This summer sure has been a busy one. For the last five weeks, I’ve been holed up at home every weekend working on a new and very exciting photography project. Let’s just say both my fridge and my heart are full—bursting with gratitude for all the awesome things that life brings me, including lots of amazing vegan dishes that I get to photograph (and eat). I’ve been searching the food markets for the best-looking ingredients and shopping at my favourite housewares stores for new props to add to my collection. What a great excuse to do some of my favourite things, and get paid for it!

With all that’s been going on, I’ve been severely slacking in the exercise department. I just don’t feel the same without my daily sweat session and post-workout protein shake (thanks to Christy for getting me hooked on strength training). As fate would have it, I was recently sent a sample of a new vegan nutritional shake to try out. I’m always on the lookout for new protein powders, since they are a convenient way to get in those nutrients after the gym or while on the go.

Yuve is a plant-based, non-GMO powder that consists of rice and pea protein, an energy blend (maca, spinach, chia seeds), a greens blend (chlorella, spirulina, kale, alfalfa sprouts, broccoli), and a vitamin and mineral blend (psyllium seed husk, goji berries, acai berries, red grapes, prunes, raspberries), and is made without artificial colours, sweeteners, dairy or soy. I also like that it’s free of sweeteners like stevia.

While I tend toward powders with short and simple ingredient lists—because, well, some of those ingredient lists can be downright confusing—Yuve sure packs in a variety of goodness for a nutritional punch. It also has a unique taste, which probably comes from the combination of chia seeds, cocoa beans and a lovely hint of raspberry. You can even smell the raspberries, which holds true to its natural properties. What’s more, despite the fact that this blend is rich in rice protein, which tends toward the gritty side of powder texture, it’s actually quite refined.

While I most often consume protein powders in a cold glass of almond or cashew milk, the flavour combo of Yuve got me thinking about new ways to enjoy it. Its delicious cocoa and raspberry nuances would work well in fruit- or chocolate-flavoured smoothies, chocolate baked goods or even energy balls. On a whim one morning, I threw together this simple smoothie bowl for breakfast and have made it a few more times since. The simplicity of the ingredients (banana, spinach, raspberries, cocoa powder and almond milk) makes it an easy go-to snack or breakfast. Plus, it’s like eating chocolate pudding for breakfast. Throw in a scoop of Yuve and you’re covered.

Nourishing chocolate raspberry smoothie bowl

Yield: 2 servings

Ingredients:

• 2 frozen ripe bananas, cut into chunks
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1/2 cup fresh raspberries
• 1 scoop Yuve nutritional powder
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder

For toppings:

• granola of choice (I used Nature's Path Pumpkin Flax Granola)
• fresh berries

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a high-speed blender and blend until smooth. Top with granola and fresh berries and serve!

Thanks to the fine folks at Yuve headquarters, I have an entire tub of Yuve to send to one lucky US or Canadian reader! Enter using the widget below. I’ll select a random winner on Monday, July 13, 2015.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Let me just put it out there: I think Fran Costigan is a culinary genius.

I’ve been in awe of her incredible baking knowledge ever since participating in her Vegan Baking Boot Camp Intensive training course in 2010. A classically trained pastry chef who went vegan more than 20 years ago, Fran is a true powerhouse who has dedicated years of her life to tweaking, testing, and analyzing the chemistry that makes a top-notch vegan dessert.

She has worked her way up to become a a sought-after instructor at the Natural Gourmet Institute, consultant, author of More Great Good Dairy-Free Desserts Naturally, and the expert of all things (vegan, fair-trade) chocolate.

And then, she suddenly comes up with a missing piece in the vegan cookbook category. Her new book, Vegan Chocolate, features 120 better-than-ever vegan chocolate desserts. It is the work of a true expert. Some of the “showstoppers,” like the Bûche de Noël, Chocolate Hazelnut Six-Layer Cake and Opera Cake, are multi-step projects for special occasions (or anytime, if you live at my house) but there are also simple recipes, like Quick and Easy Homemade Hot Cocoa and Almost-Instant Chocolate Pudding, for those in need of a quick chocolate fix.

All the recipes are vegan, some are gluten-free and some are raw, but in true Fran style, every single one is made with quality, easily sourced ingredients without dairy, eggs and white sugar. Fran is also known for her very detailed instructions, which may seem cumbersome but are needed in order to get perfect results every time. With a beautiful layout and full-colour photos by Kate Lewis throughout, Vegan Chocolate is a must-have for any cookbook collection.

I was thrilled when I was asked to be a part of the select group of testers for this book, which made for a full summer of chocolatey fun. I was able to test many of the recipes, including the Graham Crackers and Vanilla Chocolate Chip Cupcakes with Creamy Chocolate Cupcake Frosting, among others.

My advice: buy the book, and start with these authentic vegan graham crackers, and then use them to make the Moon Pies, S’mores and Magic Cookie Bars.

What I didn’t try until I got the hardcover book in hand, however, is this incredible (and simple) Chocolate Espresso Chia and Coconut Pudding, which is a variation of the Chocolate Date and Coconut Pudding on page 189. This bowl of chocolate goodness takes plain chia pudding to a whole new level, with bits of coconut and a hint of espresso that heightens the chocolate flavour. Thanks to Running Press for allowing me to share this recipe with you today.

Enjoy!

Chocolate espresso chia and coconut pudding

Yield: 3 to 4 servings

Ingredients:

• 2 oz (60g)  pitted Medjool dates (about 4 large) or an equal amount of another variety of date
• 1/3 cup (80ml) strong espresso
• 1 1/4 cups (300ml) almond milk or coconut milk beverage, divided
• 1/4 cup + 1 tbsp (26g) dried shredded coconut, divided, plus more for garnish
• 2 tbsp (12g) Dutch-process cocoa powder
• pinch of fine sea salt
• 3 tbsp (45ml) pure maple syrup, Grade B or dark amber
• 1/4 cup (40g) chia seeds, white or black

Directions:

1. Put the dates in a small bowl. Pour the espresso over the dates and set aside for 15 minutes or until very soft. Mash the dates into the espresso as they soften.
2. While the dates soak, puree 1/2 cup of the milk, 3 tablespoons of the coconut, the cocoa powder, and the salt in a blender. Add the remaining milk and the maple syrup and blend for 30 seconds.
3. Add the dates and any soaking liquid and blend until mostly pureed (some small pieces of dates are fine).
4. Pour the mixture into a 2-cup measure. Add enough additional milk to equal 2 cups, if necessary.
5. Mix the chia seeds and the remaining 2 tablespoons of the coconut in a medium bowl.
6. Pour the liquid ingredients over the chia and coconut and whisk vigorously. Repeat twice at 5-minute intervals. Wait 10 minutes and whisk again.
7. Refrigerate the pudding for at least 6 hours or up to 2 days ahead. Whisk a few times, when you think of it, to prevent clumps of chia in the pudding.

Serving

Whisk the pudding and serve in small bowls sprinkled with toasted coconut.

Keeping

The pudding can be refrigerated in a covered container for up to two days. Whisk before serving.

Recipe reprinted with permission from Vegan Chocolate ©2013 by Fran Costigan, Running Press.

I’m traveling to Portland next week to join 200 other vegans who are invading the city for the 2nd annual Vida Vegan Con. I can’t even begin to tell you how excited I am to see other fellow bloggers like JL, Gena, Dreena, Hannah, Hannah, Angela, Terry, Isa, Fran, Kate and many others.

When I feel overwhelmed with anticipation of events like this, all I want to do is eat celebration foods—you know the kind you don’t normally indulge in? The kind you eat when you are surrounded by people who make you happy and you feel like your life couldn’t get any better.

But I live by the mantra that you will feel good by eating well, so I decided to create a treat that is good for me but also satisfies my craving for something sweet.

Enter this easy-to-make, creamy pudding. The winning ingredient: chia seeds!

Of course, I’m not the first to come up with the idea of chia seed pudding, nor am I the last. Why? Because chia is a pretty amazing ingredient. Besides its incredible nutrition profile, one of the most magical characteristics of chia is how it can act as a thickening agent. When soaked in liquid such as almond milk, the seeds expand and soften, creating a thick, goopy concoction. I tend to use chia mostly as a thickener for smoothies or a vegan egg replacer in baking.

You may be familiar with pudding using whole chia seeds but I’m not a big fan of the texture, so I thought about the idea of grinding the chia and then blending with almond milk and a few other ingredients. The result was a creamy and delicious pudding—no pre-soaking required! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Smooth mocha chia pudding

Yield: 1 to 2 servings

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup whole chia seeds
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1/4 tsp vanilla powder or extract
• 1/4 tsp espresso powder
• pinch of sea salt
• 1 cup unsweetened non-dairy milk
• 2 tbsp pure maple syrup

Directions:

1. Grind the chia seeds in a high-speed blender until powdered (make sure the blender container is completely dry first). Add the remaining ingredients and blend until smooth. This may take a couple of minutes. Be sure to stop and scrap down the sides and bottom of the container too, otherwise you might find globs of chia at the bottom!
2. Transfer the pudding to a container, cover and chill in the fridge for an hour or two before serving.

Recipe inspired by Kiersten's recipe.

My creamy chocolate torte recipe came to mind last week when I was dreaming about desserts (which I’m embarrassed to admit happens all too often). I imagined the mousse filling would make a lovely after-dinner dessert served in individual glasses and topped with coconut whipped cream and chopped chocolate and nuts.

The next day, I made that dream come true.

Let me tell you straight up: this mousse is no pudding in a cup. It’s thick and rich and melt-in-your-mouth smooth—everything you’d want in a sophisticated yet simple dessert.

The secret is in the coconut milk. Make sure to purchase a brand with a high fat content (check the nutritional label to make sure it’s at least 20%) and place it in the fridge overnight so that the cream separates from the liquid. (While you’re at it, refrigerate a second can for the coconut whipped cream topping.)  Oh, and good quality dark chocolate is also key to making this mousse truly orgasmic (I use Camino dark chocolate bars with 65% cacao).

One thing I love about this recipe is its versatility. Since there are a myriad of flavour pairings that work well with chocolate, you can put your own spin on it by swapping out the 2 tablespoons of nut butter for your preferred flavour.

For the mousse pictured here, I used macadamia nut butter, but I’ve also experimented with peanut butter (Reese’s Pieces, oh how I’ve missed you!), almond butter (a pairing that will never go out of style), and even pureed raspberries (strained) in place of the nut butter for a more sophisticated version.

Hubby and I will be enjoying this dessert for our third anniversary this weekend. I can’t wait.

As always, I had my kitty cat on hand to help with photo styling…or by sitting in the way of my window light. Please meet Eli, my new photo assistant and the pesky little brother of Leola. He’s quite the character, and he’s also got the loudest motor I’ve ever heard. He was even purring when this photo was snapped!

Dark chocolate mousse cups

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup nondairy milk
• 1 tbsp agar flakes
• 1 can full-fat coconut milk, refrigerated overnight
• 3 oz. dark chocolate, chopped
• 1/4 cup agave nectar
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder, sifted
• 2 tbsp natural peanut butter (or other nut butter)
• 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• pinch of salt

Coconut whipped cream:

• 1 can full-fat coconut milk, refrigerated overnight
• 1/4 cup vegan powdered sugar, or more to taste
• 1/4 tsp vanilla bean powder (or pure vanilla extract)
• 3 tbsp Ener-G egg replacer (optional)

Directions:

1. Pour the nondairy milk in a medium saucepan, sprinkle the agar flakes on top and swirl the pan lightly. Let sit for at least 20 minutes to allow the agar flakes to soften.
2. Scoop out the coconut cream from the top of the can of coconut milk (reserve the remaining liquid for other uses) and add it and the chocolate to the pan. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the cream and chocolate are melted.
3. Pour the mixture into a blender and add the remaining ingredients. Blend for 2 or 3 minutes until smooth and bubbly.
4. Divide the mixture between four serving glasses and lightly tap on your counter to loosen any air bubbles. Place the glasses in the fridge to set, about 2 hours. Garnish with coconut whipped cream and chopped chocolate and nuts, if desired.

Coconut whipped cream:

1. For best results, place your mixing bowl and whisk attachment in the freezer for about 30 minutes.
2. Scoop the coconut cream from the top of the can of coconut milk (reserve the remaining liquid for other uses) and place it in the cold mixing bowl. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla bean powder and egg replacer (this is entirely optional, but it helps create a lighter, fluffier texture) and whisk until soft peaks form.

But I have to admit, there are times when I play fruit favourites. On a hot summer’s day, for example, it’s a juicy, ripe mango that will undoubtedly win me over. If you’re looking for a sweet pick-me-up on a sunny afternoon, this mango pudding parfait recipe is a showcase of mango sweetness at its finest. Did I mention it’s easy to make, too?

Mango pudding parfaits

Yield: 2 servings

Ingredients:

For the mango pudding:

• 1 large mango, peeled and diced (about 2 cups)
• 6 oz. firm silken tofu (1/2 package of Mori Nu)
• 2 tbsp agave nectar
• 1 1/2 tbsp fresh lemon juice

For the coconut cream:

• 6 oz. firm silken tofu (1/2 package of Mori Nu)
• 1/4 cup coconut butter, softened
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 2 tbsp agave nectar

For the coco-nut topping:

• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans
• 1/4 cup rolled oats (use certified gluten-free, if necessary)
• 1/4 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
• 1 tbsp hemp hearts
• 1/8 tsp ground cardamom
• 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
• 1 tbsp coconut oil, melted

Directions:

For the mango pudding:

1. Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth, about 2 minutes. Refrigerate for about 1 hour to firm up.

For the coconut cream:

1. Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth, about 1 minute. Refrigerate for about 1 hour to firm up.

For the coco-nut topping:

1. In a small bowl, combine the walnuts, pecans, oats, coconut, hemp hearts and cardamom.
2. Add the maple syrup and coconut oil and stir until the nut mixture is well coated.
3. Put the bowl in the freezer until hardened, about 20 minutes.

To assemble:

1. Divide the mango cream between 2 parfait glasses. Next, add the coconut cream, then add the coco-nut topping. Slice up additional mango for garnish, if desired. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

I’m pretty unpredictable when it comes to baking for a crowd though. Sometimes I’m in the mood to “wow” the crowd, and other times I settle for comfort food recipes that are popular and recognizable. Either way, I always put a spin on it. Sometimes it’s obvious and sometimes it’s not.

This delicious pudding is one such example. Can you tell by the photos that it’s full of beans? You can’t tell by the taste either. It’s a thick, creamy chocolate-and-nut heaven thanks to the addition of silken tofu, cocoa and nut butter. It’s also incredibly versatile—I’d consider using it as a tart filling, a cream centre for cupcakes or even on its own as a pudding parfait. Here, I used some of it as a filling for mini almond-oat tart crusts. The pudding can be made a day in advance (it thickens and provides a deep chocolate and nut flavour after being refrigerated overnight), and then filled or piped or layered the day of your celebration…or just eat it as a simple fibre-rich pudding!

I was inspired to create this delicious recipe for this month’s SOS Kitchen Challenge, featuring adzuki beans. If it wasn’t for the challenge hosts, Ricki of Diet, Dessert and Dogs, and Kim of Affairs of Living, this pudding would have never happened. The recipe below makes enough crust and filling for about 20 mini tarts. Enjoy!

Adzuki pudding tarts

Yield: 20 tartlets

Ingredients:

Crust:

• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup almonds
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 cup brown rice flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 2 tbsp unsweetened coconut flakes
• 2 tbsp canola or sunflower oil
• 3 tbsp pure maple syrup
• 2 tsp pure vanilla extract

Adzuki pudding:

• 1 1/2 cups cooked adzuki beans (or 1 can)
• 1 12-oz package firm silken tofu (I use Mori Nu)
• 1/2 cup agave nectar
• 6 tbsp natural nut butter (I use almond and peanut)
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder, sifted
• 1 oz. unsweetened chocolate, melted
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• pinch of salt

Directions:

Crust:

1. In a food processor, process the oats and almonds to a fine meal.
2. Add the cinnamon, salt, brown rice flour, baking powder and coconut and pulse to combine.
3. Finally, add the oil, maple syrup and vanilla and process until well combined. The mixture should stick together when pressed between two fingers. If it seems too dry, add a teaspoon or two of water.
4. Press the mixture into the bottom of oiled tart tins. Bake at 350 for about 8 to 10 minutes, or until dry to the touch and lightly browned. Allow to cool completely before filling.

Adzuki pudding:

1. In a high-powered blender, puree the beans and silken tofu. Add the remaining ingredients and blend for 2 or 3 minutes until smooth.
2. Refrigerate the filling in a covered container for several hours or overnight to allow it to thicken up. Pipe or spread the filling into tart crusts and refrigerate until ready to serve. Tarts are best eaten the day they are made.

Crust recipe adapted from More Great Good Dairy-Free Desserts.

On January 16, 2009, my husband and I stood barefoot in the sands of St. Lucia and vowed to love and honour each other forever. It was just the two of us and a minister, and it was the happiest day of my life.

Yesterday was our second wedding anniversary and so a celebration was in order. While a one-way ticket back to that gorgeous tropical heaven had undeniable appeal, a more realistic plan to celebrate our anniversary was a trip up north to the empty family cottage. In anticipation of a quiet weekend away, I flipped through my vegan cookbooks and gathered meal ideas and ingredients to recreate our Caribbean paradise through a candlelight dinner for two. With images of St. Lucia and its lush tropical fruit as my starting points, I decided to whip up a warming coconut curry and mimosas, as well as a dessert that infused layers of tropical bliss into a special anniversary parfait.

This luscious and creamy dessert included the tropical flavours of coconut, banana and avocado along with the traditional goodness of strawberries and chocolate. The presentation didn’t turn out as nice as I had imagined. The coconut milk ice cream melted quickly, leaving the raw brownie pieces and banana chips to sink right into the parfait. Nonetheless, it tasted like a dream. Each bite reminded me of walking along the bright, sunny beach of St. Lucia, feeling the warm sand between my toes and the cool sea breeze against my face. I could almost smell the sea air and, for a moment, I forgot about the falling snow and cold weather outside the cottage window.

The components of this amazing parfait included:

Chocolate avocado pudding (similar to this recipe)

Purely Decadent coconut milk ice cream (vanilla bean flavour)

Banana nut crumble (soaked and dehydrated almonds, walnuts and oat groats, flax and banana)

Strawberry coulis (pureed frozen strawberries)

Raw coconut brownies (recipe here)

Dried banana chips and a maraschino cherry for garnish

With my mind still in the tropics, I also managed to come up with some delicious Caribbean muffins that we enjoyed for breakfast yesterday along with grapefruit and mango. I’ll be sharing the recipe soon!

Have you ever thought about what stimulates your imagination or inspires you to create something new? It really doesn’t take much to inspire me or to make me smile in quiet awe. It’s the green bananas ripening on my kitchen counter. The way cookie dough comes together. Coconut oil melting. Lentils sprouting. What happens to chia seeds when I soak them. Beautiful photographs. The flowers that grow in my garden. My cat purring. My friends. And all of you. Those of you who leave your comments here, showing proof there are people who actually read my blog. Those of you who are silent but keep dropping in.

I find endless inspiration in other blogs, too. Food bloggers’ passion, and the delicious results of that passion, never fail to inspire me. This beautiful pudding is one such example. It is inspired by someone’s quinoa porridge, combined with another’s banana soft serve, and topped with my own creation of caramelized banana and nuts. The frozen bananas make this pudding thick and creamy, the cocoa adds a deep chocolate flavour, and the quinoa provides a perfect balance of essential amino acids and vital nutrients. As far as I know, no other chocolate pudding has the superstar power of this one. Enjoy!

Chocolate quinoa pudding

Ingredients:

Quinoa pudding:

• 2 cups nondairy milk
• 1 cup quinoa, rinsed well
• 2 frozen bananas
• 3 tbsp cocoa powder
• 3 tbsp maple syrup or agave nectar
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

Caramelized banana and nuts:

• 1 tbsp sunflower oil
• 2 yellow bananas, sliced
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
• dash of cinnamon

Directions:

Quinoa pudding:

1. In a large saucepan, combine the nondairy milk and quinoa and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and let simmer until the liquid is absorbed, about 30 minutes. Stir occasionally so that a skin doesn't form on top.
2. While the quinoa is cooking, combine the bananas, cocoa powder, maple syrup, cinnamon and vanilla in a blender and blend until creamy.
3. When the quinoa is done, stir in the banana mixture. Serve warm, topped with caramelized banana and nuts (recipe below).

Caramelized banana and nuts:

1. In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Spread out the sliced bananas and nuts in the pan and cook for about 2 minutes. Flip the banana slices over and cook for another minute or two, until they turn light brown.
2. Add the maple syrup and cinnamon and stir to combine. Cook for another minute, or until the maple syrup has dissolved. Remove from heat.

It turns out Matt was describing it to me in detail for a reason. He knows I’m an avid baker, and he wanted me to replicate it for his next meeting. I never turn down an opportunity to bake, but I also didn’t know if it was something that could be successfully veganized. Luckily, Sharon Valencik of the famed Sweet Utopia has already done it for me! I just happen to be browsing through the book—a new addition to my collection—and there it was. I am really enjoying Sweet Utopia and I’m lucky to have found this particular recipe.

It is such an interesting cake that I want to share it with you. Above is a photo of my mini test cake. Imagine a spoonful of this dense cake and warm, buttery sauce touching your lips…delish, yes? The only change I am going to make to this recipe next time is substituting Sucanat and molasses for the powdered sugar, to give the cake a darker colour and deeper taste. Enjoy!

Sticky toffee pudding

Yield: one 9 x 13-inch cake

Ingredients:

For the date mixture:

• 2 cups chopped dates
• 2 cups water

For the cake:

• 3 cups AP flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup vegan butter, at room temperature (I use Earth Balance)
• 1/4 cup soymilk
• 1 tsp white vinegar

For the sticky sauce:

• 2 1/2 cups brown sugar
• 1 cup vegan butter
• 1 cup vanilla soy creamer (or plain soy creamer + 1/2 tsp vanilla extract)

Directions:

For the date mixture:

1. Combine the dates and water in a small saucepan and simmer until the dates soften, about 5 minutes. Set aside to cool. Puree in a blender or food processor until smooth.

For the cake:

1. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a bowl.
2. In a separate large bowl, combine the sugar and vegan butter and beat with a wooden spoon until fluffy (I use an electric mixer). Beat in the soymilk and vinegar.
3. Stir in the flour mixture and date mixture and mix until smooth.
4. Pour the batter into an oiled 9 x 13-inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees for about 35 minutes, or until the cake is light brown and a toothpick inserted in to the centre comes out clean.

For the sticky sauce:

1. Combine the sugar, vegan butter and half of the soy creamer in a medium saucepan and mix well. Bring to
2. a boil, stirring often. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
3. Whisk in the remaining soy creamer. If you are using plain creamer, stir in the vanilla extract.

To serve:

1. Poke holes in the top of the cake using a fork and pour half of the sauce over the top, allowing it to soak into the cake. Cut the cake into 3-inch squares. Keep the remaining sauce hot and spoon it over the warm cake. Sprinkle with chopped walnuts, if desired. Store leftover sauce and cake tightly covered in the refrigerator.

Recipe from Sweet Utopia. Reprinted with permission.

I came up with this holiday parfait for an upcoming dinner I will be hosting for some close friends. I’m known for my deliciously unexpected dessert creations—I am not one to just whip something together at the last minute. I often start thinking about what I’m going to serve weeks ahead, and it gives me the perfect opportunity to experiment with new flavour combinations and recipes before the big night arrives. I probably spend more time thinking about the dessert than the main entree. Call me crazy, but I firmly believe that what comes at the end of the meal is what people often remember most.

This holiday parfait is one of the most decadent desserts I have made in a while. Layered with spiced gingerbread cake, maple-almond cream, sweet potato custard and candied nuts and seeds, it will most definitely make an impression on your guests. Don’t be intimidated by the number of steps to this dessert. You can easily make the layers a day ahead (other than the cake-making, all layers are quite simple), and assemble it an hour or two before your guests arrive. Depending on the size of your parfait cups, this recipe should be enough to make about four individual parfaits.

This is my first submission to the SOS Kitchen Challenge, featuring sweet potatoes. I have to admit: I rushed through this photo shoot just so I could take a bite of one of these babies! The sweet potato custard is definitely one of the best parts.

Holiday parfait

Ingredients:

For the gingerbread cake:

• 1 1/4 cups whole wheat pastry flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1/3 cup nondairy milk
• 1/4 cup sunflower or canola oil
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 2 tbsp molasses
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 1/2 tsp apple cider vinegar

For the maple-almond cream:

• 12 oz. firm silken tofu (I used Mori-Nu)
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/8 tsp pure almond extract

For the sweet potato custard:

• 2 cups cooked and mashed sweet potato
• 1 cup nondairy milk
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 2 tbsp arrowroot
• 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1/8 tsp cloves

For the candied nuts and seeds:

• 1/4 cup chopped pecans
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/4 cupped hulled pumpkin seeds
• 1 tbsp sunflower or canola oil
• pinch of salt
• 3 tbsp maple syrup

Directions:

For the gingerbread cake:

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the whole wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves and salt. Set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the nondairy milk, oil, maple syrup, molasses, lemon zest and vinegar.
3. Add the liquid mixture to the dry mixture and stir just to combine.
4. Pour the cake batter into an oiled 8-inch round cake pan and bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the centre of the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool completely.

For the maple-almond cream:

1. Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Refrigerate for at least an hour.

For the sweet potato custard:

1. Place all ingredients in a food processor or high-powered blender and blend until smooth. You may need to scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl a few times to integrate all the potato. Refrigerate until needed.

For the candies nuts and seeds:

1. Place the pecans, walnuts and pumpkin seeds in a large skillet and toast over medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2. Add the oil and salt and stir to coat all the nuts and seeds.
3. Add the maple syrup and stir to coat. Turn the heat down to medium-low and cook for another few minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Spoon the mixture onto a small pan lined with parchment paper and put it in the freezer for about 20 minutes, or until the mixture is dry and no longer sticky.

To assemble:

1. Break apart the candied nuts and drop a few into the bottom of each parfait cup. Spoon a layer of maple-almond cream over top. Take the cooled cake and break it into crumbs in a bowl (using a fork or your hands) and then add a layer of cake crumbs over the cream, pressing down gently. Next, add a layer of sweet potato custard. Repeat the layers until the cup is almost full. Top with a spoonful of maple-almond cream and more candied nuts and seeds. Refrigerate until ready to serve.