Thursday, November 10, 2016

Duncan Hines brownies veganized.

Yum. Needed these last night badly. To make them vegan get a box of this:


Pour mix into a bowl and stir in 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/4 cup water, 1/2 cup oil and 3 TB ground flax seeds mixed with 6 TB warm water. Stir until lumps are gone and pour into a square baking tin. Bake at 350 F for about 30 minutes until toothpick comes out clean. Cool then cut into squares.

Sunday, November 6, 2016

Scalloped Potatoes with White Beans, Veggies and Crispy Panko Topping.

I had a craving for more potatoes so I made this dish. I used to make it for Thanksgiving ages ago using butter, milk and cheese but it is easily adaptable for vegan diet.

Recipe

2 lbs small white, Yukon gold or russet potatoes, sliced
3 tb Earth Balance margarine
1 cup chopped red or yellow onion
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 large red bell pepper, chopped
3 tb flour
1-2 tsp mixed dried herbs  (Rosemary, sage and thyme)
1 tsp dried parsley
2 cups soymilk plain and unsweetened
1 head of broccoli, cut into bite size pieces 
1 can white beans, drained and rinsed
Salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cups panko bread crumbs
Paprika

Method:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Spray a baking dish with cooking oil spray.
Boil water in a large pot and cook potato slices until just tender. Drain and set aside.
Steam broccoli in a steamer or microwave for 3 minutes covered in a bowl with a little water added.
Heat 2 tb of the margarine in the same pot over medium high heat. Sauté the onions, garlic and red bell peppers for 5 minutes.
Stir in the flour, herbs, salt, pepper and soymilk. Heat and stir until thick and bubbly.
Stir in white beans and broccoli. Then add potatoes and stir gently to coat with sauce. 
Pour it all into a baking dish.
Melt 1 tb margarine in a small bowl in the microwave. Stir the bread crumbs and margarine together. Sprinkle the bread crumbs on top of potatoes. Sprinkle paprika on top. 
Bake uncovered for 20 minutes.




Saturday, November 5, 2016

Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie

Followed one of those Tasty recipe videos going around Facebook. Video is here: http://youtu.be/aoJfD6HE1Hc

Instead of cinnamon roll ready made dough, I used crescent roll dough which is vegan and I just flattened it out, joined the seams, sprinkled cinnamon and sugar, then rolled up again and cut into pieces like in the video. I also sprinkled more cinnamon as I rolled out the round pieces for the pie. Easy!

Before baking.

Cooled and drizzled with powdered sugar glaze.

Heavenly! Very cinnamon-rolly. Haven't had them since going vegan. Make this pie!




Good Deals on Vegan Makeup!

Brija Cosmetics are discontinuing some of their shadows and they are offering "Grab Bags" of 5 random full size shadows for $10. I knew I had to pick it up along with the eye balm which has been getting great reviews.


Gets rid of dark circles under the eyes. I'll be needing this after the baby arrives, no?

I'm in love with these colors and I think they look great with my tan skin tone. Top row: We're All Mad Here. Second row: Unkindess of Ravens, Brave. Third row: Reindeer, Keith Scott. http://www.brijacosmetics.com/

Also got a couple very affordable shadows (around $3.50 each) from Wonderland Beauty Cosmetics. I'm a sucker for orange and yellow tones. Too bad the sample is not vegan.


Caramel drizzle and Sun Bathing. Look how much product you get!

Top: Caramel Drizzle. Bottom: Sun Bathing. Gorgeous!!! http://www.etsy.com/shop/WonderlandBeautyCosm









Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Carb Craving.

When you want a huge pile of mashed potatoes, you make a vat of Bryanna's brown gravy to go with it. Also Gardein fish fillets and peas. I'm so full but satisfied. Now laying around listening to music, sipping decaf and enjoying the little babe that's kicking around in my tummy!
Gravy recipe here: http://www.godairyfree.org/recipes/sauces/bryannas-rich-fat-free-brown-gravy-vegan
My simple changes were to use veggie broth instead of water, add a tiny bit of olive oil, a few shakes of gravy browning and dried herbs (rosemary, sage, thyme).

Sunday, October 30, 2016

Sunday taco lunch.

On the left, Refried beans and on the right, chipotle lentils. I just cooked some brown lentils up, drained them and then cooked them with onions, peppers, chipotle taco seasoning and tomato paste. Yummy!

All dressed taco topped with lettuce, fresh tomatoes, Daiya cheddar, fresh salsa, Tofutti sour cream and Cholula hot sauce. 

Saturday, October 29, 2016

Food I ate.

Falafel pita from Gaby's Express.

Kale and white bean salad with lemony garlic dressing. Need my greens!

Vegan candy bar found at Vons for $1.99.