We’re in the home stretch of Vegan MoFo kids! I have discovered so many new blogs and “met” many new bloggers thanks to this fabulous month highlighting vegan food. How cool is it to meet new people and enjoy so much “virtual” food? Rock ‘n roll, kids! I’m loving this MoFo Mojo!
Like so many of my fellow bloggers, the chilly Autumn weather has lulled me into pot pie time. Growing up, those nasty, fat-filled hydrogenated frozen wonders, the individual pot pie, was one of my favorite treats. When I had a bad cold and was home from school, or maybe just to make my day extra special, I was allowed to have a pot pie – these were very special treats to be rationed. The idea of having food out of the freezer, and out of an individual box was so hypnotizing, seductive even.
I didn’t grow up on junk and fast foods. When I was a kid, my mum made homemade yogurt and always had sprouts next to the window. Sugar-sweetened cereals were something we got to eat when visiting Grandma, not at home. This health food-heaven did slip slowly into the SAD as each new member of the family arrived (I’m the eldest of 6), convenience and time management winning over more time-consuming healthful food preparation. If I’m sharing this with you, it’s to really underline the exceptional nature of the pot pie in my tender childhood memories. That being said, the pendulum had swung to the complete other side of the spectrum for my youngest siblings who ate fast food multiple times a week and who lived on frozen foods. The yin and the yang of the universe.
I now make vegan pot pies once or twice a month during the winter months. I most often just make veggie pot pies, but I wanted to try the “All American Seitan Pot Pie” from VCON to see what it was all about.
Here’s my crust – I used half buckwheat flour half white AP. I really prefer using whole wheat, but I was out so opted to try this little experiment. I really liked it. The buckwheat gave it a deep, earthy flavor that we really enjoyed.
Do you see that steam? My fillings just in the crust. I just used the veggies I had in my freezer – corn, green beans and peas, plus some carrots and potatoes.
And here we are, a hair short of an hour later (notice the now yellow picture due to the freaking darkness outside – grrr). May I serve you up a bit of pot pie?
I could never malign a pot pie, I just couldn’t do it. I will say I found this particular recipe a bit too salty, but I think that’s because I’m not accustomed to using the seitan in the pie. Maybe not. It was powerful good, though, and the leftovers had but a brief stay in my fridge.
One of the television stations is carrying the presidential debate starting at 4:45 a.m. I might get up for it. You know. Trying to make me feel less concerned that McWar isn’t going to give Bush a third term…