coconut

Coconut Matcha Tea Ice Cream

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I’ve been on a matcha kick lately. Traditionally introduced in Japan as part of meditation, it is an incredible source for antioxidants, detoxification, enhances mood/concentration, and boosts metabolism. Additionally, it helps fight cancer, calms the mind/relaxes the body, and is an excellent source of vitamins. I typically enjoy matcha as a warm beverage, but decided to try it as a dessert component today. Subtly sweet, this creamy treat needs nothing but your smile.

Ingredients (yield: 1 1/4 quart)

32 oz. unsweetened coconut milk

1-14 oz. can of unsweetened coconut creme

1/3 cup unsalted roasted cashews

1/4 cup + 1 Tbsp. maple syrup

2 Tbsp. unsweetened matcha powder

1/4 tsp. almond extract

5 medjool dates, pitted

Directions: 

Combine all ingredients into a blender, and blend until completely smooth.  Add to an already frozen ice cream maker, and turn on until thoroughly frozen.  Enjoy with a smile.

 

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Creamed Curried Coconut Cauliflower Soup

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About 15 years ago, our paths intertwined with this amazing couple from our church. Rich and Lucy  are the type of people who light up a room; charming, funny, inspiring, uplifting.  They are the kind of people you can’t get enough of.

One evening, in an unusual torrential Southern Californian downpour, we were fortunate to be the lucky recipients of a meal hosted by them at their cute little Costa Mesa abode.  Fortunately for us, the rain dissipated so we could enjoy their lovely backyard lit up with decorative lights set amidst their quaint city garden to partake of the amazing meal Rich prepared.

Rich is probably one of the best cooks I have met.  He can pair flavors together with such intrigue, that I find myself dissecting the meal so that I can replicate it at another time. But, he is similar to me, in the fact that often times, I prepare a meal and do not write down the recipe.

This wonderful meal consisted of a main dish of creamy curried coconut cauliflower soup. Such a depth in flavor, and the perfect accompaniment for the fresh garden salad, and rustic bread and garlic spread that he created.  Since that evening, this soup has been on my top five favorite soups list.  I cannot prepare it with the same umph, as he, but it comes close enough to where I can allow my palate to be content.

INGREDIENTS:

1/4 cup of olive oil

1 head of  cauliflower, chopped

1 small white onion chopped

2 large cloves of garlic

1/2 tsp. curry powder

1/4 tsp. turmeric

1/2 tsp. coriander

1/2 tsp. cumin

1 tsp. sea salt

1/4 tsp. black pepper

1/2 cup cashews

1 tsp. sesame oil

6 cups of vegetable stock

* salt and pepper to taste

1 can coconut milk

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 375. In a bowl, mix together olive oil, cauliflower, onion, garlic, curry, turmeric, coriander, cumin, sea salt, and pepper. Allow to roast for 30 minutes until cauliflower is softened.  In a soup pot, place the roasted cauliflower mix with vegetable broth, coconut milk, and cashews. Bring to boil for 5 minutes, then simmer for another 15.  Blend with an immersion blender until creamy.  If you don’t own an immersion blender, you can use a regular blender if yours is fine with heat.  Add the sesame oil, and adjust the salt and pepper to your liking.

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Coconut Yogurt

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I love yogurt, but hate all the mass amounts of sugar in it.  Making yogurt from scratch provides you the control of what goes into this heavy laden probiotic source. Yield: 32 oz.

Ingredients:

32 oz. coconut milk

3 Tbsp. arrowroot powder

2 Tsp. agar

3 capsules of probiotic

1 Tbsp. vanilla extract (Edwin & Lesha)

Directions:

Heat coconut in a pot to 180 degrees. Add arrowroot powder and agar; whisk. Allow to cool to 110 degrees.  Add probiotic capsules and vanilla. Whisk until blended. Place cooled yogurt in mason jars with lids.  Place jars in a ice chest protected by towels to allow to fully cool and ferment for 8 hours.  The longer you cool this way, the more tart your yogurt will taste.

I enjoy mine with a touch of home made granola.

 

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Maple Sweetened Pecan Pumpkin Bread with Cranberries

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I know this is not in season, but I was craving this light fluffy pumpkin bread all day today. So, I threw caution to the wind, and went for it.  For my gluten free visitors, just substitute the barley flour for Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free All Purpose Flour. It turns out just as delicious.

PUMPKIN LOAF

(yield: 12)

Ingredients:

1 3/4 cup barley flour

1 1/4 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. sea salt

1/2 Tbsp. of pumpkin pie spice

2/3 cup maple syrup

1/3 cup safflower oil

1 cup organic pumpkin puree

1/4 cup coconut milk

1 heaping Tbsp. of flax seeds

1 Tbsp. vanilla extract

1/4 cup dried cranberries

1/4 cup pecans

1/4 cup dried coconut flakes (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In one bowl combine: barley flour, baking soda, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice and sea salt.  In a separate bowl, combine maple syrup, safflower oil, pumpkin puree, coconut milk, flax seeds, and vanilla extract.  Mix wet into dry, and then fold in cranberries, pecans, and coconut flakes (optional)

2. Bake for 25 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

 

 

 

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Curried Coconut Tempeh w/Veggies over Rice

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I LOVE Indian food.  It’s probably my favorite of all cuisines.  Here is my rendition of Curried Coconut Tempeh with vegetable medley over rice. Because my three girls are spice sensitive, I can’t over season dishes.   Feel free to alter this as you please.

TEMPEH MARINADE:

(yield: 2 cups)

Ingredients:

1 Tbsp. olive oil

1/4 cup soy sauce

1/2 cup water

1 clove garlic

1 tsp. ginger or 1/2 tsp. fresh ginger

1 tsp. mustard

8 oz. tempeh

Directions:

1. In a small bowl, whisk olive oil, soy sauce, water, garlic, ginger, and mustard.  Place tempeh in a seal proof tupperware, and pour marinade over tempeh and allow to sit for 6-8 hours, refrigerated.

COCONUT  CURRY SAUCE:

(yield: 2-4 servings)

Ingredients:

1 tsp. olive oil

1/2 white onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 1/2  Tbsp. curry powder

1 (13.5 oz.) coconut milk

1 Tbsp. soy sauce

1 Tbsp. maple syrup

1/2 tsp. sea salt

Directions:

1. Heat oil in sauté pan over medium heat and saute onions and garlic until tender.  Add coconut milk, curry powder, soy sauce, maple syrup, and salt. Adjust salt as needed.  Set aside.

RICE AND VEGGIES:

Make rice for 4 servings (which ever type you prefer) and set aside. Steam veggies. I like to use 1/2 yam, 2 cups broccoli, 2 cups cauliflower, and kale.

TOPPINGS:

Cranberries, cashews, sliced green onions, cilantro.

 SAUTE TEMPEH

(yield: 2-4 servings)

Ingredients:

2 Tbsp. unbleached all purpose flour

1 Tbsp. cornmeal

salt and pepper

Marinated tempeh

Directions:

On a plate, mix flour and cornmeal along with salt and pepper.  Take marinated tempeh from the tupperware and proceed to bread in the flour mix.  On medium heat, in a sauté pan, brown each side of tempeh.  Begin to make dish. Place sauce on plate, and rice on top of sauce.  Place veggies and tempeh on plate and then garnish with cranberries, green onions, cilantro and cashews.  Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

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