Vegan MoFo Day 14 - A Survey!

I know, I know. Surveys are the worst! But maybe it'll help people get to know a little bit more about me. The official Vegan MoFo survey this year seems to be about gluten-free cooking, which I really don't know enough about, so I cobbled together two old MoFo surveys to make one giant super-survey. Feel free to chime in with your answers in the comments below!

Favorite non-dairy milk?

ZenSoy is pretty much the only soy milk I drink now (just wish it came in smaller cartons because I can never finish all that soy milk in 7-10 days!). Still looking for a good organic almond milk that isn't made by THE MAN.

 

Topping of choice for popcorn?

I make popcorn the old-fashioned way now! Put some organic popcorn kernels in the bottom of a big pot, coat with olive oil, cover with a lid and turn up the heat to medium-high. Shake the pot around until all the popping has stopped, then pour a little melted Earth Balance on top and sprinkle with sea salt. It's like crack.

Favorite pickled item?

My mom just reminded me how I loved pickled green tomatoes when I was a kid. I pretty much like any pickled veggie, especially if it’s nice and garlickey.

How do you organize your recipes?

My parents-in-law made each of their kids a binder of family recipes a few Christmases ago. It’s one of the cutest and funniest things ever! I keep all my hand-written and printed on-line recipes tucked inside there.

 

If you were stranded on an island and could only bring 3 foods… what would they be (don’t worry about how you’ll cook them)?

If my goal was to stay healthy: green kale, chickpeas, and brown rice. If I wanted to live out my days in debauchery: potato chips, candy bars, and whiskey.

Fondest food memory from your childhood?

The days-long Easter and Thanksgiving cooking frenzies starring my mom, grandma, aunt, cousins and great aunts!

Favorite vegan ice cream?

Lula’s Sweet Apothecary is the stuff that dreams are made of. For store bought, I love Purely Decadent Peanut Butter Zig Zag.

Most loved kitchen appliance?

I use my food processor about 1,000 times a week, sometimes multiple times in one cooking session. Her name is Dolly and she’s a trooper!

 

Spice/herb you would die without?

Cinnamon

 

Cookbook you have owned for the longest time?

“The Kind Diet” – I still read it all the time for inspiration.

 

Favorite flavor of jam/jelly?

I’m an apple butter girl through-and-through.

Seitan, tofu, or tempeh?

Tempeh! It puts the others to shame.

What is sitting on top of your refrigerator?

Some of Johnny’s meds, some lightbulbs and occasionally a box of food that won’t fit in the cupboard.

Name 3 items in your freezer without looking.

Gardein Seven Grain Chick’n Strips, frozen strawberries, and frozen bananas (just put those in there last night in anticipation of making banana soft-serve!).

Favorite grocery store?

Natural Frontier, a local health food store that is only 3 blocks from my house. They carry so much awesome vegan stuff and have a juice bar!

 

Name a recipe you’d love to veganize, but haven’t yet.

My grandma’s Kentucky Prune Cake. I’m pretty sure its creation will bring about the end of the world, so I’ve been putting it off… you’re welcome.

 

Favorite vegan candy/chocolate?

Mahalo Bars by Go Max Go! I haven’t tried their other varieties yet, but the Mahalo Bars are like vegan Almond Joys. Yes, I just said “vegan Almond Joys.” <drool>

Most extravagant food item purchased lately?

$10 worth of raw cashews. I always underestimate how much food I’m getting in the bulk bins! I just like to press that lever and let the sundries flow.  

What is a food or dish you wouldn’t touch as a child, but enjoy now?

 

Mushrooms, beets, and brussel sprouts. Funny how tastes change so much as you grow.

What vegan dish or food you feel like you “should” like, but don’t?

I’ve had some good seitan, but I’ve also had enough bad seitan to be completely scared of it now.

What dish are your “famous” for making or bringing to gatherings?

Hummus! Our family has hummus flowing through our veins, what can I say?

What’s one food or dish you tend to eat too much of when you have it in your home?

"One food or dish" I tend to eat too much of? HA! One? Plain potato chips are the biggest offender (though certainly not the only offender). I cannot be trusted with them.

What ingredient or food is worth spending the extra money to get “the good stuff”?

Organic fruits and veggies, especially for juicing. I’d hate to end up with a glass half-full of pesticides and chemicals when I’m trying to be healthy.

What is your favorite vegetable? Fruit?

Veggie: green kale. Fruit: cherries. Line-straddler: avocado (it's like the androgynous "Pat" character of produce and it's delicious).

What is the best salad dressing?

I’m always down for some Goddess dressing, but Johnny loves when I make my own dressing using olive oil, balsamic, a bit of lemon juice, whole grain mustard and a touch of agave.

What is your favorite thing to put on toasted bread?

My homemade Nutella. Duh. Runner up: peanut butter and banana slices

What is your most-loved “weeknight meal”?

Nachos/tacos/burritos/tostadas. The toppings always include homemade guacamole, refried beans, tomato, and lettuce and sometimes include Soyrizo, Daiya Cheese, homemade salsa, or rice. The state of the tortillas matters not, they are merely topping delivery systems.

What is one dish or food you enjoy, but can’t get anyone else in your household to eat?

Olives. Black olives, green olives, Kalamata olives…  I miss you!

How long, in total, do you spend in the kitchen on an average day?

About 2 hours. Way longer on the weekends when I can be leisurely.