Wednesday, 1 October 2014

PUBLICATION: HALLOWEEN FOR LITTLE FOODIES | ARTICLE WHN - ISSUE 86

  • Article published in What´s Happening Magazine / Issue 86.
Kids can be very picky when it comes to food, especially when it's good for them. However we have found a solution in blog form. Cosericantar blog makes it a piece of cake when getting your little ones involved in cooking. The blog is based on two main ideas: cooking and playing. A full menu of creative and healthy recipes has been prepared for each month of the year. Elena from Cosericantar blog has created some spooky treats especially WHM for you to try at home. 
Recipes and photography by Elena JR from Cosericantar blog

***What´s Happening Magazine (WHN): Brighton-based Fashion and Lifestyle Magazine.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  • RELATED POSTS


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Saturday, 27 September 2014

    SPOOKY DRINKS | 2 ALTERNATIVE VEGAN RECIPES INCLUDED | HALLOWEEN MENU

      MONSTER - SPINACH SMOOTHIE 
    YOU WILL NEED: *vegan recipe
    A handful of spinach
    1 or 2 bananas
    1 natural yogurt or soy yogurt (125g - small size)
    A scoop of vanilla flavor ice cream /*vegan ice cream
    2 tablespoons of honey  /*agave nectar, to taste
    NOTE: The recipe is for one glass. If you want more than one glass, multiply the ingredients accordingly.

    LET´S COOK!
    1. Wash the spinach chop the bananas and add to the blender.
    2. Add the ice cream, honey and yogurt. Mix everything with the blender until foaming. Taste the smoothie and add more honey to sweeten if you wish.
    3. Serve in a glass with straw. Put some white chocolate (for eyes) on the top of the glass.
    NOTE: Put the glasses in the freezer for a while, the monster smoothie should be cold.

    • VAMPIRE - BEETROOT SMOOTHIE 
    YOU WILL NEED: *vegan recipe
    A handful of mixed berries (blueberry, blackberry, raspberry, strawberry)
    A small cooked beetroot
    1 forest berry yogurt  /*forest berry soy yogurt (125g - small size)
    A scoop of vanilla flavor ice cream /*vegan ice cream
    2 tablespoons of honey  /*agave nectar, to taste
    NOTE: The recipe is for one glass. If you want more than one glass, multiply the ingredients accordingly

    LET´S COOK!
    1. Wash the berries, cut the beetroot, and add to the blender.
    2. Add the ice cream, honey and yogurt. Mix everything with the blender until foaming. Taste the smoothie and add more honey to sweeten if you wish.
    3. Serve in a glass with straw. Put some white chocolate (for eyes) on the top of the glass.
    NOTE: Put the glasses in the freezer for a while, the vampire smoothie should be cold.

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    • RELATED POSTS
      • Publication / WHMHalloween for little foodies (spooky treats)
      -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      TRICK OR FRUIT | 2 VEGAN RECIPES | HALLOWEEN MENU




      WIKI NOTE: Trick-or-treating is a Halloween ritual custom for children and adults in many countries. Children in costumes travel from house to house, asking for treats with the phrase "Trick or treat". The "treat" is usually some form of candy, although in some cultures money is used instead. The "trick" refers to a threat, usually idle, to perform mischief on the homeowners or their property if no treat is given. Trick-or-treating usually occurs on the evening of October 31. Some homeowners signal that they are willing to hand out treats by putting up Halloween decorations outside their doors; others simply leave treats available on their porches for the children to take freely. Houses may also leave their porch light on as a universal indicator that they have candy.

      Traditions similar to the modern custom of trick-or-treating extend all the way back to classical antiquity, although it is extremely unlikely that any of them are directly related to the modern custom. The ancient Greek writer Athenaeus of Naucratis records in his book The Deipnosophists that, in ancient times, the Greek island of Rhodes had a custom in which children would go from door to door dressed as swallows, singing a song, which demanded the owners of the house to give them food and threatened to cause mischief if the owners of the house refused. This tradition was claimed to have been started by the Rhodian lawgiver Cleobulus.
      • BANANA GHOSTS | VEGAN RECIPE
      YOU WILL NEED:
      Bananas
      Raisins

      LET´S COOK!

      1. Peel the bananas and cut them in half.
      2. Make the ghost face with the raisins.
      3. Place the banana ghosts on a plate. Such a scary gang of ghosts! Boo!!!

      • PUMPKIN MANDARINS | VEGAN RECIPE
      YOU WILL NEED:
      Mandarins
      Kiwis

      LET´S COOK!
      1. Peel the mandarins and the kiwis.
      2. Cut the kiwis into small triangular pieces.
      3. Put one kiwi piece in the center of each mandarin. It looks like pumpkin stalks.
      4. Place the pumpkins on a plate. It is so easy to plant a terrifying field of pumpkins.

      -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      • RELATED POSTS
        • Publication / WHMHalloween for little foodies (spooky treats)


        -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

        4 SCARY TAPAS | ALTERNATIVE VEGAN RECIPES INCLUDED | HALLOWEEN MENU

        -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        1. PUMPKIN VOMIT | VEGAN RECIPE



        YOU WILL NEED:
        1 little pumpkin
        For the guacamole:
        1 large ripe tomato
        3 very ripe avocados
        Juice of 1 large lime
        handful of coriander, leaves and stalks chopped
        1 small red onion, finely chopped
        1 chilli, red or green, deseeded and finely chopped
        Tortilla chips, to serve

        LET´S COOK!
        Guacamole:
        1. Remove the skin from the tomato and chop. Halve and stone the avocados and use a spoon to scoop out the flesh into a bowl with the tomato.
        2. Tip all the other ingredients into the bowl, then season with salt and pepper. Use a fork to combine all of the ingredients.
        3. Scatter with coriander. Cover with cling film and chill until needed.
        Pumpkin face: 
        1. Make a hole in the top of the pumpkin. Cut a six-sided lid, rather than a circle.
        2. Use a wooden spoon, to clean out the seeds and stringy bits.
        3. Draw the face on the pumpkin. Following the line cut the shapes out with a serrated knife. Use a gentle sawing action to avoid breaking bits off the pumpkin.

        LET'S MAKE THE PUMPKIN VOMIT!
        1. Put the pumpkin on a plate. 
        2. Spread the guacamole from the mouth of the pumpkin around the plate. 
        3. Serve with a big bowl with tortilla chips to dip into the guacamole.

        -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        2. SPIDER EGGS | ALTERNATIVE VEGAN RECIPE INCLUDED

        YOU WILL NEED: *vegan recipe
        3 or 4 eggs /*silken tofu (yolks substitute) mini bread chips snacks (white)
        A tin of pitted black olives
        2 tablespoons of chopped spring onions
        4 tablespoons of mayonnaise/*vegan mayonnaise
        NOTE: homemade mayonnaise + vegan mayonnaise recipe
        1 small can of tuna chunks /*soya chunks (optional)
        2 tablespoons of sweet corn (optional)
        Sprig of parsley (optional)
        Salt, to taste
        Black pepper, to taste

        LET´S COOK!
        1. Put the eggs into a small pot. Cover with water and cook for approx. 4-5 minutes. Peel the eggs. Chop in half and remove the yolks.
        2. Put the chopped spring onions, chopped yolks, tuna chunks and sweet corn in a big bowl. Mix everything together with a wooden spoon.
        3. Add several tablespoons of mayonnaise, until you achieve a creamy texture. Mix everything with a wooden spoon. Add salt and black pepper to taste.

        LET'S MAKE THE SPIDER EGGS!
        1. Fill the holes left by the yolk with the mixture. Chop some black olives in half (to make the spider body) and others into thin slices (to make the legs).
        2. Decorate the top of the mix with half a black olive in the centre and put 4 legs on each side. It looks like a scary spider!!!

        -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        3. SAUSAGE MUMMIES ALTERNATIVE VEGAN RECIPE INCLUDED


        YOU WILL NEED: *vegan recipe
        One package of hotdog sausages /*vegan sausages
        1 sheet of shortcrust pastry /*shortcrust vegan pastry
        NOTE: The shortcrust pastry can be either store-bought or homemade: Shortcrust pastry recipe

        LET´S COOK!
        1. Preheat the oven to 180 º C. Cover the baking tray with baking parchment.
        2. Cut the sheet of pastry lengthwise into thin pieces. Roll the strips of pastry around the sausage. Leave an area without pastry (for the face). Add some pastry on the top of the mummy´s head.
        3. Put the mummies on the baking tray. Bake them for around 25 minutes, or until the pastry is golden.
        4. Remove the baking tray. Serve in a small bowl with tomato sauce, ketchup, or barbecue sauce (or whatever you prefer).
        5. Place the mummies around the bowl. Make eyes with mayonnaise or mustard.

        -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        4. CHEESY WITCHES' BROOMS |  ALTERNATIVE VEGAN RECIPE INCLUDED
             

        YOU WILL NEED: *vegan recipe
        Box of Italian breadsticks
        Cheese slices /*vegan cheese slices
        Chives
        Strawberry jam (or whatever flavour you prefer)

        LET´S COOK!

        1. Roll a cheese slice on the end of a breadstick. Tie it with a chive. Cut the cheese into ribbons with scissors. Repeat the same method with each breadstick.
        2. Place the witches´ brooms around the plate. Serve in a little bowl with jam to dip.

        -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



        -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        RELATED POSTS
          • Publication / WHMHalloween for little foodies (spooky treats)


            -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

            HALLOWEEN MENU


            -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            STARTER: SCARY TAPAS + 4 RECIPES

            1. PUMPKIN VOMIT / VEGAN



            YOU WILL NEED:
            1 little pumpkin
            For the guacamole:
            1 large ripe tomato
            3 very ripe avocados
            Juice of 1 large lime
            handful of coriander, leaves, and stalks chopped
            1 small red onion, finely chopped
            1 chili, red or green, deseeded and finely chopped
            Tortilla chips, to serve

            LET´S COOK!
            Guacamole:
            1. Remove the skin from the tomato and chop. Halve and stone the avocados and use a spoon to scoop out the flesh into a bowl with the tomato.
            2. Tip all the other ingredients into the bowl, then season with salt and pepper. Use a fork to combine all of the ingredients.
            3. Scatter with coriander. Cover with cling film and chill until needed.
            Pumpkin face: 
            1. Make a hole in the top of the pumpkin. Cut a six-sided lid, rather than a circle.
            2. Use a wooden spoon, to clean out the seeds and stringy bits.
            3. Draw the face on the pumpkin. Following the line cut the shapes out with a serrated knife. Use a gentle sawing action to avoid breaking bits off the pumpkin.

            LET'S MAKE THE PUMPKIN VOMIT!
            1. Put the pumpkin on a plate. 
            2. Spread the guacamole from the mouth of the pumpkin around the plate. 
            3. Serve with a big bowl with tortilla chips to dip into the guacamole.

            -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            2. SPIDER EGGS / VEGAN FRIENDLY


              YOU WILL NEED: *vegan recipe
              3 or 4 eggs /*silken tofu (yolks substitute) mini bread chips snacks (white)
              A tin of pitted black olives
              2 tablespoons of chopped spring onions
              4 tablespoons of mayonnaise/*vegan mayonnaise
              NOTE: homemade mayonnaise + vegan mayonnaise recipe
              1 small can of tuna chunks /*soya chunks (optional)
              2 tablespoons of sweet corn (optional)
              Sprig of parsley (optional)
              Salt, to taste
              Black pepper, to taste

              LET´S COOK!
              1. Put the eggs into a small pot. Cover with water and cook for approx. 4-5 minutes. Peel the eggs. Chop in half and remove the yolks.
              2. Put the chopped spring onions, chopped yolks, tuna chunks, and sweet corn in a big bowl. Mix everything together with a wooden spoon.
              3. Add several tablespoons of mayonnaise, until you achieve a creamy texture. Mix everything with a wooden spoon. Add salt and black pepper to taste.

              LET'S MAKE THE SPIDER EGGS!
              1. Fill the holes left by the yolk with the mixture. Chop some black olives in half (to make the spider body) and others into thin slices (to make the legs).
              2. Decorate the top of the mix with half a black olive in the center and put 4 legs on each side. It looks like a scary spider!!!

              -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              3. SAUSAGE MUMMIES / VEGAN FRIENDLY



              YOU WILL NEED: *vegan recipe
              One package of hotdog sausages /*vegan sausages
              1 sheet of shortcrust pastry /*shortcrust vegan pastry
              NOTE: The shortcrust pastry can be either store-bought or homemade: Shortcrust pastry recipe

              LET´S COOK!
              1. Preheat the oven to 180 º C. Cover the baking tray with baking parchment.
              2. Cut the sheet of pastry lengthwise into thin pieces. Roll the strips of pastry around the sausage. Leave an area without pastry (for the face). Add some pastry on the top of the mummy´s head.
              3. Put the mummies on the baking tray. Bake them for around 25 minutes, or until the pastry is golden.
              4. Remove the baking tray. Serve in a small bowl with tomato sauce, ketchup, or barbecue sauce (or whatever you prefer).
              5. Place the mummies around the bowl. Make eyes with mayonnaise or mustard.

              -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              4. CHEESY WITCHES' BROOMS / VEGAN FRIENDLY

                YOU WILL NEED: *vegan recipe
                Box of Italian breadsticks
                Cheese slices /*vegan cheese slices
                Chives
                Strawberry jam (or whatever flavor you prefer)

                LET´S COOK!

                1. Roll a cheese slice on the end of a breadstick. Tie it with a chive. Cut the cheese into ribbons with scissors. Repeat the same method with each breadstick.
                2. Place the witches´ brooms around the plate. Serve in a little bowl with jam to dip.


                -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                DESSERT:  TRICK OR FRUIT + 2 RECIPES / VEGAN

                  BANANA GHOSTS 
                YOU WILL NEED:
                Bananas
                Raisins

                LET´S COOK!

                1. Peel the bananas and cut them in half.
                2. Make the ghost face with the raisins.
                3. Place the banana ghosts on a plate. Such a scary gang of ghosts! Boo!!!

                • PUMPKIN MANDARINS 
                YOU WILL NEED:
                Mandarins
                Kiwis

                LET´S COOK!
                1. Peel the mandarins and the kiwis.
                2. Cut the kiwis into small triangular pieces.
                3. Put one kiwi piece in the center of each mandarin. It looks like pumpkin stalks.
                4. Place the pumpkins on a plate. It is so easy to plant a terrifying field of pumpkins.

                -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                DRINKS: SPOOKY DRINKS + 2 RECIPES / VEGAN FRIENDLY



                    MONSTER - SPINACH SMOOTHIE 
                  YOU WILL NEED: *vegan recipe
                  A handful of spinach
                  1 or 2 bananas
                  1 natural yogurt or soy yogurt (125g - small size)
                  A scoop of vanilla flavor ice cream /*vegan ice cream
                  2 tablespoons of honey  /*agave nectar, to taste
                  NOTE: The recipe is for one glass. If you want more than one glass, multiply the ingredients accordingly.

                  LET´S COOK!
                  1. Wash the spinach chop the bananas and add to the blender.
                  2. Add the ice cream, honey and yogurt. Mix everything with the blender until foaming. Taste the smoothie and add more honey to sweeten if you wish.
                  3. Serve in a glass with straw. Put some white chocolate (for eyes) on the top of the glass.
                  NOTE: Put the glasses in the freezer for a while, the monster smoothie should be cold.

                  • VAMPIRE - BEETROOT SMOOTHIE 
                  YOU WILL NEED: *vegan recipe
                  A handful of mixed berries (blueberry, blackberry, raspberry, strawberry)
                  A small cooked beetroot
                  1 forest berry yogurt  /*forest berry soy yogurt (125g - small size)
                  A scoop of vanilla flavor ice cream /*vegan ice cream
                  2 tablespoons of honey  /*agave nectar, to taste
                  NOTE: The recipe is for one glass. If you want more than one glass, multiply the ingredients accordingly

                  LET´S COOK!
                  1. Wash the berries, cut the beetroot, and add to the blender.
                  2. Add the ice cream, honey and yogurt. Mix everything with the blender until foaming. Taste the smoothie and add more honey to sweeten if you wish.
                  3. Serve in a glass with straw. Put some white chocolate (for eyes) on the top of the glass.
                  NOTE: Put the glasses in the freezer for a while, the vampire smoothie should be cold.

                  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  • RELATED POSTS
                       

                        -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                        Sunday, 15 June 2014

                        COCONUT CAKE | VEGAN RECIPE


                        WIKI NOTE: The term coconut can refer to the entire coconut palm, the seed, or the fruit. The spelling cocoanut is an archaic form of the word. The term is derived from the 16th-century Spanish, they were the ones who gave the name to this peculiar fruit. The word coco means "head" or "skull", which would mean in this case monkey face because the three indentations (eyes) on the hairy nut resemble the head and face of a monkey.

                        COCONUT VEGAN CAKE

                        YOU WILL NEED:
                        DRY INGREDIENTS:
                        1 cup panela sugar or unrefined cane sugar
                        1 and  ¾ cups wheat flour (plain or all-purpose)
                        1/2 cup shredded coconut
                        2 tsp baking powder
                        1 tsp baking soda
                        1 tsp baking soda
                        A pinch of salt
                        1/2 cup vegan chocolate chips or cacao nibs (optional)
                        WET INGREDIENTS:
                        1/3 cup sunflower oil (any neutral flavored)
                        1 cup coconut milk
                        2  tsp vanilla extract
                        1  tsp white or apple cider vinegar
                        1/2 cup raisins (optional)
                        NOTE: Put raisins in a glass with a dash of water for a kids' cake or alcohol (to taste, I like with Cachaça) for an adult's cake, and the raisins plump up.

                        NOTE: Homemade measurement units



                        LET´S BAKE!
                        1. Preheat the oven to 180 º C. Grease a bread pan with margarine or sunflower oil.
                        NOTE: Standard dimensions for bread and loaf pans start at 8 ½ by 4 ½ inches. It´s the perfect size for that amount of ingredients. If you multiply the amount by the number of times that you want,  you will get a bigger cake. You have tons of different sizes of baking pans depending on the final amount.
                        2. Combine dry ingredients in a bowl: brown sugar, flour, baking powder, baking soda, shredded coconut, cacao nibs and salt until well mixed. 
                        NOTE: Sift the flour for cakes. Sifting helps to remove any lumps and/or unwanted debris from the flour and also helps to combine the flour with any dry ingredients. If you don't have a strainer handy, you can also mix flour with a wire whisk or a fork.
                        3. Combine wet ingredients in a bowl:  apple cider vinegar, vanilla extract, veggie oil, raisins, and coconut milk until well-mixed.
                        6. Pour the wet mix into the dry bowl. Mix everything slowly with a wooden spoon.
                        7. Pour the mix into the bread pan. Sprinkle brown sugar on the top.
                        8. Bake for around 45 minutes, until browned.
                        NOTE: Don´t open the oven, you can always leave the cake in the oven for a few more minutes.
                        9.  Remove from the oven. Leave to cool. Sprinkle a little bit of shredded coconut. Serve with a scoop of vegan ice cream, and mango flavor (optional).

                        -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        • RELATED POSTS



                        -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------