The Sexy Vegan

If you haven't heard of the Sexy Vegan (not meaning Donna or me, which of course you have heard of and are correct, hot stuff here) then you are in for treat.

Brian L. Patton aka The Sexy Vegan is hilarious!! I use that word a lot. But really he is. I recent picked up his cookbook called, you guessed it, The Sexy Vegan, and proceeded to spray diet coke out of my nose as he described the way he was born (via c-section) because "he was all backwards and shit". He also discloses how his friends caught him dvr-ing episodes of food network shows but labeling them Star Trek.

The recipes are killer. The Not Yo' Mama's Cheez Sauce is now a staple here. But honestly just read it for a laugh. Or watch his videos. It is way too easy to take yourself far too seriously with all of the this vegan business. This will knock you down a few pegs. And clear your sinuses.

140 Calories and yummy!! Hoisin Mustard Tofu

I just picked up Isa Chandra Moskowitz's newest cookbook - Appetite For Reduction. Which like all vegan cookbooks has a hella long subtitle - 125 Fast and Filling, Low-fat Vegan Recipes.

Last night I made the Hoisin-Mustard Tofu Lettuce Cups! Unfortunately the recipe isn't on her website so I can't give you a link to it. I guess you will have to get the book at the library! But I will give you the gist!

You need extra firm tofu. Squeeze the water out of it too. Fry it up (with very little oil, like a spray of Pam) with some soy sauce. Meanwhile in another pan use a teeny bit of sesame oil and cook up some diced veggies, like onions, peppers, garlic and ginger. Then add some rice vinegar to them, then add hoisin sauce and mustard. Don't let your hoisin sauce burn. I did. Wah Wah. Then toss the tofu in and mix it all up.

Tofu Cubes

 Veggies

Serve it with iceberg lettuce leaves and eat it like they were little tacos. I ate two servings which was only 280 calories and I was stuffed!!! It was delicious!!!

Happy Mother's Day!!!

It's a few days early, but we want to wish all you mamas a Happy Mother's Day!!

Give yourself or your mom a yummy breakfast scramble with tofu. Or maybe check out the huge collection of vegan lotions and potions at Arnada Naturals or New Seasons. Every mom out there will feel better knowing that her gift is cruelty-free. Because remember -

Get this awesome shirt at Herbivore Clothing

Thank you Costco and avocados!

Peeps!! Costco started carrying gardein™ crumble. I really like these better than Light Life's Smart Ground®. The taste is a lot milder and is has a little more texture to it. Kris and I just threw it in some marinara sauce, heated and poured it over spaghetti noodles. It was so good!! Also great for tacos.

Speaking of tacos-  Yesterday was Cinco de Mayo and I made guacamole. I think all in all I ate about 3 avocados yesterday - whoops.

Here is my go to Guac recipe - 

2-3 ripe avocados (mine came from costco too - costco is just killing it for me right now)

1 clove of garlic

1 tsp coarse sea salt (really  the coarser the better)

lime juice from half a lime

2 Dolot cubes of frozen cilantro (find it in the Trader Joe's freezer section - so damn convenient)

Couple dashes of chipotle powder

a few food grinds of black pepper

Mash up your avocados and add everything but the garlic and salt. Put your peeled clove of garlic in your pestle with the salt - grind until it is a paste then add it to the other ingredients. Don't have a mortar and pestle? Get one. You can find them for like 9 bucks at TJ Maxx. I just throw mine in the dishwasher when I am done. It totally rocks. If you use fewer avocados, it will be pretty flavorful. If you use more, just add a little more lime juice.

Then pick up some chips.

In stunning chip news Kris and I have switch teams and are now team Don Pancho and no longer team Juanitas. WHAT? I can hear you screaming. Juanita's has always been the absolute best, but recently we branched out. (Actually I think it was an accident, or they were out of Juanita's, I am not sure what happened there.) But Don Pancho, hold up better in dip, are less oily (but not too much less) and are slightly saltier. Juanita's Chilipeno still take the trophy on flavored chips though.

Book Review - Eating Animals

When I decided to change up what I ate, giving up meat was the easiest part. Something has always nagged at me about eating it and I am amazed at the number of people I hear say "I don't really eat/like meat that much." It is something I think we need to take note of. Maybe it is because they are health conscious. Maybe it is because they really don't like the taste. Maybe they are like me and it always felt, well, kinda mean. Even sushi, which I devoured on a weekly basis made me feel a little bit sad.

So why do we eat animals? And should we? 

If you are reading this blog, then there is a good chance you don't eat animals. But I still encourage you to read  Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer. I encourage everyone to read it. It might not turn you off meat, but I have very high doubts that it won't change the way you look at it.

This book is not an all out horror fest or a major guilt trip. (Although there were parts where I cried like really really hard - those of you who know me well, know that I also cry really really hard during commercials about Kleenex) It is a well presented case for not eating factory farmed meat.  And then goes on to ask, why meat at all?

If I can digress for just a sec. I recently went to Herbivore Clothing located in Portland. And I bought a couple of these buttons - 

Factory Farms Are Mean and Nasty

After reading Eating Animals I am haven't purchased factory farmed meat or eggs. And there isn't anything in the future that I can predict will make me do it again. Foer takes it one step further though and says - why eat animals at all? Even if it was raised humanely, killed in the least cruel way possible, you are still killing a sentient being to eat it.

Eating Animals has a interesting cast of farmers, activists, and butchers in the book that give you the whole spectrum of opinion through interviews. While Foer's book clearly leans towards vegetarianism, it isn't a "you're an asshole if you eat meat" kind of book. That is why I suggest it to everyone.

Recently "pink slime" and  cruel condition for battery hens are on the news every night and I feel gratitude to the host of books and movies that are coming out about the way animals are treated and the disgusting things that go on at factory farms both animals wise and food wise. I am grateful that people are taking a closer look at what is on their plate. Eating Animals will help everyone investigate a little further. Check it out at your local library, or you can purchase it here.

Happy Grilled Cheese Day!!

It's National Grilled Cheese Day! Seriously. Google it.

Let me share my favorite grilled cheese recipe and let me just say one thing - "All Hail Daiya!!!"

What you will need -
Earth Balance Butter Spread
Some kind of delicious bread - May I suggest rye -it can be found in vegan varieties and it rocks socks. (focaccia is also frequently vegan an makes an awesome panini style sandwich)
Filling -
Roasted Red Peppers - You can roast your own but I think jarred are just fine
Caramelized onions - Yellow or sweet are best.
Mozzerella Daiya Shreds

Spread the buttery on the bread, put the filling between two slices, and grill it up!!! I like it with a little mustard or horseradish to add some zang!!!  Thank me later by sharing pictures or your creations.

Happy Friday! Bean with 'Bacon' Soup and Stuffed Mushrooms- Oh My!

Happy Friday everyone! I have been meaning to blog all week, but I never seemed to find the time.  I did make some amazingly yummy recipes this week, so I wanted to share a few of them with you.  Let me know what think after you try them.

Bean with 'Bacon' Soup- So delicious and super easy!

You will need:

4 carrots finely diced
6 15 oz cans  Organic Great Northern White Beans ( half drained )- you can use dry beans, soak them etc.
64oz Organic Veggie Broth
8oz Organic Tomato Paste
1 Tbsp Liquid Smoke
Salt
Pepper
Garlic
Herbs Provence
Large Soup Pot


1. Place Carrots and Garlic in pot with a little olive oil.  Saute until slightly softened.

2. Add in the rest of the ingredients. Bring to boil for about 5 minutes, then simmer for at least 30 minutes.

Enjoy!



Vegan Stuffed Baby Portobello Mushroom Caps (Sorry I did not capture a picture to share)

You will Need:

6 Mushroom Caps
1 Zuccini
1 Carrot
1/2 Bell Pepper
1 1/2 cups Cashew Cream
1/4 cups Nutritional Yeast
Garlic
Salt
Pepper
Herbs Provence
Olive oil
Baking Sheet

1. Prep mushrooms- Clean, remove stems, and take a spoon and remove gills. Drizzle tops with Olive Oil, and place top side down on baking sheet

2. Mix remaining ingredients in a bowl. Season to taste

3. Spoon mixture into mushroom caps evenly.

4. Place in a 400 preheated oven. Bake for 20 minutes.

Enjoy!