Saturday, September 18, 2010

'Round that Time Again


Step outside and take a sniff. No, take a deep wholesome inhale. And what do you smell? Cool, but not frigid air. The scent of red-tinged leaves on the verge of falling from their branches. You smell apples, even though there is not an apple orchard in sight. Autumn is on it's way.

And it is simply inevitable that Autumnal foods: pumpkin, acorn squash, apples, cinnamon and yes, candy, are craved by all. And though it may still be warm enough to take a quick dip in the pool, we start taking all of the fall-y food in stride.

I have posted these Carrot Oatmeal Cookies, courtesy of 101 Cookbooks, before. But as they are delicious, healthy and vegan, I am constantly trying to tweak the recipe to produce the best possible result. They are rich in spices, like ginger, nutmeg and cinnamon, and though they do not have a single apple-related ingredient in them, they scream "Fall!" due to their orange hue and cozy maple flavor.

So behold: The Pumped-Up Carrot Oatmeal Cookie
(adapted from 101cookbooks.com)
1 cup all purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1 cup rolled oats

2/3 cups chopped hazelnuts

1 cup shredded carrots

1/2 cup maple syrup

2 tablespoons honey

1/2 cup canola oil

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. 
Mix together the flour, baking powder, salt, oats, carrots and hazelnuts. Make a well in the center of the mixture and pour in the oil, maple syrup, honey and spices. Mix until combined.
Using a cookie scoop, place cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet about an inch or two apart.
Bake on the top rack for 10-12 minutes, watching closely to make sure the bottoms aren't burned.

Friday, September 3, 2010

Food for Thought...


Thanks to everyone who participated in the giveaway, and congratulations to the winner who will receive lovely non-stick pans from the CSN website!

I currently write a column on how to travel when you are vegetarian on the fantastic travel blog, Farewell Travels. Check out my most recent article, Tour Companies Step Up to the Plate, to see how to travel effortlessly and still eat well! 

Photograph of Chinese Dumplings from Wendy Wu Tours