YUM!

I feel so bad for non-vegans/vegetarians...they are missing out on so much good food!!!

This week, I think I had some of the best meals I've ever had, starting with these Spicy Moroccan Chickpea Tacos from a recent Vegetarian Times issue. I don't normally go for meat-analogues (I don't miss meat and don't want to pretend that I'm eating a dead animal) but these included Morningstar Farms seitan strips ("chicken") which happen to vegan. These were like the fourth taco recipe I've had from that one issue on "global tacos," and they blew the others right out of the water! (sorry for the violent image...). They were spicy, tender, filling and full of incredible flavors! With baby spinach and wrapped in whole wheat-flax soft tacos, I was in heaven! Unfortunately, the recipe didn't make a whole lot, so I didn't get too many yummy leftovers, but this is definitely a recipe I'll be making again! Four stars for sure ****, maybe 5!! (Again, my rating is 1-4 stars, so this means it was awesome!!).

This next picture doesn't do the recipe justice. It was the Raunchy Red Lentil Soup from Vegan A Go-Go! It was lickety-split easy and lickety-spoon good! Four stars.... ****. This'll be my lunch this week. I made it while the black beans were cooking for....





Black Bean and Banana Empanadas! I'm not a big pastry fan, since they're typically not too healthy (this one was made with soy shortening - only 4 tbsp for the whole recipe, but still...) but these were pretty easy and OMG good. Four, maybe even off-the-scale 5 star good! ****. Very filling and spicy and savory and a hint of sweet - great with the side of sauteed kale.



Here's the filling: black beans (which I soaked all day and cooked this afternoon - did you know they have many more nutrients than the canned kind? I may be off canned beans for good!), along with cilantro, two sliced bananas, cumin, cayenne, coriander, onion and garlic. I could eat the filling by itself! (Which I might sometime - it'd be good over rice!).




I did have to make the dough (easy) and chill it for at least an hour, but dividing and rolling the balls out was really simple and quick. They were so cute! The pastry dough used more than half of whole wheat flour. Yay for whole grains! These were from either the February 2009 or the March 2009 Veg Times magazine issue, which was really surprising, since Veg Times doesn't often hit a home run like this!



In other news, mini Delightful Banana Nut Muffins from Vegan A Go-Go! were a hit at a library bake-off I coordinated for the local teens. I made them with walnuts as called for, but I prefer hemp seed! The tiny seed goes well with this mini-size. Still, these were all gobbled up! I even used applesauce in lieu of the oil.

The last recipe I made this week doesn't have a photo, because I was always too busy eating it to plate it nicely! But, the Muhamara from an older Vegetarian Times mag (wow- again?) was incredible. This roasted red pepper and walnut spread (no beans or tahini here!) was almost perfect. But, compared to true recipes from local ethnic restaurants, it was missing a punch of heat. Next time, I'll add some cayenne or red pepper flakes or harissa. Still, very, very good!! Four stars, easy. I ate it in my usual lavash bread wrap w/ baby spinach or leafy green mix. Happy second week of spring everyone!