Bit-like Anzac Cookies!

Ok, I admit I should of posted this a few days ago so you could all benefit from making these delicious cookies....... but surely it clear by now that my blogging mojo left the building quite a few years ago! 
Now sadly I will admit, I have been making this new version of Anzac cookies for the last few years but never made the time to sit down and blog them! 

WELL TODAY IS YOUR LUCKY DAY! ;-) 

How did these cookies come about when I already have a recipe for Anzac Biscuits..... 
Well we haven't had coconut in the house for over 4 years now, and I eat virtually flour free so I decided to make a varied version of the one I already published all those years ago! 

Ok, I know that it's not very traditional to make Anzac cookies without coconut, but when you're limiting saturated fat this version sure gives you the mouth feel of a traditional Anzac cookie, but without the unhealthy fat. I decided to add golden syrup instead of rice malt to this recipe as I really feel like it is what truly reminds me of Anzac cookies! 

ENJOY! 

        You'll need:
        (Makes 8 thick cookies)
                1 cup rolled oats
                1 cup oatbran
                1/3 cup muscavao or brown sugar
                1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce
                2 Tablespoons golden syrup
                1 teaspoon coconut essense
                1 teaspoon bi-carb soda
                2 Tablespoons boiling water

Combine the dry ingredients in a bowl and mix until well combined. 

Add the wet ingredients EXCEPT for the bi-carb/water but don't mix yet. 

Mix the bicarb in a small ramekin with the boiling water. When it bubbles, add it to your mixing bowl and stir all ingredients gently til well combined and the mixture holds together. 

Don't overstir.

With wet hands press the mixture into 8 cookies and bake in a preheated 180C over for 10-15 mins til desired done-ness (is that even a word?!?!!!).

I found these a little more crumbly than the original recipe, obviously the flour impacts that. I enjoy this texture more of this version and I also enjoy them a little thicker- thus why I consider them a "cookie" compared to a biscuit! I also enjoyed the golden syrup considerably more than the rice malt! 

TO be honest, I"ll never go back to making them the previous way - probably because I"ll never buy coconut again!! haha ;-) 

If you try both - let me know which version you prefer! 

Vegan Mofo Day 10 Baking without Flour - Breakfast Brownie

Today's vegan mofo prompt is "Baking without Gluten".
Whilst this recipe *may* contain gluten due to the oats, it is a flour free recipe which is something that is very relevant to me as I shared in my Introduction Post! For a guaranteed gluten free version you can substitute quinoa flakes in place of the oats.
I am quite enjoying my flour free life and with delicious breakfast treats like this, it's no wonder that I am not feeling deprived at all!
It would also make a great dessert for anyone who wants a little after dinner treat! 

Single Serve Black Bean Breakfast Brownie

                                  You'll need:
                                        1/2 cup cooked black beans
                                        1 Tablespoon ground flax seeds
                                        1/2 teaspoon cacao powder
                                        1/4 cup rolled oats
                                        1 small overripe banana
                                        1 teaspoon vanilla

Combine all the ingredients together in a mini food processor and pulse until lightly combined (best to keep some chunks for added satiety - Chew your food!). Add a splash of water if it's needed to combine the mixture into a thick batter. The water may or may not be needed depending on the size and ripeness of your banana and how well your beans are cooked.
Pour mixture into a silicone baking mould. I press my mixture into a quarter of a large square one. It doesn't spread as it cooks so this works well. Bake in a preheated 200°C oven for 20 minutes until cooked through and edges are crispy.

Delicious served with yogurt and berries.

Showing the pieces of banana and beans so you can see it's not pulsed thoroughly. 

*I find this sweet enough with just the banana, however if you'd like a sweeter version you can add 1 Tablespoon date paste to the batter.
*Multiply quantities if you want to make a multiple serves. 

No Junk Muesli Bars

When it comes to muesli bars, the ones in the shops are usually so full of junk! But sadly even many homemade recipes use oils or sweeteners in excessive amounts too. Here's a great recipe that has no junk and is still quick & easy to make! You'll wonder why you ever bothered to buy them when they're so easy to make yourself!
 

NO JUNK MUESLI BARS(Makes 8 bars)

                   You'll need:
                   1/2 cup dried dates
                   3 overripe bananas
                   3 cups rolled oats
                   1/4 cup ground flax seeds
                   1 teaspoons vanilla essence
                   1 teaspoon cinnamon
                      
                   Optional: 2 Tablespoons extra dried fruit, any other flavour you like:         
                   raisins, craisins, inca berries.

Place the dates in a food processor and pulse a few times until broken into small pieces.
Add the remaining ingredients and pulse until the mixture comes together and the oats are slightly broken down but not completely turned into mooch! ;-)
Press the mixture evenly into a 20cm square baking tin, either lined or silicone base.
Bake in a preheated 180°C oven for 25 mins until golden brown. 
Once cooled, remove from the baking tin & slice into 8 pieces.

Easy Pancakes

There's endless ways to make pancakes! Here's a quick & easy recipe that uses basic ingredients and doesn't require flour.

                          EASY BLUEBERRY PANCAKES
                                  To serve ONE - 4 small pancakes

          1/3 cup rolled oats
          1 generously heaped Tablespoon ground flax seeds
          1 small overripe banana
          1/3 cup soymilk
          1/8 teaspoon each vanilla essence, ground cinnamon
          2 Tablespoons blueberries (optional)

In a food processor combine the oats, flax, banana, soymilk, vanilla and cinnamon. Pulse several times until the mixture comes together but is not completely broken down.
Stir through the blueberries if you're using them.
Heat a non-stick frying pan, then reduce to medium heat. Pour the batter into the frying pan in quarter lots to make 4 small pancakes. As the pancakes begins to bubble around the sides, flip and allow the other side to cook until golden brown.

Serve with toppings of choice - shown with soy yogurt & raspberries.

NOTE: For pancakes that have a lower calorie density you can replace the soymilk with water.

QUESTION OF THE DAY:
What's your favourite topping for pancakes?

Easy Banana Granola - SOS Free

I know I'm been MIA for quite some time.
Truth is that I've lost a lot of motivation to blog when there are soooooooo many blogs out there these days & I'm not sure that I offer anything extra special above others!
I started writing a cookbook, which I have dreamed of doing for about 9 years now.... but I fear my food photography skills are rather lacking. I haven't given up yet.... I am just doing it quite sloooooowly! 

Also we've been eating so simple lately that I kinda feel like our food is "boring"!
Not that it's boring to us because we have honestly found that our taste buds change, so that when we eat simple unrefined foods in their whole form, they are just delicious like that.

But recently I've had quite a few people ask me for various recipes, or asked me to get back into it.....
SO........
I shall attempt to find some motivation to get blogging again!
Some recipes may be quite simple - but hey - sometimes we just need simple ideas to motivate us to make a meal!


Today I bring you a simple breakfast recipe that I've been making for a few years.So many store bought varieties of cereal these days have so much junk added to them! My version is completely junk free! It's also very versatile. You can add any dried fruit or nuts to it if you wish. It can be a granola or muesli base, or just used as a cereal - which is what I do mostly. Just add motherless milk and fresh fruit for a delicious brekkie that's quick and easy to serve, and isn't too much effort to make either.

EASY BANANA GRANOLA

You'll need:
2 large overripe bananas
2 teaspoons vanilla essence
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/4 cup ground flax seeds
3 cups rolled oats

Mash the bananas well. Add the vanilla, cinnamon and flax and stir til evenly distributed.
Stir through the oats until they are reasonably well coated by the wet banana mixture. 
Spread evenly onto a large lined baking tray.

Bake in a preheated oven at 160°C for 30 mins, stirring half way through. 

 

Allow to cool completely before transferring to a container.
This will keep for about 2 weeks in an air-proof container.  

QUESTION OF THE DAY:
To my other blogging friends.... have you ever lost your blogging mojo?
To my readers who follow along for the recipes.... What do you reckon- Does this look boring, or do you like the idea of simple recipes that don't include junk?

Summer breakfast ideas

I am a breakfast preson :-)
I just LOVE having breakfast - however, I must admit that I find I get bored with breakfast easily.
Here's 2 recipes that I've been loving over summer when it's too hot for having warm oats..... and I'm not bored with them!

Blueberry Buckwheat Breakfast

3/4 cup buckwheat
1/2 cup frozen blueberries
1 medjool date, pitted
splash of motherless milk
1 tablespoon ground flax seeds

Place the buckwheat in a bowl of water and soak overnight.
In the morning drain the buckwheat and place in a blender with the blueberries, date and motherless milk. Pulse a few times until the mixture is combined and broken down but not completely smooth.
Serve in a bowl with the flax. 

 

  So creamy and delicious :-)

Anything purple is appealing to me!

Banana Soaked Mango Oats

1 banana
1 teaspoon coconut essence
3/4 cup rolled oats
1 tablespoon ground flax seeds
1 mango

Place the banana and coconut essence in a blender with just enough cold water to cover it. Blend til smooth.
Place the oats and flax in a bowl and pour over the banana mixture. 
Place in the fridge for 10-15 minutes. 
The mixture will thicken and the oats will fluff up slightly.
Serve with a sliced mango.

Tropical flavours for breakfast :-)

So refreshing. 

 

Question of the day:
Do you prefer something different for breakfast in summer than winter?

Chocolate Berry "Cheesecake"

Does a recipe like this really need an introduction?!?
I think not, just try it - you'll want it every night.
It's quick, easy, healthy & delicious.

 

CHOCOLATE BERRY CHEESECAKE

Crust:
1 cup oats
1 cup dates
1 Tablespoon cocoa powder

Filling:
300g frozen berries of choice
200g medium firm tofu
1/4 cup soymilk (or other motherless milk of choice)
3 Tablespoons maple syrup
3 Tablespoons cocoa powder

Soak the dates in boiling water til softened. 
Drain and combine the dates, oats and cocoa powder in a blender or food processor.
Blend until well combined but not completely crumbed.
Press into a 20cm pie dish.

Blend the ingredients of the pie filling.
Pour into the pie dish on top of the crust. 

Place in the freezer for 3-4 hours.

Defrost 15-20 minutes prior to serving.

Serve for dessert,    no wait,    actually I think this is healthy enough to be BREAKFAST!  

Or turn it into "Birthday Cake".

 

Submitted for Healthy Vegan Fridays.

Add your recipe at:
Rock My Vegan Socks 
Vegan Dollhouse

Fruit & Oat Cookies - Sugar Free

My daughter doesn't like dried apricots...

My husband doesn't like ground flax seeds...

But I can get them BOTH to eat these cookies!!!

Fruit & Oat Cookies

(Makes 20)

You'll need:

2 over-ripe bananas

1/2 cup applesauce

1/3 cup each: raisins, dates, dried figs, dried apricots

1/2 cup ground flax seeds

1 teaspoons cinnamon

2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups oats

In a large bowl combine the bananas and applesauce. Mash until smooth.

Finely chop all the dried fruit.

Stir the fruit, flax, cinnamon & vanilla into the banana/apple mixture.

Gently stir through the oats until well combined.

Using wet hands, roll 2 Tablespoons of mixture into a ball shape and press firmly til the ball holds together. Place onto a lined baking tray and press down gently to form a cookie shape.

Bake in a preheated 170C oven for 25 minutes until lightly golden brown.

(You may notice the fruit in my cookies looks brown and not coloured - that is because I use non-sulphur dried fruit. I highly recommend you use it too - its available in health food stores.)


Question of the day:
What food do you dislike but enjoy when it's cooked into something else?

Banana Oat Slice

I love to mix up a quick & easy slice. 

They are great for sneaking into lunchboxes, for adults and kids! 

This is a really simple one that doesn't require many ingredients, most of them are just staples in our home so they are always on hand anyway. 

And.... it's easy enough for kids to make themselves!

BANANA OAT SLICE

You'll need:
2 Tablespoons ground flax mixed with 6 Tablespoons boiling water
1/2 cup motherless milk of choice
2 overripe bananas
1 teaspoon each baking powder, baking soda
1/4 cup coconut sugar  (*see below)
1 cup oats
1 cup oatbran

Whisk together the flax and water and set aside til thickened.
Combine all the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Stir until well combined.
In a smaller bowl mash the bananas well.
Add the milk and flax seeds and stir. 
Make a well in the centre of the dry mixture and pour the wet ingredients in.
Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry until just combined. Do not overmix.
Pour mixture into a 18cm square baking dish either lined or silicone.
Bake in a preheated 180C oven for 30 minutes.

*For a sugar free version omit the sugar and replace with 1 teaspoon vanilla.

Kids Lunchbox Club - Nut Bars

A wonderful sugar free treat for your kids (or your own) lunchbox. 

These bars are super easy to make and they are really tasty.

If your school is nut free then just substitute seeds as needed.

VEGAN SUPER BARS (as named by my daughter)

aka NUT BARS

You'll need:

1 1/2 cup oats

1/4 cup ground flax seeds

1/4 cup almonds

1/4 cup cashews

1/4 cup dessicated coconut

2 Tablespoons sunflower seeds

2 Tablespoons pepitas

150g soft silken tofu

1/2 cup apple sauce

1/4 cup pure maple syrup

Blend the tofu, maple syrup and apple sauce together until smooth and creamy.

Smash the nuts. I find it easiest to do this in a sandwich bag, using a 'meat' mallet.

Combine the oats, nuts, seeds, coconut and tofu mixture together in a bowl and stir until well combined.

Pour into a lined 20cm x 30cm lamington tin.

Bake in a preheated 160C oven for 40-45 minutes until browned and mixture holds together.

Cool before slicing.

 Makes 14 pieces (depending on the size you cut them too). 

Wrap in foil and decorative paper for added lunchbox appeal! ;-)

Best served with 'dolphin fruit' ;-)

Submitted to Meatless Monday - Tofu cooking.

WIAW - Triple grain breakfast

Welcome to What-I-Ate-Wednesday
It's been a while since I posted for WIAW. Life seems to be somewhat back in a regular routine now so with that comes a WIAW post. 
Wednesdays for me mean a packed lunch to take into work.
Today's Bento box style lunch:

 Green salad with bean salad and rice salad. Not more leftover from Christmas - just made again since then!!!

I have the wonderful blessing of my husband making our Wedensday evening meal.
Today was a taco plate with brown rice, red quinoa, black bean mix, veggie mix, carrot and lettuce:

I had pre-made my breakfast so that my morning routine was somewhat quicker.
And in the Summertime I definitely prefer oats to be cold instead of warm.

TRIPLE GRAIN BREAKFAST

3 Tablespoons quinoa flakes

3 Tablespoons Rye flakes

1/4 cup oats

1/2 mango

1 passionfruit

1/2 cup water

Put all ingredients into a bowl. Cover and keep in the fridge overnight.

Question of the day:
Have you experimented with soaked oats?

Healthy Pastry Crust

Now we can't have a bake off without making pastry!

And yes, I know that there are vegan puff and shortcrust pastries available in the freezer section of the supermarket, but let's face it - they aren't exactly 'health food'. So when life requires pastry (as it sometimes does!) - this is what I make:

You'll need:

1 cup oat bran

1/4 cup ground flax seeds

1/4 cup maple syrup

3 Tablespoons applesauce

Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and mix until they stick together. It will look like there isn't enough moisture but just keep stirring and it will eventually hold together. The mixture will be slightly sticky.

Wrap in cling or baking paper and place in the fridge for 1/2 hour.

Turn pastry onto baking paper and roll between two sheets til flat.

Very gently remove the top sheet of baking paper and place a pie dish over the top of the pastry. Gently flip the dish & pastry over and press the pastry into the pie dish. Gently remove the top sheet of baking paper. The pastry may slightly crack, but don't worry. Run a knife along the edge of the pie tin to remove the excess pastry. Use this excess pastry to repair cracks and reinforce the curves between the base and sides of the pie dish.  

This pie works well without being blind baked - however you can bake it if you prefer a crispier crust.

Fill as desired :-)

Variation:

This version works best for sweet baked goods.

To alter this pastry to make it better for savoury baked goods, replace the oats with wholemeal flour and the maple syrup with soymilk. The process is the same and it will still work out :-)

Savoury pastry made with flour and soymilk

Note the pastry will keep in the fridge for up 3 days prior to being rolled out.

You can store the pastry in the fridge after it has been placed in the pie dish too.

Easy DIY Cereal

Cereal's these days container many additives, and that's not even the cereal that people KNOW is bad for them!
Here's a great alternative to store-bought cereal. Yes I've used some sweetener - that way it's enjoyable, but with much less sugar than other cereals!

Its really tasty and easy to make.

You'll need:
4 cups rolled oats
1 cup coconut
1/2 cup peanuts
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup ground flax seeds
1/2 cup applesauce
1/4 cup golden syrup

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl until well combined. 
Spread onto lined baking trays (I used two).
Bake at 160C for 40 minutes stirring every ten minutes.

This doesn't end up as crunchy as granola and its not as moist.
It is definitely more like a 'cereal'.

Of course, you could always make this cereal without baking it - just omit the apple sauce and golden syrup. It just won't have quite the same flavour.

WIAW - Choc-Hazel-Goji Granola

Welcome to WIAW

I haven't done a Wednesday post for some time, so enjoy today's one!
It comes with a super yummy breakfast recipe.

Today's eats:

Breakfast was the totally delicious granola recipe below - sure beats nutella on toast!

Lunch I made a quick salad with cooked wholemeal pasta, salad leaf mix, grated carrot, sun-dried tomatoes, chopped capsicum and spring onions - topped off with a big dollop of hummus. Quick, easy, delicious :-)
Dinner was roasted sweet potato with a mexican bean mix with capsicum, corn, tomatoes, zucchini, borolotti beans and mushrooms.

Now for the promised recipe:

Chocolate Hazelnut Goji-berry Granola

You'll need:
2 1/2 cups rolled oats
3/4 cup hazelnuts
1/4 cup pepitas
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/4 cup coconut
1/2 cup apple sauce
1/2 cup brown rice syrup
1/2 cup goji berries
1/4 cup raisins

Smash the hazelnuts by placing them in a zip-lock bag and beating with a meat-mallet until broken into little pieces.
In a large mixing bowl combine the oats, smashed hazelnuts, pepitas, cocoa powder & coconut. Stir well.
Pour in the apple sauce and brown rice syrup.
Stir until well combined & all the oats have been coated with the moist ingredients. It will look like it won't all combine but keep stirring and it eventually does.
Pour mixture onto a lined baking tray and spread evenly and as thin as possible.
Place in a preheated 160C oven.
Bake for 40-45 minutes, stirring every 10-15 minutes.
Remove tray from the oven & allow to cool.
Stir in the goji berries & raisins until evenly distributed.
Pour into an airtight container for storage.

Here's a picture-tip for how to easily transfer the granola into the storage container:

Because sometimes in life we need all the tips we can get right!!! ;-)


Here's another one then...... don't start nibbling on this before putting it in the container - its soooo good that you won't have much left to transfer otherwise!!!