{Print Via LilyandVal}

“Cooking is at once child's play and adult joy. And cooking done with care is an act of love.”

- Craig Claiborne

Recipe from the Food Network's Claire Robinson

2 cups baby pumpkin seeds (pepitas)

1 cup slivered almonds

3/4 cup raw sunflower seeds

6 tablespoons pure Grade B maple syrup

Coarse salt

1 cup dried cherries or cranberries

1. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.

2. In a large bowl, toss the pumpkin seeds, almonds, and sunflower seeds and the syrup until evenly coated. Spread the nuts and seeds out, in an even single layer, on the lined baking sheets and season with salt to taste. Bake the nuts, stirring several times with spatula or wooden spoon, until just golden, about 20 minutes.

3. Cool the nuts completely on the pan, then add the cherries and toss to combine. Store cooled trail mix in an airtight container at room temperature.

Lemon Blueberry Coffee Cake

1 c. fresh blueberries

3 Tbsp. brown sugar

3 Tbsp. butter, melted

1/2 c. sour cream

1 egg

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 lemon

1 c. Gluten Free all-purpose flour

1/3 c. sugar

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. xanthan gum

1/8 tsp. salt

1. In a bowl, combine blueberries and brown sugar; set aside.

2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease and flour an 8-inch round baking pan. 

3. In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, sour cream, egg, and vanilla.  Add the zest and juice of one lemon.  Add dry ingredients and stir until well combined. 

4. Spoon half of the batter into the baking pan.  Top with the blueberry mixture.  Spoon the remaining batter over the blueberries.

5. Bake for 20-30 minutes.  Serve warm.

Apple Cider Pound Cake

Ingredients:

3/4 cup non-dairy butter, softened

1-1/2 cups sugar

3 teaspoons egg replacer

1/4 cup hot water

1/4 cup applesauce

1-1/2 cups Gluten Free all-purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup apple cider

Gluten Free, vegan caramel icing

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray a 9x5 inch loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray.  Set aside.

In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.  In a separate bowl, dissolve egg replacer in hot water.  Add to the butter mixture and beat until combined.  Add in the applesauce; beat well.

In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, xanthan gum, and salt.  Add to the creamed mixture alternately with the cider, beating well after each addition.

Pour into the prepared pan.  Bake at 300 degrees for 45-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.  Cool completely.

Frost, as preferred and serve.

“There is no love sincerer than the love of food.”

- George Bernard Shaw, Man and Superman

Mexican Polenta Casserole

Recipe from the blog Kath Eats Real Food

Frozen peppers (3 cups)

Frozen corn (1 cup)

Diced tomatoes (1 can, drained)

Cooked navy beans (1 cup – you could use any kind of beans you like, canned or cooked from scratch)

Taco seasoning (a year-old packet – about a tbsp!)

Cumin, red pepper flakes, dried oregano and garlic powder – all to taste (about 1/2 tsp each?)

Polenta (2 servings, prepared)

4 oz shredded Mexican cheese

1. Heat peppers, corn, tomatoes and beans with seasonings until hot.

2. While veggies are cooking, boil water for polenta, add 1/2 a cup polenta and let thicken and cook for 5 minutes.

3. Pour veggie + bean mixture into a casserole dish. Top with polenta. If you have a shallow, wide casserole dish like I did, you will have to spread it out very thin. Top with cheese.

4. Bake at 350* for 15-20 minutes. Bottom layers will be loose, so take care when serving!

Peach & Cherry Crisp

{Photo via Bakers Royale}

Ingredients:

3 peaches, peeled and sliced

3 nectarines, peeled and sliced

1 lb. cherries, pitted

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1/2 cup sugar

3 Tablespoons cornstarch

1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

1 cup Gluten Free oats

1/2 cup rice flour

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

2 Tablespoons non-dairy butter, cold, cut into cubes

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease a 8" or 9" baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

Combine the peaches, nectarines, cherries, lemon juice, sugar, cornstarch, and pumpkin pie spice.  Toss well to combine; set aside.

In a separate bowl, combine oats, flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon.  Cut in the butter with a pastry blender or fork until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Spread the fruit mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking pan.  Sprinkle the top evenly with the oat mixture.

Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until bubbly and golden brown.  Serve warm.