Mini chickpea muffins

Simply but impressive, healthy and tasty...these mini muffins are crispy outside and soft inside and match perfectly with a creamy topping like that. You can offer them whether as a main course or as a starter and you will make everyone happy: they're gluten free, low fat, low GI and - with a little variation for the topping - also vegan!

Smoked medallions

Are you looking for a time-saving dinner? Here you are a quick and super easy recipe for delicious high-protein burgers. If you like smoked aftertaste like I do, you will love them!

Apple and cinnamon's heart

There are those who hide broken hearts in a cursed treasure chest (Davy Jones docet)...and there is me, filling pastry crust with apple compote ahah

Heating soup

According to Yin and Yang principle applied to nutrition, buckwheat is the most heating among all grains (it's not a a grain actually, but we call it like that for convenience). Whether you believe in this theory or not, I can guarantee that - due to boiling water and chili pepper in addition - this soup is very hot anyway ahah

Chocolate passion

Who knows what's the must-have recipe in any food blog worthy of its name? I'm talking about chocolate cookies, of course! Fluffy inside and crispy outside...one leds to another! The good news is that this version is lighter than the original one and cholesterol free.

Mommy's pasta with guest of honor

"Home sweet home" was my first thought as soon as I tried this plate...well, the truth is that I learnt to cook this pasta sauce from my mommy ♥ it's easy and quick to prepare, with a fresh and savoury taste that will delight you. But today I decided to add a special ingredient created by my freaky mind...keep on reading to know how to make it!

"Iron Man" quinoa salad

After Spring quinoa salad, here you are the Iron man dedicated one:

• quinoa is a pseudocereal rich in minerals like calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and iron (4.6 mg per 100 gr);
• cannellini beans, like other legumes, contain a good quantity of iron (4.5 mg per 100 gr);
• dried tomatoes are a considerable source of iron (9.1 per 100 gr);
• and, last but not least, vitamin C contained in bell peppers (166 mg per 100 gr) is really helpful to absorb all non-heme iron above mentioned.

Should I add something to explain the reason why I chose that name for this salad?

Stuffed halfmoons & homesick

These stuffed halfmoons reminds me of a typical street food of my native land, called crescione (same family as piadina, maybe you know that). Unfortunately, the traditional recipe is made with lard, even if more and more kiosks have started to offer also the version with olive oil. In the same way, the filling can be another problem in the pursuit of a vegan crescione, unless you go to an alternative place where you can find also tofu, seitan or simply mixed vegetables (e.g. this and this).
Today I show you my vegan version of one of the most famous and requested filling, that is: zucca, patate e salsiccia (meaning pumpkin, potatoes and sausage). Now guess, what have I replaced the sausage with?

Recycle: coffee grounds body scrub

Picture from web

If you like coffee but it never came to your mind how to re-use the scraps...well, now you have an advice! The only thing you have to do is to collect some coffee grounds, mix them with table salt and moisturizing oils of your choice (I suggest almond, rice and shea). Add also a few drops of essential oil if you wish...I didn't, because I love the scent of coffee ♥

Use this body scrub while taking a shower: rub it gently on clean and wet skin and rinse with water only (avoid shower gel or you will remove the oil protective layer). After the shower, you can use a little aloe gel and coconut oil to increase the soothing action. Repeat once a week, or every two if your skin is too sensitive. Do not use it on your face and breast.

Tips & Tricks:

• place some coffee powder in the sideboard or in the fridge to absorb bad smells
• use coffee grounds to fertilize the potting soil of your plants

And don't be afraid if you'll see a grim in the bottom of your cup, it might be Sirius Black coming to visit you (HP fans will understand me ahah)

When apple meets coconut

When apple meets coconut...the marriage is guaranteed!