Seattle Press on Line - Accidents Happen

Good Food

Recipe Nook

Accidents Happen

By Stewart Rose

Jun 20, 2002 -- When Devra Gartenstein used to work in a health food store, she would make lunch for the people that worked there and was always looking to make the healthiest food she could. As time went on she found herself making more and more vegan dishes and so she became the accidental vegan. Equipped with her very useful cookbook, The Accidental Vegan, the rest of us need not wait for a lucky accident.

One of the first things that one comes away with after reading her book, is that the recipes are all well within our grasp. Here lies proof that great-tasting food is something we can all make in our own kitchens. Using a few carefully selected ingredients and some basic cooking techniques, Gartenstein was able to come up with recipes that taste absolutely delicious. All the major cuisines are represented in this book, giving it a good measure of variety. Here are a couple of summer recipes we found especially tempting.

Gazpacho

4 tomatoes
1 cucumber, peeled and cut into chunks
2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
2 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon sea salt
2 cups tomato juice
Tabasco to taste

Puree all the ingredients except the tomato juice and Tabasco in a food processor or blender. Then transfer to a bowl and whisk in the remaining ingredients.

Skewered Veggies In Thai BBQ Sauce

Sauce
1 cup tomato sauce
1 tablespoon coconut milk (optional)
1 tablespoon grated ginger
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
2 table spoons soy sauce

Veggies
1 zucchini chopped
8 to 12 small mushrooms
1 green bell pepper, cut in strips
1 red bell pepper, cut in strips
1 cup broccoli florets
1 cup cauliflower florets
1 red onion, quartered and separated into layers

Ten to 12 skewers

* Preheat the oven to 400* or, if you're going to grill on an open flame, soak the skewers in warm water while you prepare the food.
* Mix the sauce.
* Marinate the veggies in the sauce, ideally for at least half an hour.
* Poke holes in the veggies and arrange a variety on each skewer. Pay attention to the colors.
* Roast them on a baking pan for twenty minutes, or grill them outdoors on a barbecue until they start to brown.

If you're too busy to cook, there's still hope. Something of a local personality in the vegetarian community, Devra now owns and operates the Lucky Palate, a home delivery vegetarian food service. She can frequently be found at several Farmer's Markets around town including the Fremont Sunday Market, Ballard Framer's Market and the Columbia City Farmer's Market.

At Vegetarians of Washington, we have tasted both the recipes from The Accidental Vegan and the food delivered by the Lucky Palate on several occasions. Each time resulted the happy sounds of approval one hears when the food is just right.

The Accidental Vegan by Devra Gartenstein is published by The Crossing Press. The Lucky Palate can be reached at (206) 352-2583 or www.luckypalate.com.

The Vegetarians of Washington is an all-volunteer non profit organization, made up of people from all walks of life. To find out more about their monthly dining events, Vegfest, nutrition and cooking classes and their other programs please visit www.vegofwa.org or call 206 706 2635.

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