BS: Vegan Time

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: open mike
Date: 20 Nov 09 - 02:06 PM

We have a local farm animal shelter that has a public open house for people to come feed the animals...including turkeys...just before Thanksgiving.http://farmsanctuary.org/farm/ca/

One year they showed some expose' videos at a local theatre
which i am sure must have turned a lot of people into vegetarians.

here is a message i got today from care 2, which sends news about
issues that people are concerned about.

(beware...the pig video is very graphic and not for the squeamish)

http://www.care2.com/causes/animal-welfare/blog/undercover-investigation-shows-the-horrors-of-the-pork-industry/

the "mercyforanimals" video reveals conditions so horrible that i
am not going to post a link here...if you see it, be prepared to
give up bacon, pork, sausage, ham, hot dogs and the like forever!!

After watching it i am not sure i want to eat ANYTHING today!

don't say i didn't warn you...

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: Stringsinger
Date: 18 Nov 09 - 01:47 PM

Sinsull, it is physical as well. Processed meats and fish are not good for you.

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: SINSULL
Date: 18 Nov 09 - 08:47 AM

I got a deal on Ebay for the Vegetarian cookbook that Crow Sister recommended. It should arrive next week.

I love lentils, beans, pea soup.. Just ate a huge grapefruit for breakfast - the first in over a year since supposedly it will interfere with my meds. Too bad - it was good.

Planning some good things to accompany Jacqui's turkey this Saturday - I won't go hungry. LOL

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 17 Nov 09 - 09:27 PM

The NY Times today has 101 things to cook (or prepare) ahead for Thanksgiving -- consequently, the vast majority don't contain meat. (Some are sauces and chutneys, or desserts.) Many yummy sounding things, most quite simple. Click

~ Becky in Long Beach

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 17 Nov 09 - 09:26 AM

Further to CS on staples - millions in Mexico, e.g., live on (refried) beans and rice; and millions in India on lentils/dahl and rice.

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: Crow Sister (off with the fairies)
Date: 17 Nov 09 - 09:08 AM

Oh, definitely get some Quinoa in! It's a pleasant grain, which has a high protein content.
Use it in pilafs, salads, buttered with greens, or plain on the side of stews & curries.

Quinoa - pronounced 'keenwah'

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: Crow Sister (off with the fairies)
Date: 17 Nov 09 - 08:59 AM

"pulse and cereal? What does that mean?"

Two of the three core staples you'll ideally keep in your cupboard.
Which (if memory serves correctly..) when any TWO are combined, provide all amino acids required for the body to synthesise complete protein for itself.

Pulses are basically Beans, Peas & Lentils, also referred to as Legumes.
Cereals/Grains include: Wheat, Bulghur, Rice, Oats.

See here:

Pulses
Cereals
Nuts & Seeds

From The Vegetarian Society's Information Index

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: SINSULL
Date: 17 Nov 09 - 08:13 AM

pulse and cereal? What does that mean?


I developed the flu as a child after my first taste of shrimp. It took years to get past it. This is something different. It has happened before and as I think about it it has always been triggered by my seeing something revolting about the food industry. The last I saw a documentary on chicken processing and couldn't even walk by the meat department in a supermarket without retching. This time it was the ground up baby chicks.

It is as much psychological as physical. So I just go with it.

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: Penny S.
Date: 17 Nov 09 - 06:31 AM

Crow sister has mentioned the combining amino acids thing that I was going to refer to. Back in the 60's a couple of books came out of San Francisco with titles like "Eating for a Green Planet". They weren't vegan as they included dairy, eggs and some meat, but lots of recipes based on combining pulses and cereals for example, as well.

We do have a brain facility for developing revulsion to things the body feels wrong. It doesn't always get it right. I had it after my first McDonalds. I went to the first one, by Charing Cross, had a big mac and a milk shake, and by the time I was halfway down the shake, I felt sick. I left it unfinished, left the shop, and was sick. Because of a migraine that was about to happen. But my brain determined that it was the burger, and I felt revulsion every time I passed the arches, or heard the jingle on the TV (it had been playing in the shop). There was a piece in New Scientist about this reflex in rats, introduced by the author with a story of how he made himself with sunstroke, but his brain connected with watermelon. Watermelon was off his menu for a long time.

Not to say that Sinsull's reaction is false. I'd rather trust it than not. It isn't going to make me eat something that's bad for me, while keeping me from something good.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: Crow Sister (off with the fairies)
Date: 16 Nov 09 - 05:00 PM

Hey, why not go for it Bonzo!
Seems there's more left for you afterall.. ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 16 Nov 09 - 04:51 PM

Might just as well eat a decent Argentine steak.

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: SINSULL
Date: 16 Nov 09 - 01:13 PM

LOL Thank you for sharing, Villan.

So far, no unexpected explosions...

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: Rasener
Date: 16 Nov 09 - 12:51 PM

Sinsull
Aren't you worried about farting, with all the beans inside you.
Beans affect me badly and if I eat too much of them, I could fart for Britain :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: SINSULL
Date: 16 Nov 09 - 10:26 AM

Found it on ebay for less than $11 del'd. Hope I get it. Thanks.

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: Crow Sister (off with the fairies)
Date: 16 Nov 09 - 09:33 AM

I have acquired rather a lot of vegetarian cook books over the years! One of the best that I've got for simplicity, variety and practicality is this one:

Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone
I bought my copy second-hand, but it'd be worth it new. Pity it doesn't have many photo's though.

Otherwise, this was a recent gift to me. And it's an amazing piece of work for history, culture, geographic scale, everything.
Veering a tad off topic perhaps, but for anyone interested:

Olive Trees and Honey: A Treasury of Vegetarian Recipes from Jewish Communities Around the World
A sort of curl up in an armchair for the afternoon with a couple of glasses of wine and fantasise book..

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: SINSULL
Date: 16 Nov 09 - 09:12 AM

I have to agree Smedley. The smell and taste of meat sickens me right now. I am not looking for substitutes that mimic the smell and taste.

I made a huge pot of lentils and rice with carrots, onions and spices - a bit hot the way I like it. That will make about 8 meals. Some for the freezer. hot or cold on a pile of greens, it is good.

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: Smedley
Date: 16 Nov 09 - 08:54 AM

Vegetarian meals are delicious, if prepared by a decent cook. But Quorn is NOT tasy, and pseudo-meat substitutes are beyond ghastly. I also can't see the point of them - if you have objections to eating meat (which I do not share, but I do respect) why on earth would you want to eat horrid parodies of meat ??

Invest in some good veggie cookery books:
Dennis Cotter - Paradiso Seasons
Simon Hopkins - The Vegetarian Option
Colin Spencer - Gourmet Vegetarian

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: SINSULL
Date: 16 Nov 09 - 08:17 AM

Sandy Becker and Looney Tunes

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: SINSULL
Date: 16 Nov 09 - 08:13 AM

McGrath! That was mean!

Does anyone remember the children's show in the 50s where the host learned radish talk and was trying to save the radishes? Sandy somebody.

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: freda underhill
Date: 16 Nov 09 - 07:12 AM

Vegetarian network Victoria

Firnee is a sort of Afghan custrad and is delicious -

Firnee
Ingredients
2 cups Whole Milk
1 cup Sugar
4 tablespoons Corn Starch
1 tsp. Cardamom
Pistachios
1 capful Rose water

Directions
Mix whole milk with cornstarch and cardamon and rose water in a sauce pan. Bring it to the boil and stir constantly, til it thickens. When the mix comes to a boil, remove from the stove, and put into a shallow serving dish. Refrigerate and serve with finely chopped pistachios sprinkled on top.

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: freda underhill
Date: 16 Nov 09 - 07:04 AM

You're right about the salt content BG. many pre-prepared vego foods are high in salt. But enjoy yourself Sinsull, I've been vego for 36 years and couldn't go back. I'm enjoying reading all these recipes and have bookmarked the thread!

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: Janie
Date: 15 Nov 09 - 07:24 PM

Oh Gawd, McGrath. You have doomed her to starve!

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: open mike
Date: 15 Nov 09 - 04:32 PM

here's lookin' at ya//

http://www.funnyphotos.net.au/images/cabbage-face-art-of-vegetable-carving1.jpg

http://thepirata.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/vegetable_art01.jpg

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 15 Nov 09 - 02:38 PM

Read the labels on prepared stuff like garden burgers, etc. Some have absolutely TOXIC levels of sodium.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 15 Nov 09 - 01:43 PM

Above, I mentioned soya juice is nice with coffee, but I'm not so keen on it with tea, hence...

Poem 94 of 230: MOROCCAN TEA

Here's a hint
    Concerning mint.
It's very brief:
    Just pick a leaf
From the backyard,
    And wash if marred;

Leaf, bag, in mug,
    Boil the jug,
Pour in and stir,
    Oust the former.
It's easy, see -
    Moroccan tea...

Well, 'tis roughly.

From http://blogs.myspace.com/walkaboutsverse (e-book)
Or http://walkaboutsverse.sitegoz.com (e-scroll)
(C) David Franks 2003

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 15 Nov 09 - 01:14 PM

"I am disgusted by anything that had a face." -

How about this then...

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: open mike
Date: 15 Nov 09 - 01:08 PM

i love the sound of rumblethump...am interested in trying the taste of it , too. this sounds like a great, hearty winter dish..I was at a Ren
Faire where they served up root veggies carrots, turnips, parsnips, potatoes as a dish from the "olden days" so I am thinking you could
put carrots in the rumblethump root veggie combo, too.

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: Stringsinger
Date: 15 Nov 09 - 12:17 PM

The brain is about conditioning. Most of what we eat is based on our psychology.

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: Rasener
Date: 15 Nov 09 - 11:42 AM

You need this with every meal

http://www.tesco.com/wine/product/search/default.aspx?searchBox=vegan%20wines

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: SINSULL
Date: 15 Nov 09 - 10:52 AM

Sag Aloo and Sag Paneer are favorites of mine. I will have to go searching for the cheese. In Jackson Heights there were Indian grocerey stores right around the corner. The one thing I miss about NYC.

Thank you for the tips and recipes. When this passes I may even go for a pork pie. Right now the thought makes me queasy. Isn't the human brain a strange thing?

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: Stringsinger
Date: 15 Nov 09 - 10:37 AM

Watch out for soy products. Negative info on that. The way it's grown (soybeans).

If you can go "raw" vegan, you'll find a big difference in your life style. And go organic as much as possible.

Frank

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: Crow Sister (off with the fairies)
Date: 15 Nov 09 - 09:11 AM

Further to tofu, the 'Silken' variety is often used by Vegans to replace substances like milk, cream cheese and egg, in both savoury and sweet dishes. It's utterly flavourless, so is highly versatile. You get it off the shelf in health food stores. It's also a complete protein.

'Firm' Tofu, I find is most happily 'at home' in Asian/Oriental style dishes, where is sits very naturally alongside flavours like ginger, soy sauce, garlic, chili, lime and so-on, and with rice, noodles, mushrooms, beansprouts, greens etc. Always marinate it first. Make sure the oil in the frying pan is *hot* before stir-frying, to prevent problems of sticking - also best cooked till golden. Sesame oil is by far the best stuff to fry it with too, as it adds lots of nutty flavour. It's also best to buy the *smoked* variety IMO, it's top drawer. Griddling as a block (after marinating) on a ridged pan, results in tasty char-grilled effect.

Tofu can be a bit of an acquired taste at first, but if you persevere you might just get to love it. I think it's excellent stuff. Though I can't stand the idea of bunging it in tomato pasta sauce or on baked potatoes or in veggie shepherds pie.. Bleaurgh!

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: Crow Sister (off with the fairies)
Date: 15 Nov 09 - 08:54 AM

I think Quorn is available in US, but is fairly new there? So might be harder to source.

I mentioned it above too, but I forgot that it isn't however Vegan, as Eggs (albeit free-range ones) are used to make it. So it might be off the menu..

Spleens 'Sag Paneer' above, is a great Indian dish, very worthwhile trying that. Paneer has a good firm texture and holds together (instead of melting like most cheeses) when cooked.

Greek Halloumi is fantastic for holding it's shape when griddled, fried or BBQ'd too.

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 15 Nov 09 - 08:46 AM

Mary

Can you get Quorn where you live? Quorn

Tasty meat substitute, high in protein (includes essential amino acids). Expensive when we could find it in US, but nice treat from time to time.

Some more food ideas.

1.   Mushroom and chestnut dish
    + sweet chestnuts, roasted, chopped fine
    + portabella and chestnut mushrooms, chopped
bake in casserole dish for 25 minutes @ 180C / 350F

2.   Yams, with ground cinnamon (butter optional)

3.   Veg medley
    + diced carrots
    + sweet corn
    + soya bean
steam, sprinkle fresh ground black pepper and pat of butter

4.   Rumblethumps
    + potatoes and swede boiled, partly mashed
    + cabbage shredded and steamed
    + chopped onion, diced and steamed
    + white cheddar cheese shredded
put all above in buttered casserole dish, save some cheese to sprinkle on top, bake 25 to 30 minutes @ 200C / 400F

5.   Hot spiced apples
    + peeled and cored apple slices
saute in butter and cinnamon, top with chopped walnuts or pecans

6.   Tomato, basil pasta bake
    + Chopped fresh plum tomatoes or tinned napolena
    + Chopped sundried tomatoes (justa few for extra flavor)
    + washed chopped fresh basil
    + pine nuts (careful the Chinese ones can leave several day long metallic after taste)
    + Ricotta
    + cooked pasta
    + mozzarella sliced or shredded if you want cheese
mix all above in big bowl, pour over boiled pasta of choice, tip into olive oil greased casserole, cover with cheese and bake @ 190C or 375F for about 25 minutes. If you don't want cheese, cover dish with foil to prevent pasta dry out.

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 15 Nov 09 - 08:44 AM

Ever tried the muck that they serve up in the Green Note in Camden? I'll take my own pork pie if I ever go there again!

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: ranger1
Date: 14 Nov 09 - 09:05 PM

Have fun, Mary. I will support you while still remaining a happy little omnivore.

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 14 Nov 09 - 05:47 PM

Bife chorizo con papas fritas followed by flan con dulce de leche. No vegy bilge thankyou!

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 14 Nov 09 - 05:21 PM

Thought I'd posted this earlier, but must have gotten sidetracked...

I was looking for something else and came on an article from NPR last year with some really yummy looking vegie recipes for Thanksgiving: click for

- Mushroom And Spinach Galette
- Baked Pumpkin With Root Vegetable Stew
- Stuffed Acorn Squash
- Vegetarian Gravy

When I was vegetarian and living with those who were willing to be so with me, I used to make Russian Vegetable Pie, from the Vegetarian Epicure, for Thanksgiving: A crust made with cream cheese in it, a cream cheese layer spread on the bottom, a layer of sliced hard-boiled eggs, cabbage sauteed with onion and herbs, topped with sauteed mushrooms (and a top crust). My sister made it once with a layer of sliced beets, too. Very wintery. Used to do all that sauteeing with just butter, now I cut it with some olive oil. Not a low-calorie dish.

~ Becky in Long Beach
puzzling on what to cook this year

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: Spleen Cringe
Date: 14 Nov 09 - 05:16 PM

PS when you fry the paneer do it till a lovely golden brown on both sides...

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: Spleen Cringe
Date: 14 Nov 09 - 05:14 PM

If those paneer chunks are the same size on your server as mine, make 'em a bit smaller and thinner...

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: Spleen Cringe
Date: 14 Nov 09 - 05:12 PM

If you can get paneer - Indian cheese - where you live, try this one. It's a corker. You'll want to live on it. Paneer is rubbish until you cook it...

Get a decent size slab of paneer and chop it into chunks roughly this big:

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

and this thick:

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Fry 'em up in hot oil (I use light olive oil but anything non-rancid will do - groundnut, rapeseed)

Put them to one side and coat them lightly with a mixture of 1 tsp garam masala and 1/8th tsp salt and 1/8th tsp chilli powder.

Fill your sink with spinach or another leafy green that will reduce on cooking. When you've washed all the crap off, chop it fairly fine, removing any hideously thick stringy stalks.

Whizz up or crush an inch cube of ginger (or a bit more), 3 or 4 cloves of garlic and 1/2 to 1 green chilli. Bung it in hot oil in a decent sized pan with a lid and fry, stirring, till ithe aroma is released but the garlic isn't browned. Watch out - it's a spitter!

Add the greens, mix it all together, bung the lid on and let it stew on a low heat for 5 - 10 minutes till soft, adding a little water if it seems dry. Bung in the paneer and 3 tbsps of single cream (or yoghurt if you're practising self denial). Stir gently, bring to a low simmer and cook for 5 -10 minutes.

Serve with chapatis, arabic flat bread or nan. Have nice dhall or chana masala with it too, if you want a more substantial meal.

And a nice crisp white wine.

Yum yum!

Chana recipe to follow if required ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 14 Nov 09 - 04:58 PM

Soya juice/"milk" is great with coffee - but better to pour it into mug and stir, before adding just-off-the-boil water, to improve the mix.

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: Paul Burke
Date: 14 Nov 09 - 04:34 PM

Vegan is NOT the same as vegetarian. Avoiding ALL animal products, extreme vegans won't even wear wool. It can also be dangerous- a friend almost died, went grey very young and walks with a stick still, 10 years after adopting a more relaxed vegetarian regime.

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: SINSULL
Date: 14 Nov 09 - 03:55 PM

Thanks for that, Crow Sister. I did not know.

Janie - if I ever find myself tempted by tofurkey, I will simply kill myself. LOL

Walkabout - though I appreciate the thought please do not use this thread to inflict your poetry on us. You have a thread of your own for that.

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: Crow Sister (off with the fairies)
Date: 14 Nov 09 - 01:45 PM

Sinsull do you know the core 'trinity' of vegetable food-groups which supposedly need to be combined in order to provide all the amino acids necessary for the body to synthesise protein?

Actually there are more current thoughts on this, which suggest that it's *not* strictly necessary to combine the different vegetable protein food-groups at the *same meal* - but if unsure whether you're getting sufficient protein, then traditionally the idea was to always include TWO of the Three staple vegetarian protein food-groups at any one main meal, to ensure sufficient protein uptake.

The three fully vegan food groups you will want to keep in your storecupboard are:

1: Legumes/Pulses (such as: lentils, dried split peas, adzuki beans, butter beans, kidney beans, chick peas etc.)
2: Grains (such as: cracked wheat, bulghar wheat, rice, oats etc.)
3: Nuts & Seeds (such as: almonds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, walnuts etc.)

As each of these three food groups have *some* but not all of the amino acids contained in complete proteins (such as meat) by combining any two of them in the same meal, the body is provided with all necessary ingredients to enable it to naturally synthesise protein for itself (humans bodies are fully naturally evolved, to do this no sweat).

As such, something as simple as eating a wheat based cereal (grain) with say almond milk (nut), or soy milk (legume), would actually be sufficient to be deemed a full protein meal. I'm sure you get it.. :)

Otherwise, as Janie says, Tofu is complete protein, as indeed are ALL *Soya* based products. And indeed if after a while you're ever feeling weak and low on protein from such a sudden shift in diet, you could look into making up your own 'energy shakes', adding Soya based protein powder (same as body builders do, though for a different reason).

I'll post up some further simple vegan 'whole protein' meals, inabit..

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: open mike
Date: 14 Nov 09 - 01:32 PM

strict vegans will not even eat animal by-products such as honey.

I find garden burgers a good protein source. they are often available
in the freezer case in an industrial size pkg. (not the shrink-wrapped
four packs with all the plastic and cardboard packaging) http://www.gardenburger.com/

i could live on burritos, i think...
refried beans, rice, cheese, salsa, avocados, sour cream

be sure to check out Diet for a Small Planet
http://www.smallplanetinstitute.org/
a cook book that emphasizes balanced nutrition
with the combination of grains and beans providing
"complete protein".

the one nutrient that is hard to find in vegetables is B (or b 12?)
which can be supplemented with food yeast..some nutritional yeast
(brewer's yeast) is bitter, but Red Star is nutty and sweeet--
not the same as brewer's or baker's yeast..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nutritional_yeast
http://www.bulkfoods.com/yeast.htm
http://www.redstaryeast.com/science_of_yeast/types_of_yeast/nutritional_yeast.php
red star apparently makes all sorts of yeast.

here is a vegetarian recipe for gravy
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/342912

if you choose to eat soy products, you may find that Tempeh
is easier to digest, as some of the ingredients used in its
production help to break down some of the more difficult to
digest components of soy.

staying away from poultry is especially difficult at
thanksgiving time...may i recommend Tofurkey..made
with Gluten..http://www.tofurky.com/

also veggie pepperoni which is great as a pizza topping.
http://www.yvesveggie.ca/index.php?id=68


good luck and let us know how it goes...
it is possible to live without meat
(I have not had anything with fur or feathers on my plate for years
but fins are o.k.)

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 14 Nov 09 - 01:29 PM

Poem 93 of 230: ONE-POT COOKING

While living as a bachelor,
    I've cooked in just one pot -
Cast iron with a wooden handle,
    It can hold quite a lot:

Slices of potato and carrot
    Are boiled a while,
Before a thinly-chopped onion
    Is mixed with the pile;

Then I drain off most of the water,
    Add canned lentils and beans,
Stir with spice and tomato sauce -
    To an end, it's a means.

From http://blogs.myspace.com/walkaboutsverse (e-book)
Or http://walkaboutsverse.sitegoz.com (e-scroll)
(C) David Franks 2003

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: SINSULL
Date: 14 Nov 09 - 12:42 PM

I love lentils and Indian Food. Thank you for all the linls and recipes. The fridge is stocked with all sorts pf good things. Whatever meat is left will be inflicted on my guests this weekend. LOL

i like the Morning Star products but they are so expensive.

Lentils and rice on the stove - enough to use for lunches and still freeze some. Cabbage to be cooked - a favorite. Yes - cheese is not vegan. I was thinking more of the egg elinination.

I have never starved before when this has happened. LOL I wish I could.

I live in fear of finding some nightmare story on cheese that will force me to eliminate it from my diet. If I find anyone torturing lentils or lentil growers, it's all over.

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 14 Nov 09 - 11:48 AM

Making vegetarian tacos tonight.

Quorn (micoprotein) mince, one large sweet white onion chopped and fried in olive oil
mixed pulse in chili sauce and borlotti beans rinsed all mashed then refried and added to mince and onion.

Old Elpaso taco seasoning and shells

shredded cheddar (I think there is vegan cheese that might work as well)

chopped tomatoes and shredded lettuce

tomorrow night
winter veg (carrots, potatoes, parsnips, celery and leeks) stew with dumplings seasoned with sage and thyme

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: Stringsinger
Date: 14 Nov 09 - 11:17 AM

Gotta' remember that if you're eating dairy products, you are not Vegan.

Vegan (vee-gan) means that you eat only veggies, fruits, nuts and no animal products.

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Nov 09 - 11:46 PM

Sheesh, Janie, when are you going to publish the cookbook?**bg** Those all sound scrumptious!

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: Janie
Date: 13 Nov 09 - 09:57 PM

OK. I promise I'll quit after this.
Morning Star brand (found in the frozen foods section - usually near the frozen waffles, for some reason at most major grocery chains) sells several tasty meat substitute products. We like their "griller" hamburgers, veggie bacon, veggie sausage, and ground "beef", which I use quite successfully to make pasta sauces and chili.

We prefer the Morning Star grillers to Boca Burgers.

I've tried a number of soy sausages over the years, and generally find them to be quite good, and often use them in rice dishes.

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: Janie
Date: 13 Nov 09 - 09:48 PM

I'm on a roll.

Coarsely chop some kale, thinly slice some onion, and chop a clove or 4 of garlic. Saute in a generous amount of butter and olive oil. Once the kale is wilted and the onions are getting translucent, add just a little bit of water and cover pan to let kale steam for a minute or two until tender-crisp. Serve over pasta tossed with olive oil and a generous sprinkling of parmesan cheese.

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: Janie
Date: 13 Nov 09 - 09:38 PM

I'm not a big tofu fan, and hate the mess it makes in the skillet when used in stir-frys, but my son and I like to marinate tofu and then bake it in the oven. There are a number of different marinade recipes around. I usually make a marinade from olive oil, tamari, lemon juice, garlic, thinly sliced green onions, a little cooking sherry or red wine, and a little honey. Alternately, I will cut way back on the tamari, use sherry, white wine or cooking rice wine and oil, scallions or green onions and freshly grated ginger, and eliminate the honey. Cut the tofu into 1/2 inch slices. Marinate for 1/2 to 1 hour in the frig, then bake in a 350 oven until heated through - 20-25 minutes.   You can add a little cornstarch to the marinade just before putting the dish in the oven, or pour off some of the marinade into a skillet to thicken with cornstarch to serve as a sauce over the tofu and rice.

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: Janie
Date: 13 Nov 09 - 09:24 PM

Whole Foods Market, many food co-ops, and probably Trader Joe's, sell a dried vegan chili mix made with texturized vegetable protein (TVP) that is quite good and quick. Add a can of tomatoes and a can of kidney beans.

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: Janie
Date: 13 Nov 09 - 09:14 PM

Vegan Lentil Soup (my favorite lentil soup)

2 cups lentils
10 cups water (or 8 cups water if you soaked the lentils overnight)
1 onion, thinly sliced
2 cloves finely minced garlic
2 medium carrots, thinly sliced
1/2 cup chopped celery
1 bay leaf
2 tblsp. tamari soy sauce

Bring lentils and water to boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, and simmer 1 1/2 hours total.

saute onions and garlic in olive or canola oil until tender. Add them and the bay leaf to the lentils after 1/2 hour. In another 1/2 hour, add the celery, carrots and tamari, and continue to simmer for another 1/2 hour.

Serve with cornbread and cole slaw. (need the cornbread to complete the protein.)

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: Janie
Date: 13 Nov 09 - 08:59 PM

And tofu?

And TVP products?

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: Janie
Date: 13 Nov 09 - 08:57 PM

First, how do you feel about yoghurt and sour cream?

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Nov 09 - 05:05 PM

Probably your body's periodic way of clearing the cupboards, Sins. Good thing you *listen* to it!

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: bobad
Date: 13 Nov 09 - 04:54 PM

If you like Indian tastes, a bowl of dal and a whole wheat naan make for a very satisfying lunch. Some good recipes here: http://www.indianfoodforever.com/daal/

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: Crow Sister (off with the fairies)
Date: 13 Nov 09 - 04:49 PM

Sounds like you should just follow your instincts then, as indeed you are. One of the things I'd be inclined to invest in - as you're suddenly eliminating quite a few foods - is a small stockpile of food supplements of the kinds you can easily add to food. Eg: if on a minimal diet, I tend to keep things like like Soy Lecithin, Flaxseed Oil, Yeast Powder & Mollases in the cupboard, just as 'toppers'.

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: Jeri
Date: 13 Nov 09 - 04:48 PM

I like lentil stew. Lentils, celery, onions, carrots, L'il Smokies Sausages... ok, make that non-meat sausages (although I've never seen a face on a sausage), garlic, salt, pepper, other seasonings you like (I usually do rosemary, thyme, ans sage) then top with a bit of EV olive oil before serving. Very hearty on a cold night.

Tempeh (soy with seeds and things) is chewier than standard tofu, and is good with stir-fried or roasted veggies.

You want pesto? I got pesto, from my very own organic basil, frozen in single serving ice cubes. You need to add EV olive oil and Italian hard cheese of your choice, and tweak the flavors to your liking, but other than that, it's ready to go. I'll bring some up when I come for Seamus Kennedy's house concert.

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: Crow Sister (off with the fairies)
Date: 13 Nov 09 - 04:43 PM

This is my favourite recent (vegan) recipe. Again very savoury and satisfying.

Golden Harvest Stew

* In a large pan: heat a glug of Oil, & saute a chopped Onion and some crushed Garlic.
* Add a teaspoon of Cumin seeds & a tablespoon of Paprika.
* Add to pan: one peeled and chopped Red Pepper, one peeled and chopped Butternut Squash, & one peeled and chopped Sweet Potato.
* Add a glass (1/3 pint) of Red Wine, & a couple of glasses (2/3 pint) of water, plus a Veggie Stock Cube. Add a can of Chopped Tomatoes.
* Place lid on pan. Bring to boil. Reduce heat & simmer for 15 minutes.
* Add a handful (3 oz) of Bulgar Wheat. Simmer with lid off, for a further 15 minutes.
* Season & Serve.

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: SINSULL
Date: 13 Nov 09 - 04:36 PM

The last time this happened I saw a doctor, an endocrinologist, a psychiatrist and a therapist. Each was afraid something else was going on so they wouldn't let go of it.
All I can say is it happens periodically. It is more inconvenient than anything else. The problem, if it is one, is that I see dead rotting things when I go to eat meat. It thoroughly disgusts me. I sometimes can even smell the rotting death in it.
A bit weird but there it is.

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Nov 09 - 04:36 PM

Wow, there are so many alternatives to meat these days! More than the last time I looked. Be sure to scroll down.

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 13 Nov 09 - 04:35 PM

I'm vegan most of the time, but may have whatever is going when out-and-about...

Poem 206 of 230: MY DIET

Chasing breads, nuts, bananas,
    Red sauce, apples, sultanas,
Crackers, conserves, cucumbers,
    Pickles, porridge, pottages -

Lemon barley,
    Cocoa, coffee,
Or cups of tea.

From http://blogs.myspace.com/walkaboutsverse (e-book)
Or http://walkaboutsverse.sitegoz.com (e-scroll)
(C) David Franks 2003

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Nov 09 - 04:31 PM

I know it's time for me to get back to being a vegetarian..I've been doing some chicken, but I know about the factory farming and I know about the movie I think you saw and I could not stomach it; don't need to, just the reminder of why I went vegetarian years ago.

For along time, I didn't want any substitute which looked like the real thing, but I like the veggie burgers and hot dogs that are out now, but they do tend to have a lot of sodium content. Boca Burgers are good, though, and they, or Morning Star, have good fake burger "crumblies" which we use to make goulash and sloppy-joes. Morning Star also puts out a decent fake bacon which cooks up in the microwave, but, again, has a good dose of sodium.

I nEVER tried tofu until this past year. It really does take on the taste of whatever you cook it with and, if you are concerned about getting enough protein, it is an easy way to get it. Stirred in with sautéed onions, mushrooms, and whatever other veggies you like,it can really add a lot. The crumblies are also good in tacos and taco salad.

I just read of a chicken alternative on some website the other day. I'll have to go look it up. I've been having a chicken salad for dinner almost every night and must stop. For me, it is an ethical/moral issue and I feel ashamed I fell of the wagon, so to speak. Thanks for bringing this up, Sins.

Lima beans with corn bread taste just fine sans ham, btw. Good this time of year, too.

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: Crow Sister (off with the fairies)
Date: 13 Nov 09 - 04:29 PM

PS of course the beans should be *drained* once cooked!

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: Crow Sister (off with the fairies)
Date: 13 Nov 09 - 04:26 PM

This is a vegan version of Beef bourguignon - quite rich and meaty, good for a cold night. You can freeze it in portions too.

"HARICOT ROUGE BOURGUINON"

1/2lb Red Kidney Beans
1 Bay Leaf

Soak beans overnight.
Place drained beans in pan with bay & cover with water.
Boil hard 10mins, then simmer til beans are nice and soft (about an hour). Leave to one side.

4 tbsp Olive Oil
1/2lb Shallots or Baby Onions - peeled
A few Cloves of Garlic - crushed
4 Medium Carrots - peeled & cut into 1" chunks
1/2lb Mushrooms - quartered

Saute vegetables in a pan for 5-10 minutes.
Then tip into a casserole dish.
Preheat oven to 190'C/Gas 5.

3/4 pint red wine
1 Veggie Stock Cube
1 tsp Marmite or vegemite
1 tsp dried Thyme

Pour wine into saute pan then add herbs & stock cube & bring to boil very briefly.
Add wine to casserole dish, plus cooked kidney beans & stir.
Season casserole 'gravy' with salt & pepper to taste.

Place lid on casserole, then place in oven for 3/4 of an hour.
Serve with buttered mash & greens.

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: Crow Sister (off with the fairies)
Date: 13 Nov 09 - 04:21 PM

They call that 'Lacto-Vegetarian' I think. Where you eliminate meat/fish/eggs but not milk products. Just asking, as sites like the one I threw up - while filled with helpful people - can also be quite strict about such terminology!

With the meat, is it a texture/taste problem, so 'substitutes' would be likely to generate similar reaction? Or do you think it's something to do with the actual meaty matter (like it being an allergic style reaction or some such thing.)

Supposing it's the latter, there are lots of good substitutes worth exploring. eg: Tivall frankfurters, Quorn sausages/burgers/chunks, Tartex pate and so-on.

And this may be off the wall, but you might consider seeing a homeopath (my mother was a trained homeopath) as such sudden strange aversions can sometimes indicate a general picture which a remedy might be able to address.

I'll post a couple of my autumnal favourite 'virtually vegan' recipes in a bit..

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: SINSULL
Date: 13 Nov 09 - 04:06 PM

All comfort foods. Thank you, MMario.

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: MMario
Date: 13 Nov 09 - 04:03 PM

pesto! Can be done with various greens and nut combinations to make a LOT of variety!

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: MMario
Date: 13 Nov 09 - 04:00 PM

Pasta? Fettucine or linguini with a black bean and corn salsa as a sauce is different and very flavourfull and gives you your protein.

Butternut squash makes a great soup; and pairs well with many spices and cheeses. Or roasted .

Mixed roast veggies are simple and can be spiced in a variety of differnt manners to change things up.

Risooto....Baked potatoes w/ all kinds of toppings...

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: SINSULL
Date: 13 Nov 09 - 03:45 PM

I am removing anything that disgusts me. As I said, this happens periodically and lasts three months to a year. I did not plan it. I suspect it is a bit like the first tri-mester of a pregnancy.

I never drink milk - it has always disgusted me. As does ice cream usually. Meat is nasty to me right now as is any poultry or fish.

Eggs are out but that is after seeing a film of baby boy chicks being ground up alive and then a film of de-beaking and cauterizing hens.

Salads, fruits, veggies, beans, lentils, cheese and of course wine.

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: Crow Sister (off with the fairies)
Date: 13 Nov 09 - 03:40 PM

So what precisely are you removing from your diet?
You say you're keeping milk-based foods such as Butter and Cheese.

Are you intending on removing Meat and Milk?

Or only Eggs and Fish?

Subject: RE: BS: Vegan Time
From: Crow Sister (off with the fairies)
Date: 13 Nov 09 - 03:34 PM

You'll find everything and more than you could ever want to know about Veganism from the community at this forum:

Veggie Boards

Subject: BS: Vegan Time
From: SINSULL
Date: 13 Nov 09 - 02:55 PM

About every 7 - 10 years my body goes through a cycle where I am disgusted by anything that had a face. Fortunately, I love lentils, beans, veggies, etc. So I won't starve. I can tolerate cheese and butter but not eggs or fish.

Any recipes or recommended websites. Experience tells me that this will lsat between three months and a year and I can't live on peanut butter and Wonder Bread.

It always hits just before the holidays - sigh.