Things I'm Loving: January 2013 Edition

It has been a MINUTE since the last time I've done a favorites post. Mainly because it's been a minute since I've tried something new and splurged.

However, I finally broke open my vegan cookbooks and I have been cooking up a storm. Instead of posting them all at once I will post a new one every week starting next week. So stay tuned for that!

I had people from my job come over for lunch and the next day everyone was begging me for the recipes! So you know they're good! Maybe I'll start with a dessert...

But first, here's my humble list of yummy food items I've been loving this month:

These are the BEST potato chips I've tasted in my entire life (and I'm not exaggerating!). A little mom and pop style shop makes these fresh right in front of you. As in you walk into the store and you can see them cutting and frying up the potato chips. They are so flavorful. I can't eat normal, packaged chips ever again.

 

These cookies are easily the best store-bought vegan cookies ever. I mean way better than those vegan cats cookies we used to buy at Trader Jo's when we were in the States. These things are dangerous because there aren't many and the hubby and I can definitely gobble up the entire box in one sitting.

 The last item was a nice cold weather treat. You can only drink tea so much before you start craving something more decadent. I love my green teas, my roobois, white and black teas... but no winter is complete without hot chocolate. Even better is that this hot chocolate is organic and fair-trade so there is no way I feel guilty about drinking it!

I'm also loving my crockpot or slow cooker. I remember awhile back it was on my wish list and I finally got one! 

That's the end of my humble list but do stay tuned for some seriously delicious vegan recipes starting next week!

Wish List: Food Items

I know, this is supposed to be another yummy recipe for you all to try and enjoy. But honestly, for the past couple of weeks I haven't made anything remotely interesting. Just a lot of salad, pasta, couscous, crock pot stuff and smoothies. Things that I love but have already shared.

Even though I haven't made anything new it hasn't come from a lack of want, it comes from a lack of time. There are TONS of ingredients and recipes that I really want to try. 

My husband and I were gifted 3 vegan cookbooks this Christmas. So I feel like I have all the tools, yet things still don't get made.

It's been about 3 months since we started the vegan challenge and it's time to get a little more adventurous.

This week I have a list of things I've been thinking about trying. Hopefully, in the coming weeks (and months), I can scratch some of this stuff off the list!

So here goes:

• "Live" Brownies -- I just subscribed to an interesting youtuber who has been vegan for more than 12 years. In 2011 she took a live (or raw) food challenge and it completely intrigued me. While I will NOT be joining her in this endeavor, there are some recipes I'd like to try. Here's the video that inspired me to read up on it if you're interested.

• Kale -- I've heard it's similar to collard greens but have never used it. I'd also like to make kale chips.
• Raw cocoa powder -- This is one of the ingredients needed to make the "live"(or raw) brownies.
• Almond milk -- I want to try to make my own. I don't have a food processor though so this recipe will have to wait until I get one.
• Vegan cheese sauce -- This is another recipe for the food processor. I have a blender, which only really works for mixing liquids and smoothies and such.
• Dressings -- My vegan cookbook has TONS of different recipes for dressings. We always use the same one in our salads (olive oil and vinegar). So I want to branch out and experiment with some new flavors.
• Brown rice flour -- A tasty sounding vegan gravy is used with this flour. Apparently, it lumps a lot less than whole wheat flour making it a breeze to use. I'm sure it has other uses as well.
• Tofu mayonnaise -- I don't even care for mayo but my husband does so I'd try it for his sake.
• Polenta -- There are so many things you can make with this stuff, including pizza, which I miss!
• Desserts -- We need more of these! 

I know these ingredients are haphazardly thrown together but they were the things that caught my eyes as I skimmed my cookbook. I'm hoping this list will push me to get it together! So stay tuned for more recipes.

Vegan Pumpkin Pie

One of my delicious vegan recipes I made for Thanksgiving. So good and so easy. Even you non-vegan people will love it!

Vegan Pumpkin Pie

1 15oz can pumpkin

1 cup soy milk

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup cornstarch

1 Tbsp. molasses

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 tsp. ginger

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. cloves

Plus a vegan pie crust

Place all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth. Pour into unbaked pie crust and place in a 350 degree Fahrenheit oven for 1 hour. Take out and let it set overnight before serving.

How easy is that!!! I mean, dessert doesn't get any easier than that. I'm not much of a baker but these pies came out perfect. I went the frozen crust path and bought two vegan ones from Whole Foods.

They were absolutely delicious. There are a few options if you don't fancy a whole wheat one. Try this recipe!

Celebrating 3 years

Yes, Chema and I celebrated 3 years this Sunday, October 23rd! However, we went on a mini getaway to Grover, NC (right on the border with South Carolina) from Thursday to Friday of last week.

It was GREAT! It was so nice to get away. We ended up taking more than 300 pictures!

We stayed at a bed and breakfast. Our first experience with one but it was a nice transition because we had a suite with our own bathroom.

As the name suggests it is a historic place. It has tons of history from the Revolutionary War era and each room is decorated with a theme from that time. 

Our room was The Colonel Cleveland Room. Colonel Cleveland was a real person. The county where the bed and breakfasted is located is named after him. 

Another interesting detail is that the owner of the bed and breakfast was a former White House Chef. 

But talking about the place just doesn't do it justice! So I hope you enjoy the pics!

This was our bathroom. Full of yummy smelling lotions, soaps and perfumes for us to use! Behind the mirror were brand-new boxers, just in case you forgot to bring some.

 Our king-sized bed!

 The detail in the decoration around the fireplace was amazing. It was like this all around the bed and breakfast.

 Here you can see some old-fashinoned hat boxes, our lovely smelling towels, and dozens of other odds and ends.

 

 This treat was waiting for us on arrival. Homemade baklava, stawberries and chocolate.

 Here's a close-up. It was a shame there wasn't more of it!

I'm not a fan of dolls. But here they are.

 These are authentic irons by our fireplace.

These bookends are adorable.

The chef in the picture is the owner of the bed and breakfast. Yes, that's Bill and Hilary Clinton!

 Oh, and the Queen of England in the center.

Tons of maps from that time. The great thing about this place was that you could touch EVERYTHING! There were no limits. It was like being in a museum but you could play with the displays!

 Some close-up shots with former presidents.

Here I am pretending to freshen up at the vanity mirror in our room.

 It even had an old-fashioned perfume bottle.

The following pics are some shots from outside. Again, the details are astounding and by no means are these pictures exhaustive. Remember, we took more than 300 pictures!

 I wanted to sit down but it was too chilly. I bet it's nice in the spring though before it gets too hot.

 There was even an authentic campsite in the backyard!

 Some animal skins.

Where we had our breakfast.

This is an old battlefield in South Carolina. We were told that it was one of the first battles of the Revolutionary War. The path is about 1.5 miles and takes an hour.

Apparently, the same guy who designed the Washington Monument designed this one too. No, I don't remember his name.

 Chema was fascinated by this tree because it has four trunks.

There I am! I'm trying to put my face a bit more in the blog. So here's another random picture!

There were a lot of these gravestones about.

 As well as these placards describing important places along the path.

It was an interesting experience. I recommend this bed and breakfast to anyone who loves history and who loves to eat. I bought this deal on LivingSocial and the room, a wine-tasting tour, and a free appetizer and dessert at one of the area restaurants was included. As well as a tour of the culinary museum where you learn about all of the knick knacks in the place.

I almost forgot to show you what we ate!

Our free appetizer: cheesy spinach dip with flatbread.

Our 2 main dishes: Fried catfish sandwich and smothered chicken with gravy and mashed potatoes.

It was sooooo good!

 

My one regret is not staying longer. We didn't even have time to do everything included in the deal. We didn't get to go on the wine-tasting tour or take advantage of our free dessert. Plus, there are dozens of beautiful places to visit nearby.

At least we know where to go the next time we want a quick getaway!

Greek Frozen Yogurt

Greek Frozen Yogurt

3 cups greek yogurt (non fat or low fat)

5 Tbsp. honey

Walnuts (optional)

Put yogurt in a metal bowl and add the honey. Mix it so that the honey makes swirls in the yogurt. Freeze it until firm. Then serve and top with walnuts.

 This freezes pretty solid so if you do freeze it all the way you will need it to sit out for awhile so it's soft enough to serve. Try 2 hours and then check it until it reaches the consistency you want. You can do anything with this. You can add fruit purees, herbs and spices. A quick, easy, healthy, dessert! Enjoy!