Lavender Lemonade
30 Jun
I am enjoying a cool glass of Lavender Lemonade as the sun sets on thirty days of cooking from The Vegan Table. This lemonade is refreshingly tart with an infusion of lavender. It’s just the drink for basking in the warmth of a June day after an adventure completed.
This has been a gratifying and delicious journey, and it has definitely changed the way I think about trying out a new cookbook. In the past, once I’ve found a few favorites in a book, I’ve used those recipes again and again ad nauseam. Conversely, I have some cookbooks in which I’ve only tried one or two things and then decided those cookbooks simply weren’t for me. Forcing myself to try something new instead of gravitating towards the same old thing is definitely something I’ll want to do again in the future with other cookbooks to see what gems are waiting to be discovered.
Speaking of gems, I’ve had several people ask me what have been my favorite recipes thus far from Vegan Table. In an attempt to pick my top five favorites, I couldn’t limit it to just five. So here are my top five faves and two runners-up.
1. Tuscan White Beans with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
In addition to making it for my entry, I’ve made it two more times since. I made it once over pasta and once over creamy polenta. Spreading it over hot and creamy polenta wins. Absolutely delicious.
2. Brussels Sprouts with Caramelized Onions and Pistachios
This is a recipe that I tested before the cookbook was finished in addition to making it this month, and I’ve been bringing it to potlucks ever since. Without fail, people always ask for the recipe. It’s a perfect blend of sweet and salty.
3. Muhammara
I’ve had similar roasted red pepper dips at local Mediterranean restaurants, but this savory and garlicky version beats them all. It stole the show the evening of our potluck.
4. Polenta Squares with Roasted Red Pepper Coulis
This is actually a combination of two recipes, but they work so beautifully together that I couldn’t separate them. This dish is not only eye-catching, it’s scrumptious.
5. Purple Potatoes with Cashew Cream
The decadent and full-bodied cream over purple potatoes will have your guests running back for more.
Runners-up:
Warm Lentil Salad & Better-Than-Tuna Salad
Including both the recipes that I tested and the ones that I’ve made this month, I still have only created a quarter of the recipes in Vegan Table. There are still plenty left that I want to try, even though I could just continue making Tuscan White Beans with Sun-dried Tomatoes again and again. So that’s why in addition to my own regular postings and musings throughout the week, I’m dedicating my blog on Tuesdays to cooking from Vegan Table. They will be called Vegan Table Tuesdays. I hope you’ll come back often and see what’s cooking in my kitchen.
Tags: colleen patrick-goudreau, lavender lemonade, vegan, vegan cooking, vegan table, vegetarian
Awwwwwwwwww – Congratulations, Cadry! It was so wonderful to see so many of my recipes come to life in your beautiful and capable hands! It was a pleasure seeing the recipes paired with your personal stories, and I’m so thrilled it was a fun adventure for you. Only problem is I never remember getting an invitation for dinner!
I would also like to throw in my 2 cents for the Brussels Sprouts with Apples, which is probably my favorite recipe Cadry has made for me from The Vegan Table. It’s been a delicious month!
I loved that one too. The apples and caramelized onions almost elevated Brussels sprouts to a dessert. The only reason I didn’t put it in the top five list is because I already had one Brussels sprouts dish on it.
http://cadryskitchen.com/2009/06/26/day-26-roasted-brussels-sprouts-with-apples-and-onions/
What a wonderful project! I came upon this partway through, but have enjoyed checking in every day to see what you’ve made!
Thanks, Alice! That’s great to hear!