24 March 2008
Man, oh man. I think I've probably consumed more calories in the past two days than in the past two weeks. And it's been delicious. As promised, we started with donuts:
Want to know how to woo me? Say, 'Just pick out two that you want, and we'll split them.' Because, really, how are you supposed to decide on ONE? A bit later, I brought out the Veganomicon and got started on our vegan mac'n'cheese. It was S's idea -- I just did all the work.
The recipe uses a nutritional yeast 'cheese-y' sauce, mixed together with crumbled tofu and cooked noodles, and the whole thing gets baked in the oven. It was pretty amazing, although not exactly cheese-flavoured. It reminded me more of frozen mac'n'cheese than genuine homemade (or even Kraft). Thumbs up, all the way.
For Easter, my mom and I made pot pies. Well, I say 'we'. This time, it was my idea, but she did all the work. We used this recipe to a certain extent.
We made the full crust recipe, but halved everything else, because we wanted to make three pies that had both a bottom crust and a top crust. In place of the chicken and stock, we used Quorn Tenders and Imagine's No-Chicken broth. Other filling ingredients included carrots, peas, mushroom, lima beans, and potatoes. So good! The crust was really incredible, but the whole thing was exactly as I hoped it would be.
Dessert was something else wrapped in dough:
Apple dumplings! Yay. I do love chocolate-y, peanut-butter-y desserts, but lately I've preferred my sweet things to be tempered with the presence of fruit. Even when it's something as heavy and gooey as a dumpling, the apple just seems to be a bit of relief. Which you need, when you try to eat this AND a pot pie in the same day.
[This post was getting spammed, so comments have been closed.]
recipe for apple dumplings. now. please! xx
posted by hazeljoy at March 26, 2008 03:59 PM
That all looks delicious. I'm definitely going to try the macaroni and cheese. Mmmmm.
posted by jessie at March 27, 2008 02:24 AM
The Easter eatin' looks very yummy. Where did you get the recipe for vegan mac-n-cheese. I haven't found one I like yet and yours looks very tasty.
posted by Regina at March 27, 2008 04:41 PM
Regina -- it's the Mac Daddy recipe from the Veganomicon.
posted by Anna at March 28, 2008 12:35 AM
Chuckle chuckle...you are my new tiramisu!
It's true. I'm being really good about not doing wheat and dairy anymore but I still need something that I can indulge in every month or so in a gorgefest. Something to be over-indulged in, something that all other things are put aside for. Something that I can really enjoy, without having to get out of bed (there's a comment on my singleness if ever there was one).
And that something is twelve22.org
I like to enjoy you in large chunks. No nibbling for me. And so it was, I woke this morning and felt the craving.
SO much to comment on I'm sure I'll miss it all out (I'd comment on each one but I am too damn lazy to keep typing my name etc into the boxes).
Food-wise you remain the queen. This is another reason I can't check in so often as before... because I can't get tot he shop anymore and can't be trusted to cook - two things you always inspire me to do every time I read.
I'm thrilled you are getting into quinoa at last, you know how I worship the stuff. Have you tried the flakes yet? They are very different from the grain, but equally delightful and versatile. To save using pricey soya milk I soak my flakes in water till they swell up a bit (5mins) then add just enough milk to heat them up and have them taste milky - and I like to throw in a bunch of sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, linseeds (flax) and some dried fruit for sweetness (or maple syrup when I'm feeling financially viable). YUMMY, especially since I've had to give up my beloved oats.
And for a super fast nibble in a hurry I heat the flakes with some tomato and basil soup (from freezer or tin if desperate). They bulk out a soup in the nicest most comforting way.
Another quickie is when I have quinoa grains cooked up (I always do extra) and I just chuck a spoonful of vegan pesto into the hot middle and wolf it down before taking Lucy out. Light but tasty and filling - what could be better. And it tastes so nice cooled with the pesto in and used with salads.
I'm enjoying your garden updates, not that nature allows much yet. Ugh, this interminable winter. A tip for you, you may already know, but if you mix shredded newspaper into your soil just below where the roots will be on shallow rooting veg (i forget which have shallow roots, oops) the newspaper is great for holding moisture so when it's dry and you have to water you can water little hollows to the side of the plant (or better still, I use a little bit of plastic pipe, covered to keep out slugs) so the water heads into the soil-ey newspaper area. It means it's not evaporating from the soil surface, but also not soaking deep below where the plant can access. SO the soil with the roots absorbs it slowly from the newspaper sponge area. Make sense? I'm seriously half asleep as I write.
In fact, I think I need to go back to sleep, I've been reading for an hour. But quickly... love your sewing success - super cute. Love Beany gazing thoughtfully, and Booty being distracted. Love the bargain paper in the hutch. Love the light in your home, the food in your belly, the move into Yoga, the seedlings, the herbs...love it all. And so sorry to hear of the tightening of the belt re finances (may I point out you are generous to a fault with postal goodness and are hereby forbidden from sending anything in my direction till you find those winning lottery tickets in that secret room where cats clean their own litter tray and laundry NEVER EVER spills it's water on a cold day, or even a warm day).
Love to always dear Anna, you are a gem, the kind that needs no polishing to show it's beauty.
PS hope the fringe growing fast, I empathise entirely.
posted by cally at March 28, 2008 06:29 PM