Vegan Recipe: Hummus is Yummus

 

Alright, so you probably didn't give my hunt for the perfect hummus another thought...but I did! I am onto my next hummus recipe. This one is super basic and it was ok, could be great with addition of spices, but it is a good start if you are not familiar with hummus. Cordelia is normally put off but hummus with a robust flavor and she really liked this more mild version of hummus.

1/4 c tahini

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp salt

 2 cans chickpeas plus some reserved liquid

2 tsp olive oil

1/4 c lemon juice

* paprika and a drizzle of olive oil on top

Put it all in a food processor and blend until creamy. Pour in a little reserved chickpea liquid as you blend for a creamier hummus. Just a little as you go along, testing the consistency until you are happy. If you want super creamy hummus you need to shell those chickpeas, but I don't have time for that. When you are done drizzle with a bit of olive oil and a sprinkle of paprika.

A fine basic, but I know there is better. Send me your recipes and I shall try them.

Vegan Spanish Seitan and Rice and Bonus Vegan Vocabulary Lesson

People regularly ask me what we vegan folks eat. I think most people presume that we eat freaky stuff with weird names. Names like seitan*** (see below for a vegan pronunciation key). Have you ever tried seitan?

For those of you who are not in the loop seitan (also known as wheat meat) is a vegan "meat" made from wheat. Now before you start imagining crazy bespectacled vegan scientists electrocuting wheat and adding strange chemicals on stormy nights I should tell you that seitan is actually an ancient food. The Chinese first developed it in ancient times (I don't have an exact date I am not a food historian folks) and it was a delicacy reserved for the royals. So, if you want to feel like an ancient Chinese empress or maybe you just want something new to eat I highly recommend seitan.

If you are wondering about the taste it is a bit like chicken in texture and it picks up the flavors of whatever you are cooking. I really do love this vegan alternative to meat, also great for people who have soy allergies.

So, without further ado I give you a recipe that puts seitan to use.

Spanish Seitan and Rice

• 1 Tbs. olive oil
• 1 package of seitan, cut into 2 inch chunks
• 1 medium onion, sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 c. white cooking wine
• 28 oz. can diced tomatoes (liquid and all)
• 1 c. white rice (cook according to instructions)
  
• 1 c. frozen peas
• 1/4 c. fresh flat leaf parsley
• 1/4 c. pimento stuffed Spanish olives

Heat the oil in a LARGE pan over medium heat. Add onion and cook for a couple of minutes. Add the seitan and bell pepper. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add garlic and cook for a minute more. Add the wine, tomatoes (with liquid), rice and season with salt and pepper.

Bring to a boil (add a bit of water if the liquid cooks off too fast), reduce heat and simmer (covered) for 15 minutes. Add the peas and cook for 2-5 more minutes. Spoon onto individual plates and garnish with parsley and olives.

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Vegan Vocab. (Just a few words that people often ask about)

***Eating vegan is one thing, pronouncing it is another thing altogether. Here are a few words that many have difficulty pronouncing (so you won't be scared to ask for it at the store). Not necessarily related to the recipe above.

seitan-(pronounced say-tan)vegan meat alternative, often used in place of chicken. Protein rich
vegan- (pronounced vee-gun) one who eats/wears/uses only products that are free of animal products and testing
tempeh- (pronounced temp-ay) an Indonesian soy based meat analogue. Has a somewhat nutty flavor, used in everything from stirfry to sandwiches. High in complete protein.
quinoa-(pronounced keen-wah) a grain like crop that is known for it's edible seeds. Often used in dishes that call for a grain or a grain accompaniment. High in protein.

Any vegan vocab questions? I'd be happy to answer them

More Than Expected

On Monday I posted that I expected a very laid back Valentine's Day because my hubby and I are more spontaneous than all that---and then we did celebrate spontaneously. I spent my morning sending Eric several ridiculous e-cards (one featuring a cartoon Dionne Warwick).

First, my parents stopped by with flowers for me and a balloon and raspberries for Cordelia. She was in HEAVEN. She wouldn't [won't] part with the balloon all day, not for food, fresh diapers, etc.

With balloon (or boon in Cordelia speak)

Later Eric called to let me know he was on his way home and that he'd had kind of a bummer of a day. So that settled it. I took one look down at my outfit which featured crusty gunk from Cordelia's lunch and I decided that I needed to take that business to the next level.

I changed into a dress made by my Great Grandma Rose, threw out a tablecloth and put on some music. When Eric came home he joined in the festivities, donning his "smoker's jacket". He also brought home some gifts for his girls including: tulips, chocolate, wine and a stuffed pooch for Cordelia.

Valentines

C'est moi


Handsome husband

I will admit that we had not planned for a special dinner, so I decided to just have a simple salad and some whole wheat pasta (romantic I know). A simple, but tasty, vegan dinner. Regardless of the less than fancy cuisine we managed to have quite a lovely dining experience.

The dinner table


My dinner party


Une Salade


Pasta


Me

Almost immediately after dinner we all changed into our comfy clothes and spent the rest of the night lounging around. I also ate a lo of vegan chocolate.

So, as you can see we ended up having a rather lovely Valentine's Day. What did you do?

Vegan Cookie Recipe and Reminder About the Giveaway

Yesterday was a dreary afternoon. The day was windy, cold and separated by periods of snain (snow+rain=snain). When Cordelia awoke from her afternoon nap I decided that it was high time I bake some vegan chocolate chip cookies. Even though they're vegan they aren't exactly a health food, but since there is no egg in the mix you can eat cookie dough to your heart's content...and I did.

Here's my recipe (it regularly changes):

1. Preheat oven to 375 F.
2. Combine 2 1/4 c. of flour, 1 tsp. baking soda, 1/2 tsp. salt. Set aside.
3. In a separate bowl combine 3tsp. EnerG Egg replacer + 4 Tbs. warm water, 1 c. softened vegan margarine, 3/4 c. sugar, 3/4 c. brown sugar, 2 tsp. vanilla extract.
4. Combine the wet and dry ingredients and mix thoroughly. Add 1 c. of vegan chocolate chips, 1/2 c. of nuts or coconut flakes are great too. Mix it until integrated.
5. Drop by rounded spoonful onto cookie sheet and bake for about 10 minutes or until they begin to brown. Enjoy with a cup of soy or almond milk.

Also please remember to enter my awesome giveaway. Scroll down to see yesterday's blog. I fixed the link for those of you who were having difficulty.

Vegan Eats

Last night I made sweet and sour tofu, sesame broccoli and mushrooms, and brown rice. I thought I'd share a little veg recipe with you today. I didn't take exact measurements or anything, but I think it'll all work out just fine.

Sweet and Sour Tofu
1/2 a small onion (save the other 1/2 you'll use it in a minute)
1 block of extra firm tofu, diced into approximately one inch chunks.
2 Tbs. olive oil, vegetable oil or sesame oil would work too.
1-2 cloves crushed garlic
Approximately 1/2 c. sweet and sour sauce.
1/2 c. pineapple cut into bite sized chunks...fresh is best but the tidbits work too.
* Optional pepper, Eric hates it but if you like I think some chunks of chopped pepper would be great!

In a non-stick skillet over medium high heat warm the oil, add the onions and cook until the onions start to soften. Add the cubed tofu and cook until the tofu is nice and golden on all sides, adding a bit more oil if things start to stick. Add crushed garlic. Reduce heat and add the sweet and sour sauce and pineapple tidbits, cook until things thicken and warm through. Serve hot.

Sesame Broccoli and Mushrooms
1/2 onion
1-2Tbs. sesame oil
1 head of broccoli divided into bite sized florets
1-2 cloves of crushed garlic
1/2-3/4 c. sliced mushrooms
*sesame seeds optional garnish

In a non-stick skillet over medium high heat warm the oil, add the onion and cook until translucent. Add the broccoli, garlic, and mushrooms, stir until lightly coated with the sesame oil and cook until the broccoli is tender. Serve hot and garnish with sesame seeds if you like.

Brown Rice
Cook brown rice according to package directions. You really don't need my help here.

Breakfast Picnic

Yesterday morning Eric and I decided to go on a breakfast picnic.I woke up early as is my usual practice, particularly with this little girl jumping around inside my guts. I started some banana nut muffins, knowing that I'd have time to finish them before Eric was up and ready to head out. Once everything was prepared we grabbed Bumblebee and headed to a nearby park.

I packed our vegan breakfast up in our adorable little picnic basket, a wedding gift.

I addition to the banana nut muffins I made a breakfast burrito for us to split , some fresh fruit, coffee and juice.

We had our pick of the picnic locations because there just aren't many folks picnicking first thing in the morning.

After breakfast and some nice conversation we took Bumblebee on a walk through the park before starting off our day.

What did you do that was out of the ordinary?