I grew up eating massive amounts of cereal. Cinnamon toast crunch was one of the top choices (after reese puffs of course). This evening when I sat down to try my new creation, my jaw dropped. I have created a healthy version of my childhood favourite. The base is brazil nuts, which was an experiment that came out better than expected. With a creamy banana coconut frosting which somehow doesn’t taste very banana like, maybe because I used super ripe bananas. The combination of everything just works. A nice paleo, raw, enzyme rich dessert to satisfy your sweet tooth. (more…)
Yesterday was our last day of epic sunshine before a spell of rain will hit for the next week. Luckily we got to spend it playing in the sun and eating a delicious meal with wonderful friends. Giselle, (who you would never believe is a grandma until you hand her your crying baby and he chills right out) she has a pond. In that pond she has an abundance of wild watercress that someone planted there 80 years ago. It’s amazing how one ingredient can excite me so much, it’s like a high, this euphoric excitement that doesn’t dissipate until something worthy of it’s loveliness is created. The cress was all congregated in the middle of the pond impossible to get at. But you know what impossible really means? Giselle sure does, she jumped right in there, up to her waist in gunk, to harvest the coveted plant that made this salad possible. I’m possible.
So this watercress stuff, you may be able to find it at a pond near you. It grows all over the US, southern Canada, Asia most places in Europe. Be sure to only harvest from clean water sources. Here is a good video if you’d like to learn more about this water loving plant.
Watercress has a slightly spicy slightly bitter taste to it so I paired it with some savoury sweetness to mellow things out. Crunchy candied walnuts and pumpkin seeds added good contrast to the cress and red onion kept things zingy. The dressing was a puree of apricot, lemon, parsley and oregano.
5 dried apricots, rehydrated in hot water for about 10 minutes
4 Tbs olive oil
Salt & fresh cracked pepper
Instructions
In a sauce pan combine water and coconut sugar until melted, on low medium heat add nuts and seeds until all water has evaporated and they are enveloped in thick caramel. Take off heat and place onto an oiled plate to cool.
Combine watercress,dandelion,sorrel,celery,cranberries,red onion & avocado in a large bowl. Set aside.
In a blender add oregano,parsley,garlic,lemon juice,apricots, olive oil, salt & pepper and puree until smooth.
Dress salad just before serving. If you have wild violets growing around you they are edible and a beautiful garnish.
Happy Days, you know the ones, where the sun comes out unexpectantly lavishing you with the warm knowing that summer is just around the corner. After a week of rain it explodes forth surprising you that it won’t actually rain forever. No more excuses to eat just roast potatoes, gravy and beef for dinner every night, oh no, the days of endless soups are now behind us. Springs greenery is just the beginning of what’s to come. Summer is culinary excitement at it’s maximum, at least in the Kootenays where the 4 seasons are very distinguished. (more…)
Hey I'm Chantelle, my alter ego would be a mermaid if I wasn't such a terrible swimmer. I love writing authentically and cooking in my pyjamas. My favourite pastimes include eating avocados, travelling the world and hanging out with a toddler.
