Breakfast Casserole and Sacrifice

If you are looking for a good vegetarian breakfast casserole, try this one. I served it to my running group on Sunday and it was quite well received:

1 box Morningstar Farms veggie breakfast patties (not the maple ones)

8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese

1 cup milk

5 eggs

1 package (6 oz) yellow cornbread mix

1 T. hot sauce (we use Gator Sauce which is less hot, so we use a bit more sauce)

1/8 t. ground cayenne pepper

1/4 t. ground mustard

salt & pepper as desired

1. Preheat oven to 350, coat 10" glass pie plate with cooking spray, set aside

2. Heat breakfast patties according to package directions. Remove, chop up, and place in pie pan. Season with salt and pepper if desired.

3. Sprinkle grated cheese evenly over sausage.

4. Combine corn bread mix, eggs, milk, hot sauce, mustard, and cayenne pepper in large mixing bowl, mixing until smooth (use a whisk or mixer).

5. Pour cornbread mixture over sausage and cheese.

6. Place in preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes or until top is golden brown.
7. Let rest 10 minutes, slice and serve.

This? Is yum. You know what else is yum? This meat-free "Smart BBQ" that I found at Kroger. Now, I got a bit of a lecture the other day from my mostly-vegetarian friend Michelle about avoiding meat substitues and processed foods and all, and how healthy and nutritious vegetables are, so let me go on record now as saying "I'm not really a vegetarian." The title of my blog actually gives it away. Giving up meat one month a year is not the same as "becoming a vegetarian" for a month. The truth is, I like meat. I enjoy meat. I'm not doing this for health reasons or moral reasons or religious reasons or social reasons - although I genuinely appreciate all the positive impacts of giving up meat for a month. I'm doing this simply because I love my brother and feel this is a fun and unique way to connect with him. It's an actual sacrifice, but it's a sacrifice born of love.

Is it really such a sacrifice to give up meat one month per year (actually, two months in 2011)? Yes, it is. My whole thought process around meal planning has to change significantly. To keep my meals interesting (and my husband from complaining - too much), I have to experiment and try new things. Some new discoveries I really like (such as Quinoa Stuffed Peppers - delish!) and some I don't (Bean/Veggie Burgers, entirely disappointing), but there is something mentally exhausting about the process. It's not much different than when I joined Weight Watchers 7 years ago and had to relearn how to eat, but I don't have to go through that learning curve and re-invent my diet once a year. Unless I'm giving up meat for the month in which case a total renovation is required.

I know what Michelle is going to say: "Then don't go back to meat! Stop reinventing your diet!" This is because Michelle is a vegetarian mole and I'd like to know how my brother was able to contact her and plant her in my group.

Mixed Messages and Support

This morning, Michelle got on my case for not updating my blog. It's just that I haven't had much to say - other than the fact that my husband seems to be all over the map on this "Vegetarian for a Month" plan. A few days before we started this year's quest, he told me the thing he doesn't like about vegetarian meals is that they are "mushy." So he asked me to try to prepare things that aren't "mushy." And no chili (He said this emphatically. Apparently, I've tried too many chili recipes over the winter and he's burnt out on chili). I'm feeling a bit of added pressure.

Shortly after, we were in the grocery store and he said "You know what I have always loved? Fried chicken." Fried chicken? Really? We've been together over 8 years and this is the first I've heard of it. I cannot recall a single request for fried chicken for dinner nor do I recall ever making a trip to KFC together. Unless he is a closet fried chicken addict, I'm thinking the timing of his expression of chicken love is very suspect. He proved his point by buying a bag from the deli and eating several pieces. I'd like to go on record now to say he hasn't mentioned fried chicken since.

Following these conversations, I was feeling justifiable concern that I might be met with opposition to every meal. Fortunately, my first meatless dinner was part of a "salad night" at a bible study group so that was an easy one. The second night, I strategically suggested we go out to dinner. I'm such a coward. This is where it gets interesting: Jeff ordered a chicken pasta dish and half way through the meal, commented that the chicken did not actually add anything to the meal, that it would be just as good without the chicken, and began picking the chicken out "just because." Maybe he's embracing the concept after all? I don't know - too early to tell. But I would think that a chicken pasta dish minus the chicken might have a sort of mushiness that he apparently did not object to. A good sign.

Last night, due to some scheduling issues, we had to dine out again. This time, the meat apparently DID add something considerable to the meal because he and my step-son split a pepperoni and sausage pizza right in front of me. A bad sign. Since there was absolutely nothing vegetarian on the menu except dinner rolls, I asked if the chef could just prepare some sort of special pasta primavera for me - which he did, and it was good, but certainly not as good as pepperoni and sausage pizza.

This morning, we hosted our running group and prepared two breakfast casseroles - one of them a vegetarian casserole that was really quite tasty. My Vegetarian for a Month Running Comrades and I were talking about the challenges of the quest in general when Michelle (the "mostly vegetarian already" member of our brigade) said "I think it's actually easier to be a vegetarian now than it ever was before." My ever-waffling husband agreed and said "We have things like Morningstar Farms products now." We. WE (giggle). A good sign. He had a pile of the meat casserole on his plate at the time. A bad sign. You can understand my confusion.

I did learn an interesting fact today - another member of our running group, with whom my husband runs regularly, is also "mostly vegetarian" and very rarely eats meat. I think I'll share this with Jeff to ease his anxiety over the whole thing. Actually, having two "mostly vegetarians" in my small circle makes me feel somewhat wimpy about only giving up meat for a month, but I'm pretty sure I'll get over it.

Hooray for Accountability!

So Saturday morning, I showed up for my weekly run with my buddies (several of whom are joining me for Meatless March) and happened to be reminded that Meatless March starts on Tuesday. I was reminded when Kathy asked me, "Are you ready for the vegetarian month? It starts Tuesday!" To which Michelle replied, "I'm so excited! I already know what I'm having for lunch on Tuesday!" It's worth mentioning that Michelle rarely eats meat anyways so I'm guessing this wasn't a HUGE stretch for her. As it turns out, I had my lunch on Tuesday planned as well, but more about that later. My reply to both of them was, "Actually, I totally forgot about it until just now." What did I learn from this? I learned that when the newness of the challenge has worn off, which it obviously has, I need a method of accountability. Consider this: when the Meatless Challenge was born two years ago, I spent two months contemplating exactly how I was going to pull it off. This time? I'm so not worried about it that I practically forgot about it. Am I that really that cocky? Blase? Or simply careless?

Clearly recognizing my need for a reminder, I came home to put "MEATLESS MONTH BEGINS" on my calendar for March 1st. To my surprise, I found I had scheduled lunch with my friend Angela on Tuesday. March 1st. At McAlister's Deli. Which I had chosen expressely for their Basil Pesto Chicken Panini. So much for that "panini" idea. But what gives me great pause is the fact that I had McAlister's deli (and when I say "McAlister's Deli" I really mean "Basil Pesto Chicken Panini") already on my calendar for the FIRST DAY of Meatless March! What does this say about my committment? Actually, I think it says more about my ADD than it does about my committment, but in any case, it says something about my need for accountability.

With that, I am supremely grateful for my brave comrades who have committed to join me in this journey. And hopeful that I'll find something delicious and meatless at McAlister's Deli which will make me forget all about the Basil Pesto Chicken Panini.

New and Improved for 2011

For those of you just tuning in, I gave my brother a unique Christmas present two years ago by going vegetarian for a month. Last year, since I hadn't come up with a better idea, I decided to do it again. This year, you know what Chip and his totally adorable, totally awesome girlfriend gave me for Christmas? A new vegetarian cookbook! Which, by the way, I've since tried and it's excellent. And, by the way, this was the first time I'd ever MET Chip's girlfriend and she IS adorable and awesome. But anyhow, back to my story.

Seeing as how they gave me a vegetarian cookbook for Christmas, I knew there was no chance they'd feign surprise if I decided to go veggie again this year. I do, however, still have a few tricks up my sleeve so this year my gift involved giving Chip the choice to decide my fate - two months (non-consecutive) as a vegetarian, or one month as a vegetarian with one day each week completely vegan. The choice was truly his, but I couldn't help myself from gently reminding him how difficult it is to be a vegan in the midwest. I'm not sure if I'm relieved or stressed by the fact that he chose the two month option because really, it's not easy being a vegetarian in the midwest either. I actually gave Chip the opportunity to pick the two months I'd take the challenge, but reneged that deal when he rubbed his hand over his chin and said "I'm thinking November because that would the hardest on you with Thanksgiving and all." Nice sentiment, bro.

In addition to the extra meatless month this year, I have another little (unplanned) surprise for my meatless brother. A few weeks ago, after a long run with my running group, we were treated to breakfast at the home of a fellow runner who happens to be "mostly" vegetarian. During the meal, another runner happened to mention that she had decided to go vegetarian for the entire YEAR (show off) but had now decided to just go through January and then reevaluate (wimp). This got us talking about my meatless month(s) and she pledged to join me as a veg-head during March. Another runner happened to be listening and said, excitedly, "I'll do it too!" Let this be a warning to you, endorphins will do crazy things to your sensibilities. Never commit to ANYTHING (other than a shower) after running more than five miles without first discussing it with someone less vulnerable.

So, in short, 2011 brings at least two New Yorkers (and several farm animals), extra reasons to rejoice. An extra meatless month for me, and two extra members of the "Veggie for a Month Club."

Easter with Seitan

Seeing as how ham is typically the main dish at our Easter Dinner, I was challenged to find a meatless dish that would allow me to feel celebratory and decadent. I found a recipe called "Rosemary-Hazelnut Encrusted Seitan" which, if nothing else, sounded elegant and decadent so I decided to give it a try. Since I still have not figured out the how/when/why of Tempeh, let's give "Seitan" a whirl, eh? I had NO IDEA what to expect. However, it's worth mentioning that my husband referred to it as "Satan" more than one time. He is usually much more supportive, really.

The recipe was actually alot more work than I would have thought as it involved quite a bit of blending, marinating, chopping, mincing, toasting, dipping, frying, and straining and to be honest, I was really not feeling the love. Especially because I thought the marinade for the chunks of seitan was stinky. Nothing but olive oil, soy sauce, Dijon mustard and tons of garlic. With genuine concerns that this elegant sounding meal would turn out to be a disgusting mess, I planned a back up meal of "Vegan General Tso's chicken." I know this doesn't sound the least bit Easter-ish, but the guy at the deli counter at Whole Foods convinced me to try it and LO! It tastes like chicken!! Duly impressed, I walked out with the biggest container of this stuff that I could find. The guy did tell me that it was a proprietary blend of Seitan and something else so maybe all was not lost for the dinner after all.

When it came time to prepare the Red Wine and Shallot gravy, such a magnificent aroma rose up through the house that I am at a loss to describe. Regardless of how this seitan stuff tasted, I'm pretty sure I could have just drank this gravy and been totally satisfied. However, miserable multi-tasker that I am, I left the gravy to simmer far too long and reduced it to practically nothing. I decided then and there that it was all for me - even if any of my guests WERE brave enough to try the Seitan.

Per recipe instructions, I ground up toasted hazelnuts, fresh rosemary, and flour, then dipped the stinky marinated stuff in it. I fried it up in some olive oil until crispy, and served with Gravy From Heaven. Given the limited gravy available, I filled my plate and let everyone else eat ham.

I have three words to describe Rosemary-Hazelnut Encrusted Seitan and here they are: Oh. My. God. This? Was totally worth giving up ham for. I am totally not kidding - you have to try this, but I am not giving up any of my own. The craziest thing is that I could have sworn I was eating meat of some kind. I probably would have mistaken it for pork. I'm not the only one who thought so - I let the three teenagers try some and they all thought it tasted like meat as well. And if teenagers say so? You know it's true. Well... to be honest, only one of them actually SAID it tasted like meat but since neither of the other two made any sort of disparaging comment, that is good enough for me and I'm calling it a ringing endorsement. These are teenagers, after all.

I'm having leftovers for lunch today - if I can scrape out enough gravy.

Oh yeah, there's that whole "vegetarian" thing....

So yeah.. welcome to Meatless April! It doesn't have quite the ring as "Meatless March" or "Meatless May" but it is April and it is meatless so make of it what you will. This is the month I've committed to going vegetarian as a Christmas gift to my brother, Chip, which I completely forgot about until 10:00 this morning. Thank God coffee is meatless or I would have been defeated before I had even begun! However, my scrumptious turkey lasagna is NOT meatless and it was also going to be my lunch today. I debated scraping out the turkey and eating it anyways, but I decided that was (a) cheating, (b) way too much work, and (c) kind of gross so I opted for mangoes instead. MMmmm.... I love mangoes.

My plan today, seeing as how it is April Fools' Day, is to cook a meatless meal and neglect to tell everyone that it's meatless until after they eat. Yeah, I'm diabolical like that. Up first on the Meatless Menu is .... Sloppy Joes! But let me just tell you something. Do you know what I actually read today? I actually read that Worcestershire sauce - a key ingredient in many of my soups, stews, and this particular sloppy joe recipe - contains anchovies and is therefore not technically vegetarian. Worcestershire sauce. Have you ever heard such a thing? Well I Googled it and it's true. It's also disgusting and may have ruined my taste for Worcestershire sauce in the future. I can only hope the vegetarian varieties of Worcestershire sauce (further abbreviated as WS because I'm getting sick of typing it) are as tasty as what I'm used to. Whose idea was it to put anchovies in WS in the first place?

And so, I begin my meatless month with a refrigerator full of meat and a quest for anchovy-free condiments of all sorts.

Christmas Buzz

Well, I did it again. I got so drunk on Christmas cheer that I committed to another vegetarian-for-a-month plan. I told SuperBro about it over the phone on Christmas morning and he sounded genuinely excited about it. Then I caught a genuinely NOT excited look from my husband that was like "Funny, I don't recall discussing this." Fortunately, the experience last year was tolerable and I did not subject him to the more experiemental entrees (Cottage Cheese Loaf, Mung Bean Pancakes) so I think he will be OK. He hasn't said otherwise so I'm going for it. Or maybe he didnt' actually hear me when I was talking to Chip in which case this will come as a surprise to him.

I have not yet decided on a month, however. Initially, I figured March worked well last year, it would be good again this year. But there is one big problem.... my Dinner Party Club is having a chili cookoff in mid-March! Yes, yes. I am keenly aware of the fact that there is a plethora of delicious vegetarian chili recipes to be found. Yes, I realize that many of them are also quite tasty. Are you not aware that I MADE several of them last year? I'll have you know that I continue to include vegatarian Black Bean and Sweet Potato Chili in my recipe repetoire. That is not the point. The POINT is that I would have to attend a chili cookoff where I would be unable to partake in the actual chili tasting. This does not sound like fun to me at all.

I wonder if Chip would give me an event pass for the cook-off if I agreed to something crazy like going vegan for a day in exchange. I'll have to propose that, but somehow it still feels like it would be cheating. Opinions welcome.