My friend Michelle recently gave me a hard time about meatless meat but you know what? I like it. Well, let me clarify - I like some of it. Morningstar Farms corndogs, Smart BBQ, Quorn "chick'n" Tenders, Boca Lasagna, all total yum. Lightlife makes some SmartDeli meat that is ... suitable in a pinch. Tofurkey Italian sausage? Fake hotdogs? I'll just say "blech" and that about sums it up. I think the Tofurkey Italian Sausages were even rejected as fish bait, to be completely honest with you. Just think about that for a second... Nasty.
Meatless meat has been a satisfying and simple way to modify some of my favorite foods and recipes to become meatless, while retaining a great deal of the texture and flavor I enjoy in my predominently carnivorous life. One of my favorite tricks is to take Cincinnati-Style Chili Seasoning and make Cincinnati-Style Chili using Morningstar Farms Crumbles instead of ground beef. Given the nature of the seasoning and the teeny-tiny crumbles of beef typical of Cincinnati-Style Chili, you would be hard pressed to tell the difference. But let me tell you about how meatless meat ROCKED MY WORLD recently.
My step-mother often prepares a dish called "Windsor Egg Casserole" which I've written about in the past. Every trip I've ever taken to North Carolina has included Windsor at some point. It's one of those dishes that you prepare for guests and everyone asks for the recipe. It's scruptious, it's decadent, and it contains two cups of diced ham. This past weekend, I decided I needed to have some Windsor (seeing as how I was in NC and it's practically a tradition now) but just leaving out the meat would quite likely result in something soupy and generally unappetizing. But I had a plan. Instead of ham, I used Morningstar Farm sausage patties, cooked and then crumbled up. I used a full package of 8 patties and let me tell you something. It was something straight from heaven and I am so not kidding you. I am actually tempted to make Windsor like this from NOW ON. That (!) is how amazing this was.
So while Michelle may disagree, I'm not in any hurry to ban meatless meat from my diet at this point. In fact, I recently discovered another interesting blog called "Adventures in Fake Meat" of which I plan to become a follower and a student. Perhaps I will share my new Windsor recipe with the author. We shall see.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
It's Official: I'm Sick of Pasta
As a marathon runner, one thing I've learned to REALLY look forward to is Friday-night pasta. It's something of a ritual for me since most of my long runs take place on Saturday morning. Once the training runs get to a certain length (generally 15 miles and up), I have pasta every single Friday night. I look forward to it. It's comforting and it's yummy. It's also easy enough to make meatless so it's at least one no-brainer meal per week for me this month.
However, I have recently discovered that pasta is also the default "what do we serve to a vegetarian?" meal. Last week, I went out to dinner with my husband and found NOTHING vegetarian on the menu. So the chef whipped up a pasta primavera for me. Upon arriving in North Carolina last weekend and informing my step-mother that I've gone vegetarian for the month, she announced we'd just go out for dinner on Saturday (to an Italian place). Sunday, I attended a memorial service where my step-cousin (a chef) was preparing dinner for everyone. Do you know what he prepared for the token vegetarian? Amazing and delicious Seitan and Sweet-Onion Skewers with Boubon-Maple Glaze! SCORE!
Just kidding, he made me bow-tie pasta with marinara sauce. But I have to tell you that recipe I just posted looks FANTASTIC so I'm definately going to have to try that. Watch for a blog update with a review coming soon. I've had wonderful experiences with seitan. Mmmm... Now I'm thinking about the Rosemary and Hazelnut-Encrusted Seitan I prepared for Chip and his girlfriend when they came for Christmas last year..... Mmmmm.... But back to my story.
All in all, I had something like four or five nights of pasta during the past week. And with the Humana Heart Half Marathon coming up on Sunday, there is at least one more pasta dish in my immediate future. I am going to have to do more research and plan further ahead to avoid this sort of pasta-bottleneck in the future. Either that or I'll need to to do a whole lot more running.
However, I have recently discovered that pasta is also the default "what do we serve to a vegetarian?" meal. Last week, I went out to dinner with my husband and found NOTHING vegetarian on the menu. So the chef whipped up a pasta primavera for me. Upon arriving in North Carolina last weekend and informing my step-mother that I've gone vegetarian for the month, she announced we'd just go out for dinner on Saturday (to an Italian place). Sunday, I attended a memorial service where my step-cousin (a chef) was preparing dinner for everyone. Do you know what he prepared for the token vegetarian? Amazing and delicious Seitan and Sweet-Onion Skewers with Boubon-Maple Glaze! SCORE!
Just kidding, he made me bow-tie pasta with marinara sauce. But I have to tell you that recipe I just posted looks FANTASTIC so I'm definately going to have to try that. Watch for a blog update with a review coming soon. I've had wonderful experiences with seitan. Mmmm... Now I'm thinking about the Rosemary and Hazelnut-Encrusted Seitan I prepared for Chip and his girlfriend when they came for Christmas last year..... Mmmmm.... But back to my story.
All in all, I had something like four or five nights of pasta during the past week. And with the Humana Heart Half Marathon coming up on Sunday, there is at least one more pasta dish in my immediate future. I am going to have to do more research and plan further ahead to avoid this sort of pasta-bottleneck in the future. Either that or I'll need to to do a whole lot more running.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Road Food
Yesterday, I drove from Cincinnati, OH to Mooresville, NC to attend a funeral this weekend. The long drive is unpleasant enough without having to stress over where to stop on the road for food. I was at LEAST smart enough to grab a Vegi-Max sandwich from Subway (YUMMY) as the trip began - and by the way, both my husband and step-daughter had Vegi-Max sandwiches too and I'll take credit for that thankyouverymuch. As we drove along, it occurred to me that I have made this trip before and had not found any Subways along the route that carry these Vegi-Max patties so I began to worry. I don't dislike salad, but thinking that's the only option for me for a quick meal during a road trip is not a pleasant thought. If I'm forced to eat salad then yes, I do in fact dislike it.
When I started getting hungry for dinner, I did a quick internet search (smart phones are the bomb) and found a Chinese restaurant up ahead. I was stoked because as I recall, my brother always liked going to Chinese restaurants due to the plethora (or so I thought) of vegetarian offerings other than salad. Vegetarians traveling through Virgina take note: The Peking Chinese Restaurant in Wytheville, Virginia has a 4 page menu with ONE vegetarian entree, Crispy Tofu with Broccoli. On one hand, I was pretty disappointed that there was only ONE entree available. On the other hand, I was relieved that it wasn't a salad. So, with mixed emotions, I ordered the Fried Tofu and quite enjoyed it, actually. I had asked if they had vegetarian egg rolls but since they did not, the waitress was kind enough to bring me some crispy fried wonton noodles and duck sauce. That was nice of her, but still.
I am really curious as to what the trick is to being a vegetarian and also being able to take a road trip. Do you have to pack a cooler full of grapes? What is the deal? How do you do it? I don't yet know and I doubt I'll find out in time for the return trip. At least I know where I can get some good fried tofu in Virginia.
When I started getting hungry for dinner, I did a quick internet search (smart phones are the bomb) and found a Chinese restaurant up ahead. I was stoked because as I recall, my brother always liked going to Chinese restaurants due to the plethora (or so I thought) of vegetarian offerings other than salad. Vegetarians traveling through Virgina take note: The Peking Chinese Restaurant in Wytheville, Virginia has a 4 page menu with ONE vegetarian entree, Crispy Tofu with Broccoli. On one hand, I was pretty disappointed that there was only ONE entree available. On the other hand, I was relieved that it wasn't a salad. So, with mixed emotions, I ordered the Fried Tofu and quite enjoyed it, actually. I had asked if they had vegetarian egg rolls but since they did not, the waitress was kind enough to bring me some crispy fried wonton noodles and duck sauce. That was nice of her, but still.
I am really curious as to what the trick is to being a vegetarian and also being able to take a road trip. Do you have to pack a cooler full of grapes? What is the deal? How do you do it? I don't yet know and I doubt I'll find out in time for the return trip. At least I know where I can get some good fried tofu in Virginia.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
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)
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.
1 box Morningstar Farms veggie breakfast patties (not the maple ones)
8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup milk5 eggs
1 package (6 oz) yellow cornbread mix1 T. hot sauce (we use Gator Sauce which is less hot, so we use a bit more sauce)
1/8 t. ground cayenne pepper1/4 t. ground mustard
salt & pepper as desired1. 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.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
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.
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.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
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.
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.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
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."
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."
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