia pudding, yogurt and pomegranate arils. The chia pudding at the base is only three ingredients- puréed cherries and strawberries with chia seeds. A little maple syrup would be the perfect addition for some extra sweetness. Continue Reading →