Take that Paula!

I have been a Food Network junkie for many years, but now that I’m full flegged veg, I have found my passion waning.  I think that the anti-veg commentary from Paula Deen is contributing to my reduced fervor.  A few weeks back she was making these sesame chicken appetizers and made the comment that if you’re making her appetizers for a party and have any vegetarian friends, they can just go outside and chew on some grass.  Thanks Paula.

So, in my own form of defense against the Butter and Bacon Queen, I took one of her recipes and Vegged it.  Yes, Paula, that’s right, no butter, mayo, eggs, cheese or dead rotting animal parts in your Chicken and Rice Casserole.  I used Vegenaise instead of mayo, Earth Balance instead of butter, tarragon and mushroom infused soymilk, seitan pieces and fresh green beans instead of canned.  For the cheese I used Vegan Rella cheddar.  It definately melts and had a good cheesey flavor.  It was delicious and the evidence was that 3/4 of the whole pan was gone after the two of us attacked it.  Thanks for the great recipe Ms. Deen.

BOO-YAH!!!!

Wing Worship

Anyone who knew me pre-veg knew that my favorite food was hot wings.  I would go out for wings at least once every other week, if not every week.  God bless my arteries for surviving all that abuse.  Naturally, when I went veg, I got a lot of people asking what I would do without wings.  People were baffled I would sacrifice my love of spicy fried chicken wings.  But, today I broke my wingless streak.  I used the recipe, with a few modifications, from Vegan Dad.  I also made homemade ranch dressing by throwing together vegenaise, soymilk, red wine vinegar and some spices for dipping as well as a side salad.  On the side I served baked spicy sweet potato fries that were perked up with some hot Hungarian paprika.  The whole meal was absolutely amazing and brought me back into my wingy-happy-place.  I guarantee this will be a new staple recipe in my kitchen.

Also, a post from last night I forgot to put up.  I made my first ever pumpkin pie.  Granted, a few months late, but that pumpkin puree still continues to pop up in the pantry.  I swear that stuff is mating on the shelves.  I put a dollop of chilled cashew cream on top of it.  I’m still not a pastry chef or that skilled with baked desserts, particularly anything with a crust, but it was definitely edible and satisfied my sweet tooth.

Finally, Ryan and I got a package in the mail today.  It was from my Nana (maternal Grandma) and was a big gift box of Teavana shwag for Valentine’s Day.  I love my Nana!  It included Sencha Japanese Green Tea, English Breakfast Tea, tea canisters (which I totally needed!), a beautiful box with two single serving tea cups and a personalized card.  I can’t wait to use the tea cups for a single serving with dessert.  And, of course, in true Teavana style, it came beautifully wrapped.