Herb Nut Pate

Holly cow, this is delicious and good for the cows! Finally i found alternative to soft cheeses, or a delicious addition to any platter that doesn't contain dairy or soy.

I introduced this to my dairy loving friends as "nut pâté" as vegan "cheese" would most likely turn people off. This was adapted from several recipes and it turned out beautifully, everyone who tried it loved it. 

Ingredients

2 cups cashews (raw, unsalted)
Sage and thyme or other herbs that you like
1 tbs Lemon juice
1 ts Salt 
1/3 cup Rejuvelac ( i will explain what this is below) 

Equipment 

20 cm x 20 cm of thin cotton (or you can use a clean chux wipe)

Blender or food processor 

Bowls

Rejuvelac 

Rejuvelac is basically the enzymes from sprouted grains. Some people say that it is very good for you as contains probiotics. I used buckwheat to make mine, but many other grains will work. They must be whole, uncooked raw grains though otherwise they will never sprout.

1. Rinse 1 cup of grains
2. Soak in water for 1 hour 
3. Lay on a wet paper towel 
4. Rinse grains every 8 hours until they begin to sprout (this took about a day for me, but the temperature was very hot)
5. Once they sprout place in a mason jar with 1.5 cups of water and cover 
6. When the water is a white color (this only took a few hours for me. If the water smells not very nice you have left it for too long) 
7. That's it!

Herb Nut Pate

1. Soak Cashews in water for 3-5 hours
2. Blend cashews with rejuvelac until smooth 
3. Place in a bowel and cover with cloth 
4. Leave the bowel out of direct sunlight for 1 day (2 days if the temperature is cooler)
5. Blend again adding lemon juice, herbs and salt
6. Shape into desired shape and place on the piece of cotton (or other breathable fabric)
7. Sprinkle with extra herbs and wrap up the mixture 
8. Leave out of direct sunlight for 1 day (or 2 if it is cooler)
9. Unwrap and enjoy!

All the beautiful nuts are heaps better for you than cheese and there are no animal fats! Its also very inexpensive to make and looks and tastes amazing!

Most Amazing Healthly "Ice-cream" Ever!!!

Vegan Banana Ice-cream 

I know this is breaking my no non-essential internet rule. But this is essential, it is for the good of all humanity (vegan or health conscious humanity that is)! 

Just had this for lunch, it was amazing. Its really easy to make too!

You will need:

2 Frozen bananas 

Vanilla essence 

Your choice of toppings (i used sugar free chocolate topping)

Put the banana and vanilla in a blender, and blend till smooth.

Spoon into a bowl 

Add sauce

EAT!

Yummo! I ate all of it and don't feel bad at all!

Ok its time for me to get off the internet!

Yummy Vegan Pumpkin and Rice

I was really excited today for a few reasons:

1. My wonderful boyfriend and i had a great golf practice session 
2. I was going up to see my grandfather, who eats mainly vegetarian. This means i can cook a really yummy vegan dinner for him! 
3. I got to cook said dinner in my grandmothers massive kitchen!
   
   

I was thinking about what to cook all day and i ended up mixing a few different recipes together to get a beautiful pumpkin and rice, with broccoli for dinner! You could serve this as a side with meat if you are cooking for someone who wants meat.

Serves 2 (Double all ingredients for 4 people)

Ingredients 

Spiced Rice

1 cup rice

1 red onion

1/4 cup dried cranberries 

1/4 cup pistachios 

Pinch cinnamon 

Pinch nutmeg

1/4 Olives (chopped)

Olive oil

Salt 

Rosemary

Pumpkin

500g - 700g pumpkin (any variety, but i used half a Queensland blue)

Pinch cinnamon 

Pinch nutmeg

Olive oil

Salt 

Rosemary 

Sage

How to make it

Rice

Cook rice as normal 

Fry onion and rosemary in a pan with olive oil

Add other ingredients
Mix in rice

Its as easy as that!

Pumpkin

Preheat oven to 250c
Scrape seeds from pumpkin
Mix the herbs and spices together with some olive oil (use your hands and crush the sage and rosemary)
Rub the mixture on the pumpkin
Wrap the pumpkin in foil and place in the oven
Cook for approximately 45 minuets or until it is easily cut with a knife

Plate up with some veggies and enjoy!

I loved cooking this because of all the different herbs! They smelt amazing! I practiced mindfulness whilst cooking and it felt amazing to become lost in the different smells.

This was my first try at a recipe i hope you enjoy!