[Kelly with her youngest cutie-patootie, Ginger. Image from Kelly's Facebook page. ]
Many of you already follow Kelly, the powerhouse behind The Spunky Coconut blog, mom of three, grain-free baker and cook extraordinaire. When Kelly asked me if I’d like to join her for one of her popular podcast chats, it took me all of a tenth of a second to say “YES!”
We had a blast! Head over to Kelly’s blog to listen in to our chat about the ACD, kombucha, homemade coconut milk-based yogurt, stevia, Sweet Victory and Nourished, favorite Toronto restaurants, cooking with beans and what Kelly called my “Canadian accent” (I don’t hear it–do you?). ;-)
How did the HH and I end up in New York last weekend? Well, it all started last December, after the HH had a car accident.
Thankfully, no one was hurt in the fender-bender, but that left my honey without a car. And since I’d been planning to buy a new one in 2011 anyway, I gave the HH my old vehicle and promptly paid the downpayment for my new one on credit (I’m sure there are a few financial advisors rolling over in their cubicles somewhere at that news). A few months later, I received my Airmiles statement and–based on the car purchase–I had amassed 6000 points! Whoo hoo!
A quick trip online confirmed what I’d been dreaming about: I had just enough points to cover the cost of a two-night stay at a hotel in New York City. Combined with a promotion from Porter Airlines ($49 each way), the HH and I were on our way!
Even with free hotel and (almost) free airfare, our junket still cost as much as our usual summer stay at a resort hotel up north. But no matter: we got to be in New York for a weekend! In honor of the frenetic, pulsing, humming, city-that-never-sleeps energy that is The Big Apple, here is an abridged version of our 36-hour stay.
Saturday: Read, Meet, Eat, Kick up Your Feet on Broadway!
[Two rockin' Over-40 blogger gals!]
3:30 PM: Upon arrival at the hotel, drop bags off in the room and scurry to Lincoln Center and the Performing Arts Library so the HH can request an archived copy of an audio magazine he’s been wanting to read. Yes, we went to the library. Before we did anything else. In New York City. (That HH is one wacky nerd, isn’t he?) The stroll back to the hotel (30 blocks) was lovely, however.
[Nori rolls from Candle 79.]
5:30 PM: Meet up with JL of JL Goes Vegan and her hubby for an amazing dinner at Candle 79, a place I’ve been dying to visit for years. Enjoy stellar eats and conversation. Hit it off famously while gabbing about veganism, blogs, MTV, travel, conferences (I’m so envious that she’s going to both BlogHer and Vida Vegan!), changing one’s lifestyle over 40, stereo equipment, cool iPhone applications, marriage, Las Vegas, and more.
[The HH's Raw Lasagna entrée. Sadly, my tempeh and veggies were unphotogenic.]
Drool over the food as we eat. Many glasses of wine (or, in my case, mineral water) and guffaws later, suddenly realize we’ll miss our play if we don’t end the dinner far earlier than we’d like to. Vow to meet up again some time (hopefully in Toronto next time!).
8:00 PM: See Tyne Daly as Maria Callas in Master Class. Marvel at a brilliant performance that is totally mesmerizing. Listen to the HH opine about how Broadway is the only place in the world where they actually know how to do theater “right.” (Sorta agree).
11:30 PM: Stop at the hotel bar for a nightcap. The HH enjoys a Heineken while I sip on another mineral water (and dream of G&Ts).
Sunday: Artsy Neighborhood, Fine Art and an Artful Vegan Dinner
[Looks pretty good, doesn't it? But looks can be deceiving. . . . ]
11:30 AM: Trek to Quantum Leap for well-reviewed brunch. After many questions and an assurance from the wait staff, order tofu scramble and gluten free cornmeal pancakes. Express intense excitement at being able to find a breakfast that is at once gluten free, vegan, and sugar free! Sample the meal and express intense disappointment that, while the flavor is fine, the texture is incredibly heavy and everything seems drenched in oil. Leave half the meal on the plate.
1:00 PM: Stop in at Barnes and Noble and have a lovely (if far too short) chat with Susan of The Well-Seasoned Cook. Feel very grateful for the world of food blogging.
2:00 PM: Cab it to the Guggenheim to see the Kandinsky exhibit. Hyperventilate at finally making it to a landmark museum that I’ve dreamed about seeing in person for decades. Enjoy Kandinsky, but then giggle uncontrollably at the main museum exhibit, a collection of rocks placed strategically on the floor of the museum. Put up with glaring stare of museum docents as they repeatedly ask patrons to “Please avoid stepping on the exhibits.”
[Be sure to walk slowly and you won't get dizzy. But watch out for rocks at your feet.]
4:00 PM: Walk back to the hotel alongside Central Park (44 blocks!), awestruck at the architecture and topiary fronting the many multi-million dollar apartment buildings. When nearing the vicinity of the hotel, stop at Juice Generation to order a “Detox Delight” (cucumber, carrot, apple, lemon and ginger) to help offset the awful brunch. Feel pretty darned virtuous (and smile knowing that my belly is satisfied).
6:45 PM: Dinner at Blossom. Another hit. Dig in to the raw Sweet Potato Rolls and subsequently the Hickory Smoked Tempeh atop a mound o’ collard greens (the primary reason for ordering that dish). Savor the meal while reveling in the quaint atmosphere of the restaurant. Finish dinner before realizing, I’m a very bad blogger, indeed–I totally forgot to snap a pic of my meal!
9:00 PM: Walk the 22 blocks back to the hotel after dinner. Notice that Times Square at 10:00 PM is brighter than our street at 10:00 AM. Fall into bed so tired that we fall asleep by 10:30.
Monday: Hello Again–and Adieu
8:00 AM: Meet up with my old pal from highschool, “Frank.” Frank was the third member of a threesome including Sterlin and me (no no no no, not that kind of threesome! We were entirely innocent, nerdy teens, silly!) and was the friend who first introduced me to the movie Young Frankenstein. Spend a lovely hour and a half catching up and gabbing before Frank realizes he’ll be late for work if he doesn’t leave. Stride along Lexington (still gabbing) before parting ways. Return to the hotel energized and a little sad that the visit is at an end. Pack bags, check the bathroom for stray underwear, check out and head back to the airport.
2:00 PM Land at Toronto’s Island Airport. While driving home, begin plotting the next visit to the Big Apple.
One of my concerns before leaving was how I’d remain true to my sugar detox while away. Of course, if someone must follow a detox while on vacation, New York City is definitely the place to be. To ensure “clean” eating, I toted along some almond butter, some Coconut Brittle and fruit for the road, and chose my meals carefully (the only dud was brunch on Sunday).
I mentioned the brittle a while back on Facebook and promised to post the recipe. Here it is! It’s one of the recipes I developed for the Sweet Victory program I’m co-hosting with Andrea Nakayama. There are more than 50 people taking the program, and we’ve seen some great results so far. For me, the detox represents a return to a more pure diet that I established when I first started the ACD. And I’m delighted that I was able to navigate the challenges of a trip away so much more easily this time round without straying from the detox protocol.
As one of the participants in the program remarked, the brittle is almost like a dense cookie bar. . . I think of its texture as cracker-like. It’s not overly sweet (you can add more stevia to taste), but its dry, crispy texture, and the fact that I break it into ragged pieces, is what prompted the name ”brittle” for me.
Coconut Brittle (suitable for ACD Stage 2 and beyond)
This is a great take-along snack or dessert. The healthy fats and fiber from the coconut help to make the brittle really satisfying and filling, while the fruit helps to boost the sweetness.
1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) plain or vanilla stevia liquid, or more, to taste
2 teaspoons (10 ml) whole vanilla powder or 1 teaspoon (5 ml) pure vanilla extract
Pinch fine sea salt
2 cups (480 ml) unsweetened shredded coconut
2 tablespoons (30 ml) sesame seeds
Oven Method:
Preheat oven to 250F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper (the parchment is necessary for this recipe).
In a coffee grinder, pulse the cacao nibs to chop them up. Remove to a small bowl and set aside. Without cleaning the grinder, add the chia seeds and grind until they form a powder. Set aside.
In the bowl of a food processor, combine the applesauce, almond butter, water, yacon, stevia, vanilla powder and sea salt; process to blend. Add the coconut, sesame seeds, chopped cacao nibs and powdered chia and process until it comes together in a sticky “dough” (you should still see some shreds of coconut and spots of cacao nibs; it doesn’t have to be totally smooth).
Using a silicone spatula, spread the “dough” more or less into a rectangle that is about 12 x 10 inches (about 1/4 inch thick). Don’t worry if the edges are a bit ragged.
Bake in preheated oven for one hour. At this point, if the top is dry, cut the rectangle into quarters and flip each piece over and cut each piece into 4-8 smaller pieces, as desired. Separate the pieces so there is space between them.
Bake the pieces for another hour, then check for doneness. The brittle is done when it is dry all the way through and deep golden brown. (If some pieces are ready before the others, remove those and continue to bake the rest until done).
Allow to cool completely, then break into smaller pieces, if desired. Makes 10-12 servings. Store in a sealed container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Dehydrator Method:
Prepare the “dough” as above, but spread it onto a teflex sheet and dehydrate until dry on top. Flip and cut into pieces as above, then continue to dehydrate on a screen until all the pieces are dry and crisp. Store in an airtight container.
*Really more like a “beginning of February update,” but since the HH and I watched Saturday Night Live yesterday (love that Mike Myers!), I’ve got that phrase on the brain.
One of the things I love about blogging is getting to know so many people, either through your comments here on the blog, your emails, or–when the stars align just right–in person. Yesterday, one of those alignments occurred when I met up with Gillian Young at one of my favorite restos, Fresh on Bloor. From our many conversations on twitter, I already knew that Gillian and I had similar ideas about eating healthfully. With her interest in the ACD, Gillian had asked if she could pick my brain about the diet, and of course that kind of conversation is so much more fun in person!
Gillian is just as energetic, enthusiastic and full of positivity in person as she is on her blog. Even at her age, she’s already managed to live in a variety of places around the world (I am so envious of her stay in Paris!), work at a variety of interesting jobs, and write a series of travel guides.
[My "California Salad": greens with avocado, grape tomatoes, pecans, and pesto-coated white beans.]
After greeting each other with a warm hug and ordering our lunches (hers: wheatgrass shot and Big Salad; mine: Detox juice and California Salad), we gabbed nonstop for over two hours. We did talk about the anti-candida diet, of course, but our conversation also wandered toward blogging, working in television, living with a meat-lover, yoga and meditation, being too busy, writing, and much more. Gillian brought me a gift of organic chia seeds (my faves!) from a company called Running Food that I can’t wait to try. Thanks so much, Gillian, for your company and warmth (and thanks for sending over these pics–darn that point-and-shoot of mine!).
II. SuperBowl Food (ie, Mandatory SuperBowl Mention)
Today is the SuperBowl, right? Okay, I’ve mentioned it.
III. Ebook Tester Foods (Mine and Lindsay’s) and Last Call for Blogs
I’m now about midway through the testing for my upcoming ebook, Top of the Morning: Breakfasts without Sugar, Gluten, Eggs or Dairy. Many thanks to all the dedicated testers who’ve been working so hard to try out the recipes! I’m really excited to be bringing you sugar free, gluten free, vegan recipes that are all ACD-friendly for pancakes, waffles, grain-free granola, scones, and much more! There will be many savory options, too. The ebook should be available by the beginning of March.
Here’s a peek at the most recent recipe that was tested, Wholegrain Waffles (this one is topped with some Coconut Ice Cream):
These were a big hit with testers!
I also had the opportunity to do a little testing for Lindsay (of the Cook.Vegan.Lover blog) for her upcoming ebook. Here are just a couple of the dishes I tested:
Vegan Sloppy Joes (with an unusual twist):
No fake meats in these babies! The sandwich you see above was the HH’s (since it’s just a regular kaiser roll), but I enjoyed the mix over zucchini “pasta” and it was delectable!
Baked Artichoke and Spinach Dip:
This dip was spectacular–creamy without tofu, and almost fat-free as well! We both loved it, and when I served it to guests at a dinner party, it was gobbled up in no time flat.
If you’re interested in learning more about the recipes or Lindsay’s other ebook, check out her blog!
As you may recall, a few weeks ago, I mentioned that I’d be updating my Recipe Index and Blogroll, and asked for suggestions. Thanks to everyone who submitted your blog URLS for consideration. If the blog is updated regularly and fits the category, I’ll include it. I am finally getting the page updated and will be adding new URLs every few days until I’ve incorporated them all. (You can still sneak in under the wire by leaving your info here).
IV. DDD Food In Your Kitchen:
I love when readers make my recipes and tell me about it. And wow–you folks have been busy! Here’s a list of the culinary creations you’ve made in the past few weeks based on DDD recipes.
If you’ve tried a recipe and I miss it here, please let me know about it in the comments and I’d be happy to add it next time. (And now that I’ve got my Recipe Index up to date, I’ve finally started updating my Blogroll, too. There’s still time to add yours to the list before I’m done!)
Finally, I had the pleasure of trying out some goodies from Kelly (of The Spunky Coconut)’s new cookbook, Grain-Free Baked Goods and Desserts. See that pie just above? That’s from the book. And I’ve been enjoying it this past week almost every day for breakfast–it’s that full of healthy ingredients!
Stay tuned for a review of the book and fabulous giveaway tomorrow!
“Mum, did you say something about a “super” bowl? Is that like an extra large dinner bowl? In that case, we’re all for it!”
A very heartfelt “THANK YOU” to everyone who left birthday wishes on Facebook, twitter, and via email! I loved hearing from all of you, and your comments and good wishes made this birthday one of the best ever. So thanks, everyone, for making my day that much brighter!
[Okay, so maybe mine look more like sausages than cigars. . . but they still tasted great!]
My, it has been a while since I posted a recipe on this site! And where the heck have I been for the past week or so, you ask? Imagine this scene:
Evening. Ricki is at home, sitting in front of the computer in her PJs, a cup of steaming herbal tea by her side. She is focused on her computer screen, when the phone rings. She grabs the receiver.
Ricki [slightly distracted by the blog she's reading]: Hello?
Babe: Okay, so here’s the story: my job is sending me to New York for 2 days, and I have a free hotel room to share. It happens to fall on your birthday. Are you interested in meeting me there? We could have dinner, see a couple of plays, you’d have the daytime to yourself. . . what do you think? [Pause]. Ric? Are you still there?
Ricki [hyperventilating]: ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? Are you–KIDDING. ME–?? Whoo hoo! Whoopee! Yahoo! Yayyyy! New York! New York! NYC!! The Big Apple! The City of Light! The—
Babe: So do I take that as a “yes”?
And that, dear readers, is how I ended up spending my birthday last week in New York City, at this hotel. . . for free. (Well, okay, the airfare and meals weren’t free, but let’s not nitpick).
It had been quite a while since I last visited NYC, and I was just as enchanted this time round. Ah, New York, city of Broadway and global business, offering up a panoply of cultures and cuisines from at least fifty countries in a two-block span.
New York, where everyone–whether sporting runners or stilettoes–walks pretty much everywhere (apparently, the average New Yorker walks 5 miles a day). Where taxis will slow down, ask where you’re going, assess the income potential and then take off again if it’s not worth their economic while.
New York, where sleepy eyed denizens shuffle along the early morning streets with their dogs on plaid leather leashes, or sporting doggie booties, or doggie Burberrys for their morning walk, stooping and scooping as the canines do their business wherever they can, which usually means right on the concrete sidewalks (no green to be found for blocks at a time); where locals are so friendly that they’ll not only answer your touristy questions, but will also walk two blocks out of their way to lead you to your destination, advising you as you go that it’s pronounced “HOW-ston,” not “HEW-ston” so you won’t distinguish yourself as a redneck among the locals.
New York, where every attire you can think of graces the crowded streets in a welter of color and texture, highlighted by the current uniform du jour (riding boots, patterned tights, mini skirt or long sweater). Where celebrities can dine unaccosted at public restaurants with nary a glance from passing citizenry.
New York, where Times Square at midnight shines brighter than the blazing sun of noon; where a (mediocre) agave-sweetened, gluten-free cupcake can sell out at $4.50 a pop; where street buskers draw a crowd in the middle of lunch hour; where the energy is as palpable as a heavy fog as you stroll along Broadway, or Madison Avenue, or 47th Street–or just about anywhere, really.
Yep, that was New York for me this past week. New York, where I walked more in 1-1/2 days that I probably had in the previous week, where I indulged my inner glutton with abandon and still lost 2 pounds at the end of it.
All that–and being able to meet up with two of my favorite bloggers in less than two days!
Ah, but I’m getting ahead of myself. First, observe this:
Sorry for the blur (squint really hard and you can almost make it out). . . that’s T.R. Knight and me! (Okay, so I didn’t know who T.R. Knight was before I got him to sign my Playbill and take a photo after Babe and I watched him on Broadway in David Mamet’s A Life in the Theater. But apparently, he was quite the little heart-throb on Grey’s Anatomy.)
And the co-star of Mamet’s play, here:
["Make it so!"]
Yes, it’s Jean Luc Picard himself, Captain of the Enterprise–aka Patrick Stewart! As a die-hard Star Trek fan, I was beyond thrilled to snag an autograph and snap this pic as he exited the theater. I am such a groupie!
That same evening, my friend Babe and I dined at Agra in celebration of the day of my birth. During the day, I wandered on my own and managed to trek to the Upper West Side, Columbus Circle and a new Whole Foods; SOHO; the Fashion District (had to check out the Manhattan Mall); Central Park; along with expeditions along Madison Avenue, Lexington, Park Avenue, and Times Square. Not bad for 36 hours!
But two high points of the visit, as I mentioned above, were meeting in person with a couple of fellow bloggers.
Lindsay of Happy Herbivore fame and I met up for a vegan breakfast. Lindsay’s blog is full of approachable fat-free recipes (some of which will appear in her upcoming cookbook). She’s also one of the best tweeters in twitterdom! We had planned to eat at Teany’s, but due to a scheduling glitch found it closed when we arrived. No matter: Whole Foods was a fine replacement instead.
After reading Lindsay’s blog for almost 3 years now, I felt as if I were greeting an old friend as we hugged hello. Our lively chatter was punctuated by giggles and guffaws as we gabbed about blogging (of course!), healthy eating, social media, and moving to exotic locales (hope the packing is going well, Lindsay!). Before I knew it, we’d spent over 2 hours together and it was time for me to head out. Lindsay was also kind enough to lead me to BabyCakes (a place I’ve been dying to visit since I first read about them in 2004 or so) and then guided me through the New York subway (a trip I am quite certain I would not have taken without her). Thanks for your vitality, your openness and your humor, Lindsay! (And I can’t believe it didn’t occur to me to snap a photo of us together–I am so sorry!).
[Does this photo look familiar? Then you must also have read Gena's post. . . thanks for the photo, Gena! ]
The following day, I was equally delighted to meet up with Gena of Choosing Raw for lunch at Bonobos, one of several raw food establishments in the city. Although I had been dreaming about a meal at Pure Food and Wine for ages, after examining the menus of both places, I knew that Bonobos was the better choice for me. And it was: Gena and I began by taking full advantage of the free samples on the counter. I loved the nori “cigars” (tightly wrapped nori rolls filled with nut or seed pâté, twisted at the ends to resemble cigars) and practically drenched myself downing one too many of the warm coconut chai drinks and incredible raw soups.
For lunch, I enjoyed sushi rolls while Gena feasted on soup and salad. I’ve been a huge fan of Gena’s blog, Choosing Raw, since she began writing it a few years ago. And Gena is a true inspiration for many with her engaging, welcoming and articulate approach to gaining and maintaining good health. Her affability shines through whether she’s posting about raw versus cooked foods, explaining why we shouldn’t use labels to describe our eating habits, considering whether agave nectar is friend or foe, or sharing some of her incredible recipes (I mean, who hasn’t tried Gena’s chocomole or banana soft serve?) With a few years of blog reading, comments, and emails behind us, we dove right in and started chattering like two teenagers, on topics as diverse as blogging (of course!), conferences, veganism, twitter, relationships, and our two cities. Before we knew it, her lunch hour was over and she had to return to work. Thanks so much, Gena, for taking time out of your busy schedule to meet up!
And while it was over all too quickly, I couldn’t have had a better birthday gift than my visit to the Big Apple. The only downside was that the HH couldn’t be there with me (darned job!), but we’ll be celebrating together here at home.
So long, New York, and thanks for the memories. . . . I won’t wait so long to return next time.
These are my take on the filled nori cigars that Gena and I sampled at Bonobos. The pumpkinseed filling, as I remembered it, was tangy with lemon, with just a hint of fresh parsley. If you have a sushi mat, you can probably make them much thinner than mine (as they were meant to be), but even if they’re a bit thick, they’re still delightful. I’d also recommend allowing the cigars to sit for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator, uncovered, to allow the nori sheet to firm up a bit for easier slicing.
1/2 cup (70 g) raw pumpkin seeds
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tsp (10 ml) light miso
2 Tbsp (30 ml) raw cashews
1 Tbsp (15 ml) fresh lemon juice
1 Tbsp (15 ml) coarsely chopped fresh parsley
1 tsp (5 ml) finely ground flax seeds
salt and pepper to taste
2 nori sheets (for sushi)
In a medium-sized bowl, cover the pumpkin seeds with water. Allow to soak at room temperature for at least 2 hours, up to overnight. Drain well.
Place the seeds and remaining ingredients in a food processor and process until you have a thick paste. Add water only if necessary to create a spreadable pâté; you don’t want it too watery (a mistake I made with my filling), or the rolls will be too thick.
Place one nori sheet on a cutting board or clean countertop and spread with half the filling, leaving a 1/2 inch (1 cm) border on both longer sides and one shorter side. Starting with the short side with no border next to you, roll toward the other short side as tightly as you can. When you reach the edge, moisten it with water and seal across the “cigar,” then twist each end to seal those as well. Repeate with second nori sheet and filling. Cut into 8-10 pieces each. Makes 2-3 servings. Best served fresh.
After that harrowing ordeal in the airport and the relentless carnival atmosphere of Miami Beach in the first half of our trip, the HH and I were more than ready to head north to Sarasota, where my cousin Marketing Guru (MG) had promised a more serene lifestyle. So let’s hit the road, shall we?
I. En Route to Sarasota: See Ya Later, Alligator
[Can you believe how many alligators live along this stretch of Florida highway?? Me, neither. (Source)].
Leaving Miami, we headed along interstate Route 75, also known as “Alligator Alley.” This 200-mile (320 km) stretch of highway dissecting the Everglades offers the curious sightseer but one image: a seemingly endless vista of flat terrain dotted with the occasional tawny brush, swampland on either side, and a veritable army of alligators poised on either shore, patiently awaiting their lunch (human, perhaps?), effectively sporting their green leathery camouflage. I tried over and over to snap a photo as we whizzed by the monochromatic scenery, to capture only this:
[Can you spot the alligator in this photo? Me, neither.]
Finally, after about 2 hours without pit stops, bathroom breaks, or any other signs of civilized life, we lit upon Naples, then continued right through to Sarasota (with a quick rest stop at a local Sheraton Four Points Punta Gorda).
II. Sarasota: Feed Me!
I was initially a little wary before our reunion with MG,whom I hadn’t seen in about 10 years. It was also the first time I really got to know MG’s wife (MGW), with whom I’d never really spent any quality time. I shouldn’t have fretted: they were both incredibly hospitable, gracious and welcoming, and we four hit it off famously. I mean, for our first dinner out, MG suggested Chutney’s (“where spice is the variety of life”), primarily because “they have a daily vegetarian option.” (Is he a great guy, or what?) The combination Indian and Mediterranean menu provided more than enough choice for this Canuck gal. Thanks, cuz!
A cozy, unassuming atmosphere beckoned and the food, both homey and creative, was excellent. My pick (of course) was the vegetarian curry of the day (with chickpeas and vegetables) along with a hefty portion of the Mediterranean appetizer plate shared by us all (including baba ganouj, hummus, tahini and falafel). We did manage to get back to the house in time for an hour of ice dancing* before falling into bed. All in all, a great first evening!
III. Sarasota: Come Over Here and Give Me a Pug.
One of Sarasota’s most quirky public events is known as the ”Pug Parade.” For this annual festival, every dog owner in the city–nay, the state (and beyond) dresses up her or his pug, then sashays along a runway with said costumed canine to determine which will win the Dog Owner with Way Too Much Time on Their Hands award. (Okay, I made up that last part. But they do choose a winner for best dog costume.).
Well, as it turned out by sheer coincidence, the HH and I arrived on the selfsame weekend as this year’s parade! And by even greater coincidence, Marketing Guru and MGW have a pug! And her name is Misty! And Misty is a former Pug Parade Champion!
Needless to say, we attended this year’s Pug Parade.
Milling about under a massive tent in the center of a local park, I have never seen so many pugs in one place, let alone so many pugs in wildly creative costumes (biker pug with actual tatoos; sushi pug rolled into a giant nori roll; bride pug with bouquet and groom pug; geisha pug; birthday cake pug; ballerlina pug, Tiger Woods pug, Lady GaGa pug, Bug Pug, and any other kind of pug you can imagine). Misty, this time round, was dressed as Pugahontas. Ain’t she cute?
[Can you spot the alligator in this photo? It's right there in front, dressed up as a pug.]
Though she didn’t win this time round, Misty did receive a huge round of applause and several hoots.
Later, as we drove through the idyllic neighborhood with its palm tree-lined streets and placid parklands, the HH and I both marvelled at how beautiful the area was. A planned community, almost the entire city had been built from scratch.
“Oh, when we first moved in, there were still lots of alligators roaming the streets,” MGW told us. “And wild boars everywhere.” Alligators? Wild boars?
I nodded politely. “Wow,” I said. “You guys are brave to have moved here back then. Good thing the alligators have all gone now.”
“Well, not really,” she countered. “They just hang around the ponds now. You can usually spot a few at each pond.” Given there were ponds at just about every intersection, and given I had not yet spied a single solitary alligator with my own eyes, I remained incredulous. We approached another pond.
“Here, take my binoculars,” MGW urged as Marketing Guru slowed the car. I peered through the lenses at the not-so-distant shore. And. . . what the–?? That dark olive-grey mass in front of the trees. . . by George, it WAS an alligator! But wait! There were two more masses beside it, just over there to the right. . . ! And what was that further down the shore–??!! I could feel my skin begin to tingle.
“They stay still during the day, but they generally come out at night,” MGW informed us. “Don’t worry, though, they don’t come up to the houses. . . well, not anymore.”
And just like that, there went my dreams of moving to Sarasota.
Our pre-performance dinner that night took place at Tropical Thai, another quaint spot that served up surprisingly good food. I was, again, surprised and delighted with the number of vegan options (there was even an entire page of Macrobiotic dishes!). I opted for miso soup, followed by a red curry with vegetables and tofu–not as tasty as the previous night’s Indian curry, but satisfying nonetheless.
Then, it seemed, just as we began to really relax and feel at home,** it was suddenly time to return to Toronto. Here we are now, a week after our return, and it feels as if we never left. And as a bonus, we were greeted last week with the biggest snowstorm so far this season. As Pepé le Pew would say, Le sigh.
["Mum, it definitely felt like you left to us. And don't worry about the snow--at least you won't find any alligators living in this climate!]
Well, if I can’t physically remain in Florida, at least I can travel back along the highway of gustatory imagination. I decided to recreate the delectable butternut-edamame hash I savored at Wish in Miami. With small, uniform cubes of roasted butternut squash cozying up to perky green edamame, both awash in a slightly gooey, slightly sweet maple glaze, this hash was the epitome of clean and delicious fare. I had to have it again!
My version uses yacon as a standin for maple syrup in the original, though you should feel free to swap it back if you prefer the latter or can’t find the former (unless you’re also on the ACD, that is, in which case, sorry–maple syrup is verboten).
The bright hues and fresh flavors of this dish are guaranteed to bring a little bit of Florida sunshine into your mealtime. And no alligators, I promise.
*That would be, “watching it on TV,” not “doing it.”
**Not that I’d ever get used to the alligators, however.
Butternut and Edamame Hash (suitable for ACD Phase I or later)
With its combination of sweet squash, chewy edamame and sticky glaze, this high-protein dish makes a perfect accompaniment to any savory main course.
1 small butternut squash, peeled and seeded, cut into 1″ (2.5 cm) cubes
2 Tbsp (30 ml) extra virgin olive oil
1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) fine sea salt
1 cup (240 ml) shelled, cooked edamame
2 Tbsp (30 ml) yacon syrup and 3 Tbsp (30 ml) water OR 1/4 cup (60 ml) pure maple syrup
1 small clove garlic, minced
1 Tbsp (15 ml) toasted sesame oil
1 tsp (5 ml) arrowroot powder or cornstarch blended with 1/4 cup (60 ml) water until smooth
1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) maple flavoring (if using yacon syrup), optional
pinch fine sea salt
Preheat oven to 400F (200C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper, or spray with olive oil spray. Also spray a casserole or square pan and set aside.
Place the raw squash cubes in a large bowl and drizzle with the olive oil and salt. Toss with your (clean) hands until all the pieces are coated evenly. Spread the squash on the baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 35-45 minutes, until the cubes are just tender. Remove the squash and reduce the oven heat to 350F (180C).
Meanwhile, in a small pot, combine the yacon/water or maple syrup, garlic, sesame oil and arrowroot mixture until well blended. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture boils and bubbles; continue to cook and stir for 30 seconds, until thick. Remove from heat and stir in the maple flavoring, if using; season with more sea salt to taste.
Place the squash cubes and edamame in the reserved casserole dish and pour the glaze over them; toss with a large spoon or spatula until all the squares are coated. Reheat in the oven until everything is warmed through, about 10 minutes. Stir again before serving. Makes 4 side servings.
[Sorry this is a long post. . . feel free to chop it up into manageable segments, like a honkin' big Florida grapefruit.]
Does this look like a deadly weapon?
Can it really be a week since the HH and I took off for parts unknown in Florida? I guess time really does fly when you’re having fun. Still, it’s great to be back–I’ve missed all of you (well, I did manage one peek at the blog while staying at my cousin’s house in the latter part of the trip–thanks for all the well-wishes!). Hope you all had a great week, too (“Mum, we had a great time staying with our friends at Eternal Optimist’s house, too, but time didn’t fly for us. EO is nice, but she doesn’t dole out quite as many treats as you do.”)
And here I am, back just in time for our first pelting snowstorm (about 10 cm or 4 inches, the largest snowfall so far this year). Nope, Toronto when it snows does not a welcoming city make. While I reorient myself to the city and the cold, I thought I’d give you a few highlights from last week’s holiday, in two parts. Part One: We’ll Always Have Miami.
Toronto, Day 1: Ricki and the HH Attempt to Board the Airplane.
Location: Toronto International Airport.
Ricki and the HH are screened by US customs before they board the plane. The HH, bearing no carry on luggage, saunters through the metal detector and waits on the other side for Ricki.
The Security Guard carefully unzips Ricki’s tightly packed carry-on bag and meticulously paws each and every vial, bottle, jar, bag, container, case, or pouch. He comes upon Ricki’s toothpaste and brandishes it aloft.
Security Guard: What is this, please?
Ricki: Holistic toothpaste. I don’t eat aspartame, which is in regular toothpaste.
Does THIS look like a deadly weapon?
Guard: Hmmm. [He turns the tube this way and that, gazing at it like a jeweler examining the facets of the Koh-i-Noor.] Toothpaste. [He sets the tube of toothpaste aside. He turns to Ricki's purse and begins another piece-by-piece examination.]
Guard [holding Ricki's keychain]: What is this, please?
Ricki: A keychain. [beginning to feel a little nervous, angry at self that she forgot to remove it from the purse]. It’s supposed to protect me in case I get mugged.
See? It even says, “DEFENDER” on the end, not “SECRET AGGRESSOR”!
Guard: Does it extend–? [trying to make the molded plastic bar extend.]
Ricki: No.
Guard: Just a moment, please [speaks furiously on his walkie-talkie].
The Security Manager, a young woman in her late twenties sporting a severe bun, grey fitted suit and practical flats, arrives.
Security Manager [holding the keychain]: May I see your passport, please? [Ricki hands it over.] Does this keychain extend?
Ricki: [beginning to despair]: No.
Manager: Does it contain a blade?
Ricki [panic is on its way]: No.
Manager: Please step aside, Ma’am.
Ricki [fearing she might miss her flight] Are you joking?
Manager: Well, this toothpaste exceeds the carry-on size limit. And we’ll need to check out this keychain more closely.
Ricki [barely holding it together]: You’re going to take my things away from me?! But– [face flushes red]. But that toothpaste costs $10 a tube!
The security manager speaks furiously on her walkie-talkie. Three uniformed police officers arrive. The Security Manager approaches them, Ricki’s keychain in hand.
Manager [to Police Officer #1]: What kind of weapon is this?
Police Officer #1: Well, I guess you could call it a simple club. [he smiles]
Ricki [to Police Officer #1]: Are you going to take it away from me?
PO #1: Well, you know, it could be a deadly weapon [he suppresses a giggle].
Ricki[a bit frantic now]: I’m actually more upset about my toothpaste. It’s $10 a tube!
PO #2: Well, you know, toothpaste might be considered a deadly weapon [he smiles and winks. Winks!]
PO #3: I tell you what. This isn’t, technically, a lethal weapon. So if you give it up voluntarily, you can get through the process much quicker.
Ricki: Well, if it isn’t technically a lethal weapon, what if I decide I don’t want to give it up voluntarily?
PO #3: We’ll take it away anyway.
In the end, the deadly toothpaste and keychain were, indeed, confiscated, though I was permitted to place them in storage until my return. I was then treated to a full body pat-down while the HH stood off to the side smirking and singing under his breath, “Ricki is a TERR-or-ist, Ricki is a TERR-or-ist, nyah nyah.”
To complete the Abbott and Costello air of the event, I realized the guard had retained my passport just as we approached the boarding gate; I asked an airline representative to go check for me. By the time she returned, I had found it in a fold of my purse–but she’d already arranged to have my luggage removed from the plane (since someone without a passport wouldn’t be allowed to transport her luggage, of course).
And so began our first real vacation in ten years. It could only improve from there.
Miami Beach, Day 3: Ricki and the HH meet her father’s new girlfriend.
After the initial shock of settling in South Beach (So much neon! So little green space! So many crowds! So much scalpel-enhanced cleavage!), the HH and I arranged to meet my dad and his new girlfriend for dinner. The Shore Club, where we stayed (courtesy of hotwire.com) was apparently one of the chic spots, renovated by a famous designer and proudly billed as a ”boutique hotel.” The entirely-white lobby, dotted as it was with blocks of sheer white curtains suspended from floor to ceiling at arbitrary locations, floor strewn with white mattress-sized pillows, pristine white couches and a variety of oil lamps, is described on the hotel’s website as “an eclectic mix evocative of global marketplaces.” To me, however, it seemed more evocative of ”latter day opium den.”
In fact, everything about the place (except for the room itself, which featured minimalist geometric furniture (also all white) and a floor and walls covered in–get this–concrete; that’s right: stark, cold, cement-hard concrete. No carpets, no throw rugs) seemed geared toward lethargy and dreamy relaxation. Note the actual bed in the courtyard (it’s right there beside the hammock):
Sadly, with temperatures at their coldest in the last decade, we never took advantage of the outdoor furniture or the hotel pool.
Our dinner took place at the Canyon Ranch Grill, a fortuitous find after I conducted a Google search for “Organic Restaurant Miami.” I couldn’t have been more thrilled with the menu options there–almost everything was organic, with loads of veggie dishes, prepared in a simple yet delectable manner. My own dinner consisted of a grilled vegetable salad (sans cheese or pistachios–they kindly subbed cashews instead); and three of the “Simple Eats”: Steamed Vegetable Basket, Sautéed Spinach and Garlic; and Baked Sweet Potato. Everything was superb–fresh, clean food with pure flavors, cooked to perfection.
And what about my dad’s girlfriend, you may wonder? A tyical Miami snowbird, a cross between Zsa Zsa Gabor and Phyllis Diller, Ms. Friend turned out to be a lovely woman (in fact, a lovely younger woman at 77 years old!), who was clearly besotted with my father. My dad, for his part, lapped up the attention–he’s quite a catch (according to him) at 88 as he still retains all his senses, all his hair, and his ability to play gin rummy–and dance.
Miami Beach, Day 4: Face Time for Ricki and the HH.
The following evening, the HH and I enjoyed an intimate dinner (just the two of us) at Wish, a place recommended by the concierge at our hotel. The dinner there was superb. The menu offers a vegetarian tasting option composed of any four choices from either the side dishes on the menu or the accompaniments to any of the other entrées (for instance, grilled zucchini that would normally be served alongside chicken). I began with the Wish salad, a tart, spicy, crunchy and juicy mix of bitter greens, gingered dressing and toasted cashews; followed by a platter with an Asian stir-fried vegetable salad of carrot, fennel and hijiki (I think) bathed in a chili-sesame vinaigrette; a warm, sweetly glistening butternut-edamame hash; a dainty fingerling potatoes in a red chimichurri sauce, rich and subtly spicy; and simple grilled yellow summer squash and zucchini. Yum!
Left to right, top to bottom: fingerling potatoes with chimichurri; stir-fried vegetable salad; butternut and edamame hash; and simple grilled summer squashes.
As to the ACD, I did my best to consume only “green-light” foods, but decided not to flagellate myself if I ended up eating a few non ACD-friendly items on the trip. This dietary decision led to two surprises: first, the enormous number of dishes I was able to find that easily complied with the diet’s restrictions (with the exception of a couple of salad dressings containing vinegar and the edamame-butternut hash, which I’m certain had a splash of maple syrup). The second surprise, given the volume of food I consumed, was that my weight still remains exactly where it was before the trip (whoo hoo!).
I think all Whole Foods stores should have palm trees beside them, don’t you?.
I was delighted to find a wealth of options at the local Whole Foods (they’re like McDonald’s that way, aren’t they? You can always count on them to be the same wherever you go), such as the tofu-rice salad (to the right in the display case below) which I ate along with roasted brussels sprouts for lunch our first full day in the city.
An abundance of vegan options, from green beans to tofu salad to roasted brussels sprouts. And at the back, there–could it be. . . SEITAN?
The HH and I even had a chance to stroll through the local Lincoln Mall, a series of streets closed to vehicular traffic, boasting a selection of upscale shops. Here’s the HH strolling along the pathway (coy, isn’t he?):
Note the shirt AND sweater required–and we were actually a little underdressed! Of course, it WAS the coldest winter in Miami in the last decade.
It was there I discovered a cute little café called Books and Books. Just take a look at the vegan section on their menu:
Mmmm–so many options! Should I have the Grilled Organic Tofu and Avocado Salad? Perhaps the Black & White Bean Salad? Or how about the Vegan Platter?
Of course, I determined right then that we had to have a meal at the place. We planned our final “goodbye to Miami” brunch there and showed up bright and early (10:30 AM) on the day of our departure. And then–Curses! The vegan menu applied only at lunchtime! They did offer to prepare a breakfast tofu scramble in lieu of eggs, but since I’d ingested soy three times by then, I felt I’d reached my tofu limit. We ended up back at Whole Foods, where I feasted on this:
Dolmades with 2 lentil salads (one with millet and one with quinoa). Gotta love Whole Foods!
Having consumed our final meal in Miami, we were ready to leave the carnival atmosphere and below-60F (15 C) temperatures. We packed up the rental car and bid my dad and the city adieu, heading out toward Highway 75 toward Sarasota, where we were scheduled to stay with my cousin Marketing Guru and his family.
Next Time: Fun in Sarasota. A recipe. And alligators!
[NB: Just a reminder that you have eight chances to win a free copy of my new cookbook, Sweet Freedom, in the next post!]
I was around 12 when my friends and I first began to find ourselves interested in boys as romantic partners, and not simply background annoyances during art class. (Yes, twelve is ancient by today’s standards!)
During that year at school, we girls were all given a little blue pamphlet (because pink would have been so conventional, and this was a progressive publication, you see) with a title something like, “For the Young Lady.” It was sponsored by Modess sanitary napkins (who knew it was pronounced “Mo-DESS”?)–and it was filled with platitudes about “what attracts a boy.”
Each page offered a different imperative, such as, “Boys like a girl who sits with her ankles crossed” and “Attractive girls always chew with their mouths closed.” But the decrees that made the strongest impression on me all concerned comportment–how to present yourself in the unspoken quest for a male: ”Always walk with your head high and your shoulders back,” or “Boys like girls who stride from the hips, not the waist” (still don’t get that one), or “Boys appreciate girls who laugh at their jokes.”
I spent many hours sequestered in my bedroom, eyes fixed on my contorted image in the mirror as I endeavored to perfect a near-military posture, shoulders pinned stiffly back, hips thrust forward and derriere in the air in an exaggerated arch (the origin of my current lumbar problems, perhaps?), laughing at imagined quips in a (vain) attempt to imitate the dulcet giggle of Serena (the more beguiling cousin on Bewitched). Unfortunately, I ended up looking like that farmer whose body is overtaken by aliens in Men in Black.
For some time after I studied that booklet, I worried that I was perhaps too much “myself,” and that was the reason why my friends all had beaux while I stayed home Saturday nights watching SNL (wait a sec–I still stay home Saturday nights watching SNL!). But I just couldn’t bring myself to “laugh at their jokes” if the jokes weren’t funny. Or to pretend I didn’t know the Calculus answer when I did. Or to fuss over his shiny red sportscar when really, isn’t it just a big metal box that gets you where you want to go?
As I got older, I began to believe that “being myself”–despite any drawbacks to my social life–was just easier than trying to be someone else. I’m with Mark Twain on this one, who once remarked that you should always tell the truth; “that way, you don’t have to remember anything.”
Fittingly, I’ve come to feel the same way about foods: comestibles should be just exactly what they are, rather than aspire to be a lesser imitation of something else. Partly for that reason, I’ve often resisted making veggie “burgers” (there are but two such recipes on this entire blog). It’s not that I don’t like a good, juicy veggie burger as much as the next guy (I tend to order burgers–and my beloved sweet potato fries–almost every time I go to a particular popular resto here in Toronto). It’s just that, for the most part, veggie burger recipes I’ve encountered in the past are often a thinly veiled attempt to impersonate a similar burger of the animal variety.
I just don’t see the point in using one food (for example, soy) to stand in for another food. If I wanted meat, I’d eat meat. I have no illusions that my tofu is going to taste like anything other than tofu–though that’s not to say it won’t be well-marinated, savory, intensely flavored tofu.
So if you’re looking for “meaty” burgers, I’m guessing these may not appeal to you; these are really and truly veggie burgers. They are not brown or pink like meat (their golden hue clearly suggests a more herbaceous origin). They are not dense and sinewy. They proudly pronounce their contents with clear flecks of chopped veggies. There is simply no mistaking that this is a vegetarian food. Eat these, and you are unequivocally entering a “no-meat” zone.
I got this recipe from my major ACD reference, The Complete Candida Yeast Guidebook. At first, I was skeptical that anything created specifically to help eradicate candida could be flavorsome. In the end, though, I actually loved these. With a hearty slather of avocado mayonnaise, they were the a perfect segue to spring. (These would also be smashing with some tahini-miso sauce.)
In typical fashion, the HH dismissed the patties as “too veggie” and continued reading his newspaper. But after I set down my plate, smacked my lips a few times and licked my fingers, he peered over the Business section and couldn’t resist asking for a bite.
“Not bad at all,” was the initial verdict. Pause. “Hmm, those are pretty good.”
I kept eating.
About halfway through the meal, he commented, “You know, those were great. They taste like something you’d get at one of those expensive health food restaurants.”
I kept chewing.
A few minutes later, he added, “You know, I’d eat one of those.”
Oh, really? What a surprise!
“Would you like me to heat one up for you?” I asked.
“Sure, that would be great,” he said. Then he scarfed it down in less time than it takes to push back your shoulders, thrust out your hips, and giggle oh-so-fetchingly.
Well, if you’ve read this blog for any time at all, you know that this scenario plays itself out fairly frequently in the DDD household; change the recipe, but the gist of the exchange is the same. Why, then, won’t the HH simply learn his lesson and trust me that he’s going to like what I cook, vegan or not? No idea. Guys are still a mystery to me, blue pamphlet or no blue pamphlet. But at least the HH is consistently the HH–his true, authentic self.
And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Springtime Veggie Burgers
adapted from Complete Candida Yeast Guidebook
These burgers really do evoke spring, with their multicolored flecks of vegetable matter, garden flavors and lighter texture. They’re perfect baked, as I made them, but would be great on the grill as well.
1 cup (240 ml) cooked, drained beans (I used chickpeas–but black beans, kidney beans, navy beans or pinto beans would be wonderful in these)
1 cup (240 ml) chopped mixed vegetables (I used carrot, celery, red pepper and tomato) or vegetable pulp from a juicer
1 small onion, cut into chunks
1/2 cup (120 ml) raw sunflower seeds
1 Tbsp (15 ml) raw pumpkin seeds
1/4 cup (60 ml) fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped
1 Tbsp (15 ml) Bragg’s, tamari or soy sauce
1/2 tsp (5 ml) dried dill weed
1/2 tsp (5 ml) dried basil
1/2 tsp (5 ml) dried tarragon
1/4 tsp (1 ml) fine sea salt
dash cayenne
1 tsp (5 ml) finely ground flax seeds
1/4-1/2 cup (60 ml-120 ml) flour (I used chickpea, but any mild-flavored flour would do; and finely ground breadcrumbs would be great in these)
Preheat oven to 375F (190C). Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper, or spray with nonstick spray.
Place everything except the flour in the bowl of a food processor and blend until almost smooth and only small flecks of vegetables remain (I like my burgers fairly homogenous; if you prefer chunkier burgers, process a bit less). Sprinkle with 1/4 cup (60 ml) flour to start, and pulse to combine; check the texture of the mixture with your hands. It should be very moist but still hold together. If the mixture is too wet, add more flour until desired consistency is reached.
Shape the mixture into 6-8 burgers, depending on how big you’d like them. Flatten each burger to 1/2 inch (2.5 cm) thickness and place on the cookie sheet, spacing evenly (these won’t spread as they bake).
Bake about 15 minutes on one side, then flip and bake another 10-15 minutes on the other side, until burgers are lightly browned. These may also be cooked on a flat grill; spray with olive oil spray and grill 8-10 minutes on one side, then flip and grill another 5-8 minutes on the other side.
Serve in buns with all the accoutrements, roll into wraps with tortillas or leafy greens, or serve with flatbreads. Makes 3-6 servings. May be frozen.
Now, I realize I promised a light and not-too-filling recipe today, but before we get to that, I must share something very rich and decadent and–because I ate most of it in one sitting–rather filling: the Peppermint Ritter Sport bar I won (a while ago, now) in Amey’s contest!
I received the bar in the mail a couple of weeks ago, and was thrilled to rip open the envelope and find that it reached me in perfect condition–all the way from California! While a couple of the squares had broken apart, the smooth, white, minty filling remained enclosed in the chocolate and every piece was perfectly edible. And believe me, eat it I did (well, I shared–just a wee bit–with the HH).
I also loved that the entire wrapper was in German! Here in Toronto, anyway, the Ritter Sports we get have multiple languages on the wrappers, including French and English. It made Amey’s seem much more authentic. Thanks so much, Amey! It’s always so exciting to get something fun in the mail, and that bar is a definite new favorite. (Wow, I think I’m a little overwhelmed with all the goodies I’ve received in the mail from other bloggers these past few months! Have I mentioned lately that you guys are THE BEST??!)
And after dessert. . . . breakfast!
A couple of weeks ago, I went out for brunch with my friend PR Queen to celebrate both our birthdays, which are a month apart. (Yes, this really was the birthday that refused to surrender!)
In any case, we went to an upscale vegan resto called Fressen, where the food is stellar (and the prices are equally astronomical). I relished my fresh beet, apple and carrot juice; salad of baby greens and balsamic-dijon dressing; and stuffed tofu omelet. But I just couldn’t see myself going there on a regular basis, mostly because (a) it’s right in the heart of the Queen West area of Toronto, just a minim too trendy, too grungy and too crowded for my taste; (b) Queen West is right in the heart of the general downtown in Toronto, a 35-minute drive away at the best of times, but more like an hour-plus when there’s traffic; (c) the prices there are, as I mentioned, bordering on the stratosphere; and (d) if I kept eating brunch there on a regular basis, I’d be denying myself the challenge of re-creating the same brunch at home. Which, because I’m just wacky that way, I endeavored to do the very next weekend.
First, I suppose I should pause here to admit that, for most of my life, I have been severely Ovule-Challenged. Whether soft boiled, sunny-side up, over easy, or any other way, I never did master egg cooking skills. And omelets add yet another layer of difficulty: the perfect (egg) omelet is meant to be uniformly puffy and light, all in one piece, possessing a slightly gooey interior that I’ve always found rather gag-inducing. Even when the HH and I were first together and I attempted omelets on a regular basis, my egg oeuvres (or would that be oeufres?) would invariably crack and split and wilt like leaves on my sorely neglected ficus plant every time I tried to flip them, resulting in breakage and a pan housing three or four large, ragged-edge slabs of egg, sprawled at odd angles. I’d end up stirring the mixture furiously, ultimately transforming it into a semi-scramble and calling it frittata. It wasn’t long before the HH took over omelet duty. He’s never had a problem whipping one up (literally); and, to this day, he cooks an omelet for himself almost every Sunday.
I assumed I’d have more success re-creating that tofu-based Fressen beauty (even though my first attempt at a tofu omelet also lacked that airy, pillowy texture, despite its wonderful flavor). What I loved about the Fressen version was how it seemed both moist and fluffy at the same time; while clearly cooked and browned on the outside, the inside remained soft, creamy, and light as custard. Stuffed with a succulent, rich filling of pesto, caramelized leek and mushrooms, it was a vision to behold: golden and crisp on the outside; vibrant green, tan and walnut-brown on the inside. And the flavor! The perfect edible mixture of woodsy, grassy, and airy. I wanted more!
Given its ultra-light texture, I surmised that the omelet included silken tofu along with the firm. I’d already mastered pesto during the summer when my experimental home-grown basil flourished so remarkably; and while we didn’t have leeks in the fridge, we did have an abundance of onions, which served as a servicable replacement.
I created the omelet base by adapting the generic recipe in Joni Marie Newman’sCozy Inside, with several adjustments and additions. I used home-made pesto, but you could just as well use store-bought. The rest of it comes together in a flash.
While the result wasn’t quite as fluffy as I’d hoped it would be, this did render a reasonable facsimile of the original. Great for a brunch at home after a holiday feast, and an especially tasty way to economize and avoid those sky-high restaurant bills .
You can use any tofu-based omelet recipe you choose for this recipe. While this one tastes great and the flavors are beautifully complemented by the filling, it is very fragile and breaks easily. A more sturdy recipe is this one; or use a version of your own.
Filling:
about 1/3 to 1/2 cup (80 to 120 ml.) pesto of choice (store-bought or home made)
2 Tbsp. (30 ml.) extra virgin olive oil
1 large onion, sliced thinly in half-moons
about 3/4 pound (350 g.) button, cremini, portobello or other mushrooms, sliced
Omelet:
Olive oil spray
1 pkg. (12 oz. or 375 g.) aseptically-packaged, firm silken tofu (such as Mori-Nu)
1/2 pkg. (about 6 oz. or 190 g.) regular extra-firm tofu
Make the filling: In a large frypan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onions and sauté until they are translucent, about 5 minutes. Cover and continue to cook another 5-10 minutes, stirring frequently, until the onions are soft and golden. Add the mushrooms and sauté another 5 minutes or so until they soften and begin to give off a bit of their liquid. Cover and turn off heat.
Make the omelettes: In a food processor, combine all ingredients until smooth.
Spray an omelet-sized (I used 8 inches, about 18-20 cm.) frypan with olive oil spray and heat over medium heat. Pour 1/4 to 1/3 of the omelet mixture into the pan (depending on how thick you like your omelet) and spread it to cover evenly. Cook 6-8 minutes, until the bottom is browned and the top is almost dry. Flip and cook the other side for a minute or two more. While the bottom cooks, spread 1/4 to 1/3 of the pesto over half of the omelet; top with 1/4 to 1/3 of the mushroom/onion mixture. When done, fold the omelet in half to cover the filling and slide from the pan onto the plate. Dig in! Makes 3 or 4 omelets, depending on thickness.
To flip the omelet, I use Joni Marie Newman’s method, as described in her book: “slide [the omelet] out of the pan onto a plate, cooked side down, then put the pan on top of the plate, and flip the uncooked side of the omelet back into the pan.” Then cook the other side according to your recipe.
