Post Punk Kitchen Forum

I'm going to be cooking dinner for 2 omni friends, one who is studying culinary arts but thinks meat is necessary with every meal. I want to show them how delicious vegan cooking can be. But, I'll be cooking in their kitchen, so I want to make an impressive recipe that is still easy to make, and also I don't want them to think "weird" ingredients like nooch are always necessary. Any ideas?

Vegan sushi!

I like the idea of making something that isn't a vegan version of something else, but that is just really good "accidentally vegan" food. Isa's Butternut Squash Rancheros recipe in the recipes section of this site is amazing - super easy and with fantastic flavor. Also, the V'Con Mole Greens and Beans Skillet Pie with cornbread on top is really easy and delicious. The chocolately note in the mole is sublime.

Thanks so much! I don't really have all the equipment to make vegan sushi, or else I'd make it in a heartbeat. The Butternut Rancheros look really good though. I'm also considering making a seitan mushroom stroganoff that my mom used to make with beef, but I'm not sure if seitan's considered "weird"? I've been eating it for too long to tell anymore XD

the Caribbean Curried Black-eyed Peas with Plantains from Appetite for Reduction are super-simple but seemed a little fancy to me... if you garnish each serving with plantains & a sprig of thyme they even look gourmet! delicious and no "weird vegan ingredients" whatsoever. (I would avoid anything that's considered meat-like, such as seitan... beans all the way!)

If you're cooking for omnis and trying to impress, don't use seitan or anything else they might see as a "fake meat". The textures of these things really don't match omni expectations of how it should be. I would stick to entirely vegetable based dishes.

These are super easy and omni screened/approved!

http://olivesfordinner.blogspot.com/2011/01/general-tsos-tofu.html

http://olivesfordinner.blogspot.com/2011/01/vwav-asian-tofu-with-mashed-potatoes.html

http://olivesfordinner.blogspot.com/2011/01/scallops-and-polenta-with-cashew.html

ooh! http://www.theppk.com/2010/12/creamy-re ... -linguine/
first sentence is "File under simple but impressive!"
and believe me, it's so good.

I made that for dinner last night and agree that it's delicious.

Risotto!

super easy and there is no tofu, setian etc in there. In fact, it is pretty much exactly what you would order in a restaurant but made with veggie stock. and it can be quite fancy.

I love the Mushroom and sun dried tomato version in VWAV. or you can find any recepie on line and vegify it by subbing EB and veggie stock. I serve it with grilled asparagus on top.

Risotto is SUPER EASY. I give informal cooking lessons to friends (Omni's) and Risotto is always my first lesson!

That risotto is super tasty!

Stuffed bell peppers were probably the first vegetarian thing I learned to make. I think that's a legit focal point for a plate.

Lentil sloppy joes, of course! Perhaps with a side of sweet tater fries or roasted vegetables.

Do you need desert recipes too? I highly recommend both the raspberry blackout cake and the carrot cake from VWAV, AMAZING!

This is my fav risotto ever - it's hard for me to try another recipe because I love this one so much.

The mango summer rolls in vwav are also to die for, and delicious. The balsamic-glazed portobellos are delicious as well, but you have to be both a big mushroom and balsamic fan.

Also, what about crepes? You could have savory ones for supper and sweet ones for dessert!

I was going to suggest risotto too. I love this lemon, spinach and pistachio one- I made it for a friend the other night, and served it with homemade roasted garlic bread. I'm eating the leftovers right now, and they are tremendous.

My go-to is pot pie. It's super easy too. You can make your own dough or just use puff pastry.

If you can get that Imagine Brand potato/leek soup then it's even easier. Make it in individual ramekins, it's a prettier presentation.