Cravings have been deciding our dinners lately. I had a craving for waffles that wouldn't go away but I knew my husband would balk at a sweet dinner. Every time I suggest waffles or pancakes for dinner, he says no. So I compromised and made waffles with veggies and chickpeas. I steamed the vegetables, added leftover peanut sauce (from Isa Does It), and served them on top of waffles. It was even better than I'd hoped, and I hardly missed the maple syrup — I did miss it a little, though. Truthfully, sometimes I just want the waffles or pancakes I would have had for breakfast had I been alert enough to make them in the morning. Do you have a problem with breakfast foods for dinner? Why is it any different from leftover dinner served for breakfast? I should note that the waffles were unsweetened.
My husband was craving Indian food so I connected him to Richa's blog and he started cooking. He made two dishes. He made gobi broccoli makhani, which Richa describes as cauliflower, broccoli and peas in creamy gravy. I didn't realize until he told me what it was that it was the same recipe I had made not too long ago. It's interesting how a dish can change in the hands of one cook or another. Both versions were good, but I liked mine better because the veggies were softer and the sauce creamier.
To accompany the vegetables, he made chana masala, or chickpea curry with red bell pepper. His use of tomato was a bit aggressive for chana masala, but we both enjoyed the dish.
The best part was really the next day when I reheated the food for lunch. The flavors had melded and intensified, and were even better than they had been the night before. I think I'm starting to feel an Indian food craving coming on ... Have you tried any of the recipes from Vegan Richa?
I am a huge fan of breakfast for dinner. Most likely because I rarely eat breakfast in the morning (which is awful, I know!). I never would have considered veggies over waffles but it sounds pretty awesome! I am also impressed that your husband cooks...oh what I would give for that!
ReplyDeleteI was a little repelled by the idea of veggies on waffles, but then I thought about the omni craze for chicken and waffles, and decided veggies sounded much better than that! It was great, and I expect we'll be having it again.
DeleteI could eat a waffle any time of day! I love the idea of a savory waffle supper. YUM!
ReplyDeleteI could eat waffles for three meals a day! (But, of course I probably wouldn't.)
DeleteI'm just sitting here trying to imagine 1) my own husband balking at a sweet dinner (or a sweet anything at any time of day!) and 2) veggies served on waffles. Hmm… nope, can't do it! :-) We've been known to enjoy waffles or pancakes for dinner (I figure since I love savory breakfasts, it's a "fair and balanced" trade-off!) We recently made chocolate pancakes (which were excellent! I'll send you the recipe - which is actually for waffles with a pancake conversion - if you'd like, that would make quite the dinner suggestion for Ken, lol), though we had them for brunch. But since I was a child, I've had an aversion to any mixing together of sweet and savory food. It even took me years to enjoy "sweet & sour" Asian dishes. So unless the waffles were made savory too, I fear I'd simply have to erect a barrier of some sort between them and the veggies and chickpeas! :-)
ReplyDeleteI follow Vegan Richa's blog and know I've got some of her recipes on my "to try" Pinterest board, but don't think I've done so yet. I have, however, been making a concerted effort to try at least one new recipe a week since the New Year. I often meet with resistance, since Himself has an obsessive relationship with his his favorites. :-) But I've enjoyed trying new recipes and discovering several new favorites, so something by Vegan Richa is surely on the horizon.
Speaking of new recipes, did you decide to give those raw brownies a whirl today?
P.S. I was terribly amused by the idea of an aggressive use of tomatoes! LOL!
ReplyDeleteIt's certainly a pleasure to see your name pop up in the comments — I've missed you a lot! I should have made it clear (and maybe I'll add a note) that the waffles were unsweetened, if this makes any difference. That makes them kind of like a glorified version of toast — kind of. I wasn't on board until I tasted them, but I was determined to have waffles one way or another, so I just plunged in. The combination was great, and I'd do it again.
DeleteOh, and 'aggressive' was a kind way to put it. The tomatoes were a bit overwhelming.
DeleteYou seem to switch yr breakfast and dinner times quite often! I guess it makes sense that dinner leftovers are easier to heat up and you are more awake to make waffles later.
ReplyDeleteCauliflower is such a great ingredient in Indian food! I love it in curries. I really ought to try more of Richa's recipes.
Nah. I just don't blog that much. :) We eat mostly regular stuff for dinner. But maybe I do tend to have unusual breakfasts fairly often.
DeleteI need to direct my boyfriend to Richa's blog, too:)
ReplyDeleteHa! Yes. Send him an email. :)
DeleteCarbolicious! I do love waffles. And Indian food – which, yes, does always seem to taste even better the next day.
ReplyDeleteYou can't really go wrong with waffles. Best $4 estate sale investment was my waffle iron!
DeleteI love the Vegan Richa blog, but I'm always subbing whatever I have on hand so I'm usually to embarrassed to post the finished product even though it's always delicious b/c she's a culinary genius!
ReplyDeleteI'm all for sweet breakfasts at any time and could not- under any circumstances, wrap my head around a savory waffle. Syrup 4eva is my motto.
I always substitute too, but I don't think Richa would mind. You should post. And don't knock the dinner waffle until you've tried it — it was excellent.
DeleteI like the idea a lot. I don't know why, but you're right - I regularly and happily have dinner for breakfast (hi, leftovers!) but never the other way around. I think this would be the happiest of breakfast-dinner compromises!
ReplyDeleteI think I feel a waffle craving coming on.
DeleteGlad to find another Seattle vegan! I recently tried Richa's tofu and bell peppers with orange sauce. Her site is absolute vegan food porn.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about Richa's blog. Too bad we can't just eat the photos.
Deletedinner waffle = mind blown. i am all for savory food. so a savory crisp spicy waffle is all good with any curry!
ReplyDeletethis is so awesome that you both made the same makhani!.and the aggresively tomato filled chana masala :) remind me to send you my book when i publish one. :)
<3
Dinner waffles seems like a good idea to me though some people find it too weird. It was great! As for your book, I think there are a lot of people lining up to buy a copy whenever you get it published!
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