This weeks menu. June 24-June30

It's hot outside. I mean really hot! With the temperature expected to hit 113 degrees (that's 45 degrees celcius for some) by end of week I'm thinking cooking in the hot oven or event the stove top is not something I'd like to do. I think I'd prefer to sit by a pool sipping lemonade all day. Wouldn't you?

Since I can't be a pool lounger I still need to feed the family, right? They've got to eat as do I. This heat can certainly drain a person so to keep up our fuel we must eat, and eat well.

My challenge (for myself really) is to start learning to grill more vegan foods. Anyone up for the challenge? What is your favorite grilled fare?

I'd actually like to make a whole weeks menu using mostly the grill. That won't be this week but I'm certainly working on it!!

Some of my favorites for summer are stir fry's! They are super quick to make on the stove top, oh I wonder if I could throw it on the grill?, and are full of yummy veggies. Okay, you caught me, stir fry's are always my favorites!

Black Pepper Tofu Stir Fry

Udon Noodle Stir Fry

So many different ways to stir fry!!

On this menu was last night's meal which I must say was pretty darn good! Calabacitas (hold the cheese!), Sunflower Seed "Refried Beans" and fresh mango. The Sunflower Seed, well dip really, is a raw dish out of Eat Raw Eat Well and was very tasty. The texture threw the hubby off a bit, I think our food processor isn't as strong as a Blendtec so it certainly leaves some gritty texture but was father flavorful nonetheless. The little one LOVED it! I really enjoyed it with chips as a dip. Mixed in with the calabacitas was tasty too! It seems versatile and it's simple to make. I will certainly be making it again. This meal was nice for the summer because it was mostly raw and the part I did cook, the calabacitas, is quick to make so it doesn't over heat your house. It's also a refreshing dish with fresh squash and corn. So good!

Calabacitas with Sunflower Seed "Refried Beans" and mango. Chips too!

Another great summer meal is salad. There are so many types of salads out there but for us a good ole "kitchen sink" salad is the fave! I make one every Tuesday and it lasts us through the week as a hearty side. We tend to eat just balsamic vinegar on our salads but lately Dreena Burton's "Raw"nch dressing has been making an appearance. It's so good!

"Kitchen Sink" Salad

I also have an obsession with popcorn. I loved popcorn since I was a kid. Even our dog liked popcorn when I was growing up. The whole family ate it nearly nightly. And, there has been studies to show that one serving of popcorn has more antioxidants than a day's worth of fruits and vegetables, based on the average diet.  So, perhaps not my diet seeing as I eat my weight in fruits and vegetables but for the average American it seems they should be eating their popcorn! Before going vegan I was like many others, I ate microwave popcorn full of butter. But, now that I'm vegan I had to give up my easy peasy microwave goodness.  It wasn't easy, basically dragging me kicking and screaming! How could I live without butter on my popcorn??? All I thought was that making my own to just pour on melted vegan butter would leave soggy bits of popcorn while others were left flavorless. Gross! But, I found this neat little old fashioned popcorn maker, yes I'm a sucker for kitchen gadgets, and because it's so neat I let go of my microwave bag and bought some good old fashioned kernels.  A tinsy bit of oil and some kernels and bam...I've got amazing popcorn! No butter needed! NONE. Wow oh wow, why didn't I do this sooner?? A little salt and I'm good to go!!

Popcorn!!

What are your summer favorites?

Alright, I've chatted long enough. Here's this weeks menu. Enjoy!

Sunday: June 24, 2012
Calabacitas, Sunflower Seed "Refried Beans", fresh mango

Monday: June 25, 2012
Curry "chicken-less Salad with pita bread and hummus (no cooking needed!) This is a recipe I found out of Blissful Bites, yum!

Tuesday: June 26, 2012
Salad and Magical Raw Tacos! I want avocados this week hence the tacos!!

Wednesday: June 27, 2012
Tacos (with SmartFood Mexican style fake meat for BK, why not? haven't made it in awhile!) with black refried beans. More avocado and fresh mango.

Thursday: June 28, 2012
Eggless Salad Sandwiches (yes, I make the same type items when we have BK, he's picky and I feed what he'll eat), veggie tray and pasta salad with champagne vinegraitte.

Friday: June 29, 2012
Hubby and I have date night! It's off to the Botanical Gardens for a picnic dinner. I'll bring left overs from Thursday and some fresh fruit.

Saturday: June 30, 2012
Portobella burgers with tater tots (another vice of mine) and grilled squash. Besides the potatoes, which I'll cook in my mini convection oven, all will be done on the grill! Grilled food #1!

Cheers and happy eating!