VEGGIE GRILL IN EL SEGUNDO OFFERING 3 NEW "CHEESY" MENU ITEMS

UPTOWN NACHOS-Nachos topped with chili beans, tomatoes, green onions, Daiya cheese sauce, vegan sour cream and guacamole.

MAC AND CHEESE-Elbow macaroni cooked al dente and mixed with a VERY creamy Daiya chesse sauce and topped with bread crumbs.

After learning about the new "CHEESY" items at the El Segundo Veggie Grill from quarrygirl, my husband and I jumped in our car and drove 27 miles just to try them!!!

We were so excited!!!

FINALLY,VEGAN NACHOS!!!

We tried all 3 new "DAIYA" items:

-THE VG CHEESEBURGER (NOT PICTURED)

-UPTOWN NACHOS

-MAC AND CHEESE

VERDICT:

The VG CHEESEBURGER was forgettable. Couldn't taste the daiya cheese one bit.

The UPTOWN NACHOS were delicious. Although they could use just a little more daiya "cheese" sauce.

The MAC AND CHEESE needs just a little more salt. Texture was great and the sauce was perfectly creamy.We ordered it as a side along with THE ALL AMERICAN STACK (best vegan burger ever!)

So, we give Veggie Grill props for expanding their menu.

They really are THE best vegan fast food restaurant!

We consider ourselves to be very lucky to live within driving distance from all 4 of their locations, which are all located in Southern California.

QUINOA WITH MUSHROOMS,KALE, AND SWEET POTATOES

Yesterday I Made:

QUINOA WITH MUSHROOMS,KALE, AND SWEET POTATOES for DINNER.

Recipe from Real Simple Magazine Sep.2009 issue.

The title says it all!

Plain quinoa topped with sauteed mushrooms, kale,sweet potatoes, garlic, salt and pepper.

The original recipe called for dry white wine and parmesan cheese.

Which I substituted with plain water and just added more salt to the final dish.

Even without these two ingredients, the dish came out super yummy!!!!

We topped ours with Sriracha hot sauce and lime juice, which I highly recommend!

COOKIES, BARS AND BISCOTTI

VEGAN COOKIES HAVE TAKEN OVER OUR STOMACHES!!!

So far, I've made KITCHEN SINK CHOCOLATE BISCOTTI.

Hard and crispy chocolate cookies with CACAO NIBS, HAZELNUTS, and WHOLE ALMONDS.

DELICIOUS, AMAZING, and our FAVORITE!!!

Then, I made MEXICAN CHOCOLATE SNICKERDOODLES.

Another chocolate cookie with a spicy twist...cayenne pepper.

Not our favorite.

And last, but not not least, MAGICAL COCONUT COOKIE BARS.

Out of this world!!!

Graham cracker crust with a brown sugar coconut milk layer then topped with chocolate chips, walnuts, and shredded sweetened coconut.

Very decadent.

Very sumptuous!

"Manderson Approved"

GOLDEN MEAN CAFE

Yesterday, my husband and I had lunch with a friend at GOLDEN MEAN CAFE in Santa Monica.

A small vegan cafe serving soups,sandwiches, salads, and pastries.

The place is small with a downstairs and upstairs eating area.

The cafe is casual and very cozy.

The food is clean tasting and the servings are perfect!!!

We each ordered a different dish and shared.

Our friend ordered the PORTOBELLO MUSHROOM PANINI-Roasted portobello mushroom, onions, peppers, baby arugula, vegan mozzarella on a ciabatta roll with a side of Lentil Arugula Salad.

I ordered the "LEAN MEAN" VEGGIE BURGER-Bean and veggie patty with lettuce, tomato, pickles, avocado and special sauce on a ciabatta roll with a side of Kale and Golden Beat Salad.

And my husband ordered the SOUP AND SALAD COMBO- Red Potato Salad and Butternut Squash Soup.