Sunday, July 3, 2011

Cinnamon Berry Blast Smoothie


Ingredients:
1 small banana (or 1/2 large) frozen
3/4 cup frozen or fresh pitted cherries
1/2 tsp coconut butter
2 tsp cinnamon
1 cup almond milk
3 -4 ice cubes

Optional add-ins: Hemp, rice or pea protein powder, cocoa powder, spirulina, fresh greens.

Blend all ingredients together on high until thick and creamy. Serve with fresh or frozen cherries on top. Recipe makes enough for 1 tall 12-14oz glass/serving.

My Notes:
I omit the coconut butter. I don't want the extra fat and I don't feel it takes away from the flavor.
Otherwise, I have been making this recipe straight up with out any add-ins. It is delicious!

Blueberry Oat Bars (vegan)


For the Bar:
2 cups oat flour (can be made by putting 2cups oats in a food processor)
1 cup rolled oats
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
6 tbsp agave nectar
1 large, ripe banana
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup almond milk
1 tsp vanilla

For the Topping:
1/3 cup blueberry preserves (I use Polaner All Fruit)
2 tbsp vegan shortening
3 tbsp rolled oats
3 tbsp natural sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Mix the oat flour, rolled oats, salt and cinnamon in a large bowl. In a food processor (or a bowl with a hand mixer), mix the banana, oil, agave, almond milk and vanilla. Add to wet ingredients to dry and mix well.

3. Spread mixture into a baking pan (8x8 or 9x9 work best) and top with preserves. In food processor, pulse the shortening, oats and sugar into a topping and dot the preserves with it.

4. Bake for 30 - 35 mins - or until top is golden . Let hot preserves cool well before cutting.

My notes:
I spray the pan with a little bit of cooking spray. Bars come out easier.

This is a rather dense bar. I also fold in about 3/4 cup of fresh blueberries into the mixture before spreading in the pan. Gives a little extra moisture and blueberry flavor.

To cut back on the extra fat & sugar (as well as being easier to make), I omit the topping. I spread the blueberry preserves on top of the mixture and sprinkle with a few rolled oats before baking. Still tasted great in my opinion. The photo shows the bars fresh from the oven sans topping - still delicious!