Katie's Cooking Tips: for vegetarians and individuals seeking a meat-free life.

So, now that the holidays are coming, I’ve got my fall themed candles burning.

This one in particular! It makes my room smell nice as I walk in.

Autumn probably has to be my favorite season.

I love driving down the Turnpike and 295  (lol) and seeing all the beautiful colors of trees surrounding me. I wish I could just take a picture, however that would be dangerous as I am driving. It’s things like that that really make me glad to live in New Jersey. On my trips to Vegas and San Francisco, I noticed a lack of foliage. It kind of bothered me, because I am coming from the “Garden State.”

That reminds me of something I wanted to bring up! Wahoo! Okay, does anyone plant their own vegetables? Because growing up, I was always outside helping my dad in the garden. We have a semi large garden, with zucchini, peppers, strawberries, asparagus and many others. I always thought it was a normal thing, but turns out not a lot of people do it. And I think it’s awesome. I think its great! And most of the time, the vegetables taste way better.

Anyway, I do have a recipe for today. And I just wanted to make something clear here. I don’t go online and find recipes to post on my blog. I have nothing against that, but, what I am really doing here is posting my own recipes. I open up my fridge/pantry and I throw my own things together. Unless I otherwise mention that I got the recipe somewhere else, please know that these are my own original recipes!

Now, this one I honestly just opened up the freezer/fridge and pantry and put it together. This recipe could be online somewhere but I didn’t go looking for one.

Wait you know what?  I think I want to include a picture with this post. So I am going to hold off on the recipe til when I can post the exact recipe with an original picture, (finally!) Okay, so sorry to leave you hanging. Butttt see ya Friday!

So, I used the Gardein Chipotle Lime chickn tenders again. So delicious!

This time I made a wrap. I took the tortilla and laid it flat on the plate.

I put a little Monterrey jack cheese right in the center and put 2 tenders on top of that.

Then a little bit of shredded lettuce on top of the tenders.

After that I took a few spoonfuls of corn salsa and laid it on top.

For the corn salsa, I just took some regular Chi-chi’s salsa,

and added corn But I let the salsa sit in the fridge ahead of time!

So the corn can absorb some flavor.

And that was enough! I folded in the sides and wrapped it up tight.

I put the oven on and popped them in.

Only 10 minutes in the oven should do it.

If you want, you can have a little sour cream on the side to dip it in.

This is what I used:

So delicious! Tofutti makes it.

Yes so that was lunch yesterday! And it was very very good.

Let me know what you think!

Okay.

I know I said I would update with a huge Blog World recap.

I am sorry, I have just been SO busy. I have taken on extra projects at work and I am still wrapping up 2 book reviews and papers for classes.

I also just finished all of my Mid-terms as well. So that took up two weeks of my time, studying and preparing for those. With all of this added stress, and work I still managed to pull out 4 A’s and, well, one other grade I would rather not mention. I didn’t fail, but I didn’t get an A. It was a close B- though. I am very upset about this grade, and I am kicking myself for not studying more.

Anyway, I had a major scare with credit requirements to graduate last week. But I talked with my advisor and the Dean of Communication and everything has worked out fine. I will graduate in May, with extra credits, Cum Laude and a Bachelor’s in Advertising with a Minor in Communication.

Woohoo!

If I have time, I will update with a Blog World thing. But I feel like I should mention that today is World Vegan Day. I am not a vegan, I love cheese too much but we should all celebrate this day today and try to eat without dairy/meat! In honor of this day, I must give everyone a new recipe brought to you by our good friends at Gardein.

Gardein™ Mu Shu Chick’n Lettuce Wrap

If you are reading this and are in the NJ/PA area, you MUST  go to Kaya’s Kitchen. Just look at that menu. Oh-my-lord! Give me everything on there!

Okay anyway, like I said, I have been extremely busy. I will try my hardest to update with something way more interesting.

Until next time…

Major update coming soon!

On Wednesday I will be heading off to BlogWorld!

This will mark my first ever excursion to the Blog World conference, but not my first ever internet marketing/seo expo deal. It will also mark my first time ever going to Vegas. So needless to say, I am excited. And trust me, this will not be the remake of the Hangover. I will be working!

I am thrilled to say that one of the keynotes will be given by none other than Penn  Jillette. And Adam Corolla!

I will be updating with photos and everything when its over!

Hope to see you all there

I am not one that likes spicy things. So when I saw these new Chipotle Lime Chicken Tenders by Gardein I was sort of turned off. But I got a $1 off coupon any Gardein product, I thought “Why not?!” I already had plenty of other Gardein products in my freezer but I had not yet tried this one.

When I got home, I was trying to think of a good dinner to incorporate them. I thought about it for a bit and decided that having them plain, would probably just be best. I decided to oven cook them so they got nice and crispy. I made them with a salad, and penne pasta.

The salad:

-Romaine lettuce

-Fresh Mozzerella cheese

-Sliced Carrots

-Homemade croutons

-Sliced oven roasted zucchini

-Italian seasoning and balsamic vinaigrette dressing

Pasta:

-Penne Pasta

-Dash of olive oil

-Salt and pepper

-Basil leaves

I wish I had pesto to add to the pasta but it was perfect! A scoop of Pasta, small cup of salad and three of the chicken fingers was completely satisfying. I will absolutely make this again! Totally recommended. The Chicken fingers were NOT spicy at all. They just had this little kick of lime and spice that was a good combo. I am so glad that I got over my “OMG THIS WILL PROBABLY BURN MY MOUTH” fear and actually tried them.

Well, yes, 4/5 stars! I just wish they could have gotten a bit crispier coating. I am sure they would have if I fried them but I wanted to avoid excess oil.

Try them! ‘Til next time…

http://twitter.com/waytookewliez

Although I don’t eat meat, I know other people do. And obviously, animals do. I was over my friends house, and she just got a new puppy. He was absolutely adoreable. My friend Amanda was trying to teach Otis some tricks. Or at least training him to sit, speak and roll over. I asked her how she was doing it and getting him to do what she wanted. She told me she would say the word “SIT” or “ROLL OVER” and push his butt down while she did it. And she would repeat it and repeat it until he would do it on his own. At that point, she would reward him with a dog bone treat. It was that easy!

So I grabbed the bag of Nylabone Dog Treats, and tried it myself! He didn’t do it for me, but he was sure excited to get a snack made out of highly digestible natural ingredients. Amanda told me that her vet recommended Nubz treats help clean her puppy’s teeth. They also promote fresh breath and healthy gums, and reduce tartar. I was relieved to hear that they are made in the USA and are made with real chicken, with no added sugar, salt, or preservatives. That means they can be bought easily at your local Costco.

Wow, really have been neglecting this.

I just haven’t had time, and I am STILL waiting for my charger. Do you believe that?

Asus customer service is so god awful. Never again, not worth it!

Well, I went to San Francisco August 16th-19th. I didn’t have a chance to get to a vegetarian restaurant but there is always next time.

We ate out 2 nights and I thoroughly enjoyed myself at both places, the food was great!

We went to The Waterfront and  Annabelle’s Bistro. I recommend both! At The Waterfront I got the Capay Farms Mixed Green Salad with a side of Sautéed Nantes Carrots.

And at Annabelle’s I got the Spinach and Arugula salad with a side of green beans.

Like I said, I was really hoping to make it to an authentic Veg. place but we had no time. We were able to take a few hours on the last day to see Alacatraz, The Golden Gate Bridge and to ride one of the street cars up to Fisherman’s Wharf. I bought some Ghirardelli chocolates as well!

The hills in SF are so extreme! I was telling my co-workers Kristin, Rob, Jean and John that the people of San Fran must have such beefy calves.

Here are a few photos!

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I start classes again next week. I cannot believe it! I am so angry that summer is over. I feel like it just started in a way. I am going to be so busy this semester. With 18 credits (6 classes), working 3 days a week (MWF) and trying to balance everything. But you know what, it’s a good thing. It’ll prepare me for my future job and it will make things go by faster. Before I know it, it’ll be Thanksgiving and I will be writing to you guys about how I am preparing my Tofurkey!

Well, I need a new recipe. I want to experiment with Tempeh as I said. So I think I will go out and buy some this weekend and make some sort of dish.

I am craving indian food lately, so that might be dinner tonight, or Japanese.
Anyways! Not much else to say (lies, I could go on and on here.)
So toodles!

I’ve seen a lot of chinese restaurants that offer vegetarian dishes. Meanings, bean curd, tempeh, tofu…etc. All veggies.

But I have never seen a chinese food restaurant cook or make dishes with soy chicken or other soy products.

I would love to have some soy sesame chicken. I did some research online and it seems there are a few “vegetarian chinese” places in Philly.

It’s a bit far from where I am to go for Chinese food so I doubt I would ever make it there. But if I am ever in the area, I must try it out.

So, the next best thing is just making my own!

Ingredients:

Broccolli

TBS Vegetable Oil

Soy chicken tenders, or nuggets

Sesame Sauce (from any Asian market)

Sesame seeds

White rice, if you want it!

Easy instructions:

Boil water for rice. I’m not going to tell you how to make rice! Haha.

Heat the oil and sauce.

Throw in the soy chicken, let it soften a bit.

Add your broccoli and let things saute for about 10 minutes. (I like the sauce on everything, not just the soy chicken)

Once the broccoli is a bit soft, put your rice on a plate and add the soy chicken and broccoli on top.

Shake some sesame seeds on top of that.

And you’re done.

Enjoy

http://twitter.com/waytookewliez

I have  been really busy this past week or two. Kinda neglecting this because the only time I am at a computer is at work. My laptop charger broke so I cannot use my laptop at all until the new one comes. I had SUCH trouble calling Asus Customer Service to try to make a repair/service inquiry. It was ridiculous. I called probably 5 times! I think they didn’t have my email right. Then they sent me the wrong forms. Idiots! Jeez, I was so mad after making that 5th call just to file an inquiry about getting a new charger. Why should it be so hard?

Anyways. I’ve been trying to make use of my free time. Cleaning the house, going out, going to the gym. But staying home in bed always sounds nicer. Sunday I went to a car with my brother and some friends,  and last night I went to dinner and to a club for my brother’s birthday. I had a good time. Drank enough, and stayed out too late. I am definitely paying for it now.

So, yay. My financial aid went through. I get loans for this year again. Makes me feel at ease.  Uhm what else? Nothing really.  I got a new kitten! Haha that’s big news. His name is Dexter, but I honestly just call him Booger. Boog for short. He’s a stinker.  Anyway, I was thinking about having pizza for dinner one night and I thought of a yummy recipe. Haven’t tried it yet, but I would like to see how it comes out.

Dough:  Make your own or buy the stuff in a can!

Cheese: mozzarella, cheddar, romano and feta

Sauce: basil pesto

Veggies: plum tomatoes, spinach

I think I will try this!