Monday, January 07, 2008

Cholent, Chickpea Sensation Patties, Roasted Kale, Kabocha, and Kahlua Cookies

It started with a few finds at the Asian market….



Coffee flavored peanuts, a kabocha squash (my first), and meatball sized veggie chunks.

I knew the veggie chunks had to be used to make Cholent. It just looks so good in Vcon. I made this a few days ago and enjoyed it very much. Cholent is a hearty, flavorful stew, even with my freakishly meaty veggie chunks.




For our Sunday dinner I made ED&BV Chickpea Sensation Patties. I made the patty mixture in the morning and let it firm up all day in the fridge. (I had to sub carrots for the icky celery.) I didn’t have any problem forming the patties and frying them up.



I did have a difficult time deciding whether to make these patties or the Chickpea Cutlets from Vcon. I went for Dreena’s gluten free version and served them with the Mustard Sauce from Vcon. These patties are truly sensational. And the Vcon cutlets are still on my “must make” list.

I was anxious to roast the kabocha squash I found at the Asian market. I love that you can eat the skin, and I love that you can enjoy the roasted wedges at room temperature. Before baking, I tossed the wedges with a mixture of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, tamari, garlic, and rosemary. After 35 minutes at 375 degrees, it was absolutely fantastic.




As soon as the squash was out, I put in some chopped kale that I had tossed with a little olive oil, garlic, and salt & pepper. It doesn’t look like much in this picture, but it too was fantastic. Most of the leaves had crispy edges. Kind of like kale chips, but you could eat it with a fork. This only needed 15 minutes in the oven.



Sunday dinner turned out very nicely.




I thought and thought about how to use the coffee peanuts. I was thinking mocha and trying to stay away from cookies, but then I found a nearly empty bottle of Kahlua in the pantry and pulled out all of Dreena’s books to find a healthy treat recipe. I decided the easiest to adapt was Double Chocolate Pecan Chippers from The Everyday Vegan. I substituted Kahlua for the ¼ cup water, used ¼ cup sugar and 1/3 cup maple syrup instead of ¾ cup sugar, and used my coffee peanuts instead of pecans. I got extremely yummy Kahlua Cookies which looked like this….


I don’t think my pictures are very good for this post, but I hope they’re good enough to inspire you to make Cholent and Chickpea Sensation Patties, and try some roasted kale.

Because all of my wonderful blog buddies are the most compassionate and kindest people I know, I will share with you that I learned over the weekend that my father is very sick. I hope you will offer up all your best thoughts and prayers for my family, as this was quite unexpected and a shock for us. I may not have much enthusiasm or appetite or time for food while I deal with this, but I’ll be around as often as I can.

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh Diann, I'm so sorry to hear about your father. I will definitely be lifting him and your family up in prayer.

BTW, your food looks fabulous as always.

LK Sisters said...

Here's a prayer for your Dad:
Dear Jesus, Divine Physician and Healer of the Sick,
we turn to You in this time of illness.
O dearest Comforter of the troubled,
alleviate our worry and sorrow with Your gentle love,
and grant us the grace and strength to accept this burden.
Dear God, we place our worries in Your hands.
We ask that You restore Your servant to health again.
Above all, grant us the grace to acknowledge Your holy will
and know that whatsoever You do,
You do for the love of us. Amen.

Jenni (aka Vegyogini) said...

My thoughts are with you in this extremely difficult time.

Vegan_Noodle said...

Your post is definitely enough to make me want to try chickpea patties! And since I even have some celery in the fridge maybe I'll try using it instead of subbing like I always do as well. I never though of roasting kale! What a great idea! And your cookies look tasty, as would anything with a little kahlua in it!

My heart and thoughts go out to you and your family, and especially your dad. Take care...

Anonymous said...

Mmm!! I've had the Chickpea Sensation Patties bookmarked for a while. Your picture is enough to convince me it's time to try them out. =)

Emilie said...

I'm incredibly sorry to hear that your dad is ill. I'll be keeping you and your family in my thoughts.

I know this kind of news can take all of the pleasure out of cooking and eating so take it easy and do what's right for you--we'll all just look forward to you being back in regular posting mode whenever that is.

All my best--

ChocolateCoveredVegan said...

I am praying for you and your dad.

*Sending good thoughts your way*

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

I absolutely love Asian markets - it's always fun to find food items that you simply cannot find anywhere else! The Cholent, Chickpea Patties (good decision on making those!), cookies, kale (my favorite leafy green!) and the roasted kabocha squash look delicious!!

Diann, I will be saying a prayer for your father AND you, every day. please take care, keep your hopes high, and stay strong.

Lori- the Pleasantly Plump Vegan said...

i love kabocha squash. its one of my favorites!

i am so sorry to hear about yr father. i will be sending good vibes yr way.

Sheree' said...

Hi Sweetie,

I am glad to see you making sure you are eating and keeping yourself strong while going through this rough time. Your food looks delish! I only wish our library would carry at least one of these fantastic new books.

You know that my prayers are with you. Keep the faith! HUGS!!!

Rage And Love said...

Just found your blog!
The roasted squash looks absolutely delicious!

Ashasarala said...

Coffee flavoured peanuts? What crazy concotion will they come up with next!? But the cookie still sounds scrumptious.

I just made chickpea cutlets from V-con due to peer pressure and I have to say that your cutlets look a lot better than mine! Though that may be my fault and not the fault of the recipe...

I'm sorry to hear that you father is sick. I know exactly what you and your family are going through. My thoughts and wishes are with him.

Judy said...

Sorry to hear of the sad news. My thoughts are with you and I am sending you some extra love and strength.

It seems rather trivial now, but all of your food looks amazing. I've been meaning to try those chickpea patties, but I was afraid they would be too much like the Moroccan chickpea patties from Vive. Not that that would be a bad thing, mind you. And good idea with the cookies, they sound delish and look just as good.

Ruby Red said...

It's heartbreaking to hear that your dad isn't doing so well. Your family will be in my prayers. Don't stop smiling; there is much power in positive thinking!

Liz Ranger (Bubble Tea for Dinner) said...

Your ability to pull a varied and beautiful dinner together continues to amaze me! I'm especially intrigued by those cookies.

I'm sorry to hear about your father, though... I'm praying in my little heart for you... sending psychic hugs.

Monika K said...

So sorry to hear about your father, Diann. I'm keeping both him and you in my prayers - here's hoping for a speedy recovery!

Anonymous said...

coffee peanuts....cool. I shop in all sorts of asian markets, and have never seen them. Now I'm going on a hunt.

I'm sorry to hear about your father....my thoughts are with you.

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry to learn about your dad! best thoughts to you and your family, of course.

Anonymous said...

Great idea using the Asian store chunks for the cholent. I've really been wanting to make this but can't find the chunks called for in the recipe. Even Whole Foods only carries the flakes. I'll go investigate my local Thai market for something like what you found!