Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Unhealthy Food? As If!

After the tragic and untimely death of Brittany Murphy, I re-watched her 1996 breakout film Clueless. And that's when I realized that so much of my life philosophy was shaped by that movie. I was 16 when Clueless came out, and that means I was young and impressionable.

For example, I do believe that Ren & Stimpy were "way existential." And I agree that "until mankind is peaceful enough not to have violence on the news, there's no point in taking it out of shows that need it for entertainment value." When someone sits next to you and crosses their legs toward you, it's totally an unequivocal sex invite. And it's okay to call your girlfriends "bitches" because in the words of Murray, "street slang is an increasingly valid form of expression. Most of the feminine pronouns do have mocking, but not necessarily in misogynistic undertones."

Why am I talking about Clueless? Because I've been cooking up a storm from Alicia Silverstone's new cookbook The Kind Diet. If you don't have it yet, it's a must-buy. Silverstone talks about the importance of going vegan in the first half of the book (stuff most of us already know), but the second half is filled with yummy vegan (and even some macrobiotic) recipes. Every dish is super simple, focusing on the natural flavors of a few ingredients.

For lunch today, I had Silverstone's Azuki Beans with Kobocha Squash:

It's just like it sounds — tender azuki beans, naturally-sweet chunks of kobocha squash, kombu, and shoyu. That's it. It's one of her microbiotic (or superhero, as she calls it) recipes.

I also tried her Ginger-Baked Tofu:

Firm tofu is marinated overnight in a simple sauce of fresh ginger, soy sauce, and a teensy bit of brown rice syrup. Silverstone avoids all forms of granulated sugar in her recipes, even turbinado and evaporated cane juice.

And her Sicilian Collards are to die for:

I typically cook my collards for at least 40 minutes, but these are quickly sauteed for only a few minutes with olive oil, raisins (I used currants), pine nuts, and balsamic vinegar. The vinegar hides any of the bitterness left in the greens. Even my non-greens-loving boyfriend liked this recipe. He said he'd start eating greens if I fixed this regularly!

20 comments:

Serena said...

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THE KIND DIET.
'nuff said. :) I've read and re-read that book multiple times. You must, must, must try the mochi waffles :)

Vegan Valerie said...

I saw Alicia's book highlighted on Oprah the other day! Now I just need to go out and nab the book and start cooking! :) What fun!

Anonymous said...

These recipes sound great! I'm going to have order it, hello amazon.com. x

T said...

But why should I even listen to her? She's a virgin, who can't drive.

Ok, that was way harsh.

Glad to hear the cookbook is good, I've always liked Alicia Silverstone. Fun fact: I saw Clueless in the theater 6 times, a lifetime record.

Lisa said...

i've been wondering about that book! Thanks for the review. I thought she did a pretty good job on Oprah.

jessy said...

i rememeber when clueless came out. my friend ryan & i went to see it about 10 times in the theatre - i love clueless so much! alicia's book is ridiculously awesome - i picked it up back at the end of october and have been enjoying it ever since. i made the collards last night, Bianca - that's too funny! i love how the balsamic hides the bitterness of the collards, too - and i need to try both the squash dish & the ginger tofu. the look gloriously good!

Mary said...

OMG, those outfits! I totally had some above-the-knee stockings. I miss 1996.

I love sauteed collards! Sounds like a yummy book.

Michelle said...

Ooo, I just got this book and I've loved looking through it so far. Yet to decide what to make first!

Jenny said...

I am a HUGE FAN OF THE KIND DIET! I have read it twice now and have cooked several recipes from it as well. You gotta try the "Rustic Pasta" if you haven't yet, it's to die for.

Sheridan said...

I really want to check out this cookbook. You know I love Alicia Silverstone (and Clueless!) as well! Tee-hee. Your food looks great!

nora said...

Great post title! And those collards look good. I haven't decided if I want the book though, since half of it is a guide to being vegan and I have so many cookbooks! I'll wait to see more recipes from you haha

Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday said...

I'm going to try those collards! They look great.

Anonymous said...

The Kind Diet is such an incredible resource. You should absolutely try the Carrot and Burdock Kinpira recipe - it is my favorite so far!!!

Theresa said...

Love love love that movie!

Anonymous said...

OMG--I freaking LOVE Clueless! I swear I still have the whole movie memorized from when I too was 16...I love it! I knew all of your quotes, but you forgot--why do you need to know how to park when "everywhere you go has valet?" Ahhh...the memories :-)

I want her cookbook SO bad! And my library system doesn't even have a copy--darn.

Courtney

Unknown said...

I really enjoy reading your blog, I nominated you for the Honest Scrap award:)
That hotel you stayed in looks so cool!!

Michal said...

I love Alicia! She is such a gorgeous person both inside and out :) I havent gotten her book yet but its been on my wishlist for a while. Hoping to get it soon!

Maurie Kirschner said...

I've been very impatiently awaiting my turn for this book from the local library and reading this post made it that much worse!!! I really want to try the ginger baked tofu you mentioned. I added a link to your blog and this post in my first ever Favorites Friday post and wanted to let you know.

http://rutabegasandotheradventures.blogspot.com/

Now I have to go click on the burger and rings thing I just saw on your blog...

Amy @ Everything is Homemade said...

Hey thanks for the link on the collards. Nice blog. I love The Kind Diet. Have you tried the Seitan Picatta yet? It's amazing. You must make it immediately!

Sarah @ See Sarah Eat said...

I love Clueless, I can't even remember how old I was when it came out, oh wait you did say 1996 didn't you....um, 14!

I really need to pick up a copy of The Kind Diet, I read through it at a bookstore once and it sounds just lovely.