Sunday, June 29, 2008

A trip down memory avenue...

After an awful day in our current dinge-hole (aka apartment) it was time for some much needed relaxation, but we couldn't stand being here - so a virtual trip was the next best thing... back to Chase Avenue

To set the stage, we decided to make some grill packs - but instead of having meat we used black beans. Delightful, and a must-do again - they added great flavor. A spoonful of coconut oil replaced the fat from any meat, and is much better for you anyway. The mouth feel was unmistakable, and along with the normal other items and some purple potatoes, it made for a memory-returning meal.

Things were going well, but too much noise was distracting - some Pink Martini cleared that right up, taking us outside to the patio. A snifter of Oban and a game of Carcassonne finished the night with a happy glow and the warmth of memories past. It was a great way to bring a good finish to a less than desirable day!

Monday, June 23, 2008

Sichuan Stir Fry

The first food picture - Vegetable Sichuan Stir Fry



A "touch" of heat from 12 Tien Tsin chiles, plus the elusive Sichuan Peppercorns made this a very flavorful and spicy dish. As you can see, there are a number of various fresh vegetables.

What made this meal truly unique was the use of Millet in place of rice. Possibly the first domestic grain, it was grown in China as early as 2700 BC and was the prevalent grain before rice was introduced. It is a whole grain, and takes about as much time to cook as most white rice. This makes it attractive when time is of the essence, since brown rice generally takes about 3 times as long to cook.

Millet is also unique since its time from seed to harvest is only about two months. It does well in poorly fertilized and dry soils. It is non-glutinous and also NOT acid forming like most grains. It has a great deal of protein and fiber, B-complex vitamins, lecithin, vitamin E, and is a significant source of plant based, assimilable iron. There are many phytochemicals present which science has yet to even study, making it a great alternative to the standard wheat in the American diet.

Hooray for sustainable, nutritious, healthy foods!

Sunday, June 22, 2008

The Beginning ... A Good Place To Start

After a year's worth of considerations, procrastination, and having way too much to do we've finally launched a blog. As things become more seamless, we'll probably use it more regularly. There will probably be many pictures and recipes for delicious Vegan gourmet food, the occasional picture of the cat, or of some crazy electronic project or incredible deal that couldn't be passed up.

And thus, I leave you all with anticipation and a picture of 34 carillon rolls that I recently acquired. The weirdness begins....