Back to real food!
By Monica on December 6th, 2007
As promised, we will now return to food that did not come frozen, pre-made, or neatly wrapped in plastic packages inside of another plastic package.
This was a very exciting weekend for me as I finally made seitan that came out right! Thank you Bryanna Clark Grogan! I skeptically watched the Soy and Seitan ‘Pork’ Tenderloin cook in the oven, just waiting for it to blow up like bread, or somehow disfigure itself. But it came out perfect, and Ray even peeked his head into the kitchen at one point and asked me “why does it smell like pork roast?” Success!
I added some caraway seeds to the mixture, and coated the outside with them as well. I have to say, it totally fulfilled the craving I’ve had for two years for my beloved Czech pork roast, served with some dumplings, homemade applesauce, and saurkraut.
For dessert I finally made Celine’s Banana Pumpkin Quiche, topped with a little bit of whipped maple tofu. I stole Celine’s photo for this because mine was awful. There is no sunshine in Illinois in the winter, all my photos are stinking!
The next night we had Mustard Grilled Tofu Sticks and some dilled baby taters. This recipe came from somewhere on the interweb, but I didn’t write down from where, so if it’s yours please claim it! The recipe is below.
And finally, Pumpkin Cheesecake from La Dolce Vegan! Cheesecake is Ray’s kryptonite so he was like an impatient toddler while I was making this. He was heartbroken when I told him he had to wait a full 24 hours to eat it. Actually, I told him to talk to Sarah Kramer if he wanted to challenge her instructions. So Sarah, if you received strange emails demanding permission to eat cheesecake prematurely, I apologize.
Once we were able to eat it, we most certainly did not sit down with the pan and eat half of it either. Nope, I deny it!
Mustard Grilled Tofu Sticks
1 package firm or extra firm tofu
1/2 cup sweet & hot mustard
1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs
Pinch of chili pepper
Pinch of cayenne pepper
Olive oil
Cut tofu into three equal sections lengthwise. Cut each section in half lengthwise so that you end up with six “tofu sticks.” Press out all the moisture from each tofu stick.
Using a brush or knife, coat the tofu sticks on all sides with mustard, place single layer in a pan, and let marinate overnight.
After marinating tofu, place seasoned breadcrumbs on a plate, add chili pepper, cayenne, and mix together with a fork.
At this point you can either grill them or saute them (I sauteed). Either way you’ll use a little bit of olive oil to keep them from sticking.
sarah says:
Ha!
Sorry Ray.
December 6th, 2007 at 10:04 am
Suzie says:
The seitan looks incredible! And I’m snatching the tofu sticks recipe. That looks really good. =)
December 6th, 2007 at 10:22 am
Amy says:
They DO give a discount at Borders — yes yes, very dangerous. But then again, it’s Christmas time, so I could at least get everyone discounted Christmas gifts.
Also, all of your food on here looks delicious… I’m always looking for new ways to use tofu, so I may have to try your recipe! Also, your quiche and cheesecake look amazing.
December 6th, 2007 at 7:06 pm
bazu says:
I have yet to make a really good seitan at home, your post makes me hopeful that such a feat is achievable!
December 6th, 2007 at 10:28 pm
Kumudha says:
Wow! The array of vegan dihes look pretty and very tasy.
Yes, the Soy and Seitan ‘Pork’ Tenderloin looks like pork roast.
December 7th, 2007 at 1:06 pm
Chocolatecoveredvegan says:
Wow, your seitan looks super! The rest of the food too :o)
December 7th, 2007 at 1:33 pm
Tori says:
I need to make dumplings. I don’t think I have ever had them. Maybe once. But they sound like the most appelling food in the whole world. That cheesecake looks like heaven. So does the quiche. The tofu sticks look sexy, all tanned and crunchy.
So does everything else. I really need to start making recipes from food blogs
December 7th, 2007 at 7:46 pm
sheree says:
Thanks for stopping by and thanks for the great tofu recipe. Did you use a clay roaster to make your roast. I am dying to make this, have watched the video, confered with Julie on it, but don’t have a clay roaster. I went to buy one and they wanted both my arms and one leg, which I was not willing to part with. Anyway the food looks wonderful! I hope you do try Susan’s cheesecake because it is fantastic!
December 8th, 2007 at 3:49 pm
Amy says:
Yeah, no kidding — I feel like I’m being picked apart in interviews for big companies. I’d prefer a laid-back lower-paying job for a mom-and-pop store any day. But maybe it’s just because we’re from more rural areas?
Anyway, thanks for your support!
December 8th, 2007 at 7:10 pm
VeggieGirl says:
congratulations on the successful seitan!! mmm, the contents of your entire plate look terrific - but I must confess, the homemade applesauce is my favorite part!! yum :0)
perfect way to end an already perfect meal, with Celine’s banana-pumpkin quiche - can’t go wrong with her recipes!
and of COURSE those mustard-grilled-tofu sticks and the pumpkin pie look delicious as well - sounds like the pie was DEFINITELY worth waiting for! :0)
December 9th, 2007 at 1:12 pm
Anonymous says:
Your real food looks so good, especially the seitan!
The mustard grilled tofu sticks were added to my recipe list. Although I am always complaining about the abundance of great recipes presented by fellow bloggers and the lack of time I have, I am quite sure that I will be able to try these soon.
December 10th, 2007 at 1:41 pm
Mihl says:
that was me
December 10th, 2007 at 1:42 pm
Kiel Avocado West says:
Dang! I am fully intrigued by those tofu mustard sticks!
Please mail 7 of them to:
Kiel’s Mouth
P.O. Box 91042
Coeur d’Alene, ID 83845
[fake address!]
January 12th, 2008 at 4:46 pm