To say it has been a while since I blogged last is an understatement. I am going to spare you the excuses and the promises and just get to my post today! :-)
So, what has brought me back to blogger you ask? Two words: COCONUT BACON! As you know, I am not a bacon-loving hipster because of the cruel factory farming practices that happen to pigs. However, this relatively new invention can make me a vegan bacon-loving hipster. What I am about to share is cruelty free, gluten free, and 100% delicious!
I made a discovery of coconut bacon recently when I purchased an online order for products that I cannot find in the area. As I was looking in the online store Phoney Baloney's Coconut Bacon caught my eye. I ordered a package and when it arrived, I was amazed at the flavor. It tastes like crunchy pieces of bacon (with a little coconut flavor), without any meat! John and I, well ok more me, devoured the bag. When I was down to the last crumbs, I realized that I had to have more. Not wanting to purchase bags online, I decided I would give it a try on my own. I reviewed the ingredients on the bag and decided to leave some out and reduced the sodium. What I came up with is close to the purchased version and is D-E-L-I-S-I-O-U-S!
I have topped salads, made an Elvis tortilla (peanut butter, banana, and coconut bacon), have eaten it plain, sprinkled it with tofu....and the list goes on. I would like to make a vegan, gluten free quiche and maple bacon glazed donuts next. I shared the bacon with several meat eaters, vegetarians, and vegans and got praise. It makes me think that I have stumbled on to something here. This will be in my cupboard pretty regularly.
Coconut Bacon
- Olive oil spray
- 3.5 cups of shredded coconut, large flakes
- 2.5 Tablespoons of liquid smoke
- 1 Tablespoon and 1 Teaspoon of GF Low Sodium Tamari
- 2.5 Teaspoons of maple syrup
- 1 Tablespoon of water
- .5 Teaspoon of smoked, sweet paprika (if you don't have this, regular paprika will do)
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees and spray a large baking pan with olive oil spray. In a large bowl, mix coconut flakes, liquid smoke, tamari, maple syrup, and water. Mix until the coconut flakes are thoroughly coated. Sprinkle on the paprika and mix again.
Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking pan and smooth out to be in one layer. Place in the over for 30-40 minutes. Check every 5-7 minutes to make flip the coconut and make sure that it is not burning. Leave in the oven until the bacon has reached desired crispiness.
Ingredients
3 1/2 cups flaked coconut
2 tablespoons liquid smoke
1 tablespoon Braggs liquid aminos or soy sauce
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
1 tablespoon water
1
teaspoon smoked paprika (optional) - See more at:
http://www.fettlevegan.com/4/post/2012/07/coconut-bacon.html#sthash.D6fOuUR6.dpuf
Ingredients
3 1/2 cups flaked coconut
2 tablespoons liquid smoke
1 tablespoon Braggs liquid aminos or soy sauce
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
1 tablespoon water
1
teaspoon smoked paprika (optional) - See more at:
http://www.fettlevegan.com/4/post/2012/07/coconut-bacon.html#sthash.D6fOuUR6.dpuf
One of my favorite places is Triangle Raw Foods (also known as TRF). They top the list as a favorite because they are all vegan and all gluten free and use local foods. TRF has been in the area for a while operating a food truck and meal delivery service. In addition, they have been hosting pop-up dinners across the triangle. The pop-up dinners introduced me to their food, but also taught me a lot about raw food consumption. 
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