Brussels Bites



So I had a remark that there is not enough “how-to” any more here. I guess I agree, so here we go! A completely original recipe.

Did you know it’s Brussels sprouts, not Brussel sprouts? The more you know!

Brussels Bites
I know it’s not a very good name, but suck it.

How to clean & cook Brussels Sprouts:
Rinse them well. Peel off the outside layer of leaves and chop off the stem. Make an X with your knife in the bottom of the stem (to cook better). Steam for about 5 minutes (until they are bright green). But for this recipe, maybe only 3 minutes.

Pan fry some Tofurky Beer Brat medallions with oil and garlic, and toss in the Brussels sprouts with it for a few more minutes.

Next, get some pre-made croissant dough. Depending on how many sprouts you have, you may have to put the precut pieces back together and then re-cut out how many pieces of dough you need.

Place one medallion and sprout in the croissant square. Then wrap the dough around the two, slightly patting it into a ball, trying to get the air out. Repeat with the rest. Try and work quickly if possible. Bake by the croissant directions (about 10 minutes until golden brown). Enjoy!

I also made standard mashed potatoes as a side, along with portobella and onion gravy. I’ve become awesome at making gravy from scratch. It involves browned flour, oil for the fat, water and soy sauce. Usually though in some mushrooms at the end.
Here is a good basic gravy recipe until you can get a handle on it yourself. Seriously, cooking it in that order is the key to good gravy.

Bibimbap


My first real taste of Korean food, from a Korean restaurant.
I had Bibimbap, minus egg and meat.
It comes out super hot, and you have to stir all the stuff around in the bowl before the rice sticks to the sides. So the rice gets kinda crunchy and good with all this other stuff mixed in. Good, but not amazing.

Kim-chi still may be one of the most disgusting things on earth.

First Class Food

My last flight I treated myself to first class. The two dishes during the 12 hour flight included a nice selection of fresh-ish cold (bland) veggies and hot (bland) veggies, fruit, a small side of rice and a piece of bread, with a snack of mixed nuts. I was left pining for more carbs and starving when we landed. While first class has a nice food tray for anyone to go get something from, my only selection was an under-ripe banana that I passed on. Dinner was just as pathetic so I didn’t even bother to take a picture.

Sad to think my economy meals had more flavor and left me stuffed.
So NorthWest Airways, if you are reading this, please don’t take the term “rabbit food” so literal next time please. And FYI, butter is not vegan.

Mushroom ravioli and polenta bites


Ok, It’s not really ravioli, although that’s what Vegetarian Times called it (similar recipe, skip the cheese and add garlic and rosemary). All you need is gyoza/wonton wrappers (most are NOT vegan so read carefully. Asian food stores are your best bet over supermarket brands). Lightly pan fry! No sauce needed with ‘butter’, garlic and onions!
Also made cute polenta bites, which I made using small cookie cutters. Sauce is pure tomato sauce mixed with artichoke hearts (until creamy) and a dash of nutmeg. Num!

Breakfast Buddies Pot luck


I have given these guys their official name, Breakfast Buddies! Let the “mc” rule your language no more! I made mini Breakfast Buddies with Gimme Lean sausage for a potluck. They were a big hit and that makes me very happy! My recipe is super easy. Try them with any of your fav fixin’s!

Vegan Japan

I’ll (try to) spare the talk and get on with the pretty pictures!

Mr. Young Men
Kyoto (Teramachi & Shijo)
Okonomiyaki


Tofu Okonomiyaki
(shown with miso soup with fried tofu)

Osaka is the famous place to get this cuisine, but Mr Young Men is accomidating and has a ton of options. Just ask for no eggs, mayo, or katsuo-bushi (fish flakes).

Cafe Peace
Kyoto (Demachiyanagi)
International vegan


Brown rice, tvp chikn in a tomato sauce, fries, potato salad, hijiki salad, cabbage and veggie salad, pear jelly dessert.


Kareage- fried chikn in a crispy potato basket with tortilla chips and sweet tomato sauce.

Not pictured: Soy Mince & Chive Chijimi (korean ‘pancake’) and almond and chocolate poundcake for dessert. The almond poundcake was one of the best things I’ve eaten in a long time.

Nara National Museum cafe
Nara
Chinese style cafe

Chewy sweet and sour tvp on a bed of greens and chinese buns to pick it all up with!

Maman Terrace
Osaka (Shinsaibashi)
Macrobiotic

Way over priced. I got a nice plate of food and my mom got almost nothing for the same price. Good, but not recommended.

Breaded chickpea drum sticks with bamboo. Also a side of aglio e olio.

Pumpkin cake with an orange glaze with crunchy pumpkin pellets and puffed rice to the side. Also a soy cappucchino.

Brown Rice Cafe & Deli
Tokyo (OmoteSando/Aoyama)
Macrobiotic

I’ve never been in the actual cafe, I love the deli too much. It’s my favorite place!
I got my usual veggie burger and a brown rice ratatoulle pocket (past post). And for dessert?

Chocolate Tofu Torte. MMMMMMM It was like mousse!

Der Akkord
Tokyo (Omotesando/Aoyama)
German, Vegan, Macrobiotic bakery

Right down the road from Brown Rice, this bakery gives out samples and has a great array of baked goods for us vegans!

I had an apple jam pie, coconut banana cake, and curry bread (curried veggies and rice baked inside pastry).

Pure Cafe
Tokyo (Aoyama/Omotesando)
Vegan Cafe

Pure Cafe, better known for its (now defunct store front) sister store Cafe Eight, is located in an Aveda. Sadly its website is lacking photos of this wonderfully place and its food. They have a small ever changing menu, as well as breakfast!

Vegetable Torte. Sauteed veggies on a lovely crust covered in a nutrtional yeast and tofu cheez sauce. MM!

Tiramisu. The end.