Friday, February 17, 2012

Noorish? ... For sure-ish!

I apologize for taking so long to do a blog. Especially given the fact that one of my new years resolutions was to be more productive in general and specifically to write more blogs. There's no excuses really BUT I did just recently move and we all know that's INVOLVED and sucks big time so there ya go.

I was in Edmonton mid January and it was my second week on the road in Alberta. I was not feeling the healthiest. If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times - it is so hard to eat well on the road. It's weird. Even when I go to the grocery store and get a salad with those salad dressings in little packages, I still feel yucky. Which brings me to this blog. I was in need for a healthy meal that energized me versus a typical road meal that leaves me feeling drained and gross so... I did some on line research for vegetarian restaurants and found an article in the Edmonton Sun written about a vegan/raw place called "Noorish". The reviewer liked it and the food sounded so good. So, I excitedly went there with the other comic I was working with (who also happens to be my boyfriend). Most other comics would not give a vegan place a chance but my bf is like me and was craving a "noorishing" meal.



We started out with an organic unpasteurized beer called "Alley Cat Charlie Flint". It was really good. I like buying things organic as much as I can because I like supporting a positive industry that is farming more consciously. If it means I HAVE to drink beer then, well, I'm willing to make that sacrifice. Burp.



My boyfriend ordered -
Sprouted chickpea burger with walnut pesto, herbed cashew cream, avocado slices, tomato, tahini, vegan cheese. Served on a Ezekiel with a choice of salad or soup.



I ordered -
a seeded flatbread crust, topped with sun dried tomato pesto, fresh basil, zucchini, mushrooms, peppers, spinach, drizzled with a cashew chili cheese and served with a wilted kale salad.



We shared the two dishes. Guess who's idea it was to share? He's nice and easy going so he goes along with it but I know it would never be his idea to share. It's just not a guy thing to do. He's just trying to avoid - "you don't want to share with me? Why don't you love me?"

The chickpea burger was amazing. I had a feeling when I walked into the place and was reading the menu. It just seemed like a place that was detail oriented and fresh. Really fresh. And it was!

It's funny because as we're eating this amazing fresh sprouted food, across the street, we were looking at two fast food "restaurants" that were the exact opposite. I am not going to mention names because I don't want them to be mad at me. I actually wouldn't care if they were mad at me. I just don't want them to sue me like the beef industry sued Oprah and yes - I am putting myself and this blog in the same category as Oprah.

The "pizza" was delicious as well. I put it in quotes because it's not the kind of pizza most of us are used to eating. This one is a raw pizza. The crust is made of dehydrated stuff. I don't know a lot of details about dehydrating and I know you might think that sounds weird but it's not! It's crispy and flavourful and not bloating like traditional pizza dough. And on top of all that it's very nutritious so you feel so good after you eat it. And of course, no cheese on a raw, vegan pizza. But what you lack in cheese you make up for in a cashew cream! I know cheese is delicious but so are cashews! Whether you're into veganism or not you have to give them points for creativity. Using cashews to make "cream" and "cheese".

Speaking of cheese - we had a lemon "cheese cake" because the reviewer loved it and I was intrigued to try a vegan "cheese" cake. Come on, could it be as good... really? Again, they use creamed cashews vs the cream cheese and healthy sweetening options like honey. It was REALLY good. Imagine! Eating dessert and feeling HEALTHY. I'm just saying...

It was so so so so so good and we felt full but... honestly - nourished afterward. It's an interesting sensation to feel full but not lethargic. I highly recommend this restaurant

Vegetarian in Alberta? The beef province... Yes!

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