I've discovered a lot of new cooking techniques and wondrous plant-based substitutions since I started this way of life. Here are a few amazing things I have learned:
1. Flax Eggs. Who would have thought that if you mix a little water with some ground flax you'd get this runny, sticky, snotty "egg"? Well, you do. And so we use 1 Tbsp of ground flax mixed with 2.5-3 Tbsp of water to make an egg. Just put together in a bowl and let sit for 10 minutes. Make sure the seeds are ground and not whole. I've used this in waffles and breads with good results.
2. Cashew Cream. (I'm going to have a whole other post on the "Wonders of Cashew Cream" soon, so stay tuned.) But quickly - soak some cashews in water, put them in the blender, and voila! You get a "cream" - one you can adjust the density of to make everything from dressings to "mayo". Some people even make "cheese" out of it.
3. Chia Seeds. I had never in my life bought chia seeds. (Actually
now that I think of it, I may have actually bought a Chia Pet like this one for my sister or brother when we were younger, but I digress.) BUT, did you know that you can use them as a thickener? Similar to the ground flax seeds, chia seeds contain a compound that causes them to gel when placed in a liquid. They are commonly used to make puddings and jams. I have some frozen wild raspberries from this past summer and think I will try this out soon. I'll keep you posted.
4. Arugula. If you know anything about Dr Michael Greger, you might know that arugula is his favorite green. It actually ticks off two boxes in his Daily Dozen . I had never bought it before but it is now my favorite green as well as my favorite cruciferous vegetable. It is easy to find pre-packaged like most other greens and lettuce. What I like about it is that it has a bit of a peppery bite to it and livens up my salads. It is also one of the vegetables highest in nitrates (which can boost blood flow to the brain and other organs).
All of these changes are simple to make and easy ways to use whole grown foods to eat and live healthier. Enjoy!
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