Pumpkin Pancakes

These delicious pumpkin pancakes aren't quite as fluffy as my plain or banana pancakes because the pumpkin makes them dense. That being said, they taste amazing spread with vegan margarine and dripping with maple syrup!

2 cups unbleached flour
4 tsp baking powder (measure generously or add a tiny bit extra for fluffier pancakes)
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground clove
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/4 cup agave
1 1/4 to 1 3/4 cups plain or unsweetened nondairy milk (almond works well)
1 cup cooked pumpkin puree or canned cooked pumpkin
vegan margarine or oil for frying

Combine the flour, baking powder, and spices in a large mixing bowl and stir. Add the agave and 1 1/4 cups of the nondairy milk, stir until the lumps are gone, and then stir in the pumpkin. Add the extra nondairy milk as needed to reach pancake batter consistency, probably about 1/4 cup or so depending on your how much liquid is in your pumpkin (you will need to add some but not necessarily all so do this slowly, stirring in a spoonful or two at a time). Add a little bit of vegan margarine or oil to a frying pan at slightly below medium heat. Pour the pancake batter into the pan to form 3-4" cakes. Flip the cakes when a few bubbles form on top and the bottom is light golden brown. Cook on the second side for just a moment and then enjoy topped with vegan margarine and grade B maple syrup!

Product Review: Dr. Woods Soap

Recently Dr. Woods sent me samples of two vegan soaps from their line of products, Ginger Citrus Castile Soap (bar) and Lavender Castile Soap with Shea Butter (liquid). Now that I've tried both I'd like to share my thoughts on them.

I'll start with my favorite of the two, Ginger Citrus. I don't really smell the citrus in it but it definitely has a delightful ginger scent. It isn't overpowering, just pleasant, and it doesn't linger on skin after washing so I can enjoy the scent while bathing without smelling like it for hours afterward. For a bar soap, Dr. Woods Ginger Citrus really gives a lot of nice, rich lather, the lack of which is usually my biggest issue with bar soaps.

The Lavender liquid Castile soap I found less exciting. The scent is much stronger and I think the lavender stays on my skin after use, not necessarily a good thing in my opinion but if you want lasting scent then this is a good choice for you. It also doesn't give as much lather as the bar soap.

Overall I think both soaps are good, with the Ginger Citrus being the better of the two. If you are interested in trying Dr. Woods soap and you want to start with just one kind I would definitely go with a bar soap. Not all products from Dr. Woods are vegan but they do offer many that are so you'll just want to read the ingredients before purchasing.

You can find Dr. Woods on Facebook and on Twitter.

Creamy Peanut Sauce *

Unlike the sesame peanut pasta which I make in large batches to use as leftovers, this sauce should be made in small enough amounts to be used right away. It has a more delicate texture and flavor that goes very well with rice noodles.

Ingredients:
2 TBSP sesame oil
1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
¾ cup plain soymilk
¼ tsp ginger

Put the sesame oil in the bottom of a small saucepan and add the peanut butter and soymilk. Heat the mixture over medium low while whisking the ingredients together with a small whisk. Once the sauce reaches a smooth, creamy consistency add the ginger and stir well with whisk.

Makes enough sauce for 2 – 3 cups cooked rice noodles. To keep the noodles from sticking together, toss with a tsp of sesame oil before adding the peanut sauce.