Peppermint "brownies" or balls

I adapted this recipe to what we had on hand and to our tastes.  Andrew liked it.  Try it and see what you think.

Peppermint "brownies" or balls

1 c raw almonds

1 c raw cashews

20 dates, pitted (Note: I don't have the nice juicy medjool dates, we get ones in bulk from Winco so if you have the medjool they are probably about half the size)

1/2 tsp peppermint extract...I used some concentrated stuff from Market Spice in WA so they were extra minty!

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

3 T cocoa powder (Note: No fancy stuff here, just the Hershey or whatever brand is in bulk at Winco again)
couple pinches of salt

Grind the nuts to a powder in your food processor or Vitamix in our case.  Dump most of them out into a bowl.*  Add the rest of the ingredients and grind into a paste.  Dump into the bowl with the rest of the nuts and mix together by hand.  Press into an 8x8 pan and enjoy or roll into bite sized balls!  Chill in the fridge or freezer.

* One more note: I tried to do all of this in the Vitamix at once...basically, grind the nuts and then add the other ingredients.  It bound the machine up.  I had to dump everything out and then grind in about 3 batches and dump in another bowl and mix with my hand.  So, that's why I suggest dumping most of the nuts out.  Just a thought.  Some other way might work for you or if you have a food processor you might not need to dump stuff out ;)

AMAZING Dairy-free "Ranch" Dip/Dressing

This stuff is amazing!  No really, it is amazing.  I adapted it from this lady's recipe...most of my adaptations are because I don't have the stuff on hand or I'm too lazy.  Either way, it's amazing.  I know I said it before :)

Note: If you don't have a high powered blender like I do, you might actually want to soak the cashews.  I have a Vitamix and it just blends the heck out them!

AMAZING Dairy-Free "Ranch" Dip/Dressing
1 1/2 cups nuts (cashew or mac or combo) soak them for a creamier dressing (1-2 hrs is fine, then drain)
1 cup filtered water for blending
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1/3 cup cider vinegar
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil (I use light olive oil so it's not strongly flavored)
3 dates (can totally be left out!)
1 teaspoon garlic pwd, heaping
1 teaspoon dill
1 tablespoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon basil, dried


Put everything in the blender and puree the heck out of it.  It will thicken up in the fridge.  So, let it do it's thing and see if you want it thinner or if you like it that thick.  I tend to thin a bit for dressing but use it as is to dip vegetables or put on buffalo chicken wings!


It makes a great taco salad dressing if you thin a bit and add some chipotle Tabasco!

Find more to try at Pennywise Platter Thursday!

Healthy Banana Granola "Cookies"

I wouldn't exactly call these a cookie but they kind of are...Andrew thought they tasted good so I guess that says something :)

Healthy Banana Granola "Cookies"

3 c. oatmeal
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1 T cocoa
1/4 c. coconut oil, melted
3 super-ripe bananas, pureed in blender
3/4 c. cashew pieces

Mix the oatmeal, cinnamon, salt and cocoa together. Add the coconut oil. Stir in pureed bananas and cashews. Using a 1/4 c. measuring cup, make 6 cookies on each of 2 cookie sheets (ungreased). Flatten the cookies with a spatula. Bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes. Take out, flatten some more with a fork, and bake for another 10 minutes.

More yummies over Slightly Indulgent Tuesday.

Cranberry Date Bars

Apparently, I have a thing for dates lately.  I used to think I hated them...maybe it was the type?  I'm not sure.  But, I've been trying out the ones from the bulk bin in Winco and so far, I would say I like them...a lot...definitely more than I should!

Cranberry Date Bars

18 or so dates (use a few more if they are tiny, few less if they are huge...I know, really helpful right?)

1 c dried cranberries

1/2 c raw cashews

1/2 c raw almonds

1/2 tsp cinnamon

pinch of salt

In food processor, roughly chop the dates and cranberries.  Take them out and put them in large bowl.  Add nuts, cinnamon and salt to food processor and chop until fine but stop before it turns into butter.  Combine the chopped dried fruit and nuts.  Mix well by hand...it will be sticky!  Press into a 8x8 pan or a bit smaller one if you have it.  I lined mine with plastic wrap.  Refrigerate for an hour, cut into squares, and try not to eat all at once.

Find more yummies at Pennywise Platter Thursday or Slightly Indulgent Tuesday!