Green Smoothie Recipe #3 – Spinach & Berry

[tweetmeme source=”VeganChickie”] I have my doubts about adding berries to green smoothies, I’ve read that adding berries to green smoothies is a great way to convince kids to give them a try because they change the colour from a frightening green to a much more appetising purple, but in my experience, as soon as I add the greens, my smoothie goes from beautiful purple to a very uninspired brownish-black sludge (yum, right?). If you can ignore the colour, this spinach, berry mixture is my favourite smoothie combo, it might be best to drink it out of a covered cup though so that you don’t have to see the colour! It might be a matter of simply adding more berries to get a better colour. If you manage to get a purple green smoothie, let me know, I’d love to hear your secret.

Spinach & Berry Smoothie

Ingredients:

3 handfuls spinach leaves
1 banana, peeled
1 cup pineapple chunks
1 cup frozen berries
1 peach, pit removed
1/2 cup water
1 tbs chia seeds (optional)

Method:

1. Place your fruit in the blender, add water and blend until smooth, add your ‘greens’ and blend again until smooth. Add your chia seeds and blend until they are mixed through. Serve.

Amounts above will be enough for 2 smoothies.

NOTE: The amount of water you use will depend on how thick you like your smoothie, I just use enough to get the blender going nice and fast, if you like your mixture to be less thick, add more water.

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Raw Vegan Cheesecake with Raspberry Sauce

[tweetmeme source=”VeganChickie”]Over the next week I will be showcasing the raw food stylings of my Joyous friend, Sepia, who put together a mouthwatering selection of raw vegan treats for her birthday party last weekend and has been kind enough to share the recipes and photos with me to post on Vegan Chickie. Some of the recipes are her own and some are the work of the wonderful Ani Phyo, chef, author and all round raw food wonder woman.

Raw Vegan Cheesecake with Raspberry Sauce

Ingredients:

For the Crust:
2 cups raw macadamia nuts
1/2 cup dates, pitted (medjools)
1/4 cup dried coconut

For the Cheese:
3 cups chopped cashews, soaked for at least 1 hour
3/4 cup lemon juice
3/4 cup agave nectar
3/4 cup coconut oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon celtic sea salt (optional)

For the Raspberry Sauce:
1 bag frozen raspberries (or whatever berries you prefer)
1/2 cup dates

Method:

1. To make the crust, process the macadamia nuts and dates in the food processor. Sprinkle dried coconut onto the bottom of an 8 or 9 inch spring form pan. Press crust onto the coconut. This will prevent it from sticking.

2. To make the cheese, blend the cashews, lemon, agave, gently warmed coconut oil (do not use microwave), vanilla, sea salt (if using), and 1/2 cup water. Blend until smooth and adjust to taste.

 Pour the mixture onto the crust. Remove air bubbles by tapping the pan on a table.

 Place into the freezer until firm and then top with Raspberry Sauce.

3. Remove the whole cake from the pan while frozen, and place onto a serving platter. Defrost in the refrigerator.

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Vegan Very Berry Frozen Yogurt

[tweetmeme source=”VeganChickie”] After the success of my chocolate ice cream endeavors last week, I thought I would try my hand at some berry frozen yogurt. I am very pleased with the results, the sweetness of the sugar and vanilla, mixed with the tart berries is an excellent combination. This recipe also set much firmer than the chocolate one as well which was a nice surprise. I definitely think the trick is to use coconut cream instead of coconut milk.. anyway, without further ado:

Vegan Very Berry Frozen Yogurt

Ingredients

2 cups soy milk
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste
1 tbs agave nectar
1 cup sugar
2 tbs arrowroot powder
1 400g can coconut cream – stored in the refrigerator
2 cups frozen mixed berries

Method:

1. Heat the soy milk, in a medium saucepan, over medium heat. Once the milk starts to steam, lower the temperature and stir in the vanilla paste and agave nectar, mix until dissolved.

2. Stir in the sugar and whisk in the arrowroot powder one half tablespoon at a time, making sure that each half tablespoon is completely dissolved before adding the next one.

3. Add the can of coconut cream and whisk until the mixture is glossy. Remove from the heat and once mixture has cooled slightly, transfer to a container and refrigerate until completely cooled (preferably overnight).

4. Remove the mixture from the refrigerator, stir in the frozen berries, and then add the mixture to your ice cream maker, following the directions that came with the machine.

For best results, once completed, transfer the mixture to a container and freeze overnight before consuming.

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