You are here: Home / Archives for pear

Gingerbread Sweet Potatoes

November 14, 2012 · by · 1 Comment

Today I have a post about my new Gingerbread Sweet Potatoes on Key Ingredient’s blog, The Back Burner.

These sweet potatoes are full of cranberries, pear and spices all topped with gingerbread cookie crumbs. Not exactly traditional, but definitely worth a try this Thanksgiving!

You can even bake the sweet potatoes in the slow cooker instead of cooking them on the stove-top. Also the spices are fairly mild, so feel free to add more if you want them stronger.

You can get the recipe over at the Gingerbread Sweet Potatoes Key Ingredient page.

Filed Under: Fall, Vegan · Tagged: , , , , ,

Slow Cooker Lavender Rose Pear Sauce

October 4, 2012 · by · Leave a Comment


No matter how busy or behind I get, I go on the deck and look out at the trees and listen to the birds before I leave for work. This morning I was rewarded with a magical rainbow. So I feel pretty lucky. I have an experimental agave mustard tofu in the slow cooker so everyone keep your fingers crossed for me!

Today’s Vegan Mofo recipe is made in a 1 1/2 to 2 quart slow cooker. It’s basically an enhanced applesauce, well…with pears instead of apples. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Breakfast, Cooking Time 8 hours, crockpot, Fall, Gluten-free, Overnight (8+ hours), Slow cooker, Soy-free, Vegan, VeganMo 2012 · Tagged: , , , , , , , ,

Vegan Creamy Pear Cardamom Cocktail

January 26, 2012 · by · 3 Comments

Continuing on my fancy drink exploration – this cocktail combines fresh pear with vanilla vodka and amaretto all tied together with the slightly floral flavor of cardamom.

If you can’t find any vanilla liquor you can make your own. Check on Barnivore to make sure the base vodka you use is vegan and then you just need vanilla beans and vegan sugar. It does take 2 to 3 months to make a usable liqueur, but if you start it tonight you’ll be that much closer to trying it.

Vegan Creamy Pear Cardamom Cocktail

Makes 4 to 6 servings

Ingredients:

  • 1 medium pear – peeled, cored and chopped
  • 1 cup unsweetened non-dairy milk (vanilla if possible)
  • ¼ cup vanilla vodka
  • ¼ cup amaretto
  • ¼ cup vanilla So Delicious Coconut Creamer
  • 2 tablespoons vanilla liqueur
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 2 teaspoons vegan sugar (or sweetener of your choice)

Preparation:

Add all ingredients except sweetener into a blender and blend until pear is smooth. Taste and use the amount of sweetener needed. This will depend on how ripe the pear is. Blend again and serve over ice.

You can always add an additional cup of non-dairy milk if you like your drinks a little weaker.

Filed Under: Busy Vegan, Drinks and Syrups, Vegan, Vegetarian · Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

That’s It Fruit Snack Bar Review and Giveaway

January 8, 2012 · by ·

It’s still early in the new year and I think that you, like me, are still working on eating better and adding even more fruit and veggies into your daily routine. Here’s an easy way to get 2 servings of fruit with nothing added. It’s like 2 pieces of fruit only you can keep these in your desk drawer or even in your pocket.

When the people at That’s It asked me to try these I didn’t have high expectations. Most bars that I try – even the ones I consider to be my favorites – let me down when it comes to flavor or texture.

But I have to say I really like these. It’s like a juicier fruit leather, which at the same time makes it not like fruit leather at all because it’s not hard and chewy. The flavor of the non-apple fruit really pops and makes it pretty darn delicious.

Each bar has 1 apple and a serving portion of the “flavor” fruit like cherry, pear, or apricot. Those 2 fruits are the only ingredients in the bar. They also talk about it being Diabetic friendly since they use low glycemic index fruit.

They are 100 calories each and have 3 grams of fiber. Vegan, gluten-free, and kosher all the while giving you vitamins a and c. Not bad for something that feels like a treat.

Enter this giveaway and you may just win your own That’s It Fruit Snack Bars to try!

There are a few rules to this giveaway – the winner must be at least 18 years of age and that the winning address is within the U.S. The winner will receive a variety pack of That’s It bars (12 bars – $21.18 value - http://www.thatsitfruit.com/shopbuy-our-products)

You will get one entry for each task you do as long as you enter a new comment for each one on this blog post. I’ll announce the winner this Friday.

  • In a comment tell me your favorite way to sneak in extra fruit or veggies into your day.
  • Become a Facebook fan of That’s It
  • Follow That’s It on twitter
  • Tweet the following:
    Win fruit snack bars from @ThatsItFruit and @geekypoet just by leaving a comment here: http://wp.me/pLJaT-Lj #vegan 
  • Post a link on your blog that links to this post and That’s It Facebook page (leave link in comments)

Filed Under: Giveaway, Product Review · Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Slow Cooker Orange Fig Pecan Oatmeal

October 18, 2011 · by · 5 Comments

I love orange flower water and once I got my hands on a bottle I was hooked. It has a very delicate, sweet, floral fragrance and a delicious taste when used sparingly. If you use too much you’ll feel like you’re eating perfume.

If you can get to a Middle Eastern Store it’s surprisingly cheap, so get yours there if you can. You can always order it online if you don’t live in the city. You can make your own if you have orange trees that aren’t sprayed. I live in North Carolina, so no orange trees for me.

** Make sure to check out my other oatmeal recipes. I have over 50 different flavors!

Slow Cooker Orange Fig Pecan Oatmeal
soy-free and gluten-free
2 to 3 servings

**This recipe uses a smaller slow cooker 1 1/2 to 2 quarts

  • 1/2 cup (40g) steel-cut oats
  • 2 cup (500ml) Unsweetened So Delicious Coconut Milk
  • 1/2 cup (75g) dried figs, chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon orange extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon orange flower water (food grade)
  • sweetener of choice, to taste (I used 1 packet Nu Stevia)
  • handful pecans, for topping

The night before: Spray your crock with some oil to help with clean up later. Add the oats, milk, figs, and orange extract. Cook on low over night (7 to 9 hours).

In the morning: Stir your oatmeal well and add orange flower water and sweetener. It may seem watery at the top but if stirred it should be a more uniform consistency. Top with the chopped pecans.

Filed Under: Breakfast, Cooking Time 8 hours, Gluten-free, Love Your Oatmeal Celebration, Overnight (8+ hours), Slow cooker, Slow Cooking Basics, Soy-free, Vegan, Vegetarian · Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Slow Cooker Pear Rose Cardamom Cake Oatmeal – the Oatmeal to Help You Escape the Monday Blues

October 17, 2011 · by · 5 Comments

This is a Monday that I’m just not prepared for. I’ve been taking things out of cabinets, cleaning and re-organizing the kitchen all weekend. That sounds great right? I’m probably just tired but should think of that feeling of accomplishment. Except – I’m still not done and my kitchen is a little wreaked.

I hate not completing things. I hope I will get back to it this weekend, but during the week I have too many deadlines to meet.

So, I declare this oatmeal the one that will make me forget about that. The one that will soothe my soul with sweet pears and lure my senses away from my obsessiveness with the fragrances of rosewater and cardamom. The slight almond flavor will ground me so that I can start my week off just right.

Have an amazing Monday everyone!

** Make sure to check out my other oatmeal recipes. I have over 50 different flavors!

Slow Cooker Pear Rose Cardamom Cake Oatmeal
soy-free and gluten-free
2 to 3 servings

**This recipe uses a smaller slow cooker 1 1/2 to 2 quarts

  • 1/2 cup (40g) steel-cut oats
  • 2 cup (500ml) Unsweetened So Delicious Coconut Milk
  • 1 small pear, chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/2 teaspoon rosewater (food grade)
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon cardamom
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • sweetener of choice, to taste (I used 1 packet Nu Stevia)

The night before: Spray your crock with some oil to help with clean up later. Add all the ingredients except the sweetener. Cook on low over night (7 to 9 hours).

In the morning: Stir your oatmeal well and add sweetener. It may seem watery at the top but if stirred it should be a more uniform consistency.

Filed Under: Breakfast, Cooking Time 8 hours, Gluten-free, Love Your Oatmeal Celebration, Overnight (8+ hours), Slow cooker, Slow Cooking Basics, Soy-free, Vegan, Vegetarian · Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Slow Cooker Apple Pecan Blondie Oatmeal

October 12, 2011 · by · 5 Comments


I think there’s something about the cooler, rainy weather, as well as the orange and red leaves that makes me crave the butterscotch-y flavor of blondies.

There’s nothing wrong with brownies, but there’s so much more you can do with blondies. They are the blank check of the dessert world in my opinion. You can go with fruits, nuts, chocolate chips and even add in oatmeal.

Of course, oatmeal that tastes like blondies is just as good in my book. The maple extract with the pecans gives it the unexpected flavor combination that allows you to fool your brain into thinking you’re having a blondie for breakfast. Yum!

Please vote for me in the Aetna Healthy Food Fight, so I can go to Atlanta and make my vegan jambalaya for the preliminary contest. It would be great to have a vegan showing there!

** Make sure to check out my other oatmeal recipes. I have over 40 different flavors!

Slow Cooker Apple Pecan Blondie Oatmeal
soy-free and gluten-free
2 to 3 servings

**This recipe uses a smaller slow cooker 1 1/2 to 2 quarts

  • 1/2 cup (40g) steel-cut oats
  • 2 cup (500ml) Unsweetened So Delicious Coconut Milk
  • 1 small apple, chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/2 teaspoon maple extract
  • sweetener of choice, to taste (I used 1 Nu Stevia, but if you don’t have maple extract use maple syrup or brown sugar to get that “blondie” flavor)
  • handful of chopped pecans, for topping

The night before: Spray your crock with some oil to help with clean up later. Add all the ingredients except the sweetener and nuts. Cook on low over night (7 to 9 hours).

In the morning: Stir your oatmeal well and add sweetener. It may seem watery at the top but if stirred it should be a more uniform consistency. Top with chopped pecans.

Filed Under: Breakfast, Cooking Time 8 hours, Gluten-free, Love Your Oatmeal Celebration, Overnight (8+ hours), Slow cooker, Slow Cooking Basics, Soy-free, Vegan, Vegetarian · Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Slow Cooker Maple Pear Walnut Cake Oatmeal – the Oatmeal that Starts Your Week Off Right

October 10, 2011 · by · 7 Comments

A big, warm welcome to all the new visitors from the Crock-Pot Facebook page!

This one is a comforting bowl of fall all in one bowl. If you don’t have maple extract just use maple syrup as your sweetener to add that maple flavor. The maple really makes you think of the autumn leaves, the pear adds a little tart and a little sweet, and the walnuts add just the right amount of crunch.

Don’t forget my Crock-Pot Confessional Video is featured today on Crock-Pot’s Facebook page. Go take a peek, get the recipe for Golden Borscht, and see my fuzzy zebra slippers as a bonus!

The video takes a while to load, but you do get to see a goofy face I’m making right off the bat. I think I may be the only vegan they asked to participate, so make sure to stop by and tell them you were excited to see a vegan recipe. See it here.

** Make sure to check out my other oatmeal recipes. I have over 40 different flavors!

Slow Cooker Maple Pear Walnut Cake Oatmeal
soy-free and gluten-free
2 to 3 servings

**This recipe uses a smaller slow cooker 1 1/2 to 2 quarts

  • 1/2 cup (40g) steel-cut oats
  • 2 cup (500ml) Unsweetened So Delicious Coconut Milk (you can use any non-dairy milk or even water instead)
  • 1 pear, chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/2 teaspoon maple extract
  • sweetener of choice, to taste (I used 1 packet Nu Stevia)
Toppings:
  • 1/4 cup (30g) walnuts, chopped
  • fresh grated nutmeg
  • drizzle of maple syrup (optional)

The night before: Spray your crock with some oil to help with clean up later. Add all the ingredients except the sweetener and toppings. Cook on low over night (7 to 9 hours).

In the morning: Stir your oatmeal well and add sweetener. It may seem watery at the top but if stirred it should be a more uniform consistency. Top with walnuts and a sprinkle of fresh grated nutmeg.

Filed Under: Breakfast, Cooking Time 8 hours, Gluten-free, Love Your Oatmeal Celebration, Overnight (8+ hours), Slow cooker, Slow Cooking Basics, Soy-free, Vegan, Vegetarian · Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Slow Cooker Pear Applesauce Cake Oatmeal – the Oatmeal to Get You in the Mood for Fall

October 6, 2011 · by · 12 Comments


My aunt used to make the most wonderful applesauce cake every year in the fall. It was unbelievably moist and had the perfect blend of spices to get you in the mood to take a drive to look at the fall foliage. I love the color changes of the leaves.

This is my attempt to get close to that flavor. I added pears for a little twist (and because I have some ripe ones that need to be used).

You may not need any extra sweetener in this one if your pear is very sweet. My pear wasn’t and I wanted to get in an additional fall taste with the brown sugar.

** Make sure to check out my other oatmeal recipes. I have over 40 different flavors!

Slow Cooker Pear Applesauce Cake Oatmeal
soy-free and gluten-free
2 to 3 servings

**This recipe uses a smaller slow cooker 1 1/2 to 2 quarts

  • 1/2 cup (40g) steel-cut oats
  • 1 1/2 cup (375ml) Unsweetened So Delicious Coconut Milk
  • 1/2 cup (124g) applesauce
  • 1 small pear, chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 pinches (about 1/16 teaspoon) allspice
  • 2 pinches cloves
  • 2 pinches cardamom
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • sweetener of choice, to taste (I used 2 tablespoons brown sugar)

The night before: Spray your crock with some oil to help with clean up later. Add all the ingredients except the sweetener. Cook on low over night (7 to 9 hours).

In the morning: Stir your oatmeal well and add sweetener. It may seem watery at the top but if stirred it should be a more uniform consistency.

Filed Under: Breakfast, Cooking Time 8 hours, Gluten-free, Love Your Oatmeal Celebration, Overnight (8+ hours), Slow cooker, Slow Cooking Basics, Soy-free, Vegan, Vegetarian · Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Slow Cooker Winter Squash and Fruit Soup

January 14, 2010 · by · Leave a Comment

You may have noticed an orange theme this month in my recipes. I love all kinds of winter squash. Delicata, butternut, acorn, pumpkin, and all the rest are not only tasty but full of good vitamins and minerals for you too!

All winter squashes pair well with something a little sweet. I like mixing them with fresh pears and apples in the winter to liven up a soup or casserole. It’s unexpected, and a nice change of pace during the winter months. One of my favorite combos is pear and delicata squash. But use anything you happen to have on hand to create your own one of a kind soup.

Slow Cooker Winter Squash and Fruit Soup (Gluten-Free *)

Prep time: 15 minutes (less if using pre-cut winter squash)
Cooking Time: 6 -8  hours

  • 2 – 3 cups winter squash, peeled and cubed (or you can buy it pre-cut – frozen works fine too)
  • 2 pieces of fruit (pears, apples, asian pear, etc.), peeled and cored then cubed
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 1 garlic clove,chopped
  • 4 – 6 cups vegetable stock (or filtered water with Vegetarian Better Than Bouillon no-chicken – my favorite)
  • 1 Tb Port or red wine (* if you are gluten-free make sure you are using a brand that does not use flour to seal the barrels)
  • sprigs of fresh thyme, rosemary,  sage or a combination
  • pepper
  • taste before adding salt, the veggie broth will already have some (possibly a lot)

The night before: Chop veggies and prepare winter squash. If you bought a whole winter squash, cut it in half, scrape the seeds out, and then use a vegetable peeler to remove the skin. You can cut the fruit now, but you will need to toss it with lemon juice to prevent browning.

In the morning: Throw everything into the slow cooker and cook on low 6 – 8 hours. Remove the thyme spring or rosemary sprig. Use a hand blender to purée everything together.  Add extra water or broth if needed. Taste and adjust seasonings to taste. Top with finely chopped pistachios or a fresh sage leaf.

Filed Under: Cooking Time 8 hours, Gluten-free, Soups, Vegan, Vegetarian · Tagged: , , , , , , , , , ,