Vegan Stir Fry

Ingredients:
- teaspoon vegetable oil
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
- dash of hot chili oil
- 1/4 cup chopped onions
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3/4 cup textured vegetable protein
- 1 cup snap peas, cut in half
- 1 1/2 cup bean sprouts
- 1 red pepper
- 1 cup spinach
- 2 servings of your favourite noodle - this will go well with anything from soba (buckwheat) noodles, to plain rice noodles
- 1 tablespoon vegetarian hoison sauce
- 1 lime
- dash soy sauce

Boil two servings of noodles in water with salt and 1/2 tablespoon vegetable oil.

Heat oil in a large wok and sweat onions. Add garlic and textured vegetable protein. Add snap peas, red pepper, half of a lime, vegetarian hoison sauce, and soy sauce. Simmer until vegetables become slightly tender, but maintain a crunch. Add bean sprouts and spinach, reduce heat to low, allow spinach to wilt and serve with warm noodles. This is a quick and easy weeknight dinner!

After the Winter Blues!

Since I haven't posted any recipes over a long winter stretch - I'll just say a belated Eid Mubarak to those who just celebrated persian new year! With each spring equinox the sofreh (table spread) brings in the new year. Each home usually includes the following:

• Sabzeh, wheat or lentil sprouts representing rebirth.

• Samanu, wheat pudding represents reward and new growth.

• Seeb, apples symbolize health and beauty.

• Senjid, the dried fruit of lotus tree representing love.

• Sir, garlic for its medicinal qualities symbolizing good health.

• Somaq, thought to be the colour of the sun, symbolizing warmth

• Serkeh, vinegar represents old age, wisdom and patience