Maple Fruit Compote with Honey-Ginger Toasted Nuts

2-3 apples

2-3 peaches or pears 

2 TBS maple syrup

1/2 cup raisins 

juice of 1 lemon

1 tsp cinnamon

1 cup walnuts, or nuts of your choice

1/2 tsp fresh ginger, minced

2 TBS honey

1. Wash, core and chop fruit into slices or chunks.                                            
2. Place in a large saucepan with 1/3 cup of water. Add the maple syrup and raisins.   
3. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally for 10 minutes.
4. Add lemon juice and cinnamon. Cook for another 10 minutes, until soft.
5. While fruit is cooking, place chopped nuts in a skillet over medium heat and toast, stirring often for 5 minutes.
6. Drizzle honey over the nuts and add ginger, but keep stirring since the honey can easily burn.
7. Top warm fruit with toasted nuts and enjoy!

Apple Tart

2.5 cups walnuts

1.5 cups dates -firm not gooey

3 tart apples

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1/8 tsp allspice

1/8 tsp ground clove

2 TBS maple syrup

1/2 cup apple cider

1/4 cup raisins 

1. Combine walnuts and dates in food processor. Process until well mixed and ground, but not smooth. About 40 seconds. It should be a coarse texture when done. Press evenly into a 9 inch tart pan. Set in refrigerator while making the filling.
2. Core and slice apples in 1/4 inch thick slices.
3. Place apples in a large skillet with rest of the ingredients and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently on medium heat.
4. Remove apples with a slotted spoon from hot pan to a bowl and cool completely. 
5. Reduce liquid to about half the volume. 
6. Spread apples evenly over crust. Brush syrup over apples. Can be served right away or will keep in refrigerator until needed.

Adapted from World's Healthiest Foods

Chocolate Coconut Pudding

Chocolate Coconut pudding

*This is a great non-dairy pudding that is just wonderful for those special moments when you are wanting something rich, creamy and chocolaty that isn't terrible for you. A special treat. Use a high grade chocolate that is at least 70% cacao and you'll still redeem health benefits from the chocolate. Be creative with the flavorings. 

1 14-ounce can of coconut milk (lite is fine), divided
3 tablespoons organic evaporated cane sugar - you could use agave, honey, etc. 
scant 1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup arrowroot powder, sifted
1 teaspoon curry powder, (optional)
3 tablespoons alkalized dutch-cocoa powder, sifted
1 3.5-ounce bar organic semi-sweet/dark chocolate, chopped
1 teaspoons vanilla extract 
1/4 cup coconut flakes, toasted in a dry skillet

Shake the can of coconut milk vigorously for a few seconds. In a heavy saucepan bring 1 1/4 cups of the coconut milk, sugar, and the salt (just) to a simmer over low heat.

While that is heating, in a separate bowl whisk together the remaining coconut milk, arrowroot powder, (curry powder), and cocoa powder. It should look like a chocolate frosting.

When the coconut milk and sugar mixture has started simmering take about 1/4 cup of it and whisk it little by little into the arrowroot mixture, creating a slurry. Turn down the heat to the very lowest setting. Now drizzle the arrowroot slurry mixture into the simmering pan of coconut milk whisking vigorously all the while. Keep whisking until the pudding comes back up barely to a simmer and thickens up a bit, about a minute.

Remove the saucepan from heat, continue whisking while it is cooling for about a minute. Now whisk in the chocolate and vanilla. Keep stirring until the pudding is smooth. Place in a refrigerator to chill thoroughly. To prevent a skin from forming press plastic wrap up against the surface of the pudding. Serve dusted with the coconut flakes and a tiny pinch of curry powder if using.   

Serves four        adapted from 101 Cookbooks.com