greenlight district

Etsy Pick of the Week

I've been a big fan of Etsy ever since I was working at Sheckys. I got really sick of choosing from the same ol' sites all the time so I started digging deeper into the world of independent/smaller designers - which, even a year ago garnered a lot less on Google then it does today.

Etsy is a definite shopping staple for any indiva's, like a big fun craft fair filled with less Gramma-approved potholders and more eco chic-o, vintage-y finds and creations. I am in LOVE with gift guides (no really, I'm a huge sucker - if a magazine says "gift guide" on the cover I'll buy it. I think it's partially my love of lists) and of course they are hooking us up with an environmentally friendly gift guide.

I spotted this designer FoxAndClover and her gorgeous necklaces and (yay!) xmas decorations. My favorites are the Doily Necklace and, for ho-ho-ho sake, the Quail Christmas Ornament! The designs are hand-painted on 100% recycled glass - RECYCLED GLASS! The act of recycling anything to make something beautiful and fun makes me REAL excited on so many different levels.

So begin your shopping at Etsy for unique gifts for friends and fam! And if I'm on your shopping list, I REALLY like that doily necklace...

Save a turkey, eat tofu!

Last Thanksgiving was my first meat-free holiday so, knowing that there was going to be lots of meaty options, I threw on my mom's apron and basted a Tofurk fit for...just me.

Here are a few of the most delicious Tofurky recipes I've come across in my Google pursuits, starting with the one I made last year:

Maple Pecan Tofurky Roast
A real hit with...yeah, me, but ALSO my carnivorous brother and Dad who I guilted into trying a bite. They liked it.

Ginger Garlic Tofurky Roast
 An Asian theme on the original, the g&g work together and are begging for a hearty side of sweet potatoes (sans marshmallows - and with some fakin' bacon instead!!)

Sweet Southwestern Glazed Tofurky
This may stray from your average pumpkin pie-spiced Turkey-day plate, but the sweet and spicy flavors in this just recipe might make it 2008's winner. If I use this one I'll plan on adding some Dinosaur Bar-B-Q sauce to the marinade - maybe some Roasted Garlic Honey BBQ Sauce or Cajun Foreplay Spice Rub??

For the underachievers: The official Tofurky site has a few easy recipes for last minute dishes (just at least remember to thaw the bird pre-baste)
For the overachievers: Any enterprising veg cook can whip up a faux turkey, right? Well, at least with the help of recipes from Vegetarian Times!

All my vegan treats bring the boys to the yard.

No, really. They do! I had a little get together to introduce some old friends to my new roommates and I brought out the big vegan baking guns: a spread that included Apple Crisp Pie, peanut butter cookies, and pumpkin pie brownies. Someone actually REQUESTED one of my recipes, which inspired me to spend the next few posts until Tofurkey day sharing some ideas and recipes! 

I Google for most of my recipes, and usually figure out what I can do with what I have - and of course, how I can make them healthy enough to stuff my face guilt-free.

I nabbed the Pumpkin Pie Brownie recipe from the same vegoddess that brought Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World to my kitchen. It was DELICIOUS. I was nervous that it would be too much - chocolate, and punkin goodness? It's delish though, check out the recipe on the site but here are my recipe card-like notes on it:
-I used whole wheat flour in the brownies just to make them a little healthier, they were definitely "heartier" but I don't think they took away from the sweetness/brownie-ness of them
-I think I also used like beet sugar or something weird in the brownie mix and again, fine.
-I used cornstarch, not tapioca flour in both layers
-with the pumpkin pie layer I was left feeling like it needed a little more spice? I did use "real" (and organic) sugar in this and even vanilla soy milk, but maybe it needed a little more vanilla and a little more of the pumpkin pie spices (cinnamon, ginger - i guess too much more might throw off the taste with the brownies) Maybe it would even be more delicious with brown sugar?
-and store in the fridge before serving or if there are leftovers, I thought it was best a little on the colder side.

It would be a fab addition to your family's Thanksgiving dessert menu - my aunt/mom usually make apple, pumpkin, and pecan pie, but this would be a nice change, especially if you need a little chocolate with your fall fruits.

It's a lovely day in the neighborhood!

Lately, there's been a lot going on in our lovely 'hood off of the Graham Avenue L stop. Besides the new weekly stops at Cho's, there's been a lot opening around here the past couple months (not including all of the new condos/apts springing up - insert obligatory complaints from Brooklyn blogger that's an anti-gentrification gentrifier...) 

I'm most excited about Boneshakers! They slipped a bunch of menus under our door and I was DELIGHTED to read that it's a new take out/fast food/coffee shop hybrid with all veg - vegan foods! I will be digging in (and reporting back) soon!

The Richardson, a new bar on Graham by the BQE - must go and review! I've been holding out until they start doing brunch, but I might as well just check it out in the PM.

More shopping! In place of that Mac store that was on Graham next to Mighty Diamond, there's now a fun gifty shop called Brooklynski (a little play on the Polish 'hood we live in) I've only window shopped past it so far, but that needs to change soon.

New coffee shop! More of a to-go than a sip-and-blog kinda place.

Sadly, there's also been a greenlight-friendly closing. Mighty Diamond, the vegan restaurant on Graham just closed! I didn't realize until I walked past a few days ago and saw newspaper in the window. I read on a Billyburg site that it closed Oct. 31 and they are going to open it up with a different type of food, not sure if the management is going to change or what. The food was always just okay even though it was veeg. It was one of those places I wanted to be good more than it actually was - and the first time I went I found a decent sized rock in my mac n cheez... Anyone know any of the deets?

Will scope out the new spots soon!

Mmm, soy mocha break!

So even though the creative juices flow freely in mi casa - what with all of us roommates/dancers/actors/models/writers unemployed freelancing and working from home, Kelbo and I decided it was time to leave the A.P.T. We tore ourselves away from the Jon & Kate Plus 8 mini-marathon - which was a freal accomplishment - this is the [second] best show on television, after all. If you haven't caught this phenomenal program I hope that you make a point to do so, perhaps take a break from your turkey murdering (veg humor!) to pick up an episode (or eight, heh) during the T-day marathon.

Anyways - we decided to take our computers and our empty bladders (we even got dressed, aka put on bras. We wavered on wearing pants and settled on tights/leggings instead, but baby steps, baby steps) over to Cho's Variety - a newish coffee shop on Graham Ave. Close enough to homebase but a new setting with ample outlets and wireless internet. And, frankly, is there really anywhere else to blog than from a coffee shop? Let alone one in Brooklyn. God, my hipster stock is rising rapidly.
Here's the view from our little nook and from my computer's cam:

I think it's a great addition to the neighborhood. Before, if you wanted to indulge in a little caffeine/wi-fi you'd have to cook it up at home or spend too much at Oak Cafe across the street for sit down service. There's also Odara which is questionable; much smaller, and I've walked by at random times and seen someone playing strange instruments, that might be a little too hippy for me... Here, K picked from a delish selection of teas ($2) - they have loose and those fab fat baggies filled with tea stuffs - and I got a soy mocha ($4). I read some reviews on Yelp, which always makes me laugh because dissenters are generally idiots, complaining about price when really they should just be happy that a coffee shop that's not Starbuck's is existing. I resisted the baked goods (Balthazar scones??), and instead smuggled in my own vegan treats (my new favorite peanut butter cookie recipe)!

Besides the good coffee, ambiance blah blah blah - it's a blatant singles scene!! I'm certainly not looking, but am always trying to get my friends/roommates laid. I'm thoughtful like that. So far I tried to get K to make sweet coffee shop love with one flannel-wearing boy up front. You can also invade people's personal space by spying on their iTunes (Michael had no Britney, not even "Toxic," and only 3 JT out of 10,574 songs, disappointment.) The H-factor is pretty high - indie music, organic treats, Portland coffee, Brooklyn boys and lesbians in plaid, thick-rimmed glasses, and even a girl doing needlepoint.

The staff is what you'd expect at a local BK coffee shop, efficient but not exactly brimming with smiles. Whatever, not everyone can be the bubbly barista I once was, and Cho might start attracting a different customer base (um, like gay NYU freshmen? I don't even know) if my iPod controlled the beats. Expect many more posts fueled by their soy mocha and green tea.

And don't forget to always tip your barista! Especially if you're going to spend $4 and sit there for 4 hours and eat outside food...