Simply Stunning Strawberry Trifle

So basically, if you would like a simply irresistable, mouthwatering, super easy but impressive dessert, here is your new best friend. Or, if you like chocolate, strawberries, and pudding, here is your new weakness.

SIMPLY STUNNING STRAWBERRY TRIFLE

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What You Will Need:

about 2 lbs fresh strawberries

brownies

2 cook and serve vanilla pudding mixes

Almond Milk

chocolate ice cream topping (otional)

Prepare the cook and serve vanilla pudding, using Almond Milk instead of regular milk. (Rice Milk WILL NOT work). Place in fridge to cool, stirring every few minutes to avoid chunks. Don't worry if it isn't perfectly creamy, you won't be able to tell when you are eating it.

Using thin brownies, cut into about 1" by 1" squares. Slice the strawberries. 

Layer brownies, a flat layer of strawberries, then cover with pudding. Repeat one time. On top, place some strawberries and brownies (I like to use cookie cutters for shapes for the top). Chill covered for about 2-3 hours before serving. (If pudding is completely cool, this can be decreased to 1 hour). If desired, drizzle with chocolate ice cream topping right before serving.

Cream of Mushroom Soup

After looking through multiple cream of mushroom soup recipes, and modifying a few together, I finally found an AMAZING cream of mushroom soup. Now, things you use to cook but had to quit can once again be enjoyed. This has added so much variety to my diet, it has been wonderful. This recipe makes about 1 cup of soup, which is equal to about a can of store bought stuff.

Microwave 1 1/4 c Almond Milk.


Saute':
3 Tbsp. butter.
1/4 cup canned mushrooms, chopped
1 Tbsp onion, chopped


Whisk in:
3 Tbsp All-Purpose Flour
dash salt
dash pepper


This should make a thick paste. Whisk in the heated milk. Cook until a little thinner than desired. It will thicken while it cools some too.

Note:Rice milk works, but the mixture will remain very soupy and not get as thick as I like it. I also really like the flavor that the Almond Milk gives to it.

Brownies

Okay, so since my boyfriend revealed he had this recipe, I seriously have made brownies at least once a week. They are WAY better than any store bought ones. So, thought I'd share...

3 c sugar
1/2 c cocoa powder
1 tsp salt
6 eggs
1 1/4 c pure canola oil
2 1/4 c flour
1 Tbsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 350⁰ F oven. Line pan with piece of parchment paper big enough to be creased and cover the bottom and edges. [this makes for easy removal, which is needed with these.] Grease parchment paper using canola oil. Pour batter into pan [I use a cookie sheet with raised edges for a thin brownie.] Bake until toothpick an inch from the edge comes out clean. For thin brownies, this is about 20 minutes. For thick brownies, it can take just under an hour.

Enjoy the chocolatey goodness.

Carmel Topping

Alright, so for dessert tonight, I am making this incredible brownie/ ice cream/ brownie dessert with caramel drizzle, chocolate, and nuts. Trying to find caramel without milk is like finding a fish who doesn't need water. Anyways, I found this recipe (http://dairyfreecooking.about.com/od/saucesdressings/r/caramelsauce.htm)  that turned out fabulously:

1 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup yogurt (you can use yogurt, soy yogurt, or coconut milk yogurt)

In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, combine sugar with 1/4 cup of the yogurt, mixing until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is consistent. Allow the mixture to turn light golden in color and is beginning to bubble up. Stir in the remaining yogurt and cook until mixture is medium-amber in color, which takes about 4 minutes. Remove from heat, transfer to a heatproof dish and allow to cool for about 10 minutes before serving.

Hope you enjoy! And I'll post the brownie recipe soon!

What about butter?

I know one of the worst parts about not being able to eat dairy or soy is that you still often want similar products. The biggest one I found I was looking for was butter. If you can't have dairy, you can have margarine. If you can't have soy, you can normally have butter. But without either what do you do?

My suggestion is this:

This is a great product from earth balance! I usually find it at Walmart, Sunflower, or Whole Foods.

So, if you've been looking for butter, now you know where to get some!

Let the fun begin!

Hey all! Just wanted to start this blog to help others out there who struggle with a dairy or soy allergy. I know how hard it can be to find recipes or tricks when trying to cook with such allergies. I hope you can find some helpful tips and tricks that you can use.

Enjoy!