stellargirl returns

long time no bake

I used to be one crazy baker back in the day. My favorite things were chocolate chip cookies (my special recipe), pumpkin bread and lots of other fruity breads (banana, berry, etc).  I've got all kinds of silpats, a butter yellow Kitchen-Aid stand mixer, and all manner of colorful bowls and rubber scrapers. 

One day (a very long time ago) my oven went on the fritz and I took an unexpected hiatus from baking. I've had a working oven for a while now and have been using it for lots of roasting and other radiant heat goodness, but no sweet baked treats.  

Enter my very first CSA delivery of the season, and the rhubarb that came with it. Rhubarb! Oh boy did I want to make an ooey-gooey sweet treat with some rhubarb.  After a little googling in search of vegan, gluten-free, low sugar delights made with rhubarb, I came across this recipe from The Whole Life Nutrition Kitchen:

Gluten-Free, Vegan Rhubarb Muffins!

Besides rhubarb, the recipe uses sorghum & tapioca flour (gluten-free), fresh squeezed orange juice and orange zest, plus a nice amount of cardamom. They are sweetened with apple sauce and I chose to use agave nectar.  The recipe recommends putting turbinado sugar on top of the muffins to get that crispy crunchy topping, but I skipped it (still avoiding sugar). Using fresh, local, tart rhubarb was absolutely delicioso! 

I've got a ton of bizarre ingredients now, so first I'm going to recreate these muffins and continue to experiment with gluten-free baking adventures!

 

good morning green juice

About a million years ago, my sister and I got my mom the Champion juicer for her birthday (or was it Mother's Day?) The gift was my idea, naturally, as I was getting hooked on all the carrot juicey goodness I was experiencing at the health food store I worked at during college. Of course, I was the one who wanted the juicer, and wouldn't you know, my mom ended up passing it on to me eventually. I've mostly been storing it in my basement, but I dug it out last week and it works perfectly.

The current 21-day detox recommends starting the morning with a green juice of cucumbers, broccoli stems, celery, romaine, what other green goodies you have on hand, plus an apple or a pear for sweetness.  Basically, the ratio is 3-4 veggies to one piece of fruit. I've been tossing in a lemon wedge and a small piece of ginger root as well.  It's been heavenly. 

I honestly never thought I'd juice a piece of romaine lettuce or a broccoli stem, but I've been incredibly surprised with the taste. It's so refreshing and a perfect way to start your morning. 

 

domo arigato, mr. bento

I want this Mr. Bento lunch jar! It makes me want to cook myself some solid whole meals with fresh vegetables and grains and yummy miso soup. It reminds of the delicious gourmet lunches packed by the father in Eat Drink Man Woman. It justifies more hours spent watching the Food Network. It all stacks together so neatly, and comes with chopsticks! How cool is that! I see much fancier lunches in my future...

sunday dinner

IMG_8225,
originally uploaded by stellargirl.

My neighbors and I got together on Sunday night for a house dinner. The theme was Asian and the food was delicious. I made my favorite sesame orange baked tofu and some roasted acorn squash and sesame carrots. Catherine assembled the most delightful and fresh vegetarian sushi rolls.

Speaking of sushi, turns out a friend of mine knows his way around the kitchen. Check out what's sure to be the first of many fantastic cooking podcasts over at Fork You!. The first item on the menu, sushi of course!!!

build my kitchen!

Wowee zowee!  I had one of those milestone birthdays yesterday and was treated not once but twice to unexpected gifts purchased right here through my "Build My Kitchen" Amazon typelist!  Whee!!  I am now the proud owner of a fresh and fancy salad spinner and my very first Fiestaware place setting. A few months ago, a non-stick frying pan came knocking on my door.  I keep the list there more as an interesting feature, a nice collage of colorful photos, and a way for me to access my wishlist regularly for when I get around to buying stuff.  I never expected those things would come to me!  How cool. 

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