Time flies

My 6th Veganversary went by with nary a mention.  I was just thinking about it and couldn't remember the year I started, but I thought it was 2009.  Turns out it was 2008!  Yes, the post is from 2009, I didn't start blogging until July of that year.  

Times have changed, for sure.  There are now so many great vegan options out there, more vegan cookbooks than a person can possibly read or own, more products, and more overall awareness.  All of these things are very good.

And, after 6 years, I've very much settled into a vegan diet.  I can't imagine going back, although a person can never say never.  Some sort of apocalypse, who knows.

Anyway, I made some chocolate chip cookies today and they were wonderful.  Further evidence that vegan food is damn good.  From Vegan Diner.

Video and recipe here.

Happy Birthday, 'Merica!

And it's all about the food!

Let us start with the drink.  I ran across this recipe via Civia Bicycles.

Mixed Berry Limoncello Sangria
Serves 4—6

Ingredients:
1 cup fresh raspberries
1 cup halved fresh strawberries
1/2 cup fresh blackberries
1 medium lemon, thinly sliced
1/2 12 oz. can frozen pink lemonade concentrate, thawed (3/4 cup)
1/2 cup (4 ounces) limoncello (lemon-flavor liqueur)
2 750mL bottle Prosecco or sparkling wine, chilled

Directions:

1. In a large pitcher or glass jar combine raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, and lemon slices. Stir in lemonade concentrate and limoncello. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or up to 24 hours to blend flavors.
2. Just before serving, add Prosecco. Serve in glasses over ice.

Do yourself a favor and make this recipe!  The alcohol-soaked berries are the best part.  And, really, how could you go wrong with this recipe?

Then on to the main course:  Veggie burgers, horseradish potato salad and baked beans.

The potato salad recipe came from Vegan Diner (I think).

2 lbs. small red potatoes, peeled (you'll notice I did not do this)

1/3 c. plain unsweetened soy milk

1/2 c. vegan mayo

2-3 T. prepared horseradish

1/2 t. fine sea salt, or to taste

Freshly ground pepper, to taste

In a large pot of slightly salted boiling water, add potatoes and cook until just tender, about 15-20 mins.  Drain and let sit until cool enough to handle.  Dice into large chunks.

In a large bowl, stir together the soy milk, mayo, horseradish and salt.  Add the diced potatoes to the bowl and toss to coat with the mayo mixture.  Season to taste with salt and pepper.  I was short on horseradish so I added some dill from the garden.  Mmm, dill.

Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.  

The baked bean recipe came from The Happy Herbivore.  Recipe here.

'Twas a good day.  Thanks, America.