All posts filed under: Dairy Replacements

Minty Feel Good Shamrock Smoothie

With St. Patty’s Day coming up I was hit with a touch of nostalgia today. I was remembering my days as a kid when March was a particularly exciting month because it meant I got to get a Shamrock Shake at my weekly trip to Mc Donald’s. I haven’t had fast food in years, but the memory left me craving a cold minty-vanilla beverage with a preternatural hue. So, of course, I decided to create a version using all natural feel good ingredients. It turned out to be so delicious, it was hard to stop myself from drinking it all before I took pictures! Below you’ll find the recipe for this sweet, creamy, Shamrock Smoothie. It’s vibrant color looks all the more beautiful when you know it’s not made with a bunch of artificial food colors. Instead we use a touch of blue-green algae called Spirulina that is quite possibly the most nutritious food on the planet. You can find it in the supplement or superfood section of natural food markets and health food stores. …

Better than Eggnog- Dairy-Free White Russian Cocktail

Published by Jacqueline King

Let’s face it, no one really LOVES eggnog. It’s like fruitcake, one of those things we serve this time of year because it’s a tradition, not because it’s the most delicious option. Well, why not start a new tradition with this scrumptious take on a White Russian. It’s creamy, nutty, and lightly spiced. ( I call it a Nutty Russian 😉 ) It’s also completely dairy-free so it has a rich holiday flavor without being heavy. Put it in a big punch bowl and you’ve got yourself a party. The Nutty Russian Cocktail Ingredients: Approx. 14 servings 1 cup Raw Cashews 1/2 cup Raw Macadamia Nuts 1/2 cup Raw Pecans 2 Tbsp Maple syrup 2 tsp Vanilla Extract 1/2 tsp Ground Cinnamon, plus more for dusting 1/4 tsp Ground Cardamom 1/8 tsp Ground Clove pinch of Salt 1 can light Coconut Milk 1.5 cups Vodka 3/4 cups Kahlua 4 cinnamon sticks 4 Star Anise Place nuts in a bowl and soak 2-4 hours*, drain and rinse. Add …

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 …

Super Nachos with Gooey Sweet Potato Cheese Sauce (Vegan)

Published by Jacqueline King

This is my favorite thing to make when people come over to watch football so I wanted to share it in time for the big game! Everyone loves these nachos and people always ask for the recipe. They are fresh, flavorful and satisfying without being too heavy or greasy. They’re packed with veggies and other wholesome ingredients so they’re super healthy, but still rich and filling. I make a couple of plates of these, one of my big party platters, and big bowls of popcorn sprinkled with truffle oil, sea salt, black pepper and nutritional yeast. This simple menu keeps everyone happy and since you can make most of it ahead of time, you won’t have to spend the whole game in the kitchen. Enjoy! xJacq Ingredients: Serves approx. 6 Cheese Sauce: 1 Sweet Potato 1/4 cup Raw Cashews, soaked 2-4 hrs and rinsed 1 1/4 cup Hot Water 2 Tbsp Nutritional Yeast 2 Tbsp Tapioca Flour 1 1/2 tsp Apple Cider Vinegar 1 tsp Dijon Mustard 1 Garlic clove 3/4 tsp Kosher Salt 1-2 tsp …

Sweet Salted Caramel Cashew Milk

Published by Jacqueline King

The simplest salted-caramel drink is just too delicious to be true. Try it next time you’re craving something sweet and you’ll be shocked that two little dates can add so much caramel goodness to your milk. A little pinch of sea salt just gives it that finishing touch to balance the flavor. All of the ingredients are high in minerals plus you get filling fiber from the dates and heart healthy fats from the nuts. It’s an energizing refined sugar free treat which makes it a great afternoon pick-me-up or post-workout choice. Kids love the sweet taste of this one too. It’s so much better than those drinks made with artificial flavors. Enjoy! xJacq Ingredients: 1 serving 2 medjool dates, pitted 1/4 cup cashews, soaked 2-4 hours and rinsed 3/4 cups filtered water pinch of sea salt If your blender is on the weaker side, chop the dates. Blend all of the ingredients until smooth in a blender, serve over ice.

Creamy, Gooey Cashew Mozzarella

Published by Jacqueline King

Sometimes you just want to yell “Cheese Please!” so if you’re avoiding dairy it’s best to have some fabulous plant-based versions that you can throw together when you want need a gooey, melty cheesy fix. This cashew mozzarella is perfect on Pizza, Lasagna, Pasta and as a topping for grilled veggies or steamed broccoli. It’s one of my favorite non-dairy cheeses to make because it requires only a little bit of cashews. A lot of recipes are made almost completely of nuts which can be a little too rich, not to mention pricey! It takes just a few minutes to make and uses simple wholesome ingredients, unlike a lot of the processed non-dairy cheeses at the market. Tapioca flour helps thicken this cheese and gives it a creamy, melted texture. It comes from the root of the cassava plant and is naturally gluten-free. The cheesy flavor comes from the nutritional yeast which has an almost parmesan-like taste. Nutritional yeast is a deactivated yeast that is high in B vitamins. Make sure you don’t mix it up with brewers …

Chocolate-Orange Blossom Mousse with Toasted Coconut Chips and Pomegranate Seeds

Published by Jacqueline King

These sophisticated, sweet and creamy mini-mousse cups pack a superfood punch. Avocado, spirulina and cacao are some of the most nutrient-dense ingredients on the planet, but they come together in a treat that tastes of pure chocolate decadence. Orange blossom water adds a delicate floral note and can be found next to rose-water in that baking section or Middle Eastern aisles of supermarket. Spirulina is a blue-green algae that is very high in amino acids and balances the sweetness of this dessert with its earthy flavor. It can be found in the herbal supplement aisle of natural markets and health food stores. My favorite toasted coconut chips to go along with this recipe are the crunchy, spicy Made in Nature Ginger-Masala Toasted Coconut Chips. This the perfect recipe to make for a cocktail party since it takes only a few minutes to throw together in the blender. It’s so nice to serve something sweet and delicious without it being too rich and heavy. Your guests will love it! I use little glass espresso cups for serving, but shot …

Carrot Cake Chia Pudding

Published by Jacqueline King

This is a delicious fall treat to serve for breakfast or dessert. It has all the sweet and spicy flavor of carrot cake but is made with wholesome superfood ingredients. Chia are packed with omega-3 oils, fiber and protein, the spices are anti-inflammatory and aid digestion, and the carrot is high in beta-carotene so it’s the perfect way to start your day or finish your meal. I use a julienne peeler to make the carrot toppings which makes it really easy. It’s the perfect thing to throw together before bed so you wake up and have breakfast sorted, just add your toppings and go. My favorite chia seeds to use are the organic white chia from Nutiva. The white seeds just look a little nicer in this pudding, but black ones work too. If serving it for dessert candied walnuts are great on top for a little extra sweetness. Another nice touch for dessert is to top it off with a dollop of cashew sour cream mixed with maple syrup which gives it that cream-cheese frosting flavor. The …

The Best Vanilla Coffee Creamer Ever!

Published by Jacqueline King

This really is the best vanilla coffee creamer ever! I know that’s a bold claim but it’s true. Waking up is a little sweeter with a splash of this rich & creamy goodness in your morning joe. It’s all natural and packed with antioxidants and minerals. Cashews are an excellent source of copper, and a good source of phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, and zinc. The vanilla gives it an incredible fragrance and flavor. What it doesn’t have are any of the weird additives, preservatives or ingredients like palm oil that you find in the store-bought non-dairy creamers. This is one of the basics that I always have in my fridge. Hopefully it will be one of your favorites too. Enjoy! Ingredients: makes 2 cups 1/2 cup cashews soaked in water 2-4 hrs 1 1/2 cups filtered water 1 vanilla bean, split down the middle* 1 tsp maple syrup sea salt Drain and rinse the cashews in a strainer. Add to a blender along with the water and blend starting on low then bringing up to high speed until …

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 …