Creamy Cucumber Slices

Cucumbers are always a big hit at our house in the summer...we each seem to have a favorite way of eating them. We all like our cucumbers peeled...I like mine sliced in fourths with salt and pepper...Elsie likes hers whole with nothing on it...James dips slices in Raspberry Vinaigrette, as does Elsie sometimes. We all like the Creamy Cucumber Slices! Jon {who does not like cucumbers at all!} has even been known to eat of the creamy slices. A very refreshing snack or side dish.

Creamy Cucumber Slices:

-1 cup Vegan mayo

- 1/4 cup sugar

- 1/4 cup vinegar

- 1/4 tsp salt

- 4 cups peeled and sliced cucumbers

- pepper to taste

- In bowl mix together mayo, sugar, vinegar and pepper

- add onions and stir to coat

- cover and refrigerate until chilled

Blueberry Snack Cake...

This is a very yummy treat...we all love this snack! We mostly use frozen blueberries because fresh ones are not in season very long around here! I do add a little extra sugar when using frozen berries...otherwise the cake gets a bit tart. This makes a very good special breakfast food...

* 2 cups flour blend

* 1 1/2 cups sugar

* 1/2 cups vegan butter

* 1 tsp baking powder

* 1 tsp xanthan gum

* 1 cup Rice milk {or soy}

* 2 eggs~ separated

* 2 cups blueberries {fresh or frozen}

- Mix together flour, sugar and xanthan gum

- cut in butter until crumbly {set aside 3/4 cup for topping}

- add baking powder to remaining mixture

- in separate bowl combine milk and egg yolks~ add to flour mixture and mix well

- beat egg whites until soft peaks form~ mix into batter

- pour into greased 9x13 dish~ sprinkle with blueberries and top with saved topping

- bake 350' for 35-40 min

Pizza Crust...

Making pizza is always a fun treat! This does mix up quick...sometimes we make this for dinner and it takes about an hour from the time we start until we are eating! Sometimes we make several small pizza crusts, cook them and keep in the freezer for a quick lunch. We use Ragu sauce because it is our favorite...and pepperoni and top it with Daiya dairy free cheese. We use a mixture of mozzarella and cheddar. So yummy...perfect for movie night!

* 1 Tbsp yeast

* 1 1/3 cup warm milk (no warmer than 105')

* 1 tsp sugar

* 1 1/3 cup Rice flour

* 1 cup cornstarch

* 2 tsp xanthan gum

* spices to taste

* 2 tsp oil

* 2 tsp cider vinegar

- mix together yeast, milk and sugar~ set aside to let the yeast proof

- Mix together rice flour, cornstarch, xanthan gum, and spices

- mix oil and vinegar and stir into yeast mixture

- pour liquid into flour and stir well {I use the bread hook on my KitchenAid}

- press in oiled pan~ press until thin. Make at least one slit for air.

- cook in 350' oven until golden brown

- either freeze until ready to use or add sauce, toppings and cheese and bake just until cheese is melted

Lilly-Pad Pancakes...

This is a fun little snack...both my kids love these special green pancakes! These make a good finger food for babies...We gave James little pieces when he was about 6-7 months old. The recipe I have says you can dip the pancakes in melted butter or plain yogurt...we have never done this...we just eat them plain.

*1 1/2 cup frozen peas {reserve 1/3 cup for later}

* 2 Tbsp water...more if too thick

* 1 egg

* 3 Tbsp flour blend or Rice flour

* 1/4 tsp salt

* 1/8 tsp baking powder

-Puree peas, egg and water in processor

- mix puree with flour, salt and powder~ slowly stir in reserved peas and let batter rest for 10 min

- Drop by Tbsp full on hot griddle~ cook about 3 min and carefully flip and cook other side

- They should be lightly golden brown when done...

Brown Sugar...

Lately I have noticed that every time I eat something with brown sugar I get cross-contaminated feeling...which is no fun! After doing a little research online I discovered that some brown sugar has caramel added for flavoring and colour...and caramel is made with dairy! So I decided that rather than deal with finding a safe brown sugar, I would just make it! It is super easy...and has a much better taste too!
Simply add 1 Tbsp Molasses to 1 cup white sugar...and mix with a fork. See...so easy! I read that it can be stored for several weeks in an airtight container.

Monkey Bread...

This is a simple and quick treat to make. It is loaded with sugar...but tastes so good! This is quickly becoming a favorite! I have to say...this is a terrible picture. Normally I plop Teaspoons full of batter on the top so it looks a bit prettier...but on this day I was pressed for time and poured the batter on top...From now on I will take the time to use the teaspoon!

* 3 eggs whites

* 1 Tbsp oil

* 1/4 cup Rice or Soy milk

* 1/2 cup rice flour

* 2 tsp baking powder

* 1/2 tsp baking soda

* 1 Tbsp sugar

* 1 3/4 tsp xanthan gum

* 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar

* 1 tsp vanilla

Filling:

* 1/2 cup brown sugar

* 1/2 tsp cinnamon

* 4 Tbsp butter

- beat egg whites until frothy

- add remaining ingredients and mix until thick...it will take a few minutes

- mix together filling ingredients with fork

- drop rounded Tbsp of dough into greased loaf pan

- sprinkle dough with filling. Continue layering until dough and filling is gone

- Bake 350' for 30-35 min~ until bread is lightly browned

- Invert on serving plate

Vanilla Ice-Cream...

In our house store bought ice-cream is a very special treat...we normally just make our own. We have a Cuisine Art ice-cream maker...and love it! We keep the bowl in the freezer at all times so we are ready to make ice-cream anytime! We always serve our ice-cream in fancy little ice-cream dishes with plenty of sprinkles on top!

* 2 cups Rice or Soy milk (divided)

* 2 cups marshmallows

* 1/3 cup sugar

* 3 Tbsp oil

* 1 tsp vanilla

* 1 pkg gelatin

- In saucepan combine marshmallows, sugar and 1 cup milk-stir constantly

- Bring to slow boil until dissolved

- Remove from heat and cool

- In separate dish combine gelatin and 1 cup milk and oil

- mix well and add vanilla

- pour all together and pour into ice-cream maker for about 20 min.