Purple Velvet Beet Tart

We receive this monthly (I think?) magazine from the people at Presidents Choice called Fresh Juice, and within this magazine are scrumptious recipes.  I laid eyes on this particular picture of a beet pie or tart.  It look so vibrantly purple and delicious.  How could I not make it?

The lighting wasn't great, but the food WAS.  This is my version of the Purple Velvet Beet Tart :)

The crust was gluten free (part of the recipe) and the filling used agave nectar, which I've never actually tried but heard so much about.  My Nana was in town, so we set off to the grocery store, list in hand, and made it back with all the necessary ingredients.

Purple Velvet Beet Tart (serves ~12)

Gluten Free Crust
1.5 cups almond meal/flour
1/4 cup ground flaxseed
1/4 cup potato starch
1 tbsp organic coconut oil
2 tbsp liquid honey
1 tsp vanilla extract

Beet Filling
2.5 cups roughly chopped, cooked, peeled beets
1 cup agave nectar
4 eggs
1/2 cup canola oil
1 tbsp vanilla
1 tsp almond extract
1 tbsp orange zest (mmmmmm)
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/2 tsp sea salt

Preheat oven to 350F.

Begin by mixing together the almond meal, flaxseed and potato starch in a large bowl.  Add the remaining ingredients and slowly add in 1/4 cup of water (I think I used the whole 1/4 cup) until it forms a slighly moist, malleable dough.  Press into the bottom of a lightly greased 9 inch pie pan.  Bake for about 12 minutes until lightly browned.

Now onto the filling!  Cook the beets however works best for you - just make sure you are left with skinned, cooked beets. Place the beets into a food processor and puree with the agave until smooth.  Add everything else in and blend until smooth.

Pour the batter into the shell and bake on the center rack for about 45 minutes, or until it no longer jiggles when you shake it in the oven (gently....). Wait for it to cool (about 1 hour) and then serve with whatever toppings you'd like!  We whipped some cream (a rare occasion in our house!), blueberries and sliced strawberries.  It was delish!

Oh and don't forget to artfully sift some cocoa powder over your creation ;)

Ultimate Refreshing Pink Juice

Long time no blog! I recently bought a 12 pack of 1L mason jars and today was the day I decided to put one to use.  I made a super delicious pink juice with my Vitamix that is perfectly refreshing! To be honest, I don't always know what I'm doing in the kitchen, or how a recipe will turn out, but this recipe was too good not to share.

It's light, tangy, sweet and just right for a hot summer day.  Not to mention, it's bright pink... ;)

Ultimate Refreshing Pink Juice (serves ~ 1 - 2)

3 oranges

1 lemon

1/2 cup frozen raspberries (or fresh)

1/2 - 2/3 cup chopped pineapple (I used fresh, but you could use frozen)

Cold water as needed

Juice all 4 pieces of citrus and add to your blender.  Add in the raspberries and pineapple, and then fill the blender with cold water to about the 800mL mark (just under 1L because the juice will froth once blended).  Blend away for 1 minute and serve in a mason jar or a tall glass with a straw :)

Citrus Kick Juice

About a week ago I went on a small juicing spree.  My family doesn't own an actual juicer, but this doesn't mean I still can't juice.  I used our trusty Vitamix blender and a sieve.  I wasn't able to get ALL of the moisture out of the residual pulp, but it was enough for a tasty juice :)

The first one I made (which was by far my favourite) was an orange, lemon, maple syrup and cayenne juice.  It was the perfect mix of sweet, sour and spicy.  I think I chugged the whole thing in a matter of minutes.... :)

Citrus Kick Juice (serves 1 - 2)

1 navel orange
2 lemons
2 tbsp maple syrup
Dash of cayenne
1 cup cold water

Juice the lemons and orange with a citrus juicer and pour into a mason jar.  Add the maple syrup and cayenne to the jar and fill the remaining space with cold water.  Shake or stir and serve chilled. Enjoy :)

Raspberry Summer Slushie

I just got home from a long, hot, humid walk.  This is literally what I made within 5 minutes of walking through the door.  Low sugar, cool and refreshing. And fruity ;)

I used to love slushies as a kid.  Now I know they're full of sugar and artificial flavours.  THIS, however, is not any of those things, yet still delicious.  And super colourful!

Raspberry Summer Slushie (serves ~4)

1/2 cup frozen raspberries
1 - 2 cups of ice
2/3 cup cold water (or more for a more slushie like consistency!)
2 -3 tsp powdered stevia

Add all ingredients to a high power blender and blend away!  I had to use the mixer that came with our blender to make sure everything was fully blended.  Serve either in a cup with a large straw or in a bowl!  Eat immediately!  :D