Monday, November 11, 2013

"Bacon" Wrapped Asparagus

I always see bacon wrapped asparagus on Pinterest and wonder what it would taste like. I figured it would taste good..salty and smoky...so I made up my mind to make some. I envisioned somehow wrapping tempeh bacon around the asparagus- but that clearly would not work. Then I remembered the eggplant bacon from Appetite for Reduction. I couldn't do it the same way as in the cookbook. Here's how I did it. I made long slices of eggplant with the thinnest setting on my mandolin. I stacked them on top of each other and loosely wrapped them in foil.
 I put it in the oven at 350 for 15 min. or so until they were soft. 

While the eggplant was in the oven, I boiled the asparagus for 3 min and then plunged them in an ice bath. 

With the cooked eggplant slices, I sliced them long ways and dipped them in the bacon marinade from Appetite for Reduction: 2TB soy sauce and 1tsp liquid smoke.

Then I tightly wrapped the eggplant around the asparagus spears. 
I spread a little olive oil on my cast iron griddle and cooked all sides until they were brown and slightly crisped. When you do this, turn the asparagus the same direction you wrapped them. Otherwise they'll become unwrapped. 

These came out really good. We both loved them. It took a awhile though, so have some thing easy and familiar to serve these with. I served mine with stuffed mushrooms. Details about the complete dinner coming soon!
This is what they look like before cooking them.

Friday, November 8, 2013

Pizza Bowl

This is from Isa Does it! It's my new favorite book. I haven't been blogging because I haven't really been making anything new or exciting. But this was new AND exciting! I thought I had brown rice but didn't so ended up using basmati. There's really no point in sharing that...because the only thing you really need to know is how delicious that sauce is. The bowl has rice, sausage, kale, black olives, and a yummy cashew cream sauce. I used tofurkey sausage instead of making my own. I also added a few peperoncini to the top. Oh yum! 
Buy that book and make this for dinner!

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Fried

It wasn't all fried but it was the best part! Hahhahaaa!

Fried cremini and shiitake mushrooms, sautéed collards and zucchini with couscous and corn on the cob. 


Wednesday, June 19, 2013

BBQ cauliflower salad...YUM!!!


This was the best salad I've eaten in a long time. I made Herb-Roasted Cauliflower and breadcrumbs from Appetite for Reduction. I left out the dried thyme and basil and drizzled BBQ sauce on top 5 minutes before the cauliflower was done cooking. 

While the cauliflower was roasting, I prepped the rest of the ingredients: red leaf, romaine, red cabbage, black beans (I made a big batch and have been using them throughout the week) roasted corn, avocado, tomato, red onion, carrots, and cilantro.

For dressing I used follow your heart creamy garlic. It's my favorite store bought dressing, very mild garlic flavor, I use it like I would ranch.

Everybody enjoyed the salad, but not as much as I did (probably because I had a Moscow mule with mine).


Monday, June 3, 2013

Peanut-Lime green goodness bowl

Wow! This clean out the fridge bowl is my new favorite thing to eat. A mix of brown rice and quinoa topped with steamed kale, edamame, burnt broccoli (from Vegan Brunch), dry fried tofu, and peanut-lime dragon dressing (both from Appetite for Reduction). The red dots are sriracha and I used every bit. It was so yummy! Ryan loved it too. The kids didn't hate it and with that many green vegetables I call it a success!

Friday, May 17, 2013

Chicago Dogs

Tonight I made Chicago dogs. I did the best I could given that I do not live in Chicago, and not all of the specialty ingredients are readily available to me. I wasn't able to find poppy seed buns or the bright green relish but I don't care because I found sport peppers at World Market!! I used hot dog relish (yellow mustard and relish mix) kosher dill spears, kumato brown tomatoes from TJs (soooo good!) chopped white onion (soaked in cold water made them sweet and not offensive) and celery salt. The dogs are Yves Tofu Dogs that I rippered (fried). Everybody loved them and they were super fast! You should make them too!

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Spicy Tempeh Nori Rolls and Miso soup

Hi there!!! Long time no see. I keep telling Lynzie that I'll post something soon but the weeks just keep flying by. Well she has thoroughly shamed me with her numerous posts of late so here goes...

Last night I made spicy tempeh nori rolls from Veganomicon (also inspired by Lynzie, isn't it enough that I'm posting? Please don't expect me to think for myself too!) and an old favorite Country-style miso soup from The Real Food Daily cookbook.

Oh man, the rolls were so good. Ryan and the kids loved them even though none of them are huge tempeh lovers. Make these for any spicy tuna sushi lover and they'll be hooked (see what I did there?). The miso soup was a perfect addition to round out the meal especially on a cold, rainy day.

Well that wasn't so hard. See you soon...I hope!





Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Sautéed Seitan with Mushrooms and Spinach

Ohhhh man!! Striking gold with Veganomicon!! Buy this book! The recipe is inside it!
This was really easy, fast and delish! The perfect combo. The book suggested serving it with mashed potatoes...you know I love mashed potatoes! I also decided to make this because I don't eat much seitan even though I like it. Sean and I both loved it.

Monday, April 29, 2013

Black Beans in Chipotle Adobo Sauce with Tangerine Baked Tofu

Sneaky...sneaky...sneaky...
This is one of those meals that doesn't look like it has any wow factor. Let me tell you it totally does!!! Woah. I made this for dinner last night and kept having flashbacks to its deliciousness randomly throughout the day. The black beans were super yummy and easy to make from a can. The chipotle adobo sauce was really spicy...but the citrusy tofu totally complemented it. I loved this and will definitely make it again soon!

If you haven't bought the Veganomicon cookbook yet. I think it's time!

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Strata

This is one of those things that just doesn't photograph well. It was totally yummy though!!! It's a mushroom and spinach mixture baked with a tofu "custard." It's another from Veganomicon.  you should but the cookbook if you haven't already!



Saturday, April 27, 2013

Biscuits and Gravy



Why don't you make this for breakfast or brunch?!
The recipes for all this is in Veganomicon except for the sausage which is prepackaged. I forgot the brand and threw the bag away already. Ack! I'll find out and update when I remember!
Pre-Gravy
Happy eating!


Smothered. oh yeah.

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Chili Cornmeal Crusted Tofu Po'boy

Make this for your next dinner! The recipe was made of different little recipes in Veganomicon. I was a little worried it would be too spicy because it of the chili cornmeal crusted tofu paired with chipotle mayo. I was wrong though. The spices were mellow and complementary of each other. The slaw also added a cooling element. Oh man. Yummm!!!



Monday, April 22, 2013

Smoky Tomato Salad

A tossed salad never photographs well. This was a yummy dinner from Vegan Diner. These smoky curls are super yummtastic!





Sunday, April 21, 2013

Buffalo Burger and Fries

This was a frozen Chik'n patty that I Cooke according to directions then smothered with buffalo sauce. Yummy burger!! It's weird though...you can't tell there's buffalo sauce on that patty. I swear it's there and it was delish!!

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Yourzo Orzo

Orzo with cremini mushrooms, sundried tomatoes, spinach, a few gardein chik'n strips and kalamata olives. I poured a little tomato basil marina on top. Mmmm! Light and delish!

Monday, April 1, 2013

Split Pea Soup and Biscuits

Yeah. I know. The picture isn't pretty. . . but it was super tasty!! I loved the soup and the biscuits. I found the recipe online here and the soup pre-made at Trader Joe's. Perfect for a cold, cloudy day like today!




Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Seitan Taco Bowl

Make this! A picture tutorial!

Quinoa and black beans


top with steamed kale and the seitan taco mix


top with a pico de gallo salsa: avocado, tomato, minced garlic, chopped cilantro & lemon juice


top with a little sour cream :)


Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Smoky Curls/ Sammie

These smoky curls were so yummy and easy to make! Vegan Diner is a fun cookbook! Check it out!



Pasta Primavera

I made this for dinner last night. Sean and I both loved this! While the pasta was cooking I cooked up some mushrooms and zucchini. When they were done, I added some julienned sun dried tomatoes. I also threw some asparagus into the boiling water near the end of the pasta's cooking time. I tossed it all with fresh pesto.

On the side I served some left over breaded cauliflower from my sanctuary salad a few days ago.

Pesto:
(Sorry I didn't measure)

2 handfuls of fresh basil
I handful of pine nuts
3 smallish garlic cloves
1 Tb miso (mild yellow)
About a 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
Lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste
Olive oil

Put the ingredients in a food processor or blender. I pour the olive oil in a little bit at a time until it gets to the consistency that I like.


Saturday, March 16, 2013

Super Green Bowl

This came from Appetite for Reduction. In the back of the book there are a bunch of suggestions for bowls and sandwiches. I love love love bowls. I also love the goddess dressing this bowl called for. I really like all the components to this bowl. However, as I was eating it I really felt it was lacking some heat and something crunchy to contrast the other ingredients. As I was solving this in my mind, I glanced over at Sean's bowl and saw that he too had been craving heat and crunch. I knew this without even asking him because I saw broken ruffles and jalapeño in his bowl. Hahahahaaaa it was funny.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Mexi-kale Bowl

I made this with brown rice, potato, tofu, soyrizo, chik'n strips, steamed kale, fresh tomato and red onion. I drizzled a little ranch on the top. This was so good. We both loved it.



Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Stuffed Mushroom with Asparagus and Roasted Potatoes

I made this using a big portabello mushroom. The filling is Yves crumbles, stewed tomatoes, and spinach. After baking the mushroom most of the way, I added the filling and crumbled some of the kalamata cashew cheese sean made. The potatoes were roasting in the oven the whole time. I tossed them in olive oil, salt and pepper. When I put the stuffed mushrooms in the oven, I started on the asparagus. I sauteed shallots and garlic in a pan. I added the asparagus (i had already blanched them) and heated them up. After a few minutes I squeezed a little fresh lemon on top.

Yumm!

Monday, March 4, 2013

Lemongrass Curry

I like curries but am not a huge fan. This yellow curry changed my mind. While the basmati rice was cooking, I dry fried some tofu cubes and steamed a handful of mini potatoes. I also cooked up some mushrooms and carrots. When it was done cooking I put all the components in a pan and added the jar of curry sauce and a 1/2 cup of frozen peas.

We both really liked this. Now I just need to find a good recipe for vegan naan bread.



Saturday, March 2, 2013

A confession.

I love Michelle. I know most of you already know that. But I need to tell the world sometimes. This is just one reason I love her:



I've been making meatball sandwiches forever. Yup forever. I was born with a meatball in one hand and a roll in the other ;)

Well Michelle brought me a meatball sub one night when we went to the movies. It had two ingredients that I never use: lettuce and peperoncini. It was amazing and now I will always eat it like this.

Friday, March 1, 2013

Meatloaf Dinner

This was a very Norman Rockwell dinner- except for the fact we ate it in the living room while watching tv.



I bought a fieldroast meatloaf and baked it according to the directions. I was tasty and as good looking as a meatloaf could ever be. The mashed potatoes were totally amazing. Instead of stirring in soy milk, I stirred in some vegetable stock. That made them really flavorful.

The green beans were steamed, then buttered and topped with a little salt and pepper.

Sunday, February 10, 2013

My favorite!

I love this pasta! I would've never thought potatoes should go in pasta but they really work in this dish. I like using purple potatoes to add a little color to the plate. I love the crispy green beans too. It's all covered in a delicious pesto....mmmm!

Make this!! You'll love it!

Sunday, February 3, 2013

More Vegan Cheeses

These are just so pretty I had to share the picture! This time Sean made two new flavors: jalapeño and horseradish

Mmmm!

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Deviled (not) egg salad sandwiches

So besides BBQ, the food item Ryan misses most is deviled eggs. When I saw this recipe in my newest edition, I knew it was the first thing I wanted to make. Technically it was the 2nd though because I made the green monster bread first (see previous post) I made the garbanzo and tofu versions, they were both amazing. I think from now on I'll make a batch of each and mix them together. I really mashed up the garbanzos and the texture was reminiscent of egg yolk. The tofu version is more like the egg white so I figure if I mix them together it'll be perfect. You all know how I love doubling a recipe! The crunch from the optional pretzels was great and the fresh, baked from scratch bread was incredible. Everybody loved this (well, Max tolerated it). I served the sandwiches with Lotsa veggie lentil soup from appetite from reduction. This was the healthiest, veggie filled soup and sandwich meal I've ever had! Mia and I had a sandwich for breakfast this morning. I'm still full 7 hours later and I ran 6 miles! Definitely going to make this often.



Green Monster Bread

This is the first recipe I made from my new cookbook Vegan Sandwiches Save the Day. It is so delicious, super easy, and green! It will be perfect for St. Patrick's Day. Here's a collage of the various stages of yeasted bread baking.

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Chik'n Potpie

This was a super yummy dinner. I got the recipe from two places. The recipe for the filling came from Vegan Cooking for Carnivores and the recipe for the crust is from Vegan Junk Food. Both of these cookbooks are well worth the cost!! 
The filling was filled with veggies and gardein scallopini.


The crust was easy to make and came out delish!