Brunch at Tweet

Last week, Saturday, after finishing my morning
cup of Bustelo, I was day dreaming about delicious vegan breakfast food, when I got a text from my neighbor Kat that said, "Breakfast?".  I think she must have read my mind!  She suggested we go to Tweet (5020 North Sheridan Road, Chicago, IL), because they have vegan options. 

Once we arrived, there was a bit of a wait, but since they are known to have killer Bloody Mary's at Big Chicks, the bar next door, we didn't mind one bit!  I think it was probably the best Bloody Mary I have ever had.  It was super spicy and filled with lemon, celery, carrot, and giant green olives. 

About half way into our drinks they sat us at a table.  I was pleased to see that the vast menu had many different vegetarian  and a couple different vegan  options.  I ordered a breakfast burrito, the #5- Numero Cinco: Vegan's delight, flour tortilla stuffed with organic beans, organic brown rice, avocado, pico de gallo, organic tofu scrambled in olive oil.  Before the burrito arrived they brought out fruit cups filled with a variety of fresh berries, pineapple and melon, yum!  The burrito was just as on point as the fruit and drinks, in fact I have not been able to stop thinking about it since I have eaten it.  It was perfectly seasoned and  quite honestly, contained the best tofu scramble I have ever eaten. 

If you have never been to Tweet, do yourself a favor and check it out. (Be sure to bring cash because they are cash only.)  You will not regret it I promise!

Scallion Potato Pancakes, Orange-Scented Broccoli, and Hoison-Mustard Tofu

After almost a week of eating nothing but chilled steamed vegetables and Green Goddess Dressing I had to have something warm and flavorful.  I didn't, however, want to ruin my healthful eating streak...

I started out my cooking adventure with Scallion Potato Pancakes.  Isa Chandra Moskowitz created this recipe to be a healthier version of the deep fried Chinese Scallion Pancakes and she nailed it!  They are made of Yukon Gold potatoes, scallions, sesame oil, salt, black pepper and panko bread crumbs.  Two of these pretty big pancakes have 180 calories, 2.5 g of fat, 4 g of fiber and 5 g of protein.  Pretty darn healthful if you ask me!

I couldn't just eat a dinner of potatoes, so I made a couple other dishes to go along with them.  This is Orange-Scented Broccoli.  Broccoli sautéed  in sesame oil with ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes and seasoned with mirin, soy sauce, orange zest and orange juice.  

To tie it all together I made Hoison-Mustard Tofu.  I simply LOVE hoison sauce on it's own, but this recipe was even more delicious!  This tofu was pan fried and mixed together with a sauce made up of red pepper, onion, garlic, ginger, red pepper flakes, mirin, hoison sauce and yellow mustard.

All three dishes worked beautifully together and at the end of the meal I was super full and satisfied after consuming under 10 g of fat and 310 calories!  I would say that these yummy dishes fit with my new healthy lifestyle. 

Goddess Niçoise

I love cooking delicious food, but since buying Isa Chandra Moskowitz's new book I have shifted my focus to healthy, tasty and filling.  My tummy appreciates it, but so does my hips!

Last week I made this delicious salad the Goddess Niçoise with Green Goddess Dressing.

It is, by far, the BEST salad dressing I have ever eaten.  I have already made a second batch of it and I am sure there will always be some in my fridge from now on to eat throughout the week.

The dressing is made up of; chives, parsley, tahini, nutritional yeast, miso, water, lemon juice and salt.  Who knew when combining these simple ingredients it creates the most sensational dressing ever?!

Lemony Vanilla Cupcakes and Chocolate Mint Cupcakes

Last week was Danni's Birthday.  Since she is one of my bestest friends I simply HAD to make her a cupcake tower.

I made Lemony Vanilla Cupcakes with Lemon Buttercream Frosting with added birthday sprinkles (of course)

and Chocolate Mint Cupcakes decorated with amazing dark chocolate dinner mints that I found at Trader Joes!

The cupcakes were a HUGE hit!  I even had a request for Gluten- Free Vegan cupcakes.  I was bummed that I didn't think of making those as well.  I am going to have to make sure I make some for the next event.  That way no one will be left out of cupcake deliciousness!

These two ladies are easily two of my favorite people!  They hosted a crazy fun event in a private Karaoke room.  We had a blast singing together and celebrating Danni's birthday. 

Happy birthday again Danni!  

Chicago Style Vegan Hot Dog

Okay, okay, I know that a Chicago Style Vegan Hot Dog is not the most creative or healthy meal that I have blogged about, but give me a break, the snow here is up to my hip!

So for those that do not know how to make a Chicago style hotdog, or maybe have never even had one,
here is the list of what goes on it:
Mustard
Minced Onion
Relish
Dill Pickle
Tomato
Sport Peppers
Celery Salt
Please, please, please, remember this... It's all about the celery salt!  Without it, it just isn't a Chicago Style Dog.

Chipotle Chili with Sweet Potatoes and Brussels Sprouts

Tuesday night in Chicago, we had a massive blizzard!  Since class was canceled not only for my students, but for myself as well, I decided it would be a perfect night for Chili!

I made Chipotle Chili with Sweet Potatoes and Brussels Sprouts.  I wasn't sure how Chipotle, Sweet Potatoes and Brussels Sprouts would work together, but I quickly found out!  I was super filling and perfectly spicy.  It was a wonderful choice for such an intensely snowy night!

Chocolate Agave Trailmixers

  

So in my attempt to eating a healthier diet I have begun to make all of the Wholesome Cookie recipes out of this book.  All of the recipes are made with "healthier" ingredients like unrefined sugar and whole wheat flour.  Although I know any cookie will make me fat, I feel a little better about eating these.

Sunday, I was hanging with my niece and nephew.   After running some errands, eating some lunch and watching a movie,  Ethan settled down to play the game cube, so Olivia and I decided to make cookies!  We made Chocolate Agave Trailmixers.  A delicious Chocolate cookie filled with vegan chocolate chips, peanuts, dried cherries and sweetened with agave.

Olivia was such a great helper!  She had to taste each ingredient before it was added to the bowl, although most of the time she didn't like the way things tasted she kept sampling them.   The best part was watching how proud she was when the ingredients finally turned into dough.  She had a look of amazement on her face.  As I finished loading up one pan with cookies, Olivia informed me that I had made enough.  She wanted to eat the rest of the cookie dough out of the bowl.  She loved it!  We didn't get to eat any cookies together because she left before they were done baking, but I think we know how that would have turned out...