Almond Paste (marzipan substitute)

 

Almond Paste
(makes plenty for a 18-20cm cake)

Ingredients:
125g icing sugar
125g sugar
225g ground almonds
1 egg substitute
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
2 tsp fresh lemon juice

Method:
Either sift the icing sugar into a bowl, add the rest of the ingredients and beat thoroughly, kneading into a a firm dough, or put all the ingredients in a food processor, and blend until a soft ball is formed.

Chocolate Tart (dairy-free)

Chocolate tart 

serves 10-12

Ingredients:

Base:

300g bourbon biscuits

60g spread or coconut oil, melted

Filling:

400g can thick coconut milk (or cream)

400g dark dairy-free chocolate

1 tsp vanilla extract

Method:

Crush the biscuits, either in a food processor or with a rolling pin after putting them in a large ziplock bag. They need to be quite well crushed. Stir in the melted fat, then press into a greased round pie dish or tart pan, around 25-28 cm in diameter. Refrigerate for an hour or two.

Sardine and Lentil Salad

Sardine and Lentil Salad

serves 2-3

Ingredients:

1 can sardines in tomato sauce
50g lentils, cooked and drained
1 small cucumber, chopped
50g frozen peas

20-30g lemon juice
fresh or dried mint to garnish

Method: 

Mix the first four ingredients together. There is no need to thaw or cook the peas first. Then toss in the lemon juice. Sprinkle chopped fresh or dried mint over to garnish. 

Trifle (dairy-free)

Trifle

Makes one biggish trifle

Ingredients:

a medium sponge cake or pack of sponge fingers
a large can of fruit in syrup (eg pineapple)
1 litre dairy-free milk substitute
4 tbsp custard powder
4 tbsp sugar
1 can thick coconut milk or cream, chilled
extra sugar, to taste
dairy-free sprinkles or glacé cherries

Method:

Line a large bowl with sponge fingers or crumbled pieces of cake. Drain the fruit, then pour enough juice over the cake to soften it. Cover with the fruit.

Oat Milk

Oat Milk

makes about a litre

Ingredients:

About 65g (3/4 cup) whole oats
1-2 dates
About a litre of COLD water

Method: 

Place the oats with the date or dates (stone removed) in a high speed liquidiser (blender). Add enough cold water to make it up to about 500ml. 

Blend on high speed for up to about a minute. 

Chocolate sorbet

Chocolate sorbet
makes about 900ml

Ingredients:
560ml water
160g sugar
40g cocoa powder
pinch of salt
180-200g dark chocolate
1/2 tsp vanilla extract/essence

Method:
Break the chocolate into individual squares or smaller pieces, for easy melting. 

In a large pan, whisk together the sugar, cocoa powder, salt and about 375ml of the water. Bring to the boil, stirring until the sugar has dissolved, then allow it to boil while whisking for about 45 seconds.

Lemon Slices

Lemon Slices
Makes about 24

Ingredients:
Base:
225g dairy-free spread
150g wholemeal flour
150g plain flour
50g icing sugar

Topping:
4 medium eggs
400g white sugar
4 tbsp white flour
120ml lemon juice
1 tsp lemon zest

Method:
Mix the base ingredients together in a bowl or food processor. It should make a dough-like ball. Press into the base of a greased or lined pan, about 32cm x 22cm and at least 3cm in depth. Use the flat of a large spoon or a spatula to ensure the mixture reaches the whole base, and flatten as much as possible.