Since Stephanie posted a recipe that uses vegan cheese recently, I had to pipe in with my 2 cents worth. Vegan cheese is difficult to use. Plain and simple. For the most part it's kind of a joke and not worth the hassle. It doesn't really melt, the flavor can be lacking and within a day it dries up in the fridge and becomes even more unmanageable. It's like working with a virgin who finally gives it up (which ends up be quite lackluster since they don't know what they're doing) and then decides to go back to holding off since it's just too much to handle. That is how I view vegan cheese. Sometimes it's a near neccesity though.
When using vegan cheese though, I only use "Vegan Gourmet" this shit actually MELTS! It's the only vegan cheese I've found that does so. It also has a really good flavor. It still dries out and gets nasty if left in the fridge longer than a day though. Which is completely wasteful and annoying as all hell. Recently I had one too many glasses of wine before making dinner and got a bit carried away with my cheese grating and grated too much. Nothing other than my drunken haze compelled me to make this decision, but I ended up freezing said cheese. I knew I wouldn't be using it again for a while, and in the state that I was, sticking it in the freezer seemed like a perfect solution. After all, when you pay as much as you do for vegan cheese, who the hell wants to waste it? Little did I know, it actually was the perfect solution! Freezing it allows it to hold it's moisture and you can just take out a little bit at a time as you need it. It completely eliminates the waste! So now everytime I buy it I cut a few slices out of it, then shred the rest, put it all in a ziplock bag and shove it in the freezer. When I need it, I just take out whatever amount I need, let it sit at room temperature for about 5 minutes and then it's all set use! It's the perfect solution and makes for no waste which saves you money that can be better spent towards booze.
Off to fill up my wine glass!
Jen Wa
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
PRODUCT REVIEW
I went grocery shopping the other day and picked up a premade Vegetarian sandwhich from the frozen section. I was shopping at Foods for Less and let's just say their selection is pretty crappy, but I don't always want to make myself a meal. I don't think I should be denied pre-made frozen crap just because I don't eat meat, so any time I see a quick and easy entree I have to try it.
This product is NOT Vegan. It does contain cheese.
I microwaved one of these puppies this morning and really my only complaint is the bread. The bun is pretty dry, small and very easily overcooked. The Chik'n patty though isn't bad. It's pretty flavorful and didn't dry out when I cooked it. I looked for traditional oven directions, since most frozen food is better if you cook it in the oven but is a strictly microwave product.
I don't think this would ever be something I bought on a regular basis, but hey, when the munchies strike and all you have at your disposal is the 24 hour grocery store, this isn't so bad. It's like the vegetarian equivalent of those bad gas station hot dogs and burgers people buy when they're drunk and trying to sober up. Not really that good or good for you, but sometimes needed.
This product is NOT Vegan. It does contain cheese.
I microwaved one of these puppies this morning and really my only complaint is the bread. The bun is pretty dry, small and very easily overcooked. The Chik'n patty though isn't bad. It's pretty flavorful and didn't dry out when I cooked it. I looked for traditional oven directions, since most frozen food is better if you cook it in the oven but is a strictly microwave product.
I don't think this would ever be something I bought on a regular basis, but hey, when the munchies strike and all you have at your disposal is the 24 hour grocery store, this isn't so bad. It's like the vegetarian equivalent of those bad gas station hot dogs and burgers people buy when they're drunk and trying to sober up. Not really that good or good for you, but sometimes needed.
Vegetarian Sloppy Joes? Oh yes, it can happen
A long time ago before I decided to become a vegetarian/pescetarian, I dated a guy who was a veg for the first year we were together. I wasn't, but that didn't stop me from eating loads of yummy vegetarian things to try them out. One night we were drinking wine in a bar in North Hollywood and he confided in me that he really really missed Sloppy Joes.
Coming from a white trash taste palate myself, I love me some Sloppy Joes. So I ran right out and figured something out for him.
Since I was drunk and it was late we went the instant route, which is what this blog is all about. And we bought two more bottles of wine in the process.
Anyway what you will need to construct these drunken deliciousness is this:
1-Can of Sloppy Joe mix. I used Del Monte when I made these last night. Yes you can make your own sauce if you're that kind of uppity cook, but the point of this recipe is the simplicity with which you can make and eat something while wasted. Check the ingredients on any canned item before buying it to ensure it does not have animal products in it.
1-box of Rice O Roni Spanish Rice. (Or substitute the Spanish rice of your choice. Trust me though, Spanish rice is the way to go, so stop being a rice racsist and get back on board.)
1-14 oz Can of Tomatoes. You can substitute salsa here as well if you need a bigger kick in your Joes. However the chopped tomotaoes give the sandwhich more depth and a better consistancy.
1-package of the hamburger buns of your choice
1-sliced vegan cheese
Preparation:
Step 1- Have a cocktail. Walk around the house drinking and swearing and turn on some music. I like to cook to Tom Waits and Billie Holliday. I know Jen Wa prefers Rancid.
Step 2- Have another cocktail. Put the Spanish rice on the stove and cook it how the freakin' box says to. Don't forget to add the tomatoes. This is going to take about 20 minutes, so you might as well have another cocktail.
Step 3- After the rice has simmered down to the right consistancy you add the sloppy joe mixture. Stir it around and cover the rice with it just like you would if you were making the meaty version.
Step 4- (optional) toast the buns in the oven or toaster. I have a gas oven so I just toast them in there.
Step 5- Take toasted buns out and add your vegan cheese slices.
Step 6- Add the "sloppy joe" mix on to the bun according to how hungry you are. Be careful, these are actually very sloppy. But delicious.
Step 7- Have another cocktail and eat this goodness
I found this Vegan Sloppy Joe mix on the internet you can buy as well. I've never had it so I don't know if it's worth the 7.95 though. I've also never used a subsitute meat product instead of rice. Most faux meats gross me out to be quite honest, but I'm sure if you really wanted to grind up a Boca Burger and soak it in sloppy joe sauce, you could.
Coming from a white trash taste palate myself, I love me some Sloppy Joes. So I ran right out and figured something out for him.
Since I was drunk and it was late we went the instant route, which is what this blog is all about. And we bought two more bottles of wine in the process.
Anyway what you will need to construct these drunken deliciousness is this:
1-Can of Sloppy Joe mix. I used Del Monte when I made these last night. Yes you can make your own sauce if you're that kind of uppity cook, but the point of this recipe is the simplicity with which you can make and eat something while wasted. Check the ingredients on any canned item before buying it to ensure it does not have animal products in it.
1-box of Rice O Roni Spanish Rice. (Or substitute the Spanish rice of your choice. Trust me though, Spanish rice is the way to go, so stop being a rice racsist and get back on board.)
1-14 oz Can of Tomatoes. You can substitute salsa here as well if you need a bigger kick in your Joes. However the chopped tomotaoes give the sandwhich more depth and a better consistancy.
1-package of the hamburger buns of your choice
1-sliced vegan cheese
Preparation:
Step 1- Have a cocktail. Walk around the house drinking and swearing and turn on some music. I like to cook to Tom Waits and Billie Holliday. I know Jen Wa prefers Rancid.
Step 2- Have another cocktail. Put the Spanish rice on the stove and cook it how the freakin' box says to. Don't forget to add the tomatoes. This is going to take about 20 minutes, so you might as well have another cocktail.
Step 3- After the rice has simmered down to the right consistancy you add the sloppy joe mixture. Stir it around and cover the rice with it just like you would if you were making the meaty version.
Step 4- (optional) toast the buns in the oven or toaster. I have a gas oven so I just toast them in there.
Step 5- Take toasted buns out and add your vegan cheese slices.
Step 6- Add the "sloppy joe" mix on to the bun according to how hungry you are. Be careful, these are actually very sloppy. But delicious.
Step 7- Have another cocktail and eat this goodness
I found this Vegan Sloppy Joe mix on the internet you can buy as well. I've never had it so I don't know if it's worth the 7.95 though. I've also never used a subsitute meat product instead of rice. Most faux meats gross me out to be quite honest, but I'm sure if you really wanted to grind up a Boca Burger and soak it in sloppy joe sauce, you could.
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