For me, preparing a meal for someone has always been a creative way to express affection. Food feeds not only my body but the preparation feeds my mind. Famed writer and narrative genius, Virginia Woolf said, “One cannot think well, love well and sleep well if one has not dined well.” With many folks working from home or on leave right now I thought you might want some quality family time cooking together! Below are two of my favorite recipes you can share with your fellow humans AND two recipes to treat your animal family as well. We hope you all are making the most of this extra time at home perhaps planning your future trail rides, trainings, and summer shows and plans!
Absolutely easy. Absolutely yummy. Absolutely perfect for Spring!
Cashew lemon frosting:1 1/2 cups cashewsJuice from 1 lemon 2 tablespoons coconut oil, liquid2 tablespoons coconut nectar (or milk)1 teaspoon vanilla powderWater, as needed Carrot cake:3 large carrots, peeled and chopped into small chunks 1 1/2 cups oats 2 cups pitted dates1/2 cup dried coconut 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg Frosting: Blend all ingredients in your high speed blender until smooth, adding water as needed. Give it a taste then put it in the fridge so you don't eat all of it right away! ;-)
Cake: Process the oats into flour in your food processor then throw the rest of the ingredients in the food processor and process until it all begins to stick together. Assemble: Press half the cake mixture into a 4 inch (or there about) spring form pan to set the mold. Carefully remove it from the spring form, put on a plate, and put in the freezer until it's solid. Do the same to the remaining half of the cake mixture. Once the cakes are set in the freezer, spread about 1/3 of the frosting onto the top of one of the cake layers. Put it back in the freezer until the layer of frosting is hard. Place on the other cake layer and frost the entire thing, I let it set in the fridge overnight. Pull out about an hour before you want to enjoy! Easy peasey, tasty, and healthy carrot cake! Voilà!
Start to finish including clean up is 15 minutes! Seriously delish and healthy too!
Ingredients:1 cup walnuts1/3 cup chia seeds1/3 cup ground flax seeds1/3 cup hemp seeds
Directions:
1/4 cup cacao nibs1/4 cup coconut flakes, unsweetened3/4 cup dried pepitas seeds1 cup raisins, unsweetened (SunMaid brand is unsweetened)1/2 cup datesoptional coconut oilThrow all the dry ingredients in your Vitamix (or something with similar power) dry canister and process. I pulled out a little bit from each of the dry ingredients for some added texture. Put dates and raisins in your Vitamix wet canister and top with your blended dry ingredients blending until they make a nice putty. Put it on a baking sheet atop a sheet of parchment and hand mix in the extra ingredients you left out. Press flat on the pan and pop in the fridge for an hour or so and voìla! The best ever energy bars!Clean up? A dash of soap in each canister filled half with water, run the blend for 30 seconds and there you go!
Cheers and thanks to our amazing entomologist, Jessica for this terrific recipe!
Ingredients:
1/2 cup mashed sweet potato 1 1/4 cup gluten free flour2 tablespoons oil (I used olive oil)1 egg
Easy peasy cookies your horse will thoroughly enjoy!
(Preheat oven to 350 degrees.)
4 cups whole oats1 can pumpkin2 cups water2 tsp baking powder1 ¾ cup whole wheat flour2 tsp cinnamon½ tsp nutmeg1 tbsp honey or molasses (optional)