Hooray for TVP!!!

I went to whole foods today and found dried TVP in the bulk section. This is so exciting to me because lately I have been dreaming and drooling at the idea of a buffalo chicken cheesesteak but couldn't figure out what to make the chicken out of. Nothing seemed to be right for making it. But this is PERFECT!!! I am so excited. I will try to remember to post pics and the recipe I end up using when I make it this week. weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

~teardrop~

I don't like when people hurt my feelings. Intentionally or unintentionally, it sucks. And for some reason I had this instant attachment to this person who I guess didn't reciprocate the connection. I feel like a weird stalker or something for having wanted this friendship when it obviously wasn't a mutual feeling. How do you get past something so silly? I mean, I'm an adult...I'm not 5. I can't be all mad cause person x doesn't want to play with me!! ~sigh~

Time goes by....

and I don't have much to write about. We currently have a ton of snow on the ground. And I love snow...love it and I love snow days which are so quiet that I forget I live in a city but...ENOUGH already. Sheesh!! I'm afraid to drive or walk anywhere because it's so slippery outside. So while all this snow is going on I have been dreaming of gardening and farm life. It will probably never happen but I so badly miss living a rural existence. ~sigh~
That's all for now...I may have something interesting to say....someday...lol.

It's almost over..

2010 is nearing the end. I can't believe how fast this year went. We have also had our first real snow of the year. Its beautiful when it's coming down and so quiet outside with the white blanket across the ground. Then the plows start moving stuff and people start digging then it's ugly and dirty. sigh.
Anyway, Hope everyone had a great winter holiday...whatever one or ones you may celebrate. I wish you all a healthy and happy New Year...may 2011 bring you all you need to live a full, productive life. 

Chickpea Nuggets (adapted from Veganomicon)

(pics to come)

I made these for me on shabbos because I made my DH buffalo wings...these were so awesome. They were inspired by this recipe. But since I didn't have vital wheat gluten, I went looking for substitutes and was referred to this recipe. So I came up with the following recipe...which I liked very much.

Ingredients
Nuggets
1 can chickpeas (rinsed and peeled)
1 med all purpose potato (this starchier the better)
2 cloves of garlic (pressed or finely minced)
1/4 C water
1 tsp "chicken" consomme/bouillon
bread crumbs (enough to make the nuggets mold-able)
drizzle of olive oil
generous sprinkles of the following spices/herbs
thyme
sage
paprika
garlic salt
pepper
poultry seasoning
and any other spices you would like

Breading
1/2 C flour
1/2 C corn meal
1-2 tsp each
garlic salt
pepper
paprika
(add any other seasonings you like)

1/2 C milk ( I used rice milk)

Boil potato whole in skin till soft, drain and cool.
Remove chickpea skins.

Once potato is cooled remove skin and cut into smaller pieces. Put in food processor and blend till smooth. ( I did this with a little rice milk)Add chick peas and garlic and blend until a ball forms (this is a good consistency because it is starchy enough to form into nuggets)
Add olive oil, bouillon, and spices...mix well. Add water bit by bit until moist (you don't want it liquidy) then add bread crumbs. It should have a cookie dough consistency.

In a separate mixing bowl combine breading ingredients EXCEPT milk.
Put milk in another bowl.
Form bean mixture into small nuggets. Dip into milk then into breading. Coat completely.
Heat a frying pan with a some oil and lightly fry each side of the nugget until golden brown.

Enjoy with fries and various dips or sauces. Yum!

Summer's almost over :(

As the Summer is coming to an end and the new school year is approaching...I am starting to get an ache...I MISS homeschooling my daughter. Even as frustrating as it had become I MISS it. I plan to start working with my 3 yr old this year and that will be wonderful but I am full of guilt that I send my 11 yr old away every morning. She doesn't like school and I am not so happy with her school experiences either. :( I am in a bind though due to circumstances that (I think) require her to be in school right now. Also as much as she says she misses homeschooling, I think she would miss being around her few friends daily.
Ugh...parental guilt never ends...no matter what decisions we make we always worry that they are the wrong ones. I pray that my children grow up to be healthy, wonderful adults. I also hope that they understand all of the decisions I have made were what I thought to be in their best interest.

Been awhile

Well it's been awhile since I posted. I know you are all out there holding your breath...lol. Anyway, we have been sooooooo busy trying to finish moving which we have been doing since Sept. 09. And we are BH nearly done. One more day of cleaning and a few more boxes and we should finally be done. I can't wait. It's such a pain to move.