Delicious dishes on Mother's Day

I went to visit my Mom and Grandparents for Mother's Day this year.  It's always a delight to catch up with them.  My Mom and I prepared a jicama salad with black beans, corn and peppers-in a mustard cilantro vinaigrette.  It was so fresh and flavorful!  I had the leftovers finished before I even got home!  She won't give me the recipe because she makes it at the Bakery she cooks and bakes at.  She is pretty good at keeping secrets!  We finished lunch off with the No-Bake Strawberry pie from The Joy of Vegan Baking.  Soo so good!    

The recipe in Colleen Patrick Goudreau's book, The Joy of Vegan Baking advises shaved chocolate to top off the pie- follow the recipe!  I drizzled chocolate over it which made it difficult to slice into pieces.  Either way, it was healthy and so tasty.  

Go on!  Thank your Ma' and Grandma for changin' your diapers and bringin' ya up right! 

A Spaghetti Squash Challenge?

The other night I had a request to make spaghetti squash.  Who gets a lone request for spaghetti squash?  Instantly, it became an opportunity to create something spectacular and fun.  What a treat it was!  This recipe is simple and inexpensive- not to mention, it can 'wow' any crowd.  Granted, I made it for only one person, I think they enjoyed it?...  I can't stand polite people when it comes to my cooking... Good grief!  (I promise it's good!) 

This dish is healthy, loaded with vegetables and holds some pretty dank flavor.   

Spaghetti Squash with Sun-dried Tomato White Bean Pesto

Make the pesto while the squash finishes baking.  Let the pesto simmer on a low heat to keep warm while you shred the spaghetti squash.  Garnish and serve with a whole lotta' love! 

White Bean Pesto

1 can Great northern beans-- Any Navy bean will do

a bunch of fresh Basil

2-3 garlic cloves- Depending on how much gaaa-lic you can handle! 

a splash of lemon 

handful of sun dried tomatoes  (reconstituted in warm water) 

water to thin while simmering

Blend everything together in a processor or blender.  Feel free to add some reconstituted sun dried tomatoes to the bean mixture and then add some whole ones to the sauce before serving.  Thin the sauce with some water while it simmers on low.  I added some peas to the sauce before serving- a signature touch! 

Serve up over noodles, rice or enchiladas-- Whatever! Have fun! 

Sloppy Maki with Quinoa!

About every Thursday I start to run low on produce purchased earlier in the week.  Today, it seemed as if I was running low on just about everything.  Apparently, I had enough to inspire quinoa maki rolls!  I was out of rice and had quinoa, thinking it would be a healthy alternative I gave it a whirl.

It was all a great idea until after I made the quinoa and chopped up leftover vegetables that I realized I only had one sheet of nori.  Why would this happen?  Whatever, I went through with it and made my one and only roll... I don't even know if my pictures are blog-worthy 'cause the roll was a tad loose and resulted in quite a messy lil' guy...  Why did I have to run out of nori?? 

                              Pretty messy, healthy and delicious Maki! 

I made these just like any other maki roll.  The quinoa stuck well to the nori, I just failed to roll the roll tight enough.  So if you do make these with quiona, roll the suckers tight!  

Each creation can't be perfect-- So, get in your kitchen, get cookin' and have some fun!  Duh. :) 

Powa' Granola

I let my Mom borrow Hannah Kaminsky's book, My Sweet Vegan a few weeks ago.  Sure enough, the sweet lil' lady gave the book back to me along with a bag of home made granola from Hannah's book.  I was soo excited!  I'd never tried the 'Power Hungry Granola' recipe in the book, but always wanted to.  It was my motivation to get up in the morning for about two days... Why'd I pour such big bowls?  Well, I was hungry and it gave me powa' for the day!  Really, I couldn't help it-- it was so delicious and healthy! 

If you haven't picked up a copy of Hannah's book, do it!  There are a variety of sweet recipes every vegan is dying to eat!  

                        Powa' Hungry Granola with Banana-- Yummm

Secret Ingredient Cookies

A couple months ago my friend Brian sent me a package of goodies in the mail.  This wasn't a bill or a thoughtful card, but a package!  Wow-e!  Quite the surprise!  If it weren't for Netflix, I doubt I'd ever check the mail.  Anyway, it was the most thoughtful thing and even included delicious home made vegan cookies!  I don't think I've ever been sent cookies in the mail, it was a total treat.  

After eating a cookie and experiencing it's deliciousness, I knew I needed to make them for myself.  Immediately after chocolate comatose passed, I called up my friend and begged like a junkie for the recipe.  Once I guessed his secret ingredient, he e-mailed me the recipe.

Usually, I keep secrets really well... Unless it's something I NEED to get out... like the secret ingredient of these cookies!  he he he.  The recipe calls for fruit preserves!  I used strawberry jam in my batch, a delightful duet of chocolate and fruit.  MMmmm.  Jam adds a brilliant texture and a lil' somethin' somethin' for the taste buds to ponder.    

Of course, my cookies did not turn out as well as his, but they were still pretty fantastic.  I know I'll be making them again.  Thanks for the new recipe, Brian!