Thursday, December 29, 2011

New Year's Menu of Vegan Awesomeness! For delivery to greater Boston Tuesday 1/3/2012!

Happy 2012!

Do you have some healthy new year's resolutions, or is this just a new
calendar for you? Have you resolved to eat more healthy, nourishing
vegetables? To give yourself a break, maybe a little more me-time? To
make the time to get to the gym more often? I can help you with all
your healthy resolutions! Let me cook for you, and you'll have a
healthy, nourishing meal. And with all the time you save, you can hit
the gym and relax knowing the food is already done!

Every individual, family, and culture has different traditions for the
new year. When I was little, my family had beans and cabbage to
symbolize luck and prosperity in the new year. Many cultures consider
beans lucky, so there are plenty of beans this week! Many folks also
consider rice lucky, so that's represented well this week too. The
color gold is considered lucky in many cultures, so the squash soup is
gold, as is the kurikinton (Japanese yam and sweet chestnut puree with
delicate golden saffron) in the bento. In researching this menu, I
learned that the Dutch eat donuts for luck in the new year. We don't
do a whole lot of deep frying here in Craftyland, but we will have
much healthier donut-inspired jammy muffins instead!

Please place orders by Sunday night, January 1 at midnight for
delivery on Tuesday, January 3.

Happy happy new year, and I look forward to seeing you all very soon!

Much Love,
Chef Mary

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SOUP:

Local Butternut Squash Soup $8

PLATES:

Jamaican Rice and Peas! Not what we would usually call peas in the
U.S., this dish is red beans and rice, cooked with coconut milk and
spices. Yum! with Veg du Jour. $10

New Year's Bento! Inspired by the truly extravagant Osechi Ryori
traditionally served at New Year's in Japan, this somewhat simpler but
still elegant bento will feature Kurikinton, Black Beans, Lotus Root,
and other seasonal dishes! $12

By popular request, Millet with Saucy Mushrooms! Made with homemade
shiitake mushroom broth, crimini mushrooms, and plenty of love. With
Veg du Jour. $11

Braised Local Cabbage with Caraway, Apples and Beans, over Brown Rice.
As far as I'm concerned, this is the ultimate comfort feast! $10

BAKERY:

Jammy Muffins! Kind of like a jelly donut, but so much better for you!
$10 half dozen, $18 dozen

Daifuku Mochi! Heavenly pieces of mochi, filled with a sophisticated
white bean and date filling. Yum! $10

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Please let me know if you have any food allergies or sensitivities at
all. As always, everything you find here is naturally vegan, and
therefore free of animal-based allergens. (I know some vegans avoid
honey entirely; let me know if you are among them. I am the sort who
uses honey occasionally, but I respect the opposite perspective!
There's nothing containing honey this week.) I don't use peanuts or
soy at all. I don't use wheat, or any other gluten-containing grains.
I do use all-natural ingredients - fresh vegetables and fruits, whole
grains, nuts, seeds, and legumes. I use local and/or organic
ingredients whenever I can, and I'm learning every week about more
ways to keep it local, even through the winter months!

Please return containers after you are finished with them. Reusing
clean containers helps keep costs reasonable, and it helps us all to
walk more lightly on the Earth!

Thank you so much for your continued business! Feel free to pass this
info along to friends, co-workers, and neighbors who might be
interested in a little help getting lunch or dinner on the table!

Much love from your personal chef,

Mary

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Gluten Free, Vegan, Affordable Personal Chef! Providing Delivery to Boston, Cambridge, and Beyond!

A warm welcome to anyone and everyone, especially those who are new around here! My name is Mary and I am a chef. I'm not one of those fancy expensive personal chefs that you can't afford. My mission is to make it easier for everyone to enjoy a healthy, balanced, plant-based diet. I use only high quality ingredients, and I know how to combine them to make food that is as delicious as it is nourishing.

When possible, I use ingredients that are local and/or organic. I try to support other small local businesses as much as I can.

I don't use wheat or other gluten-containing grains, soy, or peanuts. I don't use meat, dairy, or eggs. I am careful about allergies and sensitivities, as well as other types of dietary restrictions. I do use a lot of fresh fruits, veggies, seeds, nuts, beans, and non-gluten-containing whole grains.

So how does this work?

I create a new menu every week. Usually the menu consists of one soup (by the pint,) one variety of muffins (by the dozen or half dozen,) one or two other sweets and/or baked goods, and four or five entree plates which usually include some kind of dip with veg, some kind of salad or raw dish, and some grain, nut, and/or bean based dishes. I don't always stick to one formula, but that's the usual lineup.

People order a la carte, and I deliver to them at their homes, offices, or schools. You can order a plate or two, or just some muffins, or you can order one or two of everything! Different individuals and families have different needs, and I respect that. You can order by emailing me at rathercraftymary@gmail.com

I post the menus here, and I email them to those who choose to receive them that way. If you aren't receiving menus but would like to, please let me know!

Feel free to look around and check out past menus. I do take requests, and I love feedback. You can leave comments below posts or email me at rathercraftymary@gmail.com any time!

Thanks for stopping by, and have a fantastic day!

Much love,
Chef Mary

Happy happy holidays!

Happy holidays everyone! Even I need a day off once a year, so there will be no menu for delivery on 12/27. I will be back with a FANTASTIC new year's menu for delivery to greater Boston next Tuesday, 1/3/2012! Check back for it soon, because I'll be posting it by Friday, 12/30/2011.

Much love from your favorite personal chef,
Mary

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Happy Holidays! A vegan feast, for delivery to Boston and beyond on Tuesday, 12/20

Hello and happy mid-December!

I can't believe that there are so many holidays right upon us! Hanukkah, Solstice, Christmas, Kwanzaa... So many food-centric holidays and they all happen at once this year! It's a lot to plan, but I have got you covered with treats to dress up your festive holiday table.

Please place orders for Tuesday delivery by midnight Sunday night, if possible. I will deliver this wonderful menu to your home, office, or classroom on Tuesday, December 20!

Thank you so much, and have a wonderful, safe, and sane bunch of holidays!

Much love,

Chef Mary

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SOUP:

Broccoli Potato Soup $7

PLATES:

Carrot Ginger Latkes, served with garam masala spiced cultured cashew creme. $10

Potato Pancakes with Vegan Tzatziki! A more traditional latke, served with cultured cashew creme, flavored with veggies and herbs. $10

Mock Chopped Liver: That gorgeously festive dip made from mushrooms and walnuts returns! With veggies to dip. $11

Spinach Lasagna: A white lasagna, with gluten free pasta, almond bechamel, and cashew ricotta. So festive on your holiday table! $11

Red Pepper Hummus: Beautiful, delicious, and a lot healthier than your average holiday dip! A festive appetizer or a delightful lunch, with veggies to dip. $10

BAKERY:

Persimmon Muffins! The delicate but sunny flavor of persimmons reminds us that after the Solstice on Thursday, the days will start getting longer again! $10 half dozen, $18 dozen

Red and Green Granola Balls! With green pumpkin seeds and red dried cranberries, even the Grinch loves them. Yum! $8

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As always, everything is vegan, healthy, and made without peanuts, soy, or gluten ingredients. I do use tree nuts, seeds, non-gluten whole grains, and all sorts of fruits and veggies - local and/or organic when possible. If you are allergic or sensitive to anything at all, please just let me know!

Thank you for returning clean containers when you finish with them. It helps keep costs reasonable, and it helps keep Mother Earth happier too!

Thank you all so much, and I look forward to seeing you soon!

Love,
Chef Mary

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Fabulous vegan food from your favorite personal chef!

Hello and happy weekend to you all!

We are right in the middle of holiday preparation time. I hope you are all finding some peace and calm in this hectic season! And we have just a couple more weeks of darkness, before it starts to get lighter and lighter outside.

Just in time, I have some help for you! Let me feed you and your family, so you have a little more time to relax! Here is a wonderful new menu for delivery on Tuesday, 12/13. This week I will only be delivering on Tuesday, so please plan accordingly. Please place orders by Sunday night for Tuesday delivery in Greater Boston. Thank you very much, and I look forward to seeing you all soon!

Email me to order, at rathercraftymary@gmail.com

Much love,

Chef Mary

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SOUP:

Roasted Beet Soup $8

PLATES:

Kasha Varnishkes: Buckwheat, gluten free noodles, local veggies. What's not to love? $10

East Meets West Bento: Almond Butter and Jelly Onigiri (sounds strange, tastes awesome!) surrounded by delicious veggies. A perfect lunch to go! $10

Local Potatoes Stuffed with Butternut Squash, served with Cultured Cashew Cream $10

Black Bean Patties with Sweet Potato Fries and Homemade Spicy Ketchup. Served on Rice "Buns." $11

Sesame Seaweed Salad with Brown Rice $9

BAKERY:

Cinnamon Raisin Scones, served with Apple-Pear Butter (made with local fruit, of course!) $9

Cranberry Muffins! In honor of St. Lucia's Day. $9 half dozen, $16 dozen

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Whenever possible, ingredients are organic and/or local. If you have a question about a dish or an ingredient, please ask!

All dishes are vegan, so they are naturally free of common allergens fish, shellfish, dairy, and egg. Most dishes do not contain honey, and out of respect for those who choose not to partake, I will always specify any dish that does contain honey. I do not use soy, peanuts, wheat, or other gluten containing grains. I DO use tree nuts and seeds, and naturally gluten free whole grains. If you have any kind of allergy or sensitivity, please let me know!

I always appreciate it when you return washed containers for reuse. It helps lighten all our footprints, and it keeps costs reasonable!

Thank you all so much, and I look forward to seeing you soon!

Love,
Chef Mary

Friday, December 2, 2011

Wonderful new vegan menu of awesomeness! For delivery to greater Boston Tuesday 12/6.

Happy Friday, and Happy December!

I have a great new menu to share with you, but first, some news!

I will continue delivering on Tuesdays, and I encourage you to spread
the word to all your family, friends, classmates, and neighbors! There
is room for more clients on our wonderfully growing Tuesday roster!
But Fridays have been a little slow, so I am going to phase out Friday
deliveries for a little while. I am sorry if this inconveniences
anybody!

I will definitely continue delivering on Tuesdays! I will also deliver
for special events and occasions, and by special arrangement, so
please keep me in mind if something comes up and you need some awesome
food for an event or on the fly!

I will still be able to work with you on all kinds of parties. I can
deliver food in advance of an event, I can do bake-your-own-cake
parties with kids, and I can do cooking lesson parties with adults!

But for at least a little while, all of the regular, non-party magic
will happen on Tuesdays.

And now, I have a wonderful menu for you, for delivery on Tuesday,
December 6! In parts of Europe (and in the family I grew up in) Saint
Nicholas Day is celebrated on December 6. Children leave their shoes
by their doors the night before, and Saint Nicholas leaves them small
gifts of chocolate, or little toys. Thursday of next week is my
birthday, and the birthday of at least one more of you out in Crafty
Land, so I will also be reprising some of our favorite dishes! It's a
time of celebration!

Enjoy, and I look forward to seeing you all soon!

Much love,

Chef Mary

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SOUP:

Italian white bean soup with local greens! $6

PLATES:

Nori Rolls filled with Raw Carrot Ginger Pate and Spinach $10


Medley of Roasted Local Squashes and Root Veggies! With Greens du Jour. $11

Raw Sprouted Sunflower Seed Hummus with Crunchy Veggies to Dip! The
classic returns! $9

Black Forbidden Rice Salad, with Almonds and Satsuma Tangerines! $11

Quinoa and Vegan Cheezy Sauce (made from cashews and veggies) with
Local Veg du Jour $10

BAKERY:

Chocolate Almond Butter Cups! They may look like certain candies you had
as a child, but they are peanut free and oh-so-much-better! $6 for a trio

Date and Walnut Muffins! Spiced cakes with fruits and nuts are a
delicious Saint Nicholas Day tradition. $10 half dozen, $18 dozen

Gingerbread Cake! I have been thinking a lot about what kind of cake
to make for my birthday. While chocolate is always tempting, I kept
finding myself thinking about a spicy, moist, molassessey gingerbread.
I wanted it to be not-too-sweet, sweetened only with molasses and a
kiss of agave nectar. I wanted to use only whole grain buckwheat
flour, which is one of my favorites. So I developed this recipe! I
made a prototype this morning and I was rather pleased with the
results. It's not fancy, it's not fussy, it's just delicious! $6

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Please place orders for Tuesday delivery by midnight on Sunday night.
Even if you're late though, I can often accommodate you - so don't be
shy! It never hurts to ask.

As always, everything is vegan, healthy, and made without peanuts,
soy, or gluten ingredients.

I do use tree nuts, seeds, non-gluten whole grains, and all sorts of
fruits and veggies - local and/or organic when possible. If you are
allergic or sensitive to anything at all, please just let me know! If
you have a question about any ingredients at all, please ask!

I always appreciate it when you return containers, and Mother Earth
appreciates it too!

Thanks, and I look forward to feeding you soon!

Much love,
Your favorite personal chef, Mary