On Friday, I used a recipe from this cookbook to make these really great pumpkin cookies. It was the process of making the cookies that made me think I should get back in touch with the vegan / stigmata guy. As you may remember, one of my stated reasons not to pursue him further into the world of dating was his frequent use of the word “duchebag.” Another reason I didn’t write about was that I actually kind of liked him, and instead of that making me happy, it made me think about how I missed being with Birmingham. I did some quick math, and it added up to not being ready to be single, at least not after a few short months. So I broke it off for both reasons. But then he got back in touch with me, and as I was making the cookies I thought about how nice it would be to share them with someone who willingly took up a vegetarian diet, so I gave him a call. Or if we want to be technical and modern about it, I sent him a text.
That text led to us spending Sunday together in the city where we visited SisterAlyson and Lola and The Man of Action, ate burritos at my favorite joint, and went to the museum of Natural History. Did you know that it only took the moon one month to form from a million pieces of rock? And did you know that the Northern Lights are caused by sunstorms hitting the Earth’s magnetic field? Furthermore, we also learned that Sequoias grow mighty large, New York City tap water is totally drinkable, if you can find a working water fountain, and that coat check is only $2 a person, which can include a coat, a computer in a bag and an umbrella as long as only one person checks them. We also learned that if the person selling you the ticket to the museum asks if you’re a student, the answer is “yes,” because she is too bored to ask for ID. Overall an enjoyable day. Right now he has “buddy” status, and still doesn’t know about the blog. I think SisterAlyson likes him more than I do, and if she wanted to go for him, I wouldn’t stand in her way. Her boyfriend might, though.
But I was talking about cookies, right? Here’s the recipe for vegan-Pumpkin-Oatmeal-win-his-heart-even-if-you-don’t-really-want-it Cookies from the book:
2 cups all-purpose flour (I used half whole wheat, half all-purpose flour)
1 1/3 cups rolled oats (Finally a use for that wiley 1/3 cup measure!)
1 tsp. baking soda (Yeah, that box that’s been open in your fridge for months keeping things “fresh”)
3/4 tsp. salt (A good source of iodine!)
1 tsp. cinnamon (Resist the temptation to use more!)
1/2 tsp. nutmeg (Every time I use this spice I think of my nutty friend Meg.)
1 2/3 cups sugar (It’s VEGAN, not DIET.)
2/3 cups Canola oil (this is how we get around using eggs.)
2 tbsp Molasses (If you’ve been following all my recipes, you should have this leftover from the ginger cookies.)
1 cup canned pumpkin (that’s not the whole can!)
1 tsp. vanilla extract (smells so good…)
1 tbsp ground flaxseed (optional, but I used it since I’ve got a grinder and I heart flaxseed.)
1 cup walnuts (I didn’t have them on hand, I omitted them, and lived to tell the tale.)
1/2 cup raisins (Anyone watch the new P.Diddy production? Me, either.)
Preheat oven to 350. Lightly grease two cookie sheets.
Mix together the flour, oats, baking soda, salt and spices.
In a separate bowl, mix together the sugar, oil, molasses, pumpkin and vanilla (and flaxseeds if using) until very well combined. Add the dry ingredients to the wet in three batches, folding to combine. Fold in the walnuts and raisins.
Drop by tablespoons onto the prepared cookie sheets. They don’t spread very much so they can be placed only an inch apart. Flatten the tops of the cookies with a fork or with your fingers to press into a cookie shape. Bake for 16 minutes at 350. If you are using two sheets of cookies on two levels of your oven, rotate the sheets halfway through for even baking. You’ll have enough batter for four sheets.
Remove from oven, cool on the cookie sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack. These taste best when they’ve had some time to cool and set. They taste even better the next day!
The only problem with the recipe is that you’re leftover with half a can of pumpkin. What in the world does one do with half a can of pumpkin? I looked around my kitchen and spotted this on the top of my fridge:
The blender I got for Christmas and still haven’t taken out of the box! Oy vey, I can totally make a pumpkin smoothie! I did some internetting, and this is what I came up with, borrowed from here:
Vegan Pumpkin Smoothie
the rest of your can of pumpkin puree
1 cup milk (I used Rice, you could use Soy or you could steal it from baby cows. Your choice.)
1/4 tsp. Cinnamon
1/8 tsp. Nutmeg
2 tsp. Raw Sugar
1 tsp. Maple Syrup (I didn’t have that, so I used maple sugar.)
4 ice cubes (note: if you get home from the gym and realize that all your ice cubes evaporated so you make a fresh batch and then watch the movie “Proof” on DVD the ice cubes will not be totally frozen by the time you finish watching the movie, which really wasn’t that good except when Jake Gyllenhaal was in the frame.)
Blend that shit, enjoy. It tastes kind of like the raw batter of a pumpkin pie, but slightly watery, which I chalk up to the slightly liquid-y ice cubes. A good source of beta-carotene, nonetheless.
A final note for those of you who are new: I go to a gym that has free pizza on the first Monday of every month. (see the “I’m not judging you” categories for more info.) It’s an odd customer appreciation thing, and it makes no sense, but I’m not going to question it because free pizza is one of the things I live for. I usually milk them for about 3 slices, especially after they wouldn’t let me put my membership on hold for the two months I was on crutches, and they don’t let me wear a bandanna because I might flash a gang color. However, this Monday falls right in the beginning of my vegan month, and eating all that pizza would not help my weight loss and personal goals. So I did my workout, stretched, and LEFT. I ate no pizza. Giving up such a marvelous opportunity means the rest of this month is going to be a cakewalk, if one could make cake without dairy.
22 responses so far ↓
Aaron // March 3, 2008 at 11:41 pm
1. Holy congratulations on the no-pizza-eating! You’re a stronger woman than me. That is to say, I’m not a woman. What I mean is — wait. What? Moving on:
2. I say “douchebag” a lot. I don’t think this makes me a bad person. There are a lot of douchebags in the world.
You might say it, but unless you do it like a tic, and people start counting how many times you do it in one afternoon, you’re not as bad as that guy.
kir // March 3, 2008 at 11:56 pm
That pumpkin smoothie looks delicious, I will have to try the soy version. I went vegan for a few weeks this past summer (for detox purchases). it’s a challenge, but a good challenge
I’m hoping to get a little detox side benefit.
Allie // March 4, 2008 at 6:05 am
You can make cake without dairy! Not that it would help with your goals.
“Blend that shit” made me giggle. That shake sounds awesome!
I know one could make a cake without dairy, but that would not help me with the “stick to eating vegetables” thing.
tinetastic // March 4, 2008 at 6:40 am
And just because I wondered if “real” cake could be vegan. . .I found you this. . .http://www.vrg.org/recipes/vegancakes.htm
It can indeed. It takes some practice.
nancypearlwannabe // March 4, 2008 at 8:07 am
I loved this whole post.
I loved this whole comment.
The Dutchess of Kickball // March 4, 2008 at 8:39 am
I give you so much credit for walking away from Pizza. No matter what my goals or medical instructions, I would not be able to live without pizza. What on earth am I going to be offer you at LOST this week?
Well, you can order Domino’s and I still won’t eat it because they are right wing bastards. Maybe I’ll bring some crackers and hummus. I have some on hand.
xsquared // March 4, 2008 at 8:47 am
I loved “Proof”, but I love any movie about math.
I’m giving you a standing ovation for skipping the pizza. I am truly impressed.
The math part of the movie was interesting, but I found the theatrical acting annoying.
mickey // March 4, 2008 at 9:12 am
I agree with x. Much credit for the will power.
Those cookies do sound awesome.
When one has pumpkin cookies, it’s easier to deal without pizza.
courtney // March 4, 2008 at 9:20 am
You are a bastion of willpower, and I salute you. There’s no way I could pass up free pizza, fitness goals be damned.
I’ll have to try those cookies.
I’m going to have to try hard not to eat 5 slices on April 7 to make up for it.
stefanie // March 4, 2008 at 9:22 am
I love the title of this recipe. I also love an excuse to enjoy pumpkin even if it’s not fall. Why do we forget about pumpkin from December through September? That needs to be remedied, I say.
I totally agree! We need to start a year-long pumpkin revolution.
3carnations // March 4, 2008 at 9:28 am
Regarding leftover pumpkin…Pumpkin bread is good, too.
So is pumpkin cheesecake, but not for you.
I make a great pumpkin bread, but I don’t have a veganized version. It also takes a whole can of pumpkin (but it makes two loaves…) The smoothie was a good option for me, and I see pumpkin cheesecake in my future, post-March.
Jennifer M. // March 4, 2008 at 10:03 am
I’m impressed that you walked away from the pizza and I congratulate you on your fortitude.
I like pumpkin flavored things. We don’t enough of those in the US, at least compared to other places I’ve visited.
Please tell me what country has year-long pumpkin, and I may go there tomorrow.
Laurel // March 4, 2008 at 11:05 am
I must try these recipes! They are perfectly suited for my obsession with pumpkins (and all other gourds). Yum!
You totally should. They are yumtastic, and chewy.
lizgwiz // March 4, 2008 at 11:10 am
My god, you are a strong woman. I’m not sure I would be able to resist the combination of “pizza” AND “free.” One or the other, sure, but both? My admiration to you.
I still can’t believe it myself. I’m not certain that I’m happy about it.
EvilKate // March 4, 2008 at 11:32 am
“blend that shit” is priceless.
Also, I’m proud of you for not eating the pizza. I’m on a weight loss regimen that is only really serious because it involves the loser eating crickets and I ain’t eating no crickets.
At first I was wondering how eating crickets would help you lose weight, and then I got it.
cadiz12 // March 4, 2008 at 12:01 pm
one of my friends turned me on to all things pumpkin a few years ago, and i have to say they’re delicious. i’ll have to forward these recipes to her. who says you have to be vegan to enjoy vegan treats? thanks!
Even my conservative boss liked them, and he’s a meathead.
erikka // March 4, 2008 at 12:56 pm
Thanks for the great recipes! Rock the Vegan! Rock it!
I will!
SisterAlyson // March 4, 2008 at 1:43 pm
yeah, I totally love that douchebag. He’s just so positive. He was having fun the whole day, even when we were doing “nothing” like riding the subway. Plus he asked my permission to give a piece of the pumpkin cookies to LolaDog, which made me happy b/c most people just slip her bits of food without asking me. BTW, those cookies were damn good.
You’re so good with her, keeping her off the people food. I knew that was big points right there when he respected both you and your dog.
cdp // March 4, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Dude. Pumpkin cookies. Yumsters.
Also, the “blend that shit and enjoy” made me laugh out loud.
And burritos are damn good shit. I love a burrito on a Sunday afternoon. Well really, any afternoon, but your Sunday sounds quite lovely.
mike golch // March 4, 2008 at 5:19 pm
Douchbag is not a bad word to use it is an expression that fits a lotta of oddballs with oddball ideas,such as our government.(sorry to upset any one’s apple cart)
” Blend that shit and enjoy” works for me. Burritos work for me as well as do tamalies. and Lets not forget pumkin pie!!!!
apollocreed // March 4, 2008 at 6:01 pm
damn, you sound like quite the cook! I sometimes cook grilled cheese. It’s “to die for.”
let me know, I’ll send you the recipe.
rdl // March 4, 2008 at 8:45 pm
yummy looking cookies - you could always just send me some of those.
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