Avocado Salad

Today's lunch was an avocado salad.  This 5 ingredient salad consisted of chopped spinach, diced orange bell peppers, grape tomatoes, onion and sliced avocado mixed in a red wine vinaigrette.  Fresh, light and revitalizing.

Cupcakes!

From VCTOTW (Vegan Cupcakes Take Over The World) by Isa Chandra Moskowitz & Terry Hope Romero, I made peanut butter and cookies 'n' cream cupcakes.  VCTOTW was one of my first vegan cookbooks.  The recipes are amazing.  If you don't have this book, make sure to add it to your cookbook collection!

The peanut butter chocolate cupcakes turned out great.  The zig zag is made with a rich chocolate ganache.  

Although the peanut butter chocolate cupcakes were stellar, these cupcakes were even better.  When it comes to cookies 'n' cream, this is always my first flavor choice for vegan ice cream, vegan cake and vegan cupcakes.  Therefore, I may be baised in my opinion. Back to the cupcakes,  for the "cookie", I used Newman O's Organic creme-filled chocolate cookies.  The cookies are mixed in the frosting and used as a garnish.  Mmmm good!

*Note: Isa's new "Vegan Brunch" cookbook is now available here.  

Soy and Sake Village

Located in the West Village, Soy and Sake Village is the sister restaurant to Red Bamboo and Vegetarian's Paradise 2.  What makes this restaurant so unique?  They serve vegan sushi.  I'm not talking about avocado rolls and cucumber rolls.  I'm talking specialty rolls such as the Village Roll (Vegan Rock Shrimp tempura, cucumber, topped with banana, avocado and a spicy vegan mayo).  

I couldn't possibly pass on getting a glass of sake, therefore I chose the Momokawa Organic Nigori Junmai Ginjo Sake.  I heard about this sake from This Just In.  It was served with a large wedge of cucumber.  The sake was very light and refreshing with a hint of pineapple.  

After I placed my order, about 10 minutes went by and the waitress came over with a complimentary bowl of their hot and sour soup.  She apologized for the long wait and said that my meal would be out shortly.  I didn't think that I had waited that long, but accepted the generous offer.  The soup was okay.  Nothing spectacular, but a nice treat.

The next dish arrived shortly after.  The House Roll (crisp soy chicken, bamboo shoots, avocado, vegan mayo and vegan eel sauce).  When I read the description on their menu, I thought, "Vegan eel sauce I don't know about this".  However, I'm glad I tried it because this roll was out of this world.  I would definitely order this again in a heartbeat.

Next up, this gigantic portion of Sweet and Sour Chicken.  I typically don't order Sweet and Sour dishes, but for some reason I was craving the sauce.  The entree was another winner.  I had leftovers for two days.  Next time your in New York, be sure to try this place!

Soy and Sake Village

47 7th Ave S.

New York, NY 10014

Vegetarian, Vegan, Japanese, Pan-Asian & Pacific Rim Sushi

Website: http://www.soyandsake.com/

Spring Spinach Salad

After my workout, I was craving a nice and light salad.  With only 5 ingredients, this salad contained chopped spinach, sweet corn, avocado, red onion and grape tomatoes (all organic).  The dressing was a red wine vinaigrette.  Ahh, just what I needed:)  

"Whole Wheat Sandwiches 3 Ways"

1

The first sandwich was one of my favorites.  A vegan burger with organic lettuce, red onion and a roasted red pepper spread.  

2

Next up, a simple hummus sandwich with tofurky, cucumber and dijon mustard.

3

The third and final sandwich, vegan ham, sauteed mushroom, onions, organic lettuce and vegannaise.