Sushi for Noobs

I'm the only person in the world that has never had sushi... See even before going veg I hated fish. I mean LOATHED. Fish is fishy and just gross. So the thought of walking into a restaurant and being surrounded by raw fish and other oddities never appealed to me.

Of course I did realize that there are non fishy versions but just never bothered to make the effort. So last night we tried out hand at sushi. It was fine.. really rice and veggies how bad can it be. As rarely as I eat any sort of asian-ish dish I do love the accoutrements ... chopsticks, cute little bowls, etc. LOVE!

There really isn't a recipe here because you really don't need one, nori/rice/veggies..roll!
And man, they are not kidding about the sticky rice. It's sticky! Have a dish of cold water for your hands to help with the sticking.

~Venus

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Meatless Monday - My favorite chili recipe

It's adapted from Rachel Ray. The addition of beer really makes it special but it is just as good without it. Enjoy.

Vegetarian 3-Bean Chili
Serves 4-6

2 tsp canola oil, just enough to lightly coat the bottom of the pan OR canola spray
1 medium sweet onion, diced
1 large red bell pepper, diced
2 jalapenos, carefully diced and seeded
3-4 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup pale ale or beer, cheap stuff is fine OR 1 cup vegetable broth
28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
15 ounce can diced tomatoes (fire-roasted is recommended)
15 ounce can black beans, drained but not rinsed
16 ounce can dark red kidney beans, drained but not rinsed
1 Tbsp ground cumin
2-3 Tbsp good quality chili powder
1/2 tsp Tabasco sauce
1 cup vegetarian refried beans (a half a can or so)
1/2 tsp salt, or season to taste

Heat oil in medium soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onions and bell peppers and saute for 10 minutes, until onions are translucent. Add jalapenos and garlic and saute for a few minutes more. Deglaze pan with beer or broth. Add tomatoes, beans, cumin, chili powder, and Tabasco sauce. Simmer for 10 minutes on low heat. Add refried beans, and stir to combine. Taste for salt, and add more if needed. Simmer on low for another 10 minutes, and serve with your favorite toppings. I like avocado and crumbled tortilla chips.

This is vegan if no cheese is used as a topping, and can be gluten-free if using a gluten-free beer or vegetable broth.

-Empress

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