Tag Archives: homemade

Craz-E Burger + Homemade Almond Butter

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veganmofo

I know. It’s VeganMoFo.

And here I am writing about the latest omnivore invention.

I just can’t resist. This one is over the top.

The Craz-E Burger, aka the Luther Burger (in case you were confused), was reportedly a huge hit at a recent fair in Manhattan. Consisting of a bacon cheeseburger smooshed between two halves of a buttered, grilled, and glazed doughnut, fair officials report selling 1,000 of these heart-attacking inducing monsters…PER DAY. The fair lasted 17 days. So yes, you calculated that correctly. Assuming one burger per person, 17,000 people actually bought and, I assume, consumed this thing.

You’ll be relieved to know that  “No single ingredient dominates the burger. They all complement each other…The glaze smooths over the burger and oozes into a foreign but delicious combination with the crisp of the bacon.”

Photo: STEPHEN DUNN/COURANT

Photo: STEPHEN DUNN/COURANT

This wasn’t a one-and-only state fair appearance for the burger. The Gateway Grizzlies, a minor league baseball team in Illinois, sells these burgers at their games. The Grizzlies have “improved” on the concept by deep-frying the donut that’s being used as the “bun.”

You can read the whole nightmare story at telegraph.co.uk. I especially love the labeling of Americans as “calorie comfortable.”

So ok peeps, how can we veganize this? Er…do we even want to?

Back to VeganMoFo…

Didja ever have one of those moments when you realized that something you thought might be difficult is actually ridiculously easy? Well that’s my experience with almond butter. For years I overpaid for jars of almond butter. Then I learned that you can make it at home, rather inexpensively, in just 10 minutes.

Homemade Almond Butter

Ingredients

  • 2 cups raw almonds
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions

  1. Combine all ingredients in your food processor and process for about 10 minutes.
  2. That’s it!

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I know.
Ridiculous, huh?
Feel free to experiment with other add-ins, like maple syrup, cinnamon, orange essence, cherries, chocolate.

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Homemade Larabars Part Deux

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Happy Monday!

Run

I had a great run :)   I love when I am feeling energetic and and like I can run forever! I ran on the treadmill at the gym:

Distance: 7 miles
Ave Speed: 8.34 mph
Vertical Distance: 187 feet

I really don’t mind running on the treadmill, especially when it’s hot outside (which it is around here starting at about 8am!) I usually watch something on the little TV – I don’t even remember what it was yesterday! – and that keeps me happy so I don’t notice that I’m running nowhere :)   When I run outside I usually listen to music – most often U2 or Dave Matthews. I could use some new running tunes come to think of it…any suggestions out there?

Eats

I had some extra time today and so I decided to make more “Larabars!” Maybe I should call them “JuliaBars?”

Anyway, I made four new awesome flavors that I’m really excited to share with you.

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Chocolate JuliaBar
Makes 2 bars

1/2 cup raw cashews
1/2 cup chopped medjool dates
2 T raw cacao powder (I’m sure regular cocoa would work too)
1/8 t salt (optional, but suggested)

Combine all ingredients in the food processor and whirl away for about 1 to 1.5 minutes. Shape into bars and wrap in plastic wrap. Store in the fridge. (I find that the bars become more solid in the fridge and have better consistency.)

Mexican Chocolate Bar (The JuliaBar thing is just too weird)
Makes 2 bars

Same as above but add 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon and 1/16 to 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper. You can play around with the spices until you get the flavor you love. I REALLY like this one but the texture was a little…soft. See the little cracks? Need to work on that some more but the flavor is awesome.

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Peanut Butter Cookie
Makes 2 bars

1/2 cup chopped medjool dates
1/2 cup unsalted roasted peanuts
1/8 teaspoon salt

You know – food processor – about 1 minute – wrap – store. :)
(I think I will change the Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bar recipe that I made the other day to be the Peanut Butter Cookie recipe plus some oatmeal. I have to play around with it. I could probably just eliminate the cashews and the peanut butter and just use peanuts instead.)

OK….now we’re ready for the BEST “LARABAR” flavor EVAH!
Are you ready….drum roll…
Wait for it….

PB&J Bar!!!
Makes 2 bars

Same as the Peanut Butter Bar but now add 1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon of dried cherries towards the end of the processing time – like when there’s about 20 seconds left.

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WHEEEEEEEE!!! These are so so so delicious! I was practically crying when I tasted these.

I have ideas for additional flavors…including one that I think will be AMAZING!…but A. I’m full from “testing” my four new flavors and B.  I need to go to the grocery store to pick up some ingredients. What about you – what are your ideas for new “Larabar” flavors?

OK – signing off. I try to stay under 350 words and I’ve way exceeded that today!

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