My Vegan Breakfast

We're not vegan yet, but we have been trying to eat more vegan and as you can see here, some of it is working out very, very well :) We know eating vegan is better for us and environmentally, for everyone else, too. Still it is so hard to give up a lot of foods you are used to eating, some on a daily basis!

On Mango Power Girl I develop most of my own recipes, and you might have noticed that I have been creating more recipes without eggs or butter. Experiments can be frustrating, but as I experiment more and more I finally feel like I am getting somewhere.

I refuse to sacrifice taste for healthier ingredients, and I would not publish any recipe that didn't taste absolutely wonderful -- taste comes first! My vegan Banana Walnut Chocolate Chip Muffin has been tested twice and was a big winner with family and friends :) What can be better?! Last month, I had made these yogurt-based Heart Smart Carrot Muffins, and they were darn tasty, but I actually think these Banana Walnut Chocolate Chip Muffins top them!

This recipe really was invented out of necessity. All I had one hungry morning was one over-ripe banana and the rest of my pantry. There wasn't enough time to shop for food then cook and eat, and when I am at home, relaxed -- I refuse to eat out because hellyea! I want to cook :)

As a result of that morning's ingredient situation, this recipe only makes six muffins. One banana can only go so far, but do try experimenting with more if you need a higher yield. The chocolate chips, cardamom, and walnuts add a lot of traditional flavors and goodness, making two muffins per person into a whole breakfast :)

Pair these vegan muffins with my Soy Ginger Chai, and you have an awesome vegan breakfast! I used my Ginger Chai recipe and substituted soy milk for the regular milk. I have personally noticed that when I eat and drink vegan, I really feel a big difference in my body, and I know I am doing good at the same time. Here's to our baby-steps to being vegan!

I used:
3/4 cup stone ground, whole wheat pastry flour
1/4 cup unrefined sugar
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 really ripe banana
1 tspn baking soda
1 tspn baking powder
1/4 cup dark chocolate chips
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 tspn ground cardamom
(Use a few tablespoons of soy milk till you have a slightly loose batter, if the banana isn't too ripe -- else you will end up with a lumpy batter because there won't be enough moisture!)

My method:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 F (175 C)
2. Mash the banana in a mixing bowl.
3. Add the oil and sugar to it and mix a bit more to combine.
4. Sift in the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and cardamom. Mix properly to get rid of lumps. I just use a masher and combine it all, it helps me mash the banana a little more, too!
5. Add the nuts and chocolate chips and combine.
6. Spoon out one scoop or tablespoon at a time in a lined muffin pan.
7. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.