Tag: Vegan

Seedy Crackers


Crunch! Everybody loves a good crunchy nibbly. It seems so satisfying and if it’s healthy, it’s all the better. Ever since I can remember I have loved crunchy things~ the toasted crusty bits of any kind of food like celery, only the outside crusty bits of that very rare croissant,  nuts of all kinds…you name it, if it’s crunchy I am drawn to it.  So, instead of avoiding crackers (because I don’t usually eat grains), I can now indulge with these little crunchy bites. 

 I have a hard time keeping these crackers stocked in our house because they are so popular. They take just a few minutes to put together and bake at a lower temperature for nearly an hour.  Make sure to use organic seeds and psyllium husks, when possible, which will make this way better for you. 

The beauty of making your own crackers is that you can cut them the sizes you want to tailor them to your needs. I often cut them smaller so they last longer around here.

 It is a great snack to eat alone or pare with almond butter, cheese, nut cheese, smashed Avo or use on a cheese meat veggie board. 




Now bake for 25-30 minutes. Remove and cut into desired sizes. 


Pop back into the oven for 20 minutes. Now flip the crackers over with the baking paper stuck to them and peel off the paper. 



Bake about 5-8 minutes more or until crunchy. I break them apart for more even cooking. Sometimes I just turn off the oven to cool, leaving the crackers to cool and crisp in the oven. 

Seedy Crackers 

1 cup purified water

1 Tbl. Psyllium Husks, slightly mounded

3/4 cup Sunflower Seeds

1/3 cup white or black Sesame Seeds (I used organic black sesame seeds)

3 Tbl. Flax Seeds 

1/2 tsp. Pink Himalayan Salt (plus extra to sprinkle on the top)

Preheat oven to 160C/325F

1.  In a mixing bowl or large glass Pyrex measure, add all the ingredients. Stir and let sit for about 15 minutes until the mixture is well thickened. 

2.  Lay a piece of baking paper on the length of  your cookie sheet. Place the seed mixture on the center of the baking paper and spread it slightly with a spatula or back of a spoon into a rectangle. Top with another piece of baking paper. 

3. Using a rolling pin, roll out the seed cracker mix evenly to the edges of the baking paper. 

4.  Starting at one end, carefully peel back the top parchment baking paper to remove it. 

5.  Sprinkle with a little more salt over the top and then pop it into a 160C/325F oven. 

6.  Bake 25-30 minutes till firm,  but not too crunchy. Remove from oven and cut into desired size & shape using a pizza cutter or knife. Return to oven and bake an another 20 mins. 

7.  Remove from oven and flip the baking paper over with the crackers stuck on it. Gently peel the paper off.  Check to test doneness. If not crunchy return to the oven an additional 5 mins. Cool and store in an airtight plastic bag or container.

Note: I often lower the temperature  of the oven to preserve the integrity of the seeds. If you choose to do that you will just need to bake them longer. The healthiest way to make these would be to use a dehydrator which would keep them raw, but seeing as I do not own one of these I try to bake them at as low of a temp as possible. 


Warmly Yours, Jeanenne  

Foodie Mama

Chocolate Protein Balls


Chocolate Protein Balls are quick to make and a yummy afternoon snack  or after dinner treat. I first made something like this when my friend, Gail sent a package to me here in South Africa several years ago. I was so excited to receive a package from home that I didn’t really care what was in it! Upon opening it, I discovered a recipe and all that  I needed to make Nut & Date Protein balls. I was delighted! She really sent me such a thoughtful gift. Thank you Gail!  After making these a few times,  I decided to develop my own recipe that was lower in carbs and higher in healthy fats. I must say these little treats can be quite addicting.  Yummers!




Chocolate Protein Balls

1/2 cup Walnuts

1/4 cup Sunflower seeds, raw

2 Tbl. Vanilla protein powder, slightly mounded

3 Tbl. raw Cacao or cocoa powder

2 Dates pitted, fresh or dried

1 1/2 Tbl. Coconut oil

3-4 tsp water

Flaked coconut to roll balls in

Place walnuts, Sunflower seeds, protein powder and cacao powder in a small food processor or power blender like a vita mix. Process until crumbly. Add dates, cut in fourths, and coconut oil. Process again to breakup and incorporate oil and dates. Next,  add water starting with 2 tsp and blending. Check mixture to see if it will hold together by smashing tablespoon amount into a ball with your hands. If it still seems too dry add another tsp of water. Roll into 12-14 balls. Then, if desired, roll balls in unsweetened coconut flakes pressing to adhere. Place in a covered container and refrigerate till firm. Store in fridge.

Tip: I’ve used AIM Vanilla Pea Protein powder and Genuine Health Fermented Vegan Protein in vanilla. Another good option is Wazoogles Vanilla Sky Superfoods Protein Shake or Arbonne Protein Shake in vanilla. 

I like mine without coconut, but My Man likes it with the coconut. You could also coat them with crushed nuts.

Happy Snacking!

Warmly,

Jeanenne ~Foodie Mama

Chocolate Banana Pudding


This Chocolate Banana Pudding can fake out even the most avid sweet eater into eating a healthy dessert.  My friend Dan is a big, pretty imposing, Aussie-Figian guy that has a heart as big as the whole of Australia. Just to give you a better picture of him, many people mistake him for being a popular rugby player because of his build.  Dan knows that what I serve him is not always as it appears…which I think, scares this big guy just a bit.  His typical words to me when he eats at my house are, “so Jeanenne, what are we looking at here?”  I chuckle and refuse to tell him until he has at least tried it and sometimes I never tell him.  Dan liked this among other dishes I tried on him.  This dessert is rich tasting and satisfying.  My husband has a  giant sweet tooth and this is his go-to healthy treat that he regularly eats.



Chocolate Banana Pudding

2 large avocados or 3 small

1 medium banana, fairly ripened

4 Tbl. raw cacao or cocoa powder

1 Tbl. raw honey or maple syrup (add more if you like it sweeter)

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/4 tsp. cinnamon

1 can coconut milk refrigerated over night

1/4 tsp. vanilla extract

Place peeled avocados in a food processor and blend to smooth.  Add banana and process till smooth again.  Next add cacao or cocoa powder, honey, vanilla extract and cinnamon.   Process till smooth and glossy. Taste and adjust sweetness if needed.  Divide into individual dessert cups.

To make the coconut whip cream: carefully scoop out some of the coconut cream from the top of the refrigerated can of coconut milk or coconut cream.  Place it in a small bowl along with 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract and whip with a whisk till it is fluffy.  You may want to sweeten it, but we like ours just as it is.  Top each chocolate pudding with the coconut whip and a sprinkle of cinnamon. They will last in the fridge about 4 days.


I hope you enjoy this guilt-free treat!

Warmly,

Foodie Mama

 

 

 

 

 

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