Two posts in 3 days WHAT! Who is she?? Well, I told you guys that last post I’ve had written for weeks and just hadn’t had time to format/put the finishing touches on it. Since then, though, I’ve made a whole bunch of new recipes. And though I could have waited to share these until next week, I figured there would then be an overwhelming amount of recipes in one post, and I can instead just share these every Sunday. Maybe then you can have some inspiration for the coming week and planning your meals!
Like I mentioned in my last post, being in the kitchen is bringing me a lot of joy right now. I think I would get more tired of it if it was just me cooking every meal, but my mom and I really enjoy taking turns and cooking interesting delicious things for each other. It’s nice that when one of us is feeling lazy, we can sweetly ask the other to take over for the night. 🙂
So if you’re anything like me and have literally thousands of recipes bookmarked, but also are constantly struggling with the “I don’t know what to make” conundrum (strikingly similar to having an overflowing closet and yet “nothing to wear”), I figured it would be nice to give you these lists of tried and true recipes that I really did love.
Also when I inevitably reach that “I don’t know what to make” point in the future, I can look back on these posts and be inspired by my past self. Win win WIN!
Here’s some favorites from the week. The titles are all linked to the recipes!
Blueberry scones
These were gorgeous and SO GOOD! They looked like they took hours of slaving in the kitchen, but were honestly so easy. Bonus points if you manage to freeze one or two for a future rainy day when you really want baked goods but are in the aforementioned conundrum. 😉 Honestly, I think having extra baked goods stashed in the freezer is the key to a happy household. Just remember to label before you freeze!
Avocado black bean burgers with crispy sweet potato fries (served with a fresh green salad my mom tossed together)
These burgers are a very old favorite. I’ve made them dozens of times, though it’s been quite a while. And I realized long ago they pair perfectly with fries. Kinda like a burger and fries, elevated. 😉 I didn’t follow the sweet potato recipe perfectly; I ran out of arrowroot after about a teaspoon’s worth, and my fries were way too close together on the pan. Sooooo they weren’t all that crispy. However, I’ve made this recipe in the past, actually following the instructions, and can attest that they make the crispiest most delicious fries. Honestly I love sweet potatoes in any form, but I know I might not be in the majority when I say I can happily eat “soft fries.” LOL
I also didn’t have black beans so used a mix of pinto and kidney, and it worked like a charm!
Avocado cacao banana acai bowl
One of my fave acai bowl recipes and a great way to use up a random half of an avocado!
Chickpea cookie dough
I adore this recipe. It’s perfect for when you want dessert RIGHT NOW and shoveling chocolate chips in your mouth isn’t really doing it, but you’re also too tired/lazy to bake and also you kinda want something a little nutritious? You feel?
This recipe is MAGICAL. Don’t let the chickpeas scare you off. Those bad boys get pulverized in the food processor until their only contribution is that elusive cookie dough texture. Also works perfectly with white beans! And if you need just enough for two people, just half it! Oh and for the sweetener, I use 1/4 cup maple syrup.
Vegan Power Mac and Cheese
One of my all-time favorite incredibly easy one pan meals that feels like a plant party in your mouth. All you need is cashews, nutritional yeast, and a good blender, and bam, the most delicious cheesy sauce with no actual cheese in it. This is so comforting, and also goes great with a glass of red wine. 😉 Also freezes super well.
Chai-spiced Carrot Banana Bread
I’ve had this one on my to-bake list for ages but kept using up my ripe bananas for other things. Well, this week, I finally made it happen. Grating carrots might be the most annoying task known to man, but I promise the end product is worth it. Also, I didn’t have cardamom but did have chai tea, so instead of using plain almond milk I made a chai-infused almond milk by soaking a chai tea bag in a few tablespoons of the milk and used that. Creativity! The frosting is also other-worldly, and can be eaten on a spoon, finger, or something more civilized if you’re a more formal human than I am. But seriously, this was the most delicious dessert. And breakfast hehe.
Quinoa bowl
This is just my own invention, but it’s so delicious and easy, I had to share. This serves four.
1 cup uncooked quinoa
2 cups water
Can white beans or chickpeas
Roasted broccoli
Chopped tomatoes, random veggies, steamed or sautéed greens, herbs, or whatever you have
1 whole avocado
Dijon mustard
Boil your quinoa according to package instructions and mix it with the drained and rinsed beans. Then add in your pre-roasted broccoli (I usually follow this recipe) and random veggies. Slice 1/4 or 1/2 avocado onto each bowl. Then add a healthy dollop of dijon mustard and mix mix mix. You can probably use your favorite condiment, but I’ve discovered dijon goes perfectly with this and somehow makes the dish feel instantly more fancy.
Spinach quinoa fritters
Such a delicious and easy dinner. That yogurt sauce is also incredible and goes with so many things. This made 4 servings (currently loving cooking for at least 2 days to save time), and to go with it, I made really delicious sautéed mushrooms in coconut oil w/ a splash each of balsamic vinegar and maple syrup. Plus a green salad my mom made.
Green pancakes
I had some spinach on its last legs and remembered this old favorite pancake recipe that incorporates spinach in blended form, along with random other things I happened to have like kiwi and greek yogurt. It’s essentially a cross between a green smoothie and pancakes. Best of both worlds! The recipe asks for hemp seeds, but I just used flax meal. They always turn out delish and go awesome with maple syrup.
Puppy Chow
Ah, the most dangerous (and addicting) recipe of all. I saved the best for last because this recipe, my friends, is truly the holy grail for secret dessert to have stashed in your freezer to sneak handfuls of anytime of day or night. This is the absolute best puppy chow recipe.
If you’re unfamiliar, puppy chow is a wondrous Midwestern concoction that involves Chex cereal that is coated in melted butter, peanut butter, and chocolate, then tossed in powdered sugar, and then frozen to create a caramelized effect. I would make this all the time in my Georgetown house for my friends, and they went WILD over it. Make at your own risk; I’m telling you, there will come a moment when you’re standing shivering and hunched over the freezer with the door wide open, shoveling handfuls upon handfuls into your mouth, and not recognizing yourself. Not speaking from experience or anything. 😀
And that’s it for recipes this week! Also just as an FYI, I have a Recipes highlight on my Instagram where I usually put the things I make, so if you ever want to scroll through for some inspiration and don’t feel like digging up these blog posts, that’s there for ya!
Please do let me know if you make any of these and love them as much as I do. And also let me know what else you’d like to see me share in these times. I’ve got a post with some more favorites/things keeping me sane in the pipeline, but I’m open to any and all ideas and requests. 🙂
Xoxo, talk soon. <3
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