Delusions of Grandeur

I am so excited right now. I just discovered someone wrote a blog post, about MY mac and cheese recipe!  I am ridiculously happy about this.  Sometimes I feel that my ramblings are only reaching my dear friends and family who feel obligated to read them, but it appears people I don't know are drinking my very-nearly-vegan kool aid too, hurray!  Another blogger posted my mac-and-cheese recipe (with a few of her own substitutions, natch!) and a link to my page, which I find absolutely flattering and I am deeply grateful for!  Please do me a favor and check out her super awesome blog too. 

http://creditcardhell.blogspot.com/2010/11/vegan-mac-n-cheese.html

Thanks again for the shout out, Allison!

As you can see here, I am basking in the warm glow of your recognition:

A mention on someone else's blog?  Can fame and fortune really be that far behind?  Ahhh, goodnight folks, can you tell I am up too late? :)

The Devil(ed potatoes) and Mrs. James

So over the holidays I totally fell off the wagon and ate dairy and eggs.  Sorry readers!  It was terrible of me, but don't worry, I paid the price. Heavily!  I gained five pounds between Thanksgiving and Christmas! Yikes!  So that pretty much settles the debate on whether or not vegan food is better for you or not, at least in my book anyway! On Christmas day I had some really, truly awesome deviled eggs.  They were so good, I can't even tell you.  Mmmm.  But the fact that they were good is no excuse!  Just like anything else, there is an AWESOME vegan substitute.  Really, I'm not kidding.  You will never miss deviled eggs as long as you have the recipe for..... are you ready for this?? 

Deviled Potatoes!  Yes, it's real.  The love child of deviled eggs and potato salad you've always wished existed!  Even if you didn't.... aren't you glad there is one?  They are pretty easy to make, too, so bonus!

You will need:
1 bag baby dutch potatoes (these are the best because they are egg shaped and thin-skinned, but really any potato of small size will do)
Plenty of Vegenaise
Sweet Relish (I use two tablespoons)
Hot sauce (just two dashes)
Minced onion (I use the dried kind, once again 2 tbs)
MOST IMPORTANT INGREDIENT: Liberal dose of Indian Black Salt, also known as Kala Namak.  Don't have this?  Don't bother making them. 
(You can buy it on Amazon if you can't find it at a store near you)
Squirt of mustard
2 dashes of turmeric, for color
Paprika

Instructions:

Boil potatoes till a fork can penetrate them.  Remove and run under cool water till they have cooled off.  Cut potatoes in half and scoop the centers out with a teaspoon.  Just make a nice divet.  Scoop the extra potato innards into a mixing bowl.  Add all the rest of the ingredients to taste (I, for instance like a lot of vegenaise, but not everyone does.), except for the paprika.  Mix well.  Reinsert into the divets you made into the potatoes, and sprinkle liberally with paprika.  I like to eat them instantaneously, but some people prefer them chilled.  I'll leave it up to your discretion. ;)

Your finished product should look something like this:

Aren't they cute?  They taste even better. :)  Enjoy!

Holidaze

Ok, so you might notice I have been MIA since Thanksgiving.  My apologies.  I hosted both Thanksgiving and Christmas this year, while simultaneously finishing the semester for school so sadly my blog was put on the back burner for a time.  But I plan to make it a priority again, starting now! 

I thought today I would start back up by sharing a fun vegan fact.  Anyone familiar with the Old Spice guy?  Also known by his real name as Isaiah Mustafa?  Turns out he's a vegan!  He had a blurb in a recent issue of People magazine where he mentioned it.  Isn't that cool?  Maybe a picture would help convince you:

Does this guy look like he isn't getting enough protein?  I think not. :)  Looks to me like a vegan diet has done his body good!  Show this to your family and friends the next time they question you.  It should be a short converstion. ;)