Showing posts with label sweets. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sweets. Show all posts

Sunday, March 2, 2008

Sunday night, bliss



Dinner was aloo saag and the most awesome cupcakes (from Vegan Cupcakes Take over the World) - Toasted coconut cupcakes with coffee buttercream frosting. This title starts, but really cannot possibly convey the fabulousness of such an unexpectedly sophisticated treat. Mocha/coconut/chocolate; not too sweet, with a bit of a chewy top to the cupcake, then this lovely rich coffee frosting, topped with the sweet crunch of toasted coconut.

The saag aloo works well, but I don't think it's ever come out less than good. What a comfort food that is for me! I play with spice proportions, usually making it hotter than called for. This time I also used some of the leftover coconut milk from the cupcakes (I tend to like my aloo and curries in general more saucy, so usually add more liquid), as well as a sliced-up carrot, for its tender sweetness and great color among all that forest green. mmm!

A great walk today begun before sunrise had us at the lake just as the sun came up - clear, cool-warm, with the early spring woods a private place. We saw two startled deer (heard them, first, and stood staring at each other across the dividing creek). Tomorrow we're off to the arboretum for the first time.

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls

These are taken from Don't Eat Off the Sidewalk*, a great vegan blog. Mike doubled the filling, and followed the suggestion of one person to cover the prepared rolls and refrigerate overnight. Bring the rolls to room temp for an hour before baking. Hands down the best cinnamon rolls you've had, or double your money back!

Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls
These are taken from Don't Eat Off the Sidewalk, a great vegan blog. Mike doubled the filling, and followed the suggestion of one person to cover the prepared rolls and refrigerate overnight. Bring the rolls to room temp for an hour before baking. Hands down the best cinnamon rolls you've had, or double your money back!


Dough:
1 package dry yeast (about 2 1/4 teaspoons)
1/4 cup warm water
3/4 cup pumpkin puree (from can)
1/4 cup soy milk
1/4 cup margarine, melted (we use Earth Balance, a vegan margarine)
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1/2 t cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 t ground ginger
3/4 c all-purpose flour
1 T vegetable oil

Filling:
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
3 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons chilled margarine, cut into small pieces

Glaze:
¼ cup margarine, softened
4 oz.Tofutti cream cheese (vegan)
1 tsp vanilla
1 ½ cups powdered sugar

DOUGH
In a large bowl, combine the warm water with the yeast and whisk together with a fork, let stand for 5 minutes. Add the pumpkin, milk, melted margarine, and sugar in with the yeast, and lightly mix. Sift in the first two and a half cups of flour, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, and beat with a mixer at medium speed until smooth.

Turn dough out onto a floured surface. Take the remaining 3/4 cup of flour and use it to flour the top of the dough and your surface a tablespoon at a time, as needed to keep the dough from getting sticky as you knead it. Knead the dough for about ten minutes; the dough will be elastic but soft and still a little sticky to the touch without being floured.

Place the dough in a large bowl coated with oil, turning to coat the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place (85°), free from drafts, for 45 minutes or until doubled in size.

Punch the dough down; cover and let rest for 5 minutes.

FILLING
Combine the sugar, brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon in a small bowl. Cut in margarine with a fork until mixture resembles coarse meal.

Roll the dough into a 12 x 10-inch rectangle on a floured surface. Sprinkle with brown sugar mixture. Roll up the rectangle tightly, from the long side, pinch seam and ends to seal. Cut roll into 12 (1-inch) slices. Place the slices in a 9-inch square or round baking pan coated with cooking spray. Cover and let rise 25 minutes or until doubled in size.

Preheat oven to 375°.

Bake the rolls for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool for 15 minutes in pan on a wire rack.

GLAZE
Mix all ingredients, and spread over rolls while they’re still a bit warm.

Eat, enjoy!