**I apologize for the delays - this post should have been up on Friday evening (February 27th), but the video took so many hours (over 18!! I started uploading the video at 6:00PM on Friday night!!!) to upload properly**
Well, we made it through another week, folks!! And practically another month as well, since March will be here in just a few days. But enough about how time flies, we all know that - it is time to reveal the "Topics Overview List" for tonight's newest episode of VeggieGirl TV:
- Aside from it being Friday and the beginning of the weekend, there are 2 more reasons why this day is just so special :-)
- Showing support for a fellow blogger, in a fashionable manner.
- Larabar vs. Pure Bar smackdown = what are the pros and cons of each bar (**in my opinion**), and which one will reign supreme??
Alright, are you ready for 10 minutes of enjoyment?? Yes?? Well then please tune in below, to Episode 6:
Questions?? Comments?? Please let me know your thoughts, as always!! :-)
Friday, February 27, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
So, How About Those Trader Joe's Peanut Butter Pretzels??
In regards to my previous post: All I can say is wow. I seriously cannot even begin to properly articulate just how much your understanding, support and concern means to me.
There are still negative comments coming in, but oh well - I have learned that you just cannot please everyone. I am so thankful to have my family, friends, and of course all of my positive fellow bloggers and readers out there!! :-)
And now onto today's post...
If you had a chance to watch at least the end segment of Episode 5 on VeggieGirl TV, then you may recall that I talked about a "new" product for an upcoming baking project...
Trader Joe's Peanut Butter-Filled Pretzel Nuggets!! When I saw these at Trader Joe's (as well as on various food-blogger posts), I knew that I had to purchase a bag - they just seemed like such a fun ingredient to play around with for a baking project.
So, what did I create with this tantalizing TJ's treat??
A batch of Peanut Butter Pretzel Blondies, of course!! My all-time favorite treat to bake :-)
There is only one thing "bad" about this treat...
Even though these pretzel treats are vegan and soy-free, they are not gluten-free - so unfortunately, I was not able to try my latest baked good creation. But that is okay!! I love baking for others; and hey, I promise you that you can still trust the opinions of my "taste-testers," as always.
Speaking of my taste-testers, here are the reviews from the lucky few who were able to try the latest batch - my dad and The Co-Worker:
**VeggieDad's Review**:
"A most different kind of Blondie is this "peanut butter pretzel" version. The peanut butter taste is quite apparent and adds to the flavor of this treat -- plus the crunchy pretzel pieces were welcome too. Overall a not-too-sweet but very tasty snack or dessert."
**The Co-Worker's Review**:
"Being that anything with peanut butter these days is getting a second look and many times tossed in the garbage… I too am a little worried.
But I braved ahead and tried not one, not two… but four of these Blondies. To be clear… two yesterday and two more today, both times with coffee.
As you can tell, they tasted good enough for me to eat four in two days. The peanut butter is there, but not “stick to the roof of your mouth” there. They’re a bit dry… so I might suggest something to counteract that.
But overall, these are a good and safe peanut butter treat."
Okay, no more delays!! Here is the recipe:
VeggieGirl's Peanut Butter-Pretzel Blondies
(**Adapted from the Butterscotch Blondies recipe from Martha Stewart's cooking website**)
• 6 ounces (1 single-serving sized container) plain or vanilla vegan "yogurt" (I used So Delicious Coconut Milk Yogurt - it's gluten-free and soy-free!!)
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 1 cup sugar (I used organic turbinado sugar)
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons molasses (I used the Plantation brand of blackstrap molasses)
• 1.25 cups flour (I used Bob's Red Mill GF All Purpose Baking Flour)
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1.5 cups Trader Joe's peanut butter-filled pretzels, crushed into smaller pieces (**feel free to substitute 1 cup crushed pretzels and about 1 cup peanut butter, if you cannot find the TJ's treat!!**)
• Nondairy "milk" of choice, added to the batter as needed (**Note: I used Living Harvest hempmilk)
Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Lightly coat an 8"x8" baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
In a large bowl, add in the "yogurt," canola oil, turbinado sugar, vanilla extract, and molasses. Mix well.
In the same bowl, add in the flour, baking soda, and crushed peanut butter pretzels. As the mixture starts to thicken up/combine, add as much nondairy "milk" as you need (but not too much) so that the batter is mixable.
Pour mixture into the 8"x8" baking pan (coated generously with nonstick cooking spray).
Bake for about 32-35 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center of the blondies comes out clean.
Makes 16 blondies.
I hope to find/purchase some gluten-free pretzels soon, so that I can recreate this recipe for everyone to enjoy.
And as always, there is absolutely no obligation to try the recipe - but if you do, I hope that you will let me know whether or not you liked it :-)
**Stay tuned for my next post, which will feature Episode 6 on VeggieGirl TV**
There are still negative comments coming in, but oh well - I have learned that you just cannot please everyone. I am so thankful to have my family, friends, and of course all of my positive fellow bloggers and readers out there!! :-)
And now onto today's post...
If you had a chance to watch at least the end segment of Episode 5 on VeggieGirl TV, then you may recall that I talked about a "new" product for an upcoming baking project...
Trader Joe's Peanut Butter-Filled Pretzel Nuggets!! When I saw these at Trader Joe's (as well as on various food-blogger posts), I knew that I had to purchase a bag - they just seemed like such a fun ingredient to play around with for a baking project.
So, what did I create with this tantalizing TJ's treat??
A batch of Peanut Butter Pretzel Blondies, of course!! My all-time favorite treat to bake :-)
There is only one thing "bad" about this treat...
Even though these pretzel treats are vegan and soy-free, they are not gluten-free - so unfortunately, I was not able to try my latest baked good creation. But that is okay!! I love baking for others; and hey, I promise you that you can still trust the opinions of my "taste-testers," as always.
Speaking of my taste-testers, here are the reviews from the lucky few who were able to try the latest batch - my dad and The Co-Worker:
**VeggieDad's Review**:
"A most different kind of Blondie is this "peanut butter pretzel" version. The peanut butter taste is quite apparent and adds to the flavor of this treat -- plus the crunchy pretzel pieces were welcome too. Overall a not-too-sweet but very tasty snack or dessert."
**The Co-Worker's Review**:
"Being that anything with peanut butter these days is getting a second look and many times tossed in the garbage… I too am a little worried.
But I braved ahead and tried not one, not two… but four of these Blondies. To be clear… two yesterday and two more today, both times with coffee.
As you can tell, they tasted good enough for me to eat four in two days. The peanut butter is there, but not “stick to the roof of your mouth” there. They’re a bit dry… so I might suggest something to counteract that.
But overall, these are a good and safe peanut butter treat."
Okay, no more delays!! Here is the recipe:
VeggieGirl's Peanut Butter-Pretzel Blondies
(**Adapted from the Butterscotch Blondies recipe from Martha Stewart's cooking website**)
• 6 ounces (1 single-serving sized container) plain or vanilla vegan "yogurt" (I used So Delicious Coconut Milk Yogurt - it's gluten-free and soy-free!!)
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 1 cup sugar (I used organic turbinado sugar)
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons molasses (I used the Plantation brand of blackstrap molasses)
• 1.25 cups flour (I used Bob's Red Mill GF All Purpose Baking Flour)
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1.5 cups Trader Joe's peanut butter-filled pretzels, crushed into smaller pieces (**feel free to substitute 1 cup crushed pretzels and about 1 cup peanut butter, if you cannot find the TJ's treat!!**)
• Nondairy "milk" of choice, added to the batter as needed (**Note: I used Living Harvest hempmilk)
Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Lightly coat an 8"x8" baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
In a large bowl, add in the "yogurt," canola oil, turbinado sugar, vanilla extract, and molasses. Mix well.
In the same bowl, add in the flour, baking soda, and crushed peanut butter pretzels. As the mixture starts to thicken up/combine, add as much nondairy "milk" as you need (but not too much) so that the batter is mixable.
Pour mixture into the 8"x8" baking pan (coated generously with nonstick cooking spray).
Bake for about 32-35 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center of the blondies comes out clean.
Makes 16 blondies.
I hope to find/purchase some gluten-free pretzels soon, so that I can recreate this recipe for everyone to enjoy.
And as always, there is absolutely no obligation to try the recipe - but if you do, I hope that you will let me know whether or not you liked it :-)
**Stay tuned for my next post, which will feature Episode 6 on VeggieGirl TV**
Friday, February 13, 2009
Chocolate "Turtle" Pecan Bundt Cake!! Among Other Things (Both Fun and Serious)...
Ahh, Friday evening. It is truly the beginning of something so sweet, so highly-anticipated, that I always make sure to enjoy it as much as I can - I am referring to the weekend, of course!!
Although I had another crazy, busy, fast-paced week (filled with long schooldays - this past Thursday, in particular, felt like an eternity), at least I made it through okay - and apparently you did too, since you are reading this post ;-)
Today's post features Episode 5 on VeggieGirl TV, which will highlight the following:
1.) Did someone say cake?? Why, yes I did - I will discuss the results of my latest baking project. Below is a photo of the finished product, to (hopefully) peak your interest:
Oooh la la.
2.) My incredible Blogger Secret Valentine's Day package (sent by the lovely Marianne, of the French Fries To Flaxseeds blog).
3.) Want to learn more about VeggieGirl?? Listen and watch carefully as I answer the interview questions (**which address lighthearted and some serious matters**) posed by Heather, of the Hangry Pants blog.
4.) What's coming up next?? I will preview one of the "star ingredients" of my next baking project and a future new product review.
**Important Note: Episode 5 (which is 10 minutes and 38 seconds in length) deals with both fun and serious topics, but I feel that it is a good balance.
**I ask that you at least watch the interview portion (which starts about 4 minutes into the episode, and ends around minute 9), since that is the most important/serious part of the episode.
Alright, this episode is pretty loaded, so let's get on with the show already!! :-)
I hope that you enjoyed the show; and as always, I look forward to reading your thoughts and feedback on the episode content.
And of course, I would like to wish all of you a very happy Valentine's Day with your loved ones :-)
Although I had another crazy, busy, fast-paced week (filled with long schooldays - this past Thursday, in particular, felt like an eternity), at least I made it through okay - and apparently you did too, since you are reading this post ;-)
Today's post features Episode 5 on VeggieGirl TV, which will highlight the following:
1.) Did someone say cake?? Why, yes I did - I will discuss the results of my latest baking project. Below is a photo of the finished product, to (hopefully) peak your interest:
Oooh la la.
2.) My incredible Blogger Secret Valentine's Day package (sent by the lovely Marianne, of the French Fries To Flaxseeds blog).
3.) Want to learn more about VeggieGirl?? Listen and watch carefully as I answer the interview questions (**which address lighthearted and some serious matters**) posed by Heather, of the Hangry Pants blog.
4.) What's coming up next?? I will preview one of the "star ingredients" of my next baking project and a future new product review.
**Important Note: Episode 5 (which is 10 minutes and 38 seconds in length) deals with both fun and serious topics, but I feel that it is a good balance.
**I ask that you at least watch the interview portion (which starts about 4 minutes into the episode, and ends around minute 9), since that is the most important/serious part of the episode.
Alright, this episode is pretty loaded, so let's get on with the show already!! :-)
I hope that you enjoyed the show; and as always, I look forward to reading your thoughts and feedback on the episode content.
And of course, I would like to wish all of you a very happy Valentine's Day with your loved ones :-)
Friday, February 6, 2009
VeggieGirl TV - Episode 4
If you choose to view the latest episode of VeggieGirl TV, you will find out about quite an array of new things - all in just 6 minutes and 44 seconds.
I swear that the video is worth every moment that I spent filming it - well, I can only hope that you agree with me on that, haha.
Since this episode is a little longer than the previous ones, I recommend that you watch it when you have the time - after all, the weekend has finally arrived (hooray!!); so why rush through something that is meant to be fully enjoyed??
As I always recommend when featuring a video - sit back, relax, grab a snack, and enjoy the show:
I sincerely hope that you were able to enjoy the video/episode 4. Please let me know what you thought of the "new things" that were featured and discussed ;-)
I swear that the video is worth every moment that I spent filming it - well, I can only hope that you agree with me on that, haha.
Since this episode is a little longer than the previous ones, I recommend that you watch it when you have the time - after all, the weekend has finally arrived (hooray!!); so why rush through something that is meant to be fully enjoyed??
As I always recommend when featuring a video - sit back, relax, grab a snack, and enjoy the show:
I sincerely hope that you were able to enjoy the video/episode 4. Please let me know what you thought of the "new things" that were featured and discussed ;-)
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