Cruelty-Free Holiday BBQ

Because this is America, the Fourth of July has become quite the eating spectacle. Because we are vegan, it's as good a time as any to show that vegan celebrations include everything you need for a fantastic BBQ. 

grill marks courtesy of OD

 Mine also had lots of 89. Or, I don't know, the usual amount.

The whole plate.
I'm all about the Field Roast franks these days.

 

An auxilliary burger because you shouldn't have to choose. This one was Amy's black bean veggie burger and it was not good. At all. No taste, little substance, and looked anemically unappetizing. Not only wouldn't we buy again, but we've agreed to ditch what's left in the box.

Here's my extraordinarily disappointing potato salad. Peacefood used to make my favorite potato salad, but Terri stole the crown a few years ago because they make the best potato salad in all the land. I think this will henceforth fall into the category of not worth trying when others do it so well.

 

Thank goodness VM found me these Deep River sea salt & vinegar chips so that I was able to enjoy one potato product this weekend.

Oh, and cookies: chocolate chip (with pecans) from Chloe's Kitchen.

More 89.

She ate plenty too. Video documentation on our shared IG.

She's smiling on the inside.

New Weenies: Field Roast Frankfurters (Vegan MoFo 2013)

I lived on tofu pups most of my vegetarian/early vegan life and then last year they stopped doing it for me.  Perhaps I'll revisit them eventually, but in the meantime I was missing the excuse to pile a fresh bun full of spicy mustard, sauerkraut, and relish.  Then Vegan in Brighton showed off these impressive wieners and I could hold out no longer: I went to find myself a replacement hot dog.  I'm not usually into fake meaty things; with hot dogs it's all about the condiments for me.  These were so authentic looking that they practically jumped off the shelf: Field Roast frankfurters.  I know the "vegetarian" designation is confusing, but I confirmed with the prompt and friendly folks at Field Roast that ALL of their projects are, indeed, VEGAN.

 

When I went to open the package, I was genuinely surprised to find that they were individually wrapped franks: strung together like sausage links.  They say that people tend to look like their companion animals; this was pretty much my expression, "Huh?"

Nevertheless, I peeled one (released it from the packaging?- both sound weird; I'm sorry); cooked it in a lightly oiled frying pan on low heat for ten minutes, as directed, and voila: a frank feast.

If you're familiar with some of the other brands of faux franks on the market, you'll understand what I mean when I say that this weenie really filled out the bun impressively.  I generally hollow out my bun in order to fit in as many toppings as possible, but even with doing so this was a formidable mouthful.

I admit I have little recollection of what non-vegan frankfurters taste like, but the Field Roast franks have a distinct bologna quality that seems just about right. 

After I'd eaten four franks in five days I had to admit I was hooked.  The other two are in the freezer for future indulgence.

As for 89, I don't know what it was about these weenies, but she was extremely interested in them. 

Maybe it was the cartoon-esque links?  She didn't eat any, though: the thought was just too cannibalistic for me to consider.  Also, more for for me!

VEGAN LONDON: Ha Ha Veggie Bar

Around the bend from Cookies and Scream (swoon!) is the Ha Ha Veggie Bar.

As you can (almost) see, they serve veg staples like burgers, hot dogs, and falafel: nothing terribly exciting.  Please do note that they are not a vegan establishment; their mayo is vegan, but for some reason they choose to offer cow cheese as an option.

view from outside; they seem to do a steady business

We'd actually been recommended against this place, but decided to grab two hot dogs just because we wanted a savory snack and figured it would be fun.

view from inside; I was surprised by all the big-brand beverages

See?  Cookies and Scream is a mere glance away.

The dog was warmed up on an open-air, portable griddle alongside other orders of crunchy-granola looking burgers, grilled onions, buns, etc.  It was served with ketchup, mustard, and the afore-mentioned onions; it was just a-right. 

Nothing to write home about, but no harm no foul.  New Yorkers just like to grab a dog now and then.  

I promise I was wearing different outfits under my coat.

To read a more eventful review of Ha Ha, I recommend that you check out the post in QuarryGirl's archives.