Maple Almond Shortbread Cookies

These cookies are great with a cup of tea and a good book or conversation and guests - that's precisely why I made these. We were having guests over and the majority of our friends or family do not eat specifically gluten or dairy free (Witty Husband doesn't either). What's great about these cookies, is that one can't tell it's gluten free. Oats are a great introductory grain for those eating gluten free (just make sure they are certified if truly sensitive). They have a hearty, familar taste that everyone can enjoy. Pleasing to a diverse crowd! Plus they are dairy, gluten, soy and egg free along with being vegan. Proves you can have your cookies and share them too!

Also, they remind me a little of cinnamon graham crackers. These would be perfect for campfire smores with our marshmallow root marshmallows! I was wishing I had some marshmallows made so I could toast it in the oven then make a smore sandwich with these cookies and some chocolate. Goodness gracious!!!

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Maple Almond Shortbread Cookies
1 1/2 cup oats (gluten-free certified if sensitive)
2 Tb flaxseeds
1/2 cup sorghum flour *see notes below for replacement
1/2 tsp fine sea salt (don't add if there is salt added to nut butter)
1 tsp cinnamon powder

1/2 c maple syrup
3/4 cup almond butter
1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
1 tsp vanilla

1-2 TB evaporated cane sugar or coconut sugar to sprinkle on top *optional*

1. Grind flaxseeds and oats in a coffee grinder, blender, or food processor.
2. Combine dry ingredients. Combine wet ingredients in seperate bowl. Combine the wet into the dry, smooth with spatula until completely incorporated.
3. Roll into parchment paper to make a tube and refridgerate for 1 hour or overnight.
4. Preheat oven to 350. Remove tube of dough from fridge and parchment paper. Using sharp knife cut 1/3 inch slices and place on stoneware or parchment lined tray. Sprinkle with pinch of sugar.
5. Bake 15-18 minutes. Remove from oven and let completely cool before eating (they will be super crumbly if not cool).

Enjoy!

*Sorghum flour replacers - millet or rice flour will work just fine here.

Cauliflower Buffalo Pizza with Homemade Honey BBQ and Creamy Tofu Ranch Spread

A homemade dairy and gluten free pizza (also nut and egg free or vegan optional)! Who knew such a thing was possible?

With all ingredients, this pizza is surprisingly satisfying but not heavy. The tofu ranch spread (used in place of the cheese and ranch on other buffalo pizzas) adds some protein to the pizza. Cooked and shredded chicken can replace the cauliflower in this recipe.

For the pizza crust, I used namaste pizza crust to cut down on the prep time. I love their their pizza crust - thin and crispy. It is available on amazon for a pack of 6 Namaste Foods Gluten Free Pizza Crust Mix, (Pack of 6) . If you want to make your own, there are plenty of gluten-free pizza crust recipes out there, including ones made from cauliflower! A great way to add extra vegetables. Especially if you are using chicken instead of the cauliflower below.

Big Blue Eyes, our two year old, loved this pizza. We had leftovers for a few days (which kept really well). I'm looking forward to making it again!

To make Buffalo Pizza
1 head of cauliflower (or 10 oz bag of frozen cauliflower)
1 pizza crust
1 red bell pepper and several green onions, or veggies of choice, chopped/sliced
Creamy Tofu Ranch Spread (recipe below)
Homemade Honey BBQ (recipe below) or bbq sauce of choice

1. Preheat oven to 400 and prepare pizza according to instructions.
2. Chop cauliflower and place in pan. Pre-cook BOTH pizza crust and cauliflower for twenty minutes.
3. Toss cauliflower (or chicken if substituting) with bbq sauce.
4. Layer the pizza crust with creamy tofu ranch spread, then the sliced veggies, and then bbq cauliflower.
5. Bake for another 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool for a few minutes. SERVE with love!

This ranch spread is great for spreading on veggies or thinning with olive oil and a little extra apple cider vinegar or lemon juice to make a salad dressing. It adds protein from the tofu and antioxidants from the herbs to your meal!

Creamy Tofu Ranch Spread
1 package extra firm tofu
1 tsp apple cider vinegar (or vinegar of choice)
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 tsp onion powder
1 1/2 tsp dried dill
1 tsp dried parsley (or a big handful fresh)
1/2 tsp oregano
2 Tb sesame seeds (or 1 Tb tahini)
1/2 tsp salt

Add sesame seeds to food processor* and grind several minutes. Add tofu and process until smooth. Add remaining ingredients and process til combined.

* I used my Cuisinart DLC-10S Pro Classic 7-Cup Food Processor, White which is currently available on amazon for $99 (normally twice that price). Gotta love a good deal!

Homemade Honey BBQ   (or bbq sauce of choice)
2 Tb tomato paste
2 tsp soy sauce
2 Tb apple cider vinegar
2 tsp tapioca starch
1/4 tsp Onion powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
cumin
1/2 tsp paprika
4 Tb honey (or liquid sweetener of choice)
1 1/2 Tb dijon mustard
2 Tb olive oil
Pinch of chili powder

In a bowl, whisk in each ingredient until smooth.

 

I hope you enjoy your gluten and dairy free pizza! 

And on another note, I recently read Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi. A very entertaining YA read. Fans who enjoyed the Hunger Games will enjoy this. I loved the contrast of two different worlds and the love story felt palpable and real, not at all contrived or rushed. I can't wait to read the sequel Through the Ever Night.

Food Processor Sale on Amazon

When preparing for tomorrow's post, I came across these cuisinart food processors on sale at amazon! Before buying, please confirm the price as it can change at any time.


Cuisinart DLC-10S Pro Classic 7-Cup Food Processor, White This 7 cup food processor is on sale for $99 (normally 180).

Or the newer 12 cup model. On sale for $179 (normally $440).

Cuisinart FP-12 Elite Collection 12-Cup Food Processor, White

These are great prices and as you know, I am constantly using my food processor!

Here are a few recipes that require a food processor:

Buffalo Pizza with Creamy Ranch Spread (recipe available tomorrow).

 

Double Chocolate Black Bean Cookies

 

Purple Cabbage Slaw

 

Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies

 

Mini Pumpkin Whoopie Pies with Marshmallow Root Fluff

 

Week of Love: Chocolate Love Granola Featuring Sprouted Buckwheat, Flax and Berries

To spend a morning drinking tea and eating this love granola with my toddler as I read my devotional and she plays with her duplos legos... With that, I am content. This is love at its most peaceful. Memories I'll always remember with a smile.

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You can't have a week of Valentines-inspired recipes without featuring chocolate. The cocoa bean is a well-known aphrodisiac. But, it's so much more than that. The caffeine in chocolate can be revitalizing and energizing but the nostalgia of this much-loved treat is soothing, like warm socks or a fuzzy blanket. It can also increase serotonin - a boon in these still cold, sunless winter days.

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And when I speak of memories that surround food, granola is one of my favorite. I have no idea why - it's not glamorous or life-changing. Granola is granola. It's something you can depend on. It's comforting. From humble beginnings to rich memories, this love granola is the exotic cousin who likes to tango and wears red lipstick.

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Buckwheat stars in this recipe. It's name may be deceiving but it has no relation to gluten. It's actually a seed and a complete protein at that! We soak it overnight for best nutrition and then when roasted, it crisps creating a great cereal. I had the idea for this granola when I made the chocolate buckwheat sprinkles.

We add freeze dried berries for a more shelf stable option so you can make and give to friends. Although I recommend consuming this within a week. Freeze dried fruit is available at your local health food store, Trader Joes, Target (their Archer Farms brand) and amazon.

This granola is nut-free but feel free to add a handful of nuts if you like! Hazelnuts would be divine. Pumpkin seeds as well! The recipe is also soy, dairy, and gluten free along with being vegan!

Chocolate Love Granola
1/2 cup buckwheat
1 cup oats (GF certified if sensitive)
1/2 cup coconut flakes, unsweetened
1/4 cocoa powder
3 TB flaxseeds, ground
Couple pinches of salt

3 TB coconut oil
3 TB applesauce, unsweetened *
3 TB maple syrup

1.5 oz bag of freeze dried berries
1/2 cup chocolate chips or chopped chocolate bar (dairy-free)

*For a sweeter and more shelf stable option, use more maple syrup instead of the applesauce.

1. Soak buckwheat in two cups of filtered water overnight.
2. After soaking, drain and rinse buckwheat. Pat dry. Add to bowl with remaining dry ingredients. Stir.
3. Stir coconut oil, applesauce, and maple syrup together. Then add to dry ingredients, stirring all ingredients into the wet.
4. Line a tray with parchment paper and crumble/spread over the tray with your hands (works better than spatula).
5. Bake in 350 preheated oven for 30 minutes, tossing halfway through.
6. Let cool. Add freeze dried berries and chocolate.
7. Ladle into jars and seal tight or enjoy with your own choice of milk!

Here's to LOVE, baby! And granola!

And don't forget to enter the lenspen giveaway or the lotion bar giveaway. If you need another gift, here is a list of books for any and every Valentine.

Below is jars of the love preparing to go to friends and family members...

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LensPen and SD Card sale on Amazon + LensPen Giveaway

Being an avid photographer, I love to find my favorite camera accesories on sale. Amazon has the lens pens priced at $5.97 currently! (Normally $19.99 - 70% savings!) These are great for cleaning your lens or filters.


LensPen NLP-1

*Attention: Giveaway*  Because I love these so much, I'll be giving one lenspen away! By midnight on thursday February 28th, like Sweet Roots on facebook and share this page. Please comment below letting me know you did (United States residents only).
This giveaway is not sponsored by the Lenspen company in any way. It's me giving you a chance to try one of my favorite camera products.

Or if you are the camera pro, you can opt for this camera cleaning kit. Also on sale (Normally priced at $44.95, it is on sale for $16.95).

LensPen New DSLR Pro Camera Cleaning Kit, NDSLRK-1


And while you are shopping for camera accessories, get yourself some memory cards.

SanDisk 8GB SD High Capacity Card
8 GB on sale for $7.20 (84% savings), 16 GB for $11.37 and 32 GB for $20.38 (all available at the above link)

Amazon provides free shipping with a $25 dollar purchase. These prices are subject to change at any time. Please confirm the price before purchasing. And if you buy a product through the above links, you can help support Sweet Roots!