Lulu in the Grove

Once a year my friends come in from out of town and we get together, all of us girls that haven’t seen each other in a while, and have a night out.  We chose Lulu after a coworker suggested it had the perfect atmosphere for a chill girls night out.

What a great place to hang out and we even got a round of drinks on the house (it helps to know people, that’s all I’m going to say).  Our waiter was very sweet but probably a little overwhelmed by our outspoken group.

As we were only supposed to be there for drinks, I ordered an appetizer of hummus and pita sticks that was the perfect snack.  My friend then ordered the Dulce de Leche that came with a beautiful strawberry flower on top.  There are quite a few options for vegetarians including the Brussel Sprouts appetizer that I heard is a favorite.  Veggie burgers, salads, etc. all are included in the menu.

If you’re looking for a nice romantic spot, a place to people watch or just to hang out with friends, this is definitely the place to go in Coconut Grove.

Thank you Lulu for such a great evening!
Lulu’s Facebook
Lulu’s Website

 

Where to Eat in Copenhagen? Govinda, Of Course!

When the usual dish in Denmark (for lunch) is usually cold meat sandwiches, what does a vegetarian eat?  Indian of course!

Mama Veg travels far and wide to bring you vegetarian options from all over the world.  This month, she traveled to Copenhagen with a friend and visited an Indian restaurant where you can almost always find vegetarian options.

What a quaint little restaurant!

 

The regular menu is mostly vegetarian but they do have some vegan options.  Their curry is delicious and has some pretty great reviews.  If you’re in Copenhagen, please check them out!

For more information (use google translate if you need to as their website is in Danish) go to Govinda Vegetarian Takeout .

 

Gabose & Gabose Pocha

Ashley and I checked out a Korean restaurant up in Lauderhill last night.  I should say, two Korean restaurants (with the same owners).  It’s also in the same shopping center: Gabose & Gabose Pocha.

Pocha is a little more modern and young feeling with Korean hip hop and dance music playing.  Thursday night is happy hour for shrubs, a fermented drink with soju and fruit that’s served in a bowl. We had two for one specials after trying a plain bottle of soju.  Ashley and I had the Ginger Shrub that tasted a little spicy, the Pineapple Rosemary that comes with a little jalapeno floating around in it, and the Pineapple Lemongrass.  My favorite was probably the lemongrass since it was really fresh-tasting and just a tad sweet.  All of them were worth travelling a little ways just to try- and the service was excellent.  We got there early and had personalized attention from a very knowledgeable waiter/bartender.

We were also served a complimentary Korean pancake with spicy ketchup and cheese and vegetables inside (it may sound a little odd but I had to hold myself back from eating it all).  I’m totally hooked on Korean food now.  They may have spoiled me though, this is not only one of the best Korean food places in town but all around just a great place to eat.  How will I ever go to another Korean restaurant?

After drinks and appetizers at Pocha, we wandered over to Gabose to have dinner.  We ordered the vegetable Bibimbap which is basically a very hot bowl with veggies, an uncooked egg, rice and hot sauce but it’s served so hot that you mix it all together when it gets to the table and it starts cooking the egg and the rice and makes it all nice and crispy on the sides.  They also bring about 5-6 little bowls of veggies to the table that are different side dishes.  The Bibimbap can also be served with tofu but we decided to just try the vegetable one.

Overall, a really great night out and two places I’ll be returning to when I want something adventurous and fun to eat!  Just be aware that Gabose can get very busy so call ahead or get there early.

You can find them at:

4933 N University Dr Lauderhill, FL 33351

 

4991 N University Dr, Lauderhill, FL 33351

 

greenbar & Kitchen, Fort Lauderdale

 

I’ve driven this strip of Fort Lauderdale going towards A1A hundreds of times and didn’t realize that back inside one of the little strip malls, was a great Plant-based restaurant! I’ve never even heard of them till this past week!

They have this adorable little patio area that is draped in plants and greenery and kind of takes you out of feeling like you’re in the city.  Inside the restaurant it’s very hip and modern and fresh-feeling.  If you’re looking for a great place for just grabbing some lunch or actually want to take someone out for a casual date-night, it’s the place to go (hint hint-go take someone out this weekend).

I ordered the avocado toast because someone had recommended it somewhere and I didn’t want anything too heavy that night.  Four half-slices of toast with tons of avocado and yumminess piled on top.  My son ordered the nuggets of which he ate three and said he didn’t want anymore- no worries! Mommy saved room for that.  He’s a picky eater and has a hard time trying new things.   Literally, we eat three main items at home.  The nuggets weren’t my favorite but they were the typical vegetarian nugget- I expected the flavor, though it did have an interesting spice thrown in there.

He did however, devour that chocolate cupcake you see below and mommy had to slyly take a bite while he wasn’t looking.  Thank goodness they were offering tons of cupcake samples that night.

On top of the wonderful food options, we were able to listen to a little info session on locally grown foods.  Check them out if you want to learn more about growing your own farm here locally or if you’d like to purchase some of their veggies and plants (just note that growing season in Florida for their veggies is coming to an end for them so now is the time to go before it’s over).  They also sell their own coconut milk.

A great evening all around, so glad I could use this opportunity to check out a new place.  Please let us know if you’ve ever visited and what you had when you were there- inquiring minds want to know what else is good!

For info on greenbar, go to : gb&k
For info on Harpke Family Farm, go to: Harpke Family Farm

Trader Joe’s Soy Chorizo

Oh we went there and went back again.  The Soy Chorizo from Trader Joe’s is seriously out of this world.  I could eat the entire package in one sitting.  Put it on top of pasta or zoodles, on potatoes or inside of tacos.  There is no end to the versatility of this vegan sausage.

We heart it over and over again.  Please never stop making this!

Why Not “Try The World”

My mom is a world traveler and, as I was trying to figure out what to get her for Christmas, a little ad popped up on Facebook.  Try The World, buy three for $39 (promo no longer available).  So I bought it!  I was so excited waiting to see what we were going to get because of course, mom always shares.

The three boxes came a few days before Christmas so we opened them early in case anything was perishable (we could have waited honestly, we were just too excited to open the boxes).

She loved it, needless to say.  I was worried that it would be cheap and not worth the $39 but I think we were more than happy with the contents of these Tiffany-blue boxes!

Best Christmas present, they were full and beautifully packaged.  We even put some food out for our Christmas guests who gobbled them up.  These are things that you actually need in the kitchen too- like sea salt and olive oil and Dijon mustard but with different tastes than we’re used to here.

Such a great experience, we will be doing it again!

To get your own Try The World box and enjoy your trip around the world, go to http://www.trytheworld.com or Try The World $15 Off Here
They also have a limited time- free trial offer here: Free Trial Paris Box

Holiday Detox Series: Baked Avocado Egg Baskets

  Trying to keep your diet in check during the holidays? Want to impress guests with a healthy, delicious and fun vegetarian breakfast alternative? This recipe is ridiculously easy, yet the results will amaze guests who’ve never had avocado egg baskets before.

Avocados are one of nature’s superfoods, full of vitamins and antioxidants it is a perfect detox food. My approach to detoxing is relatively simple, instead of worrying about juicing or expensive supplements, instead fill your detox diet with real foods that are low calorie and nutrient dense. Forgo anything processed or with refined sugars. Of course, the point of the Holiday detox is to work these foods in around your holiday celebrations. Plan your cheat meals wisely, keep the “cheating” to a minimum, but enjoy yourself. You only live once!

Baked Avocado Egg Baskets

Serves 2

One hass avocado

Two eggs

1 tbsp coconut oil

Optional: caramelized onions, chives, basil, fresh pico de gallo, etc. for topping once out of the oven

Preheat oven to 400F.

I like to use a muffin tin to bake the avocados as it keeps them in place better. Use the coconut oil to grease two openings in the muffin tin to prevent any egg white spillage from sticking to your pan.

Cut the avocado in half lengthwise and remove the pit. Use a spoon to create a slightly bigger hole in each avocado half to allow an egg to sit in the hole. (I like to eat the extra at this point! You can also reserve for another recipe later in the day, just remember to squeeze some lime or lemon on it to keep it from browning.)

Place the halves onto the muffin tin, skin side down, resting in one of the openings you greased with coconut oil. Carefully crack one egg into each avocado half, trying to avoid spilling the egg white.

Bake for 15-20 minutes, until the egg white is set but the yolk is still soft.

After removing from the oven, this is where I like to get creative. Work with your own tastes and whatever you have on hand at the time. Top with chopped fresh basil or chives. Add some caramelized onions. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Top with fresh tomatoes, pico de gallo or salsa. There are so many things that pair nicely with this!

***If you are allergic to latex, talk to your doctor before adding avocado to your diet. People with a serious latex allergy may experience symptoms after eating avocado.

 

Holiday Detox Series: Publix Edamame Steam-in-Bag

 Like most of the country this past week, I ate waaaayyy too much over Thanksgiving. Too many desserts to count – who can say no to ricotta pumpkin cheesecake? I learned I definitely cannot! And so many savory carbs like bread, mashed potatoes, candied sweet potatoes, rice and gandules, russian potato salad….ehhh. Needless to say, it’s only the beginning of December and already the holiday pounds are starting to creep up on me. I don’t want it to get out of hand so I’ve decided to start my “new year’s resolution” early – instead of January, why don’t we start in December IN BETWEEN all of the horrible eating that accompanies this time of year? This will be a mini-series of posts as I go along my holiday season natural detox diet. There will be cheat days, of course, on the days that I have a party or family gathering, but I will limit them and also keep portions in check. Everything in moderation!

This time of year is also one of the busiest, meaning that I don’t have a lot of prep time for my healthy meals. I’m looking for quick, cheap and healthy meals and snacks. So far I raided my local Publix who had a sale on their steam-in-bag vegetables. I love edamame, but had actually never made it at home. Typically in restaurants it comes covered in salt or sauces, which are not part of my holiday detox plan, so the Publix brand edamame is a perfect snack or side dish being that the ingredients listed are just: edamame!

Since I’m a glutton, I need these nutrient dense, low calorie options so I can eat large quantities. I ate the ENTIRE BAG as part of my dinner yesterday and it came out to only 275 calories, 8.8 grams of fat, 27.5 carbs and it gave me a whole 12.5 grams of protein. A great way to add bulk to your diet without packing on the calories. It’s super easy to make: pop in the microwave for 5-6 minutes, let sit for a minute or so to cool and then eat. For the holiday detox, make sure not to add any salt or sauce. The more you eat veggies on their own, the more your taste buds will become accustomed to not needing as much salt. Also make sure to drink as much water as you can throughout the day. I try to drink about 16 oz an hour, sipping constantly. Your body will adjust to the increase in your water intake after a few days, but the first couple of days you will go to the bathroom a lot more often. This is great for your whole body, giving your skin a great glow and also cleaning out your organs.

You don’t need to do an expensive juice cleanse or detox pills to really clean up your body and your nutrition. Focus on lots of water, cutting back on refined sugar and sodium, as well as eating lots of whole foods. If you’re struggling with flavor, try adding fresh garlic or herbs to your food. Make sure you don’t use any mixed seasonings that have sodium. You’ll want to limit your sodium intake on your “clean” days as much as possible!

Quick Weeknight Dinner: Spinach Tagliatelle with Pesto, Cherry Tomatoes and Roasted Peppers

Photo by: Paolo Margari

Before we start cooking, let’s first imagine we are gliding down a canal in Bologna, Italy in spring with beautiful flowers gracing the balconies and friendly Italians waving as we pass. Somewhere off in the distance a man with a deep baritone voice is singing as he kneads dough to make delicious spinach tagliatelle pasta. We stop at a market to pick up the freshest, most vibrant cherry tomatoes, fire roasted red peppers, some robust balsamic vinegar and a basil pesto sauce made fresh that morning by the world’s most adorable grandmother. Of course we can dream up the best ingredients possible, but we all know that I’m stuck in a city apartment the size of a closet and cooking with the best I can find in my local market. I was able to find some amazing fresh spinach tagliatelle, you can substitute dried if you don’t have this luxury. And I purchased a jar of great basil pesto as well as a jar of fire roasted red peppers, both of which should be easy enough to find in most supermarkets. I already had a great Modena balsamic vinegar at home and some cherry tomatoes that needed to be used – and voila, the quickest gourmet weeknight dinner ever.

If you have 15 minutes, you have enough time to put this on your table tonight. The below recipe yields enough for a quick dinner for one or two, but can easily be adapted into dinner for a family of any size.

Spinach Tagliatelle with Pesto, Cherry Tomatoes and Roasted Peppers

Serves two

Ingredients

• 4 oz spinach tagliatelle pasta (fresh, if available)
• 2 tbsp basil pesto (typically found in your grocer’s sauce aisle)
• 1 whole fire roasted red pepper, cut into strips
• 1 pint grape/cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 1tbsp balsamic vinegar

Boil water in a medium sized pot and cook the spinach tagliatelle until al dente, time will vary depending on whether you purchase fresh or dried pasta. In a separate pan on medium-high heat, sauté the halved cherry tomatoes, the minced garlic, and roasted red pepper strips until heated through and slightly browning. Add the basil pesto and the balsamic vinegar to the pan and turn off the heat, stirring constantly until heated through and well incorporated. Serve the sauce over the cooked pasta.

  

 

Zinburger Wine & Burger Bar

Can I just say that I’m in love with my husband’s camera!  This (veggie) burger shot makes me hungry.

Sunday night we checked out Zinburger Wine & Burger Bar for a late dinner.  My husband’s coworker told him he absolutely HAD to try one of their burgers and of course the Cookie and I were hauled along for the ride.  My nasal congestion and this horrible sinus infection makes it difficult to be hungry for anything, I can’t smell anything and when you can’t smell, nothing tastes right!

Thank goodness it looked this good because I had no appetite and still finished over half the burger.  This veggie monster is made from scratch in-house! Can you believe that?  They don’t just throw a frozen patty on the grill, they actually take the time to craft a really well-made, flavor-packed, patty. The atmosphere is also very wine-bar-ish in the middle of Sawgrass Mall in Sunrise, FL.  I can definitely see coming here with some girlfriends or guy friends and having a nice glass of red while chatting for a few hours.

Check them out at www.zinburgereast.com or on Facebook.