Vegan Mofo VI- Day 16: Spice In Ya Life Is What You Need*

Wow! I can't believe we are halfway through mofo. It's going by much too quickly. I really need to step it up so I can end on a strong note, but honestly I am glad that I have been able to keep up and even happier that I've managed to be at least one day ahead most of the time. Maybe next year I will really have it on lock with themes and everything. We'll see!<br><br>I thought this was going to be my first entry on tofu, but I forgot I had fast food the other day. However, it is the first time I have cooked tofu this month. I love tofu and I know a lot of people think it is all we eat, but I really do not use it all that often anymore. I still love it, but it's a pain to get to the store that has the good prices and I refuse to pay what it costs at the closest supermarket. I think it's $1.79- no way, no day! I did a quick run to Sprouts the other day and only bought what I absolutely needed, otherwise it could get out of control. I had to pay $1.29 instead of $0.99 because they were all out of extra firm, but it was still cheaper than the other store. I also got some eb buttery sticks for upcoming baking. I have tons of shortening but not as much butter. I guess I have to make a lot of pies when the weather cools down.

Anyhow, I really love this recipe for Spicy Tofu from i eat food. I made a half-assed version of this before, just coating the tofu in cornstarch and improvising the sauce since I didn't have sweet chili sauce I used hoisin. I didn't have scallions the first time either, so I'm saying it didn't really count and this is a do-over, a delicious one at that. I double checked to make sure I had everything and got to work. This is going to be in heavy rotation forever. I didn't add any red pepper because I wasn't sure how spicy the chili sauce would be and I always add the tiniest bit of chili garlic sauce, so that ended up to be just right for me. I'm building my spice tolerance, slowly but surely. I sauteed some broccoli and mixed it in with the tofu. If you're smart you'll steam your rice while you cook everything else. Or if you are really sick of dishes and in a hurry to walk your dog, you'll make the tofu and veg, mix 'em together and worry about the rice another day.

*Huge points if you get this reference.

Whatchu Got On My 40?

If you haven't already made the "Forty-Clove Chickpeas and Broccoli" from Appetite For Reduction, you better get on it, and fast. The recipe actually only calls for ten cloves of garlic, but since I always put more than the recipe states, I think I ended up with about 15. The directions are easy and the ingredient list is short, but my favorite part is that you use the broccoli stems, which I almost never do. It says the active time is fifteen minutes but it took me a bit longer because that is my favorite and most relaxing part of the cooking process. I was carving out my broccoli like a fool, but it turned out beautiful so I'm okay with that. If I made this for company I would do a double batch because I could have ate the whole pan of toasty roasty goodness by myself.

return of the mac

I think this adapted recipe is taking the place of my first favorite vegan mac and cheese. I've made it four or five times since its Thanksgiving debut. That's almost once a month, right? Even though it's not as greasy or fatty as regular mac and cheese, I still feel like it could be a bit healthier. The recipe suggests adding spinach or green beans, but I decided to use broccoli instead since that is how they do it at Native Foods. Even though this recipe does not resemble theirs at all, I wanted to pretend I was as awesome as Chef Tanya for a few minutes.

We had the re-revised mac and cheese with boca chick'n sammiches on everything bagel thins with vegenaise and american tofutti slices. My sister bought the bagel thins about a week ago. They're not doing it for me at all, yet I am okay with the sandwich thins. Maybe because smashed bread is easier to get used to than a deflated bagel? Anyhow, we all loved the mac and I did not get to take a shot of it until it was half gone since unbeknownst to me, my camera battery died. I must have killed it taking video and pictures of Penny with her ball last week.

high on life, low on cash-erole

edited to add "improved" picture, today i had leftover casserole and a tofurkey sammich, yum!



for tonight's dinner i made a recipe from one of the liberal vegan's vegan mofo posts, broccoli lentil casserole. last week's check was short six hours from when i was sick the week before. i also didn't do a proper grocery run this weekend so there was no menu plan or fresh produce. i definitely had to call on the pantry resources. luckily i had the presence of mind to at least get some onions and a few other staple goods on a quick trip sunday night. if you haven't already made this, you have to, now. it's super delicious and doesn't take too much work to get a healthy meal on the table. i did have to bake the casserole a bit longer but there's a good chance my oven doesn't run as hot as hers. extra cooking time aside, i think there was a little less than half a pan left after we had our fill. this will definitely get some repeats.

i also had a great score at marshall's yesterday. i got an 8" skillet, 10" skillet, an 8" spring form, a 5" serrated knife and a rasp for about $40.00. i didn't buy groceries this week so i guess it's like i spent the food money on things i need to make the food? i wish i only spent 40 on groceries, maybe i will if i keep working the pantry. after tonight i really need to get an oven thermometer already.

on my lunch break i picked up the complete vegan kitchen from the library . i hustled to and from in under a half hour, give me a few weeks and i can probably cut that down a bit since it's really only about a mile each way. i've fallen out of shape and also don't want to get too worked up when i'm still in my work clothes. but between lunchtime library runs and working/training with ms. penny i might just look pretty damn good in some sweaters when it is chilly enough to wear them.