fbpx

Banana Fosters Cheesecake

Banana Fosters Cheesecake

Banana Fosters Cheesecake

One of my many favorite childhood desserts was banana fosters. I think it had to do with the live fire show you would sometimes get at your dinner table. This version is paired with a simple no-bake cheesecake, which in my opinion, is the best combo ever! 

Banana Fosters Cheesecake

Yield 8

Ingredients

Crust:

2 cups rolled oats

1 cup all-purpose organic flour

2/3 cups light brown sugar

1 tsp. Himalayan Fine Pink Salt

1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts, optional

Filling:

3 cups cashews, soaked overnight

1/2 cup + 2 Tbsp. filtered water

1/2 cup + 2 Tbsp. maple syrup

1/2 cup coconut oil

4 Tbsp. lemon juice

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Banana Foster Topping:

3 to 4 ripened bananas, sliced

1/2 cup vegan butter

1-1/3 cup light brown sugar

1/2 cup dark rum

1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

2-1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Pinch of Himalayan Salt

Sprinkle of cinnamon, optional

Banana Fosters Cheesecake

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
  2. In a food processor, add the crust ingredients and process until it starts to form a sticky-like dough. Once clumped together, transfer to your springform pan and press it down evenly.
  3. Bake for 14 to 18 minutes or until crust is lightly brown. Set aside to cool.
  4. In a blender, take your soaked cashew, water, maple syrup, coconut oil, lemon juice, and vanilla and blend until very smooth.
  5. Pour mixture on top of the almond crust and smooth down with back of a spatula. Place back into the freezer to set fully, about 5-7 hours (best results overnight).
  6. Allow cheesecake to thaw at room temperature for at least 20-30 minutes before serving.
  7. In the meantime, add your butter, cinnamon, and brown sugar to a skillet. Melt until bubbly, add the bananas. Carefully, add the rum and light with a lighter. Allow alcohol to cook off (will take about 30 seconds) before adding vanilla and salt.
  8. Remove the cheesecake from springform pan and top with hot banana fosters sauce.

 

Chef’s tip: Add 1/2 cup chopped walnuts before flambéing the banana mixture.

Balsamic-Ketchup Glazed Mushroom “Meatloaf”

Balsamic-Ketchup Glazed Mushroom “Meatloaf”
Balsamic-Ketchup Glazed Mushroom “Meatloaf”

This is an easy no-fail meatless “meatloaf” recipe smeared with a homemade balsamic-ketchup glaze. Being thst it doesn’t take long to make, you’ll be ready to eat in no time. This flavorful recipe is one of my old favorites growing up- minus the meat, egg, and dairy products that are normally used. My favorite part about “meatloaf” is slicing it for leftover sandwiches the following day. Sometimes if you’re feeling creative you can top it with caramelized onions, lettuce, tomato, some extra sauce, and cook it on a grill pan for the perfect crunch!

Balsamic-Ketchup Glazed Mushroom “Meatloaf”

Yields 8-10 slices

Ingredients

1 (8 oz. container) baby Bella mushrooms

2 cups cooked lentils

1/2 cup steamed carrots

1/2 yellow onion, chopped

1-1/2 tsp. fresh thyme, chopped

1 tsp. fresh parsley, minced

2-3 garlic cloves, minced

2 tsp. tamari sauce

1/2 tsp. onion powder

1 cup rolled oats

1/4 cup organic flour

1/2 cup cooked potato or sweet potato

Sauce:

4 Tbsp. ketchup

1 tsp. siracha

1 Tbsp. maple syrup

1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar

Directions

  1. Prepare sauce ingredients by combining in a small bowl and whisking until mixed. 
  2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
  3. In a food processor, combine all ingredients and pulse until chunky and well combined.
  4. Pour mixture into a bowl, add the flour, oats, and mix until mixture comes together.
  5. On a baking sheet lined with foil, lightly oil and place mixture on to the baking sheet. Shape into a loaf shape and wrap sides up.
  6. Bake for 15-20 minutes. Remove from oven 5 minutes before it is done and add the sauce on top.
  7. Serve with mashed potatoes or choice of side.

Chef’s tip: Feel free to opt-out of the sriracha sauce if you are not looking for a spicy sauce.

Baked Granola Bars

Baked Granola Bar

Making your own granola bars is such a simple way you can add a snack or quick breakfast meal to your busy schedule. Instead of turning to the alternative “store bought” version, give these a go! In under 30 minutes, you will have an amazing healthy-wholesome bar for each day of the week, leaving you an extra bar to share with a friend.

Baked Granola Bar

Yields 8 bars 

Ingredients

2 cups rolled cooking oats

1/2 cup raw unsalted almonds

1/4 pumpkin seeds, shelled or unshelled

1/4 cup walnuts, roughly chopped

1/2  Vitacost pure maple syrup

3 Tbsp. Earths Balance Vegan Buttery Sticks

1/2 tsp. almond extract

1/4 tsp. Vitacost Himalayan Pink Fine Salt

1/2 cup dried cranberries  or 1/4 cup chocolate chips

Baked Granola Bar

Directions 

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 
  2. Line a 9” square baking pan with parchment paper and lightly spray with cooking spray. Set aside.
  3. In a bowl, add all ingredients together and mix until oats have soaked up some of the moisture from the maple syrup and butter, pour mixture into the lined pan.
  4. Press granola down so that it is evenly spread across the pan.
  5. Bake for 25 minutes until it is golden brown. Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly before removing bars and slicing. This way you can get nicely cut bars while they are semi-soft before they fully harden.
  6. You can place the granola bars into the refrigerator and store in an airtight container for later or you can enjoy them on top of your yogurt or alone as a snack.

Chef’s tip: Make sure that you use parchment paper so that you can pull the baked outs out of the pan.