Vegan Feasting

Of course, the holidays bring much feasting! I brought three dishes to my work holiday party. I figured at least this way, I could eat something besides veggies and crackers.

So, I made the Seitanic Red and White Bean Jambalaya from Veganomicon, like I've made before. I used my own cajun spice this time (Bayou Magic - the best!), and I think it turned out even better. Although there was a good dent made in it at the party (and I loved seeing meat-eaters chow down on the seitan!), there was plenty left over to eat for dinner all week. It's so delish and easy to make!

Of course, I couldn't resist making something sweet! I've made these Gingerbread Cupcakes with Lemon Buttercream before, but this time I think they were even better! I chopped the crystalized ginger even more finely than last time (some goes into the batter) and figured out that in order to get cupcakes that don't look like they belong to midgets (there isn't a lot of batter, so they are very flat!), I put the batter in only 10 tins on the muffin tray, and they were perfect! I even used blackstrap molasses with success, although I think that the lighter molasses looks more like gingerbread - these almost looked like chocolate! Light, fluffy and decadent.....
But then I couldn't stop there and wanted to make an appetizer, too. So, I sought out a new recipe in Eat, Drink and Be Vegan. I ended up making the White Bean Dip, which was amazing! I loved the different taste of white beans (versus chickpeas in hummus), and the lemon flavor really perked it up! But I didn't have time to get fresh thyme or basil, so I used up a sprig of fresh rosemary I had laying around and WOW! I just love white beans and rosemary. Yum, yum, yum... lunch with those leftovers, too! Unfortuately, I ate it all up before I could get a pretty photo :( Now, go cook something for someone! Maybe you'll have leftovers, maybe you won't!