OK, so here I go again! Yapping on again about my love of avocados! If you really hate avocados, then you might want to read another recipe blog. Because I am not going to stop! When we had people over for our taco buffet feast the other night, I whipped up this raw avocado pudding for dessert, with the left over avocados that were going to be past their peak in the morning! The results were pretty good. Well, there certainly wasn’t anything left in the trough. So I am guessing it was OK. My inspiration for this vegan avocado mousse was this famous raw avocado pudding in a macrobiotic restaurant I frequented on when I was touring with a show in Portugal many years ago. That raw avocado pudding still calls out to me in my sleep. Dear... Keep Reading

We made a fabulous vegetarian taco buffet this week, and it was sensational. You know how partial I am to the “come and help make dinner” dinner parties, where everyone congregates in the kitchen, and we make dinner together with everyone’s input. Our gluten fee pizza parties are always a hit. As are our gluten free pasta parties. We decided to switch gears this week and head to Mexico for inspiration. We made grilled onions, red peppers, zucchinis and spinach; home made gluten free corn tortillas; a stellar vegan guacamole (of course!); some fabulous fresh salsas; and a stupendous pico de gallo! The only thing missing, was a great vegan sour cream, which everyone took great pleasure in unanimously voting for. Now, you all know that I... Keep Reading

OK, so I promised I would post some more of the fabulous vegetarian recipes I made with Beth. So here is my favourite recipe! The piece de resistance. You won’t see me speechless about very much. But Beth and I were so overwhelmed by the surprising depth of flavour of this roasted sweet potato soup, that we could barely contain ourselves, and were literally speechless. I blended this vegan sweet potato soup up, gave Beth a taste, and she stood over the stove and just closed her eyes, as if she couldn’t quite get the full flavour burst unless she shut off her other senses and just focused on her taste buds. I dished the soup up into bowls, and we both sat down to enjoy an overflowing bowl, of what we both described as, “one of the best... Keep Reading

Today I continue my crusade against commercially produced salad dressings and marinades. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like a good ginger soy marinade, and this vegan marinade is dead easy. I did think twice before posting this quick and easy recipe, as I thought it was too basic even for THIS recipe blog! But then I remembered my many conversations at work, with people who have never made their own home made salad dressings and need a helping hand. I thought there might be more of you out there, and so here I am posting this basic vegan marinade for your enjoyment. I have deliberately kept this ginger soy marinade really basic, as I think it stands alone. But feel free to be bold and jazz it up. This quick, easy vegan marinade can be... Keep Reading

I thought I would continue my condiment craze and offer up this glorious green mayonnaise as an interesting colourful alternative to more traditional white mayonnaise options. I don’t know about you, but I like to add a bit of colour to the table; and in my humble opinion, nothing looks better than green mayonnaise! If you are looking for a quick easy colourful dairy free mayonnaise this one is a winner.  This glorious green mayonnaise is a wonderful spread on vegetable kebabs, fantastic with tacos, and great with steamed vegetables, salads and sandwiches. Not only does it taste fantastic, but it is a great way to blend in some much needed greens and give this mayonnaise a nutritional kick. For me, spinach is always a good idea! The only... Keep Reading

I love a great date, and today I am not referring to the “romantic dinner and a movie” variety. Although, that is always a good idea! This shake would be the equivalent of speed dating. Quickly throw everything together, and in five minutes, you decide if you want to come back for more. It might just be the love you have been waiting for! For me, making a date with a vegan milkshake is always a good idea, and this coconut smoothie recipe sweetened with dates hits the spot.  Fresh pitted dates would have to be one of THE great culinary pleasures of life. Dates are the oldest, and certainly the sweetest fruit, with the highest concentration of fruit sugars. They are so decadent and fabulous. I really try and eat them in moderation, as they... Keep Reading

I know I know….is it possible for me to go one month without talking about my love of avocados? The answer is, No! I am an avocado freak, and I am not going to apologize for it. My favourite snack on the planet? Avocado on gluten free toast. I would choose that happy snack every day, and twice on Sundays. I never get sick of it. I am always making guacamole, and Rob and I are always racing to use the last avocado. I am very methodical when I purchase my avocados too. I always ensure that there is a perfect avocado rotation, and that a few delectable avocados ripen to perfection every day. Sometimes Rob decides to indulge in a midnight avo smash and I wake up to find avocado finger smears all over the light switch, and slimy avocado... Keep Reading

My friend Beth and I cooked together this week, and it was so much fun. She has a phenomenal natural flare for flavours. I love watching her cook, cooking with her, and talking about food with her. Most of all, I love eating with her! I don’t think I have a friend who is as passionate, and gets as excited about the pleasures of vegetarian food like I do. I utterly adore her. I have so many fond memories with her -- eating and celebrating great food all over the world. I have a grin from ear to ear when I think about the countless times we have bitten into some special treats together, and giggled and moaned with delight; then tried to deconstruct the recipe, and plot how we would recreate the present masterpiece. Today was no exception.... Keep Reading

Seeing as I posted the home made raw coconut milk recipe in my last recipe blog post, I thought it was only fair to share the non alcoholic pina colada shakes my family and I toasted the first day of the new year and decade with. This simple, raw vegan shake is just one of countless ways you can use your home made raw coconut milk. Obviously, vegetarian curries, vegan soups, stews and stir-fries are always good ideas. As are gluten free cakes, sugar free puddings, blender pies, raw smoothies, and other yummy mocktails! But whenever I think of raw coconut smoothies, it is hard to go past a non alcoholic pina colada. I am a huge fan of virgin pina colada recipes. However, in the past, my family have not been so quick to fly the non alcoholic... Keep Reading

I don’t know about you, but I have never tasted anything made with raw coconut that I didn’t like. In fact, my love of all things coconut might just rival my love of avocados. Yep, a huge statement. But there it is. Confessions of a vegetarian food blogger. The thing that both of these incredible raw foods have in common, is that they are both nutritional powerhouses. Please indulge me for a moment. I am going to sing the praises of all-things-raw-coconut again. Raw coconut contains powerful antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral properties almost unmatched by any other food. The lauric and caprylic acids contained in coconuts are toxic to viruses and bacteria. But not healthy intestinal bacteria. It is high in saturated fat, and... Keep Reading