Saturday, December 4, 2010

Hello pumpkin.


Tis the season for such things as PUMPKIN cookies, pies, loafs, lattes, candies, ice creams...and, you catch my drift. I found a delectable recipe for VEGAN PUMPKIN PIE (thanks to www.vegetariantimes.com). So incredibly easy you might pee your pants.


The pie should set in the refrigerator over night so it should be made a day in advance.

(Ingredients and instructions directly from vegetarian times but photos are mine)

Ingredients:
  • Crust:
  • 1/2 cup unbleached flour
  • 7 Tbs. whole wheat pastry flour
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. sugar or granulated sugar cane syrup
  • 1/2 tsp. baking powder
  • 3 Tbs. canola oil
  • 3 Tbs. soymilk plus 1/2 tsp. lemon juice
  • 3 to 4 Tbs. water

Filling:
  • 2 cups canned pumpkin
  • 1 cup low-fat soymilk or rice milk
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1/2 Tbs. dark molasses or to taste
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. ground ginger
  • 1/4 tsp. grated nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp. ground allspice

Directions:

  1. 1. Crust: In medium bowl, combine both flours,salt, sugar and baking powder. In small bowl, mix oil and soymilk mixture.

  1. 2. Pour liquid mixture into dry ingredients and mix with a fork until it holds together in a ball. Ifit is too dry, add some water, a little at a time, until dough is moist enough to roll. (If time allows, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.)

  1. 3. Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface with a lightly floured rolling pin forming an11-inch circle. Line a 9-inch pie plate with the dough. Flute or crimp the edges with your fingers or a fork. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to use.

  1. 4. Preheat oven to 425F.

(This is what it looks like before going into the oven. Mixture poured into unbaked crust.)

    1. 5. In large bow
    1. l, mix all remaining ingredients until smooth and blended. Pour into prepared crust and smooth top. Bake 10 minutes.

        1. 6. Reduce oven temperature to 350F; bake until filling is set, about 50 minutes.

  1. (This is after it has been baked. Mine took about 30 minutes. Make sure you check on it regularly by giving the pie pan a shake. If the filling wiggles too much, it has not set yet.)

        1. 7. Set on wire rack to cool, then refrigerate overnight. Top with your choice of dessert topping if desired.

      1. (After sitting in the refrigerator over night.)


I am curious to alter this recipe a little by adding tofutti cream cheese (Whole Foods Market) and even a tad of vanilla extrac
t to give it more of a creamy TASTE. The texture is fantastic and even the taste of original recipe is fantastic but the difference between this recipe and a regular pumpkin pie is that the spices are a bit more prominent in taste in the vegan recipe.
But you know me and my desserts- If I say its good....
..its good :)

Cookie Monster.

My sweet tooth has gotten me into trouble, once again. On a trip to Whole Foods Market during my stay in Washington, my brother and I went a tad overboard on our cookie purchases. He has allergies as well so its fun to experiment with food together.

There are so many options for people living with food allergies now, its wonderful. When I am in the grocery store, I'm 5 years old all over again discovering a new world of treats I once thought I'd never be able to taste again. Not without an allergic reaction at least. Well, here are the solutions!

In this photo (from left to right), we have:




Uncle Eddies: Vegan Trail Mix Cookies
http://www.uncleeddiesvegancookies.com/
(I have found these at Whole Foods Market, Trader Joes and some regular food stores)
Uncle Eddies is a favorite of mine. This brand has delicious cookies. I have tried chocolate chip, oatmeal chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, and peanut butter chocolate chip. They are all great and taste just like regular cookies. The trail mix is an interesting one. Baked with peanuts, sunflower seeds, cranberries and other things you would find in trail mix, its a nice combination of sweet and salty.

Enjoy Life: Soft Baked Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
http://www.enjoylifefoods.com/
(I have found these at Whole Foods Market and some regular food stores)
I have to say that these were a bit of a disappointment. They are eatable, but it's a taste and texture you would have to get used to or learn to appreciate, if you will. The chocolate chips are grainy and it tastes more "vegan" than other cookies I have tried.

(Bagged) Enjoy Life: Soft Baked Chewy Snicker-doodles
http://www.enjoylifefoods.com/
(I have found these at Whole Foods Market and some regular food stores)
Snicker-doodles with a twist. Not as buttery and sugary as your usual snicker-d00dle but hey, anything is tasty with some cinnamon and sugar thrown on it.

Barbara's: Snackimals Chocolate Chip
http://www.barbarasbakery.com/
(I have found these at Whole Foods Market but cereals can be found at Whole Foods Market, Trader Joes and regular food stores)
These are incredibly addicting. Light, crisp and yummy! Better than the animal crackers you grew up with. This brand also has great healthy cereals that are:

  • 100% Natural
  • Dairy Free
  • Low Fat
  • Wheat Free Ingredients
  • Gluten Free (Honey Rice & Multigrain)
  • Cholesterol Free
  • Vegetarian


  • I must note that Uncle Eddies are vegan and it also states this on the package. The other brands are only dairy free and egg free according to the ingredients and are not certified vegan.



    Friday, December 3, 2010

    Vegan never tasted so good.






    MIGHTY-O DONUTS
    2110 North 55th Street
    Seattle, WA 98103
    Phone: (206) 547-0335
    Hours: Mon-Fri 6AM-5PM/ Sat & Sun 7AM-5PM
    www.mightyo.com








    Seattle is home. It will always be. I took a trip back for Thanksgiving and oh, how refreshing it was! A step off of the plane and nostalgia hits along with the cool breeze and crisp air. Fall has definitely arrived in this charming city. The weather can be erie with heavy clouds or a dewy day with the most calming clear sky. There is a spirit in Seattle that is indescribable and irreplaceable. Lush in greenery, it is also filled with wine bars, quaint cafes, art and music. The abundance of diversity is beautiful.


    Being home for the first time since I began my vegan adventure, I of course needed to scope out the vegan scene in Seattle. I was sent a website listing a variety of vegan restaurants. One of the first things to strike my taste buds was a vegan DONUT shop called: MIGHTY-O DONUTS. A gem hidden right next to Greenlake. I convinced my brother Kosal, his girlfriend Shaimaa and my cousin X-tina to go on a field trip with me.


    If you know me well, you know how excited I can get about things. Especially food. Also, you have to understand my love for many things, one being donuts to understand why this was such a big deal! Mighty- O is the FIRST vegan donut shops I have been able to find. Upon arrival, I was bursting at the seams with joy. I snapped a few photos and literally skipped across the street to my destination: MIGHTY-O!





    We opted for a box of one dozen and once we sat down to have a tasting, it was quite difficult to choose which 4 we would all share! Let the salivating begin!.....In the end, the winners were pumpkin, mint chocolate, lemon poppy seed and raspberry chocolate. YUM. We cut the chosen donut cakes into fours so we could sample each flavor. Naturally, I just wanted to stuff the entire box in my mouth.



    I will try to explain the unbelievable experience my mouth had..haha, but these words will not do it justice. Each one almost cake like. Fresh and soft with just the right amount of sweetness and flavor. Nothing was too overwhelming or overpowering. I can't even pick a favorite! You can ask any one of my non-vegan family members who tried them- they DID NOT taste vegan whatsoever. These donuts were probably better than the "real thing." The rest of the flavors included: Peanut butter chocolate, maple bar, chocolate bar, coconut chocolate, sprinkles, and double chocolate....I was not displeased with any.


    I wish the shop was closer to where I live because I would go every single morning! Again, another quaint and cozy shop, friendly staff, clean space, great location, great selection. The selection not only includes donuts but also drinks such as vegan eggnog latte!? Didn't get a chance to have one, but I will when I go back to Seattle for Christmas!

    I highly recommend this place if ever you are in the Seattle area. It is worth the drive and the money (1 dozen: $15.75) and your tummy will be very happy :)



    Taste: *****

    Selection: *****

    Cost: $$

    Staff: *****

    Service: *****

    Dessert: *****




    Wednesday, October 6, 2010

    A little piece of ....Heaven.



    LA VEGAN

    4507 S Centinela Ave

    Los Angeles, CA 90066

    Phone:(310) 574-9888

    Hours:Open Daily 11am- 10pm

    www.laveganthai.com


    I am now officially all moved into my new place. Easier than my last move but still much more work than I had expected. Anyway, on our way to Bakersfield to pick up some things from storage (aka my parents house),

    I was getting in a mood because I was so hungry. Decided to google some vegan places and luckily- one came up. What a treasure it was! LA VEGAN. A thai vegan restaurant, the first I had ever seen. I was over joyed and so was my stomach.



    Their menu is incredible. I mean,

    INCREDIBLE. A variety of thai/asian dishes such as phad thai, orange chicken, different curries, beef and broccoli stir fry to american options such as wraps,

    sandwiches and "chicken dinners." I opted for yellow curry with soy chicken. My mom and nick got phad thai with soy chicken. They have the option of soy fish, soy beef, soy shrimp, soy chicken or tempeh.


    The curry which was served with a bowl of rice was delectable. Same taste as any other curry but more soupy than what my grandma makes. Nothing could ever compare but this was good enough for my deprived taste buds. My large bowl of curry had a generous amount of carrots and potatoes and soy chicken in it as well. The soy chicken was yummy. Different than what I had at The Veggie Grill in terms of texture and taste but still delicious. I would say the texture was less chicken like- softer and a tad chewy- and the taste was on the sweeter side.



    The phad thai flavor was also great. Just not as "phad thai" tasting as what you may get at a regular thai restaurant. But each restaurant has their own recipe for phad thai so its not necessarily due to it being vegan. It came with a side of rice, salad and two curried potato puffs.


    We got dessert for the road. Because I couldn't make up my mind, I ordered the black sticky rice (a classic and a favorite) with fresh ripe mango AND chocolate cake. The black sticky rice was fantastic of course. No complaints, nothing weird or "vegan" about it. The chocolate cake...I have to say I was disappointed. I thought it was going to be an in house cake but it was this scrawny little wrapped up/packaged thing. haha. It tasted great but it was chilled so it was not moist and soft. I was expecting a giant, gooey, extra chocolatey cake. ....for some reason.


    Over-all, I was quite impressed, and so was nick actually. When you have to eat weird things, you have to make yourself like the way a lot of things taste. Appreciate it for what it is I suppose. But he thought everything was amazing and that says something coming from a guy and a guy who can always tell the difference between the "real" thing and the imitator AND a non-vegan/non- allergy person who doesn't have to have a funky diet like myself. It is a very cute and clean place. Our server was unbelievably sweet- great service. The down side is that it is a small restaurant, but if you go there and there happens to be a wait- it is well worth it.



    Taste: *****

    Selection: *****

    Cost: $-$$

    Staff: *****

    Service: *****

    Dessert: ****

    Thursday, September 23, 2010

    My Sojourn in Santa Barbara.

    Sojourner Cafe
    134 E. Canon Perdido Street
    Santa Barbara, CA 93101
    Phone: (805) 965-7922 | Hours: Open 11-11, Sun. 11-10
    www.sojournercafe.com



    One sweet day my cousin and I went to Santa Barbara to visit one of her best friends. I have to say that it was one of the most beautiful drives I've taken in California. No it was not blue skies and sunshine but rather a journey through low and thick fog. SO COOL. When we were along the coast it felt like Pirates of the Caribbean. I don't know, I like that kind of stuff. It was eerie, and beautiful.

    Anyway, we headed to Sojourner Cafe because they had vegan options and that was going to be best for me. (I love the people in my life for being so considerate and openminded!)

    Its a very cute and quaint cafe on a charming street. All organic and A-OK with me. They had a lovely menu that included meals like Chili Tempeh Tacos (Spicy tempeh
    blend in warm corn tortillas with rice, black beans and guac), Golden Indian Dhal (Stewed red lentils, vegetables and spices over wild rice with yogurt and chutney), Curry Chicken Salad (Diced chicken breast, yogurt, currants and coconut served with rice over greens and a side of mango chutney).

    Vegan options include Jumbo Pasta
    Shells (Vegan tofu "ricotta" blend topped with sweet tomato marinara served with steamed veggies and non-dairy garlic toast or the Veggie Stir Fry (Vegetables in special blended soy sauce, jalepenos, ginger, garlic, cilantro and cashews).

    I decided to try the Jumbo Pasta Shells!
    The portion was perfect. It was kind of funny to me because it was literally two JUMBO shells. Not a cup of over-sized pasta shells as I had imagined. Anyway, it was a light, tasty and refreshing meal. Nothing about it resembled ricotta or any type of cheese but thats okay. The marinara was to my liking because most of the time its too sweet or too this and that. The garlic bread- DELICIOUS! Who knew fake butter could be so yummy.

    I opted FOR dessert after my meal. Surprise right? I believe I got a lemon poppy seed buttercream cake served with fresh strawberries. Vegan of course. I ate it all, by myself. Enough said.

    Desserts change daily but some include Vegan Stevia Whole Spelt Cherry Cobbler, Vegan Agave Carob Peanut Butter and Seed Orb, Vegan Maple Pumpkin Bar, Coconut Banana Bread Pudding, Gluten Free Dark Chocolate Cheesecake and much much more! The dessert menu has a key informing you of things such as "ND- No dairy, NE- No eggs, NN- No nuts, NW- No wheat, NS- No soy, B- butter, M- Margarine, CO- Canola Oil, BS- Brown sugar, VS- Vegan sugar, H- honey..and MORE! So incredibly helpful.

    Also, if you are a fan of teas, they have a wonderful selection along with various coffee/espresso beverages, shakes, smoothies, fresh juices, and sparkling juices and water.

    Friendly staff, fairly priced for the most part. Some entrees will be a bit more expensive than others. All in all, I enjoyed my dining experience here and I would definitely have another meal at Sojourner Cafe if ever I am in Santa Barbara again- which I'm sure I will be!

    Taste: *****

    Selection: *****

    Cost: $$

    Staff: *****

    Service: ****

    Dessert: *****