Food Network Monthly Cookalong August Wrap Up

This month has flown by just like every other one this year. It has been a scrumptious month of sandwich-y goodness in this house. Here are some others that enjoyed some sandwiches and joined in for the Sandwich King themed cookalong this month!

I'll start off with Liz from Cooking the Vegan Books this month. She made two delicious sandwiches this month for the cookalong.

The first one was a Sandwich King recipe called Sloppy Jose with Chorizo, Charred Poblanos and Avocado Crema. Quite a mouthful Mr. Mauro! She used a new chorizo (that she decided was just okay) but suggested next time she would use the chorizo from Viva Vegan. Topped with a zesty avocado crema and her mix of green pepper and jalapeno in place of hard to find poblanos this sandwich certainly sounds tasty to me! http://cookingtheveganbooks.com/2012/08/18/food-network-monthly-cookalong-sloppy-jose-with-chorizo-charred-poblanos-and-avocado-crema/

Next, Liz tried a new product that I love, The Vegg, to make a Seitan Bacon French Toast Sandwich to cure her fried food slight hangover craving. She wasn't sold on the Vegg but the sandwich did hit the spot. http://cookingtheveganbooks.com/2012/08/24/food-network-monthly-cookalong-seitan-bacon-french-toast-sandwich/

Sandra is definitely a sandwich person as she has a whopping seven recipes in this month's cookalong wrap up! I love it that Sandra is just as excited as me about these cookalongs!

I'm working backwards here through the month from her blog...

Let's start with Sandra's take on Rachael Ray's Sesame Lime Shrimp Salad with Lettuce Wraps where she easily subbed tofu for the shrimp and used bread in place of lettuce cups since she was making it for supper. She missed the sesame seeds but added some fresh tomatoes. Looks so fresh and tasty! I definitely have to try these! http://www.veganmotherhubbard.com/2012/08/sesame-lime-tofu-sandwiches.html

Next up, is her take on Jeff Mauro's All-American Down-Home Patriotic Meatloaf Sandwich which is a mouthful in itself but the sandwich looks like one too! Sandra made a big ol' tofu loaf and sliced and piled it onto toasted bread with pickles and french fried onions. What a sandwich!! http://www.veganmotherhubbard.com/2012/08/meatless-monday-tofu-loaf-sandwich.html

Another Jeff Mauro veganized by Sandra was the Hawaiian BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich with Grilled Pineapple Relish which I saw on the show recently and thought looked like an excellent one to veganize as well! She uses tofu in this one as well as a stand in for pulled pork and made the relish a little more kid friendly by reducing the amount of jalapeño. Another winner! http://www.veganmotherhubbard.com/2012/08/food-network-hawaiian-bbq-sandwich.html

This next one was already actually vegan from the show Fat Chef. The Spicy Grilled Tofu with Thai Slaw and Avocado on Multgrain Bread was already vegan by Sandra wanted to tweak it a bit. I love that Sandra saw this recipe and wanted to fix it saying that the ratio of tofu to slaw was way off and then balanced out the flavours of the marinade as well. Nicely done! http://www.veganmotherhubbard.com/2012/08/vegan-grilling-no-9-spicy-grilled-tofu.html

This next one is a mish mash of two Food Network recipes, one from David Lieberman and one from Rachael Ray. It's loaded up with grilled veggies and has some homemade herbed tofu ricotta spread on the bread. Sounds like a great summer meal to me. http://www.veganmotherhubbard.com/2012/08/summer-salad-series-v10-sandwich-edition.html

Ina Garten served as the inspiration for Sandra's next entry of Vegan Grilled Steak Sandwiches. She went for the faux beef from La Dolce Vegan (written by Canada's own Sarah Kramer) then added in fried onions, kale for the greens and some veganized mustard mayo sauce. She served it up with all kinds of fresh grilled veggies too! http://www.veganmotherhubbard.com/2012/08/vegan-grilling-no-8-gilled-steak.html

This last one is what Sandra says happens when you have no plans for lunch and find a head of cabbage and a pack of tofu in the fridge. I'd say it's a pretty great find and then she uses a very inventive technique of roasting the cabbage with onions and tofu in staggered layers. Then she adds pesto on the toasted bread to top it off! http://www.veganmotherhubbard.com/2012/08/meatless-monday-roasted-cabbage-and.html

Megan (my fellow Newfoundlander!) created a sandwich of epic proportions! The Monster Mouth Sandwich comes with step by step pictures to help you build the perfect sandwich which I love! It is stuffed full of some of Megan's favourite things like Smoky Soy Curls (me too), tofu bacon (need to try), Gobbler slices from Vegan Sandwiches Save the Day! (here's a link to the recipe), Daiya Jalapeno Garlic Havarti (my favourite of the new wedges too) and veggies. You would think that was enough but she also whipped up a Sundried Tomato Basil Mayo that sounds incredible. Now that's a monster sandwich! http://cookbookaficionado.wordpress.com/2012/08/27/monthly-food-network-cookalong-monster-mouth-sandwich/

Lea over at Vibrantlea Vegan took on Buttery Lobster Rolls for My Baby by Jeff Mauro. She definitely used an alternative to lobster when she brought out the cauliflower! Impressive! I don't think I would have thought of that. Served up in a lightly toasted hot dog roll with a sprinkling of scallions on top this roll definitely looks the part. http://vibrantleavegan.blogspot.ca/2012/08/food-network-montly-cookalong-maine.html

How about a Vegan Ribwich? Sounds tasty, right? Katie from Not Just Granola thought so too so she whipped one up and served it on multigrain baguette. Using a baked seitan rib recipe from another website she put together something delicious! http://www.notjustgranola.ca/2012/08/31/vegan-ribwich

My cookalong posts for quick navigation

Emeril's Kicked-up BLT: http://threeandahalfvegans.blogspot.ca/2012/08/food-network-monthly-cookalong-emerils.html

Croque Monsieur Macaroni Grilled Cheese: http://threeandahalfvegans.blogspot.ca/2012/08/food-network-monthly-cookalong-croque.html

Deconstructed Eggplant Parm Sandwich: http://threeandahalfvegans.blogspot.ca/2012/08/food-network-monthly-cookalong.html

Stroganoff Sandwiches: http://threeandahalfvegans.blogspot.ca/2012/08/food-network-monthly-cookalong_26.html

A few quick sandwich ideas: http://threeandahalfvegans.blogspot.ca/2012/08/food-network-monthly-cookalong-few.html



Please note: I am posting photos with each link so you can see the beautiful creations these talented people have put together. The photos are the property of each blogger and shouldn't be copied and used unless you have their consent. I'm sure they won't mind you sharing with friends just be nice and give credit were credit is due.

Food Network Monthly Cookalong July Wrap Up

Another busy month has come to an end! My new grill has definitely gotten some use this month. I don't think I've ever grilled as much in my life. I recently won a copy of John Schlimm's Grilling Vegan Style so I have been trying out a few recipes from that as well. I am hoping to put together a proper review of it soon but I will say I am enjoying everything I have made so far!

Now onto the cookalong posts I was sent this month!

I am going to start off with Lea from Vibrantlea Vegan since she is our newest participant! Thanks for joining in! Lea decided to veganize Marcela Vallodolid's recipe for Creamy Corn Cups or Esquites which look so tasty! Lea even upped the flavour by grilling the corn which makes it work perfect for this month's theme! http://vibrantleavegan.blogspot.ca/2012/07/food-network-monthly-cookalong-esquites.html

Next up is Liz from Cooking the Vegan Books who quickly admits she didn't grill it but that it could be easily cooked on the grill if she had one. Liz made two different pizzas using recipes from the upcoming Grills Gone Vegan by Tamasin Noyes that she tested awhile back but wanted to eat again. I tested just a few from Tami's grilling book and it was all extremely tasty like everything Tami makes! http://cookingtheveganbooks.com/2012/07/13/food-network-monthly-cookalong-pizza/

Melissa from Loves to Eat Vegan! joined in again this month with her take on Bobby Flay's Spice Rubbed Chicken Tacos using seitan as a quick stand in but suggested you could also easily use tofu or gardein. The only other ingredient she had to veganize was the mayo so she grabbed some Vegenaise and went to the grill with this one. It is a little more involved of a recipe with grilled poblanos, BBQ onions, coleslaw and a spiced rubbed chickn but Melissa added that the seitan and onions were the best part so you could change up the toppings and make them an easy weeknight meal as well! http://lovestoeatvegan.blogspot.ca/2012/07/food-network-monthly-cookalong-grilled.html

Last but definitely not least is Tami from Vegan Appetite who grilled up some harissa marinated tofu despite the soaring temperatures deterring her from outdoor cooking! I totally get it because it is crazy hot here in Ottawa as well this summer! Since getting to know Tami, I have started to associate certain foods with her and harissa is definitely one of them! It definitely looks delicious and even has those perfect grill marks we would expect from the Grill Master! http://www.veganappetite.com/2012/07/harissa-grilled-tofu-for-food-network.html

My Cookalong Posts for quick navigation

Garden Burgers - http://threeandahalfvegans.blogspot.ca/2012/07/food-network-cookalong-garden-burgers.html

Sausage and Pepper Skewers with Grilled Polenta - http://threeandahalfvegans.blogspot.ca/2012/07/food-network-monthly-cookalong-sausage.html

Super Topped Frankfurters - http://threeandahalfvegans.blogspot.ca/2012/07/food-network-monthly-cookalong-super.html

Memphis-Style Hickory Smoked Tempeh Ribs - http://threeandahalfvegans.blogspot.ca/2012/07/food-network-monthly-cookalong-memphis.html

Please note: I am posting photos with each link so you can see the beautiful creations these talented people have put together. The photos are the property of each blogger and shouldn't be copied and used unless you have their consent. I'm sure they won't mind you sharing with friends just be nice and give credit were credit is due.

Food Network Monthly Cookalong June Wrap Up

I guess you can tell already that I am enjoying the Food Network Monthly Cookalong! I absolutely love Eat Street and it is one of the Food Network shows that you can always find on my DVR. It is amazing to me the different types of food people are making out there in the back of a truck! \

Here are the links to the participating blogs. Everything looks amazing and there has definitely been some vegan innovation!

Megan blogging at The Vegan Cookbook Aficionado finally got her hands on some canned jackfruit and made some magic happen! She veganized Thai Pork Tacos from Camille's On Wheels and they look delicious! http://cookbookaficionado.wordpress.com/2012/06/28/food-network-monthly-cookalong-thai-pulled-pork-tacos/

Melissa at Loves To Eat Vegan! decided now was a great time to join in on the cookalong fun and boy am I glad she did! Melissa first veganized the Cheesy Mac 'n Rib from the Grilled Cheese Truck and she too used canned jackfruit! I think someone should start buying shares in jackfruit! Vegans are crazy about it! This recipe is no joke either, Melissa went all out with pulled BBQ jackfruit, mac 'n cheese, caramelized onions and sliced Daiya Havarti (lucky you Melissa!) http://lovestoeatvegan.blogspot.ca/2012/06/food-network-monthly-cookalong-grilled.html

She then went on to imagine what she would make if she owned her own grilled cheese truck and with a little motivation from a contest winning sandwich, she created something awe-inspiring! It has Smoky Curls from Vegan Diner which are my absolute favourite soy curl, vegan cream cheese, Daiya shreds and a Blackberry Jalapeno Jam! Now that is a sandwich! http://lovestoeatvegan.blogspot.ca/2012/06/food-network-monthly-cookalong-my.html

Tami (the Food Network Cookalong originator) went for some local inspiration and veganized Dim and Den Sum's Soba Noodles which are the opposite of what you would usually expect from a food truck with no sign of a deep fryer and sauted fresh greens! Then she found a childhood favourite in Nosh Box's Cleveland Fried Bologna Sandwich where she easily swapped out that mystery meat for Tofurky's new bologna slices. 

I knew Liz would be in for this month's theme since she had been tweeting up a storm from Vietnam bragging about all the delicious street food she had been eating! I was happy she shared her take on the Banh Mi sandwich since she has tasted the real deal. She went open faced and stresses you have to find some sambal oelek to make it just right! http://cookingtheveganbooks.com/2012/06/09/food-network-monthly-cookalong-banh-mi/

My Cookalong Posts for quick navigation

Truitbe to Seabirds - Jackfruit Carnita Taquitos http://threeandahalfvegans.blogspot.ca/2012/06/food-network-monthly-cookalong-my.html

Tribute to Native Bowl - Mississippi Bowl http://threeandahalfvegans.blogspot.ca/2012/06/food-network-monthly-cookalong-my_11.html

Ice Cream - Drumstick Sugar Cone http://threeandahalfvegans.blogspot.ca/2012/06/food-network-monthly-cookalong-if-i-had.html

Ice Cream - Sweet Curry Choco-Coconut http://threeandahalfvegans.blogspot.ca/2012/06/food-network-monthly-if-i-had-ice-cream.html

Pierogi - Cheeseburger http://threeandahalfvegans.blogspot.ca/2012/06/food-network-monthly-cookalong-perogi.html

Pierogi - Shepherd's Pie http://threeandahalfvegans.blogspot.ca/2012/06/food-network-monthly-cookalong-pierogi.html

Pierogi - Poutine http://threeandahalfvegans.blogspot.ca/2012/06/food-network-monthly-cookalong-pierogi_26.html

Pierogi - Apple Strudel http://threeandahalfvegans.blogspot.ca/2012/06/food-network-monthly-cookalong-pierogi_27.html

I Can't Say it's a Beaver Tail http://threeandahalfvegans.blogspot.ca/2012/06/food-network-monthly-cookalong-i-cant.html

Please note: I am posting photos with each link so you can see the beautiful creations these people put together. The photos are the property of each blogger and shouldn't be copied and used unless you have their consent. I'm sure they won't mind you sharing with friends just be nice and give credit where credit is due.

My First Double Post in One Day

I received a wonderful comment yesterday from Kristen from Different Shades of Green that she was passing on the Liebster Award to me. I will totally admit I hadn't heard of it but when I went to her awesome blog and read  about it I was really excited. It is definitely fun for me to write all of this on my blog but to know that someone (at least one person!) is enjoying it really is gratifying and makes me want to keep going and try harder! I have been trying my hardest to do the same for other bloggers by visiting as many as I can and commenting often since I know it makes my day when someone does. I now get to share the love to 5 other blogs by passing it on to them and I will be honest, it was hard to narrow it down to five since there are so many inspiring bloggers out there that I have found during Vegan MoFo. 

The Liebster award is given to bloggers with less than 200 followers to show a little love to them. It looks like Kristen researched the word and found it was German for special friend or favorite. Very cool! Thank you so much Kristen! Go check out her blog and spread the MoFo love as well!

Here's how it works:

1. You show your thanks to the blogger who gave it to you by linking back to them.
2. You reveal YOUR top 5 pics for bloggers with less than 200 followers, and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.
3. Post the award on your blog. (Right click on the image, and select 'save image as'.)
4. Bask in the love from the most supportive people on the internet! And in this case, fellow mofo'ers.
5. Have fun, and spread the love! :)

So, now it's my turn to pick my favorite 5 MoFo blogs to share the Liebster with. So without further ado, I would like to give the Liebster Award to (in no particular order):

1. Miso for Breakfast - Celyn has a wonderful blog and is giving away things like crazy! She also has been a great support of my blog and it means a lot to me! Thank you!

2. Dorm Room Kitchen - I love all the bold, colourful photographs on this blog and the amazing sketches. You must go see! And you too will be craving Cinnamon Rolls like I have been since the other day when I saw them.

3. Veg-Am - I have really been enjoying the 1 food, 5 ways theme that Dawn has been doing on her blog. The ideas are amazing and so are the photos! And Banana Split Ice Cream is totally on my to-do list!

4. Cloudy With A Chance of Vegan Meatballs - I love the name, I love the step by step photos, I love Alex's and Joe's reviews after each recipe and I love the energy of the whole blog! You can really feel the joy coming off the pages.

5. Cookies for Alligators - I love, love, LOVE Alicia's photography. It has that dreamy feel to it that I really appreciate and I love the way she writes too! 

Little note...when I went to get the URL for Alicia's site I saw that she too had nominated me for a Liebster award...too funny and thank you too! Does this mean I get to pick five more blogs?? I'm doin' it...hopefully there's not a Liebster Award police!

1. For the Love of Food - Sonnet (coolest name ever), has a wonderful blog that is filled with healthy recipes using fresh, local produce. I love a girl that loves from scratch cooking and I love this blog!

2. Passing Daisies - I love Rachel's About Me page, you must read it. I love all the memories she shares and I appreciate her honesty. Then go and read about all the delicious food she makes, make some Hot Buttered Apple Cider and maybe a Pumpkin S'Mores Cupcake and then write her a comment to thank her.

3. Naked Vegan Lunch - I have no idea how many followers they have but I love this blog so I'm sharing it! Crystal and Trevor are an awesome vegan couple from London, ON. My favourite posts this MoFo have been the Hungarian MoFo posts on Fridays...I need to make Kaposzta Galuska even though I have no idea how to say it!

4. Vegan Family Dinner - Courtney has also been super supportive of my blog so thank you! And everyone will love hers as well if you don't already. She has yummy pictures and has inspired me to try making my own pickles!

5. Growing Up Veg - I love Vegan Mom's blogging since they are totally an inspiration to me! You have to check out her recipes and homemade vegan Halloween treats!

Now there are lots of new blogs for you to check out! Share the love Vegan Mofo'ers. This month has brought me some amazing new blogs to read and be inspired by and I am so glad I decided to participate this year!