Latest Posts

Fusion, Restaurant Reviews

Mini Mott Review: Simple Menu, Fun Flavors

I’m happy to see a relatively affordable, quick, gourmet option in Logan Square where you can get a veggie burger for $10.  I also appreciate that they are open all day and until 12am on weekends for us night owls!  Take your meat loving and vegetarian friends to Mini Mott and enjoy the relaxed, unpretentious vibes and flavors.

Italian, Restaurant Reviews

Rosie’s Sidekick Review: Classic Italian Subs with Real Vegetarian Options

You might have noticed a small shop that opened up in Logan Square by Mi Tocaya called Rosie’s Sidekick.  What is it all about?  Rosie’s Sidekick is a small, Italian sub shop that opened up a few months ago and aims to offer affordable Italian subs to the Logan Square community.  While Logan Square has a plethora of restaurants, it is definitely in need of more affordable, quicker restaurants so I was happy to see Rosie’s Sidekick open.

Appetizers, Beets, Recipes, Sides

Beet Tartare Crostini Recipe: Perfect for a Moody Dinner Party

Cooks in 1 Hours, 30 Minutes Difficulty Medium

Hosting or going to a dinner party?  Not sure what to make?  Want to bring something different from the usual cheese and crackers?  A beet tartare crostini will not only impress your guests, it will also please your gut.  While beets do take time to prepare, they are absolutely gorgeous and vibrant (oh and healthy) – I wanted to make a unique and fun appetizer for a dinner party I went to so I figured why not make a twist on a traditional beef tartare?  The beet tartare crostini was not only beautiful to the eye but also extremely pleasing for the palate.  

Travel

Travel Blog Post: New Orleans Part 2, A Pescatarian Culinary Journey with Some Dancing

So what can I say, New Orleans is a weird city.  I couldn’t live here, but I could live with the weather and all of its delicious food and cocktails.  I appreciated the more relaxed vibe and how walkable of a city it is.  It is easy to find what you’re looking for in NOLA, whether it’s a higher-end small plates restaurant or a binge when you’re hungover brunch spot.  There are so many bars to choose from and with a selection of bars open till 5am or even 24 hours!  If you’re looking for opulence or a chill night away from the tourists, you will be able to find your spot.  Gritty and decadent, New Orleans is a melting pot of cultures, traditions, and flavors that will keep you coming for more.

Dinner, Recipes, Tofu

Tasty Tofu Étouffée Recipe

Cooks in 1 hour Difficulty Medium

My recent trip to New Orleans was quite inspiring when it came to trying and exploring new and dynamic flavors.  I was exposed to amazingly delicious Creole and Cajun cuisine (and I learned that these are distinct from one another as well) and wanted to explore making a vegan version of a New Orleans classic, Crawfish Étouffée.  The étouffée sauce is traditionally made with butter and a meat or seafood stock, but I used soy butter and a veggie broth instead.  I also made it with pan fried tofu instead of crawfish. 

Travel

Travel Blog Post: Detroit Delicacies and Techno

Being a fan of dark techno, I made my pilgrimage to Detroit for Memorial Day Weekend’s Movement festivities.  I was not going to just enjoy the music though, I was excited to embark on the culinary delicacies of Detroit.  While Detroit is known for their Coney Island Hot Dogs, I obviously did not take part in this tradition being a vegetarian. 

Vegetarian Lifestyle

Guest Blog Post: Sydney’s Journey to a Plant-Based Diet

Lifestyle changes simply do not happen overnight. With many other lifestyle changes I have made over the years, changing my dietary habits has been slow, which, I must add, benefits me tremendously because it always gives me adequate time for self-reflection. Moreover, going at a slow pace helps me to truly let go of the habits so that I won’t re-acquire them in the future.