Reasons to Procrastinate

Fodder For Procrastination

2013-02-24T16:10:00.000-08:00

Hi guys!

Here is the link to my new food and procrastination, of course, blog

Fodder For Procrastination

Enjoy!

Asilia (now The Procrastinator)

First Recipe: Mini Apple Pies. You know you want some.

News

2013-02-23T07:51:00.000-08:00

A couple of days ago was my one year blog anniversary. And I have decided to end Reasons to Procrastinate. This blog introduced me to the blogosphere. I started it is a fashion and life blog, but slowly, I have discovered that I want to be a food blogger. A food blogger who can take good photos and invent and share new recipes. So I will not be leaving the blogosphere. I am just going to be ending this blog and starting a new one soon, one centered around cooking, and of course, procrastination.

Thank you so much for joining me for a year of me being slightly ridiculous.

Thank you for wasting time with me!

I will post my new blog link here as soon as that blog has been created (ideally soon.) I am ending Reasons to procrastinate because it was an experiment, slightly juvenile, a quest to see if I wanted to be a blogger.

I do. And so I will start a food blog, for I have at last found out that my true passion is food blogging. A 16 year old vegetarian food blogger. That will be me!

Winner

2013-02-16T08:56:00.001-08:00

I know this is so late, but at last February break!!!!!

The winner of this giveaway is

Jennifer!

I will contact you ASAP Jennifer. Please respond within a week.

Asilia

Butternut Squash Lasagna Rolls

2013-02-03T09:18:00.001-08:00

So, I needed a way to make butternut squash into something other than soup. I love soup. It is easy to make, it is filling, it is delicious. But, I had already made a butternut squash soup (recipe coming soon). So here are lasagna rolls. Cheesy, fall-flavored lasagna rolls. Yum.

Butternut Squash lasagna rolls

serves 2 hungry people or 4 if you have an appetizer

Ingredients

1/3 of a medium butternut squash, cooked and pureed. (you can use about a cup to a cup and a half of canned pumpkin puree, but I highly recommend the fresh butternut squash. It is truly delightful.)

1/2 cup part skim ricotta cheese (you can use fat free, I just had part skim)

1 tbsp tomato paste

3/4 tbsp dried oregano

1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

3/4 tsp ground cinnamon

1 clove, ground

1/2-1 tsp ground chili powder (based on your spice-tolerance)

salt and pepper to taste (I like it with 3/4 tsp pepper and 1/4 tsp salt)

4 lasagna sheets, cooked

fresh or shredded mozzarella, optional

1. Mix together the butternut squash, the ricotta, the tomato paste, and all the herbs/spices.

2. Spread about 3 heaping tbsp of this mixture onto each lasagna sheet, leaving some space to roll. Put an extra spoon of mixture on the end that will become the middle of the roll so that the middle has a lot of filling, since it is hard to roll these tightly. (see pictures below if I confused you immensely just now)

3. Place the rolls, seam side down, in an oven-safe, glass pan.

4. Cover the rolls with the remaining filling.

5. Place the slices of fresh mozzarella or some shredded mozzarella on top and bake at 350 for 5-10 minutes, until the cheese has browned.

6. ENJOY!

I know the quality is atrocious, but the side with the extra filling (the left) is the side you will start rolling from. Which makes little sense since the next picture is rolled from the right, but basically, roll from the side where you put a little extra filling.

Ready to be cheesed (it is a word now!!!) and baked

Strawberry Banana Pancakes

2013-01-28T07:33:00.002-08:00

Remember that cake? With buttermilk that my mom bought impulsively? Well, I had a lot of buttermilk left. So what to make? PANCAKES.

Most eggless pancakes stink. They are doughy and all together disgusting. But these pancakes were fluffy and believe it or not, healthy (btw, I know the correct word is healthful. But as William Zinsser says, you must write in your voice. And my voice is telling me to say "healthy" and be grammatically incorrect, even though that normally kills me, instead of saying "healthful" and sounding like someone with so much more dignity and aloof grandeur that I have).

So, pancakes after that rant.

Strawberry Banana Pancakes

adapted from here, ie from my new favorite food blog, Joy the baker

makes about 8 small pancakes, serves 2

Ingredients

3/4 cup whole wheat flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 cup buttermilk (I use lowfat, I am not even sure if they, that is, the buttermilk producers, make full fat)

about 1/2 cup water

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp flavorless oil

2 tsp packed brown sugar

pinch of salt

about 1/3 tbsp butter for the griddle

1 banana, sliced

Some strawberries, sliced

1. Sift the dry ingredients into a mixing bowl.

2. Add the buttermilk, sugar, and oil and whisk gently.

3. Add about 1/2 a cup of water to make the batter thick but decently pour-able.

4. Add a little butter to the griddle.

5. Pour about 2-3 tbsp of batter.

6. Before this cooks, add 3 slices of fruit. I like to put all banana in the pancakes and have the fresh strawberries on top, but if you like to mix it up, feel free to do so. You can really put any fruit, but bananas in pancakes are sooooooooo good. I love how they become warm and almost melted. Delicious.

7. Anyway, pour 1-2 more tablespoons of batter over the pressed in fruit pieces to cover them.

8. Cook on this side until golden brown (or a little more brown, depending on taste).

9. Now for the best part. FLIP!

10. Cook until golden. Serve with a bit of maple syrup, or a bit of honey thinned with hot water in my case, and with fresh strawberries on top. Or maybe fresh whipped cream for a Sunday morning treat...possibilities.

Strawberry banana explosion

By the way, here is a tip. Don't mince a ton of garlic and then cut these fruits on the same cutting board. Been there, done that. I mean, I love my garlic, but garlic and pancakes is a terrible combination.

Accessorized with banana and strawberry slices and ready to be flipped!

These pancakes are treats. But they are still good for you. So if you have resolved not to make Sunday a cheat day, but you still want to enjoy that pancake breakfast, make these. They are not dense, even though they are completely whole-wheat-flour-based, so you can enjoy, yes enjoy, the health food and still have that traditional Sunday morning pancake extravaganza.

At Last, a Successful Cake!!!

2013-01-26T11:54:00.004-08:00

I cannot bake. Everything I bake becomes tough, due to my ferocious over-mixing. But my mother impulsively bought strawberries and buttermilk yesterday, and I decided I had to make cake. I HAD to. And this cake is fluffy, and moist, and pillowy, and absolutely delicious. I mean, I have found out that 1/4 cup buttermilk and 1/2 tsp baking soda is the best egg substitute if you want a fluffy cake. And don't overmix. I mixed as little as possible, and this cake was divine. SUCCESS!!!

Berry Buttermilk Cake

adapted from here

Makes 1 9-inch cake, but if you want the cake to be a little thicker, increase the batter you make by 1.5x or even double it. You will have to bake longer, but you will have a thicker cake. Or make 2 layers and put some citrus buttercream in between. Or whipped cream (!!!). Birthday cake ideas are being formed rapidly.

Ingredients

2 tbsp butter

2 tbsp flavorless oil

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup buttermilk

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

1 cup All-Purpose flour

1/4 tsp salt

3 tbsp ground almonds

1/4-1/3 cup additional buttermilk as egg replacement ( it was perfect. You just have to add an additional 1/2 tsp baking soda to the dry ingredients)

5 medium strawberries, diced and some blueberries (or any fruit of your choice that makes about 3/4 cup diced. I am thinking apples for fall, or pears, even though they might be too watery)

optional- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract

optional- 1/4 tsp lemon zest

1. Cream together butter, oil, and sugar. Gently whisk in either 1/4 cup buttermilk (You can add a tsp or 2 more if the end batter is too thick)

2. Sift together all the dried ingredients. ( I sifted twice for extra fluffiness) Remember to add 1 tsp baking soda in total, 1/2 tsp for the recipe, 1/2 tsp for the egg replacement.

3. Sift 1/3 of the dry ingredients into the butter mixture (yes, sift again, it is worth it).

4. Add another 1/4 cup buttermilk to this. Mix.

5. Sift in another 1/3 of the dry mixture.

6. Add another 1/4 cup buttermilk, i.e. the rest of the buttermilk. Mix.

7. Sift in the rest of the dry ingredient mixture and mix.

8. Add the diced fruit/berries.

9. Mix in. REMEMBER NOT TO OVERMIX AT ALL.

10. Pour this batter into a greased and floured 9 inch spring form cake pan and bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-25 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. My cake browned a bit, but it was not at all burned, so don't worry that the cake will burn at such a high temperature.

I could sing more adulations about this cake, for it is my first successful cake. But I will just encourage you to go try it for yourself and delve into the wonderful world of eggless baking that yields a moist cake that does not crumble apart, which is what happens if you replace the egg with fruit puree.

The piece of cloth on the side? Our overused, burned potholder. We are reckless in the kitchen.

Giveaway extension

2013-01-26T08:49:00.003-08:00

Since midterms are going on (help) and I have not really been here, I am extending the giveaway until February 9th. Enter here.

Styling the Geometric Bangles

2013-01-19T17:25:00.002-08:00

Here is how I styled the bracelets I am giving away here.

Chartreuse dress + golden and brown accents + mossy grandpa cardigan = wood fairy chic (new term coined by me, I guess)

slight close up

closer close up of the beaded collar of the Grecian dress

and the gorgeous, delicate bracelets

Violetfly Jewelry GIVEAWAY!!!

2013-01-12T08:37:00.000-08:00

My last few giveaways have featured bold jewelry. However, when I found Violetfly Jewelry on Etsy, I realized that I actually love simple jewelry, with a twist of course. Delicate bangles are classic; geometric shapes or unique beads make them modern.

So onto the giveaway, aka the part you care about.

You can enter to win this set of 3 bangles, each featuring a different shape.

Yes, they are small. But these bracelets are meant to be simple. They enhance an outfit. They add flair to your fanciest outfits. If you are not convinced, I will style them for you in the near future. And then you will want them. I know you will. And it is so easy to enter. If you can click and type, you can enter.

All you HAVE TO (yes, you have to do these 2 things. I have faith in you. They are pretty simple.) do to enter is...

1. Like Reasons to Procrastinate (that is this blog) via Google Friend Connect.

AND

2. Visit Violetfly Jewelry and leave a comment on Reasons to Procrastinate with your email address (so I can contact you if you win) and your favorite item from Violetfly.

And since I know you are desperate to win, you can do any or all of the following to receive bonus entries. Please leave a comment for EACH of the following criteria you meet. You get as many entries as comments, so if you do all of the following and only leave 1 comment, it is hard for me to give credit to you for doing so much by giving you the extra entries.

1. Follow Reasons to Procrastinate via email (+1 entry)

2. Like Violetfly on Facebook by going here (+1)

3. Promote this giveaway on Google + or on your blog or on your Facebook page (please leave link in comment) (+1)

This giveaway ends on January 31st at 12:00 AM Eastern Time.

Good Luck!!!

A Quick Word of Wisdom

2013-01-11T20:02:00.002-08:00

Something I found that I had to share. If only it were true...

Brilliance from here

Anyway, enjoy your chocolate-filled Friday evening and don't forget to enter my giveaway when it starts this weekend!!!

Inspired by School- (Faux) Leather jeans+ Grandpa Cardigan

2013-01-09T16:21:00.002-08:00

So, I may or may not have seen someone wear this outfit three months ago. And yes, it has stuck with me since then (I confess, I did see it three months or so ago). So trendy, so modern, so cool, yet not at all trying-too-hard. And the grandpa cardigan just tones down the leather jeans marvelously. And the printed shirt adds the perfect touch. The girl who wore this outfit is the most fashionable person I have ever met. She takes risks, and they always work. I admire her because even her "lazy" outfits are funky (yes I used the word "funky") and modern. I mean, the bright blue Doc Martens she wore the other day? Cue drooling over shoes (figuratively, literally would have been awkward.) Now I can buy shoes again after a year of only one pair of rain boots (in my mind, a necessity.) And I know I ~~want~~ need oxfords, combat boots...I could go on forever.

Anyway, this inspired post is a bit late, but better late than never, right? Also, sorry about the parentheses overload. My mind is going on many many tangents today.

On another note, I have a giveaway coming up from this store. Do I need to tell you to be excited?

Back to the outfit inspiration.

I am more of a frilly, girly, floral prints girl than a faux leather girl, but these vegan leather leggings are pretty awesome. Just wear a shirt long enough for leggings, or at least a large cardigan, like the one I will show you. LEGGINGS ARE NOT PANTS!!!!! But these are pretty good lazy day alternatives to sweats.

I know this cardigan is expensive. But in terms of inspiration, it is perfect. Would I buy it? No. But I was looking to show you what KIND OF cardigan to buy, and this cardigan is chunky, oversized, grandpa-esque, and the perfect color. So get something similar to it. SIMILAR. You do not have to have this cardigan to wear and outfit like this.

Polka dots are girly. They are classic. They tone down the trendy in this outfit, which is why I chose this shirt. But if you like edgier outfits, go for the graphic prints. I would go for black and white florals or hearts, because my style is pretty girly. Black and white printed clothing can be found for any style.

Finally, pair this outfit with shoes of color. I am favoring burgundy or royal blue, but any pop of color will make this outfit amazing.

Violetfly Jewelry

2013-01-08T19:41:00.001-08:00

The statement necklace is the piece of jewelry that makes an outfit exciting. That incredible cuff can jazz up the daily jeans-and-a-tee. However, sometimes we want jewelry that is simple, delicate. I was perusing Etsy when I found Violetfly, a store that has simple, natural, delicate accessories that complement an outfit without overtaking it. I will begin a giveaway for this bracelet set soon, and I will also be modeling the set for you guys in the near future. I love the items in the store because they are well-crafted and classic yet fun, and I am excited that I can share Katie, the store owner's, work with you!

This is the bangle set that you could inter to win, the set I am also receiving ( I think). I love it because the thin, golden bangles are classic, but the shapes add a twist. And look how thin they are. I think they are crafted incredibly. I practically have ruined every DIY attempt I have made, so craftsmanship like this in my mind is unbelievable.

I have been drooling over these bracelets ever since I visited Violetfly. The colors? Exquisite. That periwinkle, light, purple-blue color is reminiscent of fairies and tulle for some reason. And I love how natural the stones are, how rough and at the same time delicate the pale lilac druzy cabachon (yes, I copied this from the description, I do not really know that that is, but it is pretty) is.

Aren't these just so modern and funky? And classic at the same time!!! I do not understand. But they are the perfect mesh of science-geek and fashion-addict.

These arrows are cool because they seem never-ending. They are simple, delicate ( how many times have I used this word? But it is such a perfect word for Katie's works of art!!!), and just awesome. Seems like a cop-out, but I cannot really say why I love these bracelets so much.

I do not even where bracelets often, but Katie's bangles at Violetfly are gorgeous. Not to mention her simple necklaces with unique stones and color/texture/material combinations, such as this one, which I have fallen in love with, and her other items, such as this ethereal and dainty ring. Yes, in outfits, I love big and bold outfits that make people stare (and occasionally double over). I love my statement necklaces. But Katie is proving that lovely does not mean obnoxious, that jewelry can be unique and not crazy, which is why I love love love love love love love love her work.

AND, you can get free shipping until mid-February with the code VIOLETSHIP. So go order now. I know you want to. Just click on the top ad under sponsors. Enter a magical world of jewelry...enough with the cliche. But yes, go check out her pieces. You will be amazed.

(Note: while this post is about a sponsor, all opinions are my own. Yes, this sounds like a lame disclaimer, but I would never sponsor someone whose work I do not love.)

Pear Cinnamon Rolls

2013-01-04T14:38:00.002-08:00

These were divine. Absolutely divine. The perfect New Years Day breakfast. Start the year off sweet. By the way, Happy 2013!!!

And yes, the dough actually rose. (Ignore the fact that my sister made the dough...). I thought of the idea, so I get the credit, right? Make these on Sunday. Enjoy them, and know that you can eat these anytime, without the guilt (or rumored 1/2 an hour loss of life). Great, right?

Pear Cinnamon Rolls

9 rolls

Adapted from here

Use this link to see how to make something calling for active yeast with instant yeast

Dough:

1 cup milk, warmed (to about 110 degrees, you can be fancy with a thermometer, or just estimate)

2 1/4 tsp instant dry yeast

1 1/4 cup whole wheat flour

1 1/4 cup All-Purpose flour

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1 tbsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

2 tbsp sugar

1/4 cup fruit puree (I made some out of boiled pear, used about 1/2 a pear)

1. Mix together all dry ingredients, including the instant yeast. The original dough recipe here used active yeast, so use the recipe on that amazing food blog if you want to use active yeast. I converted active to instant with this set of instructions, but I used the same amount of yeast because I was scared it would not rise if I did not use that much yeast.

2. Add the warm milk, mix, and knead.

3. Shape the dough into a ball and let it rest for about 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, make this compote to go inside/ on top.

Pear Spice Compote Filling Thing (creative naming, I know)

about 2 1/2 pears, 2 whole and whatever is left from the one used for the dough

1/2 tbsp butter ( I rarely cook with this, but it adds that aroma that is just divine)

1/4 cup brown sugar

Now for the spices/flavoring agents. Any or all of the following will be good

cinnamon (1 tsp)

nutmeg (1/4- 1/2 tsp)

cardamom (1/4 tsp)

cloves (2-3)

ground ginger (1/4 tsp)

fresh ginger (1 tsp)

orange zest (1/2 tsp)

1. Cook the pears with spices in a closed saucepan until softened.

2. Add the sugar and butter. Allow any excess water to evaporate.

And FINALLY, the ROLLS!!!

1.Roll out the dough into a rectangular pan (about 9 by 12 inches)

2. Add half the mixture to on the dough, leaving a 1 inch border on each side.

3. Roll the rolls (a bit redundant, no?) by rolling (again!) the longer side over into a swirl. Press the seam to unsure it does not unroll (I really did).

4. Cut into 9 rolls (not again!!!)

5. Place with the swirly side up in a spring-form cake pan, 9 inches.

6. Cover with a dishcloth and keep it in a warm area to rise for 1- 1 1/2 hours, until about doubled in size.

7. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes.

6. Sneak the rest of the compote into/onto the rolls.

7. Bake for 12-18 more minutes, until golden.

8. Let it cool and ENJOY!!! If you are craving sticky buns, top with about 1/4 cup salted caramel sauce (my sister made some without too much butter or sugar, it was divine) and some walnuts/ pecans.

Rectangle

After rising

Done!!!

So, these are not quick, but they are easy (well, I am not a baker, but they at least rose!) and delicious. Go to your kitchen, make them, and enjoy tomorrow morning!!!

Potato Pancakes with Condiments, My Way

2012-12-29T11:44:00.001-08:00

2012 is almost over, and there are so many things from this year I have yet to post. Meaning you will probably not see everything I have concocted. I have failed many a time, but still succeeded a fair number of times.
2012 for me has been a year of beginning my blog. While I started as mainly a fashion blog, I have developed a passion for food. I would say I am now a food blogger.
Thank you all for following and caring about what an odd sixteen year old does!!!

So, latkes. Actually sweet potato-zucchini pancakes with strained yogurt sauce and spiced apple-pear compote (which is really a dessert). Yum, yum, yum.

Potato pancakes with the yogurt sauce,
apple-pear compote on the side, and a slice of slightly-
burned garlic bread (garlic + basil + olive oil on bread, toasted)

Potato Pancakes

makes about 32 small pancakes, about 4 servings (main dish) or really unique little cocktail snacks if served with the yogurt dipping sauce (see below)

Ingredients

2-3 medium sweet potatoes, shredded

1-2 zuchinni, shredded

1 tsp chili powder

2 tsp arrowroot powder

2 spring onions, minced

other spices of your choice (think crushed garlic, oregano, parsley, anything at all)

3 tsp olive oil

1.Combine everything bu the arrowroot powder.

2. Squeeze out as much water as possible from the mixture.

3. Add the arrowroot powder.

4. Create small patties, about 1 inch in diameter and fairly thin.

5. On a lightly greased skillet or pancake griddle, cook patties until crisp.

potato pancakes with the yogurt sauce on top

Zingy (yes, I did say that) Yogurt Sauce

Serves 4-6

Ingredients

Plain, fat free yogurt (my mom makes yogurt at home really easily by boiling milk and mixing some old yogurt into it and letting it set. No machine needed.)

1 scallion, chopped in rings

Some cilantro, minced

1. Strain the yogurt to make it as thick as sour cream. The yogurt we make with skim milk is super watery, so straining is necessary. You need quite a lot of yogurt to end up with one cup of thick yogurt if it is watery. Just drink the water you get from the yogurt if you are using thin, homemade yogurt. It is delicious. Store bought yogurt does not need to be strained.

2. Mix the scallion and cilantro in. Serve with the warm potato pancakes.

Apple-Pear Spiced Sauce

(ok with the potato pancakes, like apple sauce, but better as a dessert by itself or on vanilla ice cream)

Serves 4

1 small apple, diced, peeled if you feel like exerting the effort doing so

1 small pear, diced

ground cinnamon (to taste)

ground cloves (1-2)

a pinch of nutmeg

a pinch of salt

1/2-1 tsp balsamic vinegar (trust me)

1/2-1 tsp brown sugar (to taste)

1. Cook apple with about 1/4 cup water and all the spices, sugar, and balsamic until soft.

2. Add the diced pear and cook more until everything is cooked down.

3. Cook out some of the water.

4. Enjoy!

An Outfit and Thoughts about Style

2012-12-23T07:49:00.000-08:00

I may have worn this outfit in October, but it is still worth posting. Time just keeps getting away from me.

This outfit was inspired by Elizabeth of Delightfully Tacky. I love how she remixes her items of clothing here, and I thought I would try the same.

This outfit made some of my peers a bit surprised, but as I say, I wear what I want to wear. The other day someone saw a different outfit of mine and said that she liked my purple pea coat but hated the rest of my outfit. Fashion blogging has made me realize that this is a compliment, that if someone has feelings about my outfit, I should be flattered. I wear what I want to wear. I have my own sense of style, and I should stick to that. Yes, I take inspiration from other fashion bloggers. Yes, I have made too many fashion mistakes (example, bright blue tights and cutoffs in 8th grade; I have no idea what I was thinking.) But I am still proud that I, the ultimate introvert, at last have the courage to wear my orange pants with a forest green top or my purple rain boots with a plaid shirt on a lace dress, hold my head high, and show the world that I have style, however strange.

Deconstructed Pear and Cranberry Pie

2012-12-22T07:34:00.001-08:00

Winter Break, at last!!!!! And the world did not end. Today is a pretty great day.
I finally decided to post dessert today, because honestly that is always the best part, right?
This is the ~~lazy~~ cute and unique alternative to pie. I used this recipe, adjusted to use 3/4 cup of flour, to make the cute little pie crust twist, sprinkled with a little cinnamon sugar. They were not very good alone, but delicious crumbled on top of the compote. The compote was simply divine. A bit sour, but perfect with vanilla ice cream. Fat free ice cream, might I add. Not the healthiest, but hey, it is the holidays. We can all resolve to exercise next year : )

Pie Crust Cookies

Makes 10

Follow the recipe here but simply adjust all of the ingredients so that you use 3/4 cup flour. Seems complicated, but it is pretty simple. Just remember, these pie crust cookies are meant to be crumbled on top of a filling. The compote would be just as good without them, but these are just a little unique. Not the tastiest, but definitely unique.

Compote
Serves 6
3 cups fresh cranberries
2 red pears, diced
1/2 cup water
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
2-3 cloves, ground
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar (trust me on this one)
2-3 tbsp brown sugar, packed (put more if you have a sweet tooth)
1 tbsp gresh orange juice
1/2 tsp orange zest
1 tsp vanilla

Add the cranberries, pear chunks, all of the ground spices, and water to a fairly large pot (you need room to stir). Cook covered for 5-10 minutes, until pears are soft but not falling apart and cranberries have burst, releasing a lot of sticky pectin.
Stir in the vanilla, orange juice, orange zest, and balsamic. Cook without a lid for 2 minutes to let some of the water out, if there is any excess liquid left.
Enjoy!

So much easier than a pie. And in my opinion, so much better.

Balsamic Roasted Asparagus

2012-12-12T10:37:00.000-08:00

5 ingredient deliciousness. Unless you count salt and pepper. Then 6 ingredients. That is all I need to say. It has a wow factor, so no one needs to know that it was easy to make. Just saying, this needs to be soaked overnight for best flavor. And plus, if you do things in advance, the actual holiday can involve just sticking things in the oven.

Balsamic Roasted Asparagus

Serves 2-6, depending on how many sides you have

Ingredients

20-24 stalks asparagus, with the stringy peels removed

2 tbsp balsamic

1/2 a red onion, diced

2 large cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

1. Soak the asparagus in all the other ingredients overnight.

2. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until tender, about 10 minutes.

See, that easy. Seriously that easy. And delicious.

Sweet Potatoes with Spicy-Sweet Marinade

2012-12-11T10:31:00.000-08:00

These have to be made the night before. I tried to make these last week without marinading them over night. They tasted like nothing. If you want to make this, plan ahead.

I love love love love love (did I mention love) sweet potatoes. I will eat them just boiled, without any seasoning. But this recipe is definitely better than a simple boiled sweet potato. Though that is still excellent, in my opinion.

Sweet Potatoes with Spicy-Sweet Marinade

Serves 2-6, depending on how many other side dishes you will have

Ingredients

For the Marinade

2 tsp olive oil

1 tbsp fresh orange juice

1 tbsp fresh grapefruit juice

1/4 tsp orange zest

1 tsp chili powder

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/8 tsp ground nutmeg

3 cloves, ground

And 4 small sweet potatoes, diced

1. Boil the sweet potatoes until just cooked, for about 7 minutes. Drain them and pat them dry.

2. Mix all the marinade ingredients together and toss the sweet potatoes with the marinade.

3. SOAK OVERNIGHT. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY MANDATORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

4. Saute the marinaded sweet potatoes until browned. Enjoy!

Seriously, this is one of the best sweet potato recipes ever. My sister, who does not really like sweet potatoes, loved. It is so holiday-esque, with a twist, of course. No holiday recipe is exciting unless you mess with the traditional version just a bit. Or completely trash the traditional aspect and make something amazing. In this case, I kept the traditional spices, but I added some acidity and heat and totally nixed the marshmallows. I mean marshmallows? Really? Sounds disgusting in my opinion. Too sweet. But to each her own.

The marinade. Looks disgusting, but it is so so so good. Trust me.

YUM!!!

Carrot Soup

2012-12-10T10:12:00.000-08:00

This is probably one of my favorite recipes. It was spicy and sweet, with a little acidity from a green apple, and fresh from the cilantro, which is definitely one of my favorite herbs. It tastes so clean and zingy. Perfect.

Ingredients

Serves 6 as appetizers

7-8 medium carrots and 2 green apples (I used 9 and 1 respectively, but the green apple flavor did not come out enough. Use 9 and 1 if you want a very slight green apple flavor; use 8 and 2 if you want the acidity.)

1 tsp chili powder

1/2 tsp lemon juice

3-4 scallions, chopped

3/4-1 tbsp fresh ginger

Fresh cilantro, about 1/2 a cup of leaves, not packed

Salt to taste

1. Peel the carrots and apples. Dice and boil the carrots and apples until cooked well.

2. After letting the carrots/apples cool, blend all the ingredients together, adding 2-3 cups of water to thin it out. I used my immersion blender, which is an awesome gadget. So perfect for soups and smoothies.

3. Heat and serve. Garnish with some scallion rings and cilantro if you want it to be pretty.

Yes, this recipe is literally that easy. And trust me, it is delicious. So cleansing and fresh and simple. Simple was the most important, especially because I had to make so much food!!! We had this with some crusty bread, because I crusty bread and soup are just meant to go together.

This recipe is perfect as a holiday dinner appetizer because it is so light and healthful and unique in terms of flavors compared to more traditional holiday dishes. It features produce that is in season like apples, but it highlights them in a new way.

Orange Anise Bread

2012-12-08T09:58:00.001-08:00

Finally I am getting around to posting my Thanksgiving recipes. So sorry!!!

Anyway, so my breakfast recipe was this Orange Anise Fruit Bread. I added 1 cup of fresh pumpkin puree and got rid of half of the oil. I also replaced got rid of the golden raisins and replaced the figs with cut up dates. I love the sticky-sweetness of dried dates. Finally, I made these in muffin form instead of bunt form. Honestly, I will not try bread again. Apparently, orange zest kills yeast, and the yeast I used was already very old, so the bread did not rise at all. But nevertheless, the bread was delicious. Just a bit teeth-destroying.

Giveaway Winner

2012-12-02T07:26:00.001-08:00

And the winner is...

Congrats Black Asphodel. I will email you shortly. Please respond within a week.

Also, I am so sorry I have not been posting. Junior year is truly killer. I will try my best to get all those Thanksgiving recipes and outfit pictures from two weeks ago up.

Week of Thanksgiving

2012-11-24T08:10:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving is the best holiday ever for a foodie. I mean, all the fresh produce: the apples, squashes, pears, cranberries, sweet potatoes. Everything is in season and amazing. So today begins my week of Thanksgiving recipes. Vegetarian, healthful, amazingly delicious, flavorful, so-good-you-will-drool-at-the-screen recipes. I made...

Orange-Anise Fruit Bread Muffins- They were dense because I believe the yeast I used was dead, but they were still delicious.

Carrot Soup- With a green apple, red chili powder, ginger, scallions, and cilantro, this truly had every flavor I could add while still making a delicious soup that did not taste random.

Butternut Squash Gratin- My sister made this signature dish. And it was divine. Absolutely divine. Cheesy and gooey and amazing, without any guilt.

Sweet Potatoes with a Spicy-Sweet Marinade- The secrets to elevating this often mundane side? Marinating the potatoes in a mixture including cinnamon, nutmeg, chili powder, and orange juice.

Balsamic Roasted Asparagus- Tender with a bite, flavorful and elegant, this simple dish is one of the best sides ever. With only 5 ingredients (including salt/ pepper), this dish is stress-free and healthful.

Deconstructed Pear-Cranberry Pie (Or "unpie", if you will)- Pie is too difficult to make. Pie crust twists with pear-cranberry compote is easy to make and interesting. It is unique, and you can say that it is quirky, not lazy. While the cranberries made the compote unbelievably sour, the vanilla ice cream, FAT FREE vanilla ice cream, on the side sweetened the dish and made it thoroughly divine (I was going to say decadent, but that actually means "fallen from grace", not "delicious beyond imagination.") By the way, I did not make the ice cream. Just saying. I am not that awesome. Yet.

Giveaway Extension

2012-11-23T09:41:00.000-08:00

Hi. I have been cooking for the last 2 days, and I know you guys have been super busy, so I will extend my giveaway until next Friday. Enter here to win a bracelet like the one below in the color of you choice. Happy belated Thanksgiving!

TENTATIVE Healthful Thanksgiving Menu

2012-11-19T14:48:00.000-08:00

We are doing our feast on Friday because my sister will be home, so here is my HEALTHFUL menu plan for the day of giving thanks and feasting. Note, some of the links I am providing are to recipes inspiring my menu. Most of these links are provided in he text to cite the images I am using. Everything I make will be made healthful and posted. Breakfast

This bread from Delish sounds just that, delish. To make this (even more) healthful, I will skip the glaze, replace some of the oil with pumpkin puree (makes it more fall-esque as well), and make the soaking syrup with fresh orange juice only. I might replace some of the dried sweetened cranberries with dried dates and add some walnuts for texture. This is the perfect grab-and-go breakfast with some coffee-flavored milk before Black Friday shopping.

This picture of carrot ginger soup is drool worthy. I mean, look at it. Yum. My version will be light carrot soup with fresh ginger and coriander and possibly apple, if I do not make apple pie. I am planning to make it with the immersion blender I got for my birthday. Doesn't every teenager want a blender for her birthday?

The Butternut Squash Gratin and the Roasted Butternut Squash with Balsamic and Garlic both look divine. My sister made gratin last year, and I like roasting sweet potatoes, so I am more likely to go with gratin. I think, to make it special, I will brown the squash and then bake it. Or maybe I will make a butternut squash pear soup and make balsamic glazed carrots as a side dish... Like below. This is a TENTATIVE menu.

Well, anyway, the one dish I am sure about is dessert. I want to make mini pear pies (or apple, but most likely pear). But how can pie be healthful? This crust, perhaps. The secret is frozen olive oil to create a flaky crust instead of butter, or worse, lard. Also, I am going to skip the double crust. This pear compote seems like a good filling inspiration for the pie.

So the verdict? Probably Carrot-Apple-Ginger-Coriander Soup, then Butternut Squash Gratin, Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Balsamic and Garlic, and Mini Spiced Pear Pies. And will the meal be above 500 calories? Hopefully not. While that is a lot for a meal, the average Thanksgiving meal can have up to 3000 calories (MADNESS!!!), that is pretty good. I am thankful that I am vegetarian, that I can enjoy good food without having the typical turkey at the table. I am thankful that I have the food and people who support my cooking and let me experiment.

Penne w/Broccoli Walnut Pesto

2012-11-18T11:16:00.000-08:00

When you are sick of steamed broccoli, make this pesto. It is delicate and flavorful. As long as you add enough salt and pepper. I always skimp on these. DON'T!!! The good part of using broccoli for pesto along with basil as opposed using only basil is that broccoli does not shrink. You need to use like 100 basil leaves to make a smear of pesto. That is not the case if you add broccoli (or any other robust green). So you do not need to uproot your little basil plant and blend it, roots and all, for the sake of pesto. Thank goodness, right?

Click below for the Recipe.