Vegan Mofo IV Week Two: TV Dinner

Last night we had Tempeh-Oatmeal Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans with Lemon and Garlic. The meatloaf recipe was from Vegetarian Times and the Green Beans from The Neelys of Food Network Fame. I've never tried to make a vegan meatloaf and I've never made green beans either. It's funny how often you can cook but still not cook a lot of things you think you would have made years ago. It's a little embarassing too, but we'll get over it in time.

The meatloaf was going along fine until I forgot it involved the food processor. Not a big deal to get it down from the high shelf, I just thought I had everything out already. The other thing I didn't do was read through the recipe to see how long it had to bake. I ended up getting everything in the oven about half an hour later than I should have so dinner was later than I expected. The good thing was my sister came home and was able to help me out with a few things. She is the designated potato masher but since I was on round one of dishes, she chopped and got them in the pot too. Thanks sis!

Luckily everything worked out just fine. I was able to get the beans boiled, blanched and ready to sautee. I ahd time to mince garlic and zest lemon while waiting for the water to heat up, phew! The meatloaf didn't really taste like meatloaf but it was good. The marinara gave it an Italian vibe, which is why I wanted lemony green beans, even if they didn't quite go with the mashed potatoes. All in all it was a good meal. My niece didn't like the lemon on the beans but she ate everything else. For dessert we each ate a Tofutti Yours Truly drumstick. It was a good day.

Vegan Mofo IV Day Two : Apple Crack

 
Even though we do not experience all four seasons in California, Autumn is my favorite for one lovely reason: Honeycrisp apples. I start trolling the supermarket aisles in anticipation the last few weeks of September hoping to catch the first harvest. It's a little crazy, but if you've had one you understand.

I used to be all about Fuji, until a few years ago when I was visiting a friend in Austin and she turned me on to Honeycrisp. I haven't looked back since. I've managed to get a few more people hooked, but haven't told too many folks, for fear of depleting the local supply. I'm not good at sharing, sorry.

Luckily the store my sister works at has an amazing deal right now, $4.88 for a 3 lb. bag. I can go through a bag or a bag and half a week if left to my own devices. I have been eating two a day for the past few weeks, but every now and then I'll sneak in a third. They're just so delicious I can't help myself. An open bag is an empty bag.

p.s. Sorry for the short entry but I spent most of my day at the DMV. I had a honeycrisp apple, yummy tempeh scramble from Vegan Brunch, two cups of tea and it was time to go get in line.

dinner thyme

I don't know how not to say this in a way that doesn't sound nerdy, but tempeh and I are friends now. The first few times I tried to cook with it were complete misses. I would keep buying more so I could try again but I would get discouraged and conveniently forget about the bricks of protein in the refrigerator (until it was time to toss them out). I always feel horrible when I waste food and money so I stopped buying it since I knew I was not going to cook it.

Then Vegan Brunch along and saved the day. The "Basic Scrambled Tempeh" looked so wonderful in the photo I had to give it another chance. The ingredients were so simple, it would be tough even for me to mess it up. The first time I made it I admit I wasn't sold on the "earthiness" of the tempeh. It was good but I thought it needed something. I made it again and it turned out, all it "needed" was a bit more salt. I also added another bell pepper. Now I eat scrambled tempeh at least once a week, usually on Thursdays for some reason. I made a few ingredient swaps: sweet onion instead of red, spinach instead of chard and yellow instead of red. I think I'll be out of thyme in a few more weeks. I've never blown through it so fast.

Now that tempeh and I are friends there is only one problem, my sister wants to be friends with her too.

on the dole

I got my first unemployment check yesterday. I always forget how they arrive at the amount so at first I was a bit disappointed, but some money coming in is better than no money coming in at all. Plus I already deferred my student loans so I do not really have any bills other than food and helping with utilities. I will make it work. I already know how "short" I will be compared to my regular payroll but since my expenses are down it should balance out. I have definitely gotten much better at managing my finances these last 7 years. I had a decent amount saved up before I got laid off, but I am going to try to hold on to that and keep building on it. I need to roll over my 401k too.

It's definitely time for some pantry cooking around here too. I need to see what I already have on hand and plan meals from that. I have already been cooking a breakfast/lunch that I eat for the whole week. French Scramble, Scrambled Tempeh, or Quinoa Red Bean Burritos. I made the tempeh two weeks ago but forgot to post it. I always have trouble with tempeh, so I am going to try again this week. I might make snobby Joe's too. For Easter I am going to bring Texas Caviar and maybe a pie or cheesecake. I have two graham crusts I haven't used yet, for shame!