Heather Blanton :Healthy -ish? Food Blog

Risotto Stuffed Cubanelles and Hot Peppers

2012-02-15T12:53:00.000-08:00

I like Risotto but not when made with heavy creams and butters. It really tastes good to substitute a much healthier alternative like cashew cream and Earth Balance. Please remember that Earth Balance is available soy free and unlike Smart Balance, it does not have hydrogenated anything. Read the label on everything you eat. You should be able to understand every word on there. If not, research it. MSG is being added as all kinds of things these days. These are excito-toxins that make your brain not want to eat natural foods. "Let thy food be thy medicine."-Hippocrates

Curry Quinoa Timbale over Baby Arugula Salad

2011-11-18T11:07:00.000-08:00

Quinoa is not only delicious but one of the best sources of tons of vitamins and minerals! Its light, fluffy flavor has always been one of my favorites. Plus, it's full of amino acids, actually all 9 of the necessary ones. It also has as much protein pound for pound against meat. That should satisfy most of your protein cravings and help you with lysine if you work out and are worried that a vegan diet might not contain enough protein.

If this is not enough to convince you to LOVE quinoa, I have a few more phenomenal facts about this Superfood...

It's full of antioxidants helping your body rid itself of free radicals, wheat and gluten-free, Magnesium rich which helps control hypertension, fiber-rich so it helps clean your colon, lowers triglycerides, helps regulate bile helping prevent gall stones, and if that is not enough, it aids in WEIGHT LOSS!!!!

Chick-in and Pea Shoot Spring Rolls w. Thai RAW Dipping sauce

2011-11-15T15:01:00.000-08:00

Fresh Springs Rolls get a twist in this take-off on Thai!

Spring Roll Wrapper, soaked in warm spring water 3 sec.

2 Gardein Scallopini pieces rubbed with Toasted Sesame oil and then grilled on med-hi heat with a cast-iron grilling pan. It gives them a char-flavor and black stripes like you made it outside on the grill...
4 baby bellas diced and grilled

Fresh, raw Pea Shoots
fresh, raw basil,
fresh, raw avacado
fresh mint leaves
freash garlic cives
fresh cilantro

Sauce is made of 1/2 c Raw Almond butter and 1/4 c raw cashew butter, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 stalk of lemongrass minced, 4 minced garlic pieces, 1/2" fresh minced ginger, juice of one lime, 2 tbsp. nana shoyu, cayenes, mined, 1 lime leaf, minced, cilantro and thai basil.

Gardein Chicken Fried Chicken with Easy Drop Biscuits

2011-09-19T17:30:00.001-07:00

Vegan Gardein Chic-un available at Winn_dixie's locations near you!

Vegan Bechamel poured over top Gardein's Mandarin Chick-un without the added sauce packet.

The Chick-un pieces are lightly breaded and then sauteed until crispy, add sliced portobellos and cook til tender.

Drop biscuits are wheat flour, baking soda, salt, oil, almond milk and Vegannaise spread. I drop these into my 9" cast iron skillet and cook for 8 minutes. Then add chick-un and mushrooms and top with vegan bechamel sauce and serve!

Vegan Bechamel
6 tbsp Earth Balnce melted
add wheat flour and whisk until a smooth paste forms, add almond milk or coconut kefir etc. and whisk until desired bechamel consistency. Salt, white pepper and nutmeg finish it off, then some turmeric because it's really good for you and has zero flavor.

Addictive but healthier alternative!

WALNUT and Onion Frittata w. Sherry Vinegar

2011-08-31T11:27:00.000-07:00

Chickpea Tempeh with Asian Slaw and Chipolte Sweet Potato Mash

2011-04-27T09:33:00.000-07:00

Vietnamese Pho Soup

2011-04-13T15:50:00.000-07:00

This delicious Vietnamese soup is a little work but well worth it.
Broth
12 c water
1 onion, chopped
1 green onion, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
1 sunchoke, chopped
5 whole shallots
8- 2x2" slices of ginger
2 c sliced mushrooms
2 tbsp jaggery
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 teaspoon salt

Place whole shallots on a grill and char, add to the above ingredients. Bring to a boil, then simmer 45 minutes.

Add
1/4 c. pan fried sliced shallots
1 pound sea tangle noodles or rice noodles, soften by placing in hot water until soft then add only noodles to the broth
1 c onion pan fried
2 tbsp green onions

Garnishes:
1/2 lb fresh mung bean sprouts
2 jalapenos, chopped and seeded (or not!!)
1 lime cut into wedges
fresh basil
fresh cilantro
fresh mint

It reminds me of Fresh Summer Rolls with its combonation of herbs, clear noodles and bean sprouts. Enjoy!!

Kidney Bean Tempeh BBQ with Raw Slaw and Fresh Garden Lettuces

2011-04-10T08:49:00.000-07:00

Tempeh BBQ with Slaw and Salad

Tempeh made of Kidney beans is perfect for BBQ because it reminds me of Pork and Beans without the Pork but filled with B12. I sauteed the tempeh with portabellos and onions then added BBQ.
The slaw id cabbage, brocolli stalks, carrots, red onion, basil, dill and mint all from the garden. The slaw sauce is made from Coconut meat and juice with dill, lemon juice, garlic and sea salt. I added some red kraut because you can never get enough cabbage.

The salad are greens from the garden with grape tomatos and macadamia cheese with 25 yr. old balsamic vinegar dressing.
The bread is sprouted Ezekiel with fresh garlic cloves rubbed on the toasted side.

Cornmeal Crusted Pinto Bean Tempeh w. Black Bean Puree

2011-04-07T16:53:00.001-07:00

Housemade Pinto Bean Tempeh with Cornmeal Crust, Black Bean Puree, Smoked Tomato and Chili Saue and Roasted Poblano Relish

My new passion has been making my own tempeh, due in fact that it is impossible to find any not made of soy. This is shocking to me since we have managed to make black bean, pinto bean, garbanzo bean, cranberry bean, black eyed pea and red kidney bean styles.
This paticular recipe is with cranberry and pinto bean tempeh. You boil it in a marinade of tamari, ginger, ancho and chipolte peppers, ginger, garlic and jaggery. If you don't have jaggery run out to an indian store and get some! Its the only sugar that is unprocessed and actually has health benefits.

After you marinate tempeh for 45 minuted, make the sauce from chipolte, ancho, carrots, celery, garlic and onion with a 28 oz. can of Muir fire roasted tomatos. After you cook everything for a bit, put it in the Vita-Mix with some Earth Balance and blend on high. This is a preservative free enchilada style sauce that is great for mexican dishes like huevos rancheros, enchiladas or this paticular meal here.

The black bean puree is 15 oz. of black beans, I used dry ones I soaked for two hours and boiled for 20 minutes. Saute 1/2 Vidalia onion and garlic in Earth Balance or oil and then add back beans and puree in the food processor until desired consistency.

Roast a poblano pepper on a grill or burner, or I used my toaster oven on Broil setting. After it is charred all over the skin must be removed along with seeds and stem. Cut this up nicely adding diced shallots and cilantro with a squueze of lime juice.

Braised a little kale or collards and you are getting some greens while you are at it.

Take the tempeh and dredge in cornmeal and then pan fry until golden.

Soy Sausage with Vegetables on Potato Pancake

2011-03-21T18:03:00.000-07:00

The bottom is hash browns. The middle is soy sausage, egg whites, turmeric, tomatoes, sprouts, broccoli and red cabbage. Topped with guacamole.

Heather made black-eyed pea tempeh with oats and seaweed

2011-03-21T17:37:00.000-07:00

Black Eyed Pea Tempeh Homemade by me!! Sauerkraut homemade too...

I have loved tempeh for its b12 content but never liked the fact I could only find it in soy bean style so I decided to buy my own starter and start my science project. I liked this one the best so far. I used my homemade green cabbage sauerkraut for this one but I like the purple one better, its sweeter and more visually pleasing . Homemade Russian Dressing, sprouts and kraut.

Indian Brown Basmati Rice with Cashews and Coconut Shreds

2011-03-09T18:30:00.001-08:00

Make brown basmati rice into a treat!!
Take one teaspoon of brown mustard seds, 1/2 tsp of cumin seeds and roast in dry pan. Add olive oil and brown some cashews, throw mixture into rice, add flaked dry coconut, cilantro and black sesame seeds.

Polenta with Egg Whites, Sprouts, Tomatoes, and Avocado

2011-03-09T18:28:00.000-08:00

Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Cashew Yogurt Indian Style

2011-03-09T18:27:00.000-08:00

Mexican Tortilla Soup

2011-03-09T18:24:00.000-08:00

Vegetable broth with cilantro, cumin, sweet onions, carrots and avocado. I add cayenne pepper and tortilla strips at the end.

Vanilla Creme with Fresh Berries and Mint

2011-03-09T18:19:00.000-08:00

Vanilla Creme is made from Thai young coconuts, their water, coconut oil and vanilla bean with a touch of salt. Blend 2 c coconut meat with 1/2 cup coconut water, add water as necessary and 1/2 vanilla bean, 2 tbsp coconut oil , 1/4 c agave nectar and a dash of salt. Blend until creamy. Top your fresh fruit of choice and garnish with fresh mint sprigs.

Phyllo wrapped Potato Samosas with Indian Tomato Gravy

2011-03-09T18:14:00.000-08:00

Tomato Gravy is spectacular. Use one can of Organic fire roasted tomatoes, soaked almonds or cashew, cumin, turmeric, coriander, and garam masala. Blend in the blender until desired consistency. Heat Earth Balance or Oilve oil in a pan and cook the sauce until throughly warmed and darkened in color. Garnish with cilantro.
Phyllo wrapped potato samosas are available at Indian stores and contain much less bread than traditional ones. Just saute frozen ones in oil til browned.

Raw Thai Curry with Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato

2011-03-09T18:10:00.000-08:00

Spirals slice Butternut sqaush, sweet potatoes, carrots and zucchini or yellow squash. Add kale or collards or sprouts and red cabbage along with some soaked cashews. Mix one can coconut milk (or thai young coconut meat and juice blended) with some red curry paste to taste. Place in the Excalibur dehydrator until softened and warmed.

New Mexico Grilled Green Chili Soup

2011-03-09T18:05:00.000-08:00

Roasted Green Chilis with Potatoes, Cilantro and Avacado in a cashew milk base with Cashew Sour Cream.
Not very often am I blessed with fresh roasted green chilis from New Mexico but Holly's kids went for Christmas and brought us some back.

Boil potatoes, add green chilis, cashew milk, vegetarian broth, and salt and pepper. Blend until desired consistency. Add chopped cilantro, chopped avacado and a little cashew sour cream. Cashew sour cream is made out of soaked cashews with a touch of water and a squeeze of lemon juice. Spicy and good!!

Chocolate Covered Cherry Smoothie

2011-03-09T18:00:00.000-08:00

Cocao nibs with organic frozen cherries, coconut water, hemp seeds, almonds and a few vanilla bean seeds all blended together make a great smoothie that is very healthy for you. I like the Cocao nibs unsweetened for a little crunch. Add a banana at the end and do not over blend it. I usually blend coconut water with hemp seeds and almonds to make the base, add ice cubes of filtered water and then the cherries. Lastly, I add the cocao nibs and bananas so they dont get too blended. Yummy! It's a dessert for breakfast. Giving you all kinds of benefits.

Indian style Brussel Sprouts with Coconut Flakes

2011-03-09T16:59:00.000-08:00

Indian style Brussel Sprouts with Coconut Flakes

Met some Earth Balance (not Smart Balance-always read the labels of what you buy, if you cant pronounce it, you shouldn't be eating it), add some black mustard seeds, approximetly 1 tsp, 1 tsp split urad dal (available at Indian stores) 1 tsp cumin seeds and heat until mustard seeds start to pop and turn grey.
I steam the brussel sprouts to leave the nutrients in tact and make a small x on the bottom of each to soften the hardest part of it.
Throw in the brussel sprouts with spices and Earth Balance and saute briefly. Remove and add 1/2 c coconut flakes, I like Organic Coconut flakes over shredded coconut. You can find it in health food stores.

Maple Glazed Tempeh with Jicama Whip and Salad

2011-03-09T16:47:00.000-08:00

Maple Glazed Tempeh and Mushrooms with Jicama Whip and Salad

My favorite store bought tempeh (fermented soybeans in a cake like patty frozen) is from Gainesville. Either Jose's available at www.thetempehshop.com or Artie's available at Blue Planet or Diane's in St. Augustine, Florida in the frozen section. They use whole beans which I find to be much tastier than the Publix kind WestSoy which breaks up the beans too much for my taste.

I take the tempeh and saute it with Earth Balance and about 2 TBSP maple syrup, Grade B preferably because it contains more trace minerals than Grade A. Glaze the tempeh with the mixture and add mushrooms at the end and cook til tender.

Jicama Whip is a raw dish that contains soaked cashews or Brazil nuts. I use Brazil nuts because they are very high in selenium. Soak brazil nuts overnight and blend with chopped jicama, nutritional yeat, salt and fresh garlic. Blend in the Vita-mix on high to warm slightly.

My favorite salads are chopped lettuces, chopped sprouts, tomatoes, any kind of green veggies, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds, and flax seeds. I use 10 year old Balsamic Vinegar and extra virgin olive oil or some time nutritional yeast, olive oil and hemp seed blend. I cut the lettuce because you can eat two or three times the greens without even knowing it because you don't have to chew the whole leaves like traditionally served salads. We can all use more greens.

Lobster Mushrooms, Brussel Sprouts and Udon with Sake Glaze

2011-03-09T13:52:00.000-08:00

Oatmeal Pancakes with Pecans and Strawberries

2011-03-09T13:46:00.000-08:00

Oatmeal Pancakes with Pecans and Strawberries

Soak 1 cup oats in homemade cashw milk until absorbed and softened
1/2 c wheat flour
1 tbsp baking power
1 tsp salt
2 cage free eggs beaten
cinnamon

Because these are primarily oats they are much healthier than usual pancakes and for all of you looking to lower your cholesterol, oatmeal is a proven way to do it. Also use only egg whites and the dish is completely cholesterol free. They are very dense and filling so you eat less too. Chloe said it reminded her of banana bread, I am guessing because of its density. Feel free to add bananas or whatever fruit you prefer. Hope you enjoy them...

Toasted Barley, Fennel and Leeks with Red Wine Reduction

2011-03-09T09:59:00.000-08:00

Toasted Barley, Leeks, Fennel and Red Wine Reduction w. Buckwheat Sprouts and Sunchokes

2 C barley, toasted on 400 degrees for 10 minutes, then boiled for 40
2 fennel bulbs and their fronds, boiled in Earth Balance and water for 20 minutes until softened
2 leeks steamed
4 sunchokes sauteed
2 c Dry Red Wine reduced on medium heat until thickened
1 cup buckwheat sprouts for garnish

Homemade Hemp Seed Milk Decaf Cappuccino

2011-03-09T09:27:00.000-08:00

Homemade Hemp Seed Milk Decaf Cappuccino

3 Tbsp of Organic Hemp Seeds
2/3 Cup Filtered Water
4 cashews or almonds
1 tsp agave syrup
1/2 tsp coconut oil
a few vanilla bean seeds

2 cups Naturally Decaffeinated Coffee brewed
Cinnamon sprinkle

Blend the hemp seeds with the rest of the top ingredients on high speed, preferably in a Vita-Mix. This will heat and blend simultaneously. The longer you blend, the hotter it gets. Make sure to blend long enough that everything is liquified and there is a nice froth to the mixture. Pour over brewed coffee and sprinkle with cinnamon.

I recommend going to Whole Foods or other Organic stores to get Naturally Decaffeinated coffee, but if you like the buzz try espresso or regular coffee.

If this is too complicated, just do seeds, nuts and agave with water and leave out the other ingredients.
Hemp Seeds provide you with tons of Omega 3's which are important for brain function.

General Tso's Gardein Chick-un

2011-02-28T14:44:00.000-08:00

General Tso's recipe adapted to a vegan recipe!
I love Chinese food but can not handle the MSG. I decided to make my own. I used one bag of Gardein Mandarin Chick-un but did not use the sauce packet that comes with it.
Pan fry the pieces until golden and set aside.
Saute:
1 tbsp fresh minced ginger
1 tbsp fresh minced garlic
2/3 cup veggie stock

Saute these for two minutes until garlic is golden brown,
add:
3/4 cup organic cornstarch
1/4-1/2 cup agave nectar
2 tbsp nama shoyu or tamari
1 tbsp white vinegar
1 tbsp sherry cooking wine
red pepper flakes to taste
3 green onions sliced
1 head steamed broccoli

I put it over fried rice I made earlier and added some sprouts for color. It is fantastic and no bloating afterwards!

Sweet Potato Pancakes with Pecan Butter

2011-02-28T14:31:00.000-08:00

Sweet Potato Pancakes with Pecan Butter

Use your favorite pancake recipe and add a mashed sweet potato!!
I use whole wheat flour and Pastry Flour to make these pancakes. Soaked cashews with water make the dairy component and egg whites only for no cholesterol. I also put in cinnamon and nutmeg and a little vanilla bean.
The sauce is Earth Balance, salt, pecans, cinnamon, agave and vanilla seeds. They are my favorite kind of pancakes!

Christina's Coconut Creme Cake

2011-02-28T14:27:00.000-08:00

Christina's Coconut Creme Cake ...RAW!!

This cake is made from cashews soaked overnight, raw unprocessed honey, lemon juice, coconut oil, and vanilla bean. The crust is macadamia nuts and dates. It is sinfully delicious without eggs, dairy, or processed sugar...

Gardein Beef-less Tips Stroganoff, Roasted Tomato Soup and Deluxe Salad

2011-02-25T10:47:00.000-08:00

Gardein makes a wonderful product called Beef-less Tips, I used them in place of Beef in my Stroganoff recipe.

1 bag of Gardein Beef-less Tips
1/2 tsp Maldon Salt
1/2 tsp white pepper
4 leeks, sliced thin
2-4 garlic cloves, minced
1 lb mushrooms, portabello or white
4 oz Earth Balance

Heat Earth Balance add garlic, saute a few minutes, add beef-less tips, cook 5 minutes medium temperature, add sliced leeks, salt and pepper.

11 oz Vegetable Broth
3-4 tbsp lemon juice
4 tbsp wheat flour
1 tsp mustard
1 tbsp Nama shoyu
1/3 -1/2 c red wine

Heat all ingredients together on medium heat. Add mushrooms and simmer until desired consistency. Add leeks and Beef Tips. Salt to taste, mustard to taste, wine to taste.

1 cup raw cashews, soaked for two hours in spring water

Blend the cashews in the blender with a little lemon juice, this will be your vegan alternative to Sour Cream, but if you need a short cut use Dairy Free Sour Cream, about 1/3-1/2 cup added at the end

Serve with Pasta Rotini or Rice, whatever your preference!

Tomato soup is easy, it is in a previous post on the blog

Salad
I chop all of the lettuce, sprouts, cabbage, etc with scissors. You can eat three times as much salad this way. We all need more greens!!

Pad Thai

2011-02-21T08:18:00.000-08:00

Pad Thai

Once I realized how cheap and easy it is to make Pad Thai, I have a hard time paying $15 at a restaurant. Plus I like to make substitutions of course like Organic free-range eggs, organic vegetables, and using agave instead of refined white sugar or palm sugar which is the way it is traditionally sweetened.

Start with rice noodles of your choice, almost every grocery store carries them now. I get mine far less expensively at my Asian store which also has a huge variety of sizes and even square rice noodles:)

Soak noodles in hot filtered water as directed on packaging. Different noodles have different soaking times.

Saute garlic and alittle ginger in peanut oil until golden, add Gardein chick-un or tofu or whatever protein you like, saute, add shredded carrots and celery and lightly saute.

I double the sauce in all of my thai favorites because I like it less dry, up to you. I use Nama Shoyu instead of soy sauce but you can use light soy sauce, tamari or fish sauce, agave nectar and lemon juice or if you want more authentic flavor, try tamarind pulp. Add of course, chilis or chili paste according to your desired heat level...I put all these in the blender and blend on high to make it nice and emulsion like.

Add sauce and noodles and stir fry until noodles are soft but make sure not to overcook them or else they turn to mush.

I add sliced napa cabbage, green onions and mung bean sprouts raw and toss in the heated mixture so they barely get cooked, just warmed.

You can stir fry some eggs and put in if you like, some times I put in raw cashews, mushrooms, basically any vegetable you like is good. The more the better. A touch of salt and white pepper, cayenne is so inclined. Enjoy.

Vegetable Frittata Almost

2011-02-16T13:53:00.001-08:00

Egg Whites cooked with turmeric, portobellos, spinach and left over hericot verts from last night. Atop Shredded organic potato hash with garlic and onions...

Shred your poatos and cook in oil, add vidalia onions and garlic that has been pre-sauted in oil or Earth Balance. Make a nice pancake out of this for the bottom. I then sauteed more onions, garlic, mushrooms and spinach and cilantro. Added Organic egg whites with some turmeric for color and placed that on the top of potato pancake. To finish I added some Maldon salt, halved grape tomatoes and some fresh avocado. I like a slice of Ezekial on the side with some Earth Balance and tomato rub and coffee!! Drinking Whole Foods Organic No buzz Blend with fresh hemp seed and cashew milk I make in the blender fresh every morning...

Black-eyed Peas, Hericot Vert and Curry Emulsion

2011-02-16T13:43:00.000-08:00

Fresh Black-eyed Peas with Hericot Vert and Curry Emulsion

If you find fresh peas, they are best, I used dried beans and soaked them overnight and then boiled them in 2 TBSp Earth Balance and four cloves of garlic. This is a little labour intensive so if you are short ontime Winn Dixie and Publix have Organic canned black eyed peas, just wash them because they put a ton of sodium in them for preservatives.

Heat the peas with Earth Balance and Garlic. Steam Hericot Verts very lightly, and add cilantro or parsley.

The curry emulsion is 1/2 cup of vegetable broth, 3 tbsp fresh squeezed ornage juice and 4 TBSP Eart Balance. Add 1/8 tsp cayenne, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, 2 teaspoons turmeric and 2 tsp of curry powder. Whisk together until its saucy.

I would like to use pea shoots here with this but they are so hard to find so once again I relied on arugula and spinach to green it up a bit. Lastly I toasted black sesame seeds slightly and added to garnish. Pretty easy dish especially if you use canned peas...

Roasted Portobellas on Polenta with wilted Greens and Pomegranate and Balsamic Reduction

2011-02-16T13:33:00.000-08:00

Polenta with Roasted Portobellas, Wilted Arugula and Spinach with a Pomegranate and 10 year old Balsamic Reduction

Adapted from a Charlie Trotter recipe that included veal stock which you know I would never use in a million years, this dish with a few convenient modifications is pretty quick to make.

The most difficult part is finding Pomegranates. I went to Fresh Market first and then found them at Publix. You need two of them and you need to de-seed them yourself, this is the most difficult part of the dish. Halve the Pomegranates and take out the seeds, blend in the Vita-Mix for 15 seconds and then strain through mesh sieve. Simmer the juice until it thickens and sticks to your spoon. After that s=add 2 tsp of the 10 year Balsamic Vinegar, (yes 10 year old is more expensive but so much finer and thicker), whisk in 1/2 cup olive oil and that is your sauce.

I cheated a little for time and sanity and chose to use the rolls of organic polenta that are readily available most grocery stores. I cut them into rounds and then pan fried them in Earth Balance. I threw the mushrooms after I sliced them in a little more Earth Balance and cooked them lightly then added a handful of Arugula and Spinach to wilt a little.

Done. Take a few pomegranate seeds you had left over and garnish. Easy easy easy and really good...

Raw Caprese Cheese Salad with Dried Tomtoes and Spinach

2011-02-16T13:14:00.000-08:00

Raw Macadamia Cheese rolled in herbs with oven dried grape tomatoes, spinach salad, and 10 year old Balsamic Vinegar

Ok, friends trying to lose weight or cut cholesterol or become more vegan....

Take 2 cups of raw macadamias, I noticed Publix has a bulk section in some stores now which is very convenient since raw macadamias are not always easy to find...

Soak the macadamias in filtered water for 12 hours in the fridge or if your house is cold like mine that's fine too. After 12 hours put them in your blender. I added a little water to try to make it smoother, this is a good time to invest in a Vita-Mix blender. They are expensive but blend ice likes it is nothing and makes pastes and purees your Oster can only dream of achieving. Add 1 teaspoon of probiotics, available at all health food stores, I get loose powdered ones so I am not throwing away all of those capsules every time... Wrap this in a cheesecloth, put in a mesh container and put a jug of water on top for 16 hours. This ferments the cheese and makes it nice and tangy. After 16 hours, add 2 tbsp Nutritional Yeast (full of b12) 1 tsp onion powder, garlic powder and salt. Stir and then take wax paper and roll it into a log. Meanwhile, have your sous chef (haha) cut up fresh tarragon and fresh chives with some fresh ground pepper. Roll the log in the herbs and set aside.

The grape tomatoes are my favorite because they are always full of taste. I usually get them at the Farmer's Market but Publix has organic ones there usually. cut them in thirds long wise and bake at 100-200 depending on your time. Also sprinkle cajun seasoning and a little salt on them before they go in. It usually takes about 20 minutes for them to get nice and crispy but soft in the middle.

I then cut up about a cup of fresh organic baby spinach, cutting it up in small pieces so you can eat triple the amount because they aren't whole leaves that are difficult to eat. I then sprinkled Portugese Extra Virgin Olive oil on top and tossed.

Cut three circles of cheese per serving, top with the tomatoes, a little Maldon salt, smoked if you have it, and then place a few drops of 10 year old Balsamic Vinegar around the plate.

It is a little time consuming but not as much as you think, more waiting and thinking ahead. No cholesterol, no unhealthy fats... And excellent on the palate:)

Today's Lunch

2011-02-09T11:43:00.000-08:00

Jerusalem Artichokes with Rosemary, Spanish-style Tomatoes in Saffron Oil,
Wine Braised Leeks and Catalan Style Bread

Sunchokes, also known as Jerusalem Artichokes are neither from Isreal or artichokes. They are actually the tuber from a sunflower! I got them at Publix in the produce section. They actually look alot like ginger but they taste nothing like it. I can not believe I have never seen any menus with this delightful food included in it. Braised with white wine and fresh rosemary, 10 minutes of cooking and viola a gourmet delight.

The leeks are easy, just put two tablespoons of Earth Balance to melt in pan and then cut up leeks, cook for a few minutes and add white wine, reduce to a glaze, salt and pepper and some thyme and they are ready to go.

The tomatoes are the most complicated. You need a pinch of saffron, smoked paprika and thyme. I get smoked paprika at the Colombian Gift Shoppe on St. George Street. Here I heated 1/2 c extra virgin olive oil with a pinch of saffron, added two pints of farmer's market tomatoes and four slivered garlics, cooked two minutes in oil and then transferred to an earthen ware dish added 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, a pinch of red pepper flakes, two sprigs of thyme, salt and pepper and one small bay leaf, stirred and baked at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.

Catalan style bread is just your choice of toast with a fresh tomato smeared all over it with a pinch of salt and some oil. It is so delicious.

Gardein Chiken Salad Vegan!!

2011-02-08T14:28:00.000-08:00

Gardein Chicken-ish product available at Publix and Whole Foods

For two people or one if you are really hungry

Saute' Gardein Unchicken Pieces in Skillet in a little olive oil.
Mix 1/2 cup Vegannaise with 1 tsp Rice Wine Vinegar, 1/2 lime juiced, 1 tbsp Agave Nectar and cut up celery, champagne grapes or currants and salt and pepper.
I used Malaysian style bread for the wrap because they are amazing, available at Indian Food Stores. Add sald greens to the bottom and avacado to the top. Salt and Pepper and eat!!

Thai Drunken Noodles

2011-01-26T15:12:00.000-08:00

Thai Drunken Noodles

Almost all of the grocery stores are carrying rice noodles these days in their ethnic food section, but I prefer to go to Asian Stores. 1. Because they are super inexpensive there, and 2. Bigger selection

I like the extra wide noodles for this recipe... boil water and then pour in a bowl over noodles while you prepare everything else.
Heat sesame or other oil in a pan, add 2 tbsp chopped garlic, 1 small thai chili, 2 tbsp peppercorns. Heat this until the garlic starts to brown but don't burn it.

Add whatever veggies you like, carrots, broccoli, mushrooms, onions, peppers, etc... I use Gardein Chicken from Whole Foods instead of meat and then tomatoes are braised at the last minute with thai basil. I grow my own Thai basil because I can never get enough of it's flavor but you can also pick up at the Asian Store usually.

The sauce is relatively easy, just a few 4 teaspoons of agave, 3 tbsp. of vegetarian or regular oyster sauce (also available at most grocery stores now) 5 teaspoon of soy sauce, and a 1/2 tsp of white vinegar.

Add eggs if you like eggs and stir fry. Add noodles that have been soaked. Lastly add the basil on top until wilted.

Add more chilis if you like it spicy or take them out if you are not into spicy foods.

If you aren't into the authentic style with the black peppercorns you can sub. white pepper. You can also use shrimp, tofu or whatever you prefer. Serve immediately and don't plan for leftovers.

I double the sauce mixture because I like them covered in sauce. You can add water with the noodles if they start to stick...

Enjoy

Raw Almond Milk Freshly Made today

2010-11-13T14:37:00.000-08:00

Raw Almonds are a must! Available at Blue Planet Co-op in St. Augustine, or a few Farmer's Markets around town from Blue Planet. Also online....

Soak the almonds for eight hours and then pull the skins off for best results. The skins are bitter and fiborous and do not give you the same silky texture as these! Blend with water for desired consistency. I strain through a double cheesecloth and add a little probiotics powder just for extra ones.

Make sure your almonds and raw and they soak 8 hours.

Raw Food Pad Thai

2010-11-11T07:45:00.001-08:00

This is sea tangle noodles (available at select Health food Stores) soaked in nama shoyu, agave nectar, lime juice and sesame oil. Add shreds of garlic and ginger and cayenne pepper.

You can use any vegetables you like in your pad thai regularly, broccolli, carrots, sprouts, green onions, zuchini, etc...

Then I garnish with cilantro and thai basel and finish with curried cashews...

Start soaking everything before you leave for work and then by the time you are ready for dinner, everything will be nicely marinated and soft.

Cashew Cheese Dip with Flax and Buckwheat Crackers

2010-11-11T07:19:00.000-08:00

Hello Friends trying to eat better!

You might say, Wow! Heather you are always posting cheese and desserts!! Well all I can say is that I am truly American and love junk foods, but the key is eating the foods that still have nutrition and taste great!

This is 2 cups of cashew soaked overnight , then blended and a teaspoon of probiotics added. This mixture stays overnight in cheesecloth so it can ferment and have a nice bite to it.

After its fermented "I took a handful of garden herbs, chives, rosemary and oregano, some lemon juice come miso and some tahini and blended it together.

I added buckwheat greens to the top and garnished with flax seed crackers. The flax seed crackers take about 30 minutes (20 of which is them soaking, requiring no energy output for you) and then i added buckwheat groats, cayenne peppers from the garden, turmeric, garlic and cilantro, blend and dehydrate until crispy!

Raw food is much easier for clean up! No greasy pans to scrape!!

Raw Buckwheat Treats- Rival Rice Krispies

2010-11-09T16:31:00.002-08:00

While it might be a little more advanced than the Rice Krispy Treats, it is healthier!!

Two thai young coconuts (I get mine from Asian stores not Whole Foods)
scrap out the meat, add some coconut oil, vanilla bean, agave. maple syrup and sea salts. Blend!!

Pour over your buckwheat groats(aavailble in bulk at the health food store). I soak mine for 8 hours and then dehydrate for 24 hours before I coat them, but if you don't have time, although not ideal, you can use them righ to ut of the bag!!

Dehydrate for 24 hours, if they make it that long, I love them warm right out of the machine!!

Ok, folks, no dehydrator? eBay !! Or it's gift giving time and what says I love you more than buying somehthing that is going to drastically help you eat healthier? $100!! Its less than a night out some times!

Raw Buckwheat Treats- Rival

2010-11-09T16:31:00.001-08:00

Raw Dinner Couldn't be Easier!!

2010-11-09T14:45:00.000-08:00

Cashew Cheese with Broccoli and Mushrooms

2 cups of cashews soaked in the frdige, 30 minutes-12 hours whatever works for you busy chefs!
Put it in the blender with some olive oil, light miso paste (available at any health food store)
1/2 cup Nutritional Yeast (also available at the same health food store in bulk).
1/2 red pepper
1/2 lemon squeezed
pinch of Celtic Sea Salt
1/2 jalapeno if you like hot

Now I know you are going to say "I don't have time to put 5 ingrdients into a blender and blend
The heat from the blender actuallly warms the sauce so don't heat it up in a pan.... keep it raw!

The veggies has been soaking in olive oil and a little Bragg's or Nama Shoyu (raw soy sauce)
Let the veggies soak all day or all night whatevers easy for you!!

Eating healthy doesn't have to be hard, it just has to be done!! You will feel like a million bucks eating this for dinner over pepperoni pizza... and hardly any clean up or prep time...

Chocolate Ganache Cake (oh and its egg, sugar, and dairy-free)

2010-09-08T06:09:00.000-07:00

C
Chocolate Ganache Cake

made with cocao powder, maple syrup, coconut oil, and cashews

Topped with agave crusted nuts and edible flowers!
You can have healthy desserts that are dairy and egg free!!

RAW FOOD REAL WORLD cookbook

2010-08-25T15:02:00.000-07:00

authentic tortilla from spain heather blanton-style

Cook the thin slices of red and white potatoes in oil first then soak in egg and almond milk batter for 20 minutes. All leeks, spinach, asparagus, or other veggies to the pan while cooking. Flip after a few minutes and cook opposite side.

It should be nice and moist not dry or brown.
I like to serve with Vegannaise Aioli and Andulsian Spinach seen here.

Rustic Bread Pudding w. Asparagus

2010-08-25T13:13:00.000-07:00

Rustic Bread Pudding with Farmer's Market Asparagus

This is a great way to use old bread you might otherwise toss, just take the stale bread, bagels, etc... and soak in almond milk and egg batter over night.
I then add sauteed asparagus, onions, and fresh tarragon. Garnish with your favorite cheese, I recommend Gruyere.

Baked at 425 or a few minutes and you have quite a treat

Grilled Eggplant Tacos with Tempeh

2010-06-16T06:16:00.001-07:00

Brush eggplant slices with olive oil, honey and dijon mustard mix. Grill each slice until golden. Tempeh is best if its from Gainesville, Artie's makes a great tempeh or Anastacia farmer's Market has a vendor...
Saute onions and garlic in oil, until golden, then crumble tempeh in, add chili powder and cumin. cut up one extra large tomato and saute together until cooked. Place one scoop of tempeh mixture in each eggplant slice and garnish with a jicama and zucchini slaw.
The jicama and zucchini slaw is shredded with a cheese shredder and then garnished with cilantro, lime juice and sea salt.

Roasted Tomato Bisque

2010-06-16T06:10:00.000-07:00

Roasted Tomato Bisque

Fast and easy, this soup is excellent!!

Use one large can of Organic Roasted Tomatoes, one stalk of celery, one carrot and half a sweet onion. Saute the veggies in Earth Balance for 3 minutes then add 5 cups veg. broth and canned tomatoes with juice. Put in fresh thyme from your garde, fresh parsley and one bay leaf. Simmer for 30 minutes. Then take off heat and add 1.5 c cashew cream. Blend in batches, but do not overblend. Re heat for 10 minutes on low and serve with thyme leaves and grape tomatoes. You can also garnish with croutons and oil . Excellent!!

Fava Bean and Potato Cake

2010-06-16T06:00:00.000-07:00

Fava Beans are a bit of a pain but so worth it! Shell them and then boil them for a few minutes and then take that shell off. Bake a few potatoes and mash them together with roasted garlic, truffle oil, sea salt and pepper. Fry on either side in olive oil til browned and serve with pea shoots. Drizzle truffle oil on plate.

Left-over Qrab Cakes with Spinach, Mushrooms and Eggs

2010-06-11T09:08:00.000-07:00

Fun with Left Overs

Use your leftover Qrab Cakes and make a whole new dish!

Lightly pan fry your cakes until hot and crispy. Now saute fresh spinach with garlic and portobellos and olive oil. Place on top of cake. Then fry two Farmer's Market eggs on the side and top with left over horseradish cream sauce! Viola!!

Tempeh Creole in Parantha Wrap with Pea Shoots

2010-06-10T10:21:00.001-07:00

Tempeh is a great alternative to meat and to tofu. Tempeh is a fermented bean and grain product that is available in stores but I only recommend Artie's from Gainesville. Artie's got it going on in the tempeh world. Most of the stuff you buy at Publix or Whole Foods, in my humble opinion is way too processed. I like the whole beans, and I like variety.

I am trying to start making my own tempeh because I have read that you can use any kind of bean, and I actually have tried Kidney Bean tempeh from Gainesville and I don't understand why people aren't making black bean, black eyed pea, lentil etc. They only use soybeans??

This recipe is a colloborative piece. Conscious Chef Tal Ronnens book has the creole recipe, marinated tempeh in tamari, ginger, kombu seaweed and oil and lots of veggies like onions, carrots, celery and peppers....

I used for the wrap a Malayasian Bread called Paratha. It is excellent and really holds much better than a tortilla.

I also used fresh pea shoots which are outstanding, I saw them recently for sale at the co-op grocery store on Anastacia Island, but I grow them in my automatic sprouting machine.

Fresh Corn Chowder

2010-06-10T06:08:00.001-07:00

Fresh Corn Chowder

This couldn't be easier!
We have amazing corn grown right here in our backyards. Take advantage of the fresh taste of using real corn fresh from the Farmer's Market.

3 ears of corn, cashew cream, cilantro and roasted peppers make this a tasty, protein filled treat.

Farmer's Market Vegetables with Korma Sauce over Rice

2010-06-08T09:15:00.000-07:00

Farmer's Market Vegetables with Korma Sauce over Rice

This is a little bit easier of a dish for when you don't have a lot of time.

The korma sauce which I would normally make myself is actually a store bought kind available at health food stores and some times even nicer markets like World Market and Fresh Markets.

It is an Indian brand made in England I believe called Patak's. This paticular one is called Korma and it is coconut and cilantro based.

I added pan fried yucas, sweet potatoes, peas, carrots, zucchini and almonds with one can of organic coconut milk. I always sub every dairy ingredient one to one with either coconut , almond or cashew milk.

Its a great way to get your vegetables and use a variety of colors. The more colors, the more nutritious and pleasing to the eye. Coking can be a canvas!

Chocoalte Covered Cherry Cashew and Coconut Ice Cream

2010-06-08T09:01:00.000-07:00

Chocolate Covered Cherry Ice Cream
made from CASHEW and Coconut Creams

If you don't already have one, go on eBay immediately and order a home ice cream maker. I use a kitchen aid one. It is imperative to be able to make your own dairy and egg free ice cream. Every one is a little allergic to cow's milk and no one needs the fat of cream and eggs.

This healthy alternative, although not my best photo, is quite tasty.

You use 1/2 cup of cashew cream
1 can organic coconut milk
1/4 -1/2 c maple or agave syrup
pinch of salt
vanilla bean scraped or liquid will do in pinch
fresh cherries diced or frozen diced
Lindt chocolate truffles diced

put everything except cherries and chocolate into the blender and then pour into ice cream maker and then add cherries and chocolate while stirring. 25 minutes later, protein filled vegan ice cream. Shown here with the Immaculate Bakery triple chocolate chunk cookies....

Vegan Qrab Cakes w. Horseradish Cream and Summer Veggies

2010-06-07T16:25:00.000-07:00

Vegan Qrab Cakes w. Horseradish Cream, Beet & Apple Relish, Over Steamed Summer Veggies

I got this recipe from a killer vegan cookbook called "The Conscious Chef" by Tal Ronnen

These tofu crab cake wannabees are excellent. It's a time consuming effort but well worth it.

Instead of crab, you use organic firm tofu, with carrots, onion, nori, nutritional yeast, white pepper and lime juice.

The horseradish cream is veganaise and cashew cream with prepared horseradish and lemon juice.

The beet relish consists of one beet boiled for 25 minutes in 2 cups of water and 2 tbs of balsamic vinegar. Chop and add one fresh diced fuji or pink lady apple and sea salt, preferably Maldon. Maldon is available at your finer markets and Whole Foods. Once you use this salt you will never use any other again, I promise you that.

The veggies are steamed corn and edamame, with Shallots and fresh organic cherry or grape tomatoes.

For a more detailed recipe you should order
http://www.amazon.com/Conscious-Cook-Delicious-Meatless-Recipes/dp/0061874337/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1275953842&sr=8-1

photo by heather blanton dot com

Spanish Tortilla w. Fresh Goat's Milk Cheese

2010-06-05T12:22:00.000-07:00

Farmer's Market Favorite

Fresh Egg and Goat's Milk Cheese Tortilla

w. Vegan Alioli and Green Onions

This is a lighter version of the famous Spanish Tapa called Tortilla. Traditionally, one begins by frying the heck out of sliced fresh from the market red potatoes in olive oil til golden. Then you oak the potatoes in an egg and milk combo for 10-15 minutes. All of this mixture in poured into a skillet and produces what looks like a fruttata.

In my healthier version, I use Almond Milk instead of dairy and use only four eggs instead of 6. My eggs are also from the farmers market, from a farm in St. Augustine and they are labeled "for pet consumption only" because they are not pastuerized. Pastuerization is needed from factory farmed eggs where chickens are raised in cages on top of one another and they are literally living in fecies. Anyway back to the food...

I also add onions. green onions, spinach, whatever greens you would like. You have to throw in greens where ever you can. You will thank yourself some day.

The fresh goat cheese from the same farm is much more like curds or ricotta than chevre.
it is not processed and not pastuerized so it has probiotics in them.

The alioli is veganaise, lemon juice, white miso and fresh garlic all blended together!

Farmer's Market Sweet Potato and Chinese Cabbage Gratin

2010-06-05T09:59:00.001-07:00

This is an easy dish you make with any kind of potato you may have available at the farmer's markets. Here in St. Augustine the sweet potato varieties growing now are my favorites. Especially the golden sweet potatoes. I used fresh Chinese cabbage I just harvested from my suburban yard. Cabbage is easy to grow like collards and kale and it doesn't attract bugs so you never need pesticides!
In any recipe you encounter that says use 1/2 c of cheese, I automatically replce with cashew cream,
(simply soak cashews in purified water overnight, drain and blend in the
Vita-mix for a few minutes with about an inch of purified water until desired consistency is reached.)
This recipe had me steam the potatoes which I like, 20 minutes, then the cabbage for ten....
It also uses browned butter which I always use Earth Balance, not Smart Balance, read the ingredients label of everything you put in your mouth, if you cant pronounce it then why would you poison yourself with chemicals?

Watercress and Pea Shoot Ceasar Salad w. Grilled Artchokes

2010-06-04T15:57:00.000-07:00

Vegan ceasar dressing is made with Nayonaise or Veganaise which are tofu based so use this recipe sparingly. It also has white miso paste which is excellent for you, capers, lemon juice, garlic and shallots.
The watercress is $1 at the Farmer's market and the pea shoots are ultra packed with nutrients. Anything in its sprout stage is excellent unless you get it water packed, in that case they are actually bad for you.
The croutons are made from Claire's left over bread from Christmas!! If you have old bread, just cube it up and lightly brush with oil and put in the oven at 200 degrees until crisp. They keep very very well strangely enough.

Vegan Farmer's Market Blueberry Pankcakes w. Cashew Whipped Cream

2010-06-04T15:43:00.000-07:00

made with flour, evaporated cane juice subbed for sugar, almond milk subbed for cows milk, and egg replacer subbed for eggs
The blueberries are locally grown and you can taste the freshness.
Cashew whip is easy. Just take raw organic cashews and soak them in spring water over night. The next day a little water at a time until desired consistency is achieved.

Eat local even if its not organic. Local food is always better than picking too soon so it can make the journey overseas to America. And it's much easier on your pocketbook.