Category Archives: RECIPES

Vegetarian Chili with Sweet Potatoes

December 29, 2010

Filed Under : EAT - RECIPES

In the month of December, I pretty much let myself go. There are just too many temptations in the form of peppermint-flavored, -crusted, -coated chocolate (hello, friend). Don’t worry though. When January comes around, I pull on the reigns and begin to eat sensibly again.

But pulling on the reigns means only one thing: chocolate-induced withdrawals. In an effort to curb side effects of the withdrawal process, I tend to make foods with hidden added chocolate. Ween myself of it, if you will.

When I found this recipe for Vegetarian Chili with Sweet Potatoes in this month’s Real Simple magazine, I just about died. It calls for 2 teaspoons of unsweetened cocoa powder! Say what? A hearty, healthy, slow-cooker chili with la chocolat? Ok so you can’t really taste the chocolate in the chili per se but there’s definitely an underlying sweetness to it. Don’t get me wrong, it definitely has all the flavors of a typical chili – just with a little somethin’ extra. So so delicious!

PS- I only took ONE photo of the chili (blogger slap on the wrist) so instead here is a photo of my human-like dog relaxing after a long day at the office:

…and a sweet birthday treat from Anthropologie – they are officially bringing back the zodiac sign:

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Spiced Applesauce Cake

November 23, 2010

Filed Under : EAT - RECIPES

I’m 100% in the Thanksgiving mindset this week. Living and breathing it. Breathing it? Yes because I’m currently surrounded by the densely aromatic smell of freshly baked cake, cinnamon and clove, apples and frosting.* Quintessential fall! Exactly what I need to get me ready for Thanksgiving.

But even better, this Spiced Applesauce Cake (recipe courtesy of one of my favorite food bloggers, Smitten Kitchen) tastes just as good as it smells. It’s incredibly moist and has just the right amount of appley flavor. I even used plain, store-bought applesauce instead of making it myself and it was just as delicious. The recipe is simple and quick – and it’s now my breakfast for the next 3 days.

*I started writing this post when it still smelled delicious and cinnamon-y up in here. Now, we’re doing a 4-hour oven self-cleaning and it currently smells like melting plastic and burnt-to-a-crisp baked goods. Oh the sacrifices we make for Thanksgiving!!

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Halloween Treat

October 31, 2010

Filed Under : EAT - RECIPES

Normally, I’m pretty good about making all sorts of Halloween treats. This year, I was a major slacker. Shameful. But I did end up making one treat, Pumpkin Whoopie Pies (recipe here).

They weren’t my favorite pumpkin dessert – i.e. I’d much rather have pumpkin pie or pumpkin chocolate chip cookies – but they were still pretty decent. The chocolate cookie was so cakey and the pumpkin center could double as a frosting. You really can’t go wrong with that combo.

P.S. What was your Halloween costume? I dressed as Rachel Berry from Glee, complete with a pleated skirt, white polka dot socks, and a cropped cardigan. The only thing I didn’t have was the voice!!!

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Lentil Vegetable Soup

October 29, 2010

Filed Under : EAT - RECIPES

My bf and I always argue over whether or not soup is a legitimate meal. He looks at soup as a side dish or maybe a lunch at best. I, on the other hand, think it can be a perfectly-sized dinner if it’s hearty enough.

Like this lentil vegetable soup, for example. The lentils are rich in protein and the soup is completely packed with vegetables. HEARTY, trust me. So that directly proves my bf’s logic wrong, am I right? Besides that, there is nothing I would rather have than a hot bowl of soup in the colder months. I could eat it every day!

I am a huge fan of this lentil soup (recipe here). Just a warning though: it’s a serving size 10 and makes A LOT. But I’m telling you, the leftovers are the best part. The soup thickens and the flavors intensify overnight. So make it all and save it.

The soup itself is rich in flavor, with undertones of cumin, garlic, and thyme. The lentils bring it to a new dimension though, adding texture and a slightly earthy flavor. Sprinkle a little parmesan on top, serve it with a crusty bread and you have a complete meal, my friend.

{my lunch the next day…and the day after}

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