Leftover Revamp

I am kinda the Queen of leftovers. Notorious for cooking more than enough and then some. Lunch around here is usually just warmed up whatever we had the night before and sometimes it's even better the next day. Sometimes just sitting overnight lets all the flavours mingle a bit more and come together even better when it is warmed up the next day. Some things are even better cold the next day (like my Kentucky Fried Tofu, don't judge until you try it) or even pizza. But every now and then I do a little revamp on the leftovers, turn them into something even better than they were the night before. This week that's happened twice and I had to share them!

The first one was a product of some excellent stuffed shells I made. I kind of threw a bunch of stuff (firm tofu, cashews, umi plum vinegar, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, garlic, nooch and miso paste) into the food processor to make some ricotta. Stuffed that into some large shell pasta and smothered with some tomato sauce I picked up at Costco (just to note the sauce is awesome and all it has in it is tomatoes, basil and salt) and baked in the oven for 30 minutes. It was tasty that night with a side of miso garlic bread but one bite with both was mind blowing. Right then and there I knew I had to make a sandwich the next day with the leftovers. The next day I waited patiently for lunch to finally come and toasted a hamburger bun, slathered it with miso garlic butter (equal parts yellow miso paste, vegan margarine and a pinch of two of garlic powder) and sat two stuffed shells down on the bun. It was freaking magical. The picture I took does not do it justice but it was seriously delicious and needs to be made again...soon and with bigger buns!

Just a day or two later, I was testing out a recipe from Joni Marie Newman's upcoming book for Buffalo Hot Sauce on her delicious Toffulo Wings. The wings and sauce were incredibly good. I don't usually go for hot stuff since it gives me some serious indigestion but I decided to go for it just for Joni. I was definitely glad I did and didn't suffer too badly at all. The next day I was looking forward to lunch yet again and then I remembered something I pinned awhile back on Pinterest. A recipe that was not at all vegan but I was intrigued by the idea. They were Buffalo Chicken Nachos so I quickly spread out some corn chips in a pan, chopped up the left over Toffulo Wings, drizzled both homemade ranch dressing and leftover Buffalo hot sauce all over and baked for 12-15 minutes at 425F. Holy hot damn these were tasty! Poor Ryan was on the phone from work as I was digging in and was super jealous of what I had made. Guess I'll have to make these again sometime soon for him to try! Any other leftover lovers out there?

Crafty Projects

I have been seriously enjoying testing all the crafty projects that Joni has been coming up with for her upcoming book. I love crafting and have a serious amount of scrapbooking supplies up in my spare bedroom so most of the time I have what I need on hand. These projects may look a little complicated but trust me they are easy to make (with Joni's instructions at least) and so beautiful! People will be fighting over who gets to keep them and you won't want to let them go. Around here Mac has been trying to lay claim on them but so far I've managed to keep them for myself. I also have been loving Joni's "in a jar recipes" because while they are great for gifting, they are also great for my pantry! I mixed up a bunch of them and then when I want something most of the work is already done which makes meals so much easier!

Double Sided Accordion Cookbook
I couldn't figure out how to get a picture of it all
opened up and all but you can put some recipes
in it to give as a gift and can use both sides

Recipe Treasure Box
The kind where you stash those index
cards with all the recipes you use all the time

Same box different angle

L-R Chipotle Ranch Dressing, Hearty Pasta Soup with Chickn',
Curried Rice Pilaf and Cajun Red Beans and Rice

Strawberry Pineapple Orange Cake Mix

This is the Hearty Pasta Soup with Chickn' once it was all cooked
and it was soooo delicious!

Cranberry Muffin in homemade parchment baking cups

More Crafty Treats from Testing for Joni

Here are a few more projects I have made for Joni Marie Newman's upcoming crafty vegan book.

A fold your own Truffle Box

Opened up but no treats yet!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls have found their home!

(These were a big hit and super easy to make!)

Reusable Felt (100% Recycled Plastic bottle felt) Gift Bag 

hanging out with my Candied Citrus Peels

(which are now my making supper snacks)

More Projects for Joni's New Book

I took a small break from blogging the past few days. I was all blogged out from MoFo and we had to concentrate on eating up that Candy Land. I can't believe how many people have checked it out and commented. It's really amazing to have all that love come at you for something you love to do. Thank you all, you definitely made my month!

This morning I got up and at it early and made myself some of Joni's recipes for her new book that I am testing for. I started off with a batch of Banana Nut Bread and followed with a batch of Candied Nuts. The Banana Nut bread is so quick to make and it looks so cute in the home made loaf pans Joni made for the book. I made these ones out of parchment paper but you can make them out of all kinds of papers depending on your use and preference. They are so easy to make once you learn the technique too! Mac helped me mix up the banana bread and patiently (haha!) waited for it to bake and cool so we could have a taste. He licked the bowl while he waited and assured me that it was going to be good. It is tasty too with raisins and nuts in there and lots of banana flavour too!

The Candied Nuts were so easy to make and seriously took about 20 minutes including the 10 minutes they spent in the oven and the taste is incredible! I can't believe how little effort I had to put in to make them to get such a delicious snack! I made a little square parchment box to put them in using the same technique as the loaf pans above. I think they would make a great home made gift for someone or a hostess gift if you are into that kind of thing. They would be great sprinkled on top of ice cream too!

My First Projects for Joni's Next Book

Confession time...I am a super craft nerd. I literally have a dresser in my room dedicated to holding all my crafting gear (please read this sentence like Rob Lowe's character on Parks and Rec because that is how I am thinking it). I have a crap ton of scrapbook paper, stamps, fabric, stickers, punches, glitter and as much as I love a kitchen gadget, I love my crafting gadgets too. Provo Craft has way too much of my money to prove that!

I never really thought my crafting and cooking loves would collide but that all changed when I saw a tweet from Joni Marie Newman looking for a few crafty vegans to help test for her newest book project. I don't think I could have typed up my email any faster to get in on this one. This book is so perfectly up my alley! So far, I don't know much, the working title is Vegan Food Gifts: Spread the Vegan Love DIY-Style with 100 Inspired Recipes for Homemade Edible Gifts, Baked Goods, Preserves and More so that gives you a general idea of what to expect. I know I would buy it just from the title. There is going to be all kinds of recipes as well as ways to package them up to give as gifts so you can give them to family and friends. I made up two of the projects so far and wanted to share a peek at them. I will keep posting as I make them and by the end I know you will be just as excited about this book as I am! 

The two small mason jars are filled with Italian Spiced Parm-y Sprinkles (super yummy noochy/nutty parm) that I covered with some Amy Butler Midwest Modern fabric (for the quilt I was definitely going to make and then didn't know how to actually make). The two bags are actually made with the same technique, one with cellophane and one with brown kraft paper. They are tape and glue free yet hold together and you can stuff them full of all kinds of tasty treats.

I'm excited to see what else Joni has in store for this book...I think she is even working on a couple of themed baskets and you even make the basket! Love it!