MAPLE BANANA BREAD WITH HEMPSEEDS

I was raised in California, and the closest it gets to cold, wintry weather is dropping below 75 degrees in December.  It's not the most festive place in the world for the holiday months, but we had other ways of making it special.  I always associate banana bread with the changing of seasons, as a seasonal (but not too wintry) way to celebrate Fall.  We always had it in the house during this time & it's the most nourishing snack to have on hand (especially for busy days).  This one is healthier than my family recipe, but you won't notice.   It's the perfect breakfast for the colder months when you need something a little heartier.  

Maple Banana Bread with Hempseeds (gluten-free, dairy-free)

• 3/4 cup almond flour
• 1/2 cup brown rice flour
• 1/2 cup sorghum flour
• 1/4 cup tapioca flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon 
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 1/2 cup extra virgin coconut oil, melted & cooled
• 2 very ripe large bananas, mashed
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup almond milk
• 2 large eggs
• 3 tablespoons hempseeds

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  In a large mixing bowl, whisk together first nine ingredients until well mixed.  In a separate bowl, add mashed banana, coconut oil, maple, vanilla, almond milk & large eggs.  Beat mixture until well-combined, then mix wet ingredients into the dry.  Using a spatula, mix ingredients until batter resembles heavy cream.

Grease a 8 or 9 inch loaf pan lined with parchment (for easy removal).  Pour batter into loaf pan evenly, then sprinkle hempseeds evenly over top.  Bake for 45-55 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.  Let cool for 20 minutes before serving.

Tip: I highly suggest serving warm with a drizzle of warm coconut oil or maple syrup. Game changer!

RAW KALE CAESAR WITH BEET MICROGREENS, AVOCADO & POACHED EGG

Raw kale caesars are the one thing I never tire of.   I pretty much order them whenever they're offered.   At home, I like mine with a few hippie add-ons and poached egg for breakfast (or really, anytime of day). This almond caesar dressing is naturally dairy-free, but has the bold, zingy flavor that every caesar needs. You'll want to put it on everything - and I won't stop you.

RAW KALE CAESAR WITH BEET MICROGREENS, AVOCADO & POACHED EGG (Gluten & grain-free, Vegan) SERVES 2

• 1 large bunch of kale, washed, stemmed & torn
• A pinch of flaky sea salt
• 1 lemon
• 4-5 radishes, thinly sliced
• 1/2 avocado, cubed
• 1/4 cup tablespoons hempseeds
• A good handful of microgreens

RAW ALMOND CAESAR DRESSING (Vegan, dairy-free) Makes about 2/3 cup

• 1/2-2/3 cup almonds, soaked for 4-6 hours
• 2 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
• 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
• 3 small lemons, juice + zest
• 2 tablespoons capers
• 1 tablespoon caper brine (or olive juice brine)
• 1/4-1/3 cup olive oil
• Sea salt to taste
• Freshly cracked pepper
• In a large mixing bowl, massage the juice of one lemon into kale.  Sprinkle with sea salt and set aside.

Then, make almond dressing: After soaking almond, rinse and drain well.  Add to high-speed blender or food processor with the following five ingredients.  Blend ingredients well, then stream in olive oil until desired texture.  Season with sea salt and pepper.

Mix kale together with sliced radish, avocado and microgreens and hempseeds.  Toss in desired amount of dressing (it's on the thicker side, so use your hands to massage it in).  

To poach eggs: Fill a large saucepan with water and a good splash of white vinegar.  Over high heat, let the temperature come until you begin to see tiny bubbles around the rim.  Plop in your eggs (one at a time, if you’re nervous).  Let the eggs sit for about 30 seconds, then slowly stir making sure the egg white wraps around the yolk.  If your egg gets stuck on the bottom of the pan, don’t fret, use a silicon spatula to carefully remove it.  Let cook until egg whites just begin to firm (or set), 

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MORNINGS

Weekend home brunches are my favorite.  On weekdays, I find myself rushed, cramming in some avocado toast or green smoothie while browsing the internet.  Not the most inspired combination, but my routine nonetheless.  On Saturdays and Sundays, I slow down --  if only for an hour. The spread is usually inspired by Joe's many breakfast food cravings and I'm happy to abide.  These mornings are some of the few times we eat breakfast together during the week.  Schedules can be so busy and disjointed that we forget to turn the dial down and share a moment.  We don't hover over computers or ipads, but instead read an actual, physical newspaper over an actual, real breakfast.  It can sometimes be just about sharing a small moment, especially if it's a delicious one.