The Veggie Option

Want to try Green B.E.A.N Delivery?

2012-01-15T11:42:00.018-05:00

I recently had the opportunity to try out the Green B.E.A.N. Delivery Service, a food distribution company providing healthy, organic and sustainably-grown local foods to the community at affordable prices. It works like this: users sign up with a credit card and go the website to create an online standing order, which consists of the produce bin of your choice (minimum charge $35), and delivery frequency, such as weekly or biweekly. Each produce bin is 100 percent customizable, and you can add local dairy, meats, bread and other grocery products on top of your minimum produce order. Members can choose from over 400 products, which are guaranteed all-natural and free of additives and preservatives.

Would you like to try it too? Read on for a special promo code for readers of Veggie Option!

Customizing my produce bin was fun; there are so many interesting fruits and vegetables to choose from that it is easy to get carried away. The list is a drop-down menu that is mix & match to a price point. I tried to choose as many seasonal items as I could, even ones that I usually shy away from in the grocery store (kale, I am looking at you).

My bin arrived on the front porch Friday afternoon - Northern Kentucky's designated delivery day. The produce is well-packed inside an insulated liner that includes a large, reusable ice pack.

Green B.E.A.N. produce bin
There was one hiccup with my order: as I crossed off each item on the invoice, I discovered that I was shorted two apples but didn't know which ones were missing because the apples I received weren't marked or labeled. Was I missing two organic Pinatas, or two organic Pink Ladys? I contacted the company, but since they were already closed for the weekend this issue hasn't yet been resolved.

Always double-check your invoice
To gauge the value of the service, I visited my local Kroger (a Kroger Marketplace at Newport Pavilion) and tallied up the prices on their organic produce and compared it to that of my Green B.E.A.N produce bin. Kroger didn't carry either of the organic apples I'd chosen from Green B.E.A.N., so I used their standard organic apple price, which is $1.69 per pound. The Kroger order came to $29.47 compared to Green B.E.A.N's $35. I think $5.53 is a fair price to pay for the convenience of having the order delivered directly to my doorstep, so in that respect Green B.E.A.N. Delivery is good value for money - especially if you don't live close to a grocery that carries a lot of quality, organic produce.

Veggies are well-packed in the insulated cooler

The haul: Russet potatoes, red potatoes, carrots, yellow onions, cabbage, cauliflower, lime, Cara Cara orange, apples, Concorde pears, Butternut squash, Romaine heart lettuce and one bunch red kale.
Interested in giving Green B.E.A.N a try? Readers of Veggie Option can use promo code VOnkAB for 50 percent off their first order (this does not apply to any grocery items added to the first order). Also, the promo code expires on January 22, 2012 and is for new members and reactivations only. For more information or to sign up, visit www.greenbeandelivery.com.

Vegan gathering at Amma's Kitchen

2011-12-28T21:08:00.003-05:00

VeganEarth invites those interested in veganism to a meet-up at Amma’s Kitchen, 7633 Reading Road, Roselawn at noon on Saturday, January 21. Order and pay for your meal off the menu. Amma's is an all-vegetarian restaurant, and most menu items can be made vegan.

The group will also host a seminar and vegan lunch buffet on Sunday, Feb. 26 at The Loving Hut Cafe, 6227 Montgomery Road, Pleasant Ridge. The event costs $15 and is limited to 50 people. It begins at noon with a viewing of the movie "Forks Over Knives." Reservations are required and can be made by calling 513-591-3003.

Scandinavian Pastry Bars

2011-12-11T18:47:00.001-05:00

This recipe is one of my favorites. The sweetness of the crust and meringue is offset by slightly tart raspberry jam, and the almonds lend a nice crunch. These bars are delicious any time of day, but are especially nice with a cup of tea or coffee in the morning.

Ingredients:
3/4 Cup salted butter, softened
3/4 Cup confectioners' sugar
1 1/2 Cups all-purpose flour
3/4 Cup seedless raspberry jam
3 egg whites
6 Tbs. sugar
1/2 Cup shredded coconut
1 Cup sliced almonds, divided

Ingredients

In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar

until light and fluffy

Gradually add flour; mix well

Press dough into the bottom of a 13"x9" greased baking pan

Bake at 350F for 18-20 minutes or until lightly browned

Spread jam over crust

covering from edge to edge

In a large bowl, beat egg whites

until soft peaks form

Gradually beat in sugar, one tablespoon at a time, until stiff peaks form

Add coconut

and fold in gently

Add a half cup of almonds

and carefully fold in

Add egg white mixture over jam

and spread evenly

Sprinkle with remaining almonds

Bake at 350F for 18-22 minutes or until golden brown

Enjoy!

Click here for printable recipe.

Recipe: Holiday cookies

2011-11-29T19:49:00.000-05:00

My husband and I aren't really big on celebrating holidays. It's nice to have the time off work, and it's good to see friends and family that we don't get to see very often, but the whole out-of-control consumerism turns us right off. We prefer to give gifts throughout the year instead of concentrating on a single month, and some years we don't even bother to put up a tree.

We aren't all bah-humbug though; one of our simple pleasures is baking and decorating cookies to share with friends and co-workers. Here is an easy sugar cookie recipe that is sure to please.

Ingredients:
Sugar Cookies
3 Cups unbleached, all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 C sugar
2 sticks salted butter, cold
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla bean paste (or 3/4 tsp vanilla extract)
1/2 pure almond extract

Royal Icing
4 Tbs meringue powder
scant 1/2 C water
1 lb. powdered sugar
1/2-1 tsp light corn syrup
a few drops of clear extract

Sugar cookie ingredients

Combine flour and baking powder.

Cream together the sugar and butter.

Add egg and extracts and mix well.

Gradually add flour mixture and beat until just combined; be sure to scrape down the bowl, especially the bottom.

The dough will be crumbly

Knead together with your hands

Roll out onto a floured surface

and cut into shapes

Place on a baking sheet and put into the freezer for about 10 minutes to chill. Chilling the dough helps the cut-out cookies hold their shape

Bake at 350F for 10-12 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack

Royal icing ingredients

Combine meringue powder and water, and beat until foamy

Sift in powdered sugar and beat on low to combine. Add corn syrup and extract

Increase sped to med-high and beat 5-10 minutes until icing is glossy, and stiff peaks form.
Separate the icing into bowls and cover with clingfilm, pressing the wrap onto the icing until ready for use. To color, use gel paste coloring, as it won't compromise or thin the icing.
To thin the icing for flooding, add a teaspoon of water to the icing and stir with a rubber spatula. If it is still too thick, add 1/2 tsp more, and if needed another 1/4 tsp. The flooding icing should be the consistency of thick syrup or glue.

Decorate by flooding with icing

Pipe design using stiff royal icing

Sprinkle with edible glitter, if desired.

Enjoy with a cup of coffee or tea

Click here for printable recipe

Abigail Street to open Nov. 1

2011-10-03T16:32:00.003-04:00

Polly Campbell reports that Abigail Street, owned by Dan & Lana Wright of Senate fame, opens to the public in Nov. 1. It's great news for vegetarians and pescatarians, because the majority of the menu is fish and vegetarian based.

Read her post here.

World Vegetarian Day

2011-10-02T09:52:00.002-04:00

October 1 is World Vegetarian Day! Join the celebration!

Vegetarian Chili

2011-09-24T09:00:00.001-04:00

I’m not sure why, but autumn always reminds me of R.E.M. I was saddened to hear that they split up this week after 31 years together. They were one of my college favorites and a staple at the radio station where I deejayed. I saw them at Wittenberg University on the Little America Tour (in support of Reckoning), at Vets Memorial on the Fables Tour, The Taft for Life’s Rich Pageant, and at Riverfront Coliseum on the Green Tour. After that I continued to buy their albums but stopped going to see them live because I missed the intimacy of those earlier, smaller venues. It seems fitting that they would disband now that the mornings are nippier and the leaves are turning “yellow like a geisha gown.”

How I remember them best
The change in the weather also signifies the start of football season. I was a member of the high school marching band, and every Friday before the game my Mom made chili for us. This is her recipe, modified for the vegetarian diet and tweaked ever so slightly over the years. It is thick, stick-to-your-ribs chili, and so tasty that even my carnivore husband goes back for seconds and thirds.

Vegetarian Chili
Ingredients
3 Tbs olive oil
1 large onion, diced
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
4 ribs celery, diced
1 bag vegetarian or vegan crumbles (such as Boca or Morningstar Farms)
1-2 jalapenos, seeded and diced
2 (15 oz) cans diced tomatoes (I use fire roasted)
2 (15 oz) cans tomato sauce
5-6 bay leaves
1 Tbs Sambelolek
1 tsp ground cumin
1 (15 oz) can black beans
1 (15 oz) can red kidney beans
1 (15 oz) can pinto beans

Ingredients

Heat oil in a large pot over medium-low heat. Add onions, garlic and celery; sauté until onions are translucent.

Add crumbles and heat through.

Add diced jalapenos

Stir in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, bay leaves, Sambelolek, and cumin. Stir well and simmer for about 20 minutes

Rinse and drain beans (aren't they pretty?)

Add beans and continue to simmer, uncovered, for another 30 minutes

Discard bay leaves and enjoy!

Note: This chili tastes even better the following day, and also freezes well.
Click for printable recipe.

Buckhead Mountain Grill

2011-09-07T21:54:00.004-04:00

Buckhead Mountain Grill
35 Fairfield Avenue
Bellevue, KY
859-491-7333
www.eatatbuckheads.com

Buckhead Mountain Grill
Buckhead opened in Louisville around ten years ago and has had a presence in Bellevue for several years. The family-friendly restaurant is designed to resemble a mountain lodge. We have friends who live in Cripple Creek, Colorado, and Buckhead could seriously be their house - minus the large number of children and televisions. There are lampshades etched with silhouettes of moose and lonesome pine; there are antler chandeliers hanging from double height, A-frame ceilings with exposed rafters; and there are taxidermy critters cropping up in unexpected places. While not out of place in Colorado, in Bellevue Kentucky it's laughably tacky.

Lamp shade
They must be doing something right, however, because on the Monday evening we visited the place was absolutely packed: Families with small children, senior citizens, couples; you name it, they were there.

antler chandelier
Complimentary rolls arrived just after we were seated; they come with a delicious cinnamon-whipped butter spread. While the restaurant is primarily carnivore-heaven, there are a couple of vegetarian-friendly items to choose from. There is a veggie combo platter ($7.49) consisting of a choice of four side dishes - but several of the sides are not veg-friendly (the green beans are prepared with bacon, for instance), and four of the sides are potato-based, which limits options further.

They also offer a grilled portabello sandwich ($7.49) - ask to have the vegetables grilled on a separate surface to assure that meat juices don't mingle into the mix. I wasn't really in a grilled mood, so opted instead for the Nacho Mountain appetizer without the chili. They weren't kidding about the name - it really is a mountain of nachos, and certainly enough for a crowd. As nachos go, these were pretty good.

Mountain of nachos
Buckhead offers an impressive selection of draught beer, including many made locally, like Mt. Carmel, Rivertown and Christian Moerlein, and regional offerings like 3 Floyds, Bluegrass Brewing Co. and Bell's. Not sure what to order? Try several by ordering a "flight," which is basically a beer sampler of your choosing.

Mountain decor aside, there really isn't much to distinguish Buckhead from myriad other restaurants. The food doesn't rise above the ordinary, but it is affordable and plentiful, which probably goes a long way in explaining its popularity. The service was cordial and efficient to start, but refills were neglected and dessert wasn't even offered. To be fair, our server might have cottoned onto the fact that we were itching to get away. The reason? A child at a nearby table was sick all over the floor right next to our booth, which put us off our meals. The evening might have been rescued had the matter been attended to promptly, but it took nearly 15 minutes for someone to clean up the mess, even though the manager and three servers in our section were aware of the problem. If staff are that lax with front-of-house hygiene, I am loathe to think of what the kitchen might hold.

Farm Sanctuary's "Walk for Farm Animals"

2011-09-05T12:17:00.005-04:00

Farm Sanctuary’s Walk for Farm Animals will be held at Eden Park on Saturday, September 24, 2011. Join hundreds of compassionate people to raise money in support of Farm Sanctuary's work to stop cruelty to animals and promote compassion.
Registration begins at 10:30 am and the walk takes place from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Highlights:
Free vegan food
Cute temporary tattoos for the kids
Walk with your dog

Farm animals everywhere are relying on your support.

Register today at http://events.walkforfarmanimals.org/event/cincinnati

Free appetizer with donation

2011-08-23T19:42:00.003-04:00

Steve and I adopted our beloved Maine Coon from SPCA Cincinnati a few years ago, and animal welfare is something that we are both passionate about. One of the easiest ways to show support is through a donation, and right now T.G.I. Friday’s is partnering with SPCA Cincinnati to celebrate the “Dog (and Cat) Days of Summer.” The restaurant is collecting donations of non-perishable items, pet toys, and treats for SPCA Cincinnati, and anyone making a donation through Sept. 8 will receive a free appetizer from the restaurant.
Locations are:
* Hyde Park - 3780 Paxton Ave.
* Tylersville - 7656 Cox Land West Chester
* Western Hills - 6320 Glenway Ave.
* Fields Ertel - 9141 Fields-Ertel Road
* Northgate - 9719 Colerain Ave.
* TriCounty - 11340 Princeton Pike
* Beechmont - 7500 Beechmont Ave.
* Kenwood - 8150 Montgomery Road

For details and to download the coupon, visit Dog Days of Summer.

New product: Birds Eye Chef's Favorites

2011-08-20T17:00:00.010-04:00

As a member of the Foodbuzz Tastemaker program, my blog was recently chosen to sample four new Birds Eye Steamfresh Chef's Favorites side dishes, which will be available in stores next month. The parcel, packed in dry ice and shipped overnight, contained the following:

Lightly Sauced Creamed Spinach

Creamy Vegetable Primavera Risotto

Lightly Sauced Roasted Red Potatoes & Green Beans

Mushroom & Green Bean Risotto

All are vegetarian except the Mushroom Risotto, which contains chicken broth, so my husband volunteered to sample and review that one.

Primavera Vegetable Risotto
Veggie risotto
The first one we tried was the vegetable risotto. I really liked the convenience of being able to have a risotto ready in about four minutes. The cream sauce is flavorful, although I found it to have a slightly metallic aftertaste. The vegetables are of good quality; carrots are thickly sliced, peas are fat and juicy. I also like that the risotto is only 180 calories per serving. Although it is a side dish, I made it a full meal by adding diced chik'n to it after cooking.

Instruction arrows
The bag instructions are easy to understand and follow. The bag is placed seam-side up into the microwave, and red arrows show where to hold the bag when removing it. Another arrow points to a notch on the side, which notes where to begin tearing open the bag. While I followed the directions exactly, I could only get the bag to open halfway and I found it difficult to get the entire contents out of the bag. This wasn't a problem with any of the other sides we tested. I don't know the retail price so I can't say whether or not it is good value for money, but I give it good marks for quality and convenience.

Next we tried the Creamed Spinach. We tried it by itself, on top of buttered toast, and with Ritz crackers.

Creamed Spinach
Creamed spinach with crackers and buttered toast
I'm sorry to say that neither of us cared much for this one; the garlic-Parmesan sauce tasted "fake" - for want of a better word - and even after giving it a good hearty stir, it was still clotted, clumpy and unappetizing. We followed the microwave wattage cooking directions correctly, but perhaps if we had let it steam a little longer we wouldn't have had the clumping problem. About the only good thing going for this one is that it is only 90 calories per serving.

Later in the week Steve decided to try the Mushroom & Green Bean Risotto. His review is below:

Mushroom & Green Bean Risotto
Mushroom and green bean risotto
The Mushroom & Green Bean Risotto suffers in the same way the spinach does. I twinned it with some tiny chunks of chicken breast and whilst the risotto did allow the flavor of the chicken to come through, the overall experience felt 'fake.' Unfortunately, there was a strong aftertaste too. A buyer would have to balance taste against convenience and whilst the latter is undeniable - a mere five minutes from freezer to plate - the former remains very much the compromise.

Quite by accident, we saved the best for last. The Lightly Sauced Roasted Red Potatoes & Green Beans was by far the most natural tasting of the lot. It worked surprisingly well with falafel croquettes (shown in photo below), and in fact is probably the most versatile of all the packages we tried. I could easily imagine having this side with a wide variety of meals. The Parmesan-olive oil sauce was a tad salty but not overpoweringly so, and the veggies were of excellent quality. I'd certainly have it again.

Roasted Red Potatoes & Green Beans
This side serves two, but I ate it all
It was fun to experiment with these new Birds Eye Steamfresh offerings. I do not usually buy frozen meals and really didn't know what to expect when the box of goodies turned up. I wish I could have said that I liked all four, but one wasn't vegetarian and the other one just didn't do anything for us. The veggie risotto is worth another try, and the roasted potatoes with green beans was very good. I look forward to seeing both of them on my grocer's shelf.

Recipe: Slow roasted tomatoes

2011-08-15T15:27:00.022-04:00

Last year I picked up two organic cherry tomato plants at Whole Foods, and they were such prolific producers and the fruits so sweet that I saved the seed and started them indoors earlier this year. When it came time to plant them out, I couldn't just stop at one or two. Now my momentary lapse of reason has caught up with me and I'm picking a quart or more every other day, which is more than even a tomato lover like me can eat.

Ingredients
There are several ways to preserve tomatoes, but cherry tomatoes are so small that canning really isn't an option. Instead, these little guys get slow roasted. Slow roasting brings out their natural sweetness, and they are easy to put by for later use - if you can keep from eating them long enough to store.

Slice and drizzle with oil
Slow roasting is simple: slice the tomatoes in half and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper; drizzle good quality olive oil over them and sprinkle with a tiny amount of salt, then pop them into the oven at a low heat (200-225F) for two or three hours. Two hours and the tomatoes are still somewhat plump but very sweet; three hours intensifies the sweetness and makes them slightly chewier. The garlic bulb is in the photo because I usually take the opportunity to roast some garlic at the same time.

So delicious
I know what you're thinking: "She's nuts to run an oven for hours at a time in the middle of August." While the jury is still out on whether or not I'm crazy, I can honestly say that slow roasting doesn't heat up the kitchen like higher temperature baking might, and the results are packed with so much flavor that it's worth having the oven on for a few hours.

They are especially good with cheese and crackers
I can hardly stop eating them once I start - they are as sweet and chewy as candy - but if you are able to save some, pack them into a small container with some olive oil and pop them in the fridge for up to two weeks. They can also be placed in zipper bags and frozen.

Oh yes
Use them anywhere you would fresh tomatoes. I especially like them as a cracker topping with a good quality cheese. I don't normally promote brands on this blog, but I have to say that Trader Joe's English Cheddar ($3.99) is amazing and works particularly well with slow roasted tomatoes.

Yay! Trader Joe's cheddar is vegetarian
I should also take this opportunity to stress that investing in a bottle of good quality olive oil makes all the difference. You really do get what you pay for.

New vegan food bar to open

2011-08-11T13:36:00.002-04:00

Donna Covrett of Cincinnati Magazine reports that Park+Vine is opening a vegan food bar August 15. Read her post here.

Primavista

2011-08-05T19:40:00.003-04:00

Primavista
810 Matson Place
East Price Hill
tel: 513-251-6467
www.pvista.com

Primavista in the Queen's Tower
There are numerous places around town that have good views of the city, but few award diners with that of Primavista. The restaurant is located on the ground floor of the Queens Tower condominium complex, which is perched atop a tree-lined hillside in East Price Hill. The tired decor looks like it hasn't changed since sometime in the 1980's, but the traditional Italian dishes are timeless.

Posh white linens clash with uncomfortable captain's chairs
Vegetarians should note that the restaurant has neither a designated "veggie" section on their menu, nor a special symbol to easily locate safe options. They do, however, list all meat-free dishes together on their web site, so it is well worth viewing ahead of time.

We ordered drinks and soaked in the view while enjoying a variety basket of bread with a gorgeous garlic puree to start. This stuff is deliciously potent; one good schmear and you won't have to worry about vampires for a few days.

Garlic puree and a basket of bread
I chose Ravioli con Pesto alla Noce ($7.99) as a starter. Consisting of ravioli stuffed with spinach, ricotta and walnuts, with walnut pesto and Gorgonzola. It sounded wonderful on paper and arrived beautifully plated, but I found the dish to be dull and rather flavorless; the little dabs of Gorgonzola saving it from complete failure. Steve's choice of Ravioli Fritti del Formaggio ($7.99) was far better; everything from the superbly seasoned tomato sauce to the eggplant-tomato caponata topped with a crunchy smattering of pine nuts worked well. We would visit Primavista again just for this dish. Superb.

Ravioli con Pesto alle Noce

Ravioli Fritti del Formaggio
Each entree comes with a salad - we both opted for the house, which is a mix of radicchio, bib, escarole, and red leaf tossed lightly in a special, house-made Italian vinaigrette. Nothing inspiring, but still very nice.

Casa Mista house salad
For my entrée, I chose the Penne alla Cionni ($16.99). The tomatoes in this dish were bursting with sweet flavor, probably a result of slow roasting/dehydrating. I wish there had been more, as I felt the price was a little steep for what was basically a large bowlful of penne pasta with a few bits of tomato, portobello mushrooms, and Gorgonzola thrown in.

Penne alla Cionni
Steve chose one of the restaurant's specialties: Costolette di Agnello ($39.99), which he found very good but still not on par with the perfection of Boi Na Braza's. A staunch traditionalist when it comes to lamb chops, he found those at Primavista too fussy. Perhaps it's just a matter of taste, but he thinks that New Zealand lamb, if prepared correctly, doesn't need to be encrusted with rosemary, garlic or anything else. He would have been far happier with traditional mint sauce too, instead of the creamy mustard sauce that accompanied the chops.

Costolette di Agnello
Primavista is a wonderful place to take someone you want to "wow." They certainly get it right at least three-quarters of the time. The service is impeccable and the views are stunning, but the food wasn't as good as we thought it would be, especially given the prices. I guess that view isn't exactly free.

The city view is awesome

Gangster's Dueling Piano Bar

2011-07-24T16:02:00.002-04:00

Gangster's Dueling Piano Bar
18 East Fifth St.
Newport, KY
Tel: 859-491-8900
www.gangsterspianobar.com

What we here in the U.S. know as "bachelorette parties" are called "hen nights" in the U.K., which if you think about it is a much more fitting and descriptive name. If you are ever among a gaggle of liquored-up ladies celebrating a bride-to-be, close your eyes and listen. Cluck cluck cluck!

I mention this because Steve and I found ourselves without any plans on a recent Saturday evening, and on the spur of the moment decided to stroll over to Gangster's and see what it was all about. We didn't know what to expect, but we certainly weren't expecting the dueling piano entertainment to be as much fun as it actually was. The talented musicians know how to work a crowd. The infectious fun encourages merrymakers to drink more, and the more folks drink, the funnier it gets. While we were not at Gangster's for anything special, plenty of others were: Birthday parties, anniversaries, office parties, and an astonishing number of hen nights in progress.

Gangster's Dueling Piano Bar
We hadn't made reservations and all the tables were booked, so we were directed to the bar. My first impression was that of a strip club; low lighting, lots of mirrors and neon, padded pink and mauve chairs, and even a stripper pole on the dance floor. Yes, you read that correctly. There is a stripper pole on the dance floor. I imagine that these days it's there more for drunken sorority girls to hold onto than it is for actual pole dancing, but hey, you never know.

A friendly server greeted us and throughout the course of the evening really went out of her way to make us feel relaxed and welcome. When she learned I am vegetarian she immediately pointed out which appetizers and entrees were veggie-friendly and was able to make recommendations on both the food and drinks menu. As the evening progressed and elbow room shrank, she was still able to work the room with aplomb, never wavering from her amiable attitude.

One look at Gangster's menu and it's obvious that this place is first and foremost a bar - albeit one with dueling pianos - than it is a restaurant. We sampled several items: nachos ($8.95) and Italian cheese wedges ($7.95) for me, and potato skins ($6.95) and chicken club sandwich ($8.95) for Steve. Nothing was remarkable; it's just your basic, standard issue bar food. The specialty martinis, all sporting gangster-themed names, were much better. I chose the "Pushing Up Daisies" (vanilla vodka, orange rum, orange juice, and a splash of cream and Sprite) and Steve got "Public Enemy #1" (vanilla vodka, coconut rum, lime juice and a splash of cream). Both were excellent.

Now that we know what Gangster's has to offer, I think that the next time we visit we'll make reservations and bring friends. The energy is incredible and the fun contagious. But with all due respect, we'll probably eat elsewhere first.

(Apologies for the lack of photos - I couldn't get any while swinging around the pole!)

National Ice Cream Day

2011-07-15T12:15:00.003-04:00

Did you know that National Ice Cream Day is this Sunday, July 17? To celebrate, all area Graeter’s locations are offering single-scoop ice cream cones for just $1.41 - in honor of 141 great years! I know where I'm going on Sunday!

The Winds Coffee and Café

2011-07-07T09:43:00.003-04:00

The Winds Coffee & Café
152 Barnwood Drive
Edgewood, KY 41017
Tel: 859-341-2100
Hours: M-F 6:30 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sat 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sun 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Steve and I have lived in Northern Kentucky for a little over six years, and we are continually amazed at the number of shops and restaurants we stumble upon. We recently opted-in on a Groupon for an independently-owned athletic shop called Tri-State Running, located in a small, tucked away strip mall near Crestview Hills Town Center. We stopped by the other day to pick up some bits and pieces, and as we were leaving we noticed a restaurant's summer specials chalkboard a few doors away. Enticed by the lure of home made soy milk, I dragged Steve into The Winds Coffee & Café.

Specials board

The Winds Coffee & Café
Inside, the restaurant was bright and spotlessly clean. We were greeted warmly by proprietor Tao Justus, who explained the summer specials menu to us and whipped up our drinks; soy milk for me and an Italian soda for Steve.

Squeaky clean interior
Let me just state right off that The Winds' soy milk is leaps and bounds better than anything you can buy in a carton. It's sweet but not sickeningly so, and has a consistency closer to water than to cows milk, which is exactly the way I like it. At $1.95 per glass, it's a drink to be savored rather than chugged. They also offer a full line of espresso, coffee, tea, bubble tea, the aforementioned flavored Italian soda spritzers, and fresh fruit smoothies.

Freshly made soy milk - YUM!
Surprisingly for a restaurant that makes its own soy milk, The Winds has only one vegetarian entree: lasagna ($7.95). When I commented on this, Tao explained that most of her customers are older and want homemade but healthy country-style cooking. I guess this explains the number of meat and potatoes dishes on the specials board.

The lasagna came with an organic spring mix salad. The piquant balsamic vinaigrette pleasantly complimented the sweet, meaty walnut halves dotting the dish. The restaurant also makes their herbed croutons in-house; a nice touch.

Organic spring mix salad
Steve ordered the Cuban panini ($6.95), which came with a choice of either macaroni salad, potato salad, pesto pasta, coleslaw or organic spring mix salad. He chose the potato salad and boy, am I ever glad that he did. Normally I am not a fan of potato salad because most are overly creamy and have too many extraneous additions, but The Winds' was utterly divine. Theirs is a simple recipe that lets the potatoes take center stage, instead of being a bit player to mayonnaise, onions, pickles or eggs. Delicately flavored with fresh parsley, this potato salad is one of the healthiest I've found in a restaurant. It was so tasty that Steve had no choice but to let me finish it.

potato salad
The lasagna, deftly spiced with basil, fennel seeds, and a hint of sweetness, tasted lovely but looked a little bare on the plate; it could have benefited from a slice of crusty garlic bread to sop up the last of the tangy tomato sauce.

Vegetarian lasagna

The Winds Coffee & Café offers fresh, home-made pastries and a thoughtful selection of deli sandwiches and breakfast items - including scratch-made granola and vegetable quiche. The quality and affordability of their dishes make this restaurant one of Edgewood's best kept secrets.

Recipe: Curry Deviled Eggs

2011-07-03T15:29:00.012-04:00

For as long as I can remember, my mother has made deviled eggs using this recipe and they are the most sought after item at our family reunions, cook-outs and gatherings. Whenever I am invited to a get-together that involves a covered dish, friends specifically request these little guys. They never fail to please.

Curried Deviled Eggs
Ingredients
6 eggs
1/4 Cup light mayonnaise
1 Tbs Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp curry powder
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp white pepper
1 strip vegetarian "bacon" cooked according to package (optional)

Ingredients

Place eggs in a pot of cool water. Turn up heat and boil for 15-20 minutes, then plunge into a pot of ice water until cooled

Peel eggs and slice each one lengthwise

Remove yolks

and put into a small bowl

Mash yolks and set aside

Combine mayo, mustard and spices. Mix well

Add mashed yolks to mayo mixture and combine thoroughly

Stuff a teaspoonful of mixture into each egg white half. Sprinkle on "bacon" crumbles, if desired.

Chill at least 30 minutes before serving

NOTE: If you aren't planning to use a decorator/pastry bag to pipe the egg mixture, it is safe to mix the veggie bacon into the egg mixture. If you are using a decorator/pastry bag, sprinkle on the "bacon" afterward because the crumbles tend to clog the decorator tip.

Printable recipe here.

July vegan potluck announced

2011-06-22T17:58:00.003-04:00

VeganEarth's monthly meeting and potluck will be held July 17 at 2:30 p.m. at Clifton United Methodist Church, 3416 Clifton Ave., Clifton. This month celebrates the 70th birthday of artist activist Mary Ann Lederer. She will speak on "Celebrating Seventy: Healthy Food and Lifestyle for Survival." For more information, call 513-929-2500 or visit www.veganearthus.org.

Pizza from scratch

2011-06-10T08:30:00.009-04:00

Scratch-made pizza is not as difficult as one might imagine, but time and patience are key. In a pinch store-bought sauce can be substituted, but do yourself a favor and try your hand at making your own; there's nothing quite as satisfying or tasty as home-made. I did not take photos of the sauce being made because honestly there isn't much to see. Just remember to keep the heat at the lowest setting and stir it occasionally. I normally use a quart of whole peeled tomatoes that I have canned from the garden, but you can substitute a 28 oz can from the supermarket, or use 10-12 fresh roma tomatoes: scald in boiling water, plunge into an ice-water bath, and peel. Yes, it is more time-consuming but the flavor is out of this world.
Keep in mind that the recipe below makes a chunky sauce.

Pizza from Scratch

For the sauce
Ingredients:
2 Tbs olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
2-3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 quart jar whole peeled tomatoes (or a 28 oz can)
1 (28 oz) can plain tomato sauce
1 (7 oz) can tomato paste
1 Tbs dried oregano
1 Tbs dried basil

Instructions:
1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over low heat.
Add chopped onion and garlic and cook until onions are
translucent; about 15 minutes.
2. Add spices. Stir.
3. Cut tomatoes into small chunks and add to pot.
4. Drain excess juice into pot, discarding dregs.
5. Slowly stir in sauce and paste.
6. Cook over low heat for 3-4 hours, stirring occasionally.

For the dough
Ingredients:
1 tsp active dry yeast
3/4 Cup + 2 Tbs warm water
1 tsp sugar
2 Cup bread flour
1 tsp kosher salt
1 Tbs olive oil
cornmeal and flour for dusting

They say that cooking is an art but baking is a science; keep this in mind when making the dough. Measure precisely and follow the instructions exactly. Also be aware that humidity can alter the outcome; I have found it more difficult to create thin crust in humid weather because the dough is "springy." Thanks to Jen for turning me on to the pizza dough recipe, courtesy of Janae Monir.

Pizza ingredients

Heat water to 120-130F. This photo shows the temperature just below 120, but that is because you have to move quickly when the water reaches the desired temperature so that the yeast will work correctly. I delayed taking the photo until after the yeast had been added

Add sugar to a small bowl

Pour water into bowl of sugar and sprinkle on yeast. Let mixture work for 15 minutes; yeast will dissolve and foam

Whisk flour and salt in a large bowl

Add yeast/water mixture to flour mixture and stir with a rubber spatula until a rough dough forms

Using hands, knead dough in the bowl until it comes together. Sprinkle on more flour as needed to keep from sticking. Once it is soft and pliable, form into a ball

Lift dough ball from bowl and add oil to the bowl. Roll dough completely in oil. Cover bowl with cling film and let sit in a warm spot for two hours. I have found that placing the covered bowl into the oven with the oven light on gives just the right amount of warmth

After two hours dough will be puffy. Press gently to deflate. Knead back into a ball, recover with cling film, and leave for 15 minutes

On a baking sheet or pizza stone, sprinkle on flour and/or cornmeal

Press dough out into desired size. The dough will rise slightly while baking so if you don't like thick crust make sure to shape a very thin dough

Spread on sauce and add desired toppings. To add flavor to the crust edge, brush with olive oil and sprinkle with a small amount of kosher salt. Note that Bel Gioioso mozzarella is vegetarian-friendly (no animal rennet!).

Bake at 500F for 10-12 minutes

Enjoy!

Click here for printable recipe

Giminetti Baking Company

2011-05-25T18:18:00.021-04:00

Giminetti Baking Company
2900 Gilbert Avenue
Walnut Hills
Tel: 513-751-7655

www.giminetti.com

My husband and I began training for the Flying Pig Half Marathon back in February and one of our goals was to tackle different sections of the course so that we wouldn't have any surprises come race day. We weren't too worried about the flat sections around Paul Brown Stadium or Downtown, but Mount Adams and Walnut Hills seemed a bit more daunting due to the inclines, so we focused our attention there.

Over the ensuing weeks we passed Giminetti Baking Company many times. The heavenly scent of freshly baked bread beckoned but we were in training, so we vowed to give the place a try after the Pig was over.

Giminetti Baking Company
The bakery/café is located at the corner of Gilbert Ave. and Chapel St., next to the Thomson-MacConnell Cadillac dealership and across the street from the Easter Seals Work Resource Center. The building, with its distinctive green awning, is tidy inside and out.

Customers order at the counter and pick up their selections when their name is called. Chips and a pickle spear are included in the price of the sandwiches. They also offer several sides; the pasta salad and fruit salad are vegetarian-friendly, but the potato salad includes bacon. They also serve up several types of soup, and usually at least one is vegetarian.

Clean and bright inside

I had checked out their online menu before visiting, so I was surprised to see a very different menu in the café. While the online menu lists several vegetarian sandwiches, the in-house menu only had one, although their build-your-own option can obviously be made vegetarian too.

As well as sandwiches, Giminetti also sells freshly baked pizza slices (not listed online) which I have to say smelled divine. I'm definitely going to try one on my next visit. I opted for a vegetarian panini filled with sliced tomatoes and basil pesto. It was supposed to have sliced avocado on it, but instead the sandwich was slathered in commercially-made guacamole. It was very messy to eat and wasn't what I was expecting. Had I known it would come with guac instead of fresh avocado, I would have chosen something else. As for the pasta salad, well, it was alright but didn't really suit my taste. I found it overly mayonnaise-y and bereft of vegetables. The bread was nice - not Servatii's nice, I hasten to add, but it has good flavor and crunch.

Vegetarian panini with a side of pasta salad

Although my visit was somewhat disappointing, I think this fast-casual café has promise; they seem to have adapted their menu to suit the area in which they are located, and that's understandable. They have a very strong carryout service and the restaurant is comfortable for those dining in. Employees are friendly and efficient, and the food is good - even though there were variations between what was listed on the menu and what I got. As long as the variations don't include meat, I'm good.

Oh - and yes, we finished our first ever half marathon!

We did it!

Eat Local for the Globe

2011-05-04T11:38:00.006-04:00

Last year I had the pleasure of attending the first-ever Eat Local for the Globe fundraising event for Findlay Market and had a very enjoyable time dining on locally raised fare prepared by some of the area's top chefs, and drinking locally made wines while mingling with fellow locavores.

I'm pleased to hear that there will be a second annual Eat Local for the Globe event. It is scheduled for Thursday, June 9 from 6 PM - 10 PM. The event will be held at Findlay Market and all proceeds benefit the Findlay Market Fund. It's a fun event supporting a good cause. Hope to see you there!

The event includes:

Dinner by the bite prepared by Findlay Market's own talented chefs from Fresh Table, Skirtz & Johnston, Bouchard's, Gramma Debbie's Kitchen, and Pho Lang Thang
Dessert provided by Dojo Gelato and Taste of Belgium
Regional wines from Harmony Hill and more
Variety of Christian Moerlein beers
Craft cocktails prepared by Molly Wellman using regionally-produced spirits
Music provided by WNKU's popular "Mr. Rhythm Man"
Raffle items
Complementary event poster
An opportunity to tour the Findlay Market District and hear about plans for its ongoing revitalization

Tickets are $50 per person and can be securely purchased online here. You can also follow the event on Facebook.

Indigo Casual Gourmet

2011-05-03T07:31:00.014-04:00

Indigo Casual Gourmet
2053 Dixie Highway
Fort Mitchell, KY
tel: 859-331-4339
www.myindigogrill.com

Situated in an old house along Dixie Highway, Indigo is reminiscent of an English Public House. From the boldly colored walls and dimly lit sconces to the green floral carpet and worn wooden floors, it has all the makings of a true British pub - right down to the indifferent service.

Indigo Casual Gourmet

Cozy interior
I think we were just unlucky. How one acts and dresses says a lot about the individual, and let's just say that our server was grossly unprofessional and unprepared. The other server in our section had it together; she was friendly, helpful and attentive to her tables. Ours wasn't. A couple seated ten minutes after us (with the "good server") had already finished their salads by the time our server bothered to trudge over and take our order. She acted like it was a big inconvenience when we asked for a refill on our water, and we heard her verbally harangue a diner at another table. When dinner finally arrived half an hour later my Rigatoni Florentine ($10) was barely warm, leading me to suspect that it had been sitting around awhile. Not wanting to wait any longer, I decided not to send it back and instead tucked in; and it was very, very good.

Rigatoni Florentine
Steve chose the Blackened Chicken Wrap and unfortunately was less than wowed by it. He thought it lacked any discernible flavor and at $13 was more expensive than it should have been.

Blackened Chicken Wrap
The menu leans heavily toward pastas and pizzas, with a good selection of sandwiches thrown in, and it was a pleasant surprise to see over 40 vegetarian items listed. I could quite happily eat my way through the entire lot. Maybe I'll do just that at the Hyde Park location, but I'm not exactly eager to return to Fort Mitchell.

Indigo has been in business over 20 years, so I can't imagine that what we encountered at this independent eatery is normal practice. It's a shame that our experience wasn't as good as it should have been, because the food itself showed promise. Restaurants need to realize that first impressions count.

Sweet Basil

2011-05-03T07:29:00.011-04:00

Sweet Basil Thai Cuisine & Sushi Bar
2331 Buttermilk Crossing
Crescent Springs, KY
tel: 859-331-0666
www.sweetbasilnky.com
Well presented, tasty, no fish sauce, friendly, efficient service

Sweet Basil

Tidy and bright interior

Tofu triangle appetizer with sweet & sour sauce

Chicken satay with peanut sauce

Tofu-broccoli stir fry with Thai pepper garlic

Vegan Potluck for May announced

2011-04-27T21:06:00.003-04:00

VeganEarth's monthly meeting and vegan potluck dinner will be held on at 3:30 p.m. on May 15 at Clifton United Methodist Church, 3416 Clifton Avenue, Clifton. The topic will be "Networking for Sustainability" with guest speaker Mark Keillor, co-founder of OneVoice4Change, a Cincinnati-based social network focused on the world-wide sustainability movement.

The program is free; please bring a vegan dish to share, as well as compostable or reusable dishes and cutlery. For more information, call 513-929-2500 or visit www.VeganEarthUS.org.