Trying Veganism
exploring the world of vegan cookingArchiv für baking
Equilinia-Veggie Stuffed Bell Peppers
A winner!!!
My mom said „Oh, yummyyyy!“ between each and every bite and my fathers only complaint was that it wasn’t salty enough. They both really appreciate the fact that I cook for them. In particular that I cook very healthy!
My mom said after dinner „That’s what I love about meals like these… you don’t feel so full and bloated afterwards!“
My father already thought of additions „Falafel would taste great with this!“
My boyfriend came over with a steak (the sight of that bloody red piece of flesh seriously made me sick) and fries his mom got him that he wanted to make for dinner.
He asked if he could have a stuffed pepper first and inhaled it within a matter of minutes!
Another dinner he really enjoyed, because after he ate his steak and fries – he kept complaining that the steak didn’t taste good because it wasn’t medium anymore – he asked if he could have another plate of my delicious vegan veggie food! Well that’s not how he put it, ha ha! But he wanted more of it.
So he got it, topped with fresh basil! Mhhhhhh!!!!
The stuffing itself would have made a delicious dinner. I bought this Uncle Bens mix a while ago (a mixture of brown & wild rice, spelt, oats, barley, rye & wheat) and mixed it with the following:
Ingredients
1 can mushrooms, finely chopped added to 2 medium sauteed onions, seasoned with salt & pepper
1 cup asparagus, chopped
1 green and 1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 cup cherry tomatoes
1/3 cup paprika-hot pepper spread (based on sunflower seeds)
1/3 cup tomato puree
1/3 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
I prepared the mushrooms seperately, sauteed the bell pepper with the asparagus and just cut the fresh tomatoes in small pieces and folded them into the rice mixture along with the basil.
I preheated the oven to 428°F
Then I cut the bell peppers in half. I didn’t fill whole ones because that would’ve made only three. That way we had six =)
I filled the halfs with stuffing, lined them up in the baking dish I had filled with about 1/3 cup tomato puree (I’d usually use half a can of tomatoes but I only had a pack of tomato puree on hand), put more filling into the middle of the dish (I still have leftovers – my mom had the fantastic idea last night to make cabbage rolls with the stuffing, I LOVE IT!) and poured the rest of the tomato puree (I used one pack, 1/3 cup for the stuffing) over it.
Covered it up and baked it for about 25 minutes.
Mhhh, can’t wait to have that in cabbage rolls =)
Peanut Butter Invasion
First off here’s a pic I meant to post in the beginning of March, but totally forgot in the mess that is my images folder 
Anyway, I pretty much had the same breakfast today: a pear, Blueberry Raspberry Pancakes with applesauce, blueberry sauce and maple syrup.
And now onto the birthday baking. I apologize because we were in a hurry and when we arrived at his place I honestly just didn’t think of taking more food pictures although there was A LOT of food. His mom made many turkish dishes. I had the vegetarian ones: couscous and hummus. And even though her hummus was perfectly prepared I still don’t get why so many seem to go nuts over it.
But now I present you the best chocolate cookies! I am not kidding. If you’re into the combination of banana, peanut butter and chocolate you will love these! If you’re not into the banana taste simply use another egg-replacer.
They were actually supposed to have a PB core inside, but we were out of peanut butter and made only the chocolate cookies. I’ll post the full recipe though, they are totally worth it!
Vegan Peanut Butter Chocolate Munchies
Ingredients (makes 32 cookies)
Chocolate Cookies
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 cup vegan margarine, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup peanut butter (I used crunchy)
1/2 banana, mashed (or egg-replacer for 1 egg of choice)
1 Tbsp. soy milk
1 tsp. vanilla
1. stir together flour, cocoa, and baking soda, set aside
2. in a separate bowl, mix margarine, sugar, brown sugar, and peanut butter
3. add mashed banana, soy milk, and vanilla, beating well
4. beat in as much flour mixture as possible using a mixer, stir in the remaining flour mixture
5. form into 32 balls, about 1 & 1/4 inches in diameter, set aside
Peanut Butter Filling
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup peanut butter
2 Tbsp.s granulated sugar
1. beat together powdered sugar and peanut butter until smooth (knead by hand if necessary) and shape into 32 balls
2. preheat oven to 350°
3. slightly flatten a chocolate dough ball and top with a peanut butter filling ball, shape the chocolate dough completely around the peanut butter dough, roll into a ball and repeat with remaining dough
4. place cookies 2 inches apart on an ungreased baking pan
5. bake for about 8 minutes or just until set
The cookie surfaces should be slightly cracked. Cool on pan for about a minute. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Can be frozen for up to 3 months!
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cake.
You were right Jennifer, this crunchy but soft cake was fantastic!
Peanut Butter Chocolate Rice Crispy Bars from Have Cake, Will Travel!
The Peanut Butter Cinnamon Rolls which my friend liked the most.
They looked pretty much like those, but we didn’t have time left for icing but had already mixed powdered sugar, cinnamon and vanilla sugar together and just put that on top which lead to the picture – lots of sugar, but where are the rolls?
And not very photogenic, but damn tasty! Crunchy, sweet and perfect with the raspberry jam in the middle: Peanut Butter Cupcakes from VwaV. We just added jam and 71% chocolate pieces.
All in all this was a huge success, everything was very well recieved and I was called the MacGyver of baking because everyone was like „I’ll call you when I want to bake and am missing an egg so you can tell me what to use instead!“ Ha ha =p
I wanted to make a pie with silken tofu, too. But the stores were closed on Friday and when I wanted to buy it on Saturday I looked at the recipe again to read that it was supposed to cool in the fridge overnight. So no pie, but there was wayyy to much food anyway.
Talking about way too much food, I just came back from my best friend who’s polish and her mom made Pierogies & Borscht, roasted rosemary potatoes, red beet salad and lamb’s lettucce with oranges… SUCH a filling and wonderful dinner!
Veggie-Lentil Curry, Carrot Cupcakes & Falafel
Tonight I had a craving for lentils and cauliflower again, but didn’t want the same meal I’ve had in my post before so I made a few additions.
I prepared the cauliflower the same way like I did here. The red lentils were prepared like before, too with an addition of 1/2 tsp. curry powder and a dash of chili powder.
To make the dish more colorful I roasted a red & yellow bell pepper and some zucchini that I sprinkled with salt, pepper, onion and garlic powder in the oven for 20 minutes on 375°F.
Yesterday I went to the Bio supermarket to get new agave and bought Falafel. Homemade ones would’ve tasted better for sure, but they weren’t bad and the idea of having Falafel ready within 8 minutes was quite appealing so I bought them along with new whole wheat pitas.
I bought a sunflower seed based pepper & pepperoni spread that I used, along with 1/4 cup shredded red cabbage, tomatoes and cucumber.
And I made Happy Herbivore’s Fat Free Carrot Cupcakes with Maple Frosting. I used a little bit too much applesauce, because after 20 minutes in the oven they were still a little gooey inside. But did I mind? Hell no, there was no egg in there so I could have just as well eaten the raw batter =p To be honest I snacked quite a lot while mixing together the applesauce, shredded carrot and vanilla. Tasted delicious! I think I’ll make that as a snack again soon!
But back to the cupcakes – my best (girl)friend tried one and loved it, the icing in particular. She’s an omni so I got the „There’s really no egg in there? Amazing…!“ between each bite, ha ha!
So, tomorrow the big baking for the night’s party will take place. I’m so excited!
I have to hurry now though, the boyfriend’s waiting!
Hear you on Sunday I guess. Happy Easter and have a nice weekend everyone!
Cinnamon Rolls, Berry Crisp, Pizza and Spinach Chickpea Curry
So here we go: food from the last days!
CINNAMON ROLLS! Mhh, they were so good! My boyfriend loved them and it’s extremly hard to get him to say something like „Wow, they are delicious!“
Success!!! I used Bjorkedoffs recipe!
Spelt pizza crust with Barilla Basil Sauce, spinach, broccoli, yellow bell pepper, tomatoes, shredded zucchini and vegan mozzarella.
Chickpea Spinach Curry from VwaV. It was a little bland and sure did not look very pretty, but after adding more spices it was really good! Too many chickpeas for my taste, but other than that this was quite a success.
Happy Herbivores Blueberry Crisp. Such a quick and berrylicious dessert!!!
With ice cream – my dad’s plate.
And the raspberry version, because I was out of blueberries.
And then I got fresh blueberries, yumm!
Baked Bean and Veggie Casserole & a Survey
Mhhh, I had another all veggie meal for dinner. Except for the MozzarelART on top, but this was the first time I tried vegan cheese. Although it didn’t melt(luckily Romina had already told me this) it was good, the perfect finish for the dish!
The casserole consisted of a layer of baked beans in salsa (tomato, tomato paste, onion, garlic, herbs) topped with a layer of gently roasted garlicky vegetables (red & yellow bell pepper, zucchini and scallions) and sprinkled with grated vegan Mozzarella. And not to forget delicious green asparagus with salt & pepper on top.
Delish!
Baked Bean and Veggie Casserole
serves 1
Ingredients
for the baked beans in salsa:
1 (1/2) cups baked beans (I used beans from a jar)
1 onion
2 Tbsp. water (or 1 Tbsp. olive oil)
1 clove of garlic, minced
2 Tbsp tomato paste
1-2 tomatoes, chopped
salt, pepper, to taste
thyme, rosemary, oregano, to taste
fresh basil leaves, chopped (optional)
1. in a saucepan sautée the onion and add water as needed to prevent it from burning, add the garlic
2. add the baked beans, tomato paste and the fresh tomato and stir well
3. on low heat cover up for 2-3 minutes
4. add salt, pepper and herbs to taste
for the gently roasted vegetables:
2 Tbsp. water (or 1-2 Tbsp. olive oil)
1 onion
1 clove of garlic, minced
1/2 yellow bell pepper
1/2 red bell pepper
1/2 zucchini
1 scallion
salt, pepper, to taste
thyme, rosemary, oregano, to taste
1. in a pan sautée the onion, add water as needed to prevent it from burning, add the garlic
2. add the chopped bell peppers and scallion, on medium heat keep stirring for about 4-5 minutes
3. add the zucchini (sliced or in chunks) and stir occasionally for another 5 minutes or until veggies have reached the desired consistence
4. add salt, pepper and herbs to taste
combine everything:
- preheat the oven to 390°F (200°C)
- use a casserole dish small enough that the ground will be covered with baked bean mixture
- before putting the baked beans into the casserole dish, add a handful of fresh chopped basil if you like
- once the baked beans are spread out in the dish, add the vegetables on top
- sprinkle with vegan Mozzarella
- put some green asparagus on top, sprinkle with pepper and some salt
- bake for about 10 minutes and enjoy!
And since Cookie Mouse tagged me you’ll get to know a little bit more about me now.
1. What were you doing 10 years ago? In 1998?
Let’s see, I was in 5th grade. So I guess I was just being a regular kid dealing with regular kid stuff back then. I believe I invested most of my money in stupid teen magazines back then. And I probably started wearing make-up. Horrible make-up choices like: blue eye shadow and dark red lipstick, oh my ha ha!
What were you doing 1 year ago?
My then girlfriend and I moved from Neukölln to Tempelhof and I was basically just busy with my career training as a mediadesigner that had started 7 months earlier.
2. Five favorite snacks?
- Nuts (Cashews are probably my #1, followed by almonds)
- Nut butter (Cashew or peanut – I dip my nuts in it)
- Fruit (apples and pears or berries if I happen to have some)
- Bruschetta
- Soy yogurt or a Smoothie
3. Five favorite toys?
- my MacBook which is called Le Big Mac (after listening to the wonderful Pulp Fiction conversation in the car)
- my Nikon camera, doesn’t have a name (yet)
- my Electra bike (clearly „her“ name is Carmen) =p
- my crosstrainer
- my Wacom tablet
4. What I like doing:
I really like photography a lot! I mostly photograph objects or landscapes, but I’d love to do more shoots with people. So if anyone happens to be in Berlin one day, make sure to ring my door bell
Of course: cooking and baking!
I also love doing sketches and scribbles and whatnot, but sadly haven’t done that a lot lately.
So apart from that it’s basically hanging out with people I love and whose company I enjoy and feel is worth my time, listening to music while having mind movies, reading … and I have to admit that exercising grew to me lately. I’m thinking about starting Pilates again.
5. My bad habits?
Cookie Mouse, I’m sorry to steal some of your answers, but we seem to have the same bad habits.
- laziness & hardcore procastination
- absent-minded
- takes ages to make up my mind
- too much coffee
- cigarettes
Now let’s see, who isn’t tagged yet?
I don’t have the time to check now, so everyone who hasn’t been tagged yet grab this survey and let the rest of us learn a little something about you =)
Banana Split Pudding Brownies & Caramel filled Golden Vanilla Cupcakes
Okay, there is no denying: this is the best brownie ever!
I gave my omni friend the last small piece and she rationed it and was like „I’m sorry I’m not giving you a bite of this, but oh my this is so good!“ Ha ha, I was like „Never mind, enjoy it! I ate almost the whole batch myself last night.“
When I ate a piece while it was still warm, I swear it felt like velvet melting in your mouth! After refrigerating for a day the consistence was fudgy. Different, but just as good! And they were so rich in chocolate, because I used Lindt’s 85% cocoa chocolate!
Believe me, I wanted to slap myself for cutting the recipe in half. I will definitely make these again, soon.
My friend wants to bake them with me!
And here are the cupcakes I gave her for her birthday.
I filled them with the Caramel glaze from the Dulche Sin Leche Cupcakes. She loved the chocolate ganache! And I was surprised that you can create such a fudgy topping by only using soy milk, chocolate and a Tbsp. of maple syrup. Go vegan recipes!
These were good, but the brownies were better!!!
Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies
I promised my friend from Eindhoven, Holland a long time ago to send her cookies. And now I finally managed to bake some.
I wanted to add dried cherries, but in the beginning I couldn’t find them anywhere and this one supermarket that actually had them sold a tiny bag for 4 €, eek!!! What’s up with that? Are dried cherries always that expensive?
Anyway, I wanted to substitute dried cranberries for the cherries, but only remembered that when the cookies had been almost done.
I used Katies recipe, but used only 1 cup flour and added 1/4 cup cocoa powder. They are a tad bit too sweet for me(but they’re not for me so maybe they are just right), but that’s my fault. I had only about a tbsp. dark cocoa powder left and then used the organic powder for cocoa drinks which is already sweetend a little bit… I just didn’t remember that and used the amount of sugar the recipe recommended. They are not too chocolatey(thanks to the not-enough-cocoa-in-the-house-incident), but taste very good! I can’t describe it, but the brown sugar added a very nice flavor!
I imagine they must taste great dipped in some Latte!
So Jody, I know these aren’t exactly the cookies I wanted to send to you. Do you want me to bake you another batch?
Peach Pear Cobbler, Scrambled Tofu & Cooking/Baking Plans
Ohh, this way so good. All the cinnamon! And the perfect combination of pears and peaches with it. Yum yum! I didn’t have any all-spice the recipe asked for so I added some nutmeg instead.
After the Peach Pear Cobbler I made after work I had satisfied my sweet tooth, but again I needed something hearty.
I can now oficially say that I am no longer a Tofu Scramble virgin!!!
I used VWAVs Veggie Tofu Scramble recipe as a basic, but since I don’t like mushrooms I replaced them with some cauliflower and added red, yellow and green bell pepper.
I am rather surprised by the Tofu Scramble. The Tofus consistence is exactly like chicken… that kind of freaks me out, because the main reason why I was vegetarian for almost all my life is that I don’t like the taste and the consistence of meat. It was good nevertheless. Next time I’ll use more spices, definitely more vegetables and cruble the Tofu into smaller pieces or simply use less.
I decided to make a little list. I really hope that I’ll manage to get everything done on time the way I have planned here.
Ohh, I just discovered that we have a microwave at work. It’s like right there on the kitchen counter, don’t ask me how I could overlook that. Yay, that means no more buying expensive and not necessarily very tasty/nutritious lunch! I can cook my own vegan dinner and just take it to work the next day =D
Cooking/Baking Plans
(hearty | sweet)
Saturday
- * Mini Tofu Quiches (uses up silken Tofu)
* Blueberry Scones
Sunday
- * Pierogis + Borscht
* Double Chocolate Chip Cookies (as a gift for a friend)
Monday
- * Mashed Cauliflower + Garlicky Broccoli + Green Asparagus
* Banana Chocolate Pudding Brownies
Tuesday
- * Sundried Tomato Hummus
* Green Soy Tagliatelle + Roasted Brussel Sprouts + Mustard Sauce
Wednesday
- * sth. with Kale (Any suggestions? I’ve never made anything with kale before so I could need some advice)
Thursday
- * Mocha Chip Muffins
* Soy Sprouts + Scrambled Tofu (or chickpeas)
Like I said, this is just a plan, we’ll see whether I’m gonna stick with it or end up cooking/baking something completely different
Now I’ll make some Vanilla Raspberry Cupcakes with before my boyfriend arrives.
Raspberry Apple Pear Pancakes & Spaghetti with Pesto Rosso marinated vegetables and crumbled Tofu
Yesterday, as I was looking though my kitchen repertoire, the pears and apples laughed at me and so here we go again with some more delicious filling Pancakes.
Ingredients
1 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
2 tsp. baking soda
2 Tbsp. apple saue
1 cup soy milk
2 Tbsp. Agave syrup
1 apple, diced
1 pear, diced
1/2 cup raspberries
But even after this fruity snack, I didn’t feel satisfied and craved something hearty so I threw together a bunch of stuff. And I know I said I didn’t like Tofu too much, but I bought some a few days ago and I was very pleased this time.
Spaghetti with Pesto Rosso marinated vegetables and crumbled Tofu
Ingredients
Spaghetti (for 1-2 servings)
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1/2 cup brussel sprouts
1/2 zucchini, sliced
1 cup cauliflower
1 cup broccoli
1/2 cup bell pepper
1 cup spinach
1/2-1 cup Tofu, crumbled
2 Tbsp. Pesto Rosso
thyme, basil, rosemary, chili, oregano, salt, pepper, to taste
1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
1-2 Tbsp. soy sauce
pine, pumpkin and sunflower seeds (optional)
1. cook the pasta
2. cut brussel sprouts in half, cut the bell pepper, broccoli, cauliflower and zucchini
2. in a sauce pan heat up olive oil, add onions, stirr on medium heat until golden
3. add garlic
4. add vegetables, season with desired spices to taste, cover up and cook on low for about 15 min.
5. when pasta is done, add the spinach (I used frozen spinach)
6. in a bowl, crumble Tofu and add 2 Tbsp. Pesto Rosso, mix well
7. add 1/2 of the Tofu mixture to the vegetables cooking, mixing well
8. add the rest of the marinated Tofu to the Spaghetti, mix well
9. when vegetables are done, add balsamic vinegar and soy sauce
10. add vegetables to the Spaghetti, stir well and serve with sunflower, pine and pumpkin seeds
I’m eating the left-overs as I am writing this. It’s good, but it’s definitely missing some red ingredients(red bell pepper, tomato…). But that’s only because I didn’t have anything else left here.
Anyway, the most exciting thing: How It All Vegan and Vegan Cupcakes Take Over The World arrived yesterday!!!
I’ll definitely make something today, but there are sooo many many great recipes in there. Picking one is going to be tough!
Blueberry Raspberry Pancakes & Golden Vanilla Pear Raspberry Almond Cupcakes
What a title! Makes me wish to turn back time and eat it all over again =p
Ha ha, what is it? International-Pancake-Craving-week? I just saw Katie’s post. YAY for Pancakes!!!
Last night I wanted to make the Black Bean-Chili Jennifer posted on her blog until I realized I didn’t have any beans. I’ll buy some today and make it either tonight or tomorrow.
I also plan on trying a sun-dried tomato hummus recipe I found yesterday.
Since it’s the end of the month and I’m pretty much broke I can’t buy as much as I’d like. I love having a wide variety of vegetables in my fridge so whatever I decide I feel like having, I’ll be able to make it.
But oh well I will get money in a few days so this weekend the Chili, Hummus and some self-baked bread(if I can get myself to finally try it) ought to do it.
So after my no-Chili-making-possible incident I decided on Blueberry and Raspberry Pancakes.
I used Anke’s Saved-My-Day Almost-BRAT-Diet Pancakes recipe and adapted it a little. The dough was a bit thin so I added more flour(I used whole wheat), but either way they came out very flat. I didn’t mind though.
Flat, fat, angular, quadratic… I don’t care as long as it’s a Pancake!
They tasted very good. I spread some plum puree on top which fit perfectly.
Somehow I never manage to leave the berries in the freezer until the dough is ready. This time it was very bad, the dough was a mix of green, blue and purple. Baked they looked black which I really liked. I don’t mind the color anyway, but it’s harder to convince people that this dark flat thing really is a delicious Pancake =p
Then I had leftover pears that needed to be used up so I added the following to the Golden Vanilla Cupcake recipe.
- 1 1/2 pear
- 1 cup raspberries
- 1/4 cup crushed almonds
They were luscious. I brought the rest to work with me and when I placed them next to my co-worker his eyes lit-up „Ohhh, cakes!“ He liked them(the other one just passed by me nibbling on it declaring „Mhh, they’re yummy!“). I didn’t say anything about them being vegan though.
Neither did I tell my boyfriend yesterday(although if he was smart he knew I was lying to him).
Because when he arrived last night I was almost done with my pancakes and asked him if he wanted some. He suspiciously walked into the kitchen and glared at the pan „That’s with soy milk, right?“ „Just try them for gods sake, it’s not going to kill you because it’s soy milk!“ He took a bite and wasn’t grossed out, but he didn’t say anything and left the rest to me.
So when the Cupcakes were ready I knew I had to lie to make him eat them. I offered one to him. „These are also with soy milk!?“ „No, I used cows milk. I know you wouldn’t eat them otherwise.“ So he did.
And I sat there and basked in my success, muahaha! You’re right Katie, we are evil little vegans indeed.
