First my blogiversary reflections on Monday, then continuing the birthday shenanigans with cake bread pudding and a gifts yesterday and now another double [foodie] party. Celebrating three days in a row?! I can’t say I ever did that before but it feels pretty good. Especially when there’s lots of good food involved. I’ll admit I’m a little bugged to notice it’s the last time we can use Jenn’s adorable Halloween-themed What I ate Wednesday logo and I completely forgot to create any spooky snacks. Sorry, Jenn, I promise I’ll try harder next time. Just like last week I’ll also join Vegan Wednesday again. Make sure to hop over to both Jenn’s and Regina’s link-ups for even more foodie inspiration.
Some cravings make perfect sense. It’s freezing outside, raining cats and dogs and all I want it a bowl of chili. I think all of us have that one go-to chili recipe that they know by heart and whip up whenever the temperatures drop to a chill. Mine is a Bulgur Chili coming from a cooking magazine and has been in my rotation for years. Only guess what I didn’t have on hand when last Thursday turned out to be nasty and practically scream for chili? Bulgur. And time or patience to wait for grains to cook. Luckily Michelle must have sensed this because she posted her recipe just that day. Problem solved.
You know me and my ways, though, so I obviously subbed around a bit and was pleasantly surprised by how close to my favourite recipe this got.
Some of my cravings are not only strange but completely unseasonal. Ice cream in Fall when it’s no more than 54 degree outside? Well, I told you yesterday I wasn’t a cake but an ice cream girl and as long as I can pull on a sweater while eating it I won’t give up on my favourite treat. The bowl below was a homemade healthified version of Cookie Dough ice cream.
However maybe my cravings had quite a simple background … Maybe they just have to do with one of my new BFFs [best food friends]? Or better yet the urge to put one of them to the best use …
Do you remember me asking for food processor recommendations and mentioning I’d been eyeing the Vitamix for ages [and we’re really talking years here]? Well, shortly after that post I remembered I’d seen other German bloggers receiving a Vitamix on lend to test it and dared to give it a try, too. I’ll admit I didn’t hope for much figuring there might be a too high request. Maybe it was blogiversary luck 😉 but I got a reply only few hours later and the very next day a Vitamix was on its way to me.
I promise I will try not to gush too much about the Vitamix during the next five more weeks he’ll be my guest. But just to explain my slight, no, okay, incredible excitement about it let me tell you that I’ve never worked with anything more than more or less mediocre handheld blenders all throughout my life so far. Just a funny story here: when I first started reading blogs and recipes directions mentioned the use of ‘food processors’ for blending I had no idea what bloggers meant and kept using my handheld blender. Because what else would people use for blending, right ;)?! That is, until I saw a picture of one of those mysterious processors on a blog. Yet I had still to happen upon either a food processor let alone a Vitamix in any of my relatives or friends’ houses. They just aren’t common over here.
[Disclaimer: Perfekte Gesundheit offered to send me the Vitamix for free to review for six weeks. All opinions on the Vitamix are my own and I wasn’t compensated by the shop.]
Looking back at the meals I remembered to take pictures of – because I’ll admit some days I just forgot – there was another best food friend around: cauliflower. Can you tell it was on offer? What can I say: I’m simply trying to budget where I can :). Luckily cauliflower is a versatile ingredient and good vehicle for many dishes like the not-so-pretty but delicious spin on the Kabocha Squash Lentil Curry. It has quickly become one of my favourites though how could anything containing kabocha disappoint? Forgive me for not peeling the squash and the dish resulting in a lovely green/grey-ish colour. Taste beats looks any day. Fact.
Okay, so just a little more Vitamix excitment. I mentioned wanting to make my own nut butters so this was obviously one of the first uses of my new kitchen toy. Coconut butter had been on my grocery list for months but I just couldn’t convince myself to splurge on it. And now? Organic coconut butter for a fraction of the price at the store. That and the amazing flavour? Swoon. Now I just need to find a way to stop myself from eating it straight from the jar … dangerous.
Don’t forget to enter my blogiversary giveaway! Sorry it’s a little confusing to enter the Rafflecopter widget on another page but I hadn’t considered free WordPress pages didn’t support these kinds of plugins.
Happiness inducing today: A girl I recently met on the train [we just started chatting and she happens to be new in town] suggesting to meet up for a coffee later this week.
Happy Wednesday!
Do you plan your meals according to what’s on offer at the store?
What are some of your unseasonal cravings?
Tell me: what are some must-try recipes for the Vitamix? Aside from smoothies [sorry, not a fan]. I’ve been thinking of vegan ‘cheezy’ kale chips [cashew-based cheese], some kind of raw nut-based dessert, …?
Lucky you!!!! Hey vitamix, wanna send me one to play with?!?! lol. Glad you’re having fun with it. I can never justify buying coconut butter when you can so easily make it yourself. Though I agree, it’s virtually impossible to not eat it by the spoonful!
Ah, that’s so cool that they sent you a Vitamix! How did you make that coconut butter that it got so creamy? I did some cacao coconut butter yesterday and it turned out wodnerful, but not as creamy as yours!
I can recommend to make my protein energy balls with the prcessor – they are SO good and http://fitswisschick.com/2012/11/23/62/supereasy to make!
The coconut butter actually got that creamy by processing for quite a while and pushing the coconut down with the tamper all the time. Vita-magic :).
Which food processor do you use? Cacao coconut butter [akin to Artisana Cacao Bliss?] sounds heavenly.
Sorry, here’s the link again, correctly:
http://fitswisschick.com/2012/11/23/62/
Ohh what an awesome treat to receive in the mail! I don’t own a Vitamix but I would one- it seems so powerful. The minute I get my hands on one, homemade nut butter & banana soft serve are on top of my list :)!
Banana softserve was the first thing I tried, too. I have to admit, though, that it’s easier to prepare a single serving with my immersion blender’s processor attachment.
Aside from the coconut butter I’ve been a little scared to try other nut butters in the Vitamix yet but I’ll give it a try eventually :).
Yay for homemade coconut butter! Seriously, is it not like eating cake frosting?! And I really think you should try making some kind of soup with the Vitamix. I hear they are so bad ass that they will actually heat the soup as it mixes! I mean, how awesome is that, right?
I never plan meals, but I ALWAYS buy according to sales/specials. Then I get home with all my “loot” and have to figure out what to do with it all! Lol I’ve been craving tomatoes in a BAD way lately…looks like I’m gonna have to scour the stores for a sale on salsa! 😉
Coconut butter is blissful. I’ve been comparing it to the filling of Raffaello truffles if you know these?! Just without all the added nonsense they have :).
Aside from the occasional coincidence of my planned meals and products on offer I find myself stumped with what to prepare with all the produce, too. Why can’t stores adhere to our preferences?! Good luck with the salsa hunt – I need to stock up, too!
Ooo that homemade coconut butter looks so, so good! Can’t wait to hear about your experiences with the Vitamix, I’m sure you’ll give it a good review over the coming weeks (and lots of love :))
I never plan my meals but really should!
I’ll try not to rave too much about the Vitamix but I can’t guarantee for anything ;). Really, though, I’m definitely looking forward to lots more of experimentation. Can you blame me for being excited :)?!
Definitely not, I’d be exactly the same! 🙂
What a lucky girl!! Enjoy your new toy 🙂
Thank you, Amy! Wish you could come over for some kitchen fun with the Vitamix :).
Oooo I want a vitamix so bad! I have one on my wedding registry but who knows if anyone will buy it. Haha. I love coconut butter.. sooo delicious!
Fingers crossed for you!
That chili looks delicious! I’ve been trying to think of ideas for bulgur. I’ve heard such good things about the Vitamix, but I love my emersion blender too. I’m afraid it would get jealous.
I hear you that. My immersion blender was a bit angry, too, but I told him my affair with the Vitamix was just temporary ;). And for whichever reason, every time I’ve used my ‘old’ blender since he actually seemed to work better than ever before. Now who says blenders don’t have their own lives :D?!