Snacks

Makes 5-6 pancakes

Ingredients:

2 cups grated daikon

1 cup arrowroot flour

¼ teaspoon sea salt

¼ cup chopped scallions

one sheet sushi nori, cut into squares that will cover the pancakes (optional)

sesame oil for pan-frying

dipping sauce:

1 tablespoon tamari

2 teaspoons rice vinegar

½ – 1 teaspoon fresh ginger juice

Directions:

1. Place daikon, arrowroot powder, sea salt and scallions in mixing bowl. Mix well to combine. Grated daikon should produce enough juice to make a moist mixture. If the mixture is dry or powdery, add a little water.
2. Heat skillet over medium heat, pour oil to cover surface, spoon out about ¼ cup mixture per pancake, making round clumpy pancakes of about 3 inches across each. To insure pancakes are thoroughly cooked, cover pan for the first 1 – 2 minutes. When you see the edge of the pancake becomes nice and brown, flip. Panfry both sides without cover until golden for about 2 – 3 minutes. Lower the heat if oil in pan starts to smoke. Cakes are done when translucent all the way through.
3. If serving with nori, place one piece of nori underneath the mixture and another one on top to sandwich the pancake as you fry.
4. While panfrying pancakes, make dipping sauce by combining all ingredients.
5. Serve immediately with dipping sauce.

Makes about 8 muffins

Ingredients:

1 ¾ cups gluten free oat flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon sea salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 can (15 ounce) pumpkin puree
¼ cup safflower oil
½ cup maple or agave syrup
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°
2. Line a muffin pan with muffin liners. Set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl, place dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, sea salt, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg, and mix well using whisk.
4. In a separate medium bowl, place wet ingredients: pumpkin puree, safflower oil, syrup, vanilla extract and apple cider vinegar. Mix well using whisk.
5. Add wet ingredients to dry mixture. Using spatula, mix very well until thoroughly combined.
6. Using an ice cream soup or a large spoon, place the mixture into each muffin cup.
7. Bake for 10 minutes, then lower the temperature to 325°F and bake about 15 minutes. Check with a bamboo stick. If it comes out clean, the muffins are done.
8. Let muffins cool on a cooling rack before serving.

Chef’s note: If oat flour is not available you can use brown rice flour, although the texture will be more dense. Remember, you can always make your own oat flour out of rolled oats by putting them in a food processor or high speed blender until finely ground.

Directions:

1. Cut mochi into 1 ½-2 inch squares.
2. Heat a cast iron skillet on high until hot.
3. Turn flame to the lowest heat and place the mochi in the skillet.
4. Cover and cook on each side for 3-4 minutes until soft and slightly puffy.

Serving suggestions:

1. For a savory snack, wrap in a small slice of nori, garnish with grated daikon and a few drops shoyu.
2. For a sweet snack, drizzle with brown rice or maple syrup or eat with apple butter.
3. Place 2-3 pieces of cooked mochi in soups toward the end of cooking.

My favorite mochi is Grainaissance. It comes in all different flavors and becomes very soft when cooked.

*To cook chickpeas:

1. Rinse and then soak dry chickpeas overnight.
2. Discard soaking water.
3. Place kombu and chickpeas in a pressure cooker. Add water to just cover the beans.
4. Bring to a boil uncovered, skimming off any white foam as it arises.
5. Cover the pressure cooker with the lid and lock in place. Bring to pressure over medium heat then simmer for 50 minutes.
6. Turn off the flame and allow pressure to come down naturally.
7. Open the pot and let the beans cool to room temperature.

1. Preheat the oven to 375 F.
2. Wrap garlic bulb and beet with parchment paper and place them on a baking sheet.
3. Place baking sheet on the middle rack in the oven. Bake garlic about 30-40 minutes until soft. Remove garlic and continue to bake beet about 1 hour until soft. When cool, gently peel off the skin.
4. In food processor, put all the ingredients, and process until everything becomes smooth and creamy. Add water if needed if it is dry.
5. Plate your beet hummus topped with sumac or your favorite garnish.