Holidays Sweet Treats

True to my motto "Life is short, eat desert first!", here are 2 sweet treats for Christmas.

Soy Nog, the vegan version everyone, young and old can indulge guilt free. For one, you avoid the whole raw egg and salmonella poisoning ordeal!
Who would want that and it would kind of ruin your Christmas holidays!  Soy nog is also much lighter after a big meal. Unlike its original counterpart, young and old can safely drink it, no alcohol, low fat, low cholesterol, what's not to like?

Plus, it is a no brainer. You can make a rich version or a lighter version depending on the meal you are serving or the occasion.

But who said that you can only have it around Christmas?

SOY NOG

Ingredients:

 

  1 quart of vanilla soy milk (if you use plain soy milk, add more sweetener)
  1 cup vanilla vegan ice cream or vegan vanilla yogurt
  1 Tbl maple syrup
  1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  1 Tbl artificial rum flavoring (optional)
  1 Tbl ground nutmeg
  Blend all the ingredients until smooth.

  Pour into nice cups and sprinkle with nutmeg.

NO BAKE CHOCOLATE CAKE 

What is better than a no bake dessert after a rich meal?  This recipe is by no mean an original one, because I have seen many different versions going around. A cross between a cheesecake and a mousse, this is a treat for chocolate lovers. Save on electricity too since you only need to refrigerate it! Every bit counts these days!

Crust:

      4-5 pitted dates     
      1 cup of nuts (almonds, walnut etc.)
      ½ cup rolled oats
      3 Tb vegan butter or coconut oil
      1 Tb sugar 

Preparation:

Pulse the nuts, dates and oats in a food processor a few times until finely chopped.
Then add the vegan butter or coconut oil and sugar, pulse again.
Ligthly oil a 9-inch pie plate and press the mixture evenly on the bottom and sides

 

Filling:

   ¾ cups raw cashews  
   ½ cup water
   1 package (12oz) silken tofu drained
   ¼ cup vegan margarine
   12 ounce vegan semi-sweet chocolate chips
   ¼ cup agave syrup (or brown rice syrup)
   2 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
   1 Tbl orange peel

 

PREPARATION:

Start by melting the chocolate chips in a double boiler. You don’t need a fancy pan. I just use a smaller pan that I insert into a larger one that I filled with some water. That’s it. This way, you save on space and money, what a deal!

NOTE: Don’t use a microwave, if you knew what it did to the food, you would remove it altogether from your kitchen (that’s what I did).You don’t have to take my word for it, there is plenty of information online, people just don’t know (http://www.relfe.com/microwave.html).

1. In a food processor, first grind the cashews until you have powder,
2. Add the water to get a smooth cream, then add the agave tofu, vanilla, orange peel and blend.
3. Add the melted chocolate in batches until well mixed.
4. Pour the filling into the crust, smoothing the top.
5. Refrigerate overnight or at least 3 hours.

This pie is great with herbal tea or chai tea.
Stay warm and dry, depending where you live!

Enjoy your holidays and do stay in touch.
Many blessings to all