HOPE & Sesame Milk TRANSFORMS Recipes

There are many plant based milks on the market and I have tried many of them. I first tried HOPE & Sesame Milk at the Nourished Festival in Del Mar earlier this year. Sesame milk tastes great on its own as well as in cereal/granola. I also like using sesame milk in recipes.

Sesame Milk is A Nutritious, Dairy Free, Plant-Based Product

• It is organic
• It is rich in calcium (double that of cow's milk)
• It is rich in iron and zinc
• It is high in protein 
• It provides the body with fiber
• It is low in carbs 
• It provides healthy, unsaturated fats

HOPE & Sesame TRANSFORMS Recipes

I have enjoyed making Chia Pudding for many years. SESAME MILK has made me fall in love with the recipe again! I like the thicker texture it provides. It is a satisfying meal (or dessert if you choose to make it decadent) that will bring a smile to your face when you eat it. This recipe is one I love. It has MANY VARIATIONS based on the flavor profile (and decadence) you wish.

HOPE & Sesame Chia Pudding 

BASE RECIPE FORMULA

1 or 2 mashed bananas (based on size) + 1 1/2 cup Sesame Milk  + 1/4 cup chia seeds (I use organic)

Instructions:
Thoroughly combine the base ingredients so the chia seeds are covered in liquid. Place in an airtight container in the refrigerator until set (1 hour or so). I usually make my chia pudding at night and let it rest while I sleep.

NOTE: I used 1 cup of HOPE & Sesame Vanilla and 1/2 cup HOPE & Sesame Unsweetened Original in the first picture and 1 1/2 cups HOPE & Sesame Chocolate in the second pictures. The vanilla and chocolate are sweet and lend more to a decadent dish. If you prefer, you can cut the sweetness with some unsweetened as I did.

Breakfast Options:
Top with:

• a few banana slices/fresh fruit
• nuts/seeds/dried fruit mixture 
• coconut
• granola

Dessert Options:
Top with:

• mini chocolate chips (gluten free in my house) or chocolate shavings
• nuts/seeds.dried fruit
• a drizzle of jam/jelly
• cookie crumbles (or cookies on the side)

HOPE & Sesame Rice Pudding

Ingredients 
1 1/2 cups cooked rice (under cook the rice to create a "sticky rice" texture)
2 cups HOPE & Sesame Milk (I used 1 1/2 Vanilla and 1/2 Unsweetened)
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla (if you do not use a vanilla based milk)
1 egg or 1 flax egg
1 pinch of salt

Instructions:

1. Combine 1 1/2 cups of milk (I used HOPE & Sesame Vanilla), pinch of salt, sugar, and rice in a pot on the stove top. Turn the heat on medium and stir until fully mixed. 
2. In a separate bowl, combine the egg and 1/2 cup HOPE & Sesame Unsweetened. Add 1 cup of the rice mixture from the bowl and combine to create a thickening agent. Once combined, add to the pot on the stove top.
3. Cook to desired consistency. 

Serve
HOPE & Sesame Rice Pudding is BEST when it is fresh off the stove. The warm pudding is sweet, creamy, and melts in your mouth!

You can top with your favorite gluten free toppings like maraschino cherries, dates, dried fruit, nuts, seeds, chocolate, and jam/jelly.

If you can resist finishing the batch, store in an airtight container and enjoy the leftovers. If you microwave them for about 30 seconds you can get back some of the creamy, luscious consistency.

ENTERTAINING TIP: I served the rice pudding at a dinner party and set up a topping bar and let people serve  themselves.

Gluten Free Jovial Pasta

Pasta is something I have enjoyed for as long as I can remember. From my mom's semi-homemade pasta dinners to sharing Macaroni and Cheese with my brother, I have fond memories of pasta meals with family.

Finding a great gluten free pasta used to be a very big challenge. Today many companies are in the marketplace and produce pasta that is not only holds up to water (they used to be soggy) but also is nutritious.

One pasta that I love is Jovial Gluten Free Brown Rice Penne. No one would know this Italian made pasta is gluten free! It has great texture and holds the sauce in each crevice.

The pasta pictured was made with a vegetable medley, garlic butter sauce and 1 chicken sausage diced up in the batch.

Ingredients:
2 cups of diced vegetables (sweet onion, sweet potato, zucchini, asparagus)
1 gluten free chicken sausage (or tofu or beans to make vegetarian)
2 cups of Jovial Pasta (dry) NOTE: I do one cup dry pasta per person being served.

Sauce:
4 cloves of garlic (diced) and 2 TBSP no salt butter

Directions:
I diced the vegetables and sauteed them in extra virgin olive oil and the garlic
Once el dente, I diced and added the sausage
I added the butter, covered the pan, and turned the heat to simmer
As I added the butter I started the pasta ... and cooked for 5-7 minutes
I added the pasta and some water (a few TBSPs) to the pan and finished cooking

Serve as is or add crumbled cheese or diced red pepper

Blueberry Crumble Muffins

Blueberry Crumble Muffins

Muffins with morning sun coming in through the blinds. 

What a sight to wake up to on a weekend morning!

The  blank canvas I started with today was Mom's Place Gluten Free Blueberry Muffins w/ Crumble Topping. I love customizing a packaged product to create something unique. The muffins themselves without the changes taste great, just like homemade. The muffins with the modifications add a kick of flavor.

I modified the package directions and added the following to the mix:

• 1/3 cup oil
• 2 flax eggs
• 1 cup plain Greek Yogurt *See NOTE
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup fresh blueberries
• 1 cup ground flax seeds
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup diced fresh ginger 

NOTE: to make vegan ... soak 1 cup of cashews in water overnight and blend

The taste and texture calls you back for more!

I followed the package directions for the following:

• I added 2 melted tbsp unsalted butter to the crumble mixture NOTE: add coconut butter to make vegan. Next time I will add 1/2 the crumble as it is a sweeter topping than I normally use. I will also add 1/4 cup of oats. I will save the other 1/2 for another batch at a later time.
• I used large muffin tins and filled them 1/2 full of the muffin batter and topped them with the crumble mixture. 
• I sprayed the muffin tin rather than use a liner as the packaged suggested. Next time, I will use a liner for ease in clean up and storage.  

A Small Company with Big Flavor ... 88 Acres

I had the opportunity to try 88 Acres Sunflower Seed Butter at the Nourished Festival in San Diego. I enjoyed the flavored sunfllower seed butters and have enjoyed having them on toast ... the maple was excellent as a substitute for maple syrup on french toast!

 I cannot wait to try the PUMPKIN SEED BUTTER and the WATERMELON SEED BUTTER ... two products I have not had and am eager to taste and use in recipes!

The ginger apple seed bar reminded me of a fall day. It would go great with hot cider or ginger tea!

I Just Can't Get Enough ... Grounded Snacks

Lundberg Family Farms Continues to Delight Customers

Not only does Lundberg Farms create excellent sweet and savory rice cakes that are enjoyed by people of all ages, but they also create baked grain bites that are masterful. Each flavor, made from flavors curated from around the world, and enhances your meal.

I had an opportunity to try the product at the Nourished Festival in San Diego in February. Since that time, they have been a regular inhabitant of my cupboards!

Gluten Free Noodle Soup for a Cold Day

I was introduced to the noodle products from Gluten Free Meister at the Nourished Festival earlier this month. I was given a package of Tonkotsu Ramen Pork Bone Broth Flavor to use in a recipe and share. The weather has been soup weather, chilly and damp! Therefore I decided to make soup as it not only satisfies the appetite but also warms the body!

I added 4 small/medium size bok choy (diced into small pieces to fill two cups) and a two cups of diced cooked pork (sauteed with onion and garlic) to the package ingredients and created a healthy meal for two in less than 30 minutes.

Have a few packages of Gluten Free Meister soups on hand to create a healthy and gluten free meal when time is short and stomachs are growling!

Homestyle Ancient Grain Sandwich Bread

At the Nourished Festival in Del Mar earlier this month I had the opportunity to try Gluten Free Homestyle Ancient Grain Bread from Rotella's Italian Bakery.

The loaf I tried toasted up well with a crisp on the outside that held up to any toppings that were layered on it!

Enjoy Rotella's gluten free bread with your choice of protein or just with some butter to go with a warm bowl of soup during the winter months. My favorite sandwiches were tofu and hummus and roasted veggie as the textures along with the bread was satisfying.

Nourished Festival in Del Mar, California

For years the Gluten Free and Allergen Friendly Expo has been visiting cities around the country to provide opportunities for companies and consumers to connect. This year, they are coming back to the San Diego area ... with a new name, the Nourished Festival.

The Nourished Festival is the Largest Gluten Free, Allergy & Special Diet Festival in the United States!

 

What can I expect?

The show is meant to meet the needs of people with a diverse array of health conditions. All products are gluten free however, many booths do contain other allergens. The show features classes and exhibitors from both national and local companies. You will have an opportunity to sample products and purchase product to take home. Come ready to sample and talk to people that share common food interests! You will learn about new products and have a great time!

Buy Tickets in Advance

Click here to get tickets to the event February 9 and 10, 2019 from 10-3 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Tickets are 30% off until 1-18-19 and 20% off until 2-8-19.

Join me for an opportunity to connect with great companies and find allergy friendly foods in which you will fall in love! Details about classes, exhibitors, and parking can be found by following this link.

I am excited to attend the Nourished Festival! 

Locations of 2019 Festivals 

Visit the Nourished Festival website for specifics if you are in the following areas:

• San Diego, CA
• Atlanta, GA
• Sandy, UT
• Denver, CO
• Schaumburg, IL
• Worcester, MA 
• Dallas, TX
• Seattle, WA
• Secaucus, NJ
• San Mateo, CA