Holiday treats

What’s Christmas without the food? Or more specifically, what’s Christmas without the sugary treats? Cozy up by the fire this year with an organic gravenstein apple cider and a slice of dairy-free fruitcake with the help of our favourite homemade festive recipes.

Vegan Eggnog

• 2 blocks very soft tofu or 2 10.5 oz packages soft silken tofu
• 2 cups soymilk or rice milk
• 4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1/2 - 1 cup rum or brandy (optional)
• nutmeg

Thoroughly combine all ingredients (except nutmeg) in a blender and serve sprinkled with nutmeg.

Simple Fruitcake (low sodium, dairy free, vegetarian)

• 2 cups raisins or any combination of chopped dried fruit
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 2 tablespoons canola oil or butter
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/3 cup honey or rice syrup
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 cups chopped walnuts or pecans
• 2 cups whole wheat pastry flour

Preheat oven to 350°F. Boil the dried fruit, water, oil or butter, and salt for 10 minutes. Stir in rice syrup or honey. Combine the spices, nuts and flour. Add to dried fruit mixture. Stir well and pour into an oiled and floured 8×8-inch cake pan. Bake 45 minutes to an hour at 350°F. Cool before cutting.

Chocolate Earth Balls (dairy free, gluten free, vegetarian)

• 1 cup organic peanut butter
• 1/3 cup honey
• 2 teaspoons carob powder or unsweetened organic cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup organic raisins
• 3/4 cup unsweetened shredded organic coconut, divided
• 1/2 cup organic chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup organic sesame seeds
• 1/4 cup finely chopped organic nuts (walnuts, pecans, etc.)

Before measuring the peanut butter, stir it well. Mix peanut butter, honey and carob or cocoa powder until well combined. Stir in raisins and only 1/8 cup of the coconut. Stir in the chocolate chips. Refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours.

Place the remaining coconut, sesame seeds and nuts into three separate bowls. Using a spoon, scoop small heaps of the peanut mixture from the bowl; roll into 1 1/4-inch balls. Rolling is easier if you form a rough ball, roll in the coconut and then continue rolling into a more perfect shape. Roll each finished ball in more coconut, sesame seeds and chopped nuts. Arrange the balls on a plate, cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

Organic Gravenstein Apple Cider

• 1 gallon organic gravenstein apple juice
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 tablespoon whole cloves
• more cinnamon sticks for garnish (optional)

Combine all ingredients and simmer over low heat for 15–20 minutes. Remove cinnamon sticks. Ladle into mugs and add a fresh cinnamon stick to each serving, if desired. Makes 16 mugs.

Look for organic ingredients where possible, and don’t forget to leave a few Earth Balls for Santa! Recipes courtesy of Veg.ca and Whole Foods.