VeganMoFo #15: The Epic VeganMoFo Survey

I have some really good posts coming up in the next few days (think super easy homemade flour tortillas), but I’m short on time today so I thought I’d fill out this fun survey that I found on Get Sconed! Since I’m still relatively new to blogging, I thought it would be a fun way to introduce myself to new readers.

That's me holding delicious vegan gnocchi!

The Epic VeganMoFo Survey

What’s your favorite spice or spice blend? It’s a tie between oregano and crushed red pepper flakes.  They are used in almost everything I make.

You have $20 to spend on fresh groceries and produce for the whole week (with a fairly well stocked pantry of dry goods, legumes, grains, and spices). What do you buy? $20 is actually a lot for me to spend, so I would probably go all out!  Red bell peppers, onions, garlic, carrots, celery, and spinach are must haves.  I’d probably add some almond milk, tofu, avocado, fresh salsa, and maybe some snacks.

What’s your favorite way to make tofu? I’ll be boring and say scrambled.  It’s just so perfect.

Vegan guilty pleasure? Ice cream.  Stuff is expensive, but gooooood.

If you could make anyone vegan, who would it be? Eh…

If you could only read one other vegan blog, what would it be? This is so unfair!  I could never, ever narrow it down.  I read hundreds.  It’s a sickness.  Check out my blogroll.

Were you always interested in cooking, or did veganism change the way you saw and interacted with food? Always interested in cooking, ever since I was a little girl.  Vegetarianism and experimenting with veganism has definitely opened my mind to culinary delights, though.

Excluding analogues, what new things have you tried that you probably wouldn’t have as an omni? Um, brussels sprouts?  My dad hates them, and I hated them as a kid (the 1 time I tried them, when they were boiled and mushy and gross.)

What is the one vegan staple that everyone seems to love, but you can’t get behind? I honestly can’t think of anything. I don’t dig vegan yogurt at all, but I’m not sure everyone else loves it.  Because it’s gross.

What was your first “wow, I’m such a stereotypical vegan” moment? Well, I’m not a vegan, but anytime I make quinoa and put tofu and nutritional yeast in it, I laugh at myself.

First recipe you veganized? Probably lasagna or mac and cheese.

What would you like to veganize, but haven’t yet? Angel food cake.

Favorite kitchen utensil/appliance? Toaster oven.  It’s fantastic.

Most disastrous kitchen failure? Gross liquidy raspberry pie.

First vegan cookbook? Vegan with a Vengence.

What question about being vegan do you HATE answering? The “why don’t you eat meat?” question from folks who do eat meat.  I just don’t feel like talking about why I eat the way I eat most of the time.  It’s not that I have super personal reasons or anything, I just feel like I’m being asked to defend my decisions, and I don’t dig that.  My typical answer is “there are lots of reasons!” and then I change the subject.

If you could tell the world one thing about vegans, what would it be? They are normal people who decide to eat a different diet than the average person.  It doesn’t mean they are hippies, animal rights activists, or jerks.

Funniest vegetable? Asparagus.  True story: My pop calls them Alligator Dicks.  Bahahahahahaha.

What is a family recipe you have veganized? Pasticcio.

Weirdest food combination? I put hot sauce on anything.

Is there something you wish you could veganize, but can’t/couldn’t? Drawing a blank here…

Favorite ways to prepare tofu, seitan, tempeh, any other vegan proteins? I like to marinate my proteins (I hate using that word in this context) and then throw them on the grill or sear them in a cast iron skillet.  Then make a pan sauce with the browned bits and some wine and Earth Balance.

Are your pets vegan? if so, what do you feed them? No pets yet, unfortunately.  A dog is on my christmas list, though.

Favorite non-dairy milk? Almond milk, specifically Almond Breeze.  By far the best vegan milk I’ve had.