Breakfast

Jazzy Vegetarian Classics. Cookbook Review and Giveaway. Plus Oil-Free Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe. Vedged Out 12 Days of Christmas.

Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies, pg. 226

Are you on Linked In? Laura Theodore is one of the many great connections I’ve made on the Linked In network this year. She asked me if I would be willing to review her cookbook, Jazzy Vegetarian Classics. Of course I jumped at the opportunity. You can probably tell that I love reviewing cookbooks, and I’d heard so many good things about her cookbook!

There are so many lovely things about this cookbook. First off, it’s a hardcover, which is a rarity for cookbooks these days. There are tons of full color photographs, which I appreciate since it helps you visualize the food you’ll be making. Another thing I adore about this book is that nearly every recipe uses common ingredients that can be found in almost any grocery store. There are only a few recipes that you’ll need to make a trip to the health food store to get any special ingredients. At the beginning of the book, Laura helps you with menu planning by pairing together which recipes (and the Jazz music to go with it) will go well together for whatever occasion, from casual to having guests for dinner.

Oh, and last but not least, even though the book is titled “Jazzy Vegetarian Classics,” all the recipes in the book are 100% vegan. (as you’ll see in the subtitle below, Vegan Twists on American Family Favorites).

Quick Tomato Salad, pg. 123

Polenta Pizza, pg. 158

Most of the recipes in this book are oil-free and there are many that are gluten-free. Only unrefined sweeteners and whole grains are used throughout, making this book every bit as healthy as it is delicious.

Raspberry Tofu Smoothie, pg. 84. It’s incredibly healthy, but almost tastes like you’re eating ice cream for breakfast.

Now let’s get back to these whole-grain, oil-free Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies. My kids didn’t even notice the oil was missing. They just gobbled them up.

Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

*recipe used with permission

2 cups whole-wheat flour (I’m sure gluten-free flour could be subbed here)
1 cup maple sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1 cup pecans, roughly chopped
1 cup vegan chocolate chips (grain sweetened variety works well)
1 1/2 cups fresh apple puree (see note*)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons nondairy milk.

*Chef’s Note: to make the apple puree, peel and core 3 very large or 4 medium apples. Rough chop the apples. Put the apples in a blender or a food processor until the consistency of smooth applesauce is achieved. Be careful not to liquify!

Method:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with unbleached parchment paper.

Put the flour, maple sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a large bowl and stir with a dry whisk to combine. Add the pecans and the vegan chocolate chips, and stir with the whisk to combine. Stir in the apple puree, vanilla extract and nondairy milk and mix just until incorporated. If the dough seems overly wet, stir in a bit more flour, a tablespoon at a time. Alternatively, if the dough seems overly dry, stir in a bit more nondairy milk, a tablespoon at a time.

For each cookie, drop about 2 1/2 tablespoons of the dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Flatten slightly using the back of a flat spatula.

Bake 15 to 18 minutes, or until slightly golden around the edges. Remove the sheet from the oven and let cool for 2 minutes. Transfer cookies to a wire rack. Cool for about 10 minutes. Stored in and airtight container in the refrigerator, the cookies will keep for about 2 days.

Buy the Hardcover copy of the book on Amazon here or get the Kindle edition here.

Or for a chance to win this amazing Giveaway, Click on the link below to enter the Giveaway! This contest is open to entrants in the USA only! You must also follow this blog by email or RSS feed to qualify. You have until Friday December 20th! I will notify the winner by email on Monday the 23rd of December. GO!!

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Day 1: Free Vegan Lifestyle Magazine. Day 2: Free Case of Butler Soy Curls. Day 3: Alternative Outfitters Vegan Boutique $25 Gift Card and Free Messenger Bag. Day 4: Sunwarrior Raw Vegan Protein Powder or Product of Choice Giveaway. Day 5: Tropical Traditions 1 Gallon Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil Giveaway. Day 6: Sweet Debbie’s Organic Treats, Allergy Free & Vegan Recipes. Cookbook Giveaway. Day 7: Extraordinary Vegan Cookbook Giveaway. Day 8: Emaline Delapaix, Music Download Giveaway.

Vegan Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Pancakes, Oil Free and Whole Grain Recipe.

Just in case you need another indulgent meal for Thanksgiving morning… I made these delicious pancakes a couple of weeks ago on a lazy morning. There was lots of happy food noises going on around the table. My youngest ate four pancakes, which I didn’t feel too bad about, considering this recipe is relatively healthy, as far as pancakes go…

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Pancakes

1 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour, or for gluten-free pancakes, simply sub your favorite gluten-free flour blend. I use this one.
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 1/4 cups coconut milk (from a carton, not a can)
2 t. apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons ground flax seeds
1/2 cup canned or pureed pumpkin
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/4 cup vegan chocolate chips

Method: whisk together the dry ingredients. Stir in the wet ingredients. Stir with a wooden spoon til just combined. This batter needs to rest for about 10 minutes so that it will begin to rise for fluffiness, so while you’re waiting, start preheating your pancake skillet, I use a large griddle so I can cook more pancakes at once. Lightly oil (or use a non-stick skillet) the skillet/griddle and measure out pancake batter with a 1/3 cup measure. Cook pancakes for about 3-4 minutes on each side.

Serve with Kathy Hester’s Pumpkin Coconut Caramel Sauce and Rice Whip if desired.

Bake and Destroy. THE RADICAL HALLOWEEN EDITION. Review, Revenge Cookie Recipe and Giveaway.

When I was a kid, my favorite holiday by far was Halloween. My dad would bust out the bbq and fire up hot dogs for the whole dang neighborhood. Everyone came, warming up their cold little hands for a tasty meal amongst the sea of noxious candy. Of course it was also awesome that one of our neighbors brewed rootbeer in a giant cauldron and served it up while dressed as a cackling witch. We were lucky kids in that corner of Green Valley.

One Halloween, I had the flu and couldn’t go trick-or-treating. I swear I thought it was a fate worse than death. I sobbed (and puked) on the couch in our front room as I watched out the front window and saw what seemed like hundreds of gleeful kids come eat hot dogs and enjoy the festivities.

I’ve always wanted to follow in the family tradition and grill up hot dogs too, but since I’m vegan now, and you can’t really give kids anything that isn’t store bought and pre-wrapped anymore without the parents having a heart attack, we do mini bags of potato chips, a savory salute to my childhood days.

Anyway, when I got a review copy of Bake and Destroy, it was like the perfect Halloween present had come early. I dare you to read through this book and not be thoroughly amused by the dark and silly humor whilst developing a sweet girl crush on bad-a** Natalie Slater.

First up, I made the Cannibal Corpse Crock-Pot, which is made with Jackfruit, in an awesome BBQ sauce that will blow your mind. I also put it all over a deep dish pizza, but we ate it before I could get non-Iphone photos of it. Oh, the Vegan Mayo in the book that’s on this sandwich is so delicious and diabolically simple that it’s worth the purchase of the book alone: you’ll have no more guilt over eating oil-laden store bought vegan mayo, but you’ll also stop pretending that blocks of tofu seasoned with lemon juice and pureed, or the non-fat vegan mayo versions taste anything like real mayo. Stop fooling yourself kids. Her special sauce tastes even better than the real deal without clogging your arteries or leaving your taste-buds fully disappointed.

As for the Samoa Joe Cupcakes, well, I took these bad boys to a Halloween party. They won the competition for Best Dessert Overall. Yes, they were that good. People are still talking about them… What’s not to love about a luscious cupcake filled with caramel sauce and topped with salted caramel-coconut butter-cream and chocolate drizzle? Yeah, vegan desserts rock.

Even more awesome, was that my brother Abe (vegan siblings rock) was staying at my house for several days for a printmaking show and conference while I was testing recipes from the book. He fully worshipped them all. We had this totally legit Non-Cop-Out Tofu Scramble on his last morning. Since Abe mostly eats beans and rice, he was on the edge of pure vegan food bliss at every meal.

These cute cupcake mummies made out of Natalie’s ridiculously simple Vanilla Cake Mix also went to the Halloween party. I got a second award for best themed dessert. Ah yeah.

Funnily enough though, the recipe I tested that made me the most nostalgic, was the Pretzel Dogs of the Dead. They were insanely delicious. You know I’ll be baking these up again on Halloween with a pot of chili and another batch of those Samoa Joe Cupcakes, even if I can’t serve them to the neighbor kids. (p.s. these really are vegan hot dogs, no animals were harmed in the making of this post). I made some of Natalie’s No-Honey Mustard to dip these in, but ended up using it as a delicious salad dressing instead after I forgot all about the dip.

Now, for the awesome bit. I made these Cheryl’s Sweet Revenge Cookies (not in the book and based on the movie, The Evil Dead double bonus here) and there were so many, that I took a big part of the batch to a neighbor so I wouldn’t eat them all. Somehow during our discussion I found out that my neighbors know Natalie Slater and her mom. Some things are just meant to be.

Cheryl’s Revenge Cookies

Recipe used with permission

Somer’s Note: I couldn’t help myself and added a half cup of mini-chocolate chips to this recipe to make them the ultimate “Everything Cookie.” They were amazing!

Ingredients:

1 cup + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (I used half organic all purpose and half whole wheat pastry flour)
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
1/2 cup vegan margarine
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 1/2 tablespoons ground flaxseeds + 3 tablespoons water
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups chopped nuts, your choice (I used a combination of sunflower seeds, whole almonds, cashew pieces, peanuts and hempseeds)
1 1/2 cups dried fruit, your choice (I used cranberries, raisins and goji berries)
3/4 cup sweetened, shredded coconut or whole rolled oats (I went with the coconut, but used unsweetened since that’s what I had on hand)

Method: Preheat your oven to 350º and line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Whisk the dry ingredients into a small bowl. With an electric mixer, beat the margarine until smooth and fluffy. Add sugars and beat until smooth. In a small bowl, whisk the ground flaxseed and water together until thick and gooey. Add this to the sugar mixture and beat until combined. Mix in vanilla.

Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix until smooth. Stir in the nuts and fruit. Drop batter (2 tablespoons = one cookie) onto the lined baking sheet, about 2″ apart. Bake 12-15 minutes or until golden brown. Transfer to wire rack to cool. Makes about 2 dozen vengeful, murderous cookies (unless you are Somer and you make smaller cookies and end up with 3-4 dozen).

Buy “Bake and Destroy” Good Food for Bad Vegans in paperback format on Amazon here or get the Kindle version for $9.99 here.

Visit Natalie Slater at her site Bake and Destroy here.

For a chance to win a copy of this amazing cookbook, Click on the link below to enter the Giveaway! This contest is open to entrants in the USA only. You must also follow this blog by email or RSS feed to qualify. You have until Halloween on the 31st of October to enter! I will notify the winner by email on Friday the 1st of November. GO!!

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Oil-Free Chocolate Chip Banana Squares. Guest Post from Annie at An Unrefined Vegan + Last Chance for VVP!

Here’s a final, last minute shameless plug and call for sign ups for the Virtual Vegan Potluck. The potluck is nearly full, so if you haven’t signed up all ready, get in there. Oh, and the founder of the VVP (and my blogger BFF), Annie from An Unrefined Vegan is sharing a guest post with us today. Just looking at this recipe makes me think about all the other luscious desserts in store come potluck time!

Let’s give a hearty welcome to Annie and her luscious Oil-Free Chocolate Chip Banana Squares! I think these are healthy enough to qualify as breakfast food!

Over the years I’ve made a lot of banana bread from many different recipes. A lot. This one is the simplest I’ve ever made and also the most delicious. While away from home recently, I needed a banana recipe fast so I did a Google search and used the very first listing – from Simply Recipes. I veganized it; traded out the oil for almond butter, used whole wheat pastry flour, added chocolate chips, and then baked it in a square pan rather than in a loaf. This comes together ridiculously fast and is craved by vegans and non-vegans alike (mom and dad, I’m looking at you).

Thank you, Somer, for inviting me to share this recipe with your readers and for letting them know about the Virtual Vegan Potluck! I hope that the food bloggers out there will consider signing up for the November 16 event. It’s always a lot of fun and it’s a great way to find new blogs to love and to add delicious, plant-based food to your recipe stockpile.

Quick Chocolate Chip Banana (Bread) Squares
Makes 1 9″ x 9″ pan

3 large, very ripe bananas, mashed
1 tbsp. flaxseed meal + 3 tbsp. water (whisk together then let sit for a few minutes)
1/3 cup natural almond butter
1/2 cup coconut palm sugar
1 full stopper of liquid stevia (I used NuNaturals Alcohol-free Stevia Pure Liquid)
1 tsp. vanilla extract
pinch salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup pecans or walnuts, chopped

Preheat the oven to 350F and lightly spray a 9″ x 9″ baking pan with oil.

In a large bowl, combine the bananas, flaxseed meal, almond butter, sugar, and stevia. Stir well.

Add the remaining ingredients and mix until the dry ingredients are fully incorporated. Pour mixture into prepared pan and bake for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown and firm on top. Let cool before slicing.

Kathy Hester’s Vegan Slow Cooking for Two or Just for You. Review, Recipe and Giveaway!

Kathy Hester is at it again! This time she’s saving the day with a Vegan Slow Cooker book that’s for small families, or perhaps one like mine, where all of us can’t agree on one single dinner so the kids get PB&J or vegan ramen if I know they aren’t going to want what’s on the menu (shhh). Almost all of the recipes are low-fat or oil free, are simple to prepare and use ingredients that most of us all ready stock in our fridge or pantry. You will need however, one very important item, a 1.5 quart or 1.5 liter slow cooker to make these recipes. I bought mine for $10 ages ago. You can find one online or at a big box or kitchen store. Believe me, it’s worth the investment (says the girl with 6 slow cookers of various sizes).

I also own her book, The Vegan Slow Cooker, which is absolutely amazing and perfect for larger families or for making enough to have leftovers to freeze for busy days. I reviewed her awesome The Great Vegan Bean Book a few months ago and her Lentil Quinoa Bolognese recipe I shared from that book is still getting loads of traffic on my site (yes, it’s so delicious!). Today I’ll be sharing (with her permission) the recipe for a gorgeous and perfectly portioned Lemon Blueberry Cake later in this post, but first feast your eyes on some of the other creations I made from Vegan Slow Cooking for Two or Just for You. Ooey Gooey Bananas Foster. This little ditty can cook overnight and welcome you to the breakfast table with glee. If you add her Butterscotch Rum Sauce to this dish, like I did, be prepared to start putting that stuff on and in everything… You won’t be able to stop!

I made this bad boy gluten-free using this GF blend. No one was the wiser… Oh and it got a dosing of the Butterscotch Rum sauce as well.

Hearty Lasagna Layered with Nut Ricotta. My family pretty much has a lasagna fetish, this one definitely met our high-standard approval rating.

Gimme That! Need I say more?

Every Season Minestrone. This recipe is excellent for using up whatever veggies you may have around. It’s both light and comforting, which is perfect for the cool weather that’s arrived.

Blueberry Lemon Cake

*Soy-Free *Gluten-Free Option *Oil Free Option

When you bake a cake like this one in your slow cooker, it becomes moist and sumptuous. But you don’t want the condensation making it wet and preventing it from baking, so use a clean dish towel under the lid to soak up the moisture. Just make sure to fold the towel in quarters so it doesn’t touch the hot sides of your slow cooker.

For the Dry Ingredients:

1/2 cup (60 g) whole-wheat pastry flour (for gluten free, use GF baking mix)
1/4 teaspoon stevia plus 1 teaspoon agave nectar or sweetener of your choice, to taste
1/4 teaspoon baking powder

For the Wet Ingredients:

1/3 cup (80 ml) unsweetened nondairy milk
1/4 cup (36 g) blueberries
1 teaspoon ground flax seeds mixed with 2 teaspoons (10 ml) warm water
1 teaspoon olive oil (for oil free, substitute applesauce or pumpkin puree)
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon lemon extract

Spray the crock with oil or line with parchment paper to make the recipe oil-free. Mix the dry ingredients in one bowl and the wet ingredients in another. Then add the wet to the dry and mix until combined.

Pour the mixture into the slow cooker and spread evenly on the bottom. Put a clean dish towel or paper towel between the lid and slow cooker to absorb the condensation.

Cook on high for 60 to 80 minutes or until the middle is solid and doesn’t indent when you touch it.

Buy “Vegan Slow Cooking for Two or Just for You” in paperback format on Amazon here or get the Kindle version here.

Visit Kathy Hester at her site Healthy Slow Cooking here.

Visit the “Vegan Slow Cooking for Two or Just for You” Blog Tour page here to get some other great recipes from this book!

For a chance to win a copy of this amazing cookbook, Click on the link below to enter the Giveaway! This contest is open to entrants in the USA only. You must also follow this blog by email or RSS feed to qualify. You have until Friday the 4th of October to enter! I will notify the winner by email on Monday the 7th of October. GO!!

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Whole Grain Vegan Baking! Review, Giveaway and a Super Soft Whole Grain Burger Bun Recipe

One of the most well loved and well thumbed books on my kitchen bookshelf is The Complete Guide to Vegan Food Substitutions, co-authored by Celine Steen. It’s a book every vegan ought to have as a no-fail resource. So, of course I was thrilled at the chance to review Whole Grain Vegan Baking, written by both Celine Steen and Tamasin Noyes. It’s any bread fiend’s dream. These women are miracle workers. Even though I consider myself an ardent bread-maker, I’d yet to master bread that’s soft and fluffy AND completely whole grain. I’ll be sharing that recipe with you below, (with permission of course), but first feast your eyes on some of the recipes I’ve tested since receiving my copy of Whole Grain Vegan Baking.

Two ingredients I haven’t worked with before in my kitchen have become near and dear to my heart after making some of these creations. Whole Grain Spelt Flour and Sucanat.

The spelt flour adds lightness and eliminates the need to cut whole wheat or other whole grain blends with all purpose white flour to make them less hefty. It’s an ancient form of wheat that is high in protein. It lends a subtle nutty flavor to foods.

Sucanat is a contraction of “Sugar Cane Natural”, It is a whole cane sugar. It’s made by crushing freshly cut sugar cane, extracting the juice and heating it in a large vat. It’s less refined than raw sugar and tastes much like brown sugar because of it’s high molasses content. It adds a lovely caramel flavor to the foods you bake it with. It is an excellent source of iron, calcium, vitamin B6, potassium and chromium, which helps balance blood sugar.

Savory Spinach Loaf made with Roasted Spanish Onions. I hadn’t made a savory quick bread before this one and now I wonder why! It made my socks go up and down. I swear it was much prettier than I could capture with the photos.

Did you used to be a “Cheese” Cracker fan too? These should help with the withdrawals…

This focaccia was every bit as tasty as one made from white flour. I’ll be making it again and again.

A less sweet treat than you might expect. This would go perfectly paired with a green smoothie for your breakfast (perhaps minus the icing in that case) 😉

Now the moment you’ve been waiting for… Super soft and tasty, I didn’t believe this kind of tenderness was possible with all whole grains.

Whole Grain Burger Buns (and Sandwich Bread!)

Hats off to our friend Kelly Cavalier for thinking of using whole spelt flour instead of all-purpose flour in Celine’s recipe making this bread 100% whole grain, super soft, and even better than the original version.

1 cup (235 ml) lukewarm water
21⁄4 teaspoons active dry yeast
22 to 44 g (1 to 2 tablespoons) molasses or barley malt syrup, to taste
210 g (11⁄2 cups) whole spelt flour
180 g (11⁄2 cups) whole wheat flour, more if needed
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
2 tablespoons (30 ml) neutral-flavored oil

Combine the water, yeast, and molasses in a medium-size bowl. Let sit for 5 minutes for the yeast to activate. Place the flours and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook. Add the oil and yeast mixture on top.

Mix until a smooth and pliable dough forms, about 6 minutes. Add extra whole wheat flour, 1 tablespoon (8 g) at a time, if needed.

Alternatively, transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for 8 minutes, adding extra whole wheat flour, 1 tablespoon (8 g) at a time if needed, until the dough is smooth and pliable. Shape the dough into a ball, place back in the bowl, cover tightly with plastic, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, 1 to 11⁄2 hours. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

Gently deflate the dough. Divide it into 6 equal portions; shape into round burger buns. Place on the prepared baking sheet. Loosely cover with plastic wrap. Let rest for 30 minutes, until puffed.

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C, or gas mark 6). Carefully remove the plastic wrap from the buns.

Bake for 14 minutes, or until the buns are golden brown on top and sound hollow when the bottoms are lightly tapped. Let cool on a wire rack.

Yield: 6 burger buns

Serving Suggestions & Variations

Make a sandwich bread out of the dough by dividing it into 3 equal portions after the first rise, placing them in an 8 x 4-inch (20 x 10 cm) loaf pan coated with nonstick cooking spray. Let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, 40 minutes. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C, or gas mark 5). Bake for 25 minutes, until golden brown and the bottom sounds hollow when tapped. Remove from the pan and let cool on a wire rack.

Buy ”Whole Grain Vegan Baking” in paperback book on Amazon here or the Kindle version here

Visit Celine Steen at her site Have Cake Will Travel here

Visit Tamasin Noyes at her site Vegan Appetite here

For a chance to win a copy of this amazing cookbook, Click on the link below to enter the Giveaway! This contest is open to entrants in the USA and Canada only. You must also follow this blog by email or RSS feed to qualify. You have until Thursday the 18th of July to enter! I will notify the winner by email on Monday the 22nd. GO!!

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Celebrating 100 Posts!

It’s a good day all around, this post marks my 100th post since I started this blog in September 2012. I’m feeling all kinds of love and support! Thanks to all of you. Today I got twitter follows from Forks Over Knives, Dr. McDougall and a Hospital!?! I also got featured on the brand new site, Choose Veg. Feeling happy and blessed. Here’s a look back at 99 posts, in no particular order.

Healthied Up Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars: https://vedgedout.com/2012/10/05/healthied-up-oatmeal-chocolate-chip-cookie-bars/

Quinoa Tabbouleh: https://vedgedout.com/2012/09/25/simplest-quinoa-tabbouleh-salad/

Insane Chocolate Layer Cake: https://vedgedout.com/2012/09/21/insane-chocolate-layer-cake/

Vedged Out Lasagna: https://vedgedout.com/2012/09/19/a-very-vedged-out-lasagna/

African Peanut Stew: https://vedgedout.com/2012/09/17/the-ultimate-ratbag/

Happiness in a Cookie Bite: https://vedgedout.com/2012/09/17/the-ultimate-ratbag/

20 Reasons Why Going Vegan Sucks: https://vedgedout.com/2012/09/11/20reasonswhygoingvegansucks/

Super Soft and Snappy Ginger Cookies: https://vedgedout.com/2012/09/27/woohoo-mofo-plus-extra-snappy-and-soft-ginger-cookies/

The Bear 100, Curtis: https://vedgedout.com/2012/09/28/the-bear-100-curtis-823/

Black Bean Veggie Burger: https://vedgedout.com/2012/10/01/black-bean-veggie-burger-with-guac-on-a-pretzel-bun/

Pretzel Rolls: https://vedgedout.com/2012/10/02/whole-grain-pretzel-buns-or-rolls/

Somer & Erika

Forks over Knives publishes my testimonial: https://vedgedout.com/2012/10/02/holy-freaking-crap/

Vegan French Toast: https://vedgedout.com/2012/10/09/vegan-french-toast/

Dad’s Cowboy Beans: https://vedgedout.com/2012/10/08/dads-cowboy-beans/

Sriracha and Olive Salsa Fresca: https://vedgedout.com/2012/10/12/sriracha-and-olive-salsa-fresca/

Forks Over Knives Cookbook: http://www.amazon.com/Forks-Over-Knives-Cookbook-Plant-Based/dp/1615190619/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1368043207&sr=8-1&keywords=forks+over+knives

Plum Tart with Apricot Crumble: https://vedgedout.com/2012/10/16/layered-plum-tart-with-apricot-crumble/

Vegan BBQ Sandwich: https://vedgedout.com/2012/10/17/vegan-bbq-sandwich/

Smoked Coconut Gouda: https://vedgedout.com/2012/10/22/smoked-coconut-gouda/

Pomona’s Pectin, vegan cheese’s best friend : http://www.pomonapectin.com/

George Monroy!

Vedged Out Calzone: https://vedgedout.com/2012/10/23/vedged-out-calzone-and-a-welcome-party-for-george-monroy/

Cozy Roasted Butternut Soup: https://vedgedout.com/?s=cozy+roasted+butternut+soup

Not Beef Stew: https://vedgedout.com/2012/10/10/not-beef-stew/

Vegan Monte Cristo Sandwich: https://vedgedout.com/2012/10/28/vegan-monte-cristo-sandwich-vegan-mofo-iron-chef-challenge/

Vegan Aebleskivers: https://vedgedout.com/2012/10/29/vegan-aebleskivers/

Macadamia Nut Brie En Croute: https://vedgedout.com/2012/10/31/virtual-vegan-potluck-spooky-vegan-macadamia-nut-brie-en-croute/

Virtual Vegan Potluck Baby: http://virtualveganpotluck.com/

Double Dark Chocolate Coconut Pecan Cookies: https://vedgedout.com/2012/11/09/double-dark-chocolate-coconut-pecan-cookies/

Buttery Vegan Pan Rolls: https://vedgedout.com/2012/11/14/butterypanrolls/

Moroccan Lentil Soup: https://vedgedout.com/2012/12/03/moroccan-lentil-soup/

Happy Herbivore test session: https://vedgedout.com/?s=happy+herbivore

Oil Free Banana Muffins: https://vedgedout.com/2012/12/07/oil-free-banana-muffins/

Mini Vegan “Meat” Loaves: https://vedgedout.com/2012/12/10/mini-meat-loaves/

Vegan Dog? https://vedgedout.com/2012/12/18/v-dog-review-and-sample-giveaway/

V-Dog! http://v-dog.com/

Truck Stop Jo Jo Potatoes & Vegan Ranch Dressing: https://vedgedout.com/2012/12/14/truck-stop-jo-jo-potatoes-with-vegan-ranch-dressing/

Mom’s 9 grain granola: https://vedgedout.com/2012/12/21/moms-9-grain-granola/

Creamy Satay Soup with Tasty Baked Tofu: https://vedgedout.com/2012/12/30/creamy-satay-soup-with-tasty-baked-tofu/

Toasted Sesame Tahini: https://vedgedout.com/2013/01/02/toasted-sesame-tahini-pictorial/

Green Smoothie Challenge: https://vedgedout.com/green-smoothie-challenge-2/

Traditional Green Smoothie: https://vedgedout.com/2013/01/07/vedged-out-2013-green-smoothie-challenge-day-1/

Green Julius: https://vedgedout.com/2013/01/08/vedged-out-2013-green-smoothie-challenge-day-2/

Razzleberry Lemonade Green Smoothie: https://vedgedout.com/2013/01/07/vedged-out-2013-green-smoothie-challenge-day-1/

60 minutes of torture!

Apple Pie Green Smoothie: https://vedgedout.com/2013/01/10/vedged-out-2013-green-smoothie-challenge-day-4/

Cauliflower or Parsnip Tabbouleh: https://vedgedout.com/2013/01/10/vedged-out-2013-green-smoothie-challenge-day-4/

Cheesy Smoky Spicy Black Bean Soup: https://vedgedout.com/2013/01/10/vedged-out-2013-green-smoothie-challenge-day-4/

Veggie Stir Fry: https://vedgedout.com/2013/01/11/vedged-out-green-smoothie-challenge-day-5/

Endless Winter

Vegan Hot and Sour Soup: https://vedgedout.com/2013/01/12/vedged-out-green-smoothie-day-6/

Abe’s Hearty Lentil Soup: https://vedgedout.com/2013/01/13/vedged-out-2013-green-smoothie-challenge-day-7/

Vegan Laksa: https://vedgedout.com/2013/01/31/vegan-laksa/

Vegan Pani Po’ Po: https://vedgedout.com/2013/01/29/vegan-pani-po-po/

Creamy White Bean Potato and Kale Soup: https://vedgedout.com/2013/02/22/creamy-white-bean-potato-and-kale-soup-with-vegan-sausage/

Vegan Stock Powder: https://vedgedout.com/2013/02/19/vegan-stock-powder/

Vegan Peanut Butter Cup, made with Annie’s Chocolate: https://vedgedout.com/2013/02/15/blogging-and-friendship/

Pepita Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bars: https://vedgedout.com/2013/02/13/pepita-oatmeal-raisin-cookie-bars/

Chocolate Ginger Ice Cream: https://vedgedout.com/2013/02/04/chocolate-ginger-ice-cream/

Annie’s Miso Soup: https://vedgedout.com/2013/02/15/blogging-and-friendship/

Frugal’s Apple, Walnut and Black Treacle Cake: https://vedgedout.com/2013/02/27/featuring-frugal/

Chow Down Film Review: https://vedgedout.com/2013/03/04/chow-down/

Vegan Cream of Mushroom Soup: https://vedgedout.com/2013/03/06/vegan-cream-of-mushroom-soup/

Vegan Cheez-It’s: https://vedgedout.com/2013/03/08/vegan-cheez-it-crackers/

Foxy Moxy Debut: https://vedgedout.com/2013/03/11/individual-vegan-margherita-pizzas-with-homemade-fresh-moxarella-cheese/

Sesame Orange Seitan: https://vedgedout.com/2013/03/14/meaty-cravings/

Almond and Pistachio Ice Cream: https://vedgedout.com/2013/03/16/vegan-almond-and-pistachio-ice-cream/

Celebrating with Morgan: https://vedgedout.com/2013/03/19/death-by-double-dark-chocolate-killer-fudge-pie/

Death by Double Dark Chocolate Killer Fudge Pie: https://vedgedout.com/2013/03/19/death-by-double-dark-chocolate-killer-fudge-pie/

Kittee’s Vegan Pudla: https://vedgedout.com/2013/03/21/vegan-pudla-omelet-thingy/

Scott Jurek’s eat and Run Review: https://vedgedout.com/2013/04/17/scott-jureks-eat-run-review-and-giveaway/

Sunwarrior’s Liquid Vitamin Mineral Rush Review: https://vedgedout.com/2013/03/29/sun-warrior-liquid-vitamin-mineral-rush-review-and-five-bottle-giveaway/

Doterra Love: https://vedgedout.com/2013/04/30/doterra-essential-oil-giveaway-lemon-lavender-and-peppermint-intro-gift-set/

Vegan Cherry Garcia: https://vedgedout.com/2013/04/01/vegan-cherry-garcia/

Heart Healthy Pizza’s Spanakopizza: https://vedgedout.com/2013/04/03/heart-healthy-pizza-review-recipes-interview-giveaway/

Heart Healthy Pizza’s Mad Cowboy Pizza:https://vedgedout.com/2013/04/05/heart-healthy-pizza-review-recipes-interview-giveaway-part-2/

Frosted Minty Stawberry Lemonade: https://vedgedout.com/2013/04/11/frosty-strawberry-lemonade-with-mint-and-a-virtual-vegan-potluck-crash-course/

Vegan Caprese Grilled Cheese Sandwich:https://vedgedout.com/2013/04/12/caprese-vegan-grilled-cheese-sandwiches-with-vegan-tomato-basil-bisque/

Tomato Basil Bisque: https://vedgedout.com/2013/04/12/caprese-vegan-grilled-cheese-sandwiches-with-vegan-tomato-basil-bisque/

Juice Feast + Ultra Green Juice Recipe: https://vedgedout.com/2013/04/22/juice-feast-basics-ultra-juice-recipe/

Savory Spicy 8 Juice: https://vedgedout.com/2013/04/24/savory-spicy-8-juice/

Curried Brown Rice and Ultimate Lentil Salads: https://vedgedout.com/2013/05/02/myfootisadesert/

My Foot is a Desert MFA exhibition: https://vedgedout.com/2013/05/02/myfootisadesert/

Fluffiest Maple Buttermilk Pancakes: https://vedgedout.com/2013/05/06/fluffiest-maple-buttermilk-pancakes/

Food Bloggers against Hunger: Simplest Chickpea Salad: https://vedgedout.com/2013/04/08/food-bloggers-against-hunger-simplest-chickpea-salad/

Somer Goes Raw for 30 days: https://vedgedout.com/2013/03/27/somer-goes-raw-month-of-giveaways/

Frugal’s Hasselback Potatoes: https://vedgedout.com/2013/02/27/featuring-frugal/

Frugal’s Roasted Sweet Potato and Parsnip Soup: https://vedgedout.com/2013/02/27/featuring-frugal/

Frugal’s Mushroom Orzotto: https://vedgedout.com/2013/02/27/featuring-frugal/

Brookie Grasshopper Squares: https://vedgedout.com/2012/11/27/keepin-it-kind-holiday-cookie-exchange-brookie-grasshopper-squares/

Quinoa Minestrone: https://vedgedout.com/2012/11/26/breaking-a-fast-quinoa-minestrone/

Vegan Thanksgiving: https://vedgedout.com/2012/11/19/vedged-out-thanksgiving-menu/

Dad’s Holiday Stuffing: https://vedgedout.com/2012/11/19/vedged-out-thanksgiving-menu/

Vegan MOFO! http://www.veganmofo.com/

Smoky Vegan Split Pea Soup: https://vedgedout.com/2012/10/04/smoky-vegan-split-pea-soup/

Cashew Horchata: https://vedgedout.com/2013/04/19/raw-vegan-lite-cashew-horchata/

Pepita Maple Butter Dressing with Carrot Ribbon Salad: https://vedgedout.com/2013/02/25/pepita-maple-butter-salad-dressing-with-carrot-ribbon-salad/

VaPOOrize: https://vedgedout.com/2012/12/05/vapoorize/

Tofu Feta: https://vedgedout.com/2013/01/08/vedged-out-2013-green-smoothie-challenge-day-2/

Tropical Colada Green Smoothie: https://vedgedout.com/2013/01/09/vedged-out-2013-green-smoothie-challenge-day-3/

Pepperjack Cashew Cheese: https://vedgedout.com/2012/10/23/updated-pepper-jack-cashew-cheez/

Frosty Strawberry Lemonade with Mint: https://vedgedout.com/2013/04/11/frosty-strawberry-lemonade-with-mint-and-a-virtual-vegan-potluck-crash-course/

Fluffiest Maple Buttermilk Pancakes

Fluffiest Maple Buttermilk Pancakes

For some reason, pancakes were one of the harder recipes for me to properly veganize. I ate a lot of (tasty) dense pancakes in the beginning. It’s easy enough to replace eggs with a flax egg, but the pancakes weren’t fluffy and didn’t have enough rise that real eggs give. The solution? More baking powder. Don’t worry, I promise it’s not overpowering in the recipe. It just gives you the fluffiest, dreamiest pancakes… ever!

Fluffiest Maple Buttermilk Pancakes

1 1/2 C. organic unbleached all purpose flour (for gluten free pancakes, subsitute all the flour in this recipe (2 1/4 C. total) with Cara’s all purpose GF mix + 1/2 t. xanthan gum)
3/4 C. whole wheat pastry flour
2 T. aluminum free baking powder
1/4 C. pure maple syrup
2 T. vegan butter, melted
1/2 t. sea salt
2 1/4 C. unsweetened soy milk
1 T. apple cider vinegar
1 1/2 T. ground golden flax seed
1 tablespoon vanilla

Method: In a small bowl, combine soy milk, apple cider vinegar and vanilla (vegan buttermilk), let sit and curdle while you put the other ingredients together. Melt the vegan butter and combine it with the pure maple syrup, set aside (mmm, maple butter). In a large bowl, whisk together flours, baking powder, sea salt and ground golden flax seed. Now add all the liquid ingredients and stir with a wooden spoon til just combined. This batter needs to rest for about 10 minutes so that it will begin to rise for fluffiness, so while you’re waiting, start preheating your pancake skillet, I use a large griddle so I can cook more pancakes at once. Lightly oil the skillet/griddle and measure out pancake batter with a 1/3 cup measure. Cook pancakes for about 4 minutes on each side. Serve with vegan butter and pure maple syrup if desired.

Oh and today is the last day to enter the Virtual Vegan Potluck, if you haven’t entered all ready, get in there!

maybe next year we should do a breakfast potluck?

Vegan Pudla (Omelet Thingy)

Vegan Pudla (Omelet Thingy)

I’m having a love affair with the Vegan Pudla. I can’t stop making them. I was introduced to these babies by Kittee at Cake Maker to the Stars. Girl knows her stuff, she’s been vegan for more than 2 decades.

I thought it was supposed to be some sort of a vegan omelet replacement, but after more research, the pudla comes from Indian origins and is probably more identifiable as a pancake. Whatever it is, it’s delicious, and you need to make it, NOW. I followed Kittee’s guidelines here and then used them to make this recipe. Then I added lots of spinach, some nooch and some mustard powder… Eggs Schmeggs.

To see all of Kittee’s pudla’s she’s featured on her site, click here. I’ve also made these with artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes and kalamata olives. Believe me, more vegetables = better pudla. Try using about a cup of your favorite diced veg, spices and seasonings in yours. Enjoy!

Just in case you need a closer look….

This post is featured on Allergy Free Wednesdays

Blogging and Friendship

Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup, using Annie’s base then adding in the middle: 1/2 cup each: vegan graham cracker crumbs, melted peanut butter and vegan powdered sugar stirred together.

Blogging is a funny thing. At first you start posting your recipes, hoping to garner some sort of recognition, then you start reading other people’s blogs, then joyfully and inevitably some lovely friendships form. Sometimes, you get lucky enough to actually meet and get to know these friends. Pure love. So, I’m apologizing now to all my blogging friends whom I haven’t been by your sites to read or comment on your posts lately. In the last month I’ve sustained two different injuries that have left me mostly couch bound, reading the classics, and drinking lots of tea and trying not to feel sorry for my sad self. My cooking skills have gone down the proverbial toilet (as evidenced by THREE batches of failed cupcakes for a Valentines party yesterday). You may have noticed I haven’t been around, I’m not feeling inspired and I’m sorry to say that the last thing I’m interested in right now is reading about food. I’m sure when I recover I’ll be back with a vengeance, but in the meantime I hope you’ll forgive my absence. It’s not you, it’s me.

Annie’s Whole Wheat Nectarine Pancakes (except I used apples) and a blob of her Cocoa Coconut Butter. The best invention ever.

It hasn’t helped my mojo that one of my best blogging buddies jumped ship and moved back to her home in Oklahoma after being here in Utah for the better part of 2012. I’m feeling forlorn and I miss her like I miss my right arm. I thought you might enjoy a post about her food since I’m not creating anything wonderful. At least you can get some inspiration from Annie at An Unrefined Vegan.

Assembling the chocolates.

Flavors to try: coconut, chopped crystalized ginger, roasted almond and raisin, orange (using a couple drops essential oil), mayan (cinnamon and chili), peppermint (using a couple drops essential oil), pecan, and of course peanut butter cup.

Annie’s Miso Ginger Soup with mushrooms added in. Nearly as comforting as a hug from the girl herself.

I’ll miss our lunch dates my friend.

The big funny: Emergency pit stop with Annie at the always fabulous Cafe Rio Mexican Grill after a lunch date at another restaurant we were reviewing left us famished and disappointed (minuscule portions, average food).

Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

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Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Pancakes

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Cheryl’s Revenge Cookies

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Blueberry Lemon Cake

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Fluffiest Maple Buttermilk Pancakes

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