jesus died for your sins, and you won't even eat a pretzel.

I was waiting for an... "occasion" to post, but it turns out my baking days have been relatively uneventful. That and even if I were baking for special occasions, I wouldn't have my big, bold, carry-all locking case I use for everything. I lent it to a friend three mother-whoring weeks ago and despite my subtle? nagging it hasn't been returned. But as you can see I'm not bothered. I'm clearly feeling rather neutral about it. Clearly.

The above is from St. Patrick's day - baking soda biscuits with sausage gravy made with seasoned Susan V's Irish Fauxsages. They were fantastic; I always enjoy the thick, flavorful White Bean Gravy recipe from Vegan With a Vengeance. The only downside is saving the gravy isn't really an option unless you're willing to thin it down or blend it the next day. The beans firm right up into some spread-type deal. Which can be a positive situation, depending on how you look at it.

After a rather depressing weekend I was determined to have a quality Sunday brunch. An early riser, I was even going to let myself sleep in. Unfortunately that started off poorly when my body woke me up at 7:30am and refused to relent. Then, my attempt at hash browns failed miserably when the potatoes resulted in a gummy, purple mess. It was revolting. I'm ashamed to admit it, but I'd only taken any part in hashbrown-making of the frozen package variety. As I learned... there's more to it than simply grating and pan-"frying..."

Success finally came in the deliciousness of the Banana-Coconut Rolls (with Almonds) from Have Cake, Will Travel that accompanied my morning coffee. Warm. Gooey. Sugary. Caloric. MMMMMhmmm.

After that win I started trolling my Google reader for more goods to try in the future, and this is what I came across:

I have tried many times (well, to count, three times - but three unsuccessful times is many to me*) to achieve good, fried yeasted donuts. The first attempt was a very tasty, though admittedly very not-donutty pseudo-malasada. My friend Kali and parents enjoyed them - I suppose being Hawaiian transplants it was like a taste of home. The second attempt was inedible. The third was... similar to the "malasadas," but I wanted to use icing instead of a sugar glaze and it was just strange. SO, in conclusion I'm desperate to try these curd-filled donuts from Vegan Visitor - I WILL HAVE DONUT SUCCESS. (Any tips on the lack thereof, by the way?)

Another treat I grew up with was mochi, and it has been eons since I've had it. My mother used to make butter mochi a lot when I was much younger; it was famous and requested by family friends often. I haven't looked at a recipe in years, but I believe it is rather dairy heavy (hellooo - buttah mochi). The "ball kind" (called daifuku when filled, and also never called "the ball kind" by anyone but me), available around here exclusively as ice cream-filled, includes fewer ingredients. After being asked for a recipe by Kali, that Hawaiian friend, I came across the daifuku featured on VeganYumYum. Mochi is in one word adorable, and now I want some.

I had never heard of monkey bread. It will be made, it will be shared, it will be devoured.

I love sauerkraut. I don't understand why we never have it or why I can't remember the last time I ate it. Thinking about it now, I'm craving vegan brautwurst. Maybe I think I love it because I never have it? In any case - easy, scrumptious-looking, and casserole. I see no problem.

I have actually spent a great deal of today wasting away in front of Google reader's search option but thinking about all this vegan feasting is seriously getting to my hunger trigger. The quicker I can get to sleep, the sooner I can get up and eat breakfast. Leftover banana rolls... just you wait.

*Not to imply I'm the brilliance in the kitchen I wish I were (or let people think I am), because I just happen to follow well-tested and -developed recipes from brilliant authors.