It's a small world

I have to say I find it much easier going vegan now than if I did it, say, 5 years ago.  It used to be when you said you were vegetarian, you basically got a plate of steamed or grilled vegetables.  Ooooh!  What imagination!

But, veganism is becoming much more mainstream that restaurants are starting to accommodate!  It’s not uncommon now to have menus with little wheat or corn symbols denoting items that are vegan or gluten-free.  And the changes are not just at the fancy places like Steve Wynn’s hotel in Las Vegas, but to retail chains such as The Yardhouse.  Here are a few of my favorite finds!

~ Sensi at The Bellagio, Las Vegas ~

I read about this restaurant on “The Vegas Vegan” blog series.  In it, she talked about her three (count them, one, two, three) trips to Sensi in as many nights.  On her last night, the chef had created a vegan risotto off menu, with chanterelle mushrooms, lemon grass, fava beans, English peas, saffron and morrel mushrooms.  As she put it, it was the best risotto she had ever had in her life.  Since writing the review, the general manager, Jason Reiplinger, responded and said that they had received many requests for the famed risotto that they officially made it a menu item.  Well!  I just knew I had to try it!

My friend and great Vegan inspiration, Laura, and I took a road trip one weekend to taste this heavenly wonder and I will say, we were not disappointed.  We started off with the Veg-E-Roll and sugar snap peas, which were perfectly sauteed with basil, garlic, and soy.  Incidentally, our server was great because he went on his own back to the kitchen to verify that our Veg-E-Roll was vegan (which it wasn’t because they add fish sauce, so he had them make it without.)  Then it was time for the piece de resistance!  The risotto was slightly different from the original, with carrots now, sweet peas, fava beans and meyer lemon, but it was every bit as savory I’m sure.  Last, we finished off with a sorbet trio presented to us in an ice-carved conch shell!  Truly amazing!

~ Disneyland ~

My sister and I enjoyed a day at the happiest place on earth.  I had done a little bit of research and learned that they serve a vegan dish at the Blue Bayou.  We enjoyed rice rolls for lunch (recipe on previous post) and then splurged for dinner.  The Portobello Mushroom and Couscous Maque Choux was wonderful!  There was a fluffy bed of roasted corn and bell pepper couscous and then three LARGE portobello mushrooms stacked on top.  The mushrooms were marinated in a balsamic vinaigrette and then broiled.  To finish off the tower was a crown of sauteed spinach.  It was a lot of food that we even had to pack up leftovers!

My sister had brought a mini vegan chocolate cake with her to celebrate my birthday.  The server came out to offer us dessert at that moment and we told him I was vegan.  Instead, I got a “Happy Birthday” pin (which was great because then all the ride operators and shop employees say ‘happy birthday’ to you), but then he said that if we ever go to any of the restaurants in the park, there is always a chef on the premises so they can specially make a vegan dish.  Good advice!

~ The Yardhouse ~

I love how The Yardhouse has started to offer Gardein(TM) “chicken and beef”.  Some of the dishes are still not vegan (i.e. Gardein(TM) (Mac + Cheese)2), but others can be veganized by leaving out the cheese or getting a different dressing.  The boneless wings, chicken rice bowl, beef sliders (minus the bearnaise sauce), just to name a few.  Now, I can eat vegan while still going to a chain restaurant (and not get the dreaded vegetable plate)!

Vegan Living: Korean style!

The 'kimbap' in Korea is like the PB&J of the East.  Business people eat it on the subway on their way to work; moms pack it in school lunches; friends bring it to social gatherings.  And why not?  They're nutritious, they travel well, and hey!  Who doesn't like to eat with their hands?!?

The kimbap consists usually of rice, meat or fish, egg, and a host of veggies all wrapped snuggly in a layer of rice and a seaweed wrap.  But the true beauty of this wonderful food is the diversity.  You can put anything you want inside!  And I mean ANYTHING!  From easily recognizable foods like carrots and cucumbers to the more fanciful pickled burdock root (aka yamagobo or the orange carrot-looking thing at sushi restaurants), the list is endless!  As an extra fun time, set it up like a taco bar and let everyone choose their own filling!

Just a word about seaweed.  While the actual seaweed is vegan, I've learned the process by which they collect the seaweed can often lead to small fish being stuck inside such that the strictest of vegans do consider this to be a non-vegan item.  As such, I found a wonderful soy wrapper substitute by Yamamotoyama.  They come in different flavors (and fun colors!) such as tumeric, paprika and spinach!

Foods I like to use:
Carrots
Spinach: I like it Korean style when it's sauteed with sesame oil, and seasoned with salt, pepper, sesame seeds.
Cucumber
Pickled radish
Pickled burdock root
Red pepper
Enoki mushrooms
Fresh or fried tofu
Sesame leaf: I use these to layer on top of the soy wrapper before I put the rice.  It protects the wrapper from getting soggy from the rice (especially when it's freshly cooked).
Daikon sprouts
Avocado
Asparagus

Once you got your filling, just roll it up like a taquito (I would have said burrito but I didn't want people to fold in the ends).  You can cut it up into little disks or eat it as is!

 

So play with it!  Make it your own!  And tell me your best creations!

Hot Diggity-Dog!

Families have them all the time: mother-daughter day, father-son day, sister day, etc.  But does anyone really have a mommy-doggy day?  Sure, we spend time with our pets, play fetch with them in the park or brush their fur while watching TV.  But how many of us find time to give them our entire day?

I recently logged a lot of hours at work, so I decided to spend the day with my pups.  We started off with a good, healthy walk in the morning then hopped in the car and headed to the recycling center to recycle our bottles and cans.  They were very good sorters!

Now it was off to lunch and I had a great place in mind!  A friend had forwarded me an email from Urban Daddy for a dog-friendly restaurant, Wirtshaus, on Beverly Blvd. and La Brea Blvd. in the Los Angeles/West Hollywood district.  We sat outside on the covered patio and enjoyed the people watching.  We were the only patio patrons; everyone else was inside watching the soccer game (or football since we were technically in a European establishment).  I love this place because they catered to the dogs, bringing them a bowl of water and they even had treats on the menu!

I ordered the vegetarian sausage lunch which included 2 sides for $8.  Great deal!  I added fries and sauerkraut.  The fries were crispy on the outside and sprinkled with sea salt and pepper.  The “sour”-kraut was perfectly matched against the saltiness of the sausage.  Top it all off with a pear cider and I was stuffed! 
 

 

Incidentally, they did have a wide selection of German beers, but since I’m not a beer drinker, I don’t know whether these were vegan or not.

Later, we went home and settled in front of the TV to watch some CSI: Miami.  Mookie has a thing for David Caruso’s character (although he’ll deny it if you ask him), but even that wasn’t enough to keep him awake.  Within 5 minutes, both dogs were OUT and we all took a long nap.

 

I know it’s hard to have pets when you work.  This was one of the reasons why I resisted getting one for so long.  I didn’t think it would be fair with my schedule.  But once I took on the responsibility, I did whatever I could to ensure they were happy, healthy and not neglected.  I have dog-walkers and take them to daycare, plan puppy playdates with friends, but I also know none of it replaces a well-spent day with just the three of us!  I can’t wait to plan our next outing!

Now, if only I can convince my employer to allow “Bring your doggy to work” Day…

Gettin' my kale on

I used to think kale's only purpose was to be a garnish on a salad bar.  It fooled me with it's bitter, tough-looking exterior.  That is, until I learned how to cook with it.  Just a little steam and voila!  It transforms into this happy, bright green flower, its tough edges softened, making it much more palatable to enjoy this nutritionally jam-packed superfood.  Plus, it's healthy, delicious and safe for your canine pals as well!  I knew my dogs LOVED it because not only did they gobble it down, they took it to their hiding place reserved for special treats where they savored every last bite.  So, save a few leaves for them to chomp on!  They'll love you for it!

Mookie under the dining table

Tokki by the couch

After making this recipe for Lemon Tofu, Kale and Rice Medley, it's easy (and delicious) to complete VegNews Bucket List #39: Eat kale daily.

1-1/2 bunches kale, washed, chopped and steamed (the other half I gave to my pups!)

1- 10 oz package firm tofu, cut into cubes

2- 10 oz packages of Trader Joe's Rice Medley (in frozen section)

Olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced

1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tsp red chili oil (usually found in Asian supermarkets)

Zest and juice of one lemon
Salt and pepper to taste

 (You can mix it up by adding mushrooms or carrots.  Oooh... how 'bout some roasted brussel sprouts?)

Cook rice medley according to package instructions (I just microwaved mine, but you can heat it on the stove top.)

In a saute pan, heat 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil.  Pan fry tofu until browned.  Toss occasionally to brown all sides.  Add a tablespoon more of olive oil and add garlic.  Add cooked kale and rice.  Add red pepper flakes, chili oil, lemon juice and salt & pepper (Adjust to taste.  I prefer mine spicier, but there are those out there that can't take the heat!)  Toss the mixture around to "meld" all the flavors together (but don't cook too long or the kale will get a dull color).  Remove from heat.

Pour into serving bowl.  Garnish with lemon zest.  Enjoy!

I say po-ta-to, You say po-tah-to

I introduced a friend to Native Foods yesterday.  It's one of my favorite places: it's conveniently near work, they're vegan, and they have a rewards program!  I love the Baja Surf Tacos, the Reuben sandwich (or feuben as my friends call it) and the Oklahoma Bacon Cheeseburger (the only thing that could make this burger any better would be to add onion rings).

I remember the first time I went there with a co-worker.  This was our conversation:

Him: (takes a bite of the Twister Wrap) Wow, this is good.

Me: Isn't it?  Mine taste just like fish tacos!

Him: What's it made of?

Me: Well, there are different things, pea proteins, soy, but there's also tempeh and seitan.

Him: And what's this?

Me: Sweet potato fry.

Him: What's it made of?

Me: Ummm... Sweet potatoes.

It hit me just then how people must assume that all vegan food is "fake" and something ordinary like a sweet potato fry can't in fact be a sweet potato.  I admit, yes, the chicken is not chicken and the fish is not fish.  But they are made of nutritious ingredients like vital wheat gluten and soy, for instance.  Plus, you get that little boost of feel-goodness knowing no animals were harmed in the process.  And as an extra bonus, as my friend put it, "I can at the whole burger AND fries and not feel guilty!"  And eat it WE DID!

Chili Cheese Fries

Oklahoma Bacon Cheeseburger w/ fried pickles!

Baja Surf Tacos

Blueberry Cheesecake

An Invitation





One of the first pieces of advice I received when I started this blog series was "Join http://www.blogher.com/."  I did and I was completely amazed at the breadth and depth of intelligent, savvy women sharing their ideas, thoughts or events.  I was immediately drawn to one:

"Food Bloggers Make Peanut Butter Pie to Support, Remember" by Genie Gratto.  It had everything: love & loss, marriage & family, human kindness, and most of all, a decadent recipe.  A fellow food blogger, Jennifer Perillo, lost her husband suddenly.  In her most recent blog, she asked readers to honor Mikey's memory and bake his favorite pie for someone they love.  I didn't know Jennifer or her husband, but I was so moved by the outpouring of support she received from fellow bloggers and strangers alike that I went on facebook and RSVP'd for this wonderful event.

And then the researching began to make the veganized version of course.  Things like butter and cream cheese were easy; I had been doing that since day 1.  Heavy cream and condensed milk, though, were a little trickier in my mind ('til now, I just avoided those recipes altogether).  But I was determined to be part of the movement.

First, a special thank you to Jenny Engel of Sporkfoods for helping me with some of the substitutions and proportions.  Second, to all my friends not able to enjoy this in person, here is a piece for you.  Know that it was made with love and comes with my utmost gratitude: Thank you for being a friend.

8 oz Jovial crispy cocoa cookies

4 tbsp Earth balance butter, melted (you made need an extra tablespoon or two if your cookie mixture is too dry or it won't stay up on the sides of the pan)

1/4 cup roasted & unsalted peanuts, chopped

4 oz Enjoy Life semi-sweet chocolate chips

16 oz Tofutti cream cheese

1-1/2 cup peanut butter, creamy style (I used one that was just peanuts, no added sugar and salt)

1 cup powdered sugar

1 cup Mimiccreme

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp lemon juice

Optional: nuts, chocolate chips, Soyatoo soy whip topping

Grind cookies in a food processor until fine.  Transfer to bowl.  Pour in butter and mix with fork until well combined.  Pour mixture into 9-in springform pan and press into bottom and sides (1 inch).  Sprinkle peanuts on bottom.  Melt chocolate chips in double boiler and pour over peanuts.  With spatula, spread chocolate to edges.  This actually was a difficult step because the chocolate would pull up the cookie crumbs on the bottom of the pan.  It worked best to use the tip of a knife to move things around vs. the large spatula.  Place crust in refrigerator while you prepare the filling.

For the filling, combine the cream cheese (I set mine out at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes so that it would be easier to cream together) and peanut butter in a large bowl and beat together until creamy.  Once smooth, gradually beat in powdered sugar.  Pour in mimicreme and beat until combined.  Last, add vanilla and lemon juice and mix.

Pour into prepared pan and allow the pie to set overnight.

Garnish with soy whipped topping, chocolate drizzle and peanuts, if desired.

P.S. Here is the link to the original recipe as posted on Jennifer's blog.  It brought tears to my eyes.

The beginning...

My journey to become vegan started (unknowingly) 2 years, 3 months and 16 days ago.  It was this day that I met my little boy, Mookie!  Never having pets, I liked my life the way it was: clean, orderly, fur-less.  But the second I held him and he licked my hand, I knew my life would never be the same.

As he grew, I learned about responsible ownership as well as all the social issues surrounding pets, from puppy mills and backyard breeders to the cruelty of dog-fighting (I don't think I would have had as strong of an opinion of Michael Vick pre-Mookie).  So, I knew my next dog would definitely be a rescue.  I found little Tokki at "Happy Angels Rescue."  She had previously been abandoned, was flea-infested and had a skin condition.  One look at her sad eyes, I wanted to take her home and give her everything I could.  So, on Halloween of 2010, we officially became of happy family of 3.

Flash-forward two more months, my friend announced her plans of going vegan.  Having been vegetarian for 19 years, this was a natural progression for her.  Me?  A full-time carnivore? Not so much.  I always had visions of what I thought "veganism" meant: copious amounts of vegetables, fake meats, the deprivation of wonderfully rich ooey gooey goodness.  But I realized that if I was truly the dog-lover I claimed to be, I needed to have compassion to save the animals as well.  Not to mention that I know my personality and I am never one to back away from a challenge.  So I said, "So am I!"

Bringing Tokki home

I got on google right away, bought cookbooks, got rid of all my non-vegan staples in the household and January 3rd, I became vegan.  I have had a great time experimenting with my favorite recipes, finding substitutes for meat and cheese, etc.  I will say, vegan cheese certainly has come a long way!  And though it has not always been easy or delicious, I have found great benefits of my new lifestyle from weight loss to saving money and meeting new friends.  Not to mention, the animals I have spared.


I will admit that I am not perfect and there are days when I fall off the wagon.  But this is not a race; it's a long journey.


So, here is a salute to all those who have taught me about the joys of canine companionship and the yumminess of vegan cooking.  I hope my posts will enlighten and inspire others to join the journey.

P.S.  Tokki is my VegNews Bucket List #87: Rescue a companion animal.