Animal Writings

First, a specific comment / confession. I chronically fail at point #6 in the last segment (keeping ingredients in a predictable place). And it can waste time, or be frustrating when time is of the essence. I appreciate the reminder; I think I just got lazy, but when I think about it, it's really much less work to put things back where I found them than to rifle through everything in the refrigerator—and disorganize things even more—when I need something quickly.

More broadly...

There were at least a couple of reasons I wanted to talk about experimenting with spices and sauces. One is that it can be enjoyable, with a very quick learning curve. Variety is the spice of life, so if you use a variety of spices...um...good stuff will happen.

Secondly, some knowledge of spices and sauces, and lack of fear of using them, can help you be healthier. Right off the bat, the spices themselves often have healthy—if not magical—properties. But more importantly, being able to dress up your veggies (and other healthy plant-based ingredients) in a hundred or a thousand different ways will almost certainly get you to eating more of them. And there are profound health, ecological, and moral benefits to that.

Once again, thanks to Dino for all the time he took to not only answer my questions but dispense abundant useful information (and, I hope, inspiration) about simple cooking tips that make life better for you, your friends, and our planet. His book is Alternative Vegan and the ordering information is on his blog, Alternative Vegan. (And one day I think he is going to write another book, and it will be about going beyond recipes, and creating stuff in the kitchen, and remember you heard it here first. :) )