Grilled Green Tomatoes

After the hunt for green tomatoes last week I ended up with more than I needed for one meal. One of them I set out to ripen, and there were two in the fridge.

Last night we didn't get home till 11. I wasn't about to start a big cooking project at that time of night, so i went foraging in the cupboards to see what was around. Canned beans, Bread, one ripe tomato on the counter, some lettuce and two green ones in the fridge. Then came the flash of brilliance.

I pulled the good old Foreman Grill out of the cupboard, sliced those green tomatoes in 1/4 inch slices and slapped them on the grill with garlic and italian seasoning. I slapped those lovely morsels on bread with lettuce and mustard. Perfect. No pics, 'cause the good camera was at work, but yummmm!

Eggplant/Fried Green Tomato Burgers

I know, it's been a loooooong time. I had very good intentions when I started this and then life got in the way.

I've been craving burgers, not just any vegan burger, but eggplant and fried green tomatoes on a whole grain bun with all the trimmings. Nom.

We have started restricting the consumption of fried (in oil) foods to the weekend. Consesquently my cravings had to wait for the weekend. So Friday evening I started my search for the elusive green tomato.

I called every grocery store within reasonable distance, no go. I tried the little old man about 6 blocks away who always has tomatoes for sale, nada. I even called my friends (and acquaintances) who garden, bupkis. Who knew that green tomatoes could be so hard to find. I mean come on people, they are practically a religion around here!

"You, still goin' to the Church of the Pickled Okra?"

"Naw, found out they were using the premade stuff from the grocery store. We're goin' to the "Fried Green Tomato Chapel" now. You really gotta know your stuff to make those come out right"

Finally yesterday morning we were at this little hole in the wall flea market south of town. Lo and behold this one little old lady had one, count'em - ONE basket of green tomatoes left. I had found Valhalla.

These burgers that I had been craving lived up to and exceeded my expectations. If I hadn't been so lazy I would have made burger buns. Vegan burger buns it turns out are harder to find than green tomatoes. Orowheat brand sandwich thins toasted stood in nicely though.

These were so easy to do a recipe is really not necessary.

Slice your eggplant about 3/8 - 1/2 in thick. Fry with a whisper of olive oil and lots of garlic.

Mix about 3/4 c flour, 1 1/2 t italian seasoning, and 1 T nutritional yeast.

Slice tomatoes about 1/4 in thick and dredge in flour mixture. Fry in olive oil.

Place one slice eggplant and one slice fried green tomato on whole grain bun of choice, add your favorite burger toppings. Prepare to sigh, loudly and long.

Black Bean Soft Tacos

I first made these years ago. I'm not exactly sure how many it makes but I'm thinking about 10. I got to thinking about them again the other day and had to have. Sorry about there not being pictures, but the lighting in my kitchen is no good for photography. They were all either too dark or washed out.

1 med onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
3c cooked black beans (or 2 cans drained and rinsed)
1/2 c whole kernel corn (or 1 can drained)
1 packet taco seasoning
1/2 c salsa
11" whole wheat tortillas
lettuce
soy cheeze
salsa

Saute onion and pepper until onions are translucent. Add beans, corn, taco mix and salsa, heat through. Place about 1/2 c of bean mixture on tortilla, add lettuce and cheeze as desired. Fold tortilla in 1/2 and fold again to make a pocket. Serve with extra salsa if desired. You can use the 7" tortillas and do a regular fold, but it seems like the little ones have an easier time with the 'pockets'. If you use the smaller tortillas i would suggest partially mashing the beans so they don't roll out.

I like to serve this with cucumber sticks and fruit.

No Food Pictures...Yet

But i just got on the scale and I've lost 2 more pounds.

Last night though Tim decided that instead of cooking we would go out to eat. There is a dearth of vegan restaurants around here and no restaurants near here that offer 'veg friendly' options. That isn't usually a problem cause he prefers buffets, so i get some plain spaghetti, then head to the salad bar for mushrooms, broccoli, olives, grated carrot, etc and make 'pasta primavera' on my plate.

When we got there last night they had stirred meat sauce into the pasta. So I had plain rice, plain veggies and water.

Oh, well I'll count it off as a 'detox' dinner.

A Choice for Health

There are a variety of reasons for becoming a vegan. Most involve animal rights or the environment. My initially reasoning was a bit different but has come to encompass others as well.

My parents were both type II diabetics. My older brother was diagnosed about 2 years ago, and my husband is diabetic. I do not want to join them.

Initially I started out cutting out red meat, then chicken and lastly fish. I am now at the point where I am eliminating eggs and dairy from my diet. I have been dragging my omni husband with me kicking and screaming the whole way, until last thursday.

He had a regular check up and when he got to the doctor's office his fasting blood sugar was nearly 500. He agreed to do it my way and in the days since by eating vegan his fasting sugars have already dropped almost 200 points. Not enough, but a start.

In the month of December I lost 4 pounds without even trying. Again, not enough, but it is a start. I feel better than I have in years. I'm beginning to think that I'm sensitive to the hormones and chemicals they are feeding animal in commercial production.

Maybe not the most pc reasoning but every little bit counts, right?

I hope you will share this journey with me. I imagine that there will be rants, and giggles along the way. Triumphs and failures (be glad there aren't any pictures of my attempts at simmered seitan).

So come in, sit a spell and share the joy.