Vanilla Icing

Tofu Scramble

 

A few weeks spent recovering from a reoccuring SI Joint Issue that decided to make things even more fun by causing the sciatic nerve on the opposite side have excrutiating pain and numbness (how can both of those things even happen at the same time?) is an excellent time to really appreciate one's friends and family.  I've been couch-ridden nearly a month with a few more days at least in sight and Rick has been doing everything to keep our little family of four humans and a handful of furry people running smoothly.   He's taken kids to band practices and orthodontist appointments.  He's taken me to doctor's appointments and physical therapy appointments.  All the shopping (and there's a lot of it when you have a 15 year old boy!) he's done all alone.  

Rick doesn't cook but he's kept our house stocked with plenty of easy to prepare things that the kids could make for themselves or make for me and he's even done very well at accommodating my 6 month vegetarian status.   He's made me little snack plates with fresh fruit, cheese, and these amazing brown rice with salt and pepper Triscuits and kept my little coffee pantry well stocked.  I've tried more flavors of hummus than ever before and found a new favorite one and I finally got to try some of those frozen vegetarian Indian meals that I always eye at the grocer's.  And you know what?  They aren't half bad!

My friends have been wonderful as well.   They've sent little cards and notes to cheer me up and stopped by and kept me company even though I know it had to be awkward talking to me when the only position that gave me relieve was on my hands and knees with several pillows shoved under my abdomen and my cheek pressing against the cushion of the couch.   Some have brought lunch from some of my favorite take out places --vegetarian massaman from Curry Away and paneer mekhani from Udipi, yum!-- and others have brought me raspberry mochas from Starbucks and candy.   I've been very, very spoiled during my convalescense! 

After several weeks of eating delicious things some that are healthy and quite a few that are not so healthy especially so often I've been really looking forward to when I could stand up long enough to prepare myself a simple meal.  Today was that day!

I sauteed some onions, garlic, orange pepper, and kale in a small pan.  I added some crumbled soft tofu and a chopped mushroom veggie burger and sprinkled the whole thing with some paprika, nutritional yeast, salt, and pepper.   It only took me about ten minutes to make but I was a little worn out after even that little bit of time and happily sat down to the first thing I've cooked in nearly four weeks!

 

Return to Veggies

                                                                Veggie Pizza

In August, I challenged myself to eat vegetarian  and I went two entire weeks which isn't really that long but it was enough time to realize that eating vegetarian made me feel very different.  Different, in a very good way.  I felt lighter, which might sound a little silly, but I mean I felt like I had more bounce in my step and more energy.  I didn't feel weighed down, not even after eating a big meal. Gone was the heavy, slightly bloated feeling that I often experienced eating something as simple as a hamburger on the grill and corn on the cob.  And the oddest thing?  I didn't even realize I was feeling like that until I wasn't feeling it anymore.

                                               Pistachio Stuffed Mushrooms

Then, just two weeks after eating vegetarian, I abruptly stopped and returned to my former ways.  I told myself it that it was necessary because I was going to Columbus in a few weeks for a food blogger tour.  It seemed a good idea to be 'used' to consuming meat before embarking on a culinary tour where there would be many delicious things to eat.  I'm glad that I decided to eat meat while in Columbus because there were so many wonderful things to try like Thurn's Meats, tacos and pork belly.

However, back at home, I started to notice that after certain meals that 'heavy, bloated feeling' was present again and it began to bother me.  I tried to ignore it but it persisted in nagging me.  After much thought, I've decided to pick back up with my 'Vegetarian Challenge' and see where it takes me.

                                                         Fresh fruit & veggies

I don't expect to ever be a hard and fast vegetarian.  The other day, I was at a restaurant where the owner and chef were sending out all manner of things for Rick and I to try.  The one dish had chunks of chicken sprinkled on the top.  I didn't turn away from the dish but I did push the chicken to one side for Rick to eat.    It seems as though a more dedicated vegetarian might not touch any food that meat has touched but that's not me.   Right now, nearly ten days in, what works for me is not eating meat but not becoming obsessive compulsive about it.  If I was eating dinner at a friend's and learned the rice was prepared with chicken broth I would continue to eat it.  And when Thanksgiving comes, there's a fair chance that I will partake of the turkey.  No Tofurkey for this girl!

                                                          Peas & Parmesan

If I were to be invited to another culinary tour or event, I would happily indulge in any meat proffered because I think that's how I shall treat meat: an occasional indulgence.  And let's face it, I've had some of the best meat ever when someone else is preparing it!

                             Homemade Guacamole & Grilled Quesadilla

I still have much to learn about vegetarian cooking and would love to hear any tips, recipes, or websites/blogs.  Please feel free to leave a comment or send me an email with anything you'd like to share.  It would really be appreciated!

                                                      Deconstructed Pesto

Pistachio Stuffed Mushrooms

Dear Friends....I just won over a avowed mushroom hater with this recipe.

            Baby Portabella Mushrooms stuffed with Pistachios & Sage

I came to my love of mushrooms late in life and when I say late, I mean it was only about two years ago that I realized what I've been missing out on.  I've been playing catch up ever since to make up for all of the mushrooms I didn't eat.  I've used them on my favorite bread- Carmelized Onion & Mushroom Flatbread, as the star of Mushroom Risotto, numerous stir fries, Arancini, Strata, and I've even gone hunting for them in a top-secret location.

Stuffed mushrooms have a tender place in my heart because it was a crab stuffed mushroom (yum!) that convinced me that my disdain for mushrooms was wrong.  They are easy to make and can be made ahead of time and refrigerated until it's time to put them in the oven which makes them a wonderful appetizer.  The variety of ingredients you can add to the filling make them versatile to accommodate almost anyone who likes mushrooms.  A lot of people think they don't like mushrooms and I've found it's almost universally for the same reason: 

Egg'n'Cheese

On Day 8 of my Vegetarian Challenge, I wasn't feeling very inspired...

but this egg and cheese sandwich was amazing on the rice and onion bread...

Egg'n'cheese sandwich, applesauce, cucumbes & greens with seeds & dried fruits

...even if it was a little large for the bread.  I've decided I won't ever buy four large cucumbers at once.  I'm a little tired of eating them.

Baked potato with toasted tofu, peas, corn, broccoli, onions, peppers & cheddar. Garlic & romano drop biscuit

The baked potatoes I served for dinner were my way of clearing out all of the accumulated odds and ends of produce left in the refrigerator: half of a stalk of broccoli, an ear of corn, third of a pepper, half of a can of peas and a quarter of a large onion.  I'm the only one who piled everything on my potato but even my least adventurous eater put a few peas on hers!

Grill Everything!

Well, maybe not lunch.  Lunch was for finishing up the leftover Vegetarian Chili.  I baked fresh pita bread using a white whole wheat flour and stuffed one of them with the leftover chili.

Homemade pita stuffed with vegetarian chili, steamed broccoli & green smoothie with                                                                                   strawberries and bananas.

Bulgar wheat with grilled tomatoes, peppers & onions. Grilled zucchini, squash and corn and                                                     sweet grilled pineapple and cherries.

I should have said grill everything for dinner.  Fruits & veggies: onions, carrots, garlic, tomatoes, broccoli, greens, strawberries, banana, peppers, zucchini, squash, corn, pineapple, cherries, and an orange that was a snack and not pictured.  Fifteen!  

I noticed a new thing that could have been a coincidence.  After I baked cookies to bring to a friend's party and was plating them up I decided to have one.  It was a rich, melt in your mouth peanut butter cookie studded with chopped up Reese's Mini Peanut Butter Cups.  It was also really sweet.  I mean really, really sweet.  I was a little concerned I made an error in measurement and passed out samples.  Everyone else seemed to think they were fine.  I wonder if it has anything to do with all of this 'clean food' I've been eating the past five days?  Or is it merely a coincidence?

Closeups on Day Four

Applebee's Pecan Crusted Chicken Salad with romaine, celery, pecans, cranberries, mandarin                           oranges and blue cheese.  MINUS the chicken & dressing.

Applebee's Tomato Basil Soup with croutons, parmesan & far too much sodium

Stoneyfield Farm Whole Milk French Vanilla Yogurt with homemade Crunchy Granola.

                        Sliced plums with orange marmalade dipping sauce

Thoughts on vegetarian eating and dining out....

Peas & Parmesan

Peas & Parmesan Rice and sliced cucumbers and chipotle hummus  Not pictured-the green                                   smoothie with mixed greens, strawberries and blueberries.

Yesterday, I had a friend over for lunch (who won't eat cucumber skins! what?!) and I was determined to stick to eating vegetarian but yet provide a filling meal for my friend who has to sit at a desk in a office job surrounded by many, non-healthy tempting treats that she prefers to resist.  I decided to make Peas & Parmesan which is a mock 'risotto' dappled with peas and melt in your mouth parmesan.

This dish is amazing versatile in a few ways.  It's light and tastes amazing fresh in spring when tender young peas are available but holds its own even when you must resort to frozen or canned (in this case) peas.  The creamy warmth works wonders on the soul on an overcast or cold day.  It's also perfect as a side dish or a main dish.  It's ready in less than thirty minutes and prepared by only a few simple ingredients.    It has, in fact, only six ingredients, unless you want to count salt.  Then, it's seven. Of course, it could also be the perfect rice dish to experiment with add ins in different combinations; roasted carrots, asparagus so fresh it's practically still growing, cripsy pancetta....you get the idea.

Day Two Hunger Bursts

I've made it to Day 2 of my personal Vegetarian Challenge.  Impressed?  Yeah, I know.  It's only the second day but I've eaten 8 different fruits and vegetables today and that's pretty darn good!  I began the day with a bowl of steel cut oats with half a sliced banana and a cup of coffee.  Not very exciting, but delicious and filling when the day is starting at 6 am!

Stoneyfield Organic French Vanilla Yogurt with blueberries. Carrots & cucumbers with chipotle hummus.  Green smoothie with frozen strawberries & unsweetened almond milk.

Lunch left me feeling full but without a weighed down feeling which was very nice.  Until I got struck with the most sudden burst of hunger.  One moment I was fine and then the next I was ravenous.  It didn't let up until I had a snack of a banana smeared with a a tablespoon of crunchy peanut butter. Yum!

Local, sweet corn on the cob sans butter. Vegan 'Cheese' & Broccoli Whole Wheat Pasta Bake. Homemade Vegan Black Bean burger with fresh baby greens on a mini whole wheat bagel.

Vegetarian Challenge

Last year, I was terribly disappointed in my choice of farms for my CSA; a great deal of the produce arrived bruised and damaged beyond use.  Oftentimes, half of the contents of the box had to immediately be removed and discarded to avoid ruining the rest of the produce.  Please don't think I mean a few cosmetic blemishes or an occasional bruise--what I mean is it looked like someone slammed the produce into the crate as hard as they could or ran the vegetable up and down a fence rail before putting it in the crate to sit in a dark, dank place over night.  Harsh words, but true nonetheless.   I was so disappointed that I didn't join a CSA this summer.

Lunch: Baked potato with caramelized onions, sauteed crimini mushrooms & steamed broccoli

As a result, the vegetable consumption in our household this summer has been shameful.