If you’re not familiar with Butler Soy Curls, this is an amazing product. Soy curls are an unseasoned and unflavored dehydrated bean curd. Since they’re dehydrated, flavor can be infused by rehydrating them in a flavorful sauce. For example, in the picture above I used this product to make a vegan chicken curry.The dried bean curd was simmered in a sauce that was flavored with vegan chicken bouillon and seasoned…
Last week I went to Wal-Mart to buy a candy thermometer. While wandering around the kitchen ware section, I happened across an aisle filled with canning supplies i.e. glass mason jars and lids. Included in this aisle were 2 lb. plus cans of non-vegan dried eggs, meat, and pancake mix. Also included were dried fruit, vegetables and surprise-surprise, vegetarian meat. The meat included beef, taco meat, chicken, and bacon. With…
Agar-agar is a vegan substitute for gelatin. Traditional gelatin is made with powdered cow hooves. Agar-agar is made from dried red algae. As with traditional gelatin, this vegan substitute has a neutral flavor and does NOT taste like seaweed. According to the Science et Technologie au Service de la Creation Culinaire, a Japanese innkeeper in Kyoto named Tarozaemon Minoya discovered the gelling aspects of this seaweed during the 17th century.…
In their most basic form, sticky rice balls are made with boiled short grain rice. Short grain rice is different from the more commonly eaten long grain rice. Its glutinous or sticky texture causes the cooked grains to stick to one another; making this a perfect product for making products like sushi or an Italian rice risotto. While cooking long grain rice requires 2 parts of water to 1 part…
A Tale of Two Jerkies If you’re looking for a healthy snack and/or a meat substitute that holds up well to sauces and gravies, you may want to consider making or purchasing vegan jerky. There are a number of commercial products that are available for purchase. These products are convenient to use and since they don’t need to be refrigerated, you can order them on-line without the need for having…
Mujadarra is a Lebanese rice pilaf that’s made with lentils, rice, onions, and garlic. The Arabic name sounds much more attractive than the English translation which is “small pox.” This dish got its unfortunate name from the appearance of the round lentils against the white rice. Variations of this dish are found throughout the Middle East. In Iran where the locals speak Farsi instead of Arabic, this dish is known…