Planting seeds...and what they ultimately grow up to be.

I'm down to my last bottle of homemade hot sauce from the fall. My cayenne peppers did so well in the front garden last year that I harvested several of the seeds and sprouted them in early March. I told myself I would have been thrilled with four or even six sprouts. Last year, I harvested hundreds of beautiful red cayennes from only eight plants, and I want to do twice as many this year.

When no fewer than 30 peppers sprouted (fuelling my optimism!) I transplanted them to larger soil containers. They spent their first day outdoors yesterday, enjoying the sunshine. This particular Victoria Day weekend is going to be perfect. Sunny, warm, dry - ideal for planting... and I can't wait.

 I sometimes think briefly about putting some flowers out front, but why grow something you can't eat? And can you possibly beat those red, spicy, flavourful morsels for everything from breakfast to a midnight snack.

Every so often, events in life push you back to time frames which surprise you. My involvement with alumni reunions mean that I spend the better part of my fall in a time warp. I watch our students graduate in June, new students on their first day of first year law in September and then get to join the party of every reunion class in between. And even those celebrating their 40th reunion feel like day one of law school was just yesterday.

 I have spent several heady days in the 80s this week. From the fuschia, turquoise and neon yellow colours everywhere, to the plaid shorts and sparkly shoes - seems that a 22 year fashion cycle has again ressurected. All we're missing is the big hair and rubber bangle bracelets. And my not-so-18 year old self having a nostalgic look back.

 I had a friend when I was 18 who went to chef school. He made the best hollandaise I have ever had one weekend in 1988. I remember thinking that the hours of a chef must be so draining - to have to work weekends, evenings, every single holiday. How much of a sacrifice that must be. How hard life would be to "have to" be a chef. My wanna-be lawyer brain thought that unequivocally. I couldn't imagine giving up so much.

I subsequently learned that as a lawyer, I was also giving over every weekend, every evening, every weekend - not to food, but to paper. And now I am certain that paper will NEVER trump food. Although I wouldn't have appreciated it then, I sure as heck am certain of it now.

Working with edible items, preparing them with care, seasoning them with the right balance of confidence and risk, all the while making it look beautiful, real and tasty are just the very best way to nourish my own soul. And now that I actually have the brain of a lawyer, all it really wants to do is cook, and wait for the sounds of enjoyment from the people I love.

And I get to do it every day - weekends, evenings, and every single holiday!

In the words of Elton John, from the Sleeping with the Past album from 1989...


 It's no sacrifice at all.

Sweet and Spicy Coleslaw ... the GOOD kind!

I always hated coleslaw as a kid. It was too crunchy and I hated the sweetly slippery texture over cabbage. Seriously, what kid would like that stuff?

Having said that, I have now come to really appreciate a great coleslaw and with just a few twists, made one that is completely crave-able.

I use Napa Cabbage instead of the hard white or red kind. It's light, crispy and easy to munch with no bitter ugly flavours.

I love a simple dijon / vegenaise dressing, with a bit of palm sugar or agave for sweetness.

Finally, I will heat some pine nuts or almonds in a pan with more brown sugar, and just warm the sugar until it crystallizes and coats the nuts. As a final step, I shake a hearty shower of cayenne for spicy sweet greatness. If I have cranberries or currants, so much the better.

Final product just leaps off the plate, and I find that I never seem to make enough.

Princess Kate & Plant Eaters on the Road

In Ottawa, (actually, across the river in Hull) there was a beautiful little restaurant called La Belle Verte which served the most spectacular crackers I have EVER eaten, along side a vegan cream cheese, a roasted pepper dip and a vegan pesto.



Felicitations on such a delicious effort, and artful presentation. It was great fuel for actually getting to MEET Duchess Catherine in Ottawa the next day!!!! A total thrill.

We also had a fabulous time at an amazing hotel in Mackinac Island. Even though animal-free cuisine is quite a challenge for our south of the border friends, they made an excellent effort. My fave dish was a caesar salad with a dressing made of hummus, lemon juice, garlic and herbs over romaine and garlic croutons.

Here is a herb polenta with delicious roast vegetables.

For Alicia

One of the things I learned quickly in plant-based eating is how much of a friend my rice cooker actually is. You absolutely MUST have one.

I use mine for all kinds of combinations - but my favourite lately is brown rice and lentils. It is literally so easy. You just scoop out how many portions you want (1 = 1 scoop, 4 portions = 4 scoops) and then add water to the line inside which corresponds with how many scoops you put in. It takes longer to explain the directions than to make the rice.

I will salt the water, and add any watery veggies (carrots, tomatoes, etc...) but I do stay away from spicing it until it's cooked since I use it for oatmeal. I don't care how cheffy I ever get, but I don't see the need for curry-scented oatmeal....



Here are two easy ways to reinvent any bean and rice dish. Use an ice cream scoop to form balls over tortilla chips, and pop in the oven to heat. Add fresh avocado and cilantro for colour and flavour.




Heat a few spoonfulls in a nonstick pan until the bottom browns and becomes crisp. A bit of olive oil will help, although it's not necessary. Sprinkle over salad greens - here, I've toasted a tortilla into a bowl.

OK - THREE WAYS. Three quarters of the way through the salad, I wrapped up the rest, into the tortilla. You could eat the leftover mixture either way. Great for lunches or a quick wrap on the go.

A FOURTH? Take leftover rice and beans, and turn it into a burger or even a croquette. Do I hear six?

Here is a quick list of a few combos:

Oatmeal + fruit

Bulgur wheat + parsley + green onions

Brown rice + lentils

Jasmine rice + coconut milk + ginger

Black/ Wild rice + extra water !!!

Yellow peas + vegetable stock

French Lentils + shallots

Amaranth + lemon juice

the list goes on....

Delinquent Blogger!!!

I have been horrible at keeping up the blogging, although it's not for a lack of summer inspiration and photographs, so here they are.




First, here is a spicy indian rice dish with butternut squash, chickpeas, a can of Bravo tomato sauce, some roasted corn, green onions and delicious Indian spices from my sister in law. I'm going to make these into veggie burgers by adding some vital wheat gluten and some shredded onion.




I MADE VEGAN FETA CHEESE!!! I love feta cheese, and was intrigued by a combination I saw on "Chopped" where the chefs had to use it in a dessert. While the talking chefheads were musing about the briny saltiness of the feta, I had an epiphany. We have been using occasionally, the new vegan cheese called Teese. It's a great near match to the original buffalo mozzarella. We had about 4 ounces left after a pizza evening, and I thought it might lend itself to adopting some feta flavour.

So : I zested and juiced two lemons and added enough sea salt to the bowl to seriously pickle something. I pressed the small cubes of Teese into the lemony salty brine, and left it alone for a few hours. It was absolutely FETAstic. Next time, I will chop up some capers too.

Last time I was at the grocery store, Harrison asked for Edamame. He loves it steamed in the pods, and seasoned with lemon juice, salt and toasted sesame oil. I also like to make hummus with it. I asked him to pick up two bags in the frozen section - one with the pods, and one already shelled. He grabbed green peas instead, and I didn't notice till I got home.

So - it was green pea hummus! Slightly more bitter, since it was raw, but every bit as delicious. I used a bit of extra garlic, and the colourful heirloom tomatoes really elevated it. I love RYVITA crackers - the texture is perfect and crisp - so this was our lunch yesterday. That, with a lemony, salted, hot sauced vegetable cocktail.

Cell Phone and other Cells

The World Health Organization recently released a report that significant cell phone usage causes cancer. I paid attention. I am SO much more conscious about using it - holding it near my face. Shortening my calls. Worrying about my past usage. Determined to do something about my future usage.

I assume you've also heard this? Scary.

Oh... By the way...

The WHO also implicated animal food consumption to the same thing.

And said it was a greater cause of global warming than transportation industry.

Vegan meal on VIA rail was excellent today. Great salad, soba noodles with lots of veggies and a fruit dessert.

I'd better put my cell phone away now. You know - they say those things are linked to disease and I take those warnings pretty seriously.

p.s. First blog done from my cell phone.

Ironic.

In Love...

yeah, yeah, Bill's great and everything... but that is so not where I'm going with this.

I'm totally head over heels in love with Kale.

Thin, with gorgeous, wavy edges, and an emerald green colour that's great for my heart... Goes perfect with my favourite pair, too - lemon and garlic. It's great when your love actually gets along with the others in your life!

Here's a cell phone shot from about 10 minutes ago - before it hit a hot pan, some olive oil and about a 1/8 cup of water to get it all hot and steamy.

(Or is that me?)

Kale is strong and will take care of you, too. It's such a powerhouse of nutrition - the oxygen and chlorophyll are excellent for everything a body needs.

It's environmentally responsible too - very low on the fuel usage scale, easy to grow and hard to mess up.

It's also sturdy and very low maintenance. Keeps for ages, it's not fussy or precious like its cousins. You get it, you can just take it out when you want. The green equivalent of "no complaints". The strong, silent type but always there when you need it.

Since I am one of those few people who ALWAYS keep their new years' resolution I am very proud to tell you that I have kept this year's in spades, adding greens to chilis, stews, soups and everything under the sun. I add it in its raw form to preserve as many enzymes as possible.

Harrison saw me chopping, and said "Wow, that looks good!". It's awesome when a new love gets along with your kid too, and the kid likes him back.

So - powerful, handsome, caring, easy to be around, socially responsible, patient and just fits effortlessly into your life. What an amazing start to June!

Now... speaking of effortless, when does Bill get home? I have something to feed him!