February 26, 2008 | Mama Smith

feasting in

My friend, Emily, is vegan chef extraordinaire. Seriously, folks. Just check out her flickr site. A puddle of drool will collect beneath your mouth in a matter of seconds.

She’s kindly taking me on as her protege, which began last Thursday night as we worked on sweet potato tempeh sushi, browsed through Vegan with a Vengence , and as she patiently endured my ignorant questions, “So just what do you eat if you don’t eat meat?!”

Saturday night we were hoping to take Kevin and Emily out on the town as a thank you for all the many, many, many free babysitting nights they’ve offered us. Ironically with Furman’s spring break, no babysitters were to be found.

Thus we decided to feast in instead, offering me a chance to try out my new sushi skills and Emily to cook up her outstanding lettuce wraps (using tofu in place of the chicken), and finally try out her dumpling recipe.

Insanely good does not come close to describing it. After that night, I might possibly be convinced to become vegan. Weeell, maybe part-time vegan. Even though there is no such thing. I would not be Amy if I betrayed my one true love, cheese. And sushi isn’t quite sushi for me without some melt-in-your-mouth fresh salmon.

Stay tuned for a potential announcement regarding a cooking blog by Emily. (She might need some persuading so email her and tell her how badly you want her to start it :) Until then, check out my latest purchase that just might make you want to become vegan – or maybe just part-time vegan – too.

And yes, the boys are recovering. I actually started sewing those couch pillows finally, made Brighton some pants and am finishing up a baby gift for a shower this weekend. Pictures will come for those projects next week. I missed my little sewing haven and have had a hard time pulling myself from it after being reunited this weekend.