Tag Archives: almond milk

side dishes

Stuffed Squash with corn and beans

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Hope everyone had a great thanksgiving and shared meals with family, friends neighbors and strangers. My favorite time of the year filled with gratitude and understanding. Food is just a art form that brings people together to share, love, talk and be thankful for our blessings.

This dish was made as a part of our Thanksgiving feast. Any type of Acorn can be used but the cooking time would be longer for the ones with the thicker skin. I used the round green kind.

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Cut the squash in half, remove seeds and brush with olive oil infused with garlic, cayenne, coriander powder, 1tsp honey, salt and pepper.

Make the mix: enough for 3 round squash

Put the dry ingredients together:

1/2 cup cornmeal, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp coriander powder, 1/2 tsp cayenne, 1/2 tsp salt.

Put the wet ingredients together:

2 cups crushed organic corn kernels ( you can use a food processor)

1 cup cooked black beans

1 cup almond milk, 2 eggs, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 cup shredded cheddar, 1/2 cup cream cheese, 1 chopped tomato, 1 tsp chopped and deseeded jalapeño chili, salt and pepper to taste

Combine the wet and dry ingredient and stuff the squash.

Bake in 350 degree oven for 40 to 45 minutes until cooked. Top with fresh cilantro and a dash of lemon juice.

Food

Power Workout Muffins

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If you need that little nutritional boost before and after a workout, this may become a staple. The ingredients are protein packed and what you need to muscle up. I originally saw this recipe by Peggy K on Z living but it has been adapted. I made a batch on Sunday and froze a few to be used during the week for a pre workout energy boost.

2-IMG_3174I have to say that there are many ingredients in this recipe but each add their own nutritional value so feel free to substitute keeping in mind that this is a muscle healthy muffin.

Here is the recipe

Dry ingredients ( combine and sift)

1 cup brown rice flour,

3 tablespoon maca powder

1/2 cup spelt flour

1 cup oatmeal

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 cup coconut palm sugar

pinch of salt

Wet ingredients ( combine)

1 cup almond milk

1 ripe mashed banana

2 tablespoon coconut oil

1/2 cup almond butter

1 tbsp chia seeds soaked in 5 tbsp of water

1 tsp vanilla extract

Extras

1/2 cup dry red cherries

1/2 cup almonds or walnuts

1/2 cup coconut flakes

Combine the wet ingredient with the dry and stir to mix. Add the extras. The batter should look like a thick pancake batter so if it is too thick you can add additional almond milk.

Bake in a muffin pan coated with coconut oil at 350 for 25 to 30 mins.

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Juice and smoothies

Sweet Basil seed drink- Bebr-i-buel

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Bebr-i-buel made with sweet basil seeds is a popular drink in Kashmir primarily used during the month of Ramadan to break fast.

It can be used year round and has a cooling effect. Similar to Chia seeds, basil seeds have been used in food preparation for a long time in the Indian subcontinent. Basil as a herb is used in a variety of cuisines. The seeds form a gelatinous substance in the water that has a cooling effect and other medicinal properties.

Basil seeds are soaked in water for hours before they are mixed milk and sugar. Sometimes people also mix granules of gum arabic (kateer in local parlance) along with it to add cooling effect of the drink.

Apart from refreshing the body it acts as cardio tonic, helps in blood purification, proper functioning of kidney, and cleans urinary system.

Soak a couple of tablespoons of the seeds with a pinch of ground Katheer ( optional) for a couple of hours or overnight.

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2-IMG_0487Once the seeds are puffed up they are ready to use

1-IMG_0498Add to chilled Regular or Almond Milk ( I used almond milk) with a tsp of palm sugar to taste.

A refreshing drink that will lift your mood!

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Food

Coconut Kheer ( coconut rice pudding)

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This turned out so good that I had to write this blog. Something about kheer is so comforting, this is a twist on the traditional recipe making it a little healthier with all natural ingredients.

1-IMG_2109 2-IMG_2112 3-IMG_21182 cups or whole milk

2 cup coconut or almond milk

1/2 cup rice, soaked overnight

coconut palm sugar ( 1 cup or to taste)

1 tablespoon butter

1 tablespoon psyllium husk

1/2 cup shredded coconut ( i used the frozen kind)

1/4 cup almond slices

6-7 pods of green cardamon (crushed), pinch of saffron strands

Fry the rice for a few minutes in the butter, add milk and let it cook for a hour until the milk is reduced. I used a hand blended for a few seconds to crush the rice.

Add the coconut, sugar and cardamon and cook another 10 mins

Add psyllium, saffron and almonds and remove from heat.

Let it set for a few hours and top with berries.