These gluten free chocolate chip coconut macaroons have only three basic ingredients plus chocolate chips. No flour or fats here. They are super quick to make and bake. So if you like chocolate chip cookies and coconut try this delicious variation. Aquafaba works well here too. Continue reading
Torta Caprese is one of Italy’s favorite cakes created on the island of Capri. It has been said that a baker had forgotten to add flour to the batter but the end result turned out to be better than the original recipe. This cake is choc full of healthy almonds and dark chocolate. Also coconut sugar is substituted for the white sugar which is much healthier without altering the flavor. I also simplified the procedure by beating whole eggs together with the sugar without separating them. The texture is dense but light at the same time and you can whip up this gluten-free concoction in no time – almost as easy as making brownies! Continue reading
These aquafaba coconut macaroons actually turned out better without egg whites. More crispy on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside, almost like your favorite chocolate covered coconut bar. They’re so quick to make with few ingredients using no flour or fat. The chocolate icing is a no-brainer: just pop a little piece of chocolate on top of the macaroons as soon as they come out of the oven and they’ll frost themselves! Just let them cool a few minutes. (if you can wait!) Continue reading
This Raspberry Chocolate Layered Chia Pudding is so easy to make without any cooking involved. You only have to start it the night before (or in the morning to eat it for dessert later) by soaking the seeds in almond milk and a sweetener of your choice. Then to assemble it you only have to melt the chocolate and puree’ the raspberries to compose the delicious layers. Since the chia seeds are nutrient rich with lots of Omega-3, protein and anti-oxidants it can be a healthy breakfast too. Continue reading
These Mini Vegan Valentine Meringues are so easy and versatile – you can make them any shape, color or flavor you want. And no need to use egg whites either. I’ve discovered that “aquafaba” (the liquid drained from cooked chickpeas) works beautifully. Don’t throw away that precious liquid! You can use it as an egg substitute and it also freezes well. So many dishes from one jar of chickpeas – Hummus, pasta e ceci, and meringues as a dessert! Continue reading
These Chestnut Orange Cheesecake Bars are vaguely reminiscent of “Castagnaccio”, a classic Italian chestnut dessert which comprises one of the two layers. The orange flavoured cheesecake layer really goes together well and a sprinkling of orange rind gives them a carnival air. Continue reading
I made these wonderful little pistachio vegan cupcakes thanks to a vegan pastry course I took at the “Kilometro Bio” vegan restaurant in Monza. Here we learned all sorts of tips on how to substitute egg whites with aquafaba, how to make vegan butter for pastry crusts (crostata) and a wealth of other information on vegan baking. These cupcakes with their rich pistachio flavor also have an interesting souffle like texture which really makes them melt in your mouth. Using these white silicone teacups also made it much easier to bake and serve them. Continue reading
These mini pavlovas are a perfect dessert for the holidays, light as clouds and topped with fresh berries – you couldn’t ask for more! Continue reading
This Easy Pumpkin Pie Custard is an easy and delicious way to substitute pumpkin pie. It’s quickly made on the top of your stove without all the fuss of baking. The pecans make a crunchy topping and if anyone misses the crust a sprinkling of crushed amaretto cookies go together wonderfully. Continue reading
I love cooking and baking but now and then I need a break! Just a few steps away from my home in Monza there is the lovely Tearose Deli right in Piazza del Duomo facing the beautiful cathedral. Not just a cafe’ but also a place where you can enjoy a light vegetarian (or more appropriately vegan) meal – everything freshly made including the bakery goods. The fresh flowers and garden atmosphere makes this cafe’ a perfect stop in a busy day. Continue reading