so what do vegetarians eat anyway?

Alicia Silverstone

noreply@blogger.com (Veggie) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:28:00 +0000

I found some interesting news on the internet today, apparently Alicia Silverstone has written a cookbook called "The Kind Diet."

She has a blog that can be found here. She even has a forum on her blog.

Here are some video clips of Alicia promoting her new book.

RACHAEL RAY SHOW

CW 11 MORNING NEWS

LX NEW YORK INTERVIEW

LX NEW YORK COOKING DEMO

They are fun to watch and include some recipes from her book.

Please leave me a comment if you've tried any of the recipes, I'd like to hear how they turned out. Thanks, Veggie.

I still love her recipe for Tempeh Salad, it's so good. I wonder if it's in her book?

Halloween '09

noreply@blogger.com (Veggie) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:27:00 +0000

Happy Halloween!

I made this recipe for pumpkin cupcakes for Halloween this year.

They were quite tasty, here are some pictures of the cupcakes and our Halloween this year.

Bananalicious Shake

noreply@blogger.com (Veggie) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:22:00 +0000

3 frozen bananas
1 tbsp wheat germ
1 tbsp honey or other sweetener
2 containers Bel Soy vanilla puddings
soymilk, to desired consistency

Break the bananas into pieces and drop into a blender. Add wheat germ, honey and puddings, top with soymilk and blend.

A yummy way to start your day!

Hello, I'm Back!

noreply@blogger.com (Veggie) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:28:00 +0000

Hello everyone,

It's been a long time but I hope to start posting some recipes and vegetarian news somewhat regularly again. I'm still pretty tired but I'm feeling better with each day.

Taking a Break.

noreply@blogger.com (Veggie) — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 22:30:00 +0000

Hi,

This is Mr. Veggie. Veggie is having some health issues and won't be blogging for a while. She wishes all of her readers well and hopes to be back on her feet (and the web) soon.

All the best and keep checking back.

Coffee substitute

noreply@blogger.com (Veggie) — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 16:44:00 +0000

Lately, I've been trying to cut back a bit on coffee, so I bought this substitute to try out.

Bambu® Filter coffee substitute

It is brewed in a coffee maker and tastes the most like coffee of any coffee substitute I've ever tried. It has a smooth taste similar to coffee.

If you are looking for a way to cut back on your caffeine intake then give this one a try.

After trying this one I'd love to try some of their other products like the Bambu Frappé and Bambu Vanilla.

INGREDIENTS
Chicory, wheat, malted barley, figs and acorns.

A couple other kinds I've tried throught the years.

Teeccino herbal coffee

It is also brewed like coffee but all the flavours I tried seemed to have this strange mint flavour in the background that I don't find appealing.

Inka

It is prepared like instant coffee, it's quite strong but takes quite suprisingly like a regular instant coffee.

Lentils Tarka

noreply@blogger.com (Veggie) — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 19:08:00 +0000

I found this yummy recipe in World Vegetarian by Sarah Brown, that I borrowed from the library, it has several other recipes in it I'd like to try as well.

Banrock Station Sauvignon Blanc is an excellent light drinking wine that pairs with this meal.

Salmonella Contamination Recall List

noreply@blogger.com (Veggie) — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 17:30:00 +0000

Just in case some of you are not aware of this major peanut recall.

Apparently this company has been involved in recalls in the past. It's pretty scary when a food company knowingly sends out unsafe food.

Company allegedly shipped its peanut butter knowing it could be contaminated

"The company at the heart of the nationwide salmonella outbreak -- Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) -- shipped peanut butter it knew was contaminated 12 times in the past two years, federal officials say."

Salmonella Investigation and Recall - 2009 (for the US and Canada)

Complete list of products

This list is still being updated almost daily.

Click here to see them listed by date.

Peanut Corp. has long history of problems, FDA reports.
January 29, 2009

"The company linked to the nationwide salmonella outbreak -- Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) -- has expanded its massive recall to include all peanuts and peanut products made at its Georgia facility since January 1, 2007."

PCA Shuts Second Peanut Plant In Salmonella Scare
Texas plant closed after tests find possible contamination
February 11, 2009

"PCA's latest recall now includes all peanuts (dry and oil roasted), granulated peanuts, peanut meal, peanut butter, and peanut paste -- along with a warning to pet owners."

As a result of the expansion of Peanut Corporation of America’s recall to include all peanut ingredients produced in their Blakely, Georgia facility since Jan. 1, 2007, Kellogg Company has issued a voluntary nationwide recall for the following products.

· Keebler® Soft Batch Homestyle Chocolate Chunk Cookies and Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, 2.5-ounce size only, with a “Best If Used Before” date prior to June 30, 2009 (06 30 9), with the following UPC codes: 3010032708, 3010037899.

· Special K Protein™ Meal Bar Honey Almond variety only, 6-count and 8-count packages, with a “Best If Used Before” date prior to February 1, 2010 (FEB 01 2010), with the following UPC codes: 3800039778, 3800039935, 3800039931.

No other Special K® products are part of this recall. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection to the above products.

Although these products do not contain any peanut ingredients from Peanut Corporation of America, they were produced at another company’s facility on the same line as products that were made for other companies using potentially contaminated PCA ingredients. For that reason, this voluntary recall is being issued out of an abundance of caution."

Oasis’s 100% Juice Blend

noreply@blogger.com (Veggie) — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 19:57:00 +0000

Oasis 100% Juice Blend (Blueberry-Concord Grape)

I purchased this juice because it was on sale and I'd quickly picked it up not even thinking that I should check regular JUICE to see if it contained fish oils and fish gelatin.

When something says 100% Juice Blend on the package should I actually need to check any further to ensure that it actually is?

When I contacted the company to inform them that I was quite upset that I had bought this and ask them why they couldn't just use flax oil instead.

They sent me an email outlining why they use fish oil over say flax, but I really had wanted to know to WHY in the world they would put fish in a plant food.

I certainly expected that for sure they would at the very least understand me and send me some coupons so I could buy one of their other juices that did not contain fish oil. I had to throw out the rest of the bottle.

It has a very strong flavour, and it's way to sweet, I guess to cover up the hidden FISH OILS.

Ingredient List
Fruit juices from concentrate (water, concentrated grape, apple and/or pear, blueberry and lemon), juice made from fresh apples, natural flavour, vitamin C, omega-3 from marine source [refined fish oil (anchovy, sardine), fish gelatin, sodium ascorbate, tocopherols (soy), tranglutaminase].

Here's a link to an interesting review of this juice that I found on the net.

noreply@blogger.com (Veggie) — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 19:29:00 +0000

The Tassajara Recipe Book

I got this cookbook for Christmas this year, so far I've tried the Sesame Soybeans; it's similar to hummus but made with soybeans instead of chickpeas. The Pungent Cucumbers salad was excellent paired with a bowl of steamed sicky rice. I hope to try out the Tassajara Granola recipe soon too, as well as many others from this book.

I also got these great stainless steel wine goblets, these will be great for drinks out on the deck in the summer months. I could only get two, so I hope to find a few more for a set.

Vegetarian Chili

noreply@blogger.com (Veggie) — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 21:33:00 +0000

I did also find out that PC meatless chicken breasts are excellent cooked & sliced on top of a salad.

Saute them in a frying pan with olive oil, a generous sprinkling of lemon juice, a pinch of oregano and garlic. Cover the pan while cooking to keep them moist.

I made this Chili tonight for dinner, the recipe is mostly made up but it turned out wonderfully. A great meal for a cold winter's night, the flour will thicken the chili as it cooks.

Chili

olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1/2 green pepper, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp oregano
2-3 tbsp cumin
2 tsp chili powder
1 can black beans
1 can romano beans
1 (28oz) can diced tomatoes
1 cup granulated TVP & 1 cup water
1 veg. beef boullion cube
salt & pepper, to taste
1/2 cup water mixed with 1 cup flour
Add extra water as needed

Saute onions, green pepper and garlic in oil until tender.

Add the rest of the ingredients. Cook 1/2 an hour or longer. Stir often and keep on a low simmer.

Add extra spices to taste.

Serve with Tofutti sour cream and chopped green onions over each serving.

Watch New Year's 2009 online!

noreply@blogger.com (Veggie) — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 01:03:00 +0000

Join us December 31st for EarthCam's webcast of the 2009 New Year's celebration in Times Square for the 13th consecutive year with streaming video and audio from multiple webcams.

Watch Times Square live in streaming video and see all the revelers celebrate as they ring in 2009.

View numerous webcams from around the world including a host of cameras in Times Square.

Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve

For the 37th consecutive year, Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2009 will lead America into the New Year when Dick Clark and Ryan Seacrest host specials starting at 10:00 p.m., ET, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31 on the ABC Television Network.

This is my favourite one, the one I grew up watching. It was always so exciting to see all the people in New York City and the the ball drop along with millions of people around the world.

Happy New Year!

Cranberry Sangria for NY's Eve

noreply@blogger.com (Veggie) — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 00:48:00 +0000

This is what I plan to make for New Year's eve this year. Keep in mind I haven't tried this yet. I hope it turns out as it will be our drink for New Year's Eve Celebrations this year.

Cranberry Sangria

1 can frozen undiluted cranberry cocktail concentrate
1/2 can frozen undiluted lemonade concentrate
1/4 can frozen undiluted orange juice concentrate
2 tsp lime juice
1 bottle dry white wine
1 tbsp sugar, or to taste
3-4 shots of tequila

1 shot of sherry, if you like

Mix well. Chill overnight or at least 2 hours.

To serve, add lots of club soda, to taste.

Also, this is the recipe for the Atholl Brose I made last year for Hogmanay.

NY's Atholl Brose
http://www.thefoody.com/pudding/athollbrose.html
Atholl Brose has been famous since 1475.

3-6 tbsp Rolled Oats (or Oat groats), heaped
450ml (¾ pint) Water
Glenfiddich (12yr. old) Scotch Whisky to make up 1.1L (2 pints)
2 tbsp Heather Honey

Put oatmeal into bowl, mix with water to create thick paste.
Allow to stand overnight in the fridge.

Strain liquid through a fine strainer or muslin into bowl.
Pressing with back of spoon to extract all of the liquid, discard the oatmeal (or freeze and add to your next loaf of bread).
Mix liquid with honey or sugar, stir until well-blended.

Pour into quart jar, top up with Scotch whisky.
Shake well before using.
Blend well and let sit 1 day at least, in a cool place, for the flavours to marry.

Serve warm topped with sweetened whipped cream (plus, a touch of whisky) and then a sprinkling of quick-cooking oats.

Serves 4 - 6.

Holiday Mulled Wine

noreply@blogger.com (Veggie) — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 18:11:00 +0000

I found this great video on Foodtv.ca:

How to make Mulled Wine with Anna Olson.

made with one very curious ingredient; fresh rosemary.

Link to her recipe.

this is what we did;

Holiday Mulled Wine

1 750ml bottle red wine such as a Cabernet
1 1/2 tbsp brown sugar
1 1/2 tbsp honey (or more brown sugar)
1 whole orange, sliced
1/2 lemon, sliced
3 cinnamon sticks
3 whole cloves
2 star anise
3 black peppercorns
2 cups (approx.) apple cider

Slowly infuse, do not boil or simmer. Keep just below a simmer for about 20 minutes.

This is an amazing recipe, please try it out for yourself.

It was fabulous paired with slices of frugal fruitcake.

Christmas kitty hazards

noreply@blogger.com (Veggie) — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 17:34:00 +0000

Here are a few tips to keep our pets safe over the holiday season.

"The holidays are a time filled with joy and celebration, while they may also pose hazardous situations for your cat. The following list will give you some insight into the potential dangers facing your feline friend this holiday season."

Christmas Tree Water
This water mixture, which is housed in the tree stand at the base of your tree, may contain fertilizers that can be dangerous if ingested by your cat.

Tinsel/ Ribbon
As most cats enjoy batting at tinsel or ribbon, they will also most likely try to eat it. Ingestion of these long pieces of tinsel or ribbon can cause intestinal obstruction.

Christmas Lights
Choosing lights that won't heat up could prevent a fire if these lights happen to be knocked over by your inquisitive cat.

Chocolate
Chocolate contains a chemical called theobromine which is toxic when ingested by cats.

Mistletoe/Holly
Although beautiful and festive, this holiday greenery can be toxic to your cat.

Read the entire article here.

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Double Chocolate Stout

noreply@blogger.com (Veggie) — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 17:04:00 +0000

This one sounded so Christmasy when we spotted it in the LCBO flyer in the summer. We quickly went in to buy a couple of bottles only to be told that it was sold out until the fall. We kept checking in until it was finally found.

I even made some yummy Chocolate Stout cupcakes from Vegan Cupcakes Take Over The World to go along with it. These are really good cupcakes they have just a hint of the bitter stout flavour that is such an amazing compliment to chocolate. I loved these, and I didn't even bother with the icing they are pretty sweet as they are.

VwaV Pad Thai

noreply@blogger.com (Veggie) — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 18:55:00 +0000

I made vwav’s brooklyn pad thai back in October and I forgot to post the picture. I remember that I didn't quite have all the ingredients, so I left out or had to change quite a few things; such as leaving out the bean sprouts and lemongrass, changed the tofu to tempeh, ground coriander for fresh cilantro.

I added a bit of fresh parsley to make up for not having any fresh cilantro to throw on top.

It was fun learning how to cook rice noodles properly, now I know what to do with them!

Dispite all the changes I made this was still fantastic, it looked and smelled like we were eating in a restaurant!

Super Fast Pizza Dinner

noreply@blogger.com (Veggie) — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 22:04:00 +0000

This pizza dough is great if you're in a rush and forgot (as I always do) to make some dough ahead of time. The mix of yeast and baking powder makes it possible to have a yeasty pizza dough in an amazingly short time.

Quick and Easy Pizza

2 1/2 cups flour (1/2 whole wheat)
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon dry active yeast
3/4 cup water
1/4 cup olive oil

First prepare the crust. In a medium sized bowl combine the flour, baking powder, salt and yeast. Stir it up to distribute the salt and yeast evenly. Add the water and oil. Mix the dough until it forms a big ball in the middle of the bowl. It will be a little stiffer than biscuit dough.

Knead the dough about 10 or 12 times and then form it into a ball. Let sit 10-15 minutes; covered with a clean kitchen towel.

Place the ball in the center of 16-inch pizza pan, or a 9 by 13-inch rectangular pan. Use your hands and a rolling pin, to press the dough into the pan.

After spreading the sauce onto the pizza dough, top it with about 2 cups of shredded mozzarella and a good sprinkling of Parmesan Cheese. If desired, add other toppings of your choice.

Bake the prepared pizza at 400° for about 15 to 20 minutes. Eat and enjoy.

This would be a great pizza dough to use for Calzones or Chili Bombs.

Shredded BBQ 'Chicken'

noreply@blogger.com (Veggie) — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 21:52:00 +0000

I made this yummy Shredded BBQ 'Chicken' for dinner a few days ago in my small crockpot. This was the first time I've cooked with the PC meatless chicken breasts and I had been curious to see how they would stand up in the crockpot and now I know they do quite well. I'll be experimenting more with these in future.

2 PC meatless chicken breasts
1 cup ketchup
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tbsp vegan Worcestershire sauce (Equality brand)
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1/4 tsp dry mustard powder
Dash of cayenne
1/2 tsp granulated garlic
Dash of salt
4 hamburger buns
Dill pickle slices

Place chicken in a 2.5 quart slow cooker.
Combine ketchup and next 7 ingredients. Pour over chicken.
Cover and cook on High 4-6 hours or on Low 7 to 10 hours.
Remove chicken from sauce; shred chicken. Stir shredded chicken back into the sauce.

Spoon mixture evenly onto buns, and top with pickle slices and a side of fries.

Makes 4 servings.

I'm Busy Baking

noreply@blogger.com (Veggie) — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 17:15:00 +0000

VwaV Sparkling Ginger Cookies!

My Favourite Chocolate Chip Cookies

Frugal fruitcake

German Stollen bread, it smells amazing!

and possibly Chocolate Biscotti.

It's originally from the VegNews website but the link doesn't seem to be working anymore so here's the recipe.

Our Favourite Soy Nog

1 quart soy milk (start with half, blend, add more)
10 ounces silken style tofu (300g)
6 tablespoons maple syrup
1/4 cup dark rum
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cardamom
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

In a blender, combine all ingredients and blend until smooth. Chill before serving.

Makes 5 cups.

Note: This gets foamy and will overflow, so add half the soy milk and blend, pour some out and add more and blend again.

I made this soy nog last year and it turned out really well.

Make Your Own Candy Cane Rice Dream

I also made Orange Cranberry Sauce in my 2.5 quart crockpot for Christmas dinner. I can't wait to try it out.

PC Freezer Jams are back!

noreply@blogger.com (Veggie) — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:16:00 +0000

I was so thrilled when I saw these in the new Loblaws President's Choice Insider's Report. It was so much fun reading the "Blast from the Past" items. I had to buy the PC Lingonberry Sauce, I didn't get to try it the first time it was available and it sounds amazing. I think it will be great with the PC Meatless Chicken Breasts that I finally found this trip around.

I was so disappointed when these disappeared off the shelves a few years ago.

I am very happy to see them again at Loblaws.

I bought one of each PC Freezer Jam - Raspberry and Strawberry.

The container is a big large for one person (since I'm the only who eats it), so I divide it into smaller containers, keep one in the fridge then freeze the rest.

Crockpot Red Lentil Pottage

noreply@blogger.com (Veggie) — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 01:51:00 +0000

Crockpot Red Lentil Pottage
This is a really yummy recipe!!

1 cup red lentils, rinsed
1 onion, finely chopped
2 stalks of celery, finely chopped
1/2 green pepper, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, crushed
2.5 cups vegetable stock*
1 bay leaf
1 handful of chopped fresh parsley
salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

Cook on low for 6-7 hours, or high for 3.5 hours.

Use a 2.5 quart crockpot.

*Homemade vegetable broth.

Red lentil dahl and homemade 12-grain bread.

Red Lentil Dahl

noreply@blogger.com (Veggie) — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 01:25:00 +0000

Crockpot Red Lentil Dahl

1 cup red lentils, rinsed
2 cups water
1/4 cup coconut milk
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 stalk of celery, finely chopped, optional
2 cloves of garlic, crushed
2 tbsp curry powder
1 bay leaf
Pinch of salt
1/4-1/2 tsp black mustard seeds, optional

Cook on low for 6-7 hours, or high for 3.5 hours.

Serve over basmati rice and 1/4 cup of coconut milk before serving, if desired.

Use a 2.5 quart crockpot.

Hosting vegan friends and family

noreply@blogger.com (Veggie) — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 18:16:00 +0000

I was quite surprised to see this Canadian Living article 'Vegan holiday entertaining'

Canadian Living's tips and recipes to help hosting vegan friends and family simple and stress-free this holiday season.

"Navigating the holiday buffet can be a difficult task for a vegan friend or family member. Festive meals often include a centerpiece, such as turkey or ham. As well eggs, butter and other dairy products are used in virtually all baked goods and many side dishes."

"Read ingredient lists on processed foods carefully. Some common animal by-products that should be avoided (which may appear in packaged goods) include:
gelatin; rennet; whey; casein; beeswax and honey (some consider the use of insect products acceptable – to be sure, ask your guest)."

"Browse the natural food aisles. Vegetarian and vegan products are more mainstream and many are available in supermarkets. Look for nondairy ice cream, soy eggnog and vegetable pâtés to replace some of your holiday staples (but be sure to always read ingredient lists)."

Vegan Bean Soup

Vegetable Tofu Salad

There are several recipes following this article.

Read the article in full here.

Finally, a food bank for vegetarians

noreply@blogger.com (Veggie) — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 19:45:00 +0000

"When Smith heard that a vegetarian food bank was opening in Scarborough, Ont., she telephoned the food bank's unlikely founder, Malan Joseph, a Catholic real estate agent who eats meat. "It completely blew my mind," says Smith. "I asked if there were other vegetarian food banks. He said no, 'we'll be the only one in Canada.'

Joseph credits his Hindu vegetarian wife for drawing his attention to the plight of low-income vegetarians. "If you eat meat, you can eat vegetarian and non-vegetarian. But if you are vegetarian, you only have one choice. I've had a dream for 10 years to open up a food bank for vegetarians only," he says. "For many, many low-income vegetarians, it is emotionally disturbing if they go to a regular food bank and are given meat or sausages." The vegetarian food bank is non-profit and receives no government funding. Joseph pays out of his own pocket to rent the warehouse space, a two-level unit in a strip mall."

Read the Macleans article here.