Vegan Dinner: TLTA Sandwiches and Strawberry Milkshakes

We FINALLY had another vegan dinner night last week and, of course, I didn't snap any pictures. In my defense, we were very hungry :)

So, while there are no actual pictures of our homemade meal, I can focus on the products we used instead...especially since I was rather impressed by them! Our menu included Tempeh bacon-lettuce-tomato-avocado (TLTA) sandwiches, sweet potato tots, and strawberry milkshakes. I think we overall succeeded in being "in season" with our selection.

Tempeh - Smokey Maple Bacon
Let me start by saying that there is a *special* place in my heart reserved exclusively for BLTs. I love them, I really do. Even when the toasted bread decides to cut up the roof of my mouth.

Also, truth: Bacon is the sole reason I'm not an actual vegetarian right now.

The first time I gave up meat for lent a few years ago, I tried a soy-based bacon product...and both my taste buds and stomach strongly agreed that this was a "good" replacement (or event a replacement, for that matter).

I did not know that another meatless bacon option existed until my friend pulled it out of her fridge. I was expecting us to just being using plain ol'tempeh on our sammies. HOLY MOLY! This stuff was yummy and I was probably more open to it since I new I already liked tempeh. While the heavenly scent of bacon was absent, this "facon" still had a ton of flavor or was relatively crisp.

I've since decided to use this new-found knowledge of tempeh bacon and plan to make some of my own in the near future. This and this recipe look promising!

Purely Decadent Coconut Milk Ice Cream - Vanilla Bean Flavor
For our strawberry milkshakes, we used this coconut milk ice cream. Coconut and I typical do not work well together. I blame it on there are too many insanely artificial-scented and flavored coconut products in the world. I can occasionally tolerate some shredded coconut, and this whipped cream wasn't bad at all, but I continue to remain hesitant.

This ice cream was, like the whipped cream, a nice surprise. It was lightly flavored and not terribly sweet, which made me feel better about eating it (versus, say, Dairy Queen). All together (ice cream, almond milk, strawberries,  and agave), it was a light and refreshing way to end the spring dinner--we didn't use a recipe, we just put everything in a blender and went to town!

I think next time around, we might do something a little bit more involved. But truth is, we've all be terribly busy and stressed. It was nice to do something easy--without compromising nutrition or flavor--for a change. Also, spending time with friends is what really matters...especially when life is crazy! :)