September 2019 – Green Cupcake

Super Green Pesto Penne with Kale and Cherry Tomatoes

Hey Loves !! Happy Thursday! Here in Toronto the weather has started to change and with the weather getting colder it will be the end of our harvest season. I have been obsessed with preserving the vegetables. LOL! I had a lot of Basil leaves. I decided to make a NUT-Free Pesto which turned out amazing!!

Basil is part of the Mint family. It is a herb with amazing benefits. Here are just a few reasons why everyone should have basil. Basil is rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Vitamin C, Iron, Magnesium , Calcium and Potassium. It has been crowned the “Queen of Herbs”. There are many types of Basil with many different benefits. Basil plants come in a range of variety and sizes, but holy basil is the most researched type of basil and is the species of basil most known for its powerful healing qualities. 🙌🏼 Basil contains disease fighting antioxidants. Basil contains a Powerful essential oil that is anti-inflammatory. Studies show that basil has strong potential to act as a natural adaptogen, an herbal medicine that helps the body with lower stress levels. Basil helps balance acid within the body and restore the body’s proper pH level. One of my favorite essential oils are tulsi extract/holy basil 🌿 which is perfect for relaxation and stress relief! 🧘🏻‍♀️ 💚

Here is everything you will need for the Pesto.

2 cups of Basil

3 Garlic cloves

1 tsp salt

1 cup olive oil

2 tbsp of Parmesan Cheese

1 tsp black pepper

Step 1: Wash and Clean the basil throughly. ( I add a tsp of white vinegar )

Step 2: In a mortar and pestle mash the garlic into a paste, with the salt.

Step 3: Add the basil few leaves at a time and mash them into garlic. Continue process until half the basil is combine. Transfer into a food processor and pulse until all the basil in finely chopped.

Step 4: Slowly add Cup of Olive Oil and continue pulsing the basil. Once the oil is incorporated fully add parmasen cheese and pulse again to combine everything.

Step 5: In a glass container transfer pesto and add olive oil to preserve the pesto. Refrigerate over night to allow the flavours to marinate together and ENJOY!!

The next day I wanted to make some Penne Pesto. I added some Kale and Cherry Tomatoes. This pasta was so fresh and it felt pretty good that majority of ingredients were from the garden. I Hope you try this pesto recipe and if you do have a garden that is coming to the end of the season let me know any of your Food hacks.

Have a amazing week!!

This week I wanted to make a smoothie bowl with Mango. I love Mangos they are so healthy and delicious. They have some amazing benefits as well.

Mango also known as “ Mangifera indica” and in some parts of the world referred to as the “ King of Fruits”. It has great nutritional value with a number of health benefits such as improved immunity, digestive health and eyesight. Mango is low in calories yet high in nutrients, Especially vitamin C, which aids immunity, iron absorption and growth and repair. Mango is packed with polyphenols, a plant compound that function as antioxidants. Mango is a good source of folate, several B vitamins, vitamins A, C, K and E which all of which help boost immunity. Mangos have digestive enzymes, water, dietary fiber and other compounds that aid different aspects of digestive health. Mango contains vitamin C, which gives your skin its elasticity and prevents sagging and wrinkling. It also provides vitamin A, which promotes healthy hair. These are just a few reasons why Mangos are the King of Fruits. What is your favourite type of Mango??

Mine: ALL OF THEM 🙂

This smoothie bowl is one of my favourites. It is light and the whipped coconut gives you a good balance of Healthy fats.

Here is what you will need:

1 Mango

1 Cup of coconut milk

1/2 banana

1 tsp of coconut flakes

1/3 cup blueberries

2 tbsp of whipped coconut cream

The instructions are simple : In your blender add diced Mango, Banana, and cup of Coconut milk. Blend until smooth. Pour into your favourite bowl and top with Diced Mangos , Blueberries, Coconut Flakes and in a piping bag add your coconut whipped cream. Enjoy!!