finally, a SNOW DAY!!
Posted by pineappleprincess on Mar 01, 2007 · Member since Aug 2006 · 885 posts
I am so stoked, it is March 1st and I am finally getting to experience my first "snow day," aka no school here in southern Minnesota.
I moved here from Texas in June and I have truly been amazed at the weather. There have been a number of very cold, snowy days (-24?!!!!) where the stoic Minnesotans march onward like nothing is different and they really wouldn't rather stay in their warm little houses.
But today there is no school. I went to the grocery store last night in anticipation and today I'm gonna cook like there's no tomorrow. Because, well, when I look out my window, it looks like there might not be!
Anyone have any killer "winter" recipes I should try? I have a well stocked pantry and I eat just about anything vegan.
Soup or chilli...Me I love winter soups, see the fact that I have contributed several. Put a big pot on, and then while it cooks, make cookies...bread...pies...anything baked you usually don't have time for. How about a big old batch of cinnamon rolls??
Can you imagine how good your kitchen is gonna smell!
Holy Hannah!
Here's what one entire day inside the kitchen has produced:
1. cuban black bean dish
2. cornbread muffins
3. white bean/orange chili
4. seitan/potato/carrot/random vegetable stew
5. 2 loaves of bread, one white, one wheat
6. chocolate chip cookies (Yay! The TS chips made it into something other than my mouth)
7. huge cabbage/apple salad
8. huge Idioglossia sweet potato/orange/almond salad
9. dressing to put on the salad later
10. gigantic cinnamon rolls
Good thing I have a freezer. I think I will be set until spring comes. If it ever does here.
Pineapple princess, I hope your snow day was all you'd hoped for. We've been having monsoons where I am--downpours, hail, thunder, lightning. But...I have baked alllllllll day. I've been thinking about you. I must say, though, that you were much more prolific than I was. :D
I'd have you all over for dinner...if you could get here. All the interstates around here are closed.
We actually got another snow day today...which is a good thing, as I can't open my door, there is so much snow piled up against it.
Hmmmm, I know what my project for today is going to be. Shoveling.
Right after I eat a cinnamon roll.
3. white bean/orange chili.
You must explain.
The exact name of the recipe is "Orange and Thyme-Scented White Bean and "Sausage" Chili and it comes from Robin Robertson's cookbook, Vegan Planet.
I didn't use "sausage" 'cause I didn't have any and I don't really think it needs it anyway. It was my first time making it and I thought it was great. Hit the spot after a long day of moving waist deep snow with a shovel.
I can post the recipe if you want.
Please do that sounds so yummy. I have been making a lot of bean soups w/ the crappy weather we've been having here and I'm sure my BF would like to try something new. It also sounds like it could be a bit more upscale for a dinner party.
Have they plowed you out yet?
Orange and Thyme Scented White Bean and "Sausage" Chilii
from Vegan Planet by Robin Robertson (p. 325)
1 T. olive oil
1 large yellow onion, chopped
1 small red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 jalapeno, seeded and minced (optional)
3 T. chili powder
1 T. minced fresh thyme or 1 t. dried
1 T. brown sugar or natural sweetener
1 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 c. salsa
3 c. cooked white beans
2 c. chopped or crumbled soy sausage
1 c. water
1/2 c. orange juice
2 T. orange flavored liqueur (optional)
2 t. chopped orange zest
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Orange slices and fresh thyme sprigs for garnish
1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, bell pepper, and jalapeno (if using). Cover and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the chili powder, thyme, and brown sugar. Add the tomatoes and juice, salsa, beans, soy sausage, and water and simmer for 30 minutes.
2. Stir in the orange juice, liqueur (if using), orange zest, and salt and pepper to taste. Cook for 10 minutes to blend the flavors.
3. Serve hot, garnished with orange slices and thyme sprigs.
When I made this, I didn't use soy sausage or the liqueur, and I used 2 jalopenos and 1.5 onions b/c I like things spicy. And obviously I didn't bother with the garnish, as it was just me eating it. Pretty tasty, and I will definitely make it again.
And my road finally got plowed out this morning. Yay!