TofuFighting.comtag:tofufighting.com,2009-02-03://12010-03-05T02:12:53ZCulinary reviews, experiments and more - vegetarian styleMovable Type 4.23-enOn Hiatustag:tofufighting.com,2009://1.412009-08-21T23:33:13Z2010-03-05T02:12:53ZHello food readers! As you may have noticed, posting here has slowed to a now non-existent trickle. Between being busy with real life, my camera dying, and baking slowing way down due to general summertime weather, there's been less to...Michael Doss The best way to be notified when I start posting again is to subscribe to this blog's feed or follow TofuFighting on Twitter.Either way, you'll see the new posts as they happen. Happy eating!
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Orange Coast Magazine's new food blog.tag:tofufighting.com,2009://1.402009-06-23T19:22:52Z2010-01-18T22:20:23ZCongrats to Furey and the Feast's Cynthia Furey on her new gig as Orange Coast Magazine's food blogger with "Taste of Orange County"! I love her posts and her photography (they make me inspired and hungry, which are two things...Michael Doss
Furey and the Feast's Cynthia Furey on her new gig as Orange Coast Magazine's food blogger with "Taste of Orange County"! I love her posts and her photography (they make me inspired and hungry, which are two things every food blog should strive for) - I wish her the best of luck at her new endeavor!
More: Check out OC Weekly's little write-up on her, too! ]]>
Wanted: vegan shoes that don't sucktag:tofufighting.com,2009://1.392009-06-19T00:52:49Z2010-01-18T22:21:01ZI'm one of those hippie boycotting types in addition being a vegetarian: I don't wear or buy leather or anything made in a third-world country (unless it's a union shop or otherwise verifiably people-friendly). This makes a lot of purchases...Michael Doss I was a very sad person when I found out Converse was purchased by Nike, and had their operations moved to China. In addition to being a vegan shoe, they're ever-stylish, comfortable, and worked well for me. With them out of the picture, however, I've since bought two pairs of skate-style shoes, each advertised as vegan. The first, purchased in June 2008 from No Sweat, were a Converse knockoff, in every way except the quality. They ripped the first week I had them, and became unglued shortly thereafter. My Cons typically lasted me 3-5 years. These wore out in 4 months.
Next, I went with a pair from Macbeth, another vegan retailer. These shoes seemed stronger at first - they didn't rip like the No Sweat pair did, but 6 months in (I got them in January), they're falling apart a little more every day, first the plastic/rubber interior (it's cracking like old, dry plastic tends to do), and now all the glued bits. They're stylish shoes - it's too bad they're poorly constructed.
Now, I need new shoes. They need to be vegan, they need to ethically produced, and I'd really prefer if they were at least somewhat stylish (or at least generic). I could use a pair of athletic shoes, too, but I'm not holding my breath.
Whatcha got for me? ]]>
What I'm readingtag:tofufighting.com,2009://1.382009-06-17T17:50:11Z2010-01-18T22:21:33ZFairly randomly, I ran across the group food blog Accidental Hedonist, and now I'm hooked. Well written, great photos, and topics ranging from beer to food tech to fine dining.Nancy Luna's Fast Food Maven blog now has a dedicated Facebook...Michael Doss
Accidental Hedonist, and now I'm hooked. Well written, great photos, and topics ranging from beer to food tech to fine dining.
Nancy Luna's Fast Food Maven blog now has a dedicated Facebook page (Nancy was using her personal account for FFM stuff before). Be her friend.
Check out this wholly amazing S'more cupcake from Furey and the Feast. It's a work of art. ]]>
It's Cookie Time!tag:tofufighting.com,2009://1.372009-06-04T00:17:34Z2010-01-18T22:22:15ZI like cookies. I think everyone likes cookies, really - even my friends who aren't that big into sweets can appreciate some variety of cookie (especially given the near limitless forms that can be called "cookie"), and most people are...Michael Doss I think everyone likes cookies, really - even my friends who aren't that big into sweets can appreciate some variety of cookie (especially given the near limitless forms that can be called "cookie"), and most people are much more fond of them than that.
That said, I forget about cookies too much of the time. Cupcakes are hot (and focused on, I think, because they're such a great alternative to larger cakes), but cookies are omnipresent, and can be matched to any season.
What's that mean for you? It means that we should have a mid-year, non-Christmas, bring-your-best-and-share it cookie party. When? I dunno. Where? No idea. But discuss it amongst yourselves, and we'll touch base again soon. ]]>
Damn you, El Pollo Loco...tag:tofufighting.com,2009://1.362009-05-21T19:08:50Z2010-01-18T22:24:41ZBased on what I can gather from this post over at the Fast Food Maven, El Pollo Loco's rice, while never anything special, will no longer be vegetarian once it's reformulated in the coming months. That's too bad, because their...Michael Doss
this post over at the Fast Food Maven, El Pollo Loco's rice, while never anything special, will no longer be vegetarian once it's reformulated in the coming months. That's too bad, because their BRC burritos are a semi-staple for me (well, I go there once a month or so), and it's always been nice to have another burrito choice besides Del Taco and Taco Bell. Alas, if the only thing I can eat there is the beans, I very likely won't go anymore. I'm sure I'm not the only vegetarian, either. ]]>
Bad blogger! No cookies! Ok, one cookie...tag:tofufighting.com,2009://1.352009-05-12T23:44:41Z2010-01-18T22:25:23ZOh, hello. I'm still here. Stupid life gets in the way of blogging, and all of a sudden it's three weeks between new posts. I was sick for almost 2 of those, and when I'm sick, I typically don't bake....Michael Doss Stupid life gets in the way of blogging, and all of a sudden it's three weeks between new posts. I was sick for almost 2 of those, and when I'm sick, I typically don't bake. That's not a great excuse, but it is one...
Speaking of baking, a friend has asked me to make dessert for her birthday party. I'm very excited by the prospect, even though I don't know what I'll be doing yet.
I've actually been cooking with tofu, and made a very good fried tofu with cabbage and mushroom. The secret to frying seems to be too much hot oil. Boy, is that delicious. Next thing to find out is how restaurants make their pressed-style stuff, 'cause it's awesome.
I'm actively trying to decide what I want Tofufighting.com to be. Other blogs do all the things I'm interested in doing, and they do it better. I'm the only person with my voice, though, so there is that. I think for now I'll post when inspired to.
I hope that won't be in another three weeks... ]]>
Black and White Cupcakestag:tofufighting.com,2009://1.342009-04-23T22:28:53Z2010-01-18T22:27:18ZI'm a lazy blogger, and I'll continue to be so for a while. That said, please enjoy the pictures of my birthday cupcakes. They're a basic chocolate cupcake with white or black frosting, and each then paired with an opposite-color...Michael Doss You'll notice they're all complimentary flavors, too (mostly chocolate and sugar) - the book I stole the idea from, the otherwise beautiful "Hello, Cupcake", looks great, but doesn't seem to mind if your vanilla frosting is paired with chewy licorice, or both soft cookies and hard candies. I wanted to make attractive and tasty treats, and I think I succeeded.
Click on any photo below for the picture on my flickr page, where you can see very high-res shots and a few others that I didn't post here. Enjoy!
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Birthday Week!tag:tofufighting.com,2009://1.332009-04-14T00:27:12Z2010-01-18T22:28:46ZWhose birthday? Mine, of course!I'm trying to think of a good couple of desserts to have at my party this weekend - cupcakes are likely, but I'm looking for something special either in addition to, or worked into, those. I...Michael Doss I'm trying to think of a good couple of desserts to have at my party this weekend - cupcakes are likely, but I'm looking for something special either in addition to, or worked into, those. I have a couple days for prep. I'd like to wow the crowd. Thoughts? ]]>
Flavor Trippin'tag:tofufighting.com,2009://1.322009-04-08T06:38:52Z2010-01-18T22:29:44ZNothing original on my side today, but be sure to check out Cynthia's write-up on her recent flavor tripping party (which I was lucky enough to attend) - her experiences match mine almost exactly (and there's a paragraph I contributed...Michael Doss
Cynthia's write-up on her recent flavor tripping party (which I was lucky enough to attend) - her experiences match mine almost exactly (and there's a paragraph I contributed there as well). As always, it's punctuated with her always beautiful photography - take a look. ]]>
The first of many letters to the internettag:tofufighting.com,2009://1.312009-04-03T22:52:18Z2010-01-18T22:30:30ZDear Internet, I love you. I love you very much. But you're so big and awesome lately that sometimes I miss that there are certain products available for sale. For example, I've used Nielsen-Massey vanillas for years, but I actually...Michael DossDear Internet,
I love you. I love you very much. But you're so big and awesome lately that sometimes I miss that there are certain products available for sale. For example, I've used Nielsen-Massey vanillas for years, but I actually had to go INTO A STORE to find out they now make a product called Pure Vanilla Bean Paste, which can be used like an extract, but has vanilla seeds for that speckled "freshly scraped from the bean" look I like in ice cream, custards, and cheesecake.
Internet, I need you to tell me these things so I'm not surprised at the store. I'll forgive you this time (since I bought some and will be trying it soon), but in the future, let me know about awesome things. Thanks!
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Cookie Meet 'n Eat today!tag:tofufighting.com,2009://1.302009-04-02T17:41:35Z2010-01-18T22:31:22ZJoin me at the Tustin Marketplace today around 1pm and help me eat the cookies I baked this week. It's also a good chance to get out from behind the computer and sit down for lunch with old friends and...Michael Doss
Tustin Marketplace today around 1pm and help me eat the cookies I baked this week. It's also a good chance to get out from behind the computer and sit down for lunch with old friends and new (plus there's about a thousand restaurants within a short walk of there).
I'll be at a table near the Sandwich World and Jamba Juice (by the old Tower Records, across the street from Taco Bell and El Pollo Loco). Let me know you're coming so I can look for you! ]]>
March Recaptag:tofufighting.com,2009://1.292009-04-01T04:09:34Z2010-01-18T22:32:37ZBack on March 3, I read on Cynthia's Furey and the Feast that she was challenging herself to post every weekday in March - five posts a week, and something new every day. I write other places daily, and it's...Michael Doss
Furey and the Feast that she was challenging herself to post every weekday in March - five posts a week, and something new every day. I write other places daily, and it's tough. Food blogging can be even tougher, since there's "action" photography and extensive recipe testing and writeups involved. I decided to take her challenge as well, and I'm glad I did.
I had 21 posts in March, including eight recipes, two cupcakeposts, five questions, and even a post featuring tofu.Some days I kinda went through the motions, but I really like having to post so regularly. That said, I'm not sure April will feature a post a day - but it will feature a new theme - very likely a couple savory dishes a week. Thanks for reading! ]]>
Dark and White Chocolate Chunk Cookiestag:tofufighting.com,2009://1.282009-03-31T06:25:59Z2010-01-18T22:33:49ZFor whatever reason, it's taken me much longer than it should have to consciously think of another treat (besides cupcakes) that's easy to make and distribute. I have a lot of baking plans, but I kept thinking to myself "cakes/tarts/custards/etc....Michael Doss
Once again, this recipe is from "The Art & Soul of Baking", and it's pretty traditional as far as butter, white and brown sugar style (think: chocolate chip or oatmeal) cookies go. I went with a mix of white and dark chocolates - originally I was going to go all white, but I could only get 1 bar of Black and Green's White Chocolate (the only organic, and it's awesome, that I can find), so I added some dark I had handy. It's interesting how the white retained its shape very well, but the dark melted into the cookies more. They're small and tasty.
Dark and white chocolate chunk cookies
1 1/2 sticks (6oz) unsalted butter 3/4 cup (5 1/4oz) granulated sugar 3/4 cup (6oz) light brown sugar, firmly packed 2 large eggs, room temperature 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 1/4 cups (11 1/4oz) unbleached all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 6oz white chocolate, in chips or chunks 6oz dark or milk chocolate, in chips or chunks
Preheat your oven to 350F.
Cream sugars and butter in a stand mixer (or with a hand mixer) until smooth and blended, about 2 minutes. Add eggs one at a time until each is just blended, then add vanilla and blend in.
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Add to wet ingredients (all at once is fine, if your mixer bowl is large enough for a little mess) and blend just until there are no patches of flour visible. Add chocolate chips or chunks, and mix on low until well distributed.
Place tablespoon-sized (or ping pong ball-sized) mounds of dough on a non-stick baking sheet (or on parchment paper on a cookie sheet), and bake for 10-14 minutes, rotating once during cooking. Cookies will look brown on the edges but slightly pale in the center when they're done. Remove and let cool 5-10 minutes on the baking sheet before moving to a plate or cooling rack. Makes 50-60 cookies.
Thoughts and observations: Use whatever chocolate you have for this, but if you're using whole bars, make sure your chunks are small for this size cookie (no larger than pre-made chocolate chips). Cook a few minutes longer if you like a crisper cookie. You can also refrigerate this dough to make it easier to work with (and to have it spread out less when baking). Share and enjoy! ]]>
PETAtag:tofufighting.com,2009://1.272009-03-28T06:03:10Z2010-01-18T22:34:34ZQuick question for everyone to ponder over and argue about: Outside the actually staff members I know, just about everyone I've met who I'd consider pretty hardcore vegans and vegetarians doesn't care for the practices of PETA. I happen to...Michael Doss What's your take? Are there specific things they do that you don't like? Are they generally a good group? Often I'll talk to people who say they hate PETA, but can't give me any real reasons. Do you have some? ]]>
I was a very sad person when I found out Converse was purchased by Nike, and had their operations moved to China. In addition to being a vegan shoe, they're ever-stylish, comfortable, and worked well for me. With them out of the picture, however, I've since bought two pairs of skate-style shoes, each advertised as vegan. The first, purchased in June 2008 from No Sweat, were a Converse knockoff, in every way except the quality. They ripped the first week I had them, and became unglued shortly thereafter. My Cons typically lasted me 3-5 years. These wore out in 4 months. 
Dear Internet, 