We had just the slightest bit of sunshine and warmth this weekend and it totally ruined me for winter. All of a sudden my mind was racing, filled with images of Spring: riding my bike minus all of bulky wintry wear and nose frostbite, starting a windowsill herb garden, sitting in the grass at Dupont Circle reading a book and people-watching, dancing on the deck at Nelly's or 18th street lounge... and then, today it started flurrying. *SIGH*. Well, there's still some wintry hibernating in me yet, and there's no time like the present to get all the boring bar/ MPRE/ job search details out of the way, while I'm still confined to the indoors.
In the meantime, citrus-filled dishes have a way of making me think spring isn't too far off. This last weekend my friend K and I made the Orange Pan-Glazed Tempeh highlighted on 101 Cookbooks. We subbed out some juicy looking blood oranges, which together with a little mirin, agave, ginger and garlic made for a unique and bright accompaniment to some pan-fried tempeh, quinoa and broccoli. I've never had tempeh this way it was irresistable! Be sure to check out the recipe. Karen, who had never even heard of tempeh before, thought it was awesome.
Also awesome was the fact that I had enough leftover quinoa to make the superbly great Pineapple Cashew Stir-Fry from V'Con..
I've made this before, but this time it was even better- I think that using leftover, day-old quinoa makes a crunchier stir-fry than making a batch just to use for the recipe. It also dramatically cuts down on prep time- I had time to make this AND cherry-chocolate muffins 45 minutes before I had to be at work. All the bright flavors- pineapple, basil, ginger, garlic- came together to make another spring-y meal in the dead of winter. Oh V'Con, you always save the day. Song of the Day: ELO- Mr. Blue Sky
10 comments:
That all looks ao awesome! I had seen the pineapple stir fry in V'con, but wasn't sure if I would like cooked pineapple- but you made me a believer, it just looks irrestiable! I'm definately trying this this week, and i think it will make my husband eat the quinoa without too much of a struggle!
Ooh! Blood oranges, love them! Great idea, thanks! That v'con, never a let down !
Ooh... yummy!
it was warm here in richmond saturday morning - about 50 degrees. i totally thought we had been fast forwarded into april. it was so awesome! got sadfaced around 5 when the temperature dropped back off. boo!
blood orange glazed tempeh sounds glorious! citrus yummies make me think spring (and summer) as well. mmmmmmmm! i love 101 cookbooks - tried the caramelized tofu a while ago and i looooved that, too! the tempeh looks soooooo goooood - and hooray for some of vcon's pineapple cashew stir-fry! i have yet to try that recipe - but it's look'n like i need to get a move on. i keep seeing quinoa everywhere these days and every damn time i'm at the store i forget to buy some (we can get it in bulk, i love that the mostest). i NEED some quinoa!
you also had time to make cherry-chocolate muffins!?! you're too good! just too good!
you are TOTALLY making the best out of your student loan money, girl! these are some delicious looking meals, for sure! i have yet to make that stirfry from vcon, but i've been wanting to. i just never have pineapples and cashews in my pantry at the same time. also, that tempeh looks amazing! i'm always looking for new ways to make tempeh. if only i had some blood oranges!
dude, i totally love cashews in my stir-fry. it is perfection for me.
I have yet to try fried quinoa but it looks SO GOOD! I'll bookmark that recipe, and I'm a fan of any tempeh dish. I could run an IV of that stuff straight into my veins. Is shooting up tempeh considered drug abuse?
Fried quinoa - my newest obsession! It looks so colorful and yummy!
Happy hibernating! :)
I know it's about the food, but your plate is so beautiful! I mean, the tempeh is too, but that plate is stunning!
That looks and sounds GORGEOUS!
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