Bloggin' in the rain

Blogger is running slow right now, and we're in the middle of a pretty torrential downpour, so I hope this goes through...

Chipotle, Corn, and Black Bean Stew from VWaV! What I did differently was 1) use dried black beans instead of canned, and 2) use a ton more beans than the recipe called for. I soaked about 2 cups of black beans overnight, then just proceeded with the recipe, letting the beans simmer all the while. Oh, and I added more chipotle because we wanted to have it very spicy! But this was absolutely delicious! Bob and I both agreed that it was one of the best things we've had in a while. The fresh cilantro and the lime that was stirred in at the end--so much flavor! We had blue corn chips with the stew, and I think the recipe made enough for us to each have about four more times.

Also from VWaV, or at least inspired by it, was this frittata that I made this morning. I based the recipe on the Asparagus and Sun-Dried Tomato Frittata, except that I didn't have any sun-dried tomatoes so this was really just an asparagus frittata. It tasted very good--Bob and I both like the Tofu Scramble better, I think, but we enjoyed this as well. Honestly, when we cut the frittata and tried to serve it, it crumbled and fell apart so that, dished up, it was indistinguishable from the Tofu Scramble. That's too bad, but I was wondering how in the world it was going to hold its form. Anyway, it was very satisfying and looked, at least in the pan, very much like a traditional frittata!

Melody tagged me to participate in the food bloggers' meme, asking me to "create a list of food bloggers' top picks for things you've eaten and think that everyone should eat at least once before they die." I've thought a lot about this one, and here are my simple picks:

1. Freshly ground, natural almond butter.

2. Homemade whole wheat bread. Even better, homemade bread that you have actually kneaded yourself. It's worth all the time and work you spend kneading it and shaping it into the perfect loaf, when you cut into it and it smells and tastes like *real* bread should taste.

3. Edamame. Steamed until it is slightly crisp but tender. Sprinkled with just a dash of coarse sea salt.

4. Cheese-less vegan pizza. Authentic Italian pizza often would not have any cheese on it anyway. And all the flavors of the vegetables, the sauce, the pesto, whatever, really come out on a nice healthy pizza that's not drowned in cheese like the pizza most Americans are familiar with.

5. Cajun food--red beans and rice, especially. To me, it is hard to beat good cajun flavors. Red beans and rice is easily veganized without sacrificing a bit of the bold flavor. Just use plenty of onion, bell pepper, celery, garlic, and seasonings.

Hmm, I'm trying to think of who I can tag who has not already been tagged! How about...

Teddy
Midwest Vegan
Pure Zucchini
Jennifer C.
Gaia

Thanks!