Yummy Yummy In My Tummy ...

Good Evening, Gnawers!  How in the world does the weekend fly by so fast?  I don't know the answer to that one, but I do know that it sure does fly.  It has been a pretty busy day here for me, but in a good way.  I took a walk on the beach, one of my all time favorite things to do.  I then planned my meals for the week.  I normally do that on Tuesdays, but I had to get ready early this week sinceI have a doctor's appointment on Tuesday that will require me to be slightly drugged, and it is Valentine's Day.   I have decided to only refer to Valentine's Day at "Love Fest 2012" this year.  It's a long story, probably not one appropriate for my internet musings.  Let's just say we could all use an infusion of love this year!  I will be having my parents, sister, brother-in-law, and nephew over for dinner ... which means I have a lot of cooking to do that night too!  I planned the menu today ... you won't want to miss my Love Fest 2012 post Tuesday night!

I made a quick and delicious lunch worthy of plenty of ooooooooooo's and ahhhhhhhhhh's.  So simple too.  I call it my Lazy Gal's Vegan Grilled Cheese with Tomato and Basil.  I could eat this ooey gooey sandwich every day.  In fact, I think I have eaten it for the last three days straight.  It is that good.  Best part?  It takes all of 5 minutes to make and you don't have to dirty a single pan ... yeah, that's right ... totally lazy way to make a great grilled cheese.

Lazy Gal's Vegan Grilled Cheese with Tomato and Basil


Ingredients:

• 2 slices sprouted grain bread*
• 1-2 tablespoons Earth Balance soy-free buttery spread (or other vegan butter spread)
• 1/2 cup Daiya cheddar style cheese shreds
• 3 slices of an organic tomato
• 3-4 fresh basil leaves, torn into pieces

* I know that I previously said that I did not like the Ezekiel Bread as much as the Genesis Bread.  I take it back.  I now prefer the Ezekiel Bread when I plan to toast it or grill it.  I prefer the Genesis bread when I am making a sandwich that will not be toasted or grilled.  Both are good for different things.  :)

Preparation Instructions:

• Toast bread slices.
• Butter both bread slices.  
• Put tomato and basil on one slice of bread (on top of buttered side).
• Cover with cheese.
• Top with other slice of bread (butter side down).
• Microwave for 1 minute, or until cheese is melted.
• Eat and enjoy!!!

After lunch and planning this weeks meals, I headed over to Fresh Market to get my grocery shopping done.  Upon checking out, the cashier said, "Are you a chef or something?  You sure have a lot of spices..."  I kindly replied that no, I am not a chef, but that I am learning to cook and trying to get healthy.  It sort of feels good telling complete strangers that from time to time.  I had to make a second stop at Publix because Fresh Market did not have everything I needed.  I realized while I was there that they had a lot of the same items I get from specialty stores ... for cheaper.  Good to keep in mind next time I make a grocery outing!  

One of the recipes I am making this week calls for "Liquid Smoke".  I was not even sure what this was, but I found out that it is something you add to give your food a smokey flavor so that it tastes like it has been grilled.  I found Liquid Smoke at Publix and read the ingredients.  There were additives and things I could not recognize in it.  The whole idea of "liquid smoke" seems to go against what I am doing really.  Against my better judgment, I bought some.  I rationalized that the recipe that called for the liquid substance was from a vegan website, so it must be okay.  As I was finishing up with putting all of the groceries away, one of my pup's made his way directly under my feet (seems to be his favorite place) and I tripped.  I smashed into my pantry door, sending it flying, and the bottle of liquid smoke came crashing to the ground.  Liquid smoke went everywhere.  Cleaning it up was a pain in the rear, but what is worse is that my whole kitchen smells like I just hosted a freaking barbecue cook off!  I have cleaned it three times, using three different cleaners ... still smells like a barbecue pit.  I guess that is the universe telling me, "No Liquid Smoke!"  Or ... it just means that I am a giant klutz.  Hmph.  

Next, I made some delicious vegan fudge.  It is still in the freezer setting, so I can't take pics of it yet.  I will do that tomorrow after work and post the recipe tomorrow night.  You will not want to miss that one!  Let's just say I could have eaten the whole mixture straight out of the VitaMix.  Best vegan dessert I have made yet ... Mmmmmmmmm.

Then, it was on to dinner.  Tonight's recipe, Spaghetti Squash with Basil-Walnut Cream Sauce, was adapted from one I got from the Ultimate Daniel Fast Website.  I do not know anything about the Daniel Fast, therefore, I do not endorse it.  I am leery of anything that requires fasting, but again, I do not know anything about it and have no desire to comment on it.  All I know is that this website had this delicious looking recipe on it and I wanted to try it!  I am glad I did.  It was another winner.  The richness of the sauce over the simpleness of the spaghetti squash is the perfect mix.  Creamy, filling, vegan, and totally worth making.  I love all the new foods that I am finding!  

Spaghetti Squash with Basil-Walnut Cream Sauce (Vegan)

Ingredients:

• 1 large spaghetti squash
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1 cup walnuts
• 1 cup fresh basil leaves
• 3/4 cup fresh parsley
• 4-6 cloves fresh garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon celtic sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Preparation Instructions:

1.  Stab spaghetti squash several times with a knife or fork (This is great if you need to get a little anger out!)

2.  Heat whole spaghetti squash in microwave for 2 minutes.  Remove and cut in half.  Scoop out seeds and gunk.  

3.  Place both halves of spaghetti squash face down in a microwave safe dish with 1/4 to 1/2 cup of water.  Heat in microwave for 12 minutes.

4.  In VitaMix, blender, or food processor, add almond milk, walnuts, basil, parsley, garlic, salt, and pepper.  Blend until smooth.  If making in the VitaMix, you can let it run longer so that it heats up the sauce for you.  If not, you will need to heat the sauce in the microwave for 2-3 minutes or in a saucepan on the stove over medium heat for 10-15 minutes or until warm (stir occasionally, and do not allow it to boil).

5.  Remove spaghetti squash from microwave.  Use a fork to pull the spaghetti-like strands from the squash.

6.  Pour basil-walnut cream sauce over spaghetti squash.

7.  Serve and enjoy!!!

I am feeling better and better with every week that passes.  I ran all over the place today, walked the beach, and worked in the kitchen without an ounce of pain or a need to sit down even once.  You may not understand why this is so big, but wow ... it really is.  I struggled to climb the stairs less than two months ago.  I feel like I am slowly getting my life back ... day by day ... meal by meal.  You know how in the movies they look for broken branches or footprints when they are trying to track someone through the woods?  That is how I feel ... I keep finding clue after clue that I am on the right track as I hunt down health.  My health.  My LIFE.  I can't remember the last time something felt this right.  I hope and pray that it really is.  For now, all I can say is that I am so thankful.  It finally feels like my prayers are being answered and that I am learning how to help myself.  I could not ask for more.  I hope that you are all starting to find your own way and feeling your own benefits as you make it along your journeys.  Having you along with me on mine means so much to me!  Until next time, Gnawers ... take good care of you!!!