eHow Video: Saucy Black Bean Dip

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     This isn’t just a healthy version of a your average black bean dip, which usually includes sour cream and dairy cheese. No, this dip is it’s very own thing. The flavors are much richer and more complex, and it’s not the least bit heavy. It has many ingredients found in traditional Mexican cuisine–such as black beans, chili powder, fire roasted tomatoes, and green chilies. But I have also added another ingredient that is bound to make your eyes go wide with delight when you first dig in. I’ll give you two hints:
     1) It’s a very traditional ingredient in Mexican cooking (or from what is now Mexico), originating even before the Mayans.
     2) It’s from another bean.
     Any guesses??
     Cocoa powder! Yes, as in chocolate.
     Cocoa powder comes from beans from the cacao tree. (Actually, the word cocoa is believed to have its origins in a spelling mistake of the word cacao, so technically we should all be saying “cacao powder.”) Cacao was first used for human enjoyment in Mexico, by a people called the Olmec, who lived prior to the Mayans’ rise to power. So it is very traditional, indeed. (I find the history of food absolutely fascinating! If you want to learn more about the history of chocolate, see here.)
     I don’t use much cacao–just a teaspoon–but it adds so much to this dish. Whenever I test recipes, I usually make sure I leave some for Mr. Goldhouse to try so I can get his feedback. However, the first time I made this I didn’t leave him a drop because it was just so good. I totally devoured it. So several days later I made it again, but the exact same thing happened! I had no idea that I could be so overcome by desire for a dip, but I seem to find this one completely irresistible. Fortunately, it’s just pure, plant-based, whole food goodness without any added oil or salt, so aside from depriving Mr. Goldhouse, there was no reason to feel bad.
     In fact, not only was there no reason to feel bad, there was every reason to feel good! Black beans are loaded with nutritional benefits. Here are just a few:
– Black beans are an excellent source of protein (just 1 cup has 15 grams), and it is far more healthful to get protein from plants rather than from animals. (See more info here.)
– Black beans are rich in soluble fiber which helps lower blood cholesterol levels. Lowered risk of coronary heart disease and heart attack risk have both been association with higher intake of soluble fiber, particularly beans.
-Black beans’ contain both protein and fiber, a combination which helps keep blood sugar levels steady.
-Black beans contain an enormous amount of antioxidants and phytochemicals, so it should be no surprise that several studies have linked black bean consumption to a lowered risk of many cancers.
-Black beans are an excellent source of folate which is crucial for pregnant women as folate deficiency can cause defects in a fetus’s brain and spinal cord.
-Black beans are a great source of iron.
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     This dip is great with carrots or tortilla chips, but it also makes for a delicious sauce on brown rice, quinoa, or even pasta.
Ingredients:
1 medium onion
2 cloves garlic
2 cups fire-roasted tomatoes
2 tablespoons green chilies
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1 1/2 cups cooked black beans
1 tablespoon chopped cilantro (optional)
Instructions:
1. Slice the onions and garlic. Saute them in a tablespoon of water until soft, about 5-7 minutes.
2. Add the tomatoes and seasonings. Stir for 5 minutes.
3. Reduce the heat to simmer and add the black beans. Cook for 10 minutes.
4. Transfer the sauce to a food processor or blender and puree to desired consistency (I like it to be a just little bit chunky).

eHow Video: “Cooking Vegetable Lasagna”

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     Just like my butternut squash lasagna, this recipe has thinly sliced vegetables functioning as lasagna noodles. This dish uses eggplant, which has always been one of my most favorite vegetables. And it also has kale and mushrooms, two of my other favorites! If you are new to a plant-based diet or will be dining with those who are, mushrooms are great because they provide the chewy smokiness that many people say they crave about meat.
     I am also very excited to share the recipes for béchemel sauce and parmesan cheese. Both are absolutely fantastic! The recipe for the parmesan is incredibly quick and easy. It’s sort of ridiculous how easy it is– it literally takes 5 seconds to prepare. The béchemel takes a bit more time but it can easily be made ahead of time and frozen. I have a feeling you’ll want to use both of these recipes in other dishes as well, so be sure to bookmark them.
     Enjoy!
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Lasagna Ingredients:
1 batch of your favorite marinara sauce (store-bought is fine)
2 medium eggplants, sliced length-wise
1 bunch kale leaves (or spinach)
4 cups sliced mushrooms
1 large onion, slicedBéchemel Ingredients:
3 cups nondairy milk
1/2 cup raw cashews, soaked in warm water for at least 20 minutes
3 heaping tablespoons arrowroot flour or cornstarch
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 cup nutritional yeast
1 teaspoon saltParmesan Cheese Ingredients:
1/2 cup raw walnuts
1/4 cup nutritional yeast
1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions:
1. To make the béchemel sauce: Blend all the ingredients together. Add the mixture to a medium saucepan over high heat and whisk for 5-10 minutes until thickened.
2. To make the parmesan cheese: Add the ingredients to a blender and pulse until the walnuts are just ground. Be careful not to over blend into a paste.
3. Saute the onions and mushrooms for 5-7 minutes. Set aside.
4. In a large glass baking dished lined with parchment paper, layer in the following order: marinara sauce, eggplant, béchemel sauce, kale, mushrooms. Repeat until you run out.
5. Sprinkle half of the parmesan cheese on top. Bake for 1 hour covered with foil and 1 hour without foil. (I like my eggplant really soft, so feel free to lessen the time if you prefer your eggplant more chewy.)
6. Sprinkle with the remaining parmesan cheese and serve.

eHow Video: “Filipino Eggplant Salad”

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“Ensaladang Talong” is a traditional Filipino eggplant salad that is typically made with shrimp paste and lots of white vinegar. One of the reasons for so much white vinegar is because it helps reduce the fishy taste of the shrimp paste and the fish this salad usually accompanies. That just seems silly to me, especially when you could just not use any shrimp paste and serve it with something other than fish. Personally, I want to taste the ingredients in my dishes. If something doesn’t taste good and isn’t serving any particular function, then why bother including it?
In the recipe below, I show you how to prepare a fish-safe version of this salad. Since I wasn’t using shrimp paste and, therefore, didn’t need to worry about cutting any flavors, I used rice vinegar, which is milder and sweeter than white vinegar, and really enhances the tangy combination of the onion, tomatoes and chili.
I like to make this salad and then enjoy it in a variety of ways over the next several days. Some of my favorites ways to eat it are with grilled tofu, tossed with garbanzo beans, or over a bed of brown rice. What might some of your favorite ways to enjoy this salad be?


Ingredients:
1 large eggplant
2 tomatoes, chopped
1 onion, chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt (optional; I prefer to omit)
1 slice red chili
3/4 cup rice wine vinegar
2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce or tamari
2-3 scallions

Instructions:
1. Prick the flesh of one large eggplant with a fork and roast at 100 degrees for 45 minutes. Once cool, peel the skin, cut the stem and mash lightly with a fork. 
2. In a bowl, combine two chopped tomatoes, one chopped onion, one half teaspoon salt and one slice of red chili. Add the eggplant and then toss to mix. 
3. To prepare the dressing, mix three quarter cup of wine vinegar, two tablespoons of soy sauce and some freshly ground pepper. Pour the dressing over the vegetables and mix and then garnish with some sliced scallions.

eHow Video: “Spanish Eggplant Salad” (Escalivada)

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    I love Spain. In fact, I love it so much that I’ve been there four times. During my sophomore year of college I studied abroad for nearly six months in the fantastic city of Barcelona, the capital of the autonomous community of Catalonia. (Spain is broken up into 17 autonomous communities, each of which have their own unique characteristics and some even have their own distinct language.)
     While as a whole, Spanish food is not nearly as revered as French or Italian food, Catalan food is considered some of the best the Mediterranean region has to offer. It’s abundant in vegetables, rice dishes, beans, interesting tomato sauces, and nuts. Escalivada is a traditional Catalan dish that consists of roasted vegetables and lots of olive oil. In my recipe, I omit the olive oil and let the richness of the vegetables shine through. When roasted, the red onions and bell peppers become gloriously sweet, the tomatoes become slightly tart, and the eggplant becomes smoky. This is a great dish to have in your fridge because it just goes with everything. It’s delicious on it’s own as a salad, served along side rice or quinoa, or try blending it just a touch and then spread it on toasted bread.
   Bon profit! (Catalan) Buen provecho! (Spanish)
Ingredients:
1 large eggplant
1 medium red onion
2 medium tomatoes
1 red bell pepper
2 cloves garlic, smashed
1 tablespoon Sherry vinegar
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/4 cup water
1-2 tablespoons parsley
Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
2. Prick the eggplant with a fork and then place it, along with the onion, pepper and tomatoes on a tinfoil-lined baking sheet and put into the oven.
3. Remove the eggplant, tomatoes and peppers after 45 minutes and remove the onion after 60-75 minutes. (Make sure the eggplant is soft. If it still feels tough, keep cooking it and remove when you remove the onion.)
4. To make the dressing, combine the garlic, Sherry vinegar, lemon juice and water. Add seasonings to taste.
5. Once the vegetables are cool enough to handle: Cut the eggplant into half-inch cubes. Peel and seed the peppers and cut them into wide strips. Peel and core the tomatoes and tear each into 4-5 pieces. Peel and remove the top and tail of the onion, then halve it lengthwise and cut it into half-inch strips.
6. Place all the vegetables in a large bowl and toss with the dressing. When ready to serve, top with 1-2 tablespoons of parsley. Enjoy at room temperature or cold.

eHow Video: “Southern-Style Mustard Greens”

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Mustard greens are so incredibly healthful, it was hard to decide which of their many benefits I ought to focus on in this post. Here are just three reasons why you’ll want to incorporate more of these luscious leafies into your diet:

Cardiovascular Benefits
Mustard greens support the cardiovascular system in three significant ways. First, they are anti-inflammatory. Inflammation narrows the arteries and increases the risk that they’ll become blocked, so these anti-inflammatory properties are obviously a huge benefit. Second, by binding with bile acids in the intestines, mustard greens help lower cholesterol levels. And third, because mustard greens are exceptionally high in the B-vitamin folate, they help prevent homocystein build-up. Homocystein is an amino acid found in the blood that is acquired mostly from eating animal products. High levels are related to the development of heart and blood vessel disease.

Cancer Prevention
Mustard greens are also powerful cancer-fighters because they are LOADED with a broad spectrum of antioxidants. Chronic oxidative stress is a major risk factor for the development of most cancer types and antioxidants lower our risk of oxidative stress on our cells (hence the name: anti- oxidants). For the record, plants have on average 64 times more antioxidant power than animal products. The few antioxidants that do happen to be found in animal products are only there because those animals were fed plants.

Bone Health
And lastly (though I truly could go on endlessly), mustard greens are an excellent source of calcium. While dairy products have long been touted as “good for your bones,” the countries with the highest consumption of dairy also have the highest rates of osteoporosis. This is because dairy, like all animal products, is highly acidic. The body needs to keep a very specific acid-alkaline balance in order to function, so whenever animal products are consumed, the body must find an alkaline source so it leaches the calcium from our bones (which is high in alkaline). So, in fact, consuming dairy products are quite harmful to our bones. Mustard greens, on the other hand, along with other greens like kale, collards, bok choy, broccoli, and okra, are not acidic and thus only contribute to the strength of our bones.

So while you enjoy this quick and tasty recipe, you can also feel good knowing that you are eating one of the most healthful foods on the planet!

Ingredients:
1 large bunch mustard greens, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
3-6 cloves garlic (depending on your garlic preferences), chopped
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon salt (optional)
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup water
Instructions:
1. In a cast iron pot, saute the onion until soft.
2. Add the garlic, smoked paprika, salt and pepper. Cook for 1 more minute, stirring constantly.
3. Add the mustard greens, and stir until they are coated with the spices and just wilted.
4. Add 1/4 cup of water and let simmer, covered, for about 5 minutes. Remove cover and cook for another 1-2 minutes.

Resources:
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=93
http://www.vrg.org/nutrition/calcium.php
http://www.pcrm.org/health/health-topics/calcium-and-strong-bones

eHow Video: “Butternut Squash Lasagna with Ricotta” (vegan, of course!)

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Need a dish that is guaranteed to impress? This is definitely the one.
I love this recipe because it includes everything we love about lasagna–the warmth, the comfort, and the heartiness. But, unlike traditional lasagna, my version is incredibly healthful. Not only does it leave out all animal products, it’s also made entirely of whole foods! Rather than using pasta noodles made with processed white flour, I instead use very thin slices of butternut squash. This makes the lasagna more healthful, more flavorful, and more colorful!

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     This recipe can be a bit time-consuming, but it doesn’t have to be. My tip: Make the sausage and the ricotta ahead of time (they can easily be frozen and de-thawed when needed), then all you’ll have to do on the day-of is assemble and bake. If you aren’t able to make the sausage and ricotta ahead of time, it’s really not that big of a deal, and the extra time it takes is still absolutely worth it because this dish is so spectacular. I would just recommend making doubling the sausage and ricotta to freeze and use for next time. This dish is too good to only make once, and the easier it is to prepare, the more likely you are to make it again and again.
     Plus, as those of you who follow Goldhouse Gourmet on Facbeook know, I am a HUGE fan of dishes that can last for several meals. They mean you don’t have to cook every night and/or can have healthful leftovers to bring with you for lunch. This lasagna definitely fits that bill, and is one of those dishes that only gets better day after day. That is, if you manage to have any left 🙂
Ingredients:
1 butternut squash
1 jar marinara sauce (I like Eden Organic’s No Salt Added Spagetti Sauce)
Sausage Ingredients:
1 chopped carrot
1 chopped onion
2 cups cooked quinoa
4 cups cooked lentils
2 tablespoons marjoram
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon paprika
2 teaspoons fennel
2 tablespoons ground flax
2 tablespoons thyme
4 cloves garlic
Ricotta Ingredients:
2 cups raw cashews, soaked in warm water for at least 20 minutes
1/3 cup nondairy milk (I like soy or almond milk)
3 tablespoons lemon juice
3 garlic cloves
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1 tablespoon Italian herb blend

1/3 cup fresh basil

1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:
1. To make the sausage: Saute the carrot and onion for 10-15 minutes. Once browned, place vegetables into a food processor along with all the spices and flax. Add cooked quinoa and lentils and pulse just till ingredients begin to stick together (about 10-15 times). Place mixture in a pan and brown.
2. To make the ricotta: Place cashews, nondairy milk, lemon juice, garlic, and maple syrup in a food processor and blend till just smooth (remember, ricotta is somewhat grainy rather than completely whipped). Add in the basil, Italian herb blend, salt and pepper and pulse until blended in.
3. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
4. Spread a thin layer of marinara onto the bottom of a glass dish.
5. Layer the squash on top. Avoid overlapping pieces as much as possible.
6. Place a layer of ricotta on top.
7. Spread a layer of sausage crumbles on top.
8. Add another layer of squash and then another layer of marinara sauce.
9. Start again at step 6 and repeat until near the top of the dish. Top with any remaining ricotta.
10. Cover with tin foil and bake for 40 minutes or until a knife can be easily inserted all the way through.

eHow Video: “Acorn Squash Stuffed with Sausage and Ricotta Cheese” (vegan, of course!)

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One of the things people worry about when contemplating going vegan is what the holidays will be like, particularly Thanksgiving. I recently received an email from a non-vegan friend who said that she had just learned about what happens to turkeys in slaughterhouses “and now Thanksgiving is ruined!”
Au contraire! The best Thanksgiving I ever had was my first vegan Thanksgiving. I felt that I was actually honoring the true spirit of the holiday, which is about giving thanks and celebrating life. Plus, putting aside the ethics and the health, it was the most delicious Thanksgiving I had ever had. After all, aren’t the real stars of the Thanksgiving meal the sides and the desserts?
One option for a vegan Thanksgiving is to have the meal be made up entirely of delicious side dishes. Personally, I think that would be absolutely fantastic, but I also know many of us are used to and enjoy having a main dish as a central focal point. Hence, this gorgeous stuffed acorn squash recipe!

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     The sausage and ricotta can be prepared well in advance and then frozen. Then, on the big day, all you’ll have to do is assemble them into the squash halves and stick them in the oven as described. The combination of flavors and textures in this dish are so aromatic and comforting–the hearty, earthiness of the sausage; the lemony freshness of the ricotta; and the soft, candy-like sweetness of the squash. To my mind, the best way to truly honor this holiday is with food that celebrates life, peace, and joy 🙂

Ingredients:
6 acorn squashes (recipe yields enough to fill at least 12 squash halves; any remaining can be frozen)
Sausage Ingredients:
1 carrot, chopped
1 onion, chopped
2 cups cooked quinoa
4 cups cooked lentils
2 tablespoons marjoram
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon paprika
2 teaspoons fennel
2 tablespoons ground flaxseeds
2 tablespoons thyme
4 cloves garlic
Ricotta Ingredients:
2 cups raw cashews, soaked in warm water for at least 20 minutes
1/3 cup nondairy milk (i.e. almond, soy, etc.)
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon Italian herb blend
3 garlic cloves
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1/3 cup fresh basil
1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions:
1. Slice the acorn squashes in half and scoop out the seeds. Place in the oven for 30 minutes at 400 degrees.
2. To make the sausage: Saute the carrot and onion for 10-15 minutes. Once browned, place vegetables into a food processor along with all the spices and flax. Add cooked quinoa and lentils and pulse just till ingredients begin to stick together (about 10-15 times). Place mixture in a pan and brown.
3. To make the ricotta: Place cashews, nondairy milk, lemon juice, garlic, and maple syrup in a food processor and blend till just smooth (remember, ricotta is somewhat grainy rather than completely whipped). Add in the basil, Italian herb blend, salt and pepper and pulse until blended in.
4. To compose the dish, place a layer of ricotta at the bottom of each squash bowl. Then add some sausage crumbles. Top with more ricotta. Any remaining sausage and ricotta can be frozen and used at another time (perhaps for butternut squash lasagna).
5. Put squashes back in the oven and bake for another 30 minutes, or until they are soft and caramelized.

eHow Video: “Roasted Root Vegetable Salad with Pumpkin Seeds”

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While this would, indeed, be a spectacular side salad for Thanksgiving, it almost seems unfair to make other dishes compete with this because it is such a star. Instead, I prefer to serve this hearty salad as an entree throughout the fall and winter months. For what it’s worth, Mr. Goldhouse says this is easily THE best salad he’s ever had, and one of the best dishes he’s ever had. That is high praise, indeed!
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The roasted vegetables become as sweet as candy and because of their rich hues, it looks like you have gorgeous jewels on your plate. (For an even more bejeweled effect, add beets!) In addition to their beauty and deliciousness, root vegetables are also full of phytochemicals that help fight against cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 pound butternut squash
2 medium turnips or beets
2 medium parsnips
2 medium red onions
1 tablespoon fresh ginger
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar (more to taste)
fresh pepper, to taste
3-4 cups baby spinach
1/3 cup roasted pumpkin seeds (raw is fine too)

Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
2. Peel all the vegetables and cut them into large chunks.
3. In a large bowl, toss the vegetables with the ginger, maple syrup, water, and salt if using.
4. Spread the vegetables in a roasting pan (I recommend lining it with parchment paper) and roast for 40-60 minutes, stirring half way through, until vegetables are very tender and caramelized. A good way to tell the vegetables are done is when the onions have lost all of their crunchiness and have become sweet.
5. Place the roasted vegetables on top of the baby spinach and top with pumpkin seeds. Season with balsamic vinegar and some fresh ground pepper to taste.

eHow video: “Coconut Milk Tofu Quiche with Onions and Mushrooms”

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People often complain that they don’t have time to make dinner every night. Well, guess what? I don’t make dinner every night! That’s right. And yet we never get take out, rarely dine out, and my husband always has a packed lunch to take to work.
How is this possible? Ladies and gentlemen, let me give you a life-saving tip: Make dishes in large enough portions that they will cover the next few days’ meals and/or can be frozen and eaten at another time. That, my friends, is how you can eat healthfully every night without having to spend all your time slaving away in the kitchen. It’s that simple!

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This quiche is a perfect example of a dish that will last for multiple meals. Plus, it’s one of those special dishes that can be enjoyed at any time of day. I love preparing it for dinner and then enjoying it again the next day for breakfast and packing it up for my husband for lunch for the next few days. Because both the crust and the filling contain herbs, each bite is wonderfully aromatic and richly flavorful. Enjoy!

Crust Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups almond meal
1/4 cup water
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, finely chopped
1 teaspoon salt

Filling Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups cremini mushrooms, sliced
1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 packages firm silken tofu
1/4 cup coconut milk (or any other nondairy milk)
3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
3 teaspoons of your favorite herbs (i.e. basil, thyme, sage, oregano, etc.)
1/2 teaspoon salt

Crust Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 375. In a medium bowl, combine the almond meal, salt, and rosemary. Add the water and stir until fully combined.
2. Gently press the dough evenly against the bottom and sides of a pie pan. Bake for 10 minutes or until the crust looks dry and just toasted.

Filling Instructions:
1. Slice the tofu and wrap in a few layers of paper towels to drain out the excess moisture. Set aside.
2. Saute the onions and mushrooms in balsamic vinegar until the onions are caramelized, about 10 minutes.
3. In a food processor or blender, mix the tofu, nutritional yeast, nondairy milk, and herbs till smooth.
4. Combine the tofu mixture with the sauteed mushrooms and onions and stir till fully mixed.
5. Pour the filling into the pie crust and bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. Remove and let cool.

eHow Video: “Healthy Recipe for Carrot Cake With Cream Cheese Topping”

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     I love words. I really do. But sometimes, when something is just so good, words are not enough. They just aren’t. I could try and talk about how this cake is surprisingly low in added sugar, and that most of its sweetness comes from whole fruit. Or I could talk about how it’s very high in fiber, beta-carotene, potassium, B vitamins and omega-3’s, while also being completely free of cholesterol (and any other harmful animal products, as always). But I think you’ll get a better sense of how unbelievably outstanding this carrot cake is if I tell you that everyone who tries it for the first time eats the first few bites silently with their eyes closed.
     Yes. It is *that* good.
Cake Ingredients:
2 cups oat flour
2 1/2 cups carrots, shredded
3 teaspoons baking soda
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup applesauce, unsweetened
1 cup pineapple, blended
1 banana, mashed
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 dash cayenne
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup raw walnuts, chopped
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1 cup raisins
Frosting Ingredients:
1 cup raw cashews, soaked in warm water for at least 2 hours
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup agave
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 tablespoons lemon juiceInstructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a small bowl, mix oat flour and baking soda.
3. In a larger bowl, beat the sugar, pineapple, banana, and applesauce together. Add cinnamon, cayenne, and vanilla and mix thoroughly.
4. Add the flour mixture along with the chopped walnuts and shredded coconut to the larger bowl and mix. Add the shredded carrots and raisins till fully combined.
5. Spread the batter in a nonstick pan. Bake for about 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
6. While the cake is baking, add all the frosting ingredients to a blender. Process until completely smooth. Using a spatula, scoop the frosting into a small bowl and place in the fridge to chill.
7. Once the cake has fully cooled, spread the frosting on top. Best served chilled.