Knitiot Savant

Munchies

I like to bake.  I like to eat what I bake.  But I need to be healthier.  Really, don't we all.  Three years ago I made the commitment to be a vegetarian.  I've loved being a vegetarian.  I feel better and I think I look better, too!  Recently, I've challenged myself make most of my baked goods vegan and to make at least 40% of my my meals vegan as well.  I really enjoy the challenge of  that.  At first, figuring out the substitutions was slow and awkward, but I've gotten pretty quick at it.  And, believe it or not, there are tons and tons of vegan junk food recipes out there.  Watch that waist line kids!

You are looking at Chocolate Chip Scones.  Yes, they are vegan.  The recipe is from the book, "The Joy of Vegan Baking."  This book was a gift from a dear friend and I really like it a lot!  However I have to warn you that the recipes call for granulated sugar and granulated sugar is not vegan.  You'll have to look for the vegan version of it in your local store.  It's not too hard to find.  Florida Crystals makes a great one and, if I'm not mistaken, most organic sugars are also vegan.  (Someone correct me if I'm wrong!)  This cookbook was written in 2007 and, at that time, not many folks were aware that granulated sugar wasn't vegan.  (It's processed through animal ash.  Gross, huh?)

These scones are really, really yummy!  I want more!   I'm not sure Sheldon was as thrilled about them as I was.  :-) 

Searching

Let's face it, trying to come up with what to fix for dinner every night can get really old.  No matter how many cool cookbooks you have on your shelf, most of us just fall back on the same old tried and true recipes.  Trying to come up with yummy stuff is really tough when your also challenging yourself to eat a more healthy diet.

That's where the internet can be a real lifesaver.  There are tons and tons of great sites out there and great bloggers to help guide you toward yummy and, most of the time, pretty easy recipes.  One of my all time favorites sites is Finding Vegan.    This site offers lovely pictures of tasty food with links leading directly to the blogs from which they were taken.  It's a fantastic opportunity to try new recipes and new blogs!  A win/win for everyone.  Give the site a try.  I'm sure you won't be disappointed.  

A Book Review, sort of.

In searching for a way to introduce vegan food to my family, my first thought was junk food.  I know!  It seems completely counter-intuitive doesn't it?  And yet, it's working like a charm.  And this little cookbook, "Vegan Junk Food" by Lane Gold has proved to be a real find.  The recipes are super simple and really hit the spot in terms of filling that craving we all have for food that just comforting.  The author does a really nice job of putting a brief list up front of substitutions you'll need for the recipes.  For a newb to vegan cooking like myself, this was a real godsend and led me to explore the web to find other substitions as well.  

On the sweet side of the house, one of our favorite recipes were the Oatmeal Coconut Cookies.  Absolutely divine!  They disappeared in an evening.  In terms of savory recipes, I really loved the Baked Onion Dip.  It was the very first time I'd used a cheese substitute in cooking and I was super impressed with the texture and taste.

This is easily one of my favorite cookbooks and I can't wait to try out more recipes.  

Comfort

The weather down here has been decidedly un-Christmasy; freakishly warm temps and folks out wearing flip-flops and shorts.  In December.  That kinda sucks.

In an effort to encourage cold weather, or at least something that more resembles this time of year, I made my favorite soup this weekend.  And guess what?  It got really cold last night.  The power of soup is not to be trifled with, my friends.

Here's the recipe.  It would be unfair to show you something so yummy and not tell you how to make it yourself.  Of course those of you who live up north and are already facing mega cold weather might not want to make this.  Who knows what kind of weather you'll encourage!

Loaded Potato Soup

4 lbs. Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/4 inch thick slices
1 small onion, chopped
2 (14-oz.) cans chicken broth
2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 pt. half-and-half
Toppings:  shredded Cheddar cheese, cooked and crumbled bacon, green onion slices

1.  Layer sliced potatoes in a lightly greased 6-qt. slow cooker; top with chopped onion.
2.  Stir together chicken broth, salt, and pepper; pour over potatoes and onion.  (Broth will not completely cover potatoes and onion.)  Cover with lid and cook on HIGH 3 to 5 hours or until potatoes are tender.  Mash mixture with a potato masher; stir in half-and-half.  cover with lid, and cook on HIGH 20 minutes or until mixture is thoroughly heated.  Ladle into bowls and serve with desired toppings.

Notes:  For best results, use Yukon Gold potatoes.  The original recipe called for new potatoes but the Yukon Gold have a much richer taste.  This soup also reheats beautifully the next day and tastes even better!