Gluten-Free Banana Bread in 6 Steps

It's natural to be skeptic about gluten-free bread. The idea itself sounds rather oxymoronic. But, after the success I had with the chocolate coconut cupcakes, I wanted to make a healthier version of my favorite banana bread. This gluten free, and refined sugar and fat free recipe is so delicious that you do not miss the flour, or the butter. I love banana bread, and these healthy modifications allow me to have guilt free indulgence for breakfast. 

Posted by Cultivate Flavors on Sunday, October 18, 2015

Orange Souffle in 13 Steps

To quote Ai Weiwei, whose art exhibition I saw at the Art Gallery of Ontario:

There is a humanitarian crisis happening in Syria, forcing many to leave their homes, their country, and to risk their lives to find refuge in Europe. Many have been wrongly referring to this crisis as the Migrant Crisis, as opposed to the Refugee Crisis. Author John Green pointed out, these people are fleeing their homes because they are left with no other choice, hence making them refugees, not migrants, who actually choose to leave their country in search of better job or education opportunities. European countries by referring to the refugees as illegal migrants are exonerating themselves from the legal responsibilities laid out by the International Law.

It is really important to remember they are humans just like the rest of us, yearning for safety for their families and young children. These people have not left by choice. They have left their homes because after four years of war, they had no choice. I urge you to please do whatever you can to help out. Furthermore, if you celebrate Eid al-Adha, organizations like Helping Hand have arranged to do Qurbani/Udhiya or give the gift of sacrifice to Syrian communities who can really use our help. We lead such privileged lives. We have a responsibility to help those in need without any bias.

Since we are talking about stepping up, or rising to the occasion, let me share the recipe for Orange Souffle with you. These souffles are extremely decadent and ethereal. If you prefer, you can prepare the base of the souffles ahead of time, and refrigerate the base for a couple of hours. 

Orange Souffle
The most ethereal dessert, ever. Full recipe coming up soon, in the meantime enjoy the video :).
Posted by Cultivate Flavors on Saturday, September 19, 2015

Gajar or Carrot Halwa in 14 Steps

Marcel Proust had his aunt's madeleines. I have my mom's Gajar Halwa. Gajar or carrot halwa is a warm comforting dessert, redolent of my childhood. Lately, I have been missing my mom a lot. The worst part of living away from home is that I do not get to see my family as much as I would like to. Even when I am in Toronto, it is always such a struggle to spend a few peaceful days with my family. I made this halwa, because food has that power of transforming us back to a simpler time, the comfort of our childhood home, and the safe haven of our family. As Proust eloquently points out In Search of Lost Time:

No sooner had the warm liquid mixed with the crumbs touched my palate than a shudder ran through me and I stopped, intent upon the extraordinary thing that was happening to me. An exquisite pleasure had invaded my senses, something isolated, detached, with no suggestion of its origin. And at once the vicissitudes of life had become indifferent to me, its disasters innocuous, its brevity illusory – this new sensation having had on me the effect which love has of filling me with a precious essence; or rather this essence was not in me it was me. ... Whence did it come? What did it mean? How could I seize and apprehend it? ... And suddenly the memory revealed itself. The taste was that of the little piece of madeleine which on Sunday mornings at Combray (because on those mornings I did not go out before mass), when I went to say good morning to her in her bedroom, my aunt Léonie used to give me, dipping it first in her own cup of tea or tisane. The sight of the little madeleine had recalled nothing to my mind before I tasted it. And all from my cup of tea.

Do not be alarmed by it's exotic name. Gajar Halwa is basically a carrot fudge, which requires two to three hours of cooking time. All of the ingredients I use here are organic.

Tiramisu in 11 Steps

Tiramisu, which means "lift me up" in Italian, is the most literal pick me up dessert you can eat after a long day of fasting. It is such a decadent, cooling and comforting dessert. The recipe I am sharing with you is alcohol free, and does not have raw eggs. Instead, I make a beautiful custard over a double boiler, and whisk in mascarpone cheese once the custard has cooled down. The addition of fresh cream makes the dessert very comforting in a hot summer day. This recipe takes less than one hour to prepare. But, you must let the tiramisu sit in the refrigerator overnight, to give it that ice cream quality.

Tropical Fudge Squares in 13 Steps

Gluten-free and sugar-free desserts do not always have to be boring. They can be exotic like this recipe I created, all because I had four red mangos that nobody wanted to eat. The combination of mangos and coconut reminds me of a tropical vacation. Almond meal in the recipe acts as a binding agent. Instead of baking the dessert in the oven, I chose to prepare it on the stove, to cook down the milk to achieve the 'fudgey' texture. If you are looking for some guilt-free indulgence, or simply longing for a beach holiday, give this recipe a try.