It's Halloween. A saturday night. I had the day off (the whole weekend, actually!) And it's 9pm and I'm at home on the computer.
I avoided the trick-or-treaters by taking my grandmother out to dinner and a movie. I'd simply go out, but I'm broke. So . . . Another boring saturday night at home, alone with my daschaund.
The picture in the profile, is by the way, my daschaund when he was about 8 to 10 weeks old. He looks so innocent, doesn't he?
At dinner, my grandmother ordered a bowl of chili, and I thought, that sounds really good. And I thought about making it tomorrow, but it's like 70 degrees right now! Way too hot for chili! But it got me thinking about the things I usually cook only in the winter - chili is one of them. Soups. Et cetera.
And it made me think about mashed potatoes (I don't usually make that in the summer) and twice baked potatoes (all year) and then pierogies! One of these days, I'll get the guts to try and make my own pierogies, instead of store bought. Handmade gnocchi is extremely simple, though the only time I tried spaetzle, it was a complete flop.
In any case . . . there will be more recipes to come. Thanksgiving is coming up, and that means (at the very least) stuffing from scratch. Super simple. I promise.
Slainte . . .
Mulu :>}
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Grilled Tofu
Ok. It was my day off from work today. Usually I go to the gym, work out on the machines then swim a mile, but I did that yesterday after work. So, today I just ran some errands, did some laundry, and played with my dog - a very mishevieous dachsaund. And, after this, I'm going to catch up on Gossip Girl and Heroes!
Tonight,for dinner, I grilled tofu on the grill so that I could make sandwiches. I already had two blocks of tofu in the fridge, and when I went to the grocery store, I picked up some pita bread. And, I'm going to give you my first recipe : grilled tofu sanwiches. The secret to grilling is in the marinades. Just a note here, I measure things the oldfashioned way - cupped in my hand, pinches, and eyeballing it. However, I will try to provide actual measurements in case any wants to try this at home.
The secret to grilling is in the marinades. So, in a mixing bowl, add 1/2 cup olive oil (I always use extra virgin olive oil), 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar, 1/4 cup Tamari soy sauce and 1/4 cup soy sauce. Then, salt & pepper to taste. I also added red pepper flakes, about 1/4 tsp each of dill, oregano and basil. If you have a whisk, you can use that to mix the ingredients together, but I usually just use a fork - it works equally well. Then, after the all-important tasting, I thought it needed sugar. But, I have no sugar in the pantry - I don't usually have much use for it, especially since I drink my coffee black - I opened the fridge to see what I could substitute. The first thing I saw was red rasberry jam. So, I added a tablespoon to the marinade and stirred it together. Still needed a little more - another tablespoon - stirred again, and tasted once more. The jam actually added a nice flavor, in addition to the sweetness.
Next, I sliced the tofu into slices that were approximately 1/2inch thick - less chance of them breaking or falling between the grate on the grill. Unless you want to make a pudding or a smoothie, always use firm or extra firm tofu. Then, in a bowl (the same bowl you made the marinade in will work if it's big enough)place the tofu slices in the bowl making sure that the marinade is covering each slice of tofu. Let this stand for at least 3 hours.
Next, three hours later, fire up the grill! [Charcoal is the only way to grill, btw.] Place the tofu slices on the grill, keeping the marinade at hand to spoon over during the grilling process. Basically, cook until each side is golden brown and sealed.
When the tofu is cooked, build your sandwich! I added Nayonaise, Veggie Slices cheese and some lettuce to the grilled tofu on the pita bread. It was very good!
Another note here: I will use brand names on the vegan products. Not because I'm getting paid for product placement (I wish!) but because over the past 15+ years, I've tried ALOT of different brands. And not all of them are good. So. . .
In any case . . .
Slainte -
Mulu :>)
Tonight,for dinner, I grilled tofu on the grill so that I could make sandwiches. I already had two blocks of tofu in the fridge, and when I went to the grocery store, I picked up some pita bread. And, I'm going to give you my first recipe : grilled tofu sanwiches. The secret to grilling is in the marinades. Just a note here, I measure things the oldfashioned way - cupped in my hand, pinches, and eyeballing it. However, I will try to provide actual measurements in case any wants to try this at home.
The secret to grilling is in the marinades. So, in a mixing bowl, add 1/2 cup olive oil (I always use extra virgin olive oil), 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar, 1/4 cup Tamari soy sauce and 1/4 cup soy sauce. Then, salt & pepper to taste. I also added red pepper flakes, about 1/4 tsp each of dill, oregano and basil. If you have a whisk, you can use that to mix the ingredients together, but I usually just use a fork - it works equally well. Then, after the all-important tasting, I thought it needed sugar. But, I have no sugar in the pantry - I don't usually have much use for it, especially since I drink my coffee black - I opened the fridge to see what I could substitute. The first thing I saw was red rasberry jam. So, I added a tablespoon to the marinade and stirred it together. Still needed a little more - another tablespoon - stirred again, and tasted once more. The jam actually added a nice flavor, in addition to the sweetness.
Next, I sliced the tofu into slices that were approximately 1/2inch thick - less chance of them breaking or falling between the grate on the grill. Unless you want to make a pudding or a smoothie, always use firm or extra firm tofu. Then, in a bowl (the same bowl you made the marinade in will work if it's big enough)place the tofu slices in the bowl making sure that the marinade is covering each slice of tofu. Let this stand for at least 3 hours.
Next, three hours later, fire up the grill! [Charcoal is the only way to grill, btw.] Place the tofu slices on the grill, keeping the marinade at hand to spoon over during the grilling process. Basically, cook until each side is golden brown and sealed.
When the tofu is cooked, build your sandwich! I added Nayonaise, Veggie Slices cheese and some lettuce to the grilled tofu on the pita bread. It was very good!
Another note here: I will use brand names on the vegan products. Not because I'm getting paid for product placement (I wish!) but because over the past 15+ years, I've tried ALOT of different brands. And not all of them are good. So. . .
In any case . . .
Slainte -
Mulu :>)
Sunday, October 25, 2009
the First
Okay. Hey. I don't know you. And I don't know exactly how this is going to work.
But here's the upshot :
I'm single
I'm a vegan [vegetarian since December 26, 1989; Vegan since September 13, 1991. And I still remember the exact moment - and location {4th and Green, walking with . . . don't remember his name ~ never slept with him. had a crush, but . . . that was on me. it was 5 or 6 in the evening ~ the night was gorgeous: red swirls in the sky . . .and he said, "if you feel that way about the animals, then how can you still drink milk?" He was just trying to be a devil's advocate, but in the next few seconds, I turned to him, as we were walking towards his apartment another 4 blocks away, and said, "you're right. it's cruel to kill the cow. and it's cruel to keep them in the overcrowded conditions of a dairy farm. I'm not sure if I can stomach consuming any aspect of the situation." (Those probably weren't my actual words, but they do sum up my sentiments.)]
I've got an MBA, an BFA [sculpture] and a BA [philosophy] but can't seem to convince HR'ers to a)Interview me and/or b) Hire me. So, I'm stuck in a job close to my qualifications, but even then, so woefully underpaid. Somehow, learning how to think [philosophy] and how to do [sculpture] scare employers off. When you throw the MBA in, I don't think that they know what to think. But. . . .
That, in a nutshell, is my bio. Now, what to expect from this blog :
There's probably going to be some vent ~ about stupid customers at work or a specific slacker at work. There's (hopefully) going to be some chronical of me living single (and I'm hoping dating and kissing and things like that, that lead to other things) And, because being vegan means either eating complete junk food or being an awesome cook [which I am], a vegan recipe. I'm thinking at least 2 per month, but aiming for 1 per week.
Some of these recipes are adaptations of [non-vegan] favorites. Some of these are my own, 100%, creations. And, if anyone has a request, I guarantee I can adapt a recipe into vegan.
There are some things that I cannot guarantee :
Vegan is usually very heart-healthy (cholesterol, e.g.), but I do use a lot of oleo [margarine for those not familiar with crossword lingo].
Most of the ingredients that I use for substitutions are more healthy in regards to fat content, good/bad cholesterol ,and calories, however, I do not put my recipes through a calorie/health calculator. So I'm not promising ANYTHING.
I have fooled meat-eaters with my NY Style cheesecake. And meat-eaters that have had my Lasagna have pushed their seat back from the table, sated.
And sometimes I use ingredients that contain casienate - a by-product of a by-product of a by-product. If you have problems with that - stop reading this blog. It's difficult enough to find Soya Kaas brand anywhere, Vegan Kaas is just not carried in the stores near me. Veggie slices/shreds is good, too. but still utilizes casienate . . .
I realize this has rambled a bit. but . . . it is my opener - and there's a lot to cover/intro. but until people start reading this and emailing comments/questions/etc . . . I have no idea what needs to be addressed specifically. So, I'll follow my own lead.
And it will probably become clear I do have some preferances on brands (Rice Dream does suck, after all). I'm not likely to change those ~ though I will try new ones/things . . .
And even though I am single, I have no idea how to cook for the single person. Cook for two, perhaps; four, most likely. Cook for an army ~ not a problem. Most of my recipes make a [healthy] serving for dinner, with about 2 equalish servings for leftovers. But more on that method later.
My dog is begging to go out ~ he has tired of tossing his nylabone around like a hockey puck . . . and I do need to get to work early tomorrow. . . .
So. . .
in any case . . .
Slainte . . .
Mulu :>}
But here's the upshot :
I'm single
I'm a vegan [vegetarian since December 26, 1989; Vegan since September 13, 1991. And I still remember the exact moment - and location {4th and Green, walking with . . . don't remember his name ~ never slept with him. had a crush, but . . . that was on me. it was 5 or 6 in the evening ~ the night was gorgeous: red swirls in the sky . . .and he said, "if you feel that way about the animals, then how can you still drink milk?" He was just trying to be a devil's advocate, but in the next few seconds, I turned to him, as we were walking towards his apartment another 4 blocks away, and said, "you're right. it's cruel to kill the cow. and it's cruel to keep them in the overcrowded conditions of a dairy farm. I'm not sure if I can stomach consuming any aspect of the situation." (Those probably weren't my actual words, but they do sum up my sentiments.)]
I've got an MBA, an BFA [sculpture] and a BA [philosophy] but can't seem to convince HR'ers to a)Interview me and/or b) Hire me. So, I'm stuck in a job close to my qualifications, but even then, so woefully underpaid. Somehow, learning how to think [philosophy] and how to do [sculpture] scare employers off. When you throw the MBA in, I don't think that they know what to think. But. . . .
That, in a nutshell, is my bio. Now, what to expect from this blog :
There's probably going to be some vent ~ about stupid customers at work or a specific slacker at work. There's (hopefully) going to be some chronical of me living single (and I'm hoping dating and kissing and things like that, that lead to other things) And, because being vegan means either eating complete junk food or being an awesome cook [which I am], a vegan recipe. I'm thinking at least 2 per month, but aiming for 1 per week.
Some of these recipes are adaptations of [non-vegan] favorites. Some of these are my own, 100%, creations. And, if anyone has a request, I guarantee I can adapt a recipe into vegan.
There are some things that I cannot guarantee :
Vegan is usually very heart-healthy (cholesterol, e.g.), but I do use a lot of oleo [margarine for those not familiar with crossword lingo].
Most of the ingredients that I use for substitutions are more healthy in regards to fat content, good/bad cholesterol ,and calories, however, I do not put my recipes through a calorie/health calculator. So I'm not promising ANYTHING.
I have fooled meat-eaters with my NY Style cheesecake. And meat-eaters that have had my Lasagna have pushed their seat back from the table, sated.
And sometimes I use ingredients that contain casienate - a by-product of a by-product of a by-product. If you have problems with that - stop reading this blog. It's difficult enough to find Soya Kaas brand anywhere, Vegan Kaas is just not carried in the stores near me. Veggie slices/shreds is good, too. but still utilizes casienate . . .
I realize this has rambled a bit. but . . . it is my opener - and there's a lot to cover/intro. but until people start reading this and emailing comments/questions/etc . . . I have no idea what needs to be addressed specifically. So, I'll follow my own lead.
And it will probably become clear I do have some preferances on brands (Rice Dream does suck, after all). I'm not likely to change those ~ though I will try new ones/things . . .
And even though I am single, I have no idea how to cook for the single person. Cook for two, perhaps; four, most likely. Cook for an army ~ not a problem. Most of my recipes make a [healthy] serving for dinner, with about 2 equalish servings for leftovers. But more on that method later.
My dog is begging to go out ~ he has tired of tossing his nylabone around like a hockey puck . . . and I do need to get to work early tomorrow. . . .
So. . .
in any case . . .
Slainte . . .
Mulu :>}
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