Tempting Tempeh

on April 21, 2010
in All Posts

My Internet blew out this morning, and instead of getting insanely frustrated (I cannot do any work without the Internet!), I decided to leave the house.

 

The dogs and I went to Fleet Peeples Park, which is an amazing dog park with a forest, trails, a beach, a lake, and a huge field.

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James and Maggie aren’t water dogs, which is FINE by me!  I see all these other dogs splashing in the water and cringe at how muddy they become!

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My dogs prefer the forest and trails…

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…Even if they can be hard to navigate.

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James becomes a super serious squirrel hunter when we’re in the forest.  Every single noise, he bolts towards in hopes of catching a juicy squirrel.  In the 3.5 years that I’ve had James, he’s never actually caught a single squirrel, so I just let him try.  He has so much fun with it – his legs quiver and he points his foot.

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Although we didn’t catch any squirrels, we did stumble upon… triplets!

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I know the dogs had a blast, and I did, too.  There is something so relaxing about being outside… no phone, no music.  Just watching nature and seeing the dogs interact with their surroundings.

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When we got home, the Internet was miraculously working again!  Now I can actually get some work done.

 

Lunch was DIVINE.  You are going to love this easy recipe!

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I really love the texture of tempeh, but I find the flavor to be kind of strange on it’s own.  This recipe results in a nutty, sweet taste.

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Tempting Tempeh

 

Ingredients:

 

  • 1/3 block of tempeh
  • 1/3 cup shredded coconut
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon

 

Directions:

 

  • Cut tempeh into 1-inch blocks.
  • Combine coconut, maple syrup, and cinnamon in a small shallow bowl.
  • Pat mix onto each block of tempeh.
  • Place on greased cookie sheet.
  • Bake at 380 for 20 minutes, or until it starts to brown.
  • Enjoy!

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Added to the recipes page!

 

I had my tempeh with roasted broccoli and a baked sweet potato.

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Mmm.  Veggies.  I have learned to truly love and appreciate you.

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Time to get back to work!

{ 86 comments }

 

  • Ashley April 21, 2010, 1:18 pm

    every time i’ve made tempeh i think its weird and never really love it. i’ve GOT to try this recipe. if i don’t like it, i guess that tempeh and I will never be together

  • Nicole @ Geek Turned Athlete April 21, 2010, 1:19 pm

    Oooo, I’ve never tried tempeh, but this is certainly gonna make me want to try it now!

    I swear, every single time you have your dogs on your blog, I just want to grab them and kiss them!

  • Jessica @ How Sweet April 21, 2010, 1:19 pm

    Oooh that looks so good, even though I have neverhad tempeh. I love anything crusted in coconut.

  • Corie B April 21, 2010, 1:19 pm

    Looks like a fun, relaxing morning! What kind of dogs were the triplets?

    • Molly @fuelherup April 21, 2010, 1:28 pm

      I think they’re Weimereners (I just butchered the spelling!)

  • Laura@FindingAHealthyBalance....after a 100+ Pound weight loss!!! April 21, 2010, 1:19 pm

    I have to say since I started reading your blog last year you have started to eat MORE & MORE veggies, in fact I remember when you said that you “did not like them so much”…….which you wouldn’t have known by following your blog now that is for sure! =)

  • Katie (Sweet Tater) April 21, 2010, 1:19 pm

    that looks awesome!

  • Freya @ Brit Chick Runs April 21, 2010, 1:21 pm

    FABB tempeh idea!! I am DEFINETLY trying that!
    Oh I love the sound of James and the squirrels 🙂 I wish my aunt’s dog was like that – she catches pheasants, but doesn’t know how to kill them (she just maims) – it’s horrible 🙁
    Have a good afternoon!

  • Diana April 21, 2010, 1:22 pm

    Tempeh is so much better tasting if you boil it for ten minutes first. Just plop it in boiling water and all the bitter weirdness goes out. It doesn’t change the texture too too much, though for some recipes boiling the tempeh shouldn’t be done. I always do it before I broil or grill it, but never before making crispy tempeh bacon.

    • caitlin April 21, 2010, 2:05 pm

      huh! ive never heard that. i will try that next time!

  • Madeline - Greens and Jeans April 21, 2010, 1:22 pm

    That picture of Maggie peering over the log is wayyyy too cute!

  • Lisa April 21, 2010, 1:25 pm

    What a cool park!

  • PippaPatchwork April 21, 2010, 1:25 pm

    The tempeh looks awesome! I’m trying to cut back on my meat consumption a bit, which is tricky since I’m a bit of a carnivore–but so many of your recipes look just as satisfying as any meaty dish!

  • Molly @fuelherup April 21, 2010, 1:26 pm

    Haha! I love that pic of Maggie peeking over the log!

    My wolf/germanshepherd/black lab mix doesn’t like actually swimming but she jumps in our creek and catches fish.
    Our yellow lab looooves to swim though! It’s so cute to see my little sister treading water, and the dog swimming circles around her. She also fetches from the water!
    We also have a pond on our property that gets all algae-y in the spring, and the dogs jump in and get covered in green slime! That is a chore to wash off!
    My old horse used to cross water and swim too…it was so fun to ride her across rivers! My new ones aren’t quite as enthusiastic though.

    We obviously have a very messy household! haha

  • Evan Thomas April 21, 2010, 1:26 pm

    This recipe looks fantastic! There are really only 2 ways I can enjoy tempeh: in bacon form, or with coconut. Otherwise I just find the flavor repulsive

  • janetha April 21, 2010, 1:28 pm

    loving all the sweet pups 🙂

  • Sarah for Real April 21, 2010, 1:28 pm

    Mmmm… that does look good!

    My dog would be having a freak-out-melt-down-heart-attack if those other dogs came by, lol. She is a little, um… unbalanced.

  • Shellybean April 21, 2010, 1:31 pm

    I was running in my local park and I saw a dog actually catch a squirrel. It was like watching the Discovery Channel! The dog’s owner was really surprised- so I’d call the experience simultaneously funny and horrifying.

  • Julie April 21, 2010, 1:31 pm

    This post makes me want to adopt a doggie soooooo badly!! Can’t wait til I move to Boston and am able to adopt 🙂

  • Kristin P. April 21, 2010, 1:32 pm

    omg, looks delicious! must try. that park looks gorgeous! love the weeping willows!

  • Matt April 21, 2010, 1:32 pm

    Mmm that looks good. I’ve never had tempeh, but I will be picking some up.

  • Jessica April 21, 2010, 1:33 pm

    I love the pic of Maggie peeking over the log!

    The recipe looks amazing! I will definitely be making this sometime. I have never tried tempeh before.

    P.S. Your blog has inspired me to start the couch to 5K plan! I used to run but I am having to start over again. Love your blog!

    • caitlin April 21, 2010, 2:05 pm

      thats such a good plan! have fun!! 🙂

  • Shawna @ Balancing Me April 21, 2010, 1:33 pm

    Oh my! I’ve always been very afraid of Tempeh, but this just looks soooo yummy!

  • Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday April 21, 2010, 1:33 pm

    Wow, looks like you had an awesome morning!

  • Beth @ Beth's Journey to Thin April 21, 2010, 1:35 pm

    Wow that recipe looks awesome! It’s sort of like coconut battered shrimp but healthified. I’m going to try it!

  • *Andrea* April 21, 2010, 1:36 pm

    this recipe looks likesomething i would LOVE because (a) it is simple and (b) i also dislike tempeh on its own- i think it has a weird aftertaste.

    can’t wait to try this!!!

    your dogs are so cute 🙂

  • Erin (Travel, Eat, Repeat) April 21, 2010, 1:37 pm

    I’ve always been scared to try tempeh after hearing really mixed reviews but this recipe looks easy AND delicious.

  • Tamara @ The Stretch Jean Incident April 21, 2010, 1:39 pm

    Woo-hoo! I have some leftover tempeh in my fridge as we speak, and was running out of ideas on what to do with the last of it. This recipe sounds perfect! And I have all of the other ingredients already. Thanks for sharing!

  • Carolyn @ lovinlosing April 21, 2010, 1:43 pm

    Unfortunately, my dog(s) have caught a squirrel and birds before. My husband recently told me a horrendous story he witnessed between a poor squirrel and the pups. 🙁 He could have kept that to himself.

  • Therese April 21, 2010, 1:46 pm

    You make me miss having a dog!!! I can’t wait to have dogs again! Your pups are so awesome!

    And I am all over that tempeh recipe! Man, it looks de-lish! Thanks!

  • Kelly April 21, 2010, 1:49 pm

    Aww fun day with the doggies!

  • Jenny April 21, 2010, 1:53 pm

    Looks like a peaceful morning! Glad your Internet is magically working again:)

  • Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down) April 21, 2010, 1:56 pm

    What a perfect way to start the day! Looks like you and the pups had such a lovely time. 😀

    Oh, and I’m definitely making your tempeh recipe. I love how simple and tasty it looks!

  • kalli@fitandfortysomething April 21, 2010, 2:02 pm

    what a lovely day in the park…..the puppers looked like they had so much fun. and caitlin you have outdone yourself with the tempeh-so yummy looking 🙂

  • Erica April 21, 2010, 2:02 pm

    What a great day! We love taking our dog out for trail runs and hiking … seeing her interact with nature is really fun 🙂 She’s a bird, bunny, and squirrel hunter!

  • Hedda April 21, 2010, 2:02 pm

    So lovely!
    I took Bamse out in the local “forest” today, he loves it! So much more fun than walking around at pavements all the day, and a lot better for his legs. I only wish he could run loose, but since his behaviour is so-so that is out of the question!

    The tempeh looked delicious btw, enjoy your wednesday 🙂

  • Annie@stronghealthyfit April 21, 2010, 2:05 pm

    I LOVE tempeh. I wouldn’t have thought to season it with sweet flavors! Looks interesting.

  • Anne P April 21, 2010, 2:06 pm

    Hehe this makes me think of “Up”. “POINT!!!!!!!”

  • Laurie April 21, 2010, 2:18 pm

    I wish I had a dog park like that where I live. Looks like James and Maggie were having fun! You take such great pictures of your pups!

  • Heather (Heather's Dish) April 21, 2010, 2:21 pm

    my dogs would kill for such an awesome dog park! but they’d be the muddy, splashing dogs 🙂 guess that’s what happens when you have labs!

  • Cynthia (It All Changes) April 21, 2010, 2:28 pm

    I think my dogs would go nuts in a dog park like that. They love the outdoors…unless it’s wet.

    I’m still scared of tempeh. It kind of freaks me out.

  • Christine April 21, 2010, 2:29 pm

    Oh my goodness! Those triplets are beautiful! Definitely not as cute as James and Maggie though. The part about James hunting for squirrels reminds me of Dug in the movie Up. “SQUIRREL!”

  • Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg April 21, 2010, 2:31 pm

    Top ten US dog parks?!? Oh my gosh, I love it. I wish Ella and Baxter could go!!

    Your tempeh looks amazing!!!

  • Kellie@obsessivelyhealthy April 21, 2010, 2:37 pm

    I have had a block of Tempeh in my fridge and I do not know what to do with it. Going to try this. I am just too afraid to eat it by itself.

  • amanda@thegrainsofparadise April 21, 2010, 2:39 pm

    I love your doggies! They are soooo adorable. Beautiful pics today:-) Aloha!

  • Paige (Running Around Normal) April 21, 2010, 2:46 pm

    What an awesome dog park! I need to find a sweet park like that to take Niko too.
    Mmmm tempeh. I have half of a block in the fridge I’m slowly nibbling away at, and was going to get creative with mine tonight, too!

  • Lauren (Health on the Run) April 21, 2010, 2:52 pm

    Such cute pictures of the pups!! 🙂

    I actually really like tempeh, but I think I’ll LOVE this. I’ve never thought about making it sweeter. Now the leftover tempeh in my fridge is calling my name — I’m definitely making this tonight!! Thanks!!

  • Kacy April 21, 2010, 3:09 pm

    I have some tempeh chilling in my fridge that I’m terrified of. I think it’s flavored though…

  • Ashley April 21, 2010, 3:13 pm

    I love the photo of Maggie peeping over the log!!! So cute! I have never tried tempeh but this looks amazing! Thanks for the recipe!

  • Susan April 21, 2010, 3:21 pm

    I loooove the texture of tempeh. But I do not love that it tastes like stinky feet. We only have one brand here though, I’d love to be able to try some different ones out!

    I’m babysitting my mom’s dog – and you just made me think of taking him to the dog park! Duuuhhh! Thanks 🙂

  • Nicci@NiftyEats April 21, 2010, 3:29 pm

    Yum, looks great Caitlin. I think I will buy some tempeh and try this out. Do you think this recipe would work well with tofu? I have some tofu I need to cook with.

    • caitlin April 21, 2010, 5:06 pm

      i bet! just press it first.

  • Tammy @ Defining Wellness April 21, 2010, 3:29 pm

    There is nothing I love more than taking my dog, Kai, for walks and letting her enjoy the surroundings. She goes crazy for squirrels, too — it’s hilarious! But I worry that if I let her go she might kill one, and then I’d cry. Sorry Kai. This vegetarian couldn’t take that. I love tempeh, and your recipe is very creative! Thanks for the great share!

  • Marina April 21, 2010, 3:39 pm

    wow, this is a great idea for the tempeh!
    I only had it twice, but loved it. I bet I would enjoy this recipe too.
    Your doggies are so cute 🙂

  • Katharine April 21, 2010, 3:48 pm

    That park looks absolutely gorgeous! And what a fantastic outlook to take – rather than stressing out and blowing up you made it positive and productive. Love it! 🙂

  • Reenie April 21, 2010, 3:51 pm

    Love the pic of Maggie peeking over the log ~ too cute. And James with the triplets:)

  • Steph-exercise physiologist and artist! April 21, 2010, 3:58 pm

    I can’t believe I STILL have not made it to fleet people’s park!! My two pups will be so mad when I finally take them there!! the weather is beautiful right now too.
    I have heard it is the most amazing dog park. one of my little girls loves to swim too 🙂

  • Beth April 21, 2010, 4:00 pm

    This is a toally random question, but how do you feel about cleanses and jucie fasts?

    • caitlin April 21, 2010, 5:07 pm

      i guess there’s a biological point to cleanses, but i really can’t get behind them because i’m way too athletic to not eat or drink juice for any period of time. i feel like its probably unnecessary if you eat a balanced diet and don’t have any weird health issues.

  • LindsayH April 21, 2010, 4:12 pm

    omg that picture of maggie peeking over the log is priceless.

  • Claire April 21, 2010, 4:13 pm

    Mmmm, that tempeh recipe sounds so delicious! I will try it this week. I found my favorite way of making tempeh but it is kind of time consuming but oh, so worth it. I made it for my boyfriend and I on valentines day and we both loved it!

    It is the last recipe on this page…

    http://donteatoffthesidewalk.com/?page_id=68

  • allison @ livingoneday April 21, 2010, 4:22 pm

    hi caitlin, ive read your blog before, but totally forgot about it – until now! i LOVE operation beautiful. kudos to you for starting something like that! you really are changing the world. also, those tempah things remind me of coconut shrimp, and thus i want to eat all of them!! love your blog!!

    • caitlin April 21, 2010, 5:07 pm

      thank you!

  • Bree April 21, 2010, 5:09 pm

    What a coincidence – I had a tempeh and sweet potato burrito last night. I LOVE the idea of making tempeh sweet – I have only done savory up until now.

  • Rika April 21, 2010, 5:27 pm

    yay puppy pictures!!<3 so adorable. i love everything you catch on camera- oh so beautiful 😀

    and what a yummy, wholesome looking dinner!

  • Amanda (Amanda "runs") April 21, 2010, 5:46 pm

    I love those trees- so pwetty! Your puppiews are adorable too- that goes w/o saying. I love the tempeh- although I don’t think we have that in MD. We wrote letters to ourselves for our retreat and my first line was “You are a strong, wonderful, and powerful woman!” Yay empowerment!

  • Lisa (bakebikeblog) April 21, 2010, 6:02 pm

    I am such a huge fan of the outdoors too. It makes me feel so peaceful 🙂

  • Laura @ Backstage Pass to Health & Happiness April 21, 2010, 6:17 pm

    Great post! I love the photos of the doggies – the one of James peeking out from behind the log is especially cute.

    Tempeh with coconut, mmm!

  • Amy April 21, 2010, 6:21 pm

    That dog park looks awesome! I love the picture of Maggie looking over the log – so cute. We don’t have squirrels here on Okinawa so I don’t know if Rana would chase them (I’m sure she would because she likes anything that moves), but my old dog Christi would chase them non-stop when we lived in Florida. One time when I was walking her on leash with my mom a squirrel ran right in front of her and she grabbed it, I screamed, she dropped it, and the squirrel ran away. That’s the only time she ever caught one. I swear the squirrel practically jumped in her mouth!

  • BroccoliHut April 21, 2010, 6:26 pm

    Ooh! I love maple and coconut on tofu, so I bet it’s awesome on tempeh too. Thanks for the idea!

  • Camille April 21, 2010, 6:39 pm

    The tempeh looks incredible!
    I have never tried it, but I will have to make a point to pick some up on my next shopping trip

  • Jessica @ The Process of Healing April 21, 2010, 7:43 pm

    That sounds delicious! I have never tried tempeh before but that is a good place to start!
    The picture of Maggie peeping over the log is so cute!

  • Carolina John April 21, 2010, 8:27 pm

    what a fun morning! Hope the rest of the day went just as good Caitlin.

  • Christina April 21, 2010, 9:02 pm

    What pretty pictures! I love the one of Maggie behind the log 🙂 They look like they had so much fun.

  • Heather (runningwithsass.com) April 21, 2010, 9:25 pm

    looks fun! I am so leery of bringing my little dogs to a dog park…sassy has been attacked before and almost died!

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) April 22, 2010, 12:04 am

    You even like broccoli – that one usually takes people longer! You have totally learned to love veggies!!!!

  • Marisa April 22, 2010, 1:50 am

    wow that park looks amazing!! We have a dog park here on base (if you want to call an open field w/mud and potholes everywhere a park). But the trails out here in Germany are just as beautiful…my dogs love chasing squirels and rabbits.

  • Kristin (Cook, Bake and Nibble) April 22, 2010, 7:55 am

    This looks amazing! I need to try it! Thanks for the recipe 🙂

    xo
    K

  • Marisa April 22, 2010, 8:27 am

    OMGee, I can’t wait to try the tempeh recipe! Looks sooo good! Thanks for sharing!

  • Julie @savvyeats April 22, 2010, 4:04 pm

    I don’t even like tempeh all that much,but this looks delicious!

  • Tara April 22, 2010, 9:58 pm

    that photo of maggie peeking over the log is TOOOOOO cute!!

    How did you first decide you were comfortable taking your dogs to an off-leash dog park? We’ve had our new dog Maddox for just over a month (he’s 3 years old) and I definitely do not trust him yet off-leash…. maybe I am being paranoid?

    • Caitlin April 22, 2010, 10:07 pm

      I mean, I guess I figure that they can’t really go anywhere (the entire park is fenced in). The dogs aren’t great at recall (OK, they suck) but I don’t think James would ever just sprint away and not stop if I didn’t call. He might not come back right away but like I said, there’s nowhere for them to really go!

  • Adam April 24, 2010, 11:04 pm

    I don’t even like tempeh all that much,but this looks delicious!

  • Brad April 25, 2010, 1:30 am

    wow that park looks amazing!! We have a dog park here on base (if you want to call an open field w/mud and potholes everywhere a park). But the trails out here in Germany are just as beautiful…my dogs love chasing squirels and rabbits.

  • Dave April 25, 2010, 7:39 am

    I mean, I guess I figure that they can’t really go anywhere (the entire park is fenced in). The dogs aren’t great at recall (OK, they suck) but I don’t think James would ever just sprint away and not stop if I didn’t call. He might not come back right away but like I said, there’s nowhere for them to really go!

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