Saturday, January 31, 2009

Creamy Parsnip Soup



About this recipe:
This recipe actually comes from a cooking show from the Food Network. I was so intrigued by the combination of ingredients that I had to try it for myself. I changed up a couple of the ingredients and the soup came out seriously awesome.
I used raw cream, but to make it vegan you can simply replace that for some coconut oil.


Ingredients:
• 3 T. coconut oil for stir frying
• 1 leek, washed and thinly sliced
• 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and thinly sliced
• 4 large parsnips, peeled and diced
• 1 medium sized celery root, peeled and diced
• 3 or 4 cups of vegetable (or chicken) broth
• 1/2 c. raw cream or coconut oil
• 1/2 t. salt
• 1/2 t. ground pepper
• lemon or lime juice to taste
• zest/peel of one lemon or lime
• pumpkin seeds for decoration
• dash of cayenne pepper


1. Heat the coconut oil in a large soup pot or Dutch oven. 
2. Add the leeks and jalapeno, saute for about 4 minutes until fragrant.
3. Add the parsnips and celery root, saute for another 6 minutes.
4. Add the soup stock, bring to a boil and than lower the heat. Simmer for about 20 minutes.
5. Remove from heat, stir in the pepper and salt. Transfer to a blender (or use a hand mixer with blender extension). Blend until mixture is smooth.  Add the cream or coconut oil and return to sauce pan to keep warm.
6. Toast the pumpkin seeds in a small frying pan using some coconut oil. Sprinkle with cayenne pepper and salt.
7. Transfer soup to a bowl, decorate with pumpkin seeds, lemon or lime peel. Squeeze some fresh lemon or lime juice to taste. Serve immediately.

Makes a large pot of soup (at least 6 servings)

Tip:
You can replace the parsnips + celery root for one large butter nut squash + 3 T. of freshly grated ginger to create a creamy butternut squash soup. Some nutmeg to taste.

Cooked Creamy Oatmeal



About this recipe:
When you need a healthy warming start of your day, this is the perfect way to do it. Eating oatmeal has a ton of health benefits. It will hold you over for a while and its very nutritious and packed with good fiber.


Ingredients:
• 1 c. filtered water
• 1 t. cinnamon / pumpkin pie spice
• 1 t. glycerine based vanilla flavoring
• 2 t. coconut oil
• moderate squeeze of agave nectar or maple syrup to taste (I eat it without this)

1. Heat up the water in a small sauce pan.
2. Add the oat mix and simmer for a couple of minutes. These baby quick oats don't need a whole lot of time.
3. Drop in your bowl, add cinnamon / pumpkin pie spice and vanilla flavoring. Melt a little coconut oil on top for extra yumminess.

Serves one.

Sizzling Roasted Oatmeal



About this recipe
:
When on vacation in Tulum - Mexico, I got turned on to this wonderful roasted oatmeal breakfast. I've been eating it ever since. I eat it with my favorite yoghurt, but it also goes well with any milk of your choice. 

Ingredients:
• coconut oil for roasting
• yoghurt or milk of your choice
• agave nectar to sweeten (I actually leave this out completely since the yoghurt has a tiny bit of sweetness to it)

1. Melt some coconut oil in a small frying pan.
2. Roast desired amount of oat mixture until golden brown. When the seeds start to pop, you know its time to munch.
3. Serve over your favorite yoghurt or milk. The oats & seeds sizzle when they hit your bowl.

Oatmeal Cookies



About this recipe:
I am in love with oatmeal cookies. They are so easy and delicious, and you don't have to feel guilty when eating them. Have some of the oatmeal mixture on hand so there's hardly any prep involved. Perfect for instant cookie gratification!



Preheat the oven to 350F.

Ingredients:
• 1.5 c. Jazzy's oats mix 
• 1/2 c. baby quick oats
• 1/4 milk of your choice (I used almond milk)
• 1/2 green sour apple, finely grated
• 2 t. glycerine based vanilla flavoring
• 1/2 t. baking soda
• 1/4 c. coconut butter
• squeeze of maple syrup, agave nectar or stevia for sweetness

1. Melt the coconut butter using the double boil technique.
2. Combine milk, vanilla, baking soda and sweetener in a mixing bowl. Stir.
3. Divide the oats mix in two. Blend one half of the mix in a blender with an S blade into a fine powder.
4. Add the oats mix and the fine oats mix meal into the bowl, mixing it well with the liquid ingredients.
5. Add the grated apple and baby quick oats. Mix into a nice batter.
6. Drop tablespoons onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Flatten to a cookie with the back of a fork or spoon.
7. Bake for 10 - 15 minutes at 350F. For extra crisp, turn the oven to 450F for the last couple of minutes, careful not to burn them.
8. Cool on a cooling rack and enjoy!

Jazzy's Oatmeal Mix


About this recipe:
In hard economic times its good to save a penny. Oatmeal is one of my staples that is very affordable. You can add to it what ever you like. I always keep a large jar filled with this mixture. Oats are an amazing source for good fibers, protein and full of nutrients such as vitamin E, zinc, selenium, copper, iron, manganese and magnesium. This mixture is great for roasting, cooking & baking.


Ingredients:
• baby quick oats
• dried shredded coconut flakes
• (raw) almonds
• (raw) sunflower seeds
• (raw) pumpkin seeds

1. Combine all ingredients (measurements to your liking).
2. Mix well and store in airtight container or jar.