Homemade Cherry Ice Cream Bon Bons {Dairy-Free Option}

CHOCOLATE + CHERRIES go so perfectly together!  

With this heat wave going on in Northern California, I knew I had to make some homemade ice cream ... I mean why not?  Ice cream is mandatory when summer heat hits!  At least it is in my book.  

One of my family's favorite fruits is cherries.  We all love them + I love ice cream, so I decided to make homemade cherry ice cream for us.  But I didn't stop there, I decided to make something extra special ... 


CHERRY ICE CREAM BON BONS 

I am super excited to be sharing this delicious + sweet recipe over at one of my favorite blogs today ... Live Simply!  

These dainty little bites of cherry ice cream covered in chocolate are out of this world!  

Head over to LIVE SIMPLY to get the full recipe for these Homemade Cherry Ice Cream Bon Bons!

If you haven't visited Kristin's beautiful blog yet, make sure to check out some of my favorite recipes ... Beet Strawberry Salad with Balsamic Mustard Dressing, chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies + Brownies {these are SO delicious ... trust me, you're going to want to make these often}.  She's got wonderful DIY recipes too like her Homemade Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion {without coconut oil} + Homemade Neosporin.  

HAVE YOU EVER MADE BON BONS BEFORE?  SUMMER IS THE PERFECT TIME TO GIVE IT A TRY! 

{{ Check out my Homemade Blackberry Ice Cream Bon Bons recipe too.}}

This post is shared at Real Food Wednesday @ Kelly the Kitchen Kop + Allergy Free Wednesday @ Tessa the Domestic Diva. 

Homemade Blackberry Ice Cream Bon Bons {Dairy-Free Option}

Summer is on it's way to Northern California.  Sunny and HOT + close to 100 degrees by the end of the week!  Yikes!  I am not ready for summer weather ... but I am ready for lots and lots of Homemade Ice Cream.  

I LOVE ice cream!  I simply can't get enough of it, especially when the warmer weather starts ... who am I kidding, I love it year-round!  I make it often + my sweet husband always makes sure I have some organic, grass-fed ice cream in the freezer {I love this man!}.    

HAVE YOU EVER HAD BON BONS?

If you haven't, you're in for a big treat.  These sweet little mounds of ice cream covered with chocolate are perfect in every way.  My family loves them + they're always a crowd pleaser at parties and gatherings. 

Have you been to any local farmers markets recently?  We just went over the Mother's Day weekend and we saw tons of fresh berries.  Warmer weather means summer fruit will be coming to most farmers markets.  If you see some blackberries, make sure to grab a bunch because these gorgeous, dark beauties make some seriously delicious + beautiful ice cream.  If your blackberries are really ripe, they'll make the most stunning purple ice cream ... but if they're early in the season, the ice cream will be a rich pink.    

I'm so excited to be sharing this sweet + refreshing recipe on Beth's blog Red and Honey, today!

Head over to RED AND HONEY to get the full recipe for these Homemade Blackberry Ice Cream Bon Bons.

HAVE YOU EVER MADE HOMEMADE BON BONS BEFORE? WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE KIND?

{{Check out my Homemade Cherry Ice Cream Bon Bons recipe too.}}

This post is shared at Pennywise Platter Thursday @ The Nourishing Gourmet, Fat Tuesday @ Real Food Forager, Real Food Wednesday @ Kelly the Kitchen Kop, Allergy-Free Wednesday @ The Tasty Alternative, + Fight Back Friday @ Food Renegade. 

Creamy Turmeric + Ginger Tea {Dairy-Free Option}

A while back one of my Facebook readers shared that her favorite warming drink in the morning is this Creamy Turmeric Tea {that she found on Mark's Daily Apple}.  I had been drinking lots of my Honey-Sweetened Hot Chocolate in the mornings with a bunch of cinnamon and ginger + adding butter {or ghee} and copious amounts of coconut oil to it.  Now, I LOVE LOVE LOVE my hot chocolate + it's extra delicious with cinnamon, ginger, butter and coconut oil ... but I figured I would check out the recipe my FB reader shared to change up my usual morning warming drink ... especially since everyone is talking about the health benefits of TURMERIC these days.

Since I wanted to make this drink extra nourishing, I changed it up a bit by adding pasture butter + coconut oil*.  I love pasture butter for it's omega 3 fatty acids + CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) ... who am I kidding, I love it because it tastes so good and makes me feel good!  But, I also love it because it's a nourishing fat and helps the body absorb minerals + it's a good source of vitamin D, E and K.  Coconut oil is wonderful for so many reasons too ... I love it because it's high in lauric acid {which is also found in amazing liquid gold a.k.a breastmilk} + it has immune-boosting properties, it's naturally anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal + helps fight of yeast.  And for all of my nursing mommy readers - coconut oil is SO good for you and your baby, it helps increase your lauric acid and can boost milk supply!  


And of course, I couldn't make this drink without cinnamon!  I LOVE cinnamon and it's warming properties, so I decided to add some.  Why not?  If you don't like cinnamon, just leave it out.  

CREAMY TURMERIC + GINGER TEA

This warming drink is full of nourishing, immune-boosting ingredients.  Enjoy a cup with someone you love. {Recipe adapted from Mark's Daily Apple}.

Equipment: Medium-Size Sauce Pan, Blender or Whisk

{Affiliate Links included help support this blog}

• 1 cup raw milk {See Resources}, coconut milk or almond milk
• 1 cup coconut water {I like this + this} or filtered water
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger {I buy mine here}
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric {I buy mine here}
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon {I buy mine here}
• 1/16 teaspoon cayenne pepper {I buy mine here}
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon local raw honey or Manuka honey 
• 1-2 tablespoons pasture butter or ghee {optional, See Resources}
• 1-2 tablespoons coconut oil {optional}

1. Place all ingredients into a medium-size sauce pan.  Slowly warm over medium-low heat for about 5-7 minutes {heat to your desired temperature}.  If you are using coconut milk, make sure you do not boil it, it tends to become thick and unpalatable when boiled.  If you're using raw milk, you'll want to heat over a lower heat so you do not destroy the beneficial properties.     

2. If you are adding butter or coconut oil: Place tea into blender and blend for about 10-12 seconds, until the fats are fully incorporated and emulsified.  [Note: Use CAUTION when using the blender, the tea/liquid is very hot and increases in volume when blending.  Make sure to hold the lid on tight while blending or the hot air and liquid can escape making the lid pop off the blender.]

3. Serve hot.  Enjoy immediately. 

Yield: Makes 2 servings

Where Do I Find Bulk Spices + Herbs? My favorite source for bulk spices and herbs is Mountain Rose Herbs. They have a wonderful selection of organic spices and herbs at great prices.  

OTHER WARMING DRINKS TO ENJOY:

• Sweet Butter Tea by Food Your Body Will Thank You For
• Golden Milk by Nourished Kitchen 
• Turmeric Milk by Fresh Bites Daily
• Cinnamon-Thyme Tea by Recipes to Nourish
• Hot Garlic-Ginger Lemonade by Recipes to Nourish
• Chai Tea {Caffeine Free + Immune Boosting} by Recipes to Nourish
• Mexican Hot Chocolate by Recipes to Nourish

*For more info on why Pasture Butter is nourishing and good for us, click here.

*For more info on why Coconut Oil is nourishing and good for us, click here.   

Disclaimer: ALL information you read on Recipes to Nourish is purely for informational and educational purposes only.  I love to share and share with love, but I am not a health care practitioner.  This information is not intended to treat, cure or prevent any disease.  If you have questions about food, diet, nutrition, natural remedies or holistic health, please do your own research and consult with your health care practitioner. 

Amazon and Mountain Rose Herbs links are affiliate links, prices are the same for you.  Should you decide to purchase through my blog, thank you in advance and much gratitude for supporting Recipes to Nourish.

This post is shared at: Pennywise Platter Thursday @ The Nourishing Gourmet.

Homemade Chocolate Caramels {Vegan Option}

February is National Chocolate Lovers Month!  With Valentine's Day coming up, why not indulge and enjoy some delicious chocolate?  

These Homemade Chocolate Caramels are sweet, delectable and oh so good!  They remind me of the See's candy that I grew up eating.  

The best part is they're so easy to make and only have 3 ingredients.  Make up a batch in time for Valentine's Day {or any day} and share some with those you love.

Homemade Chocolate Caramels

Equipment: Small Saucepan or Saute Pan, Food Processor, Unbleached Parchment Paper, Baking Tray, Double Boiler or Medium Size Sauce Pan and Medium Size Heat Proof Glass Bowl

{Affiliate Links included help support this blog}

Note: Advance Preparation Required

• 12 Medjool dates
• 1 tablespoon ghee or coconut oil {buy my 2 favorite ghee brands here and here}

• 1/2 cup allergy free chocolate chips
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil 

1. Melt 1 tablespoon ghee or coconut oil in small saute pan over medium heat.  

2. Prep date pieces - break them in half with fingers and remove the pit.  Add to the saute pan and cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Heating the dates is important, the heat softens them and the ghee or coconut oil brings out their natural caramel flavor.

3. Pour cooked dates into food processor fitted with the "S" blade.  Pulse until dates turn into a paste, about 30 seconds.

4. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.  Grease fingers with coconut oil {water can be used on fingers too if you do not have extra coconut oil}.  Using about a teaspoon or more, roll date paste into tiny caramel centers - I make them into balls/circles, then form a flat bottom and then make a flat top, which I make a little smaller than the bottom.  This should make about 12-14 caramel centers.  Place caramel centers into the freezer to set for at least 1 hour or overnight.

5. Make a double boiler by setting a heat proof glass bowl over a medium sauce pan that has been filled with about an inch of tap water.  The water should not be touching the glass bowl.  Heat over medium heat.  Add chocolate chips and 1 tablespoon coconut oil to glass bowl.  Stir until melted.  

6. Remove frozen caramel centers from the freezer.  Working quickly, drop one caramel center into the melted chocolate - using a fork or spoon, fully coat the caramel with chocolate and set back onto baking sheet.  Repeat until all caramels are covered in chocolate.  {For an extra touch, once caramels are covered in chocolate, use a fork dipped in chocolate and quickly move the fork back and forth in the air above the chocolates to make chocolate drizzles.  If you find it's not working, place the chocolates in the freezer for one minute to set, then remove and try again.}  Place chocolates in the freezer and freeze for about 1 hour or more. 

7. Serve chocolates frozen, right from the freezer.  Make sure to freeze them at least 1 hour before eating for the full caramel texture.    

Enjoy and share some with someone you love!

Yield: Makes 12-14 chocolates

Vegan Option: Use coconut oil instead of ghee.

Looking for more CHOCOLATE recipes?  Check out some of my favorites:

Mini Warm Chocolate Cakes

Chocolate Fudge Sauce

Chocolate Sunflower Freezer Fudge

Chocolate Covered Frozen Banana Bites

Mexican Hot Chocolate

Honey Sweetened Hot Chocolate

Homemade Chocolate Pudding

... and a few recipes that I have made and loved:

Raw Freezer Fudge from my friend Amber @ The Tasty Alternative 

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles from Common Sense Homesteading

Double Chocolate Cookies with Chocolate Chunks from Gourmande in the Kitchen 

Fudgy Brownies from Real Food Girl Unmodified 

Amazon links are affiliate links, prices are the same for you.  Should you decide to purchase through my blog, thank you in advance and much gratitude for supporting Recipes to Nourish.

This post is part of Real Food Wednesday @ Kelly the Kitchen Kop. 

Guest Post: Roasted Sweet Potato, Kale + Sage Skillet Quinoa by With Food + Love

Next up for The Seasonal REAL Food Blog Series ... Sherrie from With Food + Love!  I'm a huge fan of Sherrie's blog, she puts so much love into what she does, her recipes are delicious and she takes the most stunning photos.  Plus, she's such a sweetheart, so positive, believes in holistic health and wellness and she's also a Board Certified Holistic Health Coach.  

Please make sure to visit With Food + Love and check out Sherrie's awesome blog.  And while you're there, check out some of my favorite recipes: Golden Beet Soup w/ Roasted Garlic Cashew Cream and Skillet Roasted Cauliflower + Fennel w/ Caramelized Shallots. 

************

Hello everyone - I'm Sherrie the girl behind With Food + Love and I am so stoked to be guest posting today on Recipes to Nourish. Emily - your beautiful blog, soul-warming recipes and bright spirit always keeps me coming back for more. I am so honored to be here; thanks so much for inviting me into your cherished space.  

Fall is here my friends. Yay - everyone's favorite time of year! The crisp air, robust flavors, snuggling up with a cup of tea, wearing boots, scarves and warm layers - I mean what's not to love?

Nothing spells out autumn quite like a roasted sweet potato combined with dark leafy greens and a hearty whole grain {well in this case, quinoa is technically a seed}. These three ingredients were created for each other. Add in a hint of sage and you have the perfect bowl of belly-warming goodness. This dish is quick + simple and it will leave your family feeling full + satisfied. Enjoy! 

ROASTED SWEET POTATO, KALE + SAGE SKILLET QUINOA 

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of cooked quinoa
• 1 extra large shallot, chopped {about 1/2 cup}
• 1 tablespoon fresh sage, chopped
• 2 sweet potatoes
• 4 cups Tuscan kale, ribs removed + shredded 
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• sea salt + coarse ground pepper, to taste

1. Preheat the oven to 400. Scrub and dry your sweet potatoes and pierce a few times each with a knife. Do NOT cover in foil. Place a cookie sheet {to catch the drips} on the bottom shelf in the oven and toss the potatoes onto the shelf above it. Roast as is for about 45 minutes, or until soft and tender. Cool almost completely, peel the skins off and chop into small bites. 

2. In a medium-large frying pan or cast iron skillet heat the coconut oil over low heat. Saute the shallots for about 5 minutes or until they start to turn translucent. Then add in the sage, paprika, sea salt and pepper, cook for a few minutes more. Next add in the shredded kale and the remaining tablespoon of coconut oil, combine well. Cook the kale until it wilts slightly and turns bright green, about 3-5 minutes. 

3. Toss the chopped sweet potatoes and quinoa in the skillet and mix together. Heat through and serve warm. 

{serves 4}

Sherrie Scaglione Castellano is a Board Certified Holistic Health Coach {AADP} specializing in plant-based, clean eating. Sherrie is the founder and author of, With Food Love. Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram pages. You can find Sherrie in Philadelphia, PA where together her and husband are enjoying life's simplest pleasures like, snuggling up with a big cup of earl grey tea or catching a flick at their local independent theater. 

Chocolate Covered Frozen Banana Bites

Little Love turned 5 last month and requested “little snacks” for her party.  She wanted to have a special treat to go along with her chocolate strawberry cake too, so we decided to make chocolate covered frozen banana bites.

Guess what this mommy did?  I FORGOT TO SERVE THEM!  Oh well, we enjoyed them later that night for dessert. 

Happy BIRTHday Little Love

Chocolate Covered Frozen Banana Bites

These are so delicious and easy to make.  ***Advance Preparation Required***

Equipment: Medium-Size Saucepan, Heat Resistant Glass Bowl, 2 Small Bowls, Large Freezer-Safe Dish (I use a 9x13 casserole dish) or Pan, Unbleached Parchment Paper

·      1 ½ cups gluten free chocolate chips/chocolate*

·      2 tablespoons coconut oil or ghee

·      2 ripe organic bananas, cut into ½ inch chunks

·      Raw shredded coconut

·      Raw cacao nibs

·      Small amount of water

1.    Add small amount of water to saucepan, about ½ cup.  Place heat resistant bowl over the saucepan creating a double boiler.  Add chocolate chips and coconut oil (or ghee) to the bowl, heat over medium-low heat, stirring until chocolate has melted.  Remove bowl from pan, set aside to cool for about 10 minutes. 

2.   Prep bananas, cut into ½ inch chunks. 

3.   Add shredded coconut and cacao nibs to separate small bowls. 

4.   Line 9x13 dish or pan with unbleached parchment paper. 

5.    Using fingers, dip 1 banana chunk into the melted chocolate.  Immediately dip top of banana into topping of choice.  Place on parchment paper in the dish.  Repeat until all bananas are coated. 

6.   Place dish in freezer, freeze at least 4 hours to overnight.

7.   Serve frozen. 

Yield: Makes about 21 pieces.

*Note: If you have the time to make your own chocolate chips, go for it!  But, if you’re like me and that just makes one extra step that you don’t have time for, look for a healthier version of chocolate chips or chocolate bar.  There are some great allergy-free chocolate chips available now, make sure to look for brands that do not use refined sugars, fillers or soy.  


This post is part of Pennywise Platter Thursday @ The Nourishing Gourmet, Simple Lives Thursday @ A Little Bit of Spain in Iowa, Full Plate Thursday @ Miz Helen's Country Cottage, Freaky Friday @ Real Food Freaks, Fresh Bites Friday @ Real Food Whole Health, Wellness Weekend @ Diet, Dessert and Dogs, Allergy Friendly Friday @ Cybele Pascal, Potluck Party @ Lifeologia, Homestead Barn Hop @ The Prairie Homestead, Monday Mania @ The Healthy Home Economist, Weekend Gourmet Blog Carnival @ Hartke Is Online, Fat Tuesday @ Real Food Forager, Slightly Indulgent Tuesday @ Simply Sugar and Gluten-Free, Allergy-Free Wednesdays Blog Hop @ Gluten Free Pantry, Traditional Tuesdays @ Cooking Traditional Foods, Healthy 2day Wednesdays @ day2day joys, Make Your Own Monday link-up @ Nourishing Treasures, Real Food Wednesday @ Kelly the Kitchen Kop, and These Chicks Cooked Recipe Swap @ This Chick Cooks.

Chocolate Smoothie w/ Herbal Tea Infusion

I’ve been trying to find other ways to get herbal tea infusions into my Little Love’s diet.  She does love drinking tea, but she won’t drink full glasses of it usually.  I’ve found that making smoothies with infusions works great.  She will happily drink a full glass, yay!  

If you haven’t had herbal tea infusions before, give them a try.  They are loaded with readily available vitamins and minerals, you can’t get that from a vitamin supplement. 

Chocolate Smoothie w/ Herbal Tea Infusion

This is great for a snack (a favorite snack in my house), and it’s great for breakfast too. 

Equipment: Blender

·      2 cups frozen organic strawberries (or mixed berries)*

·      ¼ to ½ cup organic broccoli or chopped kale*

·      1 ½ - 2 cups Nourishing Herbal Tea Infusion

·      2-3 tablespoons raw honey or sweetener of choice

·      ¼ cup raw cacao powder

·      2 teaspoons coconut oil (optional)

·      1 teaspoon gluten-free vanilla extract (I use Simply Organic)

1.    Place frozen strawberries, broccoli/kale, honey, cacao powder, coconut oil and vanilla in blender. Add herbal tea infusion, tea should be just below the frozen fruit/veg, not covering it.  COVER with lid.

2.   Blend on medium speed until combined and smooth, about 30-45 seconds.  If you have a cheap blender like I do, you might need to add a bit more herbal tea infusion to help it blend.    

3.   Serve immediately. 

Yield: About 4 cups.

Vegan-Option: Use organic maple syrup grade B or sweetener of choice instead of raw honey. 

Tip: Try Vitamin C Herbal Tea instead of the Nourishing Herbal Tea Infusion, or make your own infusion.    

*Note: This smoothie is wonderful with raspberries, blueberries, blackberries or a combo of all.  If you really don’t care for the flavor of greens in your smoothies, just omit the greens and add a little more frozen fruit.  OR, try adding a frozen banana to the smoothie, just omit some of the berries so you have about 2 cups of fruit total.  The banana flavor tends to mask the “green” flavor of the veggies.  


This post is part of Wildcrafting Wednesday @ Mind Body and Sole, Healthy 2day Wednesdays @ day2dayjoys, Pennywise Platter Thursday @ The Nourishing Gourmet, Simple Lives Thursday @ A Little Bit of Spain in Iowa, Wellness Weekend @ Diet, Dessert and Dogs, Fight Back Friday @ Food Renegade, Freaky Friday @ Real Food Freaks, Fresh Bites Friday @ Real Food Whole Health, Superfood Sunday @ Pain Free Pregnancy, Make Your Own! Monday link-up @ Nourishing Treasures, Monday Mania @ The Healthy Home Economist, Weekend Gourmet Blog Carnival @ Hartke Is Online, Homestead Barn Hop @ The Prairie Homestead, and Fat Tuesday @ Real Food Forager, Simply Indulgent Tuesday @ Simply Sugar & Gluten-Free, and Traditional Foods @ Cooking Traditional Foods.