Hazelnut Maple and Poppy Seed Spiced Corn Cakes

The weekend calls for regale and fanciery. Yes, I know the latter is not a real word. But it's real to me, and it means that on either Saturday or Sunday morning, Todd and I will have an extravagant and downright snobby breakfast. It will be fit for someone who does not reside in a tiny thimble of a house in the wilds of Alaska, and who does not live with a giant, shedding, beast of dog that steals your spot in bed in the dark of the night. This imaginary person also probably isn't vegan. This imaginary person is obviously not us...  These Hazelnut Maple and Poppy Seed Spiced Corn Cakes definitely qualified as one of these breakfasts. These are super hearty and delightfully filling. Todd and I could eat only eat half of our portions...but that may be because we split the entire batch of nine pancakes. What? Gluttony goes hand in hand with regale...you know it does. 

Sweetened with maple syrup and Hazelnut Kahlua, these dense corn cakes lend a good, crunchy, and wholesome bite from the polenta, hazelnuts, and poppy seeds. Spiced with cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg for seasonal flare!

Hazelnut Maple and Poppy Seed Spiced Corn Cakes

Inspired by The Sweet Life

Makes 9 medium pancakes

• --Wet--
• 1 cup soy milk (I used unsweetened, plain)
• 1 tsp. apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
• 2 tsp. Hazelnut Kahlua 
• --Dry--
• 3/4 cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 cup  polenta (or cornmeal for a finer consistency)
• 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. ground cardamom
• dash of freshly ground nutmeg
• --Add-Ins--
• 1/4 cup chopped hazelnuts
• 2 Tbsp. poppy seeds

In a large bowl, whisk together the soy milk and the vinegar and allow to rest for about 5 minutes or until it's curdled slightly. 

Meanwhile, in another bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients. 

Now, whisk the maple syrup and Kahlua into the soymilk mixture.

Heat a large frying pan over medium-low heat and spray with a non-stick cooking spray.

Slowly and gently add the dry ingredients to the wet and stir to combine. Do not overmix! A few lumps of flour are okay. Gently stir in the hazelnuts and poppy seeds.

Once the pan is hot, drop a 1/4 cup of batter into the pan and allow to cook until bubbles begin to form throughout the pancake. Spray the top of the pancake with cooking spray and flip. Cook about 1 minute then remove and repeat with remaining batter. 

Top with a pat of vegan butter and additional maple syrup! 

Now go make these, and lavish in your opulent breakfast!

Chair-dancing to, The Oh Hello's – Eat You Alive

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Healing Spiced Turmeric Tea

My dad told me today that it was just so awesome that Todd's inflammation levels are back to normal and how much better he's doing than half a year ago. He then told me, nonchalantly, that I am "some witch-doctor"...thanks...Dad... Well, Mr. Todd is sick today. He's got a stomach bug/flu or something. So, being my witch-doctor self, I recalled a kind of turmeric "tonic" or other, on the world wide web. I decided that this was exactly what my one true love needed...among Aleve.

Turmeric is quite the powerful little spice. It's a strong anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory little root that is a vibrant orange-yellowish color and will stain anything it touches. Head on over to Refinery 29 to read this short, informative article on Why Turmeric Might Just Be The Healthiest Spice Of All Time and then promptly go make this tea!

My Healing Spiced Turmeric Tea is...dare I say reminiscent of eggnog? Throw a bit a rum in and it really would! Among turmeric, it has nutmeg, cinnamon, cardamon, black pepper, and ginger. Wait, this seems to be venturing into Chai territory? Well, either way, it's base is silky coconut milk, and with the addition of xanthan gum it really makes this tea super creamy and dreamy. The vanilla and maple syrup add a comforting, sweet note.

Healing Spiced Turmeric Tea

Inspired by Simple Veda

Makes 2 cups

• 2 cups coconut milk (from carton, I like Silk)
• 1 Tbsp. ground turmeric
• 1 Tbsp. fresh ginger paste (or chopped ginger root)
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• a dash of freshly ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp. ground cardamom
• 1/4 tsp. xanthan gum powder (optional) 
• 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
• pinch of black pepper
• 1 Tbsp. maple syrup

In a small saucepan, combine all the ingredients except the maple syrup and whisk vigorously to combine over medium heat. Continue to whisk every so often, until the tea is almost boiling.

Remove from heat and whisk in the maple syrup. Strain through a fine mesh strainer and serve hot!

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Healthy Pumpkin Maple Pecan Oat Muffins

Did you know October is non-GMO month? Yep, it is! Sugar is one of those rampant GMO foods, so if you're trying to avoid genetically modified foods or just don't want your sugar manufactured by using the bones of cattle (yes, it's a thing...I talk about it briefly here), then get yourself some ethical sugar! You might be laughing at me, but I don't care. There's such a thing, and I like Zulka. Bet you didn't know that sugar could be such a big time downer, but guess what? I've got something to cheer you straight up! These Healthy Pumpkin Maple Pecan Oat Muffins! There's no flour, oil, eggs or butter in them! Doesn't that make you happy? However, if you're like me, anytime you see "no flour, oil, eggs, butter, etc..." you run far, far away from these type of recipes. However, I promise you that these are healthy as well as delectable! Try them out for yourself.

Healthy Pumpkin Maple Pecan Oat Muffins

Inspired by Examiner

Makes 12 muffins

• 2 Tbsp. ground flax seed
• 1/4 cup cold water
• 1/2 cup pecans, chopped small
• 2 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats, dry
• 1 cup pumpkin puree, canned
• 1/3 cup vegan sugar (I always use Zulka)
• 2 Tbsp. pure maple syrup
• 5 oz. plain vegan yogurt (I used Silk)
• 1 tsp. maple extract
• 1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 tsp. ground cloves

Preheat the oven to 350 F.

Flax is first. To make the two flax eggs, in small bowl add the ground flaxseed then add in the cold water and whisk to combine. Place in the fridge until ready to use.

Chop the pecans very small and scatter them evenly on a baking sheet. Toast at 350 F for about 10 minutes or until fragrant. Careful not to let them burn! When done, remove them from the oven and allow to cool on the baking sheet. Leave the oven on.

In a food processor, add the dry oats and pulse until very fine and a  flour-like texture is achieved.

Add in the remaining ingredients including the flax eggs, but not the pecans. Pulse until smooth and well combined. Now, fold in the pecans until incorporated evenly. 

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Coat a regular muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray and distribute the batter evenly. 

Bake at 350 F for about 15 minutes or until the tops of the muffins spring back when poked. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes in their pan. Then, gently remove them and place on a wire cooling rack to finish cooling. 

Serve for breakfast (like me!) or as a snack or even for dessert! Store in an airtight container.

Also, I thought I'd share this pretty little quote. So eat these nutritious muffins and be happy. It's good for your healthy after all!

I'm listening to The Features – How It Starts

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