11/14/10

Cabbage Rolls and Potato Latkes


When you are low on cash, condiments are your friends. The simplest (and cheapest) things become special when there is some sauce or dip to accompany them. And if you're anything like me, than even when your fridge is completely devoid of veggies or fruits, you still have a boatload of random barbeque sauces, mustards, and curries.

So, being short on funds this week, we've been trying to eat as cheaply as possible and rely more on condiments to spice things up. Thursday night I made cabbage rolls: the leftover (non-moldy) inner pieces of a cabbage that had seen better days became a wrapper for mushrooms, onions, and almonds simply spiced. On the side was the real action: tahini-miso dressing, spicy soy+ chili sauce, and a simple mix of sun-dried tomatoes, pine nuts, and garlic. It was cheap and reminded me of the fancy days when I used to do things like "go to restaurants" and "order appetizers."

Friday evening was equally inexpensive and fabulous with S. whipping up a batch of latkes that we gobbled up with some apple sauce and washed down with a lot of beer. Potatoes+ onions+ a little bit of cornstarch and flour, and you are there. I've seen a lot of fancier recipes for vegan latkes, but if you are patient I think the flour and cornstarch method (outlined in more detail here) works wonders and takes less time. And who couldn't use some greasy, filling latkes once in a while?


song of the day: ELO- Mr Blue Sky

6 comments:

Amey said...

wow, you're definitely making the most of quick and cheap. I totally agree with you about how a few nice sauces can really elevate a meal. And those latkes look totally perfect. I haven't had breakfast yet, so they are sort of freaking me out right now!

Vampire said...

Mmm vegan food porn! YAY!

Candy Beans said...

These look great, especially considering that they were created with frugality in mind.

jessy said...

latkes, cabbage rolls with awesome sauces - bring it! hoooooray for the tastiest of cheap eats! i've never had latkes with applesauce, always just toffuti sour cream or as-is with lots of black pepper on top. totally gonna have to give them a go with the applesauce next time - which will be pretty damn soon 'cause you've started a craving!

Anonymous said...

My mouth is watering all over the place! Seriously, I'm coming to *your* house to eat!

Mihl said...

Delicious! Now I am craving latkes very badly. With Apfelmus of course!