Good days...and sunshine!

It is amazing what a bit of early spring warmth (two days in the 60s!) and sun can do!  For many reasons, I had an invigorating past week, and even though it was 18 when I dropped off the hub at the train this morning, the hope and renewal of spring are in me!


Still, many of the kitchen happenings this past week continued to be of the hearty variety.  No new creations, but many new trials!

 Butternut Squash Steak Quesadillas: A GG Variation
Did my "steaks" as per an earlier post (upped cumin a bit); thinly layered refried beans, then steaks, then light Daiya, black beans, and avocado.  Hub's plan for perfect tortilla crisp: 4-5 min. per side on med. heat (use non-stick saute pan).  YUM!

Sometimes, a bowl of veggies is just

a bowl full of happiness. Yay! (Oh...and I had

my sweet potatoes with a new 

agave-sweetened ketchup -- awesome!)

Sun-Dried Tomato Basil Dip from Veganomicon
and Low-fat Spinach and Artichoke Dip
from Happy Herbivore:  Made these for dinner
at the Hoffs.  I have tips to lighten the former
and rave reviews of both!

Two-Step Southwestern Stew -- an
old favorite and one of my first
forays into vegan cooking.  Click here 
to get the recipe.  The hominy is a fun
alternative to the usual corn, as it
 provides similar flavor with the
density of a grain.

Thank you H. Hoff for taking the

time and care to make such a 

delicious vegan dish!  Sauteed

Tofu Veggies with 

Homemade Peanut Sauce!

 

Low-Fat Banana Oat Scones:  Clickhere for the recipe. Use non-dairy milk.
I also used 1 c. wheat and 1 c. white,
added cinnamon, and topped with a
sprinkle of turbinado.  A great
breakfast with the barest smear of pb
or jam and a piece of fruit.

Just after I had added the pictures for this post and was embarking upon notes and description, I realized that I had an observer.  Now, post-breakfast, I usually just hear snores from the pups, as I go about my morning activities.  At first, I couldn't figure out why he was so avidly watching me write -- just being supportive?  curious as to why I was not snuggling him and reading?  Then, I realized his intense (though insanely cute) gaze was linked to the final bite of apple on my breakfast plate.  I couldn't help but snap this shot of Boomer, although I also wish I had also gotten the picture of him seemingly looking for a good read (as a bookshelf was just to his left).  You may guess that following the consumption of the aforementioned apple, I once again find myself alone, in the beautiful morning sunlight of my office, listening to the usual snoring.