A Year Of Supper

New things for a new year

2010-01-24T21:18:00.003-05:00

So my buddy Jennifer over at it ain`t meat babe and I have been asked to review this vegan cookbook for CBC`s In Town and Out for the month of January. Now, I don`t often do any vegan cooking (except maybe by fluke) but we do cook vegetarian every now and then, so this was a bit of an adventure for sure. First up was the tomato, "mozzarella" and pesto panini. The tofu "mozzarella" did kinda smell and taste like dairy mozzarell raw but when melted in the panini press it tasted like, well....nothing. The pesto in this recipe is made with arugula instead of the traditional basil and it was awesome. Focaccia was called for but we used a pita like flat bread which didn't work so well, a more absorbent bread would have been better. We also made the Caesar salad using miso and vegenaise (which is great).

Next up was the agave-lime grilled tofu with Asian slaw and mashed sweet potatoes.

This was delicious, the agave and lime worked great together and the sweet potatoes had a blended chipotle pepper in them for a hot/sweet combo that was yum!

We occasionally like to indulge in the odd donair/sharwarma dinner, so the "gardien steak" sandwich with watercress, red pepper and horseradish mayonnaise (vegan, of course) was a real surprise as it tasted exactly like a delicious donair.

Lastly we had Jennifer and her fella over for a communally prepared dinner, she made fresh focaccia (which we had as an appetizer with balsamic and oil) and the dessert (delicious chocolate chip peanut butter cake). We made the fresh mint and cucumber salad with tahini vinaigrette (I put too much dressing on but otherwise yummy) followed by "old bay" tofu cakes with pan-roasted summer vegetables, horseradish cream, apples and beets which was off the hook (if I do say so myself).

The actual on-air reviews are on the last Saturday in January.

Year at-a-glance

2010-01-07T13:54:00.003-05:00

If you'd like to see all the photos together, go here:
Year of supper photos

Day 360

2009-12-31T13:10:00.000-05:00

New Year's eve dinner at Soupcon courtesy of Tanya. Table d'hôte :
Tomato Egg Drop and Mulligatawny soup
Potato stuffed parathas with cachombar
Chinese crepes stuffed with prawns and chili soy syrup
Pan seared halibut with fresh turmeric, nuoc cham, rice noodles and shredded vegetables with a red curry peanut sauce
Sri Lankan lamb curry with coconut sambal and a beetroot curry served with basmati

for dessert:
Sautéed peppered pineapple with citrus caramel sauce and coconut ice cream

Well, that's it, a whole year of our suppers (minus a few days here and there). Stayed tuned for some breakdowns and analysis, still to come.

Day 359

2009-12-31T13:08:00.000-05:00

Sushi. Wakami salad, miso soup, tempura veggies, teryaki veal, crispy sushi, sushi pizza, salmon & eel sushi and salad.

Day 358

2009-12-30T12:15:00.002-05:00

Pirogies with fried onions & peas and sour cream & BBQ sauce.

Day 357

2009-12-30T12:14:00.000-05:00

Pizza. Mushroom and combination.

Day 356

2009-12-30T12:13:00.000-05:00

My birthday dinner at the Lindenhof. Roasted red pepper and garlic soup, Leberknodelsuppe (poached liver and pork dumpling in broth), Rouladen (bacon & onion stuffed beef roll, whipped potato, braised red cabbage, sauteed vegetables), field mushroom tart with vegetables and spatzles.

Day 355

2009-12-30T12:03:00.002-05:00

Raviolis in tomato sauce.

Day 354

2009-12-30T12:02:00.000-05:00

Christmas dinner at Nick's place. Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, squash, gravy, peas and carrots.

Day 353

2009-12-30T12:00:00.000-05:00

Christmas eve dinner, appetizers of prosciutto, kumquats, figs, veggie pâté and smoked salmon. Cheese fondue with bread, baby potatoes, broccoli and mushrooms.

Day 352

2009-12-30T11:57:00.000-05:00

Reuben bagels with a latke.

Day 351

2009-12-30T11:55:00.000-05:00

Roasted garlic and cauliflower pasta.

Day 350

2009-12-30T11:54:00.000-05:00

Italian sloppy joes.

Day 349

2009-12-30T11:53:00.002-05:00

Greek pizza.

Day 348

2009-12-20T17:14:00.003-05:00

Chili and coleslaw.

Day 347

2009-12-20T17:12:00.001-05:00

Porcini and beef burgers with oven fries.

Day 346

2009-12-20T17:11:00.001-05:00

Naan pizzas with salad.

Day 345

2009-12-20T17:10:00.000-05:00

Fish and chips.

Day 344

2009-12-20T17:08:00.001-05:00

Spaghetti bolognese.

Day 343

2009-12-20T17:07:00.001-05:00

Thai chicken with mushrooms, rice, carrots and Swiss Chard.

Day 342

2009-12-20T17:04:00.001-05:00

Chinese food for Erin's birthday. Singapore noodles, mushroom fried rice, egg rolls, spring rolls, garlic spare ribs, General Tao's chicken, veggies.

Day 341

2009-12-13T11:58:00.004-05:00

Dinner out, courtesy of my folks. Spicy Hungarian goulash on a potato pancake, schnitzel with spaetzle and pierogi.

Day 340

2009-12-13T11:54:00.002-05:00

Nothing to see here, move along. We decided to get a quick bit out with my brother and ended up with such a disappointing meal there isn't even photos of it. One personnel sized pizza so bland and missing the toppings promised on the menu it was returned. Two "Kafta" burger platters, very dry and boring. Oh well.

Day 339

2009-12-10T21:26:00.002-05:00

Pork & water chestnut dumplings with kohlrabi.

Day 338

2009-12-10T21:23:00.002-05:00

Tortellinis in broth with tomatoes & carrots. Whole grain baguettes with goat's cheese and olive tapenad.

Day 337

2009-12-10T21:21:00.001-05:00

Red Thai coconut curry lamb chops with mushrooms, kale, carrots on brown rice.

Day 336

2009-12-08T18:09:00.000-05:00

Chicken souvlaki platters.

Day 335

2009-12-08T18:07:00.001-05:00

Cinnamon & paprika roast chicken with mashed sweet and regular potatoes, fried spinach, carrots and fennel salad. With the gravy.

Day 334

2009-12-08T17:59:00.005-05:00

Leftovers from the baby shower at Nat's house. Cheeses, pâté, fruit salad, salsa & bean dip, baguette and desserts.

Day 333

2009-12-08T17:59:00.002-05:00

Canadian pizza at Derek's.

Day 332

2009-12-08T17:57:00.001-05:00

Chicken and steak quesadillas with salad.

Day 331

2009-12-08T17:55:00.001-05:00

Sushi, salmon and veggie.

Day 330

2009-12-01T20:47:00.002-05:00

Asian marinated steak on cardamon rice with carrots, mushrooms and onions.

Day 329

2009-11-30T20:45:00.000-05:00

Chicken tortellini soup.

Day 328

2009-11-30T20:43:00.000-05:00

Birthday party at Rene and Renee's place. Chicken shawarma platters!

Day 327

2009-11-30T20:41:00.000-05:00

French onion soup, perogies, steak & frites at the Barley Mow.

Day 326

2009-11-30T20:39:00.000-05:00

Chicken shawarma and vegetarian platters.

Day 325

2009-11-30T20:37:00.000-05:00

Bagels with salmon, cream cheese, capers, red onions, tomatoes with fried spinach and peppers.

Day 324

2009-11-30T20:07:00.001-05:00

Thai coconut tofu with steamed swiss char, mushrooms, carrots and bamboo shoots on rice.

Day 323

2009-11-24T20:12:00.002-05:00

Sweet & spicy cabbage with lamb sausages and steamed potatoes.

Day 322

2009-11-24T20:11:00.001-05:00

Lentil pie with roasted zucchini, green beans and steamed potatoes.

Day 321

2009-11-24T20:10:00.002-05:00

More pizza! Bronson special and vegetarian with a Caesar salad.

Day 320

2009-11-24T20:08:00.001-05:00

Tortiere with mashed roasted garlic & sweet potatoes, broccoli, chicken fingers and cottage cheese.

Day 319

2009-11-24T20:07:00.000-05:00

Sushi and miso soup.

Day 318

2009-11-24T20:04:00.001-05:00

Spinach, roasted squash and goat's cheese salad with tomatoes and peppers. With Balsamic dressing.

Day 317

2009-11-24T20:03:00.001-05:00

Pizza and PS3 party at Derek's. Bronson special.

Day 317

2009-11-24T20:02:00.000-05:00

Asian spicy noodles.

Day 316

2009-11-24T19:47:00.002-05:00

Mexican! Tacos and Gorditas with veggie ground round and beans plus all the trimmings.

Day 315

2009-11-15T19:16:00.001-05:00

Chicken& guacamole wraps.

Day 314

2009-11-15T19:15:00.003-05:00

Spring rolls and pho at the Spring Roll house.

Day 313

2009-11-15T19:13:00.001-05:00

Taco Bell madness. Gorditas, taco, wrap, fries.

Day 312

2009-11-15T19:12:00.002-05:00

Roasted garlic and cauliflower pasta.

Day 311

2009-11-15T19:09:00.001-05:00

Spatchcocked dijon encrusted chicken, mashed potatoes and salad.

Day 310

2009-11-15T19:07:00.004-05:00

Sandwich and salad.

Day 309

2009-11-15T19:07:00.002-05:00

Chicken parmigiana.

Day 308

2009-11-15T19:04:00.002-05:00

Chicken soup.

Day 307

2009-11-08T19:05:00.002-05:00

Dinner at Derek's. Tacos and guacamole.

Day 306

2009-11-07T10:32:00.002-05:00

Dinner at the Table. Losta stuff - broccoli and tofu, greek salad, spinach and mushroom salad, those patty thingys with chutney, potatoes, stewed mushrooms.

Day 305

2009-11-07T10:31:00.001-05:00

Roasted pork au jus with steamed potatoes and broccoli.

Day 304

2009-11-07T10:14:00.003-05:00

Roast dinner at Claudette's house. Roast beef, roast potatoes, roast carrots, roast onion, roast turnip, roast squash and coleslaw (not roasted).

Day 303

2009-11-03T19:46:00.001-05:00

Bacon and eggs, nachos with salsa verde.

Day 302

2009-11-03T19:45:00.001-05:00

Smoothie with chicken wraps.

Day 301

2009-11-03T19:39:00.002-05:00

Second night of dinner in Quebec City. Salmon tartar, mushroom and chorizo soup, veal chop with melted brie, pasta, mushrooms and blackened cod with escargot and sautéed leeks.

Day 300

2009-10-31T19:34:00.000-04:00

Dinner in Quebec City. French onion soup, thinly sliced duck, steak & frites, elk steak with brie and cranberry gravy.

Day 299

2009-10-31T19:32:00.000-04:00

Leftover tortellinis with sauce.

Day 298

2009-10-31T19:30:00.000-04:00

Rice paper wraps, chicken, veggie and pork.

Day 297

2009-10-30T19:19:00.000-04:00

Leftover pasta, ham and peas.

Day 296

2009-10-27T20:59:00.001-04:00

Pork chops fried in lemon juice with steamed potatoes , carrots and broccoli.

Day 295

2009-10-27T20:57:00.002-04:00

Fried chicken shawarma meat on rice with hummus and tabouleh.

Day 294

2009-10-27T20:53:00.002-04:00

Farfalle in cream sauce with ham and peas.

Day 293

2009-10-27T20:51:00.001-04:00

Left-over Asian chicken & veggies on egg noodles.

Day 292

2009-10-27T19:48:00.001-04:00

Pizza party at Nat and Sandro's. Veggie, Bronson Special, Hawaiian, Combo and Caesar salad.

Day 291

2009-10-27T19:43:00.002-04:00

Tuna avocado wraps.

Day 290

2009-10-27T19:16:00.002-04:00

Chicken fingers, mashed potatoes and carrots.

Day 289

2009-10-20T19:11:00.002-04:00

Roasted asian marinated chicken with stir-fried vegetables on egg noodles.

Day 288

2009-10-20T19:09:00.002-04:00

Tortellinis in tomato sauce with steamed asparagus.

Day 287

2009-10-20T19:08:00.001-04:00

Tomato soup with grilled cheese sandwiches.

Day 286

2009-10-20T19:05:00.002-04:00

Lamb sausage on a bun with oven potatoes and cucumber salad.

Day 285

2009-10-20T18:59:00.003-04:00

Tortellinis in tomato sauce with salad.

Day 284

2009-10-20T18:56:00.002-04:00

Tilapia in tamarind sauce with lentils, carrots on rice.

Day 283

2009-10-20T18:48:00.002-04:00

Dinner and a show at the NAC."Tenderloin of beef with steamed brassica, chèvre whipped mash and a baby scallop-tarragon mirror" (or sauce to you and me).

Day 282

2009-10-13T21:22:00.000-04:00

Sushi.

Day 281

2009-10-13T21:20:00.002-04:00

Greek On Wheels. Calamari, spanakopita, dolmas, with salad, rice and potato.

Day 280

2009-10-13T21:19:00.002-04:00

Some BBQ chicken, some broccoli and a piece of bread.

Day 279

2009-10-13T21:17:00.001-04:00

Birthday dinner at Nick's. Two kinds of lasagna (veggie & meat) with the salad of Caesars.

Day 278

2009-10-13T21:16:00.002-04:00

Leftover Chinese and a fried steak & onion sandwich.

Day 277

2009-10-13T21:02:00.002-04:00

Chinese delivery. Chicken fried rice, General Tao's chicken, spicy beef, sweet and sour soup, egg rolls.

Day 276

2009-10-09T18:56:00.001-04:00

Homemade poutine and a sandwich.

Day 275

2009-10-07T21:40:00.002-04:00

Chicken-salad sandwich with spinach salad and roasted squash.

Day 274

2009-10-07T21:38:00.002-04:00

Chicken soup.

Day 273

2009-10-07T21:33:00.003-04:00

Chicken & cauliflower coconut curry with rice and green beans.

Day 272

2009-10-07T21:29:00.001-04:00

Pizza. Meat lovers.

Day 271

2009-10-07T21:28:00.000-04:00

Pasta selection from Dirienzo's, risotto bacala, rigatoni in meat bolognese with stuffed peppers.

Day 270

2009-10-07T21:20:00.002-04:00

Chicken pho.

Day 269

2009-09-30T21:04:00.000-04:00

Spinach pizza & cheese pizza with salad.

Day 268

2009-09-30T20:53:00.000-04:00

Just some left-over pasta.

Day 267

2009-09-28T21:51:00.002-04:00

Pierogis in turkey tomato sauce with salad.

Day 266

2009-09-28T21:50:00.001-04:00

Hummus, tabbouleh, spinach and meat pies.

Day 265

2009-09-28T21:49:00.002-04:00

Lentil soup.

Day 264

2009-09-28T21:46:00.002-04:00

Asian stir fried veggies with roasted tofu and mashed squash with chili paste. On rice.