Sweet Fried Plantains and Coconut-Peanut Butter Sauce

In the past year or so I've made a bit sport of on occasion picking up veggies or end result I've never eaten before and giving them a whirl in the kitchen, from time to time from the suggestions of readers, other instances out of easy curiosity after passing them within the market aisles. Bottle gourds, sour melons and mustard greens have all made an impression on me on this fashion, and it's constantly worthwhile to feature new reports and views.

This time a couple of plantains made it into the basket for the primary time. Large and thick-skinned banana cultivars, the starchiness, lower sugar content and greater neutral flavor of inexperienced unripe plantains makes them a staple cooking vegetable in plenty of the arena, in place of the soft and candy bananas we usually eat here in North America.

But my plantains have been ripe, which means that that lots of their starch content material have been transformed to sugar ? Still much less candy and milder than a banana, they're nonetheless not very appealing to devour on their own. But frying slices of ripe plantain in hot oil is a famous deal with in important America, that is what I did. As the slices turn a rich reddish-brown, the sugar caramelizes and the corporation flesh within the candy crunchy exterior softens into a mellow, barely banana-y and soften-in-your-mouth creamy filling. They're lovely to examine, and astonishingly tasty with out being too sweet. Dressed with a easy coconut milk and peanut butter sauce, those candy fried plantains are a lovable, short and clean treat.

Select ripe plantains for this snack ? Green plantains will flavor bland and experience starchy within the mouth. You can inform while plantains are ripe while they may be yellow with darkish splotches and yield to touch.

Other quick and clean fruit treats you may revel in:

Apricot Rum Fritters

Cream Cheese and Caramel Strawberry Dip

Red Fruit Salad

Blueberry Goat Cheese Pie

Though pumpkin pie is probable a more famous serving preference at some stage in the fall months, I couldn't withstand the idea of a single crust pie loaded with goat cheese and fresh blueberries and crowned with sliced almonds. As it so happened, neither my husband nor exceptional friend Basil should face up to a beneficiant sampling, and honestly that is a praise to the baker as each take into account themselves to be pie connoisseurs.

A surprising but beautiful detail of this pie is the gentle hint of sparkling basil that surely comes through even though I used just a small quantity. Not precisely a savory dessert, the beauty is rather subdued and pleasantly tempered via the creamy and tangy goat cheese. The herbal sweetness of the berries is likewise to be recommended.

Here, I actually have used one of my best attempted and examined homemade pastries. A tip I learned years in the past is to apply a few splashes of vodka in case your dough would not appear wet enough to roll out. If you use too much water, you end up with extra gluten formation, ensuing in a harder crust. On the opposite hand, vodka includes ethanol and due to the fact gluten does now not form in the ethanol, you are much more likely to reap that ideal gentle, wealthy and flaky butter crust that makes for the final pastry revel in.

As regular, sense loose to apply your very own favorite pastry recipe. If you bake, most simply you have got a number of treasured favorites.

More delightful pies from Lisa's Vegetarian Kitchen:

Pumpkin Pie

Concord Grape Pie

Apple Pie Tart

Savory Grape Leaf Pie with Herbs, Yogurt and Quinoa

Walnut Nanaimo Bars

These wealthy and decadent no-bake chocolate custard bars originated in British Columbia, Canada within the 1930's. Even extra sinful than our valuable butter cakes, this is but every other version of the traditional recipe. I included some chopped walnuts into the lowest layer this time round for a few more texture and nutty goodness.

Never thoughts the guilt, as with the intention to ruin the entertainment of this custardy, chocolate experience that admittedly surely ought to be served simplest on special occasions.

Other no-bake treats from my kitchen:

Classic Nanaimo Bars

Best-Ever Rum Balls

Peanut Butter Chocolate Squares

Peanut Butter Carob Balls

On the top of the analyzing stack: diverse stacks of sure goodness

Audio Accompaniment: Ostinato

Quick and Easy Healthy Peanut Butter Balls

These no-bake little peanut balls are so easy to prepare that surely you will want to keep them in mind while that yearning for peanut butter hits. Though I am the primary to admit that there may be nothing pretty just like the combination of chocolate and peanut butter, I wanted something truly healthier and this late night snack satisfied my yearning in infrequently anytime in any respect.

I do not have kids, however if you do, that is an ideal and simple recipe to get your children inquisitive about the idea of making homemade treats. Of course, anyone inside the house, grownups and children alike, will revel in those creamy, milky little bites.

More peanut butter delights from Lisa's Vegetarian Kitchen:

Homemade Peanut Butter Cups

Cayenne Peanut Butter Cookies

Peanut Butter Chocolate Squares

Peanut Butter Carob Balls

Santa's Panforte

This nut and dried fruit chunky, sweet and chewy treat I assure you is highly addictive. The little bites will keep at room temperature for up to three months if wrapped well in plastic wrap and up to a year if kept in the fridge I am told by Zel Allen, the author of Vegan for the Holidays , from which book this recipe is adapted. This means you could get a jump start on your Christmas baking and I foolishly thought that if I made up a batch back in September, I would have some left over for Christmas. Uh, no. They didn't last for even a month, especially as I had friends and family around to enjoy them too. Darn, I'll just have to make them again.

Though a great holiday treat, I assume you must have them reachable all year around for a fast and surely as a substitute wholesome snack. When site visitors drop with the aid of, you may not must fuss and hassle, however just serve up some squares of this heavenly bark.

I also pretty advise Ms. Allen's ebook for creative and particular answers for vacation food that are sure to please absolutely everyone. It often can be difficult to give you special meals at vacation time that us pesky vegetarians and vegans will enjoy in order to also please the carnivores at the table too, but this e book, that I even have written about before, no longer only makes it smooth but especially fun.

More ideas for excursion treats from Lisa's Vegetarian Kitchen:

Walnut Nanaimo Bars

Chocolate Cocoa Brownies with Dried Cranberries and Chickpea Flour

Chocolate Nut Butter No Bake Fudge

Rum Balls

On the top of the reading stack: Simply Satisfying by Jeanne Lemlin

Chocolate Quinoa Ricotta Bread

For years observed most effective in natural food strong point stores, quinoa can now be observed in each supermarket way to its growing recognition as one of nature's healthiest foods. It's a reputation this is nicely deserved. With a nearly best amino acid balance, its protein profile is the best and most complete of all grains, making quinoa an crucial food for vegetarians. It's additionally gluten-unfastened and a great source of fibre, iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, antioxidants and vitamins B and E.

But it is the mild, fluffy and slightly crunchy texture and delicately sweet and nutty taste of cooked quinoa that's helped make it a staple in so many households in recent times. Delicious on its very own, quinoa also pairs without problems with any number of greens, fruits, nuts and seasonings, making it a versatile element to have handy for all varieties of easy side dishes and breakfast porridges. Quick cooking, substitute quinoa for rice in any recipe. It's also floor right into a flour that may be used as a gluten-unfastened replacement for wheat flour in cookies, truffles and loaves. Turns out that quinoa flour is perfect for baking with and exceptional as a gluten-unfastened alternative. And in case you do nonetheless go to the herbal food shops you could discover quinoa pasta in addition to the greater individual and earthier-flavored crimson and black forms of quinoa.

More chocolate treats from Lisa's Vegetarian Kitchen:

Chocolate Nut Butter No Bake Fudge

Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake

Peanut Butter Chocolate Squares

Flourless Chocolate Cake

On the top of the reading stack: For the Time Being, Annie Dillard

Audio Accompaniment: Vladislav Delay

Guinness Gingerbread Cake

Not that I really wanted extra goodies and cakes after Christmas, however I become instead limited over the holidays and desired to assignment myself with the aid of developing with a gingerbread cake as a treat for my sweetie and pleasant friend Basil. I am greater of a cook dinner than a baker, so I become a little frightened approximately drafting my own recipe. Well, the result was heavenly and my gingerbread aficionados declared this to be one of the high-quality renditions of gingerbread they have ever enjoyed.

Deliciously wet, not like many gingerbread recipes, and not overly candy, even this savory lady became coming lower back for seconds. This is my first time using Guinness for baking and clearly it may not be the remaining. The stout adds a nice depth of flavor that compliments the clean ginger. You may of path use floor ginger, but for the whole gingerbread enjoy, I quite advocate going fresh.

More gingerbread delights from Lisa's Vegetarian Kitchen:

Healthy Gingerbread

Chocolate Brownies with Fresh Ginger

Fresh Gingerbread Cake with Lemon Icing

Gingerbread Muffins

On the top of the studying stack: How to Tell If Your Cat Is Plotting to Kill You

Cherry Nut Bars

We all recognize a few nut bars, however this publish is set the coolest nuts lurking in your pantry. Enter those cherry pie bars with almonds and pistachios which can be perfectly transportable and energizing. No introduced sweetener right here ? Just the goodness of dried fruit coupled with nourishing uncooked nuts. After making up a number of those quick and clean bars, in no way once more will you want to go back to luxurious and typically inferior shop-offered sorts. Knowing what's on your meals and, by extension your frame, is one of the keys to properly fitness.

These are ideal for a quick breakfast repair, snacks at work or school, and also street journeys. They additionally make for a excellent dessert, without the guilt. Give these a attempt to see in case you don't agree.

More dried fruit delights from Lisa's Kitchen:

Brownies with Dried Fruit

Ginger Molasses Pancakes with Mixed Dried Fruit

Cocoa Fruit Treats

Santa's Panforte

No-Bake Coconut Oil Fudge

I recognise that after maximum people think about fudge, we do not consider it as always being the most healthful deal with, but in this example I assure you that it's far. Just the goodness of coconut oil, coconut milk, raw honey, unsweetened cocoa and some vanilla with a dash of almond extract.

I've been seeking out a manner to incorporate more coconut oil into my food plan other than just cooking with it and this recipe is prime right here. Just a few nibbles for the duration of the day and I'm getting a first rate dose of this excellent oil that has a mess of health benefits. For a while, I attempted setting some on my toast with a few jam, however that simply failed to do it for me. This is tons tastier.

I was going to include a few peanut butter into this fudge for a protein raise, but decided towards it due to the fact I wanted to flavor it with just a few lots of cocoa and some flavoring. I'm happy I did and I suspect that I can be exploring the opportunities within the near destiny. Visions of mint dance in my head and maybe even dried fruit for a chunkier version.

If you are running with less warm elements along with the coconut oil or honey, you will should work with them extra to get a easy consistency.

More healthful indulgences you're sure to revel in from Lisa's Kitchen:

Cherry Nut Bars

Chia Seed Pudding

Chocolate Cocoa Brownies with Dried Cranberries and Chickpea Flour

Cocoa Fruit Treats

What's with sharing my contemporary on the top of the studying stack and audio accompaniment, a few may additionally ask? Well, I'm a non-public soul and this is truely a glimpse into other mechanisms at play similarly to the meals.

On the pinnacle of the analyzing stack: sorting through the piles and sorting out the most up-to-date Food and Drink Magazine

Audio Accompaniment: Tom Opdahl - Black Smoker

Cocoa Almond Brownie Bites

Nothing like a nourishing enhance for the temper than to obtain a cookbook within the mail that is destined to end up a precious favored. One of my latest acquisitions is written through Ricki Heller, a fellow cook, baker, blogger and published writer whom I have been following seeing that I ventured into the sector of food running a blog nearly 7 years ago.

I've tried more than a few of Ricki's recipes and I've never been disappointed. Indeed, I have been excited with the results each and every time. Her latest book, Naturally Sweet & Gluten-Free , is packed full with over 100 recipes that are free of gluten, dairy, eggs and refined sugars. Most are also soya free.

Ricki transformed her diet after years of eating refined sugars and decadent treats that led to a diet free of dairy, gluten and refined sweeteners, and to the path of wellness. You won't miss out at all when you try some of these whole food recipes that taste just as good, if not better, than the Hyde version of your favorite treats. A bonus is that many of the ingredients are already staples in my kitchen and fairly easy to find too. Informative, friendly and just what you want to eat, Ricki's book is one of the best of the season. It's lavishly illustrated too. Nourish yourself with some positive and creative energy from Ricki. Treat yourself to this lovely book and get baking to good health.

I meant to incorporate some dried fruit into the mix, such as cranberries or cherries, but I forgot … but no matter, as this is one recipe that stands alone just as developed. I only made a few minor changes. If you drink coffee, brew up a cup and indulge. Typically, I am not a big coffee girl, but in this case, that little extra indulgence is just right.

More bites of goodness from Lisa's Kitchen:

Cocoa Fruit Treats

Cocoa Nut Butter No Bake Fudge

Cocoa Fruit Energy Bites

Quinoa Nut and Fruit Protein Bars

On the top of the reading stack: Gogol

Audio Accompaniment: Marsen Jules Trio

Blueberry Ricotta Pound Cake

It won't be berry season, however I've been consuming a number of sparkling blueberries lately, regularly just with a piece of yogurt. Well the yearning hit for something sweet, and so this moist ricotta pound cake bursting with berry goodness became formed. I am sharing this simply in time for Valentine's Day. It is fulfilling anytime of year, any day of the week of path. My husband and I loved it for breakfast, lunch, dessert and for a late night snack. It's honestly not too sweet both, with most of the beauty coming from the berries. Stored in an airtight box, it stays fresh for a few days.

Other baked delights you are positive to experience:

Ancient Roman Cheesecake

Blueberry Ricotta Cheesecake

Guinness Gingerbread Cake

Blueberry Goat Cheese Pie

On the top of the studying stack: browsing the cabinets

Audio Accompaniment: Marsen Jules

Raw Peanut Butter Cookies

Over the beyond 12 months or so I've been especially interested by creating my personal power snacks and bars at domestic. Not most effective do you've got manage over the elements you use, it's miles cheaper than buying store-offered versions which are regularly encumbered with sugar and additives. In addition to nuts and dried culmination, peanut butter is often a feature of such snacks made in my kitchen because I admit that peanut butter is a weakness of mine. It is not uncommon to peer me eating peanut butter on one or greater occasions in some shape or other for the duration of the day.

My latest experiment was inspired by a cookbook I received for possible review entitled Rawsome Vegan Baking: An Un-cookbook for Raw, Gluten-Free, Vegan, Beautiful and Sinfully Sweet Cookies, Cakes, Bars & Cupcakes by Emily von Euw. I'll be having more to say about this beautiful and unique book again soon. For now, I will just say it is lavishly illustrated, featuring unique vegan and raw takes on old favorites. Pretty much all of the ingredients are staples you're likely have on hand in your kitchen, so no hunting around specialty stores or roaming the grocery aisle for additions that you may rarely have occasion to use again.

Although I was tempted by pretty much every recipe between the covers, my first choice was a raw version of peanut butter cookies. I have fond childhood memories of my mom's peanut butter cookies, and over the years I have experimented with different variations. As I move more and more away from refined sugars, this unbaked and raw version was especially appealing. Eggless and flourless, the sweetness comes from dried fruits. Soft and chewy, they are even better if you use chunky peanut butter. An additional bonus is that the cookies come together in hardly anytime at all if you have a food processor.

These cookies are so healthy and guilt-free, you won't feel bad at all about eating cookies for breakfast.

More healthy snacks and treats from Lisa's Vegetarian Kitchen:

Cherry Nut Bars

Cocoa Fruit Energy Bites

Cocoa Fruit Treats

No Bake Peanut Butter Carob Balls

Other peanut butter cookies from Lisa's Vegetarian Kitchen:

Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Bites

Healthy Peanut Butter Cookies

Cayenne Peanut Butter Cookies

Raw Avocado Coconut Nanaimo Bars

There is a new cookbook on my shelf and I'm super excited about it. Rawsome Vegan Baking: An Un-cookbook for Raw, Gluten-Free, Vegan, Beautiful and Sinfully Sweet Cookies, Cakes, Bars & Cupcakes by Emily von Euw is all about sweet treats, all raw, gluten-free and vegan. Covered are old classics ranging from cookies, cakes, bars and cupcakes, pies and tarts, puddings and ice cream with a creative twist. Apart from the stunning and drool inducing photos that adorn each page, I was immediately struck by the unique selections that are essentially guilt-free.

Looking at the photos, you would think eating such decadent looking desserts would lead to a spike in your blood sugar, but in fact, the treats and desserts are actually good for you. Dried and fresh fruits and raw nuts are prominently featured and sweeteners, when they are used, are natural ones, such as maple syrup. Another especially appealing aspect of the book is that pretty much all of the basic ingredients are ones that you are likely to have on hand. No need to hunt around for unfamiliar ingredients that you may only use a few times, leaving them only to languish in the cupboard.

The first recipe I tried was one for raw peanut butter cookies from the multiple ones that I bookmarked. Next up was a this one for raw Nanaimo bars. My usual version of this classic treat is served only rarely on special occasions because they are so decadent. Needless to say, this much healthier version appealed to me. My best friend Basil has been hoping for years that I might come up with a variation that was not so laden with processed sugars, and this was just the right alternative.

I was amazed at how much they actually tasted like the usual custard-filled Nanaimo bar. Creamy avocado is a perfect substitution for custard and the crust, made up of dried fruit and almonds, makes for a perfect cookie-like naturally sweet base. Coconut oil helps bind together the middle layer and the cocoa topping. Sweetened also with maple syrup, you can enjoy this raw rich treat with minimal guilt. These delights literally melt in your mouth. The Nanaimo bars come highly recommended from my kitchen as does this cookbook.

Note: received a copy of this book for possible review. As always, the opinions expressed here are my own.

Other raw treats you are sure to enjoy from Lisa's Vegetarian Kitchen:

Raw Peanut Butter Cookies

Quinoa Nut and Fruit Protein Bars

Cocoa Fruit Energy Bites

Cocoa Almond Brownie Bites

Mini Tahini Cups with a Creamy Coffee Date Filling

Without a doubt, these addictive little uncooked power bites rank excessive on my listing of delectable treats. I've already made them twice, partly because I desired to get the proportions simply proper, and largely due to the fact I wanted to eat them once more, despite the fact that a batch yields about 20. They do maintain well although, as they are stored within the fridge and the fundamental components are coconut oil, tahini and dates ? No longer that they lasted very lengthy in my kitchen, specially thinking about I shared with friends. Peanut butter fan that I am, I definitely assume those rank proper up there with selfmade peanut butter chocolates.

This extremely good recipe is slightly tailored from a brand new favourite cookbook that I acquired for possible evaluation. I've written about Rawsome Vegan Baking earlier than and have not stopped the use of the e-book for suggestion due to the fact that. The unique recipe suggested serving them in widespread size muffin cup portions, but I desired to cause them to into smaller bite-size servings. Mind you, this did no longer prevent me from indulging in greater, as I might have possibly two (or greater!) at a given time. Good issue they're clearly sweetened and full of goodness and without guilt ? You'll not necessary think so due to the fact these luscious creamy date crammed delights fulfill the candy teeth just like the maximum decadent of cakes and actually melt in your mouth. Enjoy them whenever of day while the craving for a chunk of sweetness hits. You may not leave out the butter, sugar, nor the chocolate, in this example.

Other raw treats to strive from Lisa's Kitchen:

Avocado Coconut Nanaimo Bars

Raw Peanut Butter Cookies

Peanut Butter Carob Balls

Cocoa Fruit Energy Bites

On the top of the reading stack: Dead Souls by Gogol

Audio Accompaniment: Gast?N Ar?Valo

Moist Chocolate Date Cake

Dense, yet very wet and nearly molten-like, the wonder of this chocolatey, buttery and none-too-sweet simple loaf cake comes from pur?Ed dried dates and cherries ? Oh, and a definitely best bar of true great excessive-cocoa darkish chocolate. The darkish cocoa chocolate guarantees that the beauty from the dates and cherries shines via. Health-aware diners may be forgiven for questioning that there should be introduced subtle sugars in the cake, however you will be satisfied to let them realize that it is a super and almost guilt-unfastened dessert ? A touch accurate dark chocolate never harm every person!

This cake is likewise a sensuous snack, lunch addition, or maybe a brief breakfast, dare I say. Basically on every occasion the craving for a wet dark chocolate enjoy overwhelms, actually. And it stays wet for numerous days in a sealed field, although it might not probably ultimate that lengthy, so it's extremely good to make while you suppose you may just need to have some thing round for a bit while, just in case.

For a cake it is just a chunk sweeter, beat in about 1/4 of coconut sugar with the butter, date and cherry pur?E.

If you are planning on treating a special mother for your life this upcoming mother's day, this might simply be the cake to have a good time with. It's top notch for any amassing and also a exceptional way to say thanks.

More dessert and treats providing dried culmination:

Brownies with Dried Fruit

Cherry Nut Bars

Cocoa Fruit Energy Treats

Mini Tahini Bites with a Creamy Coffee Date Filling

On the top of the reading stack: Dead Souls - Gogol

Audio Accompaniment: Mark Hollis

Italian Lemon Cornmeal Shortbread

These little delights had been part of a Mediterranean themed multi-direction meal served up with some twists to have a good time a go to from a chum of mine who become visiting recently from New Zealand. This loved friend of mine I have acknowledged for 20 years, and now I am pleased to have met his captivating wife and, in this latest journey, his good-looking and inquisitive young son. It changed into a bittersweet visit as oceans separate us bodily now that they have again domestic. All things sweet ought to come to an stop, until some other day.

Much like biscotti, handiest less sweet and softer, the cornmeal imparts a pleasant grainy texture to this shortbread and every lemony chunk actually melts for your mouth. Very easy to prepare with little fuss or mess, they are a first-rate way to cleanse your palate after a rich meal with a myriad of flavor sensations.

The menu:

Baked Quinoa Falafel with Yogurt Tahini Lemon Sauce

Greek Salad

Gigantes Simmered in Garlicky Tomato Sauce

Greek-Style Lemon Rice

Cornmeal Shortbread

Chocolate Date Cake

Other shortbread creations from Lisa's Vegetarian Kitchen:

Rosemary Parmesan Shortbread

Spicy White Cheddar Shortbread Crackers

Jalapeno Cheddar Shortbread

Peanut Butter and Blueberry Shortbread

On the pinnacle of the studying stack: the newspaper

Audio Accompaniment: silence