Super Bowl Sunday (aka Super Food Day)

by Tami in American Vegan Kitchen, appetizers, cookies, recipes, sandwiches, seitan, vegan | 1 February, 2013 | 7 Comments

Jim used to be a huge football fan. Then when the Browns left Cleveland for Baltimore, he decided it wasn’t worth his time. We won’t be watching football on Sunday, but we’ll still use event as an excuse to have a fantastic appetizer and small plate spread. Our snacks will taste just as wonderful while watching Downton Abbey and whatever else we happen upon.

No party is complete without wings. I’ve got you covered with some from Food Network Friday (remember that?) that were originally from Tyler Florence. Recipe for the Red Curry Lime Wings here.

Spicy Balsamic Maple Wingz

Spicy Balsamic Maple Wingz

Looking for something a little more traditional? This recipe from American Vegan Kitchen is the one for you! These Spicy Balsamic Maple Wingz are one of our favorites.

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Fried Avocado Wedges

Of course, there are the always popular Fried Avocado Wedges. If you haven’t tried these yet, what are you waiting for? There is a recipe from California Avocado Commission right here, but I prefer the one in American Vegan Kitchen.

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Oooey Gooey Garlic Bread

This Oooey Gooey Garlic Bread is a once year indulgence, but this Sunday is the time to break it out! Hopefully with lots of company so you can’t eat too much of it.

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The Party Monster

How about the Party Monster from Vegan Sandwiches Save the Day! ? This one is hearty and can be made ahead so you can enjoy your company. Stuffed with either homemade or store-bought deli slices, it’s a real crowd pleaser.

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Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

And for dessert? These classic Oatmeal Raisin Cookies always hit the spot. Get the recipe here!

Whatever you do this weekend, hope it’s a wonderful one for you. And Happy February!

 

 

 

 

Highlights of 2012

by Tami in books, Cats, restaurants, vegan | 5 January, 2013 | 6 Comments

Wow, it’s been a  month since I’ve updated here. That’s the longest break I’ve taken since starting my blog for the very first VeganMoFo. To get back in the swing of things, I thought I’d post some personal highlights from last year.

We redid our kitchen, making me want to spend even more time there. Here is a corner shot.

We discovered Asheville, North Carolina! Thanks to Plant, we had the best restaurant meals ever.

Tried our first Indian food, and haven’t been able to get enough since. Sorry, no photos!

We celebrated the release of Vegan Sandwiches Save the Day!, with music, food, and good friends. Thanks to Purola Brothers Bridge Street Pizza, the pizzas kept coming even after the sandwiches had run out.

Speaking of music, Jim found the best musicians to form the most fun band he has ever been part of.  Watch some Bobbiedazzler videos here!

I went canning crazy, and am happily reaping the benefits of canned San Marzano tomatoes and  lots of other goodies.

2012 was the year of the Great Garlic Garden, too! Here’s a photo of part of our crop. If I keep using words like “crop”, you might confuse me with a farmer! Trust me when I say I don’t have a green thumb. Garlic is very resilient.

We brought our third kitty into our home, Sophie. She is a bundle of kitten love who moves at the speed of light.

I made the best pho I have ever eaten, thanks to Terry and Vegan Eats World. Here it is, still steaming!

After wishing I knew how to quilt, I finally took the plunge in December, even managing to make a couple lap quilts for Christmas gifts. We also got to do a bunch of fun stuff with our family throughout the year.

2013 promises to be another incredible year. Grills Gone Vegan is coming out this spring, and so is Whole Grain Vegan Baking, written with the best writing partner ever, Celine Steen. We’re meeting our good friends Liz and Matthew in Asheville and reconnecting with the wonderful Asheville vegans. Jim’s band has at least one show scheduled each month, which is a really fun way for me to spend time with my good friends, Laura and Nicky. Watch for more quilting and canning to be happening, and of course, some surprises as well.

Wishing you the best in the New Year!

 

 

Cat Cuteness and a Little About Our Thanksgiving Dinner

by Tami in Cats, entrees, vegan | 5 December, 2012 | 9 Comments

 

 

Time really flies, doesn’t it? December, already? I thought I’d share what we had for Thanksgiving, and with tweaking, it might be something you’d like to have for a Christmas dinner. It’s a portbello with greens wrapped in puff pastry. For sides, we had maple glazed brussel spouts, garlic mashed potatoes with  super easy gravy, and roasted carrots and parsnips. I need to tweak the greens for the mushroom some, as I used arugula and too much of it! I’m a huge fan of arugula, so I never thought “too much” was even a possibility. Overall, it was an easy to make, low fuss dinner that really felt like a celebration.  Here is the inside shot.

 

In a total change of topic, some of you may know that we have a new kitten. Our “older” cats, Sadie and Cleo have adapted well. It was touch and go for the first few days, but Sadie had some latent maternal tendencies, and Cleo has a lot of patience. Really, this post is all about cats.

 In a rare moment of stillness

Showing Sadie that she is big!

Pouncing

Trying to stand on her head

 Cuddling with Sadie

 Sadie, Cleo, and Sophie

This might seem like a lot of cat photos, but it’s hardly a drop in the bucket! I have gazillion more over on at Flickr.

Speaking of Flickr, do you know about my facebook pages? Follow me here and follow Vegan Sandwiches Save they Day! here. The latest post at our “official” book page includes a radio interview we did with Boundless Vegan Radio. We were also featured on SPOON, complete with a recipe for our Taste of Tuscany Sandwich.  Check it out and follow all our big news.

Take December slowly! It’s way too easy to stress out this time of year.

Cheesecake and the Last Week of the Blog Tour!

by Tami in American Vegan Kitchen, cakes, desserts, Vegan Sandwiches Save the Day | 25 November, 2012 | 6 Comments

Whew, Thanksgiving has been here and gone. I still can’t get over the fact that it is nearly December, but I guess there really isn’t any disputing that fact. So I thought I’d share the sweetest thing about our Thanksgiving dinner: the dessert, of course. We had the New York- Style Cheesecake from American Vegan Kitchen. Because I rarely make something the same way twice unless it is for a book, I had to tinker with it. I reduced the flour and milk both by about half, and added 1/2 cup of sour cream. I also used reduced the crust to 1 cup of crumbs. The baking time  had to be increased slightly, too. I was happy with the outcome and so was my omni family. Win!

If you’ve been following along, the blog book tour is wrapping up this week. I’m going to post all the links below. Again, Celine and I can’t thank all of you enough for your support of Vegan Sandwiches Save the Day! It was our first opportunity to work together, and it was a wonderful experience. It was also my first book on Fair Winds Press. It’s been a pleasure to work with the team there. In so many ways, Vegan Sandwiches has been a dream book.

Enough from me! Please visit these fantastic bloggers who graciously took part in our blog tour. Help us show them some love! Remember, there is one more week to go so be sure to stick with us until the end!

 

Week of October 21

Vegan Eats and Treats — see her post here!

 Weekly Vegan Menu — don’t miss it!

Week of October 28

Vegan Crunk – with a contest!

Urban Vegan — find out what kind of sandwiches Celine and I would be and win a copy!

Lazy Smurf’s Guide to Life – contest, contest, contest!

Seitan is My Motor - Onion Ring Ranchocado, anyone?

Week of November 4

  Olives for Dinner – our inner most thoughts and a contest!

Vegan Dad – haven’t won a copy yet? Now is your chance!

Kim Cooks Veg 4 U – has a glowing review and photos to tempt the skeptical!

Week of November 11 

Eat Drink Better – get the “Scoop” a few freebie recipes, and maybe win a copy of the book!

Vegan Cookbooks Illustrated – start here then read the new posts all week!

Week of November 18

  Vegan Yack Attack – contest! And gorgeous photos, too!

  Veg Blogger – where we answer a few questions!

Vegan Cookbook Aficionado – recipe roundup and a contest!

Week of November 25  – Still to Come!!!

  Tahini Too – contest, and Green Monster Bagels! Yum!

  Vegan Feast Kitchen – Bryanna, a vegan icon,posted a review and recipe!

Get Sconed! -Photos galore, and a contest!

Chickpea Shawarma Review.. and Sophie!

by Tami in Cats, sandwiches, vegan, Vegan Sandwiches Save the Day | 12 November, 2012 | 9 Comments

This gorgeous photo is part of the Vegan Sandwiches Save the Day!  blog tour and is courtesy of  Vegan Cookbooks Illustrated. All week long new sandwich photos will be featured there, so be sure to follow up.

I’m especially appreciative of this food post today, because I don’t have one of my own. Instead, I have a new kitten! Introducing Sophie!

Please stop back for  more kitty photos…. and of course, food talk!