Each issue of Vegan Journal features the Vegan Cooking Tips column by Chef Nancy Berkoff, EdD, RD. In the recent issue, Nancy shares some quick and easy ideas for making dishes with okra.

Read her suggestions here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2022issue3/2022_issue3_cooking_tips.php

Subscribe to Vegan Journal: https://www.vrg.org/party/

photo from Zen Garden

By Riddhi Jain
Zen Garden is a vegetarian restaurant that specializes in Asian cuisine and offers a variety of unique dishes (most of which are vegan). This restaurant, located in the Great Neck Plaza in New York, is very popular among other fellow vegetarians and vegans. Zen Garden uses all natural herbs and ingredients to restore the essence of veganism and fresh food. Their decor symbolizes their use of natural and fresh products as they have a tree as their centerpiece. The ambience is peaceful and elegant and the architecture is exquisite. Not to mention the comfortable seating that is offered. The staff at Zen Garden adhered to all of our needs and adjusted the dishes to our liking by altering the spice levels.

I ordered the Curry Vegetable Tofu Casserole, Spicy Szechuan Casserole, Hot and Sour Soup, and Spicy Dandan Noodle. The portions of all of these dishes were more than enough for a family of four. My family even had many leftovers. The dishes were very well plated which enhanced the presentation of the food as well. The Curry Vegetable Tofu Casserole was a dish consisting of many vegetables with spicy gravy. This was a great way to obtain vegetables and was a very delicious dish. The dish also contained veggie “chicken” which was actually made out of soy. The Spicy Szechuan Casserole was another spicy dish that had more Asian flavors and consisted of a variety of mushrooms. The Hot and Sour Soup incorporated many unique flavors. The Spicy Dandan Noodle consisted of spicy noodles and vegetables. All of these dishes had unique flavors and were very delicious.

Zen Garden offers a wide variety of dishes for lunch and dinner. There is a $16 special for lunch where there are smaller portions of food with many options. Some of the dishes on the lunch menu include Curry Chicken, Curry Vegetable and Tofu, and Rainbow Fried Rice. Although Zen Garden offers many Asian dishes, they also offer a unique selection of burgers, some consisting of a soy protein patty and others consisting of a black bean patty. In addition to their delicious entrees and appetizers, they also offer an array of different drinks and desserts. The drinks that they offer come from all over Asia. For example, they offer Mango Lassi which is a drink originated from India. Their dessert menu is also filled with many gluten-free and vegan desserts which can be very hard to find. Another unique feature of Zen Garden is their collection of vegan sushi. Vegan sushi is another difficult dish that can be difficult to find as many typical vegan sushi only consist of cucumber, carrots, and avocado. The vegan sushi at Zen Garden consists of tempura, mango, mushroom, and more. Some of the sushi they offer include, the Black Dragon, the Yellow Dragon, and the Pink Lady.

If you are planning on visiting Zen Garden, I would recommend the Curry Vegetable Tofu Casserole, any sushi, and the Spicy Dandan Noodle.

For more info on this restaurant see: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100039104935214

Visit https://www.vrg.org/restaurant/index.php for more veggie restaurants in the USA and Canada.

Plant Boss Pea Crumbles are reviewed in the latest issue of Vegan Journal. They are available in All-Purpose (plain), Breakfast Sausage, Chili, Burger Mix, and Meatball Mix. In addition, there are 3 taco-seasoned varieties: Mild, Pico de Gallo, and Southwest. They’re a perfect match for burritos, enchiladas, and nachos, but there’s much more they can do for your dinner. Plant Boss holds up in casseroles, soups, and stews; scattered across a salad, or even to give some heft to vegan mac’n’cheese. The bags are shelf-stable.

Read the entire review here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2022issue3/2022_issue3_veggie_bits.php

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Photo from Fitz on 4th

The Vegetarian Resource Group maintains an online Guide to Vegan/Vegetarian Restaurants in the USA and Canada. Here are some recent vegan restaurant additions. The entire guide can be found here: http://www.vrg.org/restaurant/index.php

To support the updating of this online restaurant guide, please donate at: www.vrg.org/donate

Here are some new additions to VRG’s guide (Note: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic many are doing take-out and/or delivery now):

Cak’d, 304 Ninth St. N., Naples, FL 34102

Does your plant-based lifestyle seem to make it challenging to satisfy your sweet tooth? Look no further than Naples’s 100% Vegan Bakery, Cak’d! Choose from a wide assortment of baked goods from cookies, brownies, and muffins to cookie dough, cupcakes, and cake itself! Cak’d takes pride in utilizing real and captivating ingredients in its recipes – Ceylon cinnamon, Madagascar Bourbon vanilla beans, pure raspberry juice powder, Italian espresso, and real bits of carrots are just a few. All products are non-GMO and gluten-free, and the majority are nut-free as well.

Fitz on 4^th, 743 S. 4th St., Philadelphia, PA 19147

Fitz on 4th is a vegan family-owned restaurant. The dishes are fresh and flavorful. The menu consists of lentil meatballs, empanadas, crab cakes, tacos, The Philly Jawn (jackfruit dish), nachos, pasta, greens, and a variety of other treats. With modern décor it’s perfect for a date night.

Luz Market + Restaurant, 97 St. Marks Pl., New York, NY 10009

Interested in experiencing plant-based fine dining? Check out New York’s Luz Restaurant! Choose from a variety of seasonal, plant-based dishes including flatbreads, bowls and salads, and house favorites. For those looking for a savory meal, order a roasted crispy mushroom or pesto with almond ricotta flatbread.  Those seeking more mellow flavors can try the roasted cauliflower salad with Kalamata olives, and for folks who are all about trying new things, try the Zucchini Noodle Lasagna. After a delicious dinner, order from a line of exceptional desserts: Raw Cacao Caramel Tart, Tiramisu, Strawberry and Blueberry Energy Balls, and more. Both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are available as well. Don’t miss out on the experience – book a reservation at Luz Market and Restaurant.

 Plantwich, 251 Rock Rd., 1D, Glen Rock, NJ 07452

Plantwich is a breakfast sandwich shop selling sandwiches and grab-and-go items. Specialty plantwiches include the McPlantwich with vegan sausage, egg, and cheese on an english muffin and the hot pocket with smokey deli slices, egg, and cheese on a pretzel bun. Some of the lunch specials offered are chickpea toona salad on an english muffin and a TLT with tempeh bacon, lettuce, tomato, and avocado. The Cinna’Bun with whipped and melted maple cinnamon butter is one of several toasts n’stuff served sandwich style. Sides such as crispy hash browns and black bean kale slaw are also available.

Savory Leaf Café, 960 Spruce St., Lawrence Township, NJ 08648

Do you dream of plant-based meals that give you a warm, gratifying sensation? Stop by Savory Leaf Café, a plant-based comfort food wonderland! From sandwiches to salads, a variety of options are available for anyone who craves home-style cooking. For those looking for a hearty hand-held, try the Buffalo Chick’n Sandwich, made with crispy vegan “chicken” tossed in spicy buffalo sauce with lettuce, tomato, red onions, and creamy blue cheese on a lightly toasted brioche roll. Customers who desire a meal served in a warm bowl can order the Homemade Mac and Cheese, individually prepared and baked elbow pasta in a creamy Violife cheese sauce, topped with cheese whiz and breadcrumbs. And visitors seeking something lighter may order a house salad with “Grilled Chick’n,” topped with your choice of balsamic, garlic aioli, or blue cheese. Top it all off by ordering a baked treat, such as Banana Bread or Chocolate Crumb Cake.

Thistle’s Summit, 40 SW 5th St. #122, Des Moines, IA 50309

Named for the black lab/pyrenees mix Thistle, part of the family (the other members are a proud Queer couple) who own and run this small bakery, Thistle’s Summit serves up “baked goods that taste nothing like compromise but are safe for just about anyone to enjoy” — i.e. they are vegan and gluten-free (although they are produced in a shared space on 24th street where gluten, dairy, eggs, and nuts are used).  They offer a weekly-rotating menu, which can be seen along with full ingredients lists and clearly marked allergens on their website, but look out especially for their famous oatmeal cream pies, which are also stocked at many other retailers in the area.  Other offerings usually include the likes of cookies, tarts, pastries, sauces, cinnamon rolls, and more adventurous options like peach lavender leo lunchbox zodicake, sweet potato miso biscuits, or rose pistachio tart.

Ruth Blackburn

The Vegetarian Resource Group is fortunate to have incredible volunteers contributing their time and expertise. Amy Burger interviewed seven present and past volunteers to find out about their favorite moments and memories.

Read the article here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2022issue3/2022_issue3_past_volunteers.php

Subscribe to Vegan Journal: https://www.vrg.org/party/

Rosh Hashanah starts on the eve of September 29^th in 2019. It’s a tradition to eat sweet foods during this holiday. Your family and friends will enjoy the following vegan recipes from The Jewish Lowfat Vegetarian Cookbook. This vegan cookbook features international vegan recipes that you can serve year-round and can be purchased from The Vegetarian Resource Group online: www.vrg.org/bookstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=13 or by sending $25 (including postage/handling) to Vegetarian Resource Group, PO Box 1463, Baltimore, MD 21203.

Polish Plum and Rhubarb Soup
(Serves 6)

1 pound plums, pitted and chopped
1 pound rhubarb, chopped
10 cups water
¼ cup plus 1 Tablespoon apple juice concentrate
¼ teaspoon clove powder
1½ teaspoons cinnamon

Place all the ingredients in a large pot and bring to a boil. Lower heat, cover pot, and simmer for 20 minutes. Serve hot.

Turkish Mandarin Salad
(Serves 5)

Two 10½ ounce cans Mandarin oranges, drained
½ Spanish onion, peeled and finely chopped
¼ cup pitted black olives, chopped
¼ cup pitted green olives, chopped
½ teaspoon coriander
½ teaspoon paprika
Salt and pepper to taste

Toss all the ingredients together in a large bowl. Chill and serve over a bed of lettuce.

Romanian Sweet Pasta
(Serves 8)

1 pound eggless pasta
12 cups water
1 cup maple syrup
½ cup walnuts, ground or 1/3 cup poppy seeds, ground
½ teaspoon lemon rind, minced
1½ cup raisins
½ teaspoon clove powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Cook pasta in boiling water until done. Drain.

Heat maple syrup and walnuts or poppy seeds in a large pot over medium heat for 2 minutes. Add lemon rind, raisins, clove powder, and cinnamon. Stir and continue cooking for 3 more minutes. Add cooked pasta. Mix well and serve warm.

Note: You can also pour the mixture into a baking dish and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes before serving.

Banzo butters are reviewed in the latest issue of Vegan Journal. These garbanzo bean-based butters have a similar texture to nut butters.

Read the entire review here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2022issue3/2022_issue3_veggie_bits.php

Subscribe to Vegan Journal: https://www.vrg.org/party/

Each year The Vegetarian Resource Group awards scholarships to graduating high school seniors promoting the veggie lifestyle. We wondered what former winners are doing today. Find out what eight of them are doing here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2022issue3/2022_issue3_vrg_scholarship.php

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TANI Small Vegan Wallet from Natt & Matt

Are you looking to buy a non-leather vegan wallet? The following companies in the USA, Canada, and Europe all offer a variety of wallets for men and women.

USA

Couch sells a variety of wallets for men and women.

Doshi offers wallets for men and women.

Fabric Horse sells wallets for men and women.

Grape Cat sells a wide variety of wallets for women and men.

Green Banana Paper sells wallets made out of banana leaves.

K Carroll sells wallets for women.

Labante has offices in the USA and United Kingdom and offer wallets for women and men.

Matt and Nat sells wallets for men and women. Ships internationally.

Mechaly sells a variety of women’s wallets.

Moo Shoes sells a variety of wallets for men and women.

Unicorn Goods sells a variety of men’s wallets.

Vegan Chic sells women’s wallets.

The Vegetarian Site sells hemp wallets.

CANADA

Jeane & Jax is a Canadian company selling a wide variety of wallets for women.

Nice Shoes is a Canadian company that offers wallets for men and women.

Pixie Mood is a Canadian company that sells a variety of women’s wallets.

EUROPE

Avesu in Germany offers a wide range of wallets in various colors made from different materials.

Corkor in Portugal sells wallets for men and women made out of cork.

Labante has offices in the USA and United Kingdom and offer wallets for women and men.

STS has high school exchange students needing hosts for the 2022-2023 school year, especially in Indiana and Illinois, but across the country.

Anyone interested or having any questions about hosting can reach Tim Beals at (317) 440-5170 or [email protected].

More information can be found at https://www.stsfoundation.org/about-us/

For example, Magdalena from Germany is vegetarian and was looking for a host. She wrote: I live in Germany in a small village with my parents and my two 18 years old brothers, but they are currently also doing an exchange year, so instead of them, another exchange student is living with us. We have three cats which I really adore. I think we are going to have a great time because I’m an open person who cares about the people around me. I would like to try cheer leading since I have a lot of experience in dancing. In my free time I like to listen to music and sing, go out with my friends, and at home I like to bake and cook. I love food, so I would like to try some of the typical American dishes, but I’d also like to cooks some German specialties for you.