Showing posts with label dessert. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dessert. Show all posts

Key Lime Pie!

Posted on 6:16 PM - by Tammy In: , , ,

Before going veg, Key Lime Pie was one of my favorite desserts - I'm just NOT that into chocolate and there was always something light (ya right) and refreshing a bout Key Lime Pie. Well, since I have gone veg, I have not tried nor have I attempted any recipes to replicate my Key Lime splendor - that is, until now. When my new issue of Vegetarian Times magazine arrived and I read it from cover to cover, I couldn't help but notice the Key Lime Pie recipe contained therein. This recipe was different in that is wasn't just a bunch of tofu and lime juice - I was intrigued.

So, I made it and brought it to a friend's house last night for dinner. It was REALLY good! The lime flavor was great - the perfect balance of sweet and tart. The texture was good, although because it contained cashews, it was not quite the smooth, silky texture of the egg yolk and condensed milk laden classic version, but I hardly noticed. I really, REALLY liked it. In fact, if you like Key Lime Pie, I would say rush out and grab this month's (February 2010) issue of Vegetarian Times so you too can have the recipe! If you happen to doubt me, the only other evidence I can provide is that of my hosts' reaction... I was advised, after consuming the dessert course, that it would be ok if I left the Key Lime Pie behind. :-)

Sorry for the sad picture of this single piece of pie. I neglected to take pics when it was whole and this is the piece I did bring home with me to enjoy!

Incidentally, making this recipe also gave me the opportunity to try out my new gadget - a Cuisinart Elite Die Cast 12 Cup Food Processor. It has two bowls - a large and a small one, two adjustable blades that perform a total of like 8 functions and three blades. After this, its maiden voyage, all I can say is FABULOUS! I L-O-V-E-D that I had two bowls to use and therefore did not have to take the time to wash the bowl between smashing my graham crackers and pulverizing my filling ingredients into submission... very cool! I also really liked the 1000 watt motor, which proved it's worth when dealing with the cup of whole cashews in this recipe. I look forward to having more excuses to use it!

Vegan Whoopie Pies!

Posted on 8:37 PM - by Tammy In: , ,

Wow, so it's been 4 months since I have done a post here. I guess I do not feel too bad about that because my blog isn't very interesting to begin with so I am sure no one missed my riveting posts but also because I have been oh-so-busy with the website at my place of employment. So, needless to say, when I come home, the last thing I want to do is post something to my blog. but here I am...

Last night I made vegan whoopie pies! I am not a huge dessert person but one thing I have always loved was chocolate and peanut butter. My husband likes dessert alot, so I try and make something sweet on occasion, but since I have gone vegan, I have been pretty disappointed with my endeavors. Either trying to veganize an old favorite recipe or trying something out of a cookbook... it just hasn't gone well. However, I picked up the latest copy of VegNews, and among other things, inside, there was a recipe for vegan whoopie pies. I opted for the peanut butter filling alternative ending and I have to say, they came out pretty darn good. In all honesty, the filling is not as fluffy as I would like, but like I said, they taste pretty darn good!

Day 60

Posted on 1:26 PM - by Tammy In: ,
I cannot believe it is Day 60 of this 30 day experiment. In all honesty, I guess I have to stop calling it an experiment and call it what it is: a life change.

Over the past two months, I have developed some new habits and found new restaurants to frequent. I read labels alot more... anything with more than 8 ingredients, I generally do not bother. Have you ever read labels consistently? I work part-time in a retail store that specializes in high-end cooking implements as well as many food items. I have been shocked and disappointed in how many of the food items contain animal products. What on earth does CHICKEN STOCK add to a Artichoke Lemon Pasta Sauce? It's been an education. I have come to the conclusion that perhaps this high-end store I work at doesn't put as much emphasis on high-end food as I would have thought it did.

I have really enjoyed the cooking end of things. Although, I have to say I wish I had more self-created inspiration instead of having to rely on cookbooks so much. I sometimes follow recipes to the letter, but more often than not, I use them as inspiration and put my own twist on the creation. Most recently, I have made alot of sorbets. Who needs ice cream when you can have fresh berry sorbet, right? I just made a blackberry version which was really good. I took 3/4 raw sugar and combined it with 1 cup water in a small saucepan. I brought it to a boil, stirring constantly and allowed it to boil for one minute. Then I put the mixture in the refrigerator to allow it to cool completely. meanwhile, I take about 5 cups of blackberries and puree in a food processor, then push through a sieve and then finally through cheese cloth to remove the seeds (lots of seeds in blackberries!). Once the syrup is coll, I combine it with my pulverized berries, add it to my ice cream machine and let it run for 30 minutes. I have also read that you can accomplish the same result without the addition of the ice cream machine. Simply add the fruit and syrup to a large Ziploc bag, then put this beg into another large Ziploc bag full of ice. Then, take this bag-in-a-bag and shake it around for 30 minutes. Either way, put the finished product in the freezer and in an hour or so, voila - sorbet! Healthy, refreshing and most importantly - delicious!!


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