Fakin' Fest, Take 2

Last weekend I attended Portland's second annual Fakin' Fest, a really fun potluck that did double duty as a fundraiser for Out to Pasture Sanctuary. For the first time (it seems) this summer, the sun came out and we were able to spread blankets on grass without getting muddy.

I contributed a kabocha squash and tempeh bacon risotto, adapted from this recipe. The tempeh bacon flavor mellowed out after I mixed it in with the risotto, but the flavors really worked well together. Kabocha squash was a last minute substitution as my normally reliable Fred Meyer didn't have butternut squash and it was a fantastic choice. Every last bit was consumed, which is awesome since I doubled the recipe and had a million more servings at home.

Some of the other tasty dishes:

 These cute little toasts won best dish!

 Quesadillas in the back, smoky tofu cubes in the front.

This strawberry cupcake won best presentation, obviously.

Jess' assortment of carrot, coconut and eggplant bacon.

The festival also featured a haiku contest. Feeling bold, I wrote one at the last minute and read it out loud to the crowd. It wasn't a winner, but hey, I got up! In front of people! And talked!

Fakin is for us

Lots of veg food and friends who

share my salty tastes.