BIG chime!

Hey all! I hope you have not missed me. The winter has fast approached us and I am not looking forward to the snow...at all. Yeah I know its pretty, but it is also pretty freakin cold and I do not like shovelling (especially at 6am)! I am a Caribbean girl at heart.

I have been working on a pretty big venture. I will keep you posted. That is why I have been neglecting my blog. I thought that it would be fun to have some cool guest bloggers, so if you are interested leave me a comment or email me. You can find my email in the contact tab under my banner.

In the meantime stay warm and cozy. xo

Scottish oat crackers from Big Vegan and GF veggie pate

Since the holidays I have been making veggie pate at least once a week for my family. They LOVE IT! It lasts a few days and is ideal for sandwiches and crackers.


Gluten free veggie pate


1 cup sunflower seeds
1 large onion- peeled and cubed
1 cup water
1/4 cup olive oil
1 large sweet potato- peeled and cubed
1/2 cup chickpea flour
1/2 cup nutritional yeast
1 tbsp poultry seasoning
1 tsp sea salt
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
freshly ground pepper

In a blender, grind sunflower seeds into a powder. Pour into large bowl
Place onion, water and oil in blender, until smooth. Add the sweet potato, and continue to blend until smooth. Pour into bowl with sunflower seeds. Stir in all the other ingredients and pour into a greased 8x8 cake pan. Bake for 1 hour at 350. Allow to cool. Keeps for a week in an airtight container.



I just borrowed a book from the library, Big Vegan by Robin Asabell. I like to try out recipes before I buy so when I saw that it was coming to our library I put it on hold right away. It is a BIG book...not as many photos as I would like, but lots of yummy looking recipes. This will be one of the new additions to my cookbook collection.

This afternoon after I put the veggie pate in the oven, I realized that we were low on bread. I have been meaning to make some crackers with Leeluu, and Big Vegan has some good recipes. My sous chef (Leeluu) helped me make  these. She really liked using the cutters and rolling pin! I think next time I will add some fresh herbs. Tasty.

Slacker style survey

I think this orchid likes me. Jonathan gave it to me as a gift two birthdays ago. It was lovely, and then the flowers died but the leaves were still healthy and green. I left it alone. Only to notice a year later that the stem was dried up and all brown. I Googled it, and read that I should trim the stem and water it...so I did. A year after that the stem grew back with buds on it! It opened the other day!

You probably already noticed that I am a bit of a slacker today.
What's with the plant?! hey plants are vegan!
I am in luck... found a Vegan MOFO survey that's floating around.

What's your favorite spice or spice blend? 

Cumin, it goes well with everything!

You have $20 to spend on fresh groceries and produce for the whole week (with a fairly well stocked pantry of dry goods, legumes, grains, and spices). What do you buy?  

broccoli, tofu, soymilk, bananas, froazen berries, bell pepper, bread, tomato, potato, ...soup, sandwiches, rice bowls and stir frys washed down with a smoothie.

What's your favorite way to make tofu?  

Sprinkled with garlic powder and a splash of tamari, sauted until golden in a cast iron pan.

Vegan guilty pleasure?

 CUTIES! ( or any vegan ice cream)

 

If you could make anyone vegan, who would it be?  

My parents ( that would be SO awesome!)

If you could only read one other vegan blog, what would it be?

Really?! come on....

Were you always interested in cooking, or did veganism change the way you saw and interacted with food?  

I have always loved cooking! Becoming vegan made me re-think what I was taught in school.

Excluding analogues, what new things have you tried that you probably wouldn't have as an omni? 

I love trying new things! 

What is the one vegan staple that everyone seems to love, but you can't get behind?  

I have never used agave syrup, but mostly because I live in Canada where maple syrup is everywhere!

What was your first "wow, I'm such a stereotypical vegan" moment?

Hmmm not sure that "moment" ever happened to me. At least not that I thought about.  

First recipe you veganized? 

spaghetti, haha just without the parmasan!

What would you like to veganize, but haven't yet? 

eggplant parmasan, I  keep saying that. Why can't I just make it!! ARGH

Favorite kitchen utensil/appliance? 

I really like my 4 cup Cuisinart food processor. Its tiny and easy to clean, I use it for everything!

Most disastrous kitchen failure?

I made a rose water  loaf bread that turned out very gluttonous. It sucked! I threw it in the compost.

First vegan cookbook?  

Vegan Planet 

What question about being vegan do you HATE answering?

I don't hate questions about veganism.

If you could tell the world one thing about vegans, what would it be? 

We are just trying to make the world a better place.
that sounds cheesie but true 

Funniest vegetable? 

Buddhas hand...its more of a fruit (lemon), but when I saw it at the store, it was super weird looking!

What is a family recipe you have veganized? 

chicken divan
I make my own cream of mushroom soup and use tofu.
It is special requested by the kid often!

Weirdest food combination ? 

Leeluu likes to dip cucumbers into ketchup, that is pretty weird.

Is there something you wish you could veganize, but can't/couldn't?  

Creme brulee.

By far my most favorite dessert in the world! 

Favorite ways to prepare tofu, seitan, tempeh, any other vegan proteins? 

sandwich style!

Are your pets vegan? if so, what do you feed them? 

no. I recently read an article about feeding dogs. We are trying to switch her to fresh food.

Favorite non-dairy milk? 

I don't have a favorite...I switch it up between soy, rice, almond and coconut. Usually whatever is on sale.

What’s one “vegan myth” you’d like to squash? 

Where do you get your protein from! HA

Berry blast smoothie popsicles

Super healthy and easy to make! Just take your favorite fruit and blend with water or juice, or soy milk. Pour into popsicle molds and WA-LA! A great treat for the kids. Not to mention no waste :)

I blended frozen raspberries with orange juice, and blueberries with soy milk. Just make it thick... it is much easier to pour different flavors together.

Tortilla tofu scramble

Tortilla tofu scramble

2 tbsp olive oil

1 onion- small diced

1 clove garlic- minced

1 green pepper- small diced

1 package of soft tofu

1 tsp chili powder

pinch of turmeric

10-15 tortilla chips

1 scoop salsa

handful of cherry tomatoes- cut in half

sea salt

freshly ground pepper

In a pan, heat oil add onion and garlic. Saute until soft

Add green pepper and tofu, gently break up the tofu with spatula

add chili powder, turmeric, chips, salsa, and tomatoes.

Stir up, until heated. Season to taste.

She was pretty happy with herself picking out the bread this morning at the market, she had the first piece! 

Bread and butter pickles

I picked up 2 pounds of baby cucumbers last week at the market. I put them in a bowl of water and into the fridge, with plans to pickle them within the next day or so. Little did I know that water was going to be scares.

Our well pump broke, which means no water into the house. So the pickles had a little longer to wait then expected. Its strange when you don't have access to water, you appreciate it SO much more.

When there are electrical outages or storms coming on well water you plan ahead and fill up jugs and such. Some people even fill up the bathtub to flush the toilet! We are expecting a hurricane Monday, good thing I was able to pickle some pickles!

Bread and butter pickles

2 pounds of cucumbers- sliced
2 small red onions- sliced
1 tsp red chili flakes
1/4 cup pickling salt
3 cups pickling vinegar
2 1/2 cups organic sugar
4 tbsp pickling spice

In a large bowl combine cucumbers, onion, chili, and salt. Mix up.

Bring vinegar, sugar and spices to a boil in a large pot.

Have mason jars sanitized to proper canning procedures.

Add cucumbers to vinegar mixture, don't let boil. but simmer for a few minutes.

Stuff jars with cucumbers and seal. Place jars in a large pot of boiling water for 5 minutes.

Remove and let sit until you hear the seal pop! Refrigerate before serving.

Half way there!

Half way there to meeting the new member of our family, it is exciting and scary. I know that I have done it twice before but each time was different, as it should be. I have a doula this time around which I am quite happy about. Only 20 weeks left!

I haven't been blogging very much, the camera is still broken, and its just not as much fun when you can't take pictures :(

This week I planted 2 tomato plants in pots along with lettuce and herbs. It just seems like I would be feeding all the creatures of the forest if I was to plant the veggie garden in the yard. So right now it is over run with dandelions. I did plant the rhubarb that I traded a cinnamon bun for at the market. I have been told that deers don't eat it, so far so good. 

My mom and dad are visiting me for 2 weeks, they get here in a two days!! I have not seen my mom in a year, I wish they would move here and I keep trying to convince them, but that would be a HUGE move, across Canada. Mom said maybe in a couple years....fingers crossed. 

I made a really yummy poppyseed loaf the other day and wanted to share the recipe. Sorry no pictures, but trust me its GOOD!

Lemon Poppyseed Loaf

2 cups flour

3/4 cup sugar

1 tsp baking soda

2 tbsp poppy seeds

1/4 tsp sea salt

1 1/4 cup soy or almond milk

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp lemon essence 

1 lemon- grated and juiced

1/4 cup sunflower oil

1/4 cup soy vanilla yogurt

glaze

1/3 cup icing sugar

1 tbsp spoon lemon juice

Preheat oven to 375

grease loaf pan

Mix wet into dry.

Bake for 50 minutes or until done.

When cooled mix the glaze up and pour over.

ENERGY!

I feel energized! I finally have my kitchen in and I am making some vegan treats, like these Energy Orbs, for the first farmers market of the season! If you are in the Hubbards area on Saturday morning between 8am-12pm come by and grab some local produce and a vegan treat :) Its a lovely drive from Halifax if you get off at exit 5, pass by some of Nova Scotia's best beaches:)


Here are the directions if you are unfamiliar with the area...

From Halifax along the highway

• Take HWY-103 West toward Yarmouth
• Take exit 6 toward Hubbards
• Turn left at Mill Lake 1 Rd
• Turn left at HWY-3
• Look for the Hubbards Barn and Community Park sign on your right

Scenic route from Halifax

• Take HWY-103 West toward Yarmouth
• Take exit 5 toward Tantallon
• Turn left at Hammonds Plains Road
• Turn right at HWY-3 (St. Margaret’s Bay Road)
• Follow St. Margaret’s Bay road along the coast until you reach Hubbards
• Look for the Hubbards Barn and Community Park sign on your left

Potatoes in Tomatoes

Not sure where this recipe came from. Jonathan sent me a photo with the recipe from his phone hoping that I would make it for him :) It is really tasty and I thought I would share it. My kitchen is delivered today and starts getting installed tomorrow. Its been 3 1/2 moths coming... I am SO excited!

Potatoes in Tomatoes

1 tbsp vegetable oil
1 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
1 1/2 tbsp serrano chilies
1 can chopped tomatoes
3/4 tsp turmeric
3 cups peeled and chopped potatoes
2 tsp salt or to taste
5 tbsp cilantro chopped
1 tbsp sugar or to taste

In a sauce pan heat oil, add cumin seeds and chilies. Saute for about 1 minute.
Add tomatoes with juice and turmeric. Mix well. Bring to a boil and cook for 2 minutes.
Add potatoes and the cilantro. Simmer until potatoes are soft.
Season to taste.

Vegan "tuna" sandwich

I was cleaning out the fridge this afternoon and noticed that I had a container with some cooked chickpeas, and we needed lunch. Easy to whip up I made these "tuna" sandwiches for the family. Chickpeas are a good source protein!

Vegan "tuna" sandwich

1/4 cup vegan mayonnaise
1 stalk celery- minced
1/4 onion-minced
2 cups chickpeas- chopped roughly
1 sheet nori- toasted and crushed
1 tsp dulse
1/2 tsp sea salt
squeeze of half a lemon
a few shakes of Tabasco

In a food processor add celery and onion- pulse until minced and scoop into a medium sized bowl.
Add chickpeas to food processor and pulse until roughly chopped, scoop and add to onion and celery mixture. Over an element on high hold nori sheet over until crispy. Crush into bowl of chickpea mixture.
Add mayo and the rest of the ingredients, stir and spread onto bread. Enjoy!

Simple sides : sauteed asparagus with garlic and pine nuts

 

Its been a productive weekend, I managed to finally get the first coat of paint on in the kitchen before the cabinets get here, we went to the beach and I made lasagna ( which last for 2 dinners!) 

The first night I made a caesar salad. Tonight I wanted to switch it up...made a simple side of asparagus sauteed in a little olive oil, with thinly sliced garlic and sprinkled with pine nuts. Finished with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar and there you have it a simple side dish. 

Asparagus season is upon us...stay tuned for more yummy recipes!

Growth

It is spring and the weather is warming up! Over the weekend I spent some time in the garden, weeding and cleaning up. The kids loves being outdoors and so do I. With everything going on in the world right now, I feel very fortunate to spend time outside with my family.

I have plans for a veggie patch this year (last years was a major fail), I am hoping to find out what deers don't like and growing that! Also I have hopes to plant a fruit tree or two in the yard, and start my own compost:)

Cooking is by the wayside right now, still waiting on our kitchen. Should be here in a week or two at the most. I am looking forward to trying some new recipes and doing some food posts:p

HAPPY SPRING!

Classic peanut butter & chocolate chip cookies

Sunday morning peanut butter & chocolate cookie craving. Need I say more? It is an experience to bake and cook with no counter top or sink, but I have been managing. Its sorta like camping, except you don't have to stash the food in the car.

This recipe is adapted from food.com.

Classic peanut butter & chocolate chip cookies
makes about 26 cookies

2/3 cup smooth peanut butter
1 cup sugar- I used organic cane- but brown would be nice too
2 tsp vanilla
2/3 cup soy milk
4 tbsp vegetable oil
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375
With an electric mixer blend the first 5 ingredients until creamy.
Pour in the flour, soda, and salt.
Mix until well combined.
Stir in the chocolate chips.
Roll into golf size balls, place on a baking tray.
Squish down with a floured fork.
Bake for 10-12 minutes.



Don't forget to enter the contest for the CSN gift card giveaway!!!

Cheat'n Chili

Cheat'n Chili



2 tbsp earth balance butter/or canola oil

1 onion-chopped
2 cloves garlic- chopped
2 celery stalk- chopped
3 carrots-peeled and chopped
1 green pepper- chopped
1 tbsp dried oregano
1 tbsp ground cumin
1 tbsp ground chili powder
1 can crushed tomatoes
1 pkg Yves Mexican ground round
1 cup water
2 cups frozen corn kernels
1 can black beans- drained and rinsed
1 can romano beans-drained and rinsed
1 tbsp sea salt
1 tbsp sugar
1 tsp apple cider vinegar


In a large pot on medium heat heat butter add onions, saute until soft.
Add garlic, celery, and carrots continue cooking for about 3-4 minutes.
Next stir in spices until absorbed.
Mix in canned tomato,ground round, water, corn and beans.

Season with salt,sugar and vinegar
Allow to simmer for 1 hour or more, stirring occasionally.

Don't forget to enter the CSN giftcard giveaway!!

No kitchen needed to make Cheat'n Chili

Terrific Tuesday Giveaway

Well in its another snowy day here on the East Coast of Canada, and we are without a door. Brrrrr. It's cold down stairs, I have the wood stove roaring. Why are we without a door you ask? Well because we decided to relocate the side door for more cabinet and counter space in the kitchen. Why would we do this in the middle of winter? Well because J's brother is here to help, and its the only time we could get him here. So...its chilly.
    

the supervisor

Its a terrific Tuesday because CSN has offered up another giveaway to one lucky person. With hopes for warmer weather sooner then later, I was peeking around at what they have for outdoor playsets , and came across this really cute play tent.

flower blossom teepee

In the summer I will be glad that the renovation is done so that I my time will be spent outside working on the garden.

For you chance to win a $45 dollar gift card from CSN, just leave a comment telling me what your favorite summer activity is. 
( I will announce the winner on Monday, only one entry per person please.)

Mango & Strawberry Muffins

I was at the store yesterday and mangoes were 25¢! I bought 9 of them with hopes to freeze a bunch and put them in smoothies. I also grabbed a box of strawberries, sometimes its nice to have a taste of summer in the cold winter.

When I got home I decided to make some muffins, and thought about mango muffins, but how much better would they be if I added fresh strawberries and in the middle a scoop of strawberry jam!

Mango & Strawberry Muffins

2 1/4 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp sea salt

3 mango-peeled and chopped
10 strawberries- chopped

1 cup milk
2 egg replacements
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup canola oil

strawberry jam


Preheat oven to 350
Mix dry with wet. Stir in fruit.
Scoop into greased muffin tin 1/2 way.
Place a spoonful of strawberry jam in the middle.
Top up with the rest of muffin batter
Bake for 45 minutes or until done.

Lentil & barley vegetable soup

This is a quick soup I made the other day, it is another one pot meal. (I love that kind) Super simple to make and usually everything is on hand to throw it together. If not... use something else that seems right :P

We are in full swing with the main floor renovations.The house is messy.The fridge is in the living room, and I am going to have no cabinets or counter top very, very soon. YIKES! I will be washing dishes in my bathtub,  seriously :P

I came down the stairs this morning at thought "OH GAWD WHAT HAVE WE DONE". I know its going to be a long couple of months living in chaos, but SO worth it in the end :)

Caught the sunrise this morning. It was so beautiful.

Lentil & barely vegetable soup

2 onions- small diced
4 cloves garlic- roughly chopped
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tbsp dried oregano
6 carrots- peeled and chopped
1 green pepper- small diced
10 mushrooms- sliced
1 medium potato- peeled and chopped
8 cups water/vegetable stock
3 cups cooked lentils
2 handfuls of barley
2 tbsp tomato paste

1 tsp red wine vinegar
sea salt
freshly ground pepper

In  a large pot heat oil and saute onion and garlic until soft
Add spices and continue sauteing until absorbed
Next add vegetables, saute for 2-3 minutes
Add water or stock, lentil and barley and paste
Bring to a boil, and allow to simmer for 45 minutes.
Season with vinegar, salt, and pepper.

Bánh mì vegan sandwich: pickled daikon

When I was in Toronto over the holidays we were 2 blocks away from the best Vietnamese sandwich place, I went there every day and picked a couple up. Who can argue with a delicious $1.75 sandwich?  Being back home is nice but I miss the perks of city living.

With all the left over seitan, that I made on my last post, I decided to try and recreate them. I learned how to make pickled daikon when I was working in the restaurants. I have a jar in my fridge!

What you  need:

buns or baguette
grated carrot
fresh cilantro
mushroom ( not necessary, but I love'm)
seitan- sliced
onion- sliced
vegan mayo
pickled daikon 

Vinaigrette 

4 tbsp tamari
4 tbsp canola oil
2 tbsp maple syrup
2 tsp dulse flakes
1/4 tsp sesame oil
pinch of chilies

Combine all ingredients into a mason jar and shake.

Saute the seitan with the onions and mushrooms. 
Assemble sandwich style



To make pickled daikon: peel and chop daikon into sticks. Make a solution of 1 to 1 vinegar/sugar. Blend until dissolved. Fit as much of the daikon into mason jar and pour the vinegar over. 
Keep in the fridge

Sweet and sour seitan with oranges and almonds

served with quinoa

Seitan is really easy to make, providing you have a bag of wheat gluten on hand. You can season it anyway you wish just make sure you cook it in a vegetable broth.

Basically you use 2 cups of gluten flour, add spices, 1 cup of cold water and a little oil, stir until its combined.(It reminds me of a heart or some kind of body part once its wet) Then I separate it into smaller pieces and tie it up in cheesecloth using twine. It looks like sausages. Submerge it in a pot of boiling stock and simmer for 1 1/2hours. Untie it and slice it as you need it.

It can be eaten like that but its much better fried up again. I used broccoli and fresh cilantro in mine.

Seitan

2 cups gluten flour
1 tbsp oregano
1 tbsp garlic powder
2 tsp chili powder
1 tbsp fennel seeds
1 tsp sea salt

1 cup cold water
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
2 tbsp tamari or soy sauce
1/4 cup olive oil

10 cups of vegetable stock

Combine everything in a bowl. Mix until well combined (you might have to get your fingers dirty).
Separate into smaller pieces, using cheesecloth and twine tie it up to look like sausages.
Submerge into boiling stock and let simmer with lid on for 1 1/2 hours.
Keep in an airtight container in the fridge.


Sweet and sour sauce

1/4 cup white vinegar
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup sugar
3 cloves garlic
1 tsp ground ginger
3 tbsp tamari or soy sauce
2 tbsp fresh orange juice
zest from 1 orange
2 tbsp cornstarch

combine everything and set aside.
Add sauce to wok once everything is cooked, allow to thicken.
Enjoy!


Find more of my delicious seitan recipes here and here!