My first day as a vegetarian...

[kathryn]

Now... does
>anyone know what I should do with the package of tofu that I
>bought yesterday??

Depends on what kind it is. If it's in water, then drain it, cut it into chunks, and sauté it (in oil or in some cooking sherry, mirin--japanese cooking sake--or a mixture of both), add some chopped veggies and soy sauce or other seasonings to make a stir fry. (To make the tofu firmer, you can wrap it in a dishtowel, put it on a plate with a plate on top weighted with a heavy object, and press out some more water before sautéing.

You can also sauté some onions and red peppers (and whatever other veggies you like), add crumbled tofu with a sprinkle of nutritional yeast (gives a "cheesy" taste), a dash of tumeric (for color) and some salt and pepper to taste (and some garlic powder or salt if you like). Eat it as scrambled tofu, or mash the tofu down in the pan and let it cook some more to make a "Frittata."

If it's aceptically packaged tofu (the kind you don't have to refrigerate, like Mori-Nu), blend it and use it as a base for pudding or a dip.

 

[kathryn]

>1 ripe medium banana, peeled and sliced
>1 1/4 cups orange juice
>1 cup frozen blueberries or raspberries
>1/2 cup silken tofu
>2 ice cubes, crushed
>1 Tbsp. sugar, or to taste


If the banana is ripe enough, you probably won't even need the sugar. I never put any in my smoothies (though if I don't use a banana, I sometimes add some stevia).

 

[kathryn]

>I will definitely check out that book you recommended! Dairy
>free baked goods??? I didn't know there was such a thing!
>
>
Another great vegan baked goods cookbook is "Simple Treats." Very tasty!

Here's the blurb on it from www.veganessentials.com (a wonderful source of vegan goods):

"If you've had the pleasure of trying some of the delightful vegan baked goodies that Simple Treats Bakery makes, you'll know what a treasure this new cookbook is to vegans with a sweet tooth! With 114 pages of delicious dairy-free recipes for muffins, loaves, breads, cakes, pies and cookies, you'll find a perfect dessert or treat for any occasion. There's even a whole chapter devoted to heavenly recipes for vegan frostings, glazes and crèmes! 128 pages. $12.95. "

 

[Rose11]

Good for you. I tried it when I was a freshman in college for a couple of years and then I went back to eating chicken and fish a couple of days a week. I still eat soy products (lots of them soy meats, beans, soymilk, etc.) and most of my food is organic, but I can't be without meat ever again. I also eat lean red meat about once a month. Oh and by the way, I never liked tofu. I just ate tofu at a vegan restaurant over here where they made pasta with tofu (as a way of substituting it for cheese) with tomato sauce and veggies. It is delicious and it's the only way I eat tofu.

 

[saia11]

Thanks Angie! I'm partying hard this weekend for it, but it's so worth it. I'll be begging to join the "No-sweets" crown on Monday just to feel clean again:9
Mattea

 

[Mckmain]

Great job Emily!!! It was a bit difficult for me the first 2 weeks as my body was detoxifying. Getting a good salad dressing was a real key for me then.

As far as Tofu, there is a great recipe in ETL pg.221 Tofu Chow Mein. It makes ALOT!
I use Extra Firm and like Kathyrn said...squeeze out the excess water. I normally grate it for recipes. I also really liked the baked tofu you can get in most health food stores. It does have alot of sodium though. I grate it and just stirfry it up with various veggies. It is delicious! As far as cheese. I gave it up years ago, not sure why. But the best Vegan cheese IMO is a brand called Vegan Rella. Most of the other so called veggie cheeses use casein (a milk product).

My Pastor constantly teases me about being Vegan now...he has been all his life. He'll say "Carole did you ever think 2 years ago you'd be doing this?"...my answer of course is NO WAY!

Like Kathryn I never put any extra sweeteners at all in my smoothies, I like the taste of the fruit. I did try Date sugar once...didn't notice any difference.

Lunacat...I like being on the dark side with you!!

My weakness has never been sugar but salt. But of course I have found some Vegan chips without transfat......Carole

 

[Rebecca11]

I haven't gotten to read all the responses so sorry if I repeat at all . I eat egg and dairy products and occasionally fish I try to buy all free-range and humane. I myself do not like tofu but the the morning star and boca products are great. I use soy crumbles alot, for tacos, sloppy joes, on pizza, you name it where ever you would use hamburger you can use the crumbles, I swear you can't tell the difference, and boca's marinara burgers are wonderful! I'm also like you, I LOVE cheese and have drastically cut down, it really wasn't has hard as I thought it would be to cut down so that was a plus. Good luck! Rebecca