12 December

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December 8, 2015

Hemp Chocolate Candy Bar Cookies

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Hemp Chocolate Candy Bar Brownies

Hemp Chocolate Candy Bar Brownies

December 8: National Brownie Day

We have blogged several times about brownies before. But this one is baked with a special ingredient—a chocolate candy bar! And it’s not just any bar—it has hemp seeds! Hemp is related to but is not the same as marijuana, although they both come from one of the varieties of their common cannabis plant. When baked into brownies, a few people automatically assume there is “pot” in it, which is illegal in some states. Nevertheless, we reassured our skeptical friends that they would probably only get high on sugar and not on “weed”! For National Brownie Day, bake some brownies with a special ingredient—a chocolate candy bar with or without hemp.

Recipe

(Adapted from Dave Lieberman of the Food Network)

Ingredients

  • ½ cup (1 stick butter) butter, melted, divided use
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ¼ cup flour
  • 1 hemp chocolate candy bar, coarsely chopped

Directions

Prepare an 8×8-inch square baking pan that has been lined with foil with a little hanging over the edges (this will act as the “handles” to lift the cooled brownies from the pan). Grease the bottom and sides of the foil-lined pan with 2 tablespoons melted butter. With the remaining butter, combine it with the sugar in a mixing bowl.

Hemp Chocolate Candy Bar Brownies

Beat in the egg, water and vanilla. Next, add the salt, baking powder, cocoa powder and flour.

Hemp Chocolate Candy Bar Brownies

Fold in the chopped hemp chocolate candy bar pieces. Spread evenly into the prepared pan. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes or until the center is set and the top is shiny and slightly wrinkled. Remove from the oven and let cool completely. Use the foil “handles” to lift the brownie out of the pan. Cut into squares and serve. Yield: 16 brownie pieces.

Hemp Chocolate Candy Bar Brownies

Notes

  • Thanks to Lisa L. for giving us the special ingredient for this recipe—the hemp chocolate candy bar. The hemp seeds added a nice occasional crunch to the fudgy-cake like texture in this brownie.
  • Substitute the hemp chocolate candy bar for a cup of another candy bar (like Snickers fun size or mini chocolate-peanut candy bars).
  • Search our blog for other brownie recipes.

 

December 25, 2013

Pumpkin Pie (Allergy-Free)

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Pumpkin Pie

(Gluten and Dairy Free)

Pumpkin Pie (Allergy-Free)

December 25: National Pumpkin Pie Day

“Rockin’ around the Christmas tree

Let the Christmas spirit ring

Later we’ll have some pumpkin pie

And we’ll do some caroling!”

Now Islander can enjoy a piece of pumpkin pie without worrying that it will bloat her belly like a bowl full of jelly because the recipe that follows features gluten- and dairy-free ingredients!

She found gluten-free pie crusts in the freezer section at Whole Foods market, used coconut instead of cow’s milk and sweetened the batter with maple syrup (hence, our pie is decked out with maple leaves molded from pumpkin-flavored Candy Melts).

Those suffering from food allergies can try this delicious dessert with or without the crust. So celebrate Christmas and National Pumpkin Pie Day with a sweet slice of gluten- and dairy-free pumpkin pie.

Recipe

(Adapted from Williams-Sonoma)

Ingredients

  • 1 9-inch gluten-free pie crust, baked
  • 1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin
  • ½ cup maple syrup
  • 1 can (14 ounces) coconut milk (use full fat Thai Kitchen brand)
  • 2 tablespoons tapioca flour
  • 3 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla
  • 2 teaspoon agar-agar powder (do not use bar or flakes)
  • ¾ cup water

Directions

Pre-bake the pie crust according to the package directions. Set aside to cool completely.

Pumpkin Pie (Allergy-Free)

In the blender container, combine the pumpkin, maple syrup and coconut milk.

Pumpkin Pie (Allergy-Free)

Add the tapioca flour, pumpkin pie spice, salt and vanilla.

Pumpkin Pie (Allergy-Free)

Blend until smooth. Set aside. In a saucepan over medium heat, dissolve the agar-agar powder in water. Simmer to thicken, about 1-2 minutes. Whisk in the pumpkin batter. Bring to a boil and stir until thickened (another 2-3 minutes). Immediately pour into the pie crust. Cool at room temperature then transfer to the refrigerator. When chilled, slice and serve.

Pumpkin Pie (Allergy-Free)

Notes

  • Take a taste test to compare this with a traditional pumpkin pie (see the regular recipe on our blog). The crust is crisp without a buttery taste. The filling is firm and gelatinous and not as creamy. But it is a nice alternative for those with food allergies. Even our friends who can tolerate gluten and dairy do not mind eating this pumpkin pie with us.
  • For another no-bake pumpkin pie, try it St. Martha-style using lactose-free milk.
 

December 20, 2013

Fried Shrimp Balls

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Fried Shrimp Balls

Shrimp Balls

December 20: National Fried Shrimp Day

Fried shrimp balls may have a naughty name but these appetizers are nice to eat during holiday gatherings (Christmas and New Year) and throughout the year. We like to order fried shrimp balls from the dim sum menu when we at Chinese restaurants that offer them. Some are plain and soft, but we like the crunchy thread-like coating for its artistic presentation.

Be naughty yet nice and fry some shrimp balls for the holidays and on National Fried Shrimp Day.

Recipe

(Adapted from Rasa Malaysia)

Ingredients

  • 1 pound shrimp, raw, shelled and deveined
  • 1 egg white
  • pinch of salt
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 tablespoon corn starch
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable or canola oil
  • ½ teaspoon sesame oil
  • white pepper powder, to taste
  • won ton pi (thin wrappers)
  • Oil for frying

Directions

In a blender (we used our nifty Nutribullet), place the egg white and beat until frothy. Place the shrimp, salt and sugar in the container.

Shrimp Balls

Add the corn starch, vegetable or canola oil, sesame oil and white pepper powder in the container.

Shrimp Balls

Blend until all the ingredients become paste-like. Using slightly wet hands, form the paste into one-inch balls. Refrigerate for at least 10 minutes to set. Slice the won ton pi into thin strips.

Shrimp Balls

Roll the shrimp balls in the strips to coat evenly. Heat the oil and deep fry the shrimp balls until puffed up and golden brown. Remove and drain on paper towels. Transfer to a plate and serve hot with sauce. Yield: 2 dozen fried shrimp balls.

Shrimp Balls

Notes

  • Thanks to our friends Pat and Phyllis S. for helping us prepare the fried shrimp balls for our blog. Phyllis helped to roll them in the won ton pi while Pat fried them in his wok.
  • Serve the shrimp balls with soy sauce or sweet Thai chili sauce.
  • The balls may flatten slightly but will puff up into rounds when fried.
  • If not coating the balls in won ton strips, deep fry plain until golden. Poke toothpicks or skewer a few fried shrimp balls for an appetizing arrangement on a party platter.
  • Search our blog for more shrimp recipes.
 

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