Pure Thyme

For a Balanced Life

Look what I’ve found at Minted!

By 4 Comments

Sometimes I slack when it comes to ordering my Holiday cards and sometimes I am on it and they are done so early I’m really proud of myself. I wish I could more every year, but I’m not! It’s okay I’m late this year because I was introduced to Minted, the online marketplace of independent designers (minted.com). Have you heard of it?  Have you used their services before? I’m pretty excited to give them a whirl because I LOVE what they are all about!

Minted believes that great design lives and thrives in the hands of independent artists that people do not have access to through traditional retailers. Minted uses technology to allow consumers to discover great creative talent, making Minted a place where artists can learn, gain exposure, and build their businesses. And they are not just stationary. They offer an Art Marketplace, Fabrics and Home Décor too. They even have a great blog called Julep that is loaded with inspiration. Now if that isn’t awesome, I don’t know what is!

I already have the picture of my beautiful kiddos picked out, so maybe you can help me choose from the following gorgeous designs so I can get these ordered and shipped out! I can’t decide, so I need the help of my dear readers!

mywhy

 

Okay, here are my choices…sorry for the small pics! Minted let’s you add a picture and it puts it on every holiday card so you can scroll through and chose, but I could only add small pics to this post!

 

 

 

I could have added more, because almost all of them looked great! But, I had to narrow it down to these six. Which one do you like the best?

mintedchoices (1)

Happy Holiday Card Shopping at Minted!!

xoxo,

Jennifer

 

 

 

 

 

Roasted Vegetables with Balsamic Reduction

By 7 Comments

 

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Savory and crispy vegetables are great anytime of year especially during the holidays. Terry and Tracy Paulding from PAULDING & CO – a full catering kitchen based in San Francisco – asked me if I would share this delicious recipe with you all.

This is a perfect recipe to share for the upcoming holiday season. It’s a basic recipe that shows how easy it is to roast vegetables. It’s also easily adapted based on what is in season and your personal preference. A balsamic reduction is a great compliment to a roasted vegetable dish, it gives a natural sweetness without adding any sugars or additional sweeteners.

I had to roast these about 10 minutes more than the recipe called for in my oven and at 400 degrees F instead of 375. Remember to use your kitchen intuition because all ovens vary! I also had a balsamic reduction from Trader Joe’s so I used that. =)

Print
Roasted Vegetables with Balsamic Reduction (vegan, gluten-free)
Author: 
Recipe type: Side
Serves: 6
 
The vegetables can vary with the season, what you like, and what’s fresh in the market. The main thing to do is make sure that each is roasted to the perfect point of doneness—which will take a few separate pans.
Ingredients
  • ½ cup balsamic vinegar (not the super expensive kind, but make sure it’s from Modena)
  • 1 small, firm globe eggplant
  • Handful of small sweet red (or yellow or orange) peppers
  • 2 ripe tomatoes, if in season
  • 1 red onion or bunch of spring onions
  • 12 asparagus, if in season
  • 2 medium zucchinis and/or golden zucchinis
  • 1 yam
  • 1 Portobello mushroom (optional)
  • salt & freshly ground pepper
  • extra virgin olive oil as needed
  • 2 Tbs. chopped Italian flat-leaf parsley
Instructions
  1. One day in advance, pour the balsamic vinegar into a shallow pan. Let sit uncovered at room temperature overnight. You will have thick balsamic syrup by morning! Pack this into a jar or squeeze bottle. If it’s too thick, thin with a little bit more vinegar. This will keep at room temperature, so feel free to make more and use it on other dishes.
  2. Prepare several baking sheets, by covering them with parchment and brushing the parchment generously with olive oil. Preheat oven to 375°F
  3. Wash all the vegetables. Split the peppers in half and seed them Top and tail the eggplant, and slice thickly. Thickly slice tomatoes, trim asparagus by snapping off the bottom fibrous stalks and then cutting them straight. Peel onion and cut into 6 even round slices, or wash spring onions. Wash, trim and slice zucchini lengthwise into ¼ inch thick slices; halve these if zucchinis are large. Without peeling, cut yam in thick rounds. Leave Portobello whole, but trim stem. Place tomatoes, onion and mushroom on one oiled sheet. Blot eggplant dry (if salted) with paper towels and place on another oiled baking sheet with the peppers and asparagus. Place zucchini and yam slices on another sheet. Brush or drizzle all the vegetables with oil. Lightly salt each pan of vegetables, and put in the oven to roast.
  4. Roast until vegetables are lightly golden. Eggplants should be soft, and tomatoes may become very soft. This should take from 15-25 minutes, depending on oven conditions and thickness of slices. Once the mushroom is done, slice it neatly.
  5. Arrange vegetables into a “tapestry” on a platter. Before serving, dress with the balsamic and garnish with parsley.
  6. Vegetables can also be grilled, but watch carefully so they don’t burn.

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we did, we just ate some for lunch!

Don’t forget to enter for your chance to win a copy of Zel Allen’s book, Vegan for the Holidays HERE.

Have a great day!

xoxo,

Jen

 

Cookbook Review and Giveaway: Vegan for the Holidays

By 66 Comments

Vegan for the Holidays: Celebration Feasts for Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day

Zel Allen

Vegan for the Holidays Cookbook

Vegan for the Holidays is just the cookbook we are all looking for this time of year.  Zel covers all the details any holiday cook needs to throw the ultimate celebration. The book includes recipes for all the winter holidays: Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and New Year. This book presents recipes that are traditional, but also inventive while bringing amazing flavor to any holiday table. From main dishes that include, Pistachio and Sweet Pea Torte with Roasted-Tomato Aioli, Pear and Butternut Bisque with Cranberry-Pear Compote and Sweet Potato Pie with Cashew-Ginger Cream. To tantalizing desserts, including Pear and Walnut Compote with Choco-Wafers, Chocolate Truffle Mousse with Cranberry Splash and Cranberry Apple Strudel. There are so many wonderful recipes for appetizers, soups, salads, mains, desserts and even beverages to inspire and enrich your holiday celebrations year after year. 

What I truly love about this book, is that each recipe offers a whole-foods, oil-free healthy option that is in no way lacking in all the flavors you are looking for in holiday fare. Well, minus the few extra pounds you would normally gain! And these recipes are not just for the holiday season, but for anytime of the year.

Zel Allen, along with her husband Reuben, started an online publication called Vegetarians in Paradise where they share a variety of information pertinent to the vegan community. The Los Angeles based magazine features vegetarian basics, vegan recipes, vegetarian restaurants, vegan diet, and vegetarian food companies. Zel is also the author of The Nut Gourmet that includes 150 gourmet, plant-based recipes that showcases nuts in everything from sauces, soups, and spreads to entrees, salads, dressings and desserts. You’ll even learn how to make nutmilks, a delicious alternative to both dairy and soy milk for allergy diets.

I am looking forward to trying out all of the recipes in this fabulous book, but the two I get to share with you today are:

Yin-Yang Thanksgiving Pâté

Yin and Yang Pate (Vegan)

 Beautiful, healthy and oh so fabulous!

Yin and Yang Pate (Vegan)

Print
Yin-Yang Thanksgiving Pâté
Author: 
Recipe type: Appetizer
Serves: 10-12
 
With a touch of playful sculpture, two tasty appetizer pates become one very striking presentation with an underlying, philosophical message: a balanced approach to everyday life. Accompany with whole-grain crackers or toasted pita wedges, or spoon into leaves of Belgian endive.
Ingredients
Carrot Pate
  • 1¼ cups chopped carrots
  • 1¼ cups chopped red bell pepper (about 1 large pepper)
  • 1 cup raw or roasted cashews or macadamia
  • 2 tablespoons plus 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1½ teaspoons minced peeled fresh ginger
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
  • Pinch cayenne
Mushroom Pate
  • 1 pound cremini or button mushrooms, coarsely chopped
  • 1 small onion, coarsely chopped
  • 2 large cloves garlic, chopped
  • ¼ cup water
  • ½ cup walnuts
  • 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast flakes
  • 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
  1. To make the carrot pâté, put the carrots, bell pepper, cashews, lemon juice, ginger, salt, pepper, and cayenne in a food processor. Process for 1 minute, or until smooth, stopping occasionally to scrape down the work bowl. Transfer to s small bowl and wash and dry the processor bowl.
  2. To make the mushroom pâté, cook and stir mushrooms, onion, garlic, and water in a large skillet over high heat for 3 or 4 minutes, or until the onion is transparent and the mushrooms are softened., Add 1 or more tablespoons of water as needed to prevent burning. There should be at least 1 tablespoon of liquid remaining in the pan.
  3. Transfer the mushroom mixture and remaining liquid into the food processor and add the walnuts, yeast flakes, lemon juice, sand salt. Process until smooth, stopping occasionally to scrape the work bowl.
  4. To assemble, remove 1 tablespoon of each pâté and set aside. Spoon the remaining mushroom pâté onto half of a dinner plate. Using the back of a soon, form half of the yin-yang symbol.
  5. Spoon remaining carrot pâté onto the plate and form the other half. Place the reserved tablespoon of each pâté into the widest portion of the opposite color. Smooth the edges to form a circle.
  6. Makes 3 cups.

 ~And~

Pear and Walnut Compote with Choco-Wafers

Unbelievably easy to make and the perfect dessert to serve your guests during the holidays.

Pear and Walnut Compote with Choco-Wafers

Print
Pear and Walnut Compote with Choco-Wafers
Author: 
Recipe type: Dessert
Serves: 6
 
Holiday meals, whether at home or at my grandmother's, always concluded with a small bowl of stewed dried fruits perfectly sweetened and laced with cinnamon. Homemade Choco-Wafers turn this delicious, unpretentious compote into an elegant, alluring dessert.
Ingredients
Wafers
  • 1 cup walnuts
  • 1 cup pitted dates, snipped in half
  • ¼ cup plus 1 tablespoon water
  • 3 tablespoons golden raisins
  • 3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
Compote
  • 2 fresh Anjou or Bosc pears, cored, cut into quarters, and sliced
  • 1 cup fresh cranberries
  • ½ cup plus 1 tablespoon light brown sugar, firmly packed
  • ⅓ cup dark raisins
  • ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup water
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 3 tablespoons coarsely ground toasted walnuts, almonds, or hazelnuts, for garnish
Instructions
  1. To make the wafers, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 17½ x 12½-inch rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Put all the wafer ingredients in a food processor. Process until all the ingredients are well incorporated, the nuts are broken down to a fine, but slightly textured meal, and the mixture reaches a very thick, finely mashed, firm consistency, stopping occasionally to scrape down the work bowl.
  3. Spoon the wafer mixture onto the prepared baking sheet and use the back of the spoon to form it into a ¼-inch thick rectangle approximately 8 inches by 9 inches.
  4. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the wafer is set and almost dry to the touch but still soft. Remove from the oven and let cool completely. It will firm as it cools. When cool, cut into 2- or 3-inch squares and set aside until ready to serve, or put the squares in a ziplock bag and refrigerate.
  5. To make the compote, combine the pears, cranberries, brown, sugar, dark raisins, lemon juice, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and water in a 3- or 4-quart saucepan. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat. Immediately decrease the heat to low and simmer 10 minutes, or until the pears are softened.
  6. To thicken the juice in the pan, combine the cornstarch and 1 tablespoon water in a small bowl or cup and stir until smooth. Stir the paste into the simmering compote a little at a time, stirring constantly, for about 1 minute, or until thickened to desired consistency.
  7. To serve, spoon the compote into small dessert dishes and garnish each with the walnuts of desired. Tuck two wafers into the center or sides of the compote.

This Giveaway is now closed..thanks to all who participated!

And now for the GIVEAWAY and Good Luck!

To enter the contest, leave a comment sharing some of your favorite Vegan Holiday Dishes. Also, if you have one you would love to see veganized, let me know that too! Don’t forget to leave your contact information so I can let you know if you win. =)

BONUS ENTRIES

You MUST leave each entry as a SEPARATE comment or only one comment will count.

All entries must be completed no later than Sunday, November 24th 2013,  at 11:59 p.m. EST.

Winner will be announced on Monday, November 25th 2013, on my blog, and the winner will also be notified via the email address they provided in the comments section.

Giveaway open to U.S. and Canada residents only. =)

Good Luck!

xoxo,

Jen

Can’t wait and you need this book now. Well, don’t fret, you can buy it here: Vegan for the Holidays: Celebration Feasts for Thanksgiving Through New Year’s Day

 

 

Wild About Greens Giveaway

By 150 Comments

wild-about-greens-by-nava-atlas-fc5843a8fdd9f1d9

125 Delectable Vegan Recipes for Kale, Collards, Arugula, Bok Choy, and other Leafy Veggies Everyone Loves 

Nava Atlas serves up a comprehensive collection of scrumptious recipes, all featuring ultra-healthy, super-nutritious leafy greens.

Leafy greens are a breeze to grow and prepare, and these 125 dishes showcase the most commonly used varieties in an irresistible selection of soups, salads, stews, stir-fries, pastas, and more. Nava’s up-to-the-minute ideas range from using sturdy collard greens as wrappers for savory fillings to whirling tender arugula and watercress into incredible dips.

There’s even a section on beverages — green smoothies and juices have a growing legion of devotees.  Leafy greens, including kale, collards, spinach, arugula, mustard greens, Asian greens, and others are considered the most nutritious foods on the planet, and Wild About Greens makes it easy and delicious to incorporate them into daily fare. A detailed green-by-green introduction helps cooks find just what to make after bringing bunches of greens back to the kitchen from the market or garden.

Nava Atlas is the author and illustrator of many books on vegan and vegetarian cooking, most recently Wild About Greens and Vegan Holiday Kitchen. I had the pleasure of reviewing Vegan Holiday Kitchen here where I made the most amazing Vegan Matzo Ball Soup and instantly became a huge fan.

This soup is my go-to recipe every year for Passover – it really is that good.

matzoball

Her newest book Wild About Greens is amazing. I do a lot of my cooking/prep on Sundays so I don’t have to worry about eating healthy during the week. Having three kids is keeping me super busy nowadays and I need to make sure I have plenty of delicious sides on hand at all times. This way I can throw together quick, healthy lunches and dinners for my family.

This review is not complete without mentioning that the beautiful photographs in the book are by the lovely Susan Voisin from one of my favorite blogs Fat Free Vegan. Susan talks about the book and shares another recipe for Nava’s Three Potato Salad with Arugula. If you haven’t been to Susan blog – head on over there – it’s one of the best vegan blogs out there with tons and tons of delicious and creative recipes and information.

I have made several recipes from this book and haven’t been disappointed once. The White Bean & Greens Burgers are so hearty and tasty – great served with her Very Green Avocado-Tahini Dip and a big green salad. We really loved this recipe for Curried Sweet Potatoes with Chard & Chickpeas.

curriedsweet

Print
Curried Sweet Potatoes with Chard & Chickpeas
Author: 
Recipe type: Main/Side
Serves: 4 to 6
 
A superb fusion of flavors permeates this nourishing harvest dish. Serve it like a stew in shallow bowls, accompanied by warm flatbreads.
Ingredients
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 large sweet potatoes or 4 medium garnet yams, peeled and cut into large dice
  • 1 16- to 20-ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 1 16-ounce can diced tomatoes (such as fire roasted, a particularly flavorful variety)
  • 2 scallions, thinly sliced
  • 2 teaspoons good-quality curry powder, or more, to taste
  • 2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger, more or less to taste
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 8 to 12 ounces chard, any variety, or a combination of chard and beet greens
  • ¼ cup chopped cilantro or parsley, or more or less, to taste
  • ¼ cup raisins, optional (but highly recommended)
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Instructions
  1. Heat the oil in a large skillet or a stir-fry pan. Add the garlic and saute over low heat until golden.
  2. Add the sweet potato dice and about 1½ cups of water. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook until the sweet potatoes are tender, adding just enough additional water, if needed, to keep the mixture moist as it cooks.
  3. Stir in the chickpeas, tomatoes, scallions, curry powder, ginger, and cumin and bring the mixture to a simmer again; cook over low heat for 10 minutes or so, until the tomatoes have been reduced to a sauce and the flavors have mingled.
  4. Meanwhile, strip or cut the chard leaves (and beet greens, if you're using them) away from the stems. Slice the stems thinly, and cut the leaves into strips.
  5. Add the chard to the skillet, in batches if necessary, and cover. Cook briefly, just until the chard wilts, and stir into the mixture. Cook over low heat for 5 minutes, or until the chard is tender but not overdone. Stir in the cilantro and optional raisins. Season with salt and pepper, then serve.
Notes
Variation Stemmed, coarsely chopped mustard greens or spinach or whole baby spinach leaves can be used in place of chard, using the same directions as for the chard. If you'd like to try kale or collard greens in this dish, I'd suggest steaming or stir-frying these greens before adding them to the dish in the last step. You can also vary the kind of beans in this recipe. Try black beans, red beans, or pinto beans.

 

This Giveaway is now CLOSED, thanks to all for entering!

Now for the Giveaway and good luck!

To enter the contest, leave a comment telling me what’s your favorite way to eat greens. Don’t forget to leave your contact information so I can let you know if you win. =)

BONUS ENTRIES

You MUST leave each entry as a separate comment or only one comment will count.

  • Like Nava Atlas on Facebook and leave a comment on her wall.
  • Subscribe to Virtually Vegan Mama
  • Like Virtually Vegan Mama on Facebook and leave a comment on my wall.
  • Follow Virtually Vegan Mama on Twitter
  • Follow Nava Atlas on Twitter
  • Tweet about this giveaway and tell me that you tweeted in the comments section; “I just entered to win Wild About Greens Cookbook! @virtveganmama @navaatlas2″
  • Share this giveaway on your Facebook Page and tell me that you did so in the comments section
  • Pin it

All entries must be completed no later than Tuesday, July 9th 2013,  at 11:59 p.m. EST.

Winner will be announced on Wednesday, July 10th 2013, on my blog, and the winner will also be notified via the email address they provided in the comments section.

Giveaway open to U.S. and Canada residents only. =)

Good Luck!

xoxo,

 Jen

 

 

Portobello Wellington

By 88 Comments

Portobello Wellington
with Shiitake Duxelle, Vanilla Glazed Baby Carrots and Roasted Red Potatoes
Portobello Wellington with Shiitake Duxelle, Vanilla Glazed Baby Carrots and Roasted Red Potatoes
It was finally time to plan out a Vegan Dinner Menu to show all you doubters out there – you know who you are – that gourmet vegan is not only possible , but can stand up to its non-vegan counterparts. This recipe is only the beginning – I have so many recipes swimming through my head.  I even got someone who would never eat a mushroom to devour this – literally lick their plate clean – you know you have done it when that happens. This meal could not have come out any better and was well worth the planning and preparation. My old friend Beef Wellington can take a back seat to my new vegan version. Say hello to Portobello Wellington!
This dish is earthy, naturally sweet and full of flavor. Make this for your next dinner party and you will be sure to impress your friends.
Thank you to Tyler Florence’s Ultimate Beef Wellington recipe for baking times and duxelle inspiration.
This recipe is pretty easy to make as you can see.
Blend up your ingredients for the duxelles…
duxelle

Add the mixture to a large sauté pan with a small amount of butter and veggie stock and cook for 10 minutes…

duxellepan

Slice your pastry into four equal parts…
pastry

Using a spoon, cover each mushroom with a layer of the duxelles…

stuffinf

Place a mushroom in center of each pastry sheet, cavity side up…

stuffing2

Fold pastry around the mushrooms and enclose entirely, press down lightly with fingers to make sure it is sealed tight.

wrapped

Place mushrooms, with folded side down, on baking tray lined with parchment paper or non-stick baking mat…

 glazed

Bake mushrooms in oven until pastry is golden brown for 20-25 minutes…

 baked

Serve with roasted red potatoes, glazed baby carrots and drizzle with red wine reduction…

5.0 from 2 reviews
Print
Portobello Wellington with Shiitake Duxelle, Vanilla Glazed Baby Carrots and Roasted Red Potatoes
Author: 
Recipe type: Entree
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 4
 
This dish is earthy, naturally sweet and full of flavor. Make this for your next dinner party and you will be sure to impress your friends.
Ingredients
  • 4 Portobello mushrooms
  • 1 sheet vegan puff pastry (Aussie Bakery All Natural Puff Pastry Sheets)
  • 3½ ounce(s) of shiitake mushrooms
  • 1 cup(s) of white button mushrooms
  • 2 cup(s) of baby spinach
  • 3 small shallots, peeled and roughly chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, peeled and roughly chopped
  • 2 sprigs fresh tarragon, stemmed
  • 6 red potatoes, cut into ½ inch pieces
  • 1 tbsp. of minced fresh parsley
  • 8 ounce(s) of baby carrots
  • ½ cup(s) of red wine
  • 1¾ cup(s) of no salt added vegetable stock
  • 3 tsp. of vegan butter
  • 2 tbsp. of date syrup
  • ¼ tsp. of pure vanilla extract
  • 2 pinch of freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tsp. of olive oil
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  2. For the Red Wine Sauce: Combine ½ cup red wine and 1 cup vegetable stock in small saucepan. Simmer uncovered for 20 minutes. Stir in 1 tbsp date syrup and set aside. Reheat on low right before serving and drizzle over Wellington's.
  3. For the Roasted Red Potatoes: Combine potatoes, olive oil, ¼ cup vegetable stock, fresh parsley and black pepper in a small Pyrex or roasting pan and toss to coat potatoes. Roast 40 minutes or until tender and golden brown. Add extra vegetable stock if needed and stir occasionally to prevent sticking/burning.
  4. For the Duxelles: Add spinach, shiitake, button mushrooms, shallots, garlic, and tarragon to a food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Add 2 tsp. Earth Balance Butter to a large sauté pan and set over medium heat. Add the mushroom mixture, ¼ cup vegetable stock and sauté for 10 minutes until most of the liquid has evaporated. Season with a pinch of black pepper and set aside to cool.
  5. For the Glazed Baby Carrots: Combine 1 tbsp date syrup, vanilla and ⅓ cup vegetable stock in small bowl, stir to combine. Melt 1 tsp. Earth Balance butter to a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add carrots and sauce; simmer on medium heat until carrots are cooked through about 20 minutes. Deglaze the pan with more vegetable stock if needed.
  6. For the Portobello Mushrooms: Gently scrap gills from Portobello mushrooms with a spoon. Place mushrooms on baking tray lined with parchment paper or non-stick baking mat. Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes, set aside. Cut pastry sheet into 4 equal parts.Using a spoon, cover each mushroom with a layer of duxelles (make sure to fill the back cavity of the mushroom with the duxelles).
  7. Place a mushroom in center of each pastry sheet, cavity side up. Fold pastry around the mushrooms and enclose entirely, press down lightly with fingers to make sure it is sealed completely.Place mushrooms, with folded side down, on baking tray lined with parchment paper or non-stick baking mat. Bake mushrooms in 400 degree oven until pastry is golden brown for 20-25 minutes.

You can serve this with any sides of  your choosing. Any way you choose this recipe will be a hit for sure!

xoxo,

Jennifer