613775 Tue Apr 21 09:45:34 -0700 2009 7 31 Home Cooking 0 4614773 Hello there! My non-vegan friend and I (vegan) have begun holding vegan cookoffs - it was her idea! We have a "brunch" themed cookoff coming up and I'm stumped for good brunch ideas that don't contain too many scary ingredients as my hubby and her bf, both meat eaters are our judges :) Yes I'm aware Isa's new brunch cookbook is due to be released soon - I pre-ordered it but I'm afraid we might have the brunch off BEFORE i receive my copy of the book! That being said I have a few categories of items needed: Beverage Appetizer Entree Side Dish Dessert I'm planning on testing Isa's chesapeake tempeh cakes for the appetizer category next weekend. http://www.theppk.com/blog/2009/04/18/chesapeake-tempeh-cakes/ I am also planning to test Notella Crepes as the dessert feture next weekend as well - both recipes are in Veganomicon. I was contemplating biscuits & gravy from vegan with a vengeance...not sure thogh - hubby kind of turned his nose up. as a meat eater he LOVES bob evans biscuits and sausage gravy so maybe I shouldnt try to make a "vegan" version?? Any ideas for Beverage, Entree, Side Dish???? I appreciate any and all suggestions! I really want to win! Beverages need to be semi -original if possible. I know the normal breakfast beverages include mimosas, bellinis, bloody marys, smoothies - I was shooting for something alcoholic but different! Ideas welcome please!!! Tue Apr 21 09:45:34 -0700 2009 203400 sarawithanh 1 4614855 Don't have recipes handy, but I have attended a vegan brunch that included: pumpkin pancakes with maple syrup roasted veggie terrine. eggplant, zucchini, mushroom, tomato, and potato with a tomato sauce fruit skewers and some really nasty faux-meat sausage Tue Apr 21 10:01:15 -0700 2009 4614773 59258 smtucker 1 4615039 Can vegans use yeast? Also, I'm surprised you have so many courses for brunch. I always figured it was drinks, something eggy, something bready, something fruity. Of course, you have to omit the eggs and dairy, but can't you cut a few courses? I love smtucker's suggestion of the vegetable terrine. Mollie Katzen has a recipe for a pizza that's either shedded potato or shredded zucchini based. I think that would be a great brunch dish. I'll try to find a link. Edit: Here's her link http://www.molliekatzen.com She's got a lot of good recipes on line, but many use cheese or an egg to bind, like the zucchini pizza I mentioned. As a vegan, I'm sure you have a favorite egg substitute and some soy cheeses that you like. She has several recipes that use polent as the base, one with a southwestern hash, which would be perfect for brunch. Also a rich mushroom stew over polenta might work. Pure blueberry juice is my favorite treat. Maybe you could mix it with something sparkly for a take on mimosas, but in antioxidant blue! Tue Apr 21 10:43:14 -0700 2009 4614773 84890 nemo 1 4615195 One of my favorite weekend morning breakfasts is a Middle Eastern dish made of (canned) hot fava beans topped with lots of freshly minced parsley and garlic, mixed with tahini. olive oil, fresh lemon juice and S&P. It should be about the consistency of yogurt when done. Served with warm pita bread, and fresh radishes on the side. Tue Apr 21 11:19:20 -0700 2009 4614773 50613 weezycom 1 4615209 My favorite vegan brunch main dish is tofu scramble -- made with various sauteed/carmelized veggies, silken soft tofu, garlic, etc. it is savory and delicious. Some good bread, jam, fruit salad, maybe roasted potatoes and/or a lovely green salad with toasted nuts, and you have a satisfying and delicious meal. I'm not sure if this fits your idea for courses, though... Tue Apr 21 11:23:25 -0700 2009 4614773 92823 milklady 1 4615321 Indian uppma--made with semolina (although I cheat and use toasted cream of wheat). I usually put fresh eggplant, potatoes, tomatoes, and green beans in mine. Yummy with yogurt and tamarind sauce. Tue Apr 21 11:48:59 -0700 2009 4614773 19003 PAO 2 4617672 Yes look at South Indian cuisina. Appam, uppma, pongal, dosa, idli, vada - all tasty and vegan (use coconut oil). Think Tamil and Kerala cuisine. Wed Apr 22 07:18:04 -0700 2009 4615321 15001 jsaimd 1 4617472 thanks for the ideas everybody! keep em coming!! Wed Apr 22 06:05:28 -0700 2009 4614773 203400 sarawithanh