JAM THUMBPRINT COOKIES

I love trying out new healthy cookie recipes, especially when they comprise of a few simple ingredients that I have lying around and know I can whip them up in under 30mins just in time for tea. Well this recipe fits that bill to a tee or should I say tea? - Yes it's true I'm British and I love tea, the stereotype is true.

By the way did you notice my cute little Moomin cup? I'm obsessed with all things Scandinavian and especially love Moomin memorabilia. This  mug came all the way from my trip to Sweden, so far I've collected 4 mugs, a spoon, a teddy and a pyjama set!



With this recipe I found another use for my beloved raw strawberry chia seed jam. You could also try using other flavours or any kind of 'sauce' you like. I also learnt about oat flour making this recipe, how amazing is it that you can just whizz up oats in a blender and they turn to flour! I'm planning on making some pancakes with it next.

Ingredients: 

- 2 cups oats (gluten free)
- 3 large bananas
- 3 tbsp flaxseed
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp water (if needed for mixing)
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- A few grinds of pink Himalayan salt
- Raw strawberry jam



Method:

1.) Preheat fan assisted oven to 180c and line a large tray with baking paper.

2.) Place oats in a food processor and blend until they become oat flour.

3.) Mash the bananas in a large bowl then mix in all the other ingredients. 

4.) Round dough into cookie shapes (they don't have to be perfect) and press thumb into the middle. Make sure they're not too thick as the middle won't cook very well.

5.) Fill the thumbprint with raw jam.

6.) Bake for 22-25 mins, until slightly golden and the middle is cooked through.

I find these cookies are best served warm, straight out of the oven. You can of course leave them to cool and store them in the fridge/freezer for a later date. Due to the fresh banana and jam they will only keep for a few days in the fridge but not to worry I'm sure they'll be gone by then anyway!

Let me know in the comments below if you try out a different filling in these cookies as I'd love to know how they turn out!

HEALTHY COOKIES

The words cookie and healthy are not usually synonymous with each other but this little number is about to change all that. These cookies taste so sweet and full of flavour you'll never guess they're flour free, oil free, dairy free, gluten free aand refined sugar free! 

They're the easiest, quickest things to bake and can be made with ingredients your bound to have in stock, they don't even require any baking powder. So what's in these magic cookies I hear you ask?

Ingredients (Makes 12):

- 2 cups gluten free oats

- 2 ripe bananas 

- 2 tbsp almond butter

- 2 tbsp shredded coconut 

- 1/2 cup of cacao nibs 

- 1 tbsp agave syrup

Instructions:

1.) Preheat the oven to 170c. 

2.) Mash the bananas then mix in the other ingredients. 

3.) Line a baking tray with parchment, scoop out the mixture a bit at a time and round off into cookie shapes with your hands, spread the mixture evenly between 12 cookies. 

4.) Bake for 15-20mins or until golden brown.

Here I've served mine with some homemade almond milk, made using my Omega juicer. They also make a delicious dessert served with banana nice cream. 

VEGAN HEAVEN (3/5)

Terre a Terre

Terre a Terre has a really special place in my heart as it opened my eyes to the wonderous possibilities of vegan food and made me confirm in my mind that I'd made the right decision by turning vegan. It's also the very reason we came back to Brighton in the first place, it's THAT good, albeit an indulgent treat. I've never had such beautifully presented plates that taste better with every bite, you won't want to waste a morsel! It deserves 10/5 for everything; food, presentation and service - no exaggeration.

This is a predominantly vegetarian restaurant but the menu is clearly labelled with what dishes are vegan or have a vegan choice and the same goes for gluten free. We were so excited to eat we actually forgot to say that we wanted the vegan option and had to hurriedly change our order!

While we don't normally drink wine this was organic and vegan so we decided to give it a try. We had it with our meal last year in celebration of my birthday and enjoyed it so much we had to order it again. You can even buy their wine, condiments and sweets to take home which I thought was a clever idea, especially for those that live out of town. Fyi these products are also available through their website if you can't make it all the way to Brighton. 

We skipped starters and went straight for the main. I fully recommend you go for the Terre a Tapas Plate to share as you get two of every mini dish (one on on either side), again much like the Food for Friends mezze it gives you a chance to sample a variety of different dishes the restaurant has to offer. The creamy possibly(?) cashew cheese dip in the middle was to die for and the grapefruit tucked into a Japanese style bun initially looked like salmon so that was a fun detail. To top our meal off nicely, for dessert we chose churros that came with 3 incredible dipping sauces: salty caramel, vodka cherries and dark chocolate, mm mm!

VEGAN HEAVEN (1/5)

Food for Friends

Last week we decided to treat ourselves to a weekend away from the big smoke, we wanted somewhere by the sea where we could relax but have fun and not have to worry about where to eat. Brighton seemed to fit the bill perfectly. We'd been before and visited a veggie restaurant called Terre a Terre which made us hungry for more! - (not literally we were stuffed to the brim). It turns out the rumours were true, Brighton really is like being in vegan heaven. All the food we had was to die for, I could not recommend it more for a completely indulgent mini break. There's plenty of healthy and raw vegan options too so there really is something for every mood.

We visited Food for Friends on our first evening in Brighton for dinner, as I'd done my research before our trip we knew it was a highly rated vegetarian restaurant with lots of vegan options so we were prepared to have an amazing meal. It didn't disappoint, the ambience was sophisticated and special enough for occasions but still felt homely and warm. The food was hearty and filling with a rustic feel and we got to sample all kinds of vegan options from around the world. I liked that everything was clearly marked on the menu as to whether it was vegan, gluten free or contained nuts, making us so called 'fussy-eaters' feel normal by not having to ask. The little bowl of complimentary vegetable crisps on the side were also a nice touch - though definitely not needed due to the vast portion sizes!

To start we ordered some bread which came in huge chunks (there's that rustic feel again) with a sesame breadstick and some balsamic and chilli dipping sauces. The cocktail to the left was a non-alcoholic strawberry and elderflower mixer and like everything else it was delicious so I savoured every sip!

If your one of those people that likes to try what's on everyone else's plate (hands up thats me - much to the annoyance of my bf) the best thing to do is to share a mezze platter. It's a real experience for the senses and that way you get to sample a variety of dishes the restaurant has to offer. Food for Friends even has a sweet platter made up of 4 different desserts complete with different sauces, cream and garnishes - it was out of this world! 

OVERNIGHT CHIA COCONUT OATS

Cool, creamy, substantial and satisfying - this is a breakfast of dreams. This delicious oat and chia seed combo is a great way to kick start the day as both fill you up and provide you with lots of energy. The chia seeds give you a quick boost while the oats are a slow release form of energy, able to carry you through till lunchtime.

Ingredients:

- 1 cup of gluten free oats

- 1-2 cups of almond milk (depending on how thick you like your oats to be)

- 2 tbsp coconut yoghurt

- 2 tbsp chia seeds

- Small handful of berries/fruit of your choice

- 1 tsp vanilla extract

- 1 tbsp maple syrup/sweetener of choice

Topping:

- 2 tbsp coconut yoghurt

- Frozen berries/fruit of choice

- Gluten free granola

Method:

Pour all the ingredients in the order listed into a sealable jar then stir the mixture. Refrigerate overnight and stir it again in the morning. Add coconut yoghurt, granola and frozen berries on top to serve.

TROPICAL CHIA PUDDING

Chia seed pudding is my go to recipe if I know I won't have much time in the morning to prepare a healthy breakfast. It really is a healthy, handy time saver as it's made with as little as 3 ingredients and literally takes a few mins to throw together the night before, you can even take it with you to go the next day.

There's many other reasons to love chia seed pudding, not only are chia seeds gluten free, they're also packed full of; nutrients, antioxidants, fibre, omega-3 and minerals to name a few benefits! As well as making a quick and easy breakfast it can also be eaten as a healthy snack or dessert (what's not to love about that?). 

Ingredients (Serves 1):

For the pudding:

- 1/2 cup of chia seeds

- 2 cups of almond milk

- 2 tbsp maple syrup

- 1 passionfruit (optional)

For the topping:

- 2 tbsp coconut milk yoghurt (I used Coyo)

- 1 passionfruit

- Coconut chips 

Method:

1.) Combine all the pudding indigents into a jar and stir. Close the lid tightly then shake vigorously.

2.) Come back to your fridge to stir your jar a few hours later (I forgot this step this time and you can see the chia seeds stuck to the bottom so learn from my mistake!)

3.) Leave to chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight. 

4.) Serve with fruit and nut toppings of your choice.

What's so great about this pudding is that you can add whatever fruit/nut toppings you like and combine with different milk/sweeteners to give you a variety of flavour combinations. I had some Coyo yoghurt so decided to go for a totally tropical theme as I'm currently into breakfasts that give me that sunshine feeling before I start my day (see Healthy Chocolate Oats). This beautiful coconut and passionfruit combo certainly had me dreaming of warmer climes and served as a welcomed reminder that Summer is not too far away!

HEALTHY CHOCOLATE OATS

So you may be thinking boring old chocolate oats, as a blog post - is she for real? But these aren't just any plain old chocolate oats, these are healthy superfood chocolate oats (said in a sexy Marks and Spencer ad kind of way), packed with energy inducing ingredients and yummy warming goodness.

While it didn't take me long to come up with a title, it's actually taken me a lot longer to come up with a recipe that I'm happy with. I've often found chocolate oats made with cacao to be too bitter and not sweet enough for my liking -  but then again I have a VERY sweet tooth.

I'm now trying to satisfy this sweet tooth in a way that doesn't compromise on healthy. I did this here by adding a date to the mix and a tsp of coconut sugar. Previously it would have been dairy free choc chips and large helpings of agave all the way, so this is a big improvement!

My other healthier sources of sugar include fruit and maple syrup, honey is also an excellent healthier source of sweetness if your not a strict vegan like me.

Ingredients:

- 40g/1 cup gluten free porridge oats
- 200ml of plant based milk, I used almond
- Tbsp chia seeds
- Pinch of pink salt
- Tbsp flaxseed
- Tbsp organic cacao powder
- Tbsp organic maca powder
- 1 chopped date
- 1/2- 1tsp coconut sugar
- Sprinkling of cacao nibs

Recipe:

1.) Weigh out 40g of oats or use 1 cup.
2.) Add this to a pan of plant based milk and warm for around 5mins along with the other ingredients in the order listed.
3.) Your oats should start to bubble after this time, that means they're ready to eat!
4.) Top with a scoop of nut butter and fruit of your choice.

My favourite toppings with chocolate oats are; peanut butter and banana or almond butter and berries. Here I went for a slightly tropical meets winter topping with banana, coconut chips, almond butter and frozen blueberries, as it was an insanely cold, rainy, grey day outside but I wanted to feel sunny on the inside!

THE BEST BREAKFAST SMOOTHIE

You may think that’s quite a bold statement to make but I feel I can get away with the claim as this is quite literally the best smoothie you could have for your breakfast. Why’s that you say? This smoothie is going to set you up for the day! It contains porridge oats which are high in complex carbohydrates and soluble fibre, meaning they release energy slowly so you’ll stay full until lunchtime. Making oats a great addition to any breakfast smoothie. Come to think of it oats are a great addition to every breakfast full stop! (can you tell I love oats by now?).

What with it being January and cold/dark/rainy (or all three) outside, we are probably all needing some high energy foods right now to help us with our new gym routines and diets or just plain old getting off the sofa!

Not only does this smoothie contain energy fuelled oats, it has some other pretty spectacular ingredients too:

Flaxseed:

Flaxseed is thought to prevent the growth of cancerous cells because its omega-3 fatty acids disrupt malignant cells from clinging onto other body cells. In addition, the lignans in flaxseed have antiangiogenic properties - they stop tumors from forming new blood vessels - see spectacular! 

Cinnamon:

Cinnamon has a wide range of benefits, it can be used to help treat muscle spasms, vomiting, diarrhea, infections, the common cold, loss of appetite, and erectile dysfunction. It may also benefit those with diabetes, HIV, MS and help to prevent Alzheimer’s. Additionally cinnamon can help reduce the body’s negative response to high-fat meals.

Almond butter: 

Though almonds have more calories than most other nuts, almond butter is a healthy alternative to peanut butter and other spreads because of the numerous health benefits it offers. Health benefits of almond butter include a reduced risk of developing diabetes, lower cholesterol levels, and reduced blood pressure. Other benefits include increased energy levels, high amounts of protein, and high antioxidant levels. Overall heart health is one of the primary benefits of almond butter. Consuming almond butter on a regular basis may encourage healthier eating and help individuals to maintain a healthy body weight.

Ingredients: (serves 1)

- 1 frozen banana

- 1/2 cup of gluten free porridge oats

- 2 cups almond/plant based milk

- 1 pitted date

- 1 tbsp flaxseed

- 2 tbsp almond butter

- Dash of cinnamon and more for topping

Instructions: 

Pop all the ingredients above into your blender and mix on a high/smoothie setting for around 30 seconds. You may have to stop halfway through to scrape almond butter from the side of your blender. As always if your blender can't take frozen fruits you can use a ripe banana and add ice instead, just make sure this smoothie is cold, it tastes waay better that way! This recipe made about 1.5 small 0.5ltr Kilner jars. 

Warning this smoothie is veery filling, which is a great thing to keep those mid morning munchies at bay but you may have to save some to take on the go. I could only drink half before I was about to explode and believe me that's highly unusual!

RAW CACAO BLISS BALLS

These little bitesize wonders are raw, healthy and every sweet-toothed, chocolate lovers dream. You can enjoy these beauties safe in the knowledge that every ingredient is good for you and they don't contain any refined sugar, gluten or dairy. They take 5 mins to whizz up and another 5 mins to roll into balls, they can also last for over a week in the fridge - what's not to love!

Ingredients:

- 2 cups of medjool dates
- 1 cup of rolled oats (I used gluten free porridge oats)
- 4 heaped tbsp of cacao (add less/more depending on how chocolatey you want them)
- 1/2 cup of walnuts
- 1 tbsp agave syrup
- 1/2 cup of filtered water for mixing
- Shredded coconut for rolling

Instructions:

1.) Add the oats to your food processor first. Then add all the other ingredients, you want the mixture to turn into a thoroughly combined smooth consistency. Use the plunger if you have a Vitamix to ensure all the ingredients are mixed in well.
2.) Keep adding drops of water to the blender to make the mixing easier.
3.) Once the texture is smooth, scoop the mixture out with a spoon and into a container for refridgeration.
4.) Leave mixture in the fridge overnight to harden.
5.) Now comes the fun part! The next day take the mixture out of the fridge and roll it into balls.
6.) Next roll the balls in a bowl of shredded coconut. You could also use cacao, chopped nuts or whatever you fancy - this mixture pretty much goes with every coating imaginable!

I love that these bliss balls are both filling and energy fuelled. Pair these with a lovely cup of tea for a heavenly mid-afternoon treat.