This MVP Avocado sandwich recipe from Betty Goes Vegan (page 83) is a stroke of genius! Served on a toasted baguette with melted dairy-free cheese, avocado, and an herb vinaigrette, this delicious little number will make you very happy. We added some heirloom tomato slices and butter lettuce to ours because we had some that we needed to use up.

Served with tasty, tasty Classic Deli Potato Salad, also from Betty Goes Vegan, page 114.

Sandwich Fact: It is named after the man credited with creating the first sandwich, John Montagu, the fourth Earl of Sandwich. Legend has it that he was unwilling to free up both hands during a 24 hour gambling event in order to eat. Instead, he asked his servant to put the meat from his meal between two slices of bread so he could hold it in one hand and continue gambling.

“Enjoy yourself. It’s later than you think.” — Chinese proverb

I regularly crave chow mein and this great recipe from Betty Goes Vegan, page 256, definitely satisfies that craving.

This recipe is made using vegan chicken and a plethora of veggies, and the sauce is rich and thick. You can serve it over rice or noodles. We used udon noodles, which was delicious, and we served it with a side of store-bought spring rolls and kombucha.

Chow Mein Fact: Chow mein literally means “fried noodles.”

“NO kitty, this is my corned beef and cabbage.” — South Park’s Eric Cartman as his cat tries to eat his food

I have some Irish blood in me, but I’d never tried corned beef and cabbage, until now that is! Cartman’s cat (in the quote above) isn’t the only kitty who’s fond of such a dish. Leonard couldn’t even stay away from the plate long enough for me to take a picture.

This Corned Beefless Brisket & Cabbage recipe from Betty Goes Vegan, page 147, was the heartiest, savoriest thing I’ve had in a while. The brisket was laced with whole juniper berries from the pickling spices added to this dish and the cabbage and potatoes were melt-in-your-mouth tender.

Corned Beef Facts: The First Mention of “Corned Beef” goes back to an English Book by Richard Burton in 1621, Anatomy of Melancholy…Beef ..corned young of an ox.

“What does good in bed mean to me? When I’m sick and I stay home from school propped up with lots of pillows watching TV and my mom brings me soup – that’s good in bed.” — Brooke Shields

Another scrumptious recipe from Betty Goes Vegan, by Annie & Dan Shannon, page 62.

This is the quintessential, comforting “chicken” soup, made from Gardein Chick’n Scallopini, wild rice, carrots, celery, onions, peas, and spices. This certainly did the trick on some cold days and we will be making it again soon. This is so easy to prepare that even a sicky could make a big pot of it, eat some, and then get back in to bed for some more rest.

Wild Rice Facts: Wild rice are four species of grasses forming the genus Zizania, and the grain which can be harvested from them. The grain was historically gathered and eaten in both North America and China. Wild rice is not directly related to Asian rice although they are close cousins. The plants grow in shallow water in small lakes and slow-flowing streams; often, only the flowering head of wild rice rises above the water. The grain is eaten by dabbling ducks and other aquatic wildlife, as well as humans.