A Second Chance

Although this photo has nothing to do with the title of this post, I just had to put it up first on the "line up." These are the Raspberry-Chocolate Chip Blondies from Vw/aV, and they were as good as they smelled - perhaps better! The photo does not do them justice (or rather, my digital photo taking abilities don't do them justice!). If you haven't made these yet, they are the simplest things to make, while still impressive looking. The best thing I have to say about these is - they taste better cooked than as raw dough! (That's my highest praise). I used my favorite childhood seedless red raspberry jam - the best there is - made by Trappist Monks in my home state of Massachusetts.

I brought these lovely treats to my veggie group as promised, and there were hardly a couple bites to take home! Everyone asked for the recipe - I urged them to buy the whole book! :) The combination of raspberry and chocolate was sublime. However, coconut freak that I am, I know that I will be trying Dreena's Coconut Raspberry Squares for the next meeting. They will be far lower in sugar and fat, too!


So, here is the photo, or meal rather, that prompted this post's title, "A Second Chance." This is Isa's Mango-Ginger Tofu , also from Vw/aV, which was baking in the oven the last time I wrote. The recipe went very well and it smelled great. The triangles were adorable. However, I made two mistakes. First, I used yellow pepper instead of red. The flavor I am sure was the same, but the color - too much yellow!! I was gagging with yellow, and I usually love the color. The red pepper the recipe called for would have been a nice contrast. I pressed the tofu good and long (see my previous past on how to do this with ease!) However, I didn't have time to marinate it as long as I wanted, so I don't think that the flavors soaked up enough. But no, that wasn't my second mistake. My second error was that.... I disliked it from the first bite! I really, really wanted to like it. I wanted to love it. I love tofu. I love mango. I love Isa's books and her writing makes me cackle out loud! But I just couldn't take the sweetness of this meal! I was so disappointed, because I'd wanted to make this for soooo long. And, it made so much (see next photo!).

However, because it made so much, and my husband really hates fruity main meals, I knew I had to eat leftovers this week. So, the next night I grudgingly sat down with some mixed greens, some corn and bean salad and the mango-ginger tofu.... cold. And.... IT WAS AWESOME!! It was 100 times better cold than hot. I couldn't believe it. The sweetness was calmed down greatly by being chilled and it was so delicious. So, I guess the story ends like this - "Give every meal a second chance!" Read on to see what else I cooked up this week....






Here is a meal that also needs a second chance. Mussaka (I served it on a bed of bulgur, with fresh mint on top. Actually, this is my husband's plate. I eat low-carb, so I had mussaka with a little buglur on top!). It's another one that I've been dying to make, after Fat Free Vegan's post, my recent purchase of pomegranate molasses, and my many recent trips to the farmers' market. I was a little hesitant to use all the onion, garlic and spices she called for, as I have acid reflux, so I cut them down a bit. Well, I think that was a mistake. The textures and smell were wonderful, but the dish didn't have much bite at all. So, I will have to give this dish a second chance as well - and make it the correct way!

Last, we have a Roasted Corn and Black Bean Salad, adapted from a Cooking Light recipe. The fresh corn (can we say farmers' market?) was a thousand times better than canned corn, and was roasted in the oven with a little olive oil. The green onions, tomato and red pepper were also from the market. The black beans weren't called for, but I added them to make the dish more substantial. The dressing is incredibly easy and simple. The dijon mustard blends deliciously with the white balsamic vinegar (the latter of which doesn't stain the dish brown, like the regular balsamic would). This light, tasty summer treat was also enjoyed by my veggie group. Here's to summer and second chances!!