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Sweet Vermouth Hibiscus Tea Cocktail

Sweet, bright, and refreshing, this Sweet Vermouth Hibiscus Tea Cocktail is great for summer entertaining.

I’m not a big drinker, I occasionally have a glass of wine with dinner or with appetizers when I’m entertaining.

After experiencing a sweet vermouth cocktail at a friends house, I was curious and decided to learn a bit more about the intriguing ingredient in the drinks my friend served. It was a pretty simple cocktail, she mixed sweet vermouth, sparkling water, a splash of fresh orange juice with a twist of orange zest. However, the most popular drink that uses vermouth is a martini, which is a bit too strong for my taste.

Vermouth, what is it?

Vermouth is an aromatized, fortified wine flavored with herbs, spices, seeds, flowers, barks, roots and various botanicals. It’s fortified with distilled alcohol which keeps it from spoiling as quickly as traditional wine.

There are several kinds of vermouth, the most popular are red which is sweet, and white which is dry. In this recipe, I used sweet vermouth and one of my favorites, hibiscus tea.

You’ll need to make your tea and allow it to cool in your fridge. I recommend you make your tea several hours before you need it for your cocktails or overnight, so that it’s nice and chilled when you’re ready to make your cocktails.

Cocktail time is super easy, simply mix, stir and pour.

The herbal sweetness of the vermouth combined with the tart florals of the hibiscus tea, with a touch of citrus is amazing.

Vegan Pesto

Celeste 18 Comments

You'll love this updated version of my Vegan Pesto. The addition of fresh lemon juice makes it bright bold and full of flavor, make it in under ten minutes, that's including prep time.

I'm a full-time vegetarian and sometimes I like to go vegan, and that's easy when the recipe is this quick and easy. I'm growing some beautiful basil and thought I would use it to make a vegan version of basil pesto because I'm trying to reduce dairy.

I'm guessing you want to know what I used to replace the Parmesan, I used nutritional yeast. Nutritional yeast has such a bold nutty flavor and it rocks this recipe.

Everything goes into the food processor and you blend until smooth.

This Vegan Pesto is a staple in my home, it's nice to have on hand, it can be used so many ways....

on sandwiches

veggies

tofu

beans

and my all-time favorite pasta!

10 Meatless Recipes Perfect For Summer Gatherings

Celeste 25 Comments

Are you ready for Memorial Day weekend?

It’s the official start of summer and there’s sure to be lots of gatherings with family and friends sharing good food and drinks as we pay respect to those that have served our country. If you are vegetarian, vegan, or need recipes for meatless eaters in your group I’ve put together 10 Meatless Recipe Perfect for Summer Gatherings.

Black Bean Farro Burger - Simply delicious and full of flavor, you have to give this Black Bean Farro Burger a try, and serve it with this super tasty Spicy Slaw.

Homemade Vegan Barbeque Sauce - Thick, tangy and sweet with a little bit of smoky is the best way to describe this Homemade Vegan Barbeque Sauce and just in time for the upcoming grilling season.

Yukon Kale Potato Salad - Yukon Kale Potato Salad-Sweet golden potatoes and chopped kale tossed together in a creamy dressing, garnished with a sprinkling of coconut bacon. A delicious twist to a traditional summer side for the vegetarians or vegans in the crowd.

Strawberry Blueberry Jicama Salad - Sweet juicy strawberries, plump blueberries, and crisp jicama, together they make the perfect patriotic salad. This Strawberry, Blueberry, Jicama Salad is easy and deliciously healthy.

Red White and Blue Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing - Layers of fruit, creamy goat cheese and lettuce, this Red White & Blue Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing is colorful and perfect for patriotic celebrations.

Watermelon Blueberry Salad - Sweet juicy watermelon and plump blueberries drizzled with lime, agave and topped off with mint.

Strawberry Basil Farro Salad - The tender bite of Farro, the sweetness of Strawberries and the earthiness of fresh basil makes this Strawberry Basil Farro Salad the perfect combination of sweet and savory.

Blueberry Raspberry & Apple Tart - Blueberry Raspberry & Apple Tart, topped off with Wild Blueberry Sauce, amazing texture, and flavor. Perfect for summer holiday gatherings.

Amazing Whipped Aquafaba - Smooth creamy and a magical wonder, who knew liquid from chickpeas could be so fabulous.

Blueberry Glazed Watermelon - This Blueberry Glazed Watermelon is a perfect way to enjoy the fruits of summer.

Have a safe and tasty Memorial Day weekend!

If you try any of these recipes tag @thewholeserving on Instagram and hashtag it #wholeandwellplanted

Baked Black Bean Tacos with Red Chile Sauce

Celeste 5 Comments

Baked Black Bean Tacos with Red Chile Sauce, they’re perfect for a quick, easy, pulled together weeknight dinner or a casual impromptu gathering with family and friends.

Baked Black Bean Tacos with Red Chile Sauce on plate with sour cream

Wow this was amazing!! Very fast to put together and amazing flavours. This is the first recipe I’ve tried of yours- can’t wait to try more!!!

- Alysha

Tacos are wonderful!

They’re easy to make and you can fill them with just about any ingredient you happen to have on hand.

I’m usually pretty good at planning what’s for dinner, but then there are days when I’m so busy I haven’t planned anything. That’s when I shop my fridge and pantry.

This recipe is one pulled together from items I had in my fridge and pantry.

Onions, frozen corn, tomatoes, jalapeños, black beans and some Red Chile sauce I had prepared and frozen in the freezer. You can get that recipe here.

Onions, corn, tomatoes and jalapeno in skillet.

Onions, corn, tomatoes, jalapeno, black beans in a skillet.

Everything is sautéed in a skillet, stuffed in tortillas, topped with sauce and cheese, then baked in the oven long enough to melt the cheese. Remove from oven and dinner is ready. Add a salad and you’re good to go.

Baked Black Bean Tacos with Red Chile Sauce, unbaked and baked.

Baked Black Bean Tacos with Red Chile Sauce in baking dish.

Baked Black Bean Tacos with Red Chile Sauce on plate topped with sour cream.

I got so many compliments from this!!

- optional name of reviewer

Red Chile Sauce AKA Enchilada Sauce-Quick Version

Celeste 1 Comment

Packed with bold, spicy flavor, this Red Chile Sauce AKA Enchilada Sauce-Quick Version will have you ditching the canned version for good. Ready in 15 minutes or less.

Red chile sauce, aka enchilada sauce, salsa roja, salsa roja para enchiladas or mole rojo is actually chile based. hence the name, red chili sauce. A lot of the grocery store pre-packaged versions end up being more tomato based.

It’s really very easy to make your own by simply reconstituting dried chiles and blending with spices, stock, a seeded tomato and flour for thickening, that’s the longer version because you have to reconstitute the chiles.

This recipe is a super quick version, one you can make when you need to get dinner on the table in a hurry. It comes together in fifteen minutes or less because dried chile powder is used in place of the reconstituted chiles. Most of the ingredients are probably already in your pantry.

In addition to dried chile powder, I also used a can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce.

After chopping the chipotle peppers add them along with the seasoning, spices, and stock to the blender and blend until smooth. It’s then added to a saucepan with a rue and simmered for 10 minutes.

Now it’s ready to be used on enchiladas, burritos or any recipe you choose.

Tip: This sauce freezes well, so make a batch or two and freeze in ½ or 1 cup portions in freezer bags or in an ice cube trays to use in smaller amounts.

Easy Butternut Apple Arugula Salad

Celeste 2 Comments

Butternut Apple Arugula Salad with a Balsamic Dressing, this salad is loaded with tender roasted butternut squash, crisp sliced apples, spicy arugula, sprinkled with dried cranberries, walnuts and creamy goat cheese. Are you ready to give this one a try? You can get the recipe over at Wendy Polisi, where I'm guest posting.

Perfect for a light and easy lunch or add your choice of protein for a healthy dinner.

Enjoy this big beautiful salad, get the recipe HERE.

Spicy Teriyaki Ramen with Sriracha

Celeste 1 Comment

Spicy Teriyaki Ramen with Sriracha - Sautéed veggies, tender buckwheat ramen noodles tossed together in teriyaki sauce and a touch of heat from sriracha makes a quick and easy gluten-free meal.

Above bowl of Spicy Teriyaki Ramen with Sriracha

I find ramen to be a very quick and easy meal to put together, and that’s a good thing after a long day at work. Contrary to the name, buckwheat is not a grain, it’s a gluten-free seed loaded with protein and fiber. It’s also known for its benefits for heart health, diabetes and it may help lower inflammation.

Sliced mushrooms and carrots on End Grain cutting board.

For vegans and vegetarians who don’t eat meat, buckwheat provides some of the essential amino acids that our bodies need and can’t make on its own, animal protein is the major source for these amino acids.

Sliced carrots with peppers in non-stick skillet and veggies tossed with teriyaki sauce in skillet.

Eating buckwheat helps provide meat-free eaters the full range of essential proteins our bodies need. The wonderful thing about buckwheat noodles is it takes very little time to cook, making this a quick and easy meal.

TIP: To make this meal quicker, pre-cut the veggies.

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Spicy Teriyaki Ramen with Sriracha in large bowl.

Bowl of tasty Spicy Teriyaki Ramen with Sriracha.

If you make this recipe or a version of it, take a picture and share with me, I’d love to see or hear about your version of Spicy Teriyaki Ramen with Sriracha.

10 Tasty Chickpea Recipes Too Good Not To Try

Celeste 14 Comments

These 10 Tasty Chickpea Recipes loaded with flavor and deliciousness are too good not to try.

Chickpeas or garbanzo beans, no matter what you call them they’re full of protein, fiber, folic acid, and manganese, and they’re a staple in my pantry. I always have some on hand for making quick and easy salads or giving simple recipes a nutritional boost.

These recipes are some of my favorites and they’re quick and easy to make. Give them a try, let me know what you think. Click on the photos to get the recipes.

Pouring sauce over Spicy chickpea burrito bowl salad. — SPICY CHICKPEA BURRITO BOWL

Cinnamon toast crunch roasted chickpea snack — CINNAMON TOAST CRUNCH ROASTED CHICKPEAS Recipe and photo: Running to the Kitchen

Chopped Kale Salad. It's a perfect stand alone meal or side salad. — CHOPPED KALE SALAD

Cranberry chickpea salad sandwich. — CRANBERRY CHICKPEA SALAD SANDWICH

Cilantro Chutney with Heirloom tomato salad on a black plate. — CILANTRO CHUTNEY WITH HEIRLOOM TOMATO SALAD

Lemony eggs in a spinach chickpea nest. — LEMONY EGG-IN-A-SPINACH CHICKPEA NEST Recipe and photo: Kitchen Treaty

Ready in under 30-minutes, this Chickpea Chili with DIY Chili Seasoning. — CHICKPEA CHILI WITH DIY CHILI SEASONING

Chocolate chickpea truffles — CHOCOLATE CHICKPEA TRUFFLES Recipe and photo: Keepin It Kind

Cilantro jalapeno hummus in a bowl. — CILANTRO JALAPENO HUMMUS

Chickpea Jalapeño Salad served on a plate. — CHICKPEA JALAPENO SALAD

If you give one of these 10 Tasty Chickpea Recipes or a version of them a try, take a picture and share with me on Instagram, tag it #thewholeserving or leave a comment below. I’d love to see or hear about your version.

Roasted Sweet Potato and Farro Tacos

Celeste Leave a Comment

Roasted Sweet Potato and Farro Tacos - Roasted sweet potatoes paired with farro, served with your favorite toppings and sauce, wrapped up in a corn tortilla. Perfect for Taco Tuesday, Cinco de Mayo, or any gathering of family and friends.

Tacos, one of the easiest meals to put together.

Taco meals don’t have to be elaborate or take loads of time, these Farro Stuffed Tacos can no on your table in 30 minutes or less.

What’s so wonderful about Tacos?, They can be customized to what you have on hand.

If you are looking to have a Meatless Taco Tuesday there are a wide variety of main ingredients you can use as your filling to create amazing flavor and texture. Ingredients like lentils, tofu, beans, nuts, fruits, veggies and any grain. These tacos feature two of my favorites, farro and sweet potatoes. Multi-tasking in the kitchen can put this meal on the table in under 30 minutes. While roasting the sweet potatoes in the oven, prepare the farro on the stovetop.

Now let’s talk sauce and toppings, for me tacos aren’t complete without a sauce and great toppings. Sky’s the limit when it co taco toppings. Use your favorites or be adventurous and try something new. In these Roasted Sweet Potato and Farro Tacos, I used sliced jalapeños, avocados, some amazing Spicy Cilantro Sauce and Fire-Roasted Corn Pico Style Salsa. Both super easy to make.

Throw a Taco Tuesday or any other day if the week Taco Party and have your friends bring their favorite fillings and topping. Be creative and have some fun.

If you make this recipe or a version of it, take a picture and share with me on Instagram, tag it #thewholeserving or leave a comment below. I’d love to see or hear about your version of these Roasted Sweet Potatoes & Farro Tacos.

What’s your favorite Taco filling and topping?

Let me know leave a comment below.

Fire-Roasted Corn Pico Style Salsa

Celeste 17 Comments

Fire-Roasted Corn Pico Style Salsa - Sweet fire-roasted corn, plump juicy grape tomatoes, red onions, jalapeños, with a fresh squeeze of lime.

Growing up my father planted corn in our backyard vegetable garden. As a child shucking corn was a chore I would get excited about, I called it pulling silky hair from the corn. A necessary chore for enjoying sweet juicy corn.

I remember eating corn on the cob with juice running down my arms, but another favorite was having it charred and sauteed. My mom would always do this in a cast iron skillet. What a delicious memory.

Lucky for me, I found this bag of fire-roasted corn at Trader Joe's and I'm loving it. I've been using it on pizzas, salads, in rice and soup dishes, and in this quick and easy salsa.

I absolutely love salsa and I usually enjoy it saucy style, but there are times when a chunky pico style salsa can be more satisfying and filling.

A few minutes of chopping and mixing and you're all set. A quick tip for slicing jalapenos is to slice vertically, shake out the seeds, then slice horizontally.

Homemade salsa is far better than what you get jarred at the grocery. Let's face it, fresh makes it better.

If you would rather have it saucy, simply blend everything except the corn in a food processor or blender to desired consistency, transfer to a bowl and mix in the corn.

Salsa is usually served as an appetizer, snack or condiment. But if you’re not careful you might find yourself eating this whole thing as a main dish. Yes, it’s that delicious.

What kind of salsa do you prefer?

Saucy or Pico Style, leave a comment below.

If you like this, you may want to give these a try.

5 Decadent Vegan Chocolate Desserts

Celeste 1 Comment

Valentine's Day is this Wednesday, time for some pretty sweets. Spoil your loved ones with one or all of these 5 decadent chocolate vegan desserts. They're easy and will make the day extra delicious!

Chocolate Covered Nut Butter Stuffed Dates – Dates stuffed with nut butter, dipped in chocolate and drizzled with smooth, creamy vegan white chocolate. Pure Deliciousiness.

Chocolate Coconut Streusel Muffins - If you’re a Chocolate Lover, you are going to love, love, love this Chocolate Coconut Streusel Muffin. This muffin has layers and layers of chocolate goodness, that will have you licking your fingers.

Dark Chocolate Coconut Candy Bites - If you like dark chocolate and coconut, you are going to love these, they are a lot like a Mounds bar, only better.

Chocolate Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake - The Whole Serving for This Silly Girl's Kitchen- Soft, moist, chocolate-on-chocolate deliciousness. You gotta give this one a try!

Chocolate Hazelnut Hearts - Hazelnuts, dates, and dark chocolate hearts, covered in more smooth creamy dark chocolate, drizzled with raspberry cream. Yum!

I hope your Valentine's Day is special and filled with lovely deliciousness, whether you're celebrating with loved ones or giving yourself some much-needed pampering.

Israeli Couscous Kale Salad with Feta

Celeste Leave a Comment

Ready for a supercharged, healthy, hearty salad? You're going to love this Israeli Couscous Kale Salad with Feta it's made with tender Israeli Couscous, roasted tomatoes, sweet potatoes and chickpeas tossed with seasoned fresh kale.

Growing up I can remember having salad mainly in the summer or as a side dish with a meal. Salads can be more than a quick summertime meal, with all of the delicious greens and grains salad combinations, salads can be very filling and have a comfort food feel.

I used Israeli couscous, also called pearl couscous, which is a pasta, its tender bite is perfect. However, for variety Quinoa, Farro or any other grain could be used in this salad.

After roasting the sweet potatoes and tomatoes, they both get mixed in with the couscous before tossing everything with the seasoned kale.

This salad passed the Taylor Test.

Taylor, my daughter who is a very picky eater can be very resistant to new or different foods, if she try’s it and likes it, you can be sure it’s a winner. And it's easy to make.

Loads of dressing is not needed, I simply drizzle a bit of extra virgin olive oil and squeeze a wedge of lemon over the salad before tossing on the feta.

Mushroom Pizza with Artichoke Pesto and Arugula

Celeste 1 Comment

Mushroom Pizza with Artichoke Pesto and Arugula-Rich, aromatic, and filled with incredible flavor.

Pesto is a big deal in our home, we use it on the regular. Basil pesto is our favorite, we use it on pasta, sandwiches, pizza and roasted or grilled veggies.

Now there's a new favorite in our home, Artichoke Lemon Pesto. I make a batch and keep it handy for quick meals like this mushroom pizza.

I recently found a jar of Artichoke Pesto in a specialty store, however, I didn't like the price tag of $20.00. Pesto is really easy to make fresh at home. I used char-grilled artichoke I found at Trader Joe's, added pine nuts, lemon zest, and juice of a fresh lemon, garlic, olive oil, and parmesan cheese. If you want to make a vegan pesto, simply switch the parmesan to nutritional yeast.

Artichoke Pesto

12-ounce jar of grilled artichoke hearts

½ cup pine nuts

2 cloves garlic

2 teaspoons lemon zest

1 tablespoon lemon juice

½ cup parmesan cheese

¼ to ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil

Place all ingredients, except the oil in food processor and process. While the machine is running slowly pour in the oil and process until smooth.

Store in your fridge and use on whatever you like.

This is one of my daughter's favorites because it's so quick and easy. Everything goes into a food processor or blender and it's processed until smooth.

We use Naan flatbread to make these delicious pizzas. Simply spread the pesto, layer on the mushroom and cheese, and bake. If you prefer, you can layer the mushrooms on top of the cheese.

While your pizza is in the oven make your salad. I like to serve this pizza with a simple Arugula salad. Drizzled with olive oil, fresh lemon juice and seasoned with sea salt and fresh cracked black pepper, how simple is that?

Chocolate Coconut Streusel Muffins

Celeste 17 Comments

If you're a Chocolate Lover, you are going to love, love, love this Chocolate Coconut Streusel Muffin. This muffin has layers and layers of chocolate goodness, that will have you licking your fingers.

The idea for this recipe came to me in the middle of the night, but isn't that when all great ideas are born, oh and let's not forget about the shower.

I made it three times before getting it right, and trust me it is right, based on the feedback from my taste testers. They couldn't believe they were vegan.

The batter is filled with cacao powder, shaved chocolate, chocolate chunks and coconut flakes.

Streusel topping has vegan butter, coconut sugar, flour and coconut chips.

The glaze is made with coconut cream, maple syrup, and cacao powder. When the glaze is absorbed into the muffin it becomes crazy, over-the-top delicious.

Look at all the moist deliciousness! Warning, you may have an out-of-body experience while eating one of these.

Only problem, it'll be gone before you know it.

Cauliflower-Chickpea Tacos with Spicy Cilantro Sauce

Celeste Leave a Comment

These Cauliflower-Chickpea Tacos with Spicy Cilantro Sauce is loaded with bold flavor and they're perfect when you need a quick and easy meal.

I'm finally back with a new recipe of my own.
It's been awhile since I've posted a new recipe of my own. The past couple of months have been hard because I've been dealing with the illness and death of a loved one, who was fighting lung cancer. Even when you know the end is near, it's hard when it happens.

Even when you know the end is near, it's hard when it happens.

Needless to say, I haven't felt much like cooking or being creative in the kitchen, but we still have to eat. So meals lately have been super quick, easy and versatile. In fact, this recipe is a cook once, eat three times maybe more deal.

I absolutely love this Spicy Cilantro Sauce on just about everything. I use it on sandwiches, wraps, veggies, salads, pizza, chips and if course on these easy and delicious chickpea-cauliflower tacos. It has become one of my go-to-meals when I want to eat fast.

Tacos are so easy to make because just about anything can be wrapped in a tortilla for a fun and tasty meal.

Mango Papaya Smoothie Bowl:Bold Flavored Vegan Cooking

Celeste Leave a Comment

Mango Papaya Smoothie Bowl, gluten-free, soy-free and oil-free, one of the many delicious recipes you will find in Bold FLavored Vegan Cooking.

If you are vegan, vegetarian or just want to add more plants to your daily meals and love bold flavors, I’ve got the book for you.

Bold Flavored Vegan Cooking, authored by Celine Steen, who also co-authored The Complete Guide to Vegan Food Substitutions, is proof that meatless meals don't have to be bland or free of flavor. Celine has an unbelievable way of combining umami-rich ingredients like dried shiitake mushrooms, tamari, matcha, and aromatic spices that scream bold.

In Bold Flavored Vegan Cooking you’ll find gluten-free, soy-free, and oil-free recipes, as well as recipes that can be prepared in 30 minutes or less.

Here are just a few of the bold-flavored vegan recipes you will find in Celine's new book.

Kimchi Fried Rice

Smoky Kale and Chickpeas With Miso Peanut Drizzle

Crunchy Corn Waffles

Balsamic Berry Panna Cotta

One of my favorites is the Mango Papaya Smoothie Bowl, so delicious.
I like to top mine with almonds, chia, hemp and diced mango. The syrup that accompanies this smoothie bowl adds a unique and mild kick. It's also great over oatmeal.

With the holidays approaching you may want to pick up a copy to gift to someone on your list or get it as a special gift to yourself.

Get your copy today!

Celebrate National Honey Month & Savor Golden Moments

Celeste Leave a Comment

September is a month filled with celebrations. My brother’s birthday and wedding anniversary, my birthday and it's National Honey Month. So many reasons to #SavorGoldenMoments.

The National Honey Board have teamed up with entertainment expert Camille Styles to celebrate life’s “Golden Moments” during September’s National Honey Month. Camille is a popular lifestyle blogger and author and has developed four themed party plans complete with recipes and tips to ensure that everyone from couples to busy parents can enjoy their own special “Golden Moments” during the month of September and beyond.

Honey is a staple in my home, I sometimes use it to sweeten my coffee and tea, drizzle it over fruit with yogurt and mixed in smoothies. There are so many ways to use honey, check out more awesome tips and ways you can use honey HERE.

I recently lost a loved one to lung cancer so I haven't felt much like celebrating, especially my exercise routine. But with so many important dates in September and after partnering with the National Honey Board to celebrate National Honey Month, I decided it was time to have a workout party with some friends.

I was so excited when I received my golden box from the National Honey Board, just the inspiration I needed to get my exercise routine back on track. Water bottles, speakers, hand and face towels to keep cool and clover honey, which I used to make two delicious snack recipes.

My brother’s birthday and wedding anniversary, my birthday and it's National Honey Month. So many reasons to #SavorGoldenMoments.

I made these Oat and Honey Bites for our pre-workout snack. However, I used cashew butter in place of the peanut butter due to allergies. They are so delicious and they gave me the energy boost I needed to get through my workout. Click the photo below to get the recipe.

We had so much fun creating a playlist to keep us motivated and moving.

We made these smooth and creamy Honey Greek Yogurt and Cherry Smoothies for our post-workout snack. You've got to give these a try. Click the photo below to get the recipe.

One thing I've learned in all I've been through lately is to #SavorGoldenMoments in life.

How are you going to celebrate #NationalHoneyMonth and #SavorGoldenMoments?

Find more delicious recipes using honey HERE.

Blueberry Raspberry & Apple Tart

Celeste 3 Comments

Blueberry Raspberry & Apple Tart, topped off with Wild Blueberry Sauce, amazing texture and flavor. Perfect for summer holiday gatherings.

I love eating berries, by the handful, over cereal, yogurt or ice cream, but in honor of the 4th of July I created this Blueberry Raspberry & Apple Tart.

Guess what?, it's easy to make. The crust comes together really fast, but you can easily use a pre-made crust. When baking your tart crust I highly recommend using a two-part tart pan.

Toss together the fruit with fresh lemon juice and zest. Sweeten with maple syrup, agave or cane sugar. I chose to sweeten with a couple tablespoons of agave, which created a lightly sweetened tart. If you like a sweeter tart, you may want to use a combination of agave and cane sugar or just simply sweeten to taste with cane sugar alone. Finally stir in flour to help thicken the juice as it cooks.After cooling a bit, spread the top with some Wild Blueberry Sauce and serve plain or with a scoop of frozen yogurt or ice cream. A bit of advice, make more than one, it's so delicious it won’t be around long.

[clickToTweet tweet="A bit of advice, when you make this awesome tart, make more than one, it's so delicious it won’t be around long." quote="A bit of advice, when you make this awesome tart, make more than one, it's so delicious it won’t be around long." theme="style5"]

If you make this recipe take a picture and tag @thewholeserving on Instagram and hashtag it #thewholeserving, I want to see your version of Blueberry Raspberry & Apple Tart.

Red White & Blue Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

Celeste 5 Comments

Layers of fruit, creamy goat cheese and lettuce, this Red White & Blue Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing is colorful and perfect for patriotic celebrations.

I made this for Memorial Day and it was a big hit, everyone loved it.

l know most people think of a big bowl of lettuce and veggies when they hear the word salad. Here's the dictionary definition:

sal·ad

noun

a cold dish of various mixtures of raw or cooked vegetables, usually seasoned with oil, vinegar, or other dressing and sometimes accompanied by meat, fish, or other ingredients.

"a green salad"
- a mixture containing a specified ingredient served with a dressing.
- a vegetable suitable for eating raw.

I'm a big salad eater and my salads aren't always big bowls of veggies. I love adding sweet or tart berries to greens for a salad that's extraordinary with remarkable flavor.

It's like magic in the mouth when the sweet juicy fruit mixes with the creaminess of the cheese and earthiness of the greens. And oh by the way this Poppy Seed Dressing is awesome.

This Red White & Blue Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing can be easily made ahead in jars and served individually at summer gatherings.

Simply fill the bottom of each jar with dressing, add the berries, goat cheese and top if off with the greens. When it's time to eat, give it a shake to dress the salad and enjoy!

If you make this recipe take a picture and tag @thewholeserving on Instagram and hashtag it #thewholeserving, I want to see your version of Red White & Blue Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing.

Lemon Caper Pasta with Grape Tomatoes

Celeste 4 Comments

Delicate, delicious and oh-so easy! This Lemon Caper Pasta with Grape Tomatoes can be on the table in less than thirty minutes, perfect when you need a meal fast.

So the kids are on summer vacation and your life just got crazy busy, right?

What am I talking about it doesn't matter what time of the year, we’re always busy, just a different kind of busy.

During the school year there’s school, after school activities, and family get-togethers, then summer brings vacations, summer activities and loads of outdoor gatherings.

Life’s just busy.

In all of that busyness it’s nice when you can put a quick, easy and delicious meal on the table.

This Lemon Caper Pasta with Fresh Tomatoes is that super easy dish you can put together in minutes, light and fresh, perfect for summer.

Pasta doesn't have to loaded with heavy sauces. The combination of olive oil, lemon juice, wine and pasta water creates a delicate, delicious sauce.

By the way, if you want to cut the carbs this sauce would be great over zoodles.

If you make this recipe tag @thewholeserving on Instagram and hashtag it #thewholeserving, I want to see your version of Lemon Caper Pasta with Grape Tomatoes.

Lemon Ricotta Toast with Wild Blueberry Sauce

Celeste 1 Comment

Lightly sweetened creamy lemon ricotta on toast topped with sweet juicy wild blueberry sauce, sprinkled with mint. Sumptuosity on a plate.

Need a toast upgrade?

Well I've got one for you. No fancy ingredients required.

So if you are ready to spread your toast with something a little more exciting than butter or jam, this post is for you.

I have to admit when I think of ricotta I usually think of pasta dishes like lasagna or manicotti but recently I've started using ricotta on toast. I know avocado is a popular toast topper and I love it, but ricotta is a nice change.

I made a delicious fruit sauce, using frozen wild blueberries I purchased from Trader Joe's, but feel free to use your favorite fruit. So wonderful, this sauce comes together in minutes.

While the sauce is cooking, simply mix some ricotta with lemon juice, zest and some agave or maple syrup if you like.

Now the good part, spread and enjoy!

This Lemon Ricotta Toast with Wild Blueberry Sauce is a delicious toast upgrade, don't you think? For an extra layer of goodness add some sliced strawberries.

If you make this Lemon Ricotta Toast with Wild Blueberry Sauce recipe tag @thewholeserving on Instagram and hashtag it #thewholeserving, I want to see your creation.

Cilantro Jalapeno Hummus

Celeste 3 Comments

This quick and easy Cilantro Jalapeno Hummus is a wonderful combination of flavors. A take off the traditional hummus recipe, but spiced-up a bit.

If you like the combination of jalapeños and cilantro you are going to love this hummus. A friend of mine shared her grocery store purchased jalapeño hummus with me and I couldn't stop eating it, so delicious. ????

Inspired, I decided to make my own Cilantro Jalapeño Hummus. Traditional hummus recipes use tahini, I didn't have any so I left it out.

Let's talk about cilantro. The grocery store hummus had little or no cilantro added. I love it, so I added a great big hand full.

Cilantro is an herb many don't like, it has been described as having a soapy taste. However, I think it adds loads of flavor and complexity. If you really don't like it, simply leave it out. ????

For an extra layer of goodness I added sliced tomatoes and red onions mixed with more cilantro on top.

This tasty snack comes together in no time. It all goes into a food processor or blender and blended until smooth and creamy.

Optional add-in is an avocado, for added flavor and creaminess.

If you make this recipe tag @thewholeserving on Instagram and hashtag it #thewholeserving, I want to see your version.

Easy Roasted Berry Mint Compote

Celeste 2 Comments

Easy Roasted Berry Mint Compote - Super easy, fruity and delicious! It's perfect for breakfast toppings, snacks, desserts and so much more.

Compote, what is it?

According to Merriam Webster compote is a dessert of fruit cooked in syrup. However, for me a compote is so much more than a dessert, it's a condiment with so many possibilities. When making compote you can use one fruit or a combination of fruit. I used a combo of strawberries, blueberries and mint, but you can use whatever fruit combo you like. I didn't want to make it overly sweet with sugar, so I combined the fruit with a small amount of agave and balsamic vinegar glaze instead of sugar. This Blackberry Balsamic Glaze is a great option. I also chose to roast the fruit in the oven over boiling on stove top.

Roasting the fruit gives it bolder flavor in my opinion and it's a lot easier than standing over a boiling pot of fruit.

Typically compotes are used over pancakes, yogurt, cake, and ice cream to name a few. But I also like to use it over soft cheeses like Brie or goat cheese, so delicious.

How do you like to use compote?

If you make this recipe tag @thewholeserving on Instagram and hashtag it #thewholeserving, I want to see how you use your compote.

How To Make Homemade Everything Bagels

Celeste 2 Comments

How to Make Homemade Everything Bagels - Making bagels is a boil and bake process that's simple and easy. These bagels are crisp on the outside, tender on the inside, and so delicious. I can't tell you the number of times I have tried and failed at making bagels, but I finally got it right, with a little help from Mark Bittman’s How To Cook Everything Cookbook. This book is an awesome reference it covers just about everything whether you're a beginner or a very experienced cook it has something for everyone. It gives you the basics and once you have the basics you can experiment and make each recipe your own.

The inspiration to give bagel making another try was finding this Everything but the Bagel seasoning blend at Trader Joe’s. We love everything bagels in my home and now it's so nice to make my own and not purchase them all the time.

What I like about basic recipes like this one is that it can be tweaked to meet your families needs, I used less salt, more yeast and a different sweetener. With this basic recipe I am able to make everything, cinnamon and cranberry bagels and I can make them the size I prefer, larger than a mini and smaller than a regular.

Using the food processor is the fastest way to make the dough, when it comes together it should be a tough and elastic dough. If you don't have a food processor, no problem, you can use your hands.

Allow dough to rise for 2 hours, deflate and let dough rest for 10 minutes, then divided into eight or 12 pieces.

Shape holes, cover and allow dough to rise for 30 minutes.

For the water bath I kept it simple and used water only. In some recipes honey or barley malt syrup is added to the water to aid in the caramelization of the bagels. When water comes to a boil, reduce to a soft simmer and boil bagels 2 to 3 at a time for 1 minute on each side.

Coat with toppings and bake 20 to 25 minutes.

This is a basic recipe for everything bagels, but you can easily change the toppings, add cranberries or raisins, simply make it your own. Be creative.

If you make this recipe tag @thewholeserving on Instagram and hashtag it #thewholeserving, I want to see your creations.

Must have cookbooks.

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