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Pasta is synonymous with happiness. Well, not really, but it should be. I would eat pasta every day if it were healthy to do so. One of my favourite things to do is try to make pasta bit healthier – such as using a gluten-free or brown rice pasta, and making the sauces out of things like vegetables and beans.

Then again, sometimes you just need a good old-fashion comfort food pasta. I love Stroganoff and knew I wanted to veganize a recipe. I began searching for different ones online, and while there are lots of great ones – like this one from Caitlin of From My Bowl – I knew I wanted to play around and see what I could come up with.

This instantly became one of my favourite recipes. It’s a super easy, one-pot mushroom-stroganoff style pasta. It’s dairy free, vegan, and can be customized in a ton of different ways! !

Best of all it’s easy, quick, and can be made in just one pot!

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Notes:

  • When adding your pasta, the liquid should be just covering the pasta. Depending on the pasta you’re using, you may need to add an extra 1-2 cups water.
  • I decided to add extra pasta for leftovers, so I added an extra 1 & 1/2 cups water.
  • The beefless ground is optional but adds extra heartiness, protein, and that “traditional” stroganoff texture. You could substitute this with lentils!
  • Omit sprinkle of vegan cheese for a healthier option
  • You can use any type of pasta, but I prefer gluten-free. It’s healthier and easier on the stomach! My current favourite is the Catelli Gluten-Free pasta, or brown rice pasta.

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While the name sounds lengthy and slightly pretentious, I had to share this recipe with you – and I really couldn’t decide what to name them! I accidentally stumbled upon these snickerdoodle cookie/biscuit hybrids while experimenting in the kitchen. I was originally inspired by these Pumpkin Snickerdoodles created by VeganRicha, and wanted to see what I could come up with.

These are a more dense cookie that’s almost a hybrid between a biscuit and a cookie in texture. It’s got a pumpkin caramel, which I also made following the recipe on Vegan Richa’s blog. It’s super easy and so delicious! They can easily be made gluten-free, and are free of dairy and lower in fat than your average cookie, as they contain no butter or eggs!

They take about 25-30 minutes in total, and are great for a last minute treat to bring to a party. The pumpkin spice flavour is subtle, and paired with the sweetness of the maple glaze, they’re highly addictive! Also, why do more cookies not come glazed?! It’s like the lovechild of a donut and a cookie.

p1250645I used mainly organic coconut palm sugar as the sweetener, but you could definitely use brown sugar/cane sugar instead for a sweeter cookie, or if coconut sugar isn’t easy to find where you live.

Makes about 15-22 cookies depending on how big you make them! 

Ingredients: 

  • 1 cup flour (I use all-purpose, but use your preference. Gluten free flour, spelt flour, etc.)
  • ⅛ tsp salt
  • 1 Tbsp cornstarch
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice (or you can make this using cinnamon, nutmeg, a tiny bit of ginger)
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 Tbsp oil (I used natural grapeseed, but you could also use coconut oil, or melted vegetable shortening)
  • 1 tbsp pure pumpkin puree
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsp sugar (I used coconut palm sugar, but you could use brown sugar, cane sugar, or whichever your preference.)
  • ½ cup spiced pumpkin caramel (this works as the binder and the sweetner. It helps to prevent the pumpkin puree from being too watery and resulting in overly wet cookies.)

Cinnamon Sugar Coating: 

  • 2 Tbsp sugar (you want something with larger granules, such as cane sugar.)
  • 1 tsp cinnamon (ground works best)

Maple Glaze

  • 1 tbsp non-dairy milk (unsweetened preferably. I use almond milk)
  • 1 tbsp Maple Syrup
  • 1-4 cup icing sugar/confectioners sugar. Add extra in small amounts if your glaze looks too liquidy.

 

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Mix the flour, cornstarch, salt, spices, baking soda, and baking powder in a medium sized bowl. Mix until combined.
  3. Stir in the pumpkin “caramel,” vanilla, oil/melted shortening, and vanilla. Stir/mix until it forms a dough. If it seems dry or crumbly, add about a tbsp of milk.
  4. Depending on your taste, you may want to add an extra tbsp of sugar. I opted for a less-sweet cookie, as I knew I wanted to dip these in the maple glaze.
  5. Scoop the dough using a spoon, and roll into a ball. I opted for about the size of a ping pong ball. Lightly roll the balls into the cinnamon sugar mixture, and press down with a fork to gently flatten.
  6. Bake for approximately 8-10 minutes for a smaller cookie, and 10-12 for a larger cookie.
  7. Place on a cookie sheet to cool for a couple minutes, then dip in the glaze and return to cookie sheet to cool and dry! The glaze should be set after about 20 minutes or so.
  8. Dust lightly with icing sugar for a more Christmasy look if you’d like!

For the Glaze:

  • Sift the icing sugar into a bowl
  • Stir in milk and maple syrup, and mix until well combined
  • If it’s too liquidy, add a little bit more icing sugar.
  • If it’s too thick, add a little more milk or maple syrup.
  • The glaze is ready when it’s it somewhat slowly drips off your fork/spoon. You should be able to dip the cookies into the glaze, and the excess glaze should drip off. If you try to dip your cookie and the glaze sort of smushes around, then it’s definitely too thick and needs more liquid.

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I’ve had a slight addiction to recipe experimentation lately – particularly when it comes to donuts. For Blogmas day 19 (even though this will be going up 4 minutes after midnight due to yet another day of technical difficulties) I thought I’d share this recipe for apple spiced donut bites! They’re ridiculously easy to make, and can be customized in a multitude of ways. They’re completely dairy free, as well as vegan-friendly!

They’re also free of added fat, and sweetened with organic cane sugar, maple syrup, and applesauce! They taste like apple spice, and are so perfect for the holiday season!

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Ingredients:

  • 2.5 cups flour (you can use whole wheat pastry flour, gluten-free flour, whatever your preference. I typically just use all purpose flour)
  • 1/2 cup sugar (coconut sugar or organic cane sugar preferably)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice (basically cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves)
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup applesauce (unsweetened)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 & 1/3 dairy-free milk (I prefer unsweetened almond milk)
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 small-medium apple, finely chopped (optional, but it really adds flavour and moisture!)

Glaze: 

  • 2/4 cup powdered sugar (sifting it works best!)
  • 2 tablespoon maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon milk

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Directions: 

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray a mini muffin tin with a vegetable-based cooking spray. (You could also use a little bit of coconut oil if you prefer)
  2. Mix together milk and apple cider vinegar, then set aside
  3. Sift together flour, salt, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice in a large bowl.
  4. Add the vanilla and applesauce to the milk mixture you made before, and stir well
  5. Add the wet ingredients (milk mixture) to the dry mixture, and stir. Be careful not to over mix! Just mix until it’s combined.
  6. You can use a donut pan, or a mini muffin pan like I use. You can spoon them into the pan or use a piping bag for a more precise donut! Fill each spot in the pan about 3/4
  7. Bake for about 10-12 minutes (10 was just about perfect for my convection oven.) You can use the toothpick test to see if it comes out clean, but I advise against using the “touch the top to see if it bounces back” because when warm the donuts will be squishy. It’s very easy to overcook these! They also likely won’t be all perfectly golden brown.
  8. Let cool in the pan for about 5 minutes and then pull them out. Transfer to a cooling rack and let cool for a few minutes longer.
  9. Dip the cooled donut into the glaze, lightly twisting. Holding the donut upright, allow some of the excess glaze to drip off before placing it on the cooling rack to set. Once they’ve set, you can dip them a second time if you’d like! You can also drizzle the glaze if you prefer. The glaze is set once it’s not wet or sticky to the touch!
  10. Store in a cool, dry place. They will last for up to 5 days

For the glaze: 

  1. Sift powdered sugar into a small bowl
  2. Add the maple syrup and milk, then stir. If it’s too thick, add about a teaspoon more of milk. The texture shouldn’t be liquidy, but should drip.  If you try to dip your donut into the glaze, and the glaze just clumps without spreading or dripping, then you need to add more milk.

 

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My second What I Eat In A Day video consisted of lots of green skin-loving goodness! A breakfast smoothie full of anti-inflammatory skin boosting ingredients, quick snack/lunch, and creamy veggie pasta.

Once again I slept in rather late (what can I say, I’m a night owl) so I had a late breakfast. In between my snack/lunch I had some grapefruit and some cucumber, I just forgot to record it!

I hope you enjoy! Make sure to check out my new food Instagram page for daily inspiration!

(Also, this video was technically posted 44 minutes past midnight, so I know it’s late! Youtube was not cooperating, so just pretend it actually posted on the 13th!) 

Check out my previous What I Eat In A Day video here!

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I don’t know about you, but Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without delicious treats. Christmas baking has always been one of my favourite aspects of the holiday season – it’s something I’ve always shared with my mom and always looked forward to. This year, I wanted to include more dairy-free/allergy friendly recipes.

Whether you’re allergic, sensitive, vegan, or just looking for healthier alternatives (believe it or not, dairy is actually not healthy!) this recipe is one of my new favourites. I thought it would be perfect for Blogmas day 10 (I posted it 4 minutes past midnight, so technically it went up on the 11th. Sue me, I’m a busy gal)

You get rich, decadent, fudgy brownies without all the refined sugar and guilt.

Surprisingly, not eating dairy or reducing your dairy intake doesn’t mean you have to give up chocolate! It just means switching to different types of chocolate – real chocolate with higher percentages of cocoa or cacao rather than milk. Many types of dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips are already dairy free!

There are a ton of ways this recipe can be customized – for example, using a gluten free flour, omitting the nut butter for anyone with allergies (and instead replacing it with banana or applesauce) amongst many others!

This recipe is incredibly easy, yet ridiculously delicious! I hope you enjoy!

Ingredients:

  • ½ cup organic sugar or coconut sugar (regular sugar is fine too, but I like coconut sugar or organic brown sugar for a healthier/cruelty free version)
  • ¾ cup cocoa powder
  • ¼ cup melted coconut oil (for a creamier brownie, add 1-2 extra tbsp)
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup
  • 1-2 tsp vanilla extract (depending on your taste preference! I love vanilla, so I usually do 2 tsp)
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ almond butter (natural, pure. You can also switch this for banana or applesauce!)
  • 2 flax eggs (2 tablespoons ground flax + 6 tablespoons water. Mix together then let sit in the fridge for about 10-15 minutes until it forms a goopy “egg” texture!) 
  • ¼ cup flour (If you prefer a thicker, more dense brownie then add an extra 2 tbsp!
  • ½ cup dairy-free chocolate chips (I use the Presidents Choice Semi Sweet Chocolate chips, but many brands have them.  Just make sure to read the ingredients!

 

Instructions: 

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Line an 8×8 baking pan with parchment paper
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the sugar, maple syrup, almond butter, and melted coconut oil. Whisk together until mixed – it will almost look like caramel!
  3. Add cocoa powder in small amounts at a time, whisking until it looks smooth. Add Vanilla and salt, then keep mixing until just combined.
  4. Gently pour in the flax eggs, whisking until well mixed. In small amounts at a time, whisk in the flour. It will thicken and get more difficult to mix, so switch to a wooden spoon or rubber spatula!
  5. Gently pour in the chocolate trips, folding to mix. Smooth the mixture with your rubber spatula until it’s all evenly spread.
  6. Bake for 25-30 mins. Let cool for approximately 1/2 hour to 1 hour (if you can wait that long! I usually can’t!)
  7. If desired, sprinkle with powdered sugar for a snow effect and some added sweetness

 

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