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Sweet Potato Stew (Vegan)

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All of a sudden, there’s a chill in the air and the sun is setting early. It’s the perfect time for a warm cup of stew. I saw this Sweet Potato Bisque at Trader Joe’s and knew immediately I had to try it. I prefer a stew to a soup, so I added in a few items to give this bisque some pizazz!

Ingredients:

1 32 oz Trader Joe’s Sweet Potato Bisque

2 Sweet Potatoes, cubed

1 can Organics Garbanzo Beans

1 package Melissa’s Produce Cipollini Onions

Gourmet Garden Parsley Lightly Dried

McCormick Sea Salt & Black Peppercorn

 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Add onion and sweet potato cubes to a foil lined baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast vegetables for 30 minutes.

While vegetables are roasting, warm bisque on stove top. Add in garbanzo beans and warm according to can directions. Just prior to serving, add in roasted sweet potato cubes and onions. Serve immediately with a sprinkle of parsley.

 

Please note, this content uses referral links for products I have used and loved.

 

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Disney’s California Adventure: Carthay Circle Vegan Fine Dining

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I read recently that Disneyland will be introducing new vegan options throughout the parks in 2020. I’m really excited and can’t wait to see what they offer. Until then, I’ll be ordering off of the secret menus.

Carthay Circle is located in Disney’s California Adventure on Buena Vista Street. It is the fine dining option at California Adventure. As soon as you enter, the old Hollywood elegance dazzles you with it’s design. Black and white photos of Walt Disney and his friends cover the walls. It truly is a moment of respite from the large Disney crowds. Currently, there is one vegan option served there. It can be made vegetarian as well, be sure to specify when ordering. Behold the Vegetable Tower! Although it is not on the menu, the chef will prepare it as a special order. My towers fell down in transit, but nothing could take away from the artistry and goodness on the plates. The combination of seasonal vegetables and rice was perfection. I will definitely order this again on my next visit!

It’s best to make a reservation for Carthay Circle. Reservations are offered 60 days in advance on the Disneyland website. I spontaneously visited on a weekday during October and was able to make a reservation that same morning. There were a few reservations available due to cancellations. If you can, plan a few weeks ahead of your visit to ensure your fine dining experience.

Carthay Circle

Napizza: Truffle Porcini Pizza with Vegan Cheese

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Did you know that Napizza offers vegan cheese? I’ve been a fan of this delicious mushroom pizza for quite awhile but always had to take lactaid in order to eat it. I asked the staff if they could make it with vegan cheese. They were so kind and baked up some fresh squares.

Head over today for some creamy, mushroom goodness!

 

Napizza

Garlic Pizza (Vegan)

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If you’re looking for a way to keep the vampires away, you’ve found it! This all veg, no added oil, no cheese pizza packs a flavorful punch. Try it this Halloween night!

Ingredients:

1 Trader Joe’s Premium Peeled Pack Garlic (12 whole peeled garlic cloves)

1 Sweet Onion, chopped

1 8oz container Baby Bella Mushrooms, cleaned and quartered

1 tbsp Gourmet Garden Garlic Paste

Sea Salt & Ground Pepper

Gourmet Garden Slightly Dried Parsley

1 Trader Joe’s 10 oz Pizza Sauce

1 Trader Joe’s Butternut Squash Pizza Crust

 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Add garlic, onion and mushrooms to a foil lined baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast vegetables for 30 minutes. Remove vegetables from oven, toss into a bowl and stir in garlic paste. Cover and set aside.

Bake pizza crust according to directions. Remove from oven and top with sauce and vegetables. Bake for additional 10 minutes. Slice and serve hot from the oven!

 

Please note, this content uses referral links for products I have used and loved.

 

Don’t forget to add love, it makes all the difference!

Laduree x MK: New Vegan Menu

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Several years ago, I was hospitalized and became very ill. Due to that illness, I lost tolerance of many foods (including dairy). Those with food intolerance issues know how difficult everyday life can be. The struggle to find what works is real. Finding a restaurant to visit can be equally difficult. My hopes of ever truly enjoying a French restaurant experience again dwindled, until now. My favorite French restaurant in Los Angeles has created a vegan menu with Matthew Kenney at the helm! Never in my wildest dreams did I think this would happen.

Of course, when I arrived, I wanted to order everything. The entire menu looked absolutely delicious. I ordered the Vol-au-Vent. It is the perfect Fall dish, filled with Morel and Champignon Mushrooms, Petite Peas and Pearl Onions inside of a Puff Pastry. Warm Morel Veloute sauce is offered on the the side. It was absolute perfection! For dessert, I ordered my favorite French pastry. The Millefeuille Vanille cream was full of Vanilla Bean flavor and better than my memory could recall. Every bite was divine!

The Beverly Hills location is the first of the Laduree restaurants to offer this new vegan menu. If you’re in the area and looking for a plant based option, definitely stop by!

 

 

 

laduree.us

 

Mexican Hot Chocolate

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Mexican Hot Chocolate

Perfect cup on a chilly night!

Ingredients:

2 cups Oatly Oat Milk

3 tbsp turbinado sugar

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Extract

4 tbsp cocoa powder

 

Warm milk in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in sugar, until dissolved. Continue whisking and add cinnamon, vanilla and cocoa. Whisk constantly until well blended. Do not boil. Serve immediately.

 

Please note, this content uses referral links for products I have used and loved.

 

Don’t forget to add love, it makes all the difference!

Thanksgiving Ideas: Honey Roasted Thumbelina Carrots

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Honey Roasted Thumbelina Carrots

I recently found these thumbelina carrots in the produce section and quickly became enamored! They are perfect for roasting.

Ingredients:

10-15 thumbelina carrots, washed

2 tbsp honey

extra virgin olive oil, enough to cover carrots

sea salt & ground pepper, to taste

 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Toss carrots in olive oil, honey and season with salt & pepper. Add to a foil lined baking dish and bake for 30 minutes. Flip carrots to other side and continue baking 30 minutes longer or until slightly browned and tender. Serve immediately.

 

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Thanksgiving Ideas: Roasted Cipollini Onions

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Roasted cipollini onions

I seriously can’t imagine life without these perfect little onions! I use them all the time, whether its roasting or putting them in a sauce. They are simply the best piece of produce I have ever found! Obviously, you can tell I have a great passion for these onions and I hope after trying this recipe that you do too!

Ingredients:

2 packages “Melissa’s Produce” cipollini onions (Tip: Place in freezer for 10 minutes prior to cutting them, it will reduce the tear inducing fumes.)

extra virgin olive oil

sea salt & pepper

dried parsley

 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Remove peel and outer layer of onion. Place on a foil lined baking sheet. Pour olive oil over onions and coat well. Sprinkle sea salt, pepper and parsley over onions. Roast in the oven for at least 15 minutes on each side or until onions start to caramelize. Serve immediately.

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