Sunday, August 26, 2007

A new recipe, a new book, and heading off...

I realize it's been about a week since I blogged last... I wish it was easier for me to find the time to blog and to keep up with all of your blogs, but the fact that it's busy season at my office combined with the fact that I still don't have internet at home yet, makes it difficult. I apologize that I have not been commenting so much lately, but I will just have to do the best I can until one or both of those situations changes. In the meantime, I will be away at training in Carthage, North Carolina this week, which means I'll have some free time to catch up with you all... and maybe even sneak in a post of my own.

Bob called me earlier in the week and said he wanted to make dinner for me. When I arrived at home, this was cooking.


Dreena's Tomato-Lentil Pasta Sauce (Vive!) tossed with whole spelt ziti pasta and topped with capers. Though I'm not a huge pasta person, I enjoy it every now and again, particularly if it's a healthy variety. I took some leftovers for lunch one day this week and it was just delicious. Thanks, Bob!!!


Here's a recipe I tested for Melody--Teriyaki Tempeh. Gosh, it was just divine! The sauce has such a complex, perfect balance of sweetness, tang, and spice. It was fabulous on a spinach wrap with sprouts, avocado, and sliced veggies:


Bob raved and raved about this recipe--it's destined to become a favorite! I can't wait for Melody's cookbook!

Speaking of cookbooks, I went to Cosmo's Vegan Shoppe today and was quite thrilled to see this book proudly displayed on the shelf:


I had told myself that I could not buy another cookbook until I started my job, so I've been enviously reading all your rave reviews of Kris's recipes. Well, I did start my job, and then today the book was within my reach--I picked it up and flipped through the pages--and there was no way I could put it back. I'm excited about trying out some of the goodies in this book, but mostly I'm excited for Kris's accomplishment and wanted to show my support! Sometime when I get back from North Carolina I'll break this book in--the shop owner told me I just HAVE to try the Chocolate Raspberry Swirl Muffins.

The reason I went to Cosmo's today was to pick up some of this:


My favorite is the Thai Peanut Seitan jerky, but they're all pretty good. I wanted a few non-perishable food items to take on my trip this week... just in case. I contacted the person coordinating the event and I sent her a list of ingredients that I don't want to show up in my food, and I provided some food suggestions, which she forwarded to the chef who is catering the event. I've been assured that there will be appropriate foods for me, but in case that boils down to a bowl of lettuce, I wanted to have some protein handy. I really expect that the food situation this week will be fine, though--this company has been very understanding and accommodating when it comes to my diet, and I appreciate that about them very much.


This is an idea I got from The Splendid Grain by Rebecca Wood. The recipe is called Cornmeal Mush, and it's just cornmeal simmered on the stovetop in water and some salt. I stirred in some maple syrup and blueberries and it was a slightly sweet, buttery tasting warm and cozy breakfast. I refrigerated the leftovers and plan to use them to make griddle-cakes.


This salad was simple, but I had to show you these gorgeous cherry tomatoes that Bob's mom gave us from her neighbor's garden. They're so sweet and juicy and... I have been very disappointed with the tomatoes I've tasted this season on the whole, but the ones people have given us lately have made up for it in the most delicious way!

Thank you for your suggestions about the cheeze that I blogged about in my last post. I am happy to inform you that this cheeze does melt quite well if you shred it and heat it in the microwave--our favorite way to eat it proved to be as a queso dip mixed with salsa. Next time I make this recipe, I'm going to follow Vivacious Vegan's advice and make the Chedda variation--I think the miso will give it the bite that this batch lacked.

And finally, I was delighted to receive a package this week from Urban Vegan--a box of candy, my prize for winning second place in her Vegans Gone Wild! contest!!! The highlight of the package was this delicious toffee, made by Urban Vegan herself.


She also sent some licorice, two bars of dark chocolate, and a lovely card. Thanks so much!! I'm glad the weather finally took a small turn toward autumn so that this package could come unscathed through the mail.

It really has been slightly more bearable this past week or so--when I leave for work in the morning, the humidity is low and the air has the smallest hint of a chill in it. Of course, in the afternoon it still hits 100+ degrees, but I'm thankful for even the smallest progress. This is the time of year when summer has become just about too much for me to handle, and I look forward to pumpkins and warm soups and the many colors the gigantic oak trees around my apartment will be wearing.

As always, thanks for reading and for being wonderful friends. I'll catch up with you all soon, I promise! :)

15 comments:

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

wow, I'm loving the pasta, wrap-sandwich, tempeh, salad, and even the mush! haha. you never cease to amaze me with your latest culinary creations. and wow, Urban Vegan's chocolate gift looks INCREDIBLE.

Good luck with your training in North Carolina!! Looking forward to your next post :0)

Vegan_Noodle said...

All the food looks tasty. Enjoy your new cookbook, I love my copy of damn tasty, speaking of which, I need to make something out of it so. It's hard to rotate when there's so many awesome cookbooks out there!
That toffee looks too good for words! You deserve it for your dessert entry (which I need to try soon too).

vko said...

Hi Laura!

Hope your trip goes well! And I have to tell you, Primal Strips and coming with me on every trip I go- fast tasty protein in a pinch.

And that pasta that Bob made looks delicious- what a good man!

Anonymous said...

Wow, that Teriyaki Tempeh sounds delicious and it looks great in that wrap.

I can't tell you how jealous I am that you have Cosmo's Vegan Shoppe near you! I really dream of one day owning a little vegan shop of my own - but I promise, if I do it's going to be shop - not shop-pe. :-)

Anonymous said...

all looks wonderful and very tasty, have a great week there in the training!

Anonymous said...

How wonderful that the company that is catering the event you are going to is willing to work with you! That always makes it so much easier. I hope that you get more than iceberg lettuce!

All of your food looks fabulous, as always!

Courtney

aTxVegn said...

I don't eat much pasta either, but the lentil pasta sauce is one of my favorite recipes. I'm glad you got Kris's book. I've made the banana bread a couple of times and the oatmeal drizzles. I'm also glad you're getting to enjoy some homegrown tomatoes. They've been fabulous here.

Enjoy your treats!

anna/village vegan said...

I haven't had much time to blog lately, so when I finally had the chance to read your blog tonight, there were a whole bunch of new posts to read. All I can say is: Wow!! I'm so impressed. Everything you make looks so yummy and fresh and healthy. I can't comment on every post, but that zucchini lasagne...those gingerbread scones...that mango-tofu stirfry...portabella burgers...banana-cocoa ice cream...well, you get my point.

And congratulations on moving and all the anniversaries you've had recently.

Amey said...

oh yeah!
First - big props to Bob for making you dinner! And a nice dinner from Vive too! Wow. I'd pass out with surprise and delight if Musty did that for me. :)

Also - congrats on winning Urban Vegan's 2nd place prize!!! I was coveting that prize... homemade candies, such a treat.

love Amey

MeloMeals said...

Wow.. that candy looks divine.. UB should have entered her own contest! hehe..

Great dinner Bob made... it looks great! I love lentils with whole wheat pasta..

thanks for testing the tempeh!
Have fun on the conference...

JENNA said...

I've never seen Primal Strips! I'm gonna have to look around for them. They sound like the perfect snack to take on trips.

Anonymous said...

Everything looks great. I've never tried tempeh yet but a friend sent me a step by step "tutorial" of her making it so I would know how to use it.

I hope you have a great trip.

Don't Get Mad, Get Vegan! said...

i think we all get held away at times, but isn't it just so great to come back to those always lovingly and anxiously awaiting your return? LOVE me some vegan bloggers ;)

yay for bob and his sweet delivery of an amazing looking dinner. saw that tempeh on melody's blog. sounds so good. and speaking of so good....how much do you LOVE Kris's cookbook? it's all i can do not to go all willy nilly and just make evertying in it.

enjoy your trip!

Sheree' said...

I think Bob did a great job on dinner. Sure looks good to me. I am not suppose to buy another cookbook until I am back to work full time, but with the wedding I am sure we will wait a bit longer. I am sure Kris's book is full of delicious recipes. We love those primal strips. We have a discount market in my neck of the woods and I get the teriyaki and hot and spicy for .79 a piece. I am hoping that is a great deal since I never found them anywhere else.

Your prize looks wonderful. Yummmmm! Enjoy your trip!

bazu said...

Oh, how cool that Bob cooked that scrumptious looking dinner. And, now I've been reminded to test Melody's tempeh.
I have to second and third everybody's recommendations for Kris's book- I just made those chocolate-Peanut butter shells to send to my friend and WOW! they are good.
Have a great trip!