we're just getting started

Has everyone read my two part review of Skinny Bitch?  Have you all gone out and gotten a copy?  Excellent.  But that's not the end!  Just when you thought you were safe from another book review, Someone got bored of the three-shelf cookbook collection she already has and spent a little time browsing at Borders last Sunday...

I already own one cookbook by Robin Robertson and she is one of the most prolific authors in my lifestyle/cuisine, so it wasn't a far stretch to try out another one.  Vegan on the Cheap seemed like a good idea in these tough economic times, especially after another few hundred dollars dumped into a dying car and the end of the busy season at Mister's job.  Because I had already picked out my menu by the time I got the book, I held onto it until last night, when I flipped through it with my pen and a glass of Malbec.  I will review the book more thoroughly as I make more recipes, so let me share the upcoming menu: Everything comes from Vegan on the Cheap.

1. Garden Rotini and Chickpea Salad with Inner Goddess Dressing

2. Orzo Pilaf with Tofu Feta - I'm interested to see whose recipe for tofeta is better - Sarah's or Robin's - I'll let you know!

3. Penny-Pinching Pinto Picadillo

4. Barbecued Black Beans and Tofu Burritos

5. Savory Vegetable Cobbler - which I will most likely make tomorrow because of the complexity of the recipe as well as the anticipated coolest day yet.

Tonight, we had the 6th [unlisted] dinner:  Savory Sausage and Peppers on brown rice.

Although the entire first section of the book provides recipes on making ingredients you might pay handsomely for at the market - for example, veggie pepperoni, sausage, hummus, etc.  I did not make my own sausage, however, because two of the reasons I chose this recipe were sitting on the bottom shelf of my fridge, hoping to be eaten rather than forgotten.  I grabbed a potato from a bin marked with "Local red potatoes."  They looked like regular reds to me, but when I sliced it open at home, I found that it was red through and through!  In fact, after cooking, I was having a little trouble telling the difference between the tomatoes and potatoes!  I can honestly say that has never happened before.

To be even more honest, it was not as attractive or appetizing-looking as I wanted it to be.  It's a good thing I've learned that pretty food does not equal tasty food and the reverse, because although I wasn't all that excited to eat it, I couldn't put my fork down once I started.  The portion it made was perfect, too, which is fortunate since last night's dinner took up all the available leftover allotment in the fridge.

Tomorrow, I'm hoping to go to GreenFest Philly as long as it's not pouring.  If you're in the area, you should go, too!  It's a free street fest with food, demonstrations, clothes swaps and other vendors - see the website for a complete list. 

 See you there!