Posts Tagged ‘coffee’

The last of the travels

Wednesday, February 18th, 2009
In Nashville we got to meet up with a couple of people from the PPK for brunch at Fido. It was super-fun and yummy, although I didn’t manage to get any pictures of my food (sorry!).

Here’s the adorable Annieeggplant, who was kind enough to grace us with her awesome presence:


And of course, what would a trip to Nashville be without a visit with the fabulous johnp? Here he is holding the famous little blue monster made by pandacookie:


Thanks so much to John for organizing such a fun get-together! It was really great meeting you two!

After Nashville we wound up driving to Asheville NC, you know, just for fun. After just a little searching online we found this fantastic place called The Green Sage:


I opted for a soy latte:


And this enormous brunch plate with scrambled tofu, sweet potato home fries, vegan sausage, a giant vegan biscuit(!) and Earth Balance. Holy yum, this was good.

 


It was freezing out, so after we finished eating brunch we decided to stick around in the warmth for a bit longer and indulge in a little Earl Grey tea. They had soy milk, rice milk, agave and stevia on the condiment bar! I love Asheville.


That’s it for our trip out east. Last week The Brit and I went to TX to visit the grandparents, so of course a visit to Spiral Diner was in order. The Brit and I each ordered a sandwich and split them, so we could both try a couple of things.

We got the Meatball Sub:


And the Chopped BBQ Seitan:


We both agreed that the BBQ Seitan sandwich was better, but we managed to finish them both anyway :)  After lunch I ordered an almond milk latte with vanilla syrup. It was soooo good.

Check out that foam:


Of course, I couldn’t leave without dessert. We ordered the ‘Deathstar Sundae’, which was a warm brownie with homemade vanilla ‘i-scream’ and soy whipped cream, with a shot of espresso on the side to pour over the whole thing. The Brit didn’t really like it (he’s not much of a sweets person), so I had to eat most of it. Such a sacrifice, right?


Overall, this visit to Spiral Diner went over with The Brit much better than last time, and that in itself made me happier than the food did. Well, almost.

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Lazy afternoon

Thursday, May 15th, 2008
I went to another cake club meeting Tuesday night, this time accompanied by the lovely and talented Bianca (of Vegan Crunk). We got to play with my airbrush, which I only recently purchased a replacement compressor for. I bought the airbrush system about a year and a half ago, but after just a couple of months my compressor didn’t feel it could go on, and it jumped off my kitchen counter to an untimely demise.

I attempted to airbrush a fairy, but it turned out a bit… special needs. Bianca created a bunch of grapes and a rainbow, which were infinitely better than my broad-shouldered amputee fairy. We were going to bring the pictures home and put them on our fridges (or at very least take pictures and post them on our blogs), but they got thrown away without our consent. So, no pictures. I guess not everyone could appreciate the true artistic talent that went into them.

Also, my hands are still multi-colored.

I don’t have a lot to share in the way of food, but hopefully some more interesting meals are coming up soon (hint: I made my first seitan!). In the meantime, I’ll show you what I had for breakfast. It’s oatmeal made with soy milk instead of water, a mashed up banana and a spoonful of Dark Chocolate Dreams chocolate peanut butter, all mixed up together. So good.


Right now I’m at Quetzal, a little internet cafe in midtown. They serve coffee during the day, and alcohol at night. I think that’s the basic gist anyway – this is actually my first time here. It’s got a funky feel to it though, and the servers are super-nice. I’m sitting in one of the comfy chairs in the back, near the open double-doors. There is a nice breeze blowing through, giving the place a fresh and open feel – which is helped along by the tall vaulted ceiling and large sky light.
 



I ordered my latte at the counter and was told to go ahead and have a seat – they would bring it to me. I suppose it’s a bar-style tab system, encouraging people to drink as much as they would like before paying at the end. My drink came out and it was perfect. It’s not easy to steam soy properly – too hot and it tastes scorched, and soy foam is hard to achieve. This latte couldn’t have been better. A step up from my usual Starbucks, I have to say.

I only wish I lived closer to this place – and all the cool little places this city has to offer.

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VietNOM NOM NOMese

Sunday, May 11th, 2008
I’ve tried to kick the coffee habit. I really have… but it’s so HARD.


Yesterday I went out with some fellow veggies to Pho Hoa Binh, a local Vietnamese restaurant. I had never been there before, but I will definitely be back. It was so. good.

We started off with spring rolls, which were HUGE. Filled with fried tofu, lettuce, tomato and vermicelli, served with a yummy peanut dipping sauce. I could just order a few of these and make a meal of them.



The food came out ‘family style’, which was awesome because everyone got to taste everyone else’s dish. This was especially good since I was a little creeped out by my choice – Hunan Wheat Gluten. I should have known better when the server described it as ‘imitation duck’, but I ordered it anyway. It was kind of chewy, and very meat-like. Eerily so. The flavor was good, but something about the texture kind of made me uncomfortable (I should have listened to Bianca and ordered the tofu – that’s what I get for being insolent).


Bianca from Vegan Crunk had this awesome tofu and mushroom dish. The sauce made the dish, really… so good.


Amberlyn ordered the Veggie Delight – yummy steamed veggies including bok choy, carrots, mushrooms, water chestnuts (I think?) among other things I don’t remember.


Leslie ordered what turned out to be my favorite dish – the Lemongrass Tofu. I don’t know what’s in this, but it’s basically just a bunch of yummy fried tofu in a yummy seasoning. Not exactly healthy, but damn tasty. Plus, Leslie let me take some home for leftovers (thanks, girl!).


Vaughan had a really tasty Snow Pea and Mushroom dish, but my picture turned out all blurry so you’ll just have to imagine that one. Sorry. All in all it was an awesome meal, and a good time was had by all.

Last, I leave you with a recipe! I made mock tuna salad again, and this time I actually recorded what I put in. It’s a good thing, too, because this time it turned out even yummier than last time.


Poopiebitch’s Vegan Tuna Salad:

  • 2 cans chickpeas, rinsed and drained
  • 2 sheets nori, toasted
  • 1 tsp kelp powder
  • scant ½ cup Vegenaise
  • ¼ cup + 1 TBS prepared mustard
  • ½ cup minced red onion
  • ½ cup minced celery
  • ½ cup Wickles relish (or other pickle relish)
  • 1 TBS nooch (nutritional yeast)
  • 1 TBS Bragg Liquid Aminos (or tamari or soy sauce)
  • 1 tsp garlic salt
  • ½ tsp celery seed
  • salt and pepper to taste

Rinse chickpeas well and set aside to drain. Toast nori and pulse in food processor until no large pieces remain. Add chickpeas and pulse until mushy but not smooth – careful not to over process, we’re looking for a little texture, not pureed into a paste.

Transfer the mixture to a bowl and add remaining ingredients. Mix well and check for seasoning. It is better the next day so make it in advance and resist the urge to eat it all the first day if possible. If you make it the day you plan to eat it, at least give it a couple of hours to chill through as it really improves the flavor.
This recipe does make a lot (which I recommend because you will want a lot, but it can easily be halved if you prefer). My favorite way to eat it is on Whole Wheat Ritz crackers, but it’s good as a dip for veggies and on sandwiches too.

 

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