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Just one Busy Vegetarian Mom working on transitioning to a Vegetarian lifestyle for myself and my family. I am recording what I learn here along the way. You can also find me writing at Daily Dish Magazine and Inner Child Food.
Grilled Veggies in the Smoker
Before we went Vegetarian, we had bought a Traeger Smoker. While it’s awesome for cooking meats, we havn’t utilized it much for Veggies. So I decided it was about time and we did some experimenting. This Grilled Veggie Dish comes from everything I had left over in my house!
Now the Acorn Squash takes a bit longer to cook than the rest so I suggest you start it in the Microwave so it gets nice and soft, otherwise the rest of your veggies will be well done and your squash still a bit firm.
Even the pototoes could use a little head start as well.
The taste of all these veggies together in the smoker is just awesome. I think I will be firing up that grill far more often now!
Grilled Veggies
Healthier Funfetti Cake Batter Dip – Party Time
I have seen lots of variations on cake batter dips but when I stumbled upon the Red Velvet Cake Batter Dip from Craft Craving, I knew I had to try my own version. This recipe is so simple and is much healthier than eating the actual cake. It is so rich you only need a small serving to satisfy your cravings.
I usually try to stay away from processed foods, but this is definitely one of those “special treats” that you might allow from time to time. I stuck fairly close to the original recipe for my first time, but I will most definitely will be experimenting to make this even healthier. Off the top of my head, I would make my own dry cake batter mix, and maybe sub out the cool whip for thickened coconut milk. So many ideas of what you could do with this recipe!
Funfetti Cake Batter Dip
If you think this looks good, you have to go over and check out the Red Velvet Recipe too!
Red Velvet Cake Batter Dip
Via Craft Craving
Follow link : Red Velvet Cake Batter Dip
Warm Raspberry Spinach Salad
This salad is inspired by one that my sister makes. Now that my spinach is growing like crazy, I need to find some new spinach recipes to use it all up without getting bored. I actually had thought of this recipe for a “berry salad” recipe challenge from a few days ago, but just didn’t get it make in time. I decided to still try it out and glad I did.
It’s so quick and easy to make. One its own or as a side, it’s fresh, fruity, hearty and hearth healthy!
I used frozen Raspberries in my recipe just because I had them and the fresh at the market were still quite spendy. You really could use either. You could also switch things up and use blueberries or blackberries, be creative!
Warm Raspberry Spinach Salad
Enjoy!
Moms Night In – A Good Book and Good Wine
Tonight I bring you to my neck of the woods. South Eastern Washington State. I’m having a mom’s night in with a good book and some good wine! Both the book and the wine are local!
The Book -
“For Love or Money” written by a personal friend, Cathy Perkins. This is the third book of hers to be published and my favorite yet.
The book is set here where I live, the Tri-Cities, a growing area of South East Washington with a desert landscape. Holly Price is a hot-shot accountant working high dollar deals in Seattle. When her father runs off with the yoga instructor, leaving her mother alone to run the family business back home, Holly returns to get her mom caught up and grow in order to sell the family accounting business.
When Holly goes out on a “date” that turned out to be a hunting trip through harsh terrain, she and her date, Alex stumble upon a dead woman’s body. But not just any body. This is Marcy. Her friend Marcy that works across the hall.
Things go from bad to worse quickly when who of all people show up to investigate, JC, her EX-fiance. She quickly finds herself labeled a suspect in the murder. The fact that he is not over her leaving town isn’t making her life any easier. The fact that he is just as attractive now REALLY doesn’t make things any easier.
The story takes many twists and turns as we learn Alex is working with Tim, who happens to be Marcy’s Boss. Slowly, we learn more about Marcy’s past and new suspects arise. New questions arise. Not only does Holly want to know who killed Marcy, but WHY did they kill Marcy.
Finding those answers is the only way Holly can clear her name.
I’m not going to spoil it for you all because you NEED to read this book. An Entangled Suspense with a bit of Romance tossed in. The perfect book to snuggle up with a glass of wine for a night of reading.
You can find it on Amazon or any major book seller.
Oh yes… The WINE!!! Tonight I’m enjoying one of the wines from “Original House Wine“. These wines are made in the Columbia Valley and are quickly becoming one of my favorites. They have all been very affordable and very good! Need I say more?
Tonight I happen to be drinking “House Red Wine 2010″ which is a yummy blend of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 15% Syrah and 3% Cab Franc.
I also love the Steak House Red and the House Wine Chardonnay. I have yet to try the Merlot, Syrah or Fish House – But they are most definitely on my list!
So do yourself a big favor and grab, “For Love or Money” and some “House Wine”
and get ready to enjoy a nice Mom’s Night In!!
Summer Chill Raspberry Mint Wine-Sicles
You may already know I’ve become a fan of Robert Mondavi’s very affordable Woodbridge Line of wine, despite me being a WSWS. (Washington State Wine Snob). It has turned out the I have enjoyed all the bottles I have sampled so far.
*Disclaimer: I received the wine and popsicle kit free of charge to give an honest and thorough taste test. All opinions expressed are my own.
So when I got my next shipment I was really excited… until I opened the box and saw Moscato. That has to be my least favorite wine. PERIOD. But then as I pulled open the box, it was packaged with a popsicle making kit and directions for Wine-Sicles… OK… now your talkin’!
I was actually so excited, I dropped what I was doing and immediately ran to the kitchen to get started. One small problem. I didn’t have the ingredients. Good News… I have never let that stop me, so today I will share my modified version!
FIRST… lets talk about this Moscato. It is a 2012 with a Chile-Coquimbo Appelacian. 63% Muscat Alexandria, 21% Muscat Rosado and 16% Mixed White varieties.
Moscatos tend to be slightly bubbly or “frizzante” (in Italian). Woodbridge lives up to this expectation with a light “frizzante” and a sweet orange and marzipan flavor.
To my surprise, it was not too sweet for me to sip on while preparing the wine-sicles and while waiting for them to freeze, but it was sweet enough that I knew I did not need to add any additional sugar to my recipe.
Moscato Raspberry Mint Wine-Sicles
Enjoy!
Laht Neppur Brewing Co.
On our recent Morel Mushroom Hunting Trip, we stopped in at one of our favorite “watering holes”. Laht Neppur Brewing Co. From the outside, it looks a bit uninviting, but I promise you, it’s well worth the stop.
beer stop 223 (Photo credit: Mitch LeClair)
Located in Waitsburg, WA in a small white building on the main drag ( if you blink, you might miss it) they are brewing up some first class beers. The name means simply, “Drink to Life”. We are partial to the Peach Hefeweizen and the Belgian Wit, but you must try them all if you have a chance.
In addition to making beers, they make authentic root beer and now even wine!
If you miss them in Waitsburg, then you will have another chance to taste at their other locations in Walla Walla. Try the Ale House on South Spokane Street or at the Outfield Pub opening June 5 2013.
I always pick up a growler or two on our way through town after sipping on a pint in house! When my bottle is empty… my spinach gets to guzzle a bit of water!
We had a blast Morel Mushroom Hunting in the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. Read all about our trip at Daily Dish Magazine!
Morel Mushroom
Busy Vegetarian Mom
{Inspired} Quick Pan Fried Potatoes with Thyme
Today’s inspiration comes from a friend at Inner Child Food. A quick recipe for Pan Fried Potatoes with Thyme is perfect for breakfast, lunch or dinner! I make a lot of variations of pan fried potatoes but have never made them with thyme. I think I will have to give it a try!
Head on over to Inner Child Food to get the recipe:
Quick Pan Fried Potatoes with Thyme
Pan Fried Potatoes with Thyme
Via Inner Child Food
Foodie Friends Friday Recipe Party – Salads
Hey Veggie Friends! This week I wanted to share the Foodie Friends Friday Party from my other site I manage, Daily Dish Magazine. This week we are celebrating salads for National Salad Month. Your are sure to find something that you like this weekend!
So lets get to it!
First the winners from last week and host favorites:
Click Here for Host Favorite Links: Host Favorite Recipes
Welcome to Foodie Friends Friday!
Please take a moment to read through the rules before getting started, Thank You!
*By linking up you agree that you read these rules and all photos/recipes are original and belong to you. You agree to allow Foodie Friends Friday and any of it’s affiliated websites or publications (Social Girls Media, LLC) to use photos, links, and recipes for reprint and/or republishing and distribution without monetary compensation to you. If photos & recipes are used, proper link backs to you will be included.
Adding Links back to Foodie Friends Friday and our Button is our only form of advertising to bring in more people to see YOUR recipes.
Please remember to do this. It benefits you! To thank you, we will continue to feature those with links throughout the year on various outlets.
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Meet our Co-Hosts at Foodie Friends Friday:
Now Let’s Party!
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Morel Mushrooms – Saute’d in Garlic and Butter
Have you ever eaten a Morel Mushroom? They are seriously the best mushroom ever. We are lucky enough to have an area near enough for a day trip to find these little treasures. They are crazy expensive to buy and now I know why. They are so hard to find! We spent a few hours hunting and only came back with a medium sized paper bag full.
The best way to cook these up is debatable, but I prefer simply saute’d with garlic and butter.
Morel Mushroom
Busy Vegetarian Mom
Morel Mushrooms Saute’d with Garlic & Butter
Busy Vegetarian Mom
Morel Mushrooms Saute’d with Garlic & Butter atop Butternut Ravioli
Busy Vegetarian Mom
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Dad’s Favorite Meal – Vegan Father’s Day Dinner
For Father’s Day we always have a nice family dinner at home. Just myself, two girls and my hubby. We cook up his favorite foods and just spend some quality time together. At one point in our lives it would’ve been all about grilling up some steaks and roasted potatoes. Now that we have changed our diets to a healthier vegetarian lifestyle, our favorites has changed.
I thought it would be fun to share with you today what one of my hubby’s new favorites meals are and what we are planning for our Father’s Day Dinner this year.
I think we will start with one of our favorite appetizers; The Caprese. I made these fun Caprese Towers from our favorite tomatoes in the garden – Romas!
Vegan Caprese Tower
Busy Vegetarian Mom
Then we will move on to our main course. To replace the typical steaks, we will have Cheesy Horseradish Potato Crusted Portebellas. This simple dinner incorporates all the flavors we loved in a prime rib dinner. The texture of the mushroom rivals that of a tender beef steak, and the horseradish potatoes complement it wonderfully!
Cheesy Horseradish Potato Crusted Portabellas
Cheesy Crusted Horseradish Potato Portabellas
Via Busy Vegetarian Mom
We will add a side of Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Brussel Sprouts with Rosemary. I LOVE this dish and you can really toss in any veggies you like. Red potatoes, Butternut and Carrots taste wonderful too.
Roasted Sweet Potatoes & Brussel Sprouts with Rosemary
Roasted Sweet Potaotes & Brussel Sprouts with Rosemary
Busy Vegetarian Mom
Then we will finish off with a healthier replacement for traditional chocolate cream pie!
Healthier Vegan Chocolate Cream Pie Minis
Almond Joy Minis
Busy Vegetarian Mom
This post is part of the Sharing is Caring Father’s Day Blog Hop hosted by Life With Lovebugs and Powerful Mothering!
