vegetarian – Travel Ninja

Our busy schedules resurrected this week! We had everything from a travel gymnastics meet to an inauguration! There was some stress eating and some pleasure eating. Overall, an amazing foodie week!

Pizza Stops

As my ninja turtle friends would say, “truth, justice and a slice of pizza”. The inauguration brought some truth and justice (issues) to the forefront, and I ate pizza 4 times this week.

I accidentally left my wallet at home when we went out for lunch one day, so that led us to plan B… an online order from Pizzeria Faulisi in Cary. There is nothing but love for this wood fired pizza. With a mix of local Raleigh and authentic Italian ingredients..the flavor is fantastic. You’re going for more of a Neapolitan pizza here, and it is definitely worth the try!

The next pizza stop occurred when I almost ran out of gas (this would the 4th time running out of gas in this Jeep) and I noticed we were close to a pizza joint called Vicinos in Morrisville. You can’t just pass by a place that has a 4.8 google rating. We savored the crust and the NY pizza style. I’ll definitely have to do a side by side comparison of a couple pies with this one included.

Another night this week, I didn’t feel like cooking because of a massive headache, so the kids picked up a pie from our go-to place, Ricci‘s. Ricci’s is a mile away from our house and it really is top notch. We are so lucky to have it… from service to food, you can’t go wrong. Their garlic rolls (with cheese) are on another level. Ricci’s is an at least once a week stop.

The last pizza stop was at Trophy in Raleigh. I was passing by from Wye Hill and I thought… Why not? This pizza is the epitome of great bar pizza-feel good, crunchy, gooey, and cheesy!

Classy in Cary

Cary got some love this week! I was excited to start some readings for my grad class and nothing goes better with readings, than a hot cup of coffee to accompany. Brew, is an all time favorite and the place I stop at before hitting up Dom’s Bagels. DoNUT underestimate their doughnuts either. I order a dozen bagels each week because I just can’t go very long without Dom’s!

With drives back and forth to Stretch Lab and gymnastics this week, I discovered Esteamed Coffee’s location and it was the highlight of my week. I fell in love with their mission to support those with disabilities as they seek employment. Such a great place with great hot chocolate!

Sometimes, when you’re in Cary, you just have to stop at the old soda fountain shop for ice cream. Ashworth Drugs is our little old town pharmacy and is known for it’s hotdogs too. I can’t do hot-dogs tho. You know, the whole vegetarian thing and all.

Speaking of vegetarian, my all time favorite Apex restaurant is Provincial because NO one does a better vegetable plate. I was so happy to make it here this week. The veggie plate is superb every single time I have it. The plate is seasonal and rotating! It has been over a year and it was so good to be home! Be sure to order the kid’s Mac n Cheese. No shame.

Dom’s upside down donuts, Cinnimon Sugar and Asiago bagels with cream cheese… and always a plain bagel with butter

Esteamed Coffee: 4 hot chocolates please!

Provincial: Broccoli, Whipped Potatoes, Zucchini, Brussel Sprouts, Rice, Carrots, and Kids Mac N Cheese 😋

Raleigh Rants

The best food I had this week was at Wye Hill Kitchen and Brewing. I kid you not, you must go for the most delicious BBQ fries and beer cheese you will ever have. I know, you’re suppose to go for the beer and the views, but I urge you, ALSO go for the fries and their amazing sangria too. The outdoor seating was impeccable, with several heaters, so this cold wimp, was just fine. I can’t wait to go back again! Maybe I’ll get my Raleigh Beer Trail passport stamped next time!

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Thanks to my daughter’s gymnastics meet, I got to travel to a South Carolina beach, in January! I have to admit, my Covid fears are mostly centered around being in an inclosed space, CLOSE to many unknown people not wearing masks. Being a spectator to this meet gave me the chills. Fortunately for me, I was encouraged to drop her immuned-self off with her coach, while I kept a virtual eye on her from the hotel. This is the kind of gym mom I was meant to be. She had a great time, receiving several medals, and I provided donuts and views. This cute donut shop called Peace, Love and Little Donuts had really funky fun toppings.

Peace, Love, and Little Donuts
(oreo, salted pretzel, fruity pebbles, chocolate sprinkles, Banana split, m&ms, strawberry cheesecake, coffee cake, Reeses, Samoa, apple pie, s’mores)

That was quite a foodie week! Now, I have to detox…but Triangle Restaurant Week is upon us! I better get to running laps!

Let’s take a virtual culinary trip to France. Pour a glass of Shiraz and grab your Le Creuset…

Trader Joe’s Pacific Peak and whatever is clean and ready to use will do the trick too.

Confession: I rarely ever follow a cooking recipe.

The down side to not following instructions, like we were taught in 1st grade, is that I have never been able to rate a recipe online…. because I didn’t actually follow it. I also can’t really share recipes because I’m always like… Here’s my FAMOUS MEATball recipe, but DON’T put meat in it. (It’s not that bad, but kinda!) Nevertheless, there is a good thing about recipe rebelling. I am super flexible in the kitchen so I can whip up just about anything and…I can make most recipes deliciously vegetarian.

I am not willing to declare myself an AMAZING cook. What does it even mean to be a great cook? Heck, if I know. We’ve all been to restaurants that others LOVED but we hated it. It all comes to personal taste, I guess. What I do know, is I love food and my family’s consistent requests for me to keep on cooking, is flattering. When the kids voluntarily cook WITH me so they can learn their favorite meals…that means I am doing something right!

So.. I share my menus, occasionally, only for inspiration and a little escape. I don’t think I would ever enjoy recipe blogging. I am very, very, very, bad at giving out FOOD instructions. My poor kids will tell you how true that statement is. So many times they’ve asked questions like, “Mom, how do I cut the potatoes?” And my answer is usually… “The way you’d like to eat them!”

For me, the written recipe is the jumping off point. I adore those who can give recipe instructions so beautifully and eloquently. Thank you!

Menu:

Sometimes, we cook to escape.. and so we escape to France for a mostly meatless Monday menu.

Ratatouille, Veggie Quiche, Ham and Swiss Quiche, French Bread, French Cheese Board, Soufflé, Red Wine

Ratatouille:

This is my base guide for ratatouille. It is described as creamy and smokey because of the heavy cream and paprika. I am very visual, so seeing pictures and videos helps me envision recipes. I love that this recipe includes both!

https://tatyanaseverydayfood.com/recipe-items/creamy-smoky-ratatouille/

Recipe Rebel Edits: I didn’t have any eggplant, so that’s not part of my dish. Instead, I doubled upped on the zucchini and yellow squash. Wine was subbed for the sugar… I adore a tomato/wine sauce. I didn’t use heavy cream because the parmesan was enough creaminess I craved.

Vegetables vibrantly served!

Quiches:

Anytime we have guests over, I make quiche. It’s a little fancier than just scrambling some eggs for breakfast. This recipe is a great one for after the holidays so you can use some left over ham. Sometimes, I make individual quiches from the recipe by putting the mix in muffin tins. The kids love this personal take! Here is the base guide recipe for both quiches I made for our French night.

https://www.chelseasmessyapron.com/hashbrowns-and-ham-quiche/

Rebel Recipe Edits: Since I don’t eat meat, I made two quiches to accommodate. I don’t ever add the Italian seasoning from this recipe. For the meat eaters, the ham and Swiss quiche recipe was followed pretty closely except I added Gruyere cheese (and no Italian seasoning). I indulged in a veggie quiche which was made of left over ingredients I used from the ratatouille. For my veggie quiche, take out the ham and Swiss cheese, (and Italian seasoning), then replace those ingredients with double cheddar cheese and about a cup of zucchini, spinach, and tomatoes (combined).

They say they are meat eaters, but my veggie quiche is always the first one gone!

Soufflés:

Opposite to cooking, I don’t ever waver from baking recipes (unless I am doing a testing or comparison). Don’t mess with the sweets!

In 2008, I spent Christmas with my family in Versaille, France. We had the privilege of eating at Gordon Ramsey’s Au Trianon Restaurant. I instantly became obsessed with his soufflé and chocolate fondant recipes. There have been many many winter nights that I have whipped up one of the two recipes for comfort. These treats are always a perfect end to any meal and any day! Several years ago, someone gifted me Gordon Ramsey cookbooks, where I get these recipes from. I found them online, picture-less, but they are spectacular.

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/chocolate-fondant

https://www.bigoven.com/recipe/hot-chocolate-souffl-gordon-ramsay/267524

With a little glass of wine and a cheese plate… Voila! A French getaway in your own kitchen!

Tag: vegetarian

Food FAscinations

Mostly Meatless Monday Menu