Down Mulberry Lane

Corn Chowder...

Today I brought corn chowder and pumpkin muffins to potluck.  We also made multigrain bread, but that flopped on account of me reading the recipe wrong.  The soup went over very well.  The muffins went over very well. 

Both were vegan... no dairy!  And I am so glad that my friend Angela shared with me her recipe! I've never eaten corn chowder before and was pleasantly surprised.  With all the soups out there that others have shared with me, I was just surprised I've never tried this one.  Thank You Angela for sharing it with me.  Even my kids liked it.  I think I got more than a dash of cayenne in the recipe however, as my face was breaking out in a sweat when I ate it.  I recall shaking it on top of the soup and thinking... my that looks pretty and I think I was thinking it was paprika and just kept shaking to give it a pretty dusting on top... LOL.  I'll know not to do that again! 

The muffin recipe I got from allrecipes and I converted the white flour ingredient to ww flour and oats.  I also decreased the amount of sugar and used applesauce instead of oil.  I decreased the spice a bit... I just can't handle so much spice!  It still turned out well, with all my adjustments we got lots of pleasant comments at Potluck for Kate who made the recipe. 

Warmly, ~Melissa

Revised Food: Cinnamon Rolls/ dairy free...

I made our normal cinnamon roll recipe without any dairy.  I used rice milk in the wet ingredients for the dough.  And I used a soy cream cheese for the frosting.  The kids never noticed a difference.  I asked how it was and they know I don't ask that so they give me an "eye".  They said it tastes good.  I said it's dairy free.  My one daughter says... you used cream cheese though.  And I said, No... it was tofu cream cheese.  They smiled and said... That's ok, Mom... They are still GREAT.  LOL. 

The girls are getting used to the rice milk in the baking.  I don't really think there is a noticable difference in the flavor compared to skim milk in baking.  They are using less cheese themselves.  Last night we had baked potatoes and they just used sour cream (Paige and I had tofu sour cream)... and no one used cheese on their potatoes... that just never happens around here!  No complaints or faces made either.  It is getting a little easier... Just taking each day as it comes. 

Warmly, ~Melissa

Chickpea pot pie

Last night for supper I made chick-pea pot pie and chicken pot pie.  I mixed up pie crust, steamed some onions, potatoes, and carrots and added them inside.  I actually made two dishes, one for real chicken and one with chick-peas.  So, I had two square pans and put pie crust inside.  Layered the potatoes/carrots/onions 2-3 cups, 1 cup of frozen corn, and either one chicken breast already cooked up or one can of chick-peas (garbonzos).  I then poured the cashew gravy over the top and then added some pepper to the chicken one (Dh likes pepper) and a little salt to both.  I then put another crust over the top and baked for about 35-40 minutes. 

It turned out really good.  The girls requested:  chop the onions up with the gravy next time, LOL.  They said adding green beans as well might be nice, too.  But flavor wise... it was good.  And they all asked... there's no dairy in this???  I said nope.  Then my one daughter says she likes this gravy much better.  I laughed and said it is the same gravy, but then I remembered I did not put the garlic into it. 

They all agreed they could handle having this dish more often... as a regular on the table.  So, I officially have my first meal approved by the entire family.  The garbonzo dish was good as well.  I really enjoyed it.  Though, no one else  was willing to try it with there being a real chicken pot pie right next to it.  I told them I would make it for potluck sometime and they agreed to try it there. 

My little one who needs the dairy free... didn't touch either dish.  She chowed down on pineapple banana salad and a noodle pasta salad.  Which was fine... I prefer light meals for supper and hope to have this little one learning it early on, rather than having to think you need a huge meal before plopping down for the night.  Anyways, she is also just three and she will learn to eat the food if we continue to eat it with her.  My hardest part is satisfying the older half of the family, a 3yo has time.  And, if we eat within her guidelines, then we all win.

Warmly, ~Melissa