BLT Brunch Casserole

La Dolce Vegan was one of the first vegan cookbooks I ever bought (at the same time as Vegan with a Vengeance) and I’m sad to say it’s probably the cookbook I have used the least. I’m not sure why that is…a lot of the recipes just don’t seem to appeal to me. Maybe it’s the lack of pictures, I’m not sure. But in an effort to use this cookbook more I made Wolffie’s BLT Brunch Casserole, one recipe that I had earmarked since the first day I looked at the book.

In order to make this casserole healthier I omitted the fat from both the tofu portion as well as the cheese sauce. I probably could have omitted the Vegannaise as well, as I don’t think it made that much of a difference in the taste. But I adore Vegannaise and look for any excuse to eat it. The recipe calls for medium-firm tofu, but all I had on hand was extra firm, so perhaps that’s why it didn’t stay together very well and looks like a disaster on my plate. But who cares, it tasted amazing!

Southwestern Corn Casserole & Faux Chicken

Last night for dinner I made Wolffie’s southwestern corn casserole from La Dolce Vegan. It was okay…I really wouldn’t call it a casserole…but then again I’m not too sure what category I would place it in. It’s pretty much a spicy corn pudding. Not too bad. The bf didn’t care for it, but once again he is really picky with veggie dishes. But he did try it. I think the texture threw him off.

I served this alongside some faux chicken (also from La Dolce Vegan) which I baked in the oven for awhile and then smothered in bbq sauce.

Vegan Potluck!

Last night we had some people over for dinner and board games. And of course I made way too much food for everyone…but everything was SO good! First up, spanakopita from Vegan with a Vengeance. I was really surprised at how feta-like the filling is. I think I could have added a wee bit more salt and lemon, but they were still phenomenal…and everyone else thought so too. Oh, and cold leftover spanakopita makes a great breakfast I found out this morning. The superior phyllo folding is due to my bf.. I do not have the patience (or dexterity) for phyllo.

Next up, cheesy bean and cheese enchiladas. My bf loves meat and cheese and HATES Mexican food and even he thought they were amazing! I’d have to say they were the best enchiladas I’ve ever had…even compared to non-vegan versions.

For a dessert I made wolffie’s chocolatey moist brownies with chocolate glaze on top, from La Dolce Vegan. Personally I thought they were too cakey (I like those dense, fudgey brownies that turn to goo in your hand) but everyone else really liked them.
In the spirit of being worried there wasn’t enough food, when in reality there was enough to feed a small army, I also put out some veggies and dip, using this recipe from Veggie Terrain.

Sunday Dinner

This was actually what I made for dinner on Sunday, but I’m just getting around to posting it now. I’ve been super swamped with work stuff lately, boo. Anyway, Sunday for dinner I used the jay-lo’s fried “chicken” recipe from La Dolce Vegan. I used the faux chicken seitan recipe, baked it, then breaded and fried it. It was sooo amazing! My bf had some and I believe his exact words were “this is the most meat-like thing you’ve ever made.” I’ll take that as a compliment coming from him.

To go with it, I made the basic baking soda biscuits, also from La Dolce Vegan, and the white bean tempeh sausage gravy from Vegan with a Vengeance. The tempeh sausage crumbles are utterly sublime…I could eat them by the bowlful…I’m looking forward to trying them in other dishes. The biscuits could use a wee bit more salt, but we both thought the texture was perfect.

Faux Fish & Sweet Potato Fries

Tonight’s recipes are all from La Dolce Vegan. I once again attempted seitan by making faux “fish” breaded with shook’n'cook breading, along with cajun sweet potato fries. Oh, and some vegan tartar sauce i whipped up.

The verdict? It was pretty good. The “fish” was a wee bit salty for me, so I would cut back on that in the breading next time. The sweet potato fries were good, but I prefer the seasoning in this recipe from Allrecipes.com.