Vegan Caramel

I’m trying to get back into a rhythm of posting in this space. The past six months have forced me to put a lot of things on hold. All by choice, but some more reluctantly than others. This blog was definitely one of the things I didn’t want to put on hold, but found very difficult to keep up (both in energy and in content) with all of the changes and uncertainty around us. Now that we’re settled into our Omaha home I think you can expect to hear from me on a more regular basis. For better or worse.

Enough fluff, I know what you really came for is the recipe and I pinky promise this is one you’re going to want to have in your life. How do I know that? Because I’m going to be posting a few more recipes in the coming two months that utilize this exact vegan caramel recipe and if you’re going to make those things you’re going to need this. Don’t worry though, you don’t have to wait for those recipes to release to enjoy this caramel. While you wait you can pour this caramel on almost anything and turn it into a magical bowl/plate/cup of deliciousness. And if you’re really impatient and not wanting to stretch your creative brain at all, just stick a spoon in it and eat it straight up. I fully support any and all variations on consumption. Enjoy.

Vegan Caramel

• 1/4 cup maple syrup

• 1/4 cup almond butter

• 2 tablespoons coconut oil

• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Heat the maple syrup, almond butter, and coconut oil in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring frequently. Once the ingredients have liquified and fully combined, stir in the vanilla. Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow to cool. Transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator, using as needed.

My Current Cup of Coffee

Coffee is my love language. If you hand me a cup of coffee it’s like coming up and wrapping me in the warmest hug. I feel it in my core. With such a strong love of coffee comes equally as strong preferences. I’m THAT PERSON when it comes to coffee. I like my particular brew using my particular method at a particular temperature in a particular mug. I told you I was THAT person.

Even though I can be particular about my coffee, I’m always down to try something new. Especially when that something new is hand selected for me by someone who gets to know my preferences before shouting out their favorite blend. Enter Trade. They have you take a short little coffee quiz to try to get to know you and then they recommend a few different types of coffee based on what you like and how you drink your coffee. It’s like one of those things where you’re like “nah, i’m good with what i’ve been doin’” and then BAM they introduce you to your new favorite and you start ordering it on repeat. At least that’s what happened to me. Definitely worth a shot! And if you’re still thinkin’ “Yeah, not something I need in my life,” then use code JENNA.HAZEL to get 50% off your first bag.

Sautéed Cabbage with Tahini

It feels like cheating to call this a recipe, so I won’t. I’ll just call it what-i-eat-for-breakfast-when-i-feel-like-going-veggie-heavy-but-putting-in-minimal-effort because that’s really what it is. So if you’re in need of an insanely easy plant based breakfast, lunch, or dinner idea, here you go.

Sauteed Cabbage with Tahini

serves 1

• 2 cups pre-shredded cabbage + carrot mix (I used the Trader Joe’s one)

• 1 tablespoon coconut oil

• sea salt to taste

• 2 tablespoons of tahini

Heat the coconut oil in a skillet over medium heat. Once the coconut oil is hot, add in the cabbage-carrot mix and then sauté for 4-6 minutes or until the veggies have softened. Transfer to a plate and drizzle with the tahini. So simple, but super satiating and nutritious!

Our Last Day In Chicago

So many emotions surrounded our last day in Chicago.

I’m not a nostalgic person when it comes to stuff, but places are another story. Places have the power to transport me back to exactly how I felt in a particular moment in that place.

I remember being a newlywed and moving into an apartment that I had never seen the inside of. I remember the excitement of it all. I remember the tiny bathroom, the single closet, and dragging groceries up the obnoxiously narrow set of stairs to get to our third story apartment. But most of all I remember though basking in the bright light of that apartment and dreaming up anything and everything. Things felt possible. I felt adult. I felt alive.

The amount that this city has forced us to grow is something I’ll forever be grateful for. Although it’s time to move on this isn’t goodbye, it’s just a simple see-ya-later.