My Saturday was quite festive, starting with a morning spent at the soup kitchen. I haven’t been able to go as much as I would have liked in the past few months, but it was so nice to be back there again. There were many “regulars” I’ve known for almost 10 years!
After volunteering, my parents and I went to Peacefood Café for lunch.
This was their first time at an all-vegan restaurant. I really appreciate how supportive my family has been of my diet!
We ordered an appetizer to split: vegetable tamale with jalepeño and tomatoes.
The last time I ate at Peacewood, I enjoyed Caitlin‘s sandwich so much that I had to order it! My dad and I split the Roasted Japanese Pumpkin Sandwich with mashed and seasoned with a little sea salt, ground black pepper and extra virgin olive oil, topped with caramelized onions, ground walnuts, vegan goat cheese and seasonal greens. It was even better than I remembered!
We also shared the Pan-Seared French Horn Mushroom Panini with sun-dried tomatoes, arugula, artichoke aioli, mint & basil pesto. It was good, but we both agreed the pumpkin was the best.
My mom ordered the special of the day: Kidney Bean Chili with rice, mixed greens and homemade cornbread. This wasn’t her favorite; I loved it, however, and was the lucky recipient of the leftovers.
It was only my second time at Peacewood Café, but it’s already become one of my favorite restaurants on the Upper West Side. There are tasty, healthy options that carnivores, vegetarians, vegans, raw foodists and foodies alike can enjoy!
Last night when I got home I was quite the domestic goddess. I set to work in the kitchen, making Gena’s Cashew Cheese with Meyer Lemon and Dried Cherries.
I enjoyed it today with a Gala apple, whole wheat and flax pita bread, and tabbouleh. Delicious!
It was a cold and rainy day; I wanted to have a cozy and comforting dinner and came up with this soup.
- 4 oz soba noodles
- 4 tablespoons white miso paste
- 2 cups roughly torn broccoli florets (about 1/2 large bunch)
- 1/2 inch fresh ginger, thinly sliced
- 3 scallions (green onions), thinly sliced
- soy sauce
- salmon or protein of choice, such as fresh tofu, soft-boiled egg, or seitan
- optional: Sriracha sauce
Cook noodles according to package directions. I used a package of green tea soba that I received from Asian Food Grocer, a Foodbuzz affiliate.
Drain and rinse with cold water; set aside. Bring 4 cups water to a boil. Add ginger and miso, stirring until miso is dissolved.
Add broccoli and scallions (reserving some for garnish), cooking until broccoli is crisp-tender. Remove from heat.
Stir in soba and divide into bowls. Top with salmon (grilled, poached, etc. to your liking), drizzle with soy sauce and Sriracha (if using) and serve!
After dinner, I spent the rest of the night on my hands and knees… scrubbing the floors! Since starting my job, I’ve been slacking a bit in the cleaning department, so I made up for it by sweeping, polishing, dusting and wiping into the wee hours of the morning. I felt a bit like Kath! It was actually pretty satisfying, and got my heart rate right up.
Now Ari and I are relaxing in bed, watching Gone With The Wind and sipping “The Big Red Monster”, a blend of Syrah, Zinfandel and Petit Sirah.
What was the best part of your weekend? Did you lay low or were you busy?
Don’t forget to send me your questions!
Have a great night!
I got that pumpkin sandwich when I went there as well! I loved it so much, I have to go back!
As someone who lives not far from the city, I really hope to check out the that Cafe. I totally layed low this weekend. My boyfriend is sick and I literally spent ALL day Saturday watching Dexter (we watched six episodes!)
I really think its great that you do so much with your family and really seem close – it’s wonderful. I don’t know what I would do without my mom, stepdad, and little brother.
Oh how I wish I had these restaurant options… wait, I don’t even like going out to eat. Still. :p
There’s nothing like hot soup on a cold nasty day, right??
<3 <3
So great that you volunteer. For years, I volunteered at a soup kitchen and loved it. I really need to get back into it. That cafe looks fabulous- I want to try the pumpkin sammy. I’m also going to look at Gena’s recipe for the cashew cheese- yum!
PS- weekend was good
Mostly laid low, got a lot done around the house. Best part was making a nice lunch for my family and having them over to watch the patriots game!!
I just died after seeing that vegan meal! Everything looks absolutely fantastic. I think that’s great that your family supports your eating habits so much. My mom is the same way – she’s open to trying a variety of food and even commented that she felt better after spending a day with me full of vegetarian meals.
Yum, that salmon soba dish looks amazing, particularly in this chilly weather! Let me know if you ever want to hit up Peacefood, I live so close to it;) Their desserts are absolutely delicious, you should totally try the banana chocolate cream puff.
Those sandwiches sound amazing! How was the vegan goat cheese?
Thanks for that soup recipe – I’m always experimenting with miso and soba noodles and those green tea noodles sound really good!
Cleaning is always so satisfying. It’s always the first thing I neglect when I’m stressed out and really busy, but tidying really helps me to clear my head and stay sane.
that place looks so great – i definitely wanna check it out while i’m in town.
YUMM The cafe sounds awesome! i wish we had one of those near me!
highlight of the weekend-hmm prob spending the day w. the fam all day saturday!
That wine bottle is too adorable haha
The best part of my weekend was the goodbye party my friends threw for me and walking around NYC with my parents!
Nice! That place looks awesome. We don’t have many vegan places where I live but fortunately restaurants are really nice and work with me:)
Yum. I love those pictures! You are making me so hungry right now! Good thing it’s lunch time!!!
And so happy we both have supportive families…it’s the best, isn’t it?
So glad you had a great weekend!!!
XO,
Erin
Oh my, what a fun restaurant. I have been wanting to make the cashew cheese. i bought some raw cashews just for the occasion. I needs to scoot on it! Thanks for the idea.
that cafe looks sweet. I LOOOVE tamales. every time i seem to get them in restaurants they seem to suck, unless it’s a really authentic mexican place.
Yum yum and YUMMM! What delicious looking eats!
That cashew cheese looks really tasty!
I love Gone with the Wind
I love the idea of watching it in bed- totally wish I had a TV in my room!
what a lovely brunch with the rents!!! your sammy looks good, as does the tamale!! hurray!! that Mediterranean lunch plate sounds so tasty too!! tabbouleh is the bomb digg.
my family as our house STOCKED with soba. and we do NOT eat it enough. it’s the bomb.
HAPPY EVENING LOVERRRRRRRRRR.
p.s. I love you even more now (what?! possible?!) that I know you are a frog and toad fan!!!
It looks like you enjoyed your weekend for sure!
The best part of my weekend was seeing my bestie who came home from college and going out to eat at my favorite resturant and eating delish food not one but twice!
Glad you tried the cheese!! And SO in love with the new blog look!
[...] and vegetarian options. Their pumpkin sandwich is delicious, and the desserts are to die for! (Read about my [...]
Thank you for your kind gift following the amazing ideas shared in this article. I am a college professor and I came across some new things as I went through your article. The school shall soon be organizing a seminar for the students and I would like you to share other great ideas, maybe through a video clip, with the students on this topic. Of course, I’ll get in touch with you when the time comes. We are really happy to realize that some experts with this topic have a website like yours where people can learn more. Wonderful post. Words cannot express the particular gratitude we feel. Your own generosity will be remembered continually. Thank you.
hello!,I like your script identical much! dispensation we send on more about your article on AOL? I essential a expert on this area to solve my problem. Perchance that’s you! Looking pushy to see you.
Yesterday, while I was at work, my sister stole my iPad and tested to see if it can survive a thirty foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My apple ipad is now broken and she has 83 views. I know this is totally off topic but I had to share it with someone!
Nice blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere? A design like yours with a few simple tweeks would really make my blog shine. Please let me know where you got your theme. Thank you
[...] Photo credit from 2 years ago! [...]