Update to OMG Bread

Hello!

It's been a while since I posted my OMG Bread recipe- and I've used it plenty of times now. I thought I'd give an update to the recipe, and also just how I make it!

It's gluten-free bread. It's vegan. It's delicious. It's great for toasting. It's great for freezing.

Here is the original posting for OMG Bread.

If you haven't used this recipe yet, you should do it today.
I've tried a number of gluten-free breads from different bakeries...and mine is still one of the best. It's the best for toasting for sure. I don't eat a large amount of bread, so I keep mine frozen and toast a piece or two now and then for a toasty sandwich, or toast spread with maple butter, or natural peanut butter.

I haven't changed anything to the recipe, but added to the most recent loaf I did.

I added:

1/4 cup hemp hearts

1 tbsp dried rosemary

1 tbsp dried oregano

1 tbsp dried thyme

This added a little herby hint to the bread- but it's still the same, delicious stuff!

You can make 2 smaller loafs with the recipe, or one large loaf, as pictured above. Up to you! The larger is best for sandwiches, but the smaller loafs are better for just small pieces of toast, and limiting your carb intake.

Yummy Product Review: Luna & Larry's Coconut Bliss

Alright people. We are talking about a serious topic here. Ice Cream.

More importantly, we are talking about Soy-Free, Gluten-Free, Vegan (aka. Dairy-Free) Ice Cream.

I had heard about this product through the grapevine, and had been dying to try it. A little while ago at my local Whole Foods, this product was on sale, and I grabbed the VERY LAST carton of it.

The one that was left was called "Naked Coconut"- and even though I'm not a crazy coconut fan, I decided I had to try it.

This stuff is unreal. Although pricey, it is so rich in flavour that you'll find yourself only eating a little at a time (and still being entirely satisfied).

This Naked Coconut flavour was rich in coconut flavour, with little pieces of actual coconut mixed around inside. This is something you'll eat right out of the carton.

I'm looking forward to trying some of their other flavours, including Naked Almond Fudge, Vanilla Island, and Cappuccino. Based on their website, it looks like they have 10 flavours of ice cream, and 2 flavours of ice cream bars available in Canada.

I've seen this product sold at Whole Foods, and Choices Markets so far.
If you love your ice cream, like I do, go out and try this! I highly recommend it!

West End Farmer's Market

Farmer's Market season has arrived! Vancouver offers a variety of Farmer's Markets, and there is sure to be one in your area!

My local area- the West End- is lucky to have a great Farmer's Market on Saturdays. It has been open for the past 2 Saturdays, but I finally got to go pay a visit yesterday!

I was surprised to see a bunch of familiar vendors from the Kitsilano Market- Paul's Produce, bluecometseafoods (mmm sashimi tuna loin!), Flippers Organic Acres, and many others!

Today's Farmer's Market purchases included:

Beets and tops
Cherry Tomatoes (absolutely unreal!)
Strawberry Spinach
Long English Cucumbers (some nice and solid ones this weekend!)
Radishes
New Potatoes (the teeny weeniest you've ever seen! so cute!)
Red Kale
Zucchini

Beautiful produce! 

The West End Farmer's Market is located between Bute and Thurlow on Comox St.
It's open Saturdays, from 9am- 2pm

Get there early to pick out the best stuff! Lots of vendors sell out of some of their goodies!
Go grab breakfast- there is always a food truck and coffee vendors for you to eat while you shop.

Also- don't forget cash, or if you do- you can get Market Money through your debit. It's a $2 charge per transaction.

Next week I'm looking forward to seeing a whole bunch of new vendors.
Check out the Interactive Market Map to see who will be there each weekend!

Food Trucks Are All The Rage

As the post title states, food trucks are all the rage in Vancouver these days. In downtown Vancouver, they're hard not to miss- stationed at some of the busiest corners in the downtown core.

Being a person with allergies, these food trucks come with a big red flag- we have no idea what the ingredients are- or really any way to look it up. Street meat is pretty much out. It's unfortunate because so many of these food trucks are raved about. They are definitely the hottest trend for "fast food", and some of the products coming out of these food trucks are absolutely gourmet.

I have discovered my first food truck which boasts an ENTIRELY gluten-free, and dairy-free menu. Not only that- the food is absolutely amazing.

This food truck is called "Off the Wagon". They describe themselves as a "mobile Taqueria specializing in fresh homemade tacos." Having been to Mexico City a couple times and eating authentic tacos right off the street, my standards for tacos are high.

The tacos at Off The Wagon are fantastic. Authentic, and drool-worthy.
I ordered 2 pulled pork tacos- and absolutely would get them again, and again, and again. They also have a vegetarian option (yam and beans) that I would love to try.

They have a Facebook page!

https://www.facebook.com/OffTheWagonTacos


You can find Off the Wagon at the Kitsilano Farmer's Market on Sundays. You can also find them at Dunsmuir and Burrard during weekdays!

Pulled-Pork- The Easiest Recipe You'll Ever Make.

After my honey kept bugging me to make pulled pork, I finally decided to get down and try it. I don't know any meat-eater that doesn't like pulled pork. I discovered a recipe that, frankly, is the easiest thing I've ever made. I'd love to pretend I laboured for hours to make such a delicious dish- but honestly, it's absolutely painless- and absolutely delicious.

You will need a slow cooker, aka. Crock Pot. I've got a fantastic orange and brown 70's style Crock Pot that I picked up at a garage sale before I moved out for College years ago.

Ingredients:
1 boneless pork shoulder
A bottle of your favourite BBQ Sauce- I used Amazing Dad's Original BBQ Sauce- It's GF and organic!
2 medium yellow onions
1 cup ginger ale

Instructions:
Slice up your yellow onions into large pieces. Put the pieces of one onion on the bottom of the slow cooker.
Add in your pork shoulder
Put the pieces of the other onion on the top of the pork.
Pour 1 cup ginger ale over the mix.

Cover, and cook on low for 8-10 hours.

After 8-10 hours the pork should easily be falling apart.
Drain all the liquid, and then take 2 forks to tear apart the meat. It's so much easier than I thought it would be. All the fat has been melted off and was drained with the liquid.
Add in a generous amount of BBQ sauce and stir- the pork is cooked at this point, so you can test and see if you added enough BBQ sauce. Add as much to your liking- but know you can also add more to your sandwich if you decide to later. I like to use less, and add more if needed later.

Cook on high for an additional 1-2 hours- stirring every half hour or so.
This recipe takes absolutely no effort, but it does take time. Make sure to plan accordingly!

Mexican Hummus Recipe!

Hello!

So I created a delicious recipe I wanted to share with you all!

I named it Mexican Hummus because of it's delicious lime flavour, and cayenne and cilantro tones.

This hummus is dairy-free, and gluten-free, but most importantly GARLIC-FREE, so you can eat as much as you want without the embarrassing post-hummus bad breath!

Not only is making your own hummus easy, but it's incredibly healthy! Choose to use canned chickpeas or make your own from dried chickpeas! (The trick is to add a touch of baking soda when soaking the chickpeas- this will help keep their skins on!)

Mexican Hummus

You will need:

2 cups Chickpeas

4 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil

2 tbsp Organic Tahini

1/4 cup Lime Juice

1 Jalapeño (I used a White Jalapeño)

1/4 cup Chopped Fresh Cilantro

1/8 tsp Sea Salt

1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper

Combine all ingredients in a blender.

Blend on a low speed until mixed. You may have to stop and stir- this could be too thick for some blenders.

Garnish with a cilantro sprig, and serve with chopped vegetables, or corn tortilla chips!