I <3 Tempeh!

I probably eat far too much tempeh, but I don't care. It's just sooooo good. I like it especially with an agave and mustard marinade. I usually mix about 3 tablespoons dijon mustard and 1 tablespoon raw blue agave then mix in some spices depending on my mood. I cubed the tempeh in pretty hefty sized chunks, but you could just as easily crumble it. This time I had it with broccoli and cauliflower. It made for a winning combination. Especially with the broccoli. Because broccoli is one of my top 3 favorite foods, I couldn't think of a better thing to put with tempeh.



For this tempeh goodness I just used the magic of leeks to flavor the whole dish. I also love leeks. Threw in some portabella mushroom caps and red bell peppers. So delicious. If you've never used leeks in your cooking I recommend doing so. They add so much amazing flavor. Also, definitely give tempeh a try. Vegans and non-vegans alike can enjoy this hearty, protein-filled ingredient.

The Holy Cow is certainly Holy.

Everyday I am on campus I go to the Holy Cow, an all vegetarian restaurant in the EMU (the University of Oregon's student union) to help myself to a heaping salad from their all organic salad bar. Their hummus is literally the best hummus I have ever had, and makes a fabulous addition to any salad. So now you will understand when I tell you how utterly devestated I am to annouce that the Holy Cow has been put out of buisness by the Portland, OR-based chain, The Laughing Planet.



While I do enjoy L.P.'s Soylent Green Bowl, I cannot say that I am at all happy about this decision. The Holy Cow's owner, Kathee Lavine, opened the restaurant 10 years ago, and invested over $200,000 to open the buisness. The decision was a poor one made by a committee consisting of five University employees and one University student. That's the thing that makes me the most upset. How can such a large decision be made by such a small population?!?!

Passionate University students are fighting at all costs to stop this from happening, and I am one of those students. I have hope that the real voice of the students will shine through.

Support local businesses.

Dressed to Cook!

My lovely mamabean, whom I miss dearly everyday I am away from her, got me the cutest apron and matching pot holder for Christmas, and I thought I had to share it with you all. I got a bunch of other amazing kitchen supply stuff for Christmas, but this matching Anthropologie set topped my list. Other highlights were a cute set of ceramic measuring spoons (pictured), and a peeler disguised as a Japanese samurai.

Cooking Shows, Internet Magic!

I was on youtube yesterday searching through some random assortment of videos when I stumbled across a series of cooking videos called Everyday Dish. The five to ten minute long segments show viewers how to make some pretty yummy looking vegan dishes. The one I watched yesterday was called Tofu Breakfast Scramble. But they have everything from Oatmeal Cookies to Pumpkin Hummus to Seitan Corned Beef---all VEGAN!!! Check this one out.



I signed up for a subscription for Everyday Dish, which is also free! Having a subscription allows you to make playlists, mark your favorite videos and be in touch with other subscribers. Another interesting way to build a community on the internet. Thank goodness for fiber-optic cables!!

It's amazing to me that now we can watch cooking shows over the internet. And for free! Another great resource (along with blogs) for learning and trying new recipes and techniques in the kitchen.

I encourage you all, vegan and non-vegans, to watch some of the videos. The meals look delicious, and hey! you never know, maybe they will open your taste buds to a whole new experience!

Never stop exploring, loving and opening your heart and mind to new experiences everywhere!
love and light.

Sweet Morning, Sunshine!!

I am typing this post from the depths of my house which because of a broken heater is currently an igloo. Eugene is covered in frost and when I went to run an errand this morning I thought, "Hey! It's colder in my house than it is outside!!" I have been waiting around all morning (not going to class...sorry!) for the repair people to come, but still waiting...

I have a big announcement! On Friday....I'm getting a PUPPY!! I am so, so, so excited. She's about 12 weeks old. I named her Matildae (the Italian form of Matilda), and she's a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. I'm picking her up in the late afternoon on Friday, and could not be more happy! Pictures to follow...

So before I head off to PetSmart to gear up for my new addition, I thought I would blog about the vegan pancakes I made Sunday morning. It was a big day for football fans, and to my surprise, and my Dad's delight, over this past fall I have become one of them. My brother and my Dad are the biggest sports fans ever, so I figured it would rub off eventually. So Sunday morning came along, and realizing that I was penniless because of my M.O.C. shopping spree I decided to opt out of the trip I was going to take to the Newport Aquarium, and watch football with a certain J. instead.

Pancakes just seem like a Sunday morning delight, so I was happy to make them! I used the leftover blueberries from the pie I had made, and the leftover carob chips from the muffins, and we had a real sweet morning!

Sweet Vegan Pancakes

1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup non-dairy milk
3 tablespoons orange juice (or other sweetener, like maple syrup)
Cinnamon/nutmeg/cloves to taste
Fun additions: fresh or frozen fruit, carob-chips, walnuts (or any nuts for the matter), raisins

Cook like regular pancakes. When top side starts to bubble a bit and you can easily lift up the center, the pancake is ready to flip. Don't be scared! The first flips are always the hardest :o)
Serve with maple syrup, soy yogurt or fruit jam/syrup.



I ate mine with maple syrup and strawberry syrup from Emandal.

Gramma always made the best pies...now, I try vegan-style!

Growing up my dear Gramma Julie always made me an apple pie every time I came to her house on Cape Cod. Apple pie was the best. I sometimes even ate it a la mode (haha. reference: I just watched Little Miss Sunshine last nite). I decided making a fruit pie vegan style in honor of my lovely Gramma would be an awesome thing to blog about.

On my shopping spree to M.O.C. I bought frozen Wholey Wholesome Organic Spelt pie crusts.



I also bought a bag of frozen blueberries and a bag of frozen marionberries. (I think next time I will attempt strawberry rhubarb!). I adapted the recipe from, yep, you guessed it The Joy of Vegan Baking. Although I'll admit I didn't use cornstarch. I think thats maybe the reason it ended up a bit runny. I layered the mixed berries with the soy butter, sugar mixture and popped it in the over for about 50 minutes.



It was kind of soupy after we cut into it. Does anyone know what could have caused that? But with the muffins from my last post and the delicious warm pie, we were in heaven and ready to pass out during the Motorcycle Diaries. :o) Love and light my friends.

Plantain, carob-chip goodness...mmm!

I went to grab dinner at the Sundance's hot food bar sometime last week, and before I left I checked the damaged food shelf where there is often times perfectly good produce for half price. I found what I thought were 3 very ripe bananas. I did notice that they looked a little oddly shaped, but I was excited to make some banana bread.

Last night I decided it was time to make the banana chocolate chip muffins from the Joy of Vegan Baking. On my M.O.C shopping spree I bought vegan carob chips and brown sugar so I was set to bake. When I defrosted the bananas (I keep them in the freezer once they start getting too brown) and started to peel away the skin my eyes were surprised by the sight of the orangey not-banana flesh. They were plantains!



Well right on baking I went.





I added crushed organic walnuts as well as the carob-chips. I think it adds a nice touch to the muffins. They turned out scrumptious!! We have been eating them non-stop. I heart plantains!