cinnamon – The Vegan Rhino

September 26, 2018May 14, 2020

Hot Apple Cider

Each year, I have really enjoyed making my own apple cider with fresh organic apples. There is always the added benefit when you are able to make something from scratch. Controlling the sugar level and what ingredients you are using are key elements in reducing a lot of unwanted processed additives. This recipe will be a fan favorite during the fall and winter months.

Yields 4-5 servings

Ingredients

13 apples

3-4 cinnamon sticks

4 Tbsp. All Spice kernels

3/4 cup sugar

Directions

To prepare apples, decor and cut into slices.
Place into a large stock pot and cover with water. Add sachet of cinnamon and all spice. Place on high heat and bring to a rolling boil for an hour-uncovered. Reduce to low heat and simmer for 2 hours covered.
Remove from stove and pour mixture into blender or use a potato masher. After you blend for a minute or mash it, use a fine mesh strainer to remove all of the pulp.
Serve with vegan whipped cream on top and cinnamon.

Chef’s tip: For a smoother cider, you can use a cheese cloth to strain to remove any further pulp or spices.

September 21, 2018October 31, 2020

Roasted Fall-Inspired Stuffed Acorn Squash

One of the best things about the Autumn season besides the foliage and pumpkin spice is all the meals you can enjoy with winter squash! Many people find cooking squash to be intimidating, however, this recipe couldn’t be simpler! Prepping and cooking your squash will take some time and patience, but once it is done roasting, you will be delighted with the outcome. This fall festive meal will bring your tastebuds on a journey that you won’t forget!

Yields 2 servings

Ingredients

2 medium acorn squash, cut in half and seeds removed

1 cup Vitacost quinoa, dry

2 cups filtered water

1 small yellow onion

2 Tbsp. Vitacost maple syrup

2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar

2 Tbsp. avocado oil

1/2 tsp. curry powder

1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp. smoked paprika

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1/2 cup whole walnuts, coarsely chopped

1/2 cup parsley, chopped

Pinch of nutmeg

Pinch of Vitacost Himalayan Fine Pink Salt

Pinch of Spicely Organics ground black pepper

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Prepare squash by cutting in half and removing seeds. Place the squash on a baking sheet (cut side up).
In a small mixing bowl, combine maple syrup, vinegar, and 1 Tbsp. oil. Brush all over the squash’s flesh and put into the oven.
Roast squash for 55-60 minutes- basting every 20 minutes. Set aside the maple syrup and vinegar mixture.
In a sauce pan, heat the remaining oil and add the diced onions. Sauté until slightly golden brown. Next, add your quinoa and stir around for 2-3 minutes. Mix in your cinnamon, nutmeg, salt/pepper, curry, smoked paprika, and water. Cover with lid and simmer for 18-20 minutes.
Allow to sit for 5 minutes. Open lid and add cranberries, half of the walnuts, remaining maple syrup and vinegar mixture, and parsley (save other half for topping).
Stuff the squash with the quinoa mixture and top with remaining parsley and cranberries.

Chef’s tip: For the quinoa mixture, you can always add more cinnamon, maple syrup or nutmeg according to your taste.

August 7, 2018May 14, 2020

Cinnamon Rolls with “Cream Cheese” Frosting

Fresh, warm cinnamon buns in the morning bring forth all the feels. If you consider this indulgent treat a thing of the past, you may want to give my guilt-free version a shot. Made with organic, non-GMO and dairy-free ingredients, these spiraled rolls will without a doubt taste better than you remember. Enjoy the smell of cinnamon, brown sugar and vegan butter bubbling away in the oven while you prepare sweet, homemade icing to melt on top. Share them with your family on a lazy weekend morning to bring life back to your breakfast table!

If you prefer mini cinnamon rolls, simply cut this recipe in half.

Yields 20 cinnamon rolls

Ingredients

Dough:

1 1/2 cup plain almond milk, luke warm

4 1/2 tsp. Red Star Active Dry Yeast

1/2 cup Florida Crystals organic cane sugar

4 Tbsp. Bob’s Red Mill Egg Replacer Gluten Free + 8 Tbsp water, mixed together

1/2 cup Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Sticks, melted

6 cups King Arthur Flour organic unbleached All Purpose flour

1 1/2 tsp. Vitacost Himalayan Fine Pink Salt

Filling:

1/2 cup Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Sticks

1 cup Vitacost certified organic light brown sugar – non-GMO

4 Tbsp. Vitacost certified organic ground cinnamon

Frosting:

6 Tbsp. water or butter substitute, melted

1 1/2 cups Vitacost Certified Organic Powdered Sugar – Non-GMO

16 oz. Kite Hill plain cream cheese

1 tsp. Frontier Co-Op Organic Vanilla Extract

Optional: Chopped Walnuts

Directions

In mixing bowl, combine the warm almond milk and yeast to create your starter. Once you see bubbles or froth on top you can add your sugar, butter, and egg replacer mixture. Mix to combine.
Sift together flour and salt into a bowl, slowly pour dry ingredients into your wet ingredients and mix to combine. Dough will be sticky, that is when you know it is done. Place into a light oiled bowl and cover with a dish towel or wrap. Allow to double in size, roughly 2 hours.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Once dough has doubled in size, place onto a floured counter and roll into a 12×15 rectangle. Taking the butter, smear over the entire rectangle and sprinkle the brown sugar on top. Next you will take your cinnamon and put it evenly on top of the brown sugar and butter.
To roll, take the closest edge and begin to tuck and roll it up. Continue to roll the dough into a log shape. Be careful when you cut the log up into pieces so that you do not squish the dough.
Place Cinnamon rolls onto greased baking dish and allow to rise again for 30-45 minutes, or until doubled in size.
While they are sitting, mix together your powdered sugar, almond milk, vanilla, butter, and cream cheese until smooth. Place in fridge and cover until cinnamon buns are ready.
Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly. Allow to cool down for 10 minutes and smear cream cheese frosting on top.

Chef’s tip: If you would like, you may add walnuts or raisins to the filling. Or if you wanted, you could add different seeds to the dough after rolling it out for a new flavor.