Vegan Mofo IV Week 3: Survey Says!

My schedule was shaken up today and I didn't have as much time for Mofo as I thought. Here is a survey I borrowed from Végétalion to tide you over until tomorrow's entry.


What's your favorite spice or spice blend?

Paprika, I add it to almost everything.


You have $20 to spend on fresh groceries and produce for the whole week (with a fairly well stocked pantry of dry goods, legumes, grains, and spices). what do you buy?

Onions, garlic, cilantro, lemons, carrots and potatoes.

What's your favorite way to make tofu?

I would love to say scrambled, but my favorite is the tofu for egg mc vegans

Vegan guilty pleasure?

Any dessert I can get my grubby mitts on.

If you could make anyone vegan, who would it be?

George Clooney because he does all these things for the environment, which are great, but going vegan would help his cause so much more-especially if his admirers would follow suit. Then I could get back together with him :)

If you could only read one other vegan blog, what would it be?

The PPK blog.

Were you always interested in cooking, or did veganism change the way you saw and interacted with food?

Sometimes I think I might never have learned to cook if not for becoming vegan. I'm also afraid I would have held onto a limited palate/range of cuisine. I'm so happy I know how to cook, still learning every time. I am so glad I made the change when I did.


Excluding analogs, what new things have you tried that you probably wouldn't have as an omni?

So many things to choose from. Growing up we didn't eat a wide variety of foods. It was kind of like- pizza, hamburgers, tacos, rinse and repeat. I didn't have Chinese take out until high school, Thai till college. It's bizarre and weird, but since our parents didn't eat those foods, we didn't either. I remember going to visit a friend in San Francisco after freshman year of college and her friend suggested we get falafel and I didn't want to try it so we all got pizza instead. What a buzzkill! I am a fool for falafel now.


What is the one vegan staple that everyone seems to love, but you can't get behind?

I can't think of any, most of the hype has been true.

What was your first "wow, I'm such a stereotypical vegan" moment?

I'm not sure I've had one yet, but maybe omni friends would disagree.

First recipe you veganized?

I can't remember, but it was probably something really easy like, "oh I'll make ________ and just not put any cheese".

What would you like to veganize, but haven't yet?

Chile rellenos, probably easy, but haven't done it yet.

Favorite kitchen utensil/appliance?

No fave appliance but I have a favorite wooden spoon and a favorite rubber spatula that are "mine". I use them almost exclusively even though we have all kinds of tools.

 Most disastrous kitchen failure?

My first attempt at seitan or the time I was taking cookies out of the oven and a few slid off the sheet, back into the oven and made a huge melty smelly mess.

First vegan cookbook?

I got Vegan With A Vengeance and Vegan Cupcakes Take Over The World  for Christmas.

What question about being vegan do you HATE answering?


It's probably a tie between "what do you eat?" and "does it bother you that I'm eating this in front of you?".

If you could tell the world one thing about vegans, what would it be?

We're just normal people who happen to be slightly more awesome than others. We are not starving or suffering from not eating animals. Compassion tastes great.

Funniest vegetable?

Any that resemble genitalia, my immaturity gets the better of me at times.

What is a family recipe you have veganized?

We don't really have family recipes. Sad, right?

Weirdest food combination ?

Any savory recipes that involve fruit still seem weird to me. I have to try them and prove myself wrong.

Is there something you wish you could veganize, but can't/couldn't?

Pastrami sandwich, but I'm sure someone is working on it, or has already cracked it.

Favorite ways to prepare tofu, seitan, tempeh, any other vegan proteins?

Breaded and baked or fried

Are your pets vegan?

Not yet. I tried to switch my dog's food over summer and it didn't take but I am going to try again.

Favorite non-dairy milk?

Plain almond milk. I just switched a month ago and I love it. It's 60 calories less than soymilk per serving and it tastes great.

ahoy matey minestrone (vegan mofo day 5)

i decided to give table for two a break and try something from eat, drink & be vegan which i am previewing, thanks to the library. there was a time when i just bought way too many cookbooks and made one or two recipes in them, so now i'm borrowing before i buy.

after checking my shelves, monkey minestrone was the best use of materials already on hand, i only had to get green beans. i even had kid-friendly pirate pasta. there was a brief freak out when i re-read the ingredients and thought i did not have any rosemary, but further digging in the pantry revealed i did. it was my first time using my new immersion blender and my last time using tetra packed stock (bouillon from now on). the soup looks delicious, i've already ladled out tomorrow's lunch in my new soup mug. i will probably have some for dinner tonight with salad and some crusty bread.

that covers food, now here is the fun:

Vegan Mofo Survey #3 borrowed from Liz's blog Food Snobbery Is My Hobbery.

1. Name a song that involves food in some way.

More than Toast- The Mr. T Experience

2. What criteria do you use when choosing a new cookbook to buy?

It used to be dessert, but now I look for favorite ingredients and new dishes to challenge my “skills” and expand my menus

3. What did you eat today?

Cereal w/ vanilla silk, tofu salad sammich w/ chips, lazy sunday!

4. Name a vegan food that you know exists but you have never tried.

Vegan pastrami sandwich @ Orean

5. The Food Network just called and needs you to start your new show tomorrow. What will the title of the show be?

Tofu Is a Four Letter Word

6. Favorite hot sauce or other spicy condiment?

Something habanero

7. How old were you when you became vegetarian/vegan?

22- vegetarian and 24- vegan

8. Favorite vegan cheeze?

Follow Your Heart Monterey jack so far

9. Cutest baby animal?

They’re all cute when they’re babies.

10. Favorite type of jam/jelly/marmalade/preserves?

Boysenberry

11. Do you take any vitamins/supplements?

Veg multi when I remember

12. What food/dish most embodies the Fall season?

Calabasitas

13. What food would you have a hard time living without?

Beans

14. Coffee, tea, or hot chocolate?

Tea, always bet on black

15. It's 10PM and you're starving. What do you eat?

Whatever isn’t bolted down? It depends on what we have at the time.

16. If you have an animal companion, what is his/her favorite food?

All of the dogs love baked savory tofu, and broccoli.

17. Worst injury you've gotten in the kitchen?

A good slice from the serrated peeler

18. When you have a food-related question, who do you call?

Ask mom or the internet

19. Summer is ending- What food will you miss most?

Fresh fresh fruit

20. What snacks do you keep in your purse/backpack/desk at work?

Tea, cereal and sometimes chocolate

21. Favorite soup to make on a rainy day?

A nice stew

22. What's your favorite combination of fresh vegetable and/or fruit juices?

I’m more for solo juices, love apple

23. Favorite brand of root beer?

Blue Sky

24. Make up your own question!— What do you wear when you cook?

pajamas