Raw Caramel Slice

When a friend sent me the link to this recipe from Food Matters, I couldn't resist making it right away! It's very simple to put together, the only thing you really need to do is wait until the base sets before you add the chocolate layer. I left it overnight and finished it off quickly the next morning.

For me, it's a tad rich and a little too sweet. However, I would make it again, tweaking the amount of maple syrup in the filling. I love the touch of tahini in it too.

For those with a sweet tooth- knock yourself out on this one!

Link to the recipe below.

Not many ingredients- and some are repeated in the different layers of the dessert. 

After processing the ingredients for the base, this handy little roller made it smooth and compact.

While the base in the freezer was chilling, I made the filling and added it on top. I returned it to the freezer and waited until it was firm (overnight in my case so not sure how long it would actually take)

The only thing that requires some cooking is the chocolate layer on top- but takes no time at all to finish that off and it poured beautifully onto the filling.

I used a serrated knife which I frequently dipped into hot water (and dried) so the chocolate on top wouldn't crack.

Link to the recipe:

http://bit.ly/1O9lzaW

Smokey Sweet Potato Tempeh Scramble

Sometimes I like simple, healthy, uncomplicated food that I can put together in 1/2 hour. This recipe from Connoisseurus Veg hits the spot.

Grab your cast iron frying pan and it's pretty much a quick sauté, and a few spices. Scoop some onto a soft tortilla, add some toppings like avocado and scallions, a few cherry tomatoes and some parsley and it's a perfect brunch, lunch, or dinner.

I liked the spice mixture, but would add more soy sauce next time. Season it to your liking. Enjoy!

Link to the recipe is below.

Link to the recipe:

http://bit.ly/1JQ1tzn

Mung Bean Stew with Butternut Squash

This summer I decided to soak, cook and freeze a lot of different dried beans. Since they are a staple in our diet, it seemed like a real time saver to have them on hand. And it is. So when I grabbed a bag of Mung beans, looked for an appetizing recipe and this one popped out for me from Winnie who writes for The Healthy Green Kitchen blog.

This was more of a soup for me, so if you want it stew like, just add less stock. I also added less of the coconut milk (1/2 can) and it added flavour without all the fat.

The flavours are deep and well rounded (love the garam masala spice in it) the texture smooth and comforting. This will be a favourite go to soup- time and time again.  So happy to find this blog- and share it with you!

The link to the recipe is posted below.

This photo doesn't do it justice. It really is lovely looking soup!

The swiss chard is from my garden!

Smells divine!

 Here's the link to the recipe:

http://bit.ly/1g5kT8F

Watermelon Gazpacho

I had a sugar baby watermelon in the fridge that needed to be eaten but my husband is away. I like watermelon and I can only eat so much of it. So I decided to look for creative ways to use it.

I hit gold dirt!

I found this delicious recipe on EatingWell.com. It takes no time to make, and the gazpacho is light, and refreshing with a  touch of sweetness from the melon. And it looks so pretty in a glass!
A beautiful summer soup.

See below for the link to the recipe.

How easy is this?!

The recipe calls for adding some of the finely chopped ingredients to the mixed soup but I decided to add them to the processor. I liked the effect.

CHEERS!

Link to the recipe:  http://bit.ly/1EKlRTM

Our Bumper Crop

When we built our home ten years ago we knew our back yard would be a wooded area but we didn't know that 2 different wild apple trees were growing right at the fence line. In fact one of them, the russet apple, has never produced fruit. Until this year.

In May I woke one morning to this glorious sight.

It was breathtaking. I've never seen such delicate pure white blooms cascading from this humble, misshapen tree. I knew it was going to be a splendid year.
And it was.

The small reddish green apples ripened month by month and in mid August, right before our holidays, they were ready to be picked. My husband climbed up and reached as many as he could. Baskets and baskets full. 8 hours later, I had filled 50 jars of applesauce.

It's the most delicious apple sauce I've ever held in my mouth. With just a sprinkling of cinnamon, the natural slightly tartness of those wild apples is beyond wonderful.

I feel so humbled to have this bounty gifted to us this year. So very, very grateful.

The remaining apples- even brighter and higher than we'll ever climb- are reminders to never give up on old apple trees- or old anything.

The best may be still to come.

A few more apples I could barely reach, the last of the tomatoes. 

Thank you, summer.

Heaven in Your Mouth.

The juicy sweet softness of a fresh peach near the end of summer is deliciously sensual.  What happens when you add some blueberries, and crumbly walnuts and shredded coconut on top with a dash of maple syrup and bake until bubbly?  It's heaven in your mouth.

Here's a simple recipe that is one of the best crisps I've ever eaten- vegan or not. Taken from an awesome blog- 'The Detoxinista'.  You must try. Really.
Link for this recipe is included below.

Not easy to find organic peaches but my On the Move Organics home delivery service knew where to find them. They were so good, I've ordered 4 more boxes this week!

YUM.

And I even had some peaches left over for the freezer. Bonus!

Note: This weekend I happened to see a wild russet apple tree on my bike ride, so I loaded up as many as I could reach and made another crisp!

My hat became my basket!

Russets are a very firm apple so I had to cook them down to soften. Even so, this crisp was firmer than the usual kind.

Making the topping. 

This one didn't make it to the freezer!

Link to the recipe:

http://bit.ly/1sQuEJS