Recipe Difficulty: Easy

Date Squares Recipe Notes

Date Squares are probably one of my favourite sweet treats ever, so after some trial and error, I'm glad I finally have a veganized recipe that I am happy with and can share with you! This is a classic date square with a twist. I added cardamom to the crumb mixture and the zest and juice of an orange into the date filling. These ingredients are totally optional, if you want to keep it plain just omit the cardamom and replace the orange juice with a bit more water. I happen to LOVE cardamom, of which orange is a good friend....though you could totally keep the cardamom in the recipe and ditch the orange part too. 

I don't add sugar to my date filling. My feeling on this is that dates are already sweet, it's not that a couple of tablespoons of brown sugar wouldn't be a good addition to the filling, I just don't feel the need to add extra to an already sweet treat. But if you want to, just add a bit to the date filling while you are cooking it. It will be good.

I also use 100% whole wheat flour in my date squares. I haven't tested it with white flour, but I can't see how it wouldn't be delicious. My theory is if I can make a treat that uses 100% whole wheat flour and still taste great, why wouldn't I do that? At least it has some extra fiber, and honestly whole wheat flour has a delicious nutty flavour that works really well in these date squares. If you don't typically have whole wheat flour on hand and feel like picking some up, just keep any unused portion in the freezer. Whole wheat flour tends to turn rancid fairly quickly compared to white flour so storing it in the freezer will preserve it.  

Recipe Difficulty: Easy

What is African Peanut Stew?
I'm far from knowledgeable about African cuisine, but this stew is something that came on my radar a couple of decades ago. I can't speak to authenticity of my recipe, but if not authentic, it's at least inspired by something similar. I looked online for more information about this dish. If you want authentic African recipes, this is not the place to find it. I'm simply exploring to the best of my ability, and trying to share healthy flavourful meals that anyone can make. With all that said here is what I found:

• African peanut stew, also known as maafe or maffé, is a West African dish that is popular in many countries in the region, including Senegal, Mali, and Guinea. It is made with a base of peanut butter or ground peanuts, which gives it a rich, nutty flavor and creamy texture. The stew is often made with meat, such as chicken or lamb, and vegetables, such as tomatoes, onions, and sweet potatoes. It is seasoned with a variety of spices, including cumin, coriander, and paprika, and is typically served over rice or with a side of bread.
• The origins of African peanut stew are not well documented, but it is believed to have been influenced by a variety of cultural and culinary traditions. Peanut butter and peanuts have been grown and consumed in Africa for centuries, and the use of peanuts in savory dishes is common in many West African cuisines. The stew is also influenced by the culinary traditions of the many different cultures that have interacted with West Africa over the centuries, including Arabic, European, and American cultures.

My African Peanut Stew Recipe Notes
This delicious stew is aromatic, bright & slightly spicy. Sweet potatoes, chickpeas and tomatoes make up the bulk of the stew which is then flavoured with natural peanut butter, lime juice, cumin, coriander, cinnamon and chili (sambal oelek, a chili paste). I like to garnish my African Peanut Stew with cilantro & chopped toasted peanuts. On the side, rice and or flatbread. Have wedges of fresh lime and more sambal on the side for those who want added brightness and heat. 

​I hope you love this recipe as much as I do!

A note on Peanut Butter!

I really do like Kraft Peanut Butter. I only ever buy natural with no salt or sugar added. I will buy other brands if I can find a better price, but always natural no salt no sugar! Natural Peanut Butter does separate, but for me that isn't a downside. You just have to give it a good stir before using it. A good tip is to store it upside down, which helps keep it better mixed together. 

I'm going to say this recipe serves 3-4 people. I usually make double the amount of ricotta because I like to have leftovers and smear it on toast for breakfast or lunch. Throw some sauteed mushrooms or roasted red peppers on there? Hell ya.
If you are feeding a family though, it probably wouldn't hurt to just double everything. (ricotta, sauce, number of zucchini needed.) Especially if, like me, leftovers are your jam. You could bake them in two small round or square pans like pictured, or just use a large rectangle/ lasagna pan. 

Recipe Difficulty: Medium, or, optional easier method!

Recipe Tags: Beet Balls, Creamy Horseradish Dressing, Rainbow Salad, Vegan

About My Rainbow Veg Salad
This salad is a spin on the ubiquitous salads I've had many times in Switzerland. Pretty much on every menu, you can order a salad that consists of a rainbow of colourful vegetables and is typically served with a sweet creamy white dressing.

In my version, instead of using of straight up cooked and chunked beets,  I made my beet, walnut and brown rice veggie mixture, and rolled them into little meatballs. The texture isn't meaty, they are more soft/delicate, and the taste is of sweet beet with a bit of smoky earthiness from the paprika & cumin. Somehow I just really love them. I like veggie mixtures that taste like vegetables, I'm not a vegan that necessarily wants things to taste like meat. (I do enjoy some veggie bacon, seitan chick'n and the occasional ground round, but it's not my go to at all.)

The other difference between my salad and the ones I have had in Switzerland, is that I add horseradish to the dressing.  I love horseradish and I find the combination of the zippy creamy dressing and the crunchy sweet fresh vegetables irresistible. If you aren't a fan you can omit the horseradish, it will just be a creamy white French dressing. I think adding fresh herbs would be really delicious too. Fresh dill chopped in there would probably be my first choice! 

What is in my Salad?
Greens
Corn Niblets
Grated/Spiralized Carrot
Cucumber
Tomatoes
Beet Veggie balls 
Toasted Pecans
Creamy Horseradish Dressing

Easier Option: If you don't want to make the beet balls, go ahead and add in cooked and cooled beets instead! It will be very similar to the ones I've had many times in Switzerland. 

​Assembly

• Add a bed of greens to a large shallow bowl. 
• Add piles of your favourite veggies along with beet balls (or just cooked beets). I recommend using what I have suggested above. I like having all of the variety, so I personally wouldn't omit any of them. Season with salt and pepper.
• Drizzle everything with a generous amount of the creamy horseradish dressing. Enjoy!

Horseradish Dressing
I love this dressing!!!! It really pairs perfectly with sweet, fresh, crunchy veggies. I love it on this salad, and I also really like just dipping veggie sticks into it for snacking. I haven't tried it in other recipes but I would like to. I originally published the recipe to make 2 cups, but I have changed the amounts to yield 4 cups. I always make a small batch, then end up making another batch a couple of days later, so....I changed the recipe. You can decide how much you would like to make. All I know is I like lots of the dressing on my salad. 

Vegan Yogurt
I have only ever made this using Silk Almond Yogurt. If you are going to substitute it for something else, it will potentially change the amounts of other things you add. Other yogurts might have more acidity, and also there are vegan yogurts out there that I just don't like. Definitely don't use coconut yogurt in this recipe. Honestly, even though I like using Silk Almond yogurt in this recipe since it adds fiber and protein to the dressing, using 100% vegan mayo would be something I'm sure would taste good too. I use a combination of both so I can have a bit of extra richness from the mayo, but still get the nutritional value from the yogurt. 

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Recipe Difficulty: Easy

Recipe Tags:

• Overnight Oats
• Vegan Bircher Museli
• Healthy Breakfast Ideas
  
• Swiss Overnight Oats

What is Bircher Muesli?
Bircher Muesli is a traditional Swiss breakfast invented in the 1900 by  Swiss physician Maximilian Bircher-Brenner. It is made by soaking rolled oats in a liquid (such as milk or yogurt) overnight, along with grated apple, nuts, and other ingredients like seeds, dried fruits, and sweeteners. The mixture is then topped with fresh fruit and served cold. Bircher muesli is often considered a healthy and nutritious breakfast option, as it is high in fiber and protein, and low in added sugars.

My Bircher Muesli Recipe Notes
I really love this breakfast. I feel like I am making a good choice that supports my health, but it also happens to be completely delicious. It requires just a bit of forethought the night before, then the rest comes together quickly. Just toss whole rolled oats into water to soak over night, then strain any remaining liquid the next morning. When you're up and ready to eat, stir the oats together with grated pear or apple, almond yogurt (I use Silk brand, but use your fav), maple syrup, toasted nuts & seeds and fresh berries. It's a nice change from cooked oatmeal! 

I add maple syrup to this recipe to taste. I typically don't add too much as I actually enjoy things when they aren't overly sweet. Just do what makes you happy. Also, feel free to mix up the add ins to your overnight oats. Use grated pear instead of apple, add in your favourite dried fruit and different combinations of nuts and seeds. The possibilities are endless! 

This recipe serves 1 hungry person or 2 people who are lighter eaters in the morning. You can easily make a double batch of Bircher Muesli and eat it over a few days!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup oats
• 1 cup water
• 1 pear or apple, grated
• 1/4 cup almond yogurt (or desired amount, I use Silk brand) Or a drizzle of cashew cream is delicious instead. 
• 1-2 tbsp maple syrup (to taste) (or leave it out and just add chopped dates/dried fruit)
• 3 tbsp toasted nuts & seeds 
• A handful of fresh berries. Use whatever looks good.

Method:

1. Soak the oats in water overnight. I just let them hang out on the counter. 
2. In the morning, if there is any extra liquid you can just strain it off. 
3. Add oats to a bowl and stir in the grated pear, almond yogurt, maple, toasted nuts & seeds & fresh berries. 
4. Spoon into 1 or 2 bowls, garnish with extra fruit and a sprinkle of cinnamon if desired. 
5. Dig in & enjoy, your body will thank you.