Traveling

Hello!

I've been busy packing for Austin- basically running around like a crazy lady

All of my stuff is officially in Austin now. I, however, will be taking some time to travel for the next 2 months.

I'll post about my adventures when I return and I will be keeping up this blog while I am in culinary school. It will be fun to track my progress :)

See you soon


Teddy

Hot Spring Days

It's been so hot out recently that I keep thinking it's Summer but technically it's still Spring! The heat distracted me from packing this weekend and literally FORCED me to go out to the beach :).

I've been hooked on gelato ever since I went to Italy. It's become physically impossible to have too much of this treat. Can you guess what flavor this is?

....

It's Avocado! I highly recommend at least test tasting it if you ever get the chance.

Ok, on the agenda for this week, PACK.

Teddy

And the news is....

I am moving to AUSTIN

and

Going to the Natural Epicurean Academy of Culinary Arts!!!



They is a 2 year macrobiotic culinary program. I'm very excited. I gave my 2 weeks notice at work this week but now I've been running around frantically preparing to move. Fortunately I will not be moving out there alone. Cara is moving there too!!
She's actually going to be there before me. This summer I will be vacationing and moving. We'll see if I have time to sleep because I will be uber busy!

Coincidentally I have been to Austin once before and I have FOOD pictures from a restaurant aTxVegn recommended I try.


Veggie Heaven! I had a yam and tofu dish



This is a soy ball dish. The soy balls tasted a lot like falafel.
Veggie Heaven is a whole in the wall find, my favorite kind of restaurant. They closed a little early, 9PM on a Saturday night, but were nice enough to let us come in at 8:50pm.
I agree with aTxVegn, you need to try this place if you come to Austin, well after you try Natural Epicurean's restaurant of course. :)
Both dishes were packed with veggies and I have no idea what was in the sauces but they were plate licking good. Portion size was generous, enough for 2 meals for me, and it was only about $6-$8 a plate.
Thanks for the great recommendation! :)

Okay, I've been packing tonight and I need to get back to it!

Teddy

Big News!

I will be announcing BIG NEWS at the end of the week.

Stay tuned!

It will explain my lack of posts the last week :)


Teddy

PS Happy Belated Mother's Day!!!!

Vegetarian Antipasto

My family got together this weekend and family get-togethers equals vegetarian dishes by my step dad John! This time he put together one mean vegetarian antipasto. The whole family enjoys veg dishes. By the end of the day, this plate was practically licked clean. I would have licked it but it seemed a tad inappropriate.




Now, John put together this salad so I not 100% sure of all the ingredients but I'll give it a try.




Vegetarian Antipasto:

Artichoke hearts
Sun dried tomatoes
Lima Beans
Heirloom tomatoes
Potatoes
Black olives
Mushrooms
Fresh basil
Olive oil
Parmesan cheese

Looks good huh? :)

Teddy

Cinco De Mayo

Happy Cinco de Mayo!! Or as Cara and I call it, Cinco de Mikeo (it's her bf Mike's birthday).
Do you like my red, green and white combo above? It's tomato, garlic/onion and green peppers/cilantro. That alone would be a tasty salsa but what kind of cinco de mikeo would it be without guacamole?



Add one avocado and scoop away with organic blue corn tortilla chips.

Great news to anyone who lives near Henry's... Avocados are only 33 cents right now!! I picked myself up about 4 or 5. I think it's about time for me to try an avocado shake. Stay tuned to see if I chicken out haha ;)


Teddy

Couches, Cats and Cucumber Salad

I read a lot of blogs, arguably TOO many- if that's possible hehe
Last week I recall reading about someone's potato salad. Potato salad screams summer to me but unfortunately I had no potatoes. However, I do have cucumber and that makes a great salad as well.
1 cucumber + 2 tsp of apple vinegar + 1 heavy pinch of sugar or some agave + 1 scallion + some finely julienned carrots = ONE GREAT cucumber salad




This is my roommate's kitty and we've been chilling on this couch lately. That is what weekends were made for right? ...
YEP, I think so too ;)

Better get back to it eh?

Teddy

PS I must mention that I got up off the couch for bowling with Cara and Mike. Guess who got her first turkey EVER!! I rule haha

Squash

Last week I mentioned that I went to Little Saigon for some shopping. While there I picked up a bunch of random veggies and fruits and I have NO idea what they are actually called because most things there are not labeled in English.
This is one of those things that I don't know the name of lol... :)
It's some sort of squash. I roasted it, obviously and it was very sweet. Actually nothing else was done to this squash, I consumed as is, skins and all.

Anyone want to suggest what kind of squash this is? The flesh is that yellow-ish color and the outside is green. I think I may go back and ask someone.

Have a great day!

Teddy

Thai Curry

As my friends have pointed out to me oh so many times, curry is not for everyone. Thai curry especially but coconut milk is one of my favorite ingredients.
I love adding it to dessert, breakfasts and curries.

Above is a red curry from Jasmine Thai. I've blogged about this place many a time. They will veganize your orders and have great service- it probably doesn't hurt that I go there so often.

This weekend was spent movie watching and on Sunday Justin Rudd's chalk art contest.

I'm curious- what do you use coconut milk for? Am I the only coconut milk fanatic? :)


Teddy

Chick Pea Pita

First things first.
Do you call these beans chick peas or garbanzo beans? I know, same thing right? So why the two names? 'Suppse I could research it, but perhaps one of you know and I won't have to :)

Onto dinner. It's Cara Cooks night again!
Now, I had no idea what to call this. Cara calls it heaven aka her new invention.
Apparently it's chick peas mixed with tomato basil hummus, tahini, cilantro, feta cheese (which I don't like but could not taste so YAY) and cayenne pepper. Don't quote me on that though. There were a lot of ingredients and my memory isn't tip top if you know what I mean.

Warm and schmear the mixture into a pita pocket, top with some greenery (in this case alfalfa sprouts) and chow down.

First bite impression- FLAVOR EXPLOSION! Then it mellowed a little and was very enjoyable. I recommend trying it without the feta for you vegans :)

Ok I am L-A-T-E for work and still in jammies.

Teddy