Day 4- coffee, dressing and soup....

I started my morning with a coffee experiment. As many of my friends know, I am addicted to coffee. I love my morning coffee and with it, cream, lovely sweet, rich cream. Sadly, for the next thirty days, that is not an option. So I tried Almond Milk, Soy Milk and Rice Milk in my coffee. I think rice milk gives coffee the most similar taste to dairy creamer. Almond and Soy both offer a very strong nutty after-taste. Another difference with all three milks is the density of the liquid in the coffee. Dairy creamer creates a "blonding" of the coffee whereas "blonding" doesn't really occur with Almond, Soy or Rice- well, not in normal quantities. If you make it half coffee half milk, then you create a richer creamier affect. Using any of the above milks in coffee is definitely an acquired taste and one I will have after 30 days.

After my coffee experiment, I decided to see how well tofu would be as a salad dressing. I made a creamy balsamic dressing with relative ease (tofu, balsamic, olive oil and onion powder). The initial tasting was interesting. Imagine a smooth, light balsamic with a slightly nutty ending. I actually think I like this creamier version than some traditional balsamic dressings. I will try it this week on a variety of salads and vegetables.

For today's lunch and several future lunches (since I made enough for an army of ten vegans)I made a Kale and Mushroom soup. This was a very delicate soup. I actually expected it to have a little more punch, since kale is a very strong green. The fresh kale and mushrooms combined to create a very delicate soup. I think this soup would have been better with a little sweet potato, just to give some additional flavors and changes in texture. I have enough saved that I might add sweet potatoes just to see how it changes the flavor and possibly the soups body.

I was having some strange random cravings today. Ordinarily I would not be craving any of these foods, but since I have told myself that I can't have them, my brain is determined to torture me with cravings. I really would have given up my first born for a Three Musketeers Bar or a hot, flaky, buttery biscuit. As I type this, my mouth is watering at the thought of a hot biscuit. Perhaps with a little butter, homemade jelly!! Ahhhh, heaven. My brain is determined to continue this random onslaught of cravings, hopefully trying to find a weakness....