Individual Serving Microwave Brownies

Ok, I was feeling like some brownies, so I tried these two recipes from chow and I'm publishing the one I like better.

We tried these two recipes:

1. Microwave Brownie in a Mug (single serving) Recipe
2. Microwave Chocolate Mug Brownie Recipe

I liked the Microwave Brownie in a Mug (single serving) Recipe one.  I added some instant coffee and probably a bit more salt.

The other one (Microwave Chocolate Mug Brownie Recipe) it was hard to tell because I over cooked it.  It was still bubbling after 60 and 75 seconds so I cooked it for 45 more seconds and it was a bad idea.  Though its bubbling I think I should have stopped.  Perhaps we'll do another taste off again.

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbs vegetable oil 
• 2 Tbs water
• Few drops vanilla extract
• A dash salt
• A pinch instant coffee powder (optional)
• 2 Tbs unsweetened cocoa powder
• 3 Tbs granulated sugar
• 2 Tbs all purpose flour

Steps:

1. In a 12 ounce cup, add oil, water and vanilla extract.  Whisk well with a fork
2. Add salt, instant coffee powder and cocoa powder.  Whisk well with a fork
3. Add sugar.  Whisk well with fork
4. Add flour.  Whisk well with fork
5. Microwave for 75 seconds (will be cooked through, some say cook for 60 seconds to create a gooey brownie)
6. Will be HOT, be careful removing from microwave and let it cool a bit
7. Serve warm with some type of topping - ice cream, whipped cream, etc. 

Copyright 2005-2010 LeelaVegCooking. All Rights Reserved.

All the contents and photographs, unless otherwise declared, are the property of Leela Obilichetti. All materials contained on LeelaVegCooking website are protected by United States and International Copyright Laws, and should not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission. Reproduction, modification, display and distribution of LeelaVegCooking's content is illegal and strictly prohibited.

Bread Machine Chapatis

Ingredients:

• 2 cups chapati flour (atta)
• 1/4 tsp salt (I think I did more, since I just threw some in there)
• 2 Tbsp melted coconut oil
• 3/4 cup water

Steps:

1. Put this all in the bread machine in dough cycle and knead for 10 minutes. 
1. I have a Breadman TR440 
1. the first time I used the 1 lb dough cycle through the MIX and KNEAD cycles 2x.  Immediately after the first time kneading stopped, I restarted it and stopped it after the 2nd KNEAD and let it sit for 30 minutes. 
2. the second time I used the 2 lb dough cycle through the MIX and KNEAD cycle.  It went for longer than the required 10 minutes so I stopped it around that time of the cycle. 
2. Let rest for 30 minutes
3. Knead again.
4. Pull off balls of dough, roll into balls, flatten, roll into thin tortilla like chaptis.  Needs to be 1/16 of an inch. 
5. Heat pan to Medium high heat
6. Put chapati on the pan
7. Wait till there are light to medium brown specs and circles on the bottom
8. Flip over and let it cook to brown a few specs
9. Take pan away, and put near/on heat and let it puff up. 
10. Put in a plate and cover up to keep warm and soft. 
11. Serve fresh with curries. 

Copyright 2005-2010 LeelaVegCooking. All Rights Reserved.

All the contents and photographs, unless otherwise declared, are the property of Leela Obilichetti. All materials contained on LeelaVegCooking website are protected by United States and International Copyright Laws, and should not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission. Reproduction, modification, display and distribution of LeelaVegCooking's content is illegal and strictly prohibited.

Foods I want to research:

1. Kombucha
2. Kefir
1. Coconut milk kefir
2. Water kefir
3. Miso
4. Coconut milk yogurt
5. Healing properties of mehti, ragi powder, turmeric, sabudhana (sp?) etc other indian things random people mention to me - mostly my mom.
6. earth balance soy free spread
7. coconut milk
8. coconut milk ice cream

Copyright 2005-2010 LeelaVegCooking. All Rights Reserved.

All the contents and photographs, unless otherwise declared, are the property of Leela Obilichetti. All materials contained on LeelaVegCooking website are protected by United States and International Copyright Laws, and should not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission. Reproduction, modification, display and distribution of LeelaVegCooking's content is illegal and strictly prohibited.

Food questions: Maple Syrup

I've been researching Organic Pure Maple Syrup, how its made, in order to come up with the things that I want to be concerned with in the production of Maple Syrup before I buy. 

Based upon what I read here are the questions I've come up with (Can you describe their collection process from start to finish, and that I would like to know details about what the food is in contact with)

1. Do you use pesticides, fertilizier or any other intervention?
2. Do you tube or tap your maple trees? 
3. If you tube, do you use BPA free tubes? 
4. What process do you use for converting from sap to syrup?  Do you use reverse osmosis?  
5. Do you use a filtration process, and if so what type do you use? 
6. If you do filter, how do you clean your filters? 
7. How do you store your reverse osmosis filters and how to you clean them? 
8. What metals/materials are in contact with the sap/syrup in the sugar house?
9. Are there any additives in the syrup? 
10. How do you keep the foam under control (bacon fat, butter, organic safflower oil, other)? 

Some articles: 

•  http://commoncircle.net/2009/03/16/what-you-never-knew-about-maple-syrup/
• http://www.organicauthority.com/blog/organic/organic-food/organic-maple-syrup-basics/
• http://www.maplesugarhouse.com/sugar_shack.html

Some places to buy: (I haven't asked these questions above of these yet) 

• http://www.valleyviewmaplefarm.com/
• http://hardwicksugarshack.wordpress.com/maple-syrup/
• http://www.dailynewstribune.com/entertainment/x703989208/Learn-how-to-make-maple-syrup-the-old-fashioned-way
• http://www.maplesugarhouse.com/maple_products.html

Leigh Mae's Lentil Parsnip Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 c red lentils soaked in 1 Tbsp of lemon juice overnight
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 3 medium parsnips, sliced
• 3 medium carrots, sliced
• 3 cups apple cider
• 1 cup water / veggie broth
• 1 small head of garlic (3 largish bulbs)
• To taste:
• cilantro leaves
• salt
• pepper
• ginger
• curry powder
• Extra: 1 cup or more of water

Steps:

1. soak lentils overnight with lemon.  rinse.
2. caramelize onions
3. add parsnips
4. add carrots
5. add cider
6. add lentils and garlic
7. add water or broth
8. bring to a boil
9. let simmer until all vegetables are tender
10. add salt, pepper, ginger
11. blend in food processor or blender
12. add extra liquid if needed to thin out to texture you want
13. Serve with Cilantro

Copyright 2005-2009 LeelaVegCooking. All Rights Reserved.


All the contents and photographs, unless otherwise declared, are the property of Leela Obilichetti. All materials contained on LeelaVegCooking website are protected by United States and International Copyright Laws, and should not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission. Reproduction, modification, display and distribution of LeelaVegCooking's content is illegal and strictly prohibited.

Eggplant towers

Ingredients:

• breaded eggplant
• ricotta
• pesto
• steamed broccoli chunks - 1 inch or less
• tomato sauce (homemade is best)
• mozzarella cheese

Steps:

1. Pre-heat oven 350
2. Stack in order listed 2 or more times
3. Bake until cheese is melted and eggplant is cooked.
4. Serve warm.

Copyright 2005-2009 LeelaVegCooking. All Rights Reserved.

All the contents and photographs, unless otherwise declared, are the property of Leela Obilichetti. All materials contained on LeelaVegCooking website are protected by United States and International Copyright Laws, and should not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission. Reproduction, modification, display and distribution of LeelaVegCooking's content is illegal and strictly prohibited.

Allergy free Frosting for Vegan Cake

Ingredients:

• 1.75 cups powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup Earth Balance Shortening
• 1/4 cup Fleishmann's UNSALTED Margerine
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 Tbsp Hemp Milk (Living Harvest ORIGINAL)

Steps:

1. Put it all in one bowl, stirred it up with a fork until mixed well.
2. It was enough for one 9 inch layer cake.

I've never made frosting before but decided to make frosting for my daughter (3) because she really wanted some after seeing it on other kids birthday cakes. We've been to LOTS of birthday parties lately.

I decided to use 1/2 EB Shortening and 1/2 Margarine because at least the Shortening doesn't have any transfats. I don't have a choice on the Margarine because of her allergies. I might try shortening only sometime but I need to research it more.

Her allergens: Dairy, Soy (Except soy lecithin and soybean oil), Eggs, Nuts, Peanuts, Sesame

Copyright 2005-2009 LeelaVegCooking. All Rights Reserved.

All the contents and photographs, unless otherwise declared, are the property of Leela Obilichetti. All materials contained on LeelaVegCooking website are protected by United States and International Copyright Laws, and should not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission. Reproduction, modification, display and distribution of LeelaVegCooking's content is illegal and strictly prohibited.

Vegan Calzone

Ingredients:

• Pizza crust
• Tomato Sauce
• Fillings (chopped spinach, carrots, mushrooms, tomatoes)
• dash of oregano
• dash of olive oil
• nutritional yeast

Steps:

1. Pre-heat oven to 450 degrees.
2. Spread the pizza crust to a thin (1/4 inch)
3. On half of crust you spread tomato sauce
4. Put toppings on evenly
5. Sprinkle oregano
6. Sprinkle olive oil all over
7. Sprinkle Nutritional yeast
8. Bake at 450 for 8 minutes or until crust seems done
9. Serve with a bowl of spagetti sauce for dipping
10. For little kids, make sure the insides are cooled down enough by cutting in half.

Copyright 2005-2009 LeelaVegCooking. All Rights Reserved.

All the contents and photographs, unless otherwise declared, are the property of Leela Obilichetti. All materials contained on LeelaVegCooking website are protected by United States and International Copyright Laws, and should not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission. Reproduction, modification, display and distribution of LeelaVegCooking's content is illegal and strictly prohibited.

Vegan Bisquick Pan Shortcake (1/2 recipe)

Ingredients:

• 2 1/3 c. Bisquick
• 3 tbsp. sugar
• 3 tbsp. melted coconut oil
• 1/2 c. unsweetened Hemp milk (Living Harvest brand)

Steps:

1. Mix all ingredients
2. Press into ungreased pan and bake for 15-20 minutes at 400 degrees.

Serve with strawberries.

Copyright 2005-2009 LeelaVegCooking. All Rights Reserved.

All the contents and photographs, unless otherwise declared, are the property of Leela Obilichetti. All materials contained on LeelaVegCooking website are protected by United States and International Copyright Laws, and should not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission. Reproduction, modification, display and distribution of LeelaVegCooking's content is illegal and strictly prohibited.