Sunday, May 27, 2007

Texas Caviar, Lots of Veggies, and Extreme Chocolate

I wanted to get in a quick post before I take these dishes along with tofu for Chase and brownies (David Lebovitz’ Supernatural Brownies – terribly nonvegan) to the family barbecue (chicken and sausage) at my parents’ house today for the last day of my sister’s visit. I don’t know if I ever mentioned this, but when my parents last moved many years ago, the house didn’t come with a stove and my mom said she was tired of cooking and didn’t want one! My dad barbecues and she uses the microwave, crockpot, or hotplate. She did make a fruit salad for today, but otherwise I do all of her baking and cooking.

Texas Caviar – a lot like my black bean salads, but made with black-eyed peas. I had to leave out the cilantro for the haters.




Okay, I know I make roasted veggies all the time, but I wanted to show you the vast assortment I prepared today in a huge roasting pan. It has yellow squash, calabaza squash, baby bella mushrooms, onions, garlic, red pepper, broccoli, and cauliflower, and is seasoned with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and rosemary.



New Potatoes, Green Beans, and Carrots with Chives – It is what it is. (I was going to roast them too, but changed my mind at the last minute.) Boiled potatoes, local green beans, and carrots, dressed with olive oil, white wine vinegar, salt and pepper, and fresh chives.



Extreme Chocolate and Macadamia Nut Tartlets with Caramel Sauce – this will probably be my submission to Urban Vegan’s Vegans Gone Wild! recipe contest. It’s a pastry crust filled with a mixture of 99% dark chocolate, macadamia nuts, and dates, and topped with caramel sauce. Definitely an adult indulgence and a total sensory experience.




So Chase’s move took the whole day yesterday, but he’s in his new apartment. He’s sorry he couldn’t make time to go to the veggie dog eating contest. It was supposed to rain all day but didn’t, so that was a relief. And now that Chase is moved in and my sister leaves tomorrow, I promise to visit you all real soon and hopefully have another post by Tuesday.

14 comments:

johnhenry said...

"leave out the cilantro for the haters"

hahahaha! That is hilarious. Some people are so weird about cilantro.

The chocolate tarts look to-die-for!

MeloMeals said...

Wow.. everything looks awesome... and that tartlet... omg.. beautiful!... It's funny.. I used to HATE cilantro with a passion... until I became pregnant with my first son.. and then I craved it like it was going out of style.. and I've never lost the craving.

Sheree' said...

I am glad the rain stayed away for Chase's move. I love your Texas Caviar. Fantastic name!

Roasted veggies are the bomb. I love roasted squash with carrots and onions. Just the tiny bit of carmalization is so yummy.

I had totally forgotten about urbans dessert contest. Your tarts sure look inviting!

erica said...

I'm loving all the vegis... and I *still* don't get how people can hate on cilantro. I was talking to a gal last night about how cleansing it is... the only food that removes mercury from the system. That, plus it's crazy delicious.

Vicki's Vegan Vice said...

Are there actually cilantro haters out there?! lol! Wow, your tarts look so fabulous, and I'm wondering how many veggie dogs the winner ate?

Anonymous said...

I'm glad Chase's move went well and that it didn't rain.

Your tartlets are beautiful. I love anything with carmel though, which I haven't had since going veg.

My daughter's favorite dish is Texas caviar. One of the restaurants in Orlando by where I worked actually has it on their menu. She always wanted me to stop and get her some on my way home.

Your veggies look so colorful. I can't wait for the farmer's markets here to open.

Jacqueline Meldrum said...

It all looks great!
I love cilantro or as we call it coriander and always have a tub at the ready. I grow it inside, haven't tried it in the garden! Just don't know why some people hate it?

Carrie™ said...

Texas caviar? Never heard of it, but I like what I see!! As for the potatoes & beans dish - what it is is delicious looking!

Tofu Mom (AKA Tofu-n-Sprouts) said...

TexASS Caviar is my absolute favorite... ;)

Though I have to have cilantro and just a few more jalapenos than most prefer....

It all looks so GOOD!

Anonymous said...

i love cilantro a lot!!!

looks great!

Ruthie said...

*ahem*

Hello, my name is Ruthie and I am a cilantro HATER! lol unless it's in Pico De Gallo, which is one food that takes two of the most inedible vegan foods (cilantro and raw onions) and makes them somehow edible. I think it has something to do with the corn chips. Otherwise it is absolutely intolerable. Sorry.

And I'm from South Texas. How did THAT happen?! But I am rather turned off my parsley too, yuck.

Your barbeque looks great and I love the story of your stoveless mom. Too cute! Could be my parents 'cept my dad occaisionally decides to make a lot of food.

We miss Texas so much. It's beautiful here but it snowed last week! Boo hoo! I heard the wild flowers were amazing this year.

Peace!
Ruthie

Judy said...

I really don't understand how anyone could hate cilantro. I love it so much.

Those tarts look and sound divine. I love dates, they impart such a rich, almost sickeningly sweet flavour to desserts.

Candi said...

I live with a cilantro hater! Britty needs to be hypnotized into loving it so I can use it more!! :)

Your bean salad looks great, as does the blend of veggies you have in both dishes! I love your variety.

So your parents don't own an oven? I'm envious, since I would prefer counter space to the huge, hot oven sometimes! That's nice of you to bake for them though.

Oh, that dessert looks crazy-good! I hope you submit it!

Congrats to Chase an his new apartment!

aTxVegn said...

Melody, that's funny that being pregnant made you a cilantro lover!

Ruthie, I'm in shock! You're the only hater - Britty is young and doesn't count because she still has time to grow into cilantro love. Actually my dad is the hater and he grew up in South Texas too. Maybe the cilantro was no good down there.

Judy, I normally don't love sticky sweet dates, but this chocolate was so deep dark it needed them!