New Summer Salad!

Cookbook * Real Food Daily

Recipe * Tempeh and Potato SAlad

Yumm or Yuck * Yumm

Can't imagine summer without potato salad! Although I have good recipes for vegan potato salad, none of them feature a vinaigrette dressing or tempeh. An exciting twist! I added roasted beets to this warm potato salad for color and taste. It is reminiscent of an Indonesian salad I once had. We were pleased with the results and will make it again. Only caution is to watch how much vinegar you add. Hope your summer is going well!

Cupcakes, getting a job, mac n' cheese, and staying balanced... and the kitchen sink.

Cookbook * Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World
Recipe * Cappuccino Cupcakes Filled with Espresso Creme
Yumm or Yuck * Yumm

I got a job in January and moved house in February - in the process I have been a bad blogger and even worse cook! I am reminded through this experience that you can only have so much thai take-out, deli food and (oh -gasp) frozen dinners. I really do miss cooking - it is a fun/creative type outlet for me and I enjoy the process of cooking as much as eating. Plus, I think it is far easier to balance your diet when you cook at home.
Below are some photos taken over the last few months that I haven't had a chance to blog on.

First, cupcakes made by a good friend here in Seattle. She isn't vegan, but loves the Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World cookbook - which of course makes any good friend a great friend, especially when they make cupcakes for YOU!! These were sooo delicious!


Cookbook * The Real Food Daily Cookbook
Recipe * Mac n' Cheese
Yumm or Yuck * Yumm

And here is a pic of my new favorite mac n' cheese recipe taken from Real Food Daily. The cheese sauce is amazing - I might add less agar next time so it isn't as thick. Wondering what agar is - here is a pic below. Far better than the Vegan Planet recipe - I think. Good stuff!

Athena Barley with Kalamata Olives and Tomatoes

Cookbook * The Real Food Daily Cookbook
Recipe * Athena Barley with Kalamata Olives and Tomatoes
Yumm or Yuck? * Yumm

Barley ain't just for beer making. This is one of those "healthy tasting" dishes that actually tastes good. I feel healthier just having a few bites! Its a produce delight - fresh tomatoes, scallions, dill, onion, parsley, lemon juice. And the barley is great source of fiber. Bonus points for barley - its a grain with a long and interesting history!

Tortilla Soup

Cookbook * The Real Food Daily Cookbook
Recipe * Tortilla Soup
Yumm or Yuck? * Yumm

We love this spicy soup. Chopped toritalls make this fresh tomato base soup so creamy. If you've been looking for an opportunity to use your hand-held immersion blender (no, I don't have one either), this recipe is up your alley. Otherwise, just blend in batches. Crispy tortilla strips garnish and add a crunchy texture. So good on a fall night - I can't believe its fall - its not right?