We ate it too fast to photograph!

Lance got home from school last night around 8pm and neither of us felt like something fussy for dinner.

At first, I thought: bleh, another night of microwaved veggie burgers.

But then, with a happy lightning bolt of inspiration, and some lovely tempeh that Lance brought home, I whipped up...drum roll...

Tempeh Fajitas with Lime-Wasabi Mayo!

I wish I could post a recipe and a photo, but I only have approximations and we ate it all too quick to pose a shot. =) Here's what I've got, regardless:

2 red/green peppers - cut in strips
1 onion - cut in strips
1 block tempeh - cut in strips

Saute the veggies in a skillet with some Earth Balance. If you have a cast iron skillet, that's great, because you can let the veggies sit there for a minute to develop caramelized edges.

Right before the veggies are cooked through, throw them into a bowl and add the tempeh to the skillet. Use a bit more Earth Balance or oil if it looks like you need some. Brown the tempeh. Sprinkle with some chili powder, salt, and pepper. I also added a pinch of cumin.

Pour the veggies back in the pan and let it all sizzle. Adjust spices as desired. Take off the heat and cover with a lid while you make your mayo.

***

Lime-Wasabi Mayo

1 scoop Veganaise
2 teaspoons wasabi powder
1 lime, zested and juiced

Mix all of the above together in a bowl, adjusting for consistency and flavor by adding more mayo and wasabi as needed.

***

We served the fajitas with fresh lettuce and whole wheat wraps. Dollop on some mayo and eat!

(You could also watch Star Trek reruns like we did, but that's totally up to you.)

Mellow Mushroominess

I work in a really veggie unfriendly land called "Brandon", which is a huge suburb of the city of Tampa. It's the kind of place where the McMansions are built one foot apart and EVERY chain restaurant known to man is lined up on the main drags so that the choice between Applebee's and Chili's is a matter of scant meters, instead of miles.

There's a health food store within 10 miles that serves up some sad dry wraps and overly sugared smoothies (Turbinado in dessert? Fine. Turbinado in my lunch? Nope), but I don't want to use that much gas on days I want to eat out. The mall is passable, with some stores offering vegan options (begrudgingly, and with shaked heads -- how could I NOT want Orange Chicken?), but it's still...the mall.

Then I found out that Mellow Mushroom, a chain of pizza and beer eateries, has a Tempeh hoagie that can be made vegan. Sure, it's basic. Sure, it's not actually vegan by design. But, I do have to say, the taste of tempeh strips during lunchtime in the biggest, scariest suburb in the area is worth its weight in gold!