Banana "Yogurt" Parfait

So now that the weather is warmer I just love sweet, juicy, cold fruit. One thing I used to love were yogurt parfaits mostly for the fruit and granola. I decided to make a banana based "yogurt" instead of running to the store to buy a soy yogurt substitute. I was never too crazy about yogurt to begin with, so buying a fake version didn't sound too good to me. This banana version is AMAZING with the fruit and granola, it all just comes together so well. I made this 2 days in a row now and I don't know if I'll ever get sick of it. The only thing you need to do ahead of time is peel a banana, slice it up, and pop it into the freezer.

Banana "Yogurt" Parfait - makes 2 servings

1 frozen medium to large banana

1/4 cup almond milk

1/4 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 cup frozen raspberries

1/2 cup frozen blueberries

1/2 cup granola (I used Galaxy Granola Not Sweet Vanilla bc it's baked in apples instead of oil!)

In a food processor, add frozen banana chunks, almond milk, and vanilla. Let run for about 2 minutes until the mixture is a smooth consistency. This should make about 1 cup of banana yogurt.

In 2 glasses or bowls, spoon the yogurt layers as follows:

• 1/4 cup banana yogurt
• 1/4 cup berries
• 2 Tbsp granola

Repeat for a second time to create 6 layers. If you want to make just one parfait, then the banana yogurt can be kept in the fridge until you're ready to use it up!

Just for comparison's sake, I'm going to compare the nutritional facts of my Banana Yogurt Parfait to the McDonald's Yogurt Parfait (which I used to love). The reason my parfait has more calories is because I use 1/4 cup (30 grams) of granola (which is 115 calories) per serving while McDonald's only uses 7 grams of granola. Um that sucks bc the granola is the best part!!!

Look at all that fiber that's going to keep you full!!!

Enjoy!!!

Irish Soda Bread

So if you look up any recipe for traditional Irish soda bread, it contains 4 ingredients: flour, baking soda, salt, and buttermilk. Anything else added (such as raisins) strays from the original tradition! So in vegan baking, to create a buttermilk substitute all you need to do is add some vinegar to a milk substitute and you've created a buttermilk equivalent! This bread was so yummy and everyone that tried it loved it (non-vegans included).

Irish Soda Bread

2 cups non-dairy milk (I used almond milk)

2 tsp white distilled vinegar

4 cups whole wheat pastry flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1 cup raisins

Preheat oven to 425. Lightly grease a round 9- or 10- inch cake pan.

In a measuring cup, combine milk and vinegar. Let stand for 5 minutes.

In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, salt, and raisins. Add the milk and vinegar mixture until you have a sticky dough. Knead dough in the bowl for 10-12 strokes.

Place dough in the cake pan and cut a cross in the top.

Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the top sounds hollow when thumped.

Cool slightly before serving. Spread your favorite non-dairy butter or jam on the bread!!

Granola Bars

So I made my own granola bars because a little box of Kashi bars are like $4 for 6 of them. I bought some oats in the bulk bins from whole foods, some carob chips, and dried cherries to make my own bars that I've been slowly munching on for the last 2 weeks now. They're about 150 calories each and I really love them so much!

I got the recipe from the whole foods website, but modified it based on the sweetener that I like using.. but you could certainly use maple syrup if you want! I want to try to make these next time with peanut butter (instead of the oil) and carob chips. Mmmmm yummy!

4 cups quick cook oats
1/3 cup safflower oil (or canola)
3/4 cup brown rice syrup (or use pure maple syrup)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup vegan carob chips
1 cup of dried cherries

Preheat oven to 350°F. Spread oats onto a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, mix together oil, syrup, vanilla, carob chips and walnuts in a large bowl. Add warm oats and stir well. Spread oat mixture into a greased 9- x 13-inch baking dish, pressing down hard to compact it. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool completely, then cut into bars.

Finished product! So yummy!

http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipes/recipe.php?recipeId=823