Tuesday, June 2, 2009

they made a statue of us, and put it on a mountain top

So I finally found some time to bake today now that I'm home and I'm really glad because I've missed it :)
I recently got Happy Herbivore's fabulous new e-cook book...Backyard Vegan..and i'm in love! it has soo many delicious sounding recipes that i'm really excited to make. Earlier today I made the PB&J Cookies using strawberry preserves.
the result?

delicious-ness!
The preserves taste really good in it, and the cookies are just peanut-buttery enough but not overly sweet with the preserves also. Perfect. They don't really spread though, at all while I baked them, so if you make them definitely don't be scared to make the jelly-centers even bigger to fit the preserves in there better. The root beer float cupcakes sound like my next creation from there... they sound so clever ;) and who doesnt love a root beer float..in cup cake form??

Also!
A couple weeks ago I made scrumptious pizza while I was still in philly.


The dough was a really simple recipe that I had found through other blogs..

Vegan Pizza Dough:
1 package of instant dry active yeast
1 cup warm water
1/2 tablespoon sugar
3 cups of flour
1 tablespoon of olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoon of salt

Add the water, yeast, sugar, and 1/2 cup of flour into a mixing bowl. Stir well and let sit for 20 minutes until it gets bubbly. Add the olive oil, salt, and 2 cups of flour and mix well with a wooden spoon until together enough to knead on a floured surface. Knead for about 10 minutes, while adding more flour at a time to create a soft, elastic, slightly sticky dough consistency. Form the dough into a ball and place in a lightly oiled bowl, while adding some oil to the top to prevent drying out. Cover with a kitchen towel and let sit for 2 hours, or until the dough doubles in size (mine took about an hour and a half.) Punch dough down and divide into 2 small balls, and place in large zip lock bags (or wrap in saran wrap if you realize you dont have zip lock bags..like i did...boo) and refrigerate overnight. Let the dough get to room temperature before ready to use, and roll out to the size you want when ready. :)

So the dough I thought was pretty good..although we might've overcooked it a bit, but other than that I thought it was a really good recipe to use!
The sauce that I had used was just a creation from heating up a can of diced tomatoes with seasoning, extra basil and oregano, chopped garlic, and about 2 T of tomato paste, and then putting it all into a blender to minimize the chunks.
The pepperonis were the Yves brand..which I had never had before, but I was quite pleased with how they turned out.
The cheese was Vegan Gourmet mozzerella, which actually shredded quite easily with a regular cheese grater, so I was quite pleased with how that turned out..not to mention it really DOES melt! soo that was great.

So yeah basically, the pizza was awesome, and I had really missed pizza with melty-cheese ;)

Today I stopped by the health food store for a couple of things and saw a new random product and decided to try it out :)



Chee-Cha Puffs in Sea Salt & Spiced Pepper flavor.

I'm a huge fan, they're really air-y..but the seasonings and spices for them are so good. and with only 90 calories for 2 cups! how exciting, i know. ;)
They're also gluten-free, so if gluten is a problem for you then i'm sure you'll like these as well.

Well off to MORE packing.. I leave in 2 days for London and I have lots to pack still...maybe i'm just trying to fit too much? no way haha :)

9 comments:

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

Her new cookbook is great!!


Love how the Puffs bag says "sans gluten" :-D


Good luck packing and have a safe trip!!

The Voracious Vegan said...

Ohhhhhh myyyy......that pizza is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen! I need a slice, no wait, the entire pie, RIGHT NOW!!!

GORGEOUS!

Anonymous said...

Yummm, your baked goods always look amazing! But so does that pizza!!

And you're going to London!!? Ahh, lucky girl! Have fun and good luck with packing!

Anonymous said...

I love her new cookbook! =)

Those cookies are on my list, so yummy!

Jenn Shagrin said...

Thanks, Lauren :) I am digging your tattoo!

Let's make a deal. I'll trade you some Matzo Brie for some Pizza.

Anonymous said...

wow, you're going to London? How lucky can you be? Have a great trip! Are you gonna continue with the blogging?
and those PB & J cookies look gooood! precious gems they are!

Anonymous said...

I think I just might purchase that eCookbook too. Those recipes sound irresistible!

How long and what will you be doing in London. I love that city! Hope you have a blast!!

-E

Bianca said...

I can't wait to try all those HH recipes. I just got my copy in my inbox today. The Smores Brownies are calling my name.

That pizza equals perfection!

Hungry Hungry Dancer said...

oh my god.. my mouth is watering for that pizza!!!!!