I was looking up gluten-free vegan recipes to plan meals out and I stumbled upon this blog. One of the entries was a questionnaire/survey, much like the ones that used to be forwarded in email back in junior high school days. Since I have about 6 pending posts that I just can’t seem to finish (and I miss doing those fwded surveys), I thought this would be a fun writing exercise.

1. Favorite non-dairy milk?
Almond Milk! I really like coconut milk, but anything coconut makes me break out. I’m seeing more and more brands/flavors of almond milk at the grocery store, it’s also reasonably priced, which is awesome.

2. What are the top 3 dishes/recipes you are planning to cook?
I think for breakfast tomorrow I’m going to try to make a strawberry blonde shake (strawberries, pineapple, banana, coconut water, vanilla) because it seriously tastes like a pink starburst. Spicy tofu curry is a fall favorite because it’s simple, delicious, and perfect for cold weather. DIY tacos are a great because you can cater to whatever needs you have (vegan, gluten-free, etc), and tacos rock.

3. Topping of choice for popcorn?
I don’t care for popcorn at home too much, but the movie theatre butter will always be my downfall.

4. Most disastrous recipe/meal failure?
When I was younger I made my mom brownies with confectioners sugar throughout the whole recipe instead of granulated. That wasn’t pretty.

5. Favorite pickled item?
Pickles or ginger I guess.

6. How do you organize your recipes?
I have a ton of bookmarks and recipes I emailed to myself. Really good ones get printed and shoved into a binder.

7. Compost, trash, or garbage disposal?
I *should* compost, but I use living in an apartment an excuse not to. So trash and recycling for me.

8. If you were stranded on an island and could only bring 3 foods…what would they be (don’t worry about how you’ll cook them)?
Avocados/guacamole, cashews, chocolate/cacao. Apparently, I’d stock up on fats.

9. Fondest food memory from your childhood?
Probably getting pizza every Saturday night after dance class. We did it for years. Or going to Newburgh Lunch after school. Yum.

10. Favorite vegan ice cream?
I think the Rice Dream vanilla is my favorite. I tried a mint carob chip that was…eck (to be nice). I made banana strawberry vegan ice cream once and it was good, but nothing to write home about.

11. Most loved kitchen appliance?
Blender, but I’m saving up for a fancy Kitchen Aid mixer.

12. Spice/herb you would die without?
Garlic and basil! I’m also slowly becoming obsessed with ginger.

13. Cookbook you have owned for the longest time?
I think at my apartment I only have one cookbook, and it’s a “Family Favorite Brand Names” one from about 2-3 years ago.

14. Favorite flavor of jam/jelly?
Not really a huge fan of jam or jelly. Nut butters are good though.

15. Favourite vegan recipe to serve to an omni friend?
I think it’s easier to serve people recipes that might not have animal products in them normally, like curry, rather than come up with vegan equivalents to normal meat dishes. I did trick someone into eating veggie tacos once, they thought it was ground beef!

16. Seitan, tofu, or tempeh?
Tofu is the easiest. I’ve had some really great bacon tempeh, but it never comes out right when I try to make it.

17. Favorite meal to cook (or time of day to cook)?
Cooking a late breakfast/brunch on the weekends is my favorite. Wake up refreshed and then there’s no rush to get out the door. It’s the perfect time to enjoy a good meal.

18. What is sitting on top of your refrigerator?
My blender, a vase, and Lipton tea bags.

19. Name 3 items in your freezer without looking.
Gluten free waffles, basil from the garden, vodka.

20. What’s on your grocery list?
I need to go grocery shopping today so like everything! Guacamole, gluten-free crackers and chocolate chip cookies, strawberries, coconut water, pineapple, maybe some sprouts.

21. Favorite grocery store?
I’m not picky. The Giant right down the street has a decent selection of organic/healthy stuff. It’s nice to go to the farmer’s market, but I generally choose the convenience of Giant.

22. Name a recipe you’d love to veganize, but haven’t yet.
I can’t think of one off the top of my head, but I’d like to figure out a great vegan/gluten-free dessert recipe. Maybe cupcakes or cookies. Something that people will love and not realize that it’s any different from what they normally eat.

23. Food blog you read the most. Or maybe the top 3?
I don’t think there are any food blogs on my RSS feed. =/ But I do check out Summer Tomato and Sarma’s blog often.

24. Favorite vegan candy/chocolate?
The chocolate bars (and all desserts) from One Lucky Duck are seriously amazing. I’ve also made raw goji berry chocolates which came out great.

25. Most extravagant food item purchased lately?
While in NYC this past weekend I dragged some of my friends to One Lucky Duck Juice & Takeaway Bar (I swear I’m not affiliated with them, just love it!). I got a Blue Sunset shake and a moon pie. It was pretty pricey, but well worth it for a once in a while splurge.

26. Ingredients you are scared to work with?
I don’t know that I’m *scared* of anything, but I think it’s physically impossible for me to make tempeh bacon taste good. I’ve been to a couple restaurants that rocked the heck out of tempeh bacon and mine just tastes…weird. Not bad, but not like it’s supposed to. I’ve tried three times, and followed recipes to the T, but I think I’ve accepted my defeat.