My Ratatouille Experience

I love all things french and Remy the Rat and his now famous ratatouille is no exception. It has been a long time since I blogged, and I missed everyone after Vegan MoFo, but life has been sooooo busy. I find that I am not even shooting my food the way that I used to. This dish is from a while ago, but my omni family loved it and though tedious, it will be a staple for us during holidays I think. I loved the meditative process of slicing the veggies just right. The recipes all over the internet if you want to give it a try, but this one is pretty good, I think. Don't be intimidated at all, it was a complete joy and so yummy. Happy slicing.

My First Visit To Sticky Fingers Bakery

Last month, I had the wondrous opportunity to visit Sticky Fingers Bakery in Washington, D.C. The bakery and cafe is completely vegan with so many options, free wi-fi and really nice and knowledgeable people. I don't know that any of my words can do it any justice, in my opinion, but I will try with just a few words and lots of pics. I took these with my camera phone so be kind, but all and all the food and sweets speak for themselves.

Cookies, the best oatmeal pie/bar you'll ever eat, bagels, and of course sticky buns.

On the other side of the display case there were cupcakes and brownies and cakes oh my!!

I had this cute little pumpkin whoopie while I waited for my sandwich, but forgot to take a picture until the very last bite. Dessert before lunch is so nice.

The picture is not nearly as awesome as it tasted, but this was my sandwich, a "tuna" melt with Daiya, tempeh bacon and tomato.

I brought cupcakes home for my daughter and I to enjoy, they were awesome too of course. Front to back was Tiramisu, Red Velvet, and Chocolate Cookies and Cream

And the wonderful Oatmeal Pie, which wasn't really an oatmeal pie at all, it was in between a soft cookie and blondie bar, but the taste and texture was so amazing.

If you EVER have the chance to try out Sticky Fingers get there. It is wonderful, compassionate, beyond good food and sweets. D.C. has some great options for vegans. I live in southern VA, when I get the chance to get up to the Northern VA/D.C. area, I take advantage. Happy eats!!!

-Ty

My First MoFo's End

I can't believe I am late with this post (I am back-dating it to Nov. 30th). I have been a procrastinator forever but I hope that some of those bad habits will change and some good habits like blogging will stay. I have really enjoyed being a part of MoFo 2010, and though I only cranked out 10 or so posts this time, it's nearly half of my blogs history. I have learned that I love the community, the food, the wittiness and talent that I have seen in blogs all around. I am in awe and honored to have been able to participate. I hope that you will continue to look here and at the many blogs I read (check out the blog roll below) and embrace or continue to embrace this wonderful compassionate lifestyle. Peace and blessings to all and remember to Keep it Kind.

Thanksgiving Recap. . .

This wasn't my first vegetarian Thanksgiving, but it was my first vegan Thankgiving and the first time, I was able to share some of my favorite foods with my extended family. With my uncle's house filled with about 40 or so people, the festivities began. My family is very used to me turning down the various meats on the table, but bringing a bunch of "alternative food" sets off their individual "this girl is trying to convert me into one of them veh-gee-ter-ree-Uns" radars. Guess what? They loved it. I don't think half of them knew that they were eating vegan at all, and I only bothered to tell them about the Tofurkey, mainly because I didn't want them to waste it and partly because I didn't want them to eat up all of my only protein option. My hubby and I traveled to Accomac County, which is where I am from originally, with goodies in tow. Included in our trunk for travel where a roasted Tofurkey with carrots, celery, onions, garlic and rosemary;

Tofurkey before cooking...

Tofurkey after cooking (I really enjoyed it and so did my daughter, who also had a completely meat-free holiday too)

Green Bean Casserole;

My Cream of Mushroom Soup made from a roux for the casserole

After blanching my frozen green beans, I mixed in the soup

Topped with store bought french fried onions, (I don't skimp on the crunchies)

Though I didn't get a picture, we also took Rum Carrots (My Hubby made those and they were awesomely sweet with brown sugar, rum and Earth Balance), he also made a wonderful vegan stuffing based on his mother's recipe, I was so proud and hopeful for his Vegan conversion (he is destined to be veganized, I can't wait and I won't ever give up ever, muah-ha-ha-ha), I digress.

The following tasted much better than it looks, I browned it just a bit too much, but I was very pleased with how it turned out and my daughter loved it. She begged for sweet potato pie for a week so I took the plunge. Now, I have never made a vegan version of this until now and I may have taken a few more creative liberties than I should have right out of the box. I used Silk Nog instead of just soy milk, which made the normal sweetening and spice choices a bit tricky, basically I don't recommend it for the virgin veganizing voyage on your recipe, but I really did like the idea of playing around with cool flavors. I know, I know, I am not posting this recipe now, but I will as soon as it's perfected the correct way in my opinion. But, I will say this Sweet Nog Potato Pie did please and has been devoured.

Overall, Thanksgiving went so well and I think that I enjoyed it so much more because of all we were able to bring to the table. It has been a busy week, but oh what a week it was. I hope everyone had as blessed a time as we had. Happy Tofurkey Day!!!!

-Ty