11.11.2012

Brownie-Bottom Peanut Butter Cheesecake (vegan/gluten-free)

This recipe for Brownie-Bottom Peanut Butter Cheesecake is different from the previous recipe I posted for Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake. The previous recipe calls for four tubs of expensive vegan cream cheese. This recipe, from vegan baking gurus Isa Chandra Moskowitz and Terry Hope Romero's Vegan Pie in the Sky, uses silken tofu, peanut butter, and banana instead. Using a recipe that doesn't require vegan cream cheese makes it less expensive to make, and it's easier to obtain the ingredients. My local health food store sells Mori-Nu firm silken tofu, the tofu of choice for baked goods. 



The only change I made from the book's recipe was that I used Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free All-Purpose Baking Flour instead of regular flour. If you have an Ocean State Job Lot near you, they sell Bob's products at a great price.

When I make this recipe a second time, I think I'll use a mixture of gluten-free flours. I find that many gluten-free baking flours taste slightly bitter in the final product, but blending several flours together, such as rice flour and tapioca flour, lessens that bitter flavor.

I will also use a flat springform pan next time. The springform pan I had on hand was circular with a hole in the middle. I think the hole caused the inner sides of the cake to sink slightly. 

The cheesecake filling itself was great. I used a food processor to blend the ingredients, and the result was smooth and creamy. The cake does need to chill for several hours before serving. I chilled it overnight in the refrigerator. The cake holds up well when cold: you can cut a slice and it won't fall apart.

Happy Baking!


 

 

9.29.2012

9.24.2012

Lentil/Split Pea Soup

Homemade lentil/split pea soup with organic veggie broth, organic tomatoes, organic carrots, onions, organic scallions, and lots of herbs and spices: red pepper, cayenne, tarragon, thyme, rosemary, sage, oregano, basil, and bay leaves. 
 
 

7.11.2012

Vegan/Gluten-Free Brownies

Vegan/Gluten-Free Brownies

This recipe is from Vegan Cookies Invade Your Cookie Jar by Isa Chanda Moskowitz and Terry Hope Romero. In the beginning of the book, they provide a gluten-free flour mix recipe. It includes almond meal, white rice flour, tapioca flour, ground flax seed, and quinoa flour. Because I've found quinoa flour is expensive and difficult to find, I subbed Bob's Red Mill Gluten-Free All Purpose Baking Flour for the quinoa flour. I buy most of my ingredients at Ocean State Job Lot because they sell Bob's products at a lower price than the grocery stores.


I used MimicCreme's Healthy Top whipped cream. Does anyone have a good recipe to make vegan whipped cream from scratch?

5.28.2012

5.05.2012

5.02.2012

Download the Fuck Off All Nerds Comp. through 5/9

Nearly one year after the Mitch Dubey benefit show at the Madison Arts Barn, Topshelf Records has mailed out preorders of the benefit record entitled Fuck Off All Nerds. Dubey was shot and killed in New Haven, Connecticut, during a home invasion in March 2011. Proceeds from the show and record sales went to Dubey's family.





Topshelf has made both the compilation and the full live sets available for free on their Bandcamp page through May 9, 2012. The compilation includes bands like My Heart To Joy, Hostage Calm, Into It. Over It., and Algernon Cadwallader.





Although the compilation is currently available for download for free, I recommend purchasing the LP from Topshelf Records' website. Remember, all proceeds go to the Dubey family.

4.30.2012

Vegan/Gluten-Free French Toast

This recipe is from Vegan With a Vengeance.



- 1 loaf of Ener-G gluten-free bread
- 1/2 cup non-dairy creamer (I used coconut milk creamer because it's labeled "gluten free.")
- 1/2 cup non-dairy milk (I used almond milk)
- 2 Tbs. corn starch
- 1/4 cup garbanzo (chickpea) flour 
- 1 Tbs. canola oil
- Optional toppings: maple syrup, berries

1) Whisk together the milks and corn starch. 
2) Then add in the garbanzo bean flour and whisk. 
3) Toast several piece of gluten-free bread
4) Dunk the bread in the batter until it's coated. Throw it on the skillet. Brown each side for several minutes.
5) Top and serve warm. Yum!

4.20.2012

Into It. Over It. / The World Is A Beautiful Place / Two Humans / Chris Cappello at The Space April 18, 2012

Into It. Over It. / The World Is A Beautiful Place / Two Humans / Chris Cappello
The Space
Hamden, CT
April 18, 2012


Humboldt

The Frames That Used To Greet Me

Outer Banks, NC

Pontiac, MI

Proper

Connecticut Steps

Write it Right

Logan Square

The Bullied Becomes The Bully

Bustin'

No Good Before Noon

Anchor



Walnut Street is Dead








Plans For The Future

 And What Did You Think Would Happen?

If I Forget Your Face

4.02.2012

Tom Sheely & co. at Passiflora Tea Room 4/1/12

Tom Sheely (& co.) at Passiflora Tea Room
New Hartford, CT
April 1, 2012


Sitting on Top of the World

Roll Over Beethoven (incomplete...ran out of SD card space!)

I Was Born in Chicago

In The Arms of An Angel

Angel

Tom and Ed (part 1)
 
Tom and Ed (part 2)

R. J. Galant - Infrequent Flyer Miles