Healthy, quick and vegan creamy pasta

So here’s the thing, I’m a bit of a pasta fanatic. If I could have it every day, I probably wouldn’t hold back. To help curb this affliction of mine, I like to make sure I never bring any of that processed white pasta crap into my home–I always have whole wheat, buckwheat, spinach or quinoa pasta at hand.Today was one of those days that I just needed me some slurpy pasta goodness. I ravaged my cupboard only to find that I was in dire need of some groceries, but in critical times, beautiful things are born.  I know what you’re thinking. That’s a bit dramatic for a stupid pasta dish. And to that I say NAY! It is not. Try the recipe and you’ll understand. It’s super, super simple to make, ridiculously healthy and delicious!


So here’s what you’ll need:

  1. A pasta of your choice (I used whole wheat here)
  2. A can of diced tomatoes
  3. 2 cloves of garlic
  4. A handful of torn basil leaves
  5. A pinch of chili pepper
  6. A pinch of sea salt
  7. Olive oil
  8. A handful of baby spinach
  9. 1 ripe avocado
  10. Juice of half a lemon
  11. Some chopped spring onions

Here’s how it’s done, son:

  • First, follow the instruction on your pasta box for cooking the pasta.
  • Second, finely chop the garlic and fry on low till nice and golden.
  • Third, in a blender, add all the rest of your ingredients except for the olive oil and sea salt and blitz together until smooth.
  • Then, blend on low and drizzle in the olive oil slowly. This will help make the mixture even creamier.
  • Add sea salt to taste.
  • In the same frying pan that you fried the garlic, add the cooked pasta and as much sauce as needed. If you feel it’s too thick, save some starchy pasta water and add it to the sauce to loosen it up.
  • Serve and top with some more chili pepper, fresh dill and spring onions.

And voila! There you go. Easy peasy. It’s so good and creamy it feels like you’re eating something naughty without upsetting your tummy! It’s so easy to make, in less than 15 minutes you’ll be chowing down on this baby.

Go straight-up bananas with me and give this recipe a shot. 

Oh, and follow me on Instagram.

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Could not be happier at the moment! My coffee, cinnamon and chocolate cashew bars just got featured on #feedfeed Happy dance mode: activated πŸ™ŒπŸ™…πŸ™† #straightupbananas #happy #love #food #healthy #delicious #dessertpics #dessertporn #love #fresh #foodporn #foodgasm #dubaifood #dubaifoodie #dubai #mydubai #dxb #raw #vegan #recipe #rawvegan (at Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

Could not be happier at the moment! My coffee, cinnamon and chocolate cashew bars just got featured on #feedfeed

Happy dance mode: activated 🙌🙅🙆

#straightupbananas #happy #love #food #healthy #delicious #dessertpics #dessertporn #love #fresh #foodporn #foodgasm #dubaifood #dubaifoodie #dubai #mydubai #dxb #raw #vegan #recipe #rawvegan (at Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

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5 words: Healthy. Peanut. Butter. Fudge. Brownies. That is all. Oh and recipe up on the blog tonight. #raw #vegan #recipe #rawvegan #veganfoodlovers #bestoftheday #bestofvegan #straightupbananas #yum #delicious #hungry #eat #food #foodporn #foodgasm #chocolate #chocoholic #peanutbutter #dessert #dessertporn #dessertpics #blog #dubai #mydubai #happy #dxb #feedfeed #gloobyfood (at Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

5 words:

Healthy. Peanut. Butter. Fudge. Brownies.

That is all. Oh and recipe up on the blog tonight.

#raw #vegan #recipe #rawvegan #veganfoodlovers #bestoftheday #bestofvegan #straightupbananas #yum #delicious #hungry #eat #food #foodporn #foodgasm #chocolate #chocoholic #peanutbutter #dessert #dessertporn #dessertpics #blog #dubai #mydubai #happy #dxb #feedfeed #gloobyfood (at Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

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Guilt-free healthy peanut butter pancakes

‘Twas the night before the New Year, when all through the house                     Everyone woke up with a sweet tooth, especially my spouse                               We experimented in the kitchen and desperately searched online                     Till we found THE perfect pancake recipe. Now we’re building it a shrine.

It’s that time of year again. December 31st. New year’s eve. The day where you sit contemplating the year that has passed and dreaming of ways the coming year will be better–how you will be better. 

My resolution’s have added up to the following list below. A year from now, I’m going to read this post again and see just how many of the things have been crossed out from the list. (I’m OK Googling a reminder as we speak read/write)

I’m going to:

  1. Focus on the blog a lot more
  2. Work out more
  3. Focus on my Spanish
  4. Focus on my newly found business
  5. More yoga
  6. More salsa
  7. Travel (I won’t say more, lest the travel Gods spite me for my ingratitude)

You know…all the cliches. lol


Anyhoo, back to the real star of the show. The reason you clicked on this recipe after you saw the picture above or on my Instagram account.

I found this recipe on Minimalist Baker and added my own twists to it. It is most definitely a recipe worth keeping in you repertoire. Especially if you, or any of your loved ones, is afflicted with the want for the fluffy discs of yum. Just look at these babies!

Would you believe me if I told you these fluffy beauties doused in organic peanut butter and maple syrup were sugar free, gluten free, butter free, transfat free…basically free of anything that would hurt your Temple! Healthy, quick and easy this recipe is an absolute keeper!


Here’s what you’ll need:

  1. ½ cup of milk (coconut, cow’s, almond, soy)
  2. 1 flax egg (1 tablespoon of milled flaxseeds mixed with 2 tablespoons of water) (If you don’t have flax, just use a regular egg)
  3. 1 tablespoon of melted coconut oil
  4. 1 tablespoon of maple syrup or honey
  5. 1 teaspoon of baking powder
  6. ½ teaspoon of baking soda
  7. 1 tablespoon of peanut butter
  8. a pinch of sea salt
  9. ¾ a cup of organic oat flour 

Here’s how you get it done, son:

  1. Mix the coconut oil, maple syrup, baking powder, baking soda, peanut butter and salt together. Incorporate well with a whisk.
  2. Add milk to the mixture and mix really really well.
  3. Add flaxseed egg and oat flour and mix until just combined.
  4. Let the mixture rest on your stove for a good 5-7 minutes (this is what will make it fluffy!)
  5. While the mixture is resting, mix 2 tablespoons of peanut butter with maple syrup and warm water.  Mix until it forms a loose mixture that you can drizzle on top of the warm pancakes when ready. Keep adding water little by little till you get the consistency you want.
  6. Heat a griddle pan on medium heat.
  7. Drizzle with coconut oil so the pancakes don’t stick.
  8. Throw a dollop (¼ cup) of the batter and let fry on one side until golden, then flip and let cook another minute.
  9. Stack the pancakes and cover with your gooey warm peanut butter mixture.

At this point, you’re going to want to gather every single ingredient in your mind that goes well with peanut butter. Sliced bananas, jam, organic chocolate sauce–the possibilities are endless!

I cannot stress enough how much of a killer this recipe is! They’re so quick and easy to make (the whole shabang needs no more than 15 minutes). They’re so healthy and good for you and they taste like HEAVEN!

Go straight-up bananas with me and give this easy, quick and healthy recipe a shot. All ingredients could easily be found in any supermarket in Dubai. It’s not rocket science, I swear. They sound a lot fancier and complicated than they are. I promise!

Oh, and since you’re here…why not follow me on Instagram? 

Okay. Bye.

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So…this just happened. I made the fluffiest, tastiest and healthiest pancakes I’ve ever had. No butter, no sugar and no flour. Ladies and gentleman, I give to you peanut butter and maple syrup pancakes. Recipe will be up on the blog later on today! So exciting! #breakfast #fresh #bananas #weekend #food #foodporn #foodgasm #fit #thin #this #straightupbananas #yum #delicious #hungry #eat #peanutbutter #pancakes #vegan #recipe #love #gloobyfood #feedfeed #veganfoodlovers #bestoftheday #bestofvegan #breakfastinbed #sogood (at Remraam Community)

So…this just happened.

I made the fluffiest, tastiest and healthiest pancakes I’ve ever had.

No butter, no sugar and no flour.

Ladies and gentleman, I give to you peanut butter and maple syrup pancakes. Recipe will be up on the blog later on today! So exciting!

#breakfast #fresh #bananas #weekend #food #foodporn #foodgasm #fit #thin #this #straightupbananas #yum #delicious #hungry #eat #peanutbutter #pancakes #vegan #recipe #love #gloobyfood #feedfeed #veganfoodlovers #bestoftheday #bestofvegan #breakfastinbed #sogood (at Remraam Community)

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I’ve got a love-love relationship with fresh dill. Unfortunately, supermarkets in Dubai tend to sell fennel leaves mascarading as dill. This here glorious salad is shaved cucumber, pickled red onion and lots of fresh dill. #sogood #eatwithme #foodie #foodgasm #foodporn #healthy #food #straightupbananas #salad #vegetarian #raw #vegan #recipe #love #amazing #yum #delicious #hungry #eat #dubaifood (at Dubai, UAE)

I’ve got a love-love relationship with fresh dill. Unfortunately, supermarkets in Dubai tend to sell fennel leaves mascarading as dill.

This here glorious salad is shaved cucumber, pickled red onion and lots of fresh dill. #sogood

#eatwithme #foodie #foodgasm #foodporn #healthy #food #straightupbananas #salad #vegetarian #raw #vegan #recipe #love #amazing #yum #delicious #hungry #eat #dubaifood (at Dubai, UAE)

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Dubai’s amazing weather is always worth savoring. I like to spend my times outdoors over the weekend. To compliment the fresh weather, I made this watermelon, feta, mint and basil salad! What do you like to do now that the weather is so great? #dubai #winter #dubaiwinters #straightupbananas #recipe #fresh #salad #watermelon #amazing #yum #eatclean #eat #food #foodporn #foodgasm #fit #thin #love (at Dubai Media City)

Dubai’s amazing weather is always worth savoring. I like to spend my times outdoors over the weekend.

To compliment the fresh weather, I made this watermelon, feta, mint and basil salad!

What do you like to do now that the weather is so great?

#dubai #winter #dubaiwinters #straightupbananas #recipe #fresh #salad #watermelon #amazing #yum #eatclean #eat #food #foodporn #foodgasm #fit #thin #love (at Dubai Media City)

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Healthy peanut butter fudge brownies

So I’ve been testing and trying different healthy brownie recipes. So far, this is my favorite. It’s so fudgy and decadent and when you bite into it, your whole face gets smothered in oozy peanut butter goodness. Now I know why it’s called foodPORN. It’s so damn sexy.

And you know what the best part of this recipe is? You only 1 dish to make it. I’m a sucker for any dish that requires the least amount of post-chocolate-coitus dishwashing.


Ingredients:

A ½ kg tub of yogurt

¼ cup of skimmed milk

1 tspn of vanilla extract

1 tbspn of flaxseed “eggs”** (could be substituted with 1 large egg)

¼ tspn of sea salt

1 tspn of baking powder

½ cup of honey

½ cup of organic cocoa powder

½ cup of oat flour (finely-milled oats)

¾ cup of melted, runny organic unsweetened peanut butter

1 handful of chocolate chips

1 tspn of melted coconut oil

**Flax seed eggs are a healthy alternative to using eggs when baking. All you have to do is mix 1 tablespoon of milled flaxseeds with 2 ½ tablespoon of water. Stir well and allow to sit for 5 minutes. The mixture will have a runny egg-like consistency to it.


The method to my madness:

 

-          Preheat your oven to 150 C

-          With some coconut oil, oil up your baking pan so the brownies don’t stick

-          In a blender, mix all the ingredients except for the peanut butter really well

-          Although the mixture may feel very runny, don’t worry about it. That’s what will make them super fudgy

-          Pour into your baking tray

-          Add spoonful dollops of the warmed up peanut butter

-          With a knife, swirl through to give the brownies a marbled effect. DO NOT OVER MIX THEM.

-          Top with the chocolate chips

-          Bake for 20-25 minutes

-          Allow to cool completely before serving for maximum gooeyness

This can and WILL be the best thing you’ve had in your mouth all day. I promise. Go straight-up bananas with me and give the recipe a chance. Oh, and add me on Instagram.

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These are magic brownies. No. Not that kind. These are healthy peanut butter and fudge brownies. Sugar free, gluten free, and so fudgy your teeth are glued together. Recipe will be up on the blog soon #straightupbananas #chocoholic #chocolate #peanutbutter #food #foodporn #foodgasm #fit #healthy #sogood #gloobyfood #feedfeed #dubai #mydubai #vegetarian #beautiful #dubaifood #recipe #love #dessert (at Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

These are magic brownies. No. Not that kind.
These are healthy peanut butter and fudge brownies. Sugar free, gluten free, and so fudgy your teeth are glued together.

Recipe will be up on the blog soon

#straightupbananas #chocoholic #chocolate #peanutbutter #food #foodporn #foodgasm #fit #healthy #sogood #gloobyfood #feedfeed #dubai #mydubai #vegetarian #beautiful #dubaifood #recipe #love #dessert (at Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

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So I may or may not have spent a few hours last night dabbling in the kitchen experimenting… Ladies and gentleman I bring you these raw vegan cashew strawberry and fig bars (can’t figure out what else to call them) For the crust you’ve got an almond and date mixture with some sea salt. The first white layer is a soaked cashew and coconut milk filling, the pink layer is with some strawberries added and top it all off we’ve got some fresh figs. What do you think? #foodgasm #foodporn #healthy #food #straightupbananas #gloobyfood #feedfeed #theofficialkalista #breastcancerawareness #yum #delicious #hungry #eat #dubaifood #dubai #mydubai #raw #vegan #recipe #love (at Sufooh Beach)

So I may or may not have spent a few hours last night dabbling in the kitchen experimenting…

Ladies and gentleman I bring you these raw vegan cashew strawberry and fig bars (can’t figure out what else to call them)

For the crust you’ve got an almond and date mixture with some sea salt. The first white layer is a soaked cashew and coconut milk filling, the pink layer is with some strawberries added and top it all off we’ve got some fresh figs. What do you think?

#foodgasm #foodporn #healthy #food #straightupbananas #gloobyfood #feedfeed #theofficialkalista #breastcancerawareness #yum #delicious #hungry #eat #dubaifood #dubai #mydubai #raw #vegan #recipe #love (at Sufooh Beach)

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Fresh watermelon, fresh mulberries, and fresh mint these are a few of my favorite things 🎢🎡 Maybe some crumbled goats feta cheese on top for a non vegan alternative? Yaaaaaaaasss #eatwithme #straightupbananas #yum #healthy #delicious #healthy #hungry #eat #food #foodporn #foodgasm #fit #thin #love #fresh #watermelon #summer #dubai #mydubai #raw #vegan #recipe #dubaifood #dubaifoodie (at Sufooh Beach)

Fresh watermelon, fresh mulberries, and fresh mint these are a few of my favorite things 🎶🎵

Maybe some crumbled goats feta cheese on top for a non vegan alternative? Yaaaaaaaasss

#eatwithme #straightupbananas #yum #healthy #delicious #healthy #hungry #eat #food #foodporn #foodgasm #fit #thin #love #fresh #watermelon #summer #dubai #mydubai #raw #vegan #recipe #dubaifood #dubaifoodie (at Sufooh Beach)

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This may just be one of the best smoothie recipes yet. Don’t mind Mr. Pedro there in the background being a busybody. A whole lot of fresh grated ginger, 2 bananas, a handful of strawberries date syrup, milled flax seeds, and a whole lot of organic turmeric powder. Blitz it with some fresh yogurt and any type of milk and you are in business, my friend. #straightupbananas #yum #healthy #smoothie #raw #vegan #recipe #food #foodporn #foodgasm #fit #thin #love #breakfast #breakfastinbed #eat #cat

This may just be one of the best smoothie recipes yet. Don’t mind Mr. Pedro there in the background being a busybody.

A whole lot of fresh grated ginger, 2 bananas, a handful of strawberries date syrup, milled flax seeds, and a whole lot of organic turmeric powder. Blitz it with some fresh yogurt and any type of milk and you are in business, my friend.


#straightupbananas #yum #healthy #smoothie #raw #vegan #recipe #food #foodporn #foodgasm #fit #thin #love #breakfast #breakfastinbed #eat #cat

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Breakfast is a smoothie energy booster and God knows I’ve needed it this week. Feeling super sleep deprived. 😯 You’ve got: - a grated thumb of fresh ginger - 2 handfuls of frozen strawberries - 2 very ripe bananas - 2 tablespoons of milled flax seeds - ½ of cultured yogurt - 1 cup of coconut water - chia seeds for topping #straightupbananas #yum #healthy #smoothie #raw #vegan #recipe #delicious #hungry #eat #food #foodporn #foodgasm #fit #thin #this #breakfast #breakfastinbed #tiedye #love (at Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

Breakfast is a smoothie energy booster and God knows I’ve needed it this week. Feeling super sleep deprived. 😯

You’ve got:
- a grated thumb of fresh ginger
- 2 handfuls of frozen strawberries
- 2 very ripe bananas
- 2 tablespoons of milled flax seeds
- ½ of cultured yogurt
- 1 cup of coconut water
- chia seeds for topping

#straightupbananas #yum #healthy #smoothie #raw #vegan #recipe #delicious #hungry #eat #food #foodporn #foodgasm #fit #thin #this #breakfast #breakfastinbed #tiedye #love (at Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

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Quick, easy and healthy chewy fruit bars

So I love cheesecake as much as the next person. But I find myself continuously falling off and back on the healthy eating wagon. And when I fall off, it never feels good. I’ve got a pretty vivid imagination and so I imagine the processed junk I may have had for lunch swooshing around in my stomach as I walk like a box in the back of a car. (bad analogy?)

Then there’s days that I’m back on..really hard. haha. This just so happens to be one of those days. And so I made these babies.

Aren’t they loooovely? Aren’t they beautiful! 

I have to say, I am so ridiculously pleased with how these taste. I think this dessert is going to be one of those things that I always have in the freezer.

Here’s my rendition of @lootahpremiumfoods fig and coconut cheesecake bars and here’s how you can make it.


Ingredients:

Crust:

  • ½ dates
  • ½ almonds
  • pinch of sea salt

Filling:

  • ¾ cup of raw soaked cashews
  • ¼ cup of honey
  • ½ the juice of a lemon
  • ¼ + 1 tbspn of full fat coconut milk
  • ¼ cup of melted coconut oil
  • 1 tspn of vanilla extract

Top with any fresh fruit you’ve got on hand. I topped some with kiwis and some with blueberries.


Here’s how it’s done, son:

1) Line you loaf tin with cling film so that you can easily remove the cheesecake from the mold without it crumbling into a thousand little pieces. 

2) In your food processor, process the dates, almonds, and salt until it forms a crumbly dough.

3) Throw dough into the loaf tin and press down.

4) In a blender, bled all the filling ingredients for 2-3 minutes until silky smooth and poor over the crust.

5) Bang the tin on your counter top a few times to get any air bubbles out.

6) Top with the fresh fruit and cover with cling film.

7) Place in the freezer to set for 4-5 hours.

8) When you’re ready to have a piece, take it out at least 15 minutes before eating so that it doesn’t freeze your teeth off.


There! Easy, peasy! Please, please give it a go and let me know how you liked it.

Oh, and follow me on Instagram since you’re here @straightupbananas

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I had to try out the recipe with fresh blueberries, I just couldn’t help myself! Blueberry and cashew ‘cheesecake’ bars. So good, so healthy, and so chewy! 😍 Recipe will be up on the blog soon! #foodporn #foodgasm #lootahpremiumfoods #food #foodie #thin #fruit #beautiful #dessert #fruitporn #healthy #raw #vegan #feedfeed #sweet #amazing #instagood #love #igers #organic #ilovefood #eat #hungry #yummy #tweegram #recipe #instagood #tastespotting #straightupbananas

I had to try out the recipe with fresh blueberries, I just couldn’t help myself!

Blueberry and cashew ‘cheesecake’ bars. So good, so healthy, and so chewy! 😍

Recipe will be up on the blog soon!

#foodporn #foodgasm #lootahpremiumfoods #food #foodie #thin #fruit #beautiful #dessert #fruitporn #healthy #raw #vegan #feedfeed #sweet #amazing #instagood #love #igers #organic #ilovefood #eat #hungry #yummy #tweegram #recipe #instagood #tastespotting #straightupbananas

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