Mondays are my new favorite day of the week!!! Forget Fridays and the weekend. Tonight is GOSSIP GIRL!! I’m having major withdrawal since I caught up with the episodes 🙁
This afternoon was spent curled up on the couch with my notes + textbook. I feel a lot better about the big concepts we’re going over – all of the enzymes + pathways involved in glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, glycogenesis, glycogenolysis, TCA cycle and more. It sure gets confusing though! A cup of green tea helped me relax.
At 4:30 Matt got home and I had a little snack before we set out on a group workout.
You know, I really just don’t like zBars that much. They just taste kind of bland and stale to me. I think the big draw is that they are cookie-like!
[NOTE: I am trying to eat down my bar stash a bit. Fall cleaning! So on that note, please refrain from leaving a comment telling me that you’ve noticed that I have converted from whole foods to all processed foods and you are displeased. Thanks!]
Workout was boring but efficient. Bike + Stairmaster for 30 minutes with Body + Soul, weight lifting on machines until my upper body was tired, bike home.
Time to tackle dinner!
Finally got around to that PIE!
It hails from Vive le Vegan, a cookbook that I highly recommend. I have both this one and Eat, Drink + Be Vegan. While I don’t think every single recipe has been fabulous, they are creative and healthy and I love using them for inspiration. I generally like the cookbooks with authors who share a similar cooking style as me the most, and I think this one works well in my kitchen!
Sorry that I cannot share the recipe for copyright reasons, but know that it is lentil + oat based and baked into a nice pie.
Our version used carrots + bell pepper instead of onion + celery.
And French lentils because that’s all we had!
And toasted, salted pumpkin seeds that I had from OhNuts.com from the Healthy Living Summit.
The recipe called for quick oats and while I think rolled oats would have been fine (or I could have just food processed them to make them the quick oat shape) I used some Quaker instant packets I had on hand to use ’em up.
Before processing –
Afta –
It came out perfectly!
I decided to make a tahini sauce as Dreena recommended, although I just made my own version rather than using hers.
- 2 tbsp tahini
- 2 tbsp lemon
- 2 tbsp whole grain mustard
- Pinch salt
- 1 tbsp water
- 1 tbsp agave
= Mix in jar
It was a great opportunity to use this Fortnum and Mason Lemon Mustard!
Let’s eat!
I cut the pie into quarters. I also did a quick nutrition analysis to get a ballpark portion size. The whole recipe was ~1100 calories (lots of rounding) so I estimated at about 300 calories per quarter. Maybe a little less.
Beans were covered in tahini sauce too!
‘Twas delish.
More lemon in my cup –
Gossip Girl in 45 minutes!! (Gotta let my DVR catch up with those commercials 😉 )
rhodeygirl says
…..andddd I am currently eating a Z bar. I think that more than their flavor I like how they fill me up for not too many calories. Also I never feel weighed down after!
I am getting geared up for GG too!
XOXO
RhodeyGirl!
Jenn (www. j3nn.net ) says
Oooh, that lentil pie looks fabulous!!
No offense to anyone, but I cannot stand “clean eating” fanatics and people that feel the need to say something is “too processed” just because you take 10 wholesome ingredients and put them together. LOL Ugh, purists! 🙄 😆
Personally, I think that unless something is raw and eaten as is, it’s processed; there’s just different degrees of processing and different grades of ingredients. It’s all about balance, not perfection. 🙂
On that note, I like Clif Zbars but I feel the dates in them overpower every bar and they all taste the same!
/rant
Jenn
Brie (The Fit Bride) says
I love the Z bars. The s’mores aren’t my favorite, but I love the brownie ones. They’re great for an afternoon chocolate craving!
angieinatlanta says
That pie looks SO good!
I actually like the taste and chew of Z Bars but to be perfectly honest, they just don’t keep me full at all!
[email protected] says
I am just finishing up my blog post and propped up against pillows, ready for Gossip Girl. The best thing that has happened to Mondays in a long time!
Madeline @ Greens and Jeans says
Holy smokes, that pie looks amazing. I have been wanting to bulk up my cookbooks and that looks like it might be a great one to add to my collection! Also, I feel like my Monday’s have purpose again now that Gossip Girl is back…
Nicole- Chasing Blue says
Good job on cleaning out the pantry! It’s just like a closet. Old things come out to make room for the new yummier stuff!
Naomi says
such a unique recipe with lots of fresh ingredients, it looks great kath!
and the tahini sauce just put the icing on the cake!!
never tried the Z-bars!
Ellen @ Peace in Motion says
I used to hate tahini. My mom used to make these sesame noodles when I was younger that I could not stand, nut I have recently fallen in a deep deep love with tahini sauces. looks delish!
Faith says
Your pie is gorgeous! It’s such a unique dish, and so healthy! I will definitely try to repicate it…thanks for the inspiration! 🙂
Heather McD (Heather Eats Almond Butter) says
Pie looks great, but I love the tahini sauce. Such a versatile little seed, that sesame!
So jealous of all you are learning about the human body. Makes me want to back to school.
Seriously, what did we do before DVR?
Food Makes Fun Fuel says
I’ve been looking for that flavor z-bar forever! Where do you find yours?
Sarah @ The Foodie Diaries says
Aaaaand I just got exponentially less excited for the salad i’m about to eat for dinner! haha that lentil pie looks amazing!!
Happy GG watching! I tivoed the whole thing and am just getting to it now
Sarah
Shannon (The Daily Balance) says
your ‘pie’ looks fantastic! What a great idea!
Marisa (Trim The Fat) says
I like the Zbars, however, they are not very filling. More like a “dessert” than a snack. My kids love ’em, though!
Your pie looks great! I love lentils.
I have been wondering about the legalities of reprinting a recipe. Since you mentioned that you couldn’t share the book’s recipe, I was curious if you knew the “rules” on that. I thought it was okay if you cited the book and author, but I have never known for sure. Any help?
kay (eating machine) says
That pie looks good! I always just make lentil soup, and I need to find some other ways to prepare them… especially now that it’s getting to be soup season!
Rebeca says
Wheeee GG + KERF time = great evening
People actually comment like that? Ewww lol
mel h says
I LOVE z bars for lunch dessert and i feel like I eat pretty clean. People can suck it! haha! Din looks great
Daria (Summer of the CSAs) says
I hate it when you’re getting into a show via DVD and you catch up with it in real time. I definitely get withdrawal symptoms when that happens!
I love love love zbars. I know there are better things I could be eating, but they satisfy my cookie cravings and keep me from downing a tub of Trader Joe’s cookies instead.
Mara @ What's for Dinner? says
Looks great!
rhonda says
Please refrain from telling people what or what not to comment on……just kidding! hee hee Or am I ??!! 😉
You had a packed Monday girl 🙂
Kat (Kat's Daily Plate) says
Wow, that looks wonderful! I’ve never seen/ heard of lentil pie… I love lentils and want to make this! The tahini sauce sounds like a wonderful combo, too!
I actually love Z bars… the honey graham flavor is my fave. I’m all about the bars sometimes- can’t always have whole foods! 🙂
Emily, homecookedem says
What a unique looking pie!
I love the z bars because they’re a good single serving of something that tastes like a cookie. And I agree that with the others that while they taste great, they do not fill me up!
MelissaNibbles says
Very creative dinner. It looks divine!
p.s. “I’m Chuck Bass”
Sarah says
What an amazingly delicious looking pie! I’m looking for more vegan recipes so I might have to check out those books.
I also laughed out loud at your comment under the Z bar. People can be so funny sometimes 😉
Caroline says
The pie looks to die for! I need to take a cue from you and start cleaning out my pantry, I have far too many cans, boxes and bars stock piled. Time to actually use them! I kind of am squirrel like when I go shopping and just like to always have a lot of things.
Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope says
Haha, I’m totally with you on Monday’s. I think the CW did this on purpose to make our Monday’s just a little more tolerable. 😉
LOVE that dinner! I’ve never seen a recipe like that before… so delicious!
Cynthia (It All Changes) says
I love Clif Zbars! The flavors are great, especially the Honey Graham that they make me think I’m getting a treat but I don’t go nuts like I do with real treats. And they help fill me up while I’m out running around and can’t grab a meal.
Krista says
Kath, are you doing a meet-up this weekend in San Francisco? Just wondering, my friend and I would love to meet up with you!
Mary (Food & Fun) says
woah! That pie is really interesting! I bet I’d love it. Also, Kath, I was wondering, I know that you use Chia Seeds sometimes…How do you go about adding these to your oatmeal? I saw that you can make a gel and then add it to things. Do you do this or do you simply just add the seeds to different things??
I just bought some Chia Seeds for the first time and I am so excited to test them out!
Jenna says
they have seasonal clif z bars?! they look so cool-
and so does your pie dinner!
jenna
maria says
That certainly is an interesting looking pie. I’ve never tried the Z bars before, but I don’t like my bars to be cookie-like, so I don’t know if I would approve of them!
Allison says
Kath, you eat whatever you want. You are healthy and happy, and it is so inspiring. I live on a budget, so I understand that sometimes you have to just use what you have. Keep it up girl!
Ali says
what an interesting looking pie! I want to try it fersure! And how sad is it that I still haven’t even caught the season premiere of GG! It’s still on my DVRRRR rrrrrr
thepinkpeppercorn says
I love lentils!!!!
Jen (Running With Cake) says
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the z-bar. I almost picked one up the other day. I’m glad I didn’t now. Cute little Fortnum and Mason jar – I love British food products!
BroccoliHut says
I have been meaning to check out that book, as I am beyond obsessed with Dreena’s masterpiece, Eat, Drink, and Be Vegan.
Hallie (Healthy Twists) says
Kath, how COULD you with that Z bar!! (Kidding. I think one day you should eat at Burger King or something…just for the controversy it’d bring to the blog)
My BF does the same thing with the DVR…can’t watch anything until it’s 20 minutes in!
mikey says
that pie looks so great. i keep looking for zbars but haven’t found them yet. boo 🙁
Tay says
Spooky S’mores flavor? Interesting! I’ll have to keep an eye out. I understand – sometimes you just have to eat what you have in order not to waste food. I actually need to start eating more of my bars too. Unfortunately….
Sara says
Well, unless it’s a new purchase, that seasonal-flavor bar probably IS stale, from last Halloween! May account for the poor taste. 😉 On the other hand, seasonal flavors (Clif, Celestial Seasonings, etc.) rock.
Sarah says
Dinner looks yummy! And I love zBars, but you’re right it’s because they are cookie like. I like to eat them as a dessert!
Lynn @ The Actors Diet says
i have so many bars too to go through – but part of me feels like now i have my earthquake stash so it’s okay….
christie, honoring health says
Good job on using up what you have! I need to be better about doing that. sigh.
Kirsten says
I had lentils for dinner last night too, they are so versatile, yum!
Samuel says
Kath did you like the pie a lot?What about Matt?
Just looks heavy/dense to me-so would love to know your opinion.
Cheers!
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is says
The pie looks….interesting… LOL! It looks great from your pictures but I can imagine if I would make it, it may be a mess.
Susan says
Wow, that pie looks fantastic! Reminds me a lot of vegepate.
Julie @ Peanut Butter Fingers says
wow what a neat recipe! looks very yummy too! i bet leftovers would be good crumbled over a salad or something. 🙂
Kath says
RE Spooky Smores: Yes, it’s from last year!
Marisa,
I don’t really know the rules. Something about changing at least 3 ingredients. But I just play it save and don’t post. If it’s online I do always try to link over though.
Krista,
You know it hadn’t even crossed my mind. I am literally there for 48 hours so I don’t have much free time at all. But Sunday morning – I have to leave for the airport at 11AM. I could maybe do a brunch? Around 9 maybe? Would that work for y’all?
Mary,
I add the chias in the beginning.
Samuel,
We both liked it a lot. I only cooked it for 25 mins and it could have used the extra 5. It was great – like a meat loaf in pie form.
Kath
Abby (Abby's VeGaN Eats) says
The Lentil Pie looks delicious!! I need to make it asap.
Also a gossip girl fan.. Im ticked they moved it to 9:00 though, too late for me to finish! lol 🙂
JENNA says
Dreena gets so creative and thinks of things that are super inspirational thats for sure. I agree with you not every recipe is great but theres a lot of inspiration. The tahini sauce looks great!!
caitlin says
hahahah love the comment re: processed foods.
Is that an old bar or are spooky smores back?? i couldnt tell by your post. i loveeeeeeeeee spooky smores!!
CaSaundra says
Looks like a great and healthy pie! I haven’t watched Gossip Girl in fear that I will get completely hooked on it! 🙂
Gretchen says
You can post a recipe online. The US Copyright Office says:
Mere listings of ingredients as in recipes, formulas, compounds, or prescriptions are not subject to copyright protection. However, when a recipe or formula is accompanied by substantial literary expression in the form of an explanation or directions, or when there is a combination of recipes, as in a cookbook, there may be a basis for copyright protection.
So basically, if you post the recipe ingredients and quantities, there’s no problem. If you post the directions and the explanations, verbatim, online, you might have a problem. There’s a good explanation here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/03/AR2006010300316.html
Angela (Oh She Glows) says
this comment just made my day, lmao…
NOTE: I am trying to eat down my bar stash a bit. Fall cleaning! So on that note, please refrain from leaving a comment telling me that you’ve noticed that I have converted from whole foods to all processed foods and you are displeased. Thanks
Jess says
Z bars are great, you just have to nuke them for a few seconds.
Kate says
Yum! That lentil pie looks awesome! Great ingredient list… I’d love to find the recipe (or a similar one) elsewhere. Can’t afford all of the cookbooks on my list just now.
Amy says
Funny what you said about the leaving a comment that you eat too much processed foods! As if! If people judge you for that, I would hate to hear what they say about my recent M&M obsession…
Kath says
Gretchen,
Thanks for the info!
K
Ginnie says
I found a link to a similar program in Charlotte- just thought I’d share it.
secondharvest backpack program
Ginnie says
Totally hear you on the bar stash! I can’t stand to waste food, even when I don’t like it. I wanted to offer a suggestion for unwanted snack foods if you ever find some you can’t stand to eat — I live in a city where many children don’t get to eat on the weekends, because their main source of nutrition is the free breakfast and lunch provided at schools. Many communities have started packing Friday backpacks for those kids, so they have food to bring home on the weekends — things like granola bars, pudding packs, juice, etc. There might be something like that where you live, search for Backpacks for Kids +hunger +your community, and you might find a good home for things you don’t like that people send you.
Kath says
Ginnie,
What a great idea – I’ve been looking for something like that. Thanks!
Kath