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Date Sweetened Caramel Coconut Pancakes

February 13, 2013 · by · Leave a Comment
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These dessert-like pancakes have a secret weapon in the batter – white beans! The beans add extra fiber, protein and all keeps them moist without very much (or even no) oil. Even better the beans do not effect the flavor at all!

I got the idea when I was writing The Great Vegan Bean Book last year. I started using beans in muffins, pancakes and waffles and all of the recipes worked really well. I like using any kind of white beans because the flavor is mild and no one will suspect that they are eating beans!

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Filed Under: Breakfast, Non-Slow Cooker Recipe, Not Slow Cooker, Soy-free, The Great Vegan Bean Book, Vegan · Tagged: , , , , , , , , ,

Easiest Chocolate Mousse Ever!

February 15, 2012 · by · 8 Comments
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I’ve been meatless for so long that sometimes I forget to mention some of the simple things. This recipe is one of those. I made this last night for my sweetie and remembered just how much I love this stuff!

If you’ve already made a silken tofu mousse before, then you can move along. There’s not much new to add. However, if you’ve never made one before and are new to the wonders of silken tofu be prepared to be wowed.

This is my favorite impromptu dinner party dessert. It takes about 10 minutes and then all you do is stick it in the refrigerator for about an hour to thicken up.

You can make this mostly sugar-free by using grain sweetened chocolate chips, or use unsweetened chocolate and add your favorite sweetener like stevia or agave. There will be sugar in the liqueur, so you can use an extract instead to keep it sugar-free.

This is gluten-free with Amaretto, but it would not be if you choose another liqueur that has gluten.

Make sure to check out the rest of my Valentine’s dinner over at my post on Key Ingredient’s blog. I think my not-quite souffle turned pretty good too.

The Easiest Chocolate Mousse Ever
Serves 4
gluten-free (with Amaretto)

  • 1 package (12.3 ounce/349g) silken tofu
  • 1/2 cup sweetened chocolate chips
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons Amaretto or other liqueur

Puree the tofu in a food processor, stopping a few times to scrap down the sides. When you are finished it will be silky smooth.

Melt chocolate chips on the stove top in a double boiler (or in the microwave for 30 to 45 seconds).

Add melted chocolate and liqueur to the food processor and process until thoroughly mixed, scraping down the sides and processing some more.

Put in serving cups or martini glasses and stash away in the fridge for at least 1 hour to let it thicken up.

Filed Under: Dessert, Gluten-free, Not Slow Cooker, Vegan, Vegetarian · Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Almond Joy Oatmeal – The Oatmeal of Love

February 14, 2011 · by · 6 Comments
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Happy Valentine’s day and day 1 of love your oatmeal week! It doesn’t matter if you’re making this for your special one or as a special treat to yourself – you can’t go wrong with coconut, almond, chocolate oatmeal.

Almond Joy Oatmeal

2 to 3 servings

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

  • 1/2 cup steel-cut oats
  • 2 cups unsweetened So Delicious Coconut Milk (only 50 calories a cup!)
  • 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa
  • 2  tablespoons finely shredded unsweetened coconut (I used reduced fat organic)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
  • sweetener to taste (I use about 2 tablespoon agave nectar)
  • Toppings for serving: slivered almonds (about 1 tablespoon per serving)

The night before: Spray your crock with some oil to help with clean up later. Add everything except agave and almonds. Cook on low over night (7 to 9 hours).

In the morning: Stir your oatmeal well. It may seem watery at the top but if stirred it should become a more uniform consistency.  Stir in sweetener and top each serving with slivered almonds.

You can top with extra coconut and mini chocolate chips if you really want to go all out. It is V-day after all and this is still better for you than a box of chocolates! 1/2 half of this recipes has 318 calories which is not bad if it’s your whole breakfast. (This number does not count in extra toppings other than 1 tablespoon slivered almonds.)

A few faqs on making oatmeal in the slow cooker:

There are a few things to keep in mind when you are cooking oatmeal in a slow cooker. The most important is to use steel-cut oats and not rolled oats. Steal cut can hold up to an 8  hour plus cooking time much better than rolled oats. I’ve heard horror stories of waking up to burnt rolled oats.

If you are concerned about clean up, spray the crock with a little oil before adding the ingredients. But be aware that even if you spray your crock with oil some oatmeal will still stick to the sides. To clean it out simply fill it with water in the morning. It will come out easily that evening. I fill mine with water, then drain off the excess water and give my dog the oatmeal that was stuck to the sides. She loves it and it’s good for her coat.

Unfortunately slow cookers run at different temperatures depending on age and manufacturer. So there is some trial and error in getting everything just right for your slow cooker. I have one newer model that I add some extra water to and 2 others that use this recipes just fine as is. If you think you might sleep in go ahead and add a little extra water then too.

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