Sammich Rival!

My family is big on eggs benedict, I never tried it because the mere thought of it made me gag. Especially the hollandaise sauce. I finally decided to give the vegan version a go after being bored of my regular breakfast rotation.

The first version was not too shabby, but the last attempt was phenomenal. It's usually made with spinach, but I swapped that for avocado. It definitely rivals but not quite overtakes the bbq tofu sandwich.

~~~~~Recipe~~~~~

Cut tofu in 1/2 inch slices.

Tofu Marinade
• olive oil
• apple cider vinegar
• salt

Put marinade in a baking pan and press slices of tofu into it.
Flip tofu over and do the same on the other side.

Bake for 20 minutes, then flip over and bake for another 10 (or until getting crispy-ish).

While it's baking, create the vegandaise sauce. Adjust ingredients to suit your palate.

In a sauce pan, toss in
• vegan mayo
• lemon juice
• dash of worchester
• nutritional yeast
• turmeric
• tarragon
• teeny bit of cayenne pepper

Thin it out with a bit of water.

Slice up some sourdough or ciabatta bread, tomatoes and avocado.

Put it all together and dig in. Yum.

STELLAR SLAW

This was a bit of a random collection of ingredients, but it ended up being terrific!
Delicio!

I made enough for about 2-3 servings.

Ingredients:

1/2 white cabbage, chopped
2 small apples, chopped
1 stalk celery
handful of toasted pecans

dressing:

1/4 c. apple cider vinegar
1/3 c. honey
1/4 c. vegan mayo
sprinkle of poppyseeds
salt + pepper

HANDS DOWN BEST SAMMY ON THE FACE OF THE PLANET!!!!

So after buying Sarah Kramers Vegan-A-Go-Go book and being disappointed it was mostly reused recipes, I decided to try one of the new ones that appeared for BBQ sauce. Let me tell you this sauce is orgasmic! I made the most amazing sandwich using it - toasted Sourdough bread + facon (fake bacon) + tomatoes and sometimes a slice of Tofutti cheddar cheese. I usually dip the sammy in it or just dump it overtop and drown it in this heavenly sauce.


I can always smell this sauce for days afterwards, mmmmmmm!

PANCAKES + PASTA

My new favourite pancake recipe.
I have fallen in love with Strawberry Spelt Pancakes!
They are the easiest thing to make.
My recipe only makes a couple and I usually just estimate.
1.5 cups light spelt flour
1 tbsp raw sugar
1 tbsp baking powder
- stir together.
- add 1 tbsp oil
and 1/2 - 1 c. water
- toss in some strawberries
- heat up a pan with some earth balance margarine and away you go.

POTLUCK LEFTOVERS
I had some leftover brown rice penne from the pesto salad I made for our work potluck and decided to make nice pasta for lunch.

I made a yummy mushroom sauce recipe I found online and added some carmelized red onions, zucchini and spinach with lots of pepper. It was fantastic.

HEALTH FOOD POTLUCK

This summer I am appropriately working in the health food market deli in the kitchen. I have picked up quite a few cooking secrets as well as a library of recipes.
Today we had a potluck, which was fantastic.
One of my coworkers can't have gluten, dairy, soy, chocolate, bananas or oil. She also dislikes potatoes. What does a vegan make for someone with such a unique combo of intolerances?

I made an oil-free pesto pasta salad using brown rice penne noodles.
For the pesto I combined fresh basil, spinach, lemon juice, garlic, pasta water and sea salt + fresh ground pepper. I tossed in zucchini, cherry tomatoes, red and green peppers as well as some toasted pine nuts. It went over well although I really missed the oil, it was rather light and refreshing.

I also brough some homemade guacamole with corn chips. One of the girls made an impromptu black bean dip that was incredible! I can't wait for the next potluck/feast!

PERTINENT QUESTION

Where has SoNice soy yogurt gone?? In Canada it has completely vanished from shelves. That and those soy-cream cones.

HEROES + SOUP

Feeling a bit uninspired in the kitchen as of late. I'm getting antsy for new recipes!! I managed to swindle a yum Red Lentil Soup recipe from my sister in law, the most accommodating hostess! (Still waiting on that couscous salad!!!!).
I realized I purchased two packs of dried brown lentils.. so I used them and it was orgasmic. There is nothing more delightful than a warm succulent soup on a blustery London day!
Bless you Em.

Here is her recipe:
• 1 package red lentils
• 3 tbsp veggie boullion
• 6-8 cups water (make sure lentils are covered)
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped

Bring to a boil then simmer for 40-45 min.
Remember to stir!


I am reallllllllllly looking forward to Vegan A Go-Go coming out at the end of Feb. Sarah Kramer is my hero!! At Uni we received a photo brief to do a self portrait as our hero/heroine and I chose an amalgamation of Sarah Kramer and my mum. I constantly find myself returning to her (and Tanya Bernard's) cookbooks after being completely disappointed in the internet selection and Veganomicon. Perhaps it's solely my lack of chef-skills... but every recipe I have churned out has failed miserably.

My beef with Britain... Tofutti + Blue Diamond deficiency

I can't sleep. I have been tossing and turning, frustrated to no end that I am unable to find suitable replacements for my vegan diet staples in London. Here of all places should be the glorious land of vegan goldmine products.

I'm pretty certain the world is aware that I am a Tofutti fanatic... since moving to the UK, I was STOKED to discover my favourite brand existing selected Holland and Barretts... however... I was very disappointed by the soycream selection.
Why does it taste a MILLION times better in Canada.. and why only 3 lacking-in-creativity flavours???

Almond Breeze, the best thing to happen to milk alternatives is not available whatsoever overseas. PLEASE import this heavenly beverage for those of us seeking optimal nutrition and deliciousness! There is one solitary almond milk variety existing in the UK... it comes sweetened (which I dislike) and has the consistency and taste of water.

P.S Where are the gelatin-free marshmellows???
PPS. Somebody send me some graham cracker crumbs!!