Popping into Natter after skipping like crazy to say that the book looks great, Gar, and I look forward to reading it.

Also, every little kid I know who's been able to try tofu without any preconceived notions about it has loved it, to the extent where I've been kind of amazed. When you think about it, it has a mild flavor and neat texture, which fits with what kids traditionally like.

Yep. Veganomicon, and also Vegan with a Vengeance. I've made a bunch of recipes from both of them, and they've all been really good and really easy. (The tempeh mango salad from Vegan with a Vengeance is one of my favorites. Even if you think you don't like tempeh, it's worth a try.)

Also, every little kid I know who's been able to try tofu without any preconceived notions about it has loved it, to the extent where I've been kind of amazed. When you think about it, it has a mild flavor and neat texture, which fits with what kids traditionally like.

At a family barbeque a few years ago, we ran out of bbq chicken, and a four-year-old still wanted more, so his father gave him some of the bbq tofu and told him it was "chicken square." He ate it, no problem, and then ran around telling everybody about the really cook chicken square.

My vegetarian friend who doesn't really cook all that much loved Vegonomicon. But her license plate reads "CTHULHU."

Veganomicon recipes I've tried have tended to be about half an hour prep time, sometimes less. Also, they've got a bunch of soy-free and gluten-free recipes, for people trying to avoid those (I'm not, but I'm trying to vary my protein sources a bit more), and a bunch of recipes with a little grocery cart icon, meaning that the ingredients can be found at a regular grocery store. (She says that she used the supermarket near her in-laws in Vermont as her guide for "regular grocery store.)

Man, I would have to find a nickname for Veganomicon, because I trip over it just reading.

Coincidentally, I've been skipping around looking for good bulgur chili recipe. I was going to make it tonight, but then I realized my onion is... squishy. And that can't be good.

I've been going through a couple of my cookbooks making notes of recipes that might work, and I've actually found more than I thought I would. What I'm hoping to do is actually have a more varied diet than I've managed lately, and I think I can pull it off as long as I do some planning each week.

I cook with ground beef a fair amount, and that would be easy to just swap out with fake meat, if you're into that kind of thing.

Recipe review -

Really good. note: Peanut butter is the protein. Actually, vegan, not just vegetarian.

additions - lemon rind as additional garnish

Personal preference: more ginger.

kids: - there is a tiny bit of a bite at the back of the throat from the cayenne, but not sure anyone who doesn't like spicy food would notice.

Thanks, beth, I'll add it to the list!

Maybe I'll blog this--committed carnivore goes sorta-kinda vegetarian for 40 days. Will she make it? How many times will her work lunch consist of Easy Mac or a peanut butter sandwich?