Around the World in Food

I have a hard time coming up with clever names and 'real' subject material for this blog. I'm good at random posts with no real context throughout. I tend to just focus on the food, probably because that is my real intention for this blog.. but still I'd like it to be fun and sometimes insightful besides just a diary of what we eat every once in a while.

So this post is more fun (but no more insightful) and the theme created itself. Think of it like a beauty pageant for food, with lots of different nationalities represented. Is that really progress? Maybe not... but these recipes are definitely all winners.

This is the amazing Vietnamese Seitan Baguette from V'con. I can't rave enough about this sandwich and no matter how many times we have it I want it more. As in, I'd love it for two meals in a row or more. Did I say two meals? I meant more like 2 weeks straight.


How about a Pad Thai alike? That sauce from VwaV is absolutely the best! Even if the vegetables aren't so traditional, the taste is amazing. Just the right amount of heat!


These Pierogies (which I spell differently every time I type the word!) are adapted from Vegan Planet and jordanpattern over at the PPK. This is the first time I've made them and I was a little intimidated. I'm here to tell you not to be like me-- make them! They're not as hard as they sound. Yeah, there are a few steps, but nothing difficult. They're really worth it, too, when you taste that wonderful crispy panfried outside, the creamy potato and dill inside and the caramelly onions...(sorry, I was channeling Giada for a minute)....

All this brings me to white pizza. That's the picture up top. I used the Pine Nut Cream from V'con (as suggested by esme at the PPK), and it was delicious. Really delicious. I had some leftover roasted garlic (if you make caesar salad, roast some extra for this) and also topped it with spinach, roma tomatoes, red peppers and red onions. And pine nut drizzle. Hmmm... with all that red, I could leave off the spinach and shape the pizza like a heart and get off easy for Valentine's Day. But I won't.

We also had quesadillas this week. We love these with finely chopped seitan and whatever vegetables you have around. These also had black beans in them. In my opinion, the guacamole makes the meal, but that's just me.

A bonus pic of the Oatmeal Raisin Cookies for Isa's upcoming cookie book. These are fantastic and much better than the picture makes them look. Great texture! I'd tell you more, but Giada is no longer coming through. Probably because these cookies would put her baking to shame.