A Colonial Vegan

Oh I know! There was probably no such thing as a colonial vegan back when our country was being founded but Carrot Top Vegan is a modern day Colonial-lovin' vegan!


It is no secret-- Hubs and I LOVE Colonial Williamsburg! We try to visit a few times a year. (no we do not dress up in period clothing) We did join the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation as Burgesses. Last weekend we went to our Annual Burgesses Meeting and had such a delightful time! Over the next few weeks I will be highlighting special events we experienced but first and formost...since this is a food blog...let's chat about the FOOD!


Of course we went to our favorite restaurant, Food For Thought. You can read more about this vegan-friendly place from this older blog post. This time I decided to try the Jerk Chicken (Gardein of course) with Mango Salsa and Sweet Potato Fries...WHAT A MEAL!

On Saturday at the Burgess Luncheon we had requested a vegan meal not knowing if such a thing would be possible. Kitchens are ready for the vegetarian request but...vegan...well...you know the usually head tilt. 

"Well what do ya'll eat then?" is usually the question we get from our curious Virginia folks. BUT the wonderful chef and kitchen did not disappoint! 

We had a spectacular vegan lunch that was visually stunning and had brilliant flavors! Roasted beets, pesto, steamed veggies, and carrot puree was as beautiful as it was delicious!

(If this isn't a reason to join the CWF, I don't know what is!)

We also found a great lunch spot!  (Thanks to Yelp!) Near the campus of William & Mary, we found The Pita Pit . Similar to Subway, you have to decide on options. You pick your bread type-- either white or whole wheat pita. Choose your fillings and toppings then they wrap it up perfectly into a portable lunch. The great thing about their website is the nutrition builder option where you calculate all of the calories, fat, protein, etc...and determine if you are eating healthy!

I got the black bean pita with spinach, tomatoes, olives, onions and avocado. For about 300 calories, 18grams of protein, 3.5 grams of fat and 12 grams of fiber this was a superb lunch! 

And what Williamsburg trip wouldn't be complete without a trip to our favorite pizza place, ZPizza?!

Hello...Berkley Vegan!

We have already started buzzing about a summer visit. The Williamsburg Pottery, an institution for tourists in the 60's & 70's, has been rebuilt! Beautified well beyond it's prior glory, it is opening in April and we have to check it out! 

In the Colonial Village you can find some new exhibits like The Anderson Armory, The Tin Shop, The Armory Kitchen and so much more! 

People often ask us why we go to Williamsburg so often. 

There are so many wonderful things to do that each trip is a whole different experience! 

A great place to enjoy your summer vacation!

Pumpkin Sage Baked Rotini With Italian Style Sausage

Vegan MoFo this year should be tagged Vegan MoPu--Vegan Month Of Pumpkin--with all of the pumpkin recipes around the blogs!

It is the time of year where pumpkin reigns supreme as the go-to comfort. After traveling all weekend, I was in the mood for some comfort food for dinner and since I had pumpkin on the brain, (hmmm because maybe a group of us bloggers might be having a little MOFO pumpkin challenge later in the week, hmmm), I had to put some in this dish.

I was craving a cheesy pasta dish like baked rigatoni. Having no rigatoni, but a box of rotini, I went to work. The recipe is delicious, although I might try a different type of "sausage" next time or dare to make my own. Vegan tested, vegan husband approved.

Pumpkin Sage Baked Rotini with Italian Style Sausage
(Note: I put cooked pasta in my ingredients list so make sure you cook the pasta before or while making the sauce. There is nothing worse than not reading a recipe through first and then realizing too late you missed a crucial step. I speak only from experience. Heed the Carrot Top warning. )

Ingredients:

1 Tsp Olive Oil
2 Vegan Italian Style Sausages, sliced 1/4" thick (I used Tofurky but you can use any brand you prefer)
1 Large Onion, diced
4 Cloves Garlic, minced
1 Tsp Red Pepper Flakes
11/4 Cups Vegetable Stock
2 Tsp Fresh Sage, chopped
2 Tsp Salt
1 Tbsp Italian Seasoning
1/3 Cup Tofutti Cream Cheese
1/4 Cup Almond Milk or any non-dairy milk
2 Tsp Nutritional Yeast
2 Cups Pumpkin Puree
1 pound Rotini, cooked according to package directions
2 Tbsp ParmaVegan Parmesan, ( or any vegan parmesan you prefer)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 deg F.
2. Put Tofutti Cream Cheese, Almond Milk, and Nutritional yeast in a blender and process until smooth and creamy. Leave aside.
3. Heat oil in pan over medium heat, cook sausage until it is browned. About 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to cook evenly. Remove from pan onto a plate and cover.
4. Add onion to pan and cook till translucent, (3 mins). Add garlic and red pepper flakes and cook another minute.
5. Stir in stock, pumpkin, sage, salt, and italian seasoning. Bring to a boil then lower heat to LO and simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring to blend well.
6. Add cream cheese mixutre, stirring constantly until well blended. Add sausage. Simmer for another 5 minutes.
7. Mix pasta and sauce togther until well blended. Put in a 9x13 pan (any 3 quart size baking pan will do) and top with Parma or vegan parmesan cheese.
8. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Take out and serve.

Wine suggestions:
Pinot Noir or Shiraz

We had ours with Williamsburg Winery Claret and it was a bit too sweet for this savory dish that has a kick from the red pepper flakes.

Browned Sausage

Cheese Sauce

Hello Delicious!



A Perfect Dinner Of Comfort Food...

And here are some more Williamsburg Photos, just in case you were on the fence about making the trip there. Seriously, it is such a wonderful place to visit. Especially all the kitchens. Ok I am a little odd, but I have a thing for kitchens.

Ok this is NOT vegan food, but the word vegan wouldn't exist for another 200 years from this point.

Oh My Vegan Pizza And Some Sexy Sheep...

As I have said before, traveling as a vegan can be challenging. Especially for a foodie couple who is always on the hunt for the perfect dish. I can break down a marinara into individual ingredients by taste and smell alone and confirm if the whole is greater than the sum of it's parts!

Although I have heard some great ideas for eating out in a pinch, vegan should not be as foreign a word as it is. As hubs and I go through restaurant menus, we have been thinking about how chefs can "veganize" their dishes but not just for the ethical reasons but for health.

Hello! The United States is one of the top contenders for obesity in the world and we still serve a full fat, cream alfredo sauce TOPPED with parmesean and a side of garlic butter bread. Ummm....and you want to call MY diet choices gross? Give me tofu and ten years extra life ANYDAY!

Ok, off soapbox. But, hey--I like to have a little naughty food, too, once in awhile. Like, pizza. And here in Williamsburg, Virginia we found it!

ZPizza offers a Berkley Vegan Pizza that has Daiya Cheese and Vegan Meatless Crumbles on top along with peppers, onions, and organic sauce on an organic crust. And it was creamy, goodness.

I realize since becoming vegan how important it is to search out the vegan options and veganizable fare at non-vegan restaurants. It has given us an opportunity to talk about the plant-based diet and the ethical, humane responsibilities we have to animals and this planet. I encourage you to do the same. These guys will thank you, (especially the naked one who was probably sheared against her will):

Food For Thought...Colonial Williamsburg...Squirrel Booty

This weekend the hubs and I are in our favorite home away from home....Colonial Williamsburg. We came here a few years ago for the first time and fell in love with the tranquility and history of the area. Since that first time, we have come quite a bit, spending our Honeymoon and anniversaries here. Only having three days on this trip, we left bright and early this morning. Not having time to cook breakfast, I opted for a simple healthy blueberry banana shake and a piece of Blueberry Breakfast Cake from Fat Free Vegan. (If you have not read her blog, go as soon as your done reading this! Amazing recipes and ideas)

Then we hit the road! Lunch was a simple hummus sandwich with veggies. Simple doesn't have to lack flavor though and hubs was a happy lunching man!

Recipes at bottom, you are gonna want to try this one!

Colonial Williamsburg is such a beautiful place. Each time we visit, we find something new we adore and have built quite a cache of memories and photos. We joined the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and like to stay in the Colonial Houses, a different one each time. The simplicity of life in the colonial village blended with the artisan shops of Merchant's Square create a perfect haven for us. Our favorite thing to do after we check in is go walking and take photos. 

Colonial Squirrel Butt

This time is our first coming to Williamsburg as vegans. We knew it would be a challenge as traditional Colonial and Virginian fare is usually Virginia Ham, Oysters, Pork, Welsh Rarebit, and delicious dairy-filled desserts. But we have eaten the world, and seen our shortcomings, and have come with a new attitude of compassion and health.

As a vegan, it is important to do a little research when traveling. Whenever I googled for vegan restaurants in Williamsburg, one kept coming up. Food For Thought Restaurant had vegetarian and veganizable options. There was even an article on the Peta website for this restaurant. Keep in mind...they are not a vegan restaurant, but do offer options.

"One of the secrets of a long and fruitful life is to forgive everybody everything every night before you go to bed."-- Ann Landers

With a casual, thought-provoking ambiance complete with quotes on the walls and trivia cards on the table, Food For Thought is an eclectic eatery for friends, couples, or families.  Owned by Howard Hopkins, a very gracious, knowledgeable, vegetarian by marriage, he really understands the healthy benefits of a plant-based diet. Whitney, our server was very friendly and accommodating. (I mean let's be honest vegans, we walk into a non-vegan restaurant and say the "V" word and most waitstaff get that deer in headlights look then slink away, hoping someone else will take the table.)  

Full disclosure, I did introduce myself as a vegan food blogger, and met Howard, the owner. He expressed his desire to serve healthy, vegan/vegetarian options on his menu, especially after reading The Conscious Cook By Tal Ronnen. Howard went through the menu with us, explaining what can be veganized, even offering a vegan chick'n option. And he would do it for you too!

Starting off with a beer flight and sample of the creamiest (non-dairy) vegetable bisque I've ever had:

We might go back for a bowl of this for lunch tomorrow!

Williamsburg Alewerks Pumpkin Ale ranked Top 5 Pumpkin Ales in the Country! And yeah...it was THAT good that I ordered a full pint!

Hubs ordered the Jamaican Jerk Chicken but the Chicken was actually  Gardein chick'n. I had the Pad Thai with grilled chick'n. Both dishes were amazing!

We finished off dinner with a delicious vegan brownie that had dried cherries and walnuts in it.

(Hubs couldn't wait to dig in!)

If you are ever in the Williamsburg area, vegan or not, you MUST go to Food For Thought and enjoy! Go visit Howard and Whitney, you will not be disappointed! We will certainly be back for more.

Hummus Sandwich Recipe

** You can use your favorite type of Hummus, I prefer to make my own.

For Hummus:

Ingredients:

2 Cups Chickpeas

2 Tbsp Tahini

Juice of 1 Lemon

1 Tsp salt

3 Cloves Garlic, Smashed

Water

Instructions:

Put in food processor and puree, adding water as need to reach perfect consistency. I like mine a little thicker for sandwiches to spread on bread.

For Veggies:

Ingredients:

1 Green Bell Pepper

1 Cup Cherry Tomatoes, chopped

1/4 Cup Sweet Roasted Peppers, chopped

Pinch of Salt

Sandwich Instructions:

Get your favorite bread, we love Fitness Bread. Spread hummus and put veggie mix on top. Top with another slice of bread and enjoy.

If you like that garlic, lemony, vinegary, creamy blend of deliciousness...this sandwich has your name on it!

Stay tuned for more culinary finds from the colonial heartland!