From My Kitchen: Vegan Brownies (Microwavable)

From My Kitchen: Vegan Brownies (Microwavable)

It’s that time of year when we start to look for ways to warm up when we come in from a blustery cold day. I like to warm up from the inside out. Okay, that sounds a little strange but hear me out. My favorite way is baking! What better way to warm up than by filling your home with the comforting sweet aroma of baked goods and the cozy chocolate taste of a nice hot brownie, or maybe an entire plate of brownies.

Yes, I’m a chocolate addict but even if I wasn’t my 15 year son would most certainly be willing to fill that role.  Brownies are a classic any time of the year but when the temps start to fall, my attention turns to those hot homemade treats fresh from the oven. In my case, my oven is on the fritz, so I have to turn to the microwave for my baking comforts.

In our household, we have switched to a more Plant-Based way of eating. This, however, does not stop us from indulging in the goodies occasionally. Brownies can be made with no animal products, thank goodness, and still turn out just as deliciously satisfying as the non plant-based version. So, without further ado, lets get to the baking.

It’s really very simple. In a small bowl, put 2 tablespoons of ground flax and 6 tablespoons of water. Stir them together and set them aside. In a mixing bowl, mix the dry ingredients, making sure to blend them together well. Next, add the wet ingredients and blend till smooth. Pour the mixture into a lightly sprayed microwave safe baking dish and microwave. Easy, huh? Okay, here is the full recipe.

Vegan Brownies (Microwavable)

1 1/2 Cups of All Purpose Flour

1/2 Cup of Cocoa Powder

1 teaspoon of Baking Powder

3/4 Cup of Sugar (I use Organic Raw Sugar)

2 Flax Eggs (See above preparation instructions)

1 Stick (or 1/2 cup) of a Plant-Based Butter melted (I used Country Crock)

1 Cup of Unsweetened Soy Milk

Lightly Sprinkle With Powdered Sugar (Optional)

In a small bowl, put 2 tablespoons of ground flax and 6 tablespoons of water. Stir them together and set them aside. In a mixing bowls, add flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and sugar. Blend these together thoroughly. While on the lowest electric mixer speed, add flax egg mixture, milk, and melted butter. Mix till the batter is smooth. Spray the baking dish with a fine coat of cooking spray. Pour the mixture into the baking dish, making sure to spread it evenly. Microwave on high for 10 to 12 minutes or until firm. Do the toothpick or fork test if you would like. They should come out clean. Let cool for at least 5 minutes. Sprinkle with a light dusting of Powdered Sugar before serving.

I hope you enjoy this recipe. I know we did. Check back for more Plant-Based recipes coming soon.

How I Make Vegan Beans In My Instant Pot Mini

Dry Beans

Cooking dry beans, the thought of it seemed daunting and time-consuming. The thought that I would have to wait for hours while the beans soaked was just too frustrating to process. I want to be able to cook dinner in less than thirty minutes with the least amount of mess or effort. I mean, who has time to stand in the kitchen for hours? Am I right? 

Pressure Cookers

Pressure cookers are no longer as complicated and dangerous as they used to be. Used correctly, they give us the quick-cooking option that we all long for. In this fast-paced world we live in, where time seems to be limited and there never seems to be enough to get everything done, they are a valuable tool.

Enter the Instant Pot Mini

Fortunately, pressure cookers have changed a lot since I was a kid. (Yes, I am old!) I absolutely love my Instant Pot Mini! The beans are not daunting to me anymore. The Instant Pot Mini is probably the easiest appliance in my kitchen. There are new safety features that were not offered on conventional pressure cookers which make cooking with them so much easier and safer.

Vegan Or Whole Foods Plant-Based Diet

In November of 2018, my doctor was giving me a hard time about my cholesterol. Even though I thought I was eating healthy, my cholesterol was a scary 262. The first thing to come out of her mouth was about medications. The second was a healthy diet which included the things I was already doing. It wasn't working. I asked her to give me a few months while I tried to take care of it on my own. Up until February of the following year, I continued to try to get control of my diet while eating meat and dairy. I started to experience a lot of headaches, backaches, shoulder issues, knee pain, and this strange pain in my side that I couldn't shake. I was frustrated, to say the least. I was looking on Youtube one day to find a solution or at least a reason for my aches and pains, the doctors couldn't find any, and stumbled upon a video by Dr. Michael Gregor about the health values of a Whole Foods Plant-Based Diet. I figured, what the heck, it can't hurt to try. I didn't want to take medication for the rest of my life so, why not?

2 Months To Lower Cholesterol

After two weeks, my body stopped hurting. The headaches went away. No more pain in my side, knee pain, backaches, shoulder pains, and I started losing weight. My cholesterol was checked on April 29. I was so happy that I cried right there in the doctor's office. It had dropped from 262 to 191. I was stunned, the doctor was stunned. She asked me what I had done to change it so drastically. I told her that I had adopted a WFPB diet. I honestly can't wait to go back for the next cholesterol check. I will let you know how that goes.

On To The Beans

My WFPB diet includes a lot of beans which I include with a lot of other veggies in various recipes. They have a great deal of nutritional value on their own but I like to throw in herbs and spices that add different flavors to them. Here is how I make beans in the Instant Pot Mini.

Step one is to put your dry beans in the stainless steel pot that is included in your Instant Pot. Any kind of dried beans will do.  Next, check your beans for rocks, debris, or any beans that you may not think look right. Rinse your beans at least twice and drain them. Now, cover your beans with twice as much water as you have beans. (One cup of beans, two cups of water.)

 Place the pot with the beans and water into your Instant Pot Mini. Plug it in and make sure the pressure release valve is set to the center as indicated in the picture below for pressure cooking.

Turn the lid clockwise to lock it in place. The machine will make an ascending noise to indicate it is locked.  Press the Rice button to the right side. It will display that it is on.

When the Instant Pot reaches the proper pressure for cooking, the timer will begin. Don't worry about setting the time, the Rice function will do it for you. When the time is up, it will beep at you. This starts the slow pressure release time.

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO OPEN!

You have two options here. You can turn off the pressure cooker and use the manual release valve on top by turning it to the left or let the pot continue the slow release until the indicator button behind the manual release valve drops on its own.

Release valve to the left for quick release. Watch out for hot steam to come out quickly so you don't get burned.

The slow-release option.

Either way, do not attempt to open it till the pressure indicator button drops. Mine is silver.

Only after the indicator has dropped may you open your Instant Pot by turning the lid counterclockwise. It will make a descending noise to indicate that it is open. Now you should have perfectly tasty, too hot to eat, beans. After a little cooling, add the herbs and spices of your choosing and enjoy them.

See, that wasn't so hard! Enjoy your easy to make beans!!


Disclaimer: Always read the instructions of your machine to make sure you are familiar with the safety and cooking instructions. Don't just follow my or anyone else's instructions. Always go by manufacturer's instructions.

Turkey Mushroom Feta Sauce With Noodles

Turkey Mushroom Feta Sauce With Noodles

Give this warm meal a try on a cool winter day!

Homemade Chili!

DIY Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix

Longing for Hot Cocoa but don't have any of that prepackaged cocoa mix. Give this a try!

DIY  Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix

3/4 Cup Granulated Sugar
1 1/2 Cups Dry (Powdered) Milk
3 or 4 Tablespoons Cocoa Powder

1/8 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon (optional)

In a resealable 6 ounce container add Sugar, Dry Milk, Cocoa Powder, and Cinnamon. Stir together till thoroughly mixed. Takes three teaspoons of Cocoa Mix per 8 ounces of hot water for one cup of Cocoa.

Give this a shot, it's a great way to warm up on a cool day! This is a great compliment to the Chocolate Brownie In A Cup too! Feel free to add marshmallows. Makes a great gift!!

Miracle Whip Chocolate Cake

So you want to make a cake but you find yourself short a few ingredients.
Try this recipe for a delicious chocolate cake without eggs or oil.

Chocolate Miracle Whip Cake

2 Cups Flour
1 1/2 teaspoons Baking Powder
1 1/2 teaspoons Baking Soda
4 Tablespoons Baking Cocoa
1/8 teaspoon Salt
1 Cup Sugar
1 Cup Miracle Whip
1 Cup Water
2 teaspoons Vanilla


Combine all dry ingredients thoroughly, then mix in Miracle Whip, Water, and Vanilla until batter has no lumps. Pour into and 8 x 8 pan that is sprayed with nonstick spray. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 35-40 minutes.

I know, it sounds odd. All you will taste is chocolate goodness though, so give it a try!

DIY: How I Make My Own Laundry Soap

In my quest to save money, I have happened on a few good ideas for making my own products. One of my favorites is to make my own laundry soap. The fact is I haven't had to buy laundry soap for nearly a year now, it costs me just pennies a month to make my own. How do I do it? Let me show you!

DIY Homemade Laundry Soap

1/2 cup Borax

1/2 cup Arm & Hammer Washing Soda

3/4 cup ULTRA Dawn

2 cups hot water

In an empty laundry soap bottle, approximately 32 load bottle, with a funnel add Borax and Washing Soda. Be sure to break up any chunks. Add Ultra Dawn. Be sure it is Ultra Dawn for maximum cleaning power. To this, pour in hot water and gently shake to dissolve mixture. When ingredients are dissolved, fill the rest of the bottle to the top with cold water. Be sure to shake every time it is used. Use a cap full per load. Always test for color safety.

Once you buy the ingredients, it takes a long time to go through them depending on how often you do laundry, of course. Give it a shot and see how much you can save.

DIY How To Make Your Own Laundry Soap

Chocolate Brownie In A Cup

In the mood for something warm and chocolaty but don't have a lot of time? Give this recipe a try for a Brownie In A Cup!!

Brownie In A Cup

1/4 Cup Flour
2 Tablespoons Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
1/4 Teaspoon Baking Powder
2 Tablespoons Granulated Sugar
1/8 Teaspoon Salt
1/3 Cup Milk
4 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil

Add dry ingredients to a microwave safe cup. Mix thoroughly. Add milk and oil and mix well, until there are no lumps. Microwave for two minutes on high. Let cool for 5 minutes. Enjoy!!

I'm eating mine right now, you go make your own!!

Repurposing Over-Ripe Apples

Do you have some apples that are going to waste? Here is a great way to use them up and make your house smell fantastic in the process.

Take one apple and slice it up, core and all. Throw it in a sauce pan with about two cups of water. Add a teaspoon of cloves and/or about five to ten drops of clove essential oil, and a stick or two of cinnamon. You may also throw in some orange peel. Now put it on the back burner of your stove at a very low setting and slowly simmer it all day. You may have to add a bit of water here and there throughout the day and it should never be left completely unsupervised. You may also use a small crock-pot or electric candle warmer.

There you have it! No chemicals or candles, just natural delicious smells filling your home.

Children should be supervised by a responsible adult while making this.

READY-MADE PECAN RAISIN OATMEAL

You ever have one of those days where it seems almost impossible to get out the door on time for work or school let alone have time to make breakfast? It seems that we are always on the go and we never have enough hours in the day. Since we are all in a rush, nutrition is often forfeited for convenience. For this reason I have been forced to find ways to make nutrition fast and easy. Preparing food on a day that is more slow paced, for me it is Sunday, that will last through the week is a necessity. With this in mind, a ready-made hot cereal option came to mind. For this recipe you will need the following:

1 large bowl for hand mixing

1 food grinder (coffee grinder will do)

8 cups of Quick Oats

20 oz of raisins

1/2 -1 cup pecans

1 1/2 cups brown sugar

2 teaspoons cinnamon 

     Separate and grind two cups of oats till powdery. Pour into large bowl

Ground oat, pecan, cinnamon mixture.

 Grind pecans till the are fine but nut buttery. Add to the oats in the large bowl and mix thoroughly. Add cinnamon, mix thoroughly.  

Stir in brown sugar and make sure that it is mixed well. Next add raisins and stir so that the raisins get coated and they no longer stick together. Add the remainder of the oats to this mixture and stir to blend the oats till it is evenly distributed. Package as needed. 

All ingredients well mixed for even flavor.

     In order to make this yummy meal, all you need to do is fill your favorite microwavable coffee mug with warm water and microwave on high for 2 minutes. After the water is hot pour the contents of the Pecan Raisin Oatmeal packet into the mug, stir, and let stand for 1 minute. Enjoy!!

    There are several ways to package this for convenience. I like to have some packets for my son that are measured out and put in resealable bags so that he can just grab it then I mix it with the heated water. Bags can be reused.. The packets are placed in a plastic storage container that is labeled so that he can easily locate it. A small resealable container can be used for easy carrying and consumption at work. Finally, it can always be left in a large resealable container with a scoop near it. Whichever option is most convenient, you can be sure that you will have a good meal.

Convenient Packaging

     Remember that the ingredients can be changed to suit your needs, likes, or dislikes. Leave out the nuts if you have an allergy.