the Happy Vegetarian

Chili Cornmeal Crusted Tofu

We also whipped up the Chili Cornmeal Crusted Tofu from Veganomicon. Absolutely delish!

Filed under: Food on December 6th, 2008 | No Comments »

As part of our gigantic vegetarian feast last weekend, we made the Italian Tofu from Veganomicon, but used red wine instead of white. It gave it a very interesting pink colour, but it was super delicious nonetheless.

Technorati Tags: marinated tofu

Filed under: Food on December 6th, 2008 | No Comments »

Toasted Pumpkin Seeds

Toasted pumkin seeds 2 ways: the original olive oil and salt version for the purists — and a spicy and garlicky version for those who like it hot!

Scoop the seeds out of a pumpkin, wash away the slimy stuff and spread the seeds out in a simgle layer on a baking sheet to dry overnight.

Olive oil and salt: Lightly coat the seeds with olive oil. Generously salt them with freshly ground sea-salt. Bake for 40 minutes in a 200 degree oven. Serve with coarsely ground sea salt.

Spicy Garlicky Sambal: Mix together an equal amount of sunflower seed oil and soy sauce. Crush in a clove of garlic or two and some sambal to taste. Lightly coat the seeds with the mixture and bake for 40 minutes in a 200 degree oven. Serve with coarsely ground sea salt and a large beer.

Filed under: Food on November 23rd, 2008 | 2 Comments »

Evolution of a Recipe: Spicy Pumpkin Bread

That’s the great thing about a recipe. You can add your own creativity, tweaking it to your own tastes until it is just right. As a recipe get passed from person to person, it evolves along the way.

I tried this pumpkin bread at a Halloween party made by the lovely Renee — and it was simply divine. Her secret? An epicurious recipe, but with double the spice and half white sugar, half brown sugar.

I prepared it following her instructions — plus added my own touches. Instead of 3 eggs, I used 3 tablespoons of ground flaxseed mixed with water as an egg-replacer. And instead of 3 cups of sugar — I used 1 cup white, 1 cup brown and 1 cup of unsweetened applesauce.

The result? A dense and moist pumpkin bread bursting with warming spices.

Original recipe:
www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Spiced-Pumpkin-Bread-840

Filed under: Food on November 23rd, 2008 | No Comments »

Your Basic Chocolate Cupcake

Simplicity is sometimes best.

I have found that the basic chocolate cupcake from VCTotW is a hit with everyone, vegetarians and non, kids, adults and everyone in between.

After experimenting with many different choco-cupcake recipes, this one is my favourite. I stirred in shredded coconut in half the batter and chocolate chips in the other half.

Filed under: Food on November 23rd, 2008 | No Comments »

de Bakkerswinkel

Happiness is enjoying tea, scones and yummy little cakes over good conversation with friends.

This is the second time that I’ve been to the Bakkerswinkel — once in Westerpark and once in the center of Amsterdam — and I’m completely hooked. Their scones and clotted cream are amazing — plus they have this lemony custard that is to die for.

This was really a perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

www.debakkerswinkel.nl

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Filed under: Places to Eat on November 16th, 2008 | No Comments »

Blended Meals?

One of my good friends, who is the epitome of German efficiency, once pondered living off of blended meals to save time. He even has a complete step-by-step process book that I’m envious of — which maps out his life and his business.

If he ever had to step out for a while, you could literally pick up this book and run his life for him

Anyhow, back to the blending. It’s NOT such a crazy idea…

I’ve been trying to come up with meals for one lately, which if you read my last post is becoming a drama.

a) I have no MOTIVATION to cook for one
b) I have no TIME to cook for one
c) Plus, what CAN you cook for one?

So, I’m seriously contemplating a liquid diet for a while, just for the sheer convenience of it.

Any ideas?

Technorati Tags: blended meals, cooking for one

Filed under: Food on November 3rd, 2008 | No Comments »

Bagels and Beans

The Happy Vegetarian has been missing in action lately. She’s too embarrassed to post what she’s really been eating for the last few weeks: take-out, microwave meals, bowls of popcorn… and when she’s feeling particularly lazy — large spoonfuls of peanut butter straight out of the jar.

Luckily, she has found that the Bagels and Beans down the road serves a gigantic cappuccino made with soy milk to fuel her energy. Certainly something hard to find in the Netherlands. Plus a wicked multi-grain bagel loaded with avocado and tomatoes served with cream cheese on the side, if you so desire.