VeganMofo 2015! A Lazy Food Bloggers Journey

Hey Folks,

Welcome back to Vegan Month of Food 2015! A lot has changed since my last posts, best of all I have started working in a Vegan Resturant Kitchen here in Halifax (EXCITED). You can check out my new work place Wild Leek in Halifax on Windsor st or on social media or our website http://wildleek.ca/

In bonus news just as VEGANMOFO began our fridge broke, so we've been without one for a week or so and are just now finding out our landlords have bought a new one (which won't arrive until Tuesday, sadness). Basically, what this all means is I am likely going to keep my posts short, and they will likely be on social media for a few days before I get a chance to move them over here.

And on the weekends, they will likely be posts about my work!

 This wasn't the first time I'd made cupcakes at work, but this was my first shot making them by myself and icing them, anyone who has seen my dessert food porn or this blog knows decorating isn't my forte. But I think these guys turned out pretty great, they are our basic vegan vanilla cupcakes with a chocolate mint icing and vegan mint candies that I painstakingly sliced into thinner translucent slices for magic.

 Daily special was a brilliant 'spicy' tomato chickpea soup, which I ate for lunch with the pakora burger! So good a few regulars asked us to place it on the menu. I added raw jalapenos to both my sandwich and soup and it was amazing.

The pakora burger was topped with our vegan house mayo, a ginger date chutney, bitter lettuce greens and cucumber. Great mixture of sweet, savory, crispy and creamy. We used an assortment of veggies in the pakora (cauliflower, spinach, onion, carrot, etc)

HAPPY VEGAN MOFO!

Vegan Mofo V !!

That's right kids, Vegan Mofo is back again! So gear up for the 2011 version of vegan internet food madness!http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

I'll be back again this year and am hoping this blog-a-thon month (coming to an internet near you this October) will give me the boost I need to keep eating/cooking and writing about it regularly.

So stayed tuned for my soon to be announced theme and check out the veganmofo site to get the lay down on how to join or to grab the much coveted RSS Feed when it is realease.

Vegan Mofo 2011

When is coveting ok?

We know it's apperently uncool to covet your neighbors wife, but what about their Crockpot? Slowcooker? Maybe I should have been a 70's child, but I've always wanting one of these babies. Soups, stews, chillies, seitan, and beans... oh yes, the beans.

I've always wanted to cook dry beans, but mine are always coming out crunchy. And nobody, I mean nobody likes crunchy beans. I want some thick, soft, held together, saucy, rich bean. And now for the saddest story you may ever hear.

This is the story of the crockpot that was nearly mine.

After years of wanting, pining, lusting for one of these ceramic gods. I happened upon a yard sale find, a working order, cleaned, functional, glorious crockpot from the 70's. Price tag 1$. One fucking dollar, I beg pleaded with my mother to lend me the cash, the women offers to give it to me for free. I gather all the change, get enough to buy it. Glowing and beaming I carry my new found love out into the car. Three feet from the door, it slips. Falling towards the driveway, shattering.... entirely. I was so close, only to have it all fall and crack away. I could have cried. Everyone was sympathetic. But nothing could take away the hurt, of having loved and lost.

so that is my story.

VeganMofo- New Autumn Favorite

Inspired by esme's post about apple cider doughnuts I figured it was about time Vegan House had some doughnuts. So I looked back to the last time I made doughnuts and decided to make my very own doughnut recipe based using the lovely Random Girl's as a jumping point.

If your anything like me you won't be spending all day crafting Doughnuts unless you'll have them for some time to come. So I usually double all recipes (sometimes triple), with that in mind the recipe yields more than your typical batch. So feel free to double and triple again if you like.


Autumn Cider Doughnuts

2 package active dry yeast
1 cup warm water
1 cup warm apple cider
1/2 cup vegetable margerine
1 cup sugar (I've used both brown and organic cane sugar, I suspect maple and other healthier sweeteners would work as well, so feel free to experiment and let me know how it goes)
2/3 cup more apple cider, warmed
Egg replacer equilivent to 4 eggs
4 cups whole wheat all-purpose flour
3-4 cups all purpose unbleached flour (again, for healthier doughnuts you could get away with all WW but they may be denser) {I say 3-4 as I keep the fourth cup to help kneed the dough and have never used the full cup but it could happen}
1 tsp salt 2 tsp Cinnamon and Nutmeg (More or less depending on taste)
Oil for frying

Glaze: 2 cups confectioners' sugar 1/2 cup hot vanilla soymilk

OR

Roll in:
1/2 cup sugar
2 TBS cinnamon
optional: vanilla

Dissolve the yeast packets in 1 cup of warm water and let the mixture stand until yeast clouds form (5-7 minutes).While your yeast is puffing up in a large saucepan, bring the first cup of cider to a boil. Add the margarine and sugar and stir until the margarine has melted and the sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and COOL [believe me, I know you want to skip this step, but DON'T!]. In a separate measuring cup dissolve egg replacer and water (follow package directions, or use your favorite egg replacer recipe). When your mixture has cooled, add the puffy yeast and more warm cider. Stir in the egg replacer and 4 cups of WW flour. Mix the heck out of it. Add remaining all purpose flour slowly, reserving one cup for kneading and add the salt and spices. Mix some more, at this point you'll need to abandon your spoon (if you haven't all ready) and get in there with your hands. Again add the flour slowly, its for your own good. Only use enough to make a soft and manageable dough. Make sure to scrap down the sides of your bowl and get all your dough out. Now take your dough to a floured board and knead until smooth and elastic. Using your remaining flour to help prevent sticking, work as much as you need into the dough. Place the dough into a large greased bowl, cover and let it rise. It should doubled in bulk after about an hour.

Now again, if you are anything like me you now need to pee and your kitchen is trashed. So use this time to clean up (it'll save you in the long run). After the hour has elapsed and you've re-cleaned your kitchen, punch down your dough (this part is fun!).

On a lightly floured surface roll out the dough until it is about 1/2 inch in thickness. Cut out doughnuts with a a glass or roll dough into tiny dough nut holes. Place the doughnuts/dough wads a greased baking sheet space them an inch apart or so. Make holes if you want. Now let them rise again for 1 hour. Re-clean if you need to.

Now the exciting part, heat your oil to in a deep skillet or deep fryer (test with the end of a wooden spoon, if bubbles form you are ready to fry!) . Fry doughnuts in small batched (as many as will fit with outcrowding at a time), until golden on both side. Drain on paper towels or old paper bads. Prepare your glaze or your sugar coating. To make your glaze, mix everything untill smooth in a shallow bowl. While the doughnuts are hot (but not hot enough to burn you), coat them in glaze or roll in sugar. You may need to make more sugar and/or glaze as you go, the thicker the better in my books either way let your glaze dry into the delightful crunchy sweet goodness we associate with doughtnuts. Oh, and by the way if don't you dare waste any glaze or sugar mixture, if you wind up with too much once the doughnut glaze/sugar has hardened or set pour/drizzle the rest over top of you pile.


*See my last doughnut post for info on baking doughnuts, it is possible and healthier but it will change the texture/taste. If you are kosher with that, then go to town.

Enjoy! and eat some veggies for gods sake.

Veganmofo:Thanksgiving In Canada

This weekend, but seeing as I am in the states I celebrated by bringing a feast to a turkey named Troy. Which he loved and it was super fun and awesome. Although quieter, calmer and without all the tasty vegan eats this may just be one of the best thanksgivings I've had in a while.

I was planning to participate in this weeks Vegan Iron Chef, but due to our night out last night I didn't get any groceries. I will still be making PB Pear stuffed French Toast, but not until later this week.

Here is a Short and sadly poorly shot video of the days events. Feeding food animals instead of eating them is a tradition that should be widely practiced.


(apologies for farm apparel)

Sometimes things just don't go right

For example me and following recipes. Measuring and following a set path is something I always find myself drifting from. I don't sift. Measures are half assed at best, mostly guess work.

That being said, I love recipes and cookbooks. I read them like novels and my collection is always expanding. From cookbooks exploring the divine world of vegan gourmet, damn tasty food and the simple "students" cookbooks which contain more ideas than insight into the culinary world.

For example here is a dish from one such student cookbooks which sounds good in theory but needs a little something on flavour. Not sure what that will be yet, it was edible, maybe even ok, but it could be so much better.

Broccoli Soba with spicy peanut sauce, leaves a little to be desired. All the flavours are there but down played, I saved some sauce to fix up later and will post about the results. Fresh broccoli would improve this dish immediately. Up the ginger, the garlic and the peanuts because frankly it was a little bland.

The concept is good and this would be palatable for the masses, but I find myself craving more flavour. Perhaps the addition of hot sauce and roast nuts. The sauce needs to be richer, but when on a time restraint its a filling meal thats easy to make. Good hot or cold, I'll get back to you on my additions.

VeganMOFO-Education systems and it's evil evil ways

Attending university has forced me rather violently to see the many ways in which our education system force-feeds us an awful food relationship. From the first day that "hot lunches" were brought into my grade 3 class room, Mc-Donald's burgers, Pizza and Subs on Thursday.

Poor food, prepared in advance reheated and chemically treated served up as the only option from an early age. I remember being watched by teachers, there to insure everyone ate their food. Choke it down, and I don't want anymore was not acceptable, because growing boys and girls needed their "nutrients".

On-wards to school cafeterias who's healthy special consisted of fat sausages on white buns and a salad. Ice berg lettuce and greasy fries, and it's no wonder people developed negative relationships with food. Being forced to eat the same things day in and out, nothing is ever really cooked. It's heated and torn from its packaging.

Thinking back to the way in which food was present in the education system it really shouldn't be that surprising when in High School confused students genuinely inquired about turkey and fish not being part of my diet. (They actually had no idea turkey was meat) Honestly thought, when would a kid from the suburb raised on fast food, boxed KD and cafe food witness the growth of a tomato? Pick a carrot from the ground and eat it? Watch a slaughter? Have any part in the creation of their own food?

University is not much better, the food is given an air of variety by implying a rotational menu and offering vegan "food" stations consisting of goey veggies and grains covered in thick sauce. It's a real wonder and miracle people move on to have such profound relationships with food at all. I find myself day in and day out losing the desire to eat, because really what is there? Eating has becoming the same chore it was back in elementary, with a stern teacher standing over demanding that you eat everything down to the last bite. Eating is a necessity, but with dismal options and pre-cut, re-washed, re-heated, day-old slop... who wants to?

It's gotten to the point that even going out to eat, with real food has become tedious. I need to eat but the desire and bond is gone. I'm afraid someday I will stop looking forward to having a kitchen or being able to cook again. It's funny how much effort is put into the appearance of health and wellness or aesthetics of these campus wide food establishments, always telling you to eat a healthy variety, 3 meals a day, while doing nothing to provide you with those options.

In many ways I feel extremely bad for all those children who will grow up without a vegetable garden, seeing carrots as grainy orange sticks that come from plastic bags that taste like chemicals. Because really everyone deserves to feel the love and joy that comes from growing, cooking and creating something to fuel your body. something good and tasty, to take pride in and enjoy. Far too many are denied that joy.

Vegan MOFO-Food Diary

I'm getting sick and it's raining, so I'm going trying to fend it off with good food.

Breakfast: Half WW bagel with PB, Orange slices and honeydew melon wedges, chocolate soymilk, water via the cafeteria (ick)
Lunch: WW Penne with Mushroom and tomato sauce with some brussle sprouts from the cafe, more water.
Then to Coburg for some real food:
Tomato Balsamic soup
Vegan Cookie
Soy Mint Mocha

Study Time Snacks:
Vanilla Soy late
Samosa with Pineapple Chutney
Strawberry Italian soda
Water

Dinner: Pasta salad with peppers

Food

It really is a miraculous thing. The smells, taste, sensations and emotions brought about by food are some of the most powerful. Everyone can remember the elation feeling of your favorite treat as a child, or how a warm cup of soup or hot cocoa can lift your spirits and warm your core.

At the end of a hard day many people go home and indulge in a sweet of some sort, or a salty delight. Favorite dishes can remind us of simpler and easier times in our lives or simply lift our moods out of a horrible day. Food can cure our many wounds, fight off colds and flues, help heal a broken heart, keep us focus or simply provide a relaxing escape.

That being said, there are fresh hot-out-of-the-oven Vegan Cookies and I just devoured one, and all is well. So in honor of VeganMofo, Yourself, This post, or just because you want one Go out and eat a fresh vegan cookie and feel the joy. If your the giving type share some with friends and be merry.

VeganMOFO-Slacker

Food diary for today.
Breakfast: Glass of water, medium caramel soy latte and poppy seed bagel with peanut butter.
Lunch: Hummus and veggie sandwhich on whole Wheat toasted bread, large mint latter water.
Dinner: Vegan Pizza at the Wooden Monkey, Thin crust sun dried tomatoes and marinated mushrooms with moza follow your heart shredded. Desert was the Tofu-Crem Chocolate pie and I had a natural cola with lemon and lime wedges. Very good.
Snacks: A samosa and another soy iced mocha while we went to the post office

Morning LatteI ate half my sandwich before I thought to take a photo, sorry again web came poor quality.

Marginally food related

So the long weekend coming up, everyone I know is leaving for home. So as usually this weekend is a planned homework attack, and attempt dorm clean. That being said, I've been itching to go out with people or socialize, as I posted about going to the Vegan Anniversary at the Wooden Monkey was awesome. And I realized that I kinda like going out with friends, or maybe just going out period.

So I'm thinking I may take myself out to diner, I know this post kinda digresses from the food but she's got food in her heart. I was thinking about writing a little bit about the joys and pleasures of eating out, a sit down meal etc and the taboo's attached to 'going it alone'. So this weekend, homework and ppk-mail-athon/ppk birthday gift shop attack aside I'm going to take my old busted camera and photo graph a single girl exploring food and dining alone in the city.

That's right, I am taking myself out to diner and weird stares be damned. I have yet to decide, but I may venture off sans book as well. Because really a healthy and fun relationship with food should be just that, regardless of who your with or your serving size. This girl can vote, walk herself home at night, and she'll be damned if she can't eat alone at some sit down place.

Depending on cash-flow I may venture to the Wooden Monkey again and try to capture the feel of the place, and maybe try a new hot-vegan-spot to keep you all in the know. Wish me luck and keep up your fooding adventures!

5 Years of Veganism

Although this year was the lowest key of celebration I have had since that day, in a way it was nice. I didn't get to cook a big meal, have a party and see 50 friends. But The boys and I went out to the wooden Monkey and has a pretty decent time.

The food and atmosphere is amazing. Their napkins and take out containers are sugar fiber, natural moisturizer in the bathrooms and an extensively vegan friendly menu and great staff. We ended up with desert on the house because they accidentally droped john's pizza in the kitchen, and a drop in from a furry little friend. Not that either event bothered us in the least, after all second oldest building in halifax and mice are cute. Plus no contamination of food or anything.

It was great, I had japanese dumplings and umeboshi dipping sauce for starters, then a seitan sandwhich with roasties. Lemon Lime soda and the best tofu chocolate creme pie ever.
Our server was so nice, and I cannot believe it has taken me so long too stop by.

5 vegan thumbs up for this place and I will surely be heading back soon.

November is a very special month for me.

Not only was I born 19 years ago in this lovely month, but coincidentally it also marks one of the most important days in my life. Maybe when I was born again, but that sounded a little too cheesy/mushy or darn right dirty hippy. November (the 5th to be exact) marks the day that I made a huge lifestyle choice, that in some ways now defines who I am in the eyes of most people.

That's right, from that day forth I became "The Vegan". I've posted about my "becoming" story, and really there wasn't a lot to it. I was ignorant, uber hella ignorant. I could and often did eat multiple steaks at resturants and my parents would chaste me, saying it was unhealthy, I would have a heart attack before 20 and I would be even fatter (something I hear a lot and could have fucked up my food relationship from the start).

Looking back everything leading up to the decision seems like a giant (and kinda lame coincidence), I was home some reason or another zane was in the other TV room letting me watch both tv and have the computer (this never happens), I was watching much news because well I was lame and in grade 9. Half assedly working on a paper that was probably due the next day, when much news came on. I never watched much news, in fact I even tried to avoid watching it on September the 11th when there was real news on it. I kept saying I would grab the remote in a second, and I just so happened to pay attention long enough to see the upcoming story. It was called simple plan get's bloodied up and showed the band covered in blood. I'm not sure why, but I left it.. I wanted to know what that was all about.

So the program came on and it turns out the band was doing an anti fur add for someone called peta. Now I have always loved animals, and thought fur was a stupid idea and like most ignorant animals-are-teh-cutes-don't-wear-them-but-i-can-still-eat-them people I vocalized that fur was pretty fucked up. Back on track, segment ended and it gave a web site for more info. So in my eagerness to not write an essay off I went. Peta.com and I searched the site for info on the add, turns out there was a video with the band and they ended up saying that the whole experience would be worth it if even one person stopped wearing fur, went veggie, did blah blah blah, or even if someone went Vegan, then it would be awesome. :laughter: but that's really unlikely, yeah, but it would be more than worth it.

Here's the part where my ignorance really shines, hmmm v-ee-gaa n? what's that. So I search the site again, it comes up with why someone would go vegan and what a vegan was. So I read. And read some more, soon I was learning all the horrible things that go on to produce meat, there were videos I didn't dare watch and after a while of reading I felt sick. Physically. That was that I thought, I'm now a vay-gun (and yeah I pronounced it wrong at first too). I had no idea what I was doing, or if it was healthy I thought it could possibly kill me to not eat this stuff anymore. But I also thought I'd cross to that bridge when I came to it, because I couldn't support any of this for another second and I didn't. Then I think I threw up.


And now as we approach November 5th I'm about to become a 5 year old vegan and not only have I survived but I've improved. My heath is finally good, my weight it down, and my relationship with food is slowly but surely becoming something healthy again. I have met great and amazing people, who share the same bond and beliefs as I do and I've managed to set a positive example and converted a 8 new vegans and a few veggies along the way. It may have been coincidental the way it happened, but I couldn't imagine my life if it hadn't. So in that case, I would like to think that I would have gotten hear eventual, if I'd survived through the bad times long enough this was where I would have ended up. And I wouldn't change it for the world.