I've said it before, but one thing that gives me great joy, is tricking people into thinking there is meat in something. I served this lovely mixture of lentils and barley simmered in homemade enchilada sauce at our Christmas party in 'dip' form. Two meat eating males thought there was definitely meat in this mixture. MU AH AH AH! THERE ISN'T! But aside from that, have you ever made your OWN enchilada sauce?? It is RIDICULOUSLY delicious. (This might be the prefect thing to make in time for that big Ping Pong Championship happening tonight) Also included in this post, is the perfect nacho chip....
Vegan Strawberry Pistachio Crumble Pie
Strawberry picking is one of our favorite summer activities! Usually we pick about three to four buckets of strawberries, but this time we we had to scale back a bit due to the size of the freezer in our new house. (I'm fairly certain our freezer was designed by someone with only ice cube and frozen pea storage in mind)
Until we can get a new fridge/freezer, I've taken to bribing people with berry desserts in exchange for freezer space. This pie is my newest bribery tool! The strawberry fruit swims in a sweet syrup right on top of a rich layer of cashew cream, all of which is complimented by a salty pistachio crumble on top.
Vegan Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Easter Eggs
Aside from the dark chocolate Easter bunnies, Resee's peanut butter cup eggs used to be one of the most highly coveted treasures in those Easter baskets. Then, one day, I became an adult and now most sweet things that you can buy in the candy aisle make me feel terrible, and I am not even the least bit tempted to indulge. One day I was making protein bars, and then these happened. What a happy accident!! I've experimented several times, and after making these into hearts, shamrocks, and medallians, I am so proud of how this recipe turned out!
100% more delicious than Reese's peanut butter cups and probably 100% healthier too! Peanut Butter Filling: 8 ingredients, including vanilla and salt. Dark Chocolate Covering: 3 - 4, ingredients including salt.
Red White & Blue #1: Ode to Grilled Pizza
ODE TO GRILLED PIZZA
Roses are red, violets are blue, all day long I think about you.
The way the mozzarella melts so evenly, it fills every crevice just so evenly.
Your ever so crispy crust, makes my heart want to bust.
First thing in the morning, and late into the night, I just can't wait until my next bite!!!
Strawberry Rhubarb Tart with Cracklin' Oat Bran Crust (<--- I KNOW!!!)
Our car broke down again, for the second time in the past couple weeks, so Chris takes our working car and I work from home. Unless I have to run an errand, then I literally run them. So there I was, running an errand. It was a drizzling and I was listening to one of my favorite podcasts, Selected Shorts. Wham. Bam. Alakazam. Cracklin' Oat Bran. I wanted some. And wouldn't that make such a yummy tasting tart crust perfectly matched with fresh hand picked strawberries and rhubarb??
Veggie Ramen (with Legit Eggs)
I took a few short cuts, especially with the broth. Added some roasted sweet potato, which is DELIGHTFUL, but not the most ramen-authentic thing in the world. You know what was authentic? The soft boiled egg with runny yolk. A perfect pillowy island with golden streams of yolk pouring out.
No Bake Mocha S'mores Pie
I made two pies to celebrate PI day!
One was a Peanut Butter Banana pie. The recipe comes from Collards & Carbonara - Southern Cooking, Italian Roots, written by the chefs of Hog & Hominy; Michael Hudman and Andy Ticer. IT WAS SO GOOD!! (And so bad, health wise.)
The second one I made, was a Coffee S'mores Pie. DELICIOUS CITY. It should probably be named Mocha S'mores Pie because the blend of coffee and chocolate is more mocha-ey than coffee-ey (pretty sure neither of those are actual words). DELICIOUS CITY. The recipe is very approachable, no baking required. Plus, I got to use my kitchen torch. Win win.
Colorful Kale Salad with Pomegranate Seeds and Roasted Nuts + Make your own dressing!
Even though Christmas and New Years have come and gone, the Hallmark channel has ceased the showings of their complex (just kidding....) Christmas movies, and the Christmas trees have piled up at local parks waiting for pick up, I tried to keep Christmastide surfing past New Years day. This past week in Nashville, we had the most delightful winter weather! At times, I felt like I was back in Minnesota, where, for me, the heart of Christmas truly lives.
We did miss the sun though, so I had to come up with something bright, green, and crunchy for us to eat! This is the kind of salad that you will want to use your hands for the last few bits so you don't leave anything behind. DON'T ACT LIKE YOU'VE NEVER DONE THAT BEFORE!!!
'Pack All the Snacks' Mode - Pumpkin Pie Granola
Eating healthy is definitely a priority to me so setting aside time to plan out or prepare food is necessary. My favorite meal of the day is breakfast, I actually require two of them. Since I’ve been working during this time I had to come up with something easy, satiating, delicious, AND mobile.
Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili - Fourth Item in The Grateful Plate Series
Sometimes after a long day, the best kind of dinner is the one where you just throw a bunch of stuff into a pot. You use up some of those vegetables that you forgot you had, pop open some beans, throw in some canned tomatoes, and not only do you have a delicious dinner, but you have some marvelous, healthy, delicious, leftovers for the week. (LEFTOVERS ARE THE BEST)