Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Thanksgiving Round Up - 2014

It's that time of year again - the holidays.  If you are still scrambling for what to make for your celebration, here are a few ideas (all whole foods, plant based, crowd pleasers!).

Sides:

Blood Orange and Kale Salad with Almonds from Choosing Raw

Farro Salad with Oven Roasted Grapes and Autumn Greens from Martha Stewart

Saweet! Potato Casserole with Crunchy Nut Crumble from Oh She Glows

Rainbow Roasted Miso-Maple Root Veggies from Clean Food Dirty City

Mains:

Maple Hazelnut Crusted Tempeh Cutlets from Keepin it Kind

One Hour Vegan Fall Pot Pies from Minimalist Baker

Vegan Harvest Vegetable Tart from Whole Foods Market

Butternut Squash Fennel and Apple Tart from Nutrition Stripped

Desserts:

Raw Caramel Apple Pie Bars from Choosing Raw

Raw Vegan Pecan Pie from Gena Hemshaw on Food52 - I made this last year and it was such a hit I will definitely be making it again!

Pecan Truffles from Clean Food Dirty City

Vegan Gluten Free Pumpkin Pie from Minimalist Baker

Sweet Potato Pecan Pie from Nutrition Stripped

Other:

Pumpkin Spice Cinnamon Roll Loaf from Oh Ladycakes

One Bowl Pumpkin Bread (V & GF) from Minimalist Baker


Wishing you a happy and healthy Thanksgiving!

Monday, November 17, 2014

Review: Dimes NYC

Do you ever get stuck in a restaurant rut? By that I mean you go to the same place every weekend, order the same thing, with (usually) the same people?  I know I do.  Sometimes it's good to have your "old faithful," but part of the fun of living in a big city like NYC (for me at least) is exploring the food scene.  Recently I came to the realization that the key to trying new places is to plan ahead!  There's a much better chance I'm willing to venture to a new neighborhood and try a new spot if I've already made a reservation or promised to meet friends there.

So, in an effort to try new places, the BF and I made plans with another couple to get dinner this past Friday night in Manhattan.  There was a little last minute back and forth as to where we should go, but in the end we decided on Dimes NYC.  I'm so glad that our friend suggested this place because I had heard about it and wanted to check it out, but for some reason it fell off my radar.

Dimes is typical NYC eatery- small and narrow.  It definitely felt small, but cosy, not claustrophobic or crowded.  We ordered wine, which I didn't really care for, and an appetizer - roasted fingerling potatoes with plums and crispy sage.  What really elevated this dish were the plums - I would never think to pair these things together, but it was quite special and I hope to recreate this dish at home.

For dinner, we all ordered different dishes, which was great because we got to try a few things.  I got the Big Salad which was exactly what the name promised, big and hearty and everything I love in a salad.  My only compliant was that the grapes in the salad had seeds!  I ended up not eating too many because it was a pain, and not very polite, to spit out the seeds.


The other dishes we ordered were the Black Rice Bowl, Harissa Salmon, and Lamb Meatballs.  Obviously, I did not try the salmon or the meatballs, but both were beautifully presented and everyone else enjoyed them.  I did try the black rice bowl and it was delicious - hearty, like my salad, but not heavy.

And although we were all very full, dessert happened.  And it was absolutely divine.  I am normally not a fruit + chocolate person (unless its chocolate covered bananas), but the chocolate sorbet with berry compote was out of this world.  The sorbet was very rich and creamy, but not overly sweet and beautifully complemented by the tartness of the berries.  Yum.  We left very full and very satisfied.

A few practical items to note about Dimes NYC: As I mentioned, it is a small place, so not so good for large groups.  They are happy to accommodate dietary restrictions/preferences - there are plenty of things on the menu for vegans and omnivores alike, but I always think it's nice to know the kitchen is open to adapting dishes for their customers.  As far as price, Dimes is definitely not cheap, but I think that for the quality of food and the atmosphere, it is a fair deal.  I can't wait to visit again - maybe next time for breakfast, I've heard the acai bowls are killer.

Until next time!