Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Sifting

I've been getting my money's worth out of this flour sifter I found at a garage sale.

It's a simple, fun, and helpful task that gets the girls involved.

Following is a look at what's been the result of all that sifting....





'Berry Oat Squares' from La Dolce Vegan!

I used some of my apricot-pineapple jam along with frozen blueberries for the filling, which was a tasty combo.
I guess this looked too healthy for my girls, and they wouldn't even try one, so I ate them all myself! I don't suggest this. Instead, make them when there's others to partake because you just can't stop 'til they're gone.



'Banana Bread' from The Damn tasty Vegan Baking Guide!

I added a handful of chocolate chips because it draws interest from the girls. This was good and we enjoyed it warm from the oven, though it seemed too moist to enjoy later that day. I used a silicone non-stick and perhaps that's the reason? Or maybe it just needed a bit more time to cook? Or, I over-filled the pan? Who knows! :)


'Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins' from The Joy of Vegan Baking.

Can you tell I like this flavor combo? This recipe is perfect for using up ripe bananas, taking four. I had 3 large bananas, and instead of mashing them, I pureed for a consistent texture. These muffins were perfectly delicious, and the whole family enjoyed them. I'll be making these again soon.



'Chocolate and Vanilla Marble Cupcakes' from Vegan Cupcakes Take Over The World.

These were fun to make, and a bit messy. I'm a competitior, and read the text, "Add both to the cupcake liner at the same time, side by side. Some people may not have the hand-eye coordination to do this (as easy as it sounds)...." to be a challenge! lol! Here is my handywork before clean-up. :)



'Chocolate Mousse Topping' from VCTOTW crowns them.

Silken tofu makes for the most luscious & light topping, along with providing a nice shot of protein from an unsuspected source.
I made them for Art's birthday last month. We both thought they were good enough, but nobody took the last one, and I probably won't make them again unless I need some coordination training. :)


I had a cookie recipe in mind, so first I needed to prepare the cookie sheets.

I like to alternate stacking cookie sheets and parchment paper. The top cookie sheet serves as a guide to trim excess paper, and also weighs down and conforms the papers so they don't slip as easily.





'Oatmeal Raisin Cookies' from The Joy of Vegan Baking are a delectable classic.

I didn't have oat bran, so added more of the rolled oats which worked out well for me. The rest of the recipe was by the book, and I used our favorite golden raisins. It yielded 3 dozen cookies using my medium scoop, and I shared a couple dozen with my neighbors. I enclosed lists of the ingredients, and I wonder if they'll notice there's no dairy?

To tally it up, that's 4 recipes tried, and 4 outstanding successes from this cookbook. With that track record, I feel comfortable trying recipes out on guests! Anybody else experiencing the Joy? :)

33 comments:

Taylor said...

So many baked goods...I'm jealously drooling.

Anonymous said...

You've been baking up a storm lately. Sometimes I wish I had a whole bunch of kids running around so that I'd have an excuse to bake more often. With just Marty & I sweet treats last way too long and make me feel oh so guilty!

aTxVegn said...

I will get the Joy soon! Give Kris's banana bread another try. Mine turned out great.

Susan Voisin said...

I'm waiting for my copy of The Joy to arrive by mail, so I'm happy to hear you've had such success with it.

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

oh my goodness your flour sifter looks just like mine!! how funny!! But I do have an electric one as well, for those times when I want to sift flour faster ;0)

wow, your apricot-pineapple jam and frozen blueberries sound (and look) like a perfect combination for those Berry Oat Squares, indeed! yum! haha, I'm glad that you got to enjoy these scrumptious squares :0)

mmm, banana bread - I recommend adding carob chips to the mix :0) hmmm, it was too moist? was there a lot of oil in the recipe?

ooh, the cupcakes (especially with the mousse topping) look divine! and the oatmeal raisin cookies and muffins that you made from the Joy of Vegan Baking cookbook look delicious as well. I REALLY need to get that cookbook!!! Everyone in the blogging world, who already has a copy, seems to love it!!

The Little Mama said...

Yum! Baking is totally my downfall... I can't stop, and worse, I can't stop eating the baked goods! Ah well. Everything you made looks super good! Thanks for the recipe reviews!

Teresa said...

oh my oh my! So many baked goods. I wish I had a real flour sifter and didn't have to use my strainer.

Yes indeed the combo of banana and chocolate sure is divine!

Vegan_Noodle said...

WoW! You and your girls have been busy! I like your sifter, I need to get a proper one like that, the one I have makes a mess.
The banana chocolate combo is awesome. I sometimes get overly moist breads too, your reasons seem logical. I have started storing these things in the fridge because I've found that anything I bake with fruit tends to get really sticky and goes bad after a few days (might be the humidity here).
Too many positive posts about the Joy of Vegan Baking.... I think I must go purchase.

Anonymous said...

you are making me want this book like crazy, all looks so good!

Shananigans said...

So many delectable baked goods! I made chocolate chip banana nut muffins last Sunday and have been enjoying them all week. I like the flavor combo too :) I love all your Haloween decor!

Jody from VegChic said...

You know, I've never had a flour sifter.

Those berry bars are great, aren't they?

The vegan baking guide is on my long want list of cookbooks.

Oatmeal cookies are a fav of mine, though I have a major aversion to raisins.

The apple cake from your other post looks beautiful. We had an apple bakeoff on Wednesday at the office. I made apple spice cupcakes. Your cake might have looked a lot more impressive!

bazu said...

I'd like to thank that flour sifter for bringing so much baked awesomeness into the world! (and you, of course!)

Unknown said...

I've still got my Mom's flour sifter. She would freak at the idea of baking without animal stuff. Thanks for all the good ideas!

madeinalaska said...

wow.. wouldn't my kids LOVE to come over and play at your house.. It seems the only time I bake is when I have to.. Like when we are invited to birthday parties/school celebrations and what not..

All looks great!

Anna said...

Oh, those berry-oat squares look divine! And how nice to have some help in the kitchen. :)

Steph said...

I have a "George Bush Left in Office" countdown as a widget on my MAC! And those Berry Bars look fab : )

Kati said...

I've never been so excited about a flour sifter before! Those berry oat squares look particularly enticing...

theONLYtania said...

You have the best ways of getting the girls in the kitchen! I'm sure they aren't putting up a fight though. I'm surprised they didn't like the berry squares! I'll take them - oh wait.. you ate them all! I like that pumpkin mat :)
Haha, messy cupcakes. Oh man, I STILL haven't found an oatmeal cookie recipe I'm satisfied with yet. Those look great!

urban vegan said...

I must confess, out of laziness, I often skip this improtant step.

When I am inclined to sift, I use a fine-mesh strainer that doubles as, well, a strainer.

All your baked goods look lovely. When does the bakery open?

Sheree' said...

The holiday bug must be in the air as I too have been baking. Don't you just love garage sales. They can be a treasure chest to many who really dig and search. What a delicious post. I feel like I can smell the aromas of these goodie through the monitor.

Kris said...

Wow, you have been a baking fool! That's so yummy. I wish I lived in your neighborhood!

I think when people bake with the silicon it tends to take longer.

Tis the season for warm treats!

BLASe said...

I absolutely loved this blog. I know what I will be doing tomorrow. I needed some new goodies to send to my daughter at college. Thanks
Vegan Meet

Anonymous said...

Wow - you are a baking fiend! :) I'm so glad you've enjoyed so many recipes from the cookbook.

BTW, for the Oatmeal Raisin Cookies (which just may be in my Top 10 from the book, if I dare say that myself!), you can always use wheat bran if oat bran isn't available. Also, I've gotten away with using quick-cooking oats, too, if you don't have rolled oats. I've actually asked the publisher to make those suggestions for the next printing. Anyway, thanks again, and enjoy the 148 recipes you have yet to try! :)

Best,
Colleen

ChocolateCoveredVegan said...

Ooh a flour-sifter sounds fun, and your pictures look yummy as usual. Oh, and I like the pumpkin plate :o).

Anonymous said...

ooo, what a beautiful collection of baked goodies! i can almost smell them from here! by the way, how do you like boise? my best friend might be moving there...

julie hasson said...

Hi Vicki!

Your baked goods look so good! You inspired me to buy The Joy Of Vegan Baking.

I love the picture of your daughter sifting the flour. Too cute.

Julie

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

it be appetizing
Cooking and Kitchen Tips & Hints
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laura k said...

Eesh... I haven't the patience for sifting flour. I usually skip that step. And I call myself a chef!

Looks like it's been working out great for you, though! :) I've heard nothing but great things about The Joy of Vegan Baking.

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

I think I'll be getting that book then :) I just don't know where to put them anymore LOL

I admit to being drawn to the banana chocolate chip muffins in particular.

Tanya Kristine said...

Yum. me loves cupcakes. especialy vegan ones!

Anonymous said...

My computer's been acting up so I could read but not comment. I love that your daughters cook with you!

Based on your review, I got the Everyday Dish (it was the pork). I'm getting ready to buy a clay pot now so I can make it. I tried the mint melties but must have done something wrong because mine were gritty. I guess I'll just have to make them again (hehe).