Good Eats, Quick Treats

Some days are more hectic than others.  You don't necessarily want to create a culinary masterpiece, but are trying to get out the door.  Or maybe you have time, but you want something simple; not something that needs a laundry list of ingredients in order to prepare it.

The recipes I have for you today are made from ingredients that are not easily perishable, and that I always have around the house.  You may need to adjust for your food stock, but I think the flavours are easily attainable.

GOOD MORNING

1.  CHIA PORRIDGE :  A great way to start the day!
Chia seeds are known for their energy punch, being packed with lots of vitamins, minerals and protein; specifically boron and calcium to support proper brain functioning.  They are also hydrophilic to keep you hydrated.  All you really need for this recipe are chia seeds soaked in water, plus anything you want to add from the pantry.  I prefer coconut water for the added nutrients and energy.  The banana, ground flax, and coconut add texture, the nuts and seeds add fat and protein, and the fruits add sweetness.

If you don't have a dehydrator to make granola, this is a great breakfast recipe, ready in about 15 minutes.

1/2 c. almonds (optional, needs overnight soaking)
1/2 c. pumpkin seeds (soaking for 15 minutes at beginning is fine)

1/2 c. chia seeds
2.5 c. coconut water (or filtered water)
-combine in a large bowl, mix immediately, and let sit while you prepare other ingredients, minimum 5 minutes.

1 c. almond milk (or soy milk)
1/2 c. shredded coconut
1/2 c. flaked oats (rolled oats work, but are steamed in production)
1 banana (cold from fridge is best)
1/4 c. ground flax seed
1 T. cinnamon
1 T. nutmeg
1 T. crystallized ginger (optional)
-Combine all ingredients in blender, including chia seed mixture, until it reaches a smoothie consistency.
-Once mixture is fully combined, add the nuts and seeds of choice and pulse about 20-40 times.  Enough to roughly chop the nuts, don't over process.

3 T. of blueberries
5 dates, chopped
3 T. Ezekiel cereal
1 t. cinnamon
-Sprinkle on top, or fruits and spices of choice.  The Ezekiel cereal is crunchy and adds extra texture, but the chopped nuts give this effect too.  For more crunchy, add extra nuts if you don't have Ezekiel cereal.

Grandpa and Neva enjoying chia porridge for breakfast.

Serves 4
Total prep time: 15 minutes - 8 hours (depending on what nuts you use)
Total blending time: 5 minutes

GOOD AFTERNOON

2.  EMERGENCY VEGGIE SUSHI : NO FISH, STILL DELISH!
I have another recipe for sushi that has a couple more ingredients here.  If you don't have cauliflower rice around, and don't fee like making a paste, don't fret.  All you need are some staple veggies, seaweed, and a sushi roller, and you've got yourself a quick and colourful snack.

1 carrot, peeled into long, thin strips
1/2 English cucumber, peeled, de-seeded and cut into thin spears
1/2 avocado, thinly sliced
1 T. sesame seeds (optional)
(You can add any other vegetable you might have around like cilantro, jicima spears, arugula, etc.)

-Leaving an inch of space from the end of the seaweed, layer veggie ingredients.  Carrot, cucumber, and then avocado.  Shake sesame seeds on top of avocado.
-Roll up sushi.  Hold roll in place with ring fingers, and use thumb and forefinger to pull seaweed and bamboo roller over the filling.  Pull it back tightly and push firmly across entire roll so it's nice and tight.  Finish rolling and dab some water along the edge for the last bit.  Place roller over roll and give one last squeeze.

-Cut roll gently into 5 pieces with a very sharp knife.  Saw lightly back and forth, this helps cut through the seaweed while maintaining pristine rolls.

-And serve!

They taste even better when your dad makes them for you!

Makes 15-20 rolls.
Total time : 10-15 minutes

3.  RAW GARBANZO BEAN HUMMUS :  NEVER BEAN BETTER!
This dish does take some forethought with soaking and sprouting the beans, but who doesn't always want hummus? You can soak the beans for 24 hours, and let them sprout for 36 hours, washing periodically.  They're ready to go once the tails are at least the length of the bean.  The beauty is, there is no rush to process them, the tails will keep growing, and you can make hummus when you're good and ready.

1.5 c. sprouted garbanzo beans
2 lemons, juice of
4 garlic cloves
1/4 c. tahini
2 T. grapeseed oil (or EVOO)
2 T. ground cumin
salt and cayenne pepper to taste
-Combine beans, garlic and salt in food processor.
-Once smooth (about 5 min.), add remaining ingredients (If you want to flavour the hummus, now is the time.  My last batch, I used pesto and sun dried tomatoes)

It takes about 5 minutes to get to this texture

Yields 20 oz of hummus
Total prep time : 3-4 days
Total processing time : 5 minutes

GOOD EVENING

4.  NOT-SO-CHUNKY MONKEY :  CONSIDER YOUR MIND BLOWN AFTER TRYING THIS
The only forethought for this recipe is throwing some bananas in the freezer.  The walnuts are optional (but delicious), and can be soaked for 2 hours or overnight if you want to include them in the soft serve.

4 bananas, peeled, diced, and frozen
-Combine in food processor for about 5 minutes, or until smooth.  You may need to let the bananas sit out for a minute if they froze together.  Thaw just enough time to pull them apart.  If you want to prevent sticking, you can freeze the bananas in ice cube trays.

1/2 c. walnuts (soaked for 1-2 hours)
1/3 c. raw chocolate nibs
-Combine in food processor for about 1 minute, enough time to roughly chop nibs and nuts.  Don't over process.

Voila!  Some tasty soft serve, totally guilt free!

Serves 5

Total prep time :  2 hours (if soaking walnuts)

Total processing time :  5 minutes

I hope you all will enjoy some of these quick snacks.  Remember, soaking is not mandatory, it's a personal preference.  I prefer to soak nuts because they are easier to digest that way. I'd like to say thanks to our guest star, Dick Fitch, aka Papa, aka Dad.  He visited this weekend and helped me prepare all of the above dishes.  It is safe to say that he enjoyed the all-raw meals, and had fun participating too.