new year, new address

I've moved!
Please update your links. See you at the new blog.

xmas recap and buttons update

Today, we're having dessert first: my Perfected Vegan Tira mi Su [Yes, the recipe is in the cookbook!]. I brought it for Christmas dessert and it was a huge hit with Omniman and his Italian family. Making Tira Mi Su might sound mysterious, but it’s just a simple trifle: a sponge base soaked with a creamy, liquor-infused topping. Much debate remains over which liquor to use to flavor the topping. Some use cognac. Others use rum or Amaretto while others swear by rum. I prefer the elegance of brandy here, with cognac coming in second.


I found 99% of the vegan Tira Mi Su I’ve tried to be either grainy, "healthy" tasting or just plain “off.” So I experimented until I came up with this version. It’s important to use the best ingredients possible. [Avoid American coffee or instant espresso, for example, and generic cocoa powder.] This is my very favorite dessert recipe in the entire cookbook and one of my proudest accomplishments as a vegan cook. As with any tira mi su, it's better if you make it the day before serving it, so the sponge can properly soak up the liquid.


Flashback to Christmas dinner. The omnivores had pasta with meat balls red sauce. But lucky me!...before adding the meatballs to her famous sauce, Omnimom set some aside for me and served it over gnocchi. How nice was that? It tasted as delicious as it looks.


Kitty Updates

Even though Bossa Nova was super-cranky this year, Sandy Claws still left a little something in her stocking...



Pablo loved his sock monkey and has already gleefully eviscerated three of the stuffed mice that his "Aunt" Michele gave him.


Unfortunately, it was not such a Merry Xmas for Buttons, our newest, semi-feral addition. Although Santa and various family members showered her with kindness, toys and treats, she's still way to terrified to do anything more than hide and sleep [at least in our presence].

After hiding for an entire week behind the washer/dryer in the bathroom, Omniman and I decided that if Buttons was ever going to get socialized and learn to live with humans, we had to block off the area from her access. Omniman moved the massive washer/dryer. I crawled behind to get her, but then she jammed herself behind the water heater. So I had not choice but to hold her and pull her out. She hissed once –quite understandably! – but other than that was just docile and frightened. Ever since then, in our presence, Buttons just curls up and covers her eyes with her paws. It reminds me of the way little kids cover their heads with their blankets when they're scared. She has a blanketed box to retreat to, but prefers the corner.

Unfortunately, the bathroom where she is sequestered is the only room in our place with a door, but it's not exactly the most peaceful of places. [Better than the gutter, though!] We do need to bathe and use the bathroom, which makes noise. And eventually, I'm going to have to do eventually some laundry...our wash basket is overflowing.

From today onward, I'm trying only to feed Buttons in my presence [so far, she's on a hunger strike] and to spend more quiet time with her in the bathroom. I'm also leaning heavily on Feliway spray, Rescue Remedy, distance reiki from kind practitioners, and all the good vibes you're sending her way. Thank you – and please, keep the advice coming.

Moving
As I mentioned earlier in the month, because of RSS feed and irreconcilable coding problems, I'll be moving to a new blog address in 2009. Stay tuned. Happy New Year!

pastitsio

Everyone loves this rich, creamy Greek pasta made with tomato and Béchamel sauces. Architecturally speaking, Pastitsio has great “posture”; it resembles a lasagna, expect that it’s made with ziti. One taste of its exotic hints of cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice, and you’ll swear you just landed in Athens.


It’s a bit labor-intensive, so making the sauces ahead of times makes it more manageable. Trust me, this recipe is worth the effort. Here it is, cooling in the casserole.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

philly's most wanted cat :: captured!

A fierce ice storm was predicted for Saturday night. So early Saturday morning, I bundled up and ventured out to try to capture Buttons once more, hoping to bring her in from the cold before the double-whammy of bad weather that was about to blast Philadelphia. Based on past attempts, I did not expect to catch her, but miraculously...

...She walked right into the trap. I could not believe my eyes.


Here she is, in the hallway of my building, waiting to go to the vet. She let out quite a vociferous howl. For her, it must have felt like the equivalent of an alien abduction.


Luckily, we found a vet in the city who would see her on short notice.


Here, Omniman and the veterinary assistant work to transfer Buttons from the uncomfortable trap to a carrier.


Success!



A girl, most definitely. And there's a good chance she is Pablo's mama.


Buttons is filthy, has a bad case of fleas, and the tip of her left ear is missing, which you can see in this picture: sadly, it appears to have been frostbitten off. [For this reason, her full name is Buttons Van Gogh.] Otherwise, she's in good health. She'll get spayed next month, after she settles in. Despite all she's endured with the trapping, Buttons has been sweet and docile, but very, very shy. She allowed me to touch her at the vet's but I think she was just in shock. Based on the way she behaved, it's fairly safe to say she isn't feral–just abandoned or lost.


Now, Buttons is in our bathroom – the only room in our apartment with a door, sequestered from Bossa Nova and Pablo. She's hiding behind the washing machine and will not come out in our presence. It's hard; we don't want to disturb her, but we do need to use the bathroom and to shower. She eats and uses the litter box when we're away or asleep. We tried Feliway spray, but it hasn't helped. As one person put it, "She doesn't know she won the lottery yet."

Buttons' life has totally changed. She's used to the sounds of footsteps, sirens, horns and traffic. Now instead of living under a grate in the freezing cold, she's in a warm loft, eating premium cat food and getting used to the sounds of the garbage disposal, flushing toilets, and Latin jazz. If you have ideas or advice on how to help acclimate Buttons, please share. I need your help and Buttons needs your good vibes.

Please help the cats in your neighborhood get through the winter. For more information on how to help feral/stray cats, visit The Philadelphia Community Cat Council or Alley Cat Allies.

look, look! more from the book

Vidalia Onion Tart:
Sweet, creamy and savory

Served here with Pear-Pepper Chutney:
A balancing contrast.

Parsnips St. Jacques.
All the garlicky goodness of Coquilles St, Jacques; none of the cruelty.

Finer-Than-Diner Cinnamon Raisin Bread:
I wish you could smell my kitchen right now.


Meanwhile, from their perch above my kitchen, Bossa Nova and Pablo supervise.

Buttons: The Continuing Saga
Following the advice of Vegan Nutritionista, I camouflaged the trap with a towel. It worked. Buttons walked right in, but doh! I didn't put the food far enough back for him to step on the device that closes the trap. So I quietly snuck up behind him and tried to close the trap.

It didn't work. He got spooked and ran away. At least I know he will go into the trap. Eventually. Hopefully before it gets too cold.

booze-infused layer cake (for special occassions) & buttons update

Booze-Infused Layer Cake (for Special Occassions) from
"The Urban Vegan: 250 Street-Smart, Animal-Free Recipes"

Your brother-in-law Tom loves Kahlua. Your husband is a fan of Amaretto, and your best friend can’t do without her Jamaican Rum. I created this cake so you could personalize it with a heaping helping of their favorite tipple. The liqueur infuses the cake and frosting with added moistness and a subtle “je ne sais quoi.” It’s perfect for special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, and holiday parties. Or if you’ve had a really, really bad day, you can just make a cake for yourself.

Buttons is still too wary of the trap to take the bait.

Buttons Update
Those of you who have been following my blog know that I've been feeding and caring for Buttons, a street cat who lives in the alley behind my apartment, for the past year. Since he "talks" to me and occasionally even touches my hand with his paw from behind the safety of the grate under which he lives, I don't believe he is feral. He may have been lost or abandoned.

In any event, for the past few weeks, I've been trying – unsuccessfully – to trap Buttons, as you can see from the photo. I just can't bear the thought of this sweet cat spending another winter outside in the freezing cold. Once I catch Buttons, he's going to the vet to get neutered, checked out, de-flea-ed and bathed. And then, he will stay with us for awhile [even though we have zero room!]. I'll see if I can re-socialize him and teach him somehow to trust humans again. Then we'll try to find him a loving, forever home. But first things first. I still need to catch Buttons – and he is terribly suspicious of the trap. Please send me good thoughts and any suggestions.

Most of you already know that Pablo is also a former street kitten, who also lived under the grate with Buttons before I trapped him. I used to think Buttons was Pablo's mamma, but since I didn't see any kittens hanging 'round this year, I think Buttons is a boy. We'll see.

peppery party crackers and casting call

Peppery Party Crackers from "The Urban Vegan: 250 Street-Smart, Animal-Free Recipes"

Sure, you can drop $4 for a box of fancy crackers at a ritzy [yuk-yuk] gourmet shop. Or you can throw together a batch of these crispy little numbers for under $1. Making your own crackers may sound intimidating, but with the help of a food processor, it’s a snap and a surefire way to impress the hell out of your guests. These zippy crackers are perfect for dunking into your favorite dip or for supporting chunks of your favorite vegan cheese. A few homemade crackers also make a nice topping for soups.

To form the crackers, I use a pastry cutter because it’s quick and simple. But you can make them in any shape you want. You can even get all Martha Stewart on me and use small cookie cutters to create shapes that fit your party’s theme. (For example, use a wedding bell cutter for a bridal shower).

Casting Call
What's your vegan story? Eric of An Animal Friendly Life just got funding to complete his documentary "I'm Vegan." To be considered for casting, visit his film's web site.

Required Reading
If you're less than happy with your outdated kitchen, check out this excellent article by Mark Bittman which appeared in the Week in Review section in Sunday's New York Times. (The link will expire in a week unless you're a subscriber, so read ASAP.) It has implications that extend way beyond cooking.

panko-crusted tofu with raspberry-tamarind glaze

Tamarind from India. Panko from Japan. Raspberry jam from France. This is fusion cuisine at its best, and I love the fact that, as a city dweller, I can buy all the ingredients, including organic tofu, within a 3-block radius. The glaze is a unique blend of sweet, sour and earthy.

Omniman loved it and so did I. It's my new favorite dish.

3 food shots and a wedding

More cookbook food porn. Tapenade...a Provençal black olive spread with a bright hit of citrus.

Alternative Granola – alternative, because it uses dried quinoa and amaranth, in addition to the more traditional nuts and oats.

Chocolate-Pumpkin Bread Pudding, shown here with a scoop of vanilla soy ice cream. This has quickly become one of Omniman's new favorites.

Weekend wedding

My beautiful niece Kristin was married this weekend in Philadelphia. She's a hospital nurse and cares for newborns. Ken is an obstetrician; he delivers babies. How perfect is that? They make each other so happy and have so much fun together. I'm thrilled for them.

Doesn't Omniman look good in a suit? We snuck a photo in the ballroom at the Benjamin Franklin Hotel before the guests arrived. It looked especially lovely, decorated for the holidays.  

Philadelphia is known as "The City of Brotherly Love." We have a park, aptly named "Love Park," where one of Robert Indiana's famous LOVE sculptures is displayed prominently. So what would a Philly wedding be without its very own LOVE ice sculpture?

Look at the menu. "Vegan" is actually a dinner option! [Click on the photo to enlarge.] I love my niece and my new nephew.

prohibition, light show and another interview

With the upcoming cookbook, I've been – quite contentedly – slaving over hot stoves, steaming ovens and dirty dishes. Knowing I needed a little break, Omniman took me out for a surprise weeknight dinner at Prohibition, a new bar in our neighborhood that serves excellent pub grub. We started with the Beer-Batter Green Beans. They're a fun alternative to French fries. Skip the aoili dipping sauce, and they're vegan.


I ordered the grilled vegetable sandwich, sans cheese. It was good-n-greasy and comforting, like pub grub should be. They also serve nice wines in wine glasses so heavy that you can work out your biceps while you imbibe


On another note. I've been trying to get in the Christmas spirit. The light show at Macy's in the Wanamaker Building, one of Philadelphia's architectural gems, helped move the needle. This holiday light and organ show has been a Philly tradition since 1956. People travel from far and wide to see it. It really is magical– music pumping from a magnificent pipe organ, a rainbow of twinkling lights, dancing snowflakes [See them skiing down the balconies on the upper right?] , and kids mesmerized by something other than a video game. All this is encompassed within


Meanwhile, Bossa Nova naps on her favorite red chair, in the direct path of a heating vent. Pablo is still not 100%, but is much. much better. Thanks again for all your tips. I still have a lot to learn about his condition [interstitial cystitis] and appreciate any advice.

Lastly, the ever-informative VeganNutritionista recently interviewed me. If you get a chance, please check it out.

fat-free papaya salad and the latest on pablo

Fat-Free Papaya Salad from "The Urban Vegan: 250 Street-Smart, Animal Free Recipes"

Some readers complain that I [who? me?] use too much oil in my cooking. As you know, I always choose quality over quantity. I'd rather enjoy a teaspoon of something exceptionally good than wolf down a super-sized-but-fat-free plate of something sub-par that substitutes quantity for quality.

Papaya Salad is one of those rare dishes that needs no added fat. Like many Mexican and Asian salads, it's traditionally dressed with lime juice and a few other simple flavors. The citrus juice, garlic, sugar, and rice vinegar infuses the vegetables with a subtle sweet and sour essence that's both refreshing and unique.

Disclaimer: This salad is fat-free only if you opt not to add the traditional crumbled peanuts as a topping. As soon as I snapped the photo, the peanuts emerged from hiding! [Are you surprised]?

Pablo Update
Thanks to all of you for sending your love to Pablo. He was diagnosed with an episode of interstitial cystitis. He's doing much better and is back to running around the loft like a banshee. The vet says interstitial cystitis is often related to stress, and Pablo probably did not like the fact that Omni and I went away; he clings pretty closely to us and is a very affectionate, interactive boy. [If you could only imagine the guilt I felt after hearing that.]

For now, I just need to modify his diet slightly – less dry food and add water to his wet food – and keep an eye on him.

shitake on a shingle, more holiday travel tips and pablo

Here's a breakfast dish from the cookbook, Shitake on a Shingle, not to be confused with its slightly more vulgar-sounding cousin. Shitake mushrooms and tarragon – and the absence of dried chipped beef and– transform this lowbrow diner classic from trashy to classy.

Are you planning on flying over the holidays?
I was recently interviewed by Philadelphia City Paper, along with 2 other Philly veg*ns, regarding vegan air travel. Check out the article for some useful tips. [Addendum: If you're vegan and request an Asian vegan meal, you should still specify "no eggs and no honey."]


Lastly, and most importantly, please send some good vibes to Pablo. When we came back from Barbados, we noticed that there was blood in his urine and that he was visiting the litterbox every 5 minutes, poor little guy. He's at the vet's right now, getting tested. Stress sometimes triggers urinary tract infections in cats, and Pablo certainly does not like his daily routine changed. Here he is, on a happier day, playing with Bossa Nova while we made the bed. [Bossa is the lump under the sheet.]

our bajan vacation :: a photo essay

The kaleidoscopic Barbadian sunsets. The iridescent Caribbean Sea. The nightly chorus of whistling frogs. The reggae music pounding from the mini-van taxis. To the Bajans, it's just another day on the island. To us? A relaxing week in paradise.


At first, courtesy of the season's first snowstorm, shot from the windows at Philadelphia International Airport, Omniman and I were going nowhere fast.


Our plane even had to be de-iced, always a comforting thought.


So why then, do I look so happy and relaxed? Somehow, Omniman and I ended up in first class – even though we paid for economy class. [We didn't ask any questions. We just did as we were told.] Wine and leg room flowed freely, and for us, waiting three hours for the storm to pass was really not so bad. Would you believe that, even though I am 43 and have traveled a good bit for both business and pleasure, this was my very first first class experience? To be honest, I can't ever see myself actually paying extra for this luxury; I'd rather give the cash to charity. But the legroom did make a huge difference to 6' 2" Omniman, who in the past, has endured economy class to places as far away as India, Buenos Aires and the Middle East.



The next morning, we woke up to a stunning contrast: clear blue skies and a lush view of the pool from our hotel balcony.



Colorful sailboats on the beach just across the street from our hotel.



There's Omniman, enjoying a dip in the warm sea.


I brought along my new iPhone and was amazed to learn that I could get Internet reception on the beach.


But swimming, snorkeling and observing beach critters, like this little sand crab, proved to be much more meditative.


We enjoyed near-perfect weather. But one morning, we witnessed a brief shower, and then a beautiful rainbow appeared. Rainbows always remind me of my mom, who passed away in 1985. Whenever I see one, I know she is smiling at me from somewhere.


And now for the chow.
Being vegan in Barbados isn't as effortless as it is in some places; meat permeates most dishes, even baked beans and rice and pigeon peas. But with so many Rastafarians around, there are usually at least one or two veg options to choose from.


We ate breakfast at Bean 'n Bagel almost daily. My typical daily morning meal consisted of fried mushrooms on a sesame seed bagel, washed down with black coffee. These were the freshest bagels I've ever tasted.



Omniman loved their tropical shake.


Lovely lunch salad with mango-chili dressing, again from Bean 'n Bagel.


Veggie tostadas at El Sol. We had to wait more than an hour for this dinner. Getting used to "island time" was especially hard for 2 very hungry Northeastern city dwellers like us. We were hoping that Gordon Ramsay would magically appear to save the day.


Potato roti at Chefette, Barbados' home-grown fast food restaurant. Tasty, filling and only $3.


Veggie burger, again from Chefette. It almost looks sacred, doesn't it? The flavor certainly instilled a sense of devotion from me. I searched high and low for an ingredient list, to make sure these were vegan, but could not find one anywhere. [If anyone out there knows for sure, please let us know.]


"Chips," again courtesy of Chefette. [When we find something we like, we stick to it!] I'm not ordinarily a French fry person, but I could quickly become addicted to Chefette's version.


Two of our favorite beach snacks, Guava Cheese and Tamarind Balls, flavored with pepper. We loaded our suitcases with tons of these semi-healthy-but-sugary treats.



Rock cakes, authentically Bajan and vegan.

We left just as Bajan Independence Day was kicking off. During this festive weekend, people traditionally make "conkies," a steamed sweet made with coconut, raisins, sweet potatoes and almond extract, wrapped neatly in a banana leaf.


To think, Bajans enjoy these simple pleasures every day. Our second trip to this little island was more cleansing and relaxing than either of us could have expected.

flying south

Quince-Cranberry Sauce from "The Urban Vegan: 250 Street-Smart, Animal-Free Recipes"

Omniman and I are escaping the frigid weather by flying south for a week of much-needed relaxation in Barbados. [We found a great online deal earlier this year.] Life's been extra stressful lately: I've been juggling my full roster of freelance writing and creative direction projects, including a few articles for VegNews, in addition to writing the cookbook. It's like having another full-time job, but I love it. After all, I'm doing it for the animals – and, of course, for you lovely readers.

I leave you with a shot of the Quince-Cranberry Sauce from the cookbook, and links to a few of my Thanksgiving-friendly dessert recipes:

• Cranberry Upside-Down Cake
• Punka and Apple Pies
• Chocolate-Swirl Cheesecake [scroll down for recipe]

See you back here after December 1. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.

nouveau pot au feu

Nouveau Pot au Feu from "The Urban Vegan: Street-Smart, Animal-Free Recipes"

This is a classic country French recipe that, over the years, became wildly popular amongst French city dwellers. Meat-laden versions grace the menus of countless restaurants all across France. I call my version “Nouveau Pot au Feu” because it imparts all the traditional complexities of this slow-cooking stew with a new, meatless spin that also happens to be fat-free. Little bits of seitan add some texture, balancing out the tender autumnal vegetables.

When it comes to successful Pot au Feu, there are three secrets: good quality wine, good quality dark vegetable broth, and a long, slow simmer time. This recipe is perfect to make when you are snowed in or have an entire day to just putter around the apartment and occasionally stir the pot.


To be completely authentic, serve with a dollop of mustard, a dish of cornichons (tiny French pickles) and crusty whole grain bread for mopping up the complex broth.

pumpkin spice baby bundts, dinner out and moving notice

Pumpkin Spice Baby Bundts from
"The Urban Vegan: 250 Street-Smart, Animal-Free Recipes"

Living in the city means sharing – not a bad thing. We share seats in the subway, for example, and when we're driving, we share the road with bikers. We share public places like parks and libraries. And many cities, Philly included, offer environmentally friendly car shares and bike shares. It’s nice to know, though, that when you make these single serving mini cakes, you’ll never have to share your bundt cake. This pumpkin spice cake is moist and surprisingly light. Espresso powder adds a masculine shot of gravitas.


Dinner at Le Virtu

One nice thing about living in Philadelphia is that we have restaurants specializing in cuisine from just about every region of Italy. On Saturday night, Omniman and I dined out at Le Virtu, a popular South Philly restaurant that concentrates on food from the Abruzzi region of Italy. We started with the grilled vegetables. I especially loved the deliciously bittersweet radicchio.


For my entree, I ordered the Pasta al' Oglio. Flavorful and al dente, just the way I like it. My only complaint was that they used about 1 tsp of red pepper flakes in the sauce! That's too much, even for a spicy girl like me.


Dessert? A shot of Sambuca, festooned with 3 espresso beans. Traditionally, you light the beans, which then infuses the liqueur with a nice coffee backdrop. We asked the waiter to do it and he refused, supposedly for liability reasons. This made us laugh. So many restaurants flambé desserts and light fire to other dishes right at your table, just narrowly missing your eyebrows.

Watch for new blog address in the near future
Though I hate to leave the neighborhood, I have no choice. Many of you have written saying that RSS and Blogger feeds aren't picking up my posts; it's been a source of tremendous frustration to me. After some investigating, I learned that there's some bad code hidden somewhere in the 550+ blog posts I've written. I don't want to do it, but the easiest solution is to create a new blog address. I suppose it's good timing, with the upcoming publication of my new cookbook. Stay tuned: I'll let you know about the new blog address, probably by the end of the year.

wheat-free soft pretzels

First, thanks and hugs to all who answered my call for recipe testers.

I was touched and overwhelmed by the flood of responses, well wishes, and good vibes that you sent my way! I'm sorry so that I could not respond to the 200+ emails I received, but I now have enough testers. Please consider yourselves alternates. Thank you, again. XO

Cinnamon-sugar pretzel (top) and pretzel sprinkled with nutritional yeast and herbs

Speaking of recipes, here are the Wheat-Free Soft Pretzels that will appear in the cookbook. Philadelphia is synonymous with soft pretzels, slathered with mustard. You can buy them at street carts throughout the city. But to be honest, I’m not crazy about these giant hunks of white, processed flour. So using spelt flour, I made a less allergic, slightly healthier, much tastier version. I eat them plain, coated with lots of Earth Balance, or topped with either cinnamon sugar or nutritional yeast. They make wonderful lunch bag treats, plus they're fun to make.


Using a silpat mat makes working with the dough so easy: the dough doesn't stick, and clean-up is a breeze. First, roll the dough into long strips, then tie a little twist at the top of each.



Flip the "antennae" so that they reach the U-shaped "smile" at the bottom of the pretzel and voilà!



Ready for baking...


After baking, brush with melted Earth Balance. You can enjoy them right now, or...


Dip them in cinnamon sugar while they're still wet. Heaven!

the winner, the prize, and the big news

Bossa Nova flatly refuses to let all the excitement disturb her beauty rest.

Thanks to everyone for visiting and entering.
The winner? Our favorite PhD candidate – American-Aussie vegan, Theresa!

The prize(s)? Theresa actually gets TWO prizes. One prize right now: A $25 gift certificate to Peta Mall ...And one prize later which also happens to be my big news:

*drumroll*

A signed copy of...

"The Urban Vegan: 250 Street-Smart, Animal-Free Recipes"
tentatively scheduled for publication in late 2009

Thanks so much for supporting and reading my blog over the years. I'm writing this book for all of you, and I certainly could not do it without you.

A Call for Testers
I need about 15 recipe testers who can commit to testing at least 5 but ideally 30 recipes by February 7. Those who test 30 recipes will get a free book, and those who test at least 5 will get a mention in the book. Interested? E-mail me at theurbanvegan@yahoo.com with "TESTERS" in the subject line [Please don't leave off the "R!"].