Food

Pears and chocolate make for a very natural friendship and play together beautifully in this plant-based, dairy-free cake. This cake is dense and rich, with a medley of spices, and enhanced by just a hint of espresso powder, which allows that chocolate flavour to shine through. In addition to slices of pears being laid on top, this cake employs some pear purée to add moisture and sweetness to the slightly nutty texture provided by the whole wheat flour.

Wild rice has a nutty flavour that complements light creamy desserts and adds great texture and nutritional value. The berries are chock full of healthy antioxidants.

Fresh basil’s unique aroma and flavour envelop juicy nectarines in this delightfully sweet summertime crumble. Other summer fruits, such as peaches or strawberries, can be substituted for the nectarines. For a truly decadent dessert serve the crumble warm with fresh whipped cream or vanilla ice cream!

Surprise, you can turn to kebabs for a fun dessert that plays by the nutritional rules. Grilled bananas are a taste revelation, but you can apply the same concept to other fruits such as mangoes, nectarines, peaches, and plums.

Need a quick sweet treat to combat the balmy summer heat? Then look no further! With a little preparation this dessert comes together in two minutes.

Just one bite of this dreamy dairy-free dessert will have you singing words of praise for the avocado. Botanically classified as a fruit, avocados are a good source of fibre, protein, and heart-healthy fats. So go ahead and indulge in this frozen treat.    

The bright flavour of lemon, sweet sun-kissed blueberries, and the unexpected crunch of poppy seeds will make this sweet treat a summer staple in your freezer. The hardest part is waiting for it to freeze!

This surprisingly delicious combination utilizes the natural sweetness of carrots and apricots to make a frozen indulgence that is chock full of vitamin A.

This raw frozen treat is reminiscent of a much loved chocolate hazelnut spread in taste but without all the refined sugar and artificial flavours. Try folding in some cacao nibs and chopped cherries for an added burst of flavour and crunch.

When you crave a taste of chocolate, nothing else will do. This homemade chocolate is delicious on its own, but stir in a few healthy extras and you have a decadent snack that will leave you and your body feeling nourished and satisfied. 1 cup (250 mL) chopped cocoa butter 3 Tbsp (45 mL) maple syrup or coconut nectar 1/4 vanilla bean, split and seeds scraped out (optional) 2/3 cup + 2 Tbsp (190 mL) raw cocoa powder 2 Tbsp (30 mL) raw pumpkin seeds 1 Tbsp (15 mL) cacao nibs 2 Tbsp (30 mL) unsweetened coconut flakes 1/2 tsp (2 mL) Himalayan sea salt (optional) Line baking tray or individual loaf moulds with parchment paper, or have ready a selection of chocolate moulds. Place cocoa butter in medium heatproof bowl and set over saucepan filled about a quarter full with water. Position saucepan over medium-low heat and allow cocoa butter to melt slowly. Meanwhile, whisk together maple syrup or coconut nectar and vanilla seeds (if using). Once cocoa butter has melted, remove bowl from saucepan and sift cocoa powder over cocoa butter. Pour in syrup mixture and stir with spatula until well incorporated. Gently stir in pumpkin seeds, cacao nibs, coconut flakes, and salt (if using). Pour chocolate onto prepared baking tray and let it spread into a thin layer, or divide evenly among moulds. Place chocolate in freezer to firm up, about 10 minutes, before unmoulding and storing in airtight container in refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. Makes about 22 servings. Each serving contains: 109 calories; 1 g protein; 11 g total fat (9 g sat. fat, 0 g trans fat); 4 g total carbohydrates (2 g sugars, 1 g fibre); 54 mg sodium Raising the bar Use this recipe as a stepping stone to creating your own chocolate concoctions. Try adding chopped nuts, dried fruits, different seeds, and even some spices such as cinnamon or a pinch of ground chili to create a personalized chocolatey indulgence. source: "Smart Snacking", alive #387, January 2015

This cheesecake looks great, tastes sophisticated, and plays by the nutritional rules, too. A perfect way to finish off a day of love. 1 1/2 cups (350 mL) fresh or frozen (thawed) raspberries, plus more for garnish 2 cups (500 mL) gluten-free organic rolled oats 3/4 cup (180 mL) unsalted almonds 1 cup (250 mL) raisins 1/4 cup (60 mL) melted coconut oil 3 Tbsp (45 mL) cocoa powder 2 Tbsp (30 mL) honey 1 Tbsp (15 mL) unflavoured gelatin or agar-agar powder 1 1/2 cups (350 mL) plain Greek yogurt 4 1/4 oz (120 g) soft goat cheese, at room temperature 1/2 cup (125 mL) milk 2 Tbsp (30 mL) coconut sugar or other raw-style sugar Zest of 1 lemon 1 tsp (5 mL) vanilla extract Dark chocolate, grated Combine raspberries and 2 Tbsp (30 mL) water in blender container; blend until puréed. Strain through fine-mesh sieve, pressing with wooden spoon or spatula to remove seeds. Place oats and almonds in food processor container and process until nuts are well chopped. Add raisins, coconut oil, cocoa powder, and honey; process until mixture sticks together when squeezed between your fingers. Line bottom of 8 or 9 in (20 or 23 cm) springform pan or round cake pan with parchment paper and lightly grease sides of pan. Place oat mixture in pan and press down firmly to form an even, flat crust. Place pan in refrigerator while you prepare topping. Stir together gelatin or agar-agar and 2 Tbsp (30 mL) water in small bowl; let sit for 5 minutes. Purée together yogurt and goat cheese in food processor container. In small saucepan over medium heat, bring milk, sugar, lemon zest, and vanilla to a simmer. Add gelatin and stir until gelatin has dissolved. Add raspberry purée and hot milk mixture to yogurt mixture and blend until combined. Pour yogurt mixture over crust. Refrigerate until set, at least 2 hours. Serve slices topped with fresh raspberries and grated chocolate. Serves 10. Each serving contains: 335 calories; 12 g protein; 15 g total fat (8 g sat. fat, 0 g trans fat); 43 g total carbohydrates (21 g sugars, 6 g fibre); 80 mg sodium source: "A Red Inspired Menu", alive #388, February 2015

Mexican chocolate is known for combining warming spices with dense cocoa, transitioning perfectly into the season of cinnamon-spiced everything. Normally, flan contains a far greater amount of sugar, making this a lighter yet still indulgent-feeling dessert or snack option.

Olive oil cake is a traditional Italian dessert that beautifully showcases the fruity characteristics of olive oil, which lends moisture and richness. Combined with pears and thyme, this dessert looks and feels sophisticated while retaining its old-world, rustic charm. Tip: Replace pears with apples, plums, apricots, or peaches as the seasons change.

Butter is replaced in the classic chocolate chip cookie with a touch of fruity olive oil. Loaded with almonds and dark chocolate chips, and accented with orange, it’s a snack worthy of your cookie jar. Tip: To make these cookies nut free, replace almonds with toasted pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds.

A flavourful whole grain crust is enhanced with olive oil and coconut, contrasting perfectly with a creamy yogurt and berry filling. It’s all drizzled with honey (buy a local variety, if you can) for a healthier take on pie. Tip: Adding a spoonful of cocoa to both the crust and yogurt filling is an ideal switch-up for the chocolate lover.

This recipe highlights just how versatile your slow cooker can be. Moist and fudgy, this cake makes a sweet pick-me-up or a decadent dessert garnished with coconut whipped cream and a sprinkle of dark chocolate shavings.      

No one will know that these decadent-tasting chocolate cakes are infused with lentils. In fact, the moisture they provide lets you cut back on the amount of fat needed. If needed, you can make the cakes using a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend instead of whole wheat pastry flour.

Grilling fruits concentrates and caramelizes their natural sugars, making them sweeter. You can also use apricots, nectarines, or peaches. Add a dollop of Greek yogurt instead of ice cream, or top the crisp with Lemony Banana Ice Cream.

Lemony Banana “Ice Cream”

From coast to coast to coast, Canada is home to a number of wild berry varieties. Many, like mulberries, even grow in urban backyards. Berries are one of the easiest wild foods to locate during the summer months—a very good thing, as you’ll want to make these fudgy blondies more than once. Use the wild berries available in your neck of the woods such as wild blueberries, Saskatoon berries, mulberries, or salal berries.

Look for the chocolate mint variety of fresh mint at your local garden centre, or use any variety of fresh mint you can find. Chocolate mint has a built-in chocolate flavour, making it fantastic for desserts featuring this classic, refreshing combo. TIP: Elevate this chocolate mint fudge by serving a square on a dessert plate; garnish with fresh berries and a sprig of mint.

This cloudlike dessert comes together in under an hour and gives ice cream a run for its money. A tangy, light yogurt mousse is topped with a floral lavender- and thyme-infused strawberry jam, and garnished with (surprise!) black pepper. If you’d like a bit of crunch, top with chopped pistachios or almonds. TIP: Use any soft summer fruit to make this quick jam. Consider using plums, apricots, raspberries, or blueberries.

Consider this cooling basil- and lime-infused panna cotta after a spicy Thai curry. If it’s available to you, employ Thai (purple) basil for the zippiest result, though regular basil works just as well. Agar is a tasteless seaweed derivative that sets liquids much like gelatin, but is suitable for plant-based diets. It is available at many health food stores. TIP: A lemon and thyme version of this versatile panna cotta, garnished with fresh raspberries, would be equally stunning.

Tarragon has a gentle licorice-like taste, marrying well with succulent summer berries in this berry slump. Underscoring the licorice notes is a crumble topping boosted with anise seeds. It’s as delicious for dessert as it is the next morning for breakfast. Tarragon can be replaced with basil or half the amount of thyme.

Moist, chewy, and quite irresistible, these sweet blondies can be indulged in with impunity. The surprising inclusion of white beans adds protein and heart-healthy fibre, and it makes these squares the perfect guilt-free snack. If you’re not an apricot lover, don’t fret. You can use many jam and dried fruit substitutions to make these scrumptious blondies, such as

• strawberry jam and dried strawberries
• blackcurrant jam and dried blackcurrants
• cherry jam and dried sweet cherries (not the sour variety)