Archive for featured – Page 3

Hot Apple Cider


By Leslie · Comments (0) · October 10th, 2013

Hot Apple Cider recipe!Ok, so it’s cold outside… that means it’s officially Fall right?  I hope so because that means hot apple cider will be an almost permanent fixture on my stove :) It’s one of my favorite treats in the chilly months!  And of course it doubles as a warm delightful drink and the best natural potpourri for your house you could ask for!  It’s also not too bad with a shot of brandy in it either ;)

I make my recipe with apple cider… now yes, you can use apple juice, but it is a little different.  “Fresh cider is raw apple juice that has not undergone a filtration process to remove coarse particles of pulp or sediment…  Apple juice is juice that has been filtered to remove solids and pasteurized so that it will stay fresh longer.” – Massachusetts Department of Agriculture

Hot Apple Cider

2 quarts apple cider or juice

1 orange peel

1 lemon peel

1 teaspoon whole cloves

1 cinnamon stick

3 star anise

In a pot on medium low heat, combine all the ingredients and bring to a simmer.  Reduce heat and let the flavors combine.  You can leave on low heat on your stove for 20 minutes or most of the day.  Serve warm.

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PS Special thanks to @mommylovescoffee and @mayrabaca6 who requested this recipe after I Intagramed about it!

And I want to thank all my readers, friends, and family for helping me out this week!! For those I’m not connected to on social media (let’s connect!!), I was in a car accident last week and have been recovering, so I apologize for the lack of content, but I’m hoping to be back in the kitchen soon!!

ANIMAL LOVERS!! Vote for me here to help me win $10,000 for The Humane Society!! No Login required!

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Categories : Beverages, featured

Maple Roasted Brussel Sprouts


By Leslie · Comments (9) · October 1st, 2013

Maple Brussel Sprouts from Leslie Durso

If you’ve been following me on social media, than you know I’ve been crisscrossing the country this month!  I’ve been in Florida, Washington DC, New York, Connecticut, Las Vegas, and California!  A lot of my friends and family have been nice enough to let me stay with them on my travels which I always love because that means I also get to cook in their kitchens :)  While in NYC I stayed with my good friend Dori and I was able to make a bunch of food, which included these brussel sprouts.  I realized I hadn’t shared the recipe with you guys yet!  Of course, we ate them so quickly I forgot to take a picture of them!  So here I am in Las Vegas and I made them again for my friends Eric and Cheryl last night.  And I managed to grab a quick pic before they disappeared.

This recipe is fantastic for Fall and perfect to serve to someone who isn’t the biggest brussel sprouts fan.  The maple caramelizes the the sprouts leaving them tender and full of yummy flavor!

Maple Roasted Brussel Sprouts

Serves 4

3 tbsp. olive oil

1 lb. brussel sprouts, cleaned and halved (or quartered it they are big)

1/4 tsp. sea salt

2 tbsp. pure maple syrup

Heat a skillet on medium-high heat and add the olive oil.  When it’s shiny (about a minute or so) add the brussel sprouts and salt.  Toss them in the olive oil till coated and let sit a minute to brown.  Continue to toss and sit until they are roasted and tender. That should take about 7 minutes.  Add in the maple syrup and toss to coat.  Let the maple syrup caramelize for about 5 minutes.  Serve warm.

**UPDATE I decided to kick these up a notch the other night and added a few chili flakes to them when you are sautéing and the spice was really nice with the sweet! Give it a try if you want to mix it up!

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Categories : featured, recipes, Thanksgiving, Vegan

A Veggiedreamgirl Guide to Eating in Washington DC


By Leslie · Comments (4) · September 24th, 2013

This past weekend I was in our nation’s capital for Green Festival (which is super fun if you haven’t been! More info here)  I got to hang out with some of my cousins and eat some AMAZING food!!  DC doesn’t have too many “vegan” restaurants, but they sure have a lot of restaurants that have many vegan options!  Here are some of my favorite places I ate at and that I highly recommend you check out!  If I missed any of your favs, please leave me a comment and let me know so I can make it next time I’m there!

vegan Ramen Behold!  This is the magical vegan ramen at Daikaya!  This very small restaurant has some of the best (if not the best) ramen I’ve ever had.  In addition to incredible food, this restaurant had the best soundtrack I’ve heard in a long time!  Run, don’t walk to DC’s Chinatown to experience this ramen!

zaytinya vegan food This is a mash-up of my favorite dishes at Jose Andres’ Zaytinya restaurant which serves Greek themed small plates.  This place was fab!  It had great atmosphere, great cocktails (Athena’s punch was my fav!), and fantastic food!  There are about 10 vegan items on the menu and I ordered 6; these were the highlights. Clockwise from top left: baba ghannouge with pomegranate seeds, mushroom couscous, beet salad, and piyaz (giant beans with kale and tomato).

Poets&Busboys And of course, what’s a trip to DC without a stop into the famous Busboys and Poets?  They have a fantastic menu, loaded with vegan options!  Here’s the veggie burger I ordered with sweet potato fries :)

The Coupe I made the trek out to Columbia Heights, a new, up-and-coming area of DC.  We at at The Coupe which was definitely worth the trip!  Loads of vegan options including this quiche that was delish!  My cousin ordered the pancakes with strawberry cream that was great as well!

sticky fingers vegan bakery Also out in Columbia Heights is Sticky Fingers Bakery.  I’ve been trying to make it out to this all vegan bakery since I first found out about it.  The owner Doron Petersan has won Cupcake Wars!  The show told me about her when I judged the vegan episode.  And I have to say… these cupcakes are OUTstanding!  To put it mildly, I was blown away!  I ate a coconut cupcake in the store that the very nice woman rang me up said was her favorite.  It was so delicious I bought one of every flavor they had to fly to NYC with me for a Emmy party with my friends.  We cut them all up and enjoyed all the flavors! Congrats on your wins Doron!

Such a fun trip to DC!  I hope to see you at the next Green Festival in Los Angeles!

xoxo

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Categories : adventures, featured, Restaurant Reviews, Vegan

Modern Luxury Magazine Game-Changers


By Leslie · Comments (0) · September 22nd, 2013

Angeleno Magazine Game-ChangersHoly cow!  I’ve been chosen by Angeleno Magazine, Verizon, and Blackberry as a game-changer :)  This is a super cool honor, but even cooler because I get to win money for one of my favorite charities: The Humane Society of The United States!  Now, this does require a little bit of your help!  I need you to vote from each of your devices everyday!  And if we all do it I really think I could win the $10,000 for the animals!

Here’s the link: http://gamechangers.modernluxury.com/los-angeles/

Please help spread the word!!  Sending giant virtual hugs!

xoxo

Leslie

PS if you’d like to be placed on a list for a daily reminder to vote during the contest, email me at veggiedreamgirl@gmail.com Thanks!

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Categories : celebrations, featured

Grilled Vegetable Pesto Pizza


By Leslie · Comments (3) · September 16th, 2013

Grilled Vegetable Pesto Pizza Celebrate the last few drops of Summer with grilled pizza!  It’s one of my favorite ways to make pizza!  You combine 2 of my favorite things, all that fabulous smoky flavor from the grill and pizza (of course!).  Pizza is a long standing tradition in my Italian family.  My Great Grandma used to make it, my Dad makes it, and I make it.  I hope you enjoy this pizza as much as I do!

Grilled Vegetable Pesto Pizza

Pizza Crust:

2 1/4 teaspoons yeast (1 packet)

2 cups warm water

3 Tbsp. olive oil

2 Tbsp. maple syrup

1/2 tsp. salt

1 3/4 cups bread flour

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

Tomato Sauce:

1 can of whole tomatoes

4 cloves garlic, chopped

Pesto:

1 bunch of basil (about 30 leaves)

1/2 cup pine nuts, toasted (you could also sub for almonds or walnuts)

1/4 tsp. salt

2 cloves garlic

1/2 cup olive oil

Toppings:

1 zucchini, thinly sliced

6-8 mushrooms, sliced

1/4 onion, thinly sliced

1/8 cup sliced olives

12 grape tomatoes, halved

1 tsp. dried oregano

Dough:

Place 1 packet of yeast with the 2 cups of warm water in a bowl.  Let sit for 5 minutes; do not stir.  The yeast will bubble when ready.  Add olive oil, maple syrup, and salt.

Combine the flours in the bowl of a stand mixer.  With the dough hook on, and the mixer on low, slowly add the liquid. Run until the dough ball forms.  If it’s too wet, add flour a teaspoon at a time.  Place dough on a lightly floured surface and knead into a smooth ball.

Cover the dough with a light coating of olive oil and place in a bowl covered by a clean towel.  Let rise about an hour or until dough doubles in size.

Tomato Sauce:

Place 1 Tbsp. olive oil in a large frying pan with lid and add in the can of tomatoes and chopped garlic.  Cook, covered for 15 minutes on medium.  Using the back of a spoon, break up tomatoes and cook another 15-20 minutes.

Pesto:

Place all ingredients in a food processor and pulse. While pulsing, drizzle in the olive oil until smooth.

Assembly:

Halve the pizza dough and with your hands form a round circle.  Place dough directly on a warm bbq.  As soon as it starts to bubble, flip over.  Quickly spoon desired amount of tomato sauce on the dough and spread out evenly.  Add toppings and pesto.  Close the lid of the bbq and let cook until veggies are soft and dough is cooked.  Enjoy immediately!

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Categories : Ethnic: Mediterranean, featured, Pizza, recipes, Vegan

Creamy Vegan Tomato-Vodka Pasta


By Leslie · Comments (1) · September 9th, 2013

vegan pasta a la vodka

You’ve seen those “one-pot wonder pasta” recipes floating around the internet.  Everyone from Rachel Ray to Martha Stewart is in on the action and this recipe takes that idea to the next level.  Most of the wonder pastas are not “saucy”, well this one is!  It’s rich, creamy, vegan, and oh-so-delicious!  Give it a try today!  This recipe was published in VegNews as part of my 3 Incredible 10-Minute Recipes story.

Creamy Tomato-Vodka Pasta

Serves 2

What You Need:
1 8-ounce package pasta of choice, cooked and drained
3 Roma tomatoes, diced
5 cloves garlic, chopped
2 cups vegetable broth
1/2 cup vodka
3 tbsp tomato paste
1/2 cup vegan cream cheese (I love Follow Your Heart Cream Cheese)
1 tbsp olive oil
1/4 tsp salt

What You Do:

Place all the ingredients in a pasta pot and cook on high heat for 9 minutes, stirring frequently. Serve warm.

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Categories : featured, Pasta, recipes, Vegan

Italian Green Beans


By Leslie · Comments (1) · August 27th, 2013

Italian Green Beans by Leslie Durso Here’s another tasty recipe from my last trip to Italy!  More on my trip here.  These green beans are fresh, tasty, and quick!  They were part of a antipasti platter I had at the cutest little restaurant!  This salad is awesome as is, but I think it could be even better with the addition of toasted almonds or olives!

Italian Green Beans

Serves 4

1 lb. fresh green beans, trimmed

16 cherry tomatoes, halved

3 cloves garlic

olive oil

a pinch of salt

optional:

toasted almonds or olives

Steam the green beans in a large pot until they are fork tender.  Immediately remove and drop in an ice bath.  Remove and place on a towel.  In a large mixing bowl, combine the garlic and a pinch of salt.  Add the green beans and a couple tablespoons of olive oil and toss.  Add in the tomatoes and toss gently.  Serve cold or room temperature.

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Categories : featured, recipes, Vegan

Italian Zucchini Carpaccio


By Leslie · Comments (4) · August 19th, 2013

Zucchini Carpaccio (Raw and #Vegan)

I just got back from a trip to Italy to visit my sister who lives over there as a tour guide.  It was so much fun!!  Check out my guide to eating vegan in Italy!  One of my faaaaavorite things I tasted in Italy was this zucchini carpaccio dish.  We had it at a fabulous little restaurant in Locorotondo.  When I recreated this dish, I tried to make it exactly how I tasted it there and I will say it came out pretty identical!  This is a fabulous dish for a starter, an antipasti, or place it on a bed of arugula for a fantastic salad!

Italian Zucchini Carpaccio

Serves 4

3 zucchini

1 clove garlic, finely minced

1 tsp. apple cider vinegar

1 tbsp. olive oil

3 mint leaves, finely chopped

a pinch of salt

Using a mandolin, slice the zucchini into paper thin rounds.  Place in a bowl with all the other ingredients and stir well.  Serves slightly chilled.

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Categories : featured, recipes, Vegan, Vegetables: Zucchini

A Fresh Idea At Fresh Brothers


By Leslie · Comments (0) · August 14th, 2013

The Deep Dish Vegan Pizza At Fresh Brothers

You may have noticed Fresh Brothers Pizza popping up all over Los Angeles.  But, as with most other pizza places, I didn’t notice too much because I assumed it was just another pizza place.  Oh was I mistaken!  I was invited to a pizza party there by the lovely Whitney Lauritsen, also known as Eco Vegan Gal (if you’ve been living under a rock and don’t follow her, do it now!)  So I grabbed my favorite gluten-free, veggie-eater Fiona Gubelmann and with empty bellies we made our way to one of the newer Fresh Brothers locations in Hollywood. (Right around the corner from Upright Citizens Brigade, not only am I an alum, but one of my fav places for a comedy show!)

Whitney Lauritsen, Fiona Gubelmann and me at Fresh Brothers for a Vegan Pizza Party!

Fresh Brothers tantalized our tastebuds with an array of thin crust, gluten-free, and deep dish pizzas (all vegan of course!)  They top their vegan pizzas with Daiya Cheese.  Which typically I don’t like (you all know I’m not a fan of the processed foods) but I have to say it wasn’t too bad!  I think when I go back I’ll order it “light on the cheese”.  But man, I’m still dreaming of that deep dish crust!  Two big thumbs up from this gal!

The Deep Dish Vegan Pizza At Fresh Brothers Fresh Brothers is a welcomed delight to the list of vegan and gluten free places in Los Angeles!  If you are having a pizza party, don’t forget to invite me!

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Categories : celebrations, featured, Restaurant Reviews Los Angeles, Vegan

A Veggie Dreamgirl Guide to Eating in Italy!


By Leslie · Comments (14) · August 7th, 2013

Incase you aren’t following me on Instagram or Twitter (or Facebook lol), I just got back from 2 weeks in Italy!  It was awesome!  There is a big misconception that a vegan has a hard time finding food to eat in Italy and I’m here to tell you that’s completely wrong!  Here’s my tips and tricks to getting by in a country filled with meats and cheeses.

Bring snacks

Well, duh!  This is not new advice to someone who is vegan.  But it’s always good to travel with snacks no matter where you go because we all know there is nothing worse than being starving and it taking 25 minutes to find something to eat.  I’m fond of the trail mix packs and dried fruit strips from Trader Joe’s.

Antipasti

Amazing Antipasti plate!

Amazing Antipasti plate!

Most restaurants in Italy offer an antipasti course.  It often includes meat and cheese, but they will gladly leave them off and you will have a smorgasbord of veggies!  In fact, when I ordered it in restaurants most of the time the chef would prepare extra veggies for me to make up for the lack of meat and cheese.

Spaghetti al Pomodoro e Basilico

Spaghetti Pomodoro

Spaghetti Pomodoro

Remember this dish!  First of it’s insanely delicious and secondly it’s served at every single restaurant in Italy.  Even the ones that don’t have it on the menu will gladly make it for you.  It’s a simple dish, but packed with flavor! (My recipe version of this dish coming to the website soon!) Also note that a lot of restaurants in Italy offer gluten free pasta.

Marinara Pizza

Naturally vegan marinara pizza

Naturally vegan marinara pizza

Yup, those ultra pure Italians don’t like cheese on their pizza either.  Sure you can order any of the pizzas on the menu with no cheese.  But if you are in a restaurant where the waiter speaks no english, you might just want to order a marinara pizza and make life easy.  You would think this would be a boring pizza, but in fact, the ingredients they use are so fresh and tasty, it’s a fantastic meal!

Markets

Italian Market in Florence

Italian Market in Florence

I have a slight obsession with foreign food markets.  I love seeing what people in other countries eat on a day-to-day basis.  But the reason you should find them is to grab fresh produce.  There is nothing better on a hot day in Italy than some tasty local grapes or peaches!  Plus most hotel rooms in Italy have refrigerators, so stock up on water, snacks, and produce.

Gelato

vegan gelato in Italy!

vegan gelato in Italy!

Stop the presses!!!  Not all gelato in Italy contains dairy!!  That’s right!  Most gelateria’s have non-dairy options just by chance and some are consciously offering soy options!  When in Rome, you must go to Giolitti’s!  It’s so good it’s almost worth the trip alone!  They have about 8 flavors at all times that are vegan (including the best chocolate I’ve ever had!!) and about a dozen granita flavors.  If soy gelato is what you are looking for check out Blue Ice who carries about 4 soy flavors daily.  In addition, sorbetto is also naturally vegan made of frozen fruit.

Gas Stations

Antipasti salad served at a gas station in Southern Italy

Antipasti salad served at a gas station in Southern Italy

If you are driving around Italy, the gas stations have really good food!  No joke!  You should be able to find pizza marinara and antipasti.  They also have wine on tap, just sayin’ ;)

Research

A lot of the major cities in Italy have vegan and vegetarian restaurants!  Use sites like vegguide.org, tripadvisor.com and yelp to find some in the cities you are going to.

Be Nice!

Remember that you’re in another country, where their way of life is different than yours.  When asking if a restaurant can accommodate your diet, do it with a smile!  They are way more likely to want to help :)

Here is our Road map if you are interested:

Italy Road Trip Map

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Categories : adventures, featured, Vegan
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