Mar 6, 2011

brewpub tater-tot pie

Rounding off the PPK week of American Vegan Kitchen we nod a bit to homeschoolers - I made Tami's Brewpub Tater-Tot Pie, a variation of which the Duggars are famous for.

When we first started homeschooling, we were enthralled by a show - 14 Kids and Pregnant - or some such title. It was about a homeschooling family (which is what appealed to me). This was shown on TLC and since then the family has had 5 more kids and acquired a TV series, 19 Kids and Counting. Since then I have lost all respect for TLC (hint: Palin, the Wolf-killer). As for the Duggars, their contribution to our family was limited to their Tater-Tot Casserole - a concoction of ground meat, condensed canned mushroom soup and fried, molded potatoes. Surprisingly, they endorse a cookbook titled, Two Sisters Cookbook - a vegan cookbook.

I know I need not say this, but Tami's version dwarfs the Duggars'. In fact, Tami's version is more a play on Sheppard's Pie with tater-tots than a Duggar's version of cheap food.
No offense meant.

I changed up the tots - Tami calls for one pound of tots, cut in half. I used two pounds, whole. I think she specified this in her book to lower the calorie and fat content, but I know my kids and they thought I was being skimpy with the tots as it was.
No surprise there.

So, to warp up the book, Tami's is a must have, something I have stated before; while I have not been tempted by most cookbooks, this one, to my benefit, I was tempted by.

Yum. Period.


Cost Breakdown

tater-tots: $4
TVP, spices: $2
carrot, onion, celery: $1.50
tomato paste, broth: $1
Total to make 6 servings:
$8.50



route 66 seitan sandwich

American Vegan Kitchen brings us another fantastic sandwich. Tami has the best sandwiches eva! This one is a seitan sandwich that was easy to make. I kneaded the gluten for a cycle in the bread machine and then rolled pieces out on my cutting board. A tip to help the gluten roll easier is to begin rolling one and set it aside while you finish rolling them all. By the time you get back to your first piece, it will have relaxed and you can roll it some more to get them bigger.

I sauteed these to get them browned and crispy and then sliced them before putting them on the toasted bread. These are garnished with lettuce, tomato, vegan mayo and a sweet pepper and tomato relish. A couple of pickles to top them off and these were scarfed in no time.

The Sandwich Queen strikes again. Thanks, Tami!

Cost Breakdown:

seitan: $3
buns: $3
lettuce, tomato, pickles: $2
veganaise, relish: $.75
Total to make 8 sandwiches:
$8.75