the Happy Vegetarian

Give us This Day our Daily Bread

OK, pardon my teenager-like language, but OMG, this is just damn gross. Eeeeeew… Like. Really. Damn. Gross.

In the latest edition of Leven, the quarterly magazine put out by the Dutch Vegetarian Association, there is an article about products that could potentially contain animal products.

Unsuspecting products, like bread.

Apparently, one of the ingredients used by bakers to give bread a nice texture or to keep it’s shelf life longer, is well, er: animal fat. Yum!

What makes this whole thing tricky, is that it doesn’t necessarily have to be labeled on the bread. Infact, the baker probably doesn’t even know that animals are in the pre-mixed softening agent.

I’ve known for the longest time to stay away from packaged bread in the supermarket simply labeled “Brown Bread”. If you inspect the ingredient list, you’ll notice that “brown bread” is just white bread which has been coloured a darker brown to give you the impression that you’re making a healthy choice. My rule of thumb has always been to grab the loaf of bread labeled “Whole Wheat” — because it’s just that — whole wheat. The good stuff.

But now, It’s time to scrutinize the ingredient list a little harder — or just buy my bread from reputable places that don’t add extra junk to my bread

De Nederlandse Vegetariërsbond (NVB): www.vegetariers.nl

Technorati Tags: bread

Filed under: Websites and Books on September 27th, 2008 | No Comments »

On Becoming Dutch — Yay!

Last week, I handed in my request to become Dutch. It’s been 6 years in the making. I’ve studied hard, learned the language and even — gasp — ‘integrated’.

I love the Netherlands — and try to do just about everything to prove “just how Dutch I am”.

Today, I did one of the MOST stereotypical Dutch things. I’m slightly ashamed, but I believe you should try everything at least once:

At the grocery store, while trying to choose between all of the ready-to-go vegetarian choices that have sprung up recently — my eye caught the bright sticker taunting me: “Try for Free”.

Of course, me being soon-too-be-Dutch: who could pass up such an offer?

I grabbed the package of Alpro Filets and headed to the checkout. Of course… you have to pay for it upfront… but no big risk I figured: I love their soy milk and tofu, so this should be equally delish.

When I got home, I eagerly fried up the fillets, anticipating the juicy tenderness. I must have been daydreaming about dinner a little too long as I slightly burned the fillets on one side. I then flipped them over and somehow managed to lose the breaded coating on the other side. I placed the fillets on a bed of salad and potatoes for presentation points. I immediately dug in with my fork.

I hate to say it, but I had mixed feelings. On one hand, I LOVE the idea that there is a 100% vegetarian ‘meat replacer’ at our grocery store. It contains no eggs or dairy — a HUGE plus point. Yet on the other hand, I was disappointed by the taste. Granted, I did slightly burn one side, but the fillet had a bit of a strange aftertaste.

My Dutch co-eater suggested that I should indeed mail in the coupon for my rebate. And I did just that. A few weeks from now, I am expecting the whopping €2.49 back into my Dutch bank account.

Man! I wanted to like these sooOOooOOo much!

I will give their other products a try, because as I stated above: I love their soy milk and tofu.

Technorati Tags: Alpro Soy, Becoming Dutch

Filed under: Food, Urban Garden on September 26th, 2008 | 3 Comments »

Quickie Fried Rice

This time every year, I always seem to take on more than I can chew. Between my bustling business, crammed social calendar and the extra Dutch classes that I have signed up for — the days are whirling by like cRaZy.

It can be challenging to force myself to eat a decent meal at dinner, instead of giving into the temptation of grabbing a meal on the go — or just eating a big bowl of popcorn and washing it down with a bottle of wine

Lucky for me (and my busy agenda) — the Dutch supermarkets have been expanding in their assortment of vegetarian ready-to-go products. It has become A LOT easier to throw together a decent meal without much thought (or energy!).

Pictured above: Stir-fried Basmati rice, a bag of read-to-go wok vegetables and a splash of my secret sauce (will write about another time) served with “Oosterse wokblojes”. Ready in 20 minutes, the time it took to boil the rice.

I have to say, that I really liked these little morsels served on top. The texture was soft, a little chewy and had a nice flavour. The only downfall is that they contain egg. It would be nice to see more yummy vegetarian products on the market that did not contain any dairy or egg.

Technorati Tags: Vegetarian products, Stir-fry, Dutch Supermarkets

Filed under: Food on September 26th, 2008 | No Comments »

the Vegan Month Of Food

October is the Vegan Month of Food — also known as ‘Vegan Mofo’.

To celebrate, I will be posting (and eating) 100% vegan — to show how simple and delicious it is to eat great food that doesn’t clog your arteries or destroy this funny little planet we call Earth.

Join me on this adventure/challenge where we roll up our sleeves, clean out our fridges and ditch the cheese, milk, eggs and honey. Call it a 30-day detox for all of us veggies. There is no better time than now!

The Vegan Mofo is upon us: Post Punk Kitchen Blog:
http://theppk.com/blog/2008/09/16/veganmofo-is-upon-us/

Technorati Tags: VeganMofo, Vegan Month of Food

Filed under: Food on September 23rd, 2008 | No Comments »

The Taco Shop, Amsterdam

I have heard ALOT about this place — and finally last night — I had my first Taco Shop experience. It probably won’t be my last.

I had the “Vegetarian Smothered Burrito” — and boy was it ever smothered. Refried beans and rice wrapped up and slothered in a generous dose of sauce and cheese. After eating this I really needed a nap — but it was worth every bite. I can smell a weekly ritual coming on. And a lot of extra laps around the Vondel Park

My friend John, who initiated me into the world of The Taco Shop,
about to go inside to order for us.