Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Chipotle, Reston

This is my Burrito Bowl from Chipotle today. There's Rice, Black Beans, Salsa, Guacamole & Lettuce. It was delicious.

Monday, May 25, 2009

Mr. Noodle & Rice, Winchester

Today's lunch at Mr. Noodle & Rice was aesthetically and tastefully delightful.We started with some Veggie Sushi, but I'm not sure of what else was in it besides the Cucumber. It was delicious whatever it was.
The entrees come with Miso Soup, but I was too hot for soup today. Mr. SV ate mine.
5.26.2009 - Miso Soup is very often non-vegan. The ingrediants can contain dried fish flakes. I thought Miso Soup was just Miso Paste, Tofu and Scallions, but go figure. Please ensure that whenever you order any item in a restaurant, verify the item is vegan! Do not rely on my posts.
I ordered the special for $7.95: Tofu Teriyaki with mixed steamed vegetables. Superb.
I also hit the mother lode at Big Lots today. Each of the items above was only two dollars, and the items below were even less.
I'm always on the lookout for non-petroleum lip balm. $1.50 for a two-pack of balm was more than fair, so I stocked up. You never know when you'll want to bake cupcakes for a NASCAR fan, but just in case, I am ready! Dinner was Sweet Potato Falafel from 101 Cookbooks. I subbed parsley for the cilantro because Mr. SV hates cilantro.

It was good, but I doubt I'll make it again.Finally, here's one of the many little toads we have around our pond today.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Sunflower, Vienna

Today's lunch was at our favorite vegetarian restaurant Sunflower.
To start, Mr. SV had the Cold Basil Roll (Jicama, carrot, lettuce, dry spiced tofu, vegi-ham and basil wrapped in rice paper). I didn't try the roll, but the peanut sauce that came with it was fantastic.
Above is my appetizer of Fried "Chicken", made with fresh white mushroom and soy protein. It was not as good as usual. The soy protein was over-fried to the point of toughness, but it was still very much better than any real fried chicken.
For our entree, we both got the 'Curry Supreme' ( Chunks of soy protein served with broccoli, potatoes, mushrooms, carrots and green peas in a special Japanese curry sauce). This was great as always. The soy protein chunks are so succulent. We love this place.

Dinner was Susan's Ribz and Potato Salad made with Veganaise, yellow mustard, sweet relish, celery seed, minced onion and salt & pepper.

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Cooking For The Upcoming Week

It was a scorcher outside today, so I stayed cool inside and prepared dinner for next week.
The Burritos were made by mixing a can of TJ's Black Beans, TJ's Refried Black Beans and a box of Mori-Nu Extra Firm Tofu together and wrapping the mixture in TJ's Whole Wheat Tortillas.
Using up all the Tortilla's in the bag makes eight medium-sized Burritos.
Then I used the rice that came with yesterday's Chinese Food to make Martha Stewart's Easiest Indian Stew:
The recipe calls for two cans of Garbanzos, but I use only one. It also calls for three cups of 'Best Quality' Tomato Sauce, but I used two cups of Hunt's and it does the job just fine.
I pre-mix the Rice with the Sauce and when it's time to servce, I slice up a Tofurkey Italian Sausage into mine.
Next I made the Pierce Street Vegetarian Chili from 101 Cookbooks:
That's a defrosting Chipotle Chili in the little dish in front. I used water instead of stock and left out the Serrano Chili.
I haven't tried any of this food yet, but it will be nice to have dinner already made when getting home from work next week.

Friday, May 22, 2009

Oriental Star, Alexandria

I rarely go to this Alexandria, so I consulted VegDC.Com for a place to get some lunch. Oriental Star had the easiest location for me to find, but so many veg choices, I couldn't make up my mind. So I got two lunches to go: 'Kung Pao 'Chicken'', which was delicious...
and ''Chicken' with Cashews' which I'll enjoy another day. It looks to be equally as good. Since I'm rarely in the area, I will probably explore other options next time, but if I were local I'd return to Oriental Star.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Knossos, Berryville

A significant percentage of hits on this blog are from people searching for Knossos in Berryville.
So in their honor, I stopped by Knossos today to try their new menu item: The Veggie Burger!
Not only is it a great bargain at $2.25, but they successfully managed to leave off any possible trace of dairy product. I don't know how vegan safe the Fried Zucchini is, but I will definitely be returning regularly for this burger. I am pretty sure it is the Boca Burger they sell at Costco, but food tastes better when it's cooked by someone else and the service was super friendly today. (No Ipsy Pipsy bars today tho).
Dinner was Green Curry Tofu Scramble.

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Stir Fry

We went back to Backseat Bar & Grill today (no, that's not our vehicle).
We came for the Frickles and were not disappointed. Piping hot and crunchy on the outside, cool and dillicous on the inside.
The fries that came w/my veggie burger were outstanding. Whoever is working the fryer at Backseat Bar & Grill deserves a raise!
Here's our exciting Chinese dinner tonight.
Yes, she's thrilled.
I found organic Hen of the Woods mushrooms at the Lotte. That was cool.
Not the most colorful stir-fry, but very good served on Soba Noodles.

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Bryanna's Easy Spicy Middle Eastern Pasta and Chickpea Casserole

Lunch today at Mimosa (Sichuan Kung Pao Tofu -- outstanding as usual).
I've had my eye on this recipe for ages, but finally got around to trying it tonight. I sauteed a large Onion with Garlic, Crushed Peppers and Parsley.
Tossed it with Shell Pasta, Diced Tomatoes, Chickpeas and Water and put it in the oven for an hour....

It was delicious! The pasta wasn't as 'al dente' as I prefer, it was softer, but it was definitely all cooked. I will make this fun recipe again. Thanks, Bryanna!

Friday, May 15, 2009

$4 Dinner

I bought these cute Yellow Carrots for $2, plus the Pigeon Peas and Millet for less than a dollar each.
I roasted the Carrots and had them with the Millet tossed with the Pigeon Peas. Pretty darn tasty!
Here's some of my recent meals...The same old same old...
...Lots of Perfect Pita...
...and Whole Food's Tabouleh.

I might've finally eaten enough Tabouleh and Perfect Pita to finally break my addiction. I hope so.

Friday, May 8, 2009

Lotus Vegetarian Restaurant, Chantilly

Angel Hair Rice Noodles (Singapore Style, aka w/Curry) from Lotus.
Soy protein, tofu skin, shitake mushrooms, organic carrots, bean sprouts, napa and celery. Really delicious!!! $8 Dinner was good old Boca Burgers and Oven Fries.

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Ma Po Tofu

PF Chang's Ma Po Tofu is one of my favorite meals, so I saw this package at the Asian market and thought it might be a good substitute.I didn't follow the package directions exactly, I left out the 'meat' and sauteed the Tofu w/Scallions before adding the sauce.
I used an entire pound of Tofu and ate the whole thing. Yes, I ate a pound of Tofu tonight.I guess that gives you an indication that I enjoyed it. Not as good as PF Changs, but still really good!

Sunday, May 3, 2009

a.k.a. Friscos, Frederick, MD

Lunch today was at aka Frisco's, a delightful restaurant located in an industrial office park.
The decor is fun and the employees are friendly and enthusiastic.
I ordered the Golden Gate sandwich, Avocado, Sprouts & Tomato on a French Roll with a big cup of ice cold Amber Bock that was on tap. It was Huuuuuuuuge! And super delicious with the cold beer. I believe they put an entire Avocado in the sandwich.
I've been enjoying the Whole Foods Brownies with Coconut Sorbet.The Brownies are intensely chocolately, but not as fudgy as I'd prefer. They're delicious, but I probably wont buy them again.