One thing I have missed going dairy-free is pudding. As a kid growing up I would savor every bite then lick the bowl! It was one of the first foods I learned to "cook". My husband's not a big fan so he doesn't miss it, but I work as a grocery checker and I see all the good stuff going through the check-out line.
So today, with Thanksgiving approaching, I was surfing the web for a recipe for dairy-free pumpkin pie and came across a simple recipe for chocolate pudding! Oh my heart fluttered and I could hardly wait to try it out.
Ingredients: 2/3 cup dairy-free semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 Tbsp water
1/2 tsp vanilla
dash of salt
12.3 oz package of firm silken tofu
Combine water and chocolate chips in a double boiler and stir until smooth, remove from heat and stir in vanilla and salt.
Drain the tofu and puree in a blender until smooth. Add melted chocolate mixture and blend again until smooth. Refrigerate at least an hour, (I hear the longer you wait the better the flavor. Me, I just thought it was great straight from the blender.) You can pipe into ramekins for a fancier dessert.
I plan on serving it later with some ginger spice cookie crumbs sprinkled on top.
Honestly it was really good and I don't like tofu. I also came across recipes for dairy-free whipped topping using silken tofu. I haven't decided which one to try but I'll let you know how it turns out.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Tea Time
Last year for Christmas my daughter bought me some Earl Grey loose leaf black tea from Teavana. I thoroughly enjoyed it and was thrilled to have received another gift of it from my husband this year for Christmas.
I looked up on their site and realized she had gotten me the Earl Grey Creme black tea and my husband had gotten me the Earl Grey black tea. I was wondering why it looked different. Both are wonderful and smooth tasting. No bitter taste as some less expensive brands I've tried. Very much a treat.
I looked up on their site and realized she had gotten me the Earl Grey Creme black tea and my husband had gotten me the Earl Grey black tea. I was wondering why it looked different. Both are wonderful and smooth tasting. No bitter taste as some less expensive brands I've tried. Very much a treat.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Truffles
My new favorite holiday treat: Dark Chocolate Orange Coconut Truffles. Since my favorite fudge is made with sweetened condensed milk, I went in search of a dairy free substitute. I came across a recipe for truffles made with heavy whipping cream and decided to experiment with coconut milk. Sweet success! And very easy to make!
So here you go: Melt one 16oz bag of chocolate chips over a double boiler. (I used Guittard's Extra Dark Chocolate Chips, no milk fat.) Remove from heat and whisk in one can coconut milk until smooth. Add one teaspoon of orange extract or substitute your favorite flavor and stir. Allow to cool to room temperature then refrigerate until firm. Form into 3/4" balls, (a melon baller or cookie scoop works well) and roll in sugar or I used shredded coconut I processed in a food processor with some added sugar.
Yum, yum!
Merry Christmas!
So here you go: Melt one 16oz bag of chocolate chips over a double boiler. (I used Guittard's Extra Dark Chocolate Chips, no milk fat.) Remove from heat and whisk in one can coconut milk until smooth. Add one teaspoon of orange extract or substitute your favorite flavor and stir. Allow to cool to room temperature then refrigerate until firm. Form into 3/4" balls, (a melon baller or cookie scoop works well) and roll in sugar or I used shredded coconut I processed in a food processor with some added sugar.
Yum, yum!
Merry Christmas!
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Better Than Pop
Okay I realize this is not some extra-ordinary recommendation, but it is one of my favorites and I felt it was holiday appropriate.
I love to have cranberry juice mixed with seltzer water and a squeeze of lime. My favorite is Safeway's O Organics cranberry juice cocktail because it has the right amount of cranberry juice to sugar ratio and is a beautiful dark red unlike some that look watered down so much they color the plastic bottle! I generally use one part juice to one to two parts seltzer water depending on if I use ice. You can add as much lime as you like or you can add one part Simply Limeade. This is a very refreshing drink and is better for you than pop. It is a great pairing with Mexican food as well as Thanksgiving dinner. Not to mention wonderful on a hot day but we wont see those for awhile.
Of course if you don't like cranberries I love to mix seltzer with a variety of juices but I always return to my favorite.
Happy Thanksgiving!
I love to have cranberry juice mixed with seltzer water and a squeeze of lime. My favorite is Safeway's O Organics cranberry juice cocktail because it has the right amount of cranberry juice to sugar ratio and is a beautiful dark red unlike some that look watered down so much they color the plastic bottle! I generally use one part juice to one to two parts seltzer water depending on if I use ice. You can add as much lime as you like or you can add one part Simply Limeade. This is a very refreshing drink and is better for you than pop. It is a great pairing with Mexican food as well as Thanksgiving dinner. Not to mention wonderful on a hot day but we wont see those for awhile.
Of course if you don't like cranberries I love to mix seltzer with a variety of juices but I always return to my favorite.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Thursday, November 10, 2011
If You Love Nature
My first song choice to share with everyone is Andrew Peterson's "The Magic Hour". I love this song for many reasons. Here are three of them: one, the words to this song are so descriptive they bring you right into envisioning being out in nature; two, the music is lyrical and great for dancing; and three, I feel so peaceful listening to it that it makes a great cool down song after exercise or a great de-stresser.
A FWD Worth Reading
Christmas 2011 -- Birth of a New Tradition
As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods -- merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor. This year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. Yes there is!
It's time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper? Everyone -- yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local American hair salon or barber?
Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement.
Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.
Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plunking down the Benjamins on a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course.
There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember, folks this isn't about big National chains -- this is about supporting your home town Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.
How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy?
Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services local cleaning lady for a day. My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running.
OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.
Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre.
Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.
Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of light, about fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip.
You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about US, encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine.
THIS is the new American Christmas tradition. Forward this to everyone on your mailing list -- post it to discussion groups -- throw up a post on Craigslist in the Rants and Raves section in your city -- send it to the editor of your local paper and radio stations, and TV news departments. This is a revolution of caring about each other, and isn't that what Christmas is about?
As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods -- merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor. This year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. Yes there is!
It's time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper? Everyone -- yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local American hair salon or barber?
Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement.
Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.
Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plunking down the Benjamins on a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course.
There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember, folks this isn't about big National chains -- this is about supporting your home town Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.
How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy?
Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services local cleaning lady for a day. My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running.
OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.
Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre.
Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.
Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of light, about fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip.
You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about US, encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine.
THIS is the new American Christmas tradition. Forward this to everyone on your mailing list -- post it to discussion groups -- throw up a post on Craigslist in the Rants and Raves section in your city -- send it to the editor of your local paper and radio stations, and TV news departments. This is a revolution of caring about each other, and isn't that what Christmas is about?
(This was forwarded to me by my daughter, I think it is worth sharing and worth attempting. I would like to see the money I spend help keep my friends and neighbors working.)
Monday, November 7, 2011
I Can't Believe It's Not Chocolate Milk
Since finding out I have a lactose intolerance I have been trying out different dairy substitutes with varying degrees of success. Topping my list of favorites is Silk Pure Almond Dark Chocolate Almondmilk. I actually prefer it now to regular chocolate milk. Plus when compared to 1% chocolate milk it has fewer calories, no saturated fat and contains vitamin C and E. The downside is it has less protein.
I have yet to find any substitute comparable to a tall glass of regular milk. I'm thinking I may have to acquire a new taste.
PS: If I get you to try something new would you please let me know what you think? Either here or on Facebook.
I have yet to find any substitute comparable to a tall glass of regular milk. I'm thinking I may have to acquire a new taste.
PS: If I get you to try something new would you please let me know what you think? Either here or on Facebook.
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