Cooking for One...

Well I will be cooking for just myself for the next few days, because Steven is away on a camping/climbing trip to Alabama. I feel like I almost forgot how to cook for only one person, since I am always cooking for two! I have still managed to eat well, though :) Here's a few things that I have enjoyed over the past few days...yay alone time! Homemade Seitan Brats with Leeks and Apples,

Roasted Brussel Sprouts, Rosemary Sweet Potatoes

BBQ Tofu (Veganomicon), Mashed Sweet Potatoes, Sauteed Kale
My Perfect Meal: Quinoa, Tofu, Sweet Potatoes, Kale, and

Tahini-Miso Sauce (Veganomicon)

Earlier this week, a bunch of my friends, all of whom happen to be roommates with Steven, had birthdays...Since they all live in the same house, I made them all one batch of cupcakes to share. With the recent COLD weather I wanted something "warm"feeling, so I made the Mexican Hot Chocolate Cupcakes from VCTOTW. I whipped up a Cocoa-Cinnamon Buttercream to top them off...and they also got a little kiss of powdered sugar!

These cupcakes are soooooo good! I absolutely love the combination of chocolate, cinnamon, and cayenne....it makes you feel all warm and happy inside. The coconut milk and cornmeal make them have an awesome texture, too! Make these! I might go so far as to say they trump an actual mug of hot chocolate...but maybe I would just like to enjoy them together :)

Even though I am appreciating this alone time, I think I am ready to cook for two again!

Vegan Mofo Day #12: More Cornmeal-Crusted Tofu!

Today was another wonderful Sunday! A bunch of us enjoyed an amazing Sunday breakfast at Cafe Berlin...my favorite tradition! I had the veganized version of the Yankee Breakfast: Scrambled Tofu (with spinach and lots of spices), tempeh bacon, roasted potatoes, and an English muffin, with lots of organic grape jam. I loooove this breakfast! It has lots of my favorite breakfast-y things, especially the tempeh bacon rocks that my socks so very hard!

Perfect with a giant mug of OFT coffee!! This is a really filling and hearty meal, which was just what I needed to give me some energy before Steven and I went rock climbing all day!

This is Earthquake Hollow, where we went climbing! No picture could capture how pretty it was there today....I love Missouri foliage!!!

Here is Steven, psyched on a beautiful day for climbing!!

After a day of climbing and hiking, we needed a nice, comforting meal to satisfy us! I had just enough Cornmeal-Crusted Tofu from Veganomicon left over for both of us, so I served that up with some mashed local sweet potatoes, garlic-sauteed greens, and a whole grain roll from the wonderful Uprise Bakery here in Columbia. This meal definitely hit the spot!Now I'm off to try and create something fantastic for this week's Iron Chef Challenge...I am so excited! :)

Climbing Fuel

Today, this being the Fifth Day of Vegan MoFo, was an absolutely GORGEOUS day in Mid-Missouri! The weather was perfect: cool, sunny, breezy...a great day for rock climbing! After our traditional Sunday breakfast, Steve and I went out to Earthquake Hollow to go bouldering...climbing boulders, without ropes... for the afternoon! So, I had to pack some food to fuel our afternoon of climbing! I will tell you what we had, and a few other items that are good for exercise fuel or foods to take on a hike or camping trip!

For lunch, I made my favorite Tofu "Egg" Salad! I probably can't express to you how delicious this salad is. It is sooooo creamy and good and just hits the spot! I'm sure that is with much help of our friend, Vegenasie! :) This is packed with protein, but is not too heavy...so it fills you up but doesn't weigh you down! It travels well, and you don't have to worry about yucky salmonella like you would with egg salad!

Tofu "Egg" Salad (serves 6)

1 block extra firm tofu, crumbled

1/2 cup Vegenaise

1/4 cup sunflower seeds

1 stalk celery, diced

1 carrot, shredded

1/2 cup parsley, chopped finely

1/2 cup red onion, diced

1 clove garlic, minced

1 Tbs turmeric

1 Tbs Old Bay seasoning

1/2 tsp black pepper

squeeze of lemon juice

In a medium bowl, combine the tofu, Vegenaise, turmeric, Old Bay, pepper, and lemon juice. Mash the tofu with these ingredients to combine fully and make tofu to have and "eggy" texture. Fold in the veggies and mix to fully incorporate. Refrigerate until ready to use. Really good served on some crusty bread with juicy tomatoes and fresh greens!!!

Here's Steve, enjoying the heck out of his tofu salad sandwich!! Perfect for a day of climbing!

Some more great things to bring climbing, hiking, camping, etc. are:

• Larabars (Peanut Butter Cookie is my current favorite!!)
  
• Justin's Nut Butters Individual Packs
• Canned Beans or Rice and Beans Combination
• Nuts and Seeds
• Dried Fruits...we love papaya spears!
• CousCous, Quinoa, and Oats to cook over a fire
• Hot Sauce
• Nooch
• Clif Bars
• Steve's Favorite Climbing Snack: Whole Wheat tortilla with peanut butter, banana, and carob chips. Perfect.
• Jars of peanut butter
• Granola
• Single serving soy/rice milks
• Avocado
• TVP chunks...always a great addition to a campfire meal!

These are just a few things Steve and I like to take along for our fuel! Of course, lots of water, coffee, and tea are also a must! Don't forget the Dr. Bronner's to wash your camping dishes, and your dirty camping body afterward! What are some of your favorite outdoor eats??

Oh, and I am obligated to leave you with pics of us climbing!