Livin’ Veg

Daiya Cheese On Everything! January 27, 2010

Last week my Whole Foods finally started carrying Daiya cheese. For those of you interested, it’s in the prepared food section near the pizza dough, pizza cheese and sauce. It’s labeled “vegan cheese” and says Daiya.

The first thing I made with it - because I missed them so so much - were nachos. Yep, the ones in the picture to your right with black beans. I have also made pineapple/onion pizza and tomorrow night is taco night. I am living in cheese bliss. I really can’t remember the last time I had a nacho. And as much as I adore salad pizza, I’m super happy with my new daiya cheese pizza.

When you get your fancy new daiya cheese make sure you note that you don’t cook it like regular cheese. You put it on when the dish is nearly cooked just long enough so that the cheese can melt. Cook it too long and it will burn. Read more cooking instructions here. For pizza, I cook my dough with thin slices of tomato/onion first, then when the dough is just turning brown at the edges, I take it out, add my daiya and my pineapple and put it back in for a few minutes. I keep an eye on it and as soon as the daiya is melted, I take it out and enjoy.

Has anyone else tried cooking with it yet? What have you made?

Vegan Yum Yum Cookbook Review January 12, 2010

I’ve talked about Vegan Yum Yum’s cookbook before, but now that I’ve had it for a while I’ve had time to make quite a few of the recipes inside. So far, I have not been disappointed. Everything from the corn fritters to the pineapple baked tofu with seared pineapple rings and nutty greens to the more simple sweet and sour tofu with broccoli have been outstanding. In fact, (and the vegan world might go crazy if I say this out loud) but…I think this cookbook is better than the Veganomicon. And the Veganomicon had been my go to cookbook for ages! Of course that’s still a great book. I’m just saying there is a new delectable vegan queen in town and her cookbook will make your eyes roll back in your head. I gave it to my mom for Christmas, and she can’t stop cooking from it either.

Something I also love about Lauren’s recipes is her ingredients. Many of her recipes require just a few staples. She likes to use tahini, miso, nuts and other ingredients that keep well. She doesn’t send you searching for expensive hard to find ingredients. And most of the time a food used in one recipe will be used in multiple others. That’s both practical and economical.

If you still aren’t convinced, go check out her blog and make one of her recipes from there. I doubt you’ll be disappointed.

The ADA Compares Vegetarian Meats For Thanksgiving November 24, 2009

Ever wonder how Tofurky compares to Field Roast or to that ever odd food Quorn? The American Dietetic Association put together a chart comparing various vegetarian Thanksgiving alternatives. For those of you who may not know, the AMA is the most trusted voice on nutrition and they have repeatedly reported that a vegetarian/vegan diet is totally healthy and even has health benefits like a reduction in the likeliness of heart disease and some cancers.

They reported that the good news is, all but one of the vegetarian alternatives contained no saturated fat. All were a great source of protein. Sadly, all of these products contain at least one of the common food allergens. And all (especially my favorite - Field Roast) had WAY more sodium than one would find in a turkey.

Click here to view the info and the chart so that you may better know your options when it comes to celebrating a compassionate/delicious Thanksgiving.

And while you’re thinking of the holiday, consider sponsoring a turkey at Farm Sanctuary. You can do it for as little as $25. I keep going back and forth between Gideon, Mello and Olive.

Celebration Roast Perfect For Vegan Thanksgiving November 11, 2009

I’ve said this before, but feel the need to say it again every holiday season. Celebration roast by Field Roast is amazing! It is the absolute perfect faux meat for the fall/winter holiday season. Pair it with homemade cranberry sauce for the perfect mix of savory and sweet. It’s stuffed with butternut squash, apples and mushrooms and will work great for your vegan and omni guests. And it’s super easy to make so you can focus your time and energy on sides, desserts and your guests.

And while we’re talking about Thanksgiving, right now is a perfect time to donate to a farm sanctuary and help save the life of a turkey. So many turkeys are killed this time of year. Maybe even ask your guests to bring a bit of cash and have the donation go to saving a life. Thanksgiving should be a time of joy, and what’s more joyful than giving life:)

What Do You Eat For Dinner On A Lazy Night? November 10, 2009

We all come home from work/school some days feeling completely exhausted and hungry. You’d love a fancy vegan meal from your favorite cookbook but the idea of spending more than ten minutes on something (especially since you’re about to lash out at the person closest to you due to your hunger and bad mood) is beyond imaginable.

My question to you all is what is your fall back plan dinner that you make at least once a week just to put food on the table?

For the past two months mine had been a Sunshine burger with a whole wheat bun, tomato, avocado, onion, veganaise and ketchup. Yummy, fast and filling.

Two nights ago, I decided to change our “we’re too tired to cook” standard dinner. I bought some whole wheat tortillas, got out my canned black beans, some fresh tomato, onion, avocado, salsa, lettuce and made myself and my husband a fast and delicious meal. I think it’s even faster than the veggie burgers! Plus, it’s super healthy.

I’d love more ideas. So I ask again, what do you make in a pinch?

Vegan Sweet Potato/Black Bean Recipe - Amazing! September 28, 2009

Thanks to my Dad for emailing me this amazing recipe from Mark Bittman’s “The Minimalist” in the NY Times. He sent it on Saturday. On Sunday morning I went to Whole Foods, picked up the ingredients and made it for my husband and our good friend for lunch. Perfection!

Here is a list of ingredients so you can get a feel:

1. Sweet Potatoes (I used yams - worked great)
2. Black Beans (canned are fine)
3. Lime Juice
4. Jalapeno Pepper
5. Olive Oil
6. Garlic
7. Red Onion
8. Cilantro
9. Red or Yellow Bell Pepper

Click here for the full recipe and watch the video for amounts.

That’s it. There is a reason his column is called The Minimalist. So easy. And I’m fairly certain my husband and I are going to eat this dish all fall/winter long. Sweet potatoes are incredibly good for you. Black beans provide protein and are so cheap. (Organic canned black beans at WF set me back a whopping $1.09.) It’s a full meal. Not a side dish. Although of course you can serve it as a side. I have enough for lunch today and I’m using all my will power not to go finish the rest right now. I love trying new foods. But I especially love when a recipe is easy and tasty. This gets 5 stars in both categories.

Vegan Yum Yum’s New Cookbook! September 16, 2009

I don’t know about you but I’ve been waiting for this for quite some time. It’s finally here. Lauren Ulm’s vegan cookbook. And if it’s anything like her fantastic blog, it’s going to be awesome. I’m ordering my copy right now.

Here my dears are some of the recipes you will find inside:

Blueberry Waffles with Lemon Icing • Strawberry Rhubarb Coffee Cake • Stuffed Banana Berry French Toast * Sweet Chili Lime Tofu • Tahini Lemon Rice and Beans • Corn Fritters • Eggplant and Basil Stuffed Tomatoes * Creamy Tomato Barley Risotto • Crispy Sesame Kale • Moroccan Spiced Root Vegetable Home Fries • Smoky Miso Tofu Sandwiches • Cannellini Bean Soup with Pan-fried Croutons • Chinese Broccoli Wontons in Ginger-Soy Sauce * Chipotle Basil Corn Chowder • Baked Mac and Cheeze • Gnocchi with Thyme Vinaigrette • Lime Peanut Noodles with Seitan, Kale, and Carrots

Oh yes. If you need to be convinced, then try making the sweet chili lime tofu from the recipe off her blog. I make it when we have omni company over because it’s so damn tasty.

I’ve also made the recipe that’s on her cover and all I can say is…delicious. I can’t wait to have Lauren’s creations as a part of my cookbook collection. I got seriously tired of dragging my laptop to the kitchen (trying not to spill things on it) as I cooked from her blog. No more.

Daiya Vegan Cheese August 24, 2009

I’ve been seeing blogs rave about Daiya vegan cheese for months now. Apparently it melts like real cheese, the texture is good, the taste is good. Everything you could ever want. I mean, look at that pizza! How much do you want to eat that right now?!

The only problem: it’s not available many places. I didn’t even think I had eaten it until I saw that two of my absolute favorite restaurants use it. Candle 79 and Candle Cafe in Manhattan. It turns out I’ve eaten it on their sandwiches. And yum! Click here for the full list telling you where you can get it. I’m looking forward to the day that Whole Foods, Trader Joes and all the other health food chains decide to stock it. Seriously, it’s been winning awards, it’s been used in the best vegan restaurants. When are the major chains going to catch on?! (Apparently, Daiya is working on a distribution strategy - they are super new.) I want to make my own vegan grilled cheese! Well, I’m getting a tad hysterical so I’ll stop now. Has anyone else tried it?

Fried Green Tomatoes And A Happy Elephant August 19, 2009

I couldn’t decide which to blog about today so my choice was to blog about both. Fried green tomatoes and a feel good elephant story.

Vegan Yum Yum has posted a brand new recipe for fried green tomatoes. I’ve seen the movie. I’ve heard of the dish. I’ve never eaten them. Nor do I know where to even buy green tomatoes but you can bet your aunt betty that I’m going to find out.

Lauren over at Yum Yum describes the tastes as follows: They are sweet and tangy, still firm, and juicy–almost citrusy.

Click over here to read the full recipe. Me wants now.

And in other news, an elephant in Thailand who lost her leg in a landmine explosion (while working at a logging camp - boo hiss) was just fitted with a prosthetic and is walking on four legs for the first time in ten years. I know nothing about the organization they mention: Friends of Elephants in Thailand but kudos to them for fixing up this big gal with a leg.  Watch her story in the video below.

Raw Cacao Nibs August 17, 2009

Do you love a chocolate fix but don’t always want to have all the sugar and extras added to it? Lately, I’ve been eating cacao nibs. Tiny little chocolatey crunchy bits of cacao - the substance that chocolate is made from.

It’s not that great on it’s own. It’s a little bitter, and a little too crunchy, but it makes an awesome and healthy addition to all sorts of foods. I eat them in nut and dried fruit mixes. Instead of adding vegan chocolate chips, I add cacao nibs. I also add them to smoothies to give my peanut butter banana mixtures a little extra crunch and choclate flavor. You blend it in with all the other items to it gets cut down really small, and then enjoy. There are tons of uses for it. I think of more all the time.

In terms of health, it’s got the same benefits as chocolate, since it is chocolate before chocolate is processed.  Tons of antioxidant compounds, iron, calcium and phosphorus. I get the brand TerrAmazon which are raw. They are kind of pricey but you use them in moderation so the little bag lasts. And they carry them at Whole Foods.