Beating the Heat

I don't know about you guys, but where I live it's been in the 100's most of the summer (degrees Fahrenheit).  No one wants to cook when it's already boiling outside, in fact no one wants to GO outside!  So we've had to be pretty creative to "beat the heat" and still have a fun summer.  Here are some fun HOT day things:

1. Make Popsicles!  (SUPER easy.  Just make juice or lemonade and put it in ice cube trays.  After it's firmed a little, put in toothpicks and let it freeze all the way.)
2. Go to the pool  
3. Visit a beach/lake/ pond SOMETHING like that.  If you aren't near one you could always make an indoor beach and pretend (great for little kids)
4. Play in the sprinklers/ have a water fight (not JUST for little kids. ;)
5. Freeze some fruit and eat that.  Healthy as well as delicious!
6. Make a smoothie! ;)
7. Set up a tent and sleep outside (watch the stars they're amazing!)
8. Take walks in the evenings when it's cooling down.  (I know in my neighborhood, everyone is outside then so it's a great chance to socialize)
9. Go for an ice cream run.  
10. DRINK LOTS OF WATER!!!  (This is really important on hot days.)

Stay cool, and hydrated.  And have a great week!

*Note:  I know this isn't one of my typical PKU Posts, but if you look closely it definitely is influenced by my PKU lifestyle. :)*

Cheddar: A cheesy sequel

Last week I gave everyone the recipe for Mozerella cheese.  This week I'm giving you the recipe for Cheddar (thanks to sweetroots.blogspot.com for the recipe).

Coconut Milk Cheddar Cheese
Ingredients:

• 2 cans coconut milk (full fat, thai kitchen brand preferred)
• 3 Tbsp agar flakes* (see note below if using agar POWDER)
• 1 tsp balsamic vinegar
• 4 Tbsp tapioca starch
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/4 tsp liquid smoke
• 2 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 cup nutritional yeast (optional; but definitely gives it more cheesy-ness)    
• Pinch of Turmeric (optional; but gives it an authentic cheese color)

 Instructions:

1. Boil coconut until no longer separated.  
2. Add  white balsamic vinegar, agar flakes, and salt
3. Boil for 15 minutes (no need to boil if using agar powder)
4. Add remaining ingredients one at a time, whisking all the while.  
5. Cook another 5-10 minutes.
6. Remove from pan and but in greased, flat bottom glass dish, or parchment paper lined loaf pan (or rubber loaf pan).
7. Let cool 2 hours.  You could stick it in the fridge when cool and use the next day!  
8. Slice and enjoy (if put in fridge you can actually grate it!  Even if it's more slippery)

 *Note: Agar powder speeds this wonderful process of veagan cheese-making.  With the agar powder you don't have to boil it nearly as long.  Use only 3 tsp of powder!  After you add the vinegar, agar powder, and salt to the milk mixture, let it get a good boil then add all the remaining ingredients one-by-one, whisking all the while.  Remove from heat and place in container.  

   

Have fun with that Cheddar Cheese!  Bye!

Mozzarella Cheese... LOW PRO STYLE!!!

My family makes its own cheese.

That sentence makes me feel really self-sufficient.  Though if I were to be totally honest it's PKU cheese, and it's my mom who mainly makes it.  Haha. 

But now I have the recipe.  So I can make it when I move back to college in the Fall.  And soon you will have it too.  So you can try it too!

Enough chat, here's the recipe:  (it's very very good!)

Fresh Vegan Mozzarella Pizza

Ingredients:

• 1 can good-quality coconut milk
• 1 tsp coconut vinegar
• 2/3 tsp salt
• 3/4 tsp agar powder
• 1 TB tapioca flour

 Instructions:

1. Place the coconut milk into a small saucepan over medium-low heat.
2. Whisk until well-emulsified (aka liquified evenly )
3. Add in the vinegar, salt, and agar
4. Whisk frequently for about 15 minutes or until a small boil occurs
5. Reduce the heat immediately 
6. Mix the tapioca flour  
7. Heat for 5-10 minutes more
8. Transfer to a flat bottomed glass prex dish to slightly gel for about an hour (we actually used silicon bread pans for this, and it worked)

 Then you are done!  You've made your own PKU CHEESE!!!  Don't you feel accomplished?  ;)  

Anyways credits for this recipe goes to www.olivesfordinner.com for their fabulous recipe, that my mom found one day.  They have some pretty good stuff if you want to check it out.  

Thanks!  And I'll see you soon!