Monday, January 24, 2011

To cook a schmorgesborg

Yesterday I did something that I thought I'd never do- I cooked for people. Now, I may make dinner for my family, but by no means am I what one thinks of when they think "cook". I probably fall more in line with "weirdo" or "split end picker", maybe "weird sense of humor haver". But "cook"? Well, I suppose I could add it to the list among "trash tv watcher" and "jig dancer".

Sunday night I cooked my in-laws a vegetarian/vegan meal. And from what I heard, it turned out great. Though I'm suspicious the rave reviews may be due to my being bound to them by law now. I've had their cooking before, there's no way I did THAT good. But here it is nonetheless.


Here you have me doing my best Julia Child...if Julia Child was a cheesy dork.

The menu was-
Vegetarian lasagna Florentine (I wanted to make something they would be more familiar with)
Couscous with a balsamic vinaigrette dressing and cucumbers (vegan)
Minestrone soup (vegan)
Coconut creme pie for dessert (vegan)



Cooking up some of the lasagna innards (onions, mushrooms, zucchini)...which turned into this-

I forgot to take photos of the other stuff I put in it- spinach, cottage cheese, mozzarella and parmesan (in case you were wondering, no, I did not eat this lasagna, I was more than happy with the soup anyway).

Before the oven.

If this were a show, now is where I'd have an elapsed time segment where I dance with a cane and top hat and tell horrible jokes. In reality, we mostly just forgot to take a lot of photos. So here's the end result-

Family getting ready to chow down...

End result. Now, the lasagna looks odd and even a little burnt but it wasn't. I almost didn't want to take a picture of it but I did FOR THE REALNESS! I KEEPS IT REAL PEOPLE!

Jack "I Eat Lasagna Like A Mo'fuggin Champ" Martin

The World's Heartiest Bowl Of Minestrone Soup (this was my dinner and I couldn't even eat the whole thing! Whoever says vegans are starving doesn't know their ass from their elbow.)
And for dessert-

Coconut creme pie, made more fun by the fact that it was TOFU! Yes, tofu. Turns out tofu can be incredibly versatile and I was shocked when I was making the pie at how much it tasted like the real deal.

So there you have it! We actually made so much we have a TON of leftovers in the house. I think I won't have to cook for a week which is fine by me. I can resume what I'm normally good at like being a "bath lounger" and "compulsive vacuumer". But "vegetarian/vegan cook for the day"? I'll be happy to put that in my arsenal.

The challenge is almost up and I can safely say that it has changed me. I've learned so much and have experienced nothing but positive change that I feel it would be a waste to go back to my old habits. My decision was basically solidified once I stepped on the scale at the in-laws (I don't have one in my house) and learned that after three weeks I'm 8lbs lighter. I haven't been able to shed any weight for the last 2 1/2 years, even after exercise and diet. I've discovered that this diet works well for me and I'm going to keep rolling with it.

What I ultimately want to say though, to all of you, is THANK YOU! From the bottom of my heart. Everybody has been so supportive and I cannot thank those of you who have followed and cheered me on enough. It was the fuel I needed when cravings got strong and I wondered if this was the right choice. I kept everybody in mind when I cooked, when I ate and in the end, when I felt full and happy, it was mostly gratitude that hit the spot. So thank you, thank you, thank you!

Now, what shall I celebrate the end of the month with (vegan still, that is)?

9 comments:

wonderchris said...

Job well done!!! From a fellow non-cook, but good at riding of split-ends-er I tip my invisible chef's hat to you!

Chelsea said...

this looks amazing and you look adorable!

<3

Eva said...

Make a sweet treat! These vegan brownies are sooo good: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Vegan-Brownies/Detail.aspx

Alicia said...

Legal obligations would have forced us to say, "Yum. Very nice. Thank you." We were under no obligations to take seconds. Or thirds. Or to ask for the recipe.

I do want that coconut cream pie recipe: It was amazing!

beca said...

I wore my hair just like that today too...
mmm..braids...

food looks good too!

Amanda said...

Thank you all! Like I said, the support has been huge for me. I'm so thankful for you readers!

@Eva- Yep! That's getting made!

@Alicia- I will write it down and bring it by next time we're over. Glad you liked it!

Charlotte said...

you're cute. :)

your meal looks delicious and I am positive your family wasn't just saying they liked it because they love you. that minestrone looks so yummy and I do hope you start to share these recipes!! pleasies?

Unknown said...

Everything looks incredibly yum! I especially want that minestrone soup recipe.

Amanda said...

@Charlotte and Flyrish- I'll definitely be posting the recipes, and a few others, in a post coming soon!