Field Trip Friday: The Haddonfield Public Library!

Since it's Friday and I'm feeling a little better, I thought we would take a little field trip...to my local library!

You guys know I LOVE my library, right?  

I would live amongst the shelves like a little library fairy if I could!

Then, I would pop out and make suggestions to patrons browsing the shelves.

Yes, yes I would.

Join me for a few minutes of browsing the cookbook shelves!

If you live nearby, consider visiting the Haddonfield Friends of the Library Book Sale!

It's Sat. Sept 21st from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sun. Sept. 22nd from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Last year, I got a huge bag of books for like $10!  Come during the last hour(s) of the sale for best deals, or, come early for best selection.  There are usually tons of cookbooks.  

Last year at the book sale, I found Jacques Pepin's memoir in almost-new condition, score!

It's a great read, especially if you are a fan of JP.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Five Minute Video 'Fo Fest! Sept. 1st through Sept. 30th, 2013

Research and Development: Thanksgiving 2012

I've been doing my research for The Big Day, guys!

These are both wonderful books.  I love Holly Garrison's The Thanksgiving Cookbook, which I took out from my library in August (early R&D!) then purchased (used, for a penny on Amazon!) because I love it so much.  I love her storying, her tone, the early 1990's vibe, I could go on and on.  I WON Meatless Celebrations, which I just got today in the mail!  I can already tell it's amazing.  Apple Rosemary Walnut Pie, anyone?

Because I live in New Jersey (though I work in Philly) I only photographed South Jersey restaurants due to logistics. I came in a very respectable third place in the Philadelphia Inquirer's Vegetarian Awareness Month Photo Contest 

and I won two cookbooks...

Kim O'Donnel's Meatless Celebrations and Bryant Terry's The Inspired Vegan.  

OH YEAH.  They work for me, now!

And work they shall...

CSA Week #24 (11/7/12): 

Rutabaga (does anyone especially dig this?), Carrots, Cauliflower, Kohlrabi, TONS of Sweets, Beets, Turnips, Spinach, Arugula and Spicy Mix

Pa came down this past weekend for a practice T-day visit :-)

OH YEAH.  The Vegan Cowboys in their element.

And I made a practice round of Soft and Hard Gruyere from the hottest new vegan cookbook on the market, Artisan Vegan Cheese!

With a little help from my old friend, Sandor.  

He has a new book out (an updated version of mine) you guys should check it out!

 Quinoa Rejuvelac. SO FUN.

 Soft Gruyere (above and below).

 Soft Gruyere is damn delicious!

Let's not talk about the Hard Gruyere yet, OK? :-)

And, I picked up my very last CSA box of the season tonight :-(

CSA Week #25 (11/14/12):

Cabbage (beautiful!), Cauliflower, Fennel, Parsley, Beets (in sink), Arugula (in the bowl in the sink), Carrots (oh yeah!), Spinach, Sweets, Daikon (behind the carrots).

Farewell, Honey Brook Farm! See you next season!

Only Sweet Potato Man can absorb the sadness of the next six months with no CSA:

Sweet Potato Man.  
He's restin' up for The Big Day, so don't wake him!

What am I making for The Big Day this year?  I don't know yet, I need to do more R&D. (Please tell my husband that cookbooks all over the house, fermented grains in jars and three different kinds of sugar on the counter=R&D).

I do know what I did last year, and it went something like this:

Vegan Thanksgiving Planning and Resources

The Gobbler (she's amazing!)

Isa's Seitan Roast (she's amazing, too!)

Vegan Fazool's Thanksgiving Feast 2011 

What are you guys making this year?  

*Update: OMG, guys!! After getting like three hours of sleep last night after I wrote this, when I was woken up this morning by the highly inefficient and super loud town leaf vacuum truck (that was on my small street for at least an hour from 6-7 a.m.) I thought, THANKSGIVING PIZZA. Homemade Organic Yeast Dough, Sweet Potato Puree Sauce (I'll make it with garlic, olive oil, onions, rosemary), Slices of Seitan "Turkey," like, perchance, Gobbler Slices or Isa's Roast?! Dollops of Homemade Vegan Gruyere Cheese, Sage Cornbread Dressing. Mushroom Gravy drizzled over everything!  Dollops of cranberry sauce? Some sauteed greens? Any and all feast elements can top this thing.  

Tasteful amounts of everything, of course.   
R&D BABY, R&D.   


I'm thinking of doing the T-day Pizza with The Big Day leftovers instead of the traditional T-day sandwich.  I am also thinking I may do it with the tester items I'm making now...


Sweet Potato Man must have visited me in my dreams last night!  Thank you, Sweet Potato Man!