Another busy day but I thrive off of being busy and having tons to do so it works out perfectly! I hate being bored and feeling restless! I packed my lunch last night, like I said, but I made a mental note to myself never to pack a hummus/tabbouli/spinach pita (I used a couple tbsp of hummus and 1/2 cup of pre-made Cedar’s Tabbouli) the night before because it gets mushy!! Today when I opened my cute orange lunchbox I saw to my dismay that my pita had turned to mush under the weight of the hummus 🙁 Oh poo! I ate it anyways of course and it still tasted good but the texture just wasn’t what I was shooting for.
With hot decaf english breakfast tea, my cute napkin and a juicy pear
My poor mushy pita 🙁 Still tasted good though!
For a snack I nibbled on a granola pack that Ryan’s mom put in my Easter basket (yes, I get multiple Easter baskets–not complaining!). I had never tried this brand and don’t think I would eat it for breakfast because that little serving, which I’m sure was 1/4 cup, was 170 calories! I could almost eat a whole cup of peanut butter granola for that and I like that better anyways! This made a good snack though and I will pack them again. I also sneaked some pineapple from the Chef’s prep line! Gotta love working at a Hawaiian restaurant!
I brought Happy Herbivore into my kitchen again tonight with her scrumptious recipes! Since I’ve had a craving for ethnic food lately, I made her Dal with Aloo, except I ate my pita on the side and also had some kale. The meal was pretty amazing and very filling (or maybe that’s just because I ate the entire potato, half of the lentil recipe, kale AND a pita~gotta have my fuel for the night!!!). The Dal REALLY had a kick to it!!! If you don’t like spicy stuff I suggest you tone down the spices a tad, but I love anything spicy so it was a perfect fit for me! I’m finding I’m really liking experimenting more with different cultures’ cooking. This meal was spicy and satisfying. I have never used Garam Masala before and bought it especially for this Dal, but I’m sure I’ll be using a lot more of it in times to come! I actually made the Dal this morning while I was getting ready (it only took 20 minutes to prepare) and I think that made it actually better tonight because the flavors had time to set in a bit in the fridge. Good thing I made enough for leftovers!
I’m stuffed!! Off to school—we are baking off some apple strudel, spanokopita and fruit tarts tonight….pictures to come in the morning!
Kath
March 25, 2008 at 9:29 pmOooo Jenna that looks fantastic!! (Guess what – I got ED&BV in the mail today!)
jenny
March 25, 2008 at 9:49 pmwhich type of nondairy milk resembles real milk the best (as in color)? I found that soymilk was too yellow and rice milk was too clear. what about almond milk and hemp milk?
LT
March 25, 2008 at 9:50 pmyum – you just inspired my dinnah!
Katherine
March 25, 2008 at 9:57 pmJenny,
Hempmilk, rice milk, and almond milk have a similar look and texture. I have found that soy milk resembles the look of dairy milk the most – but it depends on the brand. So Good original resembles cows milk, but the unsweetened version does not.
Katherine
Romina
March 25, 2008 at 10:04 pmI hate it when that happens! I stopped packing my lunch at night for that reason, it always either collapsed or became mushy. It looks delicious though!!
And so does that Dal with Aloo, the Happy Herbivore is a genius in the kitchen!
Emma
March 25, 2008 at 10:08 pmwow that looks amazing! I LOVE indian food!!! dal lentils are so tasty, and those potatoes look good too! you should try to aloo recipe with cauliflower too! That’s what my Dad would also get growing up: Aloo Gobi!
Megan
March 25, 2008 at 10:15 pmHi Jenna,
I was wondering what brand of peanut butter granola are you refering to and where did you buy it? Thanks!
Nadia
March 25, 2008 at 10:20 pmI’m SO making this tomorrow night…right now I’m full from lentil soup, an english muffin and pumpkin/yogurt/apple butter combo…trying to digest and get up the energy to go for a good workout.
Anyone have a good recipe for homemade vegan pancakes, preferably one with bananas?? I’ve been craving pancakes and wanted to go out and purchase the ingredients for a pancake breakfast tomorrow.
Nadia
March 25, 2008 at 10:21 pmMegan
I’m pretty sure Jenna uses the Nature’s path pb granola…I bought it at whole foods for the first time last weekend and it’s SO good warmed up with almond milk and a sliced banana 😛
Monica
March 25, 2008 at 10:57 pmYeah, I was wondering what granola you use too? I would love a granola that is about 170 calories for a cup. Does it exist?
Mallory
March 25, 2008 at 11:05 pmJenna (or anyone else),
I know you recently got a Sigg water bottle. I have been thinking about purchasing one for a while but was hesitant because I am looking for one that will not sweat. Does yours?
happy herbivore
March 25, 2008 at 11:19 pmi am very glad to have been invited into your kitchen… and even happier to hear you enjoyed your meal! I am HOOKED on garam masala. I bought it when I first decided to learn how to make Indian dishes and I find myself slipping it into everything lately… it’s the smell.
your entire meal looks beautiful! I noticed someone mentioned aloo gobi in the comments – I have a recipe for that too on HH… I believe it was the first Indian dish I ever tried to make 😛
p.s. I’m in love with bare naked granola too! 😛
VeggieGirl
March 25, 2008 at 11:28 pmLOOOVE it!!! Definitely beats Rachael Ray’s 30 minute meals ;0)
Class sounds especially fun tonight – can’t wait to see all of those decadent treats that you make!!
Lori- the pleasantly plump vegan
March 26, 2008 at 12:40 amthat Indian food looks delish!
ibex hk
March 26, 2008 at 1:16 amLove Indian!! this looks great 🙂 I’m going to get myself some Garam Masala, I ran out a little while ago and totally forgot to restock, I love that stuff!!
Erika
March 26, 2008 at 1:55 amNadia,
I made these (http://vegweb.com/index.php?topic=5138.0) and they were AMAZING. It’s just a plain vegan pancake recipe, but I’m sure you can add bananas and they’ll come out just fine! If you read through the reviews.. a couple people have added bananas and it worked!
Betsy
March 26, 2008 at 2:48 amindian is probably my favorite ethnic food. sooo delish and flavorful. and vegetarian!!!! your dal looks marvelous. hope you have a good class tonight!
Kristin
March 26, 2008 at 2:57 amMmmm I’m so jealous of your delicious looking Indian meal! I love it, but have yet to attempt to make it myself… I think you might have inspired me to give it a go! =)
jenna
March 26, 2008 at 2:59 amTo all: I buy Nature’s Path granola. Its 140 calories per 1/2 cup. I always eat a cup of it when I have it for breakfast. Its available at my local grocery store…or at whole foods
Mallory,
My bottle does not sweat! It’s great!
Ruby Red Vegan
March 26, 2008 at 4:08 amI’ve been loving ethnic food lately too! The dal sounds amazing – your dinner plate there must have put you in 7th heaven!
Kelly T.
March 26, 2008 at 5:00 amOOOO I eat bear naked granola constantly. The Big Lots by my house has a 12 pack for $6.00. They are the perfect amount for yogurt, or by themselves they fill me up perfectly, so I dont mind the calories so much. The banana is the best flavor.
Tina
March 26, 2008 at 11:22 amYour dinner looks so good! I love that Bare Naked granola too! Thank God they make individual size packages!
Vegan_Noodle
March 26, 2008 at 1:32 pmFood looks yummy…. I think I saw those plates at target the other day (?) they are so cute!!
jenna
March 26, 2008 at 1:33 pmThey are from Target!! $2.99 each! A steal! 🙂
sonia
March 26, 2008 at 9:05 pmThat dinner looks fantastic and dal does taste better when you let it “sit” a little bit. To use that Garam Masala, I can suggest another recipe, seeing that you love garbanzo bean like me.
http://www.recipezaar.com/91128
Try this with some yogurt on top and brown rice to soak the curry. It is amazing.
Srivalli
March 27, 2008 at 9:08 amhi..nice to see that you love experimenting with our indian ingredients…that plate looks good…Garam Masala is great with anything..
Srivalli