Sunday, October 07, 2007

Fun Foods for Dinner

Finally some inspired cooking. Warning: Most of these dishes are not gluten free, low fat, or low calorie, but they are mighty tasty!

Falafel Pops



Deep Fried Falafel served with Vive Creamy Hummus.


Crispy Black Bean Raviolis


Spicy mashed black beans in wonton wrappers, boiled, then breaded in panko and nooch, and baked until crispy. O…M…G…! This is not the slimy ravioli I remember eating. This is not even pasta. This is heaven. These were fun to make and eat like chips, and also nice with a little salsa on top. Here’s the steps and you can find my general instructions here.




Maple Glazed Tofu and Sweet Potato

Roasted glazed tofu cutlets, topped with sweet potato stars, caramelized balsamic onions, and fresh chives. Chase loved this. I had mine sans tofu – gluten free, low fat sweet potato love.


Coconut Crepes with Lentil Filling


Crepes made with coconut milk, filled with lentils, onions, carrots, tomatoes, coconut milk, and Indian spices. Spicy, hearty, and satisfying. I would make this again on a cold night (hopefully not any time soon), add winter squash to the filling, and top with Celine’s Creamy Pumpkin Almond Sauce for the ultimate in warmth and comfort.


Popcorn Bread


A yeast bread made with popcorn “flour.” I made mine with the food processor and baked it in the oven, but you can find the bread machine recipe here. It smells like popcorn, although it doesn’t taste too much like it. But you may get the sudden urge to pop in a movie while eating it.

Here’s one of Chase’s dinner plates.



Here’s my plate. I had half a crepe with lots of lentils, and of course we both ate broccoli.




Peanut Butter Mousse Layer Pie

An oreo cookie crust, a layer of Peanut Butter Mousse (from More Great Good Dairy Free Desserts), a layer of vanilla pudding (this time I cooked it long enough!) and topped with more mousse and peanuts.
Crust with mousse.

The finished pie.


A slice.


I’ve changed my mind. The crispy ravioli was merely a pleasant dream. This pie is heaven.

33 comments:

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

Falafel Pops? Black Bean Raviolis? Maple-Glazed Tofu & Sweet Potatoes? Popcorn Bread? Peanut-Butter Mousse Layer Pie? Diann, will you PLEASE come and cook for me?? Or cater an event?? haha, oh my goodness, every single food you cooked/baked here is innovative, gorgeously-presented, and magnificent!! So glad to see that you have definitely NOT hit a baking/cooking slump :0)

Anonymous said...

I swear my comment was going to look a lot like Liz's, so I'll just say that: *thud*
that's the sound my body made when I passed out from too much drooling and daydreaming over your goodies.

Anonymous said...

You are so creative! Those black bean raviolis look very impressive. If they tasted as good as they looked, wow!

Anonymous said...

That pie looks wonderful!

Tofu Mom (AKA Tofu-n-Sprouts) said...

Holy guacamole! This is my favorite blog page from anywhere in AGES... I could eat myself silly on the ravioli alone!

Wow. Just...wow.

Kris said...

Oh god, Diann! You're killing me! you are so amazing. If you ever want to write a book, I'd be happy to advise.

Those black bean, panko ravioli things look amazing! Amazing! Now I just have to try and find some vegan wonton wrappers.

Anonymous said...

my family is droolong over the computer thanks to your food!

all looks fabuloso!!

Anonymous said...

sorry is drooling! not droolong.

madeinalaska said...

oh my goddness.... if i found an airdeal(from flippen alaska) would you and chase host me for awhile??? your food is totally mothwatering!

Monika K said...

Wow! Wow! Wow! This dinner looks unbelievable! I've been looking for a good falafel recipe - which did you use? Also, how did you make the coconut crepes? Ok, lots of questions, but my growling stomach begged me to ask. (-:

Laura said...

Everything looks so great! I really want to try that black bean ravioli. One of these days I WILL find vegan won-ton wrappers (or get a bigger picture with room for a pasta roller).

Avory said...

That pie looks amazing! I'm vegetarian, not vegan, but I'm always looking for good baked good ideas for my vegan friends. Mm.

Vegan_Noodle said...

THose falafel pops are too cute!!

What brand of wonton wrappers did you use? My mom was going to use these to make sweet potato ravioli last wekk bu then we discovered that there was egg in them! Bummer...

That pie definitely looks like heaven to me!

Emilie said...

seriously, talk about inspiring. i want to make everything you made immediately...actually i mostly just want to spend some time in an empty room with that platter of falafel. i;m so weak for the falafel...

urban vegan said...

I always gain about 5 lbs each tiem I visit your blog. Holy smokes. I am speechless.

ChocolateCoveredVegan said...

Oh wow that pie... and the ravioli... AND... well, everything! Please come to Dallas!!!

Anonymous said...

That photo of the pie made my mouth water! I love the way you present your felafels! So cute and inviting.

bazu said...

I'll have some ravioli, please!

Anonymous said...

Wow, I see a lot of cilantro! I adore cilantro.

Amey said...

oh DANG! where have I been??? That is all looking so insanely good. You're not messing around with inspired cooking!!! Whoa. I wish I could have come over to your house for dinner!
:)

Crystal said...

Yum - the falafel pops look great. I make a similar thing for an appetizer using cherry tomatoes and lettuce.

The ravolis look super yummy. What a great idea and thanks for sharing it with us. I'm excited to try this sometime!

-Crystal

Judy said...

Oh. My. God. So many great ideas - falafel pops? Love it! And black bean ravioli - wow! Ok, and that pie at the bottom....I'm drooling!

Jacqueline Meldrum said...

Your recipes are getting better and better!
I wish i was half as creative as you!
Keep on bringing those photos!
Oh, rumbling stomach!

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

Hi Diann!! I saw your comment on my blog - my cookies are chewies, and are nice and soft :0)

Brooke said...

Oh holy goodness, all that food rocks! I want some ravioli right now. I have always been a fan of toasted ravioli, but haven't had it since I went vegan.

Anonymous said...

OMG. everything incredible. Everything!

Vicki's Vegan Vice said...

Your food looks so pretty! The flavor combo & presentation are tantalizing!! Falafel pops are a brilliant idea.

aTxVegn said...

Thanks for the great comments everyone!

Monika - For the falafel, since I was deep frying I used a mix. Casbah is my fave. Otherwise I use the recipe from Everyday Vegan. For the crepes I used the VWAV savory crepe recipe, subbing in coconut milk for the regular.

Noodle - I use the Banyan wrappers. Their factory is in Houston so you should have easy access to them.

Anardana said...

That lentil crepes look amazing!

laura k said...

Beautiful, creative dinner! And that pie does look like heaven...

Anonymous said...

I have NEVER heard of popcorn bread or flour. THis sounds very interesting and delish. Nice blog!!!

elizabet said...

wow/

Jackie said...

Falafel and hummus in pita is my favorite take out food. Plus I love to make my own hummus to eat with biscuits whenever I am busy on the Net.

I must try the Coconut Crepes with Lentil Filling sometime soon.