Tuesday, February 22, 2011

CHOCOLATE CHILI



After seeing my husband's Auntie Karolyn post VEGETARIAN CHILI on her brand spanking new blog foodjimoto.com last week, I just had to make a pot.

I used this recipe Chocolate Chili from VegNews Magazine.
I just loved the addition of chocolate in chili.
It gives it such a unique flavor.
Deep, smoky, and spicy.
Give this recipe a try.
But one word of advice, DO NOT USE THE 3 TABLESPOONS OF CHILI POWDER AND 2 CHIPOTLE CHILES as the recipe calls for.
I only used 1 tablespoon of chili powder and no chipotles, and it turned out spicy.
And I love spicy foods!

I served the chili with homemade cornbread and tortilla chips.
I wasn't too crazy about the bread.
It tasted like it came straight out of a box.
Dry and boring.

For the toppings, I love to add texture and spice.
Red onions, diced jalapenos with seeds, avocado and cilantro.

It's been rainy and cold in Southern California, perfect weather for CHOCOLATE CHILI!!!

Thursday, February 17, 2011

CAESER SALAD AND SIMPLE MISO SOUP

Our New Favorite Meal:
Caeser Salad and Simple Miso Soup.

Miso Soup is super fast to prepare and so delicious.

Here's what you need:
Recipe will make 4 servings

1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 thinly sliced
2 carrots, cut in half lengthwise then thinly sliced into half moon shapes
2 cups vegetable broth
2 cups filtered water
2 tablespoons miso
dash of salt.
2 thinly sliced green onions cut at an angle
2 cups spinach

Heat oil in a medium size soup pot.
Add onions and carrots until slightly soft.
Add stock and water and boil until vegetables onions are clear.
You want the carrots to have a bite to them when soup is served, so don't boil them to death.
In a small bowl whisk miso and 1/2 cup of soup broth then add to soup.
Turn heat down and simmer for 1 minute.
Do not boil soup after adding the miso or else the miso will separate.
Turn heat off.
Add a small amount of spinach to each bowl
Ladle soup over spinach and top with green onions.

These Caeser Salad is THE best ever!
Salad dressing recipe's from my new favorite book, Crazy Sexy Diet by Kris Carr.
The book is filled with information that will save your life and the lives if people you care.
Run out and buy it ASAP!!!

The salad dressing makes this salad special:
vegenaise
dijon mustard
lemon juice
garlic
olive oil
nutritional yeast
salt and pepper

Mixed all ingredients in the vitamix until smooth and pour over romaine lettuce, thinly sliced red onion, sunflower seeds, and thinly sliced avocado.
Topped with freshly cracked pepper.
YUMMY!!!


There's 2 ways to make them crunchy:

1. Toast tortillas in a toaster oven until browned and crispy.
Make sure to watch them carefully so they won't burn.

2. Preheat oven to 350.
Cut whatever amount of tortillas you want into triangle shapes.
Place aluminum foil on a cookie sheet and spread a thin layer of tortillas and drizzle olive oil.
Baked for 10 minutes,turn and bake another 5 minutes or until slightly brown and crispy.

For this meal, I went the faster route and toasted the tortillas whole.
They turned out super crispy.
Perfect with the caesar salad.


Wednesday, February 16, 2011

MINI CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES WITH BUTTERCREAM FROSTING AND VALENTINE'S DAY SPRINKLES


For Valentine's Day I Made:
MINI CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES WITH BUTTERCREAM FROSTING AND VALENTINE'S DAY SPRINKLES.
Both cake and frosting recipes from Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World.

I made 50 and delivered them to my husband's work.
They were gone in less than an hour!!!
Guess they were a hit!!!

I really made 64, but I couldn't stop eating them.

Isa and Terry have perfected chocolate cupcakes and buttercream frosting.
The cupcakes have THE most intense chocolate flavor and they're so moist and
the frosting is rich without being too heavy.

Friday, February 4, 2011

MUSHROOM TERIYAKI PINEAPPLE BURGER



Last night I Made:
MUSHROOM TERIYAKI PINEAPPLE BURGER for Dinner.
Pinto bean patties,homemade teriyaki sauce,thinly sliced mushrooms, tomatoes,green leaf lettuce, caramelized onions,vegan american style cheese on a whole wheat bun.

You can find the recipes for the teriyaki sauce here and the patty recipe here.

Both my husband and I agreed that the burger was good but not great.
The teriyaki sauce curdled once it came to room temperature...not very appetizing.

I think I'll stick to my vegan BIG MAC instead.