It's that time of year again when we're finding PUMPKIN SPICE in everything we're eating. And is it just me or with every year that comes are we getting to see Pumpkin spice in the weirdest places? Like pumpkin spice vodka (okay YUM), pumpkin spice ice cream, tortilla chips, LIFE cereal with pumpkin spice, bark, pumpkin spice yogurt pretzels (SAY WHAT??), pumpkin smash smoothies (hmmm), pumpkin Oreo's (gross),  pumpkin hummus (okay that actually may be good), and even pumpkin spiced Greenies for our furry friends (that's just a marketing ploy right there). 

This time of year always gets me in the mood for baking. And while I love to cook and do so almost every day, I really enjoy taking time out to bake AND to try something new. Here lately, I've been looking into some creative VEGAN / GLUTEN-FREE treats because here in South Alabama you really can't find very of these at the local bakery or grocery store. And let's just admit it, it's way more fun to make it yourself AND you know what goes in it! 

I happened upon these delicious VEGAN / GLUTEN-FREE PUMPKIN BARS while I was looking for something to take to a local Habitat for Humanity annual dinner. I've been volunteering with them for a couple of years and love giving back to the local community. In fact, I taught two healthy cooking/educational classes this year to the up-and-coming homeowners. What an outstanding organization that helps so many people. And me being a healthy chef I couldn't walk in with a bucket of KFC and call it a day :) And while many of the attendees probably would prefer a bucket of chicken I happen to know that a few of the staff members are gluten-free and vegan. 

Let me say that though this is a fairly easy recipe but there are a couple of steps. And you do have to allow for resting time (in the fridge). But all in all, they turned out fabulous and very tasty! I took a few to a friend and she fell in love with them. I threw a few in the freezer and man, are they ever good frozen! 

They are the perfect substitute for your annual Thanksgiving dessert and especially an event you may be attending since they are in bar form and easier to manage than a piece of pie. 

The crust is an almond/coconut crust
and the whipped cream (which is totally
off the chain delicious) is simply made
of organic coconut cream, xylitol
and organic vanilla flavoring.

Trust me, you're going to love these.

Hey, and no one will ever know
they're VEGAN/GF unless you spill
​the beans. ​

Below is the picture of the final results when I plated them on a cake plate at the event. 

VEGAN / GLUTEN-FREE PUMPKIN BARS with Coconut Whipped Cream:
∙ Makes 12 Bars

Crust:

• 1 cup almond flour
• 1/2 cup coconut flour
• 1/4 cup refined coconut oil, melted
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1/2 tsp almond extract (or vanilla extract)
• 1/4 tsp salt

Pumpkin pie filling: 

• 2 1/2 cups pumpkin puree (homemade or canned)
• 1/2 cup full-fat coconut milk
• 3 tbsp cornstarch
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup coconut sugar (can sub organic cane sugar)
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line an 8×8 inch pan with parchment paper
2. Add all the crust ingredients to a food processor and pulse until combined. The dough should be sticky when you press with your fingers. Add a bit more coconut oil if needed. 
3. Press the crust into the bottom of your pan and bake for 8-10 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool.
4. Add all the pumpkin pie filling ingredients to a food processor and blend until smooth and creamy. Taste the mixture and adjust if you prefer it a bit sweeter or if it's too sweet. 
5. Pour the filling into the pan and spread evenly.
6. Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 - 35 minutes. Remove and let cool, then transfer to the fridge to set for at least 2 hours.
7. Cut into squares and serve.

Coconut whipped cream:

• 1 can full-fat coconut milk
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp xylitol

Directions:
NOTE: Set a can of full-fat coconut milk (I used organic) in the fridge for at least 24 hours so it can separate. 

1. To make the coconut whipped cream, remove the can from the fridge and scoop out just the cream on top  (the cream and liquid will have separated in the fridge).
2. Add the vanilla extract and xylitol (a little at a time) and whip on high until smooth and the whipped cream forms soft peaks.
3. Add the whipped coconut cream to a piping bag and place back in the fridge for 30 minutes to firm up while the cupcakes cool.
4. Pipe onto the cupcakes right before serving. 

ENJOY!

Come back and let me know if you decided to make them and how it turned out. I'd love to hear from you!

This post was written by Susan Avello, Personal Chef at Lean Bean Chef Personal Chef Services in Dothan Alabama - offering Healthy Meal Prep, Meal Planning, Private Cooking Classes, Private Dinner Parties and Education on Healthy Eating. ​​​​

Now before you poo poo this dish because it has tofu, take a moment, relax, do your deep breathing exercise and settle in for something you'll thank me for! Trust me, this dish is super delicious.

I know when you think of tofu you think of mush or something a lot of you would never eat in a million years. But since I've been eating (mostly) vegetarian the past couple of years I've started incorporating tofu into my "meatless" dishes here and there and I have really come to enjoy it. It's very versatile and can really take on different textures and flavors.

While in Chicago visiting friends last month we took a trip (okay a few trips) to Whole Foods where we spent a good hour or so gathering goodies to prepare and decided to have lunch while there. We had heard they had a few vegan options and wanted to give them a go. We came upon their version of General Tso Tofu and sat and munched on it and it was super yummy. Of course I thought, "I have to find a way to make this when I return to my kitchen" and I quickly went to work. It took a couple of recipes and adjustments to get the tofu crispy like I like but in the end it came out way better than I had anticipated. ​

The trick to getting a crispy tofu is marinating it first. Here is the entire process:

One of my goals to getting healthy was to cut out caffeine! HOLD UP, NOW! I know some of you are saying, "Wait a minute, didn't they just tell us that coffee is now good for us?"

In small, occasional cups there is possibly a case to be made for some benefits to coffee. If it’s fresh, high-quality and ideally organic (regular coffee is one of the most pesticide-intensive crops in the world) then studies have shown that it can improve alertness and long term it may reduce the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, gallstones, and even kidney stones for heavy drinkers. On the other hand, it has also been associated with an increased risk of high cholesterol, heart disease, and osteoporosis.
​
I'm not going to debate these issues with you. I know for me personally, caffeine is not my friend. It makes me anxious and jittery if I have too much of it and I don't sleep at night. For me, it's just not worth it. And, my doc has told me to cut back. 

Though I haven't cut it out completely, I have been able to cut back to one cup of really good organic coffee in the morning. For me, an avid coffee drinker, I think this is quite the achievement. Seeing how at one point I was at 3 - 4 cups (That's an average of 500 mg of caffeine a day - give or take) a day.

What I have tried lately is switching to tea in the afternoons. Though still caffeine, tea has only about 25 - 30 mg (half that of coffee) of caffeine. Baby steps, people. Baby steps. 

In the beginning, I started ordering these out and about at either Starbucks or a local coffee shop in town. I noticed they were TOO sweet for me. I also noticed they were using a premixed coffee liquid. I get it, it makes life easier. You can even save time and buy these in Target and other stores (TJ MAXX has an organic blend) and cut down the time it takes to make one old school. But I will tell you, there's nothing like the taste you get when you make it from scratch!

I hope you'll try it. I think once you do, you'll never want to have another relaxing afternoon without it!

​This post was written by Susan Avello, Personal Chef at Lean Bean Chef Personal Chef Services in Dothan Alabama - offering Healthy Meal Prep, Meal Planning, Private Cooking Classes, Private Dinner Parties and Education on Healthy Eating.