Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Hot Dogs and Grits

...but not together. That would be weird. This morning kicked off with a steamy bowl of my special Cheezy Bacon Grits:

The recipe is going in the cookbook since grits are a staple at the Southern breakfast table. And honestly, there's no better way to eat yellow corn grits than with vegan cheeze and crumbles of tempeh bacon. I read on someone's blog awhile back that grits aren't available in some areas of the country! Shocking! But I believe the ingredients in this recipe would work well with steel cut oats as well. I'm a recent savory oat convert.

Though the grits kept me full for hours, I couldn't wait until lunchtime when I could dig into one of Melody's AMAZING Homemade Veggie Dogs:

The recipe is a tester for Melody at the Melomeals: $3.33 a Day blog. She made them awhile back and I begged her for the recipe. So she was nice enough to let me test it. I'm now convinced that Melody is a genius! These taste so much like storebought dogs, but way, way better. I doubt I'll ever buy a processed veggie dog again.

I won't divulge what's in 'em since I believe the recipe is going in Melody's upcoming e-cookbook. But trust me when I say, this recipe alone is worth buying her book.

I topped my dog with Zukay Horseradish Relish (the kind with live probiotic cultures) and served it with leftover tortilla chips from Blue Coast Burrito, Zukay Hot Salsa (more cultures), and a spinach salad with radishes and almonds.

As for dinner, well, I'm saving that post for tomorrow. The nice daylight was gone when I returned home from yoga by 7:30 p.m., so I'll shoot that meal when I eat the leftovers for lunch.

31 comments:

Jamie the Foodie said...

yum! i love hotdogs & haven't found a vegan one that tastes even half-way decent! can't wait to try this recipe when the cookbook comes out. and the grits sound amazing! i'm a southern girl, too; i served grits at a brunch one time & had people who wouldn't even try them! can you imagine?

Jenni (aka Vegyogini) said...

Your cookbook is going to be incredible! I can't wait for it to be ready. :)

jb said...

This looks so comforting, I know my boyfriend would love it!

nora said...

Those grits need to be on my breakfast table. Tomorrow.

Also, it's funny--because I don't really know much about Southern food, I had no idea that hot dogs and grits wouldn't go together (because a lot of your Southern combos seem random to me at first until I try them!), so when I read your post title, that's definitely what I expected!

Anonymous said...

I had no idea that such a breakfast exists! I looks mighty tasty.

I am also convinced Melody is a genious. I love her blog.

Virginia said...

i am from the south so i am super excited to see you are putting together a book of southern vegan recipes! i haven't had grits since going vegan but now i miss them like crazy after this post!

Macie said...

Mmm. Grits!

Those veggie dogs are intriguing! I'd love to be able to make my own at home...

Anonymous said...

Homemade VeggieDogs?!

Get outta town... ;)

Jenn said...

Mmm grits.

I will definitely wait for the veggie dog recipe. Thanks for the info. I haven't found a store bought veg dog that I truly love.

Zukay rocks.

Anonymous said...

I've never seen non-meat meat foods look so appetizing.

Sal - AlienOnToast said...

cheezy grits sounds amazing and I'm not sure I even know what they are!!

The hotdogs look great too.

Abby said...

yum honey! really, you're just 14? wow, your a young vegetarian. keep posting ;) mUck love, abby ;)

Vegan_Noodle said...

Hmmm, I actually don't think grits and hotdogs would be bad together....
And for the zillionth time, I can't wait for your cookbook!!

Linh said...

I am always so inspired... and a little hugrier after reading your blog. Everything always looks so pretty and yummy. I can't wait for your cookbook to come out!

MeloMeals said...

I've never had grits!.. but you make me want to.

I'm so glad you liked the hot dog recipe!

Also, I am DROOLING over your mint julep brownies in the last post.

jessy said...

i can't wait for Melody's e-cookbook to come out! her blog is great & i just love all the awesomeness she makes!

your photos are look'n great, Bianca! i wish i had a veggie dog right now! good call on the Zukay relish - mmmmmmmmmmm! an excellent addition, fo 'sho! and cheezy bacony grits! oooh sweet jeebus - i can't wait to test 'em out! and i can't believe people can't find grits in certain places! that's such a shame - grits are just so awesome!

Leslie Richman said...

I love grits!!!

Unknown said...

yum a homemade veggie dog!! that just sounds super. :) im sure much more satisfying than those smart dogs...not that i dont eat them anyway though..the grits are sounding pretty delicious though!

Anonymous said...

Hi, Bianca! I've been a longtime fan of the blog, though never really a commenter. Anyway, I was just wondering if you've ever considered having your Granny do a guest post? I for one would love to hear the musings of a good ol' Southern gal learning how to bake vegan. Just a thought!

Anonymous said...

ooo can't wait for the new cookbook! another one to add to the collection :0)

TheMOSTfresh said...

You're timing is beautiful! I recently attacked my first grits recipe so I kept it simple and it tasted exactly so... naturally I showered the blandness with TONS of S-n-P and even tossed in some vegan cheese but I still have tons of cornmeal on hand and I need a new approach... so thank you soo much, can't wait to get at it! =]

aTxVegn said...

I grew up on grits, but I haven't made any in a long time. Your cheezy grits look delicious. I'm glad you're digging the savory oats too!

A_and_N said...

I've never tried grits before. Mebbe I can try this!

Unknown said...

so many amazing cookbooks coming up! I can't wait. have to, but can't.

Anonymous said...

Those cheesy grits look amazing! I am totally craving grits recently, it's weird because I haven't had them in years and years.

Anonymous said...

Those grits look so good! And a good hotdog recipe is hard to find! Can't wait for Mel's ebook!

River (Wing-It Vegan) said...

Speaking of your cookbook I forgot to leave you feedback on the biscuits that I made last week before we hit the road!(I'll do that on your tester blog)

Melody's book is also going to be a total hit! The veggie dogs look perfect!

Erin said...

It was ME that couldn't find grits! Although I should probably be more specific, I couldn't find Quaker Instant Grits, which is a necessity for my breakfasts. Melisser told me she thinks she's seen them in San Francisco, so they're not non-existant out here, they're just not very popular.

That hot dog looks amazing. Seriously. And probably the healthiest hot dog meal ever.

Anonymous said...

Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now. Keep it up!
And according to this article, I totally agree with your opinion, but only this time! :)

Anonymous said...

I read a article under the same title some time ago, but this articles quality is much, much better. How you do this?

Unknown said...

I love your blog. It is always best to make it fresh rather than using the processed stuff.

I just wanted to mention the Blue Coast Burrito fries their tortilla chips in the same fryer that where they fry the fish for the fish tocos.

Not sure which BCB you frequent, but the ones that I go to all do the same, so if that is a concern, maybe you should check with your BCB.