I technically made 2 variations of the same cake recipe for last month's Ladies' Book Club.
I am not on a vegan diet however because I need to eat dairy free foods, I often find vegan recipes that fit perfectly.
The first recipe variation was a banana cake. I made a frosting for this cake from dairy free butter, powdered sugar, and hazelnut milk. Then I topped with chopped walnuts.
The second recipe variation was a chocolate cake with chocolate chips. This did not need frosting. The link below will take you to the recipe and give a few more variations. This is a great cake!
Vegan Cake
Okay, so the next new recipe I tried was actually on the back of a Trader Joe's Organic Red Quinoa box. A woman (she and her husband are usually always one of the top 3 chili recipe winners at our ward chili cookoff) in our ward had made a similar salad at last month's Relief Society BBQ. Everyone there RAVED about this salad! I'm hoping this is the same recipe... I think it's pretty close even if it isn't. I made this for a family get-together last Thursday and again, everyone who tried it RAVED about this salad.
Black Bean, Roasted Corn & Avocado Salad on a Bed of Red Quinoa
1 cup Red Quinoa (I used regular), cook with broth
2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1-15 oz. can black beans, drained & rinsed
2 cups roasted corn kernels (I used canned)
1 avocado, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup red onion, finely diced
3/4 cup Cilantro Salad Dressing
1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped
1/4 cup olive oil
Zest of 1 lime (I also used the juice of the lime)
sea salt & pepper
Cook quinoa with broth according to package directions. While quinoa is cooking, combine beans, corn, avocado, tomatoes and onion. Top with salad dressing and toss gently. Add salt, pepper and lime zest (and juice) to taste. Add 1/2 of cilantro and gently toss once more. Set aside.
When quinoa is cooked, toss olive oil; add salt and pepper to taste. Set aside to cool. When ready to serve, spread quinoa on a large serving platter and top with corn and bean mixture. Garnish with remaining cilantro.
Serves 6 as a side dish. (I think this made a lot more than 6 servings.)
So, that's now 7 New Recipes that I've tried this year... 11 left to go!
Side Note about my 40th Year Goals:
My #2 Goal was to attend 2 Days at BYU Education Week. As a student at BYU, I worked for the catering services there and would usually be the one passing out yogurts, bagels, sandwiches, etc. to the attendees during that week. The women and sometimes youth and men always looked so energized during those breaks. Occasionally, they would mention some snippet of knowledge they had gained in their classes. I've always wanted to attend. For my 40th birthday, Hard Working Husband bought me tickets to go not for just 2 days but the Tuesday-Friday tickets. I'M SUPER EXCITED!!! I'm especially thrilled to be seeing Chef Brad at one of the classes as well during that week. WooHoo!!!
~ Very Involved Mom
