I like food

Thank you everyone for reading, commenting, emailing and messaging me about my last post! It's so nice to hear feedback of fellow moms that made it through their children being 2.

Dave came home for a few days this week. It has been nice to have him here but he will be heading back out soon. Good thing my parents will be taking his place. Elinor and I are excited to see them.

and here is the food...

Pho. I've been craving it for so long but didn't know where in our area has a good vegan option. I went searching for this vegetarian pho soup base. I couldn't find it so I subbed ginger miso broth, baked some tofu, added cilantro, shredded carrots and mung bean sprouts with rice noodles. I topped mine with sriracha. It was exactly what I had been wanting. I made all of the rice noodles and ended up eating leftovers for lunch the next day and dinner the day after day. I think I need to keep rice noodle in stock here. It is so easy just to throw this together for lunches.

 When I was trying to get over my sickness, I made a green smoothie. I added spinach, ginger, a little bit of apple juice, oranges, carrots, bananas, strawberries and a date. Elinor liked it so much she drank all of hers and half of mine. 

Yesterday my friend texted me "Vegan Shamrock Shake!" with a recipe. I happened to have everything so we made one after dinner. 1 can of coconut milk, 1 avocado, 2-3 tbsp of agave, 1 cup ice, 1 tbsp vanilla extract and 1 tsp of peppermint extract. 

We probably only added half of the extracts. Any time I've used peppermint, it is way too overwhelming. We also added a few chocolate chips. I haven't had a shamrock shake so I don't know how to compare it but this was so creamy and sweet. Just like a milkshake. I don't think I have ever used coconut milk for a shake before but now I'm going to do it more.

 We used to make a pizza just about every friday night. Since we moved the Whole Foods here doesn't have our favorite premade pizza dough. We had tried the Trader Joe's one in MA and didn't like it. While shopping at TJ's the other day I grabbed some dough to try it out again. Elinor helped me make it which went pretty well until after the sauce was on, she started stabbing the dough and making holes in the bottom. Slight set back but she did a great job putting the toppings on. We decided on red peppers, onions and pineapples. It was one of the best pizzas I've had in awhile. The dough was nothing like the one we had tried before. We will have to buy more next shopping trip.

 I also used to make enchiladas weekly. It is one of Dave's favorites. But then I started getting reactions anytime I ate quinoa. We didn't have a fine mesh strainer so we always just did our best to rinse it before cooking. My smart friend suggested a reusable produce bag, which I had. It was simple to rinse them really well. They even dumped out of the bag without sticking to the bottom. 

My enchilada mixture is 1 cup cooked quinoa, 1/4 cup onion, 1 can of chickpeas and Daiya cheese (sometimes we add a little bit of green chiles). preheat oven to 450. Lightly grease a dish and pour a small amount of enchilada sauce layering the bottom of the pan. Fill a tortilla putting it in the pan face down. Pour the remaining enchilada sauce and sprinkle a little more cheese on top. Cover with foil and bake for 15 min. Remove foil and bake 10 more minutes until cheese on top is melted.

The day Dave got home, our friends offered to watch Elinor so we could go on a date. Elinor got to hang out with her favorite people and we got to have a quiet dinner, everyone wins! I took him to vge cafe since I had been telling him about it. I got the vge cheesesteak with vegan whiz!! and he got the buffalo wrap. The potato salad there is insanely good. I had to get a side so he could try it. It is some of the best I've ever had. I really like every sandwich I've tried from there so far but Dave got his as a wrap which was way better. I think sometimes the bread being so grainy, it can be overpowering. You also have the option of getting it on rice in a bowl or as a salad. I should probably try one of those options too and be healthier. 

They have a whole case of treats (peanut butter bomb cake!) but the also have vegan soft serve. So exciting since you don't find that often. It tastes like what I remember a frosty tasting like. The prices at Vge are really reasonable. Especially for being 100% vegan. I can see a lot of trips here in our future.