Vegaquiles

In a follow up to my post on the difference between migas and chilaquiles, I offer another option: vegaquiles!  Or, I guess you could say vigas...

I try to follow a vegan diet at home, but I say try because it isn't an absolute sort of thing.  Rather, a way to eat more veggies and less animal products.  I'm not changing the name of this blog to 'Vegan at Home' or anything.  It's still about delicious eats, but as I think a lot of people can tell you, the ideas of 'vegan' and 'delicious' are not in contradiction.  Take for instance this recipe for vegaquiles...

Idea: Vegaquiles
The basis of this recipe is the wonderful recipe for tofu scramble provided by Post Punk Kitchen and published in Vegan Brunch, one of my favorite cookbooks for a variety of reasons.  I made a few subtle changes to the recipe to make it more appropriate for the vegaquiles.

1. Omit the thyme and use oregano or Mexican oregano.
2. Add 1 tsp. each of onion powder and garlic powder to the spice mix.
3. Use 4-5 tbsp. of vegetable broth in place of the water.  You want a little more liquid for for the vegaquiles to come together.
4. Move the scramble to a plate while you fry up the chips; use a new skillet or clean out the scramble skillet well.  If you don't, you'll end up with a bunch of burned spices coating your chips.
5. Otherwise, proceed with the directions in difference using stale tortilla chips, pico and your favorite salsa.  Lucky me, I had leftovers from Rosa's again!  How did that happen?

I topped mine with red and green salsa (Christmas style!) and a mix of Daiya cheeses.  Delicious way to start a Sunday morning...

Foods I miss in Austin....

....would be far, far too long. I did a similar list when I left Wichita, but for Austin, it will have to be a top ten.

1. Breakfast tacos--yes, I am addicted and just this morning suggested to my little diner on the corner that they add them to the menu. Particularly, from Elsi's.
2. Protein 2000 from Veggie Heaven.
3. Hot dogs from Dog Almighty.
4. Central Market. Sigh. Do I need to say more?
5. Vietnamese food, particularly Sunflower by my house.
6. The pastry case at Mandola's, particulary the angenetti (cakey, lemon cookies.)
7. The Steeping Room--if you haven't been, then get yourself there.
8. Boxes of vegetables from my CSA.
9. Having friends over for dinner.
10. The giant Asian market up the street.

Mangez!

Blue Dahlia and Mandola's

Yesterday I met Molly for lunch at the relatively new Blue Dahlia Bistro on east 12th street. It was a lovely warm January day, so we dined al fresco on their beautiful patio. The menu is primarily sandwiches and salads, but presented in a truly elegant fashion with wonderful bread. They also serve breakfast, and I'll certainly be back to try that at some point.

I had a black bean salad which was studded with lovely pieces of avocado, mango and covered in a citrus and cumin scented dressing. Molly had a turkey sandwich topped with a chutney and presented open faced on a board. It was a delicious and relaxing lunch.

In the afternoon, I had a work appointment at Mandola's and treated myself to some of the sweets from their pastry case. They have some many to choose from, plus gelato, fresh cheeses and many other wonderful items in their grocery. I selected an agnetti cookie (which I almost always get) which are the little donut shaped ones in the middle of the case. They're covered in a lemony icing and are just the right texture: not too soft, not too hard. I also had a small sfogliatelle, which is a filled with a citrus-flavored ricotta with a shell of filo or some other think pasty. WON-derful.

Blue Dahlia Bistro
1115 E. 11th St.
Austin, TX 78702
512.542.9542

Mandola's
4700 W Guadalupe St # 12
Austin, TX 78751
512.419.9700

Southern Heritage Cookie Jar Cookbook

I'm always on the lookout for cookbooks not represented in my collection and pick things up for different reasons. Sometimes, it's the illustrations that are too great to pass up. On other occasions, the author may be someone important or iconic, and I want the book even though I may never cook out of it. And of course, I actually do pick up cookbooks because I want to use the recipes. That's the case of the latest addition to my library, the Southern Heritage Cookie Jar Cookboo from the publishers of Southern Living which I got while thrift shopping in Owasso, OK.

Admittedly, most of the titles from Southern Living don't have an appeal to me because the recipes within veer too much in the direction of classic American convenience cooking. Occasionally I will find one that is rooted in traditional Southern food ways and worth making, but not often. But this fantastic cookie cookbook is filled with wonderful images that reflect Southern cookie culture in addition to great recipes. If you see it, I suggest you snap it up.

Lately there has been a lot of conversation about Lady Bird Johnson (born Claudia Alta Taylor), widow of the late President L.B. Johnson. Does she really live in a penthouse atop the LBJ Museum and Library? Is she really the person longest protected by the Secret Service? How is she feeling now that she is out of the hospital? Is her brownie recipe better than Katherine Hepburn's? You be the judge, because I'm publishing it here.

Recipe: Lady Bird's Texas Brownies
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 (1-ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate, melted
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 cup coarsely chopped pecans

Cream the butter in a big yellow bowl; gradually add sugar, beating well. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well with each addition. Add melted chocolate and beat until blended. Gradually add flour, stirring well. Stir in vanilla and pecans. Pour batter into a greased 8-inch square baking pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Cool brownies completely in pan. Cut into 2-inch squares. Yield: About 1 1/2 dozen.

Postscript: Actually, after looking at the recipes, the only differences are the amount of flour (less in Kate's), the type of nut used (Walnuts vs. pecans which I think was the argument that REALLY started the Civil War.), and the addition of salt in Kate's. I do think a taste test is in order!

Hot Pickles

When Barb was visiting a few weeks ago, we took a day trip through the Hill Country over to Fredericksburg, TX. The drive was beautiful and we had a nice time going up and down the streets and poking into various stores. We both came back with bags of goodies, but the best thing I bought was the jar of Spicy Sweet Dill Pickle's from K-Ann's stand. There were so many delectable jars of goodies to choose from, but I think I chose correctly. These pickles are sweet, without being cloying, and have finish that will burn your lips. A combination I love.

Mmmmm. Only problem is that the jar is starting to look a little empty...

Mangez!