david and i were able to sneak away this past weekend for a quiet beach-side getaway, and were so excited to discover a new favorite restaurant. that doesn’t happen often, as my last favorite restaurant ranked first for over 2 years, but avanti cafe located in newport beach, california has easily surpassed even my highest expectations!

with a completely vegetarian menu, avanti cafe is tucked away in an unassuming shopping nook. upon the first moment you walk in, you’re greeted, sat down and immediately served some scrumptious veggies and onion jam. candles are lit in hanging metal nests in the window and the just-loud-enough-music sets a jazz type vibe.

everything they serve comes out on unique handmade pottery dishes and pieces, and amongst my favorite was this salt and pepper tray. the first time we ate here (yes, that means we went twice!) was for dinner. we got the peanut & pumpkin hush puppies, hot tacos, arugula & spinach pesto pizza and the shiitake artichoke pesto pizza.

during our whole meal, we just kept shaking our heads. we were completely blown away with the flavors, and could have ordered the whole meal again as soon as we had taken our last bite. it was quite possibly the best vegan fare we’ve ever had.

when we learned they were serving a special easter brunch, we were sure to plan our day around it!

easter brunch consisted of cranberry walnut french toast and golden tofu bruschetta, all served with seasonal fresh fruit, oven roasted herbed home fried red potatoes & garnet yams, coffee or tea and this delightful dessert of a vegan cookie and chocolate cupcake. seriously y’all, this is good eats.

so needless to say, we were happy campers and fell in love with this sustainable, seasonal, vegetarian and completely delicious new find. we’ll be sure to go every time we’re in the area!

wrap up: {avanti cafe} {food} {newport beach} {restaurant} {vegan} {vegetarian}

i’ve been cooking with a lot of color lately, and love that tender spring veggies are starting to emerge. asparagus, broccoli, cabbage and fresh tomatoes adorned our plates this week and made for some light and refreshing meals. my favorite was probably the black rice stir fry, plus it makes for such a beautiful plate! what was yours?

monday: broccoli spinach soup with avocado toasts (i used veggie stock and omitted the parmesan)
tuesday: vegan tortilla soup served with polenta
wednesday: vegan macaroni salad
thursday: old by tofu cakes (image via vegan dad)
friday: black rice stir fry topped with avocado

what was on your plate this week? any favorite recipes you’d like to share?

we follow a whole foods, plant based diet. the dinner ideas posts are a way for me to log our dinners, how we make eating this way easy, and hopefully inspire you to try some new things as well. they are always meat free, dairy free and often gluten free. you can follow the posts here, and i encourage you to share your favorite recipes with us as well!

wrap up: {dinner} {dinner ideas} {gluten free} {healthy} {ideas} {vegan} {vegetarian} {whole foods}

time for my favorite post of the week- dinner ideas! this is what you would have found on your plates had you dined with us this week. my favorite recipe was most definitely the vegan lentil loaf- it was amazing! what was yours?

monday: butternut squash and red onion pasta served with homemade whole wheat bread
tuesday: warm butternut chickpea salad served with tomato fennel soup
wednesday: pumpkin, cashew and coconut curry served with brown rice
thursday: vegan lentil and walnut loaf served with sauteed kale and sweet potatoes
friday: black bean and butternut squash burritos- i served this ‘naked’ (no tortilla) over polenta, topped with avocado

what was on your plate this week? any favorite recipes you’d like to share?

we follow a whole foods, plant based diet. the dinner ideas posts are a way for me to log our dinners, how we make eating this way easy, and hopefully inspire you to try some new things as well. they are always meat free, dairy free and often gluten free. you can follow the posts here, and i encourage you to share your favorite recipes with us as well!
 

wrap up: {dinner ideas} {gluten free} {savory} {seasonal} {simple} {vegan} {vegetarian}

happy friday, y’all! how was your food this week? we just found out that our favorite farm will be starting their csa boxes again next week, we’re so excited! it’s been a hard winter.. not because of a lack of produce, but just because we miss getting a big ‘ol box of veggies each week. the recipes i made this week were comforting, hearty and warming. we’re getting lots of rain this week so soup hit the spot as well! my favorite recipe this week was most definitely the tahini somen noodles. what was yours?

monday: tahini somen noodles
tuesday: white bean and vegetable stew
wednesday: hasselback potatoes with a big green salad topped with lentils (yum!)
thursday: roasted tomato, onion and basil pesto pizza
friday: fennel and tomato soup served with a vegan grilled cheese (i use daiya cheese!).

what was on your plate this week? any favorite recipes you’d like to share?

we follow a whole foods, plant based diet. the dinner ideas posts are a way for me to log our dinners, how we make eating this way easy, and hopefully inspire you to try some new things as well. they are always meat free, dairy free and often gluten free. you can follow the posts here, and i encourage you to share your favorite recipes with us as well!

wrap up: {dinner ideas} {gluten free} {recipes} {vegan} {vegetarian} {whole foods}

for some reason i was craving comfort food this week.. so i went with it! i mean, who says vegans can’t have meatballs with gravy?

monday: sweet chili lime tofu with wok steamed collards and quinoa
tuesday: honeyed tofu on udon with cucumber ribbons
wednesday: meatless meatballs (these are GF as well!) with gravy and mashed potatoes, served with a carrot and avocado salad
thursday: veggie fried rice (leave out the eggs!)
friday: butternut squash and red onion pasta

what was on your plate this week? any favorite recipes you’d like to share?

we follow a whole foods, plant based diet. the dinner ideas posts are a way for me to log our dinners, how we make eating this way easy, and hopefully inspire you to try some new things as well. they are always meat free, dairy free and often gluten free. you can follow the posts here, and i encourage you to share your favorite recipes with us as well!

wrap up: {comfort food} {dinner} {gluten free} {ideas} {vegan} {vegetarian}

clockwise: mediteranean pasta with artichockes, olives and tomatoes | kale chips | vegan mac and cheese | roasted fall veggies and lentils | fennel and tomato soup | cashew coconut pumpkin curry

happy march y’all! this is one of my favorite times of year- when things begin to bloom again and soon farmers markets will be popping up around every corner!

monday: mediteranean pasta with artichockes, olives and tomatoes with a seasonal salad
tuesday: cashew coconut pumpkin curry (made with a kobacha squash- yum!)
wednesday: roasted fall veggies and lentils served with kale chips and homemade bread
thursday: vegan mac and cheese – oh yes, this happened!
friday: fennel and tomato soup – becoming a favorite! :)
what was on your plate this week? any favorite recipes you’d like to share?

we follow a whole foods, plant based diet. the dinner ideas posts are a way for me to log our dinners, how we make eating this way easy, and hopefully inspire you to try some new things as well. they are always meat free, dairy free and often gluten free. you can follow the posts here, and i encourage you to share your favorite recipes with us as well!

wrap up: {dinner} {gluten free} {healthy} {ideas} {seasonal} {vegan} {vegetarian}

clockwise: pumpkin pizza wreath | farmer’s market corn chowder | warm butternut and chickpea salad | no bake cookies | spicy tempeh and broccoli rabe with rotelle | noodles and vegetables with sesame dipping sauce | fried black rice with ginger tofu and spinach

happy friday, friends! we were really busy this week so many of our meals weren’t as involved as usual, but they were hearty and wholesome as usual. my favorite was probably this spicy tempeh and broccoli rabe with rotelle (thanks for the recommendation, eliza!). what was yours?

monday: pumpkin pizza wreath served with a seasonal salad
tuesday: noodles and vegetables with sesame dipping sauce
wednesday: fried black rice with ginger tofu and spinach with no bake cookies for dessert :)
thursday: spicy tempeh and broccoli rabe with rotelle (picture via vegan yumminess) served with a warm butternut and chickpea salad
friday:  farmer’s market corn chowder

what was on your plate this week? any favorite recipes you’d like to share?

we follow a whole foods, plant based diet. the dinner ideas posts are a way for me to log our dinners, how we make eating this way easy, and hopefully inspire you to try some new things as well. they are always meat free, dairy free and often gluten free. you can follow the posts here, and i encourage you to share your favorite recipes with us as well!

wrap up: {dinner ideas} {february} {gluten free} {plant based} {seasonal} {vegan} {vegetarian}

 clockwise: warm butternut and chickpea salad | butternut stew | sweet potato oven fries | guacamole | vegan lasagna | polenta pizza | fall foliage lemon grass soup | no bake cookies | white bean and vegetable stew

man, i always get the stomach growls when i write these posts. is it wrong to crave lasagna first thing in the morning? i have to admit that i’m a creature of habit. i’ll find a recipe and just make it over and over again (as i’m sure you’ve noticed!). i always try to throw in a few newbies though. this week i cooked with lemongrass for the very first time and hope to do so more and more, it’s so yummy! i also discovered a new favorite recipe- this scrummy warm butternut squash and chickpea salad (thanks for the recommendation, jessica!).

monday: polenta pizza topped with seasonal veggies
tuesday: butternut stew served with sweet potato oven fries and homemade guacamole
wednesday: fall foliage lemon grass soup (left out the rutabaga and cilantro and subbed with potatoes and parsley)
thursday: white bean and vegetable stew served with a warm butternut and chickpea salad
friday:  vegan lasagna with basil cashew cheez and no bake cookies for dessert :)
what was on your plate this week? any favorite recipes you’d like to share?

we follow a whole foods, plant based diet. the dinner ideas posts are a way for me to log our dinners, how we make eating this way easy, and hopefully inspire you to try some new things as well. they are always meat free, dairy free and often gluten free. you can follow the posts here, and i encourage you to share your favorite recipes with us as well!

wrap up: {dinner ideas} {gluten free} {plant based} {seasonal} {simple} {vegan} {vegetarian} {whole foods}