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Sometimes, my photography closets (err…folders) get cluttered because I have this silly little habit of photographing everything that I cook or bake. And I rarely leave the house without bringing my camera along to snap a picture of whatever I see fit.
You don’t want to know how many photos I have on my computer. Also, please don’t tell Eric how long it’s been since I migrated my photos to my back up drive! You know, the back up drive that he bought specifically for my photographs? Yea, that would be the one.
But Spring is here, even if I look outside and see more snow than we’ve had all Winter long. In the spirit of Spring Cleaning, it’s time to clean out my photography closets and let some lost but not forgotten recipes take the stage!
But first, some dirty secrets so I can ‘clean’ the air…
- Often, I take pictures of recipes that I don’t post. Duh.
- Frequently, said pictures get buried in Lightroom and I’m too lazy to find them. They die in Lightroom.
- Sometimes, I eat wonderful things that never make it to the blog. Sometimes, I eat horrible things that never make it to the blog. Sometimes, I eat delicious things (but think you will hate them) that don’t make it to the blog.
- It’s complicated.
- Occasionally, I make a tasty dish only to forget ingredient measurements. Note to self: Find pens. Store in kitchen. Get tested for early onset Alzheimer’s.
- Now you know why I take photographs of my ingredients. :)
- Occasionally, I delete photos off my camera by mistake. Poof. Gone forever. Sometimes I don’t even care.
- Once and a while, I lose a recipe (if I do manage to write it down) and then I can’t replicate it even after 3 trials. (S’more Cake In A Jars I’m looking at you!)
- I’m sorry. I really am. I’ll keep trying.
- Rarely, do I let a good recipe fall off my radar completely...
Lost but not forgotten recipe #1: Mango Kiwi Vegan Overnight Oats for no-brainer breakfasts.
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I have an OXO Mango Splitter and it helps slice out the pit in one easy motion creating two clean halves to work with. Normally, I’m not big on tools like this, but I really do use this mango pitter every single time! The added bonus is you get to chew the pit as you go!
Do you use any OXO kitchen products? I’m in love with my can opener, citrus juicer, salad spinner, Y Peeler, and of course the Mango Splitter. I tell everyone I know about OXO…their products are life changing.
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Mango Kiwi Vegan Overnight Oats
Yield: 2 servings
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup oats
- 1/4 cup chia seeds
- 2 cups non-dairy milk
- 1/2 tsp almond extract
- 1 mango, pitted & chopped
- 2 kiwis, peeled & chopped
- Splash of maple syrup if desired
Directions: In a medium sized bowl, mix together the oats and chia seeds. Whisk in the milk and extract. Stir in the chopped mango and kiwis and place in the fridge overnight. In the morning, portion out your serving and add a splash of sweetener if preferred.
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Lost but not forgotten recipe #2: Orange Creamsicle Vegan Overnight Oats. Also for no-brainer breakfasts.
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Orange Creamsicle Vegan Overnight Oats
Ingredients:
- 1 orange, peeled & chopped
- 1/4 cup regular oats
- 2 tbsp chia seeds
- 2 tbsp coconut milk (the cream part from top of can)
- 1 cup non-dairy milk
- 1/4 tsp almond extract
- maple syrup, to taste (optional)
- Sweetened shredded coconut, to garnish
Directions: In a small bowl, mix together all of the ingredients except for the shredded coconut. Stir well and place in fridge overnight. In the morning sprinkle on sweetened coconut or other desired toppings.
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Normally I’m not a big fan of oranges in my oats, but this was very light and fresh tasting!
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Lost but not forgotten recipe #3: Cheezy Nacho Kale Chips from Averie.
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I never knew kale could taste this good! Just like nacho chips…only better.
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Lost but not forgotten recipe #4: My favourite vegan pesto using the pesto recipe from my Project Food Blog Pizza Challenge!
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This big bag of Pesto basil from Whole Foods works great for this.
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Vegan Pesto
Adapted from my Garlic Scape Pesto.
Ingredients:
1/4 cup + 2 tbsp raw cashews
2/3 cup of my homemade Vegan Parmesan Cheese
4 cups fresh basil, stems trimmed off and roughly chopped
Juice of 1 fresh lemon (3-4 tbsp approx)
1 cup extra virgin olive oil (you can cut this in half for a thick paste)
1-2 small handfuls of fresh spinach
4-5 cloves garlic
1 tsp sea salt
Directions: In a food processor, add the cashews and oil and process until smooth. Now throw in the garlic, parmesan, and fresh lemon juice and process more. Add in the basil and spinach and process until smooth. Adjust seasonings to taste. This will make enough for about two pizza crusts worth. I loved this recipe because there was leftover pesto to dip the crusts into!
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It is amazing as a sauce for pizza like I used in my Roasted Tomato, Onion, and Basil Pesto Pizza.
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This version I made below is thicker because I cut the oil in half. If you want a more traditional pesto, use the full amount of oil, but if you want a thick spread, cut the oil in half.
It’s luxurious on bread.
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Just have a breath mint handy. ;)
Lost but not forgotten recipe #5: Savoury Pesto Oatmeal
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Savoury Pesto Oatmeal
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup regular oats
- 1 cup non-dairy milk (unflavoured/unsweetened)
- Kosher salt, to taste
- black pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
- Seasonings & herbs of your choice
- 1 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 2-3 tbsp pesto
- Stir-fried veggies (I used cooked onion, tomato, minced garlic)
- Chopped walnuts (optional)
Directions: Add oats, seasonings/herbs, and nutritional yeast into a medium sized pot. Stir well and add in milk and oil. Bring to a boil and simmer on low for about 8-10 minutes, stirring often. When it is ready remove from heat and stir in the pesto and optional walnuts. Serve with stir-fry veggies and a dollop of pesto on top.
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This Savoury Pesto Oatmeal was good, but my favourite savoury oatmeal is still my Mexican Loaded Savoury Oats…
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I think I know what I’m making for lunch today…it has been too long!
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And finally, a smoothie recipe that I just can’t get enough of lately…
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Goji Berry Bliss Smoothie
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup goji berries (or more to taste), soaked in water until soft and puffy
- 1 cup almond milk
- 1 frozen banana
I was creeping in the bulk section of Whole Foods last week and I overheard a fun tip about Goji berries: Grab some Goji Berries. Soak them in water until puffy and soft. Throw them into your smoothies. The soaked berries will make the smoothie a vibrant orange or pink colour (depending on how many you use).
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So there you have it. My photography closets are now cleaned out and ready for a new season of delicious eats! Any recipe requests?
Now, it’s time to tackle the baskets. This could get hairy…
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Loving that savory oatmeal! I, too, have waytoo many pictures that never ‘make the cut’. They die on my computer too. Sad.
we should have a burial for them :)
Gorgeous photography! I totally know what you mean about cleaning the photography closet! I need to get on that myself! :)
this is probably one of my worst computer habits! I have zero organization when it comes to photos! :( my hubby wants to kill me most of the time!
Your photography is awesome! You seriously should post everything that you make as it all look too good to be true!
ahh im melting from deliciousness on this page! i NEED to experiment with that savory oatmeal!
It’s the worst when something tastes soooo good but just looks too gross in pictures to blog it. I think your orange creamsicle oats sound insane!
It is such a task to file through photos and organize them. I probably take a small fraction of them compared to you, but I’m way behind! I would love to see a recipe for vegan potato salad. My mom always makes it with eggs and mayo to get that creamy taste… but I have faith in you!
hmm that sounds fun!
I need to clean out my photography closet as well! I always wonder if bloggers keep every photo they take or if they delete them after uploading them to the blog. I need to start deleting!
Great post! Yummy looking recipes! I need to do a little photo spring cleaning too! I do the same thing…my photo files are filled with good and bad pictures of food (most of which I never get around to blogging about0. And I hate when I just can’t seem to take a good picture of a delicious meal….maybe it’s time to get a better camera instead of my point-and-shoot.
“Occasionally, I make a tasty dish only to forget ingredient measurements. Note to self: Find pens. Store in kitchen. Get tested for early onset Alzheimer’s. ” – I AM THE SAME WAY!! You would think putting pens in the kitchen wouldn’t be very difficult but mine always seem to disappear!! Love the idea of the savoury oats. I’ve never tried that but I bet it was delicious! Your pesto looks amazing and I think I need to make that soon too! :)
I’m glad these have surfaced, and may you other photos rest in peace.
Aw, Sketchie is such a cutie creeper.
Mango kiwi VOO must be so good! And I have to try goji berries in my smoothies :).
I have the worst computer organizational skills. Ever. It doesn’t help that I have two laptops and things are scattered all over the place. Ugh, what a mess!
Still lusting over that pizza crust!!!!
Everything here looks amazing. I’m glad they were taken out of hiding and posted! I’m drooling over that pizza.
ah yes the joys of organizing and sorting through piles of photography! I know how that is, and definitely remember to use that hard drive! I always have mine backed up.
love all the lost but not forgotten photos
ps: i have my FIRST ever giveaway on my blog, eeee exciting!
Hahahaha what a great pic of Sketchie!
Oh thanks for all the recipes! I’m intrigued by the oranges in the oatmeal…I’ve never thought to do that!
Thanks for sharing all of these Angela — you are so creative in the kitchen is just amazes me!
You should get a camera installed in your kitchen — that way when you forget to write things down you can just go back and watch! If I did that I’d look like a chicken with my head cut off running around the kitchen like a madwoman. But it would definitely be funny.
I love when Sketchie makes it on the blog. He is so adorable and quirky. As far as lost photos go, I know what you mean. My computer is full of photos that don’t make the blog for one reason or another.