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Nutritional Yeast - I Love You!

Not many people know about the health benefits of nutritional yeast since the main people that seek it out are Vegans who want extra B vitamins.  That being said - Nutritional Yeast is tasty on pretty much anything (maybe not coffee or a bowl of cereal).  While I was eating my faux chicken soup for lunch I figured I'd read a bit about the health benefits and stumbled upon some recipes for non-dairy creamy foods using nutritional yeast.

Personally, I love putting it on Spaghetti, in soup, over vegan pizza, etc.  Think of it as cheese and you're good to go.

City, O' City - Denver, CO

The chickpea and the String Bean went to Denver last weekend for a wedding.  After the first night we needed something oily, scrumptious and satisfying to fill our bellies.  So, we took a nice walk to City, O' City for some Seitan Buffalo Wings and Vegan Pizza.

The Buffalo Wings were absolutely amazing and if I lived near this place I'd eat them daily (not kidding).  The pizza was OK (a little dry) but tasty nonetheless.

So, if you're in Denver definitely go to City, O' City or WaterCourse Foods (they have two restaurants (I like parenthesis)).

Ode to Ocimum basilicum

Prepare all ingredients gently, placing in them in this order in the blender:

¼ cup olive oil
2 - 3 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice
3 – 4 garlic cloves, minced
¼ teaspoon sea salt
Grinding of fresh pepper
¼ cup roasted pine nuts
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
1 cup chopped fresh basil leaves

Chop your last Green Zebra tomato of the season into small cubes.

Roast additional pine nuts (optional).

Toast Ocimum Basilicum with some Pinot Noir.

Blend until smooth.  Thin with hot noodle water if too thick.  Cook your noodles. Sprinkle the batch of cooked pasta with the bits of Green Zebra, add the Pesto, and toss.  Sprinkle with additional roasted pine nuts if you desire.