Sunday, August 17, 2008

A Real Mixed Bag

That was John's response when complaining I couldn't think of a post title and listing off everything in it.... works for me.

A good friend told me recently how much she enjoyed the Potato and Eggplant Moussaka from V-con and how perfect it would be for a potluck. I couldn't agree with her more! Go make this now if you haven't already.... or at least make that pine nut cream and start putting it on everything.
My favorite sushi place in town (Rickshaw) uses soy paper in place of nori for the veggie roll. So when I saw some in pretty colors at the grocery store (all using vegetable based dyes), I had to try it! I had a bit of a tough time getting the edges to stick. I think this might be my new homemade sushi wrapping standby, although John prefers nori, so we'll probably keep both on hand.
I finally got around to making the vegan omelette for one, except I doubled the recipe to make it for two. These were filled with sauteed creminis, swiss chard, onion, and topped with fresh heirloom tomato. I apparently need to work on my flipping skills, but this was delicious despite its appearance.
Two recent Society of PEACE events called for baked goods, so I pulled out my trusty and somewhat tattered copy of My Sweet Vegan and cranked up the oven. On the left, the Cookies and Creme Pound Cake, a fun twist on a very classic dessert. And my recent acquisition of butterscotch chips from Bazu led me to the butterscotch blondie recipe, where the chips were the perfect addition to these gooey bars.
And it seems most of my posts just aren't complete without a cake! This is my 3rd fondant covered cake, and I think it turned out pretty well. All of the decorations are made of fondant (except the pink centers on some of the flowers which are dragees). Inside, a red velvet cake with pecan praline buttercream. Perfect for the southern belle birthday girl...
This upcoming week will see some serious baking in my kitchen, and along with that comes lots of dishes.

41 comments:

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

I like the blog post title! :0)

Mmm, the Moussaka, 2 desserts from 'My Sweet Vegan' (I've made both as well, and loooved them), and that GORGEOUSLY-decorated cake, look fabulous.

LizNoVeggieGirl said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Theresa said...

Ooh, everything looks good. I love the colour of your sushi rolls. And I had the same problem with the omelette. I chose not to blame my flipping skills--I think there is something about turning an Omelette for One into an omelette for two that fundamentally alters the recipe and makes it unflippable. That's my excuse, anyways.

I can't wait to see more of your serious baking, because those three desserts you've posted have got me drooling!

Unknown said...

your cake is beautiful. if i made one it would never look as gorgeous as that one. and your omelette doesnt look to bad either.

i must try that pine nut cream. vcon here i come.

Veronica said...

I've yet to make the moussaka, but it looks like something that needs to be made in my kitchen soon.

That's one pretty cake, by the way. Beauitfully decorated - I've been fascinated by fondant lately but have been a little too scared to work with it.

Vegan Girl (Roni Seabury) said...

I love Sushi! But that cake looks divine. It is really pretty. Great job!

Animal-Friendly said...

That vegan omelette sure looks good to me! Your flipping skills are pretty darn good, if I do say so myself!

Wow- that cake covered in fondant! Your decorating skills always amaze me and your friend is so lucky to have sure a gorgeous birthday cake.

Amey said...

Yeah, that pine nut cream is so extreeeeemely good. I've actually never made the mousakka - I just make the pnc and put it on lasagna and other goodies.

sharp looking fondant cake. Must've been pretty with the red velvet inside and the white fondant on the outside. nice!

Also, I'll keep my eyes out for soy paper. I've got serious problems with seaweed... completely hindering my ability to enjoy sushi. Maybe i could get into it if I didn't have to eat all that nori!

The Voracious Vegan said...

Wow, what gorgeous food. That cake is just too pretty for words, what a lucky birthday girl. And the omelette looks like the perfect way to start the day.

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

I am just boggled by the cake. How beautiful is THAT! O.M.G!!!

VeganCowGirl said...

Everything looks amazing - the fondant cake is so beautiful! What did you use to colour the inside red?

And the soy paper instead of nori is great! Did it come in sheets the same width as nori?

jd said...

That cake is completely stunning! I swear, there's a successful cake/cupcake decorating career with your name on it!

By the way, I love the new look of your blog! I actually just changed mine, too - there must be something in the air :)

Anonymous said...

I've never seen soy paper before! Yet another thing I'd like to get my hands on! And you are like the fondant queen! You need to do a sort of tutoral on your fondant sillz for we little clueless kids!

Lauren said...

Mmm.. those sushi rolls look delish! Butterscotch Blondies, does it get any better? And that cake.. yummm, so delicate looking!!

Anonymous said...

Wow--what an incredible mix in that bag!! I've never heard of soy wraps for sushi--must check them out. And that cake. OMG, it is, truly, patisserie-quality. Gorgeous, gorgeous!! (My birthday is coming up in a couple of months, btw. . .) :)

ChocolateCoveredVegan said...

I'm seriously impressed by the fondant cake. I've yet to try my hand at a fondant-covered cake.

And I am secretly happy that you didn't make it to Dallas, because I was cursing my bad luck that I wasn't going to be there when you came!

jessy said...

mmmmmmm! your moussaka looks PERFECT! and the cake looks AMAZING, too!!!!!! i love it! :) i need to check out those soy wraps for sushi - they look so neat! and i'll take one of your omelettes - omg - YUMMAH! :D

Anonymous said...

Pretty well, indeed! That cake is amazing! Fantastic job!

Binx said...

I concur-- everything looks awesome, and that cake is amazing! I've actually never had moussaka, vegan or not, ad I kep meaing to make it. But for this, I would have to give in and buy Vcon...

the little one said...

Looks like third time's the charm with the fondant! Wow.

Jenni (aka Vegyogini) said...

That is a GORGEOUS cake!

KP said...

That cake is beautiful!

...barbara... said...

wow....impressive cake...

i have never heard of soy paper but i will surely look more into it.....

everything looks amazing....

Anonymous said...

You have overly impressed me with the cake! It is so pretty. I've never tasted fondant; I am sure this cake would be a great first try of it!

Ruby Red said...

Baking is so much fun... I would do it even more often if it were not for the tremendous amount of dishes involved! Your MSV goodies look sinfully delicious, especially the pound cake. I had plain poundcake all the time in the good old days, but the chocolateyness and cookies just put it over the top - excellent!

And that red velvet cake looks flawless in every way. You really have some skillz (yes, with a "z"). Finally, the omelette, which I unfortunately have not tried yet, looks like a fabulous breakfast! It would be nice to get lots of veggies in first thing in the am.

Melisser; the Urban Housewife said...

Holy shit, that cake is impeccable! Come work for me! hahaha.

Also, I love that pine nut cream & I'm a soy paper kind of gal.

Anonymous said...

Your moussaka looks awesome! I need to work on my food photo skills! I'll have to show you the pic I took when I made it. I must testify that those butterscotch blondies were super yummy!!

aTxVegn said...

Fondant makes such a beautiful cake. Nice job - again!

JENNA said...

I have yet to try the pine nut cream from v'con. I think you've inspired me.

I will be joining you and your baking/dirty dishes week. I hate dishes so much but I gotta bake.

Caroline S. said...

Those butterscotch blondies look amazing. I think it's high time for me to formulate a cupcake version of them!

bazu said...

your cake skills are out of this world! every cake you decorate blows my mind. your mixed bag is tempting my tummy!

Tami said...

It's all so delectable! Those butterscotch blondies, especially.

I've never even heard of soy paper!

And that cake... oh my!

Anonymous said...

I made that pine nut cream from Vcon to put on the bean ball subs - delish! I couldn't believe how good it was, actually. NOMNOMNOM.

Bianca said...

Your cake looks so pretty! You got mad skills!

And the moussaka is amazing, specially that pine nut cream! I also had the same problem with the omelette. I blamed it on my non-stick pans, but I'm sure it was fall apart regardless. The taste and texture of that tofu mixture is the closest thing I've ever tasted to real eggs.

Anonymous said...

Although I'm a fan of nori, I'm so curious about those soy papers! I just can't find them anywhere... I guess it might still be a while before I try them out.

Awesome to see that you're still enjoying the book, both desserts both look great! :)

Jacqueline Meldrum said...

Beautifully decorated cake, Amanda :)

allularpunk said...

holy crepe that cake looks amazing! will you bake my birthday cake? haha...

Lisa (Show Me Vegan) said...

red velvet cake with pecan praline buttercream? That sounds as divine as the outside looks!

Carrie™ said...

That cake! Amazing! You could seriously make kick ass wedding cakes and earn some kick ass $$. Something to think about maybe?
I haven't had sushi in a long time. I think I see some in my near future. Great post as usual!

J said...

The Moussaka has been on my list for a while, but I haven't gotten around to making it! Your's has me convinced.

Beautiful cake! Wow!

Erin said...

That cake is astounding! It looks so professional, I'd be a little sad to have to cut into it. The pound cake and blondies don't look too bad either.