Vanilla-Cinnamon Pecan Butter

I'm nuts about nuts, nut butter, and sweets!  So, here's a nut butter recipe that give a nice sweet-tinge to cure that sweet tooth and give you a nutritious bite.  The pecans grind up so much easier than using so many other nuts, especially raw almonds.  I LOVE using raw almonds for so many things (including eating by the handful) but it's treat to try grinding pecans vs. raw almonds.  They smooth out so nicely...

Ingredients:

3 cups pecans
1/2 tbs cinnamon
2 tsp vanilla extract
stevia, to taste
pinch of salt


Directions:

In your food processor or high-speed blender (such as Vita-Mix) place the pecans and blend until you have a nice nut-butter consistency, using your tamper tool if using the blender.  Add the other ingredients and continue to blend until thoroughly mixed together (and smooth!).  Scrape nut butter from container and store in an airtight glass container (such a a reused nut butter jar!) in your fridge.

Spread on your favorite crackers, bread, muffins, etc... Yum-Yum!  I have a thing for these organic "corn thins" (pictured below) that are made of just organic corn and are very thin to help deliver that yummy nut butter into my tummy without the heaviness of bread or other carb-filled food.  This would also surely be divine on some Pumpkin Protein Muffins!

Also, check out this week's Wellness Weekend and Raw Foods Thursdays!

Orange Spice Sweet Potato Pie

Here is a variation on the Coconut Pecan Pumpkin Pie.  The only differences are to substitute sweet potato for the pumpkin and add 1/2-1 tbs orange flavored extract to the batter.  View the recipe here and make those two simple changes.  :)

Yum!

Festive Cranberry Pecan Brussel Sprouts

I had some brussel sprouts in the fridge and, after making cranberry sauce and snacking on pecans, I was inspired to put them together in this delicious combination!

Ingredients:

1 lb brussel sprouts
2-3 tbs olive oil
handful chopped pecans
handful fresh cranberries
salt, to taste
cracked pepper, to taste
cranberry sauce, optional (recipe on this blog)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Wash brussel sprouts and be sure to drain all water off.  Cut them in quarters and place them in a large caserole baking dish.  Drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper.  Add pecans and cranberries.  Mix to coat with oil.

Bake for approximately 20-30 minutes or until the brussel sprouts can be poked thru with a fork but not too soft. 

Eat by itself or serve with quinoa.

Try adding some cranberry sauce on top!

A link to this recipe may also be found here, along with other wonderfully delicious and nutritious recipes: Wellness Weekend December 20-24. 

Coconut Pecan Pumpkin Pie

This is a twist off of the classic pumpkin pie.  Super tasty and nutritious!  I tend to like a lot of spice, so if you like less you can decrease the amount of spices.

Ingredients:

Easy Crust:
2 cups pecans
1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
pinch of salt

Filling:
1 can pumpkin (or, approximately 2 cups roasted pumpkin)
1/2 can coconut milk
2 eggs
1 tbs vanilla extract
stevia powder (The amount depends on what brand you use.  I like using Kal brand and I use roughly 1/4 tsp)
a handful of pecans
1/2-1 tbs cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp allspice
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1 tbs fresh chopped ginger
pinch of salt

Directions:

To make the crust, grind the pecans in a food processor or high-power blender to a coarse consistency.  Careful, avoid processing too long as this will result in nut butter instead.

Mix the ground pecans, shredded coconut and salt directly in an approximately 9" pie pan, then press evenly across the bottom and sides of pan.  Place in an oven, preheated to 350 degrees, for 15 minutes.

While the crust is baking, prepare the filling.  In a blender, place all filling ingredients and blend until thoroughly smooth.  Pour into pie crust and smooth with a spatula.  If desired, sprinkle top with shredded coconut and chopped or whole pecans.

Place back in oven and bake for 50-65 minutes at 350 degrees.

Allow pie to cool before placing in fridge or slicing.

You can also try a variation on this pie with Orange Spice Sweet Potato Pie!