TARTLETS

Tart crusts are becoming one of the new staple foods in my kitchen.  They are easy to make, and after dehydrating, you can keep them stored in the freezer for at least a month.

A few extra Tartlet Cases are something worth storing in your freezer when ever you make some as they are so handy to draw on when you wish to create a simple & delicious meal or desert at a moment's notice.

I really love being able to share some useful recipes with you and to show you how to create components, so that you can piece together your own recipe creations.

So how does a savory tart crust become a staple?  Suppose you made a sundried tomato hummus a few days ago and you have some leftovers of the recipe sitting in the fridge.  Remove a tart crust from the freezer, cover the bottom of the tart with the spread, top with some fresh cherry tomatoes, alfalfa sprouts, perhaps some fresh cracked black pepper & voila....dinner with a delicious side salad!  A new exciting creation just took place in your very own kitchen in a couple of minutes!

To create a variety of unique tart crust flavors… make a few out of some of your different cracker batters when you make crackers or play with this more comprehensive sundried tomato recipe below (which is great for crackers too) It is easy to create several different flavors substituting some ingredients from the same recipe.You can always add another selection of herbs rather than the sundried tomatoes & basil purely as an example, or let your creative juices flow in another direction of choice.....perhaps use figs as the sweetener, leave out the tomatoes & basil & fill with a fruit compote topped with coconut or almond cream! The possibilities are endless.......
A really, really simple crust is to simply pulse in the food processor 4 cups of mixed soaked nuts of choice, some salt & 2 tablespoons of melted coconut oil, add some nutritional yeast if you like or some herbs; you know it is the right consistency when it holds together when forming it into a tartlet, add more nuts if it is too wet, more oil if too dry & crumbly; set in the refrigerator after forming into tartlets, allowing the coconut oil to firm up. ( keep in mind these bases will soften & not hold their shape as well on a hot day, if left out of the refrigerator for a long period, so eat soon as possible after serving ) Another idea & a very simple sweet base is to pulse some raw cashews with a little agave, enough to hold it together but leaving it chunky, this makes a great base for an instant desert with a filling of choice; set in the freezer for 15 mins if necessary......As you can see it doesn't have to be complicated!

Ingredients for Sundried Tomato Tartlets: This recipe involves more work!

 yields 4 cups = 9 tart crusts( roughly 5 1/2 Tbsp batter each)

Dry Ingredients:

• 1 cup almond flour
• 1/2 cup ground flax (could also use chia)
• 3 Tbsp coconut flour or could use spelt or another of choice
• 1 Tbsp dried minced onion
• 1 tsp sea salt

Wet Ingredients:

• 1 large (2 cup diced) zucchini, peeled
• 2 Tbsp water
• 1 Tbsp cold-pressed olive
• 1/4 cup raw agave nectar
• 1 Tbsp Tamari
• 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice

Hand mix in:

• 2 cups packed, moist almond pulp ( left over from making your own almond milk)
• 1/2 cup raw sunflower seeds, soaked
• 1/2 cup diced, sun-dried tomatoes
• 1 tsp dried basil or 1 1/2 Tbsp fresh

Preparation:

1. Rehydrate the sun-dried tomatoes by covering them with enough hot water to cover them.  Soak for at least 15 minutes. After soaking, drain the soak water and hand squeeze the excess water out of them.
2. In the food processor fitted with the “S” blade, place the almond flour, ground flax, coconut flour, minced onion and salt.  Pulse together until combined. Place the dry ingredients in a medium-sized bowl and set aside.
3. In the same food processor place the zucchini, water, olive oil, agave, Tamari and lemon juice.  Process till everything is well incorporated. Pour into the bowl with the dry ingredients.  Mix together.
4. Add the almond pulp, sunflower seeds, sun-dried tomatoes and basil. With your hands, mix everything together really well.
5. Press the batter into a number of tartlet shapes or into a Kitchen tartlet case,equally covering the bottom and edges of the tartlets.
6. Dehydrate at 145 (F) degrees for 1 hour, then decrease the temperature to 115 (F) degrees and continue to dehydrate 6-8 hours or until dry. The crusts will shrink some during the dehydration process.
7. Shelf life and storage:  My personal recommendation would be to store this in an air-tight container, in the fridge, for 3-5 days.  Or, wrap individually and freeze for at least a month, to have on hand for quick meals in the future.

   

NUTRITIONAL YEAST

I'm a cheese lover from way back & it has been "a work in progress" eliminating dairy products from my diet; the emotional ties to Dairy are obviously deeply rooted & occasionally the addiction still kicks in!
Nutritional Yeast has to be one of my favorite ingredients to play with in a recipe; it has that magic power that gives food the cheesy flavor that I might be hankering for, at the time! Through the years I have taste tested a number of different brands and my favorite is the Red Star Brand. You can sprinkle nutritional yeast on salads, soups, use it in dehydrated crackers, kale chips, cheese sauces and more.

• A terrific food, providing nutrition including Vitamin B12, enhancing flavor, and adding taste to your favorite meals and drinks.
• An excellent source of protein (52%), containing essential amino acids. Gluten Free.
• Rich in vitamins, especially the B-complex vitamins. An excellent source of folic acid, which is important for formation, growth, and reproduction of red blood cells.
• Commonly known as T6635+ Vegetarian Support Formula™. This yeast is easy to use and blends well with liquids. It can be used in almost any recipe and in small amounts will enhance the flavor.
• Grown specifically for its nutritional value. Naturally low in fat.

Nutritional Yeast Information gathered from the Internet

Red Star® nutritional yeast is an excellent source of protein, dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals. Lesaffre Yeast Corporation derives its primary grown nutritional yeast from pure strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae grown on mixtures of cane and beet molasses. After the fermentation process is completed the yeast is harvested, thoroughly washed, pasteurized, and dried on roller drum dryers. The special growth medium and unique drying process are the secrets to the exceptional performance and flavor of Red Star® nutritional yeast.

Red Star® nutritional yeast is grown specifically for its nutritive value. In addition to protein, dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals, it contains additional functional and beneficial components such as beta-1,3 glucan, trehalose, mannan and glutathione. Studies have show that these components have potential health benefits such as, improved immune response, reduction of cholesterol, and anti-cancer properties. Red Star® nutritional yeast is not made from by-products of breweries, distilleries or paper mills. Red Star® nutritional yeast is not a genetically modified organism (GMO). Red Star® nutritional yeast contains no added sugars or preservatives. Best when stored in a cool, dry place.

B-Complex Vitamins

The B-complex vitamins are essential to the wellness of body, mind, and spirit. Thiamin (B1) deficiency can lead to hand and foot numbness as well as damage to the central nervous system. Vegetarians, diabetics, and women taking birth control pills are highly susceptible to Riboflavin (B2) deficiency. Niacin (B3). Pyridoxine (B6) is needed for the production of antibodies and red blood cells, and promotes a normal functioning nervous and musculoskeletal system. Cyanocobalamin (B12) helps prevent nerve damage and anemia, aids in cell and blood formation, proper digestion, fertility and growth. This vitamin is also helpful during pregnancy and lactation. Vegetarians and immune compromised individuals are the most at risk of vitamin B12 deficiency.

History of Yeast

Yeast belongs to the same family as edible mushrooms and the beneficial organisms used for medical and veterinary use. It may be considered man¹s oldest industrial micro-organism. With the invention of the microscope, it became possible to isolate yeast in pure culture form. The pioneering scientific work of Louis Pasteur in the late 1860’s has resulted in the ability today to commercially produce baker’s yeast, wine yeast, and nutritional yeast. LesaffreYeast Corporation has been delivering consistent high quality yeast products for over 100 years. For more than 50 of those years, the company has been manufacturing primary grown nutritional yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), grown specifically for its nutritional value. The result has been a high quality product containing protein composed of essential and non-essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals.

Types of Yeast

Nutritional Yeast Vegetarian Support Formula™ by Red Star® (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) is a primary grown nutritional yeast grown specifically for food nutritional benefits. Active dry Yeast is made from cream yeast. It is a raising agent used in baked goods.Brewers Yeast is a bitter by-product of the brewing industry that has a high nutritional profile, but typically not as high as Red Star®  Nutritional Yeast which is grown for maximized food nutritional benefits Here's A Great Easy Recipe; Raw Almond Parmesan This is a wonderful easy staple to make and keep in the fridge.  It is perfect for sprinkling on ANY salad.  I highly recommend that you remove the skins from the almonds to give it that pure white color, just like parmesan cheese.  Plus, it makes it easier to digest.  The nutritional yeast gives the parmesan that slight “cheesy” hit.  You can always add more if you want to give it a stronger flavor.  Enjoy. Ingredients: yields 2 cups 1 cup raw almonds,soaked & skinned 2 Tbsp Nutritional Yeast 1 tsp garlic powder 1/2 tsp sea salt Preparation: In the food processor, fitted with the “S” blade, combine the almonds, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, and salt.  Pulse till the almonds break down to small bits. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-4 weeks.

Honey

Natures Gift of " Liquid Gold"

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AS A FOOD
Honey is such a versatile and wonderful product, my husband keeps some bees and I find their life within the hive and organisational abilities quite awe inspiring. Have you ever studied bees, they are truly amazing. The Queen, Drones & Worker bees all have their role to play, and they are not just four winged stinging insects as many perceive them to be! These little creatures can fly miles & miles in search of pollen and yet still know where home is, they work so hard creating a vibrant hive of activity and honey as their food source, so it is vitally important to never rob their hives of all the honey if collecting some for personal use. We also like to feed our bees in the Winter months to maintain a strong and healthy community; a food source can be very difficult for them in the cold, especially if honey reserves in the hive are low.
If we only use honey for it's sweet taste and glorious texture, we miss out on a whole spectrum of other applications. A small collection from my husband's bees of organic, unpasteurised raw honey offers a wealth of nutritional benefits and digestible simple sugars, but honey is much more than just a delicious food. Honey contains minerals like iron, calcium,potassium and magnesium, and it can boost energy levels, I often think of it as "liquid gold" with all its many uses and benefits;
Bee Pollen Granules, Propolis and Royal Jelly are additional products that are readily available in Health Food Shops. The bees collect pollen from the flowers & this is highly nutritious & acts as the main nutrient source for the bees and their only source of protein. For this reason alone, I like to think that the bees welfare is seriously considered when harvesting any product from their hive;  Bee Pollen Granules, Propolis and Royal Jelly are found on our shelves & are considered amazing health products; propolis is made when the bees collect plant resins which they add to beeswax and a little honey & enzymes, it protects the hive from disease and has strong antibiotic properties; Bees Pollen is considered Nature's Multi Vitamin with enzymes, amino acids, folates and minerals, and is  highly prized in many circles as a natural health giving solution for many ailments.
For those of you who follow a purest Vegan diet, then honey will not be for you, but from this post, I hope those who enjoy honey, may be a little more interested in who you purchase it from.....farmer's markets can tell their own story & it is usually possible to access the integrity of the product you are buying & the treatment of any animal or creature on their farm in the process.
FOR HEALING
I have often used honey for scrapes and cuts or to soothe a small burn. It has natural antimicrobial properties, so can act like an antibiotic cream with superior antiseptic and healing qualities. Manuka Honey is well known for knocking out the antibiotic-resistant MSRA bacteria. I remember many years ago my father-in-law had a nasty ulcer on his leg which was not healing and Manuka Honey came to the rescue.
Most of us would have had our mothers bring out the lemon & honey for coughs, sore throats & colds as children, some think a tablespoon of raw honey in some warm water is as effective as cough mixture in calming down nagging coughing fits.
FOR PARASITES
If any of you have backpacked, particularly through Asian Countries, you have probably taken some honey & apple cider vinegar along with you, to mix in some purified water each day, to keep parasites at bay.This little mix is fabulous for destroying these intruders!
AS A BEAUTY TREATMENT
Honey naturally draws moisture to the skin and there are numerous recipes that hydrate and moisturize dry areas; for elbows; simply leave some honey on them for 30 mins & wash off, the result will surprise you. I like to use it as a facial too, add some mashed up avocado to some honey & relax with a blend of this on your face! A bit sticky & messy but your face & skin will love it!
Hair responds well to a teaspoon of honey in some warm water as a rinse after shampooing. Those frizzy parched locks and unruly hair is given a glossy finish.
PRODUCTS GALORE
Beeswax Candles, aren't they wonderful and such an array to choose from these days. I have even seen Beeswax Furniture Polish which I can imagine would be excellent for those precious old pieces.
REMEMBER PETER RABBIT
With his chamomile tea & a teaspoon of honey before bedtime..... definitely a recipe for a good nights sleep!

What a gift these tiny creatures bring to our World. Without them we would starve to death in a short period of time, as they are also responsible for our crops producing food. They fly from bush & tree to bush & tree pollinating as they go so that fruit & vege can develop after flowering; many farmers lease large numbers of hives for their orchards for this very purpose when the trees are in flower, we saw this being reported in the almond orchards this last year in Australia; bees are becoming less in number world wide due to disease outbreaks in some Countries and this could pose a serious threat to food production if these issues are not addressed. It is refreshing to see Community Groups honoring these beautiful little creatures & including a hive or two in many Community Gardens, within our Cities. They seem to adapt to most situations & continue their busy lives working not just for their own survival, but for ours too. Thank You to our Bees!