Fun With Your Food

Thank you for your bday wishes! I’ve been enjoying my visit home and I hope every one’s holidays have been as good as mine



Dessert first, as always, vegan chocolate sour cherry loaf with chunks of dark chocolate. A week or two ago I took a quick breads class and this was my favorite I instantly knew that I was making it for Thanksgiving.

Okay this is the last time (I think) I’ll post cashew cream but this really tops of the heavy thick chocolate loaf very nicely so it HAD TO be done.

Lightly curried sweet potato & tempeh filling for my sweet potato pastry puffs.

Fresh from our oven: Sweet potato & tempeh pastry puff (any ideas for names on this one? not sure I like this name.)

How fantastic is this retro serving platter I found at my grandma’s place? I wish I had a house full of random retro plates!

I swear I didn’t eat the whole sweet potato casserole…. Yet

Sweet potatoes topped with cinnamon maple syrup and pecans. I noticed some family members picking at this dish and munching the pecan topping. That’s a success in my book.

MY BIRTHDAY PRESENT. A chef’s jacket that has my name embroidered on it. Best. Present. Ever.

How was your holiday?

Teddy

What did I say? I was a baking fiend this past week! I actually made 3 varieties of brownies because I used these small containers.

Peanut butter, Pumpkin, and Double chocolate

The best was peanut butter and that is why it’s not pictured. It was gone before I could take out the camera!

More on this weekend: Part of this intensive “path to wellness weekend” was a diagnosis of how to improve your health in general. I’m a pretty healthy gal but there was one suggestion that I KNEW I would hear and really didn’t want to listen to……. Bake less

You mean everyone doesn’t bake 4 times in one week?? haha

The baking process is incredibly relax to me. I need to learn to bake and not eat as much of what I’m making. How lucky my coworkers and friends are…

I’m thinking of trying some flour-less baking this week. Any recipe suggestions?? (I swear I’ll only eat ONE… Cara, I’m counting on your help!)

Teddy

I’ve found the easiest dessert ever! If you haven’t tried baking sweet mochi you should. I made this last night. All you need to do is cut the block of mochi into 1 inch squares, flavor and bake at 450 for no more than 10 minutes.

They pack well so they’re good for my lunches at work. I used the cinnamon raisin flavor but suggest adding a little sweetener and spices to create a stronger flavor- for instance some agave and extra cinnamon.

The state capitol, I trek about 6 blocks to sit here most days. I read under those trees or simply people watch the whole time- I love to people watch!

Lunch time is a mini escape for me, a time to relax. Do you have anything special you do on your lunches?

Teddy