Brunch

VEGAN COCONUT & FRUIT SMOOTHIE

VEGAN COCONUT & FRUIT SMOOTHIE

A vegan version of my basic fruit & dairy smoothie, but in this version almond and coconut milks team up for a dairy-free delight! High sugar fruits mellow its lower sugar and acidic counterparts while the coconut milk adds a creamy texture. Avoid adding ice as it will dilute your creation and leave you reaching for sweeteners. Instead, freeze 1/3 to 1/2 of your ingredients. I like to keep the fruit in the freezer. For a quick breakfast, blend up the fruit and nuts the night before and freeze in ice trays. In the morning, add your cubes to the milks and blend! 

BASIC FRUIT AND DAIRY SMOOTHIE

BASIC FRUIT AND DAIRY SMOOTHIE

More of an outline than a recipe, this will get you on your way to creating nutritious and flavorful smoothies using whatever you have on hand. Balance is key to blending up the best results... The higher fat and creamy dairy adds depth and texture while high sugar fruits mellow its lower sugar and acidic counterparts. Avoid adding ice as it will dilute your creation and leave you reaching for sweeteners. Instead, freeze 1/3 to 1/2 of your ingredients. I like to keep the fruit in the freezer. For a quick breakfast, blend up the fruit and nuts the night before and freeze in ice trays. In the morning, add your cubes to your dairy ingredients and blend! 

BREAKFAST ESPRESSO SMOOTHIE

BREAKFAST ESPRESSO SMOOTHIE

With a double dose of espresso, banana, and a serving of nuts, this breakfast concoction gets you moving! I've tested this recipe with canned coconut milk, full fat Greek yogurt, and half-n-half, and the results have been equally delicious. I'm a cream, no sugar kind of gal... A cappuccino or dark brew with half-n-half. Black coffee drinkers may want a dairy ingredient with less fat while our cream and sugar friends should add honey or sugar or even increase the amount of dairy or banana. 

FRESH RICOTTA

FRESH RICOTTA

Fresh ricotta is ridiculously simple to make, and the result is a delicately creamy flavor with which its store bought counterpart cannot compare. For almost every application, you're going to want to use vinegar as the acid. If you're pairing your ricotta with a cream based sauce or dessert, however, using lemon juice may be appropriate.

Raisin Spice Oatmeal

Raisin Spice Oatmeal

When my mom used to get packets of Quaker Oatmeal, the raisin spice was always my favorite. Now, those pre-sweetened convenience packs are just plain cloying. This recipe takes that traditional flavor, adds nuts for protein and just a little sugar. Water can be substituted for milk, but you may find yourself adding more sugar to compensate. I like unsweetened vanilla almond, but any neutral non-dairy or dairy works. 

White Sangria with Lemon Balm

White Sangria with Lemon Balm

Lemon balm, mint's better behaved cousin, is a lovely and fragrant addition to any landscape. While it does best in full sun, my plant is prolific in partial shade. Being a perennial, lemon balm is up and ready for Memorial Day, a time when the annual herbs, such as basil, are just being planted.

This concoction is light and crisp, perfect for picnics and barbecues.