VeganMoFo VI: Bleeding Hearts Valentine

Ah, Valentine's.  Roses.  Chocolates.  Jewelry.  All the things that make me puke.  I know I sound bitter, but I was never into that stuff even when I was in a relationship.  Haha.  I just find actual mental connection with a person more romantic than a card and some candy hearts.  So, this is the V-day I always wanted to throw with my friends but never got around to it.

BLEEDING HEARTS MENU

Vegetables w/ Sanctuary Dip

Pickled Beet Tofu w/ Dill and Seaweed Caviar

Scarlet Barley and 40 Clove Chickpeas and Broccoli from Appetite for Reduction

Pomegranate Champagne Punch

Chocolate Kahlua Cake

Decorations

Pink and Black Balloons, Broken Hearts

Movies

My Bloody Valentine, War of the Roses, Black Sheep

Soundtrack

Since You've Been Gone by Kelly Clarkson, Irreplaceable by Beyonce, Not About Love by Fiona Apple

we got the beet, we got the beet, we got the beet

For the tofu, I just did this basic thing.  But I marinated the tofu (in four chunks) in pickled beet juice.  Then, I sliced it up.  I was lazy and have come to realize that boiling the tofu in salted water does pretty much jack...so I just sprinkled both sides liberally with black salt.  I also used fresh dill.  It was pretty good!  And it looked all fancy!

VeganMoFo VI: When Party Time Met Excellent

I'm back!  No, I did not give up on MoFo.  I just am horrible at time management.  Since I failed miserably at posting during breakfast week, there will be bonus posts throughout the rest of MoFo.  Today...I'm jumping in with my PARTAY theme.  Let's begin with the last and first party of the year: New Year's Eve!

NYE MENU OF DOOM

Pear and Ginger Mimosas

Black Eyed Pea Dip (veganized suggestions below)

Raw Collard Sushi Rolls or Cabbage Rolls

Tiramisu Trifle

Decorations

Hats, Streamers, Silver and Black

Movies

When Harry Met Sally, Ghostbusters II, and 200 Cigarettes

Soundtrack

Auld Lang Syne, 1999 by Prince, and Next Year by Foo Fighters

i put my hand upon them chips, then i dip, you dip, we dip

The black eyed pea dip is super easy to veganize and customize.  I didn't have pickled jalapenos and forgot to buy hot sauce so I just threw in a fresh serrano and added some cayenne.  I think I'd add a level of smoky to this next time.  Either liquid smoke or smoked paprika.  Either way, this was seriously good and those peas give a girl good luck!

liquid boobies?

For the pear and ginger mimosas, I used pear juice and crystallized ginger cubes.  However, I suggest getting pear nectar for the pear to really shine through.  That last little bite of ginger is the absolute best, though!

Tomorrow, I'll be throwing a little "love" your way with some truly insane Valentine's ideas.

VeganMoFo VI: Chilaquiles Me Softly

For today's breakfast, I decided to head down south to Mexico and make chilaquiles.  Chilaquiles are amazing.  They are basically tortilla strips or chips cooked in salsa and topped with awesome things.  Super savory dish and fantabulous!

I don't consider myself a food snob in the least, but I'll be damned if anybody is putting tofu in my chilaquiles!  As far as I'm concerned, adding tofu (or eggs) just makes the dish migas.  Migas are good and all, but there is something absolutely sensational about eating tortilla chips for breakfast!  Woo!

chilaquiles w/ refried black beans, avocado, and sour cream

For the recipe, I just went right on over to Serious Eats.  They have this bomb looking vegan chilaquiles recipe.  There is even a simplified version that calls for premade salsa verde.  SO GOOD!  I love that it was easy, and this makes a ridiculous amount of food.  It says four servings, but I'm pretty sure it can feed at least six.

My favorite part about breakfast week is that I realize how much other cultures just eat whatever they eat for lunch.  Americans are very weird in how much we have ideas of what constitutes breakfasts.  I think of more sweet things than savory, so I like trying more savory things as my first meal of the day.

Tomorrow, I'll be doing that Caribbean post I talked about.  I also plan to catch up on blogs and comments.  What I've learned about this MoFo is that it's way harder to keep up when you work and go to school.  However, I am determined to make 31 posts, even if I have to post three times a day.

MoFo onwaaaaaard!