dairy-free – Page 6

BRITA Collaboration – Berry Fizz

March 31, 2015 Jenny

I was very excited to be asked by BRITA water filters to develop a series of healthy drink recipes for kids. I’ve used my BRITA filter every day for many years, and it is a product I really believe in.

BRITA has shared my three child-friendly healthy drink recipes with parenting websites and bloggers, who were invited to whip up the recipes themselves and publish their results. Some of the blogs that participated include Everything Mummy, The Ana Mum Diary, Whole Heartedly Healthy and Food for Kids.

Here is the recipe for my first BRITA drink, a berry fizz.

Not all fizzy drinks have to be unhealthy! This one is packed with flavor but without all of the sugar and other nasties in branded soda. The raspberries in this Berry Fizz are rich in anti-oxidants and vitamin C, and the Berry Fizz is sweetened just with maple syrup (or you can use honey instead if you prefer).

Berry Fizz

Ingredients

2 teabags of Cranberry-Raspberry tea, or any other berry-flavoured tea

200 ml BRITA filtered water

70 g raspberries, rinsed

50 ml maple syrup (or honey, if you are on the GAPS diet)

200 ml BRITA filtered water, carbonated using a home soda maker OR 200 ml soda water

Instructions

Boil 200 ml BRITA filtered water, and use it to steep the teabags in a pan that can go on the hob.

After steeping for 15 minutes, remove the teabags and add the raspberries and maple syrup. Bring to the boil on the hob, then simmer for 10 minutes stirring regularly.

Strain through a mesh sieve, cool and refrigerate until ready to use.

To serve, divide the raspberry syrup into two glasses. Then top up each glass with the carbonated water (or soda water), about 100 ml or to taste.

Yield: 2 servings.

All photos in this post courtesy of Iris Worldwide.

Snacks

Mushroom chips

February 13, 2015February 26, 2015 Jenny

I love popping into my local Japanese supermarket and coming out with a complete impulse purchase. This week it was these very elegant yet substantial-looking mushrooms, labelled “Eringi”.

When I got home and googled Eringi, I realized these were the elusive King Oyster mushrooms (pleurotus eryngii) I had been looking for to make a recipe that caught my eye on the Nom Nom Paleo blog. Result!

After just a few minutes of prep using a mandoline, these went in the oven to cook until crispy. The finished chips deliver a very intense umami flavor. My mushroom-loving daughter was delighted with the chips, and I can confirm they made an unusual but delicious aperitif snack with a glass of wine.

Mushroom chips (adapted from a Nom Nom Paleo recipe)

2 king oyster mushrooms (about 200g) – or any other large mushroom such as portobello

1 tablespoon ghee, melted – or the cooking oil/fat of your choice

salt and pepper

Serves 2-4 as a light snack

Preheat your oven to to 150°C/300°F/gas mark 2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Clean the mushrooms with a damp paper towel and dry carefully. Cut each mushroom in half lengthwise, then slice lengthwise using a mandoline on the thinnest setting.

Place the mushroom slices on the baking sheet in a single layer. Brush lightly with the melted ghee, and season lightly with salt and pepper.

The chips will need about 60 minutes in the oven, but start checking after 45 minutes. When done, the chips should be completely crispy – there were a few slightly soft chips that I had to put back in the oven for 10 minutes.

Carefully remove from the baking sheet and blot on some paper towel, then serve immediately.

Breads and crackers

Sesame seed crackers

January 7, 2015 Jenny

Happy new year! I wish you all a happy and healthy 2015.

My kids just went back to school today, and I had a great day doing some baking while listening to Serial (which I highly recommend). The breads I am developing are still a work in progress. These grain-free crackers, on the other hand, turned out really well. They are tasty enough to eat plain but also perfect as a base for whatever topping you fancy: sliced avocado, bean dip, nut butter, etc.

Perfect for an after-school snack.

Sesame seed crackers (adapted from Elana’s Pantry)

300 g ground almonds

100 g sesame seeds (I used half black and half white)

1 teaspoon sea salt

2 large eggs

2 tablespoons olive oil

Makes approximately 80 crackers in two batches.

Preheat your oven to to 180°C/350°F/gas mark 4. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Combine the ground almonds, sesame seeds and sea salt in a bowl.

Whisk the eggs and olive oil together, then add to the dry ingredients. Mix well. The dough will be very dry and crumbly. After initially mixing the dough with a spatula, I found it easier to work the dough with my hands until well blended.

Divide the dough in two half and set one half aside.

Place the other half of the dough on the baking sheet, and cover with another sheet of parchment paper. Roll the dough out thinly between the two sheets of parchment paper. The dough should be evenly rolled out (check there are no holes!) and cover the entire surface of the baking sheet.

Remove the top sheet of baking parchment and cut into squares or rectangles with a pizza cutter or sharp knife.

Bake for 15 minutes, until firm and slightly browned. Cool, then carefully break apart the squares before serving.

Repeat with the other ball of dough, or refrigerate for up to five days before using.

Dessert

Chocolate mousse

December 31, 2014 Jenny

Before 2014 draws to a close, I wanted to take this opportunity to thank all of you for following me here, as well as on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

In 2015 I am planning to post more healthy breakfast and snack ideas. I am also developing some bread recipes, both GFCF and GAPS, which I hope be able to have ready for you soon. And I would like to cook more desserts that are free of gluten, dairy and refined sugar – so watch this space.

In the meantime, with no apologies, here is a chocoholic’s dream of a recipe for dairy-free chocolate mousse. Enjoy!

Chocolate mousse

300 g dark chocolate (I use Green & Black’s cooking chocolate)

40 g cocoa powder (again, I use Green & Black’s)

80 ml hot water

2 egg yolks

6 egg whites

200 g caster sugar

Serves 8

Break the chocolate into squares and melt in a bowl over a pan of hot water, on the hob.

Mix the hot water and the cocoa powder to form a thick paste. Combine with the melted chocolate and egg yolks and mix well. Set aside to cool.

Whip the egg whites, gradually adding the sugar.

Add a third of the egg whites into the chocolate batter, mixing well, then fold in the rest carefully.

Put the mixture into a large bowl or eight small bowls, glasses or ramekins.

Refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving.