vegan “caramel delights” bites + vegan week 3

Posted on September 30, 2011 by

I cheated this week. I cheated real, real bad.

Migas. One omelette. Creamy, soft, tangy goat cheese. A bowl of ice cream. And a nasty incident with nacho cheese Doritos. I think the cheese and beer pairings last weekend (followed by a vegetarian–but not vegan–brunch at Hickory St. Grill) served as a vegan gateway drug.

Two things make being a vegan college student hard: 1) not having time to cook; and 2) being forced to turn down non-vegan free food. This weekend, I was “tapped in” to Orange Jackets (!!!!!) (!!!!!!!!!), and at the tap-in ceremony, they served cheese and fruit. The next day, I went to an Austin AIDS Walk registration party at Whole Foods, where the aforementioned goat cheese lured me in. It’s hard, y’all. It’s hard to say no to goat cheese.

For Texas I Will ... make vegan desserts that taste like Girl Scout cookies

Nonetheless, I really want to finish this last week off dairy- and egg-free. I’ve got an Orange Jackets tap-in retreat this weekend (!!!!!!!!!!!), so I’m making roasted garlic hummus and these Larabar bites to share with everyone. So either all the other OJs will fall in love with my vegan food, or my garlic breath will scare everyone away and I’ll have it all to myself. WIN-WIN.

These samoas-like treats are simple to make but incredibly delicious. Plus, they’re free of high-fructose corn syrup, trans fats, and preservatives. Much cheaper than Larabars or Girl Scout cookies, too!

Caramel Delites/Samoas Bites. Yields ~8 bites.

1/2 cup dates, packed (be sure to take out the pits!)
2 tablespoons unsweetened, shredded coconut
1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
a pinch of salt
1 tablespoon dark chocolate

Put all the ingredients in the food processor, and pulse until well-blended. Roll into 1-inch balls. Sprinkle with shredded coconut.

Posted in 5 ingredients or less, cookies, dessert, gluten-free, photos, snack, vegan, vegetarian | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

texas craft brewers festival and hickory street grill

Posted on September 26, 2011 by

This Saturday I selflessly* volunteered for the Texas Craft Brewers Festival. Once I  sold tickets for a couple hours, I was chosen** to volunteer at the food/beer pairings. I spent the rest of my afternoon running back and forth between brewers’ tents toting growlers of craft beer, punctuated by lessons in cheese, chocolate, and beer from John Antonelli of Antonelli’s Cheese Shop and Chef Evan from Le Cordon Bleu Austin.
*There may have been a commemorative cup, t-shirt, and a few free beers involved
**Actually, more like “I forcefully requested”

When my designated driver arrived at 7 p.m., I had so much more appreciation for beer than I’d had when he dropped me off at 1 p.m (plus, I was a little tipsy). I chatted with Live Oak’s Chip McElroy about his job responsibilities, which allegedly involve lots of “hookers and blow.” Somehow I doubt it takes more than that to achieve Beer Advocate’s #1 spot on their list of Top Beers in the Southwest (yay, hefeweizen!).

I also got over my fear of stout after Jud Mulherin introduced me to Circle’s Nightlight dry Irish stout. It’s dark and flavorful, but it’s not heavy. It’s surprisingly refreshing, and probably the best beer I tasted at the fest.

The next day, I cured my hangover with a brunch at Hickory Street Grill. I would review it, but when we got there, we realized this is their last brunch ever–they’re closing in a few days so that a developer can build a high rise over the restaurant. So I leave you with one bit of advice: eat local, support small businesses and breweries, and don’t live in a yuppie high rise.

[Now, I know what you're thinking--brunch isn't vegan. Neither is the cheese part of a beer-cheese pairing. I suspended veganism this weekend in favor of vegetarianism. Back to the experiment on Monday.]

Posted in advice, beverage, my life, photos, scenes from the weekend | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

vegan update; tahini sriracha salad dressing

Posted on September 21, 2011 by

Today is the 10th day of my vegan stint (with the exception of that one moment when I accidentally/tipsily ate popcorn from Cornucopia drizzled with milk chocolate). Here is what I have learned so far:

  • Veganism requires planning, which is good. At the beginning of each week, I have to make a bean salad, a big vegan entree, and chopped veggies to have on hand. But sometimes I didn’t, which led to the following discovery…
  • You can find veganism in unexpected places. For example, a dinner at Taco Cabana for $2.50 consists of two black bean and rice tacos with lettuce, tomatoes, pico, and salsa. Other vegan surprises? Oreos. Also Bac-O Bits.
  • It’s not that hard.

It really isn’t. So sometimes I have to have more time to plan/shop for/cook my meals. And I’ve had to turn down some free food. But altogether, cutting out dairy, eggs, and meat has led me to consume healthier whole foods, which to me is more important. Will I be vegan forever and ever amen? No, but I’m considering some sort of negotiation between veganism and vegetarianism for the way I eat after this month. More on that next week.

The last lesson that I’ve learned thus far? Salad. Lots of veg*ns subsist on frankenfood made in factories roll genetically modified soy derivatives and shredded Japanese newspaper (literally) into veggie “hot dogs” or “chik’n patties.” Regardless of whether you’re a vegetarian, vegan, pescetarian, or omnivore, you should be eating mostly plants in their purest form. Which, for me, means big salads with healthy fats (olive oil, nuts, and seeds), protein (beans, tempeh), and leafy greens.

Tahini Sriracha Dressing. My go-to dressing is a great vegan option for taking your salad to the next level. It’s creamy, flavorful, and has a spicy bite. When it chills in the fridge, it gets creamy and thick.

1/2 c. water
1/2 c. tahini paste (in the peanut butter aisle)
1/3 c. apple cider vinegar
3 tbsp. soy sauce or gluten-free tamari
2 tsp. dijon mustard
1 clove of garlic, minced
a squeeze (~2 tsp.) of Sriracha hot sauce, optional

Combine ingredients in a glass mason jar and shake it like a Polaroid picture.

Posted in dip, gluten-free, photos, salad, side dish, vegan, vegetarian | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

reasons to love the the flagship whole foods store

Posted on September 17, 2011 by

[a very eclectic pumpkin patch, fractal-like cauliflowers, a delightful bulk section, my hot bar selection, and two types of kale to plant in the fall garden]

Posted in advice, beans, my life, photos, restaurant review, scenes from the weekend, vegan, vegetable, vegetarian, wordless wednesday | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

top 3 austin vegetarian and vegan restaurants

Posted on September 16, 2011 by

So far, being vegan is pretty great. A more detailed post of the first week is coming soon (after I recover from ACL heatstroke). Until then, take a peek at the best Austin vegetarian/vegan restaurants. These are all places you can take vegans and omnivores alike. Enjoy!

VEGGIE HEAVEN.
Veggie Heaven is mega-cheap, super-delicious veg food. Located on the Drag, it’s hideously decorated and endearing. They’re falun gong activists, and I’m pretty sure much of their profit goes to campaigns against religious persecution. Also, they feed any homeless people that come in, which is really great.
I recommend: The Protein 2000, curry buns, Open Sesame, Lucky Seven

The PROTEIN 2000. click for source.

MOTHER’S CAFE & GARDEN.
The ambiance in Mother’s is incredible. Request to sit in the garden room. Ask for a vat of their cashew tamari dressing–it’s that good. Not vegetarian or vegan? Go anyway. My beef-loving boyfriend and Southern grandma frequent here often (not together) (I think) and they both love it.
I recommend: Garden patch salad with cashew-tamari, peasant’s meal with pinto-bean chili, spicy tempeh enchiladas.

CASA DE LUZ.
Casa de Luz is hippie central. I think they may be not-for-profit (?) and they claim to be macrobiotic (??) and apparently you can volunteer there (???). Don’t be alarmed by the presence of peace-loving yogis, though–this place is delish. For about $12 (I know, a little pricy), you get access to their buffet of vegan food–greens, grains, creamy soups, crunchy salad, and more. You can eat until you feel satisfied and leave knowing that your body is thanking you.
I recommend: going on Thursday or Tuesday. They generally have tacos on Thursday and some Tuesdays they have homemade tamales. Yummm.

 

HONORABLE MENTION: ASTER’S ETHIOPIAN RESTAURANT.
Never had Ethiopian food before? Don’t even know what Ethiopian food is? I didn’t either the first time I ventured into Aster’s. Turns out, it’s a lot like Indian food–spicy, lots of beans and vegetables, and saucy.
I recommend: Azifa (lentil salad),  bedergan (like eggplant dish), fasolia wott (like potato-vegetable curry)

get the lunch buffet and get a little of everything!

What’s your favorite vegetarian/vegan restaurant?

Posted in advice, beans, entree, photos, restaurant review | Tagged , , , , , , | 10 Comments

well, i’m going for it.

Posted on September 10, 2011 by

After months (years?) of deliberation, I’m going to start eating vegan. (For a month, that is.)

mmm plants

Eating vegan is something I’ve wanted to do for a while — not just because it’s better for you and better for the Earth, but also because it will expose me to new tastes and foods. I’ve always been uncomfortable with eating factory-farmed meat, but for the sake of convenience (both for myself and the numerous kind souls/friends/parents/grandparents/boyfriend’s parents/boyfriend’s grandparents who feed me), I haven’t been “vegetarian” since high school.

However, since reading Jonathan Safran Foer’s Eating Animals – which I will return to you someday, Jenny — I’ve realized that convenience isn’t a real excuse for doing things that make me uncomfortable. So as of Monday, I’m trying veganism for a month, to see how energetic and healthy I feel, how hard or easy it is, and if I can maintain a plant-based lifestyle. Feel free to ask me questions, and of course, I’ll share my tips and tricks along the way :)

  

And the first tip/trick is this SUPER easy, really delicious casserole. Throw it together in 10 minutes, let it bake for 20, and you’ll have a nutritious, protein-packed Mexican dinner on the table in no time.

Quick Tamale Pie. Serves 4-5.

3/4 cup polenta (coarse-ground cornmeal)
1 can of pinto beans -OR- 1 8-oz. package of tempeh, crumbled
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1 c. corn, fresh or frozen
1/4 cup cilantro, roughly chopped
1/2 cup salsa
1 teaspoon chipotle powder or chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
salt and pepper to taste

-Preheat oven to 350F.
-In a cast-iron skillet, bring 2 1/2 c. of salted water (or vegetable broth) to a boil.Stir in polenta, and keep stirring periodically until it thickens. When it’s ready, you should be able to stir polenta off the bottom of the skillet and it won’t go back immediately — it should take about 6 minutes to form the “crust.” Spread the polenta evenly around the bottom of the skillet, and take it off the heat.
-In a large bowl combine the rest of the ingredients (including liquid from canned ingredients), and stir well. Or, just pour the ingredients into the skillet on top of the polenta and stir, if you don’t want to dirty up a bowl. Top with nutritional yeast (a vegan B12 supplement that tastes cheesy) or cheese (optional).
-Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes, and another 10 minutes if the onions still look too crunchy. Serve with cilantro and salsa.

tempeh is delicious! 20g protein per serving.

Disclaimer: I don’t want to preach to you, because I’m sure you’ve heard the facts and anecdotes about eating too much/too little meat/soy/dairy/eggs/soylent green over and over again. I prefer to tell you HOW to eat a plant-based diet rather than drill the WHYs into your head repeatedly. I do urge you to educate yourself, though, rather than choosing to remain apathetic and uninformed. Eating Animals is a quick read and covers most of the factory-farming basics.

Posted in advice, beans, casserole, gluten-free, photos, vegan, vegetable, vegetarian | Tagged , , , , , | 14 Comments

the do’s and do-not’s of turning 21

Posted on September 6, 2011 by

Do not start drinking at 1 p.m. on a weekday.

Do not sober up and then start drinking again. You will be tired and have a headache, and then you will become tipsy again.

Do not double-fist free drinks. It is likely that you will spill a little bit of your Mexican martini, and a waitress might giggle at you.

Do celebrate with this pomegranate cosmopolitan.

Do drink it out of a sprinkle-rimmed martini glass.

Pomegranate Cosmopolitan. Yields 1.

1 1/2 oz. vodka
1 oz. pomegranate juice
Juice from half a lime
Ice
1 oz. club soda

Combine the first 4 ingredients in a shaker and shake. Run a lime wedge around the rim of your glass and dip it in sprinkles or sugar. Pour the cosmo into the glass, straining out the ice. Top it off with the club soda. And as always, do find a designated driver when you drink. :)

Posted in 5 ingredients or less, advice, beverage, my life, scenes from the weekend, vegan, vegetarian | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments