Sprouting
Craving green growing things and think you are screwed because it is the middle of the winter?
Think again!
Sprouting seeds is a great way to get greens into your diet.
Most nature food stores or Co-ops can provide you the sprouting jars or bags (which include handy directions,) and have multiple varieties of seeds in bulk. The growing process, which begins with soaking and is followed by rinsing a few times a day, is relatively quick and painless.
So far we’ve had lentils, wheatgrass is on its way now and alfalfa is up next.
Give it a try!
Thai-style lunch soup
A delicious mid-day break today from the pantry and courtesy of things left from guests of the houwsearming:
- creamed coconut
- shallot
- mushroom stock powder
- fresh turmeric
- fresh ginger
- jalapeno
- lime wedge
- leeks
- cellophane rice noodle
Sautee shallot, finely diced turmeric, slices of ginger together in bottom of soup pan. When brown, add 3 tbsp mushroom powder and cover over with water about 6 cups. Cut leeks on the bias and add as soup comes to a boil. Add 2 tbsp creamed coconut. Ladle out into bowls and add desired cellophane noodles. Let stand 10 minutes until noodles soften and enjoy!
Toasted Seaweed
Oh man. I have discovered the most obvious but savory and satisfying snack: Toast your own seaweed! I had a bunch of raw dried seaweed a friend had brought me down from Maine. Delicious hand-harvested stuff that I had been keeping…. for a… special occasion? Now is the occasion I guess! Here’s what I did with it:
- Heat oven to 400deg
- Lay out seaweed on backing sheet in 4 in pieces.
- Roasted for 10 minutes.
- Enjoy!
Crispy, crunchy! If you love chips, this will give you that mouthfeel without all the calories and fat.
Tabbouleh
The last of the parsley and mint was about to go bad in the fridge so I made a big helping of tabbouleh today! Here’s what I did: Continue reading this entry »
Wasn’t I doing this 8 years ago?
I had this really funny moment of realization the other night as I was cooking dinner- I was doing this eight years ago.
When I first become a strict vegetarian I really didn’t know much about cooking, didn’t really know much about eating, and didn’t really enjoy food that much, I just knew I had to eat or die, but I had no passion in it. That would grow as I would begin to learn about vegetarian cooking starting with Indian Cuisine.
Continue reading this entry »
Umami
I am guilty of eating for pleasure’s sake. Were I one of the 7 deadly sins, I would surely be gluttony.
However, as I have begun to appreciate and savor the flavors of the microseasons, I seek “umami” in my food experiences, even in this food challenge.
Day 19
Time seems to be flying by. Here we are approaching three weeks and although they are few there are surprisingly still fresh vegetables in the refrigerator.
My diet hasn’t suffered yet. I am still eating balanced meals. While I do occasionally need to eat out for work, I have been bringing soup or something equally delicious from the pantry to share. In fact, I managed to make an appointment with a tough to get a hold of person because I suggested that we sit down with our ‘brown bags’ of lunch and talk.
The one thing I wish I had was more time with my friends. I didn’t realize quite how much of my time spent with them was over food or tea.
Going forward my current challenge for myself is going to be spending more time with buddies somewhere away from a fork and knife…
Why Eating Good Food Matters
One of the greatest things about this pantry purge is delighting in the simple pleasure that the food we inventoried was all wholesome, delicious, nutritious food- from whole grains and beans to the summer’s canned bounty to dried fruits and frozen soup. One thing that did not inventory very high at all was junk food. By junk I mean pre-made cookies, crackers, and foods filled with corn syrup and additives. Continue reading this entry »
