Make this: Decadent desserts

Its another wait I need one of these now moments. I came across this peanut butter and honey milkshake over on A beautiful mess and now I can't stop thinking about how I can turn this into one delicious vegan treat. With just a handful of ingredients it should be easy enough to make too. I wonder how different the taste would be with almond butter instead of peanut- turns out us pregnant ladies are advised to stay away from those little nuts since we don't know if our little babies are allergic. My favorite treat was a banana smothered in peanut butter and dipped into vegan chocolate chips talk about magical; can't wait to have that again in 4 more months! But back to this shake, be sure to stop by for the full recipe and and how to, its pretty simple.

image via a beautiful mess

Make this: Almost guacamole

Oh how I want this! I make a black bean salad that is similar but somehow never thought to add avocado. Such a duh moment. This looks fantastic, especially with the last of the homegrown tomatoes we get from my parents, I just love visiting and going on a bit of a produce trip in their backyard. Over the weekend we nibbled on freshly picked tomatoes, onions and even a handful of golden raspberries...oh how I dream of a pie filled with those golden beauties. But back to this almost guacamole, you can find the full recipe over at The fresh exchange and I would highly recommend trying this one out. Judging by the ingredients alone its bound to be a big winner.

image via the fresh exchange

Make this: Quinoa arepas

I don't even know what arepas are but after seeing these quinoa arepas from the post social I'm now wanting them like crazy. Though the recipe isn't quite vegan, I'm sure I could whip up something similar in taste and texture. Doesn't it just look like the perfect summer morsel?

image via the post social

Make this: Onion soup with wild rice

Living out on the cold and gloomy side of San Francisco has not only changed my wardrobe, turns out all those cute outfits from sunny Venice Beach don't cut it out here in the fog, my taste buds have also gone to the warmer side. Nothing is better then a giant bowl of soup after a chilly day and this recipe for onion soup with wild rice from Smitten Kitchen is now on my go to list. Do you have a favorite soup? They are still so new to me I'm always so shocked at how simple they tend to be, its always been such an intimidating meal for me.

image via smitten kitchen

Make this, chocolate tortillas with fruit

I need to make these chocolate tortilla fruit tacos from Munchin with Munchkins like, now. I've been getting excited by all the fruits that are coming into season, yesterday I picked up the first batch of apricots and oh my goodness I have missed that fresh flavor. I bet paired with chocolate tortillas they'ed be fantastic! And these are the perfect treat for any outing since you can assemble on the go...and for all of you having a Cinco de Mayo party, your guests will be dazzled with this fresh dessert option.

image via munchin with munchkin

Make this, Pinata cookies!

Oh my goodness how I love these cookies from super talented baker Sandra Denneler of Project Deeneler. Teaming up with She knows, Sandra created these incredible creations for Cinco de Mayo and it may be the perfect dessert for any party this weekend. I have got to find a way to veganize this recipe, its just too fun not to try and recreate! These cookies have blown up over on pinterest and its pretty easy to see why, I've definitely got them bookmarked ... even Pee Wee is a fan.

image via she knows

Our eats: Chocolate covered chocolate chip cookies

Weekends are usually filled with trips to the garden, beach and a bit of shopping and over the last two days I did a little of all of the above. On Sunday I dropped off these tasty bits to the San Francisco vegan bake sale along with a box of bunny shaped snickerdoodles {proceeds benefited the house rabbit society} for visitors to get their snack on. After making these chocolate chip cookies it was quite clear that while they were perfectly round and tasted great, their curb appeal was a little lack luster so what did I do? Make a chocolate ganache for dipping, duh. Even the husband got in on the fun with the dipping....thankfully I got this shot in last night, we went to town on the left overs and only have 2 left!

photo by our designed life

Chocolate chip cookies dipped in chocolate ganache

1/2 C. vegan butter

1 C. sugar

2 tbsp. molasses

2 flax eggs {2 tbsp flax mixed with 6 tbsp water}

2 tsp. vanilla

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

1 1/2 C. flour

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

vegan chocolate chips

Chocolate ganache dipping sauce

*Preheat oven to 350.

*In a stand mixer, cream together the butter and sugar. 

*Add in the molasses, flax eggs and vanilla and blend well. 

*Once mixed, add in the remaining dry ingredients. 

*Fold in chocolate chips and form in to small balls. 

*Bake for 10 minutes.

Once the cookies are cooled, you can dip or drizzle chocolate over the top for added deliciousness!

Make this, Popped amaranth peanut butter cups

Just about every season the husband and I make a large purchase from our favorite heirloom seed company Baker Creek, a gardeners dream store. With our community garden expanding fast, we have been stocking up on different varieties that may or may not grow in our area, it is after all a learning experience, and this last haul had quite a few interesting bits. Like those pink bananas, a few berries that taste like a blend of tomato and cherry and two varieties of amaranth. I had no idea what this seed like grain was before we hit check out and the next day found this amazing recipe for popped amaranth peanut butter cups and quickly went from what's this to need to have it now. I can't wait to get these in the ground, we started a few seeds indoors a few days ago and are already seeing big growth! As you can see our seed collection is getting a bit out of control {we garden by the moon if you were wondering about the labels on the bags} we could feed a small army! Do you like to try out different varieties in your garden? And ps, most of these seeds will totally grow in small pots too for all those with teeny tiny places.

 photos via our designed life

Don't these just look divine!! Can't wait to give these a try, fingers crossed its a crop that likes our garden.

photo via my little celebration 

Make this, Cadbury Cream Eggs

One look at these homemade Cadbury cream eggs and you would never have guessed they are vegan right? Me either. When I gave up animal products I sure did miss out on a bunch of my favorite holiday snacks and goodies, but now I may have to start making up my own new foodie memories. Found on Instructables from member Scoochmaroo, these Easter beauties are perfect for this coming weekend, assuming you can get your hands on a nifty egg mold {if not, you can totally make these into little balls and hand dip}. Now, about it looking a little 'egg' like...I try not to imitate non vegan meat friendly foods too much, it just messes with your head... perhaps omitting the color would help it look a little less yolk like.

photos via instructables

Make this, Horchata!

One of my most favorite past times is to flip through page after page of amazing recipes both online and in books, and one of my go to sites just happened to post not only one of my own recipes {!}, they had a link to a drink I thought I would never have again. Finding Vegan is one of my favorite places to visit for all things beautiful and tasty and this version of horchata has got my mouth watering! After discovering I can no longer have a happy stomach and dairy I thought my days of creamy cinnamon sugary goodness were gone, but thanks to Averie cooks I've got myself a new tasty beverage to try out. Though I don't have a vitamix as the recipe suggests, I'm going to give it a whirl and see how it goes.

photo via averie cooks

Make this, Pear wafers and Sparkling sorbet

Lets face it, when it comes to desserts its usually the more the merrier and these sugar coated pears would be a perfect match for that sparkling sorbet, don't you think? I imagine the sweet crunch would be a great combo for the zesty sorbet. Of course you could pair them with just about anything, throw in a cup of coffee and you have yourself a tasty afternoon delight.

photos via donna hay and martha stewart

Make this, Salad pride

Holy smokes my mind has just been blown. Now that our community garden is starting to provide us with enough food for entire meals I've been scrambling to find ways to use up everything before it goes bad and I think I may have found my dream come true in Salad Pride. Yep, with a name like that you can expect amazing concoctions like this lentil, parsnip and cranberry or the pumpkin, tofu and mint. Who's hungry?

photos via salad pride

Make this: Valentines spicy hot shots

With love day less then a week away I've been perusing fun and creative ways to have fun with food and decor and these chocolate shot glasses are simply fab. Crafted by the genius that is Spabettie, these Valentines spicy hot shots are not only vegan, they've got a hidden kick. I never even imagined you could use those ice molds for chocolate, guess I'm going to have to add molds to my wish list of fun do dads for the kitchen.

photo via spabettie

Make this, Chocolate cherry cookies

Do you have favorite flavor combinations? For me it has always been peanut butter and chocolate as well as cherry and chocolate...but really, anything with chocolate makes a fan out of me, and these cookies over at the Curvy Carrot have got me wanting to bake like crazy. A shortbread cookie sweetened with cherries and a chocolate kiss in the center, how can it go wrong? Though this recipe isn't specifically vegan, its easily adjustable, plus they are perfect for next month's love day.

photo via the curvy carrot

Make this, Cocktail hour

I've been dying to try out rose water and petals in food ever since I tasted a rose cupcake and judging by this drink, I may have found the perfect recipe to try it out. Every once and I while I like to indulge in a glass of bubbly and who doesn't love Prosecco? Throw in a bit of gin and a few other yummy bits and you have yourself one beautiful rose petal and prosecco punch cocktail. To see the full recipe head on over to Everything fabulous.

found on everything fabulous, photo via donna hay

Make this, sweet potato ravioli

Over the weekend the husband and I did a lot with food; talking about it...researching it...growing it...eating it. Spending time in our garden is starting pay off as we were able to harvest our first crop of dino kale and mustard greens. It feels so good to be able to grow your own food, if you have the space I would highly recommend it, even if its just a small pot in a window. As I was pursuing pinterest, the husband practically yelled for me to stop scrolling and go back to this ravioli dish and boy am I glad he decided to look over my shoulder at that exact moment as I would have missed these babies from Petite Kitchenesse. Sweet potato, coconut milk and roasted chili ravioli. Wowza right? They are sort of all I can think about now, I just have to grab a few more ingredients but you can bet I am going to give these tasty bits a whirl. Have you ever come across a dish that just makes you stop everything and salivate? Be sure to check out the rest of the petite kitchenesse tantalizing recipes as well, just not when you are hungry!

photo via petite kitchenesse

Make this, New Year's edition

Have you seen these gingerbread yoga cookies around? One of the reasons I love blogs and social networking are the fantastic archived links and stories. These guys were all the rage last new year's but I apparently missed that band wagon so hello new to me cookies! Available through Baked ideas, these little darlings may deter from the good ol' new years resolution but I bet they would be worth every bite. You can also make your very own batch time after time with Baked ideas cookie cutters too!

found via incredible things; cookies via baked ideas

Make this, Holiday gift giving edition

My oh my this month is just flying by isn't it? I'm knee deep in crafting goodness and have started to make my baking lists for gift giving this year. As always, I only bake vegan {have been for years now} and each and every year I've made a goodie bag of sorts for my family, friends and even the husbands co-workers... 2 years ago I made over 20 individual treat boxes for my husband to carry into work, it was 2 full days of baking but hearing his office workers praise for all the delectable goodies was totally worth all the hard work. I always try to throw in a few unconventional items and this year these chocolate, pistachio and cranberry biscotti look absolutely fabulous don't you think? Are you making anything for the holiday's for gift giving? I find folks always love a good candy or cookie but those cakes in a jar might just find their way into a few stockings this year!

 photos via a: biscotti love feast table b: candied orange peels smitten kitchen c: snickerdoodles chocolate covered katie

photos via 1: cake in a jar my cakies 2: sweet and spicy nuts versitile vegetarian kitchen  3: cinnamon sugar hazelnut twists babble

And for those of us that have a dear four legged friend, don't forget about them! I'm sure my little Uli would gobble these sweet peanut butter treats up in a heart beat. 

photo via pink pistachio

Make this, Chocolate chip cookies

I have been on the hunt for the perfect chocolate chip cookie and have come close a number of times...ok, so I would never turn down a cookie, but I want the most mouth watering cookie I can find and these tasty morsels from Angela of Oh she glows are amazing. Though I stopped at 5 tablespoons of butter instead of going the recommend 7 route, these were still a little on the greasy side so I would go with maybe 4 spoonfuls next time. These did however have the perfect crunch and stayed for 3 whole days in a closed container, my husband ate way more then he should have and had a lovely sugar rush at 10 pm so be sure to limit yourself! Get ready family and friends, tis the season for delectable baked goodies.

photo via oh she glows

Make this, Vegan Thanksgiving

Around this time of year I always get asked what I can even eat for Thanksgiving and the answer is simple. Pretty much anything. Though I have been sick to my stomach the last two days, I'm finally better now- just in time to make 2 entire meals for tomorrow! With a big day of travel and two stops ahead, everything needs to be made in advance...I'm just glad I made the pie crust last week! So what's on the menu? We are starting off the day with a tofu scramble I like to throw together with whatever veggies are in the fridge and hash browns. Maybe a muffin or two. Then its on to a 2 and a half hour drive with a car filled with amazing scents. I will be making stuffing, steamed mashed cauliflower, a hippie loaf and gravy along with a pumpkin pie. All vegan!! Plus we will have baked yams and roasted veggies waiting upon our arrival {my Mom is the best}. I might just have to roll home after all that.

photos via vegan sapien, vegetarian times, happy herbivore