I'm sharing our last few social dates with you because they all included guess what? Food!
Christopher and I spent the 4th of July with Leisha and Nina. We saw a movie and brought our own popcorn! We had a mellow day, and it was very nice. To be honest, I don't like the 4th of July very much - the fireworks bum me out (they’re noisy, I worry for the animals, and they don’t seem very Earth conscious...seems wasteful and silly to me and not very pretty...I guess I'm a scrooge!). So we had fun our own way, minus fireworks! Leisha's popcorn was delicious - here is her recipe:
Leisha's Popcorn
Ingredients
Here's what Leisha says about her popcorn:
"This is how my Dad made popcorn when we were kids. Put a layer of popcorn kernels so it just covers the bottom of the pot - don't pile them, just a thin layer. Then take your oil and pour enough so it covers the bottom half of the kernels. Put a lid on your pot and turn your burner on high, and keep shaking the pan back and forth slowly over the fire. Soon you'll hear it popping. Keep shaking! Then the lid will start lifting. Have a used paper grocery bag ready (it's a fun way to reuse one!) and dump the popcorn in it. Turn the stove off. The pan will still be very hot. Take your favorite soy butter or olive oil and put it in the pan until it melts - roll it around so it doesn't burn. Then slowly pour it over the popcorn and salt at the same time. Close the bag and shake it up, then repeat! Roll the bag up so it stays warm and head to the movies. When you're in your seat, roll the sides of the bag down till it's in the shape of a bowl and go to town!"
Leisha and Nina also had a whole spread of farmer’s market treats for us – it looked so pretty and was so good!
The following Saturday my husband and I went to one of our favorite places in LA, Inaka. It's awesome! You must go. I had a half miso/half kabocha squash soup that was sooo good. Then we had deep-fried mochi with grated daikon, (I know, deep-fried! The horror! When it is cooked correctly it isn't bad for you. And the daikon cuts it...I find it very nourishing, delicious, and energizing). After that I had stewed daikon and stewed kabocha, along with some pickled cabbage. Christopher had udon noodle and vegetable soup. It was all so good! Then we went to see a film called I Am Love. We brought our own popcorn with us, but my batch wasn't as good as Leisha's! I used my air popper....lame compared to Leisha's! I'm doing hers from now on!
This is the bag of popcorn we snuck into the theater
That Sunday we went to watch the World Cup final at our friends Woody and Laura's house. It was so sweet to see them and their whole family, all 3 beautiful girls. They are like family, we love them! There was such great food at their house. Justin Boa brought "cheese" from a new raw place called Mooi, and Laura made a great noodle dish with lotus root, burdock, and some amazing kale that she got from Mollie's garden. Mollie is the gal who makes the raw vegan ice cream at Kind Kreme in Studio City. All the food was delicious! After the soccer match, I went home and did some work and took a 15 minute nap. Then it was time for Leisha’s birthday - I'll post my blog about those festivities tomorrow!
Hi Alicia. You have a really fun site! I love the story about the popcorn, brings me back to my childhood!
I know you enjoy a healthy lifestyle, so thought this site would be of interest to the community
http://www.Raw-Food-Repair.com
It promotes a raw vegan lifestyle and has lots of free info. I have lost weight and kept it off, as well as got off my diabetes meds eating raw and vegan. Not to mention that there is no cruelty to animals!
Have a great day!
so happy to hear i'm not the only one sneaking in my popcorn to see a movie....here's how i make mine: airpop, then drizzle w/some good tasting olive oil (a buttery tasting one, they're like wines & have different notes, too), toss around then season w/freshly ground black pepper & trader joe's "everyday seasoning", then salt to taste, toss some more, taste & season some more if u want
I'm totally with you on the fireworks. ...and the popcorn! :)
We always make stove-top popcorn at our house. I find microwave popcorn tastes like chemicals and sometimes a bit like ashtray. I know that sounds weird but it's true.
We usually top the popcorn with a tiny bit of Earth's Balance and a sprinkle of engavita yeast. So yummy.
Movie theatre popcorn is so nasty! I ike to bring in my own stuff, too. You didn't mention what movie you saw. My latest was Eat Pray Love on the day after it came out here and I am still inspired! Hope you have a great Labor Day! (no fireworks haha!).
you guys are so freaking amazing. I don't have any vegan friends and I would give anything to be able to do stuff like that with people.
Us vegan's really don't have to miss out on anything do we!! (Yay!)
For those allergic to corn (like me) you can also make a yummy popped rice snack, though it is a bit more involved because the rice must be soaked a while first. You can make this salty or sweet or a little of both, just like you can popcorn.
Popped Rice
Use 1c sweet brown rice for either recipe.
A: Cover the uncooked rice with cold water.
Change the water morning and night until the rice has soaked for three full 24 hour days.
Drain the rice and heat it in a heavy bottomed frying pan, stir constantly until all the rice has turned brown and popped.
OR
B: Combine rice and 1.5c hot water and allow to stand for one hour. Using a strainer, drain water from rice. In a large skillet, add 2 T cooking oil and place on medium - high heat, and heat oil before adding rice. Add rice and stir well. Cover and gently shake until the kernels are mostly popped like popcorn and lightly browned. Remove from heat.
Popped rice can be stored for several weeks in an airtight container.
Popped rice makes a crunchy addition to muesli or for a snack.
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