Easy Peasy

Tonight I got to my special man friend's apartment at 7:30, so I decided that dinner should be something easy, quick, and less then 5 steps. The latter was in case I decided I didn't want to cook, but was still willing to make someone else do all the work. Plus LOST was on, so...

I had this cute bag of organic maitake mushrooms from the health food store. I picked them up because they are packed with vitamins C, B2, potassium, and polysaccharide compounds that help

fight cancer. The bag also had a cute cartoon mushroom on it. The brand is Hokto-Kinoko.

His roommate (and my friend/part of veg team 2010) has found this great line called Tasty Bite. They specialize in Indian and Thai food, making amazing veggie friendly simmer sauces. We chose to go with the Satay Partay because supposedly the Pad Thai was extremely spicy.

It turned out fairly well. I blanched some broccoli and gently sauteed it with some tofu and the cute maitake shrooms. Overall the sauce is great because it's gluten-free, cheap to buy, and insanely low in calorie and sodium content. I am going to try to track down their Rogan Josh sauce (described as a mix of tomatoes, fennel, ginger, and chilies).

I wish LOST were on every night. Sigh.

Sweet Tooth Photos

Since I have already collected a mass of photos in the last few months I have decided to post a good portion of them here. Some are ones from cookbooks, but many are of my own variations. My special man friend has the sweetest tooth I know. It is hard not to resist when after dinner he gives me puppy eyes and says, "I need something sweet". My response is always, "Oh..okay let me see what I can do".

Date, Almond, Chai Scones-based on the Raspberry Scones in the Babycakes cookbook, but made easier with the use of Bob's Gluten Free Biscuit Mix

These are delicious vegan chocolates from Cocoa V that my special man friend got me for Valentine's Day. Godiva has nothing on these. Incredible. Can't say enough.

These guys were Chocolate Chocolate Chip cookies from one of the Moskowitz/Romero cookbooks. The nuts and coconut flakes were my idea.

Unfortunately, the coconut flakes were housed in a jar that shared chai tea spice and somehow the flavor must have been absorbed by the flakes. Sounds like they would still be good, but I didn't like them.

And I Had A Brunch

Yes the above is a picture of my Easter Tree. I am determined to keep the tree going till December. It helps add to the ambiance of the apartment, especially when having people over. Inspired by my decorating skills two weeks ago I had some people over for some lazy Sunday eats (and to preview the tree). It was my first attempt cooking a full meal for ten people. My mom always tells me brunch is the hardest meal to prepare. I have to agree with her. In spite of it being difficult it was a success and the results were full bellies and warm hearts. Sounds kind of like the Friday Night Lights mantra, doesn't it?

Here is the menu:

•Spinach with Red Onion, Baby Grapes, Avocado, and Tofu Feta with Balsamic Vinagrette

•Tofu Scramble with Portobello Mushrooms, Spinach, and Kidney Beans

•Tempeh Bacon

•Spicy Roasted Potatoes

•Jalapeño Skillet Cornbread

•Sangria and Mimosas

Some yummy Tempeh Bacon...

My hope is that this brunch turns into a monthly party. Sitting at a table with amazing folks and peace loving food is something I can't wait to do again. I believe the next party will involve It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and vegan cheesesteaks. Any other Philly foods we can think of?

Have Kale, Will Cook

So this is my first attempt writing about food. Typically I maintain a blog about products, but today I am following the advice of many friends and hitting my MacBook Pro with some food.

I don't care if Dr. Joel Fuhrman's advice is Eat to Live, I love food (the non-meat variety) and I am passionate about making treats that make my friends smile. For the past few months I have been photographing my creations and now I will actually write about them.

After a 3-day Blueprint Cleanse I am trying to stay about 70% raw. It feels like the right thing to do with the incoming warmer weather. Through the cleanse I have also found that wheat or gluten is probably the culprit behind the nightly rashes I had been getting.

I have been a vegetarian for the past 17 years and a vegan for the past 4. Going back to vegan rekindled my love of cooking. This has benefited myself as well as my friends and family.

So it begins...