Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Cooking something new!

Recently I had an opportunity to make dinner for a vegan family. When I said I would, I didn't know they were vegan. So when I found out, the excitement began.
I looked through recipe books and Internet and here's what I made.



1. Tofu Gyoza(pot stickers with Tofu)

I found the recipe on Japanese cooking website. The filling is made with Tofu, green onion, cabbage, and garlic. And of course some spices such as soy sauce, ginger powder etc. They were gooood!!!

This is what it looks inside. It is whiter-because of Tofu anyway. Kids ate them too. It went well with soy sauce as a dip.
These were a little drier than pork ones but really healthy.

Tofu is like a magic ingredient- I am planning on making a treat using tofu soon.


2. Three bean soup

I found this recipe here. I actually made it my own version by adding vegetable stock, rosemary, and basil. Also, I cooked it longer since I like softer beans which makes the soup thicker and more home style ( my opinion). I ate it with sour cream and it was so yum. I found new love for soup!

I forgot to take a pic until later so not much in the bowl...

3. Veggie skewers


This is our stable- should I say. My husband and I love the little tart flavor that come from lemon juice and garlic salt that goes well especially when those zucchinis are still crispy. When mushrooms are coated in the sauce, it gets very soft and moist so you get the flavor with each bite you take. This recipe is for grilling veggies. You just put them on skewers and grill them while basting with herb mixture often. It makes great camping dinner. I just decided to sometimes not put them on skewers but separate and cook them in oven. This goes well with any dish- or maybe I think so because I love them!!!

4. Mini apple pie


It's hard to tell from this photo but it is actually 3 pieces here. I have been craving for apple pie - aren't they just simply good and comforting? Anyway, I didn't want to do pie crust so I used the spring roll skin, divided into 4 pieces and put them in mini muffin pan then baked them in oven. Then stuffed the apple pie filling inside.
Here's another picture.

I actually had my 12yrs old bake the spring roll. He was very curious to find out how it turns out. He loved it! I like the puffy pastry bite mixed with apple pie filling also so this will be a good alternative once in a while. You can change the filling and make it any appetizer you like!

I was really grateful that I had this opportunity to make non meat, non dairy meals. Eating healthier is one of my goal for this year and I believe I'm having such a good start! Cheers to ME! Yay!

6 comments:

  1. You are awesome! Everything looks delicious!

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  2. Definitely a HUGE cheers to you! The tofu gyoza looks amaaaaazing and I really want to try and make that now! I love tofu and I love gyoza! And I LOVE veggie skewers. YUM! Yay for eating healthier! It is definitely one of my goals this year as well.

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  3. it all sounds delicious - when are we going to get together and EAT!!

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  4. Cathy- Thank you!!! I'm AWESOME!!! Yay!!!! I am so encouraged now.

    Darah- (*゜▽゜ノノ゛☆ I'm clapping to myself! Haha! Did you grow up eating tofu? Do you eat sweet beans too? I'll be looking forward to your post about your food too! Yay!

    Yo- When everyone is healthy... sigh. Actually I think we should set a tentative date. I'll e-mail you on FB.

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  5. i will admit that i am not a huge fan of tofu and i am not sold on the whole vegan way of life... i really like my yogurt ;)

    BUT -- I HAVE had some verrrrrrry yummy-yummy gyoza shrimp before and it was amazing... so I can only imagine your tofu gyoza was good. besides - i LOVE your potstickers! this all looks great and now my mouth is watering!!!

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  6. Emma- If you don't like the texture of Tofu, it is hard to eat unless you put it in other food like meatloaf etc. Or maybe you can do the silken Tofu. That is my favorite since it is much smoother than firm ones.

    Gyoza shrimp sounds good! What else did it have with shrimp? Yum..... Now I am really craving for gyoza!!!!!

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