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Thursday, February 11, 2010

You Mochi Me Crazy!

First things first — we have a winner in the Vegan Essentials gift certificate giveaway! A random number generator picked Jeni Treehugger of Heathen Vegan! Wooo! Thank you all for participating. I think I got more comments on that contest than any other in the past. Folks love 'em some Vegan Essentials.

Secondly, I must share this week's amazing breakfast — Mochi Waffles with Lemon-Walnut-Rice Syrup from The Kind Diet:

I love, love, love me some mochi. I'm a sucker for chewy foods, and food doesn't really get chewier than mochi. This microbiotic recipe from Alicia Silverstone calls for only four ingredients — mochi, fresh lemon juice, chopped walnuts, and brown rice syrup.

In case you don't know, mochi is a Japanese rice cake made of glutinous rice pounded into a paste and molded into a large flat square. I buy mine at Whole Foods in the cold section. You can do all sorts of stuff with it — bake it into puffy squares, fry it, or in this case, place strips in your waffle maker for the world's chewiest (and most satisfying) waffles.

The syrup is simply brown rice syrup mixed with fresh-squeezed lemon juice and toasted, chopped walnuts. It tastes sinful, but it's actually so, so healthy.

I served the waffles with two slices of my own recipe Tempeh Bacon:

This is another cookbook recipe, and I promise it's a little different from other tempeh bacon recipes out there. A secret, surprise ingredient really sets this bacon apart.

Finally, I need to mention an important fund-raising campaign for an awesome vegan small business. Last year, I reviewed Intention Cookies from Bountiful Vegan, a line of lick-your-lips, oversized vegan cookies. These cookies come in four flavors — Choco-Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Chip Orange, Lemon Snickerdoodle, and Coconut Pineapple — and each is said to contain a little mojo magic. Depending on the flavor, the cookies are said to bring about love, prosperity, harmony, and well-being.

The cookies were launched last year, and now the company (a small business run by two awesome people — Mary and Terry — who only make vegan cookies) is embarking on its next stage of growth. They hope to increase production, and they're trying to raise $10,000 to do so. If you'd like to donate, go here. No amount is too small.

Have a great weekend. And if you have The Kind Diet, please try the mochi waffles. Perfect Valentine's Day breakfast!

21 comments:

  1. Oooh, I love me some mochi too! I never thought about using it in a waffle iron, which is now yet another reason why I actually have to purchase a waffle iron. Sounds fab!

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  2. WHERE in Whole Foods did you find mochi?! Like what other foods are around it? I can't find it and the salespeople didn't know what I was talking about, but I know it's gotta be there somewhere.

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  3. I've never heard of mochi. I wonder if I can find it in my town? I don't have a whole foods nearby.

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  4. I've seen Mochi at Whole Foods in the dairy section. I guess I'll have to buy some and see if I like it.

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  5. I love the mochi waffles!! Definitely one of the recipes that made me buy the book, even though its so stupid easy. I'm totally with you on chewy, and they are amazing. Haven't tried them with her topping yet though :)

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  6. Thanks to you girls who responded about where to find Mochi at WF - I'll try looking in that section!

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  7. congrats to ms. treehugger, that lucky vegan!

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  8. I didn't plan on getting the kind diet since the first half of it doesn't really interest me being already vegan, but maybe i havta reconsider? ;)

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  9. I love Alicia's recipes :) I've made mochi waffles sooo many times. They're good with a variety of nut butters + jams as well :)

    What do you do to make yer tempeh bacon so good? :)

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  10. Awesome. I haven't used Mochi in quite a while and I don't know why.
    I need a new waffel iron.

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  11. Amazing! I just noticed mochi for the first time at the grocery store this week. Now I know what it is and what to do with it!

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  12. Those waffles looks delicious! :)

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  13. I've never had mochi before but that waffle looks great!

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  14. These waffles sound so good and so simple. I've never had mochi, so this should be new and fun for me! The tempeh bacon looks delish as well. I might have to pick up The Kind Diet. As always, I look forward to your book!

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  15. Wow! I've never had mochi but it sounds pretty delicious. This plate of food is calling my name. YUM YUM YUM!

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  16. the waffles look perfect, Bianca - and i love that you served 'em up with your tempeh bacon. i swear that your tempeh bacon recipe is hands down the absolute best! i can't wait for your cookbook so everyone can enjoy it as much as dan and i do. yay! i had mochi once, and while i liked the texture i wasn't a fan of the filling flavor, but i want to give the waffles a try. they look too good not to! :)

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  18. I'd never heard of mochi, but it sounds like a fun concept, and the waffle looks delish. Good looking tempeh bacon too!

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  19. Wow those waffles look great! I need to buy The Kind Diet.

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  20. Wonderful! I'd love to wake up to a breakfast like this. Fun blog.

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