Tag: holidays

Rum Raisin Cookies

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This recipe is based on an old-fashioned raisin cookie that I have written down from a pile of magazines from the past. This mash-up of rum, eggnog, and raisins delivers a soft cookie with holiday-inspiration, but can be made any time of year using nondairy milk instead.

gluten-free vegan rum raisin cookies

Rum Raisin Cookies

Cookies
1 cup raisins
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup rum (I used Bacardi, the white one, which I called and confirmed it was safe to use)
1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
1 cup sorghum flour
1/2 cup tapioca flour
1/4 cup quinoa flour
1 1/4 teaspoons xanthan gum
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
3/4 cup unrefined cane sugar
1/2 cup nondairy margarine/vegan buttery spread
3 tablespoons nondairy milk/vegan egg nog

Glaze
2 tablespoons rum
Icing sugar, as needed

Position an oven rack to the lower third of the oven. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Put the raisins, water, and rum in a small saucepan over high heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, until the liquids have been completely absorbed, about 30 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in the flaxseed.

Put the sorghum flour, tapioca flour, quinoa flour, xanthan gum, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Whisk until well combined.

Put the sugar and nondairy margarine in a stand mixer or large bowl. Using the stand mixer or a hand mixer, beat until well combined, about 2 minutes. Turn to low speed. Add the flour mixture and 2 tablespoons of the nondairy milk. Beat until combined. Add the raisin mixture. Beat until just mixed.

For each cookie, scoop out 1 rounded tablespoon of dough and drop it onto the lined baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining dough, leaving about 2 inches for a bit of spreading.

Bake for 9 to 11 minutes, until the edges are firm and starting to turn golden. Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Carefully remove the cookies from the baking sheet and put them on the cooling rack. Let cool to room temperature before glazing.

For the glaze, put the rum in a small bowl and add enough icing sugar so it is a thick, but drizzly, texture (unfortunately, I didn’t measure it). Drizzle it over the cookies. Let harden before serving or storing.

These cookies are good the day they are made, but they are even better after the sit awhile and before more rum-like in flavor.

Rum Raisin Cookies (gluten-free, vegan)

Maple-Spice Candied Nuts

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Crunchy, sweet, and loaded with spice, these candied nuts are so easy to make and forever versatile. Great around the holidays, perfect for snacking, and excellent for topping cakes and desserts.

maple candied nuts

maple-spice candied nuts

2 1/2 cups unsalted mixed nuts
1/4 cup finely chopped candied ginger (not crystallized)
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 cup pure maple syrup

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Put the nuts, candied ginger, salt, and spices in a medium bowl. Put the maple syrup in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil. Cook 1 minute without stirring. Remove from heat. Pour the syrup over the nut mixture. Toss well to combine. Spread onto the prepared baking sheet in a single layer. Bake until the nuts are golden and fragrant, about 15 to 20 minutes, stirring every 5 to 7 minutes. Cool completely on the pan before breaking into pieces. 

Crispy Potato Chips with Onion Kale Dip

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Homemade potato chips take no time at all, and offer a deep potato flavor you just can’t get from a bag. Served alongside an addictive dip, this classic duo is a sure winner for everyone.

chips and kale onion dip

Crispy Potato Chips with Onion-Kale Dip

Onion Kale Dip
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, sliced
1 clove garlic, minced
3 cups chopped kale leaves, packed
1 package (454g) medium-firm tofu, drained
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 tablespoons nutritional yeast flakes
2 teaspoons  apple cider vinegar
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
Sea salt to taste
Cayenne pepper to taste

Potato Chips
2 russet potatoes, washed and sliced into paper-thin slices
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Sea salt

To make the dip, heat the olive oil over medium heat in a medium skillet. Add the onion. Cook until soft, about 7 minutes. Add the garlic and kale. Cook until the kale leaves are soft and the garlic is fragrant, about 3 minutes longer. Remove from heat.

Put the tofu, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, cider vinegar, onion powder, a sprinkle of salt, and a few dashes of cayenne pepper in a food processor. Process until smooth. Add the onion mixture. Process again until smooth. Taste for seasonings, adding additional salt and cayenne as needed (lots of cayenne is delicious here!). Refrigerate at least 3 hours, though the flavors will come together even more overnight.

To make the potatoes, preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Line a baking pan with parchment paper or a Silpat. Put the sliced potatoes in a bowl filled with water. Let soak 5 minutes. Rinse well, until the water runs clear. Dry thoroughly.

Toss the potato slices with the oil, salt, and pepper, mixing well. Spread the potatoes onto the prepared pan in a single layer. Bake for about 12 to 20 minutes until browned, depending on thickness (if you weren’t consistent in your slices, you might have to check, remove some from the pan, and bake others longer). Once they are all baked, transfer them to a bowl and set aside.