More lies, more ketchup

Heyo!

I'm baaaaack!

So, although I did some cooking yesterday, apparently I was unable to manage to blog about it. That's OK...back on the horse. Or wait...that doesn't sound very vegan. Back on the bike?

Anyways...first up we have the Noodle Salad with Spicy Nut Dressing.

This dish was super easy and super tasty. Although, I did make a couple little changes; after reading Raven's post, I decided to heed the call and added more veggies. I diced up some red onion and some portobello 'shrooms and added them to the mix.

The Hubs had two helpings, so I assume that means he liked it (although perhaps it just meant he was hungry...?). I definitely dug it and am halfway tempted to go get the leftovers out of the fridge to have for breakfast right now.

After that I whipped up the Blueberry Dilip.

In my mind, I'm having a hard time determining how "Dilip" is pronounced. Is it like "Phillip"? Or is it more like "Dil-eep"? (Sounds like something on the menu at an Indian restaurant. Mmmm...Indian.)

Anyway, this was also super easy to make and a huge hit with the ol' tastebuds. I felt it was reminiscent of a blueberry cake donut. I have to admit, I was a little worried while watching it cook in the oven...so much bubbling Earth Balance! Surely it must be too much! But NO...it was superb. I omitted the ground ginger because I was out of it, but I can't say it was missed.

So there you have it. I promise one of these days I'll actually get around to using this blog for it's original intended purpose.

Cheers y'all!

OK, I lied

So, I know I promised the noodle salad post today, but it's my birthday today ( :D ) and I just don't see where I'll have time to fit it in. I know...excuses, excuses.  I'm thinking Sunday's going to be a big catch-up day for me.

Have a great Friday, all, and I'll be back by Sunday at the latest.

Cheers!

Well dang, that was tasty

Today's VCI LDV challenge was Baby Spinach and Apple Salad with Sweet Red Wine Vinaigrette. I have to admit that when I hear the word "salad" I don't get excited. And it's so weird, because then I eat a salad and I'm like, "YUM". So, whatever, I'm a weirdo.

I sincerely apologize for this overexposed washed-out weirdness of a photo of my ghosty pretty salad, but I was working without my usual equipment.

I did a few substitutions; pumpkin seeds went in place of the pine nuts, Craisins went in place of the raisins. This is what I had on hand, so I went with it.

Also, for the dressing it calls for "oil" and then lists several varieties as suggestions (hemp, flax, grapeseed).  I didn't have any of those so I used avocado. Totally a worthwhile splurge, if you can swing it. Makes a good gift.

So there you have it. Tune in tomorrow for "Noodle Salad (*sigh*, haha) with Spicy Nut Dressing".

Blueberry Dilly-Dally

So, I'm going to have forego tonight's challenge to make the "Blueberry Dilip". I just can't in good conscience prepare such an item without a.) someone here to share it with and b.) some of this.  So, I'll get back to it later.

For tonight it's just me and some leftover leek and potato soup.

Lo siento, mis amigos. Hasta luego.

Sopa

Today's post will be a shorty. A series of events left me with little time for blogstuffs, apologies.

The recipe of the day was for Simple Leek and Potato Soup. I followed the recipe relatively exactly, with the exception that I used all 4 of the leeks that came in the bunch I purchased.

Too many leeks? Perhaps.

But alas, the proof is in the pudding soup.

A pretty yum accompaniment to my Tofurky sammie, and a welcome salve on this rainy, rainy night.

Cheers!

Today's a Two-fer

Hello!

Getting caught up here. Today's challenge is Estrellasoap.com Peanut Butter Fudgie Mounds.  I was pretty stoked to find that I had all of the necessary ingredients already on-hand.

So I got to cooking.

You like that live-action shot of the stirring, don't you? ;-)

Sadly, my results turned out less-than-picturesque. They taste pretty darned excellent, however.  Messiness factor notwithstanding.

I also took care of making Day 2's challenge, The No Salt Shaker.

Here's my "creative" shot.

It reminds me of this sand sculpture my mom had around when I was a kid.

I guess now I know why mom never let me play with it.

Happy labor day to US readers and cheers to all!

La Dolce Vegan Challenge - Gerry’s Artichoke Heart and Basil Pasta

Ok folks, here we are at day 3 4 (thanks Raven! whoops!) of Vegan Culinary Institute's cook-through of La Dolce Vegan challenge.

So here's my funny story about going to the grocery store. I looked over the recipe for today and realized that I'd have to go out and pick up a few things. One of the things I was missing was the 6oz jar of marinated artichoke hearts.

I head up to the closest place. The first location in which I find artichokes in the store is in the canned vegetable section. They had canned un-marinated artichokes, and then they had "Rosa" brand marinated chokes. I see the 12 oz jar on the top shelf and sitting next to it is what I assume is the 6oz jar, but there's no label for me to confirm. NONE of the jars in that size had a label. I thought this odd, but chalked it up in my mind to a manufacturing defect and perhaps an oblivious stock clerk. In an effort to avoid a difficult time at checkout, I decide to see if I can find a jar elsewhere.

Further on down the same aisle I come across the "italian" section. Again, top shelf I find jars of "Cento" artichoke hearts in the 6oz and 12 oz size and AGAIN, no label on the 6oz!

I don't know what possessed me to grab one of the unlabeled 6oz jars...

But that's when I noticed this...

Hahaha! I am an IDIOT.

(I went back and got the Rosa ones since they were 20 cents cheaper. Yes, I am a cheapskate.)

Anyways, I traipsed around the store and gathered up my remaining missing ingredients. (I actually showered, dressed and made it out of the house today...aren't you impressed?)

The pine nuts, the tomato and the garlic came from the store. The fresh basil came right out of my herb garden! (Yay!) I felt pretty confident that the tomato I chose qualified as "large".

So everything got sauteed up in a little bit of olive oil.

And tossed up with some pasta.

And voila! Dinner is served.

More dark dinner photos...sorry. Hunger often trumps artistic display around here.

Don't forget some fancy-pants eye-talian agua for good measure.

Ciao bellas!