Desserts

Coconut Matcha Pops

Transferring your warm Matcha Latte into something cooler for summer.

  • 1 400ml can of full-fat coconut milk
  • ½ cup of alternate milk- I used almond/coconut blend
  • 2-3 tsp. Matcha powder
  • Up to ¼ cup agave nectar (other sweeteners will also work)
  1. Mix matcha with couple tbsp of your alternate milk to create a paste. 
  2. Once the mixture is smooth, add remaining milk.
  3. Mix agave, matcha mix and coconut milk and freeze up to 4 hours.

These Pops are a great way to keep cool on those hot summer days without the guilty feeling. Coconut Matcha Pops are a sweet treat you can indulge in while still giving yourself the healthy goodness of our beloved Matcha. YUM!

Vegan Eggnog

‘Tis the season for some festive cheer!

With Christmas Eve upon us, it is time to soak in all things festive the next couple days or week – if you are so lucky. Christmas movies, holiday parties, long dinners with family and friends, sipping on festive drinks around the fire, Christmas music lingering in the background – I absolutely LOVE this time of year! With the merry spirit filling our home, I wanted to share something perfectly appropriate for this Christmas Eve. And what could be more merry than the beloved Christmas drink of Eggnog!

To be honest I have never been a real fan. I love the idea of this signature Christmas beverage and EVERY year, I give it a try hoping that I will like it, and am always left disappointed. Until now! Granted this isn’t the traditional Eggnog that many of you love so much, but it’s the next best thing or in my opinion – better than! The My New Roots, Creamy Eggnog Milkshake is beyond delicious! (I’ve made a couple changes based on what I had available).

This rich and creamy egg-less Eggnog is perfect any time of the day. Let it be the star at your Christmas brunch, part of your cocktail mix, or dress it up for dessert, which is what I am going to do, (and I won’t judge if you enjoy it more than once).

What makes this drink super nutritious and full of protein, fibre, and calcium is the sesame seeds. I had no idea how nutrient packed these little seeds were. They pack a great punch of essential minerals – calcium, magnesium, zinc, selenium, iron and copper – so you don’t need to feel guilty if you down a glass or two. 🙂

So please give it a try, I guarantee it’s better than anything store bought.

Vegan Eggnog (yields 2 servings)

  • 2 frozen bananas
  • 3-4 dried figs
  • 3 tbsp sesame seeds
  • 2 tbsp hemp hearts
  • 2 cups water (you could also use milk of choice – but not necessary!)
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 tsp nutmeg (freshly grated or ground)
  • 1/8 tsp ground clove
  • pinch of himalayan sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp pure maple syrup
  • juice of half of lemon
  • cinnamon sticks
  1. Place sesame seeds, figs and salt in a bowl. Cover with water and soak overnight or up to 8 hours. Drain and rinse well
  2. Place all ingredients in a blender and blend on high until completely smooth. Add spice to taste and water to desired consistency
  3. Pour and top with a sprinkle of cinnamon and a cinnamon stick

Vegan Eggnog

Happy Ho Ho! xx

Quinoa Cookies

Vegan. Gluten-free. Dairy-free. Absolutely delicious.

These quinoa cookies are quick to make, simple in its ingredients, easy to adapt and on the healthier side as far as treats go. If you are looking for a sweet treat that can double up as a quick grab and go snack with your morning coffee – these cookies are an obvious choice. You might want to opt out the chocolate for some dried fruit but in my opinion, a hint of chocolate is always welcome (especially when it’s the right chocolate). 🙂

These cookies are nutty in flavour with a touch of sweetness and the quinoa adds a slight crunch, (which I love). Next batch I’m going to try with a double up on the coconut, minus the chips – adaptations are just that easy with this one. I’d love to hear how you might switch this dish up.

Now for the real sell on these sweet bites. The plant based source Quinoa is a complete protein; packed with iron, zinc, B-vitamins, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, vitamin E and fibre. Adding this key ingredient to your baking is a big win over the traditional empty ingredients that go into the typical cookie. Plus, for those fighting allergens often related to our favourite baked goods (wheat/dairy), here is something for you. Check out this dish –

Quinoa Cookies (yields 20-24)

  • 2 cups cooked quinoa (let it cool before using)
  • 2/3 cup natural peanut butter (chunky or smooth)
  • 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
  • 1/4 teaspoon himalayan sea salt
  • 3/4 cup gluten-free rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened, shredded coconut
  • 1/2 cup dairy-free chocolate chipsIngredients - Quinoa Cookies
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  2. Combine quinoa, peanut butter, maple syrup, salt, and oats in a large mixing bowl. Using an electric mixer on low speed, combine ingredients well
  3. Stir in coconut and chocolate chips
  4. Scoop and mold dough into round, tablespoon-sized cookies onto baking sheet
  5. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until bottoms are nicely browned
  6. Let cool before storingQuinoa Cookie BatterQuinoa Cookies

Keep Sweet. xx

Coconut Baileys Irish Cream

When I think of Baileys Irish Cream, I associate the consumption with indulgence and am instantly taken back to the colder weather and the winter holidays. I feel nostalgic with the thought of sipping Baileys on ice, Christmas eve or enjoying a Baileys spiked coffee on a cold winter’s morning. Rarely, do I think to enjoy this decadent treat in the warmer months, until now.

Recently, I had been looking for a dairy free option that I could easily make at home with natural ingredients. I wanted to eliminate the unknowns of glycerol monostearate, maltodextrin, and artifical flavours, yet still satisfy that Irish cream craving.

As soon, as I stumbled upon this recipe on Oh She Glows, I knew it would be life-changing. 🙂 Angela Liddon, hits it right, every single time. With five simple, natural ingredients, this homemade treat offers a  hint of coconut and espresso, a dynamite combination. Let’s just say I may have over-indulged, it’s just that good.

Not only, does this vegan option hit the mark on taste, but this recipe is just as easy as picking up a “convenient” bottle at your local liquor store. I insist that you give this homemade recipe a try to see for yourself. From here on in, I will absolutely choose this version over store-bought each and every time.

My Saturday morning coffee on the front porch just got a whole lot better.

Coconut Milk BaileysHomemade Baileys Irish Cream (yields 3.5-4 cups)

  • 1 can light coconut milk
  • 1 can full-fat coconut milk
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 3/4 cup strong espresso, or to taste
  • 3/4-1 cup Jameson Irish Whiskey, or to taste
  • pinch of salt

Directions:

  1. In a medium or large pot, add the cans of coconut milk and whisk. Now whisk in the sugar. Bring to a low boil, stirring frequently. Simmer for about 8-10 minutes, while stirring frequently, until it cooks down and thickens slightly.
  2. Remove from heat and stir in the espresso or coffee.
  3. Add a pinch of salt and finally the Jameson, to taste. Make it as strong or weak as you prefer.
  4. Store in sealed jars and serve over ice, with coffee or tea, or in baked goods. The whiskey and espresso settles to the bottom of the jar slightly, so give it a good stir before using.

xx!

Lentil Nanaimo Bars

It took me a long time to master the word Nanaimo. It was always Nanaimano up until my first visit to Nanaimo, BC in 1995. It is still a running joke in the family. I grew up loving the sweet, creamy dessert of Nanaimo Bars, whether it was the original, mint, or peanut butter variation, I loved them all.

In time, I grew out of this favoritism and started to try out more interesting desserts. However, when I came across this recipe the nostalgic craving set in.

I would like you all to please note, this recipe is not necessarily going to replace the original ultra sugary, buttery classic Nanaimo bar, but the variation in taste + added nutritional value will make this switch much more favourable.

I was pleasantly surprised with this alternative. I dig that this recipe is not as sweet as the original Nanaimo bar, yet it fills all my top requirements in a dessert. Coconut, Nuts, Chocolate. The addition of lentils packs this dessert with protein, iron, zinc and copper. I am telling you it is well worth the try!

The original recipe is found here (this site has some great recipes). I did make a few slight variations which are added in below.

Lentil Nanaimo Bars

For the base:

  • 8 pitted Medjool dates
  • ¾ cups walnut pieces
  • ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
  • ¼ cup raw cacao powder or carob powder
  • 2 tbsp melted coconut oil

For the filling:

  • 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
  • ½ cup dry red lentils
  • ⅓ cup maple syrup
  • 2 heaping tbsp to ¼ cup melted coconut oil
  • 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract

For the topping:

  • 1 cup of dark chocolate

Instructions

  1. Place your lentils and one cup of water into a small pot. Bring to a boil, then simmer. Stir occasionally for about 12 minutes, until the lentils have broken down and the water is almost completely absorbed.
  2. While the lentils are cooking, prepare your base. Add the walnut pieces to a food processor and pulse 6-7 times until they are broken down to a rough meal. Add the dates, coconut, raw cacao/carob and coconut oil. Process until the mixture comes together, about one minute. You’ll be able to pinch the dough with your fingers and have it stay together.
  3. Line a 6 x 6-inch square pan with parchment paper (I used a 9×9 which worked just as well). Dump the base into the pan and press it down as evenly as you can.base
  4. Wipe out the bowl of your food processor with a kitchen towel or paper towel (it shouldn’t be too dirty). Add your one cup of shredded coconut to the bowl and blend for a minute or two, until it breaks down even more finely. Pour your cooked lentils, maple syrup, vanilla, and coconut oil into the processor and blend for 2-3 minutes, until the filling is smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust for sweetness if necessary.
  5. Pour the filling over the base and spread evenly. Pop the pan into the fridge to harden.filling
  6. Gently melt the dark chocolate bar and pour over the base. Chill in the fridge until set.topping

Keep an open mind with these, if it’s been years since you have had the original Nanaimo, it’ll be hard for you to taste the difference. Hope you enjoy!

Lentil Nanaimo BarTreat Yourself. xx