Day 1: Sun, Sept. 17 ~ Carrot Dogs ~

~ Carrot Dogs ~

First of all - good, and good substitute for whatever is in hot dogs normally. That said, this was definitely one of the more interesting WFPB (Whole Food Plant Based)/vegan/vegetarian attempts. 

We were both very grossed out by something that smelled SO much like hot dogs, but wasn't. I guess that's the whole point. I've learned that through this journey - it really is the spice and method of cooking that makes the meal - but this was just a little disconcerting. 

We will definitely be doing this again, because Jesse is addicted to hot dogs but trying to stay away from meat. I'm going to just put it out there that we also hope to one day expand our family, and processed meats are on the 'no' list....so this meal will be resurfacing. 

It looks like a hot dog when all the stuff is on it (and its in a bun - like I said we haven't tended our kitchen lately, and found out ours were moldy!). It smells like a hot dog, and tastes like a hot dog. It just isn't a hot dog, and therefore a little strange. But so doable, and yummy!

Alrighty, here's the recipe. **Needs marinating - so allow that time!

Peel carrots. Boil till fork tender (very important to get right texture here!). Marinate overnight , or at least 4 hours for best result. 

Carrot marinade:
1cup veggie broth
Seasoned rice vinegar I used less than a fourth cup
A hit of reduced sodium soy sauce 
1tbs mustard of choice
1tsp garlic powder 
A few shakes of smoked paprika to taste
1/8 tsp liquid smoke  (optional - we used it, but some people say really just the paprika gives it enough 'smokiness'. You can find liquid smoke with the ketchup/vinegar/sauces at the grocery store.)

I cooked them on my fancy Martha Stewart panini pan so it has little 'grill marks'. :) It is recommended to cook them on the stove so the marinade caramelizes. I'm thinking in the future I may do it like this, then do a reheat on the grill just for fun? :)

Day 33: Wednesday, July 29th ~ Buddha's Delight ~

Day 33: Wednesday, July 29th 

~ Buddha's Delight ~

After our junk fest the last few days, my body was screaming at me to eat some veggies! I told Jesse no matter what, we were going to have this for dinner. He was so great to get it started, and finished it up while I crashed on the couch after work.

http://happyherbivore.com/recipe/vegetarian-delight/

Buddha's Delight from Happy Herbivore

It was delicious! Very flavorful. Jesse added celery as we didn’t have any cabbage (and he was unsure if we had greens still? Hmm)….but it gave it a nice touch. A lot of times people feel celery doesn’t have any flavor – but adding it to a stir-fry or other cooked dish really does have an impact. 

Day 26: Wed, July 22nd ~ Black Bean-Quinoa Burger & Fries ~

Day 26: Wed, July 22nd
~ Black Bean-Quinoa Burger & Fries ~

When we make bean burgers, we typically go for the tried and true Jeff Novick burger. However, we somehow are still missing our extra rice from the move....and the thought of replacing it with quinoa intrigued us into looking for a new recipe. We'll bring JN back soon for all you newbies. I have to tell you, his are a LOT quicker and less work intensive. ;0 

These are unique though, and for a unique occasion - Jesse's first official art job. :) So proud of you, honey!! 

http://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipe/black-bean-quinoa-burgers/
After eating them - realized that I had tasted something similar at The Henry. Fabulous! :)

Nothing goes better with a burger than fries, right? Now, this is JN style. (1) First, microwave the potatoes. Ideally this is done earlier, and the potatoes put in the fridge to make the next step easier. :) We did not do this today of course. (2) So - after they are nice and soft, cut with big knife into quarters or slivers depending on size. If you wet the knife first, it makes a cleaner cut. (3) Lay these out on parchment on a baking sheet, and sprinkle with whatever seasoning you want. You can spritz these with water to help the spices stick. Jesse always goes for Lawry's Season Salt. We've made garlic, chili, cumin, you name it. (4) Broil just a few minutes, until brown and crispy.

Fries were never the same after we found his technique!

 

Day 25: Tuesday, July 21st ~ Vegetable Korma ~

Day 25: Tuesday, July 21st ~ Vegetable Korma ~

This is Jesse doing today's blog. Liv did the cooking.
While I was away triumphantly tying up a few loose ends at my final day of my internship, Liv made a delightful veggie korma. The recipe came from Happy Herbivore Abroad by Lindsay S. Nixon and published by those nutty funsters at BenBella Books, Inc of Dallas, Texas. You can find the recipe online here or you can go buy the book from Amazon.com for less than $20 so what's your problem you pirating cheapskate?
Anyway, here's a story about korma. Every once and again Liv and I buy some Amy's frozen Indian dinners and quite like the korma. So we made it ourselves in accordance with the intentions behind this blog. So there you go. Korma.
As per usual, we've photographed the meal.

Photograph by Liv

Day 24: Monday, July 20th ~ Twofer: Burritos & Thai Mango Curry ~

Day 24: Monday, July 20th

 ~ Twofer: Burritos & Thai Mango Curry ~

Well, I was lucky enough to have today off. Since I had that time, you get 2 of our meals today. :)
For lunch - whipped up some quick burritos. Had leftover rice, beans, and peppers. Put all of that in a skillet with a bit of water and taco seasoning. Wrapped it up with a small sprinkling of cheese and taco sauce. Yum!

Dinner - Thai Mango Curry from Happy Herbivore Abroad. I LOVE curry, and I think a lot of that has to do with the fact that I LOVE coconut milk. With our typical green curry, we put the whole can of coconut milk in. This recipe only calls for 1/2 cup. It seems to be more than enough, and gives the same effect. Something to keep in mind for the future!
I did not find the recipe online already, and am a little leery of just scanning it in. If anyone's interested, just let me know and I'll forward it to you.

So - I mentioned that today you get 2 of our meals, and you might wonder what we do the rest of the time. I don't bother sharing it, because it can get pretty repetitious. Breakfast is usually oatmeal, farina, or peanut butter toast. Lunch is often leftovers, a salad, or a grouping of things like boiled eggs, hummus/veggies, bread, and fruit. It just seems too much work to have a varied diet during the weekday. :)

Day 21: Friday, July 17th ~ 5-Spice Fried Rice with Sweet Potatoes ~

Day 21: Friday, July 17th 

~ 5-Spice Fried Rice with Sweet Potatoes ~

Today, we're heading back to good and good for you. We have been wanting to try the Chinese 5-Spice blend for some time. We kept seeing recipes that called for it, and just omitting it because we hadn't picked it up. Then it sat on our shelf for a bit while we went on the fast-food binge...okay, maybe a year? Anyway....so excited to find a recipe with this in the title. 

It smelled SOOOO good in our house! Actually, I could smell it on Jesse's shirt when he came to pick me up. :) That helped me get past the Little Caesar's! 

This was a fabulous dish. Also, so pretty and orange! Definitely a keeper. 

http://veganishdish.com/2015/02/15/5-spice-fried-rice-with-sweet-potatoes/

Day 19: Wednesday, July 15th ~ Pita Pizza ~

Day 19: Wednesday, July 15th

 ~ Pita Pizza ~

Another adventure today. Had an important errand right after work, still exhausted from yesterday, and staring bleakly at every food place we pass, it was a journey getting to tonight's dinner. Jesse has been wanting hot dogs again lately (not sure where this recent obsession came from?), but nothing is sounding good to me. I agree to whatever he can find in the store just to get home a minute sooner. Trentwood was closed, and CVS didn't have the ingredients. I am beyond ready to just give up, and say that I don't care. So, home we go. And out comes Jesse's plan B - Pita Pizza. 

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/80642649550672595/

We were introduced to this a few years ago when I was on a Denise Austin plan. I love that it can be so quick, easy, and crunchy. It has become a go-to item for those rushed, lazy, or emotional days. 

We don't really follow the recipe anymore, just top pita or a tortilla wrap with whatever we have on hand, pop it in the oven, and there you go.