Alicia Silverstone's Blog, page 145
December 26, 2011
8 days of recipes: jelly donut cupcakes
These jelly donut cupcakes from VegNews look like they'd make a great holiday breakfast snack dessert or all three! Let me know how they turn out if you try them.
Ingredients
1 cup soymilk
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 1/2 cups flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup canola oil
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/3 cup raspberry strawberry or grape jam
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a cupcake tin with paper liners. In a mixing cup combine the soymilk vinegar and cornstarch and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl sift together flour baking powder baking soda nutmeg and salt. Create a well in the center of the flour for the wet ingredients.
Mix the soymilk mixture with a fork to dissolve the cornstarch and pour into the flour mixture. Add the oil sugar and vanilla and mix well.
Fill the liners with batter about full. Place a heaping spoonful of jam into the center of each cupcake being careful not to overfill. The jam will sink into the bottom of the cupcake during baking.
Bake cupcakes for 21 to 23 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack and then set uncovered overnight in a cool and dry place. This will make the tops slightly crispy like a donut crust. Using a sifter sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve.
What's your favorite holiday cupcake?
Photo Credit: Flickr
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December 23, 2011
six vegan holiday pies
Care2 recently posted a roundup of yum-looking holiday pies - any of the veg pies they included could be great for your holiday dinner! Pictures and links to recipes below:
Chocolate Cream Pie
Rustic Apple Pie with Apricots and Figs
What kind of dessert are you serving this year?
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8 days of recipes: quick & easy knishes
How am I Jewish but have no idea what a knish is? I've heard of it but I have no real experience with it...so you'll have to let me know how you like this recipe!
Ingredients
3 russet potatoes peeled and chopped or 12 small potatoes scrubbed and quartered
1 large onion peeled and chopped
2 cups water or vegetable broth
1/4 cup plain soymilk
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 whole wheat tortillas
Dijon mustard
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Boil potatoes and onions in the water or stock until potatoes are soft about 10 minutes.
Remove potatoes and onions from the water with a slotted spoon reserving the cooking water. Add the soymilk olive oil salt and pepper and mash with a fork or potato masher until sticky. If you need more liquid add the potato cooking water one teaspoon at a time. The end result should be a lumpy mixture.
Lay tortillas flat and spread mustard onto each one. Drop about two tablespoons of the potato mixture in the middle of the tortilla and spread in a line from left to right. Fold like a burrito using potatoes to seal it shut.
Place knishes with the folded side down on a baking sheet. Spread a little more mustard on the top of each knish.
Bake for about 10 to 15 minutes or until the tortilla is firm but not crisp.
Let cool before eating.
Make sure to let me know how you liked these in the comments below! What kind of finger food do you love to serve during the holidays?
Photo Credit: Food.com
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8 Days of Recipes: Homemade Applesauce
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Hanukkah is Almost Here
December 22, 2011
update on the spam situation
Hey so some of you have commented about the spam that has been invading our post comments lately namely ads for shoes and other so-not-vegan accessories. It's super annoying!
Anywho I just wanted to give you a heads up that The Kind Life's tech team is working on this issue and we're doing our best to delete any spam as it appears…I'll keep you informed of updates and in the mean time apologies for any spam you see in the comments.
Keep the conversation going and let me know if you have any issues or questions!
vegan black metal chef makes yule log
You may have heard of this guy from the show "No Reservations" or maybe you've already come across his videos in your internet travels… I saw this one on Buzz Feed and thought I'd share. I have to warn you though it might give you a headache! I had a weird look plastered on my face the whole time I was watching it but it's certainly interesting. Anywho I'm happy we have vegans in the metal world. Yahoo! This particular guy is very creative and enthusiastic so enjoy if you dare!
What funny videos are you loving lately?
8 Days of Recipes: Homemade Applesauce
8 Days of Recipes: Vegan Challah
Kind Classics: Holiday Hors D'oeuvres
Bill Clinton: Kinder and Healthier Than Ever!
8 days of recipes: vegan latkes two ways
This year I'm sharing two versions of everyone's favorite Hanukkah dish. Enjoy!
This veg version from Girlie Girl Army courtesy of VegNews Magazine sounds delicious. I haven't tried it yet but I want to! Check it out:
Ingredients
1-1/2 pounds russet potatoes peeled and grated
1 small yellow onion peeled and grated
1 tablespoon fresh parsley minced
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Canola oil for frying
Instructions
In a colander set over a large bowl place potatoes.
Using your hands squeeze out the excess liquid from the potatoes.
Pour off the liquid and place potatoes in the bowl.
Add onion to potatoes along with parsley flour baking powder salt and pepper and mix well.
Preheat oven to 275 degrees.
In a large skillet over medium heat heat a thin layer of oil.
Take a heaping tablespoon of batter and flatten it before gently placing it in the hot oil. Make three or four more potato pancakes this way and add to skillet without crowding pan. Fry until golden brown on both sides turning once about 8 minutes total.
Repeat with remaining potato mixture adding more oil as necessary. Remove the cooked potato pancakes to paper towels to drain then transfer to an ovenproof platter and keep warm in the oven until all pancakes are cooked.
Editor's Note: Serve with applesauce and vegan sour creme. And make more than you need... these go fast!
Our second version is from Post Punk Kitchen. I can't wait to hear what you think of these!
Ingredients
2 1/2 pounds starchy white potatoes peeled russets idaho et al
1 small yellow onion peeled
1/4 cup potato or corn starch
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 cups matzoh meal
Lots of vegetable oil
Instructions
If using a food processor use the grating blade to shred the potatoes and theonion. If shredding by hand use a grater to shred all the potatoes. Dice the onion as finely as possible.
Have ready brown paper shopping bags or paper towels for draining the oil from the latkes. You may also want to have the oven on at 200 F to keep the latkes warm until you're ready to serve. If serving immediately then just have a baking pan covered with tin foil ready to keep the finished ones warm after they've been drained.
In a large mixing bowl using a wooden spoon or your hands it's faster to use your hands mix the potatoes and onions with the potato starch until the potatoes have released some moisture and the sornstarch is dissolved about 2 minutes.
Add the salt and pepper to combine. Add the matzoh meal and mix well. Set aside for about 10 minutes. The mixture should get liquid-y but sticky.
In the meantime preheat a large preferable cast iron but definitely non-stickskillet over medium heat a little bit on the high side. Add about 1/4 inchlayer of vegetable oil to the pan. The oil is hot enough when you throw a bit of batter in and bubbles rapidly form around it. If it immediately smokes then the heat is too high and you should lower it a bit. If the bubbles are really lazy then give it a few more minutes or turn the heat up a bit.
With wet hands so that the mixture doesn't stick roll into small golf ball sized balls. Flatten into thin round patties. Fry about four to six at a time. Fry on one side for about 4 minutes until golden brown. Flip over and fry for another three minutes.
Transfer to the paper towels and proceed with the remaining latkes. Once latkes havedrained on both sides place in a baking pan to keep warm.
How do you like to eat latkes? Share in the comments below!
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December 21, 2011
giveaway: win two tee shirts from rain tees!
Rain Tees is a very cool company that sells eco-friendly tee shirts handmade in the USA. Each shirt features artwork from children living in countries facing environmental destruction poverty and lack of access to education. And for each tee shirt sold Rain Tees collaborates with Trees for the Future to plant a tree in a critically endangered area of the world.
I recently did an interview with Rain Tees that you can read here. Today they're giving away two tee shirts to one lucky kind lifer! Check it out:
House on a Hill
Type: White Kid's Crew tee
Ever wondered what a beautiful day in the Amazon jungle looks like? Dioner Pablo Cerdo Andi of Tena Ecuador has given us a glimpse. His words 'I love living in the Amazon because the air is alive' inspire us all to become part of protecting this precious and valuable eco system.
Joison
Type: White Women's Crew tee
Illustrated by Joison Canelos of Ecuador we named this whimsical design after him. The Joison illustration is a bold bright and elegant statement from the eyes of a young child living in the Amazon.
To enter for a chance to win these tee shirts for yourself and your or a friend's little one tell me why the rainforest is important to you in the comments below.
We'll randomly select a winner tomorrow so get to commenting…good luck!
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8 days of recipes: homemade applesauce
This applesauce would make a great accompaniment to your latkes recipes for those coming tomorrow!. With no sugar added it looks pretty darn healthy too!
Ingredients
3 lbs apples
1 tsp cinnamon
1 pinch nutmeg
1 1/2 cups water
2 lemon thin slices
1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
Peel and core apples you can leave the skin on a few of them because if you like the taste and texture.
Cut apples into approximately 1 inch cubes.
Add all ingredients to pot and turn heat on high. Bring to a boil then cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 20 minutes or until the apples have softened significantly.
Stir frequently making sure that the apples are not sticking to the bottom of the pot. Add more water if necessary. Remove lemon slices.
Mash with a potato masher or use a food mill for a smoother consistency. Serve warm or at room temperature.
What kind of side dishes are you serving this season?
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December 20, 2011
farm sanctuarys gift guide
For all the animal lovers among your friends and family what's a better gift than an animal adoption that lasts for the whole year? For families who live within driving distance of a sanctuary an animal in need they can go visit anytime is a wonderful gift.
Farm Sanctuary has posted their annual list of adoptable animals for this holiday season so I wanted to share:
Noel
25 per month or 300 annually
Jane
35 per month or 420 annually
Dandypants
10 per month or 120 annually
Agnes
25 per month or 300 annually
There are many other animals in need as well – go to Farm Sanctuary's website to sponsor or make a donation. Gift recipients will be mailed an adoption certificate color photo and details about scheduling a VIP tour to meet their new adopted friend. You can also shop for gift items in Farm Sanctuary's store here.
What sort of kind gifts are you giving this season?
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my interview with rain tees
Rain Tees is a very cool company that sells eco-friendly tee shirts handmade in the USA. Each shirt features artwork from children living in countries facing environmental destruction poverty and lack of access to education.
For each tee shirt sold Rain Tees collaborates with Trees for the Future to plant a tree in a critically endangered area of the world. I recently did an interview with Rain Tees so I wanted to share!
You can read the interview here.
What's your favorite kind organization?
Kind Orgs: Invisible Children
Forks Over Knives
A Documentary I Highly Recommend...
Charities in Detroit
Alicia Silverstone's Blog
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