Cooking With Stevia: Recipes Using Stevia Sweetener

Stevia is a herb from South America that is sweeter than refined sugar, but without the unhealthy effects or the calories. It is also a safe alternative to artificial sweeteners, many of which are known carcinogens. Stevia is great for dieters, and even safe for diabetics to use since it doesn’t raise blood sugar levels. As a side benefit, stevia actually helps to fight plaque and prevent cavities! If you’re looking for a natural, healthier alternative sweetener, you may want to experiment with stevia in your recipes.

Stevia can be purchased at most health food stores in powdered or concentrated liquid form. Crude stevia leaf powder (the dried, ground leaves) is 10 to 15 times sweeter than refined sugar, and powdered or liquid stevia extracts can be as much as 300 times sweeter. Needless to say, because of this, stevia should be used sparingly, especially when it is in extracted form. Too much stevia can cause a food to be overly sweet, and it brings out a slightly bitter aftertaste in the herb, so when you are beginning to cook with stevia you should err on the side of caution. Stevia cannot totally replace sugar in all recipes, as it lacks the texture and caramelizing attributes of sugar. However, stevia still has a number of culinary uses. Try some of these recipes to get started.

HOT COCOA 1/2 cup Dutch cocoa powder, unsweetened 1 cups powdered milk 1 tsp cornstarch ½ tsp salt ½ tsp concentrated stevia powder 4 cups hot water ½ tsp vanilla extract Mix all dry ingredients. Set aside. Heat water to a simmer. Remove from heat. Stir in dry ingredients and vanilla with a wire whisk. Pour and drink. MOCHA COFFEE TREAT 2 cups hot, strong coffee (hazelnut flavor works great) 4 tbsp cocoa powder 14 drops of liquid stevia 1 cup half and half 1 tsp vanilla Brew coffee. Blend in cocoa powder and stevia while hot. Pour into ice cube trays and place in freezer until frozen, or overnight. Place frozen coffee cubes into a blender. Add vanilla and half and half, blend until smooth. Pour and serve.

SWEET COLE SLAW 1 head green cabbage, shredded 1 carrot, shredded 1 red onion, finely sliced 1 yellow bell pepper, finely sliced ½ tsp celery salt 3/4 cups mayonnaise 1 tbsp red wine vinegar 4 drops liquid stevia extract salt and pepper to taste Mix all ingredients in a bowl and serve chilled.

HAM STEAKS IN CHERRY PINEAPPLE JUICE SAUCE 2 precooked ham steaks 1 can unsweetened pineapple chunks in juice 1/4 cup club soda 1/4 tsp powdered ginger 1/3 cup cherries, sliced in half, pits and stems removed 40 whole cloves, with stems 5 drops liquid stevia extract 1/4 tsp salt Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place ham steaks in a large baking dish. Place approximately 20 cloves onto each steak by pushing the stem into the meat. Sprinkle with salt. Pour club soda, the juice from the pineapple can, stevia extract and ginger in a bowl. Mix and pour over ham steaks. Bake 20 minutes. Add pineapple chunks and cherries. Return to oven and cook for an additional 15 minutes. Remove from oven. Remove and discard cloves. Serve ham steaks with splash of juice sauce and fruit chunks.

BANANA NUT BREAD 2 large, overripe, mashed bananas 2 eggs, beaten 2/3 cups of butter 1/3 cup of milk 1 ½ cup whole wheat flour 1 cup all purpose flour 1 tsp baking soda 3/4 tsp salt 1 tsp concentrated stevia powder ½ cup chopped walnuts (optional, or substitute raisins) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a loaf pan and set aside. Combine the dry ingredients: flours, baking soda, salt, and stevia powder. Sift and set aside. In another bowl, cream the butter and bananas together. Add the eggs and blend well. Pour mixture on top of the dry ingredients and mix well. Add chopped walnuts. Pour mixture into greased loaf pan. Bake for 50 minutes (cooking time may vary with ovens). Loaf is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean