Some New Kinda Baking

I fell in love with the Babycakes bakery in NYC when i was there last year, so was so happy that they created a cookbook to go with it. All things vegan, gluten free and (mostly) sugar-free. Wow, what a specialty! Good thing they are still going strong too. Here`s a preggers me enjoying our finds.
So, i was even happier that my local public library had copies of the book. The wait was LONG but well worth it. Seems like we`re not the only ones that like such good baking. I finally got a copy of Babycakes cookbook from the library recently (the link is to their site and has great photos of the book so you can see it for yourself). And, since i had 3 weeks to enjoy it, we planned to make good use of it, so whipped up quite a few recipes! We enjoyed it so much that we`ve decided it`s something to buy. There were some hiccups though, but in the end each of the baked goods we made tasted yummy. For one, we had to buy a bunch of items that we`ve never used but now stand firmly in our pantry. Like potato starch, coconut flour, and garbanzo bean+fava bean flour. I do appreciate that it`s all to make gluten free goods, but it sure is a lot to have on hand. Also, since i`m in the process of reading The Omnivore`s Dilemma i am floored about the overuse of corn products in everything. Included xantham gum, which is a stable item in gluten free baking. Not sure how to avoid it though, as vegan baking can be so tricky and un-fluffy at times.
That said, there are some amazing, yummy, and creative recipes in this book. Plus, the book is so beautiful to look at - a true porn cookbook! The photos were lovely, and there are so great write-ups of things. There is some name-dropping as well by celebs, but i love them all so i guess it`s okay!...We tried the Johnny Cakes, Fat Pants Cake, Strawberry Rhubarb Pie, and coconut icing for the cake. I`ll just share a couple of thoughts with you here for the cakes.

In all, the cake was my favourite even though i had a panic that it wouldn`t turn out. I made it for J`s birthday and had to bake the cakes (3 layer cake and all) MUCH longer than the recipe called for. Also had a nervous moment transferring each onto the serving plate as they were so fragile. The icing was lumpy as the coconut oil seemed to solidify after it was combined with the other ingredients. And, it just didn`t seem sweet enough - i know it didn`t call for `real` sugar but still icing should be sweet. In the end, i just added it into the middle layers and had another vanilla buttercream icing for the outer layer. And, with chocolate chip cookies PLUS chocolate chips and cocoa in the cake already, it was pretty decadent. Once done, the cake was so good, i kept stealing pieces of it and was so glad that there were leftovers after the party.

J made me the Johnny Cakes for Mothers Day. They were lovely. Baked pancakes with cornmeal (forget the comment i made above re: corn!). Nice and fluffy, even though they were dense. I also love the way our maple syrup made this cool spiral pattern instead of just falling off the cakes. A great alternative to standard pancakes, they are very filling!

Now, if only the book had a recipe for the amazing cinnamon buns we had. I guess they have to leave some things out, so that we keep going back to the store!

Vegans Can Do Soul Food

I was recently given the book, Vegan Soul Food: Fresh, Healthy and Creative African-American Cuisine by Bryant as a lovely surprise gift. I hadn't even seen it around, so it wasn't on my radar. I guess having a newborn does that to us, right? Anyway, after having some tasty grub (which i also lovingly call my breast milk, but that's another story) at the Red Bamboo restaurant in NYC, i was hopeful that i could make my own 'Po Boys' and Johnny Cakes. And i was right!

J and i tested out the book with 2 simple recipes - Fried Green Tomatoes and Johnny Cakes. The tomatoes we used were from our own backyard. I've never had them before so i can't compare to anything. But, they actually were juicy and i loved the Multipurpose Coating for Dredging Food recipe that came with it.The cakes were nice and plump, and better served with a tasty gravy or chutney of some kind. I can't wait to try more recipes like Blackened Tofu Slabs wit Succotash Salsa, Sweet Cornmeal-Coconut Butter Drop Biscuits, and Spicy Mafe Tempeh. Any of them would go down nicely with a glass of Cinnamon Applejack Toddy.

A lovely touch to the cookbook are Terry's addition of suggested music for each recipe - a great idea because who doesn't dance around in the kitchen while cooking?! I sure do - it keeps Li'l C happy while i'm busy cooking.

The First Weekend of September

The first weekend of September is always a busy one for me and here's why:
1) Toronto International Film Festival - great to see some movies and some stars
2) Cabbagetown Arts Festival and Yard Sale Extravaganza!
3) Junction Arts Festival - my nabe's annual party
and
4) Toronto's Annual Vegetarian Food Fair.

While the weather could have co-operated a wee bit better (rain yet again), it was a great weekend nonetheless. Besides eating a lot and strolling even more, J and i got to go all over the city on our bikes. I just love weekends like this.

At the Food Fair, we nibbled on some tasty treats and left with another new vegan cookbook in our hands, Get it Ripe: A Fresh Take on Vegan Cooking and Living. One by our very own jae steele, and if the recipes we already tried out are anything to gauge by, this book will not disappoint. Yum yum. Can i say Cashew Gravy anyone? She fills the first section of the book with very informative and useful stuff - like why all the food is actually good for you, and quick reference charts on how to cook beans and grains. I say that this book would be great for anyone, even if you already have all the other 'staples' of vegan cookbooks!

Maybe this picture will help ya out:Last night's dinner consisted of Quinoa Tabboulleh, Cashew Gravy, Buttamilk Biscuits (not shown) - all from her book, with roasted potatoes and veggie steak.

A (new to me) Vegetarian Greasy Spoon

I met a friend at Body Blitz yesterday and took this time to finally go to Sadie's Diner, a completely vegetarian greasy spoon in downtown Toronto. Don't ask me why i haven't been yet, especially because i used to work LITERALLY right around the corner. But i'm so glad i finally went.

There are quite a few vegan options, like a vegan BLT, a club, pancakes, burritos, and some great juices and smoothies. I had the club, which came with big slices of grilled tofu and 'veggie pealmeal bacon.' It was delicious and got just the spot in my tummy that was missing for so long. I couldn't believe how excited i was to find a cheap ($17 for two!) and totally veg greasy spoon. I saw 'greasy spoon' with love, because it also reflects the homage to 50's diner and comfort food, whereas so many veggie restos here are either Asian fare or 'gourmet' vegan. All of which i love, of course. The fun and kitschy decor helps too, especially the awesome collection of vintage salt and pepper shakers!

If you want to learn more about Sadie's, here's a link to their myspace. Their complete menu is featured there too. The image above is from there too.

A New Cookbook

After hearing about this book for a few months, and wondering, 'do i need another vegan cookbook?' i just couldn't resist it anymore. This book is like vegan porn for me. I can just sit with it for hours and just read over it, gently. With just a few photos to wet my taste buds, my creative eyes take the leap into vivid dreams of loveliness.

With books such as Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World, and Vegan with a Vengeance, let alone the amazing website Post Punk Kitchen, it's no wonder that Veganomicon is brilliant. I have already tried a couple of the recipes, namely the Asparagus Quiche (with just a 'slight' sub of leeks instead of asparagus) and the results were yummily stumpendous!
Run to your bookstore, on on-line store for a copy, it will not disappoint! Have it with a nice cup of Bambu, like i did!

It's all Chocolate (and carob)

I recently started trying out my new oven and baked a few goodies. One great batch of cookies i made are the Peanut Butter Bombs from the cookbook My Sweet Vegan. While mine didn't turn out as round as the ones in the photo, the taste made up for it - the peanut butter surprise in the middle was melted perfectly and was surrounded nicely by two chocolate cookies.

I also made Vanilla Agave Cupcakes recently and made them with a special mocha chocolate icing. I didn't have the proper ingredients for a fudge icing, nor did i want a full on mousse, so i created something in between. The left over icing (and isn't it always great to have left overs!) we devoured as pudding for our Oscar Night Party for Two. Oh, and the cupcake recipe is of course from the cookbook, Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World. For some reason, they didn't puff up and get big like my cupcakes usually do, but the agave was such a nice and subtle touch!
Here's the recipe for Bambu-ed Choco Icing:
1/2 cup margarine or vegetable shortening
1/2 cup pure Maple Syrup
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1 tbsp Bamboo powder
1/4 cup vanilla soy milk

1) Beat margarine and syrup in mixer until smooth, using medium speed. Whisk in vanilla. Slowly add cocoa powder (making sure to sift first) and Bambu powder. If you don't have Bambu, you can use instant coffee or espresso powder, or even sub some fresh coffee for the milk. Slowly beat at slow, making sure the cocoa doesn't fly everywhere!
2) Add milk at intervals, making sure it is all incorporated, using a rubber spatual to bring in the stuff on the side of the bowl.
3) To ensure that the icing stays fluffy and doens't change it's form, put in in the fridge for 10 minutes or so, or just as long as your cupcakes need to cool down!
I also recently splurged on a carob bar at my new local health food store. Splurged because it was just over $4 for the bar! I have to admit i was attracted to the sweet pastal and brown labels. Bad i know, but it was also exciting to see a whole line of carob bars - like Hazelnut Praline, Orange Zest and the good ole plain bar, for example. While i do like carob, i prefer a dark chocolate bar, but i wanted to give this a try. The bar was nice, but as i bought the hazelnut one, i was really hoping to taste that flavour and i didn't. One the other hand, the texture was lovely and smooth, which isn't always the case for carob!

Three Great Vegan Products

I'll say it right away, i'm not reviewing these for anyone in particular, nor is there an obligation for me to do so, except for sharing with you the great products i've discovered in recent months. That are all vegan, by the way. I know i always enjoy others' reviews of good (and sometimes bad) things out there in the commercial world, so here's my plug for a few of them; a lip balm, a soap, and a vegan cheese.

First up, is the heavenly soap line, Pacifica. For one, they aren't shy to put right on their label that they're vegan (don't you notice that so many vegan products steer clear of even that word on their product?). I appreciate that this somewhat expensive and boutique soap is confident in being proud of it's veganism. The second reason is for the soap itself - the lather is perfect, the amazing aroma, and for the lovely packaging. My absolute favourite is the "Nerola Orange Blossom." The first time i bought it, i couldn't believe how my bathroom cupboard, the bathroom itself, my shower, and my body all had the lucsious smell lingering on us for hours after. Amazing. Each scent has its own little story on the box, too, which makes for good bath reading. For approximately $8 a pop (Cdn), the soap lasts for a while and really is worth the splurge. We are too!

Second, and still in the area of body stuffs, is a lip balm i found in a funky downtown body and bath salon. The lip balm display was right by the counter, and there was my favourite word - vegan - just looking up at me from the display case. The brand is called Crazy Rumors and claims to be a 'naturally fun' line. One of its items is the Perk 'coffee break for your lips' series. While i do like some of the other vegan-friendly brands, i was happy to read flavours like Amaretto, French Vanilla, and Hazelnut I scooped up the French Vanilla and am quite happy with it. There's no film of wax that sits on my lips, the flavour is natural-tasting, and the softness the balm gives last for a good time.

Lastly, is my favourite line of vegan cheese products from Sunergia. While some other brands i use more out of necessity than actual happiness over (i.e. melts okay, tastes, okay but not all together great), this line of feta and blue cheese is great. Too bad they don't make other cheeses. A few months back, at my local Whole Foods, J and i happened upon the Mediterranean Herb and we couldn't believe our luck - it turned out perfect as an appetizer for a dinner party we hosted, and even better in the sandwiches we make sometimes. I've added it since to pasta salads, and it's great there too. We recently went on a road trip and bought the blue cheese for a pasta salad we were taking with us. The smell brought back my love for blue cheese dressing, and i couldn't believe how close to the 'real' thing it is. Not that i love strong cheeses to begin with, but i will definitely be buying the cheese again to make a blue cheese salad dressing. The texture for both was really good, and it lasted longer than some other vegan cheeses. The price is competitive with some of the other gourmet vegan cheeses, too. I don't see it at all the health food/vegan friendly grocers i go to, but it's well worth the scavenger hunt for it!