TVP Tacos

I have to say this is not your typical post for me, but then again it hasn't exactly been a typical week for me either. Life is moving fast and I've taken it by the horns and done the best that I can to mold it into something that revs my engine and makes life palatable. 


Well, there wasn't too many groceries in the house and I needed to bulk up on some protein in anticipation of tomorrow's 5k.  I have to say as simple as this is I'm quite proud of myself for whipping up this little ditty.


All I did was prepare the TVP (which easily replaces ground meat in ANY recipe) according to the package directions and stirred in some taco seasoning. Then I warmed up a tortilla and added some vegan cheese and salsa. BAM. Dinner! Of course adding a sliced avocado and some fresh lettuce would have added some greens but that's for when you actually have groceries. :)


Ole! 

"Say What" Brownies

Sundays around here are spent whipping up stir fries from leftover veggies from the weeks past meals, and sitting as a family around the small breakfast table. Watching the leaves on the trees change and reminiscing about events past and laughing about funny moments. It's when dad and daughter eat home made brownies and watch boxing matches together. Bobbing and weaving our heads with the boxers and gasping when the  fight ends 4 rounds in....it's about family. 

"Say What" Brownies....

(From my Kindle book....Vegan on the Cheap by Robin Robertson)

OK you are going to read parts of this scratch your head and think bad thoughts...but I didn't tell my dad what was in this and he practically ate half of the pan. 

1.) In a food processor combine :

1 cup of washed and rinsed black beans (you read correctly)

1/2 cup of sugar

3 TBS canola oil.

Blend until completely smooth. 

2.) Add: 1 ripe banana, 2 TBS instant coffee (I didn't have any so I substituted wheat germ), 2 tsp vanilla, 4 TBS of cocoa. Mix to blend.

3.) Transfer this to a large mixing bowl and stir to combine with 1/2 cup of unbleached flour, 2 tsp baking powder, pinch of salt. 

4.) Fold in chocolate chips.

5.) Pour into a greased 8in square pan and bake at 350 degrees for 18-25 minutes. 

***The recipe I was reading forgot to mention the addition of the cocoa, so I never added it and it just tasted more banana bread like. I ended up making a glaze with a little bit of melted chips, butter and cocoa powder for the top. I also couldn't find my square pan and made it in a round dish. The recipe also says to chill it before slicing...I couldn't wait that long....****