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Homemade Pumpkin Pie

9 Oct

Over the last week I’ve had a number of people ask if I have a great pumpkin pie recipe. I do, in fact, and though this post might be a little too late for some of you, I thought I’d post it anyway.

The Best Pumpkin Pie

Filling:
300 g pumpkin purée
150 ml sourcream
150 g sugar
1 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp clove
2 eggs
1 Tbsp molasses

Crust:
625-700 g flour (approx. 5 cups) (I like to use a mix of whole wheat, spelt and all-purpose, whatever I have on hand)
1 Tbsp vinegar
1 tsp baking powder
454 g butter, lard or shortening (if using butter, add a little less water to start; shortening is NOT my favourite to work with)
1 egg
water (more…)

Crabapple Sauce

21 Sep

There’s a very large crabapple tree in my backyard that produces beautiful red apples in September.Usually, the apples fall to the ground creating a mess that attracts wasp, but this year I broke out the extension ladder and picked about 25 pounds of fruit. Almost getting stuck on my garage roof aside, picking my own tree and turning into preserves that I’ll use over the next several months has been very satisfying!

I use applesauce quite a bit for baking, so I thought “why not make crabapple sauce?” I couldn’t find any recipes specifically using crabapples so I experimented a little and created my own.

Crabapples are very high in pectin which resulted in using much more water than regular applesauce recipes call for. I also wanted to make unsweetened sauce, but after tasting my first batch, I decided it’s more palatable to add a sweetener.

By the third batch I had the technique down; it turned out so well, I’m tempted to risk getting stuck on the garage again to pick more apples and make more sauce. This will definitely be something I make in future preserving seasons. (more…)

Fruit Pies and Pie Crust – deconstructed.

9 Sep Berry Pies in the oven.

Here’s the latest Om Cooking article from Bodhi Tree’s September 2011 Newsletter.

———-

September has always meant new beginnings to me. There’s something about the fall air, the leaves turning and the back to school signs that signal the turning of another year, even more so than our calendar new year in January. The city is starting to bustle again and you begin to notice fresh haircuts, new outfits, and a renewed sense of determination to get down to business. You yourself may be getting back into your daily routine, starting a new job, or going back to school.

Changes to our familiar routine can sometimes be uncomfortable. During these times it’s good to remember the practice of non-attachment that we learn in yoga class. Take deep breaths, take everything in stride and remember that at many points in our lives, we started new; from our first breath, our first step, our first day of school, first yoga class, first job…the list could go on. Especially when we were young, our parents were there with open arms to comfort us when new experiences overwhelmed us. Now, those comforts could be a hug from a good friend, our yoga practice, exercise, or any number of other things.

To me, the ultimate comfort food is pie. If you’re a pie lover already, this recipe’s for you. If not, this might become the quintessential dessert to make when you want something familiar. Try combining apples with cranberries, rhubarb, or other berries for something a little different. (more…)

Baked Oatmeal

27 Apr

Here’s the original article from Bodhi Tree’s April 2011 newsletter.

———–

One cannot think well,
love well, sleep well,
if one has not dined well.
~Virginia Woolf.

I’m sure you’re all familiar with the saying “breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” You may have found that if you come to yoga on an empty stomach, you get dizzy and have very little energy, especially first thing in the morning. Your body is a complex machine that needs fuel to function properly. Nourishing the body with good food at regular intervals maintains your blood sugar levels, allowing you to think clearly and use your energy efficiently to remain active throughout the day. (more…)

The Best Muffins

10 Apr

Here’s the original article from the Bodhi Tree Yoga Centre’s December 2010 Newsletter.

—-

The draw to pick up a muffin with your coffee on the way to work can be hard to resist. But what’s really in that muffin?

Baking at home allows you to choose your ingredients, avoid allergens and incorporate your ethical choices about food. I know it can seem overwhelming, time consuming and sometimes tedious, but I have a simple fix for you: a good base recipe!

Just like setting the foundation – hands and feet – in yoga allows you to build from the primary poses into more advanced variations, having a good base muffin recipe allows for a reliable quick cake that can handle varying flavours and textures. You can ensure you always have the ingredients you need on hand, so when the urge to bake arises, you’re ready to go.

To save time, make a double or triple batch every few weeks, then freeze them. Take a few out of the freezer whenever you want and pop into the toaster oven. You’ll pull out perfectly baked muffins every time!

Here’s my favourite base muffin recipe. I’ve included variations I like to do in brackets and flavour combinations at the end. This recipe can easily be made wheat-free, dairy free, or vegan. (more…)

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