I read somewhere that olive oil will solidify if you leave it in the fridge for a bit. So, I put a bit of first cold pressed oil into the refrigerator, and voila out came spreadable olive oil. Its not quite the same as margarine, but with a little bit of salt it could be adequate.
Make sure the oil you use says "first cold pressed" on the bottle. The oil is darker and greener than the cheaper stuff commonly used in cooking. First pressed oil comes from the initial pressing of the olives so has a great deal more flavor. This won't make any difference as far as solidifying is concerned, but the taste is so much better!
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Pancakes
mmmmmm pancakes.
1.5 cups all-purpose flour, I like white whole wheat flour best
3.5 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon unrefined white sugar
1.25 cups milk product (I prefer almond)
1 mashed ripe banana
2 tablespoons canola oil
pinch of cinnamon
Mix the wet and dry ingredients separately. Add the wet to the dry and mix until just combined. You may want to add more milk to thin out the batter. Heat the griddle on medium to medium-high, oil it up, and add pancake batter. About 0.25 cups batter per pancake works well. Makes moderate servings for 3-4 people.
1.5 cups all-purpose flour, I like white whole wheat flour best
3.5 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon unrefined white sugar
1.25 cups milk product (I prefer almond)
1 mashed ripe banana
2 tablespoons canola oil
pinch of cinnamon
Mix the wet and dry ingredients separately. Add the wet to the dry and mix until just combined. You may want to add more milk to thin out the batter. Heat the griddle on medium to medium-high, oil it up, and add pancake batter. About 0.25 cups batter per pancake works well. Makes moderate servings for 3-4 people.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Meat substitutes
A couple of high-protein, soy free vegan meat options.
Amy's breakfast patties taste a lot like smart bacon to me. They get a little gross and chewy around the edges if they're overcooked at all, but otherwise Amy's kitchen delivers. Check out the California burger on the same page, also soy free though I've never tried them.
Sunshine burgers are sunflower-seed based and have a very unique flavor. They're fatty, but the flavor is fairly light and appetizing. Doesn't taste quite like any other burger I've tried.
Amy's breakfast patties taste a lot like smart bacon to me. They get a little gross and chewy around the edges if they're overcooked at all, but otherwise Amy's kitchen delivers. Check out the California burger on the same page, also soy free though I've never tried them.
Sunshine burgers are sunflower-seed based and have a very unique flavor. They're fatty, but the flavor is fairly light and appetizing. Doesn't taste quite like any other burger I've tried.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
No Soy Sauce
Its sushi-making time!!!! My favorite soviet vegan and I are making sushi tomorrow, so I've been trying to make a soy sauce substitute. Here's my first attempt:
0.5 cup balsamic vinegar
3-4 cloves garlic
1 cup molasses
1.5 t salt
garlic powder, onion powder, turmeric, coriander to taste
Very roughly chop the garlic cloves and add them to the balsamic vinegar in a small bowl. Let sit overnight so the garlic flavor infuses. Add molasses, salt, and spices according to taste. 1 t or so of onion and garlic powders, and just a pinch of turmeric and coriander. Mix well and enjoy!
0.5 cup balsamic vinegar
3-4 cloves garlic
1 cup molasses
1.5 t salt
garlic powder, onion powder, turmeric, coriander to taste
Very roughly chop the garlic cloves and add them to the balsamic vinegar in a small bowl. Let sit overnight so the garlic flavor infuses. Add molasses, salt, and spices according to taste. 1 t or so of onion and garlic powders, and just a pinch of turmeric and coriander. Mix well and enjoy!
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Chocolate Avocado Pie
Rich, loaded with healthy fats, and soy-free, this pie is easy and uniquely delicious!
pre-made graham cracker crust, chocolate or regular
or try
crust
1 small package of graham crackers (10 cracker sheets), try Hain chocolate grahams or these
2 Tablespoons of oil (light flavor, like canola. Avoid vegetable, its mostly soy oil!)
Crush graham cracker with rolling pin, mix with oil and press into pie pan. Bake at 375F for around 8 minutes.
Filling
2-3 ripe avocados
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
8-12oz vegan chocolate (watch out for soy lecithin!) , try the products here or here
1/4 cup confectioners sugar
Blend avocado until smooth. Add lemon juice and vanilla. Melt chocolate in a double broiler or over very low heat. Add between 8 and 12 oz of chocolate and 1/4 cup confectioners sugar, to taste. Blend well with avocado and pour into crust. Cover and let sit in refrigerator for at least 3 hours.
pre-made graham cracker crust, chocolate or regular
or try
crust
1 small package of graham crackers (10 cracker sheets), try Hain chocolate grahams or these
2 Tablespoons of oil (light flavor, like canola. Avoid vegetable, its mostly soy oil!)
Crush graham cracker with rolling pin, mix with oil and press into pie pan. Bake at 375F for around 8 minutes.
Filling
2-3 ripe avocados
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
8-12oz vegan chocolate (watch out for soy lecithin!) , try the products here or here
1/4 cup confectioners sugar
Blend avocado until smooth. Add lemon juice and vanilla. Melt chocolate in a double broiler or over very low heat. Add between 8 and 12 oz of chocolate and 1/4 cup confectioners sugar, to taste. Blend well with avocado and pour into crust. Cover and let sit in refrigerator for at least 3 hours.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Quinoa
One of my favorite foods lately is quinoa. It's a grain, but unlike most grains it contains all of the essential amino acids. In other words, its a great source of protein! Quinoa is also a significant source of potassium, iron, magnesium, and calcium. Plus, its suitable for both soy and gluten-free diets. It's found in cold and hot cereals, as a raw grain, and in some more unusual products. Here are some that I have tried:
quinoa smoothie I tried the pina coloda, pretty tasty
Quinoa Corp. They offer many quinoa products. I recommend the Quinoa Flakes as hot cereal with a bit of rice milk, cinnamon and brown sugar.
Plain quinoa can be a protein-rich substitute for rice. I've had it in soup and its quite delicious.
quinoa smoothie I tried the pina coloda, pretty tasty
Quinoa Corp. They offer many quinoa products. I recommend the Quinoa Flakes as hot cereal with a bit of rice milk, cinnamon and brown sugar.
Plain quinoa can be a protein-rich substitute for rice. I've had it in soup and its quite delicious.
Friday, January 4, 2008
Hidden Soy
I've come across many websites with listings of soy derivatives, here's a summary of hidden ingredients you may find in vegan foods.
Akara
Emulsifier
Guar Gum
Gum Arabic
Hydrolized (Vegetable) Protein
Isolates
Lechithin
Margarine
Miso
Mono and Diglycerides
MSG
Natural Flavors
Natto
Olean
Shortening
Stabilizer
Tamari
Tempeh
Teriyaki
Thickener
TVP (textured vegetable protein)
Vegetable Oil
Vegetable Broth
Vegetable Gum
Vegetable starch
Vitamin E
Yuba
Most people with soy allergies can tolerate many of these ingredients. Soy oil, for example, has a negligible concentration of allergens and only the most sensitive individuals will react. Vitamin E and MSG are also distant derivatives and won't give most people any issues.
Akara
Emulsifier
Guar Gum
Gum Arabic
Hydrolized (Vegetable) Protein
Isolates
Lechithin
Margarine
Miso
Mono and Diglycerides
MSG
Natural Flavors
Natto
Olean
Shortening
Stabilizer
Tamari
Tempeh
Teriyaki
Thickener
TVP (textured vegetable protein)
Vegetable Oil
Vegetable Broth
Vegetable Gum
Vegetable starch
Vitamin E
Yuba
Most people with soy allergies can tolerate many of these ingredients. Soy oil, for example, has a negligible concentration of allergens and only the most sensitive individuals will react. Vitamin E and MSG are also distant derivatives and won't give most people any issues.
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