The Trendy Vegan

Cherry on Top!

2013-05-18T17:27:00.000-07:00

Wild Cherries

I love cherries! The color, the flavor, the versatility…and though it probably seems obvious, they are really good for you. Here are two interesting and lesser known reasons why:

Tart cherries can help reduce that spare tire! Something in that little nugget of flavor can actually help counteract the fats in your diet (though I wouldn’t exactly consider it your weight loss plan!) They also help to lower blood cholesterol levels.


Bing Cherries

Rainier Cherry Branch

You know that muscle soreness the day after a great workout? Some studies show that a serving of tart cherries, or even their juice, can help reduce muscle inflammation. Don’t wait for the pain though ~ have the cherries post-workout before that stiffness kicks in!

There are many different kinds of cherries from which you can choose. Bing cherries, perhaps the most common, can be any range of color from dark red to nearly black. They are most easy to find and best enjoyed raw. Rainier cherries are golden, lamberts and heart-shaped and dark, and Royal Ann are the ones used to make maraschino cherries – you know, the ones you find in Shirley Temples! Montmorency cherries are sour and morellos are used to make liqueur. If you choose to bake with either of those varieties, be sure to add sugar…they may just be too tart on their own!

Ripe Sour Cherries

Eating OutSide ...and Wonderful Greek Fare!

2013-05-17T12:12:00.001-07:00

I happen to love Greek food so when my cousin was performing in a concert in Stamford, Connecticut, I suggested that my husband and I meet my parents at EOS on Summer Street downtown beforehand. In fact, I had a business meeting in Stamford yesterday and was having lunch with a friend afterward so I quickly suggested we dine there as well. EOS sits on a main road but it was 80 degrees, so while it has a pretty interior, with weather like that I'll sit outside nearly anywhere!

EOS has something for everyone, for vegans and non-vegans alike, however, I cannot resist ordering their hummus. It is so incredibly fresh and light it's almost a sin to share, and though they offer both whole wheat and regular pita, they willingly serve it with sliced cukes as well if you prefer to go gluten-free.

The vegetable sides and potatoes are all cooked perfectly - not too much oil, and definitely not over-salted...I hate when people over salt vegetables and think they are adding flavor! Yesterday my friend and I shared the dandelion greens ~ a nice alternative to spinach or kale ~ and a romaine salad with dill and sliced scallions in a light, lemon vinaigrette.

my cute parents :-)

Even with the pita, it was a light, protein-filled, green meal and really, what's better on a gorgeous, nearly summer day? We each had a glass of wine too as they boast a variety of Greek wines which, despite some skepticism, are actually quite good. I don't normally have wine with lunch but trust me, I earned it this week, and coupled with fun conversation, it all made for a terrific lunch!

There are lots of great places to dine in Stamford so I'll be sure to share some more. If you have a place you'd like me to write up, just let me know!

Cozy At-Home Dining

2013-05-13T06:53:00.002-07:00

This past Saturday night was one of those mellow, hang out with good friends and cook dinner at home with the kids nights. That mix included one vegan (me), one vegetarian, and 3 carnivores. Guess which part of the dinner I took care of?

First I got to work on the salad. I saw some gorgeous kale and a container of radish & clover sprouts at Whole Foods, so I decided to toss together 1/2 cup of the sprouts, 3 cups of chopped kale, 3/4 cup of cannelini beans and 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts. I dressed them in a couple of tablespoons of peanut oil and 1/2 cup of balsamic vinegar (but adjust to your taste!)

Once that was done I moved on to my next dish - inspired by a different aisle at Whole Foods. I had come across organic lentils and green peas and got creative. I chopped half of a yellow onion and tossed it into a large saute pan with extra virgin olive oil and some kosher salt. When that started to turn golden brown, I added 1 cup of cherry tomatoes I had quartered and cooked them until they were nicely wilted.

Into that mixture I added half a can of seasoned organic brown rice & green lentils, half a can of green peas, and half a can of brown lentils. Simmer that until warmed all the way through and it is ready to serve. It was so hearty, so simple and so delicious ~ even some of those meat-eaters liked it!

My last dish was my new go-to cauliflower dish. I make it weekly now and could eat it even more often!

It's so easy - chop 2 heads of cauliflower into large bite sized pieces, discarding the bulky part of the stem. Put all of that into a gallon ziploc bag and add 1.5 TBSP sugar, 1 TBSP onion powder, 2 tsp kosher salt, 1 TBSP paprika, 2 tsp garlic powder, and enough extra virgin olive oil to help well-coat the cauliflower. This time I also added 2 TBSP of fresh, roughly chopped flat-leaf parsley. Once well combined, place the vegetables in a pyrex baking dish and roast at 450 degrees. Stir every 5 minutes but let the cauliflower cook until browning and tender. It's addicting...I'm telling you! Enjoy! By the way...they make great leftovers...

Swag Bag for Mom!

2013-05-09T10:11:00.002-07:00

I stopped into Whole Body this morning on my way to the office. If you aren't sure what that is, it is Whole Foods marketplace for health care products. Shampoo, soap, supplements, cosmetics, some fitness accessories...things like that. I just love Giovanni brand hair products, and they carry them there, including a great brunette color stay shampoo I wanted to try.

When I checked out I was handed a swag bag! "Happy mother's day" the cashier said. Forget that it was presented in a cute little reusable bag made from 100% recycled plastic bottles, but you cannot imagine the goodies I found inside:

First, there was a Threads for Thought tank top ~ who doesn't love sustainable apparel? Yes, I will be wearing that to Soul Cycle Monday...

Then I discovered a million samples...ok, not literally but this is simply HALF of what was in that little treasure chest!

Giovanni Hair Care samples
Jurlique Radiance Serum (to help even skin tone in 30 days)
Cinnamon Force Tablets (to help maintain blood sugar levels)
Nugo Vegan Protein Bar
100 Calorie Raw Revolution Snack
Rose Hydrosol Face Cleanser
Pacifica French Lilac Body Butter
Kiss My Face Kids Toothpaste
Alaffia Neem & Shea Butter Skin Recovery Face Cream
Bio-Strath Natural Stress & Fatigue Liquid Drops (I can use a good fatigue formula!)
Hyaluronic Hydrating & Cleansing Mask
Weleda Pomegranate Regenerating Hand Cream

If you have a Whole Body near you, I'd think of a good reason to pop in there before Sunday. This stash will last me quite some time!

Happy Mother's Day to all of you reading this,
Yonni

Crunch!

2013-05-08T06:10:00.001-07:00

Taking care of your body is so important. Whether you love to run in Central Park, hit Soul Cycle, frequent Exhale or Equinox, lift weights...we all know the value of physical fitness.

Taking care of your body from the inside is critical too - garbage in is garbage out! The founders of Body Fuel Nutritionals (www.bodyfuelnutrionals.com) have created a perfect product to support a healthy lifestyle - CRUNCH.

CRUNCH can be enjoyed as a cereal (I love it with almond or coconut milk), on top of non-dairy yogurt (even the frozen kind makes a nice pairing), or as a great midday snack. CRUNCH is made from only the best ingredients - packed with protein and superfoods to help truly fuel your day. Though baked, it starts with raw almonds, cashews, walnuts, pepitas (pumpkin seeds), sunflower seeds and flax seeds, chia seeds and oats and is sweetened only with organic agave, dried cranberries, golden raisins and unsweetened coconut.

CRUNCH debuted at the Armory, Piers 92 & 94, and at The George Washington Food Expo in April, all to rave reviews! It is now on sale at Baked by Butterfield, Butterfield Market, and now the AOL cafe on a regular basis. Orders can be placed by emailing info@bodyfuelnutritionals.com.

The Trendy Vegan Weekly!

2013-05-02T09:53:00.000-07:00

This week's issue of The Trendy Vegan digest is here!

http://bit.ly/Pnt5jO

Have a great day!

Sticky Fingers

2013-04-30T10:42:00.000-07:00

I love blogging...it's a great way to share experiences and, let's be honest, also sample some amazing vegan food.

Well, on that note I just had the BEST brownie I have ever eaten in my entire life. My son and I were fighting (ok, not really fighting but...) over the last bite! He could not believe vegan baking could be quite so amazing...nor could my non-vegan guests who sampled them for dessert this weekend.

Those gooey, decadent, chocolate goodies were from Sticky Fingers Bakery in Washington, DC.

"Sticky Fingers is the food-child of Doron Petersan, junk-foodie genius. Living the life as an Italian-Jew from New York-turned-vegan was ever so challenging. Craving traditional guilt laden foods, she was determined to unlock the secrets of creating their animal-free counterparts for everyone to enjoy. With a degree in nutrition and food science, Doron brought memories of favorite treats to vegan reality."

Sticky Fingers is described as a place to relax, enjoy "an organic cup o'joe, a grilled Daiya cheese sandwich and a chocolate chip cookie...a brunch of biscuits and gravy that will show-up any southerner" is also one of it's trademarks! They also have soups, sandwiches and salads and a catering menu to boot...if I lived in DC I'd be there all the time (and I'd have to go to the gym even more often because those Cowvin cookies of theirs are vegan oatmeal cookie sandwiches which would become wildly addicting...)

"Taste is the first and foremost priority. Making vegan sweets and eats which are healthier than the non-vegan counterparts, but just as tasty, is our mission. If we won’t eat it, neither will you. So far, we seem to be getting it right. After 10 years in the making, we are growing strong and setting the bar for all vegan bakeries and cafes."

So go there, order online, do something...and tell Doron I sent you!

The Trendy Vegan Weekly is out!

2013-04-25T10:59:00.000-07:00

Enjoy the latest issue of The Trendy Vegan weekly digest! http://bit.ly/Pnt5jO

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Detox & Juicing

2013-04-23T08:26:00.000-07:00

“Detox” and “juicing” are certainly buzz words these days, as so many of us are looking to live healthier lifestyles and find ways to compensate for those days (or weeks or months) when we haven’t been trying as hard as we could be.

Cucumber, celery & apple juice

The premise behind detoxing is that your body accumulates toxins, chemicals and other poisonous compounds over the course of your life. Detoxing, or eliminating unhealthy foods from your meal plan, gives your body a chance to cleanse and refresh itself.
One of the most important parts of any diet, detox or otherwise, is water. The old adage about 8 glasses of water a day holds true – and diet soda, caffeinated tea and any kind of coffee are not substitutes for water itself.

Cold-Pressed Juices at Butterfield Market

Drinking vegetable juices, especially the cold-pressed kind sold at Butterfield Market in NYC, are also important elements of your detox program. By pressing them, versus pureeing them in a blender, you keep more of the nutrients, vitamins and beneficial enzymes in tact.

If you haven’t tried these juices before you might be skeptical, and I know the green ones in particular make potential customers more nervous than the sweeter, fruit-based drinks, but if you consider that health authorities maintain that we need 6-8 servings of fruits and vegetables a day, isn’t sipping some easier and less time consuming than sitting down to a big salad on some days? Kale has a quirky texture, fennel has a bite, and celery is watery, but when combined with other ingredients like carrot or parsley, ginger or spinach, even a little green apple or lemon juice, these ingredients take on a whole new flavor profile.

Green Goddess Juice from Butterfield Market

Additionally, drinking the vegetables in this form helps you absorb all of their great benefits more easily. Now usually these drinks do not contain protein, so while these can work as a meal replacement, to fully satiate yourself, you may choose to use them as a supplement instead and add some of your favorite plant-based or lean protein on the side. This is surely not to say don’t enjoy your salads! But if you are looking for something different, and for those of you always on the run, give juicing a try. Butterfield Market has plenty of options from which to choose and they are made fresh so you know the quality is always the best!

Boston - How We Can Help

2013-04-17T07:44:00.001-07:00

I woke up this morning thinking about Boston, as I know so many did as well. My sister and some of my closest friends live there, and I spend a good deal of time visiting, as recently as one week ago. Walking along Newbury and Boylston, shopping at Copley or the Pru, eating in great restaurants, enjoying the museums... At first it felt like a frivolous thing to write about where I most recently enjoyed a vegan meal, but then I logged onto twitter and found this great piece by Naomi Kooker for Zagat about the onefundboston.com. Mayor Menino has found a way to engage the spirit of the city, and to do so around food. After all, breaking bread always brings people closer together, so I wanted to share.

Boston is an amazing city with wonderful people and an incredible spirit, not easily broken. If you want to find a way to help, read below to see what you might be able to do if you live nearby, or contact The Greg Hill Foundation to see what you can do from afar.

By Naomi Kooker

The Greater Boston restaurant community is banding together to support the victims of the Boston Marathon tragedy and all the volunteers, first responders and workers involved in the aftermath. Places to donate and ways people can help are pouring in. Mayor Thomas Menino has established onefundboston.com, where people can donate to help the victims of the Boston Marathon tragedy.

We've updated our list of restaurants that remain closed in the crime-scene area (the Copley T station will remained closed today until further notice). Meanwhile, those on the periphery that are open include Post 390, Flour Bakery + Cafe and restaurants on Newbury Street.

One way we can all help is by going out to eat: there’s a growing by-the-minute list of restaurants across Greater Boston and beyond that will donate 10% to 25% of their dinnertime sales tonight, April 17, to the victims of the tragedy. The donations will be collected and made through The Greg Hill Foundation, a local nonprofit whose express purpose is to respond to the immediate needs of families touched by tragedy.

“All of the donations will go directly to the families,” said Greg Hill, the longtime on-air personality of WAAF in Boston, in a statement. “There is no red tape, and we can give the donations out immediately.”

There are more than 50 restaurants on the list, including 62 Restaurant & Wine Bar, Bella Luna Restaurant & Milky Way Lounge, Blue on Highland, Bondir, Cafeteria, China Blossom, Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse, Grafton Street, Grill 23, Harvest, Olé Mexican Grill, Park Restaurant & Bar, Piattini Wine Café, Post 390, Ristorante Olivio,Russell House Tavern, Salvatore’s Restaurants, Temple Bar, and Tryst Restaurant, and Tuscan Kitchen in Salem, NH. If other restaurants wish to join the effort, they can contact the foundation at:adam@fmpproductions.com. We'll be updating the list throughout the day.

Meanwhile, restaurants in the crime-scene area that remain closed on Wednesday, April 17, until further notice include:
Abe & Louie’s (Boylston Street)
Asana (Boylston Street)
Boloco (Boylston Street location only)
Café 939 (Boylston Street)
City Bar (Boylston Street location only)
Forum (Boylston Street)
L’Espalier (Boylston Street)
Parish Café (Boylston Street only)
Pavement Coffeehouse (all locations)
Pour House (Boylston Street)
Rattlesnake Bar (Boylston Street)
Skipjack’s (Clarendon Street location only)
Solas Irish Pub (Boylston Street)
Tasti D-Lite Boston (Newbury Street location only)

Information from Boston Restaurant Talk was used in this post and updated by Zagat.

In addition, the city of Boston has ordered that food truck sites #1 and #2 stay closed today, however, #3 and #4 are open. These Back Bay locations are @Boylston, @Clarendon, @Stuart Street and @Belvidere.

Vegan Kickstarter Campaign

2013-04-16T06:13:00.001-07:00

Hey everyone ~

You know me and shoes...and these are funky and vegan so seriously, how can I not be excited?

Krze vegan footwear is on kickstarter - Here is the link to the campaign if you can help them out:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/426801049/krze-studio-exclusive-vegan-footwear-collection

They have 5 days to go, $15000 yet to raise to put the first collection for Fall 2013 into production.
Krže Studio: Exclusive Vegan Footwear Collection

Footwear and Accessories of the Now. Born in Los Angeles.

Made in Italy.

Pure Vegan.

Girl's Night Out ~ The Smith

2013-04-15T10:52:00.003-07:00

For nearly a year now my friend has been telling me about The Smith. It's a hot spot in NYC with a great bar scene and really good American fare. Last Thursday night I finally got to check it out for myself.

We went to the location in Midtown East (965 Second Avenue at 51st), arriving around 7pm I guess? It's a cool, somewhat sterile looking place - big windows, white walls, lots of glass and a mirrored backsplash with a dark ceiling. But the bathrooms? It's the opposite really. Very red light district - literally. There is one hallway with unisex stalls, marked by a red light if taken, opposite a line of sinks, and a photo booth right there in case you want to snap some quick shots after touching up your lip gloss! Could make for some confusion down there, and I'm sure some fun too.

We managed to get two stools at the bar, and were kind enough to an elderly gentleman who was getting ready to leave (and only too happy for the company) to snag another as he left, since 3 others were joining us. Thankfully, getting drinks and snacks were easier than a seat since my friend knew all the bartenders!

The drink list, as you might imagine, was long, and just like I enjoying varying where I eat, I also enjoy experimenting with new cocktails too. Bourbon is all the craze these days so I ordered the Hungry Teacher - bourbon, fresh mint, lemon and lime. Whoa! Totally not a drink for the faint of heart, but I did have a second before the night was through :-)

The menu was just as long as the drink list, and less accommodating for a vegan than I initially thought but it worked nonetheless. The beer battered string beans had egg in the batter and the pretzels did too, and the artichoke for the flatbread was pre-mixed with ricotta, but the house made chips were great (no cheese fondue for me) and the french fries were like the kind I love that you get on the boardwalk in the summer. I know, quite a healthy meal so far, right? Well, there were salads and vegetable sides too but I couldn't figure out if we were staying at the bar or sitting at a table or standing in our places, so these were good places to begin (and it's all about moderation after all...)

What I did order for an entree was SO good - the vegetarian bibimbop - a steaming hot Korean dish with seasoned rice, mushrooms and pickled, shredded veggies (once again, it called for egg, but I was able to leave it out.) It was delicious! Seriously steaming hot but bursting with flavor and, since I was staying in the city over night, the leftovers made for a good late night snack.

If you're looking for a fun night, a lively crowd and good, quality, American fare, visit The Smith. If the midtown location doesn't suit you, try them at 1900 Broadway at 63rd (across from Lincoln Center) or 55 3rd Avenue between 10th and 11th.

The Trendy Vegan Weekly is Here!

2013-04-11T09:58:00.001-07:00

The Trendy Vegan weekly is out ~ enjoy!

http://bit.ly/Pnt5jO

Spotlight: Peaches and Nectarines

2013-04-09T08:40:00.001-07:00

Peaches and nectarines are in season! Learn about stone fruits and sweet ways to incorporate them into your diet: http://cateringnyc.blogspot.com/2013/04/butterfield-spotlight-peaches-and.html

Want a Great Place to Dine? Oh Yeah - Oya!

2013-04-07T17:11:00.002-07:00

Hostess Counter

I was in Washington, DC last week for a couple of days, somewhere I do visit quite a few times a year. I was graduated from The George Washington University in '93 and my aunt lives in Arlington (how much did I love weekly visits for laundry and a free meal with her and my little ~ now 31 years old - cousin?)

Dining area with a view of the kitchen

As I am there so often, I like to eat in different places when I go ~ so much has changed since I was a student so there are a million options. Of course I have my favorites (Filomena's, Zaytinia...) but I do like to mix it up.

Last week we tried Oya. I asked - they have no idea what it means, but it is a gorgeous, sexy, and very busy Asian-French fusion restaurant. And it was packed! The restaurant, the bar...all of it! Clearly a hot spot in the Penn Quarter district.

I started with a cocktail ~ it was called Candied Ginger and it was a blend of white rum, grapefruit juice, fresh lime and ginger. Refreshing, different, flavorful. A good way to begin.

When I glanced at the menu I was excited by the "V" next to so many items. It was for vegetarian, not vegan, so I still had many questions to ask of the server, but that still bode well for the meal.

To start I selected the wild mushrooms with the asian citrus dipping sauce was crazy good. Super simple but crazy good.

For my entree I settled on the fruit roll-up maki - rice rolled with avocado, strawberries, kiwi and yuzu mango. A sweeter choice than I would normally make but very tasty. I accompanied that with asparagus dusted with ginger. Again, perfectly grilled and really good.

I didn't get the crispy tofu with sweet sour sauce and pickled cucumbers because I didn't want anything fried but then I broke down and ordered the chili tater tots. Yup. Totally fried. And totally worth it. I know. It sounds like I ate a lot. And I did. But tater tots aside, it was healthy! If you're in the area make a reservation and check it out. I think you'll be really happy with your experience.

Spring Spotlight: Berries

2013-04-05T13:27:00.004-07:00

While the vegan diet is not for everyone, I think the primary benefit is the elimination of anything unnatural from your system. If you follow a plant-based diet, you don't have to be concerned with things like the hormones being given to cattle, or the way chicken have been raised on farms. I have also found that, while I never had a strong sweet-tooth, my sugar cravings dropped because I was more sated by vegan-friendly foods, and processed foods become less desirable. Having said that, there are plenty of delicious vegan-friendly treats to be found if you want them and berries are among the healthiest.

Berries boast wonderful antioxidants that help protect the membranes of skin cells from harmful free-radicals, like those from sun exposure. If you want a delicious breakfast that will also support a healthy complexion, try my recipe for this refreshing smoothie.

Combine 1 banana, 1 kiwi, 8 blackberries, ¼ cup of almond milk and 1½ cups of crushed ice in a blender. Puree until well blended, and a gorgeous, purple color. Pour two glasses and sip and enjoy with family or friends (or save one for later!)

Would you believe this list of what technically qualifies as berries? I bet some will surprise you:

Avocado, banana, barberry, blueberry, coffee, cranberry, currant, elderberry, gooseberry, goji, honeysuckle, persimmon, pumpkin, tomato and watermelon!

To enjoy them, you could always go Wimbledon style and have strawberries and cream (they make non-dairy whipped creams too) or try adding them to yogurts, salads, cereals or granola (try Crunch by Body Fuel Nutritionals www.bodyfuelnutritionals.com next time you do that!) At the Standard Grill at the Standard Hotel in the Meatpacking District I had berries in a vanilla simple syrup that were out of this world!

For a beautiful accent to any party, freeze them in a little water with mint in ice cube trays and use them in your white wine or cocktails when entertaining, or even toss some into a glass pitcher of iced water with mint sprigs and slices of lime.

The Trendy Vegan Weekly Is Here!

2013-04-04T06:37:00.002-07:00

Enjoy a little light reading before the weekend begins...http://bit.ly/Pnt5jO

Breaking Bread (Kind of...)

2013-04-02T13:34:00.000-07:00

I love to travel and to spend time with friends in different places, but when your old college roommate lives in Memphis, TN and you live in NY, it's not like you can just meet midway for an afternoon over a cup of coffee and go home again.

However, if she comes to Phillie to visit family, on the same weekend you happen to be there to celebrate your sister-in-law's 50th birthday party, it gets easier.

Did I mention meeting a vegan during Passover on Easter Sunday for breakfast, however, makes it a bit more difficult?

One of my favorite places to wander in the Philadelphia area is the little artsy village of Manayunk. I used to love exploring their cute collectible and furniture stores, their farmer's market and so forth. My favorite restaurant there, and somewhere I have met friends many times, is Winnie's Le Bus and thankfully it was open!

The challenge with Le Bus is that it is known for it's bread. I wasn't having any on Passover but it is SO good. Fresh, home-baked (restaurant-baked) loaves that seem to go perfectly with anything you order, or just to buy and enjoy at home.

This weekend I got to enjoy something in its place ~ a mandarin mimosa: absolut mandarin vodka, champagne & fresh squeezed orange juice. I know it's not quite a replacement for bread like rice or potato would be but those had butter in them and this was vegan so what's a girl to do?

Le Bus boasts tons of pancakes and salads and sandwiches and eggs that might accompany this refreshing cocktail, most of which are not vegan, but they were very good at adapting to my needs. I had plenty of soy milk for my coffee, brought to me by our friendly vegetarian server, and an omelette with mushrooms, tomato, onion, squash (hold the eggs and cheese) and a side of guacamole, salsa and some fresh fruit. Of course, catching up in person instead of by text or phone was the best part, but if you are ever in Philadelphia give this a try (and be sure to take a loaf of bread with you when you go!)

Buzz Buzz

2013-03-29T10:11:00.001-07:00

I am addicted to coffee - decaf or regular, with soy milk or hemp or almond or rice or just black. So when I was with my aunt in near DC today and killing time before our gym class we stumbled onto Buzz, on Wilson Blvd. in Virginia, across from Ballston Mall. I observe Passover so I wasn't eating too many things, and aside from the buzz bar nothing was vegan, but the coffee and tea options were good, soy milk was available and seriously, how cute is this place? I'm so tired I need a little boost to get through the body pump session we headed off to!

Get Ready for Passover!

2013-03-20T11:23:00.000-07:00

A colleague of mine and I were on a conference call the other day and, while we were waiting for it to start, she asked me for some great charoset recipes for Passover. Of course I referred her to my blog, but when I did a quick search I found nothing! I seriously don’t know how that’s possible as charoset is my single favorite dish in all of Passover ~ since before I was a vegan! If that was all we ate for a week, with some wine and a little matzah (not too much…) I’d be all set. And really, it’s not only naturally vegan, it’s usually raw! Perfection…

Image Courtesy of chow.com

Each year I make a different version and though it’s not helpful for blogging purposes, I don’t count the amounts of each ingredient. I often use pistachios, almonds, and apples, but throw in golden raisins, agave, red or white wine, diced apricots, dried figs or dates…I’m not picky and I like to experiment (thought not with banana or citrus…not my thing for this kind of a dish.)

When it comes to my mom’s charoset, she makes a really traditional kind that my sister just will not stray from. It very much resembles this one from Epicurious.com:

You will need:
3 medium Gala or Fuji apples, peeled, cored, and finely diced

1 1/2 cups walnut halves, lightly toasted, cooled, and coarsely chopped

1/2 cup sweet red wine such as Manischewitz or Extra Heavy Malaga

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 tablespoon packed brown sugar

Preparation

In large bowl, stir together all ingredients. Store, covered, at room temperature until ready to serve.

This one, also from Epicurious, has Sephardic roots (lineage from places like Turkey and Portugal) as noticed by the dates, pears and pistachio:

You will need:
20 pitted dates, preferably Medjool

3 bananas

1/2 cup golden raisins

1/4 cup sweet red wine such as Manischewitz Extra Heavy Malaga

3 tablespoons date syrup (silan) or honey

1/2 cup walnut halves, toasted

1/2 cup unsalted shelled pistachio nuts (not dyed red), toasted

1/2 cup whole almonds, toasted

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground allspice

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground cloves

In food processor, purée dates until smooth. Add bananas, raisins, wine, and date syrup and process to combine. Add walnuts, pistachios, almonds, cinnamon, allspice, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves and process until smooth. Store, covered, at room temperature until ready to serve.

This third one, the last I chose from Epicurious, is unlike any I have seen before but hey, it’s a savory semi-cooked version for anyone who is interested!

You will need:

1 cup ruby port

1 cup black Mission figs, finely chopped

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 cups finely chopped Vidalia or other sweet onions

1/3 cup pine nuts, lightly toasted (optional)

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

In small saucepan, combine port and figs. Set over high heat and bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, until figs are softened and port is slightly reduced, about 15 minutes. Meanwhile, in large heavy-bottomed skillet over moderately high heat, heat oil. Add onions and cook, stirring often, until lightly caramelized, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and cool slightly. In large bowl, combine fig/port mixture, onions, pine nuts, and pepper. Serve at room temperature.

I was stunned to come across a charoset recipe by Wolfgang Puck! Not quite the Jewish bubbe you’d expect to be putting this kind of recipe together but it sounds like a delicious twist on the traditional.

You will need simply to combine all of these ingredients in a large bowl and serve, but as it is Wolfgang’s creation, make it a fancy bowl ;-)

6 cups peeled, cored and grated Granny Smith apples

2 lemons, juiced

1 cup roughly chopped walnuts

1 cup golden raisins

½ cup honey

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/3 cup kosher for Passover sweet red wine

Lastly, I found this recipe on the Joy of Kosher website. It is from Surinam and includes coconut and cherry jam:

You will need:

3 cups unsweetened coconut

2 cups walnuts or almonds, chopped

¼ cup sugar

1 ½ cup raisins

1 ½ cup dried apples

1 ½ cup prunes or plums

½ cup cherry jam

1 cup sweet red wine

1 tablespoon cinnamon

In a large bowl, cover the dried fruit with water. Soak overnight in the refrigerator to soften. The next day, finely dice all the fruit. In a large saucepan over low heat, add the ground coconut. Add the wine and bring to a simmer. Add the nuts and sugar. Keep stirring to prevent the coconut from sticking to the pan. When the wine and coconut mixture is well combined (neither too wet nor too dry), add the fruits, continuing to stir until ingredients have come together. Stir in the cherry jam. Remove from heat. Add cinnamon and mix thoroughly. Keep refrigerated until serving.

It is traditional to combine the charoset (resembling the mortar and bricks the Jews were said to have used to build Egyptian pyramids) with maror, or bitter herbs, to remind us of the slavery they brutally endured. If you like a kick, this is a tradition of which you should surely take advantage. I happen to prefer the shaved horseradish root, but the kind mixed with beet juice and sold in the markets is fine too.

Garbanzo, Chickpea, Ceci...What's In A Name?

2013-03-18T06:30:00.000-07:00

Learn more about whatever you prefer to call this delicious, nutritious bite here in my latest post for Butterfield Market: http://cateringnyc.blogspot.com/2013/03/butterfield-spotlight-chickpeas.html

St. Patrick's Day, Mardi Gras (and A Fresh Morning After)

2013-03-15T06:33:00.003-07:00

My family and I were away last weekend with a few other families at the Stratton Mountain Resort and it was “Marchdi Gras,” a much tamer version of the New Orleans festivities! Sure there were bands and beads, but it was pretty kid friendly with clowns and stilt walkers and free samples of crawfish on ice, snacks and much more.

Our kids were happy to bring in pizza and hang in the hotel without us that night, so we went into the village for some live music. It was more mellow than we had expected but the weather was gorgeous and the live band was great. There was a beautifully sculpted Mardi-Gras-themed ice bar with a shot luge but the clean glasses were far more appealing than putting my mouth on something too many people had put theirs up to before me!

One thing we did come across, courtesy of Food & Wine, totally surprised me: Mercy!

Mercy, which I must admit smells and tastes wildly similar to Flintstones vitamins, is a a “neutraceutical health beverage, supplement and hangover prevention beverage…Packed with a very careful daisy chain of amino acid compounds, enzymes, vitamins, anti-oxidants, chamomile extract and many other carefully chosen ingredients along with a great flavor, it is one of a kind. It can also be used as an everyday supplement to boost and protect your immune system. It alleviates the (Asian) alcohol flush, and can be mixed into drinks as well.”

We were all pretty skeptical but they had free samples so we took a few with us. When we got back to the hotel, after a dinner and a few drinks, we split a can. I have to say, we all woke up the next morning clear, refreshed and hangover-symptom free! Now, I’m not recommending you go out and live it up just to see if this works, and please don’t if you have to drive, but I think there is something to it.

Ironically, they gave out a recipe card with the cans of Mercy for a drink called the Fountain of Youth, an “anti-aging, anti-inflammatory gin based spa cocktail made with fresh cucumbers, a medley of mild bitters, white cranberry juice, and a splash of fresh Egyptian lime.” In the spirit of St. Patrick's day it’s got a little green, so maybe it’s worth a try?

1.5 oz. Hendricks Gin

3 oz white cranberry juice

3 drops PIMMS NO1

Splash of fresh lime juice

3 cucumber slices

Muddle cucumber slices in a shaker glass (not too much, just pound down on them 5-8 times.) Add all other ingredients and shake vigorously. Strain the mixture into a martini glass and garnish with a Japanese cucumber flower.

Dinner by Candle (Cafe) Light

2013-03-13T08:00:00.000-07:00

Aged Martini

I was meeting an old friend for dinner last night in New York and decided to make a reservation at Isabella's, an old haunt for the girls of Sex & the City. Once I thought about the parking situation, I made a new reservation at a Japanese place further up on the Upper West Side. Our plan was to have dinner at 7 but meet for drinks at Aged at 5:30, which had become a sort of ritual over the last couple of years. Lisa settled on a very dirty martini for herself, but I opted for something new: an Aged Martini with Figenza fig vodka, elderflower liqueur, triple sec, pomegranate juice and sparkling wine. It is a much different drink than I ever order but it was light and sweet and a nice change.

We had parked on W. 94th, so walking downtown we passed Candle Cafe West, the alter ego to Candle 79, at 2427 Broadway. We figured we'd just stop in to check out the menu but after reviewing it I cancelled a reservation for the second time that day and we decided to go there!

The menu, like at Candle 79, is simply a dream for a vegan, anyone who keeps kosher, or those looking for incredible tasty healthy fare.

While we had already savored our cocktails, we were starving! The waiter came by and presented the menus, but first took the opportunity to share the evenings specials.

Spring Rolls

Portobello Mushroom

Each of the appetizers sounded better than the next. Avocado tartare with jicama and cucumber with wild mushroom ceviche and jalapeño dressing...Candle nachos with chili-grilled seitan, tapioca cheese, tomatoes, chili, guacamole, salsa, tofu sour cream, romaine lettuce and corn chips...

BBQ grilled whole wheat quesadilla with bbq seitan, sweet potato, bean purée, tapioca cheese, guacamole and salsa... We settled on the spring rolls with pickled cabbage, avocado, carrots, cucumber, apple, cilantro and tempeh wrapped in rice paper served with (not so) spicy peanut dipping sauce and one of the specials, a grilled portobello mushroom with roasted brussel sprouts over a celeraic puree. They were seriously delicious but that mushroom dish was out of this world. Rich and smoky and flavorful ~ really incredible.

Porcini Crusted Tofu

We considered the salads (another friend of mine cannot get enough of the grilled kale salad with haricot verts, beluga lentils, red onion, turnips, avocado, sunflower seeds, spelt berries and chive vinaigrette), overlooked the sandwiches and sides, and turned our attention to entrees we could share. I don't love mole, citrus-y "meat" dishes or picatta, all of which they offer, and wasn't in the mood for risotto or the spaghetti and wheatballs, so we debated between the Southern plate of barbequed seitan, macaroni & cheese, chili, sauteed greens and corn bread or the porcini crusted tofu with a celeriac purée, sautéed shallots, wild mushrooms and string beans, topped with radishes, almonds, mushroom gravy, with which we went. It was fabulous! Also very rich for a healthy dish but so satisfying, and the sauteed shallots and almonds added a nice textural backdrop to the firm tofu and the puree. That puree...I could go back just for that! If you find yourself on NYC's West Side, or can get there, go make a reservation here ~ and don't cancel!

A Nook is Not a Book

2013-03-11T10:56:00.006-07:00

I am an avid reader and have been ever since I was a little girl. I had every Nancy Drew book ever written and thought sleuthing (is that a word?) was just the coolest thing, and then I'd read The Little House in the Big Woods series, wear my hair in braided pigtails and want to melt snow in a pan with maple syrup and turn it into candy like Laura did! As I got older, Anne Frank's Diary changed my life, James Patterson compelled me to read one mystery after another (keeping all the lights on while doing so!) and Bridges of Madison County broke my heart.

I've mentioned before that I am in a book group, and when I can I read even more than the monthly selection, but I cannot grab hold of a story while reading off a nook, an ipad or my iphone like I can when I hold a book in my hand. I love technology. Here you are, reading my blog after all, and I email, text and play Words with Friends all the time. I just love turning the pages, dogearing passages that speak to me, and even sometimes highlighting or making notes in the margins. It pained me to watch so many bookstores close, but one of the highlights of my vacation in Vermont was finding Northshire Books in Manchester Center.

It is massive (3 stories), it is packed with books of every shape, size and genre, from knitting to history to Jodi Picoult (whose new book, The Storyteller, is fabulous ~ I bought it there), to kids books and more. Did I mention they have a full calendar of events too, not to mention a gift section, a crafts section and an airy comfortable snack and read place to sit and treasure your new find. The snacks can be purchased in their cafe, another little nook of fun.

How thrilled was I see to a vegan soup on the otherwise non-vegan menu, or to order a soy cafe au lait onto which I sprinkled some powdered cocoa? They even had gluten-free vegan cookies in the freezer to go! I was with one of my best friends, bought a book for me and three for my son (we love the 39 Clues series and read them as a family), and enjoyed a hot, steamy cup of vegan goodness as a mid-afternoon treat. Oh - and it's right by the Outlets...Theory, J. Crew, Vineyard Vines...it was a wonderful afternoon! Their coffee cups read: Relax, Rejuvenate, Refuel. I did. Go and you will too.

Go Vegan for a Healthy Brain!

2013-03-10T05:16:00.001-07:00

Check out this fascinating piece, based on research done at my alma mater, The George Washington University, linking brain health to a vegan lifestyle. If it inspires you to explore this diet further and you need help, contact me through Facebook www.facebook.com/thetrendyvegan or through Twitter @vegandthecity

http://mobile.philly.com/health/?wss=/philly/health&id=196438021