vegan times

in honor of my newly AMAZING b12-level (hooray, and please, if you're vegan, pay attention to your b12!), a food post with recipes this time:

• one of the most basic, simple and universally popular:

BREADED TOFU
ingredients
1 lb (1/2 kg) firm tofu
some flour of choice and/or breadcrumbs
spices: salt, pepper, cumin, paprika, hot pepper flakes, etc., to taste
sesame seeds (optional)
nutritional yeast (optional)
preparation
first mix a few tablespoons of flour with spices, including about 1 teaspoon of salt, and nutritional yeast and sesame seeds if using, in a large lidded container. the kinds and amounts of spices depend on your taste, but 1/4 teaspoon of each is a good starting point. next, wash the block of tofu in water, shake but don't dry completely, then cut in cubes (or slices if you prefer). lightly salt the tofu and then add to the container, seal with the lid and shake until the tofu is thoroughly covered. finally, fry in a couple of tablespoons vegetable (olive) oil until golden and crispy all over, stirring every 5 min to ensure tofu has been cooked on all sides. this tofu can be used in 1000 ways, from sandwich filler to fancy appetizers to a cold snack.
(makes about 16-20 cubes)


serving suggestion:
tortilla wraps with tofu, arugula, red chilli, olives, cucumber, tomato and jalapeno sauce

• oh-so-quick, -refreshing and -delicious:
  

GUACA-SALSA and chips
ingredients
1 medium avocado
4-5 medium tomatoes
1 lime
salt, pepper, red chilli flakes (or fresh chilli, sliced)
dash olive oil
cilantro/corriander (optional)
preparation
cut tomatoes and avocado in small cubes, combine with the juice of the lime and the rest of the ingredients, and serve with tortilla chips (pictured: red chilli chips)
(makes a medium bowl of salsa, for 2-4 people)

• for the quintessential vegan breakfast:

TOFU SCRAMBLE
(version #1204, with fresh oyster mushrooms)
ingredients
1 lb (1/2 kg) tofu, preferably soft
2 cups sliced oyster (and/or other) mushrooms
1 tablespoon soy sauce
2 teaspoons mustard
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon paprika
nutritional yeast (optional)
pine nuts, sesame seeds (optional)
sliced chilli pepper (optional)
salt and pepper to taste
olive oil
preparation
heat the oil in a large pan, and if using pine nuts and chilli add them first. crumble up the tofu with your hands and add to the pan. if using pretty hard tofu, add some water (a tablespoon or two). fry for a couple of minutes, while stirring, then add the soy sauce, mustard, turmeric, paprika, and nutritional yeast, if using. finally mix in the mushrooms and continue frying until they are cooked through - just starting to get soft. sprinkle with salt and pepper as needed, and serve with toast/potatoes etc..
(makes 2-4 servings)

pictured with seeded bread and arugula-avocado salad:
(arugula leaves, avocado strips, lemon juice, olive oil,
salt and pepper)


these are total staples for me... three of my favorites, and probably also the easiest things one can make.

i've also run into a few vegan sites of note lately:

New Heritage Cooking - Vegetarian News and Recipes from the Heart of Appalachia

also home of a great "Veggie Hero" feature, so far they've had:
+ Colleen Patrick-Goudreau (her site: Compassionate Cooks and her blog: Food for Thought - Vegan, Vegetarian, Animal Rights Perspective)
+ Jeff and Nancy Riedesel
+ Dreena Burton (her blogs)
+ Dr. Amy Lanou
+ Jon Camp
+ Jennifer McCann
it's so much fun reading everyone's answers to the questionnaire!

Vegan People (livejournal community) [story: i got there through following some minor controversy in the vegan realm, where the bass player from good clean fun (who's all "christian & 'pro-life'" etc., although as he says he doesn't "support passing laws against abortion" i think he's totally free to personally feel however he wants about abortion. i guess. whatever.) got all riled up about Food Fight!'s anti-hunting t-shirts - and so harsh words flew all around, for a while. but it all ended ok. sigh. (i should also mention that this guy does a very faithful impersonation of vanilla ice during their shows. i dunno... almost funny.)]

[UPDATE] nice, eloquent and to the point: "hey, vegan..." by vegankid