Chapter 15: Just Desserts 199 Per serving: Calories 162 (From Fat 65); Fat 7g (Saturated 2g); Cholesterol 0mg; Sodium 123mg; Carbohydrate 23g; Dietary Fiber 0g; Protein 2g Chocolate Chick Blondies These gluten-free bars are dense and full of nutrition The chickpeas (also known as garbanzo beans) offer substantial protein and replace the flour normally found in dessert bars After you cut them, these squares can be individually wrapped and frozen for quick snacking later Make a double batch and freeze half for a road trip, picnic, or upcoming potluck Preparation time: minutes Baking time: 25 minutes Chilling time: 30 minutes Yield: to servings Canola, sunflower, or unrefined coconut oil (for oiling pan) One 15-ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed ⁄2 cup agave syrup, rapadura sugar, or brown rice syrup ⁄2 cup applesauce ⁄4 cup almond or peanut butter (crunchy is best) teaspoons vanilla extract ⁄3 cup ground flaxseeds or flaxseed meal tablespoons brown rice flour ⁄2 teaspoon baking powder ⁄2 cup vegan chocolate chips 1 Preheat the oven to 350 degrees 2 Lightly coat an 8-inch square baking pan with oil 3 Combine the remaining ingredients, except the chocolate chips, in a food processor Process until smooth, scraping the sides a few times 4 Pour the batter into the pan and stir in the chocolate chips 5 Bake for 25 minutes 6 Cool to room temperature, and then refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before slicing into squares Per serving: Calories 343 (From Fat 130); Fat 14g (Saturated 2g); Cholesterol 0mg; Sodium 158mg; Carbohydrate 50g; Dietary Fiber 5g; Protein 7g 200 Part IV: Tasting Is Believing: Vegan Recipes Double Chocolate Brownies Thank heaven that chocolate is vegan! These rich brownies are indistinguishable from their dairy- and egg-heavy relatives These brownies are cholesterol-free, and each bite gives your body a little healthy bonus from the fiber-rich flaxseeds Preparation time: 25 minutes Baking time: 25 to 30 minutes Yield: servings ⁄4 cup canola or unrefined coconut oil (melted), plus extra for oiling pan tablespoons water tablespoons ground flaxseeds or flaxseed meal ⁄4 cup applesauce 1 cup agave, brown rice, or maple syrup teaspoon pure vanilla extract cup whole-wheat pastry flour ⁄4 cup cocoa powder ⁄4 teaspoon salt ⁄2 teaspoon baking soda 1 cup vegan chocolate chips 1 Preheat the oven to 350 degrees 2 Grease a 9-inch square baking pan with a little oil and set aside 3 In a small saucepan, heat the water over medium heat until just simmering Add the ground flaxseeds and whisk to combine Cook for minute and remove from the heat Set aside 4 In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the 1⁄4 oil, applesauce, agave, heated flax mixture, and vanilla Whisk together well to completely combine 5 In another mixing bowl, combine the flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder Whisk together well to completely combine 6 Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir well until combined Then stir in the chocolate chips 7 Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean Allow to cool completely before cutting into equal squares Per serving: Calories 349 (From Fat 105); Fat 12g (Saturated 3g); Cholesterol 0mg; Sodium 217mg; Carbohydrate 63g; Dietary Fiber 4g; Protein 5g Chapter 15: Just Desserts Tasting the Vegan Fruit Fruit-based desserts can be delicate and light or sophisticated and full of complex flavors Something as simple as a bowl of fresh berries with a scoop of vegan ice cream can end a fantastic summer meal Winter fruits lend their heavily spiced sweetness to long baking techniques, which make them fortifying, cozy desserts that are appropriate for the darker months This seasonality should be relished when choosing fruit desserts Try using peaches at the height of their ripeness from the farmer’s market for a cobbler, or pick something fresh from your garden to add to a fruit pudding Lime in the Coconut Ice Beat the heat with this fruit ice! It won’t be green unless you add food coloring (and because some food dyes are derived from insects, I say skip ’em!) Despite its lack of color, however, it’s amazingly refreshing and deliciously limey — perfect for an ending to a summer meal or as a palate cleanser between courses of a fancier, sit-down meal Preparation time: minutes Chilling time: hours Freezing time: 20 minutes Yield: servings 11⁄2 cups agave or brown rice syrup teaspoon grated lime peel cup freshly squeezed lime juice teaspoon grated lemon peel cups unsweetened coconut milk 1 Slowly heat the agave and lime juice in a medium saucepan over low heat Whisk often to combine 2 In a large mixing bowl, combine the agave-lime mixture with the remaining ingredients and stir well 3 Cover and allow to cool in the refrigerator for at least hours 4 Freeze in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s directions for a sorbet recipe, approximately 20 minutes Per serving: Calories 653 (From Fat 295); Fat 33g (Saturated 29g); Cholesterol 0mg; Sodium 202mg; Carbohydrate 92g; Dietary Fiber 2g; Protein 4g 201 202 Part IV: Tasting Is Believing: Vegan Recipes Fruit Kanten What the heck is Kanten, you may ask? Well, it’s actually a pudding made from agar What the heck is agar? Well, agar is a sea vegetable and Mother Nature’s gift to vegans This natural plant food is a vegan’s answer to gelatin These clear flakes are used as a gelling agent in culture media (remember your experiments in biology and chemistry class?) and delicious desserts Find more info about vegan gelatin alternatives in Chapter 10 Try seasonal combinations of juice and fruit to use your farmer’s market or backyard bounty Apple juice and chunks of pear, pear juice with cherries, or peach juice with melon balls are winning combinations This type of dessert will look a little cloudy, not clear like old-school Jell-O, but it will be delicious! Preparation/cooking time: 15 minutes Chilling time: 11⁄2 hours Yield: to servings cups fruit juice (apple, grape, cherry, or a combination of any 2) tablespoons agar flakes ⁄4 teaspoon salt 1 cup diced fruit (apples, grapes, blueberries, cherries, or a combination) 1 Place all the ingredients in a medium saucepan and bring the mixture to a boil, uncovered 2 Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for to minutes, stirring occasionally, until the agar flakes have dissolved 3 Pour the mixture into individual bowls, wine glasses, or a shallow serving dish and refrigerate until gelled, about 11⁄2 hours Spoon out or slice to serve Tip: Agar is also a great natural laxative, so if you’re feeling “stuck,” make some Kanten Cherry or apple Kanten gives you a double whammy! Per serving: Calories 149 (From Fat 5); Fat 1g (Saturated 0g); Cholesterol 0mg; Sodium 153mg; Carbohydrate 37g; Dietary Fiber 1g; Protein 1g Chapter 15: Just Desserts Summer Smoothie-sicles Kids and adults alike love popsicles So why not make them a little healthier and more substantial than what the ice cream truck guy has to offer? You can take this simple recipe and add all kinds of healthy secrets: liquid chlorophyll, dehydrated greens powders, or even ground nuts and flaxseeds Go crazy! One caveat: Don’t try to use citrus juices in this recipe — they don’t work well Preparation time: 10 minutes Freezing time: hours Yield: to 10 servings, depending on the size of your popsicle molds cups fruit juice (except citrus juices) cup soy yogurt ⁄4 cup fresh green juice from kale or broccoli (optional) tablespoons agave syrup or brown rice syrup 1 Blend all the ingredients together, including green juice, if desired, until creamy and smooth 2 Pour into popsicle molds 3 Freeze for at least hours and then serve Tip: Run the mold under cool water once the popsicles are completely frozen This will help loosen your treats and make them easier to remove Vary It! If you have any leftover mashed sweet potatoes, dregs of almond butter in a jar, or a handful of cashews waiting to be eaten, throw them in when blending the ingredients together too! Per serving: Calories 88 (From Fat 5); Fat 1g (Saturated 0g); Cholesterol 0mg; Sodium 23mg; Carbohydrate 20g; Dietary Fiber 0g; Protein 1g 203 ...200 Part IV: Tasting Is Believing: Vegan Recipes Double Chocolate Brownies Thank heaven that chocolate is vegan! These rich brownies are indistinguishable from their... the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean Allow to cool completely before cutting into equal squares Per serving:... Tasting the Vegan Fruit Fruit-based desserts can be delicate and light or sophisticated and full of complex flavors Something as simple as a bowl of fresh berries with a scoop of vegan ice cream