Stuff I Ate!

It's another Stuff I Ate round-up — random pictures of all the meals I've been eating lately.

I feel like these posts always start with avocado toast. But hey, that's the life I'm livin'. I picked up some amazing carrot-curry hummus from Geek Eats when I was in Little Rock a couple weekends ago. And it made for the BEST EVER Avocado-Hummus Toast. With Yellowbird Sauce in habanero and jalapeno, because that's how vegans living in a post-Vida Vegan Con world do.

Went to my friend Pam's house last weekend for a Cards Against Humanity night with buds Andy, Jordan, Mike, and Stephanie. And Pam cooked up this gorgeous pan of Vegetarian Paella.

Stephanie brought the bread — Country Rustic Loaf and Sweet Potato Dinner Rolls. I didn't have the rustic slices because I was too busy cramming the soft and sweet dinner rolls (slathered with Earth Balance, of course) into my face. Omg, so good.

Somehow, I got sent home with a ton of leftover paella and salad mix (that Mike brought) as well a GIANT tub of Andy's hummus. I brought vegan cheese dip to the gathering (you can read about that in this post). Needless to say, I've been eating serious leftovers this week. Here's Monday night's meal — paella, salad, wine.

I've also been eating out quite a bit. I really love (and prefer) cooking at home, so I can save money, review cookbooks, and develop recipes (plus, cooking is fun!). But there is so much delicious vegan food to be eaten at Memphis restaurants, and I've gotta spread my vegan dollars! I'm trying to eat at Cassi's new Pink Diva Cupcakery once a week. She does a different lunch special every day, and Monday was ramen day. So of course I was there for that! Here's my Ramen Bowl with tomatoes, carrots, zucchini, mushrooms, broccoli, jalapenos, and fried tofu. Fantastic!

Of course, Sunday brunch at Imagine Vegan Cafe is still happening just about every week. This past Sunday, I went with the Breakfast Platter — tofu scramble, biscuit, sausage, cheese grits, and a hash brown.

Also been eating my share of Ethiopian fare at the newly opened Blue Nile in Midtown. Definitely my new favorite Ethiopian place! I met my friend Leslie there for lunch last week, and we both ordered the Shiro Wat (ground chickpea stew), and mine had House Salad and Cabbage. And of course, all the injera!!

Since LYFE Kitchen opened in East Memphis a few weeks ago, I've eaten there a number of times. It's nowhere near my home or work — like 20 minutes out near the 'burbs — but I just can't help myself. It's so amazing! Last week, I met friends there, and I was feeling a little under-the-weather (caught Paul's stupid cold). So I ordered the Corn Chowder (made with cashew cream!).

And I paired that with the Edamame Hummus Platter. Sometimes, when you have a cold, all you need is soup, hummus, toasted bread, and fresh veggies to fix you right up.

LYFE is near the East Memphis Whole Foods, and I had to get some groceries on Saturday. So I popped over to LYFE first to grab a Banana Date Shake. This shake is soooo good. It's really just frozen bananas and date syrup, and I could totally make this at home. But they make their own date syrup, and I'm lazy sometimes.

And then tonight, I met my old friend Audrey, who I haven't seen in years, at LYFE to catch up over drinks and dinner. I had a glass of pinot noir and this Ancient Grains Stir-fry, which is made with Gardein beefless tips and black quinoa. So good!