Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Vegan Mofo: Avocado Madness!

As the title suggests, Alicia Simpson's Vegan Comfort Food is loaded with satisfying, downhome dishes. Some are more complex than others. A few call for pre-made, packaged products, like vegan cheeze or veggie burgers. Some folks don't really like cookbooks like that, but I do. I wouldn't want every book in my library to have shortcuts, but books like Simpson's are nice for quick weeknight meals.

Case in point — the crisp Avocado Melt Panini from Vegan Comfort Food:

Avocado, vegan cheeze, tomato, onion, and cilantro on bread. Simple, yes. But it's something I probably wouldn't have thought to combine without a recipe to put the idea in my head. I'd never had avocado on a grilled cheeze, but it's a great combo! The creamy avocado melds well with the melty, warm vegan cheeze. I used Teese mozzarella for this sandwich, and since I don't own a panini press, I placed a cast-iron skillet atop the sandwich while cooking for the pressed panini texture.

Simpson's book conveniently offers meal ideas by suggesting other recipes in the book that would complement main dishes. Her "Avocado Madness" meal featured the panini served with Tomato & Avocado Soup:

Another idea I wouldn't have considered before — cold avocado atop warm creamy tomato soup. I've only used avocado to garnish cold, raw soups in the past. But this was delicious and warming on a chilly fall day. Plus, I got to use the majority of a whole avocado for one meal. And that means no waste.

On the Vegan Mofo front, I won't be posting for a few days because I'm headed to New Orleans with my family. But I'm sure I'll have a ton of delicious vegan NOLA food to share when I return.

33 comments:

nora said...

I'm with ya. I also appreciate good, simple meals that suggest fun combos that you might not have thought of. The sandwich is mouthwatering!

The Voracious Vegan said...

I agree with you about cookbooks. I don't want them to rely ONLY on processed pre packaged ingredients like veggie burgers and sliced cheese, but a few recipes that do is fine, and pretty useful for those days when I am just too rushed to think for myself!

And now I know what I am making tonight: avocado paninis! That looks ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!

VeganLinda said...

I love avocado on tomato soup, pizza (after cooking), and added to marinara sauce right before serving. Hot tomato + fresh avocado = yum!

I think I'll have to add this cookbook to my list (can't have too many vegan cookbooks, right?). I can't wait until your cookbook comes out too.

Jen Treehugger said...

Ooooh that sammich looks delicious!

JohnP said...

I was looking at that sandwich recipe last night! Enjoy your trip

Gina said...

Oooh, what a yummy looking sandwich!! I cold avocado on warm soup for the first time last week, its so yummy!

Jessie (Vegan-minded) said...

I love avocado! That panini looks wonderful :)

Lisa said...

thanks for the book review! Your sandwich looks delicious. Have fun on your trip and hope you find some good vegan eats.

Anonymous said...

That sounds like a yummy sandwich. It kind of sounds like a quesadilla in sandwich form.

Have a good time in New Orleans!

Katie said...

Yummm, I love tomatoes and avocado together! :)

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

Avocado = daily staple.


Have a safe trip!!

Leslie Richman said...

Have a great time in NOLA! I got awesome vegan coffee/tea drinks at Mojo's Coffee and Rue De La Course (both on Magazine) and Peaches record store on N. Peters. Slim Goodies on Magazine also has a pretty good vegan choices, including chili fries!!
I can't wait to see what foods you find so I can try them too when we go next time.

vegan.in.brighton said...

I'm really looking forward to this book. I love the idea of avocado on grilled cheese!

Debra said...

It looks so good- truly comfort food.. love tomato soup!
Debra @ Vegan Family Style

Jenn said...

That sammich looks delish! Have a great trip!

Happy Older Hippie Woman! said...

You get that golden brown goin' every time! I agree with you here - I don't mind pre-made occasionally. Cooking & baking from scratch is my preference, though sometimes I'll buy the Yve's Baloney and make a sandwich very close to your panini with the addition of the phoney baloney.
I heard once that some folks call avocado "the poor man's butter"... all I know is that I love it!

Nicci said...

So happy to have found your blog again. Someone had hacked into my blogger and all the ppl I follow vanished. happy to be reading again.

aTxVegn said...

Avocado tomato soup sounds soooo good!

Unknown said...

BEAUTY!

Jenna said...

I've been eating a LOT of avocado lately and that sandwich looks like something I want to eat NOW! Happy belated bday and have an awesome vacay! I'll miss your posts but can't wait to see pics and hear stories when you get back.

Megan said...

I just got that book, and that sammich looks stunning. Thanks for the rec!

Cyn said...

Oh my god, that looks so freaking delicious. I LOVE avocado. I totally need this book.

abyssal said...

Looks delicious-definitely will be making that sometime soon!

abyssal said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
jessy said...

i totally agree - there's nothing wrong with a super tasty simple meal that combines lots of yummies i may not have thought of before. i loooove me some avocado deliciousnesses, and i'm totally putting some on top of warm soup to make it that much more mmmmmm!

looking forward to more tasty posts when you return, Bianca! have fun!

Diana said...

This is DEFinitely the ultimate vegan comfort food! Though I wouldn't choose it these days, there was a time when I considered grilled cheese and campbell's tomato soup the epitome of chilly day comfort food, so this is a major upgrade and far more suited to my tastes and preferences right now!

Sophia said...

I love avocados too! That sandwich looks awesome. Avocados are like the ultimate food.
http://whatyourmommadidntknow.blogspot.com/

Sal - AlienOnToast said...

that sandwich sounds great, i have an avocado in my fridge that keeps staring at me!! Guess it's time to clean my sandwich toaster!

Mark said...

You can even leave out the cheez if you want to avoid the pre-processed stuff. We made the same thing about a week back, sans cheez and it was awesome--total comfort food.

Gena said...

Holy mother! Two recipes with my favorite food -- hold and cold, no less. I am happy.

Anonymous said...

Ahh that sandwich looks delicious! Avocados are amazing

Rick @ BookPubCo said...

Hi Bianca,

I apologize for using a comment to send you a personal message, but I could find no other way to reach you. I work for an independent publisher of raw, vegan, vegetarian and alternative health cookbooks.

I think you have a terrific blog and I wanted to let you know that I would be happy to provide you with review copies of some of our books if you would consider reviewing them on your blog.

Our raw and vegan authors include Jennifer Cornbleet, Cherie Soria, Jo Stepaniak, Nomi Shannon, Louise Hagler, Angela Elliott and more.

If you are interested, please contact me at rick@bookpubco.com.

Best regards,

Rick Diamond
Book Publishing Company
Marketing Dept.
Summertown, Tennessee
www.bookpubco.com

Debra said...

We love avocados- I have 70 on my counter now- no kidding- 3 for $1!
Debra @ Vegan Family Style
ps don't forget about the cookbook giveaway on my blog