Cherry Almond Brown-Rice Pudding

½ Cup Brown Rice
1 ½ Cups Unsweetened Soy Milk
1 Tablespoon Sweet Red Wine (I use Sweet Walter After Dinner Table Wine)
3 Tablespoons Honey or Agave Nectar
1 Cup Pitted Sweet Cherries (Frozen Dark Cherries or Fresh Cherries will work)
Pinch of Cinnamon
Pinch of Salt
½ Capful of Almond Extract
Slivered Almonds
All natural whipped cream (optional)

In a saucepan, boil the soy milk, cinnamon and sweet wine.  When boiling, add the brown rice and cook according to the directions.  When the rice has finished cooking, add the almond extract, honey and cherries.  Mix well so that the honey is melted and well distributed.  If honey is added prior to cooking, the mixture may burn.  Stir well and refrigerate until cool.  This can take up to an hour.  When rice is fully chilled, distribute mixture into individual serving bowls and add a dollop of whipped cream (about 1 tablespoon).  Top with slivered almonds. 

Nutritional Information:

Serves 2

Per Serving: Calories 341; Fat 7.5g; Saturated Fat 1g; Carbohydrates 63g; Fiber 5g; Protein 10g

Cherry Chocolate Fudge

1 cup Raw Almond Butter
1 cup Pitted Sweet Cherries
¼ cup Slivered Almonds
½ cup Cocoa Powder
¼ cup Agave Nectar

In a food processor, finely chop the cherries and almonds separately.  One or two hits on the food processor is enough.  The ingredients should still hold their texture.

Mix all of the listed ingredients well until you have a chocolaty smooth consistency.  Pour the mixture into a small tupperware container lined with wax paper and place in the freezer.  In about an hour you can remove the mixture and cut the fudge into squares.  Eat this fudge frozen because when it sits out it begins to melt back the Almond Butter’s texture.

This snack is perfect when you’re craving something chewy and chocolaty.

Recipes submitted by Melissa Colabella

Melissa Colabella is a freelance writer specializing in health, fitness and beauty. She is also a skin care practitioner and enjoys creating recipes fit for a variety of healthy lifestyle choices.  She can be reached at MelissaColabella@aol.com