Sept 29 & 30th (2 more meals cooked)

Tonight, we had a most delicious meal: Eggplant and Ziti Casserole, pg 83. It rated check ++. This is a great meal for company as it serves 8-10 people and can be prepped and in the oven before company arrives. The cream sauce topping gives the whole dish a wonderful consistency. Everyone at our table tonight loved it: Josh 17, Loren 30, Sam 65, Ruth__, and May 98.5! By the way, Sam just had a check up and the doctor reported him to be in excellent health with blood pressure and cholesteral way down from last year when he was eating a meat based rather than a plant based diet.

The second recipe cooked was Macaroni and Cheezless pg 114. This rated check + and was served with broccoli and a salad with Bill's peanut dressing which made a great combo.

I have some very exciting news to share with you tomorrow. Stay tuned.........

Tomato Dill Soup Check++

Another great soup and a good way to use up all those wonderful tomatoes in your garden. I used all fresh herbs from my herb garden and the result was awesome.

Tomorrow we are going to the Common Ground Country Fair put on by the Maine Organic Farmer's association, so I am sure I will be able to get some wonderful, healthy, vegan fare. I encourage you to go to this great fair in Unity, Me. Maybe I'll see you there.............

Roasted Creamy Tomato Soup check ++

With all the tomatoes abounding in our garden, this was a natural choice. The recipe is on pg 49 and it serves 4 people. I did not use the optional parmesan and thought it was great without it. the chunky texture of the soup is very appealing. As usual, since my mother doesn't like spicey food, I put the crushed red pepper on the table for each to use as they desire.

The soup along with a salad and bread makes a great meal!

Sam and some friends from church went up to Bill and Debra Irwin's place today to help on the construction of their new timberframe home. They are hoping to get it closed in before the snow flies and in Sebec, Maine it flies early!

Sept 20th Basil Pesto check +++

Tonight, we had an absolutely delicious meal using Bill's Basil Pesto (pg 187). We all rated it check +++. This is the best vegan pesto I've ever tasted. I served it over whole wheat penne pasta along with side salad made with fresh sliced tomatoes tossed with Veganaise. The juice from the salad flowed into the pasta and the combination was heavenly.

We always keep crushed red pepper on the table along with Braggs in a spray bottle as everyone in our family likes things seasoned differently. I found a dash of each brought the pasta to a gourmet level. Using 1 lb of pasta and 2/3 of the pesto, this dish serves eight and would be great for company.

I will use the remaining pesto to make grilled tomato, vegan cheese and pesto sandwiches. Its a great combo. Try it..........

Swedish Wedding

 

Here is the photo I promised you of Loren and Maja's wedding in Sweden. The dress code for the wedding was vintage so they are both wearing antique outfits (looks just like what Sam and I wore to the prom in High School...does that make us antiques?...I think the answer is yes!)

So tonight, we had Bill's Spaghetti Squash in Marinara Sauce (pg 140). It was so good. check++
the only thing I must caution you about is microwaving the Squash whole. I pierced it in several places but apparently not enough because all of a sudden I heard what sounded like an enormous explosion. I thought someone crashed into the side of our house but low and behold it was the spaghetti squash. Luckily, it only split in two and other than the seeds being sprayed all over the microwave, it was totally salvagable! Try it (not the explosion but the recipe). You will love it.

Back from Sweden

It was a dream trip. Everything was perfect. We love Sweden and our new family members over there. What wonderful people the Swedes are and great cooks too!
Can you believe the whole wedding buffet was vegetarian and fabulous? I will put up some photos soon.

While I was away, my brother and sister in law stayed here with my mother and baked Bill's Roasted Vegetable Salad pg 51. They loved it and rated it check ++.

Tonight, I made Asparagus and Mushroom soup which went over well with everyone and I rated it check ++. I did not use the fennel but added Braggs instead and also made a little basic cream sauce with flour and Earth Balance (which we use instead of butter) and added that to give it more of a tradional mushroom soup look and taste.

It worked!........more tomorrow

I