• Choose a category
• All
• Classic-Fiction

By Root 289 0

rubber spatula to stir it up, this would also help. Just be absolutely sure not to touch the spinning blade or it will likely make mincemeat out of your utensil and possibly ruin your food. Or to play it safe, stop blending periodically to stir up the contents.

CHOCOLATE-PEANUT BUTTER SHAKE

This beverage, primarily sweetened with dates, immortalizes the sacred treasure of the chocolate and peanut butter combination. As you experiment with the variations, you will be astounded at the diversity of yummy flavors that are possible. Sheer euphoria awaits!

MAKES FOUR 10-OUNCE SERVINGS

2 frozen bananas

½ cup soaked dates

3 cups rice or soy milk

3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

½ cup creamy peanut butter

1 tablespoon pure maple syrup

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Blend all of the ingredients to the high heavens. Behold the wonder.

Variations

• Substitute 1 cup of nondairy ice cream for the frozen bananas, cut the soaked dates back to ¼ cup, and reduce the milk to 2½ cups. We highly recommend vanilla Coconut Bliss.

• For a simple chocolate shake, omit the peanut butter. Add ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon and a pinch of cayenne to make it a Mexican chocolate shake.

• For a chocolate-strawberry shake, omit the peanut butter and add 1 cup (or more) of frozen strawberries (or any berry really).

• Try substituting almond or cashew butter for the peanut butter, adding ½ teaspoon of different flavored extracts, such as orange, coffee, almond, hazelnut, or cherry.

• For a plain peanut butter smoothie, omit the cocoa powder and add ¼ teaspoon of ground cinnamon.

LIVE FRUIT PARFAIT

This dessert will leave you feeling both satisfied and light. Experience it as a snack between meals or even as a light breakfast. Vary the fruits, the cream, and/or the toppings to create your own designer parfait.

SERVES 4

1 recipe Crème de la Crème (page 55)

1 recipe parfait topping (recipe follows)

3 cups assorted berries or your

favorite fruit, chopped small

(try with bananas, apples, pears,

peaches, nectarines, pineapple,

mango, or papaya)

Parfait Topping

½ cup walnuts or pecans

3 large pitted dates

2 tablespoons shredded coconut

Pinch of ground cinnamon

Pinch of ground cardamom,

nutmeg, or allspice

1. Prepare the Crème de la Crème (see page 55).

2. Prepare the parfait topping by combining all of the ingredients in a food processor and pulse chopping until evenly mixed.

3. Slice or chop the fruit if necessary. (No need to chop those blueberries.)

4. To serve, place 2 tablespoons of the fruit at the bottom of each of four decorative glasses (such as parfait glasses, wineglasses, or brandy glasses). Top with about 2 tablespoons of the crème and 1 tablespoon of parfait topping. Add another layer of fruit, then crème, and finish off with another sprinkle of parfait topping.

Variations

• Add ¼ cup raw cacao to the Crème de la Crème for chocolate crème.

• Replace the walnuts with pecans, macadamia nuts, almonds, or pistachio nuts. Replace the dates with dried apricots or other dried fruit, chopped.

• Replace the parfait topping with your favorite granola.

Quicker and Easier

• ♥ Stuffed Figs: Select six fresh or twelve dried figs. Combine ¼ cup of pistachio nuts or hazelnuts, 2 tablespoons of agave nectar, and a pinch of ground cinnamon and cardamom in a food processor and pulse-chop until the nuts are ground. Slice open the top of the figs. Place 1 teaspoon of the filling in the dried figs, or 2 teaspoons in the fresh figs.

• You can also toast the nuts (see page 26).

• Another fig quickie is to split the figs in half and squeeze some lime juice over the top. Ambitious folks can also add some grated ginger.

CHOCOLATE-SESAME BONBONS

As much a conversation piece as they are a unique dessert creation, these bonbons are a lovely alternative to baked goods. The uncommon combination of flavors is the stuff memories are made of. Try bringing these to parties or giving them away as a gift.

MAKES 24 BONBONS

2 cups sesame seeds

½ cup sunflower seeds

1