Chai Spiced Baked Doughnuts

Food photography friends...I had to break out the artificial light for the first time this fall, and it nearly broke my tiny heart. Darkness is coming. Take this time to be thankful for the light, for it is precious. 

Todd requested a dessert for a party being thrown for a co-worker friend who is moving jobs. He always gets to bring the raddest vegan desserts to his work. Remember the pumpkin cinnamon rolls from last year? He requested them again because everyone loved them, but I told him that we had to make something new!

Produce On Parade - Chai Spiced Baked Doughnuts - These baked donuts are infused with chai spice in the batter and the crunchy glaze. A unique doughnut that’s easy to make and sure to be a big hit. The taste is a bit like snickerdoodles.

I reckon some readers are tired of pumpkin this and pumpkin that. Oh, what a life these people must lead that their biggest frustration is an acute obsession with a delicious, orange winter squash. Boo hoo. Who are these people!? I don't know. Honestly, I didn't make them pumpkin doughnuts because Todd is convinced he doesn't like the stuff. Although, I'd like to remind him that he was the one who requested the pumpkin cinnamon rolls again. He's a closet pumpkin lover. 

“Rule your mind or it will rule you.”
— Buddha
Produce On Parade - Chai Spiced Baked Doughnuts - These baked donuts are infused with chai spice in the batter and the crunchy glaze. A unique doughnut that’s easy to make and sure to be a big hit. The taste is a bit like snickerdoodles.

These baked donuts are infused with chai spice in the batter and the crunchy glaze.  A unique doughnut that’s easy to make and sure to be a big hit. The taste is a bit like snickerdoodles.

Produce On Parade - Chai Spiced Baked Doughnuts - These baked donuts are infused with chai spice in the batter and the crunchy glaze. A unique doughnut that’s easy to make and sure to be a big hit. The taste is a bit like snickerdoodles.
Produce On Parade - Chai Spiced Baked Doughnuts - These baked donuts are infused with chai spice in the batter and the crunchy glaze. A unique doughnut that’s easy to make and sure to be a big hit. The taste is a bit like snickerdoodles.
Produce On Parade - Chai Spiced Baked Doughnuts - These baked donuts are infused with chai spice in the batter and the crunchy glaze. A unique doughnut that’s easy to make and sure to be a big hit. The taste is a bit like snickerdoodles.
Produce On Parade - Chai Spiced Baked Doughnuts - These baked donuts are infused with chai spice in the batter and the crunchy glaze. A unique doughnut that’s easy to make and sure to be a big hit. The taste is a bit like snickerdoodles.
Produce On Parade - Chai Spiced Baked Doughnuts - These baked donuts are infused with chai spice in the batter and the crunchy glaze. A unique doughnut that’s easy to make and sure to be a big hit. The taste is a bit like snickerdoodles.
Produce On Parade - Chai Spiced Baked Doughnuts - These baked donuts are infused with chai spice in the batter and the crunchy glaze. A unique doughnut that’s easy to make and sure to be a big hit. The taste is a bit like snickerdoodles.
Produce On Parade - Chai Spiced Baked Doughnuts - These baked donuts are infused with chai spice in the batter and the crunchy glaze. A unique doughnut that’s easy to make and sure to be a big hit. The taste is a bit like snickerdoodles.
Produce On Parade - Chai Spiced Baked Doughnuts - These baked donuts are infused with chai spice in the batter and the crunchy glaze. A unique doughnut that’s easy to make and sure to be a big hit. The taste is a bit like snickerdoodles.
Produce On Parade - Chai Spiced Baked Doughnuts - These baked donuts are infused with chai spice in the batter and the crunchy glaze. A unique doughnut that’s easy to make and sure to be a big hit. The taste is a bit like snickerdoodles.
Produce On Parade - Chai Spiced Baked Doughnuts - These baked donuts are infused with chai spice in the batter and the crunchy glaze. A unique doughnut that’s easy to make and sure to be a big hit. The taste is a bit like snickerdoodles.
Produce On Parade - Chai Spiced Baked Doughnuts - These baked donuts are infused with chai spice in the batter and the crunchy glaze. A unique doughnut that’s easy to make and sure to be a big hit. The taste is a bit like snickerdoodles.
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Chai Spiced Baked Doughnuts
by October-3-2014
These baked donuts are infused with chai spice in the batter and the crunchy glaze. A unique doughnut that’s easy to make and sure to be a big hit. The taste is a bit like snickerdoodles. NOTES: For an extra chai kick, try using chai tea by steeping one tea bag in ¾ cup water. Or, just plain water can be used. If you need a chai spice mix recipe, I like the one from Fit Foodie Finds.
Ingredients
  • ¾ cup chai tea or water
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup vegan sugar
  • 1 tsp. baking powder
  • 1 tsp. baking soda
  • 1 tsp. chai spice
  • ¼ tsp. kosher salt
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • -- Glaze --
  • 1/4 cup full-fat coconut milk (or other non-dairy milk)
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 3/4 tsp. chai spice
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375° F. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour through and including the salt for the doughnuts. Make a well in the center with a large spoon.In a small bowl, whisk together the tea or water, oil, vinegar, and vanilla. Pour into the dry well, while stirring. Stir until just combined.Scoop the batter into a regular doughnut pan coated with a nonstick cooking spray. The wells should be filled about ¾ the way full. Too full and the doughnut hole will close in, not filled full enough and the doughnut will have a huge hole in the center. If you have a six doughnut pan like me, you will bake them in batches. If you have a twelve doughnut pan, you can do them all at once, just be sure they are cooled for about 20 minutes before glazing. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to rest for a minute. Then, run a butter knife blade around each doughnut to loosen it from the pan. Tip the pan upside-down to remove the doughnuts. Place them on a wire cooling rack. Repeat with remaining batter.Once the second batch of donuts is done baking and has cooled for about 5 minutes, it’s time to make the glaze. Whisk together the glaze ingredients in a small saucepan over low heat for several minutes until runny. Then, immediately dip the doughnuts face-first into the glaze one by one and set back on the cooling rack. Then repeat again for a second glaze dip. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar if you like and allow to dry on the rack. It will take a few hours for the glaze to set and be somewhat hard.Store in an airtight container.
Details
Prep time: Cook time: Total time: Yield: 12 doughnuts
"Hey, give me some of those doughnuts, or else!"

"Hey, give me some of those doughnuts, or else!"

Produce On Parade - Chai Spiced Baked Doughnuts - These baked donuts are infused with chai spice in the batter and the crunchy glaze. A unique doughnut that’s easy to make and sure to be a big hit. The taste is a bit like snickerdoodles.
Produce On Parade - Chai Spiced Baked Doughnuts - These baked donuts are infused with chai spice in the batter and the crunchy glaze. A unique doughnut that’s easy to make and sure to be a big hit. The taste is a bit like snickerdoodles.
Still need more doughnuts? You'll probably enjoy these Cookie Dough Doughnuts too!

Still need more doughnuts? You'll probably enjoy these Cookie Dough Doughnuts too!

Dutch Word of The Day

Doughnut --> Berlinerbol

Good Deed of The Day

Did you see the news recently? Do you know what the photo below is of? That's a mass of 35,000 walruses that have come ashore at Point Lay, Alaska because their ice caps that they normally go to have melted. Scary is an understatement.  I think we should all tell our senators that we need immediate, strong climate action in order to save the grand walrus and many other beautiful, threatened species. 

Photo from NBC News. Link above. 

Photo from NBC News. Link above. 

Roasted Carrots & Beluga Lentils with Carrot Greens Pesto

Activism Alert!

Produce On Parade

Tomorrow, October 2nd, I hope you will join me in a fast against animal suffrage. Pigs and cows are often starved before they are sent to slaughter and hopefully this cause will bring some awareness to horrible cruelty inflicted upon the animals who share this planet with us. If you decide to join in, be sure to hashtag #FastAgainstSlaughter

Okay, now onto more merry festivities. Happy World Vegetarian Day! Perhaps you have an elaborate bash tonight to celebrate? This is a wonderful dish for such an occasion. When you're trying to impress your friends with your awesome vegan culinary skills, remember it's equally important to impress yourself as well.

Maybe like me, you plan to be decked out in head to toe L.L.Bean sleepwear for the celebratory-worthy occasion of watching New Girl and The Mindy Project on Hulu. Well, this meal is perfect for that too. I've got you covered, no worries.

On a side note...positively October-appropriate dish right? Black and orange for Halloween! I've never been a huge fan of Halloween, but as of five years ago, it's become a very special day indeed. It's the day Todd and I met!

Produce On Parade - Roasted Carrots & Beluga Lentils with Carrot Greens Pesto - Roasted carrots rest atop beluga lentils, dressed with a fresh, carrot greens pesto. This exquisite dish is done in under an hour and will definitely impress.
“Think occasionally of the suffering of which you spare yourself the sight.”
— Albert Schweitzer
Produce On Parade - Roasted Carrots & Beluga Lentils with Carrot Greens Pesto - Roasted carrots rest atop beluga lentils, dressed with a fresh, carrot greens pesto. This exquisite dish is done in under an hour and will definitely impress.

Roasted carrots rest atop beluga lentils, dressed with a fresh, carrot greens pesto. This exquisite dish is done in under an hour and will definitely impress. 

Produce On Parade - Roasted Carrots & Beluga Lentils with Carrot Greens Pesto - Roasted carrots rest atop beluga lentils, dressed with a fresh, carrot greens pesto. This exquisite dish is done in under an hour and will definitely impress.
Produce On Parade - Roasted Carrots & Beluga Lentils with Carrot Greens Pesto - Roasted carrots rest atop beluga lentils, dressed with a fresh, carrot greens pesto. This exquisite dish is done in under an hour and will definitely impress.
Produce On Parade - Roasted Carrots & Beluga Lentils with Carrot Greens Pesto - Roasted carrots rest atop beluga lentils, dressed with a fresh, carrot greens pesto. This exquisite dish is done in under an hour and will definitely impress.

Aren't these purple carrots gorgeous? They came in my CSA box!

Produce On Parade - Roasted Carrots & Beluga Lentils with Carrot Greens Pesto - Roasted carrots rest atop beluga lentils, dressed with a fresh, carrot greens pesto. This exquisite dish is done in under an hour and will definitely impress.
Produce On Parade - Roasted Carrots & Beluga Lentils with Carrot Greens Pesto - Roasted carrots rest atop beluga lentils, dressed with a fresh, carrot greens pesto. This exquisite dish is done in under an hour and will definitely impress.
print recipe
Roasted Carrots & Beluga Lentils with Carrot Greens Pesto
by October-1-2014
Roasted carrots rest atop beluga lentils, dressed with a fresh, carrot greens pesto. This exquisite dish is done in under an hour and will definitely impress. NOTES: Feel free to use green lentils in place of black or beluga. Spinach can be used in place of the carrot greens. Skinny carrots will cook faster and work better in this dish than standard, large yellow carrots.
Ingredients
  • ¼ cup + 3 Tbsp. olive oil (divided)
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced
  • 5 garlic cloves (divided), minced
  • 3 cups vegetable stock
  • 2 cups beluga lentils, uncooked
  • 2 bushes (about 2 lbs.) of skinny carrots with green tops
  • -- Pesto --
  • ½ cup pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
  • ¼ cup sunflower seeds
  • ¼ cup walnuts
  • heaping ¼ cup nutritional yeast
  • 1 Tbsp. liquid amino acids or soy sauce
  • ½ Tbsp. lemon juice
  • ½ cup water
Instructions
In a medium saucepan, heat 1 Tbsp. olive oil over medium-low. Add the onion and 2 garlic cloves and sauté for about 5 minutes, until fragrant. Now, add the stock and lentils and bring to a boil stirring occasionally. Cover and reduce to a simmer for about 35 minutes, or until tender. Be careful not to overcook. Preheat oven to 400 F. Chop off the carrot greens, leaving about 1 inch, and wash very well. Place the greens (discard most of the stems) in a food processer. Wash the carrots and arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet coated with a nonstick cooking spray. Lightly brush them with olive oil and sprinkle with a dash of salt and pepper. Bake at 400 F for 30-45 minutes, until tender. Add the pesto ingredients into the food processor with the greens, 1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp. olive oil, and three garlic cloves. Process until smooth and creamy. The pesto should be a little more liquid than regular pesto, so add additional water as needed.Serve the cooked lentils with a few roasted carrots on top and dressed with the pesto.
Details
Prep time: Cook time: Total time: Yield: 6-8
Produce On Parade - Roasted Carrots & Beluga Lentils with Carrot Greens Pesto - Roasted carrots rest atop beluga lentils, dressed with a fresh, carrot greens pesto. This exquisite dish is done in under an hour and will definitely impress.
Produce On Parade - Roasted Carrots & Beluga Lentils with Carrot Greens Pesto - Roasted carrots rest atop beluga lentils, dressed with a fresh, carrot greens pesto. This exquisite dish is done in under an hour and will definitely impress.

Dutch Word of The Day

Happy --> Blij (blay)

Good Deed of The Day

Today, make an effort celebrate yourself. Whether you're vegan, vegetarian, or just trying to reduce your animal consumption. And be sure to give an animal and planet loving friend a hug, too! Happy World Vegetarian Day!

Delicata Squash & Chard Penne Pasta

I love delicata squash. It's definitely my favorite of the squashes. I especially love that I'm not about to abscond off to the ER because I chopped off my hand trying to crack the darn thing open. Yep, these little buggers are so soft, the peel is edible! If you've never had delicata squash, now's the time. Particularly if you live in fear of other, more menacing, squashes. Butternut, I'm looking at you.

Produce On Parade - Delicata Squash & Chard Penne Pasta - A perfect early autumn penne pasta with roasted delicata squash, sautéed chard and bell pepper, dressed in a fresh, herbed tomato sauce.
“Be content with what you have; rejoice in the ways things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you. ”
— Lao Tzu
Produce On Parade - Delicata Squash & Chard Penne Pasta - A perfect early autumn penne pasta with roasted delicata squash, sautéed chard and bell pepper, dressed in a fresh, herbed tomato sauce.
Produce On Parade - Delicata Squash & Chard Penne Pasta - A perfect early autumn penne pasta with roasted delicata squash, sautéed chard and bell pepper, dressed in a fresh, herbed tomato sauce.
Produce On Parade - Delicata Squash & Chard Penne Pasta - A perfect early autumn penne pasta with roasted delicata squash, sautéed chard and bell pepper, dressed in a fresh, herbed tomato sauce.
Produce On Parade - Delicata Squash & Chard Penne Pasta - A perfect early autumn penne pasta with roasted delicata squash, sautéed chard and bell pepper, dressed in a fresh, herbed tomato sauce.
Produce On Parade - Delicata Squash & Chard Penne Pasta - A perfect early autumn penne pasta with roasted delicata squash, sautéed chard and bell pepper, dressed in a fresh, herbed tomato sauce.

Don't you adore my tiny purple bell pepper I've been bragging about for weeks. It came in my CSA box and I think it's just the most delightful thing I've ever laid eyes on. If you can't get sheer joy from a tiny purple pepper, where can you get it?

Produce On Parade - Delicata Squash & Chard Penne Pasta - A perfect early autumn penne pasta with roasted delicata squash, sautéed chard and bell pepper, dressed in a fresh, herbed tomato sauce.
Produce On Parade - Delicata Squash & Chard Penne Pasta - A perfect early autumn penne pasta with roasted delicata squash, sautéed chard and bell pepper, dressed in a fresh, herbed tomato sauce.
Produce On Parade - Delicata Squash & Chard Penne Pasta - A perfect early autumn penne pasta with roasted delicata squash, sautéed chard and bell pepper, dressed in a fresh, herbed tomato sauce.
Produce On Parade - Delicata Squash & Chard Penne Pasta - A perfect early autumn penne pasta with roasted delicata squash, sautéed chard and bell pepper, dressed in a fresh, herbed tomato sauce.
Produce On Parade - Delicata Squash & Chard Penne Pasta - A perfect early autumn penne pasta with roasted delicata squash, sautéed chard and bell pepper, dressed in a fresh, herbed tomato sauce.
Produce On Parade - Delicata Squash & Chard Penne Pasta - A perfect early autumn penne pasta with roasted delicata squash, sautéed chard and bell pepper, dressed in a fresh, herbed tomato sauce.
print recipe
Delicata Squash & Chard Penne Pasta
by September-29-2014
A perfect early autumn penne pasta with roasted delicata squash, sautéed chard and bell pepper, dressed in a fresh, herbed tomato sauce.
Ingredients
  • 2 delicata squash, washed and chopped
  • 1 lb. penne pasta, dry
  • 1 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 small bell pepper, diced
  • 1 bunch of chard, chopped
  • -- Sauce --
  • 1 15 oz. can diced tomatoes
  • 4 whole garlic cloves
  • 3 Tbsp. olive oil
  • dash of kosher salt
  • dash of ground black pepper
  • 2 large fresh basil leaves
  • 1 Tbsp. fresh oregano, chopped
  • 1/2 Tbsp. fresh rosemary, chopped
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 F and coat a baking sheet with a nonstick cooking spray. Evenly arrange the chopped squash on the sheet and brush with a bit of olive oil. Roast for 25 minutes, until tender.Bring a large pot of water to boil for the pasta and cook according to package.In a large rimmed frying pan, heat 1 Tbsp. olive oil and sauté the 1 garlic clove and bell pepper for a few minutes, until the garlic becomes fragrant. Now, add the chard and sauté for about 5 additional minutes, until wilted.Meanwhile, combine all the sauce ingredients in a blender. Blend on high for a couple minutes until very smooth. Transfer to a small saucepan to heat over low until ready to use. Drain the pasta and return to pot. Add the sauce, squash, and chard mixture. Stir well to combine and serve hot.
Details
Prep time: Cook time: Total time: Yield: 6
Produce On Parade - Delicata Squash & Chard Penne Pasta - A perfect early autumn penne pasta with roasted delicata squash, sautéed chard and bell pepper, dressed in a fresh, herbed tomato sauce.
Produce On Parade - Delicata Squash & Chard Penne Pasta - A perfect early autumn penne pasta with roasted delicata squash, sautéed chard and bell pepper, dressed in a fresh, herbed tomato sauce.
Produce On Parade - Delicata Squash & Chard Penne Pasta - A perfect early autumn penne pasta with roasted delicata squash, sautéed chard and bell pepper, dressed in a fresh, herbed tomato sauce.
Produce On Parade - Delicata Squash & Chard Penne Pasta - A perfect early autumn penne pasta with roasted delicata squash, sautéed chard and bell pepper, dressed in a fresh, herbed tomato sauce.

Bob is so very handsome, don't you think?

Dutch Word of The Day

Purple --> Paars (pars)

Good Deed of The Day

Do you want to live a longer, less stressful life? Do you know what a key component of that is? It's meditation. For real. Don't take my word for it though. I always thought to meditate properly I'd have to sit cross-legged with a straight-back (this is puzzlingly difficult for me), with wind chimes in the background, incense burning, and chanting involved.

Um, not if you don't want to. I meditate comfortably lying down. Wind chime, incense, and chanting free (usually). People always say they could never meditate because they think to much. I'm here to tell you that my mind is like a browser with 35 tabs open. You don't have to force your mind to be silent. Thoughts come and go. You don't chase them, and you don't push them out. You just let them flow. So, try meditating, and see how you feel. I use the podcast Meditation Oasis and the app Insight Timer for guided meditations. If you want more tips, let me know!