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! :)