These banana caramel cream mini pies are so easy to whip up using ready made pastry shells. The caramel flavor comes from the coconut sugar and goes so well with bananas. I found these ready made “lingue di gatto” (cat’s tongues) pastry shells at our local pastry shop-cafe’ “Mr. C” in Monza. Graham cracker pie shells would work well here too. Continue reading
These Deep Chocolate Chickpea Cupcakes are completely vegan – no dairy or eggs . They have nothing to lose though in flavor or texture. In addition they’re packed with protein provided by the chickpea flour, almond meal and almond milk. And they’re so easy to make, just combine and beat together the dry and wet ingredients. I whipped them up before breakfast and in 20 minutes they were out of the oven. And they’re healthy enough for breakfast too. Continue reading
Actually this blueberry peach tart is easier than pie – literally! I even used a pizza pan to bake it in since the fruit is spread out more and consequently the bottom of the crust stays crisper. The buckwheat crust lends a pleasantly nutty flavour and the juicy peaches and blueberries pair together perfectly. Other than less gluten in the crust the filling too uses practically no sugar – only a touch of maple syrup to bring out the natural sweetness of the fruit. Perfect with a dollop of whipped cream on top. Continue reading
These little mini cheesecakes make a perfect and easy to serve dessert for the Fourth of July. The fresh berries add a refreshing splash of color too. Continue reading
These Lemon Tarts could be considered the Italian cousin of Lemon Meringue Pie (minus the meringue). The big difference here is the crust which is a sweet pastry crust as opposed to regular pie crust. Of course you could bake it in a regular pie pan and cover it with meringue if you wish although it seems more refreshing on its own. Continue reading
I got this Whiting Way Banana Bread recipe from my son Richard which turned out to be less sweet and healthier than the classic version. It uses half the amount of sugar which doesn’t take away any of the taste but rather enhances the banana flavor. The method also is slightly different and easier to make. With this hot weather and bananas ripening so quickly there couldn’t be a better way of using them. Bananas are also rich in magnesium and potassium – important minerals to include in summer. Easy, healthy, delicious – what more could you ask for in a banana bread! Continue reading
These little crunchy millet baskets can actually be filled with anything but here I chose a simple zucchini cheese filling topped with a crispy parmesan wafer. These wafers by the way can be made in seconds with just one easy ingredient: grated Parmesan! The baskets themselves can be made ahead of time and ready to be filled when you need them. Continue reading
These apple dumplings are literally “easier than pie”. They are basically pie crust wrapped around an apple. No peeling or chopping apples here. They make perfect and tidy single portions. The incredible flaky crust is unlike the usual pie crust due to a couple of “secret” ingredients you’ll find in my recipe. Continue reading
The main ingredients in this three berry smoothie are blueberries, raspberries and strawberries. These healthy berries are bursting with anti-oxidants, minerals and vitamins. Use your imagination – you could substitute other fruits too. Also a couple of tablespoons of oatmeal flakes can turn this into a great instant breakfast. Throw everything into the blender and press the button! Of course the edible flower is only a decoration. Continue reading
Raspberries and roses have something in common since they both belong to the “Rubus” family of flowering plants. If you think of it, there are some roses that have a faint scent of raspberries. This raspberries and Roses Smoothie here is a delicious example of how well they go together! Continue reading