Triumph and Disappointment

I can't believe it's Friday already! Yahoo! Unfortunately, the temperature here has dropped... I could see my breath this morning! Yikes!
I got some presents in the mail this week. (Although, I suppose they're not really presents if you bought them for yourself...) First, tempted by Peggy's post, I ordered (and received) a copy of World Vegetarian. I haven't tried anything from it yet, but it is gigantic, and I've had fun leafing through it. Along with the book, came big package from Vegan Essentials. I did a little splurging... There were a few things that I'd been dying to try, and, well, there's no time like the present!
First, success! I ordered some Eco-Planet "Cheddar" crackers, that emulate the little fishy crackers many of us know and loved. I thought the Eco-Planet crackers were really yummy, and tasted very similar to their non-dairy counterpart. I don't think I'd order them again, but if I could get them in the city I might pick them up occasionally.
Secondly, I was very curious about Scheese. I'd heard great things about it, but was skeptical. I ordered the mozzarella and medium cheddar, and hoped for the best. Unfortunately, my expectations were just too high, I think. I used half a block of each (the blocks, or wheels, are really quite small) to make a macaroni and cheese casserole (from a recipe found somewhere online).
It didn't do the trick for me. I think I'll try using the rest in a dish where "cheese" isn't the predominant flavour, and I hope I'll have more success. Anyways, obviously many people enjoy this product, but I wasn't a huge fan. My husband and I agreed that we'd rather have our "mac" with a nutritional yeast sauce. That said, I may have to order some Cheezly, just to compare. ;)
I also got two packages of Sweet and Sara vegan marshmallows, which I am saving for a fire-pit at my mom's this Sunday. I'll be sure to post about them afterwards.
So, aside from fancy new foods, I did some real cooking this week too!
This week marks back-to-school for many people, and, while no one in my household is in school, I have other family members, and friends, who are. So, to celebrate that, as well as my sisters moving out of mom's and into their own place, I made the Kamut-Hemp Chews from Vive Le Vegan. Yum!
I also made a batch of the Buttery-Lemon Cut-Outs (or something like that) from Vegan With a Vengeance. I cut them into apple shapes, and iced them with the Green Tea Glaze from Vegan Cupcakes Take Over The World, using lemon extract instead of almond. They received rave reviews, but have a lot of not-so-healthy ingredients, so they are definitely a once-in-a-while cookie treat.
I bought some kamut berries last weekend, and was itching to use them, so I made a batch of the Kamut-Bean Stew from Vive. I altered it slightly, using carrots and leeks instead of celeriac and red onion.
We paired it with the Mock Tuna Salad posted about by Lindy Lou at Yeah That Vegan Shit and Michelle at Tiger the Lion. It was super good, and we will definitely be making both recipes again and again.
Wow... I can't believe the baby let me finish that post!
I'll finish off with a picture of Quinn enjoying the Kamut-Bean Stew. (Yes, we're having dinner in the living room... our kitchen isn't quite put back together yet.)