Laura's Chocolate Mousse - Gluten Free and Vegan

Topped with fresh blackberries from my brother and sister in law's garden. Yum!

Another Ode to Laura, this recipe is one she made when she came to visit Marie right after Aiden was born last summer. Sorry it's such a fuzzy shot but I love this one. Aiden was just a tiny peanut here. Laura shared her recipe in this post.  

There are so many recipes I haven't taken the time to blog lately. Life has been busier than it used to be and I've been sharing the computer and desk with my hubby so getting to it isn't always working out. This is one treat that has been a draft for nearly a year so it's time to make it blog official.

I've made it well more than a dozen times since Laura served this but was surprised to find I had actually made it and posted it earlier that year! 

My nephew told me it was already there when I mentioned I had to get it on my blog so he could find it. Oh my gosh, I'm getting old and losing my mind already. 

Check out the filling for my yummy but not so pretty Creamy Chocolate Filled Coconut Whoopie Pies! 

This is such a great recipe, naturally gluten free and vegan. It takes five minutes to put together, is a great make ahead dessert and everyone loves it. The recipe below is a small tweak from Laura's and from my filling.

Don't you love the way Laura packed them up to serve? I usually use smaller mason jars because I tend to serve these as part of a dessert table.

Because they are rich and creamy, a small serving is satisfying but because it isn't heavy or overly sweet a large serving is perfect, too.

 Laura's Chocolate Mousse - Gluten Free and Vegan

1 Can Full Fat Coconut Milk

1/2 cup (8) Organic Medjool Dates, roughly chopped

1/3 Cup Cocoa or Cacoa Powder

1 teaspoon Vanilla Bean Powder

Combine all ingredients in a high speed blender (I use my Vitamix) or food processor until creamy and well mixed. There will be flecks of dates in the chocolate cream if you use a food processor. 

I like to fill tiny glasses with the mouse, chill and top with raspberries just like Laura when serving.

Enjoy!

This recipe has been happily shared on Gluten Free Wednesdays!

GF Raw Macaroons & Tea With Pattie

Pattie was coming by for a quick cup of tea in the garden this morning and I wanted to make something quick but special. It also needed to be light and healthy. I remembered some amazing raw macaroons my friend Laura had made a while back and decided to try to recreate them. Since my guys are gone on a road trip I purposefully made a small batch so that I wouldn't have too many left over to gorge on. These may not be exactly like Laura's but we really enjoyed them. The almond extract is a stage 2 Feingold ingredient but you can skip it and they will be delicious. Not only are these treats gluten free but they are also casein free and vegan. Perfect for so many of our friends' diets these day.

If you have everything on hand you can be eating them in minutes. Store them in the fridge and they will melt in your mouth.

I've just shared them over at Gluten Free Cat's Raw Thursdays! Gluten Free Cat is one of my favorite gluten free blogs and one of my Link Loves.

Raw Macaroons

Make 8 but can easily be doubled or tripled.

1 1/2 Cups Shredded Coconut

3 Organic Medjool Dates (if not very moist, soak in water for a few minutes)

3 Tablespoons Coconut Cream Concentrate, Coconut Butter or Coconut Manna depending on brand

1 Tablespoon Coconut Oil

1 Teaspoon GF Vanilla Extract

1 Teaspoon GF Almond Extract

In a food processor combine all ingredients, except the shredded coconut and mix until the dates are completely pureed. Add coconut and process just long enough to mix. You want a bit of texture.

Scoop into one tablespoon balls either rolling by hand or using the tablespoon to shape.

Store in the fridge until ready to serve.

Enjoy!

Gluten Free Raleigh - The Irregardless Cafe

Laura & Birthday Girl Cara today

Today I met Laura and Cara at The Irregardless Cafe for Cara's birthday lunch. The Irregardless Cafe is a Raleigh institution. It's a little green house turned into an award winning restaurant that is known as a farm to fork, vegetarian and green establishment.

Christmas Laura waiting for her Chili Relleno!

But honestly I wasn't bowled over the first two visits. The first time was an anniversary dinner with Chris a few years ago. He'd checked it out and read they did gluten free meals well. Cute, funky building and great atmosphere made for a nice date night feel. Our new-ish waiter wasn't trained in gluten free and brought out pita bread in spite of careful no-pita ordering on my part. He really didn't get there being a safety issue but begrudgingly brought out another plate. It was a busy night and we never could make eye contact with management. An off night - every place can have one - but it didn't make me want to try it again soon.

Delicious? Yes! Pad Thai? Close.

Fast forward to three months ago when Laura and I met at the Irregardless for lunch. I was excited to try it again - after all gluten free has come a long way since our first visit and I continued to hear or read great things about it so I was ready. It was busy and noisy with Christmas celebrations so we had to wait a while for our server but this gal was spot on - she knew what Laura needed to know to order a yummy vegan lunch and was really helpful in helping me decide on a gluten free lunch between the two, yes just two entree choices.  I settled on the Pad Thai which needs to be carefully ordered because the seitan listed on the menu contains wheat.

While the Pad Thai was good, it wasn't anything like any Pad Thai I've had anywhere else or have made at home. I was initially disappointed because I expected what I know to be Pad Thai, but I could appreciate the freshness and flavors and over all really enjoyed my lunch.

I had even told Chris later that I felt like it was a safe, good gluten free meal and even told him that I'd go back if that is where a friend wanted to go, but it just wasn't a spot I would probably choose myself.

When Laura invited me to join in on Cara's birthday I jumped at the chance to meet Cara who I only knew over the phone. I wanted to try The Irregardless Cafe one more time to see how I felt - I figured it would be a three strikes and you're out or a third time's the charm meal.

While the Irregardless lunch menu only has a few gluten free options, the dinner menu shows many more. When I compared the two I realized one of the things marked gluten free at dinner were on the lunch menu but not marked as gluten free. It was the amazing Chile Rellenos that Laura had at Christmas.

Today the Irregardless was quieter and we had a great waitress. Wait staff can make or break any dining experience but all the more so when you have to avoid gluten. I mentioned to her that I'd looked at the dinner menu and noticed the discrepancies and she assured me the Chile Rellanos were, in fact, gluten free so I quickly ordered them.

Happiness on a plate!

Oh my goodness, third time was the charm! A large poblano pepper is sitting atop a roasted tomato and balsamic reduction - so yummy you want to lick the plate. Between the sauce and the stuffed pepper is a black bean cake. And the stuffed pepper is full of a Spanish ratatouille rice. Every bit of it was amazing. I ordered the vegan version - without the smoked gouda or cream fraiche - I can't imagine it being any better than it was.

So now I want to drag Chris there as soon as we can get him there so he can try it, but I think we'll go for dinner when there are a few more gluten free choices to check out. I'm glad to have tried one more time because now I have a special spot I can really look forward to.

It was so great getting to catch up with Laura and to hear about her move and getting to meet sweet Cara. I felt blessed to have been able to sneak away from my responsibilities for a couple of hours and enjoy some fellowship with these wonderful women.

Check out Laura's post today and her healthy mocha shake. It sounds amazing!

November Gratitude - Day Twenty Eight

Tonight I am so thankful for the prayer warriors in my life.

Late last night a neighbor had a health emergency and after the ambulance left and I got home and into bed I instinctively Facebook messaged some dear friends. The friends who I knew without a doubt would pray for the family they've never met.

Thankfully the family we were praying for was home from ER when I woke up this morning and the worst has been ruled out. I know my friends are still praying for my neighbors as they continue on for further testing. I am so grateful.

November Gratitude - Day Twenty Six

Today Laura, Marie and I had lunch at Martin's Curry Rice.

It was Laura's first time at Martin's so Martin (seated with us at right) came out explained all the options of his make your own curry bowls, told Laura what was vegan and gave her samples of his amazing vegan and gluten free sauces to help her make her choices.

I love the fact that Martin is so aware of how to keep his gluten free customers safe and happy while offering both vegans and omnivores delicious choices. The prices are so reasonable, too.

How thankful I am to be able to share delicious food with the fellowship of these special ladies.

We ordered our meals and sat down in a big comfy booth.  Marie said our blessing and we started enjoying our meals.

Marie had one of the specials today. Look how patient she is with me making her stop eating to take a photo of her and her chicken tikka!

She enjoyed it and thought it reminded her of Brunswick Stew but with an Indian flair. =D

Laura and I each did a make your own curry bowl full of garbanzos and all sorts of fresh veggies - many are local from the Western Wake Farmer's Market. The veggie choices are amazing - there must have been two dozen to choose from. I chose half mild/half hot curry sauce for a really nice sweet/hot bowl.

I love the fact that Laura has so many interests and asks really great questions. She had some fun ones for Marie. I enjoyed watching them get to know each other's hearts and learning more about each of them myself.

It was also fun to visit with Martin before the restaurant got too crowded and hear about his plans for his food truck, the special cooking classes that have been going on there and some of his special dishes. He brought out little dishes of his Vegan Shepard's Pie for each of us to sample and wow was it good. The Indian spices in the sweet potato topping were perfect.  The mix of veggies were really flavorful. It is one of the specials he made for the Western Wake Farmer's Market.

We came back to my house for a quick cup of tea and something sweet before getting back to our days. Laura got to see several of Marc and Marie's wedding photos and there was more sweet fellowship that left me feeling completely blessed.

I made a vegan, gluten free dessert that didn't turn out quite as I hoped but turned out pretty good in the end. I made my usual Lara Bar type treat in the food processor but used Trader Joe's yummy almond butter instead of nuts. Hoping it would set up in the fridge I popped it in just before everyone arrived.  It was pretty gooey with our tea.  But I put in in the freezer, took Elle for a long walk and came back to delicious, healthy freezer fudge.

Chocolate Coconut Freezer Fudge

Prepare a small glass dish (5 x 7 inches) by sprinkling 2 tablespoons unsweetened Shredded Coconut evenly over the bottom of the pan.

In a food processor, combine:

6 large pitted Dates
6 tablespoons Raw Almond Butter
6 tablespoons Shredded Coconut, unsweetened
2 tablespoons Cocoa Powder
1/8 teaspoon Vanilla Bean Powder
1/8 teaspoon Sea Salt

Process until well mixed, I could have given mine an extra minute or roughly chopped the dates in advance.

Spoon mixture carefully over the coconut so it stays in place. You can see I could have been a little more careful.  Smooth top, cover and place in freezer for at least an hour. It will be firm but not hard.

Store in the freezer if there's any left.

Marie and Laura, doesn't this look better frozen?

I wrapped up a yellow stick for Marie and Laura.

This time of year my chapped, dry skin really need protection and I love to keep them handy.

Laura came in with two very different wine glasses each filled with passion fruit!

We actually have a passion fruit vine out front but it didn't have one piece of fruit on it this summer and I've never tasted one. I think Joe and I will enjoy them in a smoothie tomorrow.

I have a Pinterest idea for one of the wine glasses in particular...maybe later this week there will be a photo if it works out the way I'm hoping.

Sweet fellowship is something I am grateful for. Women who inspire me and love Jesus with all their hearts are a joy to be around.

That one of them is such a new friend that feels like an old friend is so fun.

That one of them is my new daughter in law is nothing less than a gift.

Having a flexible schedule to sneak out for  lunch is something I also am grateful for - it's a special break from the routine and fellowship that I cherish.

Laura's vegan review of Martin's Curry Rice and our day together is up now - check it out here!

Edited to add:

Martin's Curry Rice has closed, at least temporarily.

November Gratitude - Days 24 & 25

This weekend flew by.....great plans to clean and paint and organize and blog - most of which didn't happen.

Can I still blame it on the turkey?

After Friday night's photo party with the adorable Katelyn I have to admit that I spent my Saturday morning coffee time looking at those amazing wedding pics again. I ordered a bunch to send to Chris' mom and had the best time putting a little album together.

We, meaning mostly Chris, got Christmas lights up outside and I love how they sparkle and brighten up the house when it gets dark way too early this time of year. I am thankful he's feeling a bit like Clark Griswold this year.

Yesterday with Elle in tow, we walked across the street and picked out our Christmas tree. I love my delivery guys and I love our new tradition. After years of artificial trees because of my allergies we went back to real, fresh trees. The trick to no allergies? We keep it on the back deck. It makes the whole living room glow and there's not one wayward needle on the carpet!


Later that night we enjoyed a long overdue visit with friends Saturday night and I'm thankful for being able to reconnect. They're the kind of neighbor friends we would love to spend more time with if life wasn't so crazy and I'm thankful we can call so many of our neighbors friends.

This afternoon I finished up Suzie's album and updated Chris' mini album that he keeps in his bag for travel. I am so thankful that my husband is a man who carries his family with him on the road.

November Gratitude - Thanksgiving

Poor Trevor - the turkey did him in and he tried to nap but it was cousin photo time!

Today we were blessed to spend the day with family and new friends enjoying delicious food at Bobby and Bev's house. Bev always hosts Thanksgiving. She honors her own dad's tradition of preparing the huge meal almost completely on her own. Tables are set beautifully, the coffee table is full of appetizers and the entire house smells heavenly.

This year she invited Marie's parents, Jerry and Terri, and Carmen's friends Jessie and Ernesto from divinity school, too.

My pic of Jerry & Terri was totally blurry so instead I'll use this only slightly blurry shot of Marc and Marie celebrating their first Thanksgiving together. =D

I only made a couple of things - dozens of these little gluten free cheese rolls.

And I made a big batch of gluten free corn bread stuffing. Bev bought a giant additive free turkey from Whole Foods (turkey sold with solution and broth can be gluteny) and made delicious gluten free gravy, too.

Bev made not only the turkey, but a ham, stuffing, a citrus flavored yam dish, the most amazing roasted parsnip and carrot dish, bacon and shallot topped green beans, sesame soy topped broccoli, brussel sprouts, a giant vat of mashed potatoes and more.

Shannon helped cook and serve and we had fun helping with the veggies together. Isn't she gorgeous? And so talented, too. She's a middle school art teacher and not surprisingly a very talented artist.

When mom and dad arrived we realized Mom and Carmen were wearing matching blouses.

And Marie and Shannon must have coordinated their dresses. =D

Somehow Bev always looks relaxed and completely pulled together during this entire day of cooking.

I guess I got excited and forgot to take a photo of the buffet but purposely cropped the enormous serving of mashed potatoes that is making Joe smile.

Chris and I sat with Dev, Carmen, Ernesto and Jessie. It was interesting hearing a bit about their experiences at Duke and what their goals were after divinity school.

The desserts were amazing. Terri made the most delicious gluten free pecan pie. I hadn't had pecan pie since before going gluten free and her pie was delicious. Mom brought a gluten free Almond Joy torte which I always love. Marc and Marie made their first pumpkin pie together and I missed trying it but it looked yummy. Carmen's cheesecake with a cookie crust and a caramel and chocolate topping looked awesome - I need to get her recipe and figure out how to make it gluten free because she clearly won't make it gluten free for me. ;-)

Devo and Carmen brought my Fred along and after dinner and dishes he came in to visit with Bobby and Bev's dogs. Fred stole my heart several weeks ago and every time I see him I want to steal him away.

He is the sweetest, most loving pup. I love this pic of Marc and Joe with Fred.

We are blessed beyond measure by our God who has given us our family, our friends, our home and food to share.

Highlight of the drive home is this massive Christmas light display.
Every year it gets bigger and and brighter.

November Gratitude - Day Seventeen

Today I am grateful for friends to spend the morning crafting with and talking with.

I realized I could share the other pics I took as some of us were working on gifts for loved ones.  This pic is of Penny and Torri working on dozens of little sheep ears for the kids' church Christmas special. Dozens!!!

A little break in the week with friends who love the Lord is such a sweet time.

For that I am thankful.

November Gratitude - Day Sixteen

Today I am thankful for silly monkeys who brighten up my afternoon. It was so sweet to spend the afternoon together (with Gabby, too) and just hang out since we won't see each other for nearly two weeks. O commandeered the netbook for Disney videos and modeled her hood while Ev played with Joe's old Lego car. We went to Trader Joe's together so Ev & O could stock up on Peppermint Joe Joe's - three boxes in each of their little carts! We saw some neighbors and Laura was there, too! I am still wearing the stickers O stuck to me. Lemonade in the afternoon sun on the porch to wash down their Joe Joe's and a dog walk/run to run off the cookies and lemonade were a great way to spend the day. I totally loved the fact that they talked Gabby into coming back over after the walk for just a little more together time. So thankful for silly monkeys am I.

November Gratitude - Day Seven

I am filled with gratitude for my friends.  Old friends, new friends, long distance friends and my just a house away neighbor friends who are the cutest wedding guests ever.

Honestly, there is not a chance that I would have made it to or through the wedding sane without all these dear friends. It takes a village people.

People like Ruth and Penny. Penny altered Marie's gorgeous dress to fit her like a glove as a gift to Marie helping the already stunning Marie take Marc's breath away when he saw her. I just love Penny and her sweet and loving self.

Her daughter Ruth came over and helped me turn Marc's old room into my wonderful new craft/guestroom. She knew I wanted to make it a cozy guestroom for my Aunt Pat who was coming for the wedding. We spent an entire day applying layer after layer of Kilz and paint to cover the blue the room had been. We talked and visited for hours which made the work so much fun but what kind of friend gives you an entire day of painting labor?? A really, really great friend! Unfortunately, Sandy ruined Pat's plans to be here for the wedding but her room is ready as soon as she can visit.

Marie's shower was a labor of love by so many friends both Marie's and mine. It was a gorgeous shower thanks to all the help. One detail I loved so much were the wonderful M's that my friend Maryanne made.

Each M was covered with photos of Marc and Marie for a personalized gift. It was a great shower decoration and they look great in their apartment.

Maryanne didn't start or finish there. She helped me decorate for their engagement party making their "Match Made in Heaven" banner and more. Maryanne volunteers so much of her time to help animals builds fences for chained dogs, fosters and more. I know she was doing all that and working hard on a fundraiser during the time she was helping me but just kept offering more help and support.

So I took her up on it - here she is with Bev filling the honey bear favors for Marc and Marie's wedding.

This picture cracks me up - there's a little Lucy and Ethel going on here that would probably only be funny to us. 130 little bears were filled with sticky, gooey honey somehow.

Some of the honey was from Laura and some was from Trader Joe's since our own hive wasn't doing well. The two honeys made for such a pretty color combination.

Laura's honey is front and center in the pic.

Marie came and helped fill the bears.

I put the labels on their bellies.

Gabby tied twine and a tag around their caps.  The uniform and tidy twine tying should be noted. =D

I wish I'd gotten a picture of them at the reception all lined up on an antique style tray under the poster sized photos that Gabby had taken for Marc and Marie's engagement session.

I wish I'd gotten many other pictures but just didn't have the presence of mind to do it on wedding day.

I am so thankful for these very special friends that came from California for the wedding. Keith Migi and Manik flew most of Friday arriving near midnight to make Saturday morning's wedding. Somehow I didn't scare them away with my scream of delight seeing this gorgeous family walking towards me. We were so blessed to have them here and get to spend time Saturday night and for a bit on Sunday.

Speaking of Sunday, did you know that my crazy hubby ran a marathon? Did you know my crazy neighbors packed up my favorite kiddos WITH SIGNS to cheer him on?

It was chilly waiting but it didn't deter my Feks!

Bev and Shannon came over after saying good bye Trevor, Kelsey and Kate. Then John and Marina came, too.

Chris zipped by us high-fiving Ev and O.

I just love the look on Ev's face.

He has told Chris he wants to run a marathon with him when he's 12.

I could see it happening.

Chris ran past us and to the finish line beating his time last year. Pretty amazing after a blur of a weekend including his son's wedding and hosting two dinners. But that's my Chris.

I love the contrast between John and Marina's NYC look and our not so stylish duds!

After the marathon we went to Marie's parents' house for brunch and present opening. When we returned Keith, Migi and Manik came and visited for just a bit longer. I'm so thankful for friends who are like family, who make the years and the miles disappear with stories and laughter.

My beautiful Sri Lankan Sister!

I am so thankful and so blessed to have these amazing people and more in our lives. The friends who called and wrote and prayed and who are still praying  for Marc and Marie humble me with their kindness and love. I don't know how I'll ever repay all the love and care we've been blessed with but I will do my best.