Asian Stir-Fry, Brussels Sprouts and 2 Minute Chocolate Cake

Yesterday I had some Asian Stir-Fry my mom made for Dinner.



And I had Paulinas Chocolate Cake for Dessert.



I added crushed cashews to the batter and had 3 layers of sliced banana. I was out of oil and my applesauce had gone bad so I used apple apricot sauce instead. Not a good decision because it tasted pretty much just like that and maple syrup. And I think using carob powder didn't help to save anything either.
I'll try it again with the right ingredients the next time, because honestly - who doesn't dream of cake that can be devoured after 2 minutes in the microwave?

And here's a picture of Brussels Sprouts with nutmeg and some mustard for dipping from few days ago. I borrowed my dads fisheye lense as you can see =p

Garlicky Broccoli & Green Beans, Mashed Cauliflower, Baked Beans and Spinach

I didn't get to buy the missing ingredients for Lasagna today so I had an all veggie meal instead. It was delish!



This is the first time I had baked beans.
I will surely make these on a regular basis from now on, they taste so good! I added an onion and a fresh tomato.

The Plan, Raspberry Oatmeal, Chocolate Temptation Challenge and finally... Mozzarella!

The plan:

Three days each week I will consume vegetables only. Every dish I eat will have to consist of vegetables. As in soups, stir-fries, roasted veggies, mashed veggies... anything really. As long as it's vegetables only! No bread, pasta, rice, whatever.
That way I hope to try out more veggies I have never had yet. And to be honest, I love all-veggie meals!

I will starting next week, because I plan on making pizza, lasagna and black bean burgers this weekend. After that it's veggies-only time!
Anyone joining? =)

And the reason why I'm so eager to make pizza and lasagna this weekend is that last night I finally found vegan cheese!!!
You guys can't imagine how excited I was! Now I can have pizza and Lasagna with 'cheese'!



Besides having this veggie idea and drooling over my Mozzarella find I craved oatmeal last night.
Remember: never judge an oatmeal by its color!



It was delicious, but I have to admit that it didn't look very appealing.
I used the same recipe as in this one, used 2/3 cups raspberries, maple syrup instead of brown sugar & agave syrup, didn't put in any nutmeg and topped it with cashews.

The fair trade chocolate I bought last night for Cookie Mouses Chocolate Temptation Challenge! I decided to buy an Espresso chocolate. Can't wait for Easter Sunday now ;)



Still in my bag (for now)!

Vcon's Quinoa, Black Bean, Mango Salad

First off I want to thank Ashasarala a thousand times for giving me the recipe for this salad as I am not yet an owner of this apparently amazing cookbook.

It probably tastes even more amazing than it did last night because I had neither red wine vinegar, grape seed oil, nor fresh cilantro. So I used a tsp. olive oil, bianco and balsamic vinegar and about 2 Tbsp. chopped parsley (didn't have any more).
It still tasted awesome!



My parents were still at work so I placed the bowl on the dinner table and when they came home later my mom called "I see there's something on the table. Can we have that?" I was like "Sure, it's all yours. I already had a big bowl!"
Five minutes later I got a text message from my mom saying nothing but "M m m m h"! Ha ha, she's so awesome! When I saw her again she apologized that there weren't any leftovers. She and my dad really enjoyed this. To quote my mother "Not only did it taste fantastic, it looked so pretty and colorful! A joy for the eyes and the tastebuds!"

Yup, I will definitely start making more "real" dishes(less baking as my jeans are getting tight and I can not afford new pants at the moment).
Not only do I get to try various dishes I have always wanted to try, my parents are also open people who will definitely try new things and be honest about how they like it and a big plus - my parents will get to eat healthier!
So I guess I know who I'm going to ask for Vcon ;)

Apple Cinnamon Almond Oatmeal

Oh my, this tasted like Christmas morning!

Apple Cinnamon Almond Oatmeal



Ingredients
1/2 cup oats
1 cup soy milk
1 heaped tsp. brown sugar
1-2 Tbsp. agave syrup
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1 apple, chopped
1-2 tsp. sliced almonds

1. put all the ingredients in a saucepan (cut 3/4 of the apple in small chunks, keep 1/4 of the apple & almonds for decorating)
2. bring to a boil, turn the heat to low and under stirring let simmer for 5-10 minutes
3. sprinkle with sliced almonds and apple slices

I will try Veganomicons Black Bean Quinoa Mango salad later, I can't wait!!!

Quinoa with Asparagus, Bell Pepper and Soy Sprouts & Whole Wheat Raspberry Corn Pancakes

Yesterday I rediscovered the Asian Supermarket that's only 2 minutes away from my apartment.
I didn't like to go there(weird sickening smell, rude employees) and hadn't gone inside for at least 4 years.
But last night I needed soy sprouts so I went in.
Surprise: the bad smell is now mostly gone and the employees have become more or less friendly.

I went in with 2 € and came out with a bag of fresh soy sprouts and fresh green asparagus, each for 90 cents. How awesome is that? Everything there is so cheap(Tofu costs 2 € less than the one I used to buy) and fresh. I could slap myself for not going there earlier. Ah well, at least I know where I'll go shopping from now on =)

I made Wok Veggies with peanut butter and coconut sauce with my mom last night and tried quinoa for the first time (yes, I love it, too). Sadly I didn't take a picture. And when I came home at 5 in the morning and wanted to heat up the left overs and then photograph them, I discovered that my dad had already eaten them(this morning he mentioned how much he enjoyed the quinoa). So I cooked myself a quick night snack and went to bed.



And this morning I had Whole Wheat Raspberry Corn Pancakes for breakfast. An adapted version of the recipe found in How it all Vegan!



Looking ugly, but tasting so so so damn good! Cornmeal gives pancakes such a fantastic texture. Yumm!

Yes, I'm cranky!

I'm at work, looking at food blogs and tons of wonderful recipes and I wish for nothing more than to go home right now and COOK!
Somehow I'm always motivated the most when there is no chance to cook at all. Like right now. In around five hours I'll be able to make dinner. I hate this.
I mean honestly, I like my job. I love it actually. Because for me it's not work, it's more like a hobby. But to get off work at six means I'll be home at seven which leaves me with dinner at eight. ARGH!

My plan for tonight: Roasted Mustard Brussels Sprouts, Roasted Bell Pepper, Spinach & Quinoa.