Baking

Have you tried teff ? Its actually the world's smallest grain and hails from Ethiopia. If you've ever eaten injera , Ethiopian flatbread (very similar to a buckwheat crepe), then you have likely experienced teff. The tiny grain is surprisingly a nutritional powerhouse -- but then again good things tend to come in small packages. Its also naturally gluten free and vegan. So why am I writing about teff today? I was contacted recently by a lovely lady with a big dream. She wants to share teff with the world in a whole new way -- Dirkosh . Dirkosh is a new company trying to raise money to create the world's first gluten free, vegan and oil free snack made from teff. I have been considerably reducing my oil intake lately (trying to live a more plantbased lifestyle) so I was very intrigued. Why should you consider going oil free? Because oil is now being regarded as not so good for us -- yes even beloved olive oil. Oil is very refined -- essentially a source of empty calories wit...

What are you up to for Halloween?  This year I think I'll be going to a costume party. Any outfit suggestions? Whatever I end up wearing I'll likely be bringing this delicious Spooky Tart. A double chocolate tart with a butternut squash caramel "web" topping! You'd never suspect it was vegan and gluten free. The tart should look familiar. Its very similar to my last recipe for a Harvest Chocolate Tart with a few key changes like the addition of a creamy Butternut Caramel drizzle. Its the perfect Halloween treat in my mind -- chocolatey, caramely and pleasing to the eye. This is a pie that's hard to resist -- unlike so many Halloween recipes out there that look pretty disgusting to me -- 'no, I'll skip the eye ball pie, thanks. Ditto on the bloody pudding.' If you have kids, this pie may be the healthiest thing you can convince them to eat this week! It hides about 6 cups (6 WHOLE CUPS!) of butternut squash! The crust is made primarily of whole grai...

Ok so let's start with a confession --I'm not crazy for pumpkin . I'm more of a butternut squash girl. I guess I'm just not that basic . Would you believe me if I said I thought pumpkin was meant to be hidden in desserts instead of featured? I occasionally like it on the sidelines but something about it rubs me the wrong way as soon as its a focal point -- like in pumpkin pie . Though I have come to tolerate pumpkin pie, I have never loved it. Butternut Squash Pie though...after today's recipe that is definitely something I'll be tinkering with. I made this pie for me and my husband this weekend. It was our anniversary last week but I was too under the weather to celebrate. For our little celebration activity we went indoor skydiving -- it was not my cup of tea . I'd rather just eat some pie! But I like to face fears (like my fear of heights), and with my husband around I find its easier to work up the nerve to try some new and often terrifying thing...

A little bit colder now. A little bit colder now.  A little bit colder now. A little bit warmer now! Sorry for anyone who didn't get that reference. The sentiment is intact though I think -- its a little bit colder now in my part of the world! Some people mutter expletives as they realize this but not me! Though I'm not a big fan of winter, Fall has always had my heart. With Fall comes baking, and apples, and mashed potatoes with gravy...and other deliciousness. To honour the changing of the seasons I decided to remove my air conditioner and make a vegan (soy-free) roast dinner! Today's recipe made me insanely happy. Like grinning from ear to ear happy. Why? Because I don't eat soy or gluten (I am allergic) so there are few to no mock meats for me on the market. I actually like it that way for a few reasons. When I became vegetarian I did not yet know I was allergic to soy or wheat so I ate a LOT of fake meat as I transitioned. Why? I blame laziness and having no clue h...