Roasted Radishes! Really!

I find fresh radishes a little boring.  But, roasted radishes are like candy!

Apparently, roasting radishes is nothing new.  I had never heard of it until I saw the idea at Saveur:  http://www.saveur.com/article/Recipes/Roasted-Radishes-1000079387   I can't wait to try it mixed with other vegetables over asian noodles.

Simply clean the radishes, chop off the ends and cut them in half.  Put them in a bowl with a little olive oil, salt and pepper.  Mix to coat evenly and then spread on a cookie sheet.  Roast for 40 minutes or until they get a little carmelized.  Delicious!

Mexican Style Noodle Casserole - Spicy and Vegan

I saw this new product at the grocery store and just had to make something with it.

Upton's Chorizo Seitan is already spiced and crumbled.  I had some poblano peppers in my refrigerator so I made a noodle casserole.  It turned out so good.  Total comfort food!  If you can't find this product, substitute any spicy "sausage" that you enjoy.

Spicy Noodle Casserole

4 cups large macaroni
2 T. vegetable oil
2 large poblano peppers, roughly chopped
1 red bell pepper, roughly chopped
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and diced
1/2 cup yellow onion, diced
8 oz package Upton's Chorizo Seitan
24 oz jar of pasta sauce
2 cups Daiya Mozzarella Style Cheese

Cook the macaroni according to package directions.  Drain the noodles and pour into large mixing bowl.  In a large frying pan, saute all the peppers and onion in oil until soft.  Pour sauteed vegetables into mixing bowl.  Break the seitan into crumbles and cook in the same frying pan for a couple of minutes.  Pour seitan into mixing bowl.  Add the pasta sauce and cheese to bowl and mix well.  Spray a large glass baking dish with cooking spray.  Pour mixture into baking dish and cook at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Convenient Vegan Food

I recently visited one of my family members for a week.  Near the end of the visit, she said, “I could become vegan if it were more convenient.”  Well, I was a tad angry.  I wanted to yell, “It’s not about you!  It’s about the animals and the environment.  Activism isn’t convenient!  You have to make an effort if you believe in something.  After my bitter moment passed, I starting thinking about how I could make it convenient for her.  There are so many convenience foods out there in grocery and specialty stores.  Everybody needs some “go-to” foods when they are feeling lazy.

 Today’s convenient food is from Trader Joe’s --  “Misto alla Griglia.”  This marinated grilled eggplant and zucchini is kept in the freezer.  To make a sandwich, I use two pieces of eggplant and three zucchini slices.  Just microwave it for two minutes and then put in on nice crusty bread with Vegenaise, roasted red peppers, tomato, and arugula.  YUM!  Seriously, this is fabulous and easy.  Guests are always impressed.