Cosmic Brownies were one of my favorite snacks as a child, but this recipe tastes even better than the Little Debbie treats. This recipe makes a lot of brownies, so I always like to make these when I am planning to share with other people.
Paris in the winter is so magical—less crowds, warm flavors, and a festive energy. The thing about visiting France is I will always crave their fresh croissants that typically cost two euro. Here’s some bites and views from my trip in December:
Pastries from La Flûte De Meaux. This bakery was right across the street from my rental loft, and everything I tried was incredible.
Longman and Eagle is definitely one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago. Everything they make is an explosion of unique flavors, and sitting on their patio in the summer is a vibe. Here’s a few dishes I’ve tried over the past years from their rotating menu:
Their potato gnocchi is the perfect autumn meal. This dish includes roasted pumpkin, brown sugar, amaretti cookie crumb, Umbrian truffle, parmigiano, balsamico, and sage. Truly so many delicious fall flavors for this enticing gnocchi.
KAMA definitely lives up to the hype. I’ve gone twice now, and everything is always incredible. This has to be one of the best Indian restaurants in Chicago. Here’s a rundown of everything I’ve tried:
My three favorite appetizers are the Ghee Roasted Cauliflower, Beet and Goat Cheese Salad, and Crispy Chili Potatoes. The flavorful cauliflower includes cumin tempered goat cheese, mint chimichurri, cherry tomatoes, and spiced walnuts. All of these foods mixed together is a creamy dream of spices. The salad features pickled beets, cumin-tempered goat cheese, candied pecans, Frisée mixed greens, and blueberry lemon. This fresh salad tastes great especially when paired with a mango lassi. The crispy chili potatoes are delicious as well, and just how I like them–crispy and spicy on the outside and soft on the inside.
Chicago’s Roscoe Village is always a great neighborhood for walks, shopping, bars, and especially restaurants. Here’s three spots with delicious plant-based options that are a must when spending time in Roscoe neighborhood:
Turquoise Restaurant and Cafe is a lovely lil Turkish-Mediterranean spot right in the middle of Roscoe Village. I tried their Turkish Delight–which is a creamy plate of hummus topped with a perfect mix of roasted veggies–along with their cheese platter and some red wine. Their collection of cheese is unique and delicious and the Turkish delight was nothing short of delightful. And of course we had to end the night with some dessert. This is truly such a cozy spot right in a cute part of town.
I’ve found my favorite bagel place in Chicago. Corey’s NYC Bagel Deli tastes so fresh and always revives me after a long night. Their bagels always hit the spot, and they have a sweetest employees.
Their garlic and herb bagel is packed with flavor. I like to order one toasted with lettuce, egg, tomato, cream cheese, and avocado. This bagel sandwich is under $10, which makes it a bit cheaper than others in the city. Whenever I stop in to order a bagel sandwich, I always get some extra garlic and herb bagels to take home with me.
I was finally able to secure a reservation to the acclaimed Monteverde, an Italian restaurant in Chicago’s west loop. These delicious, end of summer flavors were perfect on a sunny September afternoon. Here’s what we ordered:
We started with Oma’s Green Mountain Salad, a yummy lil appetizer to get in some of those fresh greens. It was filled with little gem lettuce, avocado, and crunchy vegetables.
If you’re heading into Joshua Tree today to explore, it’s very important you eat a delicious breakfast that fuels you for the day. There’s so many restaurants in town, but here’s a few of my favorites that you’re bound to love:
Crossroads Cafe is a western diner that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I went for breakfast and ordered the Hi-Ho Combo, which comes with the options of pancakes or French toast, two eggs any style, and a side of: home fries, fruit, veggie sausage, bacon, sausage, ham, or andouille. I decided I needed both veggie sausage and home fries, and I definitely did.
I always love a visit to Joshua Tree, California. I mainly go to hike and explore the national park, but there are also so many incredible restaurants in the high desert as well. Here’s a few cozy spots with great vegetarian options:
I always crave a veggie burger and a beer after hiking, and the Joshua Tree Saloon always hits. Their veggie burger is great and, the mac n cheese is the perfect comfort food. I love visiting this spot as it has a few sustainable vegetarian options, outdoor seating, and a fun atmosphere.
I ate tooo good during my recent trip to New Orleans. When I visited when I was younger it could be difficult to find vegetarian food, but now there’s so many options everywhere! Here’s what I ate: