Vegetarian Pot Pie

Although I am not currently eating vegetarian, when I cook, I prefer to cook vegan.  It's simpler for me, and I don't worry as much about food going bad.  So, if I could cook at home all the time, I would definitely be vegan;  It is just getting to the point of cooking at home all the time.  But that is a post for another time.

Anyhow, it has been some time since I made a pot pie.  The recipes I used were Veggie Pot Pie and Classic Crisco Pie Crust

When the children were little, I used to make pot pie all the time, because I found it was a good way to get them to eat a variety of vegetables, without having to inspect them too closely!  Homemade pot pie is so much better than the store-bought stuff (and I always liked those!) - I can do a double crust the way I prefer.

First, the "innards" of the pie:  The filling turned out quite well.  I used the carrots, potatoes and frozen peas I had on hand, as well as onion. (If it doesn't have onion in it, I don't like it as well!)  Also when served, Brian added some Mrs. Dash to the servings - this was delicious, and did not add any extra sodium.  When I cooked the filling on top of the stove, I did have a little extra liquid, so I added an extra TBSP of cornstarch.  It still looked a bit too "liquid-y" but it turned out perfect! Oh, I did mince up the garlic, but I forgot to add it, and didn't realize this until it was in the oven. It tasted good without it.

Pie crust has always been problematic for me.  I can never quite get the consistency right.  It is either too wet and mushy or too dry.  Tonight, I erred on the dry side, and the raw crust simply did not want to hold together.  I think I need a pastry mixing tool, to do it up right (I seem to have lost mine, so I used a fork).  I will use this recipe again, and see if I can do a better job of the crust next time.

The good news is that Brian and Nicole liked the pot pie, and I have some left over for lunch tomorrow!  It's a win-win!

Phyllo Pot Pie

I got my copy of Isa Does It a few days ago.  I've made one of the recipes already (the Meaty Beany Chili, which was featured on Post Punk Kitchen's Make It Vegan.  This is my first time cooking from Isa Does It, and, incidentally, the first time I've ever used phyllo dough in a recipe.  The only change I made was to substitute sparkling grape juice for the sherry.  Results? This tastes GREAT.  I think the next time I make this, I will use a double pie crust instead of the phyllo dough, because I like crust on my pot pie.  Otherwise, this turned out great!  It's going to lunch with me for the next two days (unless Amy sneaks into the kitchen and eats some of the leftovers).

Family meals together

Marcus arrived on December 4th, and it has been pretty hectic.  We finally put up the Christmas tree on Monday night.  I had to beg off of church choir rehearsal that night, and I'm supposed to play flute this Sunday!  I still can't find the music I am supposed to play.  I have no idea where it is.  I'm going to try to look under the piano.  I didn't go to choir because I had to go to the bank's atm at short notice.  This time of year always bites financially.

Anyhow, we've enjoyed some truly singular vegan meals lately.  First of all, I've veganized the Irish Soda Bread recipe from Recipes for a Small Planet.  This is easily done, with applesauce in place of the egg, molasses in place of honey, and soured soy milk in place of buttermilk or yogurt.  I may eventually try this recipe with soy yogurt just to see if it works.  I've made this bread the last two nights and Marcus seems to like it okay.  It's a bit too crusty for the kids, but I intend to make it again and again! 

Sunday, I made Leek and Bean Cassoulet from Veganomicon.  There was enough left over to freeze for two or three days worth of lunches.  Monday night, I made vegan chili using TVP for the first time.  That stuff definitely gives a meaty texture to vegetarian dishes.  I will definitely use it again.  Last night, I made Roman Rice and Beans from Diet for a Small Planet, something I've made time and again, because it's easy and it's vegan without the parmesan.  Marcus, Amy, Chris and Brian all like it.  Somehow, I made it with green peppers last week, and Amy just raved about it.  Last night's rendition contained orange and yellow peppers but it was still VERY good.

Interestingly enough, I much prefer cooking at home now to going out.  Marcus and I are still going out for my birthday Sunday night, but to tell the truth, if he decided to make me a good dinner at home, that would work just as well.  The kids are making brunch for Sunday  noon.  Alison is coming up and she and Amy will probably cook the brunch, though I suspect I will probably take part also.

I think Saturday, I will try making the Almost All-American Seitan Pot Pie from Veganomicon.  That is really good, and I think Marcus would like it.  Yes, I want to make food my husband enjoys.

This is the Almost All American Seitan Pot Pie from Veganomicon.  If it tastes as good as it looks, then I will have been successful!  Amy rolled out and patted in the crusts so I had a lot of help.  It's pretty work intensive, but it was a work of love!  Time to eat!