Friday, January 21, 2011

Cookbook Challenge Week 2 - Veganomicon

This week, I've decided to group all of my PPK Cookbook Challenge meals into one post. But don't let the fact that I'm not writing a novel over each of these recipes dissuade you from trying any of them, for they are all fantastic.

The Veganomicon is the cookbook I turn to most often, not only for recipes, but for information about how long and what temperature to roast certain vegetables or boil dried legumes. I'm the kind of cook who is always forgetting if you should bake a potato at 400 or 450, so it's extremely helpful to have a handy reference for that sort of thing. 

But the recipes are, of course, the main attraction of this book. I used the Veganomicon twice last week. Not for the challenge, just because Banana-Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding and Vietnamese Seitan Baguettes with Savory Broth Dip are awesome.  The Vietnamese sandwich is one of the best things I've ever eaten in my life, for real.



And what do we have this week?

Chile Cornmeal-Crusted Tofu Po'Boy
So messy, but so addictive.  The tofu's cornmeal crust provides a crunchy, spicy contrast for the cool, creamy coleslaw.  I topped my po'boys with hot sauce instead of the chipotle mayo, but that probably would have been delicious as well. Can't wait to eat these again.


I love the spicy flavors of fried samosas served at Indian restaurants, and this looked like a healthier, homemade alternative.  I halved the recipe so we wouldn't have a ton of leftovers. I cheated by microwaving my baked potatoes, so these came together quickly. I thought they looked really appealing, with the bright bits of pea and carrot.  They also smelled lovely, from all the Indian spices. My only complaint was that they were on the dry side, and could have used a dipping sauce or chutney. Next time, I'll pair them with the 5-Minute Mango Chutney.


Tofu Florentine
This took an hour to put together, but it was worth it. I halved the recipe and it still filled a pie plate. First I layered in some home fries, followed by steamed spinach and broiled tofu. I doused the whole thing in cheezy sauce and sprinkled on some chopped tomatoes.  The spinach makes this dish taste "healthy," but in a good way.


Next week, we move on to Urban Vegan.  Although I've been busily testing recipes for the Urban Vegan's new cookbook, it'll be fun to go back and revisit the first book.

This week seemed to fly by! Have a great weekend!

15 comments:

  1. Mmm... The samosa stuffed baked potatoes are family favourites at my house -- and are even better with the mango chutney and the spinach and tomato side dish. Yum!

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  2. Oh, those all look so good and I still have 2 hours until lunch!

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  3. I made that sandwich + dip a couple weeks ago and LOVED it!

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  4. Your blog has such interesting links! Thanks again! (Maybe you should rest a little bit, it seems as though you have been busy;-))

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  5. I've been meaning to make the Samosa Potatoes, I'll make sure to make a dipping sauce or something with it!

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  6. Consider me officially motivated to crack my Veganomican, as these pictures are great inspiration to do so!

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  7. Wow this all looks great!Very motivational!

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  8. I've had my copy of Veganomicon stuffed away for quite some time but I think it's time to put it back out there. Tofu florentine! I don't remember reading about this, but seriously, it sounds like the best meal ever? Thanks for sharing the pictures!

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  9. Yummy yummy!
    I love cooking through cookbooks, it is so fun. I did that with KEn Haedrich's Feeding the healthy vegetarian family, it was a blast!
    Viv~

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  10. Wow, you have been so busy with all this cooking of amazing recipes! You're home sounds like a gourmet restaurant right now!

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  11. I want that vietnamese sandwich recipe! Would it be so bad if I sent you my email and you sent me the recipe :) :D? I need to buy that cookbook already.

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  12. carissa - click on the name of the sandwich, it should take you to the recipe...i found it online. if that doesn't work, sure i will send it to you. everyone should try it :)

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  13. Everything looks delicious. I always forget those things, too - I'm always googling "roasted vegetables" etc.

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  14. ah HAH! I figured it out! Thanks

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