Your Vegan Mom

God Bless America

I've found local produce.

Marvin's Gardens
7735 E Kings Hwy
Shreveport, LA 71115
(318) 797-7245

Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding

We have a winner! Pulled at random, Alice's fond description of her grandmother's iced smog cookies takes the sampler box from Liz Lovely. Congratulation! Now email me your shipping info.

Sweet Potato Pecan Muffins

I've turned a corner. Last week I quietly, and sometimes less so (I'm so sorry if you were one of the people that had to hear me whine), pined for meyer lemons and heaps of artichokes. But this week is better. I'm adjusting to life in the South. This week is all sweet potatoes and pecans.

(I think I like you) Shreveport Muffins
(Just to be clear - I have a budding though cautious regard for the town of Shreveport, but unbridled love for these little coffee companions.)

Muffins:
1 c. sweet potato puree
1/4 c. canola oil
2 T. ground flax
6 T. water
1/2 c. soy milk
1/4 c. dark molasses
1/4 c. sugar
1 c. flour
3/4 c. whole wheat pastry flour
2 t. baking powder
1 t. cinnamon
1 t. ginger
1/4 t. nutmeg
3/4 t. salt

Topping:
1 c. chopped pecans
2 T. melted butter
1/4 c. sugar
1 T. molasses

1. Grease a muffin pan and heat the oven to 350.
2. Whisk together flax meal and water and set aside until thickened.
3. Make the topping by combining the pecans, butter, sugar, and molasses in a small bowl.
4. Thoroughly stir together all wet ingredients including sugar.
5. In a separate bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients.
6. Add the dry to the wet and quickly fold together.
7. Scoop batter into prepared pan, top with sugared pecans, and bake at 350 for 25 minutes or until a knife comes out pretty clean.

Makes 12.

P.S. I'll announce the winner of the cookie sampler on Monday. If you haven't left a comment yet on the last post, it's not too late!

P.S.S Without the topping - this is a prefect toddler treat, not too sweet, packed with good stuff, no nuts.

Liz Lovely has Cookies for You

How happy was I after stumbling off of that dipping and rumbling flight, after finding that all 70 pounds of our entire lives' possessions had not chosen to make the last leg of the journey with us, looking forward to a shower and a change of clothes and a cocktail, to discover not only my loving husband waiting for me in Shreveport, but also a box of cookies!

The wonderful people at Liz Lovely were somehow under the misconception that my opinion was influential, and am I ever happy that I did not disabuse them of this notion.

These are some good cookies. The Ginger Snapdragons are big and soft and chewy, spicy with fresh ginger, and, dare I say it... better than homemade. This cookie magic does not come from any kind of unrecognizable chemical combination though, the ingredients are all, not only kitchen shelf staples, but also certified organic and Fair Trade wherever possible. Now I know statements like that can be incredibly misleading, but when I say "wherever possible" I do not mean, "They can't use organic flour, it's just not cost effective." I am instead referring to the fact that there is not organic certification for things like (Vermont well) water and (sea) salt and (would somebody please come up with artisanal) baking soda.

In addition to the ginger, that, by the way, went quite well with that little dram of bourbon, we also had a four pack of dark chocolate covered sandwich cookies. This classic vegan oreo-style treat finds its fancy pants in a gorgeous draping of high quality dark chocolate. The crunchy cookie in its velvety coating was a treat indeed. Fortunately, in the name of research, I had to horde most of them for myself.

This company impresses the pants off me. 5 people in Vermont putting out an exceptional product in the most conscientious fashion. This is the kind of shopping that is just good for everybody. Now excuse me while I go join their fan club.

Oh, but first, leave a comment for an opportunity to win your very own sampler box. You could tell me about the best cookie you've ever had, or just say, "I want cookies," or if you think it will help, you can always talk about how much you like me. In any case, I'll pick a winner at random and pass on the info to the Lovely people.

A Few Observations

In a pinch, a bourbon bottle works fine as a rolling pin.

Here in Louisiana you can find Quaker brand instant bacon-flavor grits right there next to the maple-brown sugar oatmeal. In case you're wondering, this is not vegan.

In the face of kitchen obstacles, a jar of spaghetti sauce is magical.

The local hardware store sells a two vat deep fat fryer on wheels to use next to your barbecue. Paul says we can't get one.

Tomorrow there will be free cookies.