A Part-Time Vegan's Favorite Vegan Places

Welcome to the first Friday of Lent! Many of you are probably having fish tonight, which somehow crept into the Church's definition of "not meat" (here's the history of that). This restaurant round-up is for you guys, and for any full-time vegetarians/vegans out there. And you know what, this one is for the carnivores, too. Just because you do eat meat doesn't mean you have to at every meal, and I challenge anyone who scoffs at vegan cuisine to try any of the places listed below.

I personally consider myself an eater, above all things. I eat meat, but not a lot. Vegetables are my jam. I haven't had dairy milk in several years, but I'll be damned if I stop eating real cheese. When I eat out at vegan places, it's not because I don't think animals should be eaten or because I don't like the taste of meat. It's because, just like chicken or beef or pork, sometimes seitan is what's for dinner. When I eat out, I like to choose places that serve something I wouldn't normally make, and my vegan repertoire in the kitchen isn't very developed.

Also, considering I'm dating someone who is also in a relationship with protein (generally meat-based), I've been to a lot of vegan places in Chicago and I can speak to a meat-eater's experience at these places. Jesus and I both like trying new things, and we always leave these places with full and happy bellies. Vegan doesn't mean pasta or salads to us - it means a night out at one of our favorite restaurants, no label needed.

The Chicago Diner
Good For: low key dinner dates, high energy brunches, people-watching, (non) milkshakes.
Ambiance: their Halsted location looks and feels like a classic diner, while Logan Square feels very...Logan Square (think reclaimed wood and naked light bulbs).
Notes: when I think vegan food in Chicago, I think The Chicago Diner. They've been around since 1983, so they know what they're doing with their non-meat ingredients. Both locations feature the same great service and food. Their menu is huge, so EVERYONE should be able to find something here.

Ground Control
Good For: Valentine's Day, getting off the beaten path, dinner and drinks.
Ambiance: intimate, close seating in a small-ish space (though I hear they have outdoor seating in the summers).
Notes: having only been here on a holiday, I can't say what Ground Control is like on a normal night. When we went it was busy, but we didn't feel rushed while eating. Our server was great at explaining the menu. I had the Po Boy, which was super good/filling.

Kitchen 17
Good For: Birthdays, exploring new neighborhoods, meeting unique Chicagoans.
Ambiance: bright, cozy, and casual deli/sandwich shop/bakery feel.
Notes: the owner/chef/waiter/busboy (seriously, this guy does everything) is amazing. He made Jesus and I feel very welcome in the small space, made sure we had whatever we needed, and answered any questions we had. I loved being able to support this local business and only wish it was closer to me so I could go more often! BYOB.

Native Foods Cafe
Good For: quick food, lunch, a change from the usual.
Ambiance: trendy/upscale fast food, but better for you.
Notes: yes, Native Foods is a chain, but for vegan amateurs on a budget, it does the job. Service is quick and friendly, menu options are varied yet comfortable, and the prices are right. Plus, if you have the Native Foods loyalty card you get freebies throughout the year and can build up points for credit.

On My To Try List
I'm pretty pleased with the vegan options near me, but I would like to someday make it up to Delicious Cafe in North Center. I'm thinking on a sunny day, when I can bike there and sip some coffee while enjoying a dairy-free pastry. Sigh...spring, where are you?

Stuffed Acorn Squash

Acorn squash will always be my first squash. Spaghetti squash might turn out to be my favorite, and butternut is super easy/versatile, but acorn is where I'm learning the culinary ropes of winter gourds. Last year I sliced up the acorn squash I picked up randomly at aldi, topped each slice with butter and brown sugar, and roasted it to creamy perfection. This year, I'm starting off with something more savory than sweet: stuffed squash. I leaned on Martha Stewart for the basics, but played around a bit with textures and flavors.

Here's her take (with my substitutions/additions in parenthesis):

• • 2 acorn squash, halved crosswise and seeded (I only used one, but still used about 1 c rice)
  • Salt and pepper
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 1/2 pound cremini or button mushrooms, trimmed and diced small (I used white)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced small
  • (1 carrot, peeled and diced)
  • 3/4 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice (I used a rice pilaf mix)
  • 2 cups vegetable or chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
  • 
    
  • Preheat oven to 450 degrees. On a rimmed baking sheet, season cut sides of squash with salt and pepper, drizzle with 1 tablespoon oil, and turn cut sides down. Cover sheet tightly with foil and roast until tender, about 35 minutes.
  • 
    
  • Meanwhile, in a medium straight-sided skillet, heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil over medium-high. Add mushrooms, onion, and thyme; season with salt and pepper. Saute until mushrooms are golden, 8 minutes. Add rice and broth and bring to a boil; cover and reduce heat to low. Cook until liquid is absorbed, 20 minutes. (I used a regular pot and just added in my veggies--carrots, mushrooms, onion--to cook along with the pilaf.)
  • 
    
  • Remove squash from oven and heat broiler. Carefully scoop out 2 to 3 tablespoons flesh from each squash half and stir into rice; season with salt and pepper. Divide rice mixture among squash halves, sprinkle with Parmesan, and broil until melted, 2 minutes. (I had plenty of rice pilaf to spare, so these were not only stuffed, but overflowing acorn squash. Still super tasty.)

  
  
• Can be scooped out and served in one dish, or enjoyed straight from the squash bowls!

It's Fall! (Friday Night Links 1)

Don't misread me: it's still summer. But for today, it's fall. I'm wearing a sweater. I had hot coffee this morning. The air smells like wood stoves and wet dog. (Just Chicago? Oh.) And for the first time since June, I'm using my oven without regret. If you can guess what I'm making, well, that just means you've read one or two of my Friday night blogs before.

Yeah, it's pizza. Red sauce, broccoli, peppers, and caramelized onions. You know the drill.
And granola! I found this recipe last week and have been waiting for sub-70 degree weather to try it out. Tonight's the night, but stay tuned for my tweaked version of it. (Spoiler alert, I add sugar.)

A few other food-themed things I've found in the past few weeks:

My next granola recipe. (I want to become a granola connoisseur this year. Maybe I'll write a cookbook like this.)

An interesting take on part-time veganism.

Following foodies on Instagram = my other day job.

Who knew almonds affected so many facets of life? I'm rethinking my love of almond milk.

I think I could be the founding member of a wine-ercising club. Or the only member of a I drink wine alone while I eat half a pizza club.

Black Bean Brownies & Chocolate Oatmeal Clusters

Oof, that title is a mouthful...and so are these two desserts I tried over the weekend for Mother's Day. The first is a cookie-like dessert, but without the butter and flour. I adapted it from Kalyn's Kitchen (the fudgy version). The other is a brownie, one of my favorite desserts when I'm in a chocolate mood (which I clearly was this weekend). I found the recipe at Chocolate Covered Katie, and I'm very excited to announce that they also have zero butter or flour. What they do have is an entire can of black beans. Really!

Chocolate Oatmeal Clusters

1 c rolled oats

1/2 c sugar (original recipe calls for Splenda or Stevia-in-the-Raw)

4 tbsp cocoa powder

pinch salt

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

1/4 c olive oil

2 egg whites, beaten 

Combine dry ingredients in a medium bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together wet ingredients. Combine, stirring together until completely mixed. Chill in refrigerator for several hours. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spoon small balls of batter onto the paper, spaced evenly. Press down slightly with a fork (they don't spread very much). Bake twelve minutes, or until cookies are firm.

These aren't too sweet and are really easy to make, as long as you give yourself time to let the batter chill. They were a big hit at Jesus's family's house--they went so fast  I didn't even get a picture!

Black Bean Brownies

1 1/2 c black beans (one 15-oz can)

2 tbsp cocoa powder

1/2 c rolled oats (recipe calls for quick-cook, but I have rolled here, so that's what I used)

1/4 tsp salt

1/3 c maple syrup or agave nectar or honey (I used agave)

2 tbsp sugar (original recipe includes Stevia option or upping the liquid sweetener amount)

1/4 c oil (I used olive oil)

2 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 c chocolate chips (optional, or sub cocoa nibs)

Preheat oven to 350. Combine all ingredients except chocolate chips in a food processor or blender (I only have a blender) and blend until completely smooth. Like super duper smooth--you won't taste the beans, but you don't want any solid beans hanging around! Stir in the chips, then pour into a greased 8x8 pan. Bake 15-18 minutes. Cool before cutting.

I'm a big fan of these guys, pictured above. They are more fudgy than cakey, which I like. I want to add some caramel or peanut butter to my next batch (there will be a next batch).

Chicago Diner

The best way to try out a new restaurant is with a coupon deal--I don't want to go somewhere I'm unsure about unless I know I'm getting a bargain at least. Thanks to a Google Offer, last night Jesus and I checked out the "Meat free since '83" Chicago Diner at its new(ish)ly-opened second location. While neither of us is vegetarian (I see myself as more of a localtarian/I make exceptions for meat when I'm going out or if someone cooks for me and Jesus is a dyed-in-the-wool carnivore), I've heard their fake meat menu items rival the real things.

My first observation was that for sounding classic and old-timey, the Chicago Diner is pretty hip and new-agey. Their Lakeview location is decorated as one would expect a diner to be, but their Logan Square location can only be described as "hipster-posh"--environmentally-friendly lighting and recycled/upcycled furniture abound. I'm sure the waiters and hosts are required to have tattoos, piercings, and/or half-shaved heads to go along with their flannel and skinny jeans. As for the clientele, well let's just say Jesus' mustache was our only "in" (even the three tattoos and seven piercings we have between us didn't seem anti-establishment enough for this crowd).

Because it was a Saturday night and there is also a bar inside (shelves stocked with locally brewed beers, vegan wines, and organic liquor), we had time to people-watch before being seated. (I have so many new character descriptions: waif-like women with purses bigger than their bodies, thick-framed glasses on horsey faces, beautiful only because they are so unnaturally striking, men with Harry Potter-esque scarves.) It was almost surreal, these character cliches being so unironic about their cliched hipsterness.

Once seated and served, we were able to focus on the reason we came: the food. It honestly didn't disappoint. We started with barbecue "wings" and an organic root beer. Okay, so the wings' texture wasn't exactly wing-like, but it was still a tasty texture and wing-like enough when taking into consideration the awesome sauce. I followed up with the Gyros, not something I would get in pure-meat form, but surprisingly flavorful as a vegetarian option. Jesus got the Cajun Black Bean Burger, forgetting momentarily that he "can't handle" spicy. Once the offending jalapenos were removed, he was fine and we both soldiered on until our plates were empty and our bellies full. Regrettably, neither of us left room for dessert. A shame considering their vegan shakes are arguably their most popular menu items.

Altogether, we had a solid meal and a decent evening. We'd both return (it helps that their Logan Square location is literally up the street from us)...even if just to make fun of the other customers.

Get Fit Day Two

Still not feeling great. :(

Miles biked: 6
Balance drills performed: 9
Balls of feet, eyes closed: 30 seconds
Right foot: 30 seconds
Left foot: 30 seconds
Right foot, left leg held out: 30 seconds
Left foot, right leg held out: 30 seconds
Right foot, with squat: 10 reps
Left foot, with squat: 10 reps
Right foot, left leg kicks forward, side, and back: 5 reps
Left foot, right leg kicks forward, side, and back: 5 reps

Diet:
Yogurt with cereal & dried fruit
Peanut butter & honey on toast
Quinoa & veggies in sesame soy sauce
Butter toast
Rice & beans
Water

Grain & Veggies & Sesame Dressing

1. Prepare your grain (rice, quinoa, couscous, etc) as usual.

2. Add chopped up veggies of your choice to grain as it cooks, or sauté on the side with some olive oil, salt, & pepper. (Almost any amount/combo of veggies. I've used bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, corn, edamame, kale, onion, spinach, tomatoes...)

3. When grain is fully cooked, pour into serving bowl with veggies and mix with sesame dressing (see recipe below).

4. Enjoy! Variations of this would include a protein (chicken, steak, pork, tofu).

Sesame Dressing: Mix all ingredients.
3 tbsp rice vinegar/white wine vinegar
2 tsp sugar
2 tsp soy sauce
1 tsp sesame/vegetable oil
1/8 tsp crushed red pepper (optional)