Baked Rice Pudding with Bananas, Raisins, and Toasted Almonds

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Originally written for a Hallowe’en article (in 2008…and titled “Creamed Maggot Pie with Bug Bits, Phlegm, and Fingernails), this sweet treat is as comforting as it is delicious. Unfortunately, I don’t have a photo on hand.

Baked Rice Pudding with Bananas, Raisins, and Toasted Almonds

2 tablespoons tapioca starch
2/3 cup nondairy milk
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon fine sea or Himalayan salt
3 cups cooked, short-grain brown rice
1 cup banana chunks
1/2 cup raisins
1 tablespoon unrefined cane sugar
1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted

Preheat oven to 400°F . Lightly oil a 9-inch pie dish and set aside.

Whisk together tapioca starch and 2 tablespoons of the nondairy milk until smooth. Whisk in the remaining nondairy milk and the maple syrup. Add the vanilla extract, cinnamon and salt. Mix well. Stir in rice, bananas, and raisins. Use a rubber spatula to scrape the mixture into prepared pie dish. Sprinkle with the sugar.

Bake for 17 to 20 minutes, until bubbly. Let cool about 30 minutes. Top with sliced almonds. Serve with extra nondairy milk, coconut milk iced cream, or pure maple syrup, if desired.

Cornbread Casserole with Stewed Tomatoes

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Though it sounds complex, this recipe takes about 15 minutes of prep work, then bakes for about an hour, leaving plenty of time to step away and (hopefully) relax before dinner’s on the table.

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Cornbread Casserole with Stewed Tomatoes

For the cornbread casserole:
3 3/4 cups (900mL) fresh corn kernels
2 1/4 cups (520mL) vegan “buttermilk” (see Note)
1/4 cup (60mL) nondairy buttery spread, melted
2 tablespoons (30mL) coconut oil, melted
1 tablespoon (15mL) agave nectar
1 cup (240mL) stone-ground cornmeal (I use Bob’s Red Mill, which is made in their GF facility)
3 tablespoons (45mL) arrowroot flour
1 tablespoon (15mL) baking powder
1/4 teaspoon (2mL) fine sea or Himalayan salt

Stewed Tomatoes
3 pounds (3161g) roma tomatoes, peeled (optional), and chopped
1 large green pepper, chopped
1 large yellow onion, chopped
Handful fresh basil
Sea or Himalayan salt to taste
Freshly ground pepper to taste

If desired, peel the tomatoes before using. To do this, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Insert the tomatoes and boil for 2 minutes. Put a colander in the sink and pour the tomatoes into the colander to drain. Rinse briefly with cold water. The skins will slip right off.

Put the chopped tomatoes, green pepper, onion, and basil in a large pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce to medium-low heat and simmer until vegetables are cooked through and the mixture has slightly thickened, about 30 minutes. If preparing with the casserole, I just simmer the mixture until the casserole is finished.

Note: To make the vegan buttermilk, put 2 tablespoons (30mL) cider vinegar in a measuring up. Add nondairy milk to total 2 1/4 cups (520mL). Let stand 3 minutes, until curdled.

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Pear-Ginger-Orange Tea

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Simple and satisfying, this tea is bright and balanced, and will warm you up on the coldest of days.

ginger pear tea

Pear Ginger Orange Tea

1 1/2 cups water
1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (from an orange! Not a carton)
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 heaping tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
1 large, very ripe pear, grated

Put the water, orange juice, lemon juice, ginger, and pear in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce to medium-low heat and let simmer for 30 minutes. Strain the mixture into two mugs, pressing the pulp to get all the flavor. Serve warm.