:Vietnamese rice “spring roll skins” (the ones that come hard and you have to soak first), soba noodles, slices of grilled tempeh, parsley, thai peanut satay sauce, pesto sauce.
Summer rolls? Not the original, but this concoction tasted pretty good!
One of those experiments that really looked like it was headed into the ditch from the start. But in this case necessity was the kind-hearted mother of invention. Found the spring roll skins at PCC but no skinny rice noodles, so I went with the soba (had never tried them, but knew they were supposed to be good for you). Tofu? Nah, I’m all scared right now about soy products and cancer–but tempeh has fermented soy in it, which is supposed to negate the bad effects. Basil? Um, not in season: waaayy too expensive. Pesto? Sure, that’ll do. Make my own peanut sauce? Not this time. The jar of it is only three and a half bucks. “Splurge” for the luxury of ease.
When I got home I realized I had run out of lettuce, so I used the only green thing I’d bought at the store: parsley. Not bad! And the pesto sauce combined with the thai peanut??…actually works! (I mean really, both of those sauces are things you can’t go wrong with–like bacon: add it to anything, and it’s better.)
Following what I knew and inserting replacements where needed. When this philosophy actually provides satisfying results (I’d say about sixty percent of the time), I’m reminded of why I really love cooking.
Good for you! I’m not quite the creative cook you are, but I applaud your bravery–and I’m glad you enjoyed the result. The combination DOES sound appealing……..
Uh…. I thought tofu -was- cultured/fermented, but now I’m sleuthing on the interwebs and I can’t find anything to back that up.
SHOOT!
Hold on, let me check Nourishing Traditions.
“Soybeans must not be used like other legumes in soups and other dishes but only as fermented products like miso, natto and tempeh. It is also a mistake to rely on tofu or bean curd as a protein food because of its high phytate content. Those who wish the eat tofu would be wise to imitate the Japanese who eat small amount of tofu in fish broth and not as a substitute for animal food.
“Phytoestrogens found in soy food, although touted as panaceas for heart disease, cancer and osteoporosis, are potent endocrine disrupters as well as goitrogens – substances that depress thyroid function. Phytoestrogens are not removed by fermenting or modern processing.”
darn it.