Our Veggie Kitchen

This survey has been going around, so I thought I'd join the fun.

1. Favorite non-dairy milk?

Unsweetened Soymilk. I didn't drink milk and I don't drink soy. But I use the unsweetened stuff a lot. The regular stuff just adds too much sweetness.

2. What are the top 3 dishes/recipes you are planning to cook?

Thai Tempeh Burgers & Green Curry - I'm making tempeh burgers tomorrow along with a batch of green curry paste. I love green curry paste in way too many things. I even mix it with vegenaise as a dip with tater tots.

Stuffed Pumpkins - Twice, every year, when the chantrelle mushrooms come down in price, I make a batch of wild mushroom stuffing and bake it inside several small pie pumpkins. I'll make the fist batch in a couple weeks. The second batch is my replacement for Thanksgiving turkey.

Spring Rolls - I'm not sure when we get to it, but my girls and I have been wanting to make a giant batch of spring rolls. We keep putting it off because weekends have been crazy, but I'm really looking forward to the time with my girls.

3. Topping of choice for popcorn?

Curry Infused Oil - This is a no brainer. I made the infused oil a while back and, on a whim, drizzled it on popcorn. OMG, it's unbelievably good. Seriously, delicious.

4. Most disastrous recipe/meal failure?

I had spent a lot of time researching Kefetedes, which are Greek meatballs made with lamb. I started off really underequipped because I don't know much about Greek cuisine. Further, I'd eaten lamb only once in my life and that was long ago. I had little idea what flavor I was going for and it showed. It tasted horrible and the seitan was even doughy.

I made fresh flat bread and a batch of tzaziki and no filling. And I was planning to take a batch to a staff meeting the next day. I ended up chopping up frozen chickpea patties and the meal and meeting were both good. But I had sunk tremendous effort into something that I may never approach again. It was that bad.

5. Favorite pickled item?

Either jalapeno peppers or plain ole pickles

6. How do you organize your recipes?

I use software called Diet Pro.

7. Compost, trash, or garbage disposal?

My mom finally talked me into composting this summer. There's a strange sense of satisfaction you get in watching your garbage rot.

8. If you were stranded on an island and could only bring 3 foods...what would they be (don't worry about how you'll cook them)?

chickpeas, tomatoes and mushrooms.

9. Fondest food memory from your childhood?

I'm drawing a blank. Sorry.

10. Favorite vegan ice cream?

I ate a sample at a grocery store once. That's it.

11. Most loved kitchen appliance?

Blender. No contest.

12. Spice/herb you would die without?

This is unfairly hard. I have three spice racks and grow a dozen or so fresh herbs. I love cumin, but I'd probably go with a fresh herb, maybe thyme. I'm on a mini rosemary kick right now.

13. Cookbook you have owned for the longest time?

My very first cookbook was a Sunset Italian cookbook. I bought it in high school and used it to death. I bought another one and trashed it again, still keeping most of the lose pages. I found a copy recently at a thrift store and bought it again, for old time sake.

14. Favorite flavor of jam/jelly?

There's a guy that makes Jalapeno jelly that's pretty good. Aside from that I don't like jam.

I've got this thing with sticky. Anything sticky like syrup or jelly lets off an aerosol mist that coats everything, in roughly a one room radius, to become permanently sticky. My boy was 5 years before I would allow syrup into my home.

15. Favorite vegan recipe to serve to an omni friend?

About once a month, I bring in snacks for our staff meeting. I usually try to make something that either showcases a vegan staple or I make something that would not normally be associated with veganism. On the other hand, I will jump at any opportunity to make anyone Indian food.

16. Seitan, tofu, or tempeh?

Yes! Right now I'm in a tempeh phase, but it goes in cycles.

17. Favorite meal to cook (or time of day to cook)?

Dinner. I don't do breakfast, ever.

18. What is sitting on top of your refrigerator?

playing cards, a container of dice, an oven temperature gauge and dust.

19. Name 3 items in your freezer without looking.

Burgers, frozen corn and peas, kaffir lime leaves.

20. What's on your grocery list?

I plan the week's meals on Thursday, keeping notes on future ideas as I go. I keep a spreadsheet organized by store and aisle. I shop on Friday night, usually hitting an ethnic or supplemental store on my lunch hour. That's probably more telling than what's actually on my list.

21. Favorite grocery store?

Market of Choice

22. Name a recipe you'd love to veganize, but haven't yet.

Corned Beef - I've made several attempts at making something reminiscent of corned beef. I've tried brining tofu, using a spice mop and a couple shots at seitan. Eventually, I'll get something that lives up my, admittedly, high standards.

23. Food blog you read the most (besides Isa's because I know you check it everyday). Or maybe the top 3?

TofuMom - I found this blog a couple of years ago and I still read it. I love her food and her stories.
Yeah That Vegan Shit - She's really slowed down her posts, but her blog is the only one that's made me spew coffee at work. Very funny.
The Vegan Mouse - I just started following this regularly. She's got great ideas and beautiful pictures.

24. Favorite vegan candy/chocolate?

I don't really eat candy.

25. Most extravagant food item purchased lately?

On a whim, I bought saffron. Still haven't used it.

26. Make up your own question to put here (and answer it). How long did it take to write up these answers?

With interruptions? Over an hour. I'm beat.