Valentine’s Day Treats Roundup: Last Minute, Easy Recipes You Can Make Tonight

You may need to hit the grocery store at some point today, but I’ve pulled together some last minute gluten-free and dairy-free recipes to help make your Valentine’s evening a special one—even if it’s last minute. Make this day one to celebrate love for you and for your family (the ones you make and the one you’re born with). I’ve included substitutions for you in case you can’t locate certain ingredients. Happy Valentine’s Day loves! Read more…

Peppermint Dark Chocolate Chunk Puddle Cookies

I came up with this recipe over the holidaze, but didn’t get a chance to post them. Be sure to put them in the holiday rotation for next year though, these gluten-free, dairy-free cookies taste like a chewier, healthier, heartier version of a Thin Mint—a crowd pleaser as most of us know. I bet they would also make great ice cream sandwich cookies either with Raw Vanilla Bean Ice Cream or Peppermint Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream—my birthday is coming up and I may just put an order in! This is a super easy recipe so I think my sweetheart can handle it… Read more…

Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free Chocolate Lava Cakes

It may be kinda obvious that I recently added ramekins to the YumUniverse kitchen—the whole single serving thing is pretty fun. So here’s another way to make guests, Santa, or yourself, feel special with individual goodies. These rich, decadent, gluten-free and dairy-free cakes are perfect for the holidays, especially warm and topped with easy Peppermint Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream. Read more…

Dairy-Free, Soy-Free Peppermint Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream

This dairy-free, soy-free ice cream recipe is super easy and perfect for the holidays. Stay tuned for the Gluten-Free Chocolate Lava Cake recipe coming tomorrow—serve this ice cream on top of that cake and everyone at your holiday party will be singing the praises of dairy-free ice cream. Best part is you don’t need an ice cream maker to enjoy it. I bet Santa would love this! Read more…

Roasted Garlic Cauliflower Mash

Try something new this holiday season—Roasted Garlic Cauliflower Mash instead of potatoes! Cauliflower is an excellent source of vitamin C, manganese and antioxidants, so serve them with Easy & Amazing Gravy and enjoy all the surprised, happy expressions around the table. Read more…

The Urban Chickpea’s Mushroom Walnut Pate

Last weekend, I was guest chef for a beautiful holiday party in Chicago. In addition to serving Cashew Cheese, Golden Raisin & Onion Jam, Almond Crunch Kale Chips and Ginger Molasses Cookies, our lovely hostess, Shelley, served up Alia Dalal’s Mushroom Walnut Pate. After one bite, I knew I had to see if Alia would share this one on YumUniverse and she said “yes!” Mushroom Walnut Pate is delicious as a spread for veggies or crackers and you can make a sandwich out of it as well. Try it on sprouted grain bread with fresh arugula and slices of our Smoked Firm Cheese recipe found in the Dairy Freedom Guide.No matter how you serve it, you’ll be very happy—I ate my party leftovers plain with a spoon when I got home. No shame in that. Read more…

Toasted Pumpkin Seed Lace Cookies

These delicate, gluten-free and dairy-free florentine cookies were a creation for my 24 Carrot Supper Club guests at last year’s holiday dinner. I have found myself making them often this holiday season and thought I should share because not only are they super easy, but a little bit of ingredients go a long way. This is a great recipe to gift and share at all the holiday gatherings this year. Read more…

Wild Rice and Spicy Lentil Stuffed Acorn Squash

This recipe has holiday dinner written all over it—comforting, seasoned, hearty, healthy and bursting with flavor. Enjoy it as-is or top it with savory, rich Easy & Amazing Gravy. This recipe is an involved one but not difficult. Use it as a perfect opportunity to put on your favorite holiday tunes and feel grateful for this time of year. Make the time to prepare this dish for the folks you care about—nothing is more important. They will taste the love in every bite. Read more…