Dinner

Pizza and Cupcakes!!

Carrot cake cupcake, anyone?

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Lindsay, from Happy Herbivore, and I have recently discovered we are long lost BFF. She practically lives in my kitchen and I’ve been craving chickpea tacos on a daily basis since a couple weeks ago when I made her delicious recipe. Anyhoo–today I decided to make her rendition of Whole Wheat Carrot Cake Cupcakes with low fat cream cheese frosting. They were so easy to make and the frosting is soooo good. I couldn’t get my fingers out of it. This was my first time using Tofutti cream cheese (non-hydrogenated version) and I have to say—it’s pretty freakin’ good! I was never a big cream cheese fan to begin with but this stuff is yummy….especially when you make a creamy, sweet frosting out of it. 🙂 The cupcakes turned out more muffin like, to me anyways, than cupcakes and that’s just fine. These things are so unbelievably healthy you could eat one for breakfast. And I just might. No oil, no refined sugar, no white flour. The only “issue” I had while baking was that Lindsay stated they only needed 17 minutes in the oven and mine were def. in the oven for about 30-35 minutes. Other than that, her recipe succeeded in producing yummy, HEALTHY, dense carroty muffins.

Here’s one that I had for a mid-afternoon snack. I couldn’t wait—straight out of the oven and drizzled with frosting.

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This afternoon I stopped at my favorite place EVER, Teavana and had a cup of “To Life” tea before doing a little shopping at Whole Foods.

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Now~~on to dinner 🙂

As I said before, Ryan and I decided to have pizza night tonight. We share a common love of Mexican food and pizza, as you can probably tell and when I decided to dump dairy, Ryan cried for a couple days then I showed him that we still can enjoy these things together—just in a different sort of way! One of our favorite things to do is go to Sally O’Neal’s for pizza here in Tampa. Then, I discovered it only costs $2.50 to just go there and buy the dough, already proofed, and bake it myself at the apartment. Hi, let’s save about $25.00 and tons of added fat, why don’t we?! So, tonight, I stopped at the pizza place and picked up a big ball of their special 100% whole wheat dough and brought it home with me. Once I got home, I sliced the dough ball in 2 pieces so Ryan and I could each have our own pizza.

Ryan likes a typical “guy” pizza—pepperoni and cheese. That’s it. Well, fine with me! I made it with Yve’s meatless pepperoni and low fat cheese. Ryan didn’t notice the difference in the pepperoni until I told him and then he said “it wasn’t that bad” and then proceeded to eat the whole thing. 🙂  On MY pizza I decided to go with a Mexican theme, which seemed a ton more interesting!

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I took some organic tomato sauce and seasoned it with chili powder, paprika and cumin and spread it over my dough. Then, I added shredded FYH monterary-jack cheese, thin sliced red onion, corn, leftover black beans from the other night and topped it off with some hot sauce! I also made some more homemade guacamole (see a pattern here?) and spread it on my pizza after it came out of the oven. And I’m telling you………………..this was the best pizza I have EVER put in my mouth. I take it all back about what I said previously that “fake cheeses taste funny”. Ummmm Follow Your Heart Monterary -Jack is flippin’ out of this world. I could have easily eaten the entire pizza myself but saved half of it to have for a quick dinner tomorrow night before Ryan and I go to an event for the foundation he is a part of. I also made us salads tonight and I drizzled mine with a little balsamic vinegar. A glass of red wine on the side.

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After dinner there were cupcakes of course. Let me just say that these cupcakes are PHENOMENAL when you put them in the fridge. I mean, they were really good straight out of the oven (what isn’t?), but when I put them in the fridge for awhile they became, like, the best thing ever. It completely changed the flavor profile. My mom actually just called me to tell me my 18 year old brother ate one and said “it was the best ever”….and that’s coming from someone who doesn’t know really what the word “vegetarian” even means.

I was pretty full after eating half of my pizza. But….Ryan had a cupcake and announced how much he loved them so I was like, “well, I’ll just have half since I had a whole one this afternoon.” HAH! See how well that plan worked out! I ate half…..then about 5 minutes later just HAD to go back for the other half. Darn you, Lindsay for bringing these into my house! I have absolutely zero self-control when it comes to things like this!

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Remarkably, I’m not feeling stuffed. Maybe its because all the food I ate tonight was good, real, nutrient-rich food? Just a thought. See you in the a.m!

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  • Kate(the teenager)
    April 3, 2008 at 1:00 am

    dinner looks awesome!! I was wondering if you could recommend any healthy restaurants in Charleston. I’m going with my mom this weekend for the Bridge Run and was wondering if you have any healthy suggestions!!

  • happy herbivore
    April 3, 2008 at 1:03 am

    I am so glad you liked them! 😛

    I can’t EVER keep my fingers out of the icing or the batter… there’s no egg in there so I just dive right in!

    oh and its totally acceptable to eat those cupcakes for breakfast. I mean its carrots, that’s healthy, right?

  • Romina
    April 3, 2008 at 1:06 am

    Lindsay is quickly becoming the cupcake queen! She makes amazing cupcakes, and I can’t wait to try them myself. =)

    OMG! Your pizza looks fantastic! Isn’t it amazing how you can buy dough from your favorite place and do whatever you want with it? The best convenience foods. =)

  • Karen
    April 3, 2008 at 1:08 am

    Tofutti cream cheese, I’ve never heard of it but think it’s a fantastic alternative to regular. Thanks for the tip!

  • Danielle
    April 3, 2008 at 1:13 am

    I have been noticing how you girls have been commenting about each other’s blog every post 🙂 haha, that’s wonderful. I didn’t know about HH before you Jenna and they truly have some incredibly delicious recipes. Speaking of… mexican pizza? Omg, yum. I can’t wait to try it out, along with the carrot cake cupcakes, my ultimate favorite. Sounds like a great dinner, Ryan sure looks like he enjoyed it!

  • Kath
    April 3, 2008 at 1:21 am

    Haha – great photos Jenna! I was going to ask how big they were (they look mini!) but then you gave the real life human comparison and that answered my question. Love the photo of Ryan!

  • ana
    April 3, 2008 at 1:32 am

    That last picture is so funny ^_^ Pizza is one of my favorite foods, but I’ve yet to try and make one from scratch! It’ll be my next project.

  • Katie F
    April 3, 2008 at 1:33 am

    I think I got some drool on my shirt when I saw those carrot cupcakes. 🙂

  • ibex hk
    April 3, 2008 at 1:33 am

    HOLY GUACAMOLE!! that pizza looks fabulous! and carrot muffins = my fav! yummy food today, looks awesome! love the pics of you and ryan 🙂 seems like a great day of vaca!!

  • Becky
    April 3, 2008 at 1:54 am

    I looove carrot cake but hate how unhealthy most recipes are and will DEF be trying those soon.

    The “his and her” pizzas have become a staple at my house. My husband puts tons of meat and cheese on his, and I load it up with veggies. Makes both of us happy and feels like a treat! We always add wine too 🙂

  • VeggieGirl
    April 3, 2008 at 2:11 am

    Carrot cake cupcakes??? Mexican-style pizza??? YES, PLEASE!!! :0D

    And the photographs of you and Ryan?? Priceless. Love it!

  • Alex
    April 3, 2008 at 2:24 am

    Jenna,
    I am going to be visiting the Tampa area this summer and I was wondering if you could recommend a few of your favorite restaurants? You always seem to go to great places in that area!
    Thanks for any suggestions!
    Keep up the great blog!

  • Em
    April 3, 2008 at 2:27 am

    ooo wow! i love carrot cake! and im a huge mexican food + pizza girl too! haha plus thai plus japanese plus vietnamese plus indian. but pizza and mexican are high up there! haha
    looks delicious as always Jenna!

  • ashley
    April 3, 2008 at 2:28 am

    Everything looks so great! I work right down the street from the pizza place, so I may need to try it out! Have you ever been to Ciccio and Tony’s on Howard? If not, you MUST. http://www.ciccioandtonys.com/

  • Betsy
    April 3, 2008 at 2:40 am

    ooo-carrot cake is my absolute favorite type of cupcake/cake. those are a definite must bake. a weekend project sounds like!!

    quac on pizza-yes please!

  • Andrea
    April 3, 2008 at 2:51 am

    you look so pretty!!!! (and so do the cupcakes) hehe

  • BethT
    April 3, 2008 at 2:51 am

    that pic of you is hilarious (with the cupcake!). pizza looks yum! I love the veggie pepperoni…

  • Ella
    April 3, 2008 at 3:15 am

    you have GORGEOUS skin! I bet even more so because you eat really well and exercise, which improves circulation!

    that pizza looks fannntastic (when I was growing up our big family thing was everyone making his/her own pizza…so fun)

    I’m 100% making carrot cake cupcakes/muffins now!

  • Ella
    April 3, 2008 at 3:18 am

    Jenna~

    If you like tofurkey, you might really like ‘field roast’ http://www.fieldroast.com/products.htm

    (also at WF)

    ps…does anyone know when the huge, brand new WF is opening in Orlando?

  • Kristin
    April 3, 2008 at 3:44 am

    Jenna,
    Thanks for the advice on the Super Charge Me cookies- check out my blog this weekend to see how mine turn out, I’ll definately be making them!

    You and Lindsay have the most creative ideas, I loooove mexican food, and you’ve got me craving guac like you wouldn’t believe!
    I think I just might try those bluecorn chickpea tacos you guys made recently… but mexican pizza sounds mighty fine too!

    Thanks for the inspiration!

    and p.s. carrot cake cupcakes sound like heaven on earth. On the “to bake” list for sure!

  • Kristin S
    April 3, 2008 at 5:08 am

    Okay, I’m def going to make those carrot cupcakes!

    Jenna, you should try making the Thai (one of your favorites– right?) Chick-Un Pizza in ED&BV!! Its soooo amazing! We make pizza every week in my house, and this past Sunday I made it and ate half the pizza! Everything works perfectly together, the sweet pineapple and peanutty sauce, delicious! I hope you try it next time you make pizza!

  • Jill
    April 3, 2008 at 5:32 am

    Romina, Lindsay must be the cupcake queen! I am SO EXCITED to finish my shortcakes so I can try out those mojito cupcakes, amazing!

  • Courty
    April 3, 2008 at 9:07 am

    MORE frosting, and it is “healthy”?! Jenna, words cannot express my love for your blog. And thanks to Lindsay as well, of course. YUM 🙂

  • Liss
    April 3, 2008 at 10:10 am

    The cupcakes are indeed perfection! Can’t blame you for having no self-control, neither did I when I made these 😉

    And the pizza sounds mind blowing! I haven’t had anything mexican inspired for a reeeeeally long time!
    And I LOVE red onions on pizza!!!

  • Meredith
    April 3, 2008 at 1:10 pm

    Those cupcakes look awesome! Between Lindsay’s cupcakes and Kath’s Carrot Cake Oatmeal I’m going to be buying a ton of carrots this week! Thanks for the inspiration Jenna! Love the blog!

  • jenna
    April 3, 2008 at 3:16 pm

    Kate,

    Go to “5 Loaves” on Cannon Street. They make WONDERFUL homemade soups, sammies and salads…a lot of them are vegan and vegetarian. That was my favorite place ever in charleston 🙂 Also, Papa Zuzus in a greek restaurant on King Street—-sort of a dive…literally a hole in the wall, but they have the best hummus pitas known to man. A great place to stop and get a fast lunch!

    Alex,

    My favorite subjects! Restaurants!!! 🙂

    Here it goes:

    For AMAZING sushi go to Yoko’s on Macdill. It’s not like a “nice” place…sort of a hole in the wall, but the best sushi I’ve ever eaten. Hands down.

    For wonderful spanish food, I always recommend the Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City. It’s so fun to go there because they have live entertainment and its sort of a taste of “old Tampa”. They do mojitos by the pitcher (they make them at your table. Yum) and the rice and beans are always my favorite thing. It’s def. one of my favorite restaurants anywhere.

    If you want go to more “nice”—DEF. go to 717 on Howard Ave. My favorite restaurant in Tampa 🙂 Ryan and I go there to celebrate special things. Everything on the menu is wonderful. Make reservations for sure. It’s a hot spot. Sideburns (right across the street) is great also. Its VERY $$$ though. Very eclectic food and a more trendy crowd.

    Of course, I love the Grass Root restaurant, which is downtown. Its vegan and raw and wonderful. Its in a seedy location though but once you get over that, the food is amazing and the people who work there couldn’t be more nice and caring. I love the laid back, hippy atmosphere 🙂

    Hope that helps!!!

  • happyherbivore
    April 3, 2008 at 3:55 pm

    I saw a Charleston post (I used to live there)

    BAsil is great – but you have to wait forever

  • Alex
    April 3, 2008 at 4:53 pm

    Thanks!

  • Mel
    April 3, 2008 at 10:00 pm

    Jenna,
    Your Mexican pizza puts my Mexican pizza to shame! I love the spices you added to the sauce- I’ll have to try that next time. Do you ever make your own pizza crust? I can’t find fresh dough anywhere, and I think it’s pretty fun to make my own dough. Last time I made a half whole wheat half cornmeal dough, which was awesome with a Mexican style pizza.
    And oh my god those cupckaes look phemomenal!! I am sooo gonna have to make those. I’m not a cream cheese person either, but don’t you just love Tofutti?
    Also- precious pictures! 😉

  • steff
    April 3, 2008 at 10:50 pm

    The cupcakes look and sound A-MAZING!! Do you happen to have the nutrition facts for one of them? I know I can figure it out as well, but if you have them– all the better!! Cute pics of you and Ryan btw! I love taking pictures of people eating yummy things!

  • bk
    April 3, 2008 at 11:47 pm

    Jenna,
    What kind of pizza sauce do you put on yours and Ryan’s pizza?

    ps….the carrot cupcakes looks delicious!!

  • jenna
    April 4, 2008 at 1:41 am

    steff,

    I really don’t know the nutrition facts. You might ask Lindsay, as it is her recipe…I don’t know if she computed them out though.

    bk,

    I usually buy plain tomato sauce and then jazz it up with my own spices! For Ryan’s I added oregono, basil and garlic powder and to mine I added cumin, chili powder and paprika!

  • Alice (in Veganland)
    April 4, 2008 at 11:45 am

    I know now what I’m going to do with that pizza crust I have… I just added “corn” to my grocery list!

    And the cupcakes… Seriously, I’m salivating!

  • Karen
    April 5, 2008 at 2:28 am

    Hi, Jenna,
    After seeing your post on carrot cupcakes, I made some myself. Instead of w. w pastry flour, I used plain whole wheat. Is there a difference between the two? Does one result in better taste over the other? Also, why do some receips call for shifting flour? By the way, the cupcakes were out of this world.