gluten free desserts – SET the TABLE with LOVE

Mini Vegan Dark Chocolate Macaroons

Published on February 6, 2018 by Life with Lisa WashingtonLeave a comment

Today is day four of my 30 day cleanse and it’s going pretty good. It is challenging coming up with creative recipes, but hey, that’s my thing. I love to take what I have an make creative recipes, but even more when the recipes call for no diary, no processed white sugar,vegan and yep, no gluten. The truth is even though I am doing this cleanse, I still crave my favorites, like dessert, chips and bread. The body needs to cleanse and reset itself for optimum health and wellness, this is why I cleanse 3 to 4 times a year. We all need a reset, no matter how healthy we eat. So, back to dessert, chips and breads.

This dessert is very easy and you do not need a million ingredients. Take note, I am not using any sugars, such as, honey, maple syrup or agave, just coconut sugar. Coconut sugar only has 5 grams of sugar, much better for you while doing a cleanse, if you craving something sweet. The macaroons are excellent paired with French Broad 100% dark chocolate, now this will be intense, only for the purist. You can also use 72% or 80% dark chocolate, no milk chocolate, since we are doing a cleanse. LOL. 🙂

Here’s the recipe. Enjoy.

Ingredients:

2 cups shredded unsweetened coconut

1/2 cup coconut flour

1/4 tsp vanilla extract

3 tbsp coconut sugar

1 tsp melted coconut oil

1/2 cup dairy free dark chocolate, chopped
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
Add coconut and coconut flour to a food processor or high speed blender and blend, scraping down sides as needed, until you have incorporated the coconut and coconut flour. You want a pliable dough to feel like play doh. If the dough is not pliable, add more coconut and blend. Add coconut sugar and vanilla and mix again until just incorporated.
Using a 1 tbsp scoop, scoop out in enough to fill the scoop, pack down firmly, but gently with your hands to shape the dough, gently tap the dough out of the scoop. Shape it into a nice half moon ball. Place each macaroon gently on the baking sheet.

Brush the tops lightly with melted coconut oil. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until the edges start to look golden brown. Allow the macaroons to cool.
While macaroons are cooling, melt chocolate over a double boiler or in the microwave in 30 second increments. Set aside.
Once completely cooled, drizzle the chocolate over each one. Put them in the fridge for 30 minutes or over night, this will allow them to firm up. Be gentle in handling the macaroons, because they are very fragile. Remove each macaroon from the cookie sheet and place on a nice platter. Serve and Enjoy.

Naleyla’s Mango Blueberry Smoothie and Gigi’s Peanut Butter and Dark Choclate Popsicles

Published on February 3, 2018 by Life with Lisa WashingtonLeave a comment

If you know me just a little bit, my grandkids are my heart’s joy. I love cooking, baking and going on adventures with them. They both love to be in the kitchen with me, just like my boys, when they were kids. Valentine’s Day is coming up, so I am sure we will be coming up with some yummy, healthy treats, but until then enjoy Naleyla’s Mango Blueberry Smoothie and Gigi’s Peanut Butter and Dark Choclate Popsicles recipe. Remember to Set the Table with Love. Naleyla’s Mango and BlueberrySmoothie1 cup mangoes, chopped1/2 cup frozen blueberries1 cup organic orange juiceAnd a pinch of cinnamonAdd to a blender. Blend and enjoy.Serves 2 happy grandbabies.Gigi’s Peanut Butter and DarkChocolate Chunk popsicles2 cups of Plain Greek Yogurt1/4 cup Georgia Grinder Peanut Butter(I used their Cinnamon Vanilla PecanPeanut Butter)2 tbsps Xoccoalt dark chocolate baror any good dark chocolate bar,chopped into nice chunkspopsicle sticksMakes 9-12 popsicles, based on thesize of your popsiscle moldsDIRECTIONS:In a food processor or blender combine yogurt and peanutbutter until smooth.Add chunks of dark chocolate and toss them into the mix.Add the mix into popsicles molds and add dark chocolateshaving on top of the mixture.Place in freezer. Allow to set for about 8-10 minutesbefore placing drift wood sticks or popsicle sticks. Onceset, add in popsicle stick. Freeze over night.Allow to thaw just a bit, about 1-2 minutes and removefrom molds and enjoy.

Need a little something sweet~ Gluten Free French Sable Cookies

Published on March 16, 2017March 16, 2017 by Life with Lisa WashingtonLeave a comment

I love dessert. I will talk about healthy eating forever, but I will never skip on dessert. A healthy lifestyle has a little dessert included, well at least that is what I believe and preach. Life is all about balance. We all need a little sweetness in our lives and honey these cookies will deliver just that. First off they are gluten free, so they are great for people with gluten allergies. They are small and just perfect with a cup of hot ginger tea. I love making these cookies and sharing with my granddaughter, can you say, TEA PARTY! Bottom line they are so yummy, that’s really all you need to know, right?

So, stay on your healthy path. Eat clean food, drink clean water and make your desserts from scratch with good high quality ingredients. Enjoy them at least once a week or so and get out enjoy nature. It’s all in Divine order.

As always, Remember to Set the Table with Love. 🙂

Gluten Free Sable Cookies — Gluten Free French Sable Cookies

Gluten Free French Sable Vanilla cookies
Ingredients:
2 soft, plump vanilla beans
1/3 cup organic cane sugar
8 oz. (1 cup) unsalted organic butter
1/2 tsp. fine sea salt
1-1/3 oz. (1/3 cup) organic confectioners’
sugar, sifted
2 large organic egg yolks
2 cups of gluten free flour blend ( Pillsbury Gluten Free Flour Blend)
My favorite gluten free cookie blend
2 cups white rice flour
1 cup brown rice flour
2/3 cup potato starch
1/3 cup tapioca flour
1 teaspoon xanthan gum

Directions:

1. Cut the vanilla beans in half lengthwise and scrape the seed pulp into a small bowl;
add the sugar. Using your fingers, rub them together until blended.
2. In a large bowl with a hand mixer, mix the butter on low speed until smooth and
creamy, mix in the salt. Add the vanilla sugar and the confectioners’ sugar and mix until smooth, about 1 minute. Scrape down the bowl as needed. Add 1 egg yolk and mix for 1 minute. Still on low speed, mix in the flour just until blended; the dough will be soft.
3. Sprinkle a little gluten free flour onto the counter. Turn the dough out onto the counter and knead it gently a few times. Divide it in half and shape each half into a 9-inch log. Be
gentle with the dough and work with it, gluten free dough needs a little more care.
Wrap the logs in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.
4. Position oven racks in the top and bottom thirds of the oven and heat the oven to
350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
5. Sprinkle about 1/2 cup sanding sugar onto a piece of waxed paper. Combine the
remaining egg yolk with a splash of water in a small bowl and whisk with a fork.
6. Brush each log with the egg wash and roll it in the sanding sugar until evenly coated.
Trim the ends of the logs if they’re ragged. Using a knife, cut the dough into 1/2-inchthick rounds. Put them on the baking sheets, leaving about 2-inches between rounds.
7. Bake the cookies, rotating and swapping the baking sheets’ positions halfway
through, until the cookies are brown around the edges and golden on the bottom, 18 to
22 minutes. Let cool on the sheets for 5 minutes; then carefully transfer to a cooling
rack and allow to cool completely before serving. Sable’ cookies need to be eaten cool, so
cooling with allow them to set, so you can enjoy to perfection.

Cooking today with William Sonoma ~ Gluten Free Holiday Treats ~ Sneak Peak

Published on December 17, 2016December 23, 2016 by Life with Lisa WashingtonLeave a comment

It is always a pleasure to come out and share my passion for delicious, healthy eating with William Sonoma’s staff and customers. Today I am cooking up some yummy, decadent and gluten free holiday appetizers and my gluten free brownie bites with a twist. I will be using William Sonoma’s famous Original Peppermint Bark as a topping for these rich and luscious brownies. I will also be making tuscan white beans stuffed in a roasted campari tomato and yummy zucchini bites stuffed with gruyere and parmesan cheese.

I am so excited to share some of my families favorite holiday treats today with William Sonoma’s customers, as they shop for wonderful gifts for their love ones. So stop by and find some great gifts for your family and have a brownie on me. Here’s a sneak peak of today’s menu.

Zucchini Bites

INGREDIENTS

2 cups zucchini, grated

1 egg

1/4 cup yellow onion, diced,finely

1/2 cup cheese gruyere

1/2 cup parmesan

1/2 cup gluten free bread crumbs – I used Italian style

Salt and Pepper, to taste.

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 375F. Spray a mini-muffin tin with non-stick spray, set aside. Grate the zucchini and then place in a dish towel to squeeze out the excess water- like when using frozen spinach. In a bowl combine, the egg, onion, cheese, bread crumbs, zucchini, salt and pepper. 4. Using a spoon or a cookie scoop, fill the muffin cups to the top. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the top is browned and set.

Gluten Free Brownies with Chocolate Ganache these will be topped with William Sonoma Original Peppermint Bark

1/2 cup Ghirardelli Semi-Sweet Chocolate Baking Chips

4 ounces Ghirardelli Semi-Sweet Chocolate Baking Bar

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into pieces

1 cup firmly packed light or dark brown sugar

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

2 large eggs 1 egg yolk

3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons gluten free-purpose flour. I love Bob Mills Gluten free baking flour or Pillsbury Gluten-free baking powder.

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

3/8 teaspoon salt

DIRECTIONS
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter and flour an 8-inch square baking pan. Chop the 4 ounces of semi sweet chocolate bars into 1″ pieces. In the top of a double boiler or in a heatproof bowl over barely simmering water, melt the 4 chopped chocolate and butter, stirring occasionally until smooth. Remove the pan from the heat and let cool to room temperature. Stir the brown sugar and vanilla into the chocolate mixture. Add the eggs and mix well. In a bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Slowly fold the flour mixture into the chocolate mixture, mixing well until blended. Stir in the chocolate chips and pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 30 -35 minutes, until a tester comes out clean. Remove from the oven and cool for at least 10 minutes before cutting into 2-inch squares.

This recipe is gluten free, gluten-free flour can take a little more time to bake. It usually takes about 33 minutes on these.

Campari Stuffed with Tuscan White Beans with a balsamic glaze

Raw Chocolate Ganache Three Ways, inspired by a journey HOME.

Published on December 10, 2016 by Life with Lisa WashingtonLeave a comment

Some encounters bring you back home to what your soul is yearning for. This year has done that for me and my family. I have been around people and places that have made me feel like, I was coming home. One of those encounters inspired me to move my culinary creative juices back to Raw Foods. Raw foodism is the dietary practice of eating only uncooked, unprocessed foods. It only includes, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. Now I AM NOT A RAW FOODIST, VEGAN OR VEGETARIAN, but my diet is about 80% plant based. I believe eating whole foods is better for my body, mind and spirit. So, how did I come back home to raw foods? My best friend. She wanted to take a yoga class one morning and I did have the time, I had so much work to do. I was behind schedule on several projects, I felt run down and just wanted to work and maybe catch a nap in. However, inside of me, my spirit was calling from some release, so I went.

The funny thing is, as we were driving to the studio, it hit me where we were going, to my old yoga studio. The place I learned about the healing beauty of yoga and meditation, ironically another one of my best friends introduced me to this studio, 13 years prior. I got some teacher training here from some the best yoga teachers in the United States. I was very ill during that time, fighting kidney disease and trying to take care of a toddler.

The yoga studio was a place of love and great healing for me. As we walked into the yoga studio, there on her mat was the owner and one of my first yoga teachers. My heart felt so much joy. I felt like I was back HOME. The class was amazing and I felt more energy in my body and spirit, plus so much peace.

My yoga teacher and I caught up and we talked about health issues. She shared with me her journey of healing and it hit me why I was there. Food has been a healing art for me. So of course, my best friend and Creative Marketing Director of my wellness company, mentioned what I had been up to lately with food. My yoga teacher was excited, she had been eating raw to heal, but she runs three businesses and doesn’t have time to prepare the food. She asked me to help her and of course it was my pleasure to say, YES. The yoga studio and her classes brought me so much healing and now I could give back. Life is always trying to bring us home, if we just take the time out to slow down and listen.

Here are three ways you can use my Raw Chocolate Ganache.

Raw Chocolate Ganache: You can use this for many other desserts

Ingredients:

1 cup maple syrup
1 cup cacao powder
1/4 cup coconut oil, pinch of sea salt

Directions:
Using your blender, mix together syrup and coconut oil until well combined. Add in your cacao powder and a pinch of sea salt, and process until smooth – scraping down the sides as needed. Use immediately, or keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a couple weeks. If using the ganache after being refrigerated, simply place the container in warm water for a few minutes to let it soften up a bit, or roll out ganache truffles using a melon scoop. 🙂

Raw Chocolate Ganache Torte with Pistachio Dust and Black Berries

1/2 cup black cherries, thawed out frozen cherries

3/4 cup Raw Chocolate Ganache

1 tbsp maple syrup

crushed pistachios and a black cherry

Using a blender Blend everything together, using a biscuit cutter, place on a sheet pan with parchment paper . Pour the ganache mixture into the biscuit cutter, almost to the top, leave room to add the pistachios. Add the pistachios and top with a black cherry. Put into the freeze and allow to set over night or for at least 2 hours to get it very firm. When ready to serve, allow to set room temperature for about 2-3 minutes, this will make it easier for you to push the torte out of the biscuit cutter. Gently remove, by pushing up from the bottom with a frosting spreader or the back of a spoon.

Serve and enjoy immediately because the base is made of coconut oil, it must be eaten immediately or kept frozen.

Pears Dipped in Spicy Raw Chocolate Ganache topped with walnuts and cardamom with a side of cardamom coconut cream

Ingredients:

1 pear cut in half and seeds removed

Raw Chocolate Ganache, in it’s liquid form. if using the ganache after being refrigerated, simply place the container in warm water for a few minutes to let it soften up a bit.

crushed walnuts

whole coconut milk

1 tsp cardamom and a little more to dust over the pears

1 tbs maple syrup

Pears Dipped in Spicy Raw Chocolate Ganache topped with walnuts and cardamom with a side of cardamom coconut cream

Directions:

Super simple. I add a little lemon juice to the pears, so they would not brown. Dipped them into the ganache. I dipped half of the pears here, added crusted walnuts, sprinkled with cardamom, you can also drizzle maple syrup, honey or agave over them for more sweetness. Put the pears into the fridge for an hour or overnight so the ganache can harden on the pears properly. The coconut cream is also super simple.

Open up a can of coconut milk and remove the creamy top part and add to a bowl. Using an electric hand mixer whisk attachment, beat the cream until fluffy and smooth. Add in maple syrup and cardamom. Put whipped cream in the fridge to harden a bit, about 10 minutes. Remove the pears and whipped cream from the fridge. Add whipped cream to the pears and serve immediatley.

NOTE: This ganache has a coconut oil base so it will melt fast, so keep it in the fridge until ready to serve.

Pears Dipped in Spicy Raw Chocolate Ganache topped with walnuts and cardamom with a side of cardamom coconut cream

Last one, but oh so good. My grandson helped me make these, notice the heavy handed areas of pistachios. Love it.

Raw Chocolate Ganache Bark with Peppermint and Pistachios

Ingredients:
3 tbsp cacao
2½ tbsp raw virgin coconut oil
1 1/2 tbsp maple syrup
small pinch sea salt
2 tbsp crushed pistachios
1 crushed soft peppermint stick

15390813_10154229325138613_8361858055075637169_n — Raw Dark Chocolate Ganache Bark with Peppermint and Pistachios

Instructions
Whisk together melted coconut oil, raw cacao and maple syrup in a small bowl until completely smooth.
Add a pinch of sea salt and combine well.
Add nuts and peppermint

Line a cookie sheet with non stick parchment paper.
Pour the chocolate mixture into the lined cookie sheet and spread out evenly using the back of a spoon, spread it thick so you bark doesn’t melt so quickly when eating it. 🙂 Add the goodies on top.

Place the container in the freezer for 30 minutes until the chocolate is completely hard.
Break up the pieces and serve immediately.
Store in the freezer.
PSA
Since the base of this bark is coconut oil it will melt at room temperature, so please keep it in the freezer, until ready to serve. Eat immediately.

Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon Walnut Flax Muffins

Published on September 21, 2016 by Life with Lisa WashingtonLeave a comment

FALL is officially here in two days, September 22, YES!! I love the crispiness in the air, the leaves starting to change, yellow and orange and seeing some of the Fall produce out in the farmer markets and grocery stores. If you haven’t figured it out yet, this is one of my favorite seasons.

Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon Walnut Flax muffins

I love everything about Fall, from the decor, fashion and especially the food. Today I was inspired by one of my favorite fruits, Fall brings, apples.

My Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon Walnut Flax Muffins, screams FALL is here!! This recipe is very simple, super nutritious and above all, DELICIOUS. It makes a wonderful breakfast, loaded with good carbs, fiber and protein, but also a nice healthy snack for pre and post workouts.

If you’re not into walnuts, add your favorite nut, you can also add dried cranberries instead of raisins. If you have a nut allergy, leave the nuts out altogether. But above all else, enjoy them and remember to Set the Table with Love.

INGREDIENTS:

2 medium apple, roughly chopped

1 1/2 cups all-purpose gluten-free flour

1 1/2 cups flax seed meal

1/2 cup gluten free oats ( Bob Mills)

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup organic maple syrup

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1 teaspoon sea salt

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

1 cup unsweetened almond milk

1 teaspoons vanilla extract

Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon Walnut Muffins

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350º. Add chopped apples in a blender, blend until you have a rustic puree. Set aside. Grease a 12 cup muffin tin, with canola oil spray, generously. Set aside.

In a large bowl, mix the flour, flax seed meal, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. In a separate bowl, combine the milk, eggs, and vanilla. Mix well, and slowly pour the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring. When the wet and dry ingredients are combined, add the apples and and stir to combine.

Using a measuring cup, evenly divide the batter between the muffin cups. Fill the cups almost to the top, gluten free baking goods, will not rise like normal baking goods.

Bake for 20-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the muffin comes out clean. Cool in the muffin tin for 5 to 10 minutes.

Vegan Gluten Free Carrot Cake Oatmeal Bake

Published on August 9, 2016January 10, 2017 by Life with Lisa Washington2 Comments

So this blog will be short and really naturally and organically sweet, LOL, school just started back, and we are off to get school supplies for my son. In honor of school starting back up, I decided to do a 30 day cleanse. I will try my best to post some of my detox recipes for this cleanse, but you can find some amazing cleansing recipes already here on the blog. Okay, so what are you doing with this cleanse, Lisa?

Vegan Raw Carrot Cake — Vegan Gluten Free Carrot Cake Oatmeal Bake

Well here is an example, I am eating a vegan, gluten free, no processed sugar diet, well no white sugar or grains, no honey, no maple syrup or agave, just coconut sugar. No alcohol, so enjoyed my sangria week. LOL. No yeast based products. But I will have dessert, and yes it will go under this cleanse. Since we are on desserts, here’s my Carrot Cake Oatmeal Bake, now I am eating this for breakfast, but it’s so delicious you may want to call it dessert. It’s super simple. Enjoy and keep a look out for some more of my 30 day cleanse yummies.

Ingredients:
2 1/4 cups quick rolled oats, certified gluten-free, if possible
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon clove
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 1/2 cups lightly packed shredded carrots
1/2 cup shredded coconut
2 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk (or non-dairy milk of choice)
1/3 cup coconut sugar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped walnut halves (optional)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375F and lightly greased brownie dish. I used an 8″x 8″ 2in. rectangular casserole dish.
In a medium saucepan, add the non dairy milk and salt to a boil. Add quick rolled oats and the remaining ingredients, except the raisins and walnuts. Lower the heat, cook for 3 minutes, add the raisins and walnuts. Stir. If it’s too thick, add a little more non dairy milk. Add the mixture into the greased casserole dish smooth out with a spoon.
Sprinkle on a little coconut and coconut sugar, as garnished.
Bake, uncovered, for 25-30 minutes, until lightly golden along edge. The oatmeal may look wet in some places, that’s okay, it will firm up.

Let cool for about 10 minutes before serving.

Oh yes, Remember to Set the Table with Love.

Coming Home to You Birthday Luncheon

Published on June 13, 2016January 10, 2017 by Life with Lisa Washington2 Comments

Coming Home to You Birthday Luncheon

Dee this one is for you.

13432168_10153759829798613_8445894510737530969_n — Asparagus with parsley and shaved parmesan

I love my friends. I am even so grateful that God put some incredible women in my life. I have women that have been in my life for over 3 decades. They have celebrated life with me and some of my most tragic times. These ladies have loved me unconditionally. They understand me and allow me to just be Lisa, without depends. I am so grateful for that more than anything.

13391446_10153759829413613_3499206838088019707_o — We all wrote a blessing on this card for her.

Yesterday I was able to throw a birthday brunch for one of those beautiful souls, Dee Armstead. I met Dee when we both were going through a very hard time in our lives, we both had lost our moms and we were there for each other. We kept each other afloat. She loves me for me, she builds me up and never tears me down. This is 14 year friendship and I can honestly say these words about her.

: Dee is the fabulous one in the linen pants

Dee is a big giver. When I asked her what she wanted to do for her birthday and she said, Lisa I want to do something that will inspire and empower women. This is her gift, Dee inspires others, so I want this to be really special. So, I decided to do one of my Coming Home to You workshop brunches. I filled the whole entire brunch and exercises with positive affirmations, deep breathing technique , meditation and a lifestyle behavioral coaching exercise. The ladies were very inspired and the best part, my Dee was happy and pleased with the outcome.

God is amazing in how he works. There were many components in planning such a brunch, because it is not just about beautiful table settings and food, but helping people move passed the things that get in the way of connecting again themselves and what is next in there lives.

13413502_10153759829903613_5929717964840046381_n — Follow your Dreams

Dee trust me, she never once asked me, what I was planning. This is how you now it is God, she closed it out with a speech of gratitude and gave each of her guest, a beautiful frame with the most inspiring words that went along side the workshop’s entire message. “Allow ALL life to move though you, let go of fear and embrace love.”

One of the best things I got a chance to teach my granddaughter how to Set the Table with Love. She pressed napkins, linens, we made floral arrangements, and made the prettiest table settings. We had a blast.

13433303_10153759829583613_2946981162191292725_o — Coming Home to You Birthday Luncheon Homemade Floral Arrangement adds a special touch.

Thanks Dee for being one of my dearest friends and allowing your light to ignite my light within. Love you.

The menu was vegetarian. I wanted to share recipes with everyone that was simple, easy, delicious and healthy . The chai muffins were gluten free and one of my favorite recipes, we served the muffins with a simple ginger and cardamom butter.

The menu included:

Blueberry and Lemon scones with lemon sugar

Chai Muffins made by my bestie, Kristina Millsaps

Frittata Muffins with cheddar cheese and parmesan

Roasted Asparagus with parsley and parmesan

Roasted Potatoes with herbs and parmesan

Strawberry Basil Rosé Lemonade punch

Chocolate Oolong Tea

Coffee

Guests Favorite:

I want to share with you one of the recipes that was one the favorites. I will share the other recipes, including that incredible punch later this week. Enjoy this one.

Roasted Asparagus

Ingredients:

1 pound asparagus

A bunch of parsley leaves

Fine sea salt, ground black pepper

Extra virgin olive oil

Parmesan shavings

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 400.

Trim away the bottom third of each asparagus stalk.

Put the asparagus on a cookie sheet with parchment paper, top with parsley. Season with salt and pepper and drizzle with olive oil. Roast until slightly tender, about 10 -15 minutes. Just before serving, add shaved parmesan.

Gluten Free Dark Chocolate Cauliflower Brownies

Published on January 4, 2016January 11, 2018 by Life with Lisa Washington2 Comments

WOW!! So my amazing friend Paula gave me a challenge to make a brownie for her son that hid cauliflower inside and it taste good. Well here is what I came up with. This was an experiment and may need a little adjusting, so if you have any suggestions, please leave them in my comment box. But I am not bragging, these bad boys were pretty tasty.

Ingredients:

First things first, the cauliflower puree. You can serve the rest as a side dish or convert it into a soup. But that’s another blog. You will only need one cup for the brownie recipe.

1 head cauliflower, 2 to 2 1/2 pounds

2 tablespoons melted coconut oil

1 teaspoon sea salt

Gluten Free Dark Chocolate Cauliflower Brownies

Instructions:

Pull the leaves off the cauliflower and cut out the core in a kind of cone-shaped section. Then pull the florets off the head with your fingers, using a knife when you need to. Break or cut the florets into smaller, regular pieces (about 1 1/2 inch) and put them in a steamer insert. Bring about 1 inch of water to a boil in the steamer pot, add the insert, cover, and cook for about 15 minutes, or until you can poke a paring knife into the stems and you can feel that there’s still a little texture there. Save 1 cup of steaming water.
In batches, put cauliflower in a food processor to puree. If you are having problems getting the cauliflower to puree add a little of the cooking water but as little as possible. With the motor running, add oil and salt.

Set a side.

Brownie Ingredients:

Dry
1 cup brown rice flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/4 cup sorghum flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 cup ground organic raw cane sugar
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips ( cacao chips)

Wet:

1 cup cauliflower puree
1 Tablespoons flaxmeal
3 Tablespoons warm water
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup oil, canola oil

Directions:

Brownies:

Over a double boiler, on low heat, add the dark chocolate chips into the bowl and stir,until melted. Once melted set aside. In another bowl add cocoa powder, chocolate chips, sugar, oil and mix together.

In a small bowl mix flaxmeal in the warm water and vinegar and let sit for few minutes about 3-4 minutes, this will be part of your egg, substitute. Add the flax meal mixture to the cocoa powder mixture.
In another bowl, combine all the remaining dry ingredients, stir and add to the cocoa powder mixture. Mix to combine well. Gently fold half of the melted chocolate into the mixture, you will use the other half as a glaze on top of the brownies. If the mixture is too wet, add a little more cocoa powder. If too dry fold in more melted chocolate.
Spread the mixture into a parchment lined or greased pan. Press and even it out, using a spatula.
Bake 30-32 minutes at 375 degrees F. Bake till the toothpick an inch from the edge comes out with a few crumbs. Do not over bake as the brownie, it will dry them out and make them hard.
Remove from oven and allow to cool. Once cooled remove from the parchment lined pan and cut brownies in squares. Add the remaining melted chocolate on top of each as a glaze. You can also add more chocolate chips if you like.

Gluten Free Skillet Blueberry Coconut Oatmeal Crumble inspired by Ginny Bakes cookies

Published on September 17, 2015January 20, 2018 by Life with Lisa WashingtonLeave a comment

Here is a simple gluten-free dessert, you can enjoy, that was inspired by a cookie. But no ordinary cookie, a Ginny Bakes Coconut Oatmeal Bliss cookie. I love these cookies because they are organic, not full of sugar and they taste delicious. I had a friend over today and let her try one. She hates coconut, but I knew she would love these. She said, “I hate coconut, but this cookie is so delicious and the flavors blend very well. It’s not overwhelming.”

Blueberry Crumble

I decided to use the cookie as the crumble for my Blueberry crumble. It was divine. I added another mini Ginny Bakes Coconut Oatmeal Bliss cookie on top as a garnish!! You have to try their cookies and this recipe.

INGREDIENTS

1/4 cup unsalted butter
1/4 cup corn starch
1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup granulated organic cane sugar
Juice and zest of 1/2 lemon
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups blueberries

DIRECTIONS

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Place the butter in a mini skillet and transfer to the preheated oven to melt.

Meanwhile, mix together the cornstarch, baking powder and salt in a bowl. Stir in the almond milk, sugar, the lemon juice, zest and vanilla to combine. Add the blueberries. Remove the hot skillet with the melted butter from the oven and pour over the mixture. In food processor add 4 Ginny Bake Coconut and Oatmeal bliss cookies, process until you they cookies have broken down into crunchy crumbles or fine crumbles if you prefer. Bake until brown, about 20 – 25 minutes.

Transfer to a rack to cool slightly. I put my crumble in mini bowls and added a mini coconut oatmeal bliss cookie in each crumble as a pretty garnish and for some extra deliciousness and crunch. You can all serve with vanilla bean ice cream or lightly sweetened whipped cream.

Gluten Free Blueberry Crumble with a Ginny Bakes Coconut Oatmeal Crumble topping

Chocolate Torte with a RAW Chocolate Coconut Truffle

Published on July 14, 2015February 5, 2018 by Life with Lisa Washington1 Comment

RAW Chocolate Torte with a RAW Chocolate Coconut Truffle

This is probably one of my favorite Raw food desserts I have ever made. It is so beautiful and decadent. You will hear that word throughout this blog post. My best friend loves chocolate. She is a true purist, when it comes to her chocolate. No raspberry sauce, just chocolate. So when Go Raw junk free foods, sent me some amazing chocolate, I had to do something really special for her.

aw Chocolate Torte with Go Raw Super Raw Chocolate Shavings and a Raw Chocolate Coconut Truffle

She is an OB/GYN, she is a mother of 4 beautiful kids and she is also very health conscious and a huge FOODIE. This dessert fit the ticket. The Raw Chocolate tart is nut free, gluten free, dairy free, vegan and ALL RAW!! I am so excited to share this recipe, because the base of the pie is made from sprouted raw seeds, courtesy of GoRAW junk free foods. I have had such a fun time creating recipes from using their yummy snack foods. This is how I feel about Go Raw foods: You will fall in love with the snack and it will inspire you to make it a staple in your every day recipes. The sprouted seeds made this crust crunchy, a little salty and gave it a nice chewy textures as well. I took some of the remaining crust and rolled it in my hands and made a Raw Truffle Ball, dusted it with some organic dehydrated coconut and there you have it, my garnish for this beautiful, decadent and oh so yummy Raw Chocolate tart. The chocolate dessert is everything it should be and it’s a Super Food dessert. I must confess the best part and you can not skip this part, if you make this recipe, is the Go Raw Super raw chocolate. It has just two ingredients raw cacao and raw agave nectar. It made this torte silky and velvety. It literally melts in your mouth. I took a few pieces and shaved them with a grater. Magic!!

My best friend was so happy. She is sharing this with her kids as a healthy delicious dessert. I hope you enjoy this dessert. Go Raw junk free food is not just for snacking, it is also for creating amazing delicious recipes.

Ingredients:

Crust :

1 1/2 cups Go Raw Sprouted Super Simple seeds

1/2 cup unsweetened organic cacao powder

1 cup dried cranberries, or raisin, or pitted dates ( I used cranberries) soaked for 10 minutes in warm water and drained

1 tsp maple syrup

1 tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice

pinch of sea salt

Filling:

3 small avocados, pitted and scooped out

1/3 cup almond milk (or other non-dairy milk)

3/4 cup organic cacao powder, sifted

2/3 cup pure maple syrup

1/4 tsp kosher salt

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

pinch of sea salt to taste

Topping : 2 or more pieces of the Go Raw Super Raw Chocolate ( shaved over the top of the

pie)

Crust:

Rub some coconut oil in a tart pan and line it with a circle of parchment paper. In a food processor, pulse the seed and the cacao powder until crumbly. Be careful not to over process them as you still want them to have small bits of seed chunks. Now add in the rest of the crust ingredients and pulse until just mixed.

NOTE :SET A SIDE A TBSP OF CRUST FOR YOUR RAW CHOCOLATE TRUFFLE GARNISH, MAKE SURE TO PUT THIS IN THE REFRIGERATOR, SO YOU CAN FORM THE TART. 🙂

Scoop mixture onto prepared tart pan, press down firmly and evenly with slightly wet fingers or a spatula. Put the crust in the freezer to set. Start on your filing.

Filling:

Place all filling ingredients into food processor. Process until smooth. In a small bowl. Process until smooth. If the filling is too thick you can add more raw almond milk, or any non dairy milk. If the filling is not thick enough add more cacao powder, a little at a time.

Remove crust from freezer and scoop the chocolate filling on top of crust. Smooth out as much as possible and then place in the freezer for 2 hours to firm. NOTE: IF YOU LIKE TO ADD A GARNISH: Before adding back to the freezer, you can make your Raw Truffle; take the tbsp of raw crust you set aside and roll it in your hands until you form a ball, dust it with dehydrated coconut. Add it to the middle of your torte.

Here’s the velvety-smooth melt in your mouth bliss:

Shave two Super Raw Chocolate bars over the whole entire pie ( you can use a sharp knife or a cheese grater), but hey shave as many pieces as you would like. Place the torte back into the freezer for 2 hours to firm.

When the torte is firm, remove from freezer and allow to sit on the counter for about 5-10 minutes before serving chilled. Place leftover torte in the freezer wrapped and placed in a seal container.

Vegan Elegance~ Cashew Nice Dream w/balsamic reduction and macerated pineapple in Pinot Grigio Wine

Published on July 7, 2015 by Life with Lisa WashingtonLeave a comment

I got to use my green ice cream scoop that my amazing real estate agent gave me as a “just because” gift. I love Stacy Sugarman. She is amazing. She sold my house in 24 hours without it even being put on the market. This blog is dedicated to her, please look her up.

So what do you do when you have too much balsamic reduction and macerated pineapples? I see an adult sundae in my future.

This is crazy delish! Balsamic reduction is put on savory things and sweet things as well. It’s great on strawberries and ice cream. Well I had some Cashew Nice Dream left over and decided to take this yummy treat to a next level.

This would make such an elegant dessert for date night or girls night out. LOL. 🙂

It’s super simple and it will leave you feeling refreshed and chilled out. Hee Hee! Chilled out because it’s nice dream and it’s cold and the pineapples are filled with wine. Get it? Okay.. I am cheesy.

Enjoy and Set the Table with Love and lots of macerated pineapples, but not too many….

Elegant Vanilla Nice Dream with Balsamic Reduction and Macerated Pineapples with Coconut

Ingredients:

Any non dairy vegan ice kream . I used a cashew based one. I found it to be more creamier.

1 cup chopped pineapples

Balsamic Reduction ( recipe here Balsamic Reduction )

1 1/2 cups of Pinot Grigio or your favorite white (dry) wine

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tbsp coconut for garnish

Sprig of mint for garnish

Directions:

In a large bowl add your pineapples, or strawberries if you prefer, pour the wine over them.

Sprinkle in the granulated sugar and add the vanilla extract and stir to combine. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or up to 12 hours.

Once the fruit is ready. Add 3 scoops of the nice dream. Add the pineapples, drizzle the balsamic reductions,sprinkle with coconut and add the mint, as a garnish if you like.

Enjoy!!

RAW GLUTEN FREE Peach and Apricot Crumble

Published on July 2, 2015July 2, 2015 by Life with Lisa WashingtonLeave a comment

RAW GLUTEN FREE PEACH AND APRICOT CRUMBLE

Who doesn’t love peaches and apricots? Okay, you there in the back, but everyone else loves them. LOL.

Today for breakfast I wanted something raw, but also said, dessert. So, I made this delicious Raw Peach and Apricot Crumble. Totally deliciousness and it’s raw and gluten free !

This recipe is so diverse, you can use any fruit you like. Next time a Triple Berry Crumble. Until, next time Set the Table with Love.

Ingredients~

Crumble

1 1/2 cups raw gluten free oats

1 cup dried cranberries

1 tbsp organic coconut oil

1 1/2 tbsp organic maple syrup

1/2 tsp lemon juice

pinch of sea salt to taste

1 tbsp water or more, to help bind the crumble, if needed.

The Fruit

1 medium white peach, sliced

2 apricots, sliced

2 tbsp golden flaxseed grounds

1 tbsp organic coconut oil

1 tsp maple syrup

1/2 tsp lemon juice

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp cardamom ( optional)

2 tbsp water

pinch of salt

For the crumble :

Add the oats to a food processor and process. Add the cranberries next with the lemon juice. Process. Add the maple syrup, sea salt and coconut oil and process. The consistency should be crumbly but bindable like play doh. If it’s too crumbly and not holding together add a little water, just a little bit at a time and process. Set a side.

For the fruit:

Cut the fruit up into slices and add to a large bowl. Next add the other remaining ingredients, except the water. Stir everything together gently, until the flax seed grounds has made a thick sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add some of the water, a little bit at a time. Stir. Allow the mixture to sit for 5 minutes, so it can thicken even more to make a nice gooey sauce.

Assemble:

In a medium ramekin, add the fruit mixture and top it with the crumble mixture. Gently pat the crumble mixture down into the fruit. Put the crumble into the fridge and allow to set for 5 -7 minutes. Serve and Enjoy.

* You can skip the pressing down part and just add the crumble on top of the fruit and serve. It would go great with some Raw Coconut Whipped Kream.

Red Quinoa Olive Tapenade

Published on June 10, 2015January 9, 2017 by Life with Lisa WashingtonLeave a comment

I love olives and I especially love olive tapenade, but I thought today let’s give this appetizer a little vegan protein boost. I love the texture that the quinoa adds to this recipe. You can add this on sandwiches as a spread. You can also use it in pasta as like a pesto or top on salads.

Enjoy. Please remember to Set the Table with Love.

11425221_10153014832993613_3572957873695815236_n — Red Quinoa Olive Tapenade

Ingredients:

1 cup of cooked red quinoa, follow instructions on back of packaging, set cooked quinoa to the side to cool.

2 cloves garlic, peeled

1 cup pitted kalamata olives

2 tablespoons capers

3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

2 tablespoons lemon juice

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon of organic honey

salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Place the garlic cloves into a blender or food processor; pulse to mince. Add the cooled quinoa to the food processor. Add the olives, capers, parsley, lemon juice, honey and olive oil Blend until everything is finely chopped. Season to taste with salt and pepper. I garnished with chopped tomatoes and fresh parsley from my granddaughter’s garden. Enjoy!

Raw Blueberry and Coconut Cream Oatmeal and Chia Seed Pudding

Published on April 15, 2015 by Life with Lisa WashingtonLeave a comment

Eat your skincare recipe :

My dad always said, Never let anything go to waste. Well my Maple Coconut Cream has graced itself several times this week, from Raw cinnamon rolls, to cinnamon roll cookies, even in my Garam Masala soup. Today it finds it’s way into my chia pudding.

Here’s the recipe. You can find the Maple Coconut Cream recipe on my Leaning Tower of Raw Cinnamon Pecan cookie post.

Remember no matter what you are cooking or not cooking, Set the Table with Love.

Raw Blueberry and Coconut Cream Oatmeal and Chia Seed pudding

The Pudding

1 mason jar or glass jar you can seal tight

2 tbsp. chia seeds

1 1/2 tbsp. organic gluten free oatmeal flakes

1 cup organic non – dairy milk (sweetened) I used vanilla almond milk

Directions ~ Add ingredients to mason jar. Stir and refrigerate for 2 hours or over night.

The Smoothie

1/2 scoop Vega One Vanilla Smoothie mix

1 cup blueberries

1/2 cup non – dairy milk

Directions ~ Blend all ingredients in a blender, Ninja or Vitamix. Set aside. You may have smoothie leftover, based on the size of your container.

The Blueberry Coconut Cream

Directions ~ Add 1/4 cup of the Maple Coconut cream into a blender with 1/2 cup of the Blueberry Smoothie mix. Blend. It should be a lighter color thank the blueberry smoothie. If you want a smooth and lighter Blueberry Coconut cream add more cream less blueberry smoothie.

Assembly

Add the Blueberry Smoothie into the mason jar container the chia and oatmeal pudding. Next add the Blueberry Coconut Cream. I had a little cream left so I made a little design on top. You can do all kinds of versions of this breakfast. Just get creative.

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