Basil Cashew Rice Cake

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I had a baking spirit again this morning. I was making a basil pesto, then thought why not making rice cakes with it?
The base of rice cake is plain rice flour and a small teaspoon of salt and sugar.
Then I topped with blended basil and cashew nuts, and steamed for about half an hour.
Once it’s cooked, dress it with drizzle of honey and pink peppercorns.
I didn’t plan it but it looks quite Christmasy 🙂
It is moist and sweet at the bottom layer then crunch and savory from the basil pesto layer.
Yummy!

Vanilla and Cacao Raw Cheese Cake

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Here is my second attempt to make “raw cheese cake”.

This time I added vanilla in the first bottom layer and cacao powder in the second layer. I added a bit of vanilla yogurt when blending, which helped to get smoother consistency. Very happy with that:)

Who doesn’t like vanilla and chocolate flavour? Well..It has always been my favorite ever since I was young. Even now when it comes to choosing dessert menu, vanilla + chocolate or either one always attracts me. Vanilla panna cotta, chocolate mousse, chocolate truffles, vanilla bean ice cream, mmm,, sounds yummy but unhealthy >.<

I purchased a packet of cacao powder from the local health shop a while ago and started using in baking and making dessert instead of using chocolate or cocoa powder. Unprocessed raw cacao powder contains high anti-oxidants, magnesium, iron, copper, calcium, potassium and zinc. It helps to regulate blood pressure, reduce cholesterol and build the immune system. It is also an aphrodisiac and mood enhancer. Not to be confused with cocoa powder, the nutritional value is definitely so different. Colour and smell is very similar to cocoa powder, but it has more bitter taste than sweet. Knowing all that, there is no guilt any more having a piece of chocolate muffin, chocolate brownie, hot chocolate or chocolate cheese cake like this, as long as you make them healthy at home. It is good for you!

I picked up beautiful lavender today on the way home after my morning walk. It’s hanging upside down at the corner of my computer screen now. It looks gorgeous and smells amazing. I’m so lucky to have kind neighbors who have nice herbs out on the streets:)

Raw Cheese Cake

Raw Cheese Cake

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I’ve been craving for nice cool sweets as a snack recently and been meaning to try to make “raw cheese cake” to see what all those fusses are about.

So here it is…my very first attempt to make “raw cheese cake” with no cheese. This delicious dessert is gluten-free, dairy-free and sugar-free, but has a full of flavour and nutrition in it!

I soaked 200g of raw cashew nuts in water for about 6 hours, then drained and washed them. Put them in the blender with two table spoons of coconut oil, a cup of frozen blue berries and a heap teaspoon of maca powder. Whiz all up until you get a nice smooth texture. Pour into the mold and set in the fridge before you serve. You can also keep them in the freezer for a hot summer day!

Did you know cashew nuts have a lower fat content than other nuts? 75% of this fat content is unsaturated fatty acids, and 75% of this unsaturated fatty acids is oleic acid a.k.a omega-6, which is good for your cardiovascular system. Cashew nuts are high in antioxidant and a good source of protein, fiber, potassium, vitamin B, folate, magnesium, phosphorous, selenium and copper. On top of that, soaking nuts not only releases the enzyme inhibitors but also starts the gemination process, which releases the good enzymes and nutrients.

This awesome dessert blew my mind away!

Firstly, it has a beautiful creamy texture like a real cheese cake. It is super-easy to make – no baking involved, don’t need to measure ingredients accurately. You can be creative with ingredients to make other types of cheese cake, for example, lemon, green-tea, chocolate, you name it! It is incredibly easy to digest cause it is made of soaked and blended nuts. It definitely fills you up with a little piece and satisfy your sweet tooth or teeth 🙂

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