Barley bread

This dense, rustic flat bread has a satisfying nutty taste and crunchy texture around the edges. It’s great served with soups and stews, or salads. It’s also nice on it’s own, spread with honey or avocado as a snack or light meal. Best served warm, right from the oven.

Because it’s wheat-free, this bread doesn’t contain the amount of gluten that a wheat-based loaf would, so therefore it doesn’t puff up and create a light, airy bread like wheat-based loaves. It’s more a cross between a flat-bread and a cracker, crunchy around the edges. But I love the texture, it feels much more substantial than a typical airy loaf. It’s chewy in the middle, crunchy around the edges and much more flavorful than wheat flour. Oh, and it’s vegan as well.

This is one of the easiest and quickest bread recipes I’ve ever used. No bread maker or mixer required, it’s easy enough to do it all manually. You don’t need to wait until the dough rises (proofs), so it’s a great option for whipping up some bread at the last minute to go with your meal.

Ingredients:

2 cups barley flour
2 tsp wheat-free baking powder
1 tsp sea salt
3/4 cup water
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp flaxseed (linseed)
2 tbsp sunflower seed

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 200 C/400 F. Lightly oil a baking sheet. Sift the flour, baking powder and salt into a mixing bowl. You can use a fine-mesh strainer instead of a sifter. Just use a spoon to tap the sides of the strainer to sift the dry ingredients through the mesh. You can also use the spoon to ‘stir’ the flour if you prefer, make sure the spoon is touching the bottom of the strainer and stir in a circular motion just inside the rim of the strainer.

Once all the dry ingredients are sifted, blend the water, olive oil, flaxseed and sunflower seeds in a high-powered blender until liquefied. The non-vegan version calls for cream and milk, so you’re creating a seed milk substitute. Fold this seed milk into the flour and mix until it forms a dough.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and using your hands shape it into a flat round shape about 1 cm (1/2 inch) thick.

Slide the loaf onto the baking sheet and use a knife to score the top of the loaf to form the slices. Then using the prongs of a fork, make indentations all over the top of the loaf.

Bake until pale golden in color, about 15-20 minutes. Cut or break into wedges along the score lines and serve warm.

Barley Bread Slice, ready to eat

Makes 1 small loaf.

Variations:

• Add a handful of sunflower seeds to the sifted flour just before adding the liquid ingredients.
• Add 2 tbsp citrus zest (lemon, lime or orange) to the flour mixture just before adding the liquids.

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Raw Granola & Almond Milk

Raw food is so quick and easy to make, it’s the perfect thing for people who “don’t have the time to cook”. Well, here’s the perfect solution – don’t cook! Jennifer Cornbleet demonstrates how to make both Almond Milk and Raw Granola in under 8 minutes, real time. Okay, so she had to soak the nuts overnight, but that’s just being organized and takes maybe 2 minutes. And of course you have to wash up afterwards, but it’s not like you have to scrub a baking tray with cooked on granola! Have a look at this video and see how easy it is.

Here’s my recipe for how to make almond milk.

Here are the instructions for the raw granola using soaked nuts and seeds and dried fruit. Use equal amounts of each ingredient.
Ingredients:

Almonds
Sunflower seeds
Walnuts
Raisins (or dried figs or dates)
Pinch of salt
Dash of cinnamon

Soak nuts and seeds in one container the night before you want to have your granola. Rinse and drain the next morning. Any type of raw nuts or seed you like can be used.

Add all ingredients to food processor. Process until it resembles a granola-like consistency.

You can eat this right away or store it in your refrigerator for up to 3 days. Top with fresh fruit such as blueberries, sliced banana, or pineapple.

Serve with almond milk.

Raw food author and chef Jennifer Cornbleet shows you how to make a quick and delicious gluten-free raw granola, which is then topped with raw almond milk. From her DVD, Raw Food Made Easy . Produced by Larry Cook. Distributed by Tubemogul.

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Banana Mocha Non-Milk Shake

I created this as a non-dairy alternative to my former favorite, espresso milkshakes. Now, I may be biased, but I’d say espresso milkshakes pale in comparison to this baby! This is a favorite afternoon pick-up drink in my house.

I also find this satisfies my sweet cravings, and is a lot healthier than having a chocolate bar.

Ingredients

1 cup brewed espresso
1 cup rice milk, soy milk, or nut milk
4 medium frozen bananas
1 T cacao nibs, cacao powder, carob powder
1 teaspoon raw agave syrup
1/2 teaspoon natural vanilla essence
generous shake of ground cinnamon

Instructions:

Brew the espresso ahead of time and allow it to cool down. I usually make it in the morning and put it in the fridge until afternoon when I make my shake.

Break or cut the frozen bananas into several pieces. You may have to experiment to see just what size your blender can handle.

Put the banana pieces into the blender and add all the other ingredients. Blend until smooth. Serve.

Makes 4 servings

Banana Mocha Non-Milk Shake

Where to Find High Quality Ingredients:

• Cacao Nibs 16oz. (Peeled, Raw/Organic)
• Cacao (Chocolate) Powder 16 oz. (raw, organic)
• Cacao Beans (Raw, Organic) 16oz.
• Agave (Amber) Nectar 16 oz
• Agave (Dark) Nectar 16 oz
• "Real Raw" Organic Agave Nectar (Platinum), 13.25oz

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Marinated Chickpea Salad

One of the most popular legumes in the world, chickpeas (also known as garbanzo beans) were one of the first crops to be cultivated. They are one of the tastiest and most versatile of the pulses. Chickpeas are also high in fiber and contain the phytonutrient isoflavone, which may help to prevent cancer. Chickpeas belong to the family of legumes, also known as pulses. A study of 10,000 men and women in the USA found that those who ate pulses at least four times a week had a significantly lower risk of coronary heart disease.

This tasty marinated chickpea salad can be put together quickly, stored overnight in the fridge and eaten for lunch the next day.

Ingredients:
2 cups cooked chickpeas, drained
2 T extra virgin olive oil or hempseed oil
1 teas toasted sesame oil
1 T wheat-free tamari
lemon juice to taste
1 teas agave syrup (optional)
1/2 cup red, orange or yellow bell pepper (capsicum)
1 med carrot
9 baby spinach leaves
couple sprigs each fresh parsley and mint

Instructions:
Add the chickpeas to a plastic container with a tight-fitting lid. Pour the oils, tamari, lemon juice and agave syrup over the chickpeas.

Finely slice the bell pepper and spinach leaves. Grate the carrot. Finely dice the fresh herbs. Add to the container and toss everything until thoroughly mixed.

Put on the lid, and turn the container upside down until the oil mixture reaches the lid. Refrigerate for at least one hour. Shake and invert the container occasionally to coat all the ingredients with marinade.

Served chilled this is a great refreshing summer salad, but it’s also delicious served warm.

Where to Find High Quality Oils and Agave Syrup

• Organic Hempseed Oil 16oz
• Organic Olive Oil, 375ml - Unheated, Unfiltered, UNPRESSED
• Agave (Amber) Nectar 16 oz
• Agave (Dark) Nectar 16 oz
• "Real Raw" Organic Agave Nectar (Platinum), 13.25oz

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How to Cook Brown Rice

The secret to cooking perfect brown rice lies in getting the water to brown rice ratio correct. Once you get that correct, it’s only a matter of turning off the heat when the rice is done.

The method I use to cook perfect brown rice every time is called the absorption method. I find it’s the easiest and most consistent way to cook brown rice, and it eliminates the guesswork.So, what’s the water to brown rice cooking ratio?

1 cup of brown rice to 2 cups of water.

Instructions:

1. Put 1 cup brown rice and 2 cups water in a saucepan with lid.
2. When water starts to boil, turn heat down to a simmer, and cover. Simmer for 30 minutes or until all the water has been absorbed and there is no water standing at the bottom of the pan.
3. Remove from heat, cover and let stand for 5-10 minutes.
4. Serve.

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Banana Blueberry Ice Dream

I was craving something sweet at night, but I wanted to stay on my raw food diet because I feel so much better on it. Fortunately I’d put some bananas in the freezer a couple of days earlier so whipping up this cold, creamy dessert took a matter of minutes and was a big hit. Even the dogs loved licking the bowl! One of the things I love most about a raw food diet is that you get to eat such satisfying desserts and you don’t have to feel bad… in mind or body. There are few things that are as simple, quick and easy to make as a raw vegan ice cream recipe, so these are a good way to introduce kids to raw foods and preparing them.

Ingredients:
1 ripe banana
3 frozen bananas
1-2 handfuls of blueberries (fresh or frozen)
1/2 teas natural vanilla essence
Raw Agave syrup to drizzle on top (optional)

Instructions:

1. Break the un-frozen banana into roughly quarters and put into blender.
2. Break or cut the frozen bananas into roughly quarters (smaller chunks if you have a whimpy blender) and put into blender.
3. Add blueberries and vanilla essence to blender.
4. Blend on the lowest speed until creamy. If you have a ‘pulse’ function you can use that until the frozen banana chunks have been broken up.
5. Spoon into serving bowls and drizzle with agave syrup to taste.

Makes 2-3 servings

Tip:
To freeze bananas, peel firm but ripe bananas and put them whole into a plastic ziplock bag. Seal the bag most of the way, then squeeze as much air out of the bag as you can and finish sealing the bag. This helps to prevent ice crystals from forming. Pop them in the freezer and that’s it. Once frozen they are ready to use when you want and besides making a delicious, guilt-free ice dreamy dessert they are great for adding to smoothies.

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Slow Cooker Lentil Quinoa Stew

This hearty lentil stew is an easy to cook, high protein meal that suits those on low carb diets – such as the South Beach diet and low GI diets. Both lentils and quinoa are high in fiber and protein.

Ingredients:

2 cups brown lentils
1/2 cup quinoa
7-1/2 cups water
1-2 medium potatoes, diced
1/2 small sweet potato, diced
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 teas wheat-free tamari (or soy sauce if you aren’t on a wheat-free diet)
2 tablespoons miso
2 tablespoons tomato paste
mixed herbs (any of: oregano, thyme, tarragon, marjoram, sage, cumin)

Instructions:

Rinse and drain lentils, being sure to pick through them to make sure there are no stones. Rinse and drain quinoa. Add to slow cooker.

Dice potatoes and sweet potato, and chop garlic. Add to slow cooker along with herbs (dried or fresh and finely chopped), tomato paste and 6 cups of the water.

Cook on high for 3-1/2 to 4 hours. When the stew thickens and cooks down after about 2.5 hours add 1 additional cup water. Usually the lentils and quinoa will cook before the potatoes do, and potato cooking time will vary depending on how big the pieces are. Once everything is cooked, turn off the heat, add tamari and let set a further half hour.

Mix the miso and remaining 1/2 cup of water, then add to the stew and mix well.

Serves 6.

Serving Suggestions:

• Serve with grated parmesan on top
• Serve with toasted sesame seeds or gomasio (toasted sesame seeds and salt) on top for a vegan alternative
• Use barley instead of quinoa

Related products you might be interested in:

• Crockpots
• Fresh from the Vegetarian Slow Cooker: 200 Recipes for Healthy and Hearty One-Pot Meals That Are Ready When You Are

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How To Cook Polenta

Polenta is a type of maize porridge made from ground yellow or white cornmeal (ground maize). The coarseness of the grind can vary depending on the dish and the region. Grits, for instance, which are popular in the Southern USA are made from a more coarsely ground corn meal.

Originally polenta was a rather bland peasant food, a type of corn mush, commonly eaten since Roman times. But recently polenta has been popularized in more exciting and tasty recipes which make use of fried or grilled polenta combined with cheeses and tomato sauces.

Ingredients:
3 cups instant polenta (G.M.O. free)
8 cups water
2 T olive oil
salt

Instructions:

Cooking Polenta

In a large pot add the water, a generous amount of salt and olive oil. Bring to a boil and let the water boil for a couple of minutes.

Remove the pot from the heat and quickly pour in all the polenta, stirring continuously with a wooden spoon.

Put the pot back on the stove and cook for 5-6 minutes on medium-high heat, stirring constantly.

Turn the heat off and let sit for 1 minute. Your polenta is now ready for use, or eating.

For a softer or firmer polenta add more or less water.

Serves 5-6.

Cautions:
Corn is such a delicious and versatile wheat-free grain alternative that you might be tempted to rely on it as a staple food. Unfortunately, too much reliance on corn as a staple can cause a vitamin deficiency disease called Pellagra.

Corn is a poor source of niacin (vitamin B3) and tryptophan which can cause your body to become deficient in these two essential nutrients if you don’t have a balanced diet. Take care to balance your corn intake with proteins a variety of sources, such as beans, and make sure you have an otherwise balance and varied diet.

Coconut Rice

If you’re lucky enough to get fresh coconut, save the juice and use it to make coconut rice. I used the juice from a mature coconut, but you could also use the juice of a young Thai coconut as well. The coconut juice adds a delicate, sweet flavor that compliments just about any dish. It’s great with stir-fried vegetables, or marinated tofu or tempeh.

This is really nice garnished with the roasted shallots bits that you can sometimes find in Asian food shops. But it would also be nice with roasted garlic as well.

Ingredients:
1 cup brown rice
1 cup fresh coconut juice
1 cup water
2 T fresh coconut, finely grated
dash of salt

Instructions:
Wash and drain brown rice and add to saucepan. Add water, coconut juice and salt. Cover saucepan and put on stove over medium heat.

Grate 2 T fresh coconut, if you are using it. Add to saucepan, and cover again.

When liquid starts to boil, turn heat down to low and simmer for about 45 minutes, covered. Turn off heat and leave to set, covered, for 10 minutes.

Fluff with fork and serve.

Serves 2.

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Creamy Guacamole

Besides being delicious, avocados are very high in potassium, Vitamin A and fiber. One avocado contains 1230 IU of Vitamin A and 1204 mg of potassium, as well as 4 grams of protein and 10 grams of dietary fiber. They are packed full of other vitamins and minerals, such as Vitamin C, B1, B2, Niacin, Folate, Pantothenic Acid, B6, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Calcium, Sodium and Iron.

I find this guacamole the perfect way to incorporate hempseed (or flaxseed) oil into my diet. Both types of oil contain high amounts of the essential Omega-3 oils, and since it’s important that you don’t heat the oils, this recipe is perfect. I noticed a marked improvement in my skin and hair health when I started taking hempseed oil. In addition to skin conditions, omega-3 helps with heart disease, depression and fatigue. Flaxseed or hempseed oil is highly recommended for women 35 and older because they are very rich in phytoestrogens.

Ingredients:
1-2 ripe avocados
1 lime, juiced
1/2 lemon, juiced (to taste)
1 T flaxseed oil (can substitute hempseed oil or cold-pressed, virgin olive oil)
1 clove garlic, very finely chopped or crushed
1/4 cup kefir or natural acidophilus yogurt (optional, leave out for raw food & vegan versions)
1/2 teas ground cumin
dash of sea salt or Himalayan pink salt to taste

Instructions:
Cut avocados in half and scoop the fruit out into a bowl. Remove any bits that are brown or black. Using a fork mash the avocado against the sides of the bowl to break up any big pieces.

Add the lime juice, lemon juice, oil, salt and cumin. Mash with a fork some more until the avocado is creamy.

Add yogurt and garlic and mix in thoroughly.

Serve with wheat-free corn chips or carrot and celery sticks if you’re on a low-carb or raw food diet.

Cooks Tip:
You can store the leftovers in the fridge overnight, the lemon/lime juice ensure that the guacamole will keep it’s color, and the garlic will keep it from going off. The flavor is even better the next day.

About Flaxseed Oil:
Flaxseed oil is one of the superfoods that I consider essential in a healthy diet. But it’s important that you use really high quality flaxseed oil, even though it may cost a bit more than the low quality products, this is one case where buying cheaper is definitely false economy. So when you are shopping for flaxseed oil, sometimes just called flax oil, look for brands that are organic, cold-pressed and stored in the refrigerator rather than on a shop shelf. You should always keep your flax oil in the fridge as well.

If you can’t find high-quality flaxseed oil locally, or you prefer to shop online (saves your fuel and time) here is my recommendation for a good-quality flaxseed oil: Nature’s Bounty Organic Flax Seed Oil, Cold Pressed , 8-Ounce Bottles (Pack of 2)

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