Monday, January 26, 2009

V'Con Pumpkin Cake & a Little Morning Magic

I haven't baked anything in quite a while, but I'm so glad that when the opportunity presented itself, I chose to bake this, Veganomicon's Pumpkin (Funny, I keep typing 'P-u-n-k-i-n'. Coincidence?) Cake with Pecan Streusel Topping. Although, in my case, it quickly turned into Walnut Streusel as that was all I had.

Regardless, this stuff is GOOD. Nay, GREAT! It's pumpkin-y, light, not overly sweet, but just enough to satisfy a craving. The topping is just a light scattering of extra yummy, crunchy goodness. Did I mention how moist it is? It's super moist. Another Veganomicon instant favorite. I haven't even shared any with anyone yet. This could be dangerous!

Just look at that topping!
And so moist yet not dense, very light and cakey in texture. What? Cakey is a word, right?

As for the magical aspect of this post, I just wanted to take a moment and give props to my Magic Bullet. Since our move, I'd had it on the counter but not used it. Silly me, because with this handy gadget (thank you, wonderful SIL for gifting to to me a couple years ago!), one can wake up, stumble groggily to the kitchen, toss in five basic ingredients and magically a tasty, healthy breakfast is born!This one was a yummy blend of just frozen organic raspberries, one organic banana, a tablespoon of organic raw almond butter, a few tablespoons of hemp seed, and enough plain soy milk to blend it all together.

I really want to get into making a more green smoothie in the mornings, but I'm a bit daunted by the amount of greens required to go into them. It seems as though everyone I see on the blogs includes around five cups of a green. Seriously? How do ya keep that kind of quantity on hand? and how ever would i fit that into my trusty Bullet?

16 comments:

Lily Girl said...

I don't use a magic bullet, but I do make 2 quarts of green smoothie at a time (a quart each for the bf and me). I include a half pound of spinach in each blenderful and the only way to get it all in is to blend in a couple stages. I put in half the spinach and a cup or two of water, blend, then add the rest and blend. Then add the remaining ingredients and blend. Obviously you probably can't fit that quantity into the bullet, but the principle is the same. I buy my spinach at Costco because we go though so much.
I'll have to make that pumpkin cake it looks delicious!

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

FAAAAAABULOUS!!!!!

Virginia said...

i have been meaning to try that cake since forever. this post has inspired me to get on the ball.

Paige said...

I'm always a bit overwhelmed when I see recipes for green smoothies online. It's like, really? Can you really use 47 cups of kale and still fit all of that fruit in? (exaggeration, but only slightly)

I always end up doing some pretty significant modifications...And by that, I mean I mostly just make it up and taste as I go along.

A.M. said...

Just start with adding one cup spinach (it's the easiest to blend, most tasteless). One cup spinach is better than no cup spinach, right?

aTxVegn said...

I have to go check out the cake recipe now - it looks terrific!

Brandie said...

LOL! You sooo don't need 5 cups of greens for a yummy green smoothie! I had a (good) habit of making them every morning for awhile (I LOVEM Y BULLET TOO!) but got lazy... I'd make pretty much (for example) the same smoothie you mentioned here in your post, but then add... 1/2 c - 1 c of organic raw baby spinach. YUM! Or you can do it with other greens too but I like spinach :) And you can do spirulina, etc etc... the possibilities are endless! Go ahead and try it - you'll like it!!! ;o)

And I'm so glad you're back! We've misse dyou - how's the LO?

Netts Nook said...

The cake looks fabulous thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Hi! I've been searching around for other Gainesville vegans, I was SO happy there's more out there! Since I'm new to being a vegan, I was wondering if you had an shopping advice (which stores) or restaurants (besides the delicious Top). Thanks so much!
-Caroline

Monika K said...

I just noticed you're back - congrats on the beautiful baby and tasty looking food!

The Voracious Vegan said...

I am so impressed by that pumpkin cake, it looks so good! I'd love a big slice right now.

MeloMeals said...

I only use 2 c of baby spinach or kale in my smoothies.. or 2 big handfuls..

Anonymous said...

I used to have a blender like the magic bullet (a knockoff from Asia, as I'm living in Malaysia) and made green smoothies all the time. I didn't follow a recipe, though. I just stuffed spinach into the container, added some juice, icecubes, and a banana and blended it up.

Anonymous said...

Your blog is amazing. I'm definitely going to have to try out some of your recipes.

Anonymous said...

That smoothie looks delicious. I'm definitely going to have to try out some of your recipes :)

Beth said...

Everytime I hear 'Magic Bullet' i think of a tiny silver vibrator... on another note, you owe me pumpkin cake when I visit, my mouth is watering like crazy! :)