Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Portland Vegan Holiday Fair and Thanksgiving Potluck



This past weekend I went to both the Vegan Holiday Festival and a vegan thanksgiving-food themed potluck at the home of Joanna, of Yellow Rose Recipes. Above is the small vanilla soft serve from Blossoming Lotus, that came with nut and chocolate chip topping.
I went to two cooking demos, from Blossoming Lotus and Vegan Chef Beverly Lynn Bennet. Unfortunately, I became very ill that evening, and it seems that Blossoming Lotus food may have been the common theme between others who did as well. However, their soft serve is good enough for another visit, it's like vanilla beans just hung out in the machine - so sweet.

I was happy to meet both Julie Hasson, who's working on the Vegan Cooking DVD, and Kris, from Squirrel's Vegan Kitchen, at the Herbivore table, where I bought Thomas a birthday gift.
Both these lovely ladies recognized me, which I was surprised by since I'm partially blonde these days. So if you're looking for me, apparently I do really look like my photo!

My crappy photo of the fest! You can see the veggie dog cart on the left side.

Onto food from Joanna's PPK pre-thanksgiving potluck:

Dinner with all the works. I brought the sweet potato pie casserole from my last post, you can see some in the top center of this plate.

Karla made Maple Mustard Potatoes and green beans from VWAV.

Michelle and Aaron's Zesty pasta salad.

More of my hazelnut and red wine stuffed mushrooms.

Karla also made baked tofu, which I want to know more about.

Joanna's crazy colorful root veggies.

Joanna's olive foccacia.

Joanna's salad with figs.

Last but not least, Thomas and I brought maple cupcakes from Vegan Cupcakes Take Over The World.

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Omigod those mushrooms!

urban vegan said...

Oh my goodness. All I can do is drool.

Eat Peace Please said...

Jess (twin), yes, we are on the same food-level these days, minus the cupcakes on my part.

Everything here looks great, what a load of a weekend, wow!

Unknown said...

Wow! I'm now very sad that Canadians already celebrated Thanksgiving...your food makes me want to celebrate the holiday again!

Hannah said...

I'm SO jelous! all that food looks amazing! I can't believe I missed the Portland Vegan Holiday Fair! I only live 45 minutes away! oh well, maybe next year!
Amber

aTxVegn said...

That's too much good food for one event! I am dying to visit Portland and all the great veg places to eat.

Sean Carter said...

Looks like you had a wonderful time...and the photos are making me drool....and hey also do visit my Thanksgiving Blog sometime and check out some of the great stuff i've posted there....have a great time!!!

bazu said...

I'm glad you had such a great time and good food (other than getting sick =(
All the food looks great, but I have to admit those colorful root veggies are really eye-catching!

jess (of Get Sconed!) said...

Isa, I have to admit, I didn't like the red wine that went into those mushrooms so I can't accept a compliment. It didn't ruin them, but it just wasn't what I was looking for, but it's okay.

Amber - I'm sad you missed it! Mark your calendar for the vegest this spring, though! nwveg.org

atx- come visit! I've been meaning to write my pdx vegan guide for far too long, on top of that.

sean - you are a funny man.

bazu - The root veggies rocked, simply put.

Anonymous said...

I'm so jealous! WOW!!!

Amey said...

Oh Jess!
wow that looks great! All that food... sigh! I also want to know more about that baked tofu, it looks really tasty. yum.

sorry to hear that you got sick... oh that's so tough. Really knocks you out huh?

Hope you're recovered in time for the holiday.
ox amey

Catherine Weber said...

Jess, this comment may be very belated, but I love that you posted about plain ol' popcorn! I agree 100% -- popcorn does rock.

Anonymous said...

oh, that looks so great!
we started cooking yesterday night...more now. and pictures soon. as soon as i can figure out my internet at home...

Anonymous said...

Your sweet potato dish looks so good! You really made your share for that party. I hope it was loads of fun. :)
Cherie

Anonymous said...

hazelnut and wine...god, that sounds so gourmet!

Carrie™ said...

Jess, as usual, a fabulous post. All of those Thanksgiving dishes look delicious! What a spread! The baked tofu, the root vegetables & maple mustard potatoes and green bean really caught my eye, but the topper? Maple cupcakes! I have to get that book. Even if just for that recipe.

laura k said...

Yum! I want one of those mushrooms right now.

SDGvegan said...

everything looks so delicious!

Anonymous said...

jess, all i did with the tofu:
press, slice, dip into tamari, dip into nooch, fry in a little oil.

fast and easy....key words. i still prefer marinated-baked tofu.

i was going to make your sweet potato casserole but my sister demanded i make my aunt's recipe so i did. i think i prefer yours. everyone seemed to enjoy what i made though.

Anonymous said...

this blog is killing me so much food and so far from me !

thanks for share all those photos i cant wait to see the thanksgiving ones:)

Nikk said...

I think I've determined that I need to live in or near Portland...if only to get to the great restaurants, meetups and the Herbivore store...