Lentil Loaf and a Cookie Dough Blizzard!

My go-to meal is without a doubt salmon, sweet potatoes and asparagus. It is simple, healthy, and easy for me to put together without too much fuss. However, I have been making that, or some combination of those ingredients a lot lately, and I have been wanting to step outside of the box and try something new. That is where the "lentil loaf" came in.

Lentils are absolutely amazing. I have them quite often and usually mix them together with quinoa and veggies for a protein packed meal, so I was excited when I came across this recipe on another blog for a glazed lentil walnut apple loaf . After going to Wegmans to grab a few ingredients I didn't have (onion, garlic, balsamic vinegar, and thyme), I followed her recipe exactly. It came out even better then I expected, it was SO delicious! Cort gave it a thumbs up and had two huge pieces. Somewhere between the sweetness of the raisins and apple and the crunch of the toasted walnuts I fell in love! The best part is that it is loaded with protein and fiber and low in fat unlike traditional meatloaf. I'll definitely be making this one again. 

Before and after baking, (the sauce on top is amazing)...

I also made some redskin mashed potatoes that Cort and I got at the farmers market downtown. Cort paired his loaf with these mashed potatoes and broccoli and I had mine with a piece of salmon and broccoli. (Notice Giada on the cover of Women's Health, she's my idol!)

Now, onto the real reason you are reading this...the homemade cookie dough blizzard. Oh my god. So delicious. The cookie dough is completely vegan, no butter, eggs or flour, yet it taste identical to typical cookie dough. I couldn't stop taking tiny bites of it while rolling it into little balls, it is so addicting! (The best part is that you can eat all you want without worrying about any raw egg). 

 

So, onto the recipe... (adapted from ohsheglows blog).

Cookie Dough Balls 

-1/2 cup unsalted cashews

-1/4 cup rolled oats

-1/4 cup coconut flour (you can use any type of flour you want though)

-1/2 tsp sea salt

-1.5 tbsp natural cane sugar

-1/2 tsp vanilla 

-4 tbsp pure maple syrup (or a bit more if dough is too dry)

-1/4 cup dark chocolate chips

Directions: 

Put the cashews, oats, flour, and salt into a food processor and blend until ingredients are a fine crumble. Add everything else except the chocolate chips and blend for another minute. Add the chocolate chips and pulse a few times. 

Roll the dough into little balls and refrigerate while you make the ice cream. 

Vanilla Ice Cream

-2 large frozen bananas 

-1/2 tsp vanilla 

-1 tbsp almond butter (you can use peanut butter but I like to use almond butter because it gives it the creaminess without the strong flavor)

-a splash of coconut milk (or any type of milk you have)

-A handful of your cookie dough balls 

Directions

Blend until creamy and then add your cookie dough balls and pulse a few more times. Top with a few more cookie dough balls, (and maybe a dash of powdered peanut butter, I can't help myself), and ENJOY!