Romantic Pancakes

Last week I celebrated a really nice Valentine's day by exchanging gifts and having a nice dinner with Ben. He got me a beautiful new tea set that I absolutely love! Only a few days later, Ben left for a long weekend to go skiing with his family, and I stayed home to man the fort.

I'm not sure if I was just missing Ben, or still in the Valentine's mood, but I decided to get a little creative with my breakfast one morning.  As you know, I'm not the biggest fan of breakfast foods, but I knew I had a lonely box of pancake mix in the cupboard that wanted some attention. I had also been itching to try out my new heart molds. Add in some mixed berries and chocolate sauce, and I had made some very romantic pancakes...just for myself.







There is not much better than chocolate with strawberries, so I knew I'd have a winner. I mixed the chocolate sauce right into the batter, but next time I'll squeeze it onto the pancakes as they cook, for a more chocolaty flavor. I loved the hot, sweet berries inside and the pancakes were so soft and fluffy too! This little romantic breakfast for one came together perfectly, with a cup of tea in my brand new set.

What do you think of my little romantic pancakes? Would you eat these alone, or share them with someone special?

Bye from the Veggie Side!

Chik'n N Waffles

As I have mentioned many times on my blog, my favorite thing to do as a vegetarian is to re-create popular meaty foods but make them 100% vegetarian. When someone says to me "Oh I wish you could try this, its so good" is like a challenge to me.  I hate when people generalize vegetarianism as just salads and tofu. My goal is to show people that vegetarians can eat pretty similarly to meat eaters.

I have recreated various meaty dishes including buffalo chicken pizza, hamburger helper, sloppy joes, and even a hot sausage sandwich. But I wanted to go further. I wanted to recreate a dish that I had never seen turned vegetarian: Chicken and Waffles.

It might just be me, but I feel that recently chicken and waffles has been gaining popularity. People are always talking about the amazingness that is chicken and waffles and I knew that just being a vegetarian wasn't about to stop me from trying them. It was time to do this.



I started with my trusty Boca Chik'n patties. I just love these. They are probably the most realistic fake chicken I have ever had. The breading is crispy and the inside is meaty and peppery. I've used them in pasta, on sandwiches, and now its time to eat them on a waffle. For the waffle I just used a basic waffle mix.  Time to break out the waffle iron!



Yes that is a Bugs Bunny waffle iron, and it is 20 years old!  I remember my dad used to make me Bugs Bunny waffles all the time as a kid. I would sit and wait at the table while my dad made the waffle. Back then, the waffle always looked so massive, and I never finished it all. This baby has been away in a cabinet for so many years, and I decided to take it with me when I moved away from home. Who knew I would be breaking it out again for anther go!



The waffle came out just as perfectly as I remember as a kid.  Now its time to add the Chik'n, and the syrup!





I decided it needed some butter too, because if I am going to eat unhealthy food, I might as well go all out!





I have to say I wasn't totally blown away by my creation. I think the Chik'n was a bit too mild, and it got over powered by the syrup. Even though I couldn't taste the chicken too much I still enjoyed the mix of sweetness with a bit of salty and peppery. The waffle itself was perfect. It has a nice crunch and it took me right back to having waffles with my dad. This may not have been everything I dreamed of, but I was really happy I got to try something new and I can cross chicken and waffles off my meaty bucket list!

I had little visitor that wanted to try these too...



Muffin was very interested in my meal. I might have snuck her a little piece of waffle which she just LOVED!

Have you tried veggie chicken and waffles? What is your favorite meaty meal?

Bye from the Veggie Side!

Fresh Blackberry French Toast

Hey everyone! I am back with a food post after my Yom Kippur break! And whats better than breakfast, for a post after my break-fast (eh get it? Breaking the fast). I showed you what I made with the apples I picked, and now Its time to show you what I made with those black berries!



Ben and I decided to use our blackberries to make to make some French Toast. That is, when we weren't eating them with chocolate ice cream, or just straight out of the container.



Ben and I actually both made our French Toasts on different days. Ben didn't work on Sunday so he made his then, and then I had a day off on Monday, so I made mine. We both compared notes after and it turned out we had made it the exact same way!  A little cinnamon, brown sugar, and vanilla extract in the egg mix to coat the bread with. Then we both tossed the black berries in with the bread just for a couple of minutes.



I usually don't eat breakfast foods, especially out at restaurants. I find most places don't have good vegetarian options. Of course when most people think of breakfast foods they think of bacon and sausage, which I don't eat. Or they think of eggs, which I can't eat too much on their own. The last option are the sweet foods: waffles, pancakes, and French Toast. Well, I have never had a real big sweet tooth. But once in a while you just need a sweet meal. Its amazing how comforting it is, especially when its a rare and special treat.

After you make your own special blackberry french toast, top with a little syrup, and serve with a side of tater tots and a glass of orange juice.









This breakfast was so warm and comforting. The tart blackberries were the perfect match for the sweet French Toast.  With the sweetness from the sugar and the vanilla extract, I barely needed to add any syrup.  The bread with so moist and soft, and the blackberries were incredibly fresh. Actually, when it comes to fruit, you can't get much fresher than picking your own! Heating up the blackberries warmed them up, and broke them open a bit. I loved sopping up the blackberry juice with the bread.

When I was in college I discovered an amazing food combination: tater tots and maple syrup. While eating French Toast one day, some of the syrup got on my tater tots, one bite and it was a match made it breakfast heaven. I would call it the vegetarian's version of bacon and syrup, that I have often heard meat eaters talk about. The tots are crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, and the salty and sweet flavors are incredible together!

I loved this amazing breakfast, it reminded me of something you would get from a little, southern diner. It was such a nice treat. Talking about it just makes me wish I could eat some more right now!

What is your favorite comfort breakfast? How do you like making your French Toast?

Bye from the Veggie Side!

Morning Star Maple Flavored Sausage Patties

OH HAPPY DAY!

Remember this post when I talked of the magic of Morning Star Maple Flavored Sausage Patties?  They were the first vegetarian sausages that I have ever tired.  I kept hearing meat-eaters talk about maple flavored sausage and ham and how good it was. When I saw a veggie version I did a little happy dance. But then horror struck! I couldn't find them in stores any more. But guess what I found!!



YAY!



I just love these little patties. They have a nice meaty flavor with a hint of maple sweetness. The perfect combination of salty and sweet, and the perfect addition to any breakfast!





I am so happy I get to enjoy my favorite little sausages again!

Have you tried these maple sausages? Are there any foods that you love but can't find in your supermarket anymore?

Bye from the Veggie Side!

Pop Tarts

Hello hello!  Today is a special day in the world of Simple. Easy. Vegetarian! Not only is this my very first blog post from my new home in Virginia, but its also my first Awareness Wednesday post in Virginia too! It is unreal to think about how I am living on my own and with my boyfriend of 4 years. I feel like I am living in a dream, the reality hasn't quite hit me yet.

Today's post is about those tasty breakfast pastries that come hot out of the toaster. I am talking about Pop Tarts.


Source.

Pop Tarts are another one for the list of foods that I didn't know were vegetarian when I gave up meat. I think I ate then until I was 16 or 17. Once day I was curious about the ingredients. As I was munching away I saw gelatin.  Pop Tarts meet the trash, trash meet Pop Tarts.


Source.

Oh gelatin, the usual culprit!

If you are looking for a toaster pastry alternative without gelatin, but still want junk food, Pillsbury Toaster Strudels are the perfect option.

If you are looking for a version that is not only vegetarian, but vegan, all natural, and organic, you can always choose Amy's Toaster Pops. They are pretty much the same as Pop Tarts, fruit filling in a breakfast crust.


Source.

While Pop Tarts were a really convenient breakfast, I don't really miss them. Let's admit it, Toaster Strudel and Amy's Toaster Pops both taste way better than Pop Tarts ever did!

Are you done with Pop Tarts too? While alternative will you be choosing instead?

Bye from the Veggie Side!

Amy's Breakfast Scramble Wrap

Hey everyone, I hope you all are having a great week! I spent father's day going on a hike and a motorcycle ride with my dad. Then we had dinner at a Greek festival. I enjoyed some of the best and most authentic Greek food. I love the food of my people!  I've been spending the week continuing to pack and enjoying my yoga class. Plus, I am so excited because tonight I am going out to dinner with my friend at The Melting Pot! Even though I am excited for dinner tonight, right now I am going to talk breakfast.



As you know, even though I'm not a vegan, I try to avoid eating eggs, and I rarely ever eat them on their own, so I am always looking for fake egg meals. The first time I saw Amy's Breakfast scramble wrap I was so excited to try it!





This wrap is filled with tofu eggs, veggies, and soy bacon all in a flaky and crispy wrap. The first time I ate this I started to panic when I tasted the bacon. It tasted SO realistic that I thought it was real bacon. I freaked out and ran to the recycling bin and triple read the ingredients. Totally vegetarian.





The eggs had a pretty mild flavor, not super eggy, but it was more flavorful that tofu. The Fake-on gave it a bit of a meaty taste. Add in some veggies and a bit of cheese and you have a perfect vegetarian breakfast in each bite! I decided to add some hot sauce to give it a bit of kick.



Yum!

I have to say this is my favorite of the Amy's tofu egg meals. It really makes the perfect breakfast. All you need is a side of tater tots!

Have you tried the Amy's Breakfast Scramble Wrap? Will you be?

Bye from the Veggie Side!

Austin, Texas: Day 2

Hey guys! I hope you liked my last Austin post, because it's time for another!

After that rainy night, we all woke up to a beautiful day!  The sun was out, it was warm, and the air smelled like fresh flowers. We knew it was the perfect day to spend outside, and in one of the most vegetarian friendly cities in the world, it was time for a vegetarian restaurant.

Counter Culture is actually a vegan restaurant which also has lots of gluten free and raw food options.  All the food is locally grown and organic, and of course they recycle and compost!  Its an environmentalist's dream, so I was really happy to eat and support this local restaurant and make good vegan meal choices!



When we got to Counter Culture, brunch was still being served.  I was a little hesitant at first because I don't like breakfast foods since I don't eat meat or eggs.  But a totally vegan breakfast? Yes please! For the first (and only time this trip) my brother and I didn't end up ordering the same meal.  Even though I try to avoid eggs when I can, I still miss them. I used to love omelettes, but I haven't had one in ages. Amy's makes a tofu scramble, so I get my fill of that, but to have an omelette again?  I couldn't pass up the opportunity, no matter  how good everything else looked.  The "eggs" were made of tofu, and they actually tasted a lot eggier than I expected, though not as eggy as real eggs. Definitely eggier than the tofu scrambles I've had, so it was nice satisfying that egg craving, even if they were a little crumbly.  This omelette was filled with roasted potatoes and fresh, locally grown spinach.  It also had vegan cashew cheese in it which was mild and creamy, but still very good.

Even if my brother got a different meal than me, we both made sure to order a side of tempeh bacon.  I've never had tempeh before so I was excited to try it. I wish it was more bacony like some of the soy bacon's I've tried. It had more of a nutty flavor. It was alright, but definitely didn't fill my desire for bacon. My brunch also came with whole wheat, vegan toast and vegan butter which was very nice and light.



I love root beer, so when I saw they had an all-natural version, I knew I had to try it. It had a lighter and more natural taste that normal root beer. I loved that it was made with stevia!

After brunch we spent the rest of the day shopping at an outdoor mall and I was guilty of buying waaaaay too many clothes!

After a long day of shopping, it was time to eat again! The ongoing joke in my family is that all we do is eat. But with so many good restaurants around, its hard not to. For dinner we went to a place called Korente, which serves Asian fusion food.  What I loved about this place was the really interesting story behind it.  The father of the man that opened the store was an Asian diplomat, so the family traveled all over Asia.  While traveling, his mother learned how to cook food from many different countries   She then thought her son, who decide to use this knowledge to open Korente.



Again, David and I both ordered the veggie curry with rice medallions and tofu on top of greens. I have to say I was in love with those rice medallions.  I had never tried anything like it before.  They were both chewy and smooth with a rice flavor.  Its hard to describe but it was so good!  Everything was tossed together in a flavorful and spicy curry. However, the most exciting part of the meal was the vegan miso soup! I love miso, but I never get it when ordering out since I'm never sure if it is vegetarian, or if it has fish stock in it.  We all shared some Asian pickles, bamboo soaked in pickle juice and jalapeños. They were so crunchy, fresh, and spicy, we couldn't stop eating them!

After dinner we stopped by Whole Foods (the cooperate office is in Austin!) to pick up some treats that I will show you in my next post :)

Do you have vegan restaurants in you area? How easy is it for you to find vegetarian options when you go out to eat?

Don't forget to stay tuned for my last Austin post coming up!

Bye from the Veggie Side!

A Cozy Little Breakfast

Hello everyone! Today I wanted to show you guys my favorite quick breakfasts.  I normally don't eat "traditional" breakfast foods, especially when I go out to a restaurant, since I either can't eat, or don't like most of the foods.  I don't eat meat, so that knocks out sausage and bacon, eggs creep me out, so no omelettes, most yogurts have gelatin in them, and I don't like overly sweet foods like pancakes and waffles.  However, when I am in the comfort of my own kitchen, I have the ability to experiment more with breakfasts, and I finally found one that I love!



I have recently rediscovered my love for oatmeal.  I used to love it as a kid, but for some reason I stopped eating it.  My friend at work is gluten free, and she got me hooked back on to the warm oat cereal. In order t make this breakfast more "traditional", I added Morning Star Hot Spicy Sausage Patties. I love how spicy and savory they are to cut the sweetness from the oatmeal.



 Finally I finish off this spread with some cinnamon toast.  It's a really simply concoction that I found floating around on Pinterest.



All you need is some butter, cinnamon, sugar, and a slice of bread.  I used oatmeal bread for this, but any kind would work.



Instead of cinnamon and sugar, I used my Trader Joe's Cinnamon Sugar Grinder.  It has cinnamon and large chunks of sugar in a grinder just like a pepper grinder. It is really cool, and easy to add a bit of cinnamon and sugar to anything you want.

Just mix the butter, cinnamon, and sugar together in a small bowl, spread it on the bread, and broil it until golden brown.

That's it, super easy and really tasty!  And what I love about this is that I can add as much or as little sugar as I want, so its not overly sweet.

What is your favorite breakfast? Are you going to try this easy cinnamon sugar toast?

Bye from the Veggie Side!