Random condiments (aka ketchup)

[feliciakw]

"Tofu is amazing!" ~Dean Winchester

So I had my physical a few weeks ago, and for the most part, all the tests fall within normal ranges. (Still gotta lose weight; still need to get more exercise.) The doc also told me to go easy on the animal products. Which, you know, okay, I'll try, but it's kind of hard for me to watch the carb intake and the protein intake.

To that end, I borrowed a couple tofu cookbooks from the library. I like tofu in restaurants, but I've never been impressed with my own efforts to cook it at home. (It seems best when fried, which, doesn't that sort of defeat the purpose?) So we'll see what I discover.

Anyone want to hear about my adventures in tofu? If so, I'll try to keep you updated.

In other news, I'm finishing up a baby blanket with which I'm admittedly very impressed. It's very easy, but I'm delighted that one of the tricks I tried on it actually worked. If I get it done today, I'll try to post a picture. At this rate, I'm gonna have a stack of baby afghans and no babies to give them to.

Also? Got a new pair of shoes yesterday. Higher/thicker heels than I was hoping, but very spiffy casuals.

Also also? I'm playing piano for our traditional church service on a trial basis. I finally pinpointed the source of my reticence. I have the skill to play--I can read music, and I can hit the right keys with a reasonable degree of accuracy. But I do not have the talent to be an accompanist. It's difficult for me to watch the director on the other side of the stage and keep my place in my music and follow the choir and keep going when I screw up. I haven't accompanied a choir since high school, and that I only did once. All my life, my piano playing has been solo and mostly for personal enjoyment (I still remember my first recital and something that happened that--though completely innocent as an adult--freaked me out as a child). But things seem to be falling into place that this is where I'm needed right now, and everyone seems appreciative. So I'll give it a shot.

Also x3? It's extremely gray and wet outside today. Spring, it is a'comin'.

Comments

[izhilzha.livejournal.com]

Along with tofu, you might want to check out TVP (Textured Vegetable Protein). I'm not a huge tofu fan--but TVP gets around what bugs me most, which is the squishy texture. It's more like crumbled/ground meat, but it's all non-animal, and correctly seasoned you can sometimes barely tell it's not meat.

I think you should totally post about your adventures in tofu. :)

Also, hurray for piano-playing! I shall pray that you find accompaniment easier than you remember, and that even your learning curve doing it will be fun.

[feliciakw.livejournal.com]

Morningstar Farms Griller Crumbles are my favorite of the TVP-type products out there. I always use Griller Crumbles in chili and spaghetti sauce. I also really like their faux!chicken products (well, except the buffalo wings, 'cause they're too hot), and Geo was amazed when I told him the veggie hotdogs were, in fact, veggie hotdogs. :-)

Hm . . . MSF chicken sounds good for lunch, actually.

Oh! And if you get a chance, you should try their riblets. *nomnom*

I should probably rephrase that I have not been a "proper" accompanist--meaning like having to follow a director and accompany a choir--since high school. I did play for that little church a couple years ago, but I had a really bad Sunday, and they didn't seem to be too inclined to learn new stuff. Any and all prayers are greatly appreciated. :-)

[leelust.livejournal.com]

Pic of new shoes?

[yasminke.livejournal.com]

Doesn't have to be just tofu (speaking as one who watches more her protein than carbs and who has a vegetarian kid). Legumes make great stews/soups patties.

For tofu -- marinate it for at least an hour. That'll help when you fry it -- with spray oil. My kid eats marinated tofu cold, but whatevs, she's weird. Try tempeh, too.

(Having said that, the best tofu dish EVER is salt and pepper tofu -- ZOMG -- but it's deep fried.)

[feliciakw.livejournal.com]

Do you marinate the tofu in anything in particular?

Yes, deep fried tofu is delightful. Tempura is a favorite.

[yasminke.livejournal.com]

It should probably be something strong since tofu soaks everything up and is itself blander than white bread.

We like satay, teriyaki and honey/soy sauces. Kid2 doesn't like anything über-spicy.