Madeleine Ignon

Chia Seed Pudding Recipe

May 1, 2012

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By: Madeleine Ignon

If you’re looking for something simple and sweet to munch on this spring, this is the perfect solution. Chia seeds, magically and with the smallest input of effort, make a wonderful, healthy pudding. Much like the way they take on a tapioca-like texture in the popular kombucha drinks, they gelatinize when soaked in water or nut milk. Add a little sweetener, and you have instant pudding.

As I have been finding out, they are very versatile in cooking, and you can also eat them raw sprinkled over cereals or grains. Plus, they’re packed with fiber, calcium, and omega-3s, making it a great alternative to other sugary snacks. Add your favorite fruit to make it an even more enjoyable easy spring dish! [click to continue…]

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Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

April 13, 2012

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By: Madeleine Ignon

Maybe I am slow to catch on, but my new favorite baking ingredient is almond meal, also known as almond flour. I don’t have a gluten allergy, but I love baking with it as an alternative to flour because then everyone can afford to indulge in a sweet treat.

I find that baking with almond flour yields lighter results, and adds a bit of protein and texture to boot. This recipe is a take on the classic, but made a little healthier. Obviously, glass of cold milk required. [click to continue…]

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Madeleines Recipe

March 21, 2012

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By: Madeleine Ignon

Apart from being my namesake dessert, Madeleines are among my favorite cookies because they have a wonderfully airy, cake-like texture, and have a uniquely beautiful shell shape. They’re delicious dipped in chocolate, or with chocolate chips mixed right in, but I prefer them plain, so the real flavor of the cookie can shine.

This recipe comes from a hotel in Avignon, France, and is probably among the more authentic versions. Enjoy warm with your favorite afternoon tea! [click to continue…]

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Almond Butter Date Bread Recipe

March 12, 2012

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By: Madeleine Ignon

One of my more satisfying morning rituals is baking a loaf of some kind of quick bread. I love bread, and I love to make it, but sometimes the labor and wait time involved in making real yeast bread requires too much patience and too many steps.

This is one that I found when searching for things I could make with fresh almond butter. It’s a great way to get a healthy (gluten-free) bread fix in a matter of 40 minutes. [click to continue…]

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Austrian Pancakes (Nockerln) Recipe

February 24, 2012

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By: Madeleine Ignon

This might be one of the most satisfying recipes I have ever discovered. I found it in my grandmother’s cookbook and, at my mother’s suggestion (it was a favorite recipe from her childhood), tried it out.

My initial skepticism was twofold: first, I didn’t believe sugar and eggs could make a pancake, and second, I hear the word soufflé and I am immediately intimidated. But, in this case the process could not be easier.

The whole thing takes about twenty minutes, and there you are with a delicious breakfast or dessert! Double or triple the recipe if you would like to make 2-3 large pancakes for breakfast, depending on who you are cooking for, but as is this could serve 2-3 people as a dessert. Either as a breakfast or dessert item, it’s still the perfect weekend treat! [click to continue…]

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Kale, White Bean, and Walnut Salad with Avocado Honey Mustard Dressing Recipe

February 10, 2012

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By: Madeleine Ignon

I had a friend over for a quick lunch yesterday, which inspired me to make a healthy, hearty salad with some fresh produce. This is an extremely simple and fast recipe, and will keep in the fridge for a couple of days if you have leftovers.

With some major superfoods in it like kale and white beans, this salad will certainly fill you up and keep you going. A perfect light salad for the weekend! [click to continue…]

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Garlic-Fried Tofu Recipe

February 6, 2012

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By: Madeleine Ignon

I don’t cook with tofu often, but I am always learning new techniques to get the best flavor potential. I learned recently that in order to fry tofu properly, you have to press it to get the moisture out, which is one of the most fundamental tips.

(Side note: it’s kind of embarrassing to admit, but I didn’t realize how much water is in tofu. I put three slices between paper towels and pressed them with two heavy wooden cutting boards, leaving it for about twenty minutes, and when I came back the paper towels were completely soaked and the water was dripping down the side of my kitchen table.)

Needless to say, I won’t underestimate tofu’s sponge-like capacity again—and thankfully, I ended up with fried tofu that was perfectly crispy on the outside and creamy and soft on the inside.

This tofu recipe is easy and really satisfying—plus it goes with any green or side dish. [click to continue…]

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Chickpea and Portobello Meatless Meatloaf Recipe

January 26, 2012

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By: Madeleine Ignon

When I was a kid, my mom’s meatloaf was one of my favorite meals. I loved to watch her fold all kinds of delicious things into the ground beef. Now that I don’t eat meat, it’s one of the few things I miss. There’s no reason those of us who avoid eating meat should miss out on classic comfort food dishes, but I have to say, it’s hard to create satisfying vegetarian versions.

In my quest for a meatless meatloaf, I found many a recipe that uses fake meat, but I tend to find that it can be kind of tough and chewy. I wanted mine to be as moist and delicate as possible, so I used mushrooms and chickpeas as the main ingredients, both of which have a good meaty texture. [click to continue…]

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Roasted Butternut Squash Hummus Recipe

January 19, 2012

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By: Madeleine Ignon

Ah, the elusive quest for a new hummus flavor. I’m a loyalist to original but every now and then I want my hummus to have an extra kick. I’ve tried roasted garlic, roasted red bell pepper, sun-dried tomato…so why not squash?

This is a winter version with a hearty vegetable that adds a little heft and nutrition, not to mention a beautiful kick of color. [click to continue…]

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Vanilla Stout Float Recipe

January 11, 2012

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By: Madeleine Ignon

Thank goodness for good friends and simple dessert recipes. A friend of mine brought this to a potluck recently, and it blew the fancy desserts out of the water. When she arrived, she had in her arms: a six-pack of beer, a pint of ice cream, and a carton of strawberries. I watched in fascination as she put each glass together, having no idea she was planning to combine the three ingredients.

The floats were creamy, rich, tangy, and best of all, not too sweet because of the beer [click to continue…]

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