Thursday, April 7, 2011

Great News! A New Updated Version of Dining with Bill Irwin

Coming your way very soon will be the New Version of Dining with Bill Irwin. So stay tuned!!!!!!!

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Last of the reviews and plans for the next edition

I had been looking forward to the day when I could let up on cooking out of Bill's book but now that I am here, I find myself going back to it again, because I have become accustomed to a gourmet, plant based diet and can't settle for less. Now that I think of it "The Plant Based Gourmet" would be a great title for the new cookbook. What do you think?

Here are the two last reviews:

Falafel, pg 89, rated V+. Chris Rizzo made these for me and said he did not have a deep fryer and possibly did not have the oil hot enough in his fry pan to cook these properly. They, apparently, fell apart, rather than crisping up into nice neat little patties.

Raw Sweet Potato Salad, pg 48, rated V+. If you were trying to eat as much as possible raw, as many people believe is the healthiest way to go, then this would be a nice raw option but it is not a dish I would serve to company. Therefore, it recieved just the V+ rating.

One of the big benefits of this year of cooking is, of course, great health, but also I have learned so much about cooking: the different techniques, the wide variety of such things as vinegars, rice, pasta and spices. Who knew there were atleast 10 varieties of each!

Seriously, it has been fun and I will keep you posted as to where we go from here!

Friday, March 4, 2011

Celebrated with Julie and Julia last night

To wrap up the year of cooking Sam and I watched "Julie and Julia" last night. What a precious movie. I still don't know how she did it with 550 recipes. But the movie makes me fall in love with cooking all over again.

Let me finish the reviews before I tell you where we go from here:

Today, I finished the:

1. Pumpkin Nog, pg 6, and rated it V+. It would be nice in place of the regular egg nog that is served over the holidays. It need a little something and I can't quite figure out what it is.

2. Mariel Hemingway's Salad Dressing, pg 191, rated V++. This dressing is made with all raw vegetables so it is very healthy, as well as, delicious and very different.

3. Ginger Almond Pears, pg 178< rated V++ as it is delicious. A delightful surprise! Who would think that this was made with out sugar and yet a mouth watering delicacy.

4. AVocado Vichyssoise, pg16, Rated V++. The thick creamy texture is what I liked best. This soup tastes like it was full of cream, but there is not one drop of any dairy in it. This is easy to make and serves 8

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Starting all over again with the choice recipes

I have been waiting anxiously to finish all the recipes so that I finally can go back an cook some of my absolute favorites like Eggplant with Pinenuts which I served to company tonight! WOW was it delicious!!!!!!!!!!!! So now I'll keep cooking with Bill and continue to give review of all the items that have been cooked.


1. Tahini Sauce, pg 202, is mediocre compared to the tahini sauce listed on pg 89 which is heavenly

2. Green Herb Dressing, pg 190, rated V++. My good friend Chris Rizzo chipped in and made this dressing which he liked very much. It makes just enough dressing for one salad.

3. Brown Rice Salad, pg 21, Rated V++. Chris made this one too. He said it was a little on the spicy side, so you might want to cut the cayenne pepper down to 1T.
this salad serves 8 people.

4. Avocado Chowder, pg 15, rated V++. This was the most fascinating dish. It would make a lovely, first course for a summer lunch or dinner. Serve it as a cold chowder in a small bowl with a spoon. I will guarantee that you have never tasted anything like it. Delightful!

5. Swedish Sweet Mustard, pg 201, rated V++. This is well worth making because you cannot find anything like it in the supermarket. It is spicy so Sam loves it the way it is, but I like it diluted with 1/2 and 1/2 Veganaise. The flavor is unique and tantalizing to the tongue.

6. Garlic Ginger Vinaigrette, pg 190, rated V+. I used it on a spinach, orange and nut salad which may not be the right choice for this dressing. It has quite a lot of ginger in it which you may want to decrease. It makes 2 cups.

Can't wait to cook another V+++ recipe! Now that the pressure is off, I can just enjoy the ride.....................

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Today's winners are Cold Cucumber Soup and an Awesome Salad Dressing

Who would make cold cucumber Soup in the middle of the winter? Answer: Only someone who has to finish every recipe in a vegan cookbook before the deadline on friday.
Much to my delight, this soup tasted great on March 1st.

Cold Cucumber Soup, pg 25, rated V++. It is light and refreshing and a nice way to get your fresh vegetables without the usual salad. With the garnishes, it makes an attractive dish, as well.

Tomato, Red Pepper, Salad Dressing, pg203 rated V++ when mixed 1/2 and 1/2 with Veganaise. I did not like it as written but with Veganaise mixed in, it is incredibly delicious. Be creative with these recipes. I think that is one thing that Bill has taught me.

Monday, February 28, 2011

Wassel, Wild Rice Holiday Dressing and Olive Tapenade

Back home again and still wrapping up the year of cooking Bill's recipes. I just dis-covered a few I had missed so it is not over yet. I had mentioned that I was giving myself a little leeway because of the ten days I spent in Sweden, but I also need to take the five days I spent in Canada! So friday is the day I have to be done!

Then, I can't wait to go back and cook some of my favorite Bill recipes. If you have been cooking along with me, do you realize that you have given up salt and sugar as well as animal products. I will bet that you will find your cholesterol down, as well as, your blood pressure. My blood pressure is 128/62 which my doctor says is excellent for a 65 year old or for anyone for that matter! Keep Cookin'

Here are a few more items you might want to try:

1. Wassel, pg 8, rated V++. This warm, spiced, cider drink is delicious and warms you to the bone. Its sweet and spicy without sugar. I served it to all after a day on the slopes.

2. Wild rice Holiday Dressing, pg 204, rated V+. Very appetizing to look at and pleasing to taste. It seems more like a rice side dish than a traditional dressing. But, it was good tonight alongside vegan, chicken cutlets and cranberry sauce.

3. Olive Tapenade, pg 192, rated V++. This was exceptional. I served it with crusty bread alongside vegie lasagna and it was a huge hit. It is the kind of sauce that you want to put on everything. Guests kept saying, pass the tapenade! I guess that says it all!

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Sugarloaf Family Vacation with Wonderful Bill Irwin inspired meals

We had a fabulous 3 day getaway with our family at Sugarloaf Mountain Ski Area. My daughter-in-law's parents, Kim and Dana, have a lodge on a nearby river complete with hot tub that they invited to use. We all had a great time doing downhill, cross country, Hot tubing, cooking and eating.
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Kim helped me by cooking up 3 more excellent recipes:

1. Pasta with Chick Peas and Spinach, pg 121, rated V+. Kim used an excellent, new vegan, mozzerella type cheese made with almond milk. It melted just like the real deal and tasted great. This dish is perfect for a crowd as it serves 8.

2. Asparagus Salad with Fava Bean Sauce, pg 14, rated V++. We served this with the above pasta dish and it was a delighful surprise. As happens so often with Bill's recipes, I find myself wondering "Is this really going to taste good?....it sounds so peculiar." And then you taste it.... and wham-oo! Its incredible!".....and nutritious at the same time.

3. Avocado Chowder, pg15, Rated V++. This was another delightful surprise. How would a cold chowder made with only vegetables taste? The answer: fantastic!
This would be a wonderful first course for a summer meal, served in small individual bowls and garnished with a sprig of mint. I guarantee you that you have never tasted anything like it. And that is what is so exciting about this cookbook!
Its like a treasure hunt!

All recipes will be cooked by tomorrow but I will keep the reviews in small doses so nothing gets lost in the shuffle................

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