Hot Hot Hot !!!
By Monica on June 12th, 2008
It’s said that Illinois has two seasons: winter and construction. I’m adding a third season, which follows a never-ending winter, and that season is “Blast Furnace”. We’ve gone immediately from below freezing into muggy, humid, clothes-sticking-to-you high 90’s. And I am not a summer person… So my kitchen has stopped churning out breads and baked goods and has instead focused on foods which are quick and do not require turning the oven on.
I think I am officially the last blogger remaining who hadn’t tried V’Con Chickpea Cutlets yet, so let’s start there. I definitely appreciated the easy alternative to seitan, I tried them on the 2nd day (as recommended by other bloggers), and I didn’t have any trouble making the cutlets. I don’t think I’ll make them again, they were just kind of mediocre for me - but I did enjoy the innovative recipe.
Like most, I’ve been eating a lot of veggie burgers lately too, especially since Ray recently got himself a big ole’ griddle pan. Now the notorious Rayburger has been upgraded to Grilled Rayburger, ooooo, ahhh!
SusanV’s Cherry-Chocolate Mousse Pie, perfect not only because it’s tasty as can be, but also because it requires no baking or heat whatsoever. I even phoned this in with a store-bought graham cracker crust, shame on me.
And lastly, Rootbeer Floats. You know you want one.
P.S. - If I have any readers in the Raleigh, NC area, please email me. I have a few questions for the locals. Thanks!
VeggieGirl says:
It’s SUPER hot here as well; but damn, it looks like you’re cooling off with some delicious eats!! Wowza!!
June 12th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
jessy says:
those rayburgers look so awesome! we just had dinner a few hours ago and they’re making me hungry again just look’n at them! i’m on the same page with the chick pea cutlets. i made ‘em once, and not that they’re bad - they just didn’t impress me as much as i thought they would.
and yes please, i will take one of those rootbeer floats, for sure! w00t!
June 12th, 2008 at 9:13 pm
sheree says:
You can come to my house anytime you want for breakfst as long as I can come for a root beer float. OHG! I am planning those for my birthday!!!
DH wants your Cherry Chocolate Mouuse pie! :o)
June 12th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
catherine (FOOD SNOB) says:
You’re not the last person to try the chickpea cutlets — I haven’t made them yet, either! A few other recipes in VCON have caught my eye, so I’m starting with those.
P.S. I do want a rootbeer float. Thanks for rubbing it in!!
June 12th, 2008 at 10:15 pm
Kati says:
I haven’t had a rootbeer float in ages and it looks incredible! But that pie…now that is truly the star of the show here.
June 13th, 2008 at 6:11 am
Romina says:
Root beer floats!! haven’t had one in ages.
June 13th, 2008 at 8:06 am
Jennifer says:
Gotta love the Midwestern weather, eh? Though it gets colder and is generally windier in Illinois. Brett and I will probably be going to Peoria soon, so I am trying to brace myself. I’ve actually never been to Illinois during the summer either.
I thought the chickpea cutlets were alright. The texture was a bit weird. Basically, they weren’t bad, but didn’t wow me either, so I haven’t had the desire to make them again.
THAT BURGER! It’s huge and looks so yummy.
You are right, I DO want that rootbeer float, NOW!
June 13th, 2008 at 8:19 am
vegetalion says:
normally I despise root beer floats because mine are always so ugly - but yours are gorgeous!
June 13th, 2008 at 9:16 am
Vegan Addict says:
I am not a summer person either. I thought I was the only one! The Rayburger looks super filling and must I say, juicy?! Rootbeer floats have got to be the best creation for taming the heat. The fountain glasses you have them in are the perfect size!
June 13th, 2008 at 9:59 am
Animal-Friendly says:
I know exactly what you mean about the Illinois heat here. It makes it so difficult to stand in the kitchen and cook or bake anything. Sigh…. oh well, I’m much more of a Fall/Spring person (unfortunately, those season are so short in Chicago)
It’s been forever since I’ve had a root beer float! Thank you for posting about yours because now I have the motivation to go make me one (and it may help with the heat at least, haha)!
June 13th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
Vegan on stage says:
im the same way… once the warm weather comes around I want nothing to do with the kitchen…. and only am interested in making fresh cool salads or fast easy entres. grilling on the other hand is a MUST.. those ray burgers look great! is it store bought or a recipe? ( I love trying new burger recipes)
Well enjoy that root beer float and STAY COOL!!!!!!
June 13th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
Chocolatecoveredvegan says:
You think it’s hot THERE?! Haha come to Texas!
And if you’re coming to Texas, could you please bring along some of that pie?
June 13th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
happy herbivore says:
I do! I want one I want one! (I also want the gravy on your cutlets and the baked potato!!)
June 13th, 2008 at 10:25 pm
Tori says:
I agree with you - the two seasons are winter and construction. I have sat through hours and hours of traffic jams in that state. They really enjoy fixing major highways don’t they? I want one of your root beer floats - they look so delicious and refreshing! I wish it was that warm here -it has been kind of whimpy mid 70’s. Last year at this time it was absolutely steaming!
June 14th, 2008 at 5:30 am
Shellyfish says:
Your first line made me laugh out loud!
Also, I really want a rayburger, like, right now (with baked tater of course!)
June 14th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
melody says:
Yum! Everything looks so good…
June 15th, 2008 at 11:12 am
Mihl says:
First I really had to laugh about your comment about my asparagus post. Of course, these guy are phallic!
I hear you on not being a summer person. I want to live in Northern Norway for that reason! But as long as you have rayburgers and chocolate pie, nothing can go wrong.
June 15th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
Jackie says:
Haven’t made them myself yet but when I do will probably make them almost like when I make humous with tons of fresh coriander, garlic and black pepper.
Haven’t had a float in years, now I want one LOL
June 16th, 2008 at 9:48 am
Erin says:
Um, yes I would like a rootbeer float. Please. And the pie and burger and cutlets. The burger looks like the kind that’s so tall you can’t fit the whole thing in your mouth and kind of have to attack it from top and bottom.
June 17th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
Cakespy says:
That chocolate mousse pie practically needs to be censored, it looks so damn sexy.
June 18th, 2008 at 10:19 am
Destiny says:
Your pie looks so rich & fudgy!
June 18th, 2008 at 7:28 pm
Vegyogini says:
I still haven’t made the chickpea cutlets either, so maybe I’m the last remaining vegan blogger now. I really would like one of those root beer floats…
June 19th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Ashley Nicole says:
Oh my gosh - root beer float!? I HAVE to make that ASAP!!
Mmmm, the cherry-chocolate mousse pie is calling my name…
I hear you on the heat - Atlanta, GA here!
June 23rd, 2008 at 10:36 am
Vivacious Vegan says:
Yes, I do want one of those root beer floats. Why don’t I ever think about making them?
June 24th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
Veggie says:
Floats!! Great idea. I haven’t had one in a long time. I’ll have to try it with my new discovery Natura Glace.
June 29th, 2008 at 10:32 am