Blueberry Almond Butter-Oats Bar.Agave Nectar,the Low GI Sweetener

The best part of the summers are the surplus gorgeous berries,melons and stone fruits brimming in the local markets,all at affordable prices.After picking your favorite kind of berries ,how do you use up these delicate fruit with short shelf life before spoiling?I say,make preserves that can go great on a toast ,biscuits or for baking. Or enjoy them whole in a cooling yogurt smoothie ,blend it in the Nature's best drink,parfait,fruity pancakes or sprinkle over the morning bowl of cereal.


I've made bars before with whole oats,for this recipe I use ground oats and didn't use any wheat flour keeping them gluten-free bars.With crumbly texture, blueberry filling and soft almond butter topping these were totally enjoyable.You could even use mangoes or plums or which ever fruit is in season in your part of the world.

Agave Nectar,the Low GI Sweetener
I use Agave Nectar as a sweetener.Agave is extracted from the heart of the agave plant.It is a low glycemic sweetener,best suited for diabetics,as it is slowly absorbed in to the body preventing spikes in blood sugar.It is 25% sweeter than sugar,so you need less.The sweet mild taste is perfect for sweetening beverages,baking and as a multipurpose sweetener.Read more more other natural sweeteners with low GI in my post here.Agave is available in many natural food stores,I bought mine from Costco.

Recipe
Ingredients
For Blue Berry Filling
3 cups Fresh blueberries
1/4 cup water
1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water.

For Bottom Oatmeal layer
2 cups Whole rolled oats
1/4 cup Flax seed meal
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoon Olive oil or vegetable oil
1 Organic egg (Vegans could replace with 1/2 cup applesauce or tofu)
1/4 cup Agave or 1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup reduced fat milk or soy milk

For Top Almond Butter Layer
1/2 cup Almond butter
1/2 cup whole rolled oats
2 teaspoon Agave or 1 tablespoon sugar

*If you can't use almond butter,use 1/2 cup roasted ground almonds,blend with 3-4 tablespoon of water to smooth paste .


Method
Prepare the filling by Cooking the berries and water,until bubbly and soft,then mix in the cornstarch dissolved in water,stir constantly until thickened.Let cool.

Grind the oats used in both the layers to a coarse mixture in a food processor or blender.Grind together then measure and use separately.Approximately 3/4th for the bottom layer and rest for the top layer.

Preheat oven to 350F. Grease a 8X8 inch baking dish with oil or line with parchment paper.

Mix the bottom layer in medium bowl,whip egg or tofu with agave or sugar,then stir in rest of the ingredients.Spread evenly on the bottom of the baking dish,next spread the blueberry filling.
In the same bowl mix the ground oats ,almond butter and sugar.Spread over the blueberry filling using a spatula or with fingers.
Bake in the middle rack of the oven,for about 25-30 minutes until the top is nice and brown.Cool completely and cut in to squares.Enjoy these nutritious bars with morning or evening cuppa tea or coffee .

These bars are my entry for Heart of the Matter : Best of June's produce

Sweet Potato Pie with Caramalized Nuts topping

I reserve decadent pies just for potlucks or parties,if I happen to bake one just for ourselves,my hubby's(with exceptional sense of smell and aversion for solid fats) first query would be "Did you add butter in it?!",yes obviously, who ever heard of a pie without butter or shortening?,then he would just eat a miserly little piece,and the rest is for me.I have a very small appetite for desserts,can't eat the small kind for a fortnight.Hence to be on safer side I bake the full-size pies just for festive or special gatherings.So I took this wholesome pie for a potluck ,though its missing my favorite element in a dessert,that is chocolate,but with sweetness from potatoes,spices and caramelized nut topping this pie was just as delicious. Omitting eggs and using cornstarch is an option too,like I did in my Eggless Chocolate Pumpkin pie.

(Adapted from Elise's Original recipe).


Ingredients
For Crust
3/4 cup all purpose flour
3/4 cup Whole wheat flour
4 tablespoon(1/2 a stick) Organic butter, cold and cut in small cubes
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground spices mix,I used cinnamon and cloves.
1/2 cup ice cold water


For Filling
2 1/2 cups Sweet potato puree(see how to cook sweet potatoes?)
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ginger powder or 1/8th of a teaspoon of fresh grated ginger
1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon or Pumpkin Spice(mixture of ground nutmeg,cloves and cinnamon)
2 large Organic eggs


For Caramelized Nut topping
3/4 cup mix of roasted nuts,roughly chopped [I used pecans,almonds and pistachios)
1 tablespoon Organic butter,use the light kind if desired
2 tablespoon brown or white sugar

Method

Prepare the dough
Sift the flours,salt and cinnamon in bowl. Mix in the butter,using a food processor pulse while adding the cold water ,until just combined in to a crumbly mixture. Or use 2 fork and break the butter in to flour and mix it up while adding the cold water.Wrap the dough in a plastic wrap and allow to refrigerate for 30 minutes

Bake the Crust
Preheat Oven to 350F
Unwrap the dough. Spread some all purpose flour on work surface and using a rolling pin, roll out the dough in to size just bigger that your pan size(9 inches).Transfer the rolled dough to the pie or tart pan.Press gently to smooth it out and poke some holes using fork to prevent it from rising.
Bake the crust for in the middle rack of the oven for about 15-20 minutes until the crust is lightly crisp.
Bake the pie
Mix all the filling ingredients,crack the eggs in mixing bowl,stir in the puree ,sugar and spices. Pour it on the baked crust and spread evenly using a spatula. Bake about 40-45 minutes until the filling is firm.Cool completely before spreading the nut topping,at least an hour.

Prepare and Spread the topping
Melt the butter in a pan at medium heat,add the sugar and stir.after about 2 minutes when the sugar get slightly bubbly and brown, add in the nuts and stir to combine.Turn off the heat ,allow the mixture to slightly cool about 1 minute.Then spread over cooled pie ,serve when topping is set.


The Sweet Potato Pie is my last entry(besides the 1,2,3 entries)for Sunshinemom's Food In Colors event,the color of the month is Orange and host is Aparna of My diverse Kitchen.

Speaking about Nuts,If you are nuts about them just as much as I am,stay tuned with the Let Go Nuts food event at Served with Love blog,the nuts in focus this month are Walnuts and Pecans.This pie along with the Mushroom Walnut Soup,Vegan Banana Walnut Bread and Cherry Nut Crescents are my entries for the event.

Broccoli Rice Casserole

I'm always looking for ways to use my left over rice. Casseroles is got to be one delicious dish with left over rice ;along with broccoli.I guess mentioned many times in my posts about broccoli's health benefits,I don't mind saying it again,its one the best anti-cancer foods ,good for over all health.I use broccoli more often than any other veggie,in omelets,in curries,flavorful rice ,breads and soups.Working on a dessert recipe with broccoli..any ideas?

Ingredients
2 cups broccoli florets
2 cups cooked rice(left over rice will also do,I used some left over lentil rice,reason the hues of yellow in my casserole))
1 big clove garlic,chopped
1/2 a small onion,finely chopped
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoon chopped fresh herbs like thyme or cilantro or parsley
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper or 1/2 teaspoon chilly powder
1 cup Organic Whole Milk
1 1/2 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth or water
1 tablespoon cornstarch dissolved in 2 tablespoon water
1 slice whole bread slice,processed to crumbs for topping[or use 1/4 cup store bought bread crumbs] OR 1/2 a cup low fat cheese
Method
Preheat Oven to 350F.
Heat oil in a saucepan and add the butter,when melted add the garlic and chopped onions.saute for a minute ,then add the broccoli and season with salt and pepper.Saute for 2 more minutes before adding the broth and milk,simmer until broccoli is tender about 8 minutes.Stir in cornstarch and simmer another 5 minutes.
Turn off the heat and combine the mixture with rice.Transfer in a baking dish and bake for about 25 minutes.Sprinkle with bread crumbs or cheese and bake for another 10 minutes until bubbly and lightly brown on the top.Serve warm .


Broccoli Rice Casserole is my entry Weekend Wokking ,November's ingredient is Broccoli,hosting WW this month is Wiffy of Noob cook

An Eggless Chocolate Pumpkin Pie from a Real Pumpkin,Not a Can!

Splendor of Autumn is simple and serene,with cool breeze ,leaves changing to beautiful colors and blanket of leaves camouflaging the ground.Its also time of harvest,gorgeous pumpkins ,colorful corns,juicy apples and vegetables like Avocado,Leeks,Sweet potatoes ,green beans,Brussels sprouts,aubergines(egg plants) ,spinach and beets are best in this season.


Pumpkin pie is the ultimate dessert of the season. But are you aware of the sky high calories in a creamy pumpkin pie or loss of nutrition after adding a cup of sugar ,a stick of butter and 3(some recipes have 4) eggs in each pie? Its close to 320 calories in just one slice! . To avoid all the guilt after eating such a high cholesterol high sugar dessert, I made this pie egg less with just half the sugar and half the fat. Inspiration of the egg less pie was this recipe from Mango power girl.I further reduced the fat from butter and sugar from MPG's original recipe.And to get the most from the flavor of pumpkin,first time ever i made the pie from scratch with home made crust and fresh pumpkin puree.
Most delighted about the low calorie pie was my better half, who is believe it or not ,more calories conscious than I am. I know one another person who would be just as delighted ,Madhuram from Eggless Cooking , who is hosting this month's A fruit A month: Pumpkin event. Madhuram ,this pie is coming up to you soon:)
I'm also sending this pie for Ivy's Sweet pie Contest

Ingredients
For Crust
1/2 cup all purpose flour
3/4 cup Whole wheat flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
4 tablespoon(1/2 a stick) cold butter, cut in small cubes
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup ice cold water

For Filling
1 pie pumpkin(recipe for puree follows) or 3 cups Canned Pumpkin puree
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon ginger powder or 1/8th of a teaspoon of fresh grated ginger
1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon or Pumpkin Spice(mixture of ground nutmeg,cloves and cinnamon)
2 table spoon of cornstarch(substitute for 2 eggs)
1 cup Organic whole milk
2 tablespoon dark chocolate, finely chopped for topping

Method

Prepare the dough
Sift the flours,cocoa ,salt and cinnamon in bowl. Mix in the butter,using a food processor pulse while adding the cold water ,until just combined in to a crumbly mixture. Or use 2 fork and break the butter in to flour and mix it up while adding the cold water.
Wrap the dough in a plastic wrap and allow to refrigerate for 30 minutes

Bake the Crust
Preheat Oven to 350F
Unwrap the dough. Spread some all purpose flour on work surface and using a rolling pin, roll out the dough in to size just bigger that your pan size(9 inches).Transfer the rolled dough to the pie or tart pan.Press gently to smooth it out and poke some holes using fork to prevent it from rising.
Bake the crust for in the middle rack of the oven for about 15-20 minutes until the crust is lightly crisp.
Bake the pie
Mix all the filling ingredient besides the chocolate. Pour it on the baked crust and spread evenly using a spatula. Sprinkle the dark chocolate in a swirl pattern or in just circles(needs some practice). Bake about 40-45 minutes ,filling will not rise much because its egg less, but the cornstarch should make the pie firm enough.
Cool completely and refrigerate at least 6 hours .To serve, slice with sharp knife .

How to Puree a Pumpkin?

The pumpkin pie tastes best with a fresh pumpkin. Roasting the pumpkin is an easier way to make its puree.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.


Halve the pumpkin with a sharp knife.Remove all strings and seeds. Don't throw away the seeds. Wash and roast in oven ,great for munching or for baking.


Place the pumpkin halves cut side down in a roasting pan along with a cup of water.Bake the pumpkin until tender, about 90 minutes.Scoop the flesh out of each pumpkin half.Puree in a food processor or blender. Store in Refrigerator for a week and use in baking or cooking.

Pumpkin Nutrition facts
Pumpkin is loaded with an important antioxidant, beta-carotene Vitamin A,that may reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancer and offers protect against heart disease.It is also a good source of Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol), Thiamin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Iron, Magnesium and Phosphorus, and a very good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin C, Riboflavin, Potassium, Copper and Manganese,all essential for over all good health.


An Award

Lovely ladiesSuma and Syeda have passed me the beautiful butterfly award. Thanks a million Suma and Syeda :). As per rules I'm passing it to 10 other cool blogs.

Bharti, Happy Cook,Arfi ,Sameera, Mona,Dershana,Meeso ,Anjum,Maimoona,Zee, Farida