Killer Tofu

Chilled Lentil Salad: Unseasonably warm weather means we eat...

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 16:29:15 -0400

Chilled Lentil Salad: Unseasonably warm weather means we eat chilled lentil salad outside. As healthy as it is delicious!

Full disclosure: I’ve never had an actual Shamrock Shake....

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 15:20:00 -0400

Full disclosure: I’ve never had an actual Shamrock Shake. Outside of it not being vegan, I didn’t get it. Who cares? It’s just a mint shake? What’s everyone freaking freaking out about? That is, until now. After finally making my vegan version, I get it: it’s creamy and refreshing. It’s a (soy)milkshake that doesn’t leave your mouth full of milkshake residue. It was way too easy to drink. Definitely hype worthy.

And…easy to make!

Ingredients:
4 Cups Partially Melted Soy Ice Cream
1 1/4 C. Vanilla Soy Milk
1/2 tsp. Peppermint Extract
1 Tbs. Chopped Fresh Mint
1/4 C. Chopped Vegan Chocolate
A few squirts of Green Food Coloring
Strawberry (garnish)

Directions:

Blend ice cream, soy milk, peppermint extract, mint, food coloring and chocolate (saving a little) until creamy.
Wet the rims of the glasses you’re going to use and dip in the chopped chocolate.
Pour the milkshake in your glasses. Garnish with a strawberry.
Sit outside and enjoy.

Vegan French Toast!

Sun, 18 Mar 2012 12:00:37 -0400

Vegan French Toast!

Vegan Blueberry/Blood-Orange Pancakes with Smokey Portobellos....

Sun, 11 Mar 2012 12:07:17 -0400

Vegan Blueberry/Blood-Orange Pancakes with Smokey Portobellos. Brunch!

Recipe: Potato Leek Soup with Tofu Bacon

Sat, 10 Mar 2012 14:33:00 -0500

If you missed me at Whole Foods today, here are the dishes I prepared and the recipes for them.

Vegan Potato Leek Soup

Ingredients:

1 lb Leeks

4-5 Sprigs of Thyme

20 Black Peppercorns

3 Bay Leaves

2 Tbs Olive Oil

½ C. Dry White Wine

2 tsp. Liquid Smoke

2 Tbs. Bragg’s Liquid Aminos

2 lbs Russet Potatoes (peeled and diced)

4 C. Vegetable Stock

2 C. Non-Dairy Milk

2 tsp White Pepper

Chives, cut (garnish)

Vegan Sour Cream (optional)

Directions:

Cut leeks where they turn from white to green. Discard green tops, saving the longest two, and trim off the bottom white part of the leek. Then, thinly slice the leeks.

Place thyme, bay leaves and peppercorns in one of the saved leaves and cover with the other saved leave. Wrap in cheesecloth and tie off with butcher’s twine, making a boquet garni.

Heat a large soup pan over medium heat. When warm, add the olive oil and leeks.

Cook leaks for 3-4 minutes and add white wine, Bragg’s, and liquid smoke. Cook for another 1-2 minutes for the leeks to absorb the wine and liquid smoke.

Add potatoes, vegetable stock, non-dairy milk and pepper. Turn up the heat and bring to a boil.

Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes or until potatoes are soft.

Remove the boquet garni and either blend soup in batches in a blender or use and immersion blender until the soup is smooth.

Serve with tofu “bacon” (recipe below), vegan sour cream and chives.

Tofu “Bacon”

1 lb Package of Whitewood Superfirm Tofu*

2 Tbs Olive Oil, divided

3 Tbs. Bragg’s Liquid Aminos

2 Tbs. Liquid Smoke

Freshly ground salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Using a mandolin slicer, thinly lice tofu widthwise.

Wisk together Bragg’s, liquid smoke, and 1 ½ Tbs of oil.

Lay tofu slices in a single layer on a cutting board. Using a basting brush, spread mixture on each side of the tofu.

Heat a non-stick or cast iron skillet on medium-high, and add ½ Tbs of olive oil.

Pan-fry tofu for about 3 minutes on each side, until the tofu is crispy.

Remove from pan, place on a paper towel and add freshly ground salt and pepper to taste.

*Only use super firm tofu. Any other tofu will make a goopy tofu mess.

Creamy polenta with mushrooms, pan-seared collards and a red...

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 09:46:00 -0500

Creamy polenta with mushrooms, pan-seared collards and a red wine-balsamic reduction.

Is There a Market for Vegan Food

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 16:00:40 -0500

Is There a Market for Vegan Food:

“On the other hand, according to USDA forecasts, the average American will consume 12.2% less meat and poultry in 2012 than they did in 2007. Beef consumption has been in decline for about 20 years; the drop in poultry and pork has also been steady for about five years. And this phenomenon is not limited to meat. USDA statistics reveal that per capita egg consumption in the U.S. has been steadily declining for the past six years and average per-capita consumption of cow’s milk fell from 24.3 gallons per person in 1994 to 20.8 gallons per person in 2008. At the same time, total retail sales of soy milk, almond milk, rice milk and other plant milks reached $1.33 billion in 2011. If you don’t think the growing market for plant-based foods has anything to do with these declining statistics, ask the multi-billion dollar dairy industry! They took the trouble to recently launch an entire ad campaign attacking plant milks.”

Good job, America!

Tofu “Salmon” Filet with Grilled Asparagus.

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 19:02:00 -0500

Tofu “Salmon” Filet with Grilled Asparagus.

What Do You Guys Do Anyway?

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 18:26:44 -0500

Our Services:

All prices are negotiable, and with us every client is unique. Please contact us to customize your order.

Personal Chef: Whether you just want one meal or food for a week, we will work with you to develop a personalized menu. Working around your schedule, we will come to your house, cook you some awesome food, and leave your kitchen as clean as it was when we arrived (if not cleaner). We will also bring all of our utensils and cooking supplies, so you don’t have to worry about anything other than having some excellent food.

Personalized Cooking Classes: Want to know how to cook tofu? Have a garden, but don’t know what to do with all of your veggies? We can help! After a consultation, we will develop a few dishes that will teach you creative techniques for cooking the product of your choice.

Small Party Catering: Having people over and don’t want to cook? Let us cook for you! Whether you want finger food for a wine party, vegan wings while watching a football game, or are planning a nice sit-down dinner party, we got your party covered. We can provide food for groups up to twenty people, and will work with you to develop a menu that meets your needs.

The James Lyter Challenge (JLC): Named after the originator of this idea The JLC involves me coming to your house with 2 ingredients, a cutting board, and my knives. Then, I proceed to cook an awesome meal for between 2-4 people using whatever food items you have lying around your house. JLC Challenges start at $20.

To order, just e-mail killertofuindy@sbcglobal.net and we’ll do the cooking for you.

By far one of my favorite animal rights songs. It runs through...

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 18:18:18 -0500

By far one of my favorite animal rights songs. It runs through my head every time I go to the state fair:

“Ribbons, plaques and soft-soap are the ephemeral rewards paid to the slaves whose selfless acts accord a higher value to their masters, while parting gifts (bolt pistols) console the rest (the remainder).”

Seitan High Fives! Find them at Good Earth, Pogue’s Run,...

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 18:12:45 -0500

Seitan High Fives! Find them at Good Earth, Pogue’s Run, and Georgetown Market!

Killer Tofu: Vegetarian Food from the Heart(land)

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 17:54:44 -0500

Killer Tofu: Vegetarian Food from the Heart(land)