Good days...and sunshine!

It is amazing what a bit of early spring warmth (two days in the 60s!) and sun can do!  For many reasons, I had an invigorating past week, and even though it was 18 when I dropped off the hub at the train this morning, the hope and renewal of spring are in me!


Still, many of the kitchen happenings this past week continued to be of the hearty variety.  No new creations, but many new trials!

 Butternut Squash Steak Quesadillas: A GG Variation
Did my "steaks" as per an earlier post (upped cumin a bit); thinly layered refried beans, then steaks, then light Daiya, black beans, and avocado.  Hub's plan for perfect tortilla crisp: 4-5 min. per side on med. heat (use non-stick saute pan).  YUM!

Sometimes, a bowl of veggies is just

a bowl full of happiness. Yay! (Oh...and I had

my sweet potatoes with a new 

agave-sweetened ketchup -- awesome!)

Sun-Dried Tomato Basil Dip from Veganomicon
and Low-fat Spinach and Artichoke Dip
from Happy Herbivore:  Made these for dinner
at the Hoffs.  I have tips to lighten the former
and rave reviews of both!

Two-Step Southwestern Stew -- an
old favorite and one of my first
forays into vegan cooking.  Click here 
to get the recipe.  The hominy is a fun
alternative to the usual corn, as it
 provides similar flavor with the
density of a grain.

Thank you H. Hoff for taking the

time and care to make such a 

delicious vegan dish!  Sauteed

Tofu Veggies with 

Homemade Peanut Sauce!

 

Low-Fat Banana Oat Scones:  Clickhere for the recipe. Use non-dairy milk.
I also used 1 c. wheat and 1 c. white,
added cinnamon, and topped with a
sprinkle of turbinado.  A great
breakfast with the barest smear of pb
or jam and a piece of fruit.

Just after I had added the pictures for this post and was embarking upon notes and description, I realized that I had an observer.  Now, post-breakfast, I usually just hear snores from the pups, as I go about my morning activities.  At first, I couldn't figure out why he was so avidly watching me write -- just being supportive?  curious as to why I was not snuggling him and reading?  Then, I realized his intense (though insanely cute) gaze was linked to the final bite of apple on my breakfast plate.  I couldn't help but snap this shot of Boomer, although I also wish I had also gotten the picture of him seemingly looking for a good read (as a bookshelf was just to his left).  You may guess that following the consumption of the aforementioned apple, I once again find myself alone, in the beautiful morning sunlight of my office, listening to the usual snoring.  

Happenings over the Hiatus

Miss me?  I missed you, dear blog and appreciated readers.  I don't really have a fantastic reason for my extended hiatus.  Having read other blogs, I know that such breaks frequently happen to all but the most dedicated of bloggers (and sometimes, even the die-hards); after starting which such vigor, I didn't expect and certainly didn't plan to fall into that trap, but I did. Boo.

But now, I'm back...to let you know...I can really cook it down.

With that Contours-inspired lead-in, I want to give you a glimpse at the kitchen happenings over the hiatus.  See something you MUST eat?  Post a comment with your request, and I'll post additional recipe or source info as needed.  Hope you are well, and I hope that this blog may continue to be a resource for you as you facilitate your health and happiness in 2011!

Christmas Dinner:
VwV Gnocchi and Tomato Sauce with
Garlic Knots and Chopped Salad
(Yes, homemade gnocchi and rolls!)

Mom's Cinnamon Rolls and
QEVB Pea, Tarragon and
 Cream Cheese Tart

Couple's Cooking #2:
Black Bean and Squash Empanadas
from VEGANOMICON

Beyond yum (and you can even
freeze them for later yum!)

Couple's Cooking #1:
Completely Homemade Ravioli
(Yay new roller attachment!)

Ravioli stuffing: Pinot-sauteed
mushrooms, VwV ricotta, and
fresh spinach

Plated

Pretty darn spectacular,
especially since this was the
first use of roller and first
time making ravioli!

Couple's Cooking #3:
Look out Brown Sugar -- our adaptation
of VwV's Pad Thai 

VegTimes Jan./Feb. '11:
Spiced Quinoa and Red
Lentil Soup and Sweet
Potato and Leek Gratin

A little black pepper, warm salad, and Cab Franc

Sometimes, you just want vegetables -- simple vegetables; most often, I turn to a quick salad when such desire occurs.  However as fall becomes increasingly crisp, I find especially in the evening that I crave warmth, thus this evening's offering.  I included the wine at first because, this was to be my "Wednesday with Wine" post after all, but in eating the meal, I found the cab franc nicely enhanced the sweetness and pepperiness of the dish.

Warm Brussels Salad

Servings: 1 light entree portion or 2 side dish portions

Time: 15 min.

1 small sweet potato (shredded on smallest mandoline setting)

1 large carrot  or 2 small carrots (thinly sliced/finely chopped or mandolined,
                                                   as above; scant 1/4 c.)

scant 1/4 c. onion (preferably red, though I used yellow, since it was all I
                                                  had; finely diced or mandolined as above)

8 brussels sprouts (bottom cut off, top layers peeled away, each sprouts
                             thinly sliced into 5-6 pieces)

1 t. oil

salt (1/4-1/2 t.) and pepper (approx.1/2 t.)


1. Lightly oil saute pan to cover; heat over med-high heat.  Once heated, dump in sprout and onion pieces -- sprinkle with salt and pepper; saute for 5-7 min. until lightly browned and onions are softened, then add sweet potato/carrot shreds.  Shuffle around until warmed through or browned as you prefer.  My veggies took about 10-12 min., and they weren't browned to more of a crisp hash brown consistency (though I think that would be awesome for breakfast!).  Taste and add s/p as needed.


Clearly a simple dish, but it hit the spot -- great for slow eating and sipping.   As a bonus, the hub liked it, despite the fact that it had two of his least favorite items (sweet potatoes and brussels).  Hurrah!