Ten Reasons Why the Desert > Illinois Winters
DaiyaMelt Salad
A new Veggie patty was experienced and enjoyed the other day, differently.
The All-American Ⓥ patty was pan-fried in light oil to be set aside. Good Bread was fried appropriately with Earth Balance “butter” before being crafted with Daiya, Ketchup, Mustard, Grilled Onions and Pickles. Lathered with more Earth Balance, the patty was added and pan-fried, lastly.
Lettuce, Sunflower Seeds, Tomato, Northern Beans, Cucumber and grilled Jalapeno were topped with a Plant-Based protein-heavy Daiya Melt Sandwich, cubed.
A different take on an American ‘burger’ to be eaten with a forking fork without animal harm or discomfort.
CHEERS.
Taquito Tuesday
Ⓥegan (ready-to-cook) Taquitos do exist! They were delicious, yet expensive. These Ⓥegan Taquitos needed something to compliment their amazingness.
Ⓥegan Queso was prepared by simmering GarlicPowder/SeaSalt/Pepper/ChipotlePowder, Yellow/Green/Orange/Red Bell Peppers and Beyond Meat Crumbles in Veggie broth. After the mixture cooked down, Ⓥ Cream was added with a few slices of Daiya. Consistency was achieved and then transferred to be enjoyed with the Ⓥ Taquitos!
CHEERS
Ⓥotatorito
Happy Monday and Blackjack from the desert valley in Arizona.
Twenty-one days have passed in my Arizona-resident-acclimation.
Things are progressing well.
O’Brien Potatoes were roasted and broiled before being tossed in Earth Balance ‘butter’ and Daiya.
In a separate pot, Pickle Juice, Pepper and Garlic Powder were brought to a simmer. Northern Beans, (Instant) Brown/Quinoa/Wild Rice mixture, Beyond Meat Crumbles were added and heated until the Pickle Juiced infused and evaporated.
After the Daiya melted, the two seperate concoctions were combined with chopped Dill Pickles. Tortillas were warmed. Tortillas were stuffed and folded.
CHEERS.
Maybe
Just maybe, did I get hit by a car, never saw it coming and do not recall.
Maybe, I crashed in an airplane.
Maybe, I wrestled a bear and did not win.
Maybe, a cactus hug went too far.
The desert valley of Arizona is amazingly beautiful.
Maybe this is Heaven.
BBQ SEITAN
Happy Friday! Too long has passed since my last homemade Seitan exploration, however, this time around was extremely enjoyable.
As some know, I’m a huge baseball // Chicago Cubs fan. And possibly in a previous post, some may have read about my voyage west soon. Ironically, the Arizona Diamondbacks are in Chicago, this weekend, playing the Cubs. This weekend also happens to be my last weekend, for me, in Illinois as I will partake in my first ever one-way flight to Phoenix, Arizona. Additionally ironic, my first weekend as an Arizonian is next weekend where the Chicago Cubs will be in Phoenix to play the Diamondbacks.
This Seitan batch included Vital Wheat Gluten, Fennel Seed, Sesame Seed, Sea Salt, White Pepper, Garlic, Tomato Sauce, Water and Cayenne. After mixing and kneading, the loaf was wrapped in a dairy-free Cheese Cloth. In a pot, Veggie Broth, Bay Leaves, cracked Pepper, Sea Salt and Garlic Powder we’re combined. The Seitan loaf roasted in this mixture, turning and flipping halfway through.
The Seitan was sliced thickly and panfried on both sides for color//texture. Tomato Sauce, Liquid Smoke, BBQ Sauce, Chipotle Powder, Tarragon, Pepper and Brown Sugar were generously mixed and lathered all over the Seitan before being baked. Sliced, relathered and additionally baked, the Seitan concluded.
Happy Easter!
CHEERS – sent from my iPhone
Arizona Bound
Happy Spring! Exciting news awaits as it is in the mid 60s here, today, in Northern Illinois.
A little over one week ago, I was hired for a retail position in Peoria, AZ. And within a week, I’ve hired a moving service, signed a lease, gotten a raise and gave a two-week notice. I will not dive into details about my job, but rest assured, I’m in great hands.
A one-way flight and a little packing is all that is left. The excitement is immense and the number of adventures to come are endless being less than 300 km from California or Mexico, just over 500 km from Las Vegas, less than 1,000 km from the Rocky Mountains and roughly 350 km from The Grand Canyon.
#NeverStopExploring
Being a sunshine addict, Arizona is perfect for myself to strive and thrive all year round. Strategically, my residence and workplace are at the center of a trail intersection.
Elote en Ⓥaso (Mexican-style Street Corn) GONE Vegan was simplistic. Corn Kernels seasoned with Hot Sauce, Sea Salt, Pepper and Garlic Powder were stirred in Ⓥ ‘cream’ and heated generously. A few pieces of Daiya were tossed in with Ⓥ Crumbles. Cilantro and Scallions were mixed in at the very end. After spooning corn in a glass, Ⓥ ‘sour cream’ topped the tasty corn with Chipotle Powder sprinkled on top. Lime and Radish garnished this Corn fiesta.
CHEERS.
Wingless Street Corn
Let your Kernels roam free. Eat your wings without murder. Let your taste buds Evolve.
‘Milk’, Chipotle seasoning, Lime Juice, Sea Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder and Daiya simmered in-between boiling before adding Pico de Gallo, chopped roasted Tofu, chopped Celery, Cilantro and Corn Kernels. Vegan ‘Sour Cream’ was mixed with drained Cornness to be simply served as Street Corn. However…..
Field Roast ‘Fruffalo Wings’ were baked in the oven while the Buffalo sauce was defrosted and panned. The ‘Wings’ were stirred in before adding to the Corn concoction.
“Good people drink good Beer.” Great people drink great Beer, responsibly.
CHEERS
ⓋUKKER
I consistently dare myself every so often to make a thrashing Vegan sandwich, upgrading my prior try.
Grilled Peppers, roasted Peppers, fried Morning Star pulled ‘pork’, MUSTARD, Daiya, LightLife, Beans, Rice, Carrots and various seasonings, combined into mega over the TOP.
I do not want to coach anyone in preparing food, I want to influence many to have fun and experiment. Push the limits of the brain. Think differently. Think fun.
Sometimes, it’s a one person mosh-pit. Happy Wednesday!
Cheers.
Pliny the Elder
Good Beer speaks many words, Great Beer inspires people. I made a Vegan Dawg almost as if I were elderly while enjoying a perfect Beer.
The dawgs were boiled in extremely flavored broth with a good tablespoon of Tikka. The dawgs were majoritally grilled before returning to the boiling. These Lightlife wieners were not at all excited, but very limp until covering and melting Ⓥ ‘cheese’ onto.
Relish consisted of Tomatoes, Onions, Cilantro, Black Beans, Jalapeño, Garlic, Horseradish and diced Pickles.
Pliney the Elder from Russian River Brewing out west in northern California was enjoyed more than concentrating on these dawgs. The Double IPA was a perfect Beer, however, it is extremely hard to get. Great for the locals or close-byers, but not for us Illinoisans. The Beer would’ve achieved a perfect beer scoring on Untappd, but was brought down to an imperfect score due to its unattainability. Happy Thursday!
Cheers.
VeggHead BeerCyclist 