Black Bean Mole Chili with Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Spinach

IMG_2405b

Warm, spicy, rich, and full of vitamins. This vegan black bean chili can be served with the roasted potatoes and spinach in the bowl or on the side. Delicious!

Ingredients IMG_2397b

2 lb black beans
3-4 large carrots, peeled and sliced
5-6 sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
4-5 celery sticks, sliced
1-2 large onions, diced
8 cups fresh baby spinach
2 large cans diced tomatoes
2-3 jalapeños, sliced
4 T of vegetable broth powder
4 T of cumin
3 T of chili powder
1/4 cup of cocoa powder
1 T turmeric
1 T sea salt
1/4 cup of creamy peanut butter
4 T olive oil

Process

In a large pressure cooker, add beans, 2 T olive oil, onions, celery, carrots, jalapeños, cocoa powder, chili powder, turmeric, cumin, sea salt, diced tomatoes, and 3 quarts water (so, everything except the sweet potatoes, spinach, peanut butter, and 2 T of olive oil). If the broth does not cover the beans by at least 4 inches, increase water until it does.

Place lid on cooker and bring to high pressure. Cook at pressure 15 minutes and then turn off heat and allow to depressurize. Once pressure is released, test beans for doneness. If beans are ready, add peanut butter, stir until melted in, and allow to simmer 5 minutes to cook.

While the chili is cooking under pressure, toss sweet potatoes with remainder of olive oil. Spread on a baking stone or pan and cook at 350* until potatoes begin to soften, stirring occasionally. Pile spinach on top and sprinkle with sea salt. Bake until spinach wilts and potatoes are tender.

Serve potatoes and spinach on the side, or add a large spoonful to the bottom of your bowl and ladle chili on top. Add vegan sour cream if desired.

Vegan Apple Breakfast Cookies

IMG_0064 copy

Need a cookie for breakfast? Sometimes I do. These are delicious and have very little in them to feel guilty about.

Ingredients

2 mashed bananas
2 cups smooth peanut butter
½ cup agave
1 cup raisins
3 cups chopped apples
2 cups oats
1 ½  cups wheat flour
1 ½  t. baking soda
1 T. cinnamon
½ t. salt

Process

Mix first 3 ingredients until smooth. Combine all dry ingredients and then add in the wet mixture. Stir to thoroughly combine. Add additional flour if needed to reduce stickiness until dough can be dropped onto baking sheet in large balls and flattened to about ½ inch in thickness.

Bake 10-15 minutes at 350* until lightly browned on the bottom. Allow to cool and set. If keeping overnight, it might be good to chill these, as they are a fairly “wet” cookie.

Makes 24 large cookies.

Possessed cat approved!

IMG_0061

Snowstorm Baking – Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies

IMG_1516a

Bad weather always means baking for me. Today, while the menfolk were outside shoveling, I threw together a big batch of these beauties!

Ingredients
2/3 cup natural peanut butter
4 tablespoons canola oil
2 cups raw sugar
2/3 cup coconut milk
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 cup rolled oats (reqular or quick, but not instant)
1 cup non-dairy chocolate chips or chocolate bar broken into small pieces
1 cup chopped walnuts

Process
Preheat oven to 425°F and prepare your baking sheets.Whisk together first five ingredients until very smooth. Mix dry ingredients. Combine all ingredients and stir to combine thoroughly.Drop batter by large spoonfuls onto baking sheet and then flatten down to about 1/3 to 1/2 inch thickness. Bake for about 10-12 minutes, or until tops develop cracks. They won’t look quite done. That’s ok. Remove sheet from oven, and wait 10 minutes before transferring cookies to plate.

IMG_1518a