Mixed Berry, Vanilla and Coconut Baked Oats

Hey, so VERY long time no post!!! I had a break from blogging as my life got very busy very suddenly, and as such I had to give up cooking and experimenting as often. I am SO excited to be back, especially with this super delicious and healthy breakfast bake. I ABSOLUTELY love porridge or anything oat-y, I even sometimes have porridge for dinner. It's one of the most versatile foods which you can toss any amount of nuts, berries, fruit or syrups on top of and it will just keep on getting more tasty!! This recipe is so quick and easy to make and will last for your breakfast for the next 3-4 days, just put it in the fridge and take as much as you need for a quick breakfast fix!

Ingredients: 

• 1 generic mug of oats (around 100g) 
• 2 1/2 tbs of coconut milk (the really thick part at the top of the can) 
• 1/2 tsp of vanilla powder/ 1 tsp of vanilla essence
• Optional: chia seeds 

• 1 ripe banana
• 50g/1/3 cup cashews (any other nut will do just as well - I recommend almonds/ pecans or walnuts as replacement)
• 90g/ half a cup chopped dates (chop yourself for fresher taste) 
• About half a mug of each: Blueberries and Cherries (I used frozen and then ran them under hot water for about 1/2 a minute - makes the cherries easier as you don't have to pit them) 
• 1- 3 tbs of maple syrup/ honey (depending on how sweet you want it) 
• Optional: few drops of stevia to add extra sweetness
• Some blueberries and coconut flakes to garnish 

Method: 

• Pre- heat the oven to 190 degrees celsius and grease a small ceramic or glass baking dish with some coconut oil. 
• Boil some hot water
• Mix together the top three (with optional fourth) ingredients in a bowl and pour the boiling hot water over the oat mix. Stir and leave for around 10 minutes 
• Cut up the banana into small slices. Crush or put cashews in food processor to make them into smaller chunks (DO NOT make into a flour type mixture - only a few bursts in the food processor will do). Chop the dates. Mix together with the berries. 
• Pour the banana/ berries/ dates/ cashew mixture over the oats and then add the maple syrup or honey. Stir together thoroughly.
• Pour into the small baking dish and bake for 20mins.

Can refrigerate for approximately three days. 

Creamy Breakfast Scramble

Waking up late this morning (11:00am!!) I really craved a creamy, rich, meaty scramble (vegan style, of course) for my mid morning brunch. I had a quick look through my various new cookbooks and came up with an adaptation of a recipe from The Complete Guide to Vegan Food Substitutions. It is called the Spinach and Mushroom Tofu scramble - however I quickly realised I didn't have any spinach, mushrooms or tofu - so I quickly made up my own recipe inspired by theirs, with the ingredients I had in my kitchen (which was not many as spending Christmas away meant that we haven't got barely any food!)

I also am VERY EXITED because in this recipe I came up with my own creamy sauce which worked REALLY well with the scramble and gave it a thick and delicious taste! The recipe called for tofu and nutritional yeast which would give it the creamy, cheesy texture so I was forced to think up a new way to create the same effect... and this is the masterpiece that was created (if i may say so myself) ;)

Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Ingredients (serves 2)

• 6 (vegan) meat deli slices (like vegi - deli sage and onion slices) / 10 oz of tofu / vegan meat strips (e.g. vegi - deli chicken style pieces) / seitan strips etc. (some kind of vegan meat!) - In the picture I use turkey style sage and onion deli slices 
• 1 large tomato
• 2 medium carrots 
• 1 red onion 
• 1/2 a red pepper 
• 1 1/2 tsp mustard powder 
• 1 1/2 tbsp nutritional yeast 
• 1/2 tsp of turmeric 
• 1/2 tsp of olive oil 
• 5 tbs of water + 1/4 veg stock cube 
• 60 ml of oat milk / other non-dairy milk 
• 1/2 tbs of cider vinegar 
• 1 clove of garlic / 3/4tsp of garlic granules
• 1 tbsp peanut butter / other nut butter  
• 1/2 tbsp of corn flour / tapioca flour
• 1/2 a mixed lettuce/ salad bag (baby spinach would also be a good substitute) 
• Salt + pepper  

Method 

1. Dice the tomato, onion and red pepper. Peel the carrots and then use the peeler to make very thin slices of carrots - then chop the wafer thin slices of carrot up into small strips. 
2. Heat the oil and water + veg stock in a pan over a medium - high heat. 
3. Once very hot add in the onion, clove of garlic and carrots and steam fry for around 4-5mins (or until the onion looks softer). 
4. Meanwhile mix up the milk, vinegar, pinch of salt and mustard powder and set aside. 
5. Add the pepper and tomato with the vegan meat of your choice + more water if it is getting dry. After around a minute add in the turmeric, salt and pepper, nutritional yeast and salad.
6. Add in the milk mixture + the peanut butter, garlic granules (if you are not using clove of garlic) and cornflour.
7. Stir for around 3 mins, until all thoroughly combined and the sauce is thick. 
8. Enjoy! 

Baked Apple Dessert

This dessert is a super delicious but super healthy alternative to apple pie or apple crumble! As I said before, I am looking for ways to use up the apples I collected from my Grandmother's apple tree, and found this as a perfect healthy dessert to use them in. It is also so easy and quick to make!

Ingredients 

• 2 large cooking apples / 4 granny smith/ eating apples 
• 3 tbs of water
• 3 tbs of raisins 
• 1 tsp of cinnamon (your choice on how much you want here) 
• 4 cloves 
• Optional: 1/4 tsp of almond extract 
• 1 stevia packet (or sub in 3 tbs of sugar)
• 1 tbs of coconut palm sugar or 1 tbs of maple syrup/ honey/ brown sugar 
• 35g of xylitol or coconut sugar / caster sugar or brown sugar 
• 35g of Jumbo oats (for topping) 
• 35g flour of choice (I used oat flour) - topping
• 3-4tbs of milk -topping
• 1tbs of oil (melted coconut oil or olive oil) - topping
• Optional add ins: 3 tbs of nut of choice (walnuts or almonds might be good)

NOTE: In the photo above I didn't make a topping (only sprinkled some oats over) - however the topping I have put into this recipe I use on special occasions and it is very delicious! 

Method 

1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius 
2. Peel and core the cooking apples then cut up into smallish chunks 
3. Heat up the water until boiling then add the cooking apples, raisins, spices, almond extract and sweetener
4. Cook on a low heat for around 20-30 mins or until apples are relatively soft but not pureed (the cooking apples that I have only take around 10 mins to get really soft) 
5. Meanwhile mix all the topping ingredients together - it will be softer and of a more squidgy consistency than normal apple crumble topping at this stage but don't worry it gets more crumbly in the oven (if you want a less healthy but more authentic version of apple crumble topping sub the 4 tbs of milk to 4tbs of margarine). It should still be quite crumbly, so if it sticks together in one big clump like a dough then add more flour. 
6. Pour apples (make sure to drain out any additional water and take out cloves) into a heat proof dish and mix in optional nuts. Then crumble over the topping. 
7. Bake in the oven for 30 mins or until the oats on top have gone a golden brown colour. 
8. Enjoy! 

American Banana Pancakes

Every Saturday morning I like to invent my own new, tasty breakfast. This Saturday Banana pancakes were a the top of my list to experiment with, and they turned out surprisingly sensational!
I know I am English and should be a cooking patriot, but vegan British pancakes that have to be so thin are turn out shockingly bad when I make them (all mush and no pancake). So American pancakes it will have to be, until I can master the British skill of thin, light roll up pancakes.

But don't worry these ones are just as good topped with your favourite syrup of lemon and sugar!

Ingredients 

(Makes around 4 small pancakes - Enough for one!) 

• 1 medium to small banana 
• 50g of buckwheat flour 
• 4 tbs of almond milk 
• 1 1/2 tsp of egg replacer 
• 1 tsp of baking powder 
• Optional: 1 tsp of vanilla extract (although it isn't vital) 
• Coconut oil for greasing 

Method 

1. Put all ingredients into a blender/ food processor (except coconut oil) - you need it to be quite a thick consistency - it will be thicker than a conventional English pancake batter 
2. Heat up a NON - STICK frying pan (I highly recommend non- stick otherwise you will have to use a lot more oil and mine NEVER work on a conventional frying pan!) with around 1/2 tsp of coconut oil. Heat on a medium high heat 
3. After about 2 -3 mins the oil should be VERY hot - but test this by flicking some water in the frying pan - if it sizzles and spits then the pan is hot enough. 
4. Pour around 2 tbs of batter in the pan and spread around with a spoon. When the edges are dry and the batter has little holes in it then it is ready to flip. 
5. Flip the pancake over - when you can't hear a sizzling sound anymore then the other side is done (around 30 - 45 seconds) 
6. Repeat the frying steps with the rest of the batter and serve topped with blueberries and maple syrup (or your favourite pancake topping) 
7. Enjoy! 

Oat and Vanilla American Pancakes

These pancakes are the best breakfast for someone who craves pancakes! I absolutely love them because they are light and delicious, but also have a slight oat flavour (I love porridge!). If you don't like oats you can sub the oat flour for any other type of flour and you will have normal pancakes. :)

So instead of having porridge every morning (if you do that) try and change it up and have these pancakes instead!

Serve with maple syrup and it will be like pancake day everyday!

Ingredients 

(Makes three small pancakes - you can easily double the recipe) 

• 40g of oat flour (really processed oats - just put them in a blender or food processor for a few minutes) 
• 3/4 tsp of baking powder 
• 1 stevia packet (you can sub a different type of sweetener or use 2 tsp of sugar) 
• 125 ml  almond milk (unsweetened) 
• 1/2 tsp of vanilla extract 
• 1 heaped tbs of apple sauce 
• Optional: 2 tsp of flax seed 
• Coconut oil for greasing the frying pan 

Method 

1. Mix together dry ingredients very well 
2. Mix together the wet ingredients really well 
3. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly 
4. Heat up a large frying pan on a high heat greased with coconut oil (I would do this even if you frying pan is non stick) 
5. When you think it is ready flick water on the pan - if the water dances and spits the pan is hot enough. 
6. Turn the heat down a little and ladle or pour 1/3 of the pancake mixture in the frying pan. When the sides of the pancake start to look dry and the top looks like it has a few little holes in it you know it is time to flip it over. (This will be after about 2 - 3 minutes) 
7. Cook for less than a minute on the other side (or until it looks a but golden brown) 
8. Remove from the pan and put on a plate. 
9. Repeat steps 6 - 8 until all the pancake mixture has gone. 
10. Serve with maple syrup of any other topping of choice and enjoy your delicious American style pancakes!

Amazing American Waffles

So while I was in America visiting family they had a waffle maker and I felt that I could not pass up the opportunity to make WAFFLES! But obviously vegan style (although no one would ever guess!). I think you could also use a grill or a panini maker  as well so don't worry you won't miss out.

Ingredients 

(Two small waffles or one very large one) 

• 20g of Oat flour (just put oats in a blender until it resembles flour) 
• 20g of another type of flour that you choose (buckwheat, spelt, white, gluten free etc.) 
• 5tbs of apple sauce (or 1 banana mushed up) 
• 3 tbs of non-dairy milk 
• 1 packet of stevia (or any other sweetener you want to use - but I would add it a small amount) 
• 1 1/2 tsp of nut butter 
• 1 1/2 tsp of baking powder 
• 1/3 tsp of baking soda 
• 1 tsp of vanilla extract 

Method 

1. Preheat the grill of high or your waffle/ panini maker on high
2. Mix together all the dry ingredients very thoroughly 
3. Mix together (separately) the wet ingredients 
4. Then add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and thoroughly mix together - it should be like a very very thick pancake batter. 
5. Spread onto the waffle/panini maker. Or spread very evenly and thinly in a small greased baking dish (it won't look like a waffle but don't worry the taste will make up for it). Grill or waffle make until golden brown (in a grill you might have to turn it over). In a waffle maker this should take around 5 mins. 
6. Enjoy with maple syrup and fruit or just plain! 

Maple Cinnamon Chia Pudding!

So I had a huge bag of chia seeds and didn't really know what to do with them! I started researching and it looked like Chia Pudding was a big hit. It is the simplest thing to make and will only take you around 1 min to prepare (but you do have to wait 30mins to eat unfortunately).

Chia seeds are a really good thing to add to your diet as they are packed with omega 3, fibre and protein! 

Ingredients 

(Serves 1) 

• 200ml Hemp Milk 
• 1/2 tsp Vanillla extract 
• 2 tbsp Chia Seeds 
• 1 stevia packet
• Optional: 1 tsp of flax mill 
• Optional: 1-2 tsp of maple syrup (depending on your sweet tooth and how much maple syrup flavour you want)  + 1/4 tsp of cinnamon (to make it maple cinnamon!) 
• Optional: 1 tbs of jam or fresh fruit like chopped berries etc. 
• Optional : 2 tsp of cocoa powder/ carob powder (You can literally add anything to make it the flavour you want!) 

Method 

1. Take a nice pudding cup of glass. 
2. Add all ingredients to the glass or cup and stir very well 
3. Leave for 15 mins and then stir very welll again 
4. Leave for another 15mins until the chia seeds have released all their gel and it now resembles a pudding consistency 
5. If you want it nice and chilled put it in the fridge for 30mins after it has become a pudding and then enjoy or just enjoy as it is now! 

Bursting Berry Sorbet

My mother makes this sorbet almost EVERY single morning in the vita mix - it used to drive me mad, as anyone with a vita mix will know that it is VERY loud! However she has made it so much I don't even notice it anymore! BUT the taste of it is worth even the 3 minutes of booming noise that it takes to make it! It is smooth and sweet and delicious and healthy all rolled into one frozen treat!

Ingredients 

• 40g of frozen raspberries 
• 50g of frozen blueberries 
• 30g of frozen dark sweet cherries 

Method 

1. Put al the frozen ingredients into the vita mix and turn on to the highest power for around 3 mins or until completely smooth. You will have to do a bit of pounding it down with the lid plug to get it moving. 
2. If it really isn't combining (it should be but I know sometimes it is difficult) add around 2 tbs of non-dairy milk. 
3. Serve up and eat quick before it melts! 

Super Duper Fothy Frappuccino

I had this Frappuccino for breakfast this morning and...

IT. WAS. SO. DELICIOUS. 

I would say BETTER than the Starbucks version as I found it both more filling and not as sickly.

I. LOVE. IT (Ok I will stop with the caps lock and full stop thing now! :) I think I have got across how good it is). 

Both creamy, sweet, icy and perfection for breakfast. I highly recommend trying it! 

If you are not convinced already hopefully you will be by these photos I snapped before I gulped it down!

I am quite proud of these pictures - as you may be able to guess as I uploaded so many haha! :) 

GOING...

Going...

Going...

GONE!

Ingredients 

(Serves 1)

• 200 ml of almond milk 
• 1 frozen banana 
• 1 tsp of instant coffee
• 1/2 tsp of vanilla extract 
• 1 stevia packet / 2 tsp of maple syrup or honey / 1 1/2 tsp of sugar etc. 
• Sprinkling of salt 
• Otpional: Handful of crushed ice 

Method 

1. Blend together all the ingredients except crushed ice if using at the highest power on your blender. 
2. If using the crushed ice : Add the crushed ice and take it down to a lower power just to mix it up a bit - don't blend to long maybe only 5 seconds just to make sure it is mixed. 
3. Pour into a large mug and enjoy 

Whipped Cream top 

• The top of a can of full fat coconut milk (the really thick part at the top) 
• 1/2 tsp of vanilla extract 
• 1 tsp of maple syrup/ honey/ xylitol 

Whip all the ingredients together and put on top of drink - should float! 

For the Chocolate sauce 

• 1 tbs of melted coconut oil 
• 3/4 tbs of cocoa powder 
• 1/2 tsp of maple syrup/ honey/ xyltiol 

Mix all ingredients together and pour onto the drink. 

Oatmeal and Raisin Cinnamon cookies

These cookies are a great packed lunch snack with a secret vegan twist (I know most of you won't care but for some reason I get embarrassed when my packed lunch looks too vegan!) They are both secretly healthy and delicious at the same time (my favourite combination!)

Ingredients

• 80g of oats (preferably rolled oats) 
• 2 tbs of coconut flour 
• 2 tbs of coconut sugar (use normal brown sugar if this is too difficult to find or alternatively you could use a 3 tbs of syrup like honey/ maple syrup or golden syrup) 
• 1 very ripe banana 
• 1 handful of raisins 
• 2 tsp of cinnamon 
• 1 tsp of baking powder 
• 2 tbs of peanut butter (sub in other nut butter too if you don't like peanut butter) 
• Optional: If the mixture is too dry then add 1 - 2 tbs of milk (like oat or almond milk)

Method 

1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees celsius 
2. Mush up the banana and then add the oats - mix together well 
3. Add all other ingredients and mix together thoroughly with a fork 
4. Grease a baking tray with coconut oil OR put down greaseproof paper on top of the baking tray. Take about 1 1/2 tbs of mixture and make into cookie shapes on the tray 
5. Bake for 15 - 20mins (Until they go golden brown and the edges go dark) 

Super Frothy Chocolate Milkshake

This is a delicious morning milkshake that will stop you ever wanting or craving a 'real' one (not that this one isn't real also!). It froths at the top if you use a vitamix or other powerful blender!

Already have drunk some...oops! Sorry had to do a quick taste test beforehand!

Ingredients 

• 200ml - 300ml (depending on how large you want it to be) of non-dairy milk (I used unsweetened almond milk) 
• 1 frozen banana (I would cut up into coins before putting in the freezer to make it easier to blend 
• Handful of raisins / 2 to 3 chopped dates 
• 1 1/2 tbs of cocoa powder 
• 1/2 tbs of carob powder
• 1 packet of truvia 
• Optional: 1 tbs of nut butter (for an extra creamy protein shake) 
• Optional: 1 tsp of vanilla essence 
• Optional: Chocolate sprinkles (vegan kind of course!) / raw cacao nibs 

Method

1. Put all ingredients in a high power blender and blend until completely smooth (around 30 seconds) 
2. Pour into a glass and top with chocolate sprinkles / cacao nibs 
3. Slurp away! 

3 Ingredient, Super easy COOKIES!!!

Who doesn't love COOKIES!!!! (Well I do anyway!) These cookies are soooooo quick and easy to make that most of the time is baking time in the oven. The three ingredients I use are the base ingredients but you can add all sorts of different things to spice them up! To mine I added raisins, vanilla essence and cinnamon (to make a cinnamon raisin cookie) but you can also add ginger, dates, nuts, cocoa powder etc. to suit your taste.

These will be gone in two seconds! 

Dip in non-dairy milk for a delicious treat! 

Super Crunchy cookies! 

Ingredients 

(Makes 9 cookies)

• 80g Oats 
• 1 very ripe banana 
• 1 tsp of baking powder 

Optional additives (You don't add all of them (well if you want to then you can :D) just choose a few!) 

• 3 tbs of chopped dates 
• 3 tbs of raisins 
• 1 tsp of cinnamon 
• 2 tsp of carob powder/ cocoa powder 
• 1tsp vanilla essence 
• 1 packet stevia / truvia 
• 1/2 tbs of maple syrup/ honey 
• 2 tbs of chopped nuts 
• Any other ingredients you think of! 

Method 

1. Pre heat the oven to 170 degrees celsius 
2. Chop your very ripe banana into coins 
3. Add all the other ingredients you are using and mush between your fingers until it forms a gooey dough! (If you are one of those people who don't like getting their fingers messy then add all ingredients BUT the oats into a food processor and then mix in the oats yourself) 
4. Put grease proof paper over the top of a flat baking tray 
5. By taking about a 1 1/2 tbs of dough for each cookie, shape the cookies on the tray 
6. Bake in the oven for 15mins - 20mins (depending on how crunchy you want them!) 
7. Enjoy! 

BEST EVER Sweet and spicy chai milkshake!

I absolutely love chai tea (you know the unhealthy non-vegan one from Starbucks - it is to die for!) So I decided to make a rich and creamy vegan chai milkshake to stunt my cravings. To be totally honest, I think I now prefer this one! It is so creamy and delicious it completely stopped me wanting the Starbucks one!

Ingredients 

• 1 Frozen and VERY ripe banana (make sure it is very ripe otherwise it won't be as sweet) 
• 150ml of your favourite non-dairy milk (I used unsweetened almond milk and it was great!) 
• 1 packet stevia/ 2 packets of trivia 
• 2 drops of liquid stevia (or 1 1/2 tsp of maple syrup / honey) 
• 3/4 tsp of ginger 
• 3/4 tsp of cinnamon 
• 1 cardamon pod 
• 1/2 of a clove (I know it sounds so little but a clove is really strong!) 
• 1/2 tsp of ground nutmeg 
• 1/2 tsp of vanilla extract 
• Optional: Cinnamon stick for serving 

Method 

1. Blend all ingredients for around 2 mins in a high powered blender until completely smooth 
2. Pour into a glass a drink up! 

Coolingly Creamy Coco-shake

This is my favourite coco-shake (like a milk shake but made with coconut milk!), I used it as my breakfast before squeezing into my prom dress (which I decided to make myself!) and it was so light but so filling so I didn't have feel like I needed to eat before my big night!

For this coco-shake you will need to buy LIGHT coconut milk, and make sure that it has added emulsifier otherwise you won't get a smooth creamy consistency and it will be all bitty (trust me I have made that same mistake!) You will also need to make some of my fruit syrup, as it is one of the main ingredients in the shake. 

I made this strawberry powder in my dehydrator, which is so pretty to put on top of this drink and other sweet things like desserts etc. I am so excited by finding different ways to use it! If  you have a dehydrator at home then what you need to do is: 

1. Chop a whole packet of strawberries thinly into slices (it needs to be a whole packet as they shrink in the dehydrator) 
2. Put them into the dehydrator overnight (around 8 - 12 hours depending on your areas humidity)
3. Blend the dried strawberries in a bullet blender (or just a normal blender) until they are a powder 
4. Enjoy! Sprinkle on top of your favourite coco-shakes and desserts! :) 

Isn't it so pretty? :)

Coolingly Creamy coco-shake with strawberry sprinkles on top! 

Ingredients 

(serves 1)

• 1/3 can light coconut milk 
• 50ml of fruit syrup 
• 100ml of non-dairy milk (oat milk or almond milk is the best)
• Optional: 1/2 tbs of honey/ 1tbs of maple syrup/ 1 stevia/ truvia packet (However I don't think added sweetness is needed as the fruit syrup is already sweet)

Method

1. Pour all ingredients in a cup and stir really well - top off with strawberry sprinkles for a pretty effect 
2. If you are using honey or maple syrup which is a bit thicker then you might want to use a blender to mix the ingredients 
3. Enjoy on a nice hot summers day! (If England was ever kind enough to let us have one!)

Pretty Pink Cinnamon Granola

This baked oatmeal granola uses my fruit syrup recipe (which gives it the pretty pink colour) and is perfect for quick breakfast. I didn't add so much fruit syrup to mine as I don't like it very sweet (so mine hasn't got such a pretty pink colour!) but you can add more. If you don't want to use the fruit syrup then you can use maple syrup, honey or any other thick syrup that you want (however it won't be a pretty pink cinnamon oatmeal, and just cinnamon oatmeal!) I adapted this recipe from a less healthy granola recipe, and I absolutely love it! This recipe can be stored in a kitchen jar for future use (like making your own cereal to go!)

Ingredients 

(Makes enough for a jar to store) 

• 500g of rolled oats 
• 2 tbs of ground flaxseed (you can omit this but it makes it high in fibre and that bit healthier!) 
• 1 1/2 tsp of cinnamon (I like it with cinnamon but you could substitute it with ginger or nutmeg - but I wouldn't know how this tastes!)
• 1/2 tsp of salt 
• 2 tsp of baking powder 
• 1 1/2 tsp of vanilla extract 
• 75g of raisins (or any other dried fruit of choice) 
• 2 - 4 tbs of fruit syrup (or maple syrup/ honey etc. - make sure it is a syrup)
• Optional: 2tbs of xylitol 
• Optional: Add 50g of mixed nuts or coconut flakes 
• Optional: Add 50g of dried apple (this tastes REALLY good with the cinnamon)

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees celsius 
2. Mix together all ingredients EXCEPT raisins (or dried apple/ mixed nuts/ coconut flakes/ other dried fruit if using) in a very shallow baking dish (I used a shallow pie dish) 
3. Bake in the oven for 15mins 
4. Add the raisins etc. and bake for another 10 - 15mins 
5. Store in a jar and enjoy! :) Serve with milk of choice. 

Chocolate and Banana Milkshake

This chocolate milkshake is thick and creamy, and also perfect for filling you up at breakfast time or a afternoon treat. I made this with frozen banana but you can use fresh banana too, however I like it very cold to enjoy in the summer weather! There is a secret ingredient that might surprise some of you to make it extra creamy and give it a filling taste.... AVOCADO! The avocado is absolutely delicious in this milkshake and gives it an amazing texture that is just as creamy as using real yogurt/milk or ice cream!

Ingredients 

(serves 1)

• 1/3 medium to large hass avocado 
• 1/2 banana (frozen or unfrozen)
• 1 1/2 tsp of almond butter
• 150ml - 250ml (depending on how runny or thick you want it) of oat milk (or almond milk but I haven't tried it with this so can't vouch for its flavour) 
• 1 packet of stevia (1tsp)
• 1tsp of vanilla extract 
• 2tbs of carob powder (or cocoa powder / cacao powder

Method 

1. Chop up the banana and avocado into small chunks (or if using a high power blender like the vitamix then skip this step - I used a bullet however)
2. Blend the banana, the avocado and almond butter until smooth 
3. Add all other ingredients and blend until completely smooth 
4. Pour into a glass and drink up! (I sprinkled some carob powder on the top of the milkshake to make it look pretty!)

Breakfast Can Be Beautiful (Breakfast Bites)

These delicious and beautiful breakfast bites are light and dainty - perfect for breakfast on the go. I have served them with my Nutty for Chocolate spread and a strawberry on top, which makes the most divine combination! Happy Baking :)

(Makes 8-9 bites)

Ingredients:

Dry Ingredients: 

• 35g Maize flour
• 35g Coconut flour
• 1tsp baking powder
• 1 packet truvia / NuNatural stevia / (if not so worried about health add 1tbs of brown sugar)
• Optional: 25g of carob/cacao powder (for a rich chocolaty breakfast bite!)
• OR/ Optional: 1tsp of lemon zest and 1tsp of lemon juice (for a light lemon bite - I wouldn't mix this with the chocolate option or cinnamon option, but I'll let you decide!)
• OR/ Optional: 1/2 - 1tsp of cinnamon (for a cinnamon swirl bite - could mix this with the carob/cacao for a tasty cinnamon and chocolate bite)
• Optional: 1/2 tbs of peanut butter (or any nut butter) (mix with chocolate for a delicious Reese's peanut butter cup bite substitution) 

Get creative with these ingredients - if you think up some good flavour ideas then comment them below! For example I love peanut butter - so you can substitute anything in for a more personal breakfast bite.

Wet Ingredients:

• 1tsp ener-g egg replacer powder (this is dry but later you will realise that it will be mixed with the wet ingredients) 
• 1 1/2 tsp ground flax seed (this is dry but later you will realise that it will be mixed with the wet ingredients) 
• 1/2 tsp Apple Cider Vinegar 
• 125ml of Oat dream (or you can use unsweetened almond milk)
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract 
• 1tsp coconut oil (melt it before mixing) + 1tsp for greasing baking pan
• 1tbs water

Method: 

1. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees celsius 
2. Grease a small cupcake mould baking pan with coconut oil 
3.  Combine the dry ingredients really well in a mixing bowl
4. In a separate bowl combine the dry ingredients really well Combine all the wet ingredients really well in a mixing bowl  
5. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and whisk to form a dough 
6. Press the dough into the moulds and bake in to oven for 10-15mins 
7. Leave to cool for around 10mins
8. Pop out the moulds and enjoy with my Nutty for Chocolate spread for a perfect start to the day!

(1/2 the recipe = 175kcal (without spread or strawberries))