Monthly Archives: November 2010

Dark Chocolate Chipotle Cake

Today marks the last day of VeganMoFo!

I have to say, this has been one helluva MoFo; this month I have gained some wonderful things: an incredible amount of inspiration, new (and old) friends, a million more blogs to look forward to in my feedreader… and so many other warm fuzzies that I couldn’t possibly list them all right here, right now.

And, can you believe all of the food? I mean… holy stromboli there was a lot of food!

Since today is the final day of this glorious month of vegan food, I made a cake. I like to reserve cakes for celebratory times in my life (I know, super traditional), and even in those times I often opt to make a pie or some cookies (lazy traditionalist). So, when I break out a cake, you know it’s important.

Thank you to everyone who’s been there throughout the whole MoFoing month. ♥

And huge high five to everyone who participated….

I have a lotta catching up to do. Do you?

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Orange Sesame Vermicelli

Tomorrow’s the very last day of VeganMofo… can you believe it?!

Sometimes (especially towards the end of the Vegan Month of Food) some of us (eh-em) tend to feel a bit lazy… but still need adequate fuel to get us through that last stretch.  These simple rice noodles do just that- not altogether a complete powerhouse of a meal, but definitely a nice accompaniment to a larger dinner, or alone as a light lunch.

I had them midday today and am using the leftovers to accompany some sort of gingery tofu with a cucumber salad for tonight’s dinner.

Also, I really enjoy how this dish looks… kinda leopard-like, you know?

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Autumn Spiced Popcorn

The Friday after Thanksgiving in our house means a major chill fest that includes continuing to feast throughout the day on the remains of last night’s dinner… and a super relaxed family movie night.

Tonight, on the menu for movie watchin’ is the ever-so-loved nooch covered popcorn, and a new family fave- Autumn spiced popcorn. It’s delicately sweet, slightly salty, and has just enough spice to still call it autumnal. That’s right, I said autumnal.

We haven’t picked out a movie yet for tonight… but I am hoping whatever we choose will be able to rival last night’s re-visiting of the classic The Karate Kid.

I love four day weekends! Happy Friday :)

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Chocolate Covered Potato Chips

So, I was running behind today with my VeganMoFo post and was trying to find something superquick to make up for it. As I wandered into my kitchen, I immediately spotted two of my favorite foods: potato chips and chocolate chips. I considered today’s post done!

I know this isn’t exactly a recipe… at all. It’s much more of an assemblage. But, chocolate covered potato chips are BIG where I come from (holla, Midwest!), so any of you unfamiliar to this insanely unhealthy flavor explosion: this post is for you. ♥

Plus, it’s almost Thanksgiving, ya know?!  That’s right…add some mashed potatoes and gravy and we would have ourselves a three-course dinner, folks. :)

What can I say? I’m a simple kinda gal.

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VeganMoFo Pierogi Triple Threat & Giveaway!

Yes, you read that right. Tomorrow is my birthday, and I like to celebrate in style.

So, I have synced up with (Jessy and Kittee), both of whom I adore and admire, to bring you a triple dose of gluten-free vegan pierogi madness! Instead of just one dose of pierogi, you get a three way! Are you excited yet?

Well, brace yourself, because this is gonna be one humdinger of a pierogi overload.

Jessy and I both grew up on these Polish dumplings, and ever since we first went gluten free- we had been yearning for their stuffed goodness to dance back into our lives. Kittee, well, she is simply a master of all things food. Period.

So, we all three decided to team up and do a simultaneous gluten free-vegan pierogi post for VeganMoFo!

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Super Easy Pasta Bolognese

Being that it is now freezing and gloomy outside in my part of the world, I have had quite a hankering for pasta Bolognese. I always think of it as the perfect food to warm me up on a not so cozy evening.

I tried to make it using tempeh just last week. And well, it didn’t exactly hit the spot. So, off I went to purchase some textured vegetable protein. I never buy this stuff on a normal trip to the market- but for this dish, I am very glad that I did. It makes a great (although very tomato-y) Bolognese sauce in mere minutes.

Mmmm… thank you Bologna.

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VeganMoFo Easy Day too

Okay guys, so I’m using my other wild card and leaving you with this survey for today. But I had tons of fun filling it out! So that counts, right?

Don’t worry, I’m gonna make it up to you… stay tuned ’cause Friday (the day before my birthday) I’m hosting a giveaway for a nifty messenger bag from etsy. Aren’t birthdays fun?!

Here’s some random survey questions that came from (but I can’t find it now) the PPK forum…. and possibly other sources as well:

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Cranberry Cooler, Cranberry Sauce & MAVEA Elemaris Review

Recently I was contacted by the fine folks at MAVEA to do a product review of the Elemaris water filter pitcher.

I eagerly agreed because I have the hardest time downing water, and any excuse to drink more is fine by me.  Even though I run 2 miles every day and crave water quite often,  I still get far less water intake than I should. The main reason? Taste. I always “taste” something when I drink water from the tap, so I tend to cover it up with lots of lemon or lime juice and crushed ice, which is a pain (I’m so lazy!).  So I usually just drink coffee.

I know….

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Buckeye Candy (with a Hint of Cardamom)

I was raised on the idea that: if you want a treat, you best learn how to make it yourself. And, if you want to learn how to make it correctly (or in other words: taste like my mom’s), you must follow the recipe exactly. The first part, I agree with- but the second part… bah. Not so.

Beginning when I was just fifteen I had started veganizing all of my mom’s, grandmother’s, aunts’ and cousins’ recipes out of an old box that my mom kept on the very top shelf of her highest kitchen cabinet (good thing I was one heck of a climber). Buckeye Candy*- popular here in the state of Ohio, where the magical buckeye trees flourish- is one of the first recipes I got my little vegan hands on.

I happen to think these vegan buckeye candies taste just as they should: incredibly unhealthy, rich and so so so delicious.

* I added the cardamom for extra yumminess, ’cause that’s how I roll.

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Coconut Creamy Fruit Salad

This fruit salad (like most fruit salads, right??) is very simple to throw together and oh so tasty. The use of avocados, mangoes, and bananas only adds to the extra creamy deliciousness.

Speaking of deliciousness: VeganMofo is still going strong!! But my google reader may not survive this one. It is so chock full of awesome vegan eats, it just may explode. Seriously, I have got a lot of catching up to do!

It is in hectic (and yummy) times like these, that a nice easy fruit salad is the perfect treat to whip up. So easy, so sweet, so good.

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Pumpkin Nog

Undeniably, nog is one of my most favorite things about winter. And even though I appreciate the prepackaged vegan nogs that are available this time of year, I find them somewhat lacking in flavor and in texture. So, I opt to make my own… and keep the other stuff around for a dire emergency.

Yes, I do like nog that much.

Here’s a simple pumpkin nog recipe that satisfies my most intense winter night cravings. Delicious with or without booze. :)

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