STOP THE PRESSES...for this chocolate cupcake!

Is there a perfect cupcake? Well, I think that I just made it.  I've been wanting to make this chocolate cupcake for a while.  Well, here it is....

Chocolate Cupcake(pg 215)

Vanilla Icing(pg 225)

Look at the chocolate morsels and the moistness.

I followed the recipes exactly and what I came up with was a deliciously, moist, chocolatey cupcake.   I was so anxious that I actually ate one before it completely cooled.  OMG!  Chocolate warmth in my mouth.  I will definitely make these again, really soon.   43 recipes done.  That is all!!  

Make it With Love!

More with Happy Herbivore and a Girly Beer

Beginning this blog with the Black Bean Burger(pg 86).  I am going to be totally honest here.  I am not a big fan of beans.  Nothing against her recipes that call for beans, I'm just not that into them.  I may be the only vegan that does not like green beans...at all!!!!   Ok, now that we have that clarified.  I followed the recipes exactly and I must say that this burger was so full of flavor.  My mouth was not over powered by the beans which is usually the case in most bean burgers.  I did leave it in the oven for an additional 2 minutes so that the outside would be extra crisp.  Pleasantly surprised! Once again The Happy Herbivore has outdone herself.

And what goes with a burger better than Baked Onion Rings...

(pg 176)

Truly, the picture does not do these Onion Rings justice.  I followed the recipe exactly.  They were crispy on the outside, and the onion was perfectly soft on the inside.  Great flavoring on the batter.  They held together very well when taken out of the oven and off of the cookie sheet.  A little messy on the fingers when making them but they were well worth it.

Strawberry Cupcake(pg216)

Vanilla Icing(pg225)

When making my dessert for this post, I had every intention of making the chocolate cupcakes.  My mouth was totally set on making them.  Had all the ingredients except the chocolate non-dairy milk, so I made these instead.  I followed the recipe exactly, except for the icing obviously...it was a little runny.  The cupcake was moist and had great flavor.  I think the fact that I had my heart set on the chocolate cupcake this one just did not fit the bill for me tonight.  Don't get me wrong it is an awesomely good cupcake but sometimes a girl needs her chocolate...you feel me?  42 recipes done!

Make it With Love!

P.S. A really good beer for Chicks...low fat, low carb and a pink carton that looks like a purse.

More with the Happy Herbivore and a Really Good Chocolate Sauce

I must start this blog with my biggest nemesis...The Cinnamon Bun(pg 36).

I know what you're thinking..."These cinnamon buns look good".  And they do.  But I have to be honest. It took me 3, yes 3 tries to get these darn things right.  The first batch, I forgot to add the sugar and added it later which was a big failure.  Second time, I don't know what happened they just did not turn out.  I didn't even bake them. 

The first batch...FAIL!

Third time...Success!!!

Third time was definitely a charm with these babies!  I even had a cheering section on Twitter for these cinnamon buns.  @Tati22 AKA Gina and @LidiaLF were my cheerleaders!!!!  I was not going to be defeated by these cinnamon buns.  Thanks ladies for the motivation...Success!!!!

Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins(pg 42)

Just call me the "Muffin Lady".  I have made every muffins in the Happy Herbivore cookbook and like the previous muffins these did not disappoint.  I followed the recipe exactly.  They were very moist and mouthwatering...Hubby says that I should show the muffins' insides to show the moistness...

Can you see the moistness???

Eggnog French Toast(pg 25)

Well, I made these for the Hubby and he said that he could not tell the difference between these and the other HH french toast I made.  I could tell the difference.  I followed the recipe exactly and they turned out tasty.  Again, I did not wait the required 3 minutes before the first flip and I ended up with a messy piece of bread...one day I'll learn my lesson...Be Patient!

Baked Tofu Parmesan(pg 139)

Look closely and you will see that this is not tofu.  When I mentioned to Hubby that I would be making Tofu Parmesan his first response was "yuck".  So I figured I needed to come up with an alternative to tofu.  I decided to use Eggplant and it turned out Amazing!  I followed the recipe exactly just switched the tofu with eggplant.  The seasonings mixed the breadcrumbs(pg 284) created a delicious dish.   Very flavorful!  I just didn't make enough of it.  I will make this again very soon!  

This is the marinara sauce I used.  It has great flavor!

Carrot cake cupcake(pg 213)  Cream Cheese Icing(pg 223)

What can I say, this cupcake was everything that a cupcake should be: moist, low calories, low fat and most important scrumptious!!!!  I followed the recipe exactly and it turned out perfect.  The icing was a little runny, I added too much milk.  It didn't even matter. This cupcake melted in my mouth!  I will soon become "Cupcake Lady".  38 recipes complete!

Make it With Love

P.S.  This is some kick ass Chocolate Sauce

Happy Herbivore and a Really Good Bottle of Wine

Beginning this week's blog repeating a Happy Herbivore recipe.  When I started blogging about these delicious recipes I told myself that I would not repeat a recipe.  That is kind of hard to do because some on these recipes are so good that me and Hubby want them again.  No need to show the photo of the repeat recipe...ok, here it is...

Frittata(page 15)

I added a lot more ingredients this time.  It was very tasty.  A breakfast favorite in the McLaine house I must say.  Hubby no longer misses eggs for breakfast.  Along with this breakfast frittata I made these...

Herbed Home Fries(page 30)

Following the recipe exactly...I must say that Happy Herbivore makes quick and easy recipes taste extra delicious.  And I love that she leaves the peelings on the potato(I'm lazy that way too).  They tasted as good as they look...even better.  Everyone enjoyed.

Maple Muffins with Sweet Potato Puree(page 46)

Another WOW moment for me. I followed the recipe exactly using sweet potato puree instead of pumpkin.  I just figured that the combination of sweet potato and maple would make a happy marriage and that it did.  These muffins were moist and mouthwatering to say the least. Every time I make a new muffin I say that it's my new favorite...well, now this is my new favorite...Can't wait to make again for the non-vegans(everyone) in my life...for you looking pleasure, another photo of this delectable muffin.

Dirty mashed potatoes and brown gravy(pages 190 & 254) 

Well, well, well, HH you have done it again.  I never thought that I would be making or eating gravy again.  One more time I will say that I hate peeling potatoes and I am not alone!  She takes something so simple and makes it so flavorful.  Makes you think, "Why didn't I think of this".  The potatoes alone were tasteful as was the gravy, but when I put the two together...delectable.  Hubby's palate was happy!

Not sure what to make next...Any suggestions?????

P.S.  This is a really good bottle of wine.

Make it With Love!

  

And the HH Adventures continue...

I would like to begin this post by saying Happy Veganniversary to me...One year ago today I began my 30 Day Adventure With Raw Food and have not looked back.  One of the best decisions I have ever made.

Ok, back to the regularly scheduled program...I have been anxiously waiting to make this dish. Who doesn't love pasta and cheese...

Baked Shells and Cheese(page 156)

I followed the recipe exactly but instead of using whole wheat pasta I used quinoa pasta.  What can I say?!  I took so many photos of this dish because it was so delicious and I wanted to make sure that I had a good representation of it on this blog.  It was cheesy, flavorful, rich and creamy.  The breadcrumbs on top gave it just the right amount of crunchiness.  Awesomeness!!!

Hubby was working out of town most of the week so I didn't cook much.  I mostly ate kale salad.  But when he returned...or should I say when he and his sweet tooth returned, back to the kitchen I went...

Apple Crisp Muffins(page 40)

"Wow...Wow...Wow...Wow"  Those were his exact words as he was eating the warm, moist, Apple Crisp Muffin and I agree.  I followed the recipe exactly.  I thought that the Chocolate Zucchini Muffins were his favorite but these may have quickly taken their place.   I sprinkled additional brown sugar and oatmeal on top before baking per Happy Herbivore's suggestion.   If I hadn't made these muffins myself I would not have believed that they are vegan.  They could easily be sold at the pastry counter at Starbucks...they are that good!  Trust me, or better yet trust my sweet tooth having Hubby.  Those are his words!  28 recipes done!

Happy One Year Veganniversay to me...Again!!!!

Make it With Love!!!