Strawberry Apple Fruit Slather

This recipe is a fond farewell to the last strawberries and an ode to fall, I am presenting a simple, delicious and pretty, fruit slather. It uses up the last batch of Quebec's summer/fall strawberries, with the addition of apple and maple syrup; which is still in the fall vein. 
Think of this as a sweet summer goodbye and a bright fall helloodles! 
I am big on buying and using locally grown and sustainable foods/goods. Especially from small local businesses. It's better for the planet, freshness, quality, interesting varieties that are waiting for discovery, and most importantly it helps out our neighbors. This means that we in turn are growing our economy and showing that we care about what goes on our plates and what the impact of our purchases are. I hear many people frustrated with what's happening in the world but unsure how they can affect change. The easiest way is to make a difference through your buying power, I know organic is not always feasible but try to switch to organic for things like carrots and celery or kale. Make an effort to check labels and look for the local name, avoid gmo's and push for mandatory labeling of these Frankenstein foods. Most importantly, don't buy food with ingredients you can't pronounce, don't recognize as food, nothing artificial, and stay away from too much sugar, bad fats, and salt. In the meantime, here's a pretty recipe, feel free to use frozen strawberries if you need, just reduce the juice by half. This recipe is different than a compote as it is thicker, it holds up well as a topping and pre-cooked pie shell filling or maybe even a turnover filling.

STRAWBERRY APPLE FRUIT SLATHER

Ingredients:
Strawberries
1 Apple for cooking
1/2 Cup Real apple juice
1/4 Cup Maple syrup 
2 Tbsp Organic coconut sugar
1 tsp Vanilla extract 
Pinch pink sea salt 
1 Tbsp Potato starch mixed with water to form a thick paste, about 2 Tbsp. 

Method:
-In a medium non-reactive, heavy based saucepan, add all *ingredients EXCEPT maple syrup and potato starch. Keep the last two aside for now.
-Bring what is in pot to a boil, reduce heat to medium and stir.
-Add maple syrup and stir. Allow to cook on medium heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
-Add potato starch/water mixture into pot, stir right away until thoroughly incorporated. Allow to cook for 2-3 more minutes until thickened. If you run your finger through the back of a spoon coated with the mixture, it should leave a line. Turn off heat and remove to hot plate, allow to cool.
-Once cool, you can fill in jars. This recipe is not a canning recipe, it is really meant to be kept refrigerated and eaten within 2 weeks maximum.
-You can use the filling in an already cooked pie shell, as a dessert topping for cake/coffee cake, on ice cream, to layer a parfait, serve with pudding or whipped cream. The possibilities are limited to your imagination. I love it on toast and to eat just by itself with yogurt.



                                           Local labels, check for em'.

                                       These strawberries made my heart happy.

    Use only real brown, fresh squeezed apple juice. Not that yellow pee-pee yuck.



Chef's try to pretend they don't make mistakes, pthhhhh.
Look at this mess I made when I started washing the dishes and turned my back to the pot. I made a messy booboo and that's fine, just clean up after yourself like I did, once it was cool to the touch. 
I reuse a lot of glass jars, I like the look of them with finished food products I make, plus they are much more easy to sanitize. I like the different shapes and specialty bottles with cool glass add on's. 

I hope you enjoy the recipe, leave your comments down below and don't forget to subscribe.

Happy October everyone!

The Best Leek and Potato Potage (Soup-vegan too!)

Bonjour!
Yes, it really is the best leek and potato potage because I played with this recipe until I got something with a wonderful punch of extra flavour to kick up it's comforting familiarity.
I have made a vegan option of this soul soothing wonder as well. I am including the regular choices to make this for the purists out there. (You can be so dull sometimes, live a little try something new, it will keep your soul young.)
We scarfed this bad boy down and made sure to stop by Louise Sans Gluten before hand to have a slammin' crusty bread to go with. I needed that crusty bread slathered with butter, honest. It was so good, I regret nothing. Pass another butter slathered slice, please.
I know there are not many pics to go with this, that's because most of them were deleted for some weird reason and, for realsies, this thick potage is not hard at all.
Julia Childs has this in her Mastering the Art of French Cooking, from what I hear.
I have not looked for it as this is one of the first soups you are taught in the soup module at culinary school.
I am serious when I say that it is easy.
Mine has a different flavour profile,(Sounds so ridiculously snobby when you say it that way but it's true.) because I add scallion aka green spring onions, aka green shallots. This brings this known, soup stand-by to whole other level. Don't be intimidated I know you can do it, I believe in your kitchen courageousness!

THE BEST LEEK AND POTATO POTAGE
Ingredients:

5-6 Medium large yellow fleshed potatoes, cut in medium dice.
1 Whole leek, cut and rinsed well to remove any grit. This recipe uses the green and white part of the leek, once cleaned.
1 Bunch of scallion, bruised with the heel of your knife by banging it lightly, then chopped. Only the greens. (Omit if you want the old school method, but you'll be sorry ;P)
1 Clove garlic
2 Herb stock cubes and 4-5 Cups of water or 4-5 Cups fresh chicken stock if you prefer the old school method. (I use 4 Cups of liquid because I am crazy for a super thick, stick to my rib cage potage.)
2 Tbsp Olive oil
1 Tbsp Vegan margarine or butter if you want old school.
1 tsp White pepper
1 tsp Sea salt
1/2 tsp Fresh thyme
1 Bay leaf
1/2-1 Cup Coconut milk or 35 % whole cream if you want the genuine French recette.

Method:

-In a medium size pot, heat oil and butter on medium high heat.
-Add onions and cook until translucent, add scallion and cook 1 minute.
-Add leeks and stir, then add garlic clove, cook 1 minute.
-Add potatoes, stir and cook 2 minutes. 
-Add stock then herbs and seasonings.
-Bring to a boil and then reduce to a medium low heat. Stir every now and then, place a lid halfway over pot, allow some steam out. Cook for 30-45 minutes, until potatoes easily mush when squished with a fork.
-Remove from heat and allow to cool.
-Pass the soup through a blender until all is well incorporated but should not be gummy. Then place back into pot. 
-Add cream of choice and reheat gently on medium low heat.
-Serve with crusty bread, French musing in the air, and Julie and Julia playing on the TV.
Serves 4-6 people easily and freezes well, up to 1 month. Will keep refrigerated for 1 week.
I hope you try this potato and leek, French friend of mine,and don't forget to share.
Oh, and as Julia would say, Bonne Appetit!

The Best Energy Drink! (And it's vegan!)

Energy, energy, who needs more energy? All of us do.
Helloodles lovelies! 
Today I am sharing one of my all time favourite, absolutely the best, simple and vegan, energy drink recipes. I know, it's so exciting! 
But first, a warning and a kind of funny story.
Vega Sport is an all natural, pre-workout drink mix that I discovered when it first came out on the market,  I found this stuff at a health food expo. It was such a life saver of a product because I was actually working at the expo with my brother, at a vegan "meat" stall, and by day 3 we were both zonked. You try prepping, talking, walking, explaining, showing, cooking, and giving tastings for 10 hours straight. We were really feeling it and I even lost my voice at one point, which I am prone to after too much talking or high stress situations for a long period of time. We came in early for set-up on day 2 and I can honestly say, we were in bad shape.
That's when we discovered a stall that had set up early and was offering the zombie worker's a zap of this new drink. I was skeptical, sure this was a dubious product.
Let me explain why.
I worked in the health food industry for years and there was always some new, miracle product coming out every other week. I learned to take any and all claims with a grain of salt and still do; I recommend you do as well. The other reason for my skepticism, is that I DO NOT like these high sugar, heart palpitation causing, jitter inducing, dangerous and unhealthy, energy drinks on the market today. I am extremely sensitive to them and have legitimate concerns with regards to what they do to our already over-taxed adrenal glands, and way too high cortisol levels. I have also noticed that my eczema comes out when these are in my system. Needless to say, I had my reservations about Vega Sport's claims and how I would respond. Turns out, the ish was amaze bombs! Yes, I said it.
We were energized without feeling like we were overly wired, we were clear headed, well focused, and did not come crashing down at the end of the day. My brother and I went back and each bought a container of the stuff and have been converting others to it ever since.
I use it for my pre-workout and notice that I have a much better exercise session when it's in my system. When I had thyroid and adrenal issues, I decided to back off it completely and think it was a good decision. Now I am much better and use it as I need it.
I have given this to a friend who's husband works as security for big to-do outdoor events in the summer. He noticed that he was not recovering well and was feeling very sleepy whenever he worked them, also, since hitting his thirties he finds his metabolism does need a boost at times. I recommended this with Vega's hydrator and it all worked like a charm, she went and got him a bottle and he is very pleased with the results.
Here's where the warning and funny tale comes in.
WARNING: 
DO NOT DRINK THIS WHEN YOU HAVE HAD COFFEE OR ANY KIND OF STIMULANT!!!!

I showed this product to two co-worker's on a particularly hectic and exhausting work day, like, totally nuts schedule of a week, that included difficult people and loads of running. They could not understand how I was still standing, all energized, and functioning so well. I told them my secret, showed them my special mix I stashed in the fridge for such occasions, and asked them if they wanted some for the next morning. I also gave them the warning about coffee and the like, they nodded and I told them to take as they please. 
The next morning they both tried it and we all proceeded to watch them have some crazy meltdowns. 
My manager was freaking out at the desk, like, OH! My! GAAAAAH!
"What is wrong with my chest? Why is my heart beating so fast? I am sweating A LOT. What is wrong with me?"
Then Mr. Man comes in. I should say, twister cyclones in, and is bouncing from person to person, desk to desk, mile-a-minute chatter boxing, super-hyper, and basically acting like a wound up top set loose on us poor unsuspecting humans. 
Let's not even get started with the incessant giggling, oh my gaaaah!!!! He could not stop. 
Finally, after everybody was wondering aloud what the deal was, I pulled them both aside and said, "What is wrong with you two?"
The reply? 
"Oh, it's all your fault. We listened to you, we took that product and now we're crazy and our bodies are going to explode, whoa." More giggling, followed by louder giggling, then a, "Hold on- I need to put my hand on the wall. Is everybody moving as fast as I think you are?" 
I looked at them with narrowed, analyzing eyes. 
"Did you two have any coffee?"
Their faces were locked in a mutual look of horror because they suddenly recalled the warning I had given them. 
DO NOT TAKE ANY COFFEE OR STIMULANTS WITH THIS PRODUCT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Answers?
She had had 2 cups, which is why she had been spared the worst of it but was dealing with unpleasant heart palps. I gave her two cups of chamomile tea and it helped. 
He had had 6 cups. Are you for real????? 
I threw up my hands, he was a lost cause for the next 3 hours. 
Everyone in the office was killing themselves laughing, then it became obnoxious, so we sent him out to run errands. He vanished for a few hours-thank God, and when I found him he had finally settled at his desk. Only problem was that after he came down from it all, he felt like an absolute craptucular, pile of, mushy, kill me now, goop. 
Lesson learned.  
So, now that you have been mildly entertained, I shall show you what Vega Sport looks like and I shall put the recipe up that you came for.
Just remember to heed my warnings, it has Yerba Mate, Devil's claw herb, Rhodiola, and Green tea. You don't need coffee with this plant based wonder.

It's all about the Vega Sport baby! On the left side is the berry flavour one, turns out I don't like this flavour at all but mummsie does. I adore the lemon-lime and this recipe uses that flavour.
Normally this retails for $49.99 for 540g but I usually snag it on special and pay $39.99 and have gotten it for $29.99 once-score!
I don't use it as much as my girl who is a gym rat. I gave up those days and prefer my home training, power walks, along with yoga and swimming. Use as you would a normal pre-workout. Just be warned, the Stevia one is cloying, no touchie for me. I suggest you buy the individual packets of the products in the two flavours and choose the one you prefer. One packet runs at about $3-$4, less of an investment.

What I like about this drink is that the mix of ingredient's makes it taste like iced tea, I kid you not! Everybody is kind of chicken about the colour but once they taste it, I have to fend them off.
Get your own buddy! Nah, I am a total softie and like to share.
Here you go people, hope you get to try this delightful, refreshing, vegan, healthy, and deeelish drink. 

THE BEST EVER ENERGY DRINK! (And it's vegan!)
Ingredients:

300 ml Cold Spring water or filtered cold water
1 Scoop Vega sport lemon/lime flavour (I use 1/2 a scoop because I am weak sauce, but the flavour is better with 1 full scoop.)
300 ml Real, Brown, Fresh Apple juice.
Feel free to juice it yourself but just do not use that yellow pee-pee stuff. Yuck!
Ice cubes

Method:
-In a sports shaker with one of those metal spiral balls in them if you have, add all except ice.
-Shake well, add ice and drink to your heart's content.
I take half of this mix 20 minutes before my workout and drink the rest during my cardio, then switch to water for resistance and weight exercises.



We cannot forget the R-E-A-L apple juice.Trust me, this does not work with the fake stuff. It has to be the real brown one. We have a local place here in QC that sells this in the grocery stores, health food stores, and in the market's. I have found it recently at Costco too and it's a good price for the HUGE jug.


Yes, I have no shame, I pasted cutesie hearts by way of filter on this last picture because I heart it that much. That's the shaker I got with my container of Vega Sport when they had a promo, also got a t-shirt but it's in the wash so no pic for now.
Get your sport on with this energy drink, you can also freeze it overnight if you want it really cold for a long hike or on a super hot day.
Leave your comments people, I want to know if you tried this and what you think.
Don't forget to subscribe & keep checking in,
Take care, be well, love freely.

Fruit of the Spirit & Something to Hold on to

                                     

Good Blessed Morning one & all!

Fall theme time, I have put up a tree which has everything to do with this time of the year and holds some wonderful words that can be such a comfort, if we let it.
   I have been speaking to different people in my life and the theme we seem to agree with, is how much stress, frustration, anger, and past our limits, we all are feeling.
Life is rough for so many, there's so much hurt, fear, uncertainty.
Our economy is shaky, jobs are scarce, families are falling apart, divorce is rampant, children are rebelling or so different from our childhood's that we have difficulty keeping up and keeping them safe. We're not always certain how we will pay the bills, afford rent and food, how we'll get through, friends and family are passing away, being diagnosed with serious illnesses, our parents are not getting younger, disappointments are present more often than successes, and age is creeping up on us all.
In these times it can seem so much easier to throw up our hands and scream a collective WTF to life, rage at God, lash out at loved one's, and just give up. It feels so all alone doesn't it?
It's so heavy, too heavy, and terribly painful.
I struggle too, some days sermons, readings, and prayers are such a comfort. Then there are others where it feels like another burden to add to my to do list, I feel like a bad person for thinking that way, then I add more guilt to my overloaded plate because I start believing I am a bad person and unworthy of anything; and that's where I forget what the truth of the Holy Spirit is.
A refuge.
Sounds crazy? No, actually, it's not.
Listen...

If we take a moment to see what the fruit of the spirit is, we can find those elusive moments where we did not have all this constant tension, anxiety, stress.

But the fruit of the Spirit is:
love, 
joy, 
peace, 
patience, 
kindness, 
goodness, 
faithfulness, 
gentleness and self-control. 
Against such things there is no law.

Who would not want to know such a being? 
All the things we constantly seek, all that life tries to tear from us, all the joy and peace that ebbs away until we are drained of colour and love; it rings hollow for a reason. I weep for such sorrow, I know the vacant look in eyes that have seen too much, hearts that have broken, soul's which have been scarred. 
Let this light, this promise be your rock in the storm. The branch you cling to in a wilderness of destructive forces. You and I are so much more than these experiences, we are created in His image, we have gifts and a life force that are bestowed out of love and the most tender kindness, we are precious and God is faithful. He longs to fill us with His peace, to hear the tinkling of laughter, to have our hearts swell with the goodness of our being, we are meant to be here, no one can take this God given blessing from us. 
The outside matters not, you will find peace once you let God in and embrace the love He gives so freely. 
Many years ago I was very unwell and almost did not survive. 
I was in hospital and was told by doctor's that my body was trying to keep me alive but without medical intervention, I would quickly continue to weaken until life could no longer be sustained. 
Surgery and 2 pints of blood saved my life,(To the wonderful person who donated, I am here today in part, thanks to you)but when I was fading away I distinctly remember two things.
One, was that all the trappings, concerns, troubles, and foolishness of the world, were truly not of any import. 
It ceased to be of concern, it was not part of my thoughts, nor was it of any interest what-so-ever.
Secondly, was the wonderful calm and absolute peace that washed over me. 
The constant knot of tension where my diaphragm is had gone and I felt light, warm, full of radiating love and a kind of peace that was not of this world. I know that was God. 
His love and absolute righteous kindness enveloping me, caring for me, and sustaining my true being. 
I understood what His love was and how pale a comparison the love we experience in our physical forms is.
I give thanks and praises for that gift, it sustains me in my darkest hours. This may not move you, it may seem too much to wrap your mind around, or you may find it to be foolishness. I am not here to reach you, I am here to touch the one who needs to hear and see these words right now. I want that special person, who is experiencing pain, is in dire need of gentle loving support, I want you to know that you are not alone and God wanted you here, reading this, at this very moment. This is your huge hug, the sustenance for your soul. We are the light in this world, you must burn like the steady flame that you are.
I will never let go of Jesus, I will hold on to God's hand, and I will recall the truth of the Fruit of the Spirit. 
I pray that you find peace, strength, truth, as to how deeply we are all loved. 
We are His children, what would you not do for your children? May your heart find the light of this world, the elect of God, and the ensuing peace that is promised and freely given; if only we would reach out and accept the love we are worth.
Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God all Mighty. Who was, and is, and is yet to come.
In the name of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ I give thanks and praises, and pray Love over each and every one of you. Selah.

The Best Pumpkin Pie Smoothie Ever!

Oh yeah! 
It's Time for pie you drink and feel way less guilty about.
I am seriously loving the taste of this smoothie, it's a treat smoothie for my cheat day.
I could not get over how much I was able to get that pumpkin pie taste and still feel great!
This is a kiss to my beloved fall season, don't forget to share it with someone you love.
Let me know in the comments if you tried it and don't forget to subscribe!

THE BEST PUMPKIN PIE SMOOTHIE EVER! 

Ingredients:
2 Tbsp Unsweetened pumpkin puree 
1-2 Tbsp condensed milk, depending on how sweet you like it. (If you are vegan or have difficulty with dairy, I found a recipe for vegan condensed milk & put the link for the recipe down below) 
1/2-1 tsp Pumpkin Pie spice, depending on how strong you like it. I used 1/2 tsp. 
1/2 tsp Ground cinnamon 
1 Cup Unsweetened almond milk
1 Scoop Protein powder in French Vanilla flavour (If you don't have this, use protein in plain or regular vanilla flavour. If you use plain then add 1 tsp vanilla extract to the recipe)

Method:
-Place all ingredients in blender and blend high speed for 20 seconds. 
-Serve over ice and enjoy!

Vegan Condensed milk, 2 options: (I am leaning towards the first link but do what works best for you.)

http://www.godairyfree.org/recipes/instant-dairy-free-sweetened-condensed-milk

http://wholenewmom.com/whole-new-budget/easiest-vegan-condensed-milk-recipe/

                         

Still Hard at Work & Recovering from the Long Hours

Hello Beautiful Peeps!

As you can see Bien Confit! Sans Gluten Free, has been busy, out and about, showcasing and selling our products at lovely Finnegan's Market. We did two weekends in a row and were going to go once more because the season goes until October 22 but we have decided to take a step back. The reason being, is that we are uber busy with securing and preparing for all the holiday markets, craft fairs, and bazaars that we are to be a part of this coming November and December. If you notice me saying we, I have a new business partner. We are doing these places mostly together, and have decided that as she does pre-packaged gift sets and items, and I am artsy fartsy crafty and a Chef who specializes in gf, vegan, paleo, and whole foods; well we decided to jam! (Pardon the pun!)

I am doing this with Lady T, we have a 20+ year knowledge of one another's quirks, are great at what we do, great at what the other is not good at, and I needed a way to make this work while she needed a way to feel good about the whole concept as someone cheered her on. We have learned a lot after our market stints, and are incorporating those lessons to hone and streamline our offerings.

 

This was the Bien Confit! Gluten Free table, the response to the look and flavours was phenomenal once again, and I figured out that less is more when it comes to initial choices. It's exciting when you create bespoke items that are delectable; and you want to share all that with the world, the only problem is that too much of even a good thing can be too much. This has been a steep and fast learning curve, that is another reason I have held off on opening Etsy too soon. I am seriously considering a very scaled down shop for this first year and then expanding as time, finances, product availability, and demand dictate.

 

This was Lady T at first hour, it was warmer than the week before with a few cool spots. The people were interested but there was more browsing than buying at many of the vendor kiosks we spoke with. Cinnamon buns and bread are very popular items btw, along with raspberry jam and spiced tipsy banana sauce. Btw, if you ever plan on selling at markets, make sure that you have one of those top tent stall thingy's (se above pic). It really makes a difference to the professional look of your make-shift shop.

Pies went over well, and the cutesie fall packaging was greatly enjoyed.

Buttermilk biscuits were a hot and handy quick grab item that people liked, I am seriously thinking of packaging this mix for the holidays and including it as part of a gluten-free breakfast basket gift set.

Kind of along these lines:

And healthy Get well sets, along with handmade crochet chunky scarves and even vegan basket sets!

 

Anywhoodles, I am off to work/play at getting all of this dynamic and delicious stuff organized and together. There are recipe posts coming this week and the weeks to follow, I apologize again for problems with the blog-they will be taken care of as soon as the Etsy shop is opened. I will also list a calendar of all the events and locations Bien Confit! Sans Gluten Free & Solutions Deux Chemins (Lady T's solutions & consulting business for gift needs) will be. This way, if you are in Montreal and surrounding area, you can drop by and pick up loads of great gifts for the holidays, pre-order gift sets and baskets to be delivered, along with getting stuff to treat yourself. Pics and links will all come, keep checking in. I am beyond excited and feeling truly blessed.

Take care, be well, love freely.

The Best Pumpkin Pie Jasmine Tea Drink

Good Morning Sweetpea's.

This warm beverage, was just me being bored and tinkering with ingredients I had on hand in the kitchen. Never knew how well jasmine and pumpkin go together, it's a perfect fall kiss with a lovely, smooth, floral surprise at the end. I also made this one vegan and will be enjoying it quite a bit over the following chilly weeks. Have pumpkin fun and a gorgeous jasmine tea adventure lovelies!

THE BEST PUMPKIN PIE JASMINE TEA DRINK
Ingredients:
2 Cups unsweetened almond milk
1/2 Cup of pumpkin puree
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/2 tsp cinnamon ground
1-3 Tbsp maple syrup (depends how sweet you like it)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp jasmine tea

Method:
-In a sauce pan add all ingredients except for the tea.
-Heat until boiling
-Shut off heat, add in the tea.
-Let steep 3-4 minutes, using a fine mesh strainer, strain into mug and enjoy hot!



Hope you enjoy this, leave comments below and don't forget to subscribe!