raw sushi

I was so excited to make raw sushi because I could finally use my Nama Shoyu! I won Nama Shoyu in a blog contest. Nama Shoyu is a sort of 'raw' soysauce. Aged for years and imported from Japan.


So sushi....

For the Rice
head of cauliflower
agave
salt
rice wine vinegar

Combine ingredients together in a food processor

For the filling
obviously anything, we had limited veggies so we used cucumber, chard, lettuce. I recommend avocado, carrot, mung bean sprouts.


ps. isn't my plate great! I got it at the lonely pot sale for $10

i recently found out that gum has aspartame! I was shocked. Firstly because I read labels on everything just for sheer curiosity and somehow this has slipped my radar the past few years.; and secondly because I chew gum religiously, or did anyway.

Aspartame is so so so bad for you, anyone who drinks diet soda needs to stop. And if you know aspartame is bad and still drink diet soda, shame on you. It is linked to cancer, neurological damage, memory loss, etc. What irks me most about diet soda is that it is most Mormon's drug of choice (given the whole no coffee and tea thing[herbal is ok]). We Mormon's are lucky to have the Word of Wisdom, basic guidelines to keep you healthy and clear-minded, and we should embrace the spirit of this decree. Yet many members see the Word of Wisdom as restrictive and try to skirt the guidelines... so instead of drinking of coffee they drink soda (although I bet if soda existed in the 1800s it would be included in the WofW). Our bodies are gifts and should be treated as such.

Anyway, so apparently all sugarless gum has aspartame, anyone know of a good substitute?

Thai Dessert

We had the missionaries over for dinner tonight, and because this week was so crazy, I just didn't have time to cook a full meal. So we ordered thai take out, and I made some more tempeh lettuce wraps and a sticky rice dessert.
....once again, no measurements, just made it up as i went.

Coconut Mango Sticky Rice

Ingredients
1c. sticky rice (sushi rice)
2c. coconut milk (i used light)
1c. water or almond milk
fresh mango
fresh banana
shredded coconut
agave

Method
cook the rice using 1c. coconut milk and 1c.water/almond milk (reserve the other cup for later)
once liquid is absorbed, stir in remaining coconut milk, add agave to tase, stir in coconut flakes and leave some for garnish, cut fruit, you know the rest.

it was a big hit, i try to limit how much white rice i eat, so i doubt i will be making it often, but its a good treat.

Tempeh Lettuce Wraps

I came up with this recipe this evening when I really did not want to go to the store. It actually turned out great, so I will share it. Mind you, I never measure, so I have not given any measurements, just do what feel right.

For the wraps:
lettuce!
cucumber

Filling:
package of tempeh, marinated
onion
garlic
carrots

Marinade
Sesame oil
Chili oil
soy sauce

Dipping sauce: just combine the two rice wine vinegar
ginger sauce (from store)

Marinade tempeh, I was short on time so I only did 10 minutes, but longer is usually better. In a pan saute onions and garlic. Crumble the tempeh and add to the pan, cook until browned. Add carrots and continue to saute until carrots are softened.

if you are wondering why our food is on the floor,
we have been consigned to eating dinners down here
since our dining table has been converted to an apartment manager's office.

we also had vegan gyozas (just found in the freezer aisle of trader joes)

and the winner is...

4!

congratulations to angela! i want to thank all 5 of my participants, and I am sorry I couldn't make all of you winners...next time. if you still have an interest in teff, it can be found in the bulk section of most healthier markets. angela, shoot me an email at camillson@gmail.com with your mailing address, and i will send you some nutrient packed delciousness, as well as preparation ideas.

easy summer dinner

Salad with sauteed tofu

the salad is just lettuce, kale, tomatoes, and hemp seeds

the tofu was just cubed and thrown into a medium heat pan of olive oil. I seasoned it with oregano, basil, s&p, nutritional yeast, lemon juice.

for the dressing i blended tahini, parsley, lemon juice, honey, herbs. (the dressing was good, but not great)