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Summer Lovin’

When I was in fourth grade, my sister and I became obsessed with the movie Grease. For a while, we watched the tape every single day. That summer, my friends and I even put on a mini-play of Grease. I won the coveted role of Sandy… but we made my poor little sister play Danny! Actually, she was so ecstatic to be included with the “cooler older kids” that she didn’t mind. I wonder, though, if we traumatized her for life.

Is this going to come back to haunt me in a family therapy session someday?

None of this really has anything to do with today’s post, except for the title.  Summer is still a far-off glimmer in the future. We haven’t even gotten through the “in like a lion” part of March yet. But the past two months have treated Dallas to a few days where it felt like summer. I took full advantage of the fleeting warmth to whip up some summery meals.  What comes to mind for you when you think of “summer food”? Personally, I think of coleslaw, beans, and fresh fruit– true barbecue food (minus the yucky Texas brisket).  So, on the warmest day we’ve had so far this year (it actually reached 80 at one point!), I made myself a Sumptuous Summer Feast.

Bush’s chili beans, kale chips, a Rudi’s English Muffin with vegan butter, fresh cantaloupe, and the pièce de résistance: quickie coleslaw (purple cabbage mixed with vegan mayo, such as Nayonaise, then left in the fridge to marinate for a few hours).

I threw together the coleslaw at the last minute, but I ended up liking it so much that I’ve since revisited the side dish numerous times. Such as the night below:

Quickie coleslaw, plump green peas (Steamfresh Singles), baked tofu in a soy-sauce marinade, and savory oatmeal.

Chocolate-Covered Song of the Day

You’re the One that I Want (Grease)

I don’t listen to “Summer Lovin'” when I run, as it’s not fast-paced enough for my liking. But I felt I still had to go with a Grease song. Luckily, the movie has a lot of great songs from which to choose. 🙂

Published on February 17, 2009

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136 Comments

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  1. Virginia says

    for summer food i always think of hot dogs on the grill (vegan, of course), watermelon, baked beans, coleslaw…ahhh, summer…it can’t get here soon enough!!

  2. Elle says

    mmm i’ll be sure to let you know when i’ve blended up a big batch of blended barley (whoo alliteration!). summertime in california (home sweet home) always reminds me of fresh fruit – cherries, peaches, watermelon, frosty grapes, mmm… in the summertime i want to eat nothing but fresh fruit, and guacamole made from fresh avocados picked from the backyard with a drizzle of lime juice.

    can’t wait!
    xoxo

  3. I ♥ puggies says

    Yay for summer food! I lived in Wichita Falls for the summer in 2005 and visited Dallas a few times. I love Texas but don’t like certain things about it. I hate Texan drivers. Just about everyone had a lifted truck and thought they owned the road and I had a tiny little car and just tried to not get squashed. Also the barbeque…. I wasn’t veg then but barbeque is always gross. Anyway, your post reminded me of my 6 months in Wichita Falls. I can’t wait for summer to be here!

  4. Heather McD (Heather Eats Almond Butter) says

    I loved Grease! Watched over and over and knew every lyric to every song…except for We Go Together– couldn’t quite get all those verses straight in my head. 🙂

    Love the cabbage slaw Katie. Coleslaw is one of my favorite summertime foods. I’ll have to try this – the purple cabbage looks beautiful on all your plates.

  5. Maggie says

    Everything looks good except the soggy muffin! Well, it looks good, but I don’t think I like soggy muffins. I do LOVE coleslaw though. Summer is a great time for food.

  6. thecleanveggie says

    i LOVE all of your eats 🙂
    so colorful too.

    haha i love your title. I think we all went through the Grease phase. too bad the second movie was horrible :\

  7. Meg says

    That is the song that is the ring tone when my husband calls. We love Grease and I played Sandy in my 8th grade play.

    You have me craving barbecue!

  8. Laci says

    Haha I loved Grease with my cousin when I was about 9 too! I <3 how you spread out you meals, but do you ever cook one-bowl kinda stuff? :0

  9. Juliet says

    I love grease. I’m envious you played Sandra D! 🙂 Did you watch the reality show where they placed Sandy and Danny a few years ago? 😀 (oops did I just admit to that?).. thanks for making me think of it. I’m going to add some Grease Tunes to my ipod for the gym!

  10. jodye says

    Ahh your post makes me long for summer even more than I already do. And i love the kale chips and english muffin, and purple cabbage!

    And believe it or not, I had the SAME obsession with grease when I was little! I, too, watched it every day and dressed up as sandy, etc., etc.

  11. River says

    Mr. Coleslaw is in great company at all times! Rubbing elbows with the Cool Kale Chips Gang and Miss Peachy-Keen Peach.

    I love that song, Travolta sounds like he inhaled helium! 🙂

  12. ChickPea says

    We used to watch Grease every day too! Were you Danny or Sandy? What? You mean not everyone acts/dances/sings along with the movie?

  13. Sarah (lovINmytummy) says

    As soon as I read “Summer Lovin,” I sang, “…happened so fast.”

    What are you doing to that poor English muffin? The Queen is hanging her head in shame.

    You know I’m going to try it now 😉

  14. shelby says

    I used to be OBSESSED with that movie!!! I still know all the words =)

    Ooo, I’m so jealous of the weather…and the yummy eats!

  15. Kiki says

    Ha, I love grease! Now that song will be stuck in my head all day.

    When I think of summer foods, I think of watermelon, grapes, and corn on the cobs. Barbeques too, but those aren’t really veggie friendly. Have a great day!

  16. acookinthemaking says

    I am soooo jealous of your warm weather! Ha, and I was all excited last week when it was like 50 in Boston. For some reason (maybe because I am in this frozen wonderland) I am more excited than normal for summer to be here this year! And summer food is the best!!

  17. Lauren says

    Haha, I was a huge Grease fan too when I was younger! I always made my little sis play the boy when we did stuff like that! Haha!

  18. Burp and Slurp~! says

    mmm~ summer food…I just LOVE all the thought of fresh berries and peaches and cherries. I miss summer fruits.

  19. PB and Jess says

    Mmmm…I could go for some summer comfort food too! If only it would make warm weather come faster! The slaw looks especially good 🙂

  20. maybepigscanfly says

    I totally watched that movie almost everyday too. The kids that I used to babysit ALWAYS wanted to watch it. And of course we had to sing all the good songs (but that meant fast forwarding through the slow song where Sandy sings by the kiddie pool outside Frenchy’s house).

    Loving the red cabbage… I’ve got half a head leaf in my fridge, so I’m gonna have to make some cole slaw!

  21. justine says

    Love Grease and Cabbage! haha that sounds kinda funny. Anyway, thanks a bunch for checking out my blog! I know my food is a little x-rated for a vegan. 🙂

    ~Justine

  22. Mariposa says

    i LOVE LOVE LOVE grease! one of my favorite musicals of all times! the food looks good.. although… i do have to admit- i would take the texas brisket! ; )

  23. Bianca says

    MMMMmmmm coleslaw. I can’t wait until Memorial Day, when grillin’ season starts and we can all sit outside with margaritas and grilled tofu burgers with baked beans. Oh CCV, you’re such a tease.

  24. Veganissexy says

    You're so cute. I loved that movie too growing up. I always wanted the red & black cha cha dress from the dance off scene! Love the summer eats 🙂 My summer food is always grilled portabellas and veggie kabobs with grilled peaches for dessert!

  25. ChocolateCoveredVegan says

    Maybepigscanfly—
    Aww, Hopelessly Devoted (the slow song) was one of my fave songs; that kid didn’t know what he was missing!

  26. Simple and Divine says

    GREASE! Ahh totes up there w/ Harriet the Spy + Matilda! Back-to-Back 🙂

    I like theFF Vegan Mayo too… Hav you ever tried the others? I heard they're better. Probs haha

    <3 you twizzle!

  27. Bethany says

    when grease went through the theatres again in the 90’s, everybody from work went and it was great. everybody sang all the songs. too funny!

  28. Claire says

    I’d actually really like to try the extra firm tofu! I’m a newcomer to the tofu world so am still trying to find a favourite brand!

    Of course, only if this competition is open to us residents in the uk…!

  29. sarah says

    I’d really like to try the tofu, also the fat free nayonaise to add to my grains( like you do!).
    Fab giveaway.
    Xxx

  30. Shannon says

    I love Nayonaise to make eggless egg salad sandwiches. I also prefer the Nasoya extra firm tofu plus. It is the best!

  31. RachelBethany says

    I’d like to try the nayonaise in either potato salad or a vegan mayonnaise cake =) Otherwise I’d like to try the dark chocolate silken creations in a cheesecake style dessert or ice cream. Yum.

  32. Ashley S says

    I’d love to enter! My favorite use for Nasoya products is using their extra firm tofu for stirfry’s. It doesn’t get much simpler (or delicious!) than that!!

  33. Jennifer - jcd says

    I’ve never been a mayo girl, but I love Nasoya tofu!! The only way I’ll use vegan mayo is for this ridiculous mayonnaise biscuit recipe my mum makes. They are so odd but have a unique taste that goes well with kebabs. Otherwise, tofu would definitely be used for some mashed tofu salad, marinated kebabs, or I may experiment with a tofu jerkey recipe.

  34. Julia says

    I recently used Nasoya wonton wrappers to make ravioli and had great results. I would like to try the extra firm tofu because my grocery store does not carry it and I cannot stand squishy tofu.

  35. Laura says

    Hmmm, not sure if I’m leaving this post in the right place. My favorite way to use Nayonaise is so pedestrian, but I just love to spread it on ezekiel toast with sprouts, lettuce, tomato, red onion, tempeh bacon and avocado. A Tempeh Lettuce Tomato indulgence!

  36. Sarah L. says

    My favourite use for Nayonaise is in mock tuna salad from the Happy Herbivore blog. It’s such a yummy dish and so easy to make, and you’re right, the Nayonaise makes everything it touches so creamy!

  37. veggie365 says

    I love vegan mayo on sandwiches, wraps, in dips and just licked off the spoon! 🙂

    I’d love to try what looks to be a flavored Nayonaise pictured on your blog!

    Thanks!

  38. Samantha says

    I have never had vegan mayo but then again, I hardly ever eat regular mayo. I would really like to try it in a southern tomato pie with vegan mozzarella.

  39. Rachel Lauren says

    I don’t like Mayo… Never tried Nayo, I’d give it a try. But I just don’t like the texture/flavor of Mayo so I never bother with the subs. I do however LOVE Nasoya brand lite firm tofu and lite silken tofu. I use those a lot. I’d love to try some of their other products sometime too.

  40. Valerie says

    My favorite use would be in a potato salad – just like the classic recipe! I am most interested in trying the Nayonaise, I have never had it. I’ve only tried Nasoya’s tofu, and it was delicious!

  41. Gina G says

    my dad makes the best tuna sandwichs with mayo, but I would most definetly use Nayo for my barley too though, i love barley! thanks Katie! 🙂

  42. Natalie says

    I’ve never actually used the nayonase or any other vegan mayo — but I most definitely would love to try it in recipes that could use a little help (hello? Mom’s potato salad!)

    I am a consumer of the Nasoya products though, extra-firm tofu all the way, and usually chomp it up in a stir fry! I’m actually planning on grilling some tofu tonight for the first time!

  43. Monica says

    I’ve actually never had the chance to try nayo, but when I used to use mayo, I enjoyed it in egg salads, and a little bit on sandwiches. I was always afraid of using the real mayo, but maybe a vegan version would change my mind?

  44. Cellabella says

    I’d like to try the Nasoya Won Ton Wraps. I’ve seen some delicious recipes for dumplings, both savory and sweet!

  45. radioactivegan says

    I’m not a big fan of mayo at all (vegan or otherwise, when I wasn’t vegan). But it does add a great dimension to “chicken” salad and “egg” salad that I’d really miss without it!

  46. Amy says

    I like to mix a little veganaise with some cabbage for a light coleslaw. It tastes creamy and brings out the cabbage flavor. Yum!

    I would like to try Nayonaise, the dark chocolate silken style creations, or the tofuplus.

  47. Lin says

    My grandmother makes homemade mayonnaise and every summer at the beach she and my mom would eat mayo and tomato sandwiches like it was going out of style! Since I didn’t like tomatoes back then I didn’t understand the appeal, but now that I do I can totally get it. Now every fresh tomato I buy reminds me of being at the beach watching my grandmother and mother eat tomato and mayo sandwiches for lunch.

  48. Lisa says

    Ooooh I want to try the nayonaise so badly! I haven’t had mayo in such a long time. Thanks for the giveaway Katie!

  49. Lexi says

    I really want to try nasoya silken creations or the fat free mayo that you mentioned! I’ve heard such wonderful things about both 🙂

  50. Lauren (Clean Eats in the Dirty South) says

    i’ve been eyeing the chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry tofus for a while as well as the nayonaise (i’ve only ever had veganaise!) they look so tasty…but i’m such a wimp, i’m scared of buying them, hating them, and having to throw them away 🙁 i always feel oh so guilty. plus, down here i can only find them at earth fare, and my poor college budget has no room for extra food splurges :'(
    my favorite way to use nayo is definitely on a panini. i make chickpea salad with mustard and hummus. the creamy and the crunchy and the delicious…all in one sandwich! but i think nayo in place of the hummus would make it taste so much more authentic.

  51. Rachel says

    i’ve actually never tried veganese (totally spelt that wrong) since i’ve never liked mayo in the first place, but i like to use nasoya tofu in stirfries, sometimes i eat it raw and put some salt and garlic pepper on it when i’m too lazy/tired to cook with hummus. weird but it works 😉

  52. Courtney says

    I love giveaways 🙂 I would like to try the Nayonaise–normal mayo freaks me out a bit, but I think a vegan version might be just the thing! I also would like to try the extra firm tofu. Good luck with SSH!

  53. Gloria says

    I love Nasoya tofu! My favorite way to use Nayonaise is plain ‘ole slathered on 2 pieces of toasted ezekiel bread with sliced tomatoes! It’s the only time I eat “mayo”. Weird, but good.

  54. Tori says

    I don’t actually like mayonaise so I don’t think I would like Nayonaise either 🙂

    But I’ve been wanting to experiment with their wonton wraps!!

    <3 tori

  55. irma says

    Give-aways are fun! And nayonaise I think is best as a mock egg salad, with extra-firm tofu, crumbled, and a bit of nutritional yeast and mustard powder for color. (maybe some tumeric too, for that matter) … best on a crusty toast or cracker.

  56. spoonfulofsugarfree says

    I’ve never tried Nayo before. I always thought regular mayonnaise was nasty, but I love deviled eggs! Maybe I would use it for that…………

  57. carrie says

    You probably don’t want to hear this, but I have used mayo as shampoo/conditioner before (don’t worry, I certainly wouldn’t use Nayo for that!! :)) I have an awesome recipe – passed down from my mother – for chocolate cake that uses mayo as the fat (ie. instead of butter). It is so Yummy and rich!
    My friend (who is vegan) lived in the US for a few years and when I told her about this giveaway, she said the Wonton wraps are good.
    Sorry for the ramble!

  58. Casey says

    I love Nayo in this (usually) mayonnaise dip my mom makes that goes perfectly with artichokes. YUMMMMM. And I would love to try their Silken Style creations.

  59. BroccoliHut says

    I am very much in love Nayonaise! In fact, when they stopped selling it at my grocery store, I ordered it online:)

  60. Maya says

    Growing up I thought that mayo was the most disgusting thing ever. That changed when I first tried real, home made mayo using organic ingredients, as well as the delicious Nayo- now I love them both! My favorite way to eat it is to mix in things such as dijon mustard, minced garlic and parsley, lemon juice, or hot sauce and use the doctored up Mayo/Nayo for dipping oven fries or “patatas bravas” from Spain. It’s exactly like the “Aoli” they serve in fancy restaurants!

  61. Sarah A says

    I’ve never tried Nayonaise, but you’ve piqued my interest! I love Nasoya lite firm tofu and silken chocolate tofu. Actually, I love tofu period – any which way it’s prepared, be it plain, in tomato sauce, baked, grilled…you name it, I’ll eat it.

  62. McKenzie says

    I’ve actually never tried any Nasoya products before, but now I’ll definitely need to try the Nayonaise because it sounds wonderful! All their desserts look yummy too 🙂

  63. Raquel says

    Wow! I’m intrigued with the purple cole slaw! I would love to try the Nasoya tofu. I’ve recently come to realize what tofu is, as embarrassing as that sounds. I have it in stir fry, which I love, and I LOVE it! I want to make it at home, and find more recipes that use it stir fried or grilled, or whatever.

  64. vegetalion says

    I use (vegan) mayo for salad dressings! I used to love creamy salad dressings like ranch and bleu cheese before going vegan, and I missed them until I realized that whisking mayo with vinegar and whatever other flavorings I want (oregano, garlic powder, onion powder for ranch dressing) is a perfect substitute!

  65. Lori says

    I would love to try the flavored tofus. Sadly they are not available around me. When I lived in Canada you could buy all kinds of different flavored tofu (watermelon, almond, banana, mango) and my kids LOVED them. Everytime we go back to visit they ask Grandma to have tofu waiting for them!!

  66. Lindsay says

    If the words dark chocolate and silk are in the same sentence, I’m sold 🙂 I want to make a chocolate silk pie. My taste buds are revved up!

  67. Charlotte says

    I would LOVE to try their Fat Free Nayonaise, new “TofuPlus” (it’s fortified with Vitamin D, B6 and B12!! Score!!), and the Vanilla Silken Creations–they have a corresponding keylime pie recipe…how delish does THAT sound??
    I wish I lived in the NaSoya warehouse…all their things seem simply amazing. If only…

  68. Anna (twelve22) says

    I was a big mayo-hater for most of my life; it’s only been in the past few years that I’ve learned to love it in moderation. I think a good egg/tofu/chick’n salad might be my favorite way to enjoy it!

  69. angelina yirka says

    i would like to try the nayo, i make several veggie salads but have always used regulr mayo and looking for a healthy alternative. thats what i love about your blog and how i stumbled across it because i was looking for healthy alternatives

  70. Anjanette says

    I love mayos of all kinds (vegan and not), which is quite a departure from when I was a kid, when I thought I didn’t like it. My favorite use for mayonnaise is on tofu sandwiches. One of my favorite sandwiches involves frying thin slices of extra-firm tofu until golden brown, with a little salt and pepper, and after they’re golden, I put some vegan worcestershire sauce on them if I have it. Then I toast whole wheat bread and slather on lots of mayo, add tofu slices and a leaf of lettuce if I have it, and put a small pile of mayo on my plate to dip the sandwich in as I’m eating it. So, yeah, tasty mayo is an essential part of this recipe! I adore it.

  71. Sabrina says

    I love using a scoop of Fat Free Nayonaise in my Fire Roasted Tomato+Pumpkin pasta sauce (which I put on top of “shredded soy noodles”). Adds just the right touch!

  72. Lauren says

    I’m not a vegan, but still love your recipes, so tasty and healthy! I’d have to say that my favourite use for mayo is with rice and veggies – cook a portion of brown rice, meanwhile chop some veggies up into reeeeally small pieces, use any you like eg: diced carrot, peppers, brocoli, sweetcorn, courgette (zucchini!), stir fry with some olive oil and seasoning until cooked to your liking, then when the rice is done, add the veggies and a spoonful of mayo of you choice, and mix it all up! Sooo tasty and filling 🙂

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