tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30321754811849738082024-03-13T15:47:38.540-04:00Cooking From 1,000 Vegan RecipesSIX VEGANS, ONE BOOK, ONE BLOGms. veganoramahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02456827731027081876noreply@blogger.comBlogger226125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3032175481184973808.post-87949804316585160822010-12-12T21:07:00.000-05:002010-12-12T21:07:22.487-05:00Vegan Mayonnaise<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gymmie/5256420020/" title="Mayo by taebogymmie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5241/5256420020_7c00cf66be.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Mayo" /></a><br />
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I had originally made this several months back but a computer crash happened before I had a chance to post about it.<br />
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As Batgirl said in her <a href="http://1000veganrecipes.blogspot.com/2010/06/vegan-mayonnaise.html">post</a> back in June about the <b>Vegan Mayonanaise on page 573</b> this is very easy to make. Short of the silken tofu possibly, everything else most folks will have on hand already! <br />
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It just uses a few ingredients & it's easy to tweak it to satisfy your tastebuds & make various flavors.<br />
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As Batgirl said it takes under 5 minutes to make! I used it on my <a href="http://1000veganrecipes.blogspot.com/2010/12/black-bean-burgers.html">Black Bean Burgers</a> & can't wait to use it on other things! <br />
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--GymmieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3032175481184973808.post-17415621987701261852010-12-12T20:53:00.001-05:002010-12-12T20:54:38.324-05:00Black Bean Burgers<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gymmie/5255510343/" title="Black Bean Burger2 by taebogymmie, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5209/5255510343_60206e7335.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Black Bean Burger2" /></a><br />
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Since it had been a while since I made something in the book I decided to make the <b>Black Bean Burgers on page 120</b>. This is very easy to make, I hadn't checked my spices very well so missed that I didn't have thyme but for me the flavors were great that it wasn't missed. Not that I have that talent to pull out flavors by trying something unless it's an obvious flavor. <br />
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The recipe makes 4 but I doubled it so that I could have some just about all week & not have to stop & make it again. <br />
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--GymmieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3032175481184973808.post-67893327763146523202010-10-22T16:59:00.002-04:002010-10-22T17:06:52.438-04:00Grilled Portobello Burgers<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29653180@N04/4784804513/" title="Grilled Portobello Burgers by The Artist Formerly Known as Batgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4102/4784804513_28c2ca2bc7.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Grilled Portobello Burgers" /></a><br /><br />Who says vegans can't have juicy, meaty, satisfying burgers? <span style="font-weight:bold;">Grilled Portobello Burgers (page 118)</span> prove any naysayers wrong.<br /><br />In this sophisticated but simple burger, tender and succulent portobello mushrooms are marinated in a balsamic glaze and grilled to juicy perfection. The burger is topped with grilled red onions, basil, and tomato. All of the flavors compliment each other so well, no one will be asking "where's the beef?" with this satisfying burger.<br /><br />I know cook-out season is officially at an end, but these burgers are worth firing the grill up for one last time.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">-- Your Friendly Neighborhood Batgirl</span>Batgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07294914949599474519noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3032175481184973808.post-3520119391745323842010-10-21T02:46:00.002-04:002010-10-21T02:52:41.950-04:00HiatusEven with the best of intentions, life can get the better of you. All of us have been super busy and we've been unable to keep up with the project.<br /><br />A big thanks to Batgirl who was so diligent in keeping up with recipes and for creating our backend spreadsheet to help us keep track of everything.<br /><br />So I guess consider this a hiatus. I know I would like to pick this up again in the future when things aren't so crazy and I hope that some of my fellow bloggers will as well.<br /><br />Thanks everyone for visiting and commenting. Check back once in a while to see if anything's been posted. Until then, stay happy and stay vegan!ms. veganoramahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02456827731027081876noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3032175481184973808.post-75564648194150451052010-08-10T00:24:00.003-04:002010-08-10T00:30:05.005-04:00White and Wild Rice Salad w/ Walnuts, Cranberries, and Figs<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29653180@N04/4785435632/" title="White and Wild Rice Salad with Walnuts, Cranberries, and Figs by The Artist Formerly Known as Batgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4073/4785435632_e4aa1de95b.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="White and Wild Rice Salad with Walnuts, Cranberries, and Figs" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">White and Wild Rice Salad with Walnuts, Cranberries, and Figs {page 84}</span> is one of the easiest, prettiest, and most flavorful salads I've had in a very long time.<br /><br />The preparation, although it does require a decent amount of chopping, is quite easy, and the salad itself comes together in no time at all, once the prep work is complete. All of the colors and flavors play beautifully together to make a concoction that is not only a treat for the eyes, but for the mouth as well.<br /><br />This salad is sophisticated, but at the same time simple enough to be enjoyed by people of all ages. Best of all, it has a vinaigrette-based dressing, which makes it perfect for picnics and other events outdoors, as you don't have to worry about it sitting out in the sun.<br /><br />This salad is going to become a regular fixture at many of my outdoor gatherings, I'm sure of it!<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">-- Your Friendly Neighborhood Batgirl</span>Batgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07294914949599474519noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3032175481184973808.post-6057557401323429832010-08-03T23:21:00.003-04:002010-08-03T23:31:01.423-04:00Blazing Sunset Salad<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29653180@N04/4785434646/" title="Blazing Sunset Salad by The Artist Formerly Known as Batgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4123/4785434646_56bab73e98.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Blazing Sunset Salad" /></a><br /><br />Something about summer just makes me want to devour an inordinate amount of fruit salad, and that desire is simply amplified when it comes to summer cookouts. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Blazing Sunset Salad {page 96}</span> was my choice for our last cookout.<br /><br />This beautiful, quick, and easy fruit salad distributes the limelight gracefully between juicy cherries, refreshing oranges, sweet nectarines, toothsome bananas, and crisp apples, all dancing in a light dressing.<br /><br />There's really only so much you can say about fruit salad, but this one is definitely a keeper. I truly look forward to testing out the rest of them in the book. Yum!<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">-- Your Friendly Neighborhood Batgirl</span>Batgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07294914949599474519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3032175481184973808.post-62067178712433128432010-07-30T07:23:00.000-04:002010-07-30T07:23:00.225-04:00Fettuccine with Fresh Figs and Walnuts<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29653180@N04/4785433774/" title="Fettuccine with Fresh Figs and Walnuts by The Artist Formerly Known as Batgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4118/4785433774_9bef63f865.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Fettuccine with Fresh Figs and Walnuts" /></a><br /><br />I cannot believe I didn't find this recipe until now. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Fettuccine with Fresh Figs and Walnuts {page 211}</span> has just about everything I could ever want in a dream pasta.<br /><br />Tender pasta is coated with a creamy cashew sauce, and then tossed with sauteed fresh figs and walnuts. The whole thing is topped up with crispy homemade breadcrumbs. The creaminess of the sauce paired perfectly with the sweetness of the figs, and the heady deepness of the walnuts. The salty toasty crunch provided by the breadcrumbs was really the icing on the cake...erm...plate of pasta, so to speak.<br /><br />Fresh figs are rather expensive, so I cannot see myself making this often. However, this would be an easy and impressive dish to serve to guests on special occasions. In fact, I think I impressed myself with this one. I may just come back to my kitchen to eat again sometime. You're invited too, of course.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">-- Your Friendly Neighborhood Batgirl</span>Batgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07294914949599474519noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3032175481184973808.post-49797529944582380612010-07-27T22:57:00.003-04:002010-07-28T00:31:01.405-04:00Sunflower Zucchini Bread<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29653180@N04/4785433300/" title="Sunflower Zucchini Bread by The Artist Formerly Known as Batgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4079/4785433300_cfec8f839e.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Sunflower Zucchini Bread" /></a><br /><br />A twist on classic zucchini bread, <span style="font-weight:bold;">Sunflower Zucchini Bread {page 405}</span> has protein-rich sunflower seeds baked right into the bread.<br /><br />This delicious bread has all the components you've grown to love in standard zucchini bread - moist, comforting, slightly sweet, the illusion of health {"Hey, it has zucchini in it, so it's good for me!"}. All of those factors are amped up by the presence of the delightful little sunflower seeds. They add interesting texture and flavor, as well as amp up the nutritional qualities.<br /><br />The Ninjahusband found the bread a little odd with the seeds in it, but I really liked them. Maybe next time I'll make 2 loaves - one without seeds for him, one with extra seeds for me.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">-- Your Friendly Neighborhood Batgirl</span>Batgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07294914949599474519noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3032175481184973808.post-25009001734332377892010-07-16T17:49:00.004-04:002010-07-28T00:31:29.815-04:00Mango Morning Quesadillas<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29653180@N04/4780575468/" title="Mango Morning Quesadillas by The Artist Formerly Known as Batgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4142/4780575468_fc07856b6a.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Mango Morning Quesadillas" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Mango Morning Quesadillas {page 513}</span> were a concept too novel to pass up. A sweet mango filling sandwiched between two tortillas, baked till crispy, and topped with powdered sugar and cinnamon? Sign me up!<br /><br />And it was good...mostly. Honestly, the filling was a little weird. It baked up funny in the oven, almost to the consistency of scrambled eggs {ew, gross, I know, sorry!}, and wasn't as sweet as I'd hoped. The Ninjahusband thought it was pretty good, but I'm a little on the picky side, and I didn't really love it.<br /><br />I may be persuaded to try it again, but I think I'd make some modifications first.<br /><br />Overall, major points for ingenuity and concept...just a touch lacking in execution.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">-- Your Friendly Neighborhood Batgirl</span>Batgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07294914949599474519noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3032175481184973808.post-27025329867622106392010-07-13T18:50:00.002-04:002010-07-13T18:58:13.068-04:00White Bean and Walnut Patties<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29653180@N04/4773378782/" title="White Bean and Walnut Patties by The Artist Formerly Known as Batgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4117/4773378782_53a3cd8098.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="White Bean and Walnut Patties" /></a><br /><br />I've said it before and I'll say it again - Robin is the master of all things patty, and <span style="font-weight:bold;">White Bean and Walnut Patties {page 122}</span> are no exception.<br /><br />These little patties are made from simple yet flavorful ingredients, and they have a fantastic texture. They're more sturdy than most bean-related patties {thanks to the high ratio of vital wheat gluten to other ingredients}, making them the perfect candidates for a backyard grilling session.<br /><br />I can see them going beautifully in a bun with your favorite toppings, but I chose to serve them here cozied up to some <a href="http://1000veganrecipes.blogspot.com/2010/07/creamy-cauliflower.html">Creamy Cauliflower</a> and topped with <a href="http://1000veganrecipes.blogspot.com/2010/07/watercress-sauce.html">Watercress Sauce</a>.<br /><br />They are elegant, but also quick and kid-friendly - the Supertoddler devoured his portion. They also make great leftovers, so make a double batch and take some to work with you the next day!<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">-- Your Friendly Neighborhood Batgirl</span>Batgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07294914949599474519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3032175481184973808.post-63216219039357933302010-07-13T11:26:00.004-04:002010-07-14T16:00:25.678-04:00Quinoa Summer Squash Pilaf<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4082/4794398552_4915d48e6c.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4082/4794398552_4915d48e6c.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Yes, my camera is dead. Yes, this was taken with my phone. No, I'm not exactly proud of that. I suppose this is my punishment for taking such a long hiatus. :) <br /><br />So with the best of intentions, I attempted to make the <span style="font-weight:bold;">Quinoa Summer Squash Pilaf (p279)</span>. Intentions I say, because thanks to a minor bug problem that I'm sure no one wants to read about on a food blog, I found my quinoa to be infested and therefore unusable. Well the onions were already sauteing, the squash was already diced, and with the oppressive humidity I was in no mood for creativity. Apparently these bugs don't like couscous because that was fine, so this dish became a couscous pilaf.<br /><br />As I am prone to do, I found it a bit bland for my taste so I added some garlic powder, and after separating Grandma V's portion, some red pepper flakes. It's still too mild for me, because I like a big ole spicy party in my mouth, but this is a simple dish to put together on a weeknight, made bright and fresh by the appearance of summer vegetables. And let's be honest, fresh basil makes anything more lively and delicious! There's really no "secret" to this one, it's great for the beginning cook and a palette of potential for the more advanced.<br /><br />I'll make it again--this time with bug-less quinoa--so as to have the full experience, but will likely add fresh garlic near the end. That would really finish it off. I can also see this being a good dish for a picnic or some other outdoor dining adventure, as it would be fine chilled or at room temp, and there's nothing in there requiring refrigeration.The Divine Miss Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17951033807880328177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3032175481184973808.post-74907651927159549842010-07-12T00:38:00.002-04:002010-07-12T00:45:15.080-04:00Watercress Sauce<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29653180@N04/4772741389/" title="Watercress Sauce by The Artist Formerly Known as Batgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4116/4772741389_3d1ceb0ca8.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Watercress Sauce" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Watercress Sauce {page 553}</span> is a healthy, vibrant, and tasty sauce that can liven up a boring "meat"-and-potatoes type dinner in a hurry.<br /><br />The sauce is mainly made from blanched watercress, with other key ingredients such as vinegar and garlic used to play up its peppery notes. It is easy to throw together, and very healthy. The flavor is distinct, but I can see it pairing well with all manner of tofu, cutlets, croquettes, or roasted vegetables. I often find myself wanting a sauce to go with something like that, and I usually fall back on gravy. This would be an awesome healthier, more vibrant alternative in situations like that.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">-- Your Friendly Neighborhood Batgirl</span>Batgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07294914949599474519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3032175481184973808.post-75466291911878838522010-07-10T00:09:00.002-04:002010-07-10T00:17:40.516-04:00Creamy Cauliflower<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29653180@N04/4773379316/" title="Creamy Cauliflower by The Artist Formerly Known as Batgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4074/4773379316_4d68698643.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Creamy Cauliflower" /></a><br /><br />I love {love} love mashed potatoes. And while it is definitely not mashed potatoes, <span style="font-weight:bold;">Creamy Cauliflower {page 364}</span> still falls into the realm of Mashed Deliciousness.<br /><br />Simple to make, and using ingredients you'd expect when mashing any vegetable, this dish came together quickly into a montage of creamy, savory, comforting goodness. The texture is not exactly the same as mashed potatoes, and the taste is a little off, but it was close enough that it fooled the Supertoddler.<br /><br />I think the best thing about this dish is the lowered calorie count. Let's be honest, mashed potatoes are delicious, but not too friendly to the waistline. This Creamy Cauliflower is not only yummy, but it won't increase your pant-size. <br /><br />This was a very good recipe, and a technique I will be using often, I'm sure of it.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">-- Your Friendly Neighborhood Batgirl</span>Batgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07294914949599474519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3032175481184973808.post-16025413026194035352010-07-07T23:12:00.002-04:002010-07-08T00:12:53.330-04:00Vegetable Fried Rice<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29653180@N04/4740949740/" title="Vegetable Fried Rice by The Artist Formerly Known as Batgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4099/4740949740_dbd1337da5.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Vegetable Fried Rice" /></a><br /><br />I hate to give a bad review. I am a people-pleaser to the core, and admitting that I didn't really like something - be it a recipe, a book, a movie, or whatever - just doesn't jive with me. However, I'm kind of a food snob, and I can be rather picky about what I eat. If I'm eating something and I don't love it, I'm likely not to finish it. I'd rather waste food than eat something I don't love. I know that's horrible of me, but that's the truth.<br /><br />As for more horrible truth, I just have to admit that <span style="font-weight:bold;">Vegetable Fried Rice {page 268}</span> didn't really impress me. It was definitely edible, and everyone I served it to ate it and said it was just fine. It just seemed to be a little lacking.<br /><br />I amped up all the seasonings, as I could tell from tasting all along that it might be a little on the bland side. Even that didn't really help though. If I made it again, I'd at least double all the seasonings, and maybe even add in more ingredients.<br /><br />I guess one book cannot be expected to win them all. However, I still feel guilty for the bad review.<br /><br />Apologetically,<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">-- Your Friendly Neighborhood Batgirl</span>Batgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07294914949599474519noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3032175481184973808.post-32712640485849734892010-07-04T16:47:00.002-04:002010-07-04T16:58:59.330-04:00Cherry Berry Watermelon Salad<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29653180@N04/4761787428/" title="Cherry Berry Watermelon Salad by The Artist Formerly Known as Batgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4120/4761787428_bf6b10a4c3.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Cherry Berry Watermelon Salad" /></a><br /><br />First of all, to my American friends: Happy 4th of July! I hope everyone is having a lovely day full of cruelty-free celebrations. <br /><br />I attended a family BBQ last night, and I brought festive <span style="font-weight:bold;">Cherry Berry Watermelon Salad {page 98}</span> to share with everyone. With the patriotic red and blue, this salad is just begging to be all dolled up for a celebration. In the absence of a melon baller, the more creative side of my brain took over, and I realized this was a perfect opportunity to take a mini star cookie cutter to my watermelon. While it was a bit of work, it was definitely worth the appreciative ooohs and ahhhhs that special touch brought.<br /><br />The salad is simple in its construction, and takes advantage of fresh summer fruit in its prime. The dressing is light, consisting mainly of orange juice, and serves to brighten and compliment the already amazing flavors mingling in this salad. Pitting that number of cherries can be somewhat daunting if you don't have a cherry pitter, but the ever-helpful Ninjahusband figured out that a thin pair of kitchen sheers {or a chopstick} will work in a pinch.<br /><br />This was a fabulous salad for a cookout on a hot summer night. I would encourage you to whip this up next time you need something colorful and delicious to compliment your veggie burgers and corn on the grill.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">-- Your Friendly Neighborhood Batgirl</span>Batgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07294914949599474519noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3032175481184973808.post-38267351804050281782010-07-02T07:19:00.002-04:002010-07-02T07:19:00.630-04:00Beans Bourguignon<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29653180@N04/4736779598/" title="Beans Bourguignon by The Artist Formerly Known as Batgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4121/4736779598_2b6b82fb62.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Beans Bourguignon" /></a><br /><br />Beef Bourguignon is practically synonymous with French cooking. This classic French stew, rich with red wine and thickened with beurre manie {"kneaded butter"}, is given a vegan makeover and makes its glamorous reappearance as <span style="font-weight:bold;">Beans Bourguignon {page 253}</span>. Tender red kidney beans stand in for the traditional cow's flesh, and vegan margarine is kneaded with flour to make a vegan beurre manie.<br /><br />Don't let the genre frighten you - this recipe was easy peasy to throw together. I had it on the table in just over 30 minutes! Additionally, it's made from inexpensive ingredients {depending on the wine you choose} and is a one-pot meal. Although it can be eaten as a stew, I found it especially good served over egg-free wide noodles.<br /><br />The flavors were complex and deep, and only improved in the fridge, making leftovers of this stew absolutely delightful {which is convenient, as the stew made quite a lot}. Even though I made this and enjoyed it in the dead of summer {not sure what I was thinking}, I think this would be especially good served in the cool fall or winter months, with some crusty bread for sopping up the delicious broth. The ultimate comfort food - French-style!<br /><br />Bon appetit! <br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">-- Your Friendly Neighborhood Batgirl</span>Batgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07294914949599474519noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3032175481184973808.post-9932698464842420362010-06-30T07:07:00.000-04:002010-06-30T07:07:00.274-04:00Seared Portobello Fajitas<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29653180@N04/4726296728/" title="Seared Portobello Fajitas by The Artist Formerly Known as Batgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1183/4726296728_1fcddd8c16.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Seared Portobello Fajitas" /></a><br /><br />Ole! When you need a quick meal, few things are more delicious and time-friendly than fajitas. Being a working mother of a very active Supertoddler, I am always in the need of a quick meal, and <span style="font-weight:bold;">Seared Portobello Fajitas {page 125}</span> were not only fast, but featured one of my favorite foods on earth - the portobello mushroom.<br /><br />I followed the recipe exactly, deviating only to add about 1/2 a red bell pepper I had hanging out in the fridge. I was actually surprised there were no bell peppers in the recipe to begin with - nothing screams fajitas like peppers! The flavorful ingredients seared up so quickly, I hardly had time to heat some tortillas and sort out a side dish. Major flavor for very little effort - what a great combination!<br /><br />The Ninjahusband took the leftovers for lunch the following day, and said they were even more delicious. This would be a great thing to make a double {or triple} batch of to have around for lunches throughout the week.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">-- Your Friendly Neighborhood Batgirl</span>Batgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07294914949599474519noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3032175481184973808.post-31983433820176700862010-06-28T06:56:00.001-04:002010-06-28T06:56:00.254-04:00Chocolate Coconut Brownies<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29653180@N04/4724868663/" title="Coconut Brownies by The Artist Formerly Known as Batgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1180/4724868663_d5ba3cf865.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Coconut Brownies" /></a><br /><br />Um yeah. I admit that I may have been conceited about my brownie-making in the past. I even named one of my own recipes "Marry Me Brownies" because of the number of marriage proposals they've gotten me throughout the years. Count me sufficiently humbled. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Chocolate Coconut Brownies {page 436}</span> are hands down the best brownies I've ever had in my life. Everyone who tasted them agreed.<br /><br />The brownies are made rich with both coconut milk and shredded coconut, and the added chocolate chips boost them to that down-right-decadent level. I used dark cocoa powder {I always do, I have a slight love affair with it}, and these dark little brownies were fudgy, moist little morsels of heaven on earth. Not only do they taste fantastic, but the smell that was wafting through my house while they baked...I cannot even describe. I could scarce keep my hands out of the oven until they were finished.<br /><br />Coconut-haters obviously wouldn't find these enjoyable {although really, if you hate coconut, you are grumpy and probably not enjoying life anyway - I jest, I jest}, but I think you'd be hard-pressed to find a single other individual alive who could resist these babies.<br /><br />Dozens of thumbs way, way up on this recipe {I shared the brownies with my coworkers}. I already have repeat requests for them to make an appearance at Tuesday Treats in the near future. {Every Tuesday I make treats for my coworkers and bring them into work.} I think I will selflessly oblige {and enjoy every savory lick of the batter in the process}.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">-- Your Friendly Neighborhood Batgirl</span>Batgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07294914949599474519noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3032175481184973808.post-17670192801184079002010-06-27T19:49:00.006-04:002010-06-30T14:48:21.756-04:00Tamari-Dijon Marinade [Pan-Seared Seitan with Herbed Potatoes]<span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3315/4576699766_0da116da8f.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3315/4576699766_0da116da8f.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></span><div style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><p style="margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;font-size:12px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span">I had just made simmered seitan (a.k.a. “wheat meat”) for the first time and was looking to do something with it aside from freaking out about how I’d just created, from flour and some vegetable stock, cutlets that looked and felt and, uh, kind of smelled disquietingly like slices of pigs. But they weren’t!</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; min-height: 14px;font-size:12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;font-size:12px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span">So I was ready to pan sear them and serve them alongside some herb-baked potatoes. Not, however, before marinating them in some </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span">Tamari-Dijon Marinade (page 576)</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span">. I chose it because it’s composed solely out of standard-pantry ingredients. I wasn’t expecting much, given the brief list of pedestrian ingredients. To my surprise, I couldn’t’ve chosen a better marinade. Uncomplicated, it was the perfect accent to the honest simplicity of my meal.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; min-height: 14px;font-size:12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;font-size:12px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span">I’ll most definitely be keeping the Tamari-Dijon Marinade in mind for the next time I need to give something a good pre-preparatory soak.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;font-size:12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;font-size:12px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span">-- Ulpia, gives savory baths to slices of wheat - -</span></i></span></p></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3032175481184973808.post-56416926948296221922010-06-26T17:37:00.003-04:002010-06-26T17:52:54.279-04:00Macadamia-Cashew Patties<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29653180@N04/4723188094/" title="Macadamia-Cashew Patties by The Artist Formerly Known as Batgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1100/4723188094_2270d1080e.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Macadamia-Cashew Patties" /></a><br /><br />Nothing is more stereotypical of being vegan than the ubiquitous veggie burger. Most think of the frozen variety - flat, flavorless, more like a mere apology for not being a burger than an actual food item. You all know those burgers. Well rejoice, because I'm here to tell you, <span style="font-weight:bold;">Macadamia-Cashew Patties {page 119}</span> are anything but boring.<br /><br />Slightly sweet, and complex in flavor and texture, these patties could liven up any meal or gathering. They are very flavorful, and cook up nicely. My only complaint is that you have to handle them carefully or they may break apart. Treat your burger well and it will treat you well, though. At least, that's my philosophy on the matter. <br /><br />I served these on thin buns w/ homemade vegan mayonnaise {see previous post}, mixed baby lettuce, slices of ripe roma tomato, and radish sprouts. This made for one healthy, sophisticated, and satisfying meal.<br /><br />The Supertoddler and Ninjahusband both enjoyed them immensely. These golden little gems are definitely going into regular rotation.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">-- Your Friendly Neighborhood Batgirl</span>Batgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07294914949599474519noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3032175481184973808.post-84021411974769075462010-06-22T11:29:00.000-04:002010-06-22T11:29:00.253-04:00Vegan Mayonnaise<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29653180@N04/4719602312/" title="Vegan Mayonnaise by The Artist Formerly Known as Batgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4054/4719602312_7f73c7db8f.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Vegan Mayonnaise" /></a><br /><br />Let's be honest, mayo, any mayo, even if it's delicious homemade <span style="font-weight:bold;">Vegan Mayonnaise {page 573}</span>, is not very photogenic.<br /><br />Although it will never win any beauty contests, this mayonnaise is dynamite! First off, the ingredient list is short, and is made with things I generally have on hand. The ingredients are inexpensive, to boot. Secondly, it is super fast to make! Literally 5 minutes and voila! Vegan mayo! Third, it is MUCH lower in calories and fat than your standard mayonnaise {even a vegan mayonnaise}. This stuff has no added oil or fat in it at all - not a drop! Last but not least, it is YUMMY. So yummy! It has a tangy but pleasantly smooth flavor. I don't usually like the flavor of mayo enough to really put it on much, but I can see myself becoming very addicted to this stuff. I've already used it twice today.<br /><br />First off, I used it to make a delicious classic macaroni salad:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29653180@N04/4719602908/" title="Macaroni Salad by The Artist Formerly Known as Batgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4068/4719602908_6f9805c60c.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Macaroni Salad" /></a><br /><br />{Please note: my cute kitty bowl. NOTE IT!}<br /><br />It gave great flavor and creaminess to the dish without overwhelming the over flavors and textures. I'm sure it would be KILLER in potato salad as well.<br /><br />Secondly, I decided to make my grilled corn Mexican-style by slathering some on the corn and sprinkling it with paprika:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29653180@N04/4719603698/" title="Father's Day Dinner by The Artist Formerly Known as Batgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4064/4719603698_93aa77e269.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Father's Day Dinner" /></a><br /><br />You know you've got a good mayo on your hands when you like the taste of it enough to put it on your corn. This was DYNAMITE.<br /><br />All in all, I am extremely thrilled to have found this lower fat, lower calorie, inexpensive, easy, and DELICIOUS alternative to store-bought vegan mayo. Try it today! You won't regret it.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">-- Your Friendly Neighborhood Batgirl</span>Batgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07294914949599474519noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3032175481184973808.post-29358809034939546962010-06-20T22:27:00.002-04:002010-06-20T23:17:41.364-04:00Spice Cake with Mango and Lime<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29653180@N04/4718956891/" title="Spice Cake with Mango and Lime by The Artist Formerly Known as Batgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4065/4718956891_a8ccfc8251.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Spice Cake with Mango and Lime" /></a><br /><br />One of my favorite things about summer is the abundance of ripe, juicy, delicious {and cheap!} mangoes. Nearly daily you can find me standing in my kitchen, eating pieces of mango straight off the knife I used to cut it, moaning to the Ninjahusband "Oh man, is there ANYTHING on earth that tastes better than a mango?"<br /><br />{In case you're curious, the answer is no. No, there is nothing on earth that tastes better than a ripe mango.}<br /><br />Therefore, <span style="font-weight:bold;">Spice Cake with Mango and Lime {page 451}</span> is the perfect summery dessert.<br /><br />Because I was having a crowd for dinner, I doubled the recipe to yield a two-layer cake. It was easy to throw together, standard cake protocol. The batter was really thick, but baked up beautifully.<br /><br />The recipe suggests using mango puree in place of the applesauce, which I did, even though it required a trip to the Indian market to acquire said puree. It really bumped up the mango flavor, and I'm glad I went to the trouble.<br /><br />The cake was heavily spiced {but not overly spiced} with cinnamon, allspice, and ginger, and those flavors complimented the mango and tangy lime perfectly.<br /><br />I frosted the cake with vegan cream cheese frosting, and it paired perfectly. Everyone who tried the cake loved it - in fact, there's just one small piece sitting alone on the cake pedestal now, waiting for someone to come along and snatch it up.<br /><br />I think I might be that someone...as long as my Ninjahusband-someone or my Supertoddler-someone doesn't get to it first.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">-- Your Friendly Neighborhood Batgirl</span>Batgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07294914949599474519noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3032175481184973808.post-55901210275397462572010-04-15T23:47:00.000-04:002010-04-15T23:47:00.844-04:00Sesame Soba Noodles<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29653180@N04/4490354920/" title="Sesame Soba Noodles by The Artist Formerly Known as Batgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4041/4490354920_8427d35786.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Sesame Soba Noodles" /></a><br /><br />Previously, I've been a little afraid of cooking with soba noodles. However, what better way to conquer one's fear than to face it head on? <span style="font-weight:bold;">Sesame Soba Noodles {page 236}</span> was the perfect recipe to help me do so.<br /><br />This recipe is easy to prepare {although it does involve a fair amount of chopping}, gorgeous to look at, and delicious to eat! I like the bountiful variety of vegetables it includes, and how the flavors work together to make a cohesive and simple {but complexly flavored} dish. <br /><br />I especially liked the notes of sesame playing throughout. They worked as a nutty undertone in the background, and really helped draw out the flavors in the other ingredients.<br /><br />This dish is definitely going into regular rotation, and I think I've now conquered my fear of the weird gray noodles.Batgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07294914949599474519noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3032175481184973808.post-55205880086961749912010-04-14T23:28:00.000-04:002010-04-14T23:28:00.057-04:00Winter Pasta Salad with Creamy Mustard Vinaigrette<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29653180@N04/4489710291/" title="Winter Pasta Salad with Creamy Mustard Vinaigrette by The Artist Formerly Known as Batgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4024/4489710291_3a42f0c19b.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Winter Pasta Salad with Creamy Mustard Vinaigrette" /></a><br /><br />For an interesting twist on your standard creamy pasta salad, why not give <span style="font-weight:bold;">Winter Pasta Salad with Creamy Mustard Vinaigrette {page 90}</span> a try?<br /><br />This simple salad features vegetables that are easily found during the winter months {and coincidentally are hardy enough to keep around in your fridge as staples}, and is dressed in a deceptively healthy creamy mustard vinaigrette.<br /><br />The salad was quite easy to put together, and was rather flavorful, but had a couple of shortcomings. First, I would have liked some sweetness in the dressing. I think if I make it again, I will include a tbsp or two of agave nectar. Second, the mustard was very strong and almost too tangy to eat the first night it was made {this may be corrected with the use of the agave nectar mentioned}. However, upon trying to leftovers the next day, most of the dressing had soaked right into the noodles, and the salad was then dry and quite flavorless. This definitely seems to be a salad that needs to be eaten the day it's prepared.<br /><br />Overall, I really liked the idea. I thought it was very unique. With a couple of tweaks, I think this recipe could be a keeper!Batgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07294914949599474519noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3032175481184973808.post-86196720581666122892010-04-13T23:21:00.002-04:002010-04-13T23:25:39.263-04:00Hash Brown Potatoes<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29653180@N04/4490355514/" title="Hash Brown Potatoes by The Artist Formerly Known as Batgirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4021/4490355514_4480786d7f.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Hash Brown Potatoes" /></a><br /><br />Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and also can be the most delicious -- especially if it includes <span style="font-weight:bold;">Hash Brown Potatoes {page 525}</span>.<br /><br />Let's be honest: hash browns are mostly just an excuse to have french fries for breakfast, but what a beautiful excuse they are! The Ninjahusband and I often make hash browns for lazy weekend breakfasts, but this recipe really stood out. For one thing, the recipe specifies to grate some onion in with the potatoes. For some reason, we'd never thought to do this before. This really amped up the flavor factor and made the 'browns just that much more delicious and decadent.<br /><br />Although hash browns are something you don't really need a recipe for, I will definitely be using the onion idea from this recipe for years to come. Two enthusiastically greasy thumbs way ups!Batgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07294914949599474519noreply@blogger.com3