Sunday, April 05, 2009

Cheap Eats and a Birthday!

Last Sunday we went out for dinner, last night we went out for dinner to celebrate Chase’s birthday and he’s working tonight, and then next Sunday is Easter, so my posts are a little cattywampus these days. Plus living in the Allergy Capital of the World is taking its toll on me lately. Everyone I know is sneezy, red-nosed, puffy-eyed, tired, and miserable. I’m still cooking frugally and healthfully and have a couple of dinner pictures to share.

Oh, I do love cabbage, especially when it’s shredded and paired with mushrooms. So quick and delicious.



I had some lovely leeks and chard from the farmers market and couldn’t wait to make this beautiful sauté with the chard stems.




But then I looked at the fresh, crisp greens, all washed and waiting to be eaten, so I chopped them up and added them in, along with mushrooms and broccoli. It was the right thing to do.




I made myself a snack one evening using my leftover Quick White Bean Sauce as a dip with raw zucchini.

I knew I was feeling really bad with allergies when I just couldn’t get inspired to bake Chase’s birthday cake. He requested a lemon cake, and while I wanted to make a beautiful lemony layer cake with blueberry filling, I also knew I had to transport it to my mom’s house. If you’ve ever driven with a layer cake in a warm car, you know how heart-wrenching it is to watch the icing wither and the layers slide. So anyway, I finally pulled myself together and decided to make the Lemon Bundtlettes from Millennium. I’ve made them before so I knew they would be delicious. I also made a lemony glaze to pour over the tops and a blueberry sauce to accompany them. Chase doesn’t like frosting so much anyway, as this cake turned out to be just what he wanted. So here’s the cake – I snapped a shot before I packed them.



And here’s the so-stuffed-with-Indian-food-he-can’t-sit-up birthday boy, further stuffing himself with birthday cake, and his lovely gf (who ate reasonably!).



For you local vegan readers, we ate dinner at Clay Pit. It was outstanding AND they have specially marked their vegan items on the menu! There’s lots to choose from, from appetizers, soup, salads, and entrees – yay!
Also for you local readers, we ate dinner last week at Tino’s (Arbor Walk). I was really enjoying my moussaka, until I bit down on a 2-inch stick, which I thought at first was a bone, but thankfully (I guess) was an herb stem. Then I found a 6-inch piece of twine, which was bright orange I assume to make it more visible and which I also assume was once tied to a hunk of lamb. I was a little grossed out. Go to El Greco for great Greek food and outstanding service.
It’s super windy today, i.e., pollen is blowing like crazy, so I am homebound and looking forward to catching up with all of you today, in between many loads of laundry….




26 comments:

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY TO CHASE!! Mine is tomorrow :-)


Hang in there with the weather!!

Virginia said...

that cake looks delicious and a beautiful pic, too!

Tami said...

Your little bundt looks like it really hit the spot for Chase.

I can't get over the colors of that saute.

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday to Chase! I think his was the same as my mother's - the 3rd? I think your mini-bundts were just genius (because yes, watching the meltage is a horrible feeling!).
Thanks again for the lovely gift you sent my mum - she just loved it!

Jes said...

The mini-bundts look great! And the cabbage-mushroom combo looks like the perfect quick one-person meal; I'll have to try it soon

A_and_N said...

Its is pretty evident that everyone had a swell time at Chase's b'day :) Its funny that you like cabbage. It makes a good 'bowl thoug ;) I am not a huge fan of cabbages because I dont find much flavor in them. Maybe its an acquired taste. And that cake...wow that looks soooo spongy. I have to try it sometime!

Meghan at Making Love In the Kitchen said...

Just came across your blog and love it. Great photos and especially love your use the word cattywampus :) Perfect.

Andrea said...

It's too bad you have to deal with all the allergies — they take a toll. But at least it hasn't stopped you from turning out great looking food. I love the mushrooms inside the cabbage leaf, and the cake looks perfect. Hope it survived the car ride.

Ricki said...

Happy Birthday to Chase! The b-day lemon bundtlettes look great--love the blueberry sauce accompaniment. Love the cattywampus!!

Mihl said...

Happy Birthday to Chase! Your cake looks really cute. I hope you feel better soon, allergies can be mean.

Carrie said...

Hope you're feeling better! I love the little buntlettes!

ChocolateCoveredVegan said...

Tell Chase "happy birthday" for me! (Even though he doesn't know who I am!)

Unknown said...

So nice of them to leave twine in there for you! Happy Birthday Chase! My family and I were once presented with a Godfather's pizza which contained several feathers and a pre-chewed toothpick. mmmm!

Alicia said...

mmmmm, Clay Pit is so yummy! Beautiful little cake.

janelle said...

Happy Birthday Chase! Your cake looks so beautiful.

jessy said...

happybirthdayface, Chase! yay!that's so awesome you all went to the Clay Pit - i've hear it's oh-so gloriously good! mmmmmmmmmm! i'm sorry your allergies are going crazy, Diann - that stinks & sounds quite frustrating! your lemon bundtlettes look divine - and i'm glad Chase really loved them! hooray!

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Chase! I would have chosen Indian food and lemon cake as well. :-)

Cabbage with mushrooms sounds divine. It's so simple, but I had never thought of that combo. I have a half a head of cabbage in the fridge right now!

Have you ever considered being a personal chef Diann? You'd be awesome.

Feel better soon!

bazu said...

happy birthday to Chase! Those bundettes are beautiful. I had to laugh about you talking about transporting cakes in the heat- we are supposed to have snow here tomorrow!

Gina said...

I love that you used the word cattywampus, hahah.

Happy Birthday to Chase, those cakes look absolutely fantastic!!

Charlotte said...

Beautiful!

I have experienced the cake-melt... I was so embarrassed that I wouldn't bring it in from the car at our destination (but my family ate it at home anyway!)

Melisser; the Urban Housewife said...

Oooh, love all the veggies! The bundtlettes are adorable & so is Chase! Happy Birthday!

Amy said...

Ugh, I feel your pain. I've been suffering allergies since we moved here.

Happy Birthday to Chase! I just love his birthday cake. Super yum!!

And I love the chard and leek with greens too. Mmmmm.

Hannah said...

Happy belated birthday, Chase! [What a cutie! ;) ]

River (Wing-It Vegan) said...

Happy belated birthday to Chase! The Lemon Bundtlettes look so pretty and delicious, what a lucky birthday boy! You're such an awesome mom, Diann!

I made your white bean sauce and it was wonderful! We had them on top of some rice patties. Super yummy! Thank you for a stellar recipe!! :-)

jb said...

The chard is such a lovely color, and the mini bundt cake looks perfect and delicious!

Vegan_Noodle said...

Wish Chase a happy belated birthday for me!