Friday, June 19, 2009

Brunch Week: Banana Rabanada

The Chef: Colleen

The Menu: An astoundingly awesome brunch. Really, look at that thing. Colleen set out to end Brunch Week with a bang, which is precisely what she did. First and foremost, there's the Banana Rabanada (aka Brazilian French Toast). This is how French toast should always look: covered in strawberries and mint, and dusted with cinnamon-cocoa and powdered sugar. For the savory element, Colleen marinated and roasted both yellow and sweet potatoes, which we devoured. Finally, a refreshing slice of honeydew finished off the meal.

The Goods: Um, yes. This is what a plate of brunch should look like. Brunch Week has been amazing, and we're all stuffed to the gills. Vegan Brunch, consider your mission accomplished. There are two orders of business that need attending. First off, congratulations to Marni! Marni, send us an email with your full name and mailing address, and we'll send out your signed copy of Vegan Brunch! And second, for the very last copy of this utterly satisfying book, tell us: What should our next lunch theme be? Could be a type of food, or another cookbook from which to try recipes. Put your nominations in the comments!

46 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sauces.

Ssssonya said...

Condiments-- like special mustards, dipping sauces, salad dressing, etc.

Lori Maffei said...

How about a lunch centered around color?

Jeb said...

I think many times, people are under the impression that eating vegan is expensive and complicated. While it can be expensive, it doesn't necessarily have to be.

It might be excelente (and recession-busting!) to feature lunches/brunches/other meals that use 5 or less ingredients. It might surprise your readers (and maybe yourselves!) how many deliciously simple meals can be made with few ingredients.

Just a thought!

Ashasarala said...

I say try raw food for some interesting and body-rejuvenating recipes! Living Raw looks awesome and Ani's Raw Food Desserts is a great tide-me-over-before-lunch book. :)

KitteeBee said...

South Indian!

Meg said...

Squash!

Humboldt Honey said...

Grocery store meals: delicious, nutritious meals that anyone can enjoy without access to "special" ingredients. I read about people driving an hour or more to a Trader Joe's or Whole Foods. That's totally unnecessary! Everyone can be a satiated, healthy vegan by shopping in their local food mart. Really!

propinecone said...

spruced up, vegan versions of your favorite childhood lunches.

Emma said...

I think 'exploring the spice rack' would be a good one - have every meal feature a different spice! (cinnamon, nutmeg, fennel, etc.)

Lauren said...

South American! I know I always have a hard time finding good and yummy veg food when traveling there. It'd be great to create some good stuff at home.

Meghan said...

I love tapas, because I love to eat small bits of a variety of things and call it a meal!

OR you could do miniature foods, which is also fun and seems to be pretty popular lately.

Karen said...

How about low carb? As a vegetarian, I have trouble getting enough protein. I recently tried some soy butter which was ucky.

peter said...

McDonald's Items only vegan. Like french fries, barbeque sandwiches. or you could do Arby's vegan, like 5 for 5. You could call it gut-buster week.

Steph Timms said...

In honor of the Global Vegan Bake Sale, you could feature a different baked good each day - sweet or savory!

Or, as we're about to hit Independence Day, potluck week. I definitely need some ideas for dishes to take along to non-vegan BBQs!

Kelli said...

I'd love to see ideas for some cool, summery, "whole meal" salads!

Book and Cat Librarian said...

Something involving sun dried tomatoes! Since they're awesome and so are you

Ste said...

Continue the Vegan Brunch theme and play with the sausage recipes! Julie Hasson's method + creativity could easily equal a week of delicious food.

Tessa R. said...

Food theme: Vegans in Space.
Open for interpretation.

Holly said...

Do a "tour of America" theme. One day, make southern-style food, and then do like NY style vegan pizza or something - fare from all the regions.

CrazyVeganMom said...

I would love low cal foods week. As someone trying to lose weight, I find myself eating the same foods over and over.

beeps said...

foods you eat with your hands. and you dip them in stuff to make them extra yummy.

Humboldt Honey said...

I thought of something better: now that you have vegweb, vegweb recipes!

For lunch I recommend General Tao's Tofu, Best Vegan Mac and Cheese in the entire world...seriously, Cheesy Bean and Cheese Enchiladas, Incredible This-will-become-your-favorite Veggie Pot Pie, Taco Casserole, and especially Delicious Pakistani Dhal.

The Blueberry Bran Muffins are also insanely good. And, because everyone needs dessert, try Time-Warp Lemon Squares and Award Winning Cocoa Apple Cake.

If you go with this and make the cake, drop by vegweb. The cake's creator, LucidAnne, recently passed away and we'd love to share about her with you for your blog.

Panderbear said...

I would love to see a series of one-pot dishes! I often want to cook...but never want to clean up.

Andrea said...

How about choosing a recipe each day from a different vegan blog.

Unknown said...

I am looking forward to getting Colleen Patrick-Goudreau's new cookbook Vegan Table, so I would love to see you try out some of the recipes.

megatarian said...

I'd love some ideas for light summer lunches, especially incorporating seasonal and local (or homegrown!) ingredients! It's getting to warm for leftovers.

nora said...

try vegan world fusion cuisine!

Unknown said...

Picnic food!

Jen Treehugger said...

I was going to say the same as Humboldt Honey for the very simple reason that buying specialised items is a bit of a nightmare for me who lives in a very unvegan friendly area. And I know I'm not alone in that issue. So yeah - lots of readily available ingredients would get my thumbs up.
:)

Lebkuchen said...

A raw food platter - a lil' bit of several things!

MizzB said...

It's summer, hot and I could really use a week of frozen desserts for the brunch bunch! The Vegan Scoop book has some goodies!

Rose said...

Wow that's one great looking brunch!

I think your next lunch should be something from Colleen's The Vegan Table.

kelly g. said...

How about a seasonal theme?

Paula said...

I'm more of a savory brunch kind of gal, but that french toast looks delicious. For the next lunches, I sggest budget-friendly dishes for this crazy economy.

shelby h.k. said...

Vegan cupcakes, from "Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World", or better yet, recipes from "Babycakes NYC", their new bakebook! I am currently obsessed with making vegan cupcakes. Although these are seen as a dessert, I nosh on them for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There are many recipes you can make that aren't 100% sugar and can be less fattening, too, plus their so versatile you can prepare them in different ways to be more suitable for the time of day. Really though, who doesn't love cupcakes?!

Amey said...

wow, that's one recipe I haven't tried yet from VB, but I've seriously got my eye on it. I love love love french toast.

what about a seasonal produce week? or a week with food from the farmers market?

Unknown said...

I think a week of recipes from Vegan Soul Kitchen would be exciting. Others' suggestions, to feature affordable/easily accessible ingredients, would also be appreciated.

Trista Hill said...

Since the 4th of July is coming up, what about "red white and blue"?

jerilee said...

Simple regular every-day ingredient dishes that are filling and tasty are always welcomed here. I'd love to know how to make a cornmeal crust pizza, something close to what they serve at Dove ViVi's in Portland, OR too. I'd love recipes with ingredients that are not hard to find or terribly expensive. Regular everyday food that rocks - how about tamales like they have at Por Que No, also in Portland? You could do different countries!

Lisa said...

How about cookout, potluck, or picnic-type foods to inspire us before our Fourth of July get-togethers?

Anonymous said...

Budgeted ways to celebrate the fourth: Meals that are cheap and themed for the upcoming holiday. For example, loaded veg hot dogs with some seasoned corn on the cob and red white and blue cupcakes.

maria said...

How about meals that you can cook on the grill beside pre-made frozen veggie burgers (though homemade would be great)? Pizza, paella, grilled veggie salad, kabobs all come to mind, and grilled fruit!

vanessarene said...

Pizza! Cheeseless vs. soy/nut cheeses...

Unknown said...

pick a letter of the alphabet and make food that starts with that letter... like lets say pick b - and make blueberry muffins and black bean burgers. something like that

Tammy said...

How about Beach Days? Food items that will travel well and do not need alot of refrigeration but are satisfying enough to calm the hunger. Vegan Fried "Chicken", non mayo based salads...