Goodness Gone Fishing!

Once again working with Spaceships and Laser Beams has a big pay-off on the Amy Atlas blog! Stephanie's parties just keep getting better and this fishing theme 2nd birthday takes the bait!

It really is a family affair with Stephanie creating the decor for her son Sam's birthday and photographed by her equally talented hubby, Mike.

Janelle of Hello Dear designed all of the paper products which can be purchased on the S and LB Etsy page. I made the cakes and cookies. I also catered the party by preparing herb walnut cheesecake bites with red pepper relish, guacamole stuffed cherry tomatoes, watermelon and feta salad kebabs and pesto potato salad.

Stephanie is the brains behind this all-boy party themed company but she is always open to our ideas and we really do work together to create a great party atmosphere for her clients. Kinda makes me feel like family too!

Goodness Breakfast and Lunch

Well, she's gone and done it! Goodness Bakeshop Caters! A healthy alternative to the regular catering fare. Offerings include baked goods, sandwiches and salads. Everything freshly made and delivered to St. Marys, Stratford and London area. A light vegetarian lunch guarantees that you, your employees, classmates, clients, committees and group peers will be energized and ready to return to business when lunch is over.

Here is a sample menu for a catered Lunch:
Gaucho wrap - black beans, guacamole, assorted veggies in a tortilla.
Fresh rolls - mango, avocado and assorted veggies in a rice paper wrap with thai dipping sauce.
Fiesta corn salad - fresh corn, cherry tomatoes, green onions and veggies with lime vinaigrette.
Italian salad - mixed greens, tomatoes, artichokes, black olives and veggies with dijon vinaigrette.
Mini cinnamon rolls
Mini oatmeal raisin cookies
Mini lemon cranberry scones
Italian soda and sparkling water

A great selection to please even the pickiest eaters!

We also offer Breakfast and Dessert Catering! Plan ahead and order at least 48 hours in advance.

Goodness Baker's 50 FaVegan Recipes!

Blog post for This Dish is Veg.

The internet has saved many a vegan cook from dreary days of raw celery and baked oatmeal. The selection of great meatless, dairyless, and eggless recipes is endless and overwhelming. It is great when you are given a fool-proof list to get you started and that is what I will try to do!

Good Morning Chow!
1. Green Smoothie
Everyone has a go to green smoothie recipe but this one has white beans... even better!

2. Voluminous Oatmeal
Seems like a delicious, happy accident. A different bowl of oatmeal everyday!

3. Strawberries
Great recipes to eat, clear your pimples and whiten your teeth. And a great excuse to meet the awesome Crunchy Betty!

4. Banana Bread
I prefer baking traditional recipes, omitting the eggs and dairy without replacements. Luckily bananas are a perfect substitute for eggs.

5. Eggs Bennie
A creative recipe to "mock" my ultimate breakfast obsession. I love the trompe l'oeil poached egg.

6. Bacon
Miss the taste of bacon but not the slaughter? Tempeh bacon satisfies the flavour and crunch. Perfect on FLTs (facon, lettuce and tomato).

7. Quiche
Even real Vegans eat quiche! From one of my all-time favourite recipe sites, 101 Cookbooks.

8. French Toast
Sunday brunch is for Vegans! Bake this french toast in the oven while you lounge with your morning coffee and crossword.

9. Cereal Bars
Could this be any easier? Four ingredients including whatever cereal is in the cupboard. Instant treats!

10. Scones
I am picky about scone texture. I like them moist yet crumbly, almost biscuit-like. These orange scones are perfect and can be easily adapted to different flavourings.

11. Cinnamon Rolls
The secret, use your best recipe, replace the butter with vegan margarine, and don't use the egg (especially if it is a single egg).

Lunch Time!
12. Eggless Salad
Yummy, eggy textured with a dilly bite. Great on pumpernickle!

13. Spicy Banh Mi
Vietnamese street food sandwich. Also, if you sign in to Vegetarian Times you can save your favourite recipes.

14. Crab Cake
You know it's a party when she brings out the crab cakes :) This may be residue from having a mum from Cape Breton.


15. Carrot Soup
Pureed creamy soups are lovely. The colour and taste of carrot soup is invigorating but you can replace the carrots with any root vegetable. Just boil to soften, flavour and puree.

16. French Onion Soup
Seems like it should be vegan but never is, so make your own oniony, soupy, bready, cheezy goodness.

Snacks!
18. Jamaican Patties
A variation of a recipe from the book Vegan Soul Kitchen by Bryant Terry.

19. Chestnut Mushroom Pockets
Easy and elegant, don't be afraid of puff pastry!

20. Baked Onion Rings
PPK is only getting better with Isa's new low-fat recipes. Another great book for my collection.

21. Beggar's Purses
If we can't get to NYC's Candle Cafe then let us make pretty stuffed phylo purses at home.

22. The Vegan Stoner
Anything from this site because the recipes are easy, tasty and adorably illustrated!

Dinner!
23. Burritos
My favourite is black bean and sweet potato but burritos are probably the most versatile vegan meal. Use daiya cheese, conveniently shredded, instead of cheddar.

24. Chile Rellenos
Great appetizer with my favourite burrito dish. You can bake them too!

25. Poutine
Your annual Vegan Lumberjack party will never be the same! Try this piece of Canadiana with the chickpea gravy.

26. Chickpea Gravy
A gravy that will make your dad say, "I thought you were vegetarian!". It is also gluten free!

27. "Meat"loaf
Every good Vegan needs a bean loaf to make their parents proud. Plus it gives one an excuse to eat mashed potatoes and chickpea gravy.

28. Alfredo
The creamy comfort of a rich alfredo sauce is hard to beat. Make a batch of this and freeze it for an instant hug.

29. Pot Pie
This lentil pot pie will get you started but this is a great way to reformat your leftover curries, stews and chilis! Wow, your guests with pretty pastry.

30. Moussaka
Cover all your cravings: hearty, saucy and creamy with this traditional greek dish.

31. Moroccan Stew
Prunes in stew? Sounds fabulous! But if you aren't sold, try dried raisins, apricots or even cherries.

32. Barley Stew
A hearty stew with chunks of root vegetables in a gravy like broth. This brings me back to the large pot my dad would simmer on a Sunday but better (without the beef).

33. Ratatouille
It doesn't get any simpler than roasted veggies. Serve with a salad and crusty bread for an elegant meal.

34. Lancashire Hotpot
There are never enough casserole dishes to hide all the veggies in. Covered with potato slices, who could refuse?

35. Aloo Gobi
I love Indian spices and bonus that their recipes are often naturally vegan. Potato and cauliflower is the perfect way to ease into the glory of Indian cuisine.

36. Lasagna
Layered pasta and veggies with a creamy cashew ricotta.

37. Chili
The most popular kitchen sink recipe: one pot versatile meal to satisfy the most diverse group. Add cornbread or a crust, add macaroni, leftovers as sloppy joes or as a tofu dog topping.

38. Risotto
You mustn't fear Gordon Ramsey calling you a donkey! Risotto is actually easy to prepare, it just takes a little time and attention.

39. Veggie Stuffed Veggie
Use this as a base to stuff any veggie (zucchini, squash, tomato, pepper) with any veggie, grain and bean mixture.

40. Burgers
Prefry these burgers so they stick together and then grill em! Add your favourite burger toppings; salsa and guacamole are mine.

41. Guacamole
The simpler the better: a perfectly ripe avocado, some lime, some garlic, some salt. But for those who need a recipe, here is a good one!

Sweets!
42. Peanut Butter Cups
The Kind Diet has brought vegan food to the masses. One of my favourite treats from this book is also included in the recipes on The Kind Life website.

43. Chocolate Torte
Avocados! This delicious double chocolate torte is super rich and creamy thanks to avocados.

44. Almond Cookies
I admit I just love the idea of cats baking cookies. Check out the delightful vegan recipes and artwork at "They Draw and Cook".

45. Butter Tarts
Canadian comfort food. Make them and then you will understand the controversy. I like mine gooey, no raisins or nuts.

46. Whipped Cream
Summer berries and pies neeeeeeed whipped cream. This version uses coconut milk but still tastes very "creamy".

47. Buchty
Everything you love about a donut but baked and vegan.

48. Cheesecake
The raw cashews are worth it! This one is also gluten free and sugar free. Pinch yourself, it is not a dream.

49. World's Easiest Ice Cream
You don't need an ice cream maker! You don't need milk or cream! You do need to love bananas :)

50. Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
The best vegan oatmeal raisin cookies (and if you don't like raisins, please try dried cherries or blueberries) by my favourite vegan baker ;)

Goodness Baker Record Maker

One minute Oatmeal Raisin Cookie!

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

Goodness Bakeshop's Favourite Vegalicious Websites

This is my first blog post for This Dish is Veg.

Living in the country is idyllic. My neighbours are amish and most are four-legged. The closest 7-11 is 20 miles away. But it's tricky to find any restaurants, let alone vegan restaurants. Homemade meals are often my sole option. Fortunately, my pantry is well-stocked and the world of food is at my fingertips. I'm going to share with you my very own Goodness Baker's Top Five Veg Recipe Websites so you too can ultimately feel empowered to feed yourself!

Fat Free Vegan Kitchen
(kid-friendly, easy, fat free)
Susan is one of the original vegan recipe bloggers. Most of her original recipes have the added bonus of being fat free not an easy feat in conscientious cooking. The site has a kid friendly section with many comfort foods that she serves her own family. Your family will love Baked Spring Rolls or Easy Macaroni and Cheeze.

Vegan Yum Yum
(elegant recipes, step by step photography)
What started as a blog is now an enterprise for vegan cook, Lolo. Last year, she published a cookbook with her recipes featuring her own charming food photography. She has even made cupcakes on the Martha Stewart Show. Step by step photos allow for easy understanding of such elegant treats as Miniature Napoleons with Eggplant Creme and Tuile Cookies.

Finding Vegan
(variety, links to recipe sites)
Start your own favourite list by visiting this site of food photos and links contributed by different vegan bloggers each day. Have a napkin handy to clean up as you drool through this inspiring collection of photographs. Today I discovered Spinach Chickpea Burgers and Raw Pineapple Dessert which led me here:

Nature Insider
(raw vegan, great photography, unique)
This delightful and ambitious, worldly Canadian is Nadia. Her blog is more than food (and not all vegan) but the recipes on it are cutting edge. Perfect for your next "don't you wish you were vegan" dinner party Vegetable Jelly Salad or Veggie and Mushroom Bites.

Madcap Cupcake
(rustic baking, great photography, step by step)

As a vegan baker, I am always up for a challenge and my latest obsession is vegan pastry. Marika is a craftsman baker and a professional food stylist so this is a beautiful sight (site ;). Her detailed instructions make me believe that I can do it! This week's projects will be her Danish Braid and Cocoa Macarons... I will make them with love and ecstatic tears of joy.


The bounty of vegan recipe sites available is endless and more are available each week. I would keep going but it's dinner time and I have to start Lolo's Rustic Bread and Eggplant Lasagna. Happy cooking!

Rubber Goodness

As a new contributor to This Dish is Veg, I have been asked to present a favourite vegan accessory. Photo by Reclaimed Wreckage on Etsy.com

I have always loved the look of leather but I prefer it running around, alive on the back of a cow. While looking for a substitute I encountered Reclaimed Wreckage on Etsy. Sure, it seems a bit kinky. Rubber. But it is really about its dark beauty, durability and recycled nature.

The artist/owner Lisa Brown, has "a passion to create wearable pieces from materials others would consider to be wreckage." Handbags, jewelry, and clothing hand-made in Salt Lake City from blown bicycle inner-tubes. 

Girly? Who would have thunk it? You don't have to look like a dominatrix to enjoy the beauty of rubber with this lovely and feminine handbag. The Holly Book Bag even has a pretty name and it's perfect for the bike enthusiast who feels a wee bit guilty about all those off-road tire disasters.

An attention-getting, conversation piece which will help you to look good and do good.

Cooking Goodness with Mark Bittman

If you live in your car and only have space for one cookbook, may I recommend to you, Mark Bittman's How To Cook Everything Vegetarian. As a food journalist and avid home cook, Bittman is well-known for The New York Times column, The Minimalist, and his book How To Cook Everything. Keep in mind that he is not a vegetarian, but he does support the belief that people should eat less meat, hence his need to develop a concise and easy to use vegetarian cookbook.

The vegetarian tome contains over 2000 recipes and variations that range from the basic preparation of staples to more adventurous recipes. It is a great companion to your CSA box, describing how to cook every common vegetable so you can make each recipe your own. Bittman's directions have made me proud to finally serve edible rice... before him I truly sucked at cooking rice.

There are also vegan variations for many of the recipes. Even the "egg and dairy" section can be utilized with a bit of imagination. I find a reason to scan this book every day and believe that I am a more conscientious cook because of it.

And for added fun watch Mark Bittman talk about "what's wrong with what we eat" at TED 2007.