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!!

HEAVENLY NANAIMO BARS

I'm surprised I haven't posted about these before. I have made them several times now, using this recipe. My brother who is the biggest meat and potatoes man and my toughest judge LOVED them. I made these with mint extract and dark chocolate for a little extra somethin' somethin'.

VEGAN SURVIVAL IN MUSKOKA

I figured I should dedicated at least one post to my battle against this very unvegan-friendly town I temporarily am residing in.

There are a few great spots for the handful of herbivores that inhabit these parts. The health food store in Bracebridge is essential to any vegan's survival. This would be the best place to stop for a prepared vegan meal, although some dishes are only vegetarian. They mostly have specialty items that you would not find in grocery stores (loads of different flours, beans, lentils & rices, dried fruits, chocolate, yeasts & tons of various other helpful powders), spices, vitamins and supplements, few fruits and veggies and other canned and packaged items.

For the rest of your supplies, despite my bias towards A&P/Dominion, I would suggest stopping at YIGS/Loblaws/whatever that damn place is called. They have a great health food section with organic items, rice/soy milk, Purely Decadent ice creams and other frozen items.
I'm very skeptical of their produce, thanks to this article. So I purchase all my produce and Yves products at A&P.

For all your caffeinated beverage needs, the Muskoka Bean will graciously create any drink with soymilk. All of their machine premixed liquids are "lactose-free", I recommend the Muskoka Mocha.

Soul Sistas Wellness Kitchen in Huntsville seems like a great spot also. I had a yummy smoothie there yesterday with vegan protein powder and a bite of one of their muffins, fresh out of the oven. They have rice AND soymilk (a rarity for even Toronto).

These are all my tiny town vegan discoveries so far, but I am here for far too many more months so I will keep updating my findings.