Sweet and Spicy Pumpkin Pie Roasted Almonds. Vegan.

Sweet & Spicy Pumpkin Pie Roasted Almonds.

Sweet & Spicy Pumpkin Pie Roasted Almonds | Knead to Cook.

Happy Monday friends!  I never did mind Mondays only because its a reboot – a new start and fresh chance at doing amazing things.  Perspective.  Today’s day started out with an early morning 6.26 mile run. It was the first run of the season with gloves but I will note that I suffer from Raynaud’s and seem a bit more sensitive to cold morning temperatures.  The run felt great and energizing.  From there lots of errands and a dog walk with Samantha.

I’ve been having a week (or more) of eating like a voracious monster.  Literally if a camera was on me from noon till 4 all they would view is me eating – constantly. My husband is convinced its just my body healing and needing extra nutrition. I sure hope he’s right as I go back to the doc next week for more X-rays. Praying for good progress!!

I do have several Meatless Monday recipes to share but whipped these up and as I snack on them – this is what I chose to share with you all today.  You can make these with or without cayenne pepper.  Add more or less to your liking.  These pack up and mail perfectly for the holidays or are great on your Thanksgiving table.  Protein packed and a healthy snack for everyone.  Gluten free and vegan.
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— Knead to Cook

Vegan Pumpkin Chili.

Vegan Pumpkin Chili.

Vegan Pumpkin Chili by Knead to Cook.

Vegan Pumpkin Chili.

Last week I was thrilled to purchase Thug Kitchen’s first cookbook.  Scouring each vulgar sentence (that’s their schict) and recipes of this masterpiece – I wanted to try a protein-packed recipe first.  I made this recipe Monday and have enjoyed it all week as leftovers topped with my smoky spicy cashew cheese sauce, which elevated it to a whole new level.  I modified their recipe a bit and absolutely LOVE it and will be making it again and again this winter.  Even your most hardcore carnivores won’t be missing the meat in this flavor-packed chili.

Thug Kitchen tweeted me back after seeing my post… I’m honored and so happy but can’t retweet due to the vulgarity.  Sorry – ha ha.
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— Knead to Cook

Smoky Spicy Cheese Sauce. Vegan. Gluten Free.

Smoky Spicy Cheese Sauce. Vegan and gluten free.

Smoky Spicy Cheese Sauce. Vegan and gluten free by Knead to Cook.

Smoky.  Spicy. Cheesy Sauce.  Wait… dip.  Dressing!  Wait… a sub for yogurt or mayo in sandwiches!  Oh the uses are endless!  And the spiciness and smokiness is all under your wielding. But for us… the more kick and the smokier the better!

This cheese sauce, dip, dressing – whatever you want to call it is totally vegan and gluten free.  You will be bulled over by the flavor this packs in this super simple, insane concoction!  Seriously… you won’t want to miss this one.  Prep is required with the cashews but other than that -soaked cashews made into cream can become a magical ingredient that vegans seriously rejoice over!  I normally go sweeter but do love a savory cashew cream. And please, anything with Sriracha is just hands down fabulous.  I think I may need a support group for hot sauce.  In fact – there are two different types in here. Okay… recipe time.

UPDATE:  I made a super yummy vegan chili tonight and put a doll-up of this on it… heavenly!  Another use for this awesome sauce. Ha ha.
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— Knead to Cook

Balsamic Black Bean Tempeh.

Balsamic Black Bean Tempeh

Balsamic Black Bean Tempeh | Knead to Cook

Balsamic Black Bean Tempeh.

I created this recipe while on my bike ride with my husband on Sunday.  It was a freezing ride and I needed to take my mind off the windchill and tap into my creative side with this new delicacy that the good folks at Smiling Hara Tempeh sent me.  I’ve never had black bean tempeh and was very excited to experiment with it.  My mind kept going to more of a Mexican themed dish but I wanted to divert from that and attempt this at a new angle.  Italian!  Garlic.  Balsamic.  Deep intense flavors was the way I wanted to go… and did.

To lighten up this dish, I served the tempeh over a bed of fresh organic arugula, roasted red pepper slices, pear slices and pumpkin seeds.  I then drizzled balsamic over the top to finish this dish off.  Super easy lunch or dinner that comes together very quickly.

My friends Smiling Hara Tempeh are on a mission that I’m so happy to help out with!!  They are looking to expand and make their awesome food available nationwide (currently only available in Whole Foods and Earth Fare stores in the south).  I’m happily sharing their kickstarter link here if you want to help.

I’m always happy to share and promote companies with similar philosophies with food as my own.  Here’s a little background on who they are.

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Sustainability permeates every aspect of our philosophy. We are committed to using only the highest quality ingredients, organically grown and sourced as locally as possible. We view the growth and profitability of our business as an opportunity to increase infrastrucure in our region. In business, as well as personally, we believe we are only as strong as the community and environment within which we exist.

Our goal is to educate the general public to the benefits of unpasteurized tempeh and bring it into the national spotlight. We are in the process creating a buzz around tempeh and forging a new trend in the health food world which will contribute to the health and nutrition of our customers, as well as the state of the local economy.

Together we have channelled our passions for community, self-sufficiency, environmental stewardship, and a health-conscious lifestyle into a vibrant and rapidly growing enterprise. Smiling Hara is a company with a mission. Welcome aboard.
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— Knead to Cook

Fingerprint Jam Cookies. Vegan and Gluten Free.

Fingerprint cookies. Vegan and gluten free.

Fingerprint cookies. Vegan and gluten free | Knead to Cook.

A few weeks ago I was sent a box of healthy goodies from Norm’s Farm and I knew exactly what treat I wanted to make with the jam.  Fingerprint cookies are a favorite in my family.  I’m all over berries and their healing powers.  Food is powerful – trust me!  So when the good folks at North Farms reached out to gauge my interest in elderberry products… I was all over it!!

Elderberries contain natural flavonoids.  Help reduce swelling, fight against inflammation and help boost your immune system.  If you suffer from an anti-inflammatory disorder like me – this is fantastic and something you need to pay attention to.  Elderberries help ease flu-like symptoms, headaches, sore throats, fatigue and body aches.  Some studies have also found that it help with bacterial sinus infections and bronchitis as well.

Norm’s Farms offers a wide variety of products (even Wellness syrups) that I’ve enjoyed in my smoothies as well.

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— Knead to Cook

Veggie Burger. Vegan. Gluten Free.

Veggie burger. Vegan and gluten free.

Veggie burger. Vegan and gluten free by Knead to Cook.

Veggie burger. Vegan and gluten free.

Yesterday was my husband’s birthday.  This was post 2 days after our anniversary and homecoming. It was a busy weekend.  Because his birthday falls on a Monday, and we went out this weekend for our anniversary, he requested vegan burgers for his special dinner.  Done!  This burger is sturdy and more like it’s meat counterpart.  You can even grill this burger without it falling apart – like many or most vegan burgers.  This one is also packed with fiber and protein.
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— Knead to Cook

Cilantro Lime Tempeh Bowl. Vegan. Gluten Free.

Cilantro Lime Tempeh Bowl.

Cilantro Lime Tempeh Bowl | Knead to Cook

Cilantro Lime Tempeh Bowl

Okay just got the dreaded call that my hair appointment had to be rescheduled so I will take my extra free time and get my post up now instead of later.  A little background… A few weeks ago I was blessed to make a connection with Smiling Hara Tempeh.  It was instant love! No lie.  I’m always so excited to connect with people who are passionate about healthy, good quality food.  Since becoming a vegan 10 months ago, I’ve really found a love for tempeh (temp – pay).  I love marinating, grilling, broiling or pan frying it in coconut oil.  But my issue… finding good tempeh!

So the good folks at Smiling Hara sent me a care package and it arrived while I was in Texas. I opted not to marinate this first dish because I really wanted to taste the actual product.  I went with the original soy product in this recipe but will be featuring other variations that they sell in future recipes.  This recipe is super easy and I was so impressed with the flavor!  Most grocery stores only sell one brand, which is quite bitter to me – this tempeh doesn’t have that annoying bite.  Okay so let’s get onto this recipe…
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— Knead to Cook

Oatmeal cinnamon cookie squares. Vegan. Gluten Free.

 

Oatmeal Cinnamon Cookie Bars. Vegan. Gluten Free.

Oatmeal Cinnamon Cookie Bars. Vegan. Gluten Free | Knead to Cook.

Oatmeal cinnamon cookie bars.

Happy first day of fall!  So happy!  I made these bars last week for my kid’s weekly snack.  I always make something healthier to have on hand for after-school/practice, grab and go treat.  These are always a favorite.  I’ve made them vegan and gluten free so my oldest can enjoy them too.  Packed with great nutrients and vitamins, this treat is secretly healthier than a regular cookie bar and the coconut palm sugar gives it a deeper, rich flavor that they just love.  Great breakfast treat for the bus too!  The original recipe was given to me by an old friend Callae but I’ve morphed it to accommodate my daughter’s dietary restrictions.
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— Knead to Cook

Vegan journey through Texas.

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So happy to be back in Pennsylvania with our fall-like chill in the air and NO humidity.  Windows open.  Bill and I took a holiday to Texas to celebrate our 18th wedding anniversary (albeit a little early thanks to Homecoming).  We decided to visit the San Antonio Riverwalk and Alamo as well as tour Austin.  Of course, it was my goal to find everything vegan along the way and Texas did not let us down!  Now I’ve been vegetarian for almost 2 years now and vegan for 10 months.  I knew going to Texas and eating vegan may pose a challenge in the land of bbq but it so was not!

First off the heat and humidity was almost unbearable.  Worst than the east coast in August!  HOLY humidity!  Running was a bit fun but we did manage to get two runs happily and completely sweaty.  I finished out my week with 25 miles as planned.
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— Knead to Cook

Triple Almond Cookies. Vegan and Gluten Free. #OXOGoodCookies

Triple Almond Cookies. Vegan. Gluten Free.

Triple Almond Cookies. Vegan. Gluten Free | Knead to Cook

Today I’m Baking for a Cure.  This month is Child Cancer Awareness Month.  I happily joined OXO and their annual Cookies for Kids Cancer program.  Having spent many days at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia – I could only imagine how emotional and tearful it is for families living that horrible reality.

This program through OXO requires no donations on your part.  Every product marked with this green label that is purchased – a donation will be made on your behalf.  For every item marked that is sold, OXO will donate 25 cents as apart of their of $100,000 pledge to Cookies for Kids’ Cancer.  This runs through September. The goal is to help raise funds for cancer research for pediatrics.#OXOGOODCOOKIES

I love their measuring cups, spoons and spatulas that help me scoop all of my flax eggs out of my bowls.

CFKC Sticker

 

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Here are a few items with the green logo to look for.

These cookies, if you’re an almond fan, will totally knock your socks off.  They are a cross between a traditional cookie and a biscotti and they are the BEST in my humble opinion.
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— Knead to Cook