BitterSweet

Browsing through aisles of snack food at the grocery store is like walking through a minefield for me. Nutritional bombs lay in wait everywhere the eye can see, but each one sounds even more delicious than the next. Tempting those unwitting consumers who don’t bother to check what goes into their snacks, it’s a disaster waiting to happen. Even as an informed shopper, it’s becoming harder and harder to make wise purchases. With false advertising covering every inch of the labels and soaring food prices forcing many to go the cheaper route (despite the price that must be paid with one’s health), it’s enough to send anyone fleeing from the stores. But don’t give up hope - there are a few gems buried in amongst the dirt, and Grandpa Po’s Originals is one of them.

Hidden inside each unassuming re-sealable pouch is a mix of popcorn kernels and toasted soy beans, packing in a good helping of both protein and fiber, and providing a healthy answer to this snacking dilemma. Found in a total of three subtle variations, I was only lucky enough to try two, but I can imagine that if the last one follows suit, it would be a worthy purchase as well.

The natural place to start is with the most basic, and Slightly Unsalted appeared to be just that. What I couldn’t have guessed was just how much flavor this “basic” offering would have. From the first bite, I was completely blown away. It tasted just like movie theater popcorn! How could this be?! My mind was reeling for a minute, trying to make sense of how four straightforward and healthful ingredients could produce that familiar salty, indulgent taste. Not at all greasy like I had remembered the chemical- and dairy-laden original being, the tiny kernels were perfectly crisp and crunchy. Punctuated with a serious handful of nutty soybeans, the simple mix of textures and flavors was far better than I could have ever anticipated. Just short of being dangerously addictive, I wouldn’t imagine that a bag of this could ever last long in my home.

Munching on a handful of Slightly Spicy next, I wasn’t sure that I had picked up the right bag at first; not even a hint of spice tickled my tongue. A few moments passed, and then all of a sudden, the bells started ringing and there was fire going in the back of my throat! How sneakily the flavor had crept up on me! After that startling experience, I knew what to expect and found the remainder of the bag delightful, but it’s only terribly spicy after the first few mouthfuls. It doesn’t take long for your taste buds to adjust, so it’s an excellent method of encouraging portion control: To get that hot kick every time, you only need to eat a little bit in one sitting! Mostly peppery above anything else, it’s nothing too exotic for the spice-fearing among us.

Finally, a savory snack that’s appropriate for just about everyone, and tasty by any standards, too. This is one satisfying option that I don’t feel bad about grabbing when my energy levels dip between meals. Best of all, there are so few ingredients that it’s impossible to hide foreign additives or questionable content in there. The only thing unusual about the list is ‘a sense of humor,’ which is included in ample supply in every bag.

[Written for Godairyfree.org]

I swear, some of these new meat-analogs that are being developed are so similar to the original, it could fool even die-hard carnivores. Case in point…

While I’m not a fan of “fake meat,” these do come very close to the real thing, and could satisfy a craving in a pinch.  Just make sure you get enough to share around, because with much better nutrition than the original and without the animal flesh, this is a snack that everyone can appreciate, vegan or not!

91 comments in just under 12 hours. Wow. That’s definitely a record for this wee little blog; you guys must really want bunnies!

I wouldn’t want to cause any trouble by drawing this out any longer, so here are the 12 names selected at random to get one of these critters in the mail….

Lisa
Ugliducklyn (Comment #55)
Amanda
Liz (Comment #26)
Josefin (Comment #48)
Sarah (Comment #71)
Samm (Comment #25)
Vegan Addict
Stephanie Anne (Comment #29)
Brenda W. (Comment #20)
Gretchen Noelle
Jenna (Comment #11)

Do you see your name up here? If so, shoot me an email with your address, and let me know if you’d like me to make your bunny into a magnet, ornament, or leave it as is. Also, you could list a couple of color preferences, and while I can’t make any promises on that front, I will do my best to get you the bunny you want.

In case your name wasn’t chosen this time around, don’t worry! Another contest or random lottery drawing is always just around the corner.

I’d also like to just take the time to thank Joanna for rating my blog as “E for excellent,” but I’m afraid I have far too many favorites to pick 10 myself. The blogs listed in my blogroll aren’t even a fraction of what I check- I think there are at least 350 - 400 blogs on my reader now!

A while back, Chelsea also tagged me to tell 5 things about myself. I really do hate talking about myself, but I promised that I would do this one and have been slacking, so let’s do this real quick…

1. I sleep with a giant stuffed strawberry. Most normal kids would have a teddy bear or something, but no, I have a plush strawberry that’s about as big as medium-sized cat.

2. I’m absolutely, completely terrified of doctors. I don’t have a problem with needles or medical procedures per say, but if I see those creepy guys in their white coats, I’m running the other way.

3. My favorite [commercial] frozen dessert ever is Whole Soy’s Creme Caramel. Holy crap, it’s tough not to eat the whole container in one sitting.

4. I probably sprained my ankle a couple days ago because it’s rather swollen and painful to walk on. Boo!

5. Finally, I’m planning on doing a little one-week vacation in Portland over the summer, so if anyone has suggestions, I’d love to hear them!

And all of you lovely people that left me such thoughtful, heart-warming comments certainly have it. I can’t thank you guys enough for waiting by while I got my shittake together, and I don’t think I would have been able to get through it intact without you. Having a good friend that you can turn to in times of turmoil is invaluable, and so I would hardly feel right about turning away others in need.

Such was the case when a tiny purple bunny appeared in my herb garden one day.

Cowering next to a large pot of basil, the poor dear was clearly scared out of her mind. Alone and lost - How she got there, I couldn’t tell you - She definitely was in need of a kind soul to help her out of this confusion. Offering up my cozy patch of greenery as a temporary residence, I promised that we would get her back to where she belonged in no time at all. Little did I know what I was getting myself into…

It was only a matter of time before a friend of hers showed up, and I was overjoyed to know that neither of these tiny creatures wouldn’t be alone. Contented that they could keep each other company, I went about my regular chores, completely care-free. As the hours slipped away and out of my grasp faster than I could even turn them over in my hands, I didn’t get to check in on them for nearly half the day. When I came back to offer them a snack, I stopped short and wondered if perhaps my vision was faulty; I was seeing even more than double!

Um, okay, not a big deal, I’ll just pull out a couple extra chairs at the table. But then, I swear I just blinked and-

Bunny overload!

Now, I’m not about to toss these sweet little ones out on the street, but I can’t possibly take care of all twelve on my own. Knowing that you guys are all such great friends, I was wondering if any of you would be interested in taking one into your own home instead? Just leave me a comment before midnight tonight (Eastern Time) and I’ll pick out a dozen names at random. Consider it a small ‘thank you’ for being so patient!

It’s true, life has been much more bitter than sweet lately, and it’s been tough to continue posting as if all were right with the world. However, in an attempt to balance things out a bit, a plate full of hot french toast could certainly help tip the scales, at least for a little while.

Regular posts will return very soon, I promise- I just need to regroup a bit, and get some of that sweetness back into my life.

There’s just something in particular about layer cakes that I’m drawn to. The striated wedges that reveal neat rows of a myriad of fillings, flavors, and textures, just cutting into them is a suspenseful drama that you can’t look away from. Elaborate and beautiful any way you slice it, it’s no surprise that you’re most likely to find one of these striped confections at birthdays and celebrations. Thanks to Morven who chose this Daring Baker Challenge, it became a requirement to find something to celebrate this month- And truly, I was happy to have any excuse!

We were assigned to tackle Dorie Greenspan’s “Perfect Party Cake,” to be exact, but there were many more allowances for creativity than most challenges. Any flavors could be used to please the baker’s palate, any filling, any decoration, and either a buttercream frosting or simply whipped cream; Basically, we were pretty much set loose for this one.

Happily, the biggest obstacle that I faced was figuring about what occasion to celebrate with this fantastic cake. Since my grandma was due to return home after a winter in Hawaii mid-month, that seemed that the perfect opportunity, so I took that idea and ran with it. Soon enough, I had concocted an intricate scheme to incorporate tropical flavors in a decadent, over-the-top, but completely approachable sort of way.

It all started with a lightly pineapple-flavored cake, by way of replacing most of the liquid with pineapple juice, and then since I had drained off a can of pineapple chunks to get the juice, I tossed the solids into a pot and made a quick jam. On top of that, I spread a thin layer of lemon curd (same recipe from my book again), and then repeated the sequence until I ran out of cake. Seizing my “get out of jail free” card with the buttercream, I went the easier route of making a whipped coconut creme, which I gelled with just a touch of agar so that it would melt at room temperature. After my most recent shopping spree in NYC, I had lots of shiny dragees to play around with, so naturally they topped off the stack.

Finally, a challenge that turned out exactly as I had intended! The layers could have been a bit better defined I suppose, but there’s always room for improvement, right? But more importantly, my grandmother seemed to genuinely enjoy it (I hope!) and it was met with rave reviews from everyone else who managed to snag a piece as well. Seriously, I was floored at how enthusiastic the assessments were, and it seems as though there is considerable demand for the recipe as well! Perhaps I’ll make this same assemblage again, but with a slightly different structure to get those clear-cut layers I crave… Who knows, you may just see this one again soon.

Left to my own devices, solo meals are hardly even noteworthy. Hummus and chips, or hummus and veggies show up on my personal menu almost very single day, an easy favorite by far. Couscous or rice served up with simple combinations of veg, beans, and spices always makes for a comforting dish, and it can practically cook itself, unattended. In times of stress and exhaustion though, it’s not such an uncommon event to eat cold cereal for dinner, or even just chips, hold the hummus. Satisfying in its own right but at the same time vaguely shameful, I almost never go through any great lengths preparing food if it’s only for myself.

Don’t get me wrong- Simplicity is the key to my daily chow and I wouldn’t have it any other way. The thing is, sometimes I’ll start craving something special, but without an occasion and no one to share it with, I’ll reason that it can wait for another day, because the hassle just isn’t worth it. But you know what? I decided the other day that maybe, just maybe, I’m worth it, and after a particularly draining week, I knew exactly what would cheer me up. So I went for it- I made pancakes.

Yes, pancakes. Simple enough that a 5 year old could make them no doubt, but just the act of heating up that pan, mixing together ingredients, and flipping the small cakes over as the sun beams down over the stove can be even more nurturing than the act of eat. Going out of your way to make yourself happy, make something you want… Well, that’s what I’d call comfort food. These particular pancakes are very straightforward, to the point of being plain, but that’s really the beauty of them. Versatility is the name of the game, and a myriad of fruits, nuts, flours, and fruit purees could call these pancakes home, so it’s impossible to get bored. You could even make them every day with no guilt; How’s that for a pick-me-up?

An impulsive decision lead me to make these, and thus there was no maple syrup to be found. A handful of frozen wild blueberries remedied that problem easily, and likewise, any sort of cut fruit or jam would also be delicious to top it all off.

Although I would have still prefer to have someone to share these gems with, it certainly was nice to treat myself for once.

Pancakes for One

1/2 Cup Flour
1 Teaspoon Baking Powder
1-2 Tablespoons Granulated Sugar
1/4 Teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Spice (Or any mixture you enjoy)
Pinch salt
1/2 Cup Soymilk
2 Tablespoons Fruit Puree (Apple sauce, mashed bananas, pumpkin…)
1 Teaspoon Canola Oil

Stir together all dry ingredients together in one bowl, and all wet in another. Add the wet into the dry and stir just enough to combine the two.

Lightly grease a skillet and turn up the heat to medium, making sure it has time to get hot before adding you batter. When ready, ladle dollops of the batter into your skillet and allow them to sit, undisturbed for 2 or 3 minutes, until bubbles erupt along the top and the edges seem to have firmed up a bit. Flip, and cook for another 2 or 3 minutes on the other side. Move to a plate, eat, and watch your mood miraculously improve.

(Makes about 4 small pancakes)

Just like that, it would seem as though mother nature has suddenly flipped a switch, and the days have instantly become longer and warmer. Although there is still a chill in the air, spring has definitely started to settle in, and it is a much welcome change. No longer is it necessary to bundle up in a half-dozen layers just to walk across campus, and there’s even light to dine by at dinner time. As much as I love winter, it had definitely overstayed its welcome this time around, dumping snow at the drop of a hat like a child throwing tantrums. One can only take these antics for so long, right?

Tempting me out of my quiet room with brilliant sunshine, it was literally a breath of fresh air to be greeted with the gentle midday breeze. Deciding on impulse to go for a stroll, winding paths unfolded before me, meandering along streams and brush and buildings alike. Enjoying the scenery so thoroughly, it wasn’t until 5 miles later that realized how far I had wandered or how limp my legs were becoming. I’m not exactly an athlete here, and my typical “walk” would be a quick dash between classes, plus maybe a lap around the building if you really push me. Starting to feel the distance in my throbbing feet, a nearby bench looked too inviting to pass by, providing a moment to rest my insufficient muscles. Sitting there with the blood rushing through my veins, who knows how long it took for me to pull my head together again. I have to guess that it must have been a good while though, because the next thing I knew, I found myself seated next to an unexpected newcomer.

Sitting nonchalantly on the bench as if he were just waiting for the bus, he must have hopped up there ages ago to get so settled in! Not wanting to make this slimy green visitor uncomfortable, I tried not to stare, but my curiosity only grew after getting over the initial shock. Where is his home? Will there be more frogs like him being born soon? A sign of good things to come, as creatures awaken from hibernation and wildlife returns to the budding trees, this fellow was even more proof that the seasons had officially changed.

It was hard to part ways and leave him there on the bench, but I took comfort in the knowledge that he is undoubtedly the first of many- I just can’t wait to see what other animals I might meet this spring!

I think this is more creepy than cute, but funny all the same. Isn’t it curious how you can find faces in just about anything?

So far removed am I from the days of attending temple or any other religious proceedings, there tend to be many holidays that fall through the cracks. They often don’t even appear on standard calendars, and are difficult to observe without a whole congregation to facilitate a party. Purim in particular has become a “lost” holiday for me, and I can only remember observing it about a decade ago, when I was too young to really understand what we were celebrating. Putting on a costume, running around and playing games for prizes, it was simply a second chance at Halloween in my eyes. You could make lots of noise and eat sweets, so the specifics weren’t all that important. I do remember, however, getting the opportunity to make hamantashen with the help of one patient volunteer. Sculpting a mound of dough that was more like modeling clay than food, it was the process that we all enjoyed; Not the product. This traditional cookie didn’t grab my attention back then, but in searching desperately for a way to recognize this oft over-looked day, I decided to give it one more try.

A simple cookie without any bells or whistles, it’s easy to see why it might not be the best seller at a bake sale. Prepared with care and a solid recipe though, it can win the heart of even the pickiest sweet tooth. The versatile dough allows for any filling you could dream of mounding up in the center, and it’s easy enough for the most reluctant of bakers to prepare. Soft and tender, these cookies are far better than the dry, sad triangles sold in supermarkets these days that turn so many unknowing eaters away from this traditional treat. And although nothing could ever beat those made by my Nana, this vegan version does come pretty damn close, if I do say so myself.

3/4 Cup Margarine
1/2 Cup Granulated Sugar
3 Tablespoons Smooth Cashew Butter
3 Tablespoons Orange Juice
1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1 Teaspoons Baking Powder
2 1/4 Cups All-Purpose Flour

Jam or Preserves of your choice (I just went through my fridge and used up whatever I could find- Some strawberry, cherry, guava, and yellow plum preserves. Anything you like is just fine! Even a few chocolate chips wouldn’t hurt, too…)

Using a stand or hand mixer, thoroughly cream together the margarine and sugar until smooth. Beat in the cashew butter, followed by the orange juice and vanilla extract. Mix the baking powder together with the flour, and then slowly incorporate the dry mix in until it forms a ball. It might take a bit of time, but don’t be tempted to add any more liquid- It just needs a little persuasion. Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour before proceeding.

Once the dough is completely chilled, preheat your oven to 375 degrees and line two cookie sheets with silpats or parchment paper.

On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to 1/4 inch thickness. You will probably want to coat the dough itself lightly with flour, and if it becomes too finicky to roll out without sticking, toss it back into the fridge for a few minutes. Cut out circles of about 3 inches in diameter with either a cookie cutter or drinking glass. Move the circles onto your prepared baking sheets, and spoon a small mound of filling onto the center of each circle, about 1 tablespoon each. Pull up the sides of the circle in order to form a triangle, and pinch the corners firmly so that they don’t separate or fall down during baking. If you’re really concerned about them staying in shape, you can freeze them just prior to baking, but I tossed them in the oven right away. Bake for 8 - 10 minutes, until lightly golden brown but still rather pale. Allow them to sit on the baking sheet for a few minutes before sliding the silpats or parchment onto a cool surface.