Always One Ingredient Short

A well stocked pantry is any cook's best friend, and a vegan cook is no different. Missing a key ingredient or spice can alter the flavor and texture of a meal, and make or break it. My pantry is never well stocked, and every other time I go to cook I end up missing at least one thing that I need, but I plow ahead anyway, with no regard to taste or style. Usually, when this occurs, the dish turns in to a disaster, and confirms my boys suspicions that vegan cooking is god awful. Vegan cooking is incredible, when done right. I am not yet at the 'done right' stage of cooking. It's a process.

I have 65 cookbooks, give or take. Almost all of them are vegan, reflecting my mind's commitment to veganism, despite my stomach's refusal to jump on board. A good vegan cook book is a valuable tool, not only with recipes, but with information about stocking your pantry with vegan friendly food, and your kitchen with an assortment of utensils. One of my favorite parts of veganism is how incredibly varied the diet is. When I eat the typical American diet, I tend to eat the same things. Cheeseburgers. Pizza. PF Chang's frozen dinners for two. As a vegan, the world is suddenly my plate, and I cook an Ethiopian stew one night, and a South American dish the next. I become a traveler over the dining room table, hitting Africa, Europe and Asia all in the same week. It's the only way I can afford to travel, at the moment, and it works well for me. I have visions of The Kid and The Bebe and I in the kitchen, whipping up dinner, and discussing the country and culture of the society who's meal we are trying. Exposing the kids to the world, one meal at a time.


 Tonight I am hoping to entertain a few friends over dinner. I am pulling out The Vegan Table (Colleen Patrick-Goudreau) in hopes to find a fun, simple menu for our meal. I am thinking a light spring-time meal- one with an Eastern twist.

Thai Curry with Veggies
Pad Thai
Honeydew Melon in Coconut Milk

I have never used this cookbook before, but the meals seem beautiful and easy. Here is hoping that it all turns out.