The Hot List: 6 Vibrantly Vegan Meals
New year, new decade, new you! If you’re looking to eat clean in 2020, we have some mouthwatering, plant-based plates to help on your health journey.
Let’s taco ’bout the Buffalo Cauliflower Tacos at Vegan Plate in Roseville. Served with deep-fried, bite-sized cauliflower pieces that are coated in zesty buffalo sauce and served on corn tortillas with shredded lettuce and vegan ranch drizzle, they pack just enough punch to keep you coming back for mas. veganplateroseville.com
The aptly named Superfood Rice Bowl from Garden of Eat’n (locations in Roseville and Auburn) is indeed packed full of “super” foods: organic baby spinach, tri-colored cauliflower, baby kale, red cabbage, garbanzo beans, basmati rice, fresh herbs, and oil. Each flavor-packed forkful is full of crunch, color, and zero guilt. gardenofeatn.net
It isn't often a restaurant suggests you use your fingers to eat. Over at Sanskrit Indian in Folsom, however, it’s encouraged! The Mysore Masala Dosa—a rice- and lentil-based crepe with spiced mashed potatoes, onions, and garlic-red chili chutney folded inside—is a hands-on meal that’s always a conversation starter. Tear off a piece and dip it into the accompanying coconut and tomato chutneys or sambar (lentil-based vegetable soup) and let your palate be pleased. sanskritindian.com
Looking for a fiery start to the new year? The Cauliflower Manchurian—a popular Indo-Chinese fusion appetizer—from Inchin’s Bamboo Garden in Folsom brings the heat! Sweet, tangy, and crispy cauliflower florets are tossed in a spicy, sticky sauce made from what tastes like chili and soy sauce, vinegar, ginger, and garlic. Even the biggest carnivores will bicker over the last bite of this satisfying starter. bamboo-gardens.com
Missing fall? Bamiyan Afghan Restaurant in El Dorado Hills makes an autumn-inspired entrée called Kabeli Palow that delivers the season’s warming, soul-satisfying flavors to the table all year long. The cardamom-spiced dish with seasoned almonds, plump raisins, carrots, eggplant, and pumpkin purée is served on a fluffy bed of rice and not only nutritious but delicious, too. afghancuisine.com
Farmer’s Delicatessen and Bakery in Cameron Park caters to a variety of dietary needs without skimping on taste. Their Falafel Sandwich—featuring pan-fried falafel made from chickpeas, cumin, coriander, parsley, onion, garlic, and sea salt—is served with homemade tahini sauce and your toppings of choice on chewy, fresh-baked pita. Can't eat wheat? Be sure to ask for it on their gluten-free pita (also made in-house). farmersdeli.net
By Tara Harbert // Photos by Dante Fontana