Lists

I won't be able to do any major vegan menu overhauls until Friday. I'm all "groceried up" for the rest of the week and pay day is not until Friday. I have however, been making a list, rather obsessively I might add, of all the things I want to try this month. In fact, I now fill my insomniac nights with ideas for vegan food.

I think I've come up with a few good ones and from what I've been reading of vegan food, the trick seems to be filling the dish with flavor using herbs and spices. So I am focusing on what will bring a basic veggie dish to the next level and leave me full and satisfied. (Luckily with vegan food, I won't feel guilty going for seconds)

Here's a peek at my shopping list;

Large Portobello caps
Onion, shallot, garlic
Spinach (fresh)
Brussels Sprouts
Veg stock
White Beans
Chick Peas
Black Beans
Zucchini
Carrots
Tomato (fresh and canned)
Fresh Ginger
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Tofu-firm (This is a big leap for me)
Sesame seeds
Peppers
Avocados
Lime
Jicama
Radishes
Green Onions
Cilantro
Red Wine
(Look into different grains)

So, I think there's some potential there. I already use brown rice often and I want to try some different grains. I'll have to see what the local store has and give it a go. There's no Trader Joe's or Whole Foods out in the "boonies" where I live so I have to deal with what I've got.

The Tofu will be a challenge for me because the last time I made a dish with it, it did not impress. I will eat Tofu at restaurants, but I have not been able to make it appetizing myself. I'm going to try again though.

I am also going to try to make some egg free pasta. I could eat pasta every day for every meal and be happy, but I've never made it. We'll see how that goes.

Just today I realized that I will have to say goodbye to my favorite breakfast, Greek yogurt with honey and berries. (Le Sigh) I won't cry though...I can do this and am excited for the prospects.

Thanks for all the encouraging comments.

Danna