Slow Week

Man I AM a slacker! Since I have been slacking on my posts due to a pretty busy week (..actually I have been spending my nights downloading music onto my new PINK I-Pod from "Dad" for Mother's Day! =-)) , I decided to just download all my pics with a quick description and move on my merry way as I allow your tastebuds to wonder. ENJOY!

PRODUCT RAVE:
For Sushi Lovers!

One of my first Vegan Cookbooks was Vegan Lunchbox by Jennifer McCann which contains over 100 easy, delicious, vegan and very fulfilling, healthy, lunch box ideas that are not only great for kids but even better for adults. As I was going through her book, she had a Japanese Inspired Menu that included a main entree of Inari Sushi in which she had noted that you could easily find Seasoned Tofu Skins at any international market. Well, being half Filipino, finding an Asian/International Food Market was no issue! So last weekend, my family and I decided to check out the newest International Grocery in town and what did I spot in the tofu section...a Make-Your-Own Inari Kit :
with 14 Bean Curd Pockets, a pack of seasoned sweet rice vinegar and seasoning....so when the craving of sushi came this week, I made some sushi rice (which BTW was my first time making it...let's just say I have some practicing to do on making sticky sushi rice!!) seasoned it withe the vinegar and toasted sesame seasoning, stuffed the tofu pockets and piled them babies in a row ready to eat with soy sauce and chopsticks. A perfect craving buster!! If only I had pickled Ginger and Wasabi...=-(

Many Uses for Cous-Cous...



Cous-Cous A La Mexicano....Instead of using rice/pasta I made this simple Mexican Black Bean and CousCous Salad inspired by a few search engine "Black Bean and CousCous" recipes. CousCous, Black Beans, Tomatoes, Corn, Cilantro seasoned with cumin, olive oil, lime juice, salt, pepper and cayenne and a HuGe Pile of Green Onions. Served with Vegan Sour Cream.



CousCous Tabouleh.....Again another way to sub ion couscous. I found a wonderful and very simple, authentic recipe from Habeeb.com to which I altered just a FEW things. First, I substituted in couscous for the Bulgar. Second, I didn't have any mint so I rubbed in some dried thyme which I vigorously rubbed between my fingers before I added it to my salad to crush it up a tad and release the flavors of mint and lemon that thyme contains. I also added some chickpeas to it to add protein, making the meal more fulfilling and substantial. And last, I skimped on the oil..BIG TIME. Topped with fresh tomatoes and parsley. I also packed a baggie of lettuce leaves so that I could dine on my lunch the traditional way. It was so great. I am addicted to Middle Eastern Dishes...they are sooo yummy and so vegan!



Tim's Secret Sweet Addiction..a sweet, crisp and very juicy strawberry covered in a choclolate shell that turns so thick and creamy as it melts in your mouth. The sweet aroma of chocolate strawberries are STILL lingering in my nose...mmmm..