Rice Pudding

⅓ cup brown rice, uncooked
2 cups non-dairy milk
⅓ cup raisins
2 tbsp cornstarch
a dash of cinnamon
a dash of pure maple syrup (optional)

Combine rice with 1 cup of non-dairy milk in a sauce pan, cover and bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling reduce to low and continue to cook until rice is cooked and all non-dairy milk has been absorbed. Meanwhile whisk remaining 1 cup of non-dairy milk with cornstarch until well combined. Once rice is cooked, stir in non-dairy milk/cornstarch mixture and raisins. Bring to a boil over high heat and reduce to medium once boiling. Allow the pudding to thicken up, stirring occasionally. Add sweetener here if desired (brown sugar, agave, pure maple syrup--I find the raisins make it sweet enough, esp. with sweetened non-dairy milk, but most traditional recipes call for sugar). If the pudding becomes too thick, thin out with non-dairy milk. If it's not thick enough, continue to cook. Once thick and creamy (takes 3-5 mins) stir in cinnamon as desired (I like 1/4 to 1/2 tsp). Allow pudding to completely cool then transfer to fridge in an air-tight container. Chill for several hours before serving. **If you find your pudding didn't turn out sweet enough, drizzle a little pure maple syrup over top.

From the Happy Herbivore

Cran-Orange Muffins

2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
½ cup raw sugar
2 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
⅔ cups orange juice, fresh
6 tbsp unsweetened applesauce
2 tsp orange zest
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ whole banana, mashed
1 cup cranberries, fresh

Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly spray muffin tin or paper cups to prevent sticking and set aside. In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder and salt together and set aside. Mash the banana really well using a fork or potato masher and set aside. Juice oranges (about 4 small oranges) and zest one of the rinds. Make a well in the flour mixture and pour in all remaining ingredients. Stir until just combined. Spoon batter into cups 3/4 full and bake 15-25 minutes, until a tooth pick inserted comes out clean (bake time varies on cranberry size and their natural moisture). Immediately transfer muffins to a wire rack and allow to cool.

from The Happy Herbivore