Chipotle Coconut Vegan Bacon

Ever since I went vegetarian and then vegan, folks have asked what I missed. You know, "Don't you miss cheese? Bacon? _____ (fill in the blank)?"

Really, honestly, the answer is no. Especially these days with so many super high-quality substitutes. When I first gave up dairy, I didn't miss cheese too much, but I'm darn glad there is Daiya, and there are some new Vegan Gourmet cheeses coming out that are really good.

Even though the whole world has been bacon obsessed for the past few years, I haven't really given it a thought.

However, coconut bacon is making it impossible not to notice this vegan food trend all over the Internet.

I wanted to make a version that is Welcoming Kitchen-friendly, that is to say, vegan, gluten-free, and allergen-free.

I had some left-over chipotle peppers in adobo sauce from some recipes that I'm working on for my new book.  I thought the smokiness of them would be a good fit with a faux bacon. What do you need for a bacon facsimile? Sweet, salty, and smoky. This recipe combines that smokiness with the sweetness of maple syrup and coconut and some salt. 

Do they taste like bacon?

I couldn't really tell you, since I haven't eaten meat in a really long time, but I don't think so. I think they are crunchy, smoky, salty, sweet bites that add flavor to vegetables, salads, or straight out of your hand.

Give it a try.

Chipotle Coconut Vegan Bacon
Makes 1 cup of bacon bits

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce
• 1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. In a medium bowl mix together all ingredients, except coconut.
4. Add coconut and stir until completely coated.
5. Remove pepper and discard.
6. Bake 12 to 14 minutes.
7. Eat warm or cooled. 
8. Store cooled bacon bits in a covered container for four days or freeze for future use.

Happy Cooking!
Kim

This recipe was shared with Gluten-Free Wednesdays and Allergy Free Wednesday.

My new book,  Super Seeds, is available now! You can also find tasty recipes in Welcoming Kitchen: 200 Delicious Allergen & Gluten-Free Vegan Recipes.

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Eye-D Bands Giveaway!

Photo provided by Eye-D Bands.

Here's a confession.

I have a habit.
A jar habit.

I find it incredibly difficult to get rid of my empty jam jars, salsa jars, applesauce jars.  You get the picture. I wash them, save them and store stuff in them.

The problem is that sometimes I'm not sure what I put in there. I have tried a variety of systems to mark them -- all problematic.

• Tape. The problem with tape is that it can leave a sticky residue when you peel it off.
• Sharpie. The problem with using a permanent marker is what if I want to put something different in the jar after I've emptied it and washed it?
• Memory. I think the problem there is pretty obvious. 

You can imagine my excitement to learn about a new company, Eye-D Bands. These wide rubber bands are pre-printed with a wide variety of ingredients. You can use these bands to quickly identify the contents of containers, jars or canisters. When you change what you put in the container, you just need to change the band to the correct one. The wide bands have a nice grip, so they don't slide down the jar and stay right where you put them. There's no sticky residue when you're finished, and the bands are printed on both sides, so you get two labels with each band.

There are a wide range of bands for ingredients commonly found in special-diet kitchens. For example, there are bands for chia seeds, quinoa, gluten-free flour, brown rice, etc.

Intrigued?

Photo provided by Eye-D Bands.

One lucky reader can try some! Eye-D Bands is giving away a set of bands worth $50 to one winner from the United States or Canada!  Good luck!

Required disclosure: Eye-D Bands provided me with a collection of bands to try. All opinions are my own. Eye-D Bands will provide the randomly selected winner with a set of bands worth $50.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy Cooking!
Kim

My new book,  Super Seeds, is available now! You can also find tasty recipes in Welcoming Kitchen: 200 Delicious Allergen & Gluten-Free Vegan Recipes.
 

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Holiday Spice Coffee -- A Simple DIY Gift from Your Kitchen

Dress your homemade coffee blend in a pretty bow with a spoon for a hostess gift!

I like to think of myself as pretty crafty. I enjoy making gifts for family, friends and neighbors during the holidays. There is nothing I like better, though, than a quick-to-come-together gift that everyone loves.

My friend, Karen, is a star at the holidays, because she puts together a coffee blend that everyone looks forward to. Holiday Spice Coffee is a great gift to have on hand, because it takes only minutes to stir up. Put it in some coffee bags, tie it with a big bow, and attach a tablespoon, and you have a gift that will thrill every coffee drinker r on your list!

You probably will want to keep a bag for yourself, too!

Holiday Spice Coffee

These are the proportions for a pot of coffee   Make as much as you want to gift, but keep these proportions.

Ingredients:

• 10 tablespoons ground coffee
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 cinnamon stick (Ground cinnamon will clog your pot.)

Preparation:

1. Mix all ingredients together, and bag up in a sealed coffee bag.

Happy Cooking!
Kim

My new book,  Super Seeds, is available now! You can also find tasty recipes in Welcoming Kitchen: 200 Delicious Allergen & Gluten-Free Vegan Recipes.

Read More

Holiday Spice Coffee

Holiday Spice Coffee Blend

I've written before about the holiday craft party that brings together women in my community for fun, creativity and a great start to the holiday season.  

I'm in the middle of a big project for my day job, so I will post pictures of all the offerings from this year next week once I get my grants turned in.  (I'm a grant writer in my regular life.)

To tide you over, though, and get you thinking about gifts you can make this year, I have a post on The Balanced Platter today that features a recipe for a holiday spice coffee blend that might friend Karen brought.  I'll have more ideas for you to check out next week.

Happy Cooking!
Kim

The Welcoming Kitchen cookbook makes a terrific holiday gift (and the price is great right now)!

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