A Very Merry Vegan Christmas!

So I wanted to make a delicious Christmas breakfast since I love holiday breakfasts, but this was my 1st vegan Christmas so I had to rethink the eggs and cheese, etc. So here's what I ended up with:

I made some super yummy blueberry buckwheat pancakes with vegan sausage and sliced apples and oranges.
I just make the pancakes with ground flaxseed as the egg substitute and added some blueberries and we were in business. *(To substitute 1 egg, take 1 heaping Tablespoon of ground flaxseed and mix it with 3 Tablespoons water over a low heat lightly whisking it until the consistency looks about like that of an egg.)
I also used tubed SmartSausage... and cut it into round patties and cooked in a frying pan with a little olive oil for 5 minutes per side. It was yummy... and I'm not one for meat substitutes.

These are the cookbooks I got for Christmas... Can't wait to start making some of this stuff! And hopefully host some parties!
The rest of the day turned out pretty well too... Dinner with the parents and grandparents. Although they did have meat, I helped make squash, beets and carrots roasted in fresh rosemary, olive oil and brown sugar. We also had red potatoes with mushrooms and onions. And stewed cinnamon apples for dessert!
OH, and it SNOWED... IN GEORGIA... on CHRISTMAS!!!!

One last picture.... of the snowy manger scene in my parents front yard. 

Here's what's for dinner!

So, as you read two posts ago, the date day dinner was a hit! So when the boyfriend said he wanted pasta again (which I promise you is not all I cook), I went for a modified version of that dish.
I went to the store and decided that eggplant and broccoli looked good. I already had some mushrooms, and a little bit of squash, zucchini, and red bell pepper. I chopped up all the veggies, along with some white onion, and cubed tofu, and threw it in a baking dish... added some vegetable stock, a little EVOO, chopped fresh rosemary, salt and pepper, then threw it in the oven at 375 degrees for about an hour (covered for 45 mins, then uncovered for 15). After 45 min I added a generous amount of balsamic vinegar (which apparently is great to eat along side of pasta because it helps with the digestion and absorption of the carbs), then went on to make the pasta (whole grain spaghetti).

I'm hoping to branch out a little and maybe make a fun dessert or muffins (which the boyfriend has been asking for). So shortly there should be a dessert post!

Simple Dinner

So I'm a little behind, but I'll attempt to catch up... One night last week I was by myself and I hate cooking for one so I went for something super simple. What ended up on the plate looked like this...

I bought everything earlier that day at Trader Joe's. An easy package of Basmati Rice Medley and Vegetable Masala Burgers. I made the rice according to package directions (even though I made about 1/3 of the bag and only put a little Earth Balance butter in), then sauteed mushrooms and onions to put on top of the burger. I toasted some Ezekiel Bread and added some Veganaise, baby spinach and salt and pepper... it wasn't my favorite meal ever, but definitely easy and filling!

A Night (or at least dinner) In

On Friday the boyfriend and I had Date Day... So fun...
We started off with a trip to take Bella (my precious pup) to the park.

Then took in an afternoon movie (Love and Other Drugs; it was only ok).
Followed by dinner, of course made by me... and oh so yummy.

I made Creamy Spaghetti with Roasted Eggplant, Portabello Mushrooms and Tomatoes. I got it off of one of my favorite blogs, Little House of Veggies. Such a great resource for me and her food is always DELICIOUS! I did make a small substitution of using a bed of fresh spinach under the pasta because I didn't have any parsley and I wanted some kind of "green." And of course I added a piece of toast because I'm Italian and you always need something to sop up the sauce!

Well the boyfriend LOVED it... He said it was his favorite meal yet; but then again, he says that every time I cook something new. But this one will definitely be making it's way into the rotation.

After dinner we went and met some friends for a drink at The Sound Table and really just had a lovely time. Gotta say, Date Day is the BEST!

A Night Out

So I admit, sometimes it's hard for me to go out to eat. Which can really put a damper on my social life, because let's face it, socializing revolves around food (or alcohol). And I've never really been able to justify spending money on a tiny little salad with practically no nutritional value, that I could have made at home for $2.
But with that being said, it's nice to have back-ups and places I can go and feel like I'm eating a decently healthy meal.

I can always eat at a Moe's, or Willy's, or Chipotle', etc. Burritos have a good culmination of nutritional ingredients; tofu, rice, black beans, guac, etc. and they're pretty easily accessible and quick.

However, if you're an Atlanta local, Shiek Burrito, located at 1877 Piedmont Rd. is a pretty great spot.

 I've been there 3 times now and went on Wednesday night with one of my girl friends for a night of catch up. It's a Persian/Southwestern fusion according to the owner (a guy I actually used to work with, plus I love the idea of supporting local, independent businesses) and is full of unique flavors.
All of his stuff is organic, local, free range, etc. And since he doesn't use any butter or animal fats/oils in the kitchen I don't have to worry about what I get. I get the Happy Vegan, either in a wheat tortilla or a persian wrap, then add all kinds of goodies. Naturally I start with the tofu, which has like a curryish flavor to it, then you build it with different sauces and such. There's a lentil and eggplant sauce that is super hearty and yummy and just feels good to eat when it's cold. Or a greens and kidney bean sauce that makes me feel like I'm getting my nutrients... then it's served with chips and a persian salsa that is really good too. I can never eat the whole thing which makes me happy to have lunch for the next day taken care of. So in short, vegans take heart in eating out in the way of burritos... and if you're looking for something out of the ordinary try the Persian style place! It's good stuff!

What's for dinner?

Monday night I heard the usual question from the boyfriend, "What's for dinner?" To which I respond the usual way, "Well, what do you want?"

"How about that quinoa thing you make with the stuff in it?" 

"Ha. Ok, sure thing!"

The Mediterranean Quinoa dish, as I've appropriately titled it, is one of my favorites and so easy to make that we end up eating it almost once a week. It's super yummy, almost comfort food. And is practically a complete meal, although this time I served it with steamed carrots, yellow squash and broccoli on the side.
Here's how you make it:
I'm not good with measurements when I cook, I kind of just eye things and taste as I go, but this is a decent shot...
1 cup quinoa (cook according to directions, basically like rice; boil it with about twice as much water til it's fluffy)
1 handful of sun-dried tomatoes (mix into qunioa about 1/2 way through cooking)
1/2 can chick peas
1/2 can sliced black olives
1/2 diced cucumber
Mediterranean spices (I use McCormick's Perfect Pinch Mediterranean Herb; which is a blend of chili pepper, oregano, rosemary, thyme, paprika, garlic powder)
Sea salt and ground pepper to taste

Mix all other ingredients into the qunioa immediately after it's removed from heat.
I then mix in about a Tablespoon of Tofutti Cream Cheese... I know it sounds weird but it makes it creamy and delicious.
Sliced tomatoes to garnish.

Volia'!

And then of course I had to make his favorite dessert... I think it's actually become the favorite dessert of everyone I've ever made it for!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

These guys are A-MAZ-ING! The boyfriend would eat a whole batch if I'd let him!

The recipe for these can be found in Alicia Silverstone's book, "The Kind Diet," or on her website, here. 

They are super simple to make and actually not that bad for you at all. Alicia says to put them in the fridge to set, but I like keeping them in the freezer! YUM!

Enjoy... hope this inspired you all to make a yummy dinner tonight! Guaranteed to satisfy even the non-veggie!