Classic :: Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies ::

Ok.
Are you ready?
This recipe will blow your mind.  Nana won't believe that these are that vegan stuff.  They are moist, fat, soft, and wonderfully packed with plenty of chocolate chips -- the way I LOVE them.  I usually make big, fat ones you wouldn't let yourself eat as a slim, trim 20-something.  No, no -- these are the I-don't-care-I'm-gonna-eat-the-whole-darn-thing-sized cookie.




My husband absolutely loves them.   My father in law had this cookie in cake form, he loves it so much:

You like?  I make them, and deliver them for your next party!


Ahem, ok, now for the serious stuff, the ingredients.  I always make sure my ingredients are organic, and the quality is good.  It really makes a difference in the outcome.  


Vegancitas Chocolate Chip Cookies:


Makes about 24 BIG cookies.


3/4 cup Earth Balance
2 cups organic sugar
1/2 cup organic brown sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
2 tablespoons soy/rice milk to add as needed
1/2 cup applesauce
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
4 cups flour
12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips


Mix dry ingredients, set aside.  Mix vegan butter, sugar and brown sugar until smooth.  Add vanilla and applesauce.  Add dry ingredients into wet ingredients bowl and mix.  Add milk as needed if it seems to dry.  Try to mix sparingly, as the baking soda will lose it's levening agent.  Add your chocolate chips.  


Wha-la!  You can substitute the applesauce for 1/2 cup of pumpkin for halloween!  


I use a 1/4 cup to measure and scoop my cookies, and they are big, beautiful, and delicious.  You can use a tablespoon scoop as well, and cook at 375 degrees for 12-15 minutes.  Basically, until they are a pretty golden brown on top.  


Man, these cookies are my favorite.  Anytime I have a hankering for something sweet, I make these.  


So, have fun this weekend, as it is cooling down (maybe) where you live.  Or, you want something to do with your kids for this weather, baking is a wonderful thing to do with your family.  Paolo, who's 3, loves to help me pour the ingredients in the bowl, or turn on the mixer for me.  And he loves being part of something he helped make.  

love, love, love, 
vegancitas

Autumn Goulash with Jasmine Rice, Buttery New Potatoes with Parsley

The weather has cooled down here (por fin!) and, it's been nice to crave food that warms my pansita...


I went to the Farmer's Market last week and picked up some Rainbow Chard.  Have you ever?  It's really tasty.  My husband described it as a "sweet spinach".  It's a very healthy green!  It's high in fiber and antioxidants.  It's slightly bitter, but mixed with the right veggies and seasonings, it's absolutely wonderful.  The leaves are a beautiful emerald green, and the veins and stems are beet red to golden yellow, to even fuschia. I immediately was drawn to this leafy vegetable once i spotted it.  I've never tried this before, so I was really hoping for success!


I sauteed and simmered this with a big zucchini squash, tomatoes, garlic and lemon.  It was absolutely delicious.  Buttery, warm; exactly what I was craving.  Added with some buttery, sweet New Potatoes, and it was a perfect meal for this cooling weather.  


Autumn Goulash:


1 bunch of Rainbow Chard, cut into strips
1 large zucchini squash, or 2 small ones (any type, really), chopped into chunks
3 tomatoes (roma, beefsteak, etc.), diced
3 cloves garlic, diced and minced
1 large lemon
2 tbsp. Earth Balance
2 tsp. lemon pepper
salt and pepper to taste


Steam your Jasmine Rice!


In a large pan, melt Earth Balance and add minced garlic.  Cook garlic for about 2 minutes, then add tomatoes and zucchini. Cover and let simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the tomatoes have softened and liquified a little.  Add Rainbow chard and lemon.  Let simmer for 5 minutes more. 




Buttery New Potatoes:


6 New Potatoes, cut into quarters
1 tbsp Earth Balance
1 tbsp parsley
salt and pepper to taste 


Wash your potatoes!


Put everything into a casserole dish and microwave for 12-14 minutes. Check every 6 minutes to mix and check for softness.

Next time, Vegancita's famous Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies!


love, love, love,
vegancita