Vegan Hot Cocoa Crinkle Cookies

Merry Christmas! My Christmas wish is for everyone to enjoy a day filled with food, family, laughter and love. And COOKIES!

Today I'm sharing a special holiday cookie recipe that's vegan friendly and kid approved. I recently served these Hot Cocoa Crinkle Cookies as part of an all vegan spread at a kindergarten classroom holiday party, and they received such rave reviews from both parents and kids alike that I couldn't not share the recipe. Think of it as my little Christmas gift to you!

These cute little cookies are rich with chocolatey goodness and maintain an incredibly soft and chewy texture even days after baking them. I know because some of the leftovers came home with me and I marveled at their moistness several days later. If you like a cakey, brownie-like consistency to your cookie then these are the ones for you. I think the secret is in the applesauce- that can be our little secret. But the best part has to be those adorable teeny, tiny marshmallows that puff up as they bake and add a gooey, toasted element to an already dynamite cookie. Side note: you can find vegan marshmallows- they're out out there, but if you're not too strict on that type of thing just use the regular variety.

Serve these warm straight from the oven with a steaming mug of cocoa for the perfect wintertime treat. And don't skimp on the marshmallows in that cocoa, because there is no such thing as too many marshmallows.

makes about 3 dozen cookies
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
2½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup dutch-process cocoa powder
2 cups sugar
½ cup vegetable oil
¾ cup applesauce
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Several mini marshmallows

Instructions
1. In a small bowl whisk together flour, salt, and baking powder. Set aside.
2. In a medium bowl or electric stand mixer combine cocoa powder, sugar, vegetable oil, applesauce and vanilla extract until well blended.
3. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Gently knead into a ball of dough and wrap in plastic wrap. Chill for at least 2 hours.
4. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Bake for about 9 minutes, then remove cookies from oven and carefully press a few mini marshmallows into each cookie. Continue to bake for another 3-4 minutes or until marshmallows begin to puff and turn golden brown (cookies will look slightly under baked). Remove from oven and allow to cool for 2-3 minutes before transferring onto a wire rack to cool completely.

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Minty Tropical Green Smoothie

 I like to think that I'm somewhat of an early bird- I can rise and shine with the best of them, and I loathe sleeping in late. If I sleep in past 8:00am I can't shake the feeling that I'm racing to catch up with the rest of the day.

But every now and then I do need a little help catching the proverbial worm...they can be slippery little suckers sometimes. On days when I'm feeling sluggish a cup of coffee might certainly do the trick, but I'm not always in the mood for the bold flavor or strong jolt of 'alertness' that coffee provides first thing in the morning, and I definitely don't want to find myself roped into a daily caffeine habit, so I try to limit my intake to just a couple of cups per week anyway.

So, when coffee isn't on the agenda but I still need a little pick me up, this green smoothie is just the thing! It's such a sweet, gentle and sunny way to start the day. And with its velvety smooth texture, vibrant tropical flavors and a zing of minty freshness, I promise you can't even taste the obscene amount of kale in this smoothie that makes it so good for you. Plus, the chia seeds add some protein and fiber to keep you going strong until lunchtime...those pesky worms won't stand a chance.

makes 1 smoothie

Ingredients

1/2 cup frozen banana slices

1/2 cup frozen pineapple chunks

1-1/2 cups packed loose kale leaves, stems removed

1 small handful fresh mint leaves, chopped

1 tbsp. chia seeds 

1 cup coconut water

Instructions

1. Soak chia seeds in 1/4 cup coconut water for about 5 minutes. Add chia seed mixture and all remaining ingredients into a high-speed blender and pulse until a smooth consistency is reached. Pour into a glass and enjoy immediately.

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Chilled Melon Soup with Thai Chile Oil

I hear this California Indian Summer has every intention of sticking around for a little while longer, and while I'm mighty grateful for a slight dip in the temperature over the last couple of days, the fact of the matter is that I'm still lugging the fan around from room to room at home, sticking my head in the freezer in the kitchen and maxing out the A/C in the car.

But surely there must be other ways to stay cool besides sticking your face in a blast of cold air? Ah, yes. With food of course! Duh. While there are any number of lovely foods you could eat to help you chill out, I for one can't think of a better way to beat the heat than with a refreshing, cold soup. Heaven forbid we turn on the oven when it's pushing 90 (or even 80) outside!

This chilled melon soup comes together with minimal effort- just whiz all the ingredients in a blender, stick it in the fridge to chill and that's that. Well, that could be that if that's all you want, but why not double down on the cooling effects of this dish by whipping up a hot, spicy chile oil to drizzle into your soup?

What's that? You didn't know that eating spicy food can actually help to cool you down? Let me break it down for you real simple like: Eating spicy foods raises your internal temperature which causes you to sweat, and as the moisture evaporates, you are effectively cooled down. So there you go. Plus, it's super tasty and makes your melon soup way more badass.

serves 4
Ingredients
for the soup:
1 cantaloupe or Tuscan melon, seeded and chopped
1/2 cucumber, peeled, seeded and diced
1 large shallot, minced
1/2 cup water
3 tbsp. olive oil
salt and pepper, to taste
Thai basil leaves, for garnish
Thai chiles, thinly sliced, for garnish

for the chile oil:
1/2 oz. dried Thai chiles
1/2 tsp. Szechuan peppercorns
1/2 cup olive oil or peanut oil
pinch of salt

Instructions
1. Place melon, cucumber, shallot, water and olive oil in a blender or food processor and puree until smooth, Season to taste with salt and pepper. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until chilled.
2. To make chile oil, place chiles and peppercorns in a food processor and pulse until coarsely ground.
3. Heat olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat and add chile and peppercorn mixture. Continue to cook over moderate heat for an additional 5 minutes. Add salt, remove from heat and allow to cool completely before using.
4. To serve, ladle chilled soup into bowls and garnish with chile oil, chile slices and Thai basil.

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Vegan Birthday Cake Protein Shake

One of my most popular posts to date is the Pumpkin Spice Protein Shake that I created as a sort of healthy dupe to the omnipresent pumpkin flavored madness that descends upon us every Fall. I love making protein shakes in the morning- they're quick, filling, and depending on what you put in them, pretty darn nutritious. All in all, not a bad way to start the day.

But I have to admit, protein shakes can get pretty boring if you just stick to the same old tried and true combinations, so I wanted to try out another recipe that would elevate the protein shake from blah to bomb. Enter the birthday cake protein shake.

I've seen cake batter milkshakes out there that look sinfully delicious, so my challenge was to capture that essence in a healthier protein shake. Most rely on boxed cake mix to achieve the cake flavor and ice cream for the creamy frozen factor, so to give it a healthy makeover I subbed vanilla protein powder and a touch of vanilla and almond extracts for that cake-like flavor, as well as frozen banana (a wonderful nondairy alternative to ice cream). I'll admit that the sprinkles are not the most nutritious way to kick start your day, so feel free to skip if you're a stickler, but all those colorful little specks peeking out through the shake just add the perfect festive touch, don't you think?

Everything in this shake is vegan, even the whipped cream if you opt to make a coconut milk version. With a good dose of protein and potassium all for around 200 calories this is a smart breakfast choice that will make you feel like a 6 year old whose mom just let them lick the batter off the spatula.

Ingredients
1 sliced, frozen banana
1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1 packet vanilla protein powder (I love Tera's Whey)
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. almond extract
1 tsp. rainbow sprinkles
fresh whipped cream, for garnish (use coconut whipped cream to keep it vegan!)

Instructions
1. Add all ingredients except sprinkles to a blender and blend until well combined. Add sprinkles and pule 2-3 times to incorporate.
2. Pour into a glass and garnish with whipped cream.

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Vegan Shepherd's Pie with Cauliflower Puree

I'm taking a little hiatus from the holiday-themed dessert posts and swinging all the way to the opposite side of the pendulum with this recipe. I can only handle so much of a diet consisting primarily of sugary sweets and flour-laden treats before my insides cry out in despair for wholesome veggies- especially this time of year when seasonal obligations like Christmas shopping, holiday parties and baking are piled on top of the multitude of regular daily tasks we strive to accomplish. I don't know about you but I certainly can't afford a sugar crash in the midst of so much hustle and bustle...and forget about skipping meals because I'm too busy. You don't want to be caught anywhere near me when I'm hangry.

That's why I like to turn to dishes such as this vegetarian shepherd's pie that are loaded with vegetables and lean protein to nourish and fuel me through the holiday hullabaloo. The aggressive hunt for a parking spot, LOOONG lines at the store and endless gift wrapping all seem that much more bearable if I've got a good healthy meal in my belly to keep me going. And so much the better if said meal is something I can quickly prep, pop in the oven and enjoy for a few days to come, thereby cutting down on time spent in the kitchen and allowing more time for various errands. I secretly give myself a gold star for productivity whenever something like this happens.

This shepherd's pie is completely guilt-free: lentils (the steamed and ready variety from Trader Joe's makes this recipe a breeze), spinach, portobello mushrooms and other good-for-you ingredients are blanketed by a layer of vegan cauliflower puree, which seamlessly replaces the traditional mashed potato crust. Make a big batch for yourself and enjoy the leftovers for the remainder of the week, or prepare this in advance and reheat in the oven for an easy-peasy dinner for your holiday guests. Individual ramekin servings are optional- if you're feeling fancy.

makes 6-8 servings
Ingredients
for the filling:
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
3 carrots, chopped
1 tsp. fresh thyme, chopped
1/2 tsp. fresh rosemary, chopped, plus more for garnish
1 tbsp. garlic, minced
1 cup baby spinach
1 cup portobello mushrooms, sliced
1/2 cup vegetable or chicken broth
2 cups cooked lentils
salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

for the cauliflower puree:
1 head cauliflower
1/4 cup coconut milk
1/4 tsp. freshly ground nutmeg
salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Instructions
1. Remove the core of the cauliflower and chop the florets into medium sized pieces. Steam until florets are tender with a hint of crispness left, about 10-15 minutes (prick pieces with a fork to check for doneness). Reserve steaming water. Transfer half of cauliflower and coconut milk to a food processor and puree until smooth. Add nutmeg, salt, pepper and remaining cauliflower to food processor and puree again until smooth, adding steaming liquid by the tablespoon if necessary. Set cauliflower puree aside.
2. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large stockpot. Add onions, carrot thyme and rosemary and cook until vegetables begin to soften, about 7-8 minutes. Add garlic, spinach and mushrooms and continue to cook for another 1-2 minutes or until spinach begins to wilt.
3. Add broth and lentils to pot and cook until broth is almost completely absorbed. Season to taste with salt and pepper and transfer lentil mixture to a medium casserole dish or individual ramekins. Cover mixture with a layer of cauliflower puree and bake for about 20 minutes or until cauliflower puree begins to brown (broil for a few minutes if desired). Garnish with fresh rosemary and serve.

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Mango Vegetable Spring Rolls with Ginger-Date Dipping Sauce

Today's recipe is one I adapted from Tone it Up, an online fitness and nutrition community I have been following for the past couple of years. Trainers Karena and Katrina are two personal trainers who have developed a uniquely interactive online health and lifestyle website. They primarily post fun workout challenges and videos, but I especially love to browse their site for healthy recipe inspirations. These Mango Vegetable Spring Rolls are just one of the many health conscious dishes that they created for their nutrition plan. They spring rolls are crisp and colorful, and the date sauce is absolutely to. die. for. I may or may not have licked the bowl.

This recipe is easily adaptable in that you can use whatever veggies you have on hand, which is exactly what I decided to do when I had a craving for something fresh and an abundance of produce just begging to be used. But the best part about this recipe, besides the fantastic flavor of course, is that the spring rolls are raw, vegan and gluten free- a triple threat. This is exactly the sort of thing to have for a post-Thanksgiving detox meal after the turkey and mashed potato leftovers are long gone. Your waistline (and your taste buds) will thank you!

adapted from Toneitup.com
Ingredients
for the dipping sauce:
1/4 cup gluten free tamari
6 dates
2 tsp. fresh grated ginger
1 garlic clove
3 tsp. toasted sesame oil
2 tsp. white miso
2 tbsp. lime juice

for the spring rolls:
1/2 cup baby spinach leaves
1 mango, sliced into matchsticks
1/2 bell pepper, sliced into matchsticks
1 carrot, peeled and sliced into matchsticks
1 avocado, thinly sliced
1/2 cup basil, chopped
8 chives
4 rice paper wraps

Instructions
1. To make the dipping sauce, place tamari, dates, ginger, garlic, sesame oil, miso and lime juice in a food processor and blend until smooth. If the sauce appears too thick, thin out by adding water 1 teaspoon at a time and pulsing until a desired consistency is reached.
2. Dampen the rice paper wraps by soaking them individually in a shallow bowl filled with lukewarm water for 15-30 seconds. Spread on a flat, clean surface. Bundle spinach in the center of the wrap followed by 1/4 of each of the remaining ingredients.
3. Grab end of rice paper closest to you and fold over ingredients, tucking as you go. Fold in each side and continue to roll away from you. Halve diagonally and serve with dipping sauce.

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Vegan Linguine with Chipotle Pumpkin Cream Sauce + Giveaway!

If you have ever purchased a can of chipotles in adobo for a recipe only to use one or two peppers and leave the remainder sitting in the can in the back of your fridge indefinitely, you're not alone- I'm right there with you. The smoked, dried jalapeño peppers pack such a flavorful punch that you'll rarely ever need an entire can for one dish, so the rest sadly often goes to waste. But this conundrum is now solved with an ingenious product I recently discovered called Olo's Chipotle Paste.

Similar to the tubes of tomato paste you may already be familiar with- because who ever uses a whole can of tomato paste in one fell swoop, really- all natural pureed chipotle is packed in a resealable aluminum tube for a practically everlasting shelf life. And the fine paste consistency conveniently allows you to skip the step of seeding and mincing your chipotles, a worthwhile advantage in my opinion. 

I was eager to play around with my new find, so when I came across this recipe from fellow food blogger Stefanie at Sarcastic Cooking I knew I had to recreate it. Her Fall-inspired chipotle pumpkin linguine is unique and and comforting, and you would never know that it's a vegan dish from the looks of it, or the taste! I adapted it only slightly by adding a touch of agave syrup at the end; I think the hint of sweetness is the perfect thing to balance the smoky spice of the chipotle. 

Definitely give this recipe a try- it would be brilliant as a vegetarian main course with fresh sautéed veggies added to it (think zucchini, tomatoes corn or peppers), or wonderful as a side dish alongside pan seared chicken or a roasted pork tenderloin.

Olo Foods was kind enough to send me a tube of their All Natural Chipotle Paste to give away so that you can make this and many other chipotle recipes of your own at home! To enter this giveaway, complete the following steps:

1. Leave a comment below telling me what you would make with Olo's Chipotle Paste!

2. Follow me on Twitter.

3. Add me on Facebook. 

I'll announce a winner via Facebook on November 1st. Good luck!

adapted from Sarcastic Cooking
serves 2
Ingredients
1 tbsp olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp-1tbsp chipotle paste (or canned chipotle in adobo)
3/4 cup pureed pumpkin
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
2 tsp agave syrup
4  oz dried linguine pasta
2 tbsp roasted pumpkin seeds
1 tbsp fresh cilantro leaves
Salt, to taste

Instructions
1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and add linguine. Cook until pasta is al dente, then drain and set aside.
2. Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and chipotle paste and cook for 1-2 minutes.
3. Add pumpkin puree and stir to combine. Gradually whisk in almond milk until well incorporated and bring to a simmer. Cook for a few more minutes until sauce is thickened and remove from heat. Add agave and season with salt.
4. Toss pasta with sauce and top with pumpkin seeds and cilantro.

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Vegan Tomato Tart

As many of you may know I have been having all sorts of fun lately creating recipes that utilize healthy ingredients as an alternative to the conventional components of a dish. For all my testing and tasting I have had pleasantly successful results. Healthy food can be so delicious if you commit to using fresh, vibrant ingredients! But this tart...wow. This tart is my swan song- it is vegan, no-carb, almost raw (I cooked the crust at 250 degrees rather than in a dehydrator for hours upon hours) and full of unbelievably rich flavor. And it's so pretty to look at, which basically makes you want to devour it immediately. Credit there is fully due to the gorgeous rainbow of cherry tomatoes I picked up at the farmers market, gotta enjoy them while we still can!

Who doesn't love to nibble on a dainty slice of tart alongside a simple green salad...it just makes one feel so fancy, doesn't it? The magic of this tart is walnuts, which stand in for a traditional buttery crust as well as a creamy, cheesy filling. You definitely get your daily dose of omega-3s with this tart, and none of the guilt!

Ingredients

for the crust:
3 cups walnuts
1 tbsp nutritional yeast
2 tbsp olive oil
¼ tsp. salt

for the filling:
3 cups walnuts, soaked overnight
3 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp olive oil
2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
1 tbsp nutritional yeast
1 tbsp fresh oregano, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 tsp salt
¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 handful basil leaves

Instructions
1. To make the crust, place the walnuts in a food processor and blend for about 10 seconds. Add remaining ingredients and pulse to combine.
2. Press the crust into a tart pan and bake at 250 degrees for about 1 hour or until firm to the touch. Remove from oven and cool completely.
3. To make the filling, combine all ingredients in a food processor and blend until a smooth, creamy consistency is reached. Add 1 tablespoon of water at a time if needed to reach desired consistency. 4. Transfer tomatoes to a baking sheet and warm in the oven for about 30 minutes at 250 degrees, until just softened.
5. To assemble, pour filling into cooled crust and arrange tomatoes on top. Garnish with basil and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow tart to set.

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Spicy Mango Chili Wraps

In preparation for some cooking lessons I'll be teaching soon, I have been experimenting with some new recipes lately that fit into the raw food, vegan and/or gluten free categories. Although I personally tend not to limit my diet in any particular way (let's put it this way, if I'm craving a croissant or a burger or gelato, I'm having it), I strongly believe in the philosophy of "everything in moderation". So I get a great sense of satisfaction from cooking and eating for health and vitality in order to balance out those times when I do choose to indulge. I often incorporate clean eating habits into my day to day meals, and it's quite a fun challenge coming up with new ways to make a healthy meal appealing and interesting.

 Wraps using lettuce, collard or beautiful red cabbage leaves are a clever way to omit gluten and carbs, and are every bit as satisfying as sandwiches, tacos or burritos. So when I came across the recipe for these Spicy Mango Chili Wraps on YouTube channel Tastemade, I absolutely flipped for the raw nut filling and knew I had to try it. This is the epitome of a raw food dish that doesn't leave you feeling deprived. The wraps are so vibrant and flavorful, you'll probably forget that it's a raw food altogether! The spicy, nutty filling is slightly reminiscent of a Thai peanut sauce but with a chunkier texture. And you can go crazy with the toppings- try it with jicama, carrots and sprouts, or just use what you already have on hand in your kitchen!

adapted from Raw. Vegan. Not Gross. 

makes 4-6 servings

Ingredients 

Shell Assembly:
1/2 head of red cabbage

1 bell pepper, cut into matchsticks

1 mango, thinly sliced

1 handful microgreens
4-6 chives (optional)

Filling:
1 tbsp sesame oil

¼ cup maple syrup

½ tsp salt

¼ cup almond butter

1 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp ginger, diced

¼ cup lemon juice 

½ cup walnuts

1 cup cashews 

1 tbsp chili flakes


1 tsp cayenne

 Instructions 
1. In a high-speed blender or food processor, puree all the filling ingredients, except the cashews. 

2. Add cashews and pulse it a few times, making sure to keep a chunky texture.
3. Now assemble: Lay out a cabbage leaf, placing a few tablespoons of the filling vertically down the center of the leaf. Arrange the bell pepper, mango and micro greens on top and secure with a chive, if desired.



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