Sunday, May 24, 2009

Pasta and Pie

I rarely cook big meals on Saturdays, but last night, I was in the mood to spend some time over the stove. So I made yet another tasty creation from Swell Vegan's Swell cookzine — Lentil Bolognese Over Whole Wheat Pasta:

Lentils stand in for meat in this bolognese sauce, making it a hearty and healthy alternative to traditional beefy pasta sauce. I had a pantry filled with unopened bags of lentils than a friend gave me last summer, and in trying to use them up, I've grown weary of my old lentil soup stand-by dinner. But this was a delicious and new way to use up some pantry items! Plus, the sauce contains red wine, and I'm a huge fan of that. Thanks Swell Vegan!

For dessert, I whipped up this Strawberry Pie:

I hand-picked the berries earlier in the day in a last ditch effort to stock up before berry season ends. And I'd been craving my Granny's veganized version of strawberry pie, a recipe that I'll certainly be including in my cookbook.

Unfortunately, I couldn't wait for the pie to set before digging in, so my first slice wasn't photo-worthy. I topped it with Soyatoo Whippable Soy Topping (the kind you whip yourself...I like that so much better than the kind in the spray can). I'm pretty sure I'll be having more of this for breakfast ... and maybe even for lunch.

21 comments:

VeganCowGirl said...

Nummy pasta - lentils are not my best friend (tend to give me tummy aches) but they taste soooo nummy that I tend to accept the horrible tummy....and for your pasta I would be willing to suffer a little.

Besides...with that pie waiting for dessert, who wouldn't!!!

Charlotte said...

Lentils are my favorite pantry staple!

Anonymous said...

I haven't tried that one from Swell yet, but I'm going to - and you photo is making me wonder what's taking me so long!
Strawberry pie = heaven!

Lisa said...

i thought the wine in the pasta sauce smelled SO good when I made it!

MeloMeals said...

Yum! That looks delicious. I have been slacking big time on cooking lately since I started my new job.

Vegaia said...

Hi Bianca, I just wanted you to know about our new non-profit group http://VegFund.Org. We help vegan activist fund food, literature and tables/booths. Please check us out and spread the word :) Thanks, JC

Anonymous said...

I love strawberry pie! My mom makes one as soon as strawberries are in season; it looks just like yours. I need to veganize her recipe too, it's such a good summer dessert.

Jenn said...

Yum! I need to get some strawberries.

Anonymous said...

You do intense justice to that recipe with your photo! Thanks ;-) (And so happy you liked it!)

Leslie Richman said...

Strawberry pie sounds sooo soooo good.

Sheridan said...

YUM! That pasta looks AWESOME! I really want to try it! And who doesn't love strawberry pie??? You'll be proud of me...Drew's Bday is tomorrow and I'm making him an all vegan meal! We're having Philly Cheeeeeeze Steak sammiches, steamed kale, and vegan carrot cake for his bday cake! Yay!

Mike K said...

The pie is beautiful, and all the better with hand-picked strawberries. The lentil pasta looks awesome too, along with that eggplant lasagna from the previous post. Definitely time to make some Italian food again.

aTxVegn said...

Fresh strawberry pie is the best!

Vegan_Noodle said...

Red wine in pasta sauce is definitely a requirement!

And oh that strawberry pie.... yum!

A said...

I am salivating thinking about your book. I can't wait to get it and try all these delicious foods (especially that strawberry pie)! I grew up in Texas so a lot of your stuff hits home with me!
-A

Gena (Choosing Raw) said...

What an exquisite dessert, B! You rock

jessy said...

i too could not have waited to dig into that strawberry pie, Bianca – it looks absolutely glorious! i can’t wait to test it, too! mmmmmm! swell vegan’s Bolognese looks super scrumptious – glad i’m not the only one with lots of lentils in my pantry! it’s like we have a never ending supply! ahahahahahaha! we tried the soyatoo (the kinda ya whip) this weekend – dan’s parents had picked some up for us – it was super tasty, fo ‘sho!

Cyn said...

Yum! That pasta looks great. I love lentils with pasta, they're so hearty and delicious. And that pie looks amazing!

Mary said...

Wow, that pie looks phenomenal. It wouldn't last 12 hours in my house. Strawberry season doesn't begin up here until late June, but I'll be stockin' up!

Melisser; the Urban Housewife said...

Oh my, I will take a slice of that pie! It looks amazing!

Lauren said...

That pie looks amazing!! YUM!