Tag: desserts

  • Happy National Chocolate Chip Day with Christine Waltermyer

    Happy National Chocolate Chip Day with Christine Waltermyer

    Happy National Chocolate Chip Day

    with Christine Waltermyer

    Christine Waltermyer is a local and renowned Wellness Chef, private chef to celebrities, published cookbook author and founder of the Natural Kitchen Cooking School, which offers an online Plant-Based Cooking Program. She also loves shopping at Basil Bandwagon! Visit naturalkitchenschool.com to subscribe to her email newsletter for new recipes, tips, and FREE access to the Power of Veggies mini-course!


    Frozen Chocolate-Covered Bananas

    Course Appetizer, Dessert, Snack
    Keyword appetizer, Bananas, Chocolate, Chocolate chips, dessert, Kid snacks, Kids, snack
    Servings 8

    Equipment

    • 8 popsicle sticks (wooden or plastic)

    Ingredients

    • 4 Ripe bananas peeled
    • 1 cup (8 oz.) chocolate chips or carob chips
    • 2 tablespoons coconut oil

    Toppings of your choice, such as

    • Shredded coconut
    • Flaked sea salt
    • Naturally-colored sprinkles
    • Freeze-dried raspberries
    • Dried apple chips ground up
    • Roasted nuts (pecans or pistachios)

    Instructions

    • Cut the bananas in half lengthwise. Place each banana half (wider end) on a popsicle stick. Place the banana halves on a parchment-lined plate or container. Freeze for a minimum of 2 hours.
    • Arrange your toppings in little bowls. Melt the chocolate chips in a double boiler or a stainless steel bowl placed on top of a saucepan filled with simmering hot water on medium heat. Add the coconut oil. Whisk occasionally until melted.
    • Use a silicone brush to brush the melted chocolate onto the frozen bananas. While the chocolate is still soft, sprinkle with any toppings of your choice. Work quickly as the chocolate freezes quickly. Place on parchment or wax paper to set. Refreeze the bananas, storing in an air-tight container.
    • Enjoy!

    Notes

    Note: Instead of putting the bananas on sticks, you can just slice them before coating with melted chocolate and toppings.

    Vegan Cookie Dough Truffles

    Course Dessert, Snack
    Keyword dessert, kid friendly, Kid snacks, vegan
    Servings 8

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup gluten-free oat flour
    • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
    • 1 tablespoon coconut oil softened
    • 1 tablespoon almond butter
    • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
    • 1 pinch sea salt
    • 8 oz. chocolate chips or carob chips divided
    • 2 tablespoons chocolate chips or carob chips divided
    • flaked sea salt optional

    Instructions

    • In a bowl, mix together the oat flour, maple syrup, coconut oil, almond butter, vanilla extract and sea salt. Stir well, then add 2 tablespoons of the carob chips. Roll into 8 bite-size little balls. Feel free to double the recipe if you want a larger batch. Refrigerate the cookie dough balls for about 12 minutes.
    • Using a double boiler or a stainless steel bowl placed over a saucepan of boiling water, melt the chocolate chips or carob chips. One at a time, drop the chilled cookie dough balls into the melted chocolate, turning it to completely cover it. Carefully place on a piece of parchment paper. Repeat with the remaining cookie dough balls. Feel free to sprinkle with flaked sea salt before they cool and harden. You can also use a spoon to drizzle a little extra melted chocolate on top. Chill the cookie dough balls again before serving.
    • Enjoy!

    Thank you to Christine Waltermyer and the Natural Kitchen Cooking School for working with us to help promote healthy, nutritious meals and products that are affordable, full of nutrients, and simple to make at home!

  • Winter Holiday Heroes with Christine Waltermyer

    Winter Holiday Heroes with Christine Waltermyer

    WINTER HOLIDAY HEROES

    with Christine Waltermyer

    Christine Waltermyer is a local Wellness Chef, private chef to celebrities, published cookbook author and founder of the Natural Kitchen Cooking School, which offers an online Plant-Based Cooking Program. She also loves shopping at Basil Bandwagon! Visit naturalkitchenschool.com to get your FREE copy of her cookbook, “7 Days of Deliciousness.”


    MENU

    Immunity Soup

    Keto Refrigerator Fudge

    Pomegranate Sweet Potato Bruschetta

    Loaded Sweet Potatoes


    Immunity Soup

    Serves 2-3

    Ingredients

    2 tablespoons olive oil

    1 onion, diced (1 1/2 cups)

    Sea salt

    1 teaspoon fresh ginger root, peeled and minced

    2-3 cloves garlic, minced

    3/4 cup fresh maitake mushrooms, chopped

    2 stalks celery, chopped

    2 small carrots, chopped

    1-inch piece kombu, soaked in cold water to cover for 10 minutes

    4 sprigs fresh thyme (or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme)

    2 bay leaves

    4 cups vegetable broth* (recipe below: astragalus, kombu, veg scraps)

    A pinch ground turmeric

    2 cups chopped kale

    1 13-oz. jar Jovial brand chickpeas, drained

    2-3 tablespoons light colored miso (such as South River Chickpea miso)

    Lotus Foods brown rice ramen noodles (2 cakes), cooked

    Method

    *If making vegetable broth from scratch, use the recipe below.

    1. Heat a soup pot over medium heat. Add the olive oil. Add the onion and a pinch of sea salt. Cook and stir for 5 minutes.

    2. Add the ginger and garlic. Cook and stir for another minute or two. Add the maitake mushrooms. Cook a few more minutes. Add the celery and carrot, and cook and stir for a few minutes.

    3. Add the kombu (whole or chopped), thyme, bay leaves, and the vegetable broth. Bring to a boil then lower heat to simmer on low, covered, for about 20 minutes. Add the turmeric, chopped kale, and chickpeas. Cook a few more minutes.

    4. Remove the bay leaves, thyme sprigs and kombu (if a whole piece). Place the miso in a small bowl and add a few tablespoons of water. Stir until diluted. Add this to the soup and stir. Add the cooked ramen noodles just before serving. Enjoy!

    *Immune-Boosting Vegetable Broth Recipe*

    1. In a large soup pot, place 4 cups leftover vegetable scraps (ends of carrots, ends of celery, cabbage hearts, kale stems, parsley stems, etc.) OR 2 whole carrots, 2 celery stalks, 1 handful parsley and 1 onion.

    2. Add 1-2 teaspoons dried astragalus root, 2 bay leaves and a 2-inch piece of kombu sea vegetable.

    3. Add 4 cups of water.

    4. Bring to a boil, then lower heat to cook on low for 1 hour. Strain and use.


    Keto Refrigerator Fudge

    Serves 8

    Ingredients

    1/2 cup carob powder OR cocoa powder OR cacao powder

    1/2 teaspoon Sweetleaf Sweet Drops liquid stevia – Vanilla Creme Flavor

    1/2 cup virgin coconut oil, softened

    1/2 cup sprouted almond butter

    1/8 teaspoon sea salt

    Topping:

    2 tablespoons coconut oil, softened

    2 tablespoons almond butter

    Flaked sea salt (optional)

    Method

    1. Using a whisk, fork or electric hand mixer, combine the carob powder, liquid stevia, 1/2 cup coconut oil, 1/2 cup almond butter, and 1/8 teaspoon sea salt. Mix until smooth.

    2. Spread the mixture evenly into a parchment paper-lined 8×4-inch loaf pan. In a small bowl, mix together the 2 tablespoons coconut oil with 2 tablespoons almond butter. You can add a drop or two of stevia sweetener if you life. Mix well, then drizzle onto the top of your fudge. Use a toothpick to swirl it around and make a marbled surface.

    3. Chill for 1 to 2 hours. Top with some flaked sea salt. Slice, serve and enjoy!


    Pomegranate Sweet Potato Bruschetta

    Serves 8

    Ingredients

    1 16oz bag Caulipower Frozen Sweet PotaTOASTS (frozen Sweet Potato slices)

    Sunflower seed “cheese” spread:

    1/2 cup sunflower seeds

    1/4 cup water

    1/4 cup chopped scallions

    1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

    1/2 teaspoon onion powder

    1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

    1 tablespoon lemon juice

    1 tablespoon miso

    Garnish:

    D’Vash sweet potato nectar

    The seeds of 1 pomegranate

    1/2 cup chopped walnuts

    Fresh sprigs of thyme or rosemary

    Method

    1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spread the sweet potaTOASTS in an even layer on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes. For more well done slices, brush with a little olive oil and bake 5 minutes longer.

    2. Meanwhile, make the sunflower seed “cheese” spread. Place the sunflower seeds, water, scallions, garlic powder, onion powder, sea salt, lemon juice and miso in a food processor. Process until a spreadable consistency, stopping to scrape down the sides a few times. The consistency does not need to be perfectly smooth.

    3. Remove the baked sweet potaTOASTS from the oven and let them cool to room temperature. Spread each one with a rounded tablespoon of the sunflower seed “cheese” spread. Top with some walnuts, pomegranate seeds, thyme sprigs and a drizzle of sweet potato nectar. Enjoy!


    Loaded Sweet Potatoes

    Serves 4

    Ingredients

    2 sweet potatoes or yams

    Olive oil

    One onion, diced

    8 ounces mushrooms, sliced

    2 cloves garlic, minced

    Sea salt and pepper

    White wine

    1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

    4 cups chopped kale

    2 teaspoons maple syrup

    1 teaspoon prepared mustard

    1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

    Squeeze of lemon juice or balsamic vinegar

    Sauce:

    1/4 cup sesame tahini

    2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

    1 tablespoon maple syrup

    A few pinches sea salt

    3-5 tablespoons water

    Garnish:

    Fresh chives, chopped

    Method

    1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Poke the sweet potatoes with a fork a few times. Place whole sweet potatoes or yams in a covered casserole or you can wrap the sweet potatoes individually with foil and place them on a baking sheet instead of a covered casserole. Place them in the oven and bake for 60 minutes, or until easily pierced with a fork. When finished remove from oven, keep covered and set aside.

    2. Meanwhile, prepare sautéed vegetable topping. In a skillet, warm 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and a pinch of salt, cook and stir for five minutes.

    3. Add the mushrooms, garlic and thyme. If the onions are sticking to the pan, add a small splash of white wine. Cover and cook for five more minutes or until the mushrooms have softened. Add the kale and another splash of white wine. Cover and cook for five more minutes. Add remaining seasonings: maple syrup, mustard, lemon juice or balsamic vinegar, Worcestershire sauce and cook and stir for a few more minutes. Cook until the liquid has mostly evaporated.

    4. To make the sauce, combine all ingredients in a small bowl and whisk well together. The consistency should be something like ketchup.

    5. Slice the cooked sweet potatoes or yams in half lengthwise and evenly distribute the sautéed vegetables on top of each one. Drizzle with a couple tablespoons of the sauce and serve topped with chives. Enjoy!


    Thank you to Christine Waltermyer and the Natural Kitchen Cooking School for working with us to help promote healthy, nutritious meals that are affordable, full of nutrients, and simple to make at home!

  • Guilt-Free Brownies featuring PlantFusion!

    Guilt-Free Brownies featuring PlantFusion!

    For the chocolate-lovers out there, these brownies are not only the guilt-free treat we all look for but they’re also gluten-free! The fun thing about making brownies is that you can change up the recipe to include some other fun treats; like fruit, nuts, candy, cookies, or even your favorite supplements! In this recipe, we used two PlantFusion supplements for an added health benefit. The Chocolate PlantFusion Complete Protein not only is packed with 21g of plant-based proteins but it keeps you energized while building and repairing muscle (this would be the perfect treat for after your daily workout)! The Vanilla PlantFusion Complete Plant Collagen Builder should be your go-to for building, hydrating, and protecting collagen. BONUS- the Vanilla PlantFusion Complete Plant Collagen Builder is also featured in our Smoothie of the Month for July- our Strawberry-A-Go-Go!

    Ingredients

    1 Cup Almond Butter (we used our fresh almond butter from our bulk section!)

    1/2 Cup Maple Syrup

    1 Egg

    1 Tablespoon melted butter (you can also use MCT oil or liquid coconut oil)

    1 Scoop Chocolate PlantFusion Complete Protein

    1 Scoop Vanilla PlantFusion Complete Plant Collagen Builder

    1 Teaspoon Vanilla

    Pinch of Salt

    1/2 Cup Chocolate Chips

    1/2 Teaspoon Baking Soda


    Method

    1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F and spray a 9×11-inch baking dish with nonstick spray or olive oil.

    2. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients together and whisk until smooth.

    3. Spread batter into pan and bake for 20-25 minutes until fully cooked around the edges.

    4. Allow to cool for 20-30 minutes, even though it’s hard to wait!

    5. Cut into squares or fun shapes and enjoy!


    Before you enjoy your decadent guilt-free PlantFusion chocolate brownies, make sure you take a picture of your masterpiece! Post it on social media and tag your favorite local organic market, Basil Bandwagon Natural Market! #basilbandwagon #wellnessrecipe

  • Salted Caramel Rice Cereal Squares

    Salted Caramel Rice Cereal Squares

    Organic, Vegan, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, & Soy-Free

    Cocomels are the perfect sweet treat that you can eat straight out of the bag or add into any dessert- just in time for the summer picnics and barbecues! They are the perfect vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and soy-free candy. BONUS- they are on sale for the entire month of May!

    Ingredients

    1 10-Ounce Bag Dandies Marshmallows

    5 Cups Erewhon Crispy Brown Rice Cereal

    4 Tablespoons Basil Bandwagon Coconut Oil

    1 3.5-Ounce Bag Cocomels Sea Salt Coconut Milk Caramels


    Method

    1. Unwrap Cocomels and chop up into smaller pieces.

    2. In a large pot, combine coconut oil and marshmallows. Place on very low heat.

    3. Stir until fully broken down (about 7-8 minutes).

    4. Once fully melted, remove from heat and mix in cereal and chopped Cocomels. Stir until evenly coated with marshmallow mixture.

    5. Press mixture into a parchment lined 9×9 inch pan.

    6. Once cooled, cut into squares and enjoy!


    Before you enjoy your amazing salted caramel rice cereal squares, make sure you take a picture of your masterpiece! Post it on social media and tag your favorite organic market, Basil Bandwagon Natural Market! #basilbandwagon

    For more information about Cocomels, visit this link: https://jjssweets.com/

  • Your Memorial Day BBQ in 1..2..3!

    Your Memorial Day BBQ in 1..2..3!

    Memorial Day is the start of BBQ season; and we have just what you need! Check out these awesome products that you need to stock up on for your party!

    Don’t forget- our store hours have changed for Memorial Day as both stores will be open from 9am-5pm with both cafes open from 9am-4pm!

    Refreshing Drinks

    Start off your Memorial Day with these healthy refreshments! Honest Tea is on sale all month long- and make sure you enter your name in our Honest Tea Bike Raffle in either store! If you’re looking for something bubbly and refreshing, try Waterloo’s sparkling water, Zevia’s zero calorie soda, or Brew Dr. Kombucha 4-pack cans. Have little ones coming to the party? Grab a box of Honest Kids organic fruit punch pouches.

    Get The Grill Going

    Hot dogs, hamburgers, and chicken are summer-time staples that every bbq needs. Check out Brooklyn hot dogs, Applegate Farm hot dogs, Dakota ground beef, and Farmer Focus chicken for your party today! Looking for plant-based options? Look no further as we have Hilary’s veggie burgers, Sunshine burgers, and Upton’s Naturals BBQ jackfruit.

    Snacks While You Wait

    Need something to snack on while your main course is cooking? Grab some chips and dips! LateJuly tortilla chips and salsa are the perfect pairing. Don’t like spicy? We also have chips from Good Health and Luke’s Organic, Cauliflower Pretzels by From the Ground Up, popcorn from Lesser Evil, and cheese puffs from Barbara’s! If you need more dip options, try the hummus or guacamole from Hope!

    Don’t Forget To Top It Off!

    Everybody has their secret ingredients to make the perfect meal. We have lots of options to top off your bbq sandwich!

    Delicious Desserts

    Whether you’re hosting the party or you need something to bring, desserts are the perfect treat that everyone will love. Simple Mills frosted cupcakes, DeeBee’s Organic freezer pops, and any form of ice cream like Alden’s, Good Pop, or So Delicious make the best treat to end the day!


    No matter what’s on your table this Memorial Day, let us know! Leave us a note, email us, or tell us in person! #basilbandwagoncares

  • This Week’s Featured Products: Feb 1st

    This Week’s Featured Products: Feb 1st

    Looking for something you saw on our video?

    Here’s the items Jenna and Carolyn featured in this week’s New Product Wednesday Video:

    Anita’s Guacamole: SUPER clean and fresh

    Market Pizza: Locally made with impeccable ingredients, this pizza is an easy go-to when you want to impress without slaving in the kitchen

    Bell Evans Chicken Nuggets: Read your labels! Even if the chicken nuggets you buy SAY they are natural, look up the ingredients! Belle Evans passes our test, and taste.

    Murrays Chicken Wings: Humanely Raised Chicken with no preservatives!

    Back to Nature Chocolate Chip Cookies: Cleaner alternative to a mainstream favorite. You’ll never go back.

    Farm to Market Cafe Vegan Coleslaw: Made RIGHT here in our own cafe, our coleslaw has less sugar that the traditional coleslaw and zero preservatives!

    Sweetah’s Peanut Butter Chocolate Bar: LOCALLY made, this treat will leave you HOOKED. Just ask any team member here, we are all addicted.

    Late July Nacho Chips: We don’t have to tell you what these can replace. 🙂

    GT’s Kombucha: Large Size

    Zevia: Mt. Zevia is clear, colorless and completely free of any additives but gives that fizzy sweet soda experience!

    Dominex Veggie Eggplant Meatballs: junk-free and just as tasty as the standard frozen meatballs. You won’t miss the meat.

    Hail Merry Miracle Mini Tarts: Creamy, dense, and rich, these tarts are craving-crushers.

    Olli Salumeria Sopressata:  a better choice for your meat and cheese plate

    Enzymedica Enzymes: Acid Soothe, Digest, etc. are excellent choices for helping your tummy break down any foods you might have over-consumed

    Hilary’s Eat Well Broccoli Casserole– Easy appetizer that will please EVERYONE!

    Heather’s Tummy Tamers Peppermint Oil Capsules: Peppermint, Ginger, Fennel. Soothing remedies for a myriad of tummy troubles. You’ll want to have some of these in your cupboard.

    Urban Moonshine: Bitters stimulate your gut to produce the enzymes it needs to make the most of good food and combat the bad

    Nature’s Way Charcoal: Charcoal is about as simple as it get. It absorbs gas, toxins and more and helps you feel better after overeating.