Aldi Veggie Patties

Aldi has always impressed me with their prices and their quality. I have finally tried their Veggie Patties and I need to talk about them. They have two versions. One is advertised as Vegan on the package. The other is also Vegan according to the ingredients, but a Black Bean Chipotle burger with the additive, Cellulose Gum.

unadjustednonraw_thumb_14e8unadjustednonraw_thumb_156aunadjustednonraw_thumb_156b

Other than that one additive, the ingredients are stated to be mostly Organic and Wholesome. These patties were baked in the oven. I noticed the quality of these patties immediately while placing them on my parchment paper. The Black Bean Chipotle burgers were a bit more flavorful, but not as healthy as the other Veggie burger. It is a funny game with the different levels of “healthy” foods. Both of these Patties are given two thumbs up and I am sold. At only $2.49 per four patties, with their quality and deliciousness, these are a no-brainer. I’ve been eating the Vegan Boca burgers for years now. They are delicious, but more expensive and with more additives. Methylcellulose, Caramel Color, Artificial Flavors, Disodium Guanylate and Disodium Inosinate do not sound appetizing and quite frankly is BULLSHIT to be added to food. Boca burgers are usually $3 + and basically a joke, if you ask me. (someone asked me, but it was myself:)

unadjustednonraw_thumb_1567unadjustednonraw_thumb_156dunadjustednonraw_thumb_1571

That’s one thing I have learned immediately after choosing the Vegetarian Lifestyle off was that the quicker easier non-meat options are filled with SHIT additives. I, as well as many of you, do not always have time to prepare wholesome food. This Aldi discovery is Euphoric. Not to mention, Aldi doing away with pesticides. I’m a bigger fan of Aldi, now, than I ever have been before.

unadjustednonraw_thumb_156funadjustednonraw_thumb_156e

More Wholesome food at a lower price, Aldi is attempting to change the world for the better with their own hands. THANK YOU.

Ⓥicotta Lasagna Stuffed Pi

Chicago-style stuffed pizza pies used to be prepared everyday by me. They are a lot of fun with endless possibilities. Remastering of this concept will take place eventually. This concept was an all day event and was rather exhausting, but absolutely fitting. Fresh homemade dough was not used. And the next time this concept takes place, the dough will be done much differently.

unadjustednonraw_thumb_145d

unadjustednonraw_thumb_1473unadjustednonraw_thumb_1468unadjustednonraw_thumb_1474

Back Burner Marina is a great starting point as it needs time to become greatness. It is simply constructed of Celery, Onion, Carrot, Veggie Broth, Garlic, Tomatoes galore, Basil, SeaSalt/Pepper/Sugar/GarlicPowder, Balsamic, Cayenne and TIME.

unadjustednonraw_thumb_1475unadjustednonraw_thumb_1476unadjustednonraw_thumb_1477unadjustednonraw_thumb_1434unadjustednonraw_thumb_1478unadjustednonraw_thumb_1479

The Ⓥicotta is a bit more complex. Eggplant was sliced and baked to be further chopped. Fennel Seed was thrown into the mortar and pestle to be slightly crushed with boiled Cashews. Thrown all together was the Eggplant, Fennel, Cashews, Garlic, Lime Juice, Molasses, Shallot, Spinach, Almond Milk, Balsamic Vinegar, SeaSalt, Pepper, Sugar, Liquid Smoke, GarlicPowder, OnionPowder and Cayenne. And the Pepe noodle balls 🙂

unadjustednonraw_thumb_147bunadjustednonraw_thumb_147cunadjustednonraw_thumb_147dunadjustednonraw_thumb_147eunadjustednonraw_thumb_1457

Noodles were boiled, drained, but not rinsed. Ⓥicotta was rolled up with the noodles. Dough was panned, while being nonstick Earth Balance was still utilized. Lasagna was put onto dough after Daiya and Back Burner Marinara. Dough was topped and sealed. The massive Pi was baked and then more Back Burner Marinara and Daiya was put on top to be broiled. This Pi was beastly.

unadjustednonraw_thumb_1481unadjustednonraw_thumb_1480unadjustednonraw_thumb_147funadjustednonraw_thumb_147a

Eat healthy. Drink quality. And enjoy your week as much as I will enjoy mine. 

unadjustednonraw_thumb_1482unadjustednonraw_thumb_1483unadjustednonraw_thumb_1484unadjustednonraw_thumb_1485unadjustednonraw_thumb_1486unadjustednonraw_thumb_1487unadjustednonraw_thumb_146b

Waffle Burgers w/ Potatoes

Global Warming and Climate Change is absolutely evident. Northern Illinois winters seem to be shrinking as if only January is truly winter. Maybe it’s el Nino, maybe it’s just this winter, but this Illinois winter was weak. February cycling, for me, this year has been extremely friendly. Outside time has been friendly as kitchen time, for me, has depleted.

I’ve been a huge fan of these Vegan frozen Waffles that I’ve come across as of recent. My grocery store has Vegan Boca burgers on sale, at the moment, so I purchased quite a few. Using Daiya, Tofurky Chorizo-style ‘meat’, Cilantro, BBQ Sauce and Vegenaise, I made some sandwiches.

Along with the sandwiches, Potatoes were made with Cilantro, Potatoes, Carrot, ‘cream cheese’, Fennel seed, Lemongrass, SeaSalt/Pepper, Serrano Peppers and Onion.

unadjustednonraw_thumb_141a

And to reiterate, Illinois is constantly inconsistent. It has been in the 60s for the last week and this weekend the lows will dip into the 20s with some snow. Gotta love it 🙂

Apple Peanut Burger

Find Vegan Waffles.

unadjustednonraw_thumb_12c8

Bake Vegan Waffles.

unadjustednonraw_thumb_12ca

Lather baked Vegan waffles with Earth Balance Coconut Spread.

unadjustednonraw_thumb_12dc

Generously spread Peanut Butter on Waffles.

unadjustednonraw_thumb_12cc

Slice Apples and deseed.

unadjustednonraw_thumb_12c7

Put sliced Apples on one side or both sides of the Waffles.

unadjustednonraw_thumb_12ce

Add a little Chocolate and combine the Waffles to create a delicious Sandwich.

unadjustednonraw_thumb_12d0

Have a great day!

unadjustednonraw_thumb_12dbunadjustednonraw_thumb_12da

Beefless Roll Pi

Even in my carnivorous (the dark ages) days, I never experienced a beef roll. Google is a powerful tool. And after a few image searches of a beef roll, wheels and gears were turning inside of my head piecing ingredients that I have on hand together like a puzzle. Spontaneous ideas are sometimes more creative than pondering a concept for a few days. Time works in mysterious ways. The Evolved Soup turned Veggie Burger worked perfectly in this application.

img_7235img_7223

Soup Evolution

img_7224_2img_7225_2img_7226_2img_7227_2img_7228_2

This was much easier than expected. I took a Pilsbury dough sheet (because I’m lazy and because I do not have a decent dough table/space) and spread it out to lather with (iUsed FollowYourHeart) Vegan Gourmet Shreds ‘cheese’, Evolved Soup Burger (Beans, Veggies, Rice, Daiya, etc), sautéed Carrot, Serrano, Onion and Celery, followed by more ‘cheese’. Roll pied. Flour was utilized with the dough, which eased the stickiness. The roll was cut and baked and garnished with Parsley. This is only the beginning of this idea.

img_7229_2img_7234_2

Soup Evolution

Soup making is one of my favorite things to do. And a big batch of Soup is usually made far away from sober. To me, life is to harsh to live sober. Life is stressful. Life is unfair. Life is as Awesome as you make it. Evolving food ideas is imbedded in the back of my brain like a shadow from a boiling hot star casting us life. Just Photos.

img_6408img_7193img_6440img_7194img_6601img_7196img_6433img_7197img_6430img_7203img_7204img_7205img_6608img_7206img_6427img_7207img_6602img_7208img_6873img_7023img_7022img_6692img_6948img_6874img_6609img_7089img_6663img_7090img_7095img_7080img_6668

Ⓥacquito (LBⓋ 19)

An idea of a Low Budget Vegan was epiphanized, sometime around November 19th, 2015, by yours truly. Originally, the concept was going to be ten separate LBⓋ recipe ideas with the cost of ingredients broken down by price by serving to be added up in an overall price by serving sum. LBⓋ 10/10 was reached and I decided to keep going. Not that non-imaginary readers actually read these bloggings. I mean, why would anyone with all the improper english and run-on sentences. If it weren’t for the pictures, even I would lose interest. Anyways.

img_7142

Ingredients (servings per package) = cost of package @ cost per serving

img_7038

It’s Super Bowl Sunday, let’s enjoy a beverage, because it is still not baseball season yet.

img_7026

  • Refried Beans w/ Lime (3.5) = $1.39 @ $0.40 per serving
  • Red Beans (3.5) = $1.18 @ $0.34 per serving
  • Corn (3.5) = $0.95 @ $0.27 per serving
  • Serrano (3) = $0.22 @ $0.08 per serving
  • Boca ‘meat’ Crumbles (6) = $3.99 @ $0.67 per serving
  • Brown Rice (11) = $2.12 @ $0.19 per serving
  • Seasonings (SeaSalt/OnionP/GarlicP/Pepper) = $0.04 per serving
  • Onion (4) = $0.80 @ $0.20 per serving
  • Celery (5.5) = $1.67 @ $0.30 per serving
  • Carrot (7) = $0.99 @ $0.14 per serving
  • Blackeyed Peas (3.5) = $0.99 @ $0.28 per serving
  • Guacamole (12) = $1.97 @ $0.16 per serving
  • Cilantro (20) = $0.99 @ $0.05 per serving
  • Tortilla (8) = $1.19 @ $0.15 per serving

Summing to $3.27 per serving, the price isn’t as friendly as the amount of delicious food you get for the buck. The rule of thumb is that canned food can be much more expensive than dry beans and other options.

img_7188img_7189img_7190img_7191

Bringing water to a good simmer, I finely chopped my Onion, Celery, Serrano and Carrot to add into the water with seasonings and Brown Rice. Bringing to a boil, I stirred and then covered and reduced heat. The Beans, Corn and ‘meat’ were heated in a skillet and then rolled into the Tortillas to be baked for a few minutes. Garnished with Guacamole and Cilantro, feel free to make a Ⓥacquito Taco Salad, also.

img_7210

Quality pictures. Good Beers. Healthy and Wellbeings.

img_7140

 

 

Countdown to Pi Dai (2)

daiya pi burgi

I have a new theory. Studies have shown, in a sense, the same theory with sunlight. People are generally much happier when they experience more sun. People who do not experience a surplus of sunlight are generally not as happy as to those showered in vastly radiant sunshine. Recently, I jumped on the “artificial daylight” bandwagon with LED lightbulbs. They are extremely bright with use of less energy. They are daylight Light-Emitting Diodes that generally make me happier anytime I need artificial lighting to see than my old standard power-sucking light bulbs. Maybe it’s the brighter, cleaner artificial light that makes me happier. Maybe it’s the economical perks that make me happier. Maybe it’s the combination of the many pros without a single con. LEDs are Smart. LEDs are beyond electricity.

img_6976

Beyond cheese. Beyond cream. Beyond meat. To infinity and Beyond.

img_6987

Beast Burger

img_7016img_7017img_7014img_7018img_7019

This concept is basically a modular (home) sandwich. Separate sandwiches are constructed before combining into one.

img_7011img_7013

Daiya ‘cheese’ lover Pizza is baked and sliced into four sandwich sized pieces. Whole Wheat Bread is grilled on both sides and set aside for a few minutes. The daiya pi wiches were constructed with Daiya slices under the Pizza on the grilled Bread. The sandwiches were lathering with Earth Balance Coconut Spread to be set aside after grilling both sides.

img_6948

Onion Bagels smothered with Earth Balance Coconut Oil were grilled on the flats (insides.) A Beyond Meat Beast Burger was baked before baking the patty in Garlic Chipotle Molasses which consists of Garlic Sauce (boiled Potato, Cashew and Onion blended down with Garlic, Veggie Broth, Crushed Red Pepper, SeaSalt, Pepper, Paprika, Sugar, Garlic P, Parsley and Instant Mashed Potatoes to help find consistency.), Chipotle Sauce, Chipotle P, Molasses, Paprika, Balsamic Vinegar, Sugar, SeaSalt, Cumin and Mustard.

img_5696

img_7015

The grilled Onion Bagels were generously smeared with Tofutti Herbs & Chives Better Than Cream Cheese. The two halves were constructed with Daiya slices melted on top. A Beast Burger was between the two halves when they folded together, smartly pointing the Daiya Pi face up and infusing non dairy with meatless protein greatness. A plant based massacre has unfolded with delicious Craft Beers.

img_6971

Happy February!

img_7009

I used to think and almost judge February for its unique spelling and constantly wonder why January isn’t spelt very similarly. Janruary? I’ve figured out that there is nothing wrong with one being different than the other. Excepting things that aren’t normal are a way of life and should be the way of the world. Cheers!

img_7008

Countdown to Pi Dai (1)

Being a dropout math/engineering major, I still have a strong connection with 3.14, Pi Day, every year starting with my birth. Not knowing what Pi Day was on 3.14.1985, I still celebrated 3.14 every year. I don’t think my first sip of Beer was until 1989, probably not on 3.14, but usually (good) Beers are involved. I’m going to make various pies through March 14, 2017. Here is number one.

img_6830

SHEPARDLESSPOINTONEFOUR

bwns1704

…is a Vegan play of food from the recipe Shepards Pie, commonly a meat dish. Let’s tear shit up with this one and kill so many different plants. If you consume plants, it does state that you (and I) hate plants. Therefore, I eat and murder so many plants. I do, however, LOVE animals and good health. I do not take part in animal consumption.

Ⓥravy

img_6823

Slight oil and Garlic was heated to destroy diced Celery, Carrot and Onion. Balsamic Vinegar, Molasses, Bay leaves, Veggie Broth, with seasonings (Sugar, Salt, Pepper, Paprika & Garlic Powder) were cooked down for a good while before being blended (after Bay leaves were removed:)

NeatⓋeatFri

img_6822

Protein was prepared for the base of this wonderful activity. Along with protein was fiber. Without any blood clotting properties, I pan-fried Sunflower Seeds (unsalted), Tempeh, Red Beans, Lightlife ‘beef’, Tomato, Onion, Celery, Carrot and similar seasonings.

Chunky Ⓥashed Potatoes

img_6821

Baked potatoes were chopped and mixed with simmering Almond Milk, chopped Avocado, Tofu, Salt, Pepper, Garlic & Onion Powder, Cayenne and then later Instant Mashed Potatoes, Daiya, Fakin’ Bacon and Scallions.

img_6819

The construction is simple:

img_6861

Neat Ⓥeat Fri

Ⓥravy

Corn and Peas

Chunky Ⓥashed Potatoes

Daiya

img_6860

Have some fun as the days are becoming longer. img_6869img_6871