Pumpkin Pie Chia Seed Pudding Oats

Posted in Breakfast, Dessert, Gluten Free, Lunch, Refined Sugar Free, Sides and Snacks, Vegan, Vegetarian by naturalnoshing

Pumpkin season is in full swing, and I am holding onto the few remaining weeks that I can go gaga over all things pumpkin spice without receiving excessive eye rolls. This chia seed pudding with gluten-free rolled oats is no exception! It’s super quick recipe that you can adapt to your dietary needs, and can be enjoyed as a breakfast on-the-go, post-workout meal or a healthy dessert. It’s ready in 5 minutes to throw in the fridge to sit for a few hours or overnight to enjoy at a moment’s notice.
This pudding is a delicious balance of high-fiber from the chia seeds, oats and pumpkin puree and is loaded with over 22 grams of protein (if you choose to add a scoop of powdered collagen or 1/2 scoop of your favorite protein powder, without that addition you still get a whopping 12 grams).

It’s thick and pudding-like, but that’s adaptable too if you prefer a more runny version. If you are grain-free, keto or paleo, eliminate the oats and add shredded coconut to keep you on track. The addition of ground cinnamon, a dash of nutmeg and ground ginger adds sweetness and helps balance out your blood sugar too.
This recipe is for one serving, but can easily be doubled or quadrupled if desired for easy meal prep. It will last in the fridge for several days after you make it too, so go ahead and prep a few ahead of time.

Pumpkin Pie Chia Seed Pudding Oats
Gluten-free, Grain-free/Paleo/Keto option, Vegan Option, High-Protein, Quick, No-Cook
Serves 1

Ingredients
1/3 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
1/4 cup unsweetened non-dairy yogurt (I used unsweetened vanilla coconut)
1/2 cup unsweetened non-dairy milk of choice*
2 Tbsp chia seeds (*see below for keto/paleo/grain-free)
1/3 cup uncooked gluten-free rolled oats (**see below for keto/paleo/grain-free)
1 scoop collagen powder (I used Primal Kitchen vanilla coconut) or 1/2 scoop of your favorite unflavored or vanilla protein, optional***
3 shakes of ground cinnamon
dash each of ground ginger and ground nutmeg
natural sweetener of choice to taste (***I used 4-5 drops of liquid monk fruit since the collagen powder was slightly sweetened but you can use maple syrup, erythritol, honey, agave, coconut sugar, date syrup or stevia)

Toppings (optional for serving)
chopped nuts such as walnuts or pecans (eliminate for nut-free)
additional non-dairy yogurt

Directions
1. In a jar or small container with a lid, add all of the ingredients from pumpkin puree to sweetener. Stir with a spoon until mixed thoroughly (it will be thick).
2. Cover with a lid and set in the fridge to sit for 4 hours or overnight. Enjoy!

Recipe Notes
* If you prefer a more runny pudding (I like mine really thick), add an additional 1/4 -1/2 cup non-dairy milk
**For Keto/Paleo and/or grain-free, eliminate the oats and add 1 additional tablespoon of chia seeds and 2 Tbsp shredded coconut
***If you use a sweetened protein powder, you may not need to add sweetener or atleast use a lot less. Taste the mix and adjust to taste. If you follow a low carb, no sugar or keto diet, use stevia, monk fruit or erythritol

For more pumpkin-y recipes to squelch your craving, check out my Grain-free Pumpkin Pancakes , Creamy Spiced Pumpkin Dip, Pumpkin Pie Smoothie and my Pumpkin-Bluberry Breakfast Crisp for One!

20Nov2016

Peach and Blueberry Cobbler (SRC)

Posted in Breakfast, Dessert, Gluten Free, Refined Sugar Free, Vegan, Vegetarian by naturalnoshing

Pies, cobblers, crisps…talk about comfort food! A sweet and cake-y or crumbly topping paired with a warm fruit filling make for the ideal combination of a flavors and textures that scream EAT ME NOW. Cobbler transports me back to vacation days at my grandparent’s in South Carolina…and my cousins, brother and I couldn’t wait to taste grandma’s homemade treat. Topped with her homemade peach ice cream, we all reached food nirvana (and a blissful sugar-induced coma)!

I was thrilled to be assigned Margaret’s Tea and Scones blog for the last hurrah for the Secret Recipe Club! It’s the final reveal for the club, and I want to all the hosts and members for making so many wonderful memories and fantastic recipes 🙂 For the finale, I couldn’t help but choose a “sweet ending” and a dish that evokes a huge heartfelt smile…so when I saw Margaret’s recipe for Peach Cobbler, I was sold.
Originally, I was deciding between Margaret’s Coconut and Salmon Laska Soup or her Chai Spice Scones yet a dessert seemed appropriate for this occasion, and I was not disappointed! I can’t wait to try other fruits and combos as well! A few other recipes that had me still loving fall flavors are her Sweet Potato Praline Brownies, Pumpkin Beer Bread and Sweet Potato Curry Puffs — there’s no denying winter squash and sweet taters are some of my favorite foods. They are most definitely on my list of dishes to try!

peach-blueberry-cobbler1

To make it allergen-friendly, I swapped out the all-purpose flour and whole wheat flours for a combo of oat flour and coconut flour to make it gluten-free. Margaret mentioned the cobbler needed to be a little sweeter so I opted for coconut sugar for the granulated sweetener and added some stevia to bump up the sweetness without a ton of added sugar. I also swapped non-dairy milk and butter-flavored coconut oil for the butter (and canola) to make it dairy-free. I had a few blueberries in the freezer and some leftover ground chia seeds so I tossed them in along with the frozen peaches for some added color, fiber and omega-3s. What a lovely recipe, the blueberry-peach reminded me so much of my sweet grandma! With these ingredients – oats, peaches, berries, coconut oil and chia…this made for a guilt-free yet decadent-tasting breakfast and a sweet AND satisfying dessert.

Peach and Blueberry Cobbler (adapted from Tea and Scones)
Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Egg-free, Soy-free, Corn-free, Refined Sugar-free, Vegan, Vegetarian, Nut-free, Seed-free

Filling
3 large ripe peaches or 3 cups unsweetened frozen sliced peaches, diced into 1 inch cubes
2/3 cup fresh or frozen blueberries (or berries of choice or more peaches)
1 tsp fresh lemon juice
¼ tsp ground cinnamon
4 tsp chia meal/ground chia seeds (or 2 tsp arrowroot starch or cornstarch)
1/8 tsp pure stevia and/or 3-4 tbsp granulated sweetener of choice

Topping
3/4 cup oat flour (I ground gluten-free rolled oats in a magic bullet)
2 Tbsp coconut flour (or 4 more Tbsp oat flour)
¼ cup coconut palm sugar or granulated sweetener of choice
15 drops vanilla-flavored liquid stevia or to taste (can use1/16 tsp powdered stevia or 3 more Tbsp granulated sweetener)
1 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp sea salt
1/2 cup non-dairy milk of choice
3 Tbsp coconut oil (I used butter-infused) or earth balance, ghee (if you can tolerate dairy), melted
¼ tsp ground cinnamon

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.

2. To make the filling, if using fresh peaches, bring a 4-quart pot of water to a boil and fill a large bowl with ice water. With a paring knife, slice through each peach skin from end to end, but leave the peach intact. Place the peaches in the boiling water for 30 seconds. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the peaches to the ice water for 30 seconds. Remove the skin from the peaches. Split the peaches in half, remove the pits, and slice each peach into 8 slices.

3. In a large bowl, toss together the sliced peaches, berries, lemon juice, cinnamon, and starch. Add the brown sugar, 1 teaspoon at a time, to taste depending on the sweetness of the fruit. Pour the peach mixture into an 8-inch square baking dish.

4. To make the topping, in a medium bowl, whisk together the flours, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the milk, butter, and oil and stir to combine. Distribute spoonfuls of the batter over the peaches, leaving some patches uncovered. Sprinkle with the cinnamon. Bake until golden brown, 25-28 minutes.

Yields 4 large or 6 medium servings
peach-blueberry-cobbler-pan

To view other recipes from this month’s reveal, click the link below!

31Oct2016

Chubby Hubby Collagen Bars (No-Bake)

Posted in Dessert, Gluten Free, Refined Sugar Free, Vegan, Vegetarian by naturalnoshing

Chocolate and peanut butter is my go-to combo when I am craving a dessert or a sweet treat. I’ve been known to take a big spoonful of nut butter and sprinkle chocolate chips for a pick-me-up or slather a generous helping of peanut butter over a chocolate bar when I am craving a Reese’s cup. I’ll happily admit that…and the fact that this gal loves her chocolate. No shame here 🙂

When I came across these beauties from Brown-Eyed Baker, I knew I needed to make an allergy-friendly version! They almost have a Halloween-ish feel to them as well with the colors and the pretzels – so HAPPY HALLOWEEN…and what better way to celebrate than with a treat?!

chubbyhubbybars2

These bars are inspired by Ben and Jerry’s Chubby Hubby ice cream, which I used to adore. A sweet and salty combo will win me over every time when having to choose between an overly sweet option. There’s something about the contrast that really reels me in. I’ll sprinkle a bit of sea salt over most desserts for that little “extra something” almost every time.

A more bitter dark chocolate is always my favorite but if a sweeter chocolate is your preference, that can certainly be substituted. If you have a peanut or nut allergy or avoid legumes, use sunflower seed butter (which tastes the most like peanut butter) or substitute your favorite nut butter such as hazelnut, almond or cashew butter for a different flavor. I’ve been loving on collagen lately so I’ve been coming up with ways to incorporate it into different recipes (read about health benefits here); however for a vegan or vegetarian version, feel free to omit since it doesn’t effect the flavor.

These come together pretty quickly once you melt the chocolate. I had a bit of difficulty (and frustration since I wanted them to look pretty) when cutting these bars. so I imagine making individual portions in mini silicone muffin cups with mini pretzel twists would be even easier! I find the straight pretzel sticks in the cut bars pretty fun and aesthetically appealing but they are a pain if you’re looking for clean cuts. If you are anything like me, these won’t last long 🙂 Chubby Hubby Collagen Bars (inspired by Brown-Eyed Baker’s recipe)
Gluten-free, Vegan & Vegetarian option, Refined Sugar free Option, Dairy-free, Soy-free, Egg-free, Nut-free Option, No-Bake

Ingredients

10 oz bag Enjoy Life chocolate chips (or your favorite dairy-free chocolate or homemade chocolate)
2 cups gluten-free pretzel sticks (or gluten-free mini pretzel twists if making individual cups)
2 Tbsp coconut oil, melted (can use butter or ghee if not dairy-free)
2/3 cup all-natural creamy peanut butter (or favorite nut or seed butter if needed for allergy reasons)
1/3 cup coconut palm sugar, powdered or 4 Tbsp honey or agave (do not use honey if strict vegan)
3 scoops Vital Protein collagen peptides (blue lid — omit for vegetarian or vegan)

Directions

1. Line a 8×8 pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper and set aside (or you can make individual cups by using mini muffin silicone molds)

2. Place half of the chocolate in a medium bowl and microwave on 50% power in 30-second increments, stirring after each, until completely melted. Pour the chocolate into an even layer in the prepared pan (or divide evenly among mini silicone cups).

3. Gently place the pretzel sticks in an even layer on top of the melted chocolate, I broke them in half but this isn’t necessary. Place the pan in the refrigerator while you prepare the next layer.

4. Whisk together the melted oil and peanut butter, then whisk in the sweetener and collagen until completely smooth. Spread in an even layer over top of the pretzels.

5. Melt the remaining half of the chocolate using the same method as in step #2. Pour the melted chocolate over the peanut butter layer and use an offset spatula to spread in an even layer. Return to the pan to the refrigerator until set, about 30 minutes. Cut into bars and serve.

Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Makes 16 bars

16Oct2016

Palak Daal (Chickpeas with Spinach- SRC)

Posted in Gluten Free, Lunch, Main Dish, Refined Sugar Free, Vegan, Vegetarian by naturalnoshing

It snowed this week…yep, our first snow of the year already arrived! Growing up in a warmer Texas climate, the quick change of seasons in Montana never fails to catch me off guard 🙂 As the temperature drops, I find myself in the mood for more comfort meals as I warm up to the idea that winter is starting to dig in it’s heels for the long haul. Lentils and chickpeas are comfort foods in my book…not only do they have a creamy texture, they’re hearty and filling and can accompany a warm pita or can be used in skillet meals, breakfast dishes and even dessert. This dish for chickpeas and spinach served over cozy rice hit the spot!

Another idea I am still warming up to is this post is the second to last for the Secret Recipe Club monthly reveals. Sadly, we got the news this month that the club is coming to an end after 5 years… and I have so enjoyed my 4+ years in the club, I can’t believe it’s been that long! For this month, I was assigned The Big Sweet Tooth blog, and what fun I had searching through recipes and getting to know her Rafeeda! Her blog has a huge variety of recipes, with an extensive collection of Indian dishes. Amongst the many that piqued my interest are her Ripe Plantain Lentil Sweet Curry (the combination of ingredients plus the sweet and savory aspect are intriguing), her South Indian Rice Cakes (these are naturally gluten free and fermented!), and her Egg-free Mango Chocolate Marble Cake (this is a perfect fall-looking cake).

In the end, I chose Rafeeda’s Palak Daal (Spinach Lentil Gravy) recipe when I craving greens and beans, AND I had many ingredients on hand. If you enjoy curries and pulses (chickpeas/lentils etc), this is a definite keeper! I made a few adjustments based on the availability of ingredients: I used serrano peppers for the green chilis, swapped minced a garlic clove and 1/2 inch of fresh ginger instead of a ginger garlic paste and used chickpeas (chana dal) instead of red lentils as Rafeeda suggested. I also drizzled some lemon juice over the dish for acidity before serving since I love that extra little zing but feel free to omit if you prefer 🙂

Palak Daak (Chickpeas or Lentils with Spinach) lightly adapted from The Big Sweet Tooth

Gluten-free, Grain-free, Dairy-free, Vegan, Vegetarian, Nut-free, Soy-free, Sugar-free, Egg-free

Ingredients

¾ cup masoor lentil (can use chickpeas, red lentils)*
¼ tsp turmeric powder
sea salt to taste (I used 2 tsp)
1 tbsp coconut oil
1 tsp cumin seeds
½ tsp mustard seeds
2 serrano peppers, deseeded and minced (or 2 green chilies)
1 tsp ginger garlic paste (I used 1 garlic clove and 1/2 tsp freshly minced ginger)
1 onion, minced
1 bunch spinach, chopped thinly
¼ tsp turmeric powder
½ tsp red chilli powder (I found Kashmiri chili powder in the bulk section of our health food store)**
½ tsp garam masala powder
1 tsp fenugreek leaves (kasuri methi)
Sea salt to taste
a drizzle of fresh lemon juice, lime juice or apple cider vinegar (I used roughly 2 tbsp)

Instructions

Pressure cook the lentils/chickpeas in sufficient water with turmeric and salt. (I’m not that familiar with pressure cooking though I own one so I followed these instructions for cooking but used 3/4 cup chickpeas and the tumeric and salt in the recipe above).
In a saucepan, heat coconut oil over medium-high heat. Crackle the cumin and mustard seeds.
Add the serrano/green chillies and ginger garlic paste and saute until you smell a nice aroma.
Add the onions and saute until wilted, then sprinkle with little salt.
Add in the spinach and masala powders (tumeric through garam masala) and saute till the spinach looks wilted.
Add the cooked chickpeas/lentils into the sauteed masala, cover and simmer for five minutes.
Add the fenugreek leaves and lemon/lime juice or apple cider vinegar and give a final mix. Taste and season with additional salt if desired.
Serve warm with rice or rotis.

Notes

*You can use any daal of your choice instead of chana dal (chickpeas) – masoor dal (red lentils) and moong daal (split green gram) 🙂

** If you cannot find the Kashmiri chili powder, you can substitute a mixture of paprika and cayenne pepper – about 3 parts paprika to 1 part cayenne pepper.