A Vegan Hanukkah Feast- Serious Latke Overdose

I don't think there has ever been a year I have not been home for at least part of Hanukkah, but this year it falls early and I am still in NYC until next week, when Hanukkah ends. Luckily there will still be Christmas at home (yes, I am one of those lucky people who celebrated both growing up! twice the presents!), but I still wanted to light the menorah and eat some fried potatoes.

My brother had the same dilemma of not being home for Hanukkah, so he came over and we ate. Too much. But it was delicious!

Vegan latkes- with toffuti sour cream and applesauce...



Broccoli and chickpea casserole from Vegan With a Vengeance- just to throw some protein and real veggies into the mix...


And chocolate rugelah- because there can never be enough rugelach- even when I make nearly 100 next weekend...

Extreme Vegan Rugelah Closeup!

Today I spent some time making rugelach dough. If all goes as planned, I will be selling this yummy cookie at the next Greenpoint Food Market in a couple of weeks.

While I was making enough dough for 80 cookies to freeze until I bake them the night before the market, I figured a couple of test batches of new flavors couldn't hurt...


The chocolate rugelah surprisingly reminded me of pain au chocolate- flaky and buttery with thick and gooey chocolate!


Phil's vote goes to the raspberry/pecan/raisin rugelah, tart, sweet, buttery, and "too rich to be vegan!"


There may be a second cookie in the works to sell, but it's not final yet... In the mean time, spread the word!

Leftover Sandwich

Who knew Tofurky tastes even better the second day on some toasted pumpernickel bread with some stuffing and cranberry sauce? Being a vegan doesn't mean you have to be excluded from delicious Thanksgiving leftovers!



This sandwich was created and assembled by Phil, a caring boyfriend who wanted to make sure his vegan girlfriend would have something to eat. It was the perfect dinner to eat at a very entertaining hockey game!

Peanut Butter Brownie Ice Cream

This is a horrible picture, and in no way, shape or form does justice to the amazing ice cream we made on Saturday night. In my opinion, the most heavenly flavor pairing possible is chocolate and peanut butter. This combination of cold creamy peanut butter and chewy chocolaty brownies was straight up ridiculous.

The recipes for the ice cream and the brownies were from my new vegan ice cream cook book, The Vegan Scoop. The ice cream was super simple, and I am happy to report I have finally found a vegan brownie recipe that reminds me of the chewy and fudgey brownies of my pre-vegan days. Although the new ice cream maker is dangerous to have around (we devoured this stuff in about thirty seconds flat) I am looking forward to more Vegan Scoop adventures! Next up: pumpkin ice cream, perhaps? :-)


p.s. Mom, I have no decent pics of the picatta- sorry!

My Big Debut- Next Saturday!

Introducing... The Lindzertort Bakery!!!!

Making its debut next weekend at...

Selling...

Most of you are nowhere near by, but come say hi if you are!!!

My Dinner- Quick Chard Stew with Garlic Bread

Will be making this again- quick and easy and perfect for a chilly fall evening. Highly Delicious!

My Lunch

It figures the day after Vegan MoFo is over, I get it together to start posting again. Oh well. Sigh.

I have been trying to be better about using the contents of my fridge and pantry when I am hungry. I'm not so great at it- I usually get inspired to make something I don't have ingredients for, and run out and get them. Not super cost effective, and as the weather gets colder I'm not as motivated to bundle up and walk to the store. Anyhoo, today I threw together a nice sandwich for lunch, if I do say so myself. It consisted of:

• Toasted whole wheat sprouted bread
• Fresh baby spinach
• Thin slices of pressed tofu sauteed in olive oil and drizzled with vegan Worcestershire sauce
• 4 sliced kalamata olives
• Vegan aioli (a tablespoon of vegan mayonnaise mixed with half a clove of pressed garlic)

I'm not sure what I would call this sandwich, other than Yummers. The olives are a must, they give it just enough of a kick to make all of the flavors come together. With some red grapes, it was the perfect lazy Sunday lunch.