Friday, March 23, 2012

Buffalo Cauliflower Pizza

I made this today. It was uh-mazing:

http://veganplanet.blogspot.com/2012/03/buffalo-cauliflower-pizza.html

Cooking Through a Cookbook

Cooking my way through a cookbook. This is something I've never done. Anyone who knows me and my cooking knows I take after my Dad and rarely cook from recipes. I look at recipes for inspiration then almost always just do it my own way.

But I buy cookbooks thinking *this* cookbook will be different. I love so many of these recipes and will make them! Then I make a few, still looking at all the other yummy recipes and never making them because I'm too busy experimenting with my own cooking.

So I think I am going to do something different and actually cook my way through one of my favorite cookbooks! Now, I may not actually make every single recipe and in order. But I think I will actually plan all of my dinners from it and lunches will be leftovers, maybe an occasional salad or sandwich recipe from the book, and PBJ almost always for the kids haha.

The book I'm speaking of is Vegan on the Cheap by Robin Robertson (take a peek on Amazon). It is a small, accessible little gem of all home made all whole food cheap vegan basics. The idea is you make several staples to have on hand then the recipes come together quickly and cheaply. Home made seitan and peanut sauce is infinitely cheaper home made than store bought, etc. So far, I've loved the few recipes I have tried.

I was getting a little overwhelmed the other day with my current vegan stint because it does require more cooking. I actually love it, but I become obsessed with finding new recipes and cooking when I don't have much time to be doing so since I have kids. But if menu planning is as quick as selecting several recipes, making a few staples on the weekend, then presto dinner on week days, I feel more balanced in life. Plus, Steve can help me since I'll have recipes (he always offers to help but I'm at a loss when I try to explain how I make something off the bat).

Plus, I figure this will be a fun project. I'll occasionally report back on my success. If all goes well it is an inexpensive book that I feel can help a lot of people eat healthy, whole food, inexpensive...and quick once you get in the rhythm...vegan food.

Here it goes.....

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Not Cooking

Tonight I have to take the kids somewhere. So fast food it is. Del Taco bean burrito sans cheese is always a safe bet, but since I am going to Beaumont I shall treat myself to real vegan junk fast food: Bakers. Boca burger (no cheese replace sauce with ketchup and mustard) and fries. And done.

I shall have to visit some of their other locations in the Inland Empire that have a "vegetarian" kitchen, complete with TVP tacos, burritos, tostadas, etc. It was started for the Seventh Day Adventist population in Loma Linda. Again, not entirely healthy, but better than the cholesterol laden omni options and still vegan =).

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

40 Second Microwave Nooch-o Cheese Sauce for One

So I am resurrecting this blog after nearly a year. As of Monday I am going vegan again for an indefinite amount of time. Perhaps I will blog about my reasons another time.

For now, I start this out right with a not-entirely-healthy recipe. Well, the nooch-o sauce itself isn't too bad, but you must eat it with tortilla chips. What is "nooch" you ask? Nutritional yeast- a vegan staple. Contains (added) B vitamins, especially the essential-in-a-vegan-diet added B12. Also imparts a cheese-like flavor. Mind you, don't expect glorious gooey cheese! It's an acquired taste but does the job.

Serves 1
1 tsp Earth Balance
1 TBSP nutritional yeast
1 tsp cornstarch
2 TBSP vegan milk of choice (I used Trader Joe's unsweetened coconut milk)
1 TBSP salsa
dash of garlic powder and salt to taste
1 TBSP Daiya shreds (cheese substitute, the pepper jack one is best in this application), optional

Microwave all ingredients except salsa for approximately 40 seconds. Stir well with a fork. Stir in salsa (will also help to cool of mixture a bit as it will be very hot). It will be a little more soupy than real cheese sauce. Add the salt only to taste, I added a bit too much. Serve with tortilla chips! Daiya is totally optional if you don't have it.