kplays’s Profile
Recent Comments
Cook the Book: '660 Curries' by Raghavan Iyer
My first, or at least the first that I remember... I went to one of the many Indian lunch buffets in town and thought that it all was so delicious. I also really needed a nap after that.
Cook the Book: 'Canal House Cooking, Vol. 1'
Sweet corn salad with a lime/cumin vinaigrette. Yum.
Cook the Book: Eugenia Bone's 'Well-Preserved'
I am always looking for new ways to preserve apples, beets and cabbage. I love just about anything that is pickled though. I want to see this book!
See more comments by kplays ยป
Recent Posts
kplays hasn't written a post yet.
Recent Favorites
kplays hasn't favorited a post yet.
Recent Polls
kplays hasn't answered any polls yet.
Recent Quizzes
kplays hasn't taken any quizzes yet.
Recent Comments | Response to Comments
Vegetarian Lifestyle
I would have to say that the most important thing is to keep a balanced diet eating a variety of vegetables, grains, and legumes prepared in a variety of ways. The worst thing that people can do is assume that as long as they are eating vegetarian it is healthy. Also, I eat beans in some form pretty much everyday. I could never tire of them. They are delicious and you can do so many things with them. YUM!
Cook the Book: '660 Curries' by Raghavan Iyer
My first, or at least the first that I remember... I went to one of the many Indian lunch buffets in town and thought that it all was so delicious. I also really needed a nap after that.
Cook the Book: 'Canal House Cooking, Vol. 1'
Sweet corn salad with a lime/cumin vinaigrette. Yum.
Cook the Book: Eugenia Bone's 'Well-Preserved'
I am always looking for new ways to preserve apples, beets and cabbage. I love just about anything that is pickled though. I want to see this book!
Healthy & Delicious: Baked Rotelle Puttanesca
So I made this the other night and it was good, but I wouldn't say it was flawless. This biggest thing is the amount of time that you cook the noodles for on the stovetop. Maybe I should have thought of this before but the pot I was using (8qt dutch oven) kept the sauce that the noodles cooked in much warmer during the simmer. After 15 minutes the noodles were done and then got a little too done after its turn in the oven. That would be my only issue with the recipe. Otherwise it tasted really great.
My Favorite Bagel Ever is.....
Gotham bagels in Madison, WI: Super egg everything with plain cream cheese. Better than you would expect from a midwest bagelry.
making your own dolmas
Or does anyone have any advice for filling recipes when making these vegetarian? I don't want any dried fruit in them... ick.
Best Georgetown Foods for a Mourning Fan
Well, don't feel too bad about the loss to Davidson since G-town was never going to make it past Wisconsin to the Elite 8 anyway....
Do you have a favorite beet recipe?
Roasted with a little salt and pepper is the best.
Who's a vegetarian?
I am a vegetarian and will pretty much eat anything that does not have meat (or meat stock) in it. There is not a vegetable out there that I don't like. I eat a large quantity of legumes and whole grains but rarely pasta.
I can't give you any specific recipes that I like but I especially enjoy cooking Indian foods. I just love the spice combinations that are used, so yummy. I also eat more eggs than I ever have in my life. They are such a healthy way for vegetarians to get their protein and so fast, easy, and versatile.
ps I also really enjoy Anthony Bourdain. I find him completely entertaining and everyone is entitled to their opinion. Plus, he is the one that has to eat the testicles, not me.
I finally got it....the Cook's Illustrated Recipe to test!
I got the no-roll pizza bianca recipe as well. I don't have a stand mixer either but mixing and kneading pizza dough by hand is pretty simple, so I will do it that way. It sounds delicious and I can't wait.
I'd rather not eat soggy _____
Bread... as in stuffing, dressing or whatever you want to call it. It is truly the only soggy thing that engages my gag reflex.
New England Clam Chowder: Awesome or gross?
I just can't get into NECC. Not my thing.
Which is your ultimate comfort food?
Soup in general is my comfort food. Those that come to mind are pea soup, chili, miso, or minestrone.
Batali vs. Bittman Pasta Saucing Smackdown: Who's Right?
I think C. Both are right because it is really a personal preference. Personally I agree with Bittman because when I eat it, pasta is my main course, filled with tons of veggies. I never really have pasta as a side dish.
Cereal only for breakfast?
I pretty much stick to Wheat Chex with plain unsweetend soymilk. Add ons are whatever I have around but include bananas, peaches, walnuts, raisins...
What's Your Favorite Local Cheese?
7 year aged cheddar from Hook's in Mineral Point, WI.
Yum.
What 3 foods are always in your refrigerator?
tamari, siracha hot sauce, and a jar of olives (right now it is the garlic stuffed greenies)
Cook the Book: 'Happy in the Kitchen' Giveaway
I love to gather all of the raw ingredients together in one place before I start prepping. It make me quite excited for what is to come.
What would you never eat?
Pretty much any animal part from any animal. I guess that I never really acquired a taste for it because now that I don't eat it, I just don't miss it.
Question of the Day: Mayonnaise, Miracle Whip, or a soy alternative?
I am not a fan of mayo for the most part but I do enjoy a homemade aioli on sandwiches. When I was a kid I always stuck to the Hellmans and the THOUGHT of Miracle Whip used to make me gag. It still does.
Question of the Day: What cuisine can't you stand?
I can understand the people who dislike cilantro. When I first started eating it I thought that is was very overpowering in the dish. After a while I got used to it and now I love it.
As for any type of cuisine that I don't like... I don't like the american-mexican cuisine that you find in restaurants here. I always like it when I make it for myself with more fresh and distinct flavors. I have never had true mexican cuisine though, it is probably much better than what we find in the states.
Cookbook Giveaway: 'Super Natural Cooking'
Legumes-healthy in so many ways and oh so versatile!
Vegetarian Lifestyle
I think meat eaters get tired of chicken, beef, pork, et al. I know my mom cooked about 8,183,007 chickens, seemingly all in a row for a while - and I couldn't even EAT chicken till about a year after that. I'm not against occasionally having all-vegetarian meals, I like to do that a couple of times a week.
Vegetarian Lifestyle
I've been vegetarian my whole life (I was raised that way) and I think something that most people forget about is ethnic cuisine. I've found that many people who are accustomed only to American food have a very hard time cutting out meat.
In addition the the books mentioned above (Mark Bittman's is excellent for new vegetarians), check out some Indian, Thai, Middle Eastern, and Mexican cookbooks - all of these cuisines are very vegetarian-friendly and use lots of spices and bold flavors, so they're very satisfying.
Vegetarian Lifestyle
Try new things! Different cuisines. We make a lot of veggie burritos, rice and beans, fried rice with seitan, risotto with veggies. Vegetarian proteins like tofu and seitan (and veggie sausages, burgers and the like if that's your thing - it's definitely mine) keep much longer than meat, so they're easy to throw in the fridge for pantry meals. Beans keep even longer. There's great meals based around eggs - frittatas, eggs in purgatory, breakfast burritos.
Also, if there's multiple members of your family and some are less enthusiastic than others (or less willing to go cold turkey), you can try a "kosher kitchen" type approach. Make and stock vegetarian food around the house, but don't enforce rules outside of the house.
Neither me nor my partner is vegetarian, but we're both former longtime vegetarians (20+ years in his case, veganism in my case). We're at the point where most of our weekday meals are vegetarian simply because it's easier.
Vegetarian Lifestyle
@shawnamarie:
The best way to decide "what kind of vegetarian" you'd like to be based on your motivations.
@Madyln f. karma free - I like some of your links. You should consider including a Pescetarianism on your list :D
>> I choose this eating-pattern on occasion to cleanse
Cook the Book: '660 Curries' by Raghavan Iyer
Thank you for participating, and congratulations to our winners:
jonkeane
suburbanamnesia
grebletie
gavinkwong
hbomb1013
Winners have been notified by email and also appear on our Contest Winners page.
Cook the Book: '660 Curries' by Raghavan Iyer
i have never tried any indian cuisine but it sure sounds really good
Cook the Book: '660 Curries' by Raghavan Iyer
It was probably as a child with Chinese/Indian fusion food.
Cook the Book: '660 Curries' by Raghavan Iyer
When I was about 14, I was invited to dinner by an Indian woman who lived in my apartment building with whom I had become friendly. It was my very first experience with Indian food. I don't remember what area of India she was from, but the food was so incredibly spicy I could barely eat it.
Cook the Book: '660 Curries' by Raghavan Iyer
My first encounter with Indian cuisine was at a restaurant serving vegetarian dishes from southern India. I enjoyed the food there very much.
Cook the Book: '660 Curries' by Raghavan Iyer
My first encounter with Indian curry was a little awkward. We were shy and just kept eyeing each other from across the room. I made my way over to his bowl and introduced myself to him and his friends, chutney, yogurt, chat, and mixed pickle. Taken by his complex textures and worldly influences, I was almost immediately smitten. I have to admit I went home with him that night. It was that first taste that drew me in.
Cook the Book: '660 Curries' by Raghavan Iyer
At a small vegetarian restuarant over 20 years ago. I know Roti came with the dish .
Cook the Book: '660 Curries' by Raghavan Iyer
havent had the pleasure 2 often of eating indian food:)
Cook the Book: '660 Curries' by Raghavan Iyer
My daughter took me to an Indian restaurant when I visited her once and I tried the chana masala. It's my favorite Indian meal since that day. I've tried a lot of things but that's still my favorite.
Cook the Book: '660 Curries' by Raghavan Iyer
At a restaurant. The food was wonderful.
Cook the Book: '660 Curries' by Raghavan Iyer
Living in the deep south , I've never had the opportunity to try Indian cuisine.
Cook the Book: '660 Curries' by Raghavan Iyer
Mine was at a great Indian restaurant in NYC and I've been eating at Indian restaurants as much as I can ever since
Cook the Book: '660 Curries' by Raghavan Iyer
Back in 2001, when I was in the hospital after giving birth, my husband and my parents decided to try an Indian restaurant in our area. My husband told me in the hospital how delicious the food was and he wanted to take me there on the way home . I was really tired and didn't think I was hungry, but I devoured the food and have been a fan of Indian food ever since that day.
Cook the Book: '660 Curries' by Raghavan Iyer
went with a coworker and fell in love with the cusine!
Cook the Book: '660 Curries' by Raghavan Iyer
In college these was an Indian place near my apt figured i'd try it and fell in love!
Cook the Book: '660 Curries' by Raghavan Iyer
I bought some lentil curry soup as a teen and thought it was pretty good..
Cook the Book: '660 Curries' by Raghavan Iyer
While I was living in Southern California, I went to some serious Indian restaurant with about 6 or 7 girlfriends. We each got a different dish and shared. It was my first experience with Indian food, and it was incredible!
Cook the Book: '660 Curries' by Raghavan Iyer
I like the put curry on the chicken sometimes in soup too. taste yummyy.
Cook the Book: '660 Curries' by Raghavan Iyer
My first encounter was around 10 years ago, tasting curried chicken over rice served by a local chain. Not the most memorable dish, I tell you. Fortunately, my faith in curries was restored several years later when I tried the real deal at an authentic Indian restaurant. Have loved it ever since.
Cook the Book: '660 Curries' by Raghavan Iyer
In college. A guy who lived on my floor in my dorm. Our whole floor smelled like curry. It was great.
Cook the Book: '660 Curries' by Raghavan Iyer
Actually I DO remember my first introduction to what was for me at the time "foreign" cuisine. I was on vacation in Dublin, Ireland, of all places, and my companion insisted we find the best Indian restaurant in the city. I don't remember much about the experience except sitting on huge cushions on the floor and my friend using a word that sounded something like "tandoori" quite frequently as he rattled off our orders to the waiter. I had no clue. Then when the food came, I saw the peppers and thought, okay, here's something I can impress my friend with, because I was used to eating jalapenos and spicy Tex-Mex food. Oh my... I don't have to tell you the rest of the story, I'm sure you can imagine! I don't think I tasted much of anything else during the rest of my trip to Ireland. :)
Recent Posts
kplays hasn't written a post yet.
Recent Favorites
kplays hasn't favorited a post yet.
Polls
kplays hasn't answered any polls yet.
Quizzes
kplays hasn't taken any quizzes yet.

I would have to say that the most important thing is to keep a balanced diet eating a variety of vegetables, grains, and legumes prepared in a variety of ways. The worst thing that people can do is assume that as long as they are eating vegetarian it is healthy. Also, I eat beans in some form pretty much everyday. I could never tire of them. They are delicious and you can do so many things with them. YUM!