Monday, October 1, 2007

clearing out the kitchen

Every now and again, I like to clear out the kitchen and restock. This includes canned goods, dried herbs and flour in the cupboards, fruit on the counter tops and veggies in the fridge. It started last night with a veggie and tomato soup. I used up the majority of the veggies in the fridge including carrots, celery, green beans, zucchini, fresh thyme and parsley along with onions and potatoes from my veggie basket. I also included a box of veggie stock, a can of tomato sauce, dried rosemary, oregano, basil, sea salt and black pepper. I also made whole wheat flour biscuits using hazelnut milk instead of soy milk, which surprisingly went with the soup, despite having a heavily hazelnut flavor.
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For dessert, I used up the plums that, on their own, were kind of mealy and flavorless. After splitting, coring, filling the center with brown sugar and whipped Earth Balance and baking for a few minutes, they came back alive.
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Tonight, I didn't feel like cooking, so I whipped up some hummus that had fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, fresh garlic, canned garbanzo beans, tahini, almond butter, olive oil, agave, sea salt and black pepper. In an attempt to get rid of a bag of unbleached all purpose flour, I also made a loaf of bread. I spread the hummus on the fresh bread with sliced tomatoes and red onion. It turned out to be a pretty great dinner.
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17 comments:

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

I too like giving my pantry and fridge and entire kitchen a "fresh start" by clearing out old cans, boxes, etc. ooh, your veggie-soup looks delicious; and those whole-wheat flour biscuits made with hazelnut milk sound intriguing!! I must say, I'm surprised that they tasted good with the soup, haha. and your hummus on homemade bread looks like a perfect, no-fuss meal! yum :0)

Theresa said...

I love how the simplest meals can be the most satisfying. Hummus on bread with veggies--sounds gourmet to me!

The Little Mama said...

That hummus sandwich looks tasty. Simple + tasty = the perfect meal!

Casdok said...

Hazelnut milk? We dont have that in the UK, or do you make it?

Lori- the Pleasantly Plump Vegan said...

hey casdok- the hazelnut milk was store bought, but i'm sure it could be made like any other milk.

Vegan_Noodle said...

Oh, I need to take after you! I am so horrible about cleaning out the pantry. Who know what I have lurking back there.
Looks like your cleaning had good results!!

KellytheCulinarian said...

I love those recipes where you just use what's on hand. It's so productive.

ChocolateCoveredVegan said...

Mmmmm plums...

Anonymous said...

I love making those "clean out the fridge" soups!

I have to say--I think making bread counts as cooking for your no-cook meal! Very impressive indeed!

Courtney

Lori- the Pleasantly Plump Vegan said...

clean out the kitchen soups are the best!
Courtney- hehe, yeah, well . . . baking is not cooking to me. it's just different to me i guess. after kneading the dough, it does it's own thing.

Anonymous said...

i'm glad i'm not the only one that does the "clean out everything and make good stuff!" i did it a few months back and i still have some yummy, frozen sauces leftover from it (which i need to use, now that i think about it) ha!

Unknown said...

I do the clean the pantry thing also, but have never come up with an excellent dish like yours. It is rare that I have any fresh veggies to clean out. I have lots of frozen and canned stuff. The humus and tomatoes look so yummy! I have to try that.

Monika K said...

I love how you said that you "didn't feel like cooking," but went ahead and whipped up some hummus and a fresh loaf of bread. That's what I'm talking about!

Melisser; the Urban Housewife said...

It's always nice to have a clear out!

urban vegan said...

Soup looks lovely. Good reminder to me: I need to clear out my kitchen, esp. my overstocked pantry. I love to cook, so anytime we go by an ethnic market, I just *have* to buy something to try.

Anonymous said...

hazelnut milk?

oh my. that sounds amazing. i've never seen that. i'm on the hunt now! or maybe i'll try and make it. i've made my own ricemilk and find that fab for baking.

p.s. i love your blog!

bazu said...

I love what you did with the plums. Why haven't I ever thought of that? So many plums end up as you described- mealy and flavorless- why is that??