My favorite recipes

I might have some new readers now that I went public with my little blog to the Facebook world.  I thought I’d share some of my favorite recipes.  Cool?   (Know that I’m the master-mind behind only a handful of these dishes.)

But before I do…. Since “coming out” with my blog, I keep getting emails like….

“Very cool.  Good luck on your new blog.” …. Well, folks, I’ve been doing this blogging thing (undercover) for over a year now.  But, thanks for joining me for my future adventures.  (They won’t be as exciting as spending two years in the middle-of-nowhere Thailand as a Peace Corps volunteer, but none the less, I still try to live a somewhat interesting life while holding a “real” job with only 2 weeks vacation a year.  Or is it 3? Whatever it is, I’m living up my free time as best I can.)

and

“I’m impressed.  Is it hard to start a blog?”  … Sure isn’t.  I’ve used wordpress and blogger to create blogs and both are easy, smeasy.  Give it a try, and let me know if you need any help.

and

“How often do you blog?  Is it time consuming?” … I’ve been blogging 1-2x a week, but last night as I was reading the book The Happiness Project, someone gave the author advice to blog everyday.  So maybe I’ll try to up my game.  As for time, it takes anywhere from 10 to 90 minutes normally to write a blog post, but I can do it while I’m watching mind-numbing TV or over lunch.

and the question that you all want to ask, but only my sister-in-law came out honestly and asked….  oh and my friends from “that summer” recently laughed at me for, but I know they are true friends because they still love me despite being “the fat party girl who had acne because she ate like shit and drank her day’s calories in booze.”

“Is that really you with the dog?”… Yes it is.  Sadly.  And never again will that happen.  Can we make a deal please?  I’ll help you, if you help me… never to slip like that again.  DEAL!

Okay, so now the recipes that you should all try*….
*Note: these have all been tested and approved by my non-vegan husband and are recommended for the general population.

Oh, and I could use a lesson or two in photography, so don’t laugh at some of my photos.  I was cracking up with my friend Jena… we recently decided we are iPhone bloggers. No DSLR here folks. We are straight point-and-shooters or iPhoners. 

Roasted Garlic, Apple & Butternut Squash Soup (Best Soup Eva)

Spaghetti Squash Mexican Mash Up

Udon Noodles with Veggies and Cashew Butter Sauce

Lemon Penne with Spinach and Roasted Tomatoes

(crappy iPhone photo – sorry about that!)

Sloppy Joes

Black Bean and Chocolate Chili

Tofu Tacos

Roasted Delicata Squash and Tomatoes over Spinach Pesto Pasta

How to make black beans from scratch & Black Bean Burritos

 
(again, sorry for the crappy photo of my half-eaten meal)

Sweet & Tangy Grape Guac

Fresh Basil Corn Salad

Share your favorite recipes!  

Be well,
Carolyn

Sweet & Tangy Grape Guacamole

BEWARE!  This recipe is a SERIOUS crowd pleaser.   Bring this to a BBQ or a potluck and just wait for the accodales to start pouring in.  “Who made this?”  “Are those grapes?”  “This is amazing.”  “My husband thought he made good guacamole, but this stuff is way better!”

Serves 4-6

2 cups of purple grapes, quartered
4 avocados, diced  (NOTE:  Be sure your avocados are RIPE.  If you are an avocado eating newbie, ripe avocados are very soft to the touch.  If you are at the store and they only have hard avocados, go to another store!)

1/4 cup red onion, diced
1-2 tbsp. cilantro, minced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 lime, juiced
Salt & Pepper (and cayenne) to taste

Combine all ingredients in bowl.  Stir together until avocados are well mashed.  Leave pits in the bowl until serving to prevent browning.  Serve with organic blue corn tortilla chips.

I love this stuff, and I think you will too!  Enjoy!

Eat well,
Carolyn

PS – My husband and I are leaving for vacation for a week in the North East.  Then I come home and the next day leave for San Francisco to visit my company’s HQ for a week.  Stay tuned for travel posts after the madness takes place!