Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Cook Most of the Book - Vegan with a Vengeance

Ugh, I'm already week behind with my next Vegan with a Vengeance post, and it's only the second post! For someone with a boring life, I sure seem to be busy lately. Can't imagine why.

I've been trying to plan meals in advance, hoping that it will help me stay organized, make more new recipes and stay away from last minute bad choice dinners. So far so good.

Last week I made 3 dishes from Vegan with a Vengeance, but only two of them were new.

We liked the Brooklyn Pad Thai so much from the first week that I made it again, for my Mom's birthday dinner. Both she and my Dad really really liked it a lot.


Man, that recipe makes a lot of Pad Thai. The four of us barely ate half of it. This is still my new favorite dish.

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Fresh Corn Fritters (little meals, sammiches and finger foods, pg.74

Isa says: "These are really fast and yummy. ..... Serve with salsa or as a breakfast side in place of potatoes. "

Sara says: "Nothing can replace potatoes in my life, but these are pretty damn good."


I love corn, and I love corn fritters. This recipe had two ingredients I'd never had in a corn fritter before: tofu and maple syrup. They were both fast and yummy, although a little more delicate than my usual fritters; I managed to destroy quite a few of them during the flipping. We ate them as is, with a salad on the side.

What I did differently: Nothing. I followed the recipe to a "T", using the food processor (for whizzing the tofu) and all.

What I'll do differently next time: I might add a bit more jalapeño. Other than that, nothing.



Baked Cajun French Fries (sides, pg 115)

Isa says: "Nice spicy fries that are baked, not fried"

Sara says: "If it's potato, it's for me!"


Potatoes are my most favorite food, so I was pretty sure I'd like these. I didn't like them. I loved 'em. The wedges of potatoes are tossed with oil and a nice homemade cajun spice. In 30 minutes, you've got fries with a (big) kick.

What I did differently: Nothing. Well, I left them in the oven on low while I finished up a phone call. The call went on longer than I expected, so they were a little more crispy than I would have liked.

What I'll do differently next time: Is there a substitute for thyme? God I hate that herb. Other than that, I'd do the same thing, but not talk on the phone while cooking.


Next week: We try tempeh for the first time!

10 comments:

test it comm said...

The pad Thai looks good. I really like corn fritters! Mine were more savoury with salsa but the maple sounds like it would be nice. Those cajun spiced baked fries also sound good.

Sara said...

Kevin - the pad thai is AMAZING. Everyone should try it. The corn fritters were savory, the maple syrup just accented the sweetness of the corn.

sher said...

Wow! I would love the predicament of having too much Pad Thai left over. It looks marvelous!

Sara said...

Sher, yeah it's not a bad problem to have :)

LadyConcierge said...

Wow, the second mention of corn fritters I've read this morning! Yours look good, but I would have to omit the maple syrup. Corns are sweet enough!

tavolini said...

I want to try those fries--we are potato fiends over here!

I'm a fan of this cookbook, too. I currently have been doing those chickpea cutlets about once a week--they are good and make the house smell delicious, too.

Excited to see the tempeh make its appearance! (I like to poach it first)

Deborah said...

I had to laugh - I love that you said "For someone with a boring life, I sure seem to be busy lately." I feel like that all of the time!

All of your dishes look great - they all sound mighty tasty to me!

Sara said...

lc - we have some great frozen organic corn which is super sweet. it's not enough maple syrup to make the cakes sweet though. they are definitely savory.

tavolini - i have heard about the chickpea cutlets! i'm a little nervous about the tempeh...i had a hard time finding any here and i don't know if there are different varieties or anything. i'm hoping we like it.

deborah - thanks! :)

MyKitchenInHalfCups said...

LOVE those potatoes!
If you don't like thyme, how about oregano or just more cajun spice. Don't like it, don't use it.
Wish I had the extra Pad Thai for my dinner.

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

Yes we woke up to snow and Santa on the streets of Kelowna on Saturday morning as well. The Farmers market here should open soon as well...this time of the year it will be hothouse tomatoes and Spring lettuce:D