Nest Tote

The knit blogging is back.

I told a friend I'd make her something for her birthday. And then... I just couldn't think of what to make. With less than a week to the deadline, I finally figured it out. This environmentally friendly lady would appreciate a nest tote/produce bag! But of course obligations interfered and it was a late night of furious knitting to make it in time. I totally didn't. But only a week late... and considering she lives an hour + drive away, I think that's pretty good.

This was my first successful lace project. Probably the easiest pattern ever. I also figured out that whole i-cord thing, amazing really. Want to make your own? Go here.

Delivery of the tote came just in time to make a run to Pike Place Market.

It's also the first item to get a Pilliebee label!

Pilliebee Labels

My sister and I concocted the perfect birthday gift to each other. Labels for our handiwork!

It only took several weeks of deliberation.

Finally, 2+ months after my birthday, and 1+ month after her's... the labels have arrived.

I really like mine, although they are a bit longer than what would be ideal.

Ode to Peanut Butter & Chocolate

I have a special connection with peanut butter. Add peanut butter to anything and it will taste approximately 50 times better. Plus, it's a pretty good way to ingest protein if you're not in the mood to promote the destruction of the environment or slaughter animals. We all have those days right? Not just vegetarians/vegans. So peanut butter is really tops.

Chocolate's not so bad either. I admit, I not really the devour-all-chocolate-because-it-is-chocolate-and-I-am-female-
and-therefore-must-crave-chocolate type of person. But add a little peanut butter to that chocolate and I'm definitely interested.

Lately I've been wondering if maybe I should move beyond this combination. I've been auditioning protein bars, and the only ones that don't sound disgusting? Peanut butter and chocolate. What's wrong with me?

Apparently nothing. I know this because there is a beautiful little blog dedicated to the perfection commonly referred to as peanut butter and chocolate. Meet The Chocolate Peanut Butter Gallery.

And something even cooler... Kristina from CPBG came across my photo of the Vegan Oreo Peanut Butter Truffles. I'm her daily feature! Totally delightful. (zoom straight to it).

One more time, if you want the recipe, it's here.

Vegan Oreo Peanut Butter Truffles

In the words of my sister, "Is this your vegan food blog now?" Good question. No.

The point of the blog is to talk about "things" made by hand. Let's be tactile. Typically, I cook/bake with my hands.

The knit blogging will return. Promise.

So here's the truffles. I made these for a friend's birthday. She was a fan of my peanut butter chocolate cupcakes, so these truffles seemed fitting. They are super easy to make. Take "oreos" ... I used Newman O's, but regular Oreos are actually vegan. Scrape off the "cream" ... crumble up the oreos, add some creamy peanut butter, and dip it all in chocolate. Here's the recipe. (yep, VegWeb again!).

Banana-Cocoa Smoothie

Banana-Cocoa Smoothie

Originally uploaded by pilliebee

Typically, I don't think smoothies require recipes. You just take a bunch of stuff that seems good and blast it all together in the blender, right? However, I noticed this recipe on vegweb the other day, and it sounded so good I had to try it.

I followed the recipe but didn't measure anything. It made a lot so I'd probably only make half next time.

Very tasty... so good.

No Eggs In This Quiche!

When I visit my mom, it's always nice to do some cooking for her. Being cooked for is one of her favorite things. So I started to scout vegweb. Have you been there? Amazing veg-recipes of all sorts. Check it out. Cook something. Bake something. Tell me about it. A photo on flickr got me in the mood for quiche, so quiche it was. I've lately had a curiosity about traditional egg dishes that don't call for eggs. I needed to give it a go. I settled on this recipe for a spinach quiche.

Note: Growing up I loved eggs. Egg salad sandwich was just about the best culinary invention to me. Over the past few years as I learned more about the factory farming industry, I struggled with the egg issue. Dating a vegan lead me to using egg-replacer, which is great. But then I got my own chickens and that whole cruelty issue was moot. I could totally go back to eating eggs, right? Um... have you ever collected fresh eggs? They are streaked with brown. Now, I'm pretty sure this is mud (chicken droppings are actually multi-colored), but it was enough for me to say "no thanks" to eggs for good. Plus, I cracked an egg and it was like looking at a gooey baby Adele.

The making of this quiche had some interesting surprises. I called out, "Ok, slight setback!" to my mom several times. In the end, our breakfast turned into a late brunch. Adventures in cooking, you know.

I followed the recipe pretty closely. I used less spinach, which was good, because it was still a bit much. I added turmeric for color and a bit more garlic. The recipe comes with tons of comments and variations people have tried. More garlic came up a few times. Think about that if you make it. Also think about that it calls for a pre-baked pie shell...(setback #1). Then think about if you weighted the empty pie shell enough...(setback #2). I didn't use soy cheese. I used the real deal being at my mom's house with real parmesan cheese handy.

Overall the quiche was pretty good. We have a lot left over. It would be good for a breakfast party. And does it taste like egg? I thought so. My mom said no. We both agreed the texture could pass.

Want to see it?