Labor Day Grillin'

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Yes, these pictures are very belated, but Labor Day was so much fun! VB always wanted to have a big grill in the backyard. Since we're short on space and saving money, we'll have do with a $30 grill. But that doesn't mean we can't have lots of fun! And good food! On the beach!!! That's right, here are some incriminating evidence of us starting a fire where prohibited.

Pigeon Point Light House -- Pacific Coast's tallest light house, now in a state of disrepair.

More views of the Pacific Coast -- sort of rocky and not particularly beach-y.

Fire on the beach!

VB got some female compliment on the corn -- goes to show that a man with a grill is irresistible. That's tofu "ribs" on the right, in case you're curious. Just some firm tofu marinated overnight in barbeque sauce and maple syrup.

Eating a portabella mushroom burger with a spoon.

More tofu "ribs" and some peaches.

Mmm, grilled peach with rum sauce...

This is not related to Labor day or grilling, but here's Raisin photobombin' Tangerine's glamor photo shoot.

Zucchini and Corn Mashed Potato Cakes

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One thing that I really love about VB is that he appreciates my cooking, even the clunkers that I send to the table sometimes (those get quietly eaten without making it on the blog). He always says everything tastes GREAT when I ask, but I know there are some better than others. I can tell that VB truly, genuinely enjoyed this dish, not just merely acting appropriately appreciative of my efforts. But really, how can I go wrong with mashed potatoes with melty Moneterey Jack cheese, sweet corn and shredded zucchini lightly pan fried with salsa on top? It's unpossible, I tellz you!

I need to tweak this a bit, so no recipe for now. Next time, I may add some flour and liquid so that the patties hold their shape better during the pan-frying process. Maybe some sour cream and avocado on top? Mmmm....

Tamales with Calabacitas

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I'm not exactly sure why, but I love to stuff stuff into stuff. Don't believe me? Look here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here aaaaand finally here. That's not even counting all the sandwiches that I made. I also like to make portable handheld food devices, so they go where I go and I can eat them whenever I please. The logical next step, of course, is tamales -- the ultimate portable handheld stuff in stuff... er, stuff. For my first time making (vegan) tamales, these are pretty good!! I do need to practice wrapping them tightly so they don't fall apart on me.

The filling is made with calabacitas, also known as Mexican summer squash or Mexican zucchini. VB has suggested that next time, we fill the tamales with soyrizo. I also want to add some cheese into the mix. Cheeeessseee......