tacos, nuggets, and stuff..

heJeez I would love to post every day.... Really I would, funny thing is I just don't have the time.
Anyway here we go with some of this weeks vegan goodness, kid friendly, dinners !


My hubby has no vegan cooking confidence, but bless his heart he does try to help alleviate some of my cooking duties now and again. (thanks honey!) And, well everyone loves tacos! This time instead of frying he thought he would try something new. First spraying the corn tortilla filling w/ beans and veganrella for the girls, cheddar for the boys and then baking them. It worked pretty good except where the tortillas touched the baking pan, it got a bit soggy there. But, I didn't hear any complaints and there where no left overs.

Yup, seitan nuggets this time I tried changing the recipe using 1/4 cup flour + 1/2 cup cornstarch. Its hard to say if 1) my oil wasn't hot enough or 2) the flour absorbed more oil then cornstarch. These where a tad to greasy for me. But, again no leftovers and no complaints. When I make them again I will probably go back to the 3/4 cup cornstarch. Next to those nuggets are some smashed potatoes. I try to use 1/2 sweet potatoes and 1/2 regular potatoes. I have noticed that when I do that I really don' t have to use much earth balance at all. (who am I kidding though isn't that like ordering a hot fudge sunday w/ a diet coke? being as I fried the nuggets and all). The story behind this dinner. I had bought this pasta from the bulk bin at the store for one of Eli's Kindergarten homework projects and for some reason Emma became obsessed about eating those noodles, oh they where her favorite .. "remember mom I had them once?" "Can we please have them tonight?" So this is what I came up w/ it is from the cookbook Simply Vegan and is very reminiscent of what my mom used to make and call goulash, only Mom use to put slices of Kraft cheese to melt over the top. Very simple, very kid friendly its basically some tomato juice w/ chili powder and a can of kidney beans and some corn.. and OH, must not forget those magic noodles. The recipe calls for elbow macaroni.

Miss Melissa asked about the bbq tempeh - I steam it for about 20 mins, while its steaming I make a bbq from a recipe in the Vegan World Fusion Cuisine (a really beautiful, chalk full of good recipes kinda of book) let it marinate for what ever, 15 min - hour. And then my honey the grill master grills it up. It doesn't take long maybe five minutes a side. OH MY IT IS THE BEST!!!!! it made my top five list!

Miss aTxVegn asked about breaded tofu.. nope, no eggs needed I do press the tofu and then it is coated in 1 tablespoon of olive oil then dredged in the rest. You can find the recipe in the vegetarian family cookbook pg. 144 ( I just saw your reference to the book! yea!)

I don't feel quite comfortable about posting recipes from cook books.. It some how feels different posting it on the Internet then say just sharing w/ a friend. What is the etiquette? I have posted links when they are available. But, in the end I guess I would rather support those vegan authors and encourage others to just buy their books!

Okay, the little kids and I will be away this weekend to my grandmothers (the little one's great Granny's) 80th birthday party in lovely Ketchikan, Alaska. I do look forward to seeing my family.. but, I have a feeling that I will be eating lots of green salads and bread.. I wish I was more prepared. I did make some of Dreena's home style chocolate chip cookies to take with us. Priorities people! My granny is famous for buying a ton of store bought sweets not of which are not vegan, and none of which Emma can eat (she is allergic to dairy). I will return again next week..