For the rice, I used brown rice. Once it had finished cooking, I transferred it to a non stick skillet and added some cumin, turmeric, soy sauce, pepper, nutritional yeast, frozen veggies and a can of chickpeas (drained and rinsed). This was one of those times that I didn't measure anything, I just winged it. I cooked the rice mixture for about 10-15 minutes.
The results of the broiled tofu and chickpea rice turned out phenomenal! The lemony flavor of the tofu was a perfect compliment to the chickpea rice. I'll definitely be making it again....two thumbs up for the tofu!
Question....what are you doing for Thanksgiving? Do you have a big family get together where your family members aren't vegan? This is my first Thanksgiving as a vegan and I am trying to decide what to cook for myself. My family members are not vegan....not even vegetarian. Any suggestions as to what would be an easy one person meal to make for Thanksgiving?
~Peace~
Hi Michelle,
ReplyDeleteMaybe a stuffed Kabocha squash with rice and veggies, a nice side salad and some vegan pumkin pie for dessert?
xo
Aimee
I think we'll be dining with friends and while it will not be a vegan meal, there will be lots of vegetables, and I'll bring a veggie dish as well.
Michelle,
ReplyDeleteThat does sound like a good combo, lemon adds such a nice dimension to dishes. I have Veganomicon and should really use it more; I'll check out that recipe. The rice though, is the star on the plate for me: it looks really yummy, full of different veggies and flavor!
Aimee's idea for a solo Thanksgiving main course is a really good one....I was also thinking maybe an individual sized veggie pot pie, or similar.
This year, I'm veganizing the portobello Wellingtons from the Cafe Flora cookbook.
Your seasoned rice sounds and looks so good! I love chickpeas. I've been eating lots of them lately and my husband just told me he doesn't like them as much as I do. Oops.
ReplyDeleteThis year my parents are coming into town for Thanksgiving, and we'll be just the four of us at my house. I offered to get a small turkey breast for my folks, but my mom declined... I am worried she will change her mind once Thanksgiving comes! (Don't tell her!) We still do the traditional sides, but just leave out the butter and chicken broth, etc.
In addition to the one-person meal already suggested, maybe you could offer to bring your favorite dish and make it vegan?? If you like sweet potato casserole best, you could use margarine/earth balance and soy milk, and then everyone would eat it (and not notice). I'm not sure what your family eats but that might be a good idea so your food is not completely separate. And it's always fun to bring a good vegan dessert to share!
Funny I have that cookbook and haven't used it. I probably should look at it again.
ReplyDeleteWhat about a portabello mushroom cap stuffed with dressing? I also like Aimee's idea of stuffed squash.
Ali
your first thanksgiving vegan!!! wow talk about rights of passage! lol i usually bring a vegan option or pick around and find stuff. it helps tht my family doesnt put bacon in green beans or other weird meaty things like that. but i got lucky in that respect, they never have. my dad actually, if he has time, will make vegan food! so they are pretty good about it. i think the more years that go by the easier it is for for vegans. people get used to you:) i jsut try (lol its not that hard:) to be really excited over what i CAN eat and never ever act like im sorry for missing out..cuz im not but i did feel deprived when i first became vegan.
ReplyDeleteoh i jsut used lemon in my tofu for the first time! i love it also!!
Hmm, that's a tough one to make a one-serving dish for yourself. I like the above suggestions on meals. My husband and I have Thanksgiving with just our children; it's one holiday that I figured could be all vegan for us. For the other holidays, we join the rest of the family, and it's potluck style. My mom will usually bring a vegan dish for us, and of course, I do. So, I always know there's going to be at least two dishes. But, it's still kind of a bummer. If you have to have one dish just for yourself, I think the above suggestions are good ones. Good luck and let us know what happens!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the heads up on the Tofu & Rice recipe. I never make anything out of Veganomicon unless I see someone else make it first.
ReplyDeleteI love the look of the chickpea rice. I must bookmark this recipe, esp as I love chickpeas. Some times I think I am goign to turn into a chickpea.
ReplyDeleteI like the potpie suggestion above, and I also like the idea of bringing dishes that everyone would like - if you can think of something? I'm still always really nervous doing that myself; I don't know why. I worry if people will like it or not.
ReplyDeleteThanksgiving will get easier as they get used to your new diet. Maybe??? they will become more accomodating?
I used to suffer through bringing one dish to eat every year (too hard to bring more since we were traveling). We've pretty much decided to have Thanksgiving on our own every year and have done it that way for a few years. Obviously that doesn't work when there is a mixed household. :) Everyone finds a way to make it work for themselves.
I love lemon-y foods.
Do you have any vegan restaurants close to you? We have one that is kind of close to us that us doing a vegan Thanksgiving take out. It has some kind of tofurkeyish thing, mashed potatoes, cranberry and several other things for about 24$. I know that is kind of expensive but I would hate to only eat one thing for Thanksgiving. You could see if you have a rest. that is doing something like that. I just read in vegnews that pillsbury crescent rolls are vegan so if I was going to cook something for just me I would probably make those and some vegan mashed potatoes for one and probably some dressing for one and then I would take some kind of veggie to share with everyone. Good Luck!
ReplyDeleteThat chickpea rice looks so great! I loce chickpea anything! So glad youre making such delicious recipes. If youve got a copy of veganomicon try the chickpea cutles...youll love them!
ReplyDeleteLasagne? We don't have thanksgiving in Italy, but lasagne (even a veggie one) is always good for celebrations :-)
ReplyDeleteciao
Alessandra
So many good suggestions! I vote for making a healthy whole food dish using lots of delicious seasonal vegetables. You could make a casserole, or something like a Sheppard's pie. And what about dessert? A sweet vegan treat is always a great way to win people over :)
ReplyDelete