Home = Peanut Butter Cookies (Vegan)

If only I could capture the smell and add a scent to this entry!

You might be thinking...Vegan...eh?  Well, my carnivorous husband approves and so did my language class.  These cookies will make your heart smile, trust me I know cookies!

I must give a shout out to my Mom who validated my craving for peanut butter cookies by saying, "It's your birthday month and your pregnant so just do it."  Thanks Mom!

Now, I will share the secret recipe....they are simple & quick.

Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies

1 1/3 c. all-purpose flour
3/4 c. sugar
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 c. margarine
1 1/4 creamy peanut butter
1 tbsp applesauce
1 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In bowl mix together all dry ingredients.  Add the remaining ingredients and stir until the dough is well mixed.  Spoon generous tablespoon drops onto cookie sheet, rounding the dough balls.  Using a fork make press the tops of dough mounds in an criss-cross.  Bake for 15-17 minutes, until golden brown.  Remove from oven and allow to cool on cookie sheet.

Makes about 2 dozen cookies.

Share & Enjoy!  

Pasta Bake

My culinary experience (very little) has me inspired me to try new recipes and creations as my taste buds were growing weary of the same old, plus the gentle hint from my husband..."You should be more adventurous..."

So the culinary adventure begins...Wish I had a picture from last weeks creation!

PASTA BAKE - some might call it Baked Ziti - I'm calling it a success

Cast of Ingredients (these are mostly approximates):

250 g Rigatoni, Penne or any short noodle (approx. 8 oz)

1 1/4 c. ricotta

1 large egg

1 Tbsp Italian seasoning (or Italian herbs of your choice)

Salt & Pepper (if desired)

3/4 c finely grated Parmesan

1 c shredded mozzarella or pizza cheese

3 c favorite tomato sauce 

3 cloves garlic

1 c mushrooms, chopped

-any vegetables that you might want to add...spinach, onion, meat substitutes, meat, etc. 

Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce to the bottom of casserole dish (11x7 or similar size) this will keep bake from sticking to the pan.

Saute mushrooms & garlic and any additional raw vegetables/meats to be added to sauce.  After cooking, remove from heat and add the remaining tomato sauce.

Cook noodles according to recommended instructions - al dente.  Drain and set aside.  I like to add salt to the boiling water.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.  

In a bowl mix together ricotta, egg, Italian herb seasoning, 1/4 c of Parmesan, 1/2 c mozzarella cheese, and salt & pepper if desired.

Add noodles to the sauce lined casserole dish.  Then add the ricotta mixture.  Top with tomato sauce creation.  Finally, evenly spread the remaining Parmesan and mozzarella. I like to twist the pepper over the top for a final touch.  Place in oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. 

Delicious with a refreshing Cesar Salad.  Perfect on a cold winter night.

Enjoy!

Baking "Home"

There is something about baking and cooking in general that grounds me and completely absorbs my focus.  Admittedly, me in the kitchen has a tendency to equal tornado, but enjoy every moment.  The act of creating something from fresh whole ingredients to nourish the body fulfills me deep down - maybe that is the origin of the term soul food.

Food has the ability to change our state of mind, to make us feel better physically & emotionally, to comfort us.  So what better way to channel home when living 4,000 miles away, not to mention, satiating the pregnancy cravings the biggest drive behind my recent baking experience.

Morning Glory Muffins - my favorite!
They sound healthy, they have carrots & fruit in them so I can easily overlook the two cups of sugars.

My Morning Glory Muffins
1 1/2 c. all purpose flour
1/2 c. whole grain flour (Vita Brot Organic flour)
1 1/4 c. sugar
1 Tbsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt

Mix all the above ingredients in a large bowl.
Add to flour mixture;

2 c. grated carrots
1 apple, peeled, cored, chopped (next time I want to trying pineapple)
1 c. raisins
1/3 c. walnut pieces

In separate medium bowl, whisk together;

1 egg
2 egg whites
1/2 c. applesauce
1/4 c. vegetable oil
1 Tbsp. vanilla extract

Add the egg mixture to the dry ingredients.  Mix until just moist.  Pour mixture into lightly oiled muffin tins.  Makes 6 large muffins.  Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 20-25 minutes (less time if using smaller muffin tins).

Finally, simply enjoy your home baked muffins (or two if you are pregnant)!

*Mom, if you read this, I know you are jealous and I promise to make you a batch or two when we come home this summer or when you come to visit!

Knödel Time

My first attempt at making German food....Knödel dinner success......

Knödels are German dumplings made of bread and potatoes with some herbs.  So was dinner especially healthy - not after I poured the mushroom gravy over them!  OK so the dumplings came from a box, but I made the delicious mushroom sauce and tossed in some window sill herbs too.  I really just like saying knödel :)

Not a huge adventure into the land of the unknown, but I did have to translate packing - thank you Google Translate.  Most importantly we enjoyed eating them!

Ingredients...Ingredients...Ingredients

Before moving to Germany we researched what goods and items are hard or impossible to find in this foreign land.  So I prepared properly, at least I thought so.....

Rewind four and half months, I made sure to pack vanilla extract, baking powder, peanut butter, a variety hot sauces, products we particularly like and our whole spice cupboard because it was extensive and I was unsure what I would find here.  Fast forward to October, shipment arrives (YEAH!!!) and with all the goodies it felt like  Christmas, but I forgot the baking soda - always something, right.

How hard can it be to find baking soda, sodium bicarbonate, it is used to clean, bake, brush teeth, get out stains, and so much more.  There are no big boxes of Arm & Hammer baking soda to speak of and my search began about a week ago.  I was not going to be defeated.  Why?  Well, the motivational hormones in my fifth month of pregnancy driving my cravings for homemade cookies and muffins was all the energy I needed.

In Germany baking soda is called Natron and I searched the shelves of the four main grocery stores I shop at and with no success.  Something had to give....I need cookies and any of my old coworkers can attest to this fact.  Finally, a random attempt at a third nearby Rewe grocery store resulted in discovering the treasure, the secret ingredient, something I've always taken for granted back home.

Behold, Kaiser Natron, about 0,69 euro for a mere 50 grams.  No more searching for recipes that excluded the baking soda.  Cookies, muffins, bread, and baked goods are in my future.  I was so elated to finally find the Natron that I also bought a package of cookies to celebrate with on the walk home.  Not nearly as good as homemade.

Needless to say my afternoon then consisted of baking...cookies.  A new recipe from my favorite vegan cook books, How It All Vegan.  So, Spicy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies have been squelching my cookie cravings this week.  These would be great with a bowl of chili (vegetarian that is)...next time!

What's up next....

German Thanksgiving!