Muesli Bars

These are another of our popular snack foods around here, and full of goodness... antioxidant packed and filling because of the natural oils and protein in all of the nuts and seeds, sweeeeet from the dried fruit and agave :)

Into a good sized mixing bowl place:
2 cups Oats;
1 cup Almonds, partially processed in blender;
1/2 cup Spelt Flour;
1/3 cup Sunflower Seeds;
1/3 cup Pepitas;
1/3 cup Coconut, shredded or dessicated;
1 tbsp Sesame Seeds;
1 tbsp Linseeds;
1 tbsp Linseed Meal;
1 tbsp Chia Seeds;
1/2 cup Currants;
1/2 cup Goji Berries, partially processed in blender;
1/2 cup Dried Apricots, finely chopped;
1 tsp ground Cinnamon;
1/2 tsp ground Cloves;

Into a small saucepan place:
1/2 cup Coconut Oil;
1 tbsp Tahini;
2 tbsp Black Strap Molases;
4 tbsp Agave;
Gently heat these 'wet' ingredients, just enough to melt / combine.

Mix the dry ingredients together and make a well in the centre;
Add your melted wet mixture;

Stir well to combine into a thick sticky muesli mixture;

Line a rectangular cake or baking tray with baking paper, mine is the perfect size at 22x32 cms;
Tip muesli mixture into tray and press out evenly;

Place a second piece of baking paper over the top and use a second pan the same size to push down on top, compressing the mixture firmly together (you could also use a cylindrical glass or rolling pin to do this);

Refrigerate for at least 6 hours to allow the wet ingredients to set;

Remove from fridge and lift set slice out of the tray with the baking paper;
Cut into pieces using a sharp bladed knife;
(Should make around 24 individual Muesli Bars);

Store in an airtight container in the fridge.

Party Sausage Rolls!!

The first thing I need to do in this recipe is to credit the blog that I got the original recipe from!!  So thanks to retromummy for the Vegetarian (but not Vegan!) recipe :)

I have made these Sausage Rolls for several Birthday Parties and social gatherings, and they always get rave reviews :)  So, for all of you who have enjoyed them so much... here's my recipe!

1 brown onion;
1 bunch fresh parsley;
150g rolled Oats;
150g Almonds;
350g packet of organic Tofu;
2 Tbsp Soy sauce;
3 Tbsp Chia Seeds &/or Linseeds, soaked in 9 Tbsp water;
4 Sheets Vegan Puff Pastry.

With a food processor:
Place Onion and Parsley into food processor and process until finely chopped, scrape down sides;
Add Almonds and Oats, again process until finely ground and mixed with the onion / herb mix;
Add Tofu and Soy Sauce and again process to combine.
Chia Seeds / Linseeds should be manually stirred into the mix.

With a blender:
Process Almonds, Oats, Onion & Parsley, and Tofu in individual batches in the blender, and scrape into a large mixing bowl;
Combine all ingredients into the mixing bowl and work it into an even mixture;
Lay out pastry and cut in half lengthways;
Make a 'sausage' of our Vegan filling lengthways along each half of pastry, and roll it up;
These long sausage rolls can be cut into whatever length you desire, but for parties I usually cut each length into 6 segments;
Bake according to the directions for your pastry.  Mine are usually around 20 minutes at 220 degrees Celcius.

Serve with tomato sauce for dipping :)

Avos & Carrots... Afternoon Snack!!

Just a simple little afternoon tea!  My boys are a big fan of this one...

Carrots cut into sticks;
1 Avocado, pureed or simply mashed with a fork;
Juice of half a Lime;
1/2 tsp Ground Cumin;

Mix Cumin and Lime into mashed Avocado;
Dip Carrot sticks in, and eat!!
Yummmy!!!

Bliss Balls!!

This recipe is an absolute regular feature in our house... here is our adaptation, based on the recipe from Bliss Cafe which can be found at http://blissorganiccafe.com.au/recipes.html

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup raw whole Almonds
2 cups pitted Medjool Dates
1 cup raw whole Walnuts
2 cups dried Goji berries
1/2 cup Sunflower Seeds
1/2 cup Pepitas
1/4 cup Shredded Coconut
1/4 cup Sesame Seeds
1/4 cup raw Cacao Powder
Extra Coconut for rolling balls in!

Combine ingredients one at a time in a food processor or high powered blender (love my Vitamix!) in the order listed.  All ingredients should become relatively well pureed and become quite a heavy sticky 'dough'.  Form balls of desired size and roll in the extra coconut.  Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator.  Goes well with a nice cup/pot of green or herbal tea :)