Microwave Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars 9/10

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Fan-fucking-tastic! These are shockingly quick and easy to make- in total with prep and cleanup they're are under 15 minutes and it's madness, because they are so good. I used 1/4c agave nectar instead of 1/2c sugar and they were just sweet enough. I've never used the microwave for a baked good like this before and I am so impressed that it actually achieved a pleasant texture.

I used a microwavable shallow bowl instead of a loaf pan so I got a circular loaf-y thing but it meant that I could mix the ingredients and bake it in the same bowl, which makes this recipe even quicker.

Delightful Banana Nut Muffins 8.5/10

Pree delicious! I subbed the oat bran for oats but otherwise followed the recipe and they are quite tasty. They have a nice texture that isn't too moist.

Miki's Pumpkin Bread 7/10

I feel like this deserves another try. 

When it was right out of the oven it was deliscous- incredibley moist. Once it cooled a bit  I had another piece and noticed that the moisture seemed a bit much, like it was undercooked. I tried to save it by putting it back in the oven...which in retrospect doesn't seem like a very safe strategy, but when it came out (again) it wasn't really any better or worse. For the record I did follow all of the instructions, and when it came out of the oven the first time I tested it in the middle with a toothpick and it came out completely clean.

It wasn't perticularly bad, or good.

I found that it had a very dense, spongy texture and it was extremelly moist. I don't know if it is normal for pumpkin bread to be like that...I have a feeling it is due to the flax seed goo egg replacement. I think if I make it again I will try to use 3 different egg replacements or maybe one that will result in a lighter texture?

The chocolate chips make for an odd but yummy flavor combo with the spices.

Overall- 7/10 from two ratings (6 from me and 8 from my friend)

Tip Top Tofu Loaf ?/10

This is hard to rate because I don't think I ever had meatloaf/I'm not sure this is even supposed to be like meatloaf...

It tastes good. The texture is odd though, it's very...soft. At least on the inside, the top is actually crisp. It's nice. I'd eat it again so I guess that it rates at least a 5. Probably higher, I'll come back to this one.

Chocolate Chip Coconut Cookies 8/10

Good cookies! No photo, I ate them too quickly. No improvements either. They even got an omnivore's approval. Damn.

Mama Mayhem's Perfectly Easy No Bake Cookies 6.4(or more)/10

They are perfectly easy and no-bake indeed. I found the original recipe to be a bit sweet though, so I recommend using unsweetened peanut-butter and reducing the sugar. For mine I also nearly double the cocoa and add in some oat flakes which raises the score to at least an 8/10. However, following the original recipe these were collectively rated by 10 people and scored a 6.4. I gotta tell it like it is.

Peanut Butter Pasta a Bangin' 8.5/10

  Easy, delicious and interesting. It's made with cayenne and raw garlic so it has a fine little kick. I like how we've got the protein and carbs all going down in one place. It even has a strong enough flavor for it to be enjoyable made with whole wheat pasta. This may be a new staple.

Who knew garlic, pasta and peanuts could make such a beautiful threesome?

*Note: I didn't have broccoli florets (see why here), and didn't put on the suggested amount of chopped peanuts. Ah, well.

Jay Lo's Fried Chicken: 8/10

What I would change: less salt, more paprika. I used pre-made fake chicken rather than making it with gluten. It worked out well. Crispy deliciousness.

Burnin' Butt Burritoes 7.5/10

Pg 93

These are fairly easy. It takes about half an hour to make.

I wanted something filling for linner (lunch dinner) so I flipped through Vegan A Go Go and came upon these bad boys. Next person you hear say "I only feel full after eating meat" deserves to have one of these in their bellies, it'll change their mind forever. Together beans and rice are a full protein too. They even have their own wikipedia page.

Anyway, when we were flipping through Vegan a Go Go my friend promised me to never make these due to the name, so to spite her I called to invite her over. Hehe. She didn't pick up,oh well. Anyway, these are pretty good, sadly I was missing the peppers but I spiced them up through other means. I liked having broccoli in there, it's weirdly wonderful. 

 I guess I'll have to report back on if my butt is burnin' or tomorrow.

Brainless Banana Pancakes 7.5/10

Pg 41

"Topped with a Mountain of Fruit" just like at the Crepe joint "Cora's"

Who doesn't love pockets of piping hot smooth banana in their pancakes?

Pretty yummy and pretty brainless, but I did reduce the amount of baking powder to 1 tsp. When I made the apple pie pancakes they were HUGE...too huge. These ones are still plenty fluffy with just 1 tsp baking powder. I also added in about 1 tablespoon applesauce to thin out the mix a bit.  These are perfect for a big weekend brunch. Quick and yummy! They can be fairly nutritious if you use half whole wheat flour ( I couldn't even tell the difference).

Chocolate chips make a lovely surprise!

Vegan Freak Curry Potatoes 8/10

(Pg 39)

Great with toast! Don't burn the corner like me!

What a hearty brunch! I don't care too much for savory breakfasts so I did this for brunch and loved it. This recipe takes a relatively long time to make for a breakfast, but it is very very satisfying. It's filling and tasty all the way through and it gave me so much energy! Lovely with some black tea like Earl Grey or Spiced Chai.

No suggestions here, too perfect!

Freedom French Toast 5/10

Pg 42

I made this one morning when I had a canceled class, and it proves as a testament that I am not a complete Sarah Kramer ass-kisser. I honestly didn't see the big deal about this dish, it requires blending silken tofu for the "egg" part but I didn't find it worth the effort. She said "This is one of my all time favorite recipes to make for friends. Their eyes become as big as saucers with the first bite. I love it!!!"

Sorry Sarah, I wasn't feeling it. I prefer just soaking toast (especially breadstick toast) in almond milk, adding the spices and going from there. Sarah's toast wasn't bad, it was just meh. I had to rate it a 5 because I would technically make it again, but only if I was out of almond milk.

I also find the use of the title irritating. It was a political thing for Americans to replace the word  french from the name of dishes (for example French Fries) with the word freedom. That on it's own is obnoxious enough. I don't think that indulging in "other culture's" food but renaming it has much political significance. Just eat your damn toast. Anyway, I don't see why she is using both Freedom and French...is she confused or was she just planning on confusing us?

Creamy Curried Vegetabes 8.7/10

 Pg 106!

 

My family prepared and made this dish together. It was a hit! We love curries but my step mom said this topped her old favorite one pot dish (Nasi Goreng) and she said it was the best vegan food she'd ever tried! We added some firm tofu for protein.

Banana Bread 8.5/10

 Pg 143

I loved this recipe. I would eat it a lot more often but have restricted it to a super special treat because bananas are tropical and therefore flown all over the world just to please my bread. It's not the best for the environment.

Anyway, I substituted the wheat germ in this recipe for ground hemp hearts. We also just left out the dates because frankly we didn't feel like dates in our baked goods. I also sprinkled the top with nutmeg and cinnamon for some extra flavor.  It was so heavenly and tender, yum yum yum.

Two of us voted on it, but my dad also eat two pieces, so that's a good sign?

Kissing Cousins Oat Bread 6.85/10

So it's hard to make a plain square loaf of bread look appetizing, but I'm trying for you guys. Let it be known my house was filled with hungry mongrels on the night I made this.

There were 7 of us that night and 5 people rated it a 6, one person an 8, and one person a 6.5, but then later called me on the phone to tell me he couldn't stop wondering why he didn't rate it a 10 because it was the best bread he had ever had! I thought he was exaggerating, but he go me reminiscing about the oaty warm goodness against the tart jam I had. Bread from the oven is pretty tasty.

So this recipe gets an overall rating of 6.85. Pretty precise eh?

It's not really a dessert loaf, and I only loved it when it was piping hot and spread with vegan butter and jam. I don't really have any suggestions however, except that if you make some extra oat flour it's nice to throw in to pancakes and its also handy to mix with water and use as a natural facial.

Ginger Snaps 9.5/10

 I made Sarah Kramer's Ginger Snaps twice. Ginger is my favorite smell (next to old books) and quite high up on my favorite tastes as well. I enjoy any food that adds bold flavor. It's tummy ache healing qualities are quite admirable. I digress. Cookies!

My cookies from today. I was trying to make these brown blobs look mildly pleasing...

I love them. I rated them 10/10* on my cookie scale on the first go. It may have been a slight exaggeration...this time I say they deserve a solid 9.

Last time I made them for fun and then I took the leftovers to a party (the yeild is a total lie by the way...it says it makes 12 small cookies but I have 22 medium sized cookies) where they were eaten up. Tomorrow I am bringing the fresh batch I made today to a vegan potluck. I'm pretty excited to meet other vegans (and try so much food...I am a potluck enthusiast). I feel am so green in this world and eager to learn.

Check out the Hamilton Vegetarian Society Vegan Potluck Event Page & the wonderful Sarah Kramer of Vegan A Go-Go's blog.

My Cookie Rating Scale

1= don't want another bite

5= want another cookie

10= best cookies I've ever had

Rating System

I rate every recipe I try, on a scale of 1-10

1= would not want another bite

5= would make it again

10= best I've ever had/would make it again as soon as I'm done!

I try and follow all the recipes as accurately as possible, but have to substitute when I don't have the right ingredients.  I date each page and have anyone in the vicinity rate the recipe and record it in the book.

Why?

I want to try every recipe in the book! I will share my favorites (and any ones to avoid, though I haven't found any yet) to help any V.A.G.G.ers along the way. Mostly this blog is just an excuse to crowd my kitchen with friends every Friday and try lots of tasty vegan food.