Chow Vegan

Good Eat • No Meat

Nothing But Pi Day

By 12 Comments

Leek and Mushroom Quiche Slice | Chow Vegan

March 14, National Pi Day, the day set aside to eat nothing but pie. Actually I just made that part up, you can eat whatever you want, whenever you want. But if you wanted to, you could eat pie all the live long day.

To get the day off to a tasty start, a nice slice of breakfast pie, Leek and Mushroom Quiche, pictured above.

Slice of Whole Foods Vegan Pizza | Chow Vegan

For lunch, a quick slice of vegan pizza pie from Whole Foods. Pretty much the only place around here to get a vegan slice. It’s convenient while shopping in store but it’s kinda hit-or-miss if there’s any vegan options on any given day or time.

Pizza Studio Vegan Pizza | Chow Vegan

Or I can stuff my face with a whole thin-crust pizza pie for about 10 bucks from one of the many build-your-own pizza places like Pizza Studio. I’ve yet to try Pieology or Blaze but both have vegan options as well.

Vegan Tempeh Pot Pie | Chow Vegan

Wimp out on cooking dinner and pick up a vegan pot pie from Pot Pie Paradise instead. Leaving plenty of time to make dessert…

Vegan Chocolate Banana Cheesecake | Chow Vegan

Chocolate Galaxy Banana Cheesecake with a raspberry topping from Vegan Pie in the Sky. It’s gonna be a great pie day. Who knew math could be so tasty and fun? Happy Pi Day!

This post contains an Amazon link, I get a few coins tossed my way if you click on the link and make a purchase of anything.

Lucky Creation

By 8 Comments

Lucky Creation Deep-fried Taro Root Fish with Sweet and Sour Sauce

While in San Francisco’s Chinatown for a family thing, I finally got a chance to dine at Lucky Creation, a hole in the wall type of place serving Cantonese vegetarian food. Surprised I hadn’t eaten there before as it’s been around since forever.

I wanted to try their veggie bao for the longest time but I don’t really get up to Chinatown all that often. Probably been at least ten years since the last time I was in the area. Initially, I planned on just grabbing a bao to go but the family actually agreed to eating there.

We ordered three dishes: Deep-fried Taro Root Fish with Sweet and Sour Sauce, pictured above. Though the “fish” didn’t taste anything like fish. There’s no seaweed or kelp or anything with a seafood-like flavor, just mashed taro with a fried, crispy coating in the shape of a fish. The soft, creamy taro interior contrasts nicely with the fried exterior.

Lucky Creation Minced Bean Cake (Spoon Shaped Tofu)

Minced Bean Cake (Spoon Shaped Tofu), a favorite of the table – savory minced tofu spoon shaped into a large oblong and fried. Topped with what looks like noodles at first is actually stir-fried mushrooms and broccoli in a sauce.

Lucky Creation Imitation Sliced Pork with Vermicelli

Imitation Sliced Pork with Vermicelli, it may have pork in its name, but it didn’t taste at all like pork. But that doesn’t mean it wasn’t any good, on the contrary, the pieces of gluten have a nice, chewy texture. Served in a clay pot with Cantonese vermicelli (also known as cellophane noodles or glass noodles) and vegetables.

We enjoyed all three dishes and wanted to try more, a lot more. Alas, we only had a limited amount of cash on hand and it’s cash only here. I can’t emphasized this enough, we were all surreptitiously checking our wallets (even the tween) to see what we can actually order with tax and tip, plus paying for parking which was also cash only.

Potentially embarrassing money fiasco averted, but without any more cash, I didn’t get to try the veggie bao. Hopefully, it’s not another ten years before I make my way back to Lucky Creation.

Related Posts
Ramen Yamadaya SF Japantown
Kokio Republic Food Truck
Loving Hut SF Westfield Shopping Center

Vegan Cocktail Meatballs Dinner

By 8 Comments

Vegan Cocktail Meatballs with Rice | Chow Vegan

Super Bowl LI came and went. I intended to make vegan cocktail meatballs for the big game but somehow never got around to it. Ever since I saw the recipe on the blog House Vegan, I’ve been curious to try veggie balls in the two ingredient sauce – made from store-bought cocktail sauce and grape jelly.

Grape jelly!

With an ingredient like that, I still wanted to try out the recipe but instead of a potful of vegan cocktail meatballs, I made a single serving version. It’s a delight! The sauce cooks down into a savory and sweet lacquered coating for the veggie balls. Serve with rice or pasta noddles and a side vegetable to turn it into a full-fledged meal for dinner.

Vegan Cocktail Meatballs with Pasta | Chow Vegan

If cooking for a party, see the original Crowd-Pleasing Vegan Cocktail Meatballs recipe on House Vegan here. I adapted the recipe by reducing the sauce ingredients to the single serving size listed for each item – 1 tablespoon grape jelly, 2 tablespoons cocktail sauce and a couple of tablespoons of water to thin out the sauce a bit.

Vegan Cocktail Meatballs Dinner

Serves 1 or 2 as part of a meal

9 veggie balls (I used Ikea GRÖNSAKSBULLAR Veggie Balls)
2 tablespoons cocktail sauce
1 tablespoon grape jelly
2 tablespoons water

If serving with rice or pasta noodles, start that first as the rest of the dish comes together fairly quickly once you get started.

In a small bowl, combine the grape jelly, cocktail sauce and water. Heat the veggie balls following the directions on the package and set aside.

Pour the sauce ingredients into a wok or pan and heat to a boil. Turn down to medium heat and stir to break up any remaining chunks of grape jelly. Add the veggie balls and stir to coat in sauce. Partially cover the wok and let simmer for 2-3 minutes (the longer it goes, the thicker the sauce) stirring occasionally. Serve on top of rice or pasta noodles. Add a side vegetable if desired.

Related Posts
Ikea Veggie Balls