Black bean tortas (Sparkles)

These guys are spicy little crunchy tortas and anything on ciabatta bread is pretty delicious. But just like Italian restaurants- if the bread is the best part- then it's really not that great. 

This little guy has potential.  The ratios of ingredients seem a little strange to me. The consistency of the beans and the mayo (above)are way too thin. I would not add broth next time at all  or maybe 1/4 c to the beans. The mayo would be even nicer if it had a thickness to it- maybe add a little cornstarch or way less coconut milk (1 cup?). It makes SO much anyway. It's a little bizarre. It was very filling and with some modifications I think it will become a good recipe. 

Chickpea and smoked almond Sammies (Kacie)

Sparkles post called this the tuna fish of vegan sandwiches, and it is!

I thought it made for a great little sandwich.

I also thought the smoked almonds alone were tasty

Roasted beet and quinoa salad (Sparkles)

I actually loved the kale and the beets together. Then I poured the hot quinoa in and it cooks the kale. To me it wasn't as good after that so I'd let it cool next time or not add the quinoa at all. The beets are very delicious!!! 

I thought this was going to be one Jason would not like since beets do not have a lot of fans. He really liked it though and we had the longest conversation about beets that we've ever had. 👊💬

Vegetable noodle soup with ginger miso broth (kacie)

Sparkles review of this said it was bland, so I made some changes. I used these things (which I consider weeknight cheats)

I used a bunch to ramp up the flavor. I couldn't find miso, so I added extra soy sauce. I also cooked the broth on low for three hours.

As suggested, I topped with sesame oil, siracha, and a dash of lemon juice.

There were a lot of moving parts, but it was such a tasty dinner.

I mixed together the leftover noodles and veggies with sesame oil and rice vinegar and tofu and sent it with George for lunch.

Barley Stuffed Peppers (sparkles)

Oooh. It's so cold. This is a great meal for a cold day. I like edible containers for food.  I think the red ones taste better if you want to eat the pepper. 

Quick Cilantro Lime Slaw (Kacie)

This one is supposed to go with a taco recipe, but I had cabbage I needed to use up and I needed another side for dinner!

It was crazy easy, yummy, and much healthier than normal slaw. I will keep this one on hand for sure.

We also had quinoa and siracha glazed Salmon, which was a yummy recipe from the Skinnytaste cookbook.

Braised Winter Cabbage and potatoes (Sparkles)

Announcement: this takes about two hours so plan ahead, unlike me. I may pass out from hunger before this is done. I know, I know, the authors SAID to read the whole recipe before cooking.  They also say give cabbage a chance and I agree. 

. I'm working on some teachers pay teachers stuff and watching glee on Netflix while Jason works late so I will try to stay distracted while this cooks.  I think I will put thousand island dressing in some of this when it comes out - you could make a vegan one- it has egg yolk in it. 

I  am also dog sitting and these guys are getting along - Mister Slinky and Lilly already ate dinner. Maybe I will eat this tomorrow. I ate some cucumber and shockingly it did not make me feel like I could wait another hour to eat. 

Update: delicious! Great with hot sauce! This is a good one for a winter potluck! 

Tempeh Peanut Noodles with Blanched Kale and Pumpkin Chili (Kacie)

These are not things I made at the same time, I just forgot to blog them!

So the pumpkin chili was good. It was not at ALL what I expected. I was expecting a chili that tasted like a pumpkin spice latte. However, it's just a good and yummy chili! The pumpkin is used more like an honest squash instead of a seasonal treat. It gives the chili a really good texture.

Dont get me wrong. I love the over-the-top seasonal pumpkin bandwagon. I'm shameless. Check out these apple cider cookies and the cheesecake centered pumpkin snickerdoodles. See what I mean? I'll make anything with pumpkin. Plus, I love snickerdoodles the most.

The Tempeh peanut noodles were really tasty! I needed to use up the rest of the kale that I had, plus, you could use any noodles, and I ALWAYS have peanut butter on hand. So, this was a perfect and fairly easy recipe. I would make it again. I have used more tempeh in this project, and I'm down with that! It's yummy.

Maple Oat Banana bread (Sparkles)

Live blog edition: 

11:24 am Sunday 

chopped up the rolled oats

While watching Pain and gain with mark Walhberg 

11:31 mashing about 6 bananas for 2 cups - freckled bananas are the best for baking 

11:45 Jason asks: What in the world are you watching? And all ingredients are mixed up and mess has been made. 

mr. Slinky is always with me just like mittens. 

Time to clean up! 

12:17 

Kitchen clean again and 4 min 20 secs left for the bread/ smells amazing - can I take a four minute shower in the meantime? 

12: 21

Showered and checked on bread - looking beautiful but knife inserted inside came out gooey so I'm covering it and giving it ten more minutes- 

12:36 

Still seems a little undercooked but I'm not sure - 5 more minutes!? 

I did use a lot of bananas 

12:46 still not done! 

Here is my Halloween tree in the meantime-  I have no idea what has happened in Pain and Gain but it's still playing- I should have watched Les Miserables. My creme brûlées are ready to take to mom before her hip surgery for Sunday lunch. We will torch them at her house : 

1:03 done 

Time to cool. Off to Sunday lunch! I will have to try the bread later. 

 

7:37 pm 

Banana bread is very good! It is moist and has a good banana flavor. It is very pretty and I put cinnamon on top with the sugar. I can't really taste the maple part but it's in there.