What do you do with a week-old eggplant? Bake it! Using Soy milk, Dijon mustard, flour, and bread crumbs, I made a delicious, crispy eggplant dish, with plenty of leftovers (I only used 1 large eggplant).



Pictured above are the coating ingredients: a Soy milk-Dijon mustard liquid, whole-wheat flour, and organic bread crumbs, all in an assembly line...



...and here is my finished product, a crispy eggplant! It's not quite the right color, missing that golden brown finish. However it is crispy with a nice crunch and texture.


This recipe is courtesy of Chez Bettay, the Vegan Gourmet.

Great crowd, food, and drinks tonight at Bread & Brew in Dupont. Check out the menu below:









THE MENU
▪ Vegan Tamales (real deal- steamed in corn husks!)
▪ Shredded "pork" Taco salads – in the big tortilla shell
▪ Nachos
▪ Taquitos
▪ Quesadillas

DRINKS
▪ 100% Agave Margaritas
▪ Watermelon Margaritas
▪ Organic white wine sangria
▪ Kumquat Mojitos

Café Gratitude. Recently, the LA Times reported on this Vegan, Raw spot that serves you warm and fuzzies along with their signature dishes. It's a fundamental concept. Everyone pays homage and respect to every one, creature, and being.

Visited Philly this weekend and ate at Kamal's inside the Reading Terminal market. I even got a chance to speak with the man himself, really cool! I had the Falafel and Grape Leaves. What a great Vegan option in the middle of a sea of meat, dairy, and seafood?! I personally think this is one of the better falafels that I have ever had, but Yelp reviewers tend to think otherwise, only giving it 2.5 out of 5 stars. Kamal's signature is to top the falafel with hot sauce. Unconventional? Yes. Delicious heat and great seasoning? Yes, YES! I rest my case.

Brad's Raw Chips. These Raw, Vegan chips proclaim to be the 'World's Healthiest Chip,' and they taste good! Tried some yesterday, and I was pleasantly surprised by their great flavor and crunch.

KindKreme, a gourmet, Raw, Vegan, organic Ice Kremery. According to my cousin Nate in LA, this place appeals to all types of frozen treat enthusiasts. It's a a must try in Echo Park!

My grandfather, 80-years young, outside of Ben's Chili Bowl, a historic DC landmark, located in the heart of the revitalized U street community. He was thrilled to finally try their famous chili and original half-smoke. I was thrilled to learn that they serve an amazing Vegan/Vegetarian chili. I love this photo.

I'm trying to budget my weekly food and grocery bills better. This article from VegNews Saavy Vegan is a great read with helpful tips to get the most value from your trip to the grocery store. Moral of the story: PLAN AHEAD.

Thai Basil Tofu Lettuce Cups. This recipe is courtesy of Jeff Mauro who is currently competing to be the next Food Network Star. Minus the fish sauce, this dish is totally Vegan. For a carnivore, Italian from Chicago, I'm impressed with Jeff's recipe, the fact that he took such a great risk, and managed to WOW the judges with the best dish of the day. I plan to make this one asap.

Ingredients
2 red bell peppers, diced
1/2 cup rice wine vinegar
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 tablespoon sesame oil
2 shallots, minced
4 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons grated ginger
4 packages extra-firm tofu, pressed on a wire rack for at least 1 hour and up to 24
1 tablespoon Asian hot sauce, such as Sriracha
1 tablespoon salt
2 tablespoons fish sauce
1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
1 1/2 cups Thai basil, chopped
Salt
1/2 cup Thai basil, cut in chiffonade
2 cups cashews, roughly chopped
1/4 cup thinly sliced scallions
3 heads green leaf lettuce, cleaned and trimmed
Plum sauce, for serving

This time last year Chef Chloe shocked the judges and competition on Food Network's Cupcake Wars with this winning Vegan recipe, a Raspberry Tiramisu Cupcake.

V-Note, an organic wine bar and Vegan bistro, located in NYC. Of course.

...we all scream for VEGAN ice cream!

Enjoy a Vegan Ice Cream tour in L.A.



Video courtesy of VegNews.com

Two years and counting

Today marks my two-year Vegan-niverssary! *types with enthusiasm* My parents still think that it's just a phase. My friends swear I only do it to be difficult. I hope they all figure it out soon. I AM VEGAN (no doubt about it :)