The Best Vegan Eggnog

Todd (in the loft): "What's that cacklin' down there?"Me (in the kitchen): "Heh heh...heee heeeee!" Todd: "You're suuuper excited about something...you remind me of Jacob the Bat Mitzvah Boy,  from SNL." Me: *massive grin and laboured breathing from over-excitement* "You'll see!"

  Meet Jacob here. Especially frames at 1:08, 1:37, 2:08 and 2:40.

Produce On Parade - The Best Vegan Eggnog

You'll never drink eggnog from a carton again. This is so easy to throw together and is totally incomparable to the store bought variety. Quick, simple, no risk for salmonella poisoning, whole foods and no sugar added, you really can't go wrong. Plus, it's incredibly delicious! Why have anything else!? You really have to make this, I cannot get over it!

It's shocking, disturbing and downright upsetting that I haven't been making this my entire life. I can't wait to bring this homemade, vegan eggnog to our upcoming holiday parties!

The Best Vegan Eggnog

Makes about 14 (1/2 cup) servings

  • 3/4-1 cup raw cashews, soaked for 30 minutes 
  • 2 cups fresh water
  • 1 15 oz. can of full-fat coconut milk
  • 6 medjool dates, pitted
  • 1 tsp. Kahlua or vanilla extract
  • 3 Tbsp. spiced rum (optional)
  • 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
  • 1 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp. xanthan gum (optional)

--Notes--   Don't you dare use pre-ground nutmeg. It's a complete travesty! Ill be watching! Just like Santa... For a thicker eggnog, use 1 cup of cashews. For a thinner version use 3/4 cup.  The spiced rum is optional. Three tablespoons is barely, barely noticeable. Adjust to your preference.  The xanthan gum will give the eggnog a super duper thick, smooth and creamy texture. Omit if you prefer your eggnog thinner. 

Place the cashews in medium bowl. Cover completely with boiling water and allow to soak for at least 30 minutes. When the time is up, drain and rinse the cashews then place in a high-speed blender. 

Add in the fresh water and blend with the cashews on high for about 2 minutes or until very well blended and smooth. 

Now, add in the remaining ingredients and blend on high again  for another two minutes or until the dates are completely blended.

Produce On Parade - The Best Vegan Eggnog Produce On Parade - The Best Vegan EggnogI have no preference as to the temperature of my eggnog, but Todd likes his chilled. Serve at whatever temperature you fancy. Be sure to consume within a few days. Because of the whole food quality, this will not keep like cartoned eggnog.

Produce On Parade - The Best Vegan Eggnog

Stir before serving if being chilled. Garnish with additional freshly grated nutmeg.

Produce On Parade - The Best Vegan EggnogMiddle child. Only girl. Listening to Gin Wigmore – Black Sheep

[yumprint-recipe id='50']Adapted from The Chalkboard

Creamy Salted Caramel Tea

As you may know, I recently bought a 1 lb. bag of caramel Rooibos tea. Yes, a ONE POUND BAG, that's a lot of tea. Who does that? I think I've used...1/500th of it. Anyways, last night I wanted to make a dreamy and silky Rooibos tea instead of the regular ol' steeped, plain tea. 

This Creamy Salted Caramel Tea is thickened with coconut cream, sweetened with dates and Kahlua, and has just a pinch of salt. What's not to like? This cup of winter coziness is the perfect beverage for a chilly night. Inspired by my sweet tooth!

Creamy Salted Caramel Tea


Creamy Salted Caramel Tea
By
This rooibos based Creamy Salted Caramel Tea is thickened with coconut cream, sweetened with dates and Kahlua, and has just a pinch of salt.

Ingredients
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • 1 Tbsp. caramel Rooibos Tea (or tea of choice)
  • 1/2 cup full-fat canned coconut milk
  • 1 medjool date, de-pitted and chunked
  • 1 Tbsp. Kahlua
  • 1/4 tsp. xanthan gum (optional)
  • small pinch of salt

Instructions
  1. Steep the tea in the hot water for 5 minutes. This will be a very strong cup of tea.
  2. In a blender add all the ingredients, including the steeped tea. Blend on high, until the dates have become completely integrated.
  3. Serve hot, topped with a dash of cinnamon if you wish!

    4. Prep time:
    Cook time:
    Total time:
    Yield: 1 mug

Save money!

Get bulk rooibos tea here for $15 per lb. At my local grocery store it’s $66 per lb!

I always try to save money in the grocery department when I can and that is some serious savings. Think of all the vegan ice cream you could get…

More Fall and Winter Beverages

Now go cozy up with that creamy caramel goodness. 

Chilling out to Philadelphia Orchestra – Adagio for Strings, Op.11

Hazelnut Chai Nightcap

So, I've been making this Hazelnut Chai Nightcap at bedtime, for about a week straight now. I thought it was time that I stopped being so selfish and share it with you. It's not really a secret that I'm a horrid sleeper. As are my dad and my older brother. That eye mask you see in the photo below is mine. I wear it every night. I also sleep with earplugs every night. No, it's not because it's noisy outside our house. It's Alaska after all...we really don't have neighbors.

I wear ear plugs because...well, how should I say this...I find patterns in the quiet of the night. Like the spinning of the ceiling fan and how it's just a bit loose and so it makes a subtle clink, clink, clink every time it goes around. Or Bob and his measured breathing. And there's nothing about the sound of rain that helps me sleep. These noises get me thinking. I begin comparing the sounds to other sounds. Sounds I've heard from people I've met or places I've been. Memories and thoughts past, present, and future abound. Then I can't sleep. My mind gives me the middle finger, grumbles, and fusses that it's not yet tired. There's nothing rhythmic about Todd's snoring though. I know how crazy this sounds. 

Yet, I've worn earplugs since I was in high school. Along with my entire family. This is odd due to the fact that I grew up on a very quiet road, on the side of a mountain, on the outskirts of a town with a population of 5,000. Oh, and we were surrounded by 80 acres of personal, forest-filled land. Oh, and six months of the year it's dark from ten thirty to five. Yes. Only I wear the eye mask in our family, but why do we all wear earplugs? The real answer is that I really have no freaking clue.

Produce On Parade - Hazelnut Chai Nightcap

So, that long-winded story was all to point out that I sometimes often have trouble sleeping. I have melatonin tablets, I have over the counter sleep aids, I have eye masks and earplugs, I even have an Ambien. I've drank Tart Cherry juice before bed and I run for an hour, at least five days a week.

Now that the nights are getting cold, I've been curling up with this little nightcap to aid in a warm and peaceful slumber. Hazelnut Kahlua combined with Oregon Chai Dreamscape Tea and warm, sweet coconut milk is the perfect recipe for a cozy night in. With this, I don't even need most of those other sleep aids. 

Hazelnut Chai Nightcap

Inspired by my sweet tooth

Serves 1

  • 1 cup coconut milk
  • 1 chai tea bag (I use Oregon Chai Dreamscape tea)
  • 1/2-1 Tbsp. Hazelnut Kahlua
  • -- Note-- I really prefer Silk's coconut milk and the Oregon Chai Tea bags cannot be beat. Get the Dreamscape one for caffeine free!

Microwave the coconut milk in a large mug for about 2 minutes.

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Add in the Kahula. You can double the amount if you're feeling naughty.

Add the tea bag and allow to steep for as long as you'd like. If you're like me, that means until you've drank every last drop. I like my tea like I like my men...strong, hot and vegan! Oh, I am so corny. I couldn't resist the vulgarity though. Todd is mortified, I am sure of it. 

Produce On Parade - Hazelnut Chai Nightcap

Serve piping hot and in bed. Book required. Eye mask and earplugs optional. Produce On Parade - Hazelnut Chai Nightcap

[yumprint-recipe id='6']