All posts filed under: Condiments/Preserves

Quick Ginger-Chili Pickled Persimmon

Ginger-Chili Pickled Persimmon are my favorite pickles of all! They are delicious on salads or as a tangy-sweet snack. Persimmon are only available for a short time each year, so this is the perfect way to save the season, and only takes five minutes to make! Quick Ginger-Chili Pickled Persimmon Ingredients: 5 Fuyu Persimmon, sliced into 1/4 inch rounds, seeds discarded 1.5 cups Raw Apple Cider Vinegar 2/3 cup Raw Cane Sugar or Coconut Sugar 1 inch Ginger, sliced 1/2 tsp Chili Flakes 1 Tbsp Kosher Salt 1/2 tsp Black Peppercorns 1/8 tsp Saffron Directions: Stuff a pint-sized mason jar with the persimmons, add the vinegar, sugar and spices. Lightly shake so everything dissolves, and stick them in the fridge. They will keep for several weeks in the unlikely event you don’t eat them sooner. Notes: If you would like to heat process, fill the mason jars with the persimmon then bring the vinegar, sugar, and spices to a boil. Stir until everything dissolves then pour into the jar leaving 1/4 inch headroom, wipe the rim …

Spiced Coconut Dulce de Leche Vegan Caramel Sauce

Spiced Coconut Milk Dulce de Leche ( Vegan Caramel Sauce)

Published by Jacqueline King

When I was a kid growing up in Los Angeles I was often sent during summer break to spend time with family in Mexico. Sometimes I would visit family in big bustling cities like Guadalajara and Mexico City, but more often I spent time with family who lived in a small village Zacatecas. It was a very different world than California. My cousins lived in houses made of adobe in what appeared to be a desert save for the small creek nearby that swelled with each rainfall. It was a land of ranchers and cowboys, and with that of course, lots of cows. They would walk through the dirt roads at noontime with bells on as they were shepherded from one place to the next. I was exposed to a variety of culinary treats on these trips, homemade tortillas, cactus salad, salsas made with fragrant chilies, but what stands out in my memory of those childhood travels was what was most appealing to my young palate. Rich and creamy dulce de leche, a thick caramel …

Spiced Sweet Potato Puree

Published by Jacqueline King

This wonderful purée adds a ton of flavor to any dish. The consistency is thinner and smoother than a traditional mashed sweet potato, but thicker and creamier than a sauce. One of the awesome things about sweet potatoes is that they are less starchy than regular potatoes so they don’t get gummy in the food processor or blender; which means once your sweet potato is cooked it only takes a couple of minutes to transform it into this spicy golden puree. I love to serve it spread out on the plate under roasted or sautéed veggies, tofu or fish dishes. It turns ingredients which might otherwise be a little bland into an exciting meal without adding a single drop of oil. In fact, the sweet potato and spices are both a super nutrient-dense additions to your menu. Plus they and add a beautiful pop of color. Try it with my Maple Glazed Acorn Squash and/or some sautéed greens. Enjoy! xJacq Ingredients: 4 Servings 1 large sweet potato (approx. 1lb 3oz) 1/2 cup Almond or Cashew Milk 1/4 …

Thick and Creamy Avocado Ranch Dressing- Better than the Original!

Published by Jacqueline King

This Avocado Ranch is an updated version of my favorite ranch dressing recipe from before I went dairy free. That one called for buttermilk and mayo. Instead, we use avocado, nut milk and apple cider vinegar to create a creamy texture and bright flavor that is even better than the original! The myriad of healthy fats and nutrients found in avocados – oleic acid, lutein, folate, vitamin E, monounsaturated fats and glutathione among them – are believed to help protect your body from heart disease, cancer, and even some brain diseases. That’s why so many consider it a superfood. Fresh onion, garlic and herbs make all the difference in any ranch dressing flavor-wise and pack a surprising amount of nutrients and health benefits of their own as well. Creamy Avocado-Herb Ranch Dressing This will beat any bottled dressing hands down and takes just a few minutes to throw together in a blender. This recipe makes a very thick, creamy dressing, to make it more fluid simply add more milk. In the unlikely event you have any …

The Best Creamy Cashew Sour Cream (only 3 ingredients!)

Published by Jacqueline King

When I decided to stop using dairy in my recipes I thought it was going to be really hard to give up some of my favorite foods. After just a bit of experimenting, however I found that there are truly delicious plant-based alternatives to traditional dairy like this amazingly creamy and delicious cashew sour cream. All of the ingredients are natural and nutritious, filled with enzymes and essential minerals. It is so simple to make and is wonderful as a topping on mexican food and lunch bowls. It also make a greet base for a dip. Most non-dairy sour creams I’ve seen include lemon which gives them (surprise!) a lemony flavor, which I find a bit strange. Apple cider vinegar however gives a delicate tangy taste that is just perfect. If you are making this in the food processor you can omit the water which will make a thicker cream, but also will keep much longer. You just have to make sure to dry out the cashews after soaking It’s the moisture which makes it …

The Most Delicious Dip, Spread and Topping – Whipped Avocado Cream

Published by Jacqueline King

This Avocado Cream is one of my favorite things to keep in the fridge. I make it every week as part of my meal prep. The recipe seems almost too simple, but trust me, it adds an incredible amount of flavor and richness to so many dishes. Of course it’s wonderful on Mexican food, but I especially love to use it as a topping for my lunch bowls. You can also whip it up as a quick dip for a snack or to serve at a party. Somehow it seems more sophisticated and complex than regular guacamole, but it’s actually faster and easier to make because you throw it all together in the blender in seconds. You can even use it as a delicious spread to make pretty little appetizers. Even though it tastes rich and creamy, it is made of simple healthy ingredients. Avocado is one of the most nutrient dense foods around with both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It has been shown in studies to be good for both your skin and heart health. …

Quick & Delicious Superfood Chocolate Mole

Published by Jacqueline King

Mole is one of the most delicious and exciting sauces in the world in my humble opinion. It has such complexity of flavor and is surround by lore. It evokes images of old mexican ladies grinding spices and simmering chiles for days. Now, the chef in me loves the idea of cooking up an old traditional family recipe for hours on end, but the busy real-life working girl was looking for a simpler process. What I came up with is this raw version that (unbelievably!) can me made completely in a blender without missing out on all the savory flavor and spice. When I say this is a “quick” mole, keep in mind that it’s a relative term . You still have to measure out quite a few ingredients, but that shouldn’t take more than 20 minutes and I promise it’s well worth it! I tried to make a recipe with fewer components, but there is really no way to get an authentic flavor without the diversity of spices and other ingredients. Hopefully you’ll have …

Foodie Heaven Cashew Cheese Spread

Published by Jacqueline King

I love cheese, but like many people, have decided to avoid dairy for both health and ethical reasons. I’ve tried several different versions of cashew cheese and they have all been…okay, just okay. And sorry, but if you are trying to replace something as delicious as cheese, then you better be freaking delicious, so I decided it was time to head to the kitchen to make up my own recipe, and holy moly, wait till you try this! Serve it on veggies, in wraps, as a sandwich spread, on crackers, stir it into creamy risottos or pastas, or pretty much anywhere you would use a soft cheese. This recipe is packed with protein, good fats, fiber, vitamins and minerals including B12, Vitamin C and Calcium, but most importantly it’s lick-the-spoon delicious. Ingredients: 1 cup raw cashews soaked in warm water for an hour then drained 1/4 cup Water 1/4 cup Nutritional Yeast* 2-3 Garlic Cloves 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Bragg Liquid Amino* or Tamari 1 Tbsp fresh Lemon Juice 1 Tbsp Raw Apple Cider Vinegar 1 Tbsp …

Better Than Nutella

Published by Jacqueline King

This spread is absolutely heavenly. It’s super quick to put together and full of anti-oxidants thanks to the raw cacao nibs, minerals thanks to the nuts and healthy fat from coconut oil. That’s why I think it’s better than Nutella, which is 54% sugar and contains palm oil. I love it with apple slices or thinly spread on toast with fresh strawberries sliced on top. Yum! Ingredients: 1/3 cup EACH Hazelnuts, Pecans, Cacao Nibs, Honey, Coconut oil Pinch of Salt 1 Tbsp water Blend all ingredients together until smooth. Enjoy! This spread hardens when refrigerated because of the coconut oil, so allow leftovers to come to room temp before serving.

Strawberry Lemon Chia Seed Jam

Published by Jacqueline King

Chia Seeds are a super-food packed with protein, omega-3s and vitamins. As you may know, they turn into gel when they’re mixed with water, which makes them perfect for jam-making. Just mix your fruit with these little nutritional powerhouses and you’ll get a beautiful fresh tasting jam that is just the right consistency. 1.5 cups sliced Strawberries + 4 whole Strawberries 1 Tbs Chia Seeds 1 Tbsp Maple Syrup or Honey 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract 1/4 tsp Lemon Juice 1/8 tsp Lemon Zest 1. Add 2 Tbs water and sliced Strawberries to a pan and heat over medium stirring until strawberries begin to break down and water evaporates, about 5 minutes. 2. Pour berries into a blender along with all the other ingredients including the 4 whole raw Strawberries and briefly puree 3. Allow to cool, pour into a jar and stick in the fridge. That’s it- 10 minutes start to finish, healthy, and oh my gosh is it good! I would assume this will keep about 2 weeks in the fridge but we’ve never managed to …