Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Haselnuss and Chipotle

Over the weekend I made two batches of haselnuss (hazelnut) themed cupcakes. Haselnuss was one of my favorite words from German class back in the day. Sorry I didn't figure out how to insert one of those s set things for those of you that speak the language. The purpose of these cupcakes was twofold: snacks for an Art Car decorating party and dessert for a townhome potluck.
Here is a basic chocolate cupcake, with hazelnut liquor added to the batter. The frosting also is spiked with hazelnut liquor. On top, you see my first experiment with chocolate transfers (inspired by Emilie's post). These things are so cool, you can't really see the green floral scroll pattern on this photo, for a better one, see flickr. I have a few kinks to work out with the process (i.e. not all the pattern transferred, streaks in the chocolate, etc.), but for my first try I was pretty happy. The bending of this piece of chocolate is courtesy of the Texas heat.
Continuing the hazelnut theme are these haselnuss cupcakes filled with chocolate mocha hazelnuss mousse from VCTOTW. The mousse is perfect on its own, and luckily the recipe makes a little extra. I know I should have gotten a shot of the inside, but everytime I bite into one it somehow disappears in my mouth.
And just because you can't live on cupcakes (darn!), I'll show you some real food as well! Last week I tried out the chickpea romesco from V-con and absolutely loved it. This was quick and easy and is one of those dishes I should remember to make for company. I had just finished watching Iron Chef, so that's why I plated my chickpeas in a row (to compliment the asparagus). Oh, and I finally invested in some real sea salt, you can see those fatty grains on the asparagus. Very worth it!
In addition to bringing cupcakes to the potluck, I also made empanadas. The dough was from V-con (acorn squash and black bean empanadas), but the filling was my own. A mixture of Field Roast chipotle sausage, black beans, canned chipotles, jalapeno, onion, and some spices. These were HOT! Unfortunately, these suckers wouldn't stay sealed, and opened up a bit in the oven. I still have some learning to do as far as pastry goes. Oh, and I'm proud to say this was my first time using dried black beans!
Finally, a super duper late vegan mofo post. Back in November, I promised that I would use these dried faux meat patties that I got ages ago. Well, finally I got around to it. Actually, John got around to it because I had decided that they scared me. He marinated them in a pseudo teriyaki with chipotle peppers. Bless his heart for trying, but I thought the texture was too meaty and it weirded me out (though he enjoyed them). On the side is a chipotle quinoa with black beans and a grilled veggie salad.
Next post I'll have an announcement! And maybe some food.

32 comments:

Animal-Friendly said...

The cupcakes looks wonderful! I absolutely LOVE hazelnuts (especially with chocolate) and the chocolate transfers are really impressive. I'm jealous that there is at least enough heat in Texas to melt chocolate!

Empanadas! I think the fact that they wouldn't stay sealed makes them look even more appetizing because they look homemade and you get a sneak-peek of the filling!

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

I'm a HUGE fan of hazelnuts (especially hazelnut-butter!), so those haselnuss cupcakes sound ESPECIALLY amazing right now; and they're gorgeous!

I LOVE 'Iron Chef' - nice job on the plating technique! I'm sure you'd score major points with the judges on that dish ;0)

The empanadas look wonderful as well; and I'm sorry about the faux meat patties - I give you props for even trying them! haha.

can't wait for your announcement!!!

Anonymous said...

I'm so jealous of your cupcake skills!!

Jeannie said...

Everything looks absolutely delicious. I love your frosting technique! What size/kind of frosting tip did you use? I have a bunch, but they are all smaller than the one it looks like you used.

Thanks!

the little one said...

Okay, Vegan Noodle, you're stepping it up a notch. These dishes and baked goods are amazing! Skills, women. You definitely got skills.

MeloMeals said...

an announcement? I am intrigued!

Your cuppers look fabulous... very professional... and I love the chickpea/asparagus plating.. Iron Chef rocks, even though they use nasty animal ingredients so much.

Theresa said...

Those cupcakes look heavenly! And the meals look pretty darn good, too. Those empanadas are so cute. I can't wait to hear your announcement...

Vegan Girl (Roni Seabury) said...

The food just gets better and better. You're killin' me! I want to reach inside the computer and steal a cupcake :)

aTxVegn said...

I think you're ready for the vegan pastry chef job! The cupcakes are too beautiful and very very professional.

I know what you mean about "too meaty" - it can be so freaky.

I watch Iron Chef too... and Top Chef.

Cody said...

I've developed a thing for hazelnut lately... maybe I'll have to try that.

The empanadas look yummy. I can't get anything like that (samosas, for example) to stay closed.

Anonymous said...

i love your blog! for empanadas try simply tying the with thin rope, i do that all the time and it works.

VEGAN TICKLES said...

Your cupcakes look so professional.
Very impressive.

Melisser; the Urban Housewife said...

GORGEOUS cupcakes! They're so lovely & I adore Hazelnoot! The empanadas sound awesome & I love all the use of chipotle.

Chessa said...

OMG, i just want to fly myself down to texas and eat all your gorgeous food!

Anonymous said...

Wow--I've just read through all your entries I missed, and must tell you I am now dying to visit Seattle! Everything sounded fantastic.

I love the look of the cupcakes. Did you mention the whitish topping swirled on top? (Or is that the mousse?). The empanadas also look delicious. And sorry about that faux meat!!

Looking forward to your announcement, too. . . .:)

Anonymous said...

I'm excited to hear about the announcement!!! you tease. :)

J said...

Those cupcakes are awesome! I want one right now! I could totally live off your cupcakes.

Oh that empanada! I can't wait until the fresh produce really starts to come in, I have all sorts of ideas for empanada filling. I've missed them so over the winter, such is the life of someone who tries to eat as seasonally as possible.

As usual, everything looks fantastic.

Lindsay (Happy Herbivore) said...

my #!%#! those cupcakes ARE AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ChocolateCoveredVegan said...

Oooh an announcement? My mind is racing with possible announcements you might have (one possibility in particular... of course I may be completely off!)

The flavor of hazelnuts gets me every time. I can almost smell the rich aroma right now when I look at those beautiful cupcakes you made!

DJ said...

Those cupcakes look DIVINE! It looks like those decorating classes you took really paid off!
All that, and empanadas too? Where do you find the time???

Anonymous said...

incredibly beautiful cupcakes! wow! they look like they would win some competitions!

amazing.

announcements are fun.

Anke said...

Amanda, you are an artist! absolutely amazing. and I, too, am starting to find meaty-tasting things scary...

for inserting the "ß" you can either google the word and copy-paste the letters you want or look it up on English wikipedia and then click on "German" in the lower left corner where the languages are listed and then copy-paste the letter. that's what I do with Spanish words with a tilde over the "n".

Anke said...

Oh, and BTW, there has been a spelling reform in German, and according to the new rules you always use "ss" after short vowels (so "Haselnuss" is the only correct spelling now, also Fluss, dass) and only use "ß" after long vowels (as in "Fuß")

Jess said...

You are a baking goddess! I LOVE hazelnut, and your cupcakes are beautiful! Those chocolate transfers are so awesome.

Anonymous said...

I'm blown away by those cupcakes, they're perfect in both flavor and presentation! I've been really curious about chocolate transfer sheets, and now I only want to try them more. Where did you get yours, and did you feel they were worth it?

Lori- the Pleasantly Plump Vegan said...

NICE job on the cupcakes. i would eat too many i think!
all the savory food looks lovely too. i would die for some of those empanadas. they look awesome!

TB said...

beautiful food! so much v'con goodness happening in this post. man, there's still so much i want to make from that book!

Ruby Red said...

i'm going to guess the announcement, even though i'm probably wrong... you're traveling to another fantastic place (with fantastic vegan food) to make us jealous?

i think the meat-y patty looks yummy - it looks just like a block of tofu!

i already commented on your awesome chocolate transfer skills on flickr, but i'd like to also say that you've got very nice decorating skills... my friend is making me some vctotw cupcakes tomorrow, and your pictures will keep me in agony until i get to stuff my face with cupcake tomorrow!

mvegan said...

Oh my, the cupcakes and everything looks amaaazing! michele mvegan5.etsy.com

Emilie said...

The cupcakes look incredible! Way to rock the transfer sheets. I also love the chickpea plating, it's transformative. Ooh, and real big crystals of sea salt, not much is better, in my opinion!

Binx said...

oh yum! everything looks divine.

plus i LOVE beans and quinoa! they are a match made in heaven.

Kayla said...

How amazing those cupcakes do look. I wish I could have made it to the potluck. It would have been great to get to know you in person finally. Sadly, I had to work. I hope there will be another one again sometime, it sounded like great fun.