My Daily Bread...sometimes rice

sprouted mung bean maki sushi

When it comes to mealtime, the spectrum goes from mundane grub to gourmet. Most families rotate the same handful of dishes week after week, while others travel the culinary world in search of new cuisine. 

 

Some people simply eat to live while others truly live to eat. Do you know someone that would skip eating if they could, that see lunch as an interruption to their busy day? Do you know someone that moments after finishing lunch, have their mind on what's for dinner?

Above, miso sprouted mung bean red pepper sushi, using zucchini in place of nori. Nori can be used for rolling, but it doesn't hold up unless served right away.
 
I wouldn't say I live to eat, but I do find a good meal uplifting, setting the tone for what I do next. A very short menu of recipes items is what I typically draw from each day. More often than not, what can be made in fifteen minutes and needing no more than 5 ingredients wins.

wild blueberry raw cheesecake

When I don't have fifteen minutes, I'll usually have some leftovers in the fridge to fall back on. Definitely making large batches that last a few meals is a big time saver.

To the left, raw wild blueberry cheesecake with pecan crust. Cashews and bananas make the perfect base.

SUPERFOOD PACKED LIFE SAVER

Every morning I start out with a protein shake with one or two scoops of Brendan Brazier's Vega. As the best snack ever, dip a ripe banana in raw almond butter and then in the choc Vega. Try it sooner vs later.

(from anywhere across North America you can get it from Ryan and Courtney, the cool people at Vegan Essentials, or from Giacomo, raw food vegan bodybuilder, at Vegan Proteins)

Taking pictures of food has become a good habit for me. It's nice to be able to share a fun little visual journal of some of the food I've made for others and myself over the past year or so. Again, keep in mind that I don't eat like this all the time.

VEGAN THANKSGIVING

THANKSGIVING DESSERT - MAPLE PEAR PIE

Maple tempeh (marinated in maple syrup, garlic, agave, balsamic vinegar & olive oil), roasted green beans, carrots, mashed potatoes and peppered mushroom gravy.  
Savory seitan roast (wheat gluten with vegetable stock, garlic & sesame seed oil), wild rice cherry stuffing, Brussels sprouts, carrots and broccoli.

Above, rustic pizza (sauteing the mushrooms with garlic before topping the pizza adds all the more flavor) and two-bite seitan wellington (pastry can be filled with homemade seitan, Tofurky or walnut & mushroom filling).

FAJITAS ARE FUN

Instead of bell peppers I cooked marinated chayote squash. Chayote has great texture and holds flavors well. The protein was strips of seitan, wheat protein, brushed with garlic oil and baked til lightly crispy. Homemade salsa and mexi rice rounded out the toppings. Napa cabbage and lettuce leaves are fresher alternatives to tortillas.

90 of these raw coconut butter pecan cheesecake cups were made for a party recently. Coconut, pecans, cashews and banana form the base.

Below, broccoli napa ramen. Vegetable stock heavy on the ginger and scallion, with some sesame seed oil.

NOODLES & NACHOS