Category: vegan

Homemade Dumplings 3 ways

Since we have been in social Isolation for a few weeks now and the kids are still on school break, I have had a chance to make some recipes I usually wouldn’t get the time to make in the rush of normality. I know we are all getting a little bored not being able to get out in our familiar environment and the feeling of being stuck at home can be quite mentally challenging. I for one and like many have been using this time to get in the kitchen and cook more. It’s what I enjoy, a bit of distraction from the outside world it always has been my safe haven in times of stress. Focusing your mind solely into creating something especially from scratch is quite self satisfying, a wonderful feeling of accomplishment, the best part is you get to devour delicious food at the end of it.

Homemade bread has been most popular with everyone over the past week, all these closet bakers coming out from the wood works showing their baking skills with creating sourdough starters and step by step daily updates of the process. It is quite humbling to see really, how our lives have taken a step back to simpler times, appreciating the labour of love that is cooking.

Homemade dumplings

Though bread is a wonderful staple recipe to conquer and you may have already ticked that one of the achievement list but have you ever tried making your own dumplings?

They are actually not that difficult at all to make, and quite versatile with the fillings to suit your tastes. I am sharing three different varieties with you a seafood version, meat version and a vegetarian/vegan version. Explaining step by step directions of how to assemble them.

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by Green Leaf Living

Charred Cauliflower & Corn Quinoa Salad

This salad would have to be one of my all time favourites. Inspired by a local Mexican restaurant I actually order this so much that I thought I’d try and replicate it at home. I have to say that it’s pretty darn close and actually very easy to make. Perfect for sharing on Mexican night, or as a fresh and crunchy vegan/vegetarian taco filling or topped onto some baked sweet potatoes.

Charred Cauliflower & Corn Quinoa Salad
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by Green Leaf Living

Dairy Free No Bake Lime Coconut Slice

The other day we were lucky enough to get our hands on a box of market limes. At this time of hospitality closures, many restaurants and cafes haven’t been buying their normal stock quantities resulting in an over stock of many items, limes being one of them. Wholesalers and markets selling them much cheaper than normal so we thought why not support our local businesses and take some off their hands.

This recipe came straight to mind, normally made with lemons I decided to make a lime version. I have adjusted it slightly to suit and because it’s been such a popular recipe I thought I’d share it with you.

Oat Base
Filling ready to refrigerate

A sugar-free, dairy-free lime and coconut slice. Using cashew nuts to make the creamy filling you really don’t miss the dairy at all. No sugar added only sweetened with natural honey or rice malt syrup and the tangy lime juice and rind that complements so beautifully that you end up with a perfectly sweet but tangy, creamy and smooth slice. It can be kept in the fridge for up to a week to eat a little as you please or frozen for 3 months.

Dairy Free No Bake Lime & Coconut Slice

Ingredients

Base 1 cup rolled oats 1 cup desiccated coconut 2 tbsp coconut oil, melted 1 tbsp rice malt syrup or natural honey Filling 1 cup cashews 1 cup coconut milk 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted 1/4 cup rice malt syrup or honey juice of 4 limes rinds of 2 limes (leaving some to top) extra desiccated coconut to sprinkle on top

Directions

  1. To make base, place oats in a food processor or vitamix and blend until fine crumbs
  2. Add desiccated coconut, melted coconut oil, and rice malt syrup/honey and process till well combined
  3. Press mixture into a prepared 20x20cm square tin line with baking paper
  4. Place in the fridge for 20mins
  5. Make filling, Place cashews, coconut milk, coconut oil, rice malt syrup, lime juice and rind, in a vitamix or blender and blend until smooth and creamy
  6. Pour over the base and return to the fridge for at least 45mins or until set.
  7. Sprinkle over extra coconut and lime rind and cut into squares.

Note- GF option Replace oats with quinoa flakes or buckwheat flour

by Green Leaf Living

Vitamin C Enriched Broccoli & Spinach Soup

When we think of vitamin C our minds directly think of oranges and yes while they do contain substantial amounts of the vitamin did you also know that 1 cup of broccoli contains around the same amount of vitamin C to 1 cup of orange juice?

There was a good reason your mother always told you to eat your broccoli as a child and this is the reason why.

Creamy Broccoli & Spinach Soup
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by Green Leaf Living

Carb Free Zucchini Pasta with Lentil and Eggplant Bolognese

IMG_7175
 Spiralized  zucchini pasta with homemade lentil bolognese

Have you tried zucchini pasta? Aka spiralized zucchini.

Spiralizing vegetables became a foodie craze a few years ago. I have to admit this is one trend I continue making regularly. Taking an ordinary vegetable and making it into a noodle/spaghetti brilliant idea! (more…)

by Green Leaf Living

Best Ever Creamy Cauliflower Mash

This seriously is the best mash I’ve ever made. If you are a lover of cauliflower or even if you are not this mash is so darn delicious. Silky smooth and creamy you wouldn’t even know it consists mainly of cauliflower.

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by Green Leaf Living