Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Oatmeal

Recipe of: Fresh from the Vegan Slow Cooker

I decided to treat my roommates to a wonderful smelling house for the first day of school, so I made this oatmeal at night and let it cook in the crock pot while I slept. The smell of cinnamon, apples, and sugar covered the air like a warm blanket of yum. This serves about 6 people!

Ingredients:

·        2 cups of oatmeal

·        2 cups of apple juice

·        1 cup of water

·        2 apples, peeled, cored, and chopped

·        ½ cup of raisins

·        1/3 cup of sugar

·        1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon

Directions:

1)    Combine all ingredients in a crock pot and stir to combine.

2)    Set on low and cook for 7-8 hours (or until you wake up).

Carrot Ginger Soup with Walnuts

Carrot Ginger Soup with Walnuts (Vegan)

I spent about 2 weeks on vacation, and while vacationing, I indulged in unhealthy vegan foods. So, when I got back to my house, all that I was craving was spinach and carrots. No joke! But because I bored after 3 spinach meals, I looked up other detoxing combinations. According to Detoxinista, carrots and ginger have a detoxifying quality because carrots are loaded with Vitamin C and ginger is primarily known for being a digestive aid. So, the Carrot Ginger Soup with Walnuts is not only delicious, it’s healthy and good to sooth an aching stomach.


Ingredients:

• 1 pound carrots, sliced
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• ½ teaspoon dried ginger
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 ½ cups water
• ½ cup of unsweetened almond milk
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons walnuts, chopped

Directions:


1) Sauté the carrots, onion, garlic, and ginger in the oil for about 8 minutes in a soup pot.


2) Add the water and salt. Bring to a boil. Simmer and cook for another 15 minutes. Let cool.


3) Puree the mixture in a blender and then place back into the pot. Add the almond milk.



4) Garnish with the walnuts.

Ice Cream Box Cake (Vegan)

Banana Peanut Butter Ice Cream Box Cake (Vegan)

I know that my blog is committed to keeping college students healthy and within their budget, but this recipe seems to be neither of those… Granted, this is a full fat recipe, so eat sparingly. Also, it requires 2 cans of coconut milk, so you may need to make a stop at a specialty grocery store. Nevertheless, if you bring this to a party, I can guarantee you that it is going to get eaten first. Thanks to Lauren, my roommate, for providing me with the inspiration to make this recipe! 

Ingredients:

-2 cans full fat coconut milk  (You can view the recipe here: Vegan Cool Whip)

-1/2 cup of smooth peanut butter

- 1 teaspoon of vanilla

- 1/2 cup powdered sugar

-2 packages of vegan chocolate cookies: Kedem Chocolate Tea Biscuits or Oreos

-5 bananas

Directions:

1) In a blender, mix the peanut butter and 1/2 cup of coconut milk cream. 

2) Move the peanut butter mixture to a separate bowl and wash the mixer and blender thoroughly.

3) Whip the rest of the coconut milk, vanilla, and powdered sugar until firm and has peaks.

4) Fold the peanut butter fluff into the whipping cream (making sure the mixture remains fluffy)

5) In a spring pan, put a layer of the chocolate wafers first. 

6) Finish the pie by putting a layer of fluff + banana + wafer + banana + fluff+ circle of bananas on top. 

7) Sprinkle the cake with 1/3 cup of crushed cookies.

8) Freeze for 4 hours and then enjoy!

Vegan Enchiladas

“Tastes better than the real thing” Vegan Enchiladas

I made these enchiladas at the same party that I made the Party Sparkling Limeade. Like the limeade, this recipe was a hit. One person at the party even said that these “taste better than the real thing”… and he was referring to the chicken enchiladas that I had also made. Yay for a vegan victory!

Ingredients:

·        Vegan nonstick cooking spray

·        1 ½ cups of water

·        Dash of salt

·        ½ cup dry lentils

·        8, 7 inch flour tortillas

·        1 cup of sliced carrots

·        1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin

·        1 tablespoon olive oil

·        2 cups of chopped vegetables (Can be zucchini, squash, eggplant etc.)

·        14.5 oz can of chili-style tomatoes

·        1 ½ cups of vegan cheese

Directions:

1)   Spray a rectangular baking dish with nonstick spray and preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

2)   Combine the water, lentils, and salt in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes. Drain once done.

3)   In a skillet, cook the carrots and cumin in the oil for 2 minutes.

4)   Add the rest of vegetables and cook for another 4 minutes.

5)   Remove from heat and stir in the lentils, half of the tomatoes (with juice), and half of the cheese.

6)   Divide the mixture evenly among the 8 tortillas, roll them up, and place face down in the sprayed baking dish. Top with the rest of the tomatoes and cheese.

7)   Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 8 minutes.

8)   Remove foil and bake for another 10 minutes.

Sweet and Savory Georgia Peach Salad

Sweet and Savory Georgia Peach Salad

I made this salad with some friends while we were in Atlanta. Georgia is known for its delicious peaches and ripe tomatoes. So, this is the perfect summer dish, whether you are down South or not. It’s delicious and quick to make!

Ingredients:

• · 1 large peach, chopped
• · 1 large tomato, sliced
• · 1/3 cup of white wine vinegar
• · ¼ cup of olive oil
• · ¼ teaspoon salt
• · 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
• · 2 tablespoons black sugar
• · 1 garlic clove, minced
• · 2 tablespoons basil, chopped

Directions:


1) Arrange a layer of tomatoes and peaches on a large, sloping inward plate.




2) In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar, oil, salt, pepper, sugar, and garlic.

3) Drizzle the vinaigrette over the tomatoes and peaches and top with the fresh basil.

Vegan Meatloaf/Burgers/Meatballs

Vegan Meatloaf/ Burgers/ Meatballs

In my opinion, there’s nothing to cure a case of homesickness like your favorite comfort food made by your mom. My favorite comfort food is meatloaf. Before you turn away in disgust because meatloaf might have a bad rep in your eyes, hear me out! My mom’s meatloaf is made with Stovetop stuffing and meat… that’s it! So, because now I can’t eat her meatloaf, I found a recipe that comes very close to satisfying that craving. This recipe has a great combination of spices (like store-bought stuffing), has protein, and has the moist, fluffiness from the oatmeal. This is my favorite recipe that I have ever made!

Inspiration: FrozenAssets


Ingredients:

• 1 pound tofu, mashed
• ½ cup oatmeal
• ½ cup Wheat germ
• 2 tablespoons onion powder
• 1 tablespoon parsley, chopped
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon dried basil
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/3 cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce

Directions:


1) Mash tofu in a big bowl using a fork.


2) Add all of the ingredients except the ketchup and barbecue sauce.




3) For a meatloaf, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.


4) Spray a loaf pan with vegan nonstick spray and pat the tofu loaf.





5) Bake for 30 minutes. After 20 minutes, drizzle the ketchup and barbecue sauce over the loaf and continue baking for the remaining 10 minutes.




6) For the burgers, shape them into patties and bake at 350 for 20 minutes.

7) For meatballs, heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a pan and cook the meatballs on medium high heat until they are light brown in color.

Sparkling Party Limeade

Sparkling Party Limeade

A friend of mine asked me to have a Mexican food themed party for her and so this was the drink that was the highlight of the night! It is nonalcoholic and that worked out great, so that both adults and children could enjoy it. Plus, this is easy, quick, and inexpensive – the ideal combination for any college kids budget.

• 1 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (about 7 limes)
• 3 bottles of no-sugar lime flavored seltzer waters. (They are sweetened with artificial sugar. I found bottles for $0.68 at Walmart)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Lime slices

Directions:

1)     Combine all ingredients in a gallon-sized container.

2)    Garnish with lime slices.