an Ode to Las Vegas (through vegan food – inspired by insomnia)
The sparkling lights, the gambling, the shows, the parties. I admit it, if you asked me where I would go in the world RIGHT NOW (expense being no worry) I would have to go with Las Vegas. Viper and I are obsessed with all-things-American, and even if I should be saying Europe (for the culture!) or India (for the spiritual enlightenment!) I would be off drinking cocktails and putting it ALL on 26 red before an Elvisn impersonator could pronounce myself and Viper, “hound dog and Lisa Marie.” Seriously, although my wedding last year was lovely – there is still a teeny tiny part of me that wished we had gone with our original “Vegas Elvis Elopement” plan. One day.
Photo courtesy of Wayfaring Chocolate
At the moment though, I have to live vicariously through the tales of other bloggers. Hannah recapped her Vegas adventure here and here, and the very brave Bethaney did it with her toddler in tow (not sure I’m game enough for that!) We all know, however, that I am slightly obsessed with vegan food – so while on my insomnia-spurred-Vegas-trawl I began researching into the foodie options available. Paul Graham from Eating Vegan in Vegas really covers all the bases when it comes to compassionate cuisine.
Photo courtesy of Flash Packer Family
While Viper would be (oh so predictably) tempted by the promise of celebrity chefs cooking up all sorts of meaty-glory…. Vegas is actually turning into a bit of a hub for vegan dining, which gives the place even more appeal. During the witching hours of insomnia (oh the joy) I have been perusing different restaurants/menus for inspiration…. although I love reading food blogs, I never really try out recipes – just reading the title of a dish can really get the creative cogs in my brain turning – I find recipes way too restrictive. I saw the Sweet Potato Soup with Roasted Almonds on the menu at Mesa Grill, and then that little inspirational tidbit turned into my “Ode to Vegas.” I know America has a real fondness for mayonnaise, and while I can’t stand the traditional stuff in any way, shape or form, this vegan/root veggie version is quite the delicious variation. I couldn’t have possibly dedicated a recipe to Las Vegas and NOT include some sort of Elvis-ingredient either – hence the “Bacon” almonds, which are given a sweet/salty/smoky marinade which is a pretty stellar addition to this salad.
The whole orange/spinach combination reminds me of my Mum, who always made me make sure I was eating a little vitamin C (orange) whenever I ate an iron-rich vegetable (spinach) – thanks Mum – and it just so happens they go great with sweet potato and fake bacon – who would have thought?
Spinach & Orange Salad with Sweet Potato Mayo and Smoky Baked Almonds (aka “Bacon” bits)
(Vegan: Gluten/wheat/refined sugar/grain/soy/corn free)
Makes 4 large serves
“Bacon” Bits (Sweet Smoky Almonds)
- 1C almonds
- 4t tamari
- 3T maple syrup
- 2t smoked paprika
- Combine all ingredients except almonds in a small mixing bowl and whisk well.
- Throw almonds in and toss to coat.
- Roast at 180 degrees C for 8-10 minutes…. careful they will catch and burn quickly.
- When dry (they will almost be like a cluster of toffee) roughly chop.
Sweet Potato “Mayonnaise”
- 2C cooked sweet potato (roasting will get the best flavour)
- 3T nutritional yeast
- 3T tahini
- 3T olive oil
- 2t wholegrain mustard
- 2t apple cider vinegar
- 1C water (up to 1 & 1/2C to achieve desired consistency)
- 2t lemon juice
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Combine all ingredients in a food processor, adding water bit by bit until you reach your preferred “mayo” consistency.
- Season (S&P) to taste.
Salad Assembly……
(Ingredients for each person – you are making 4 serves)
- 1 navel orange, cut into segments, free of pith.
- 1 good handful (2C) baby spinach leaves
- 1/4C “Bacon” almonds
- 1/4C Sweet Potato Mayonnaise
- Place spinach leaves on plate, arrange orange segments.
- Sprinkle over chopped almonds, and drizzle with the mayo – putting the mix in a squirty bottle is the best idea (an old ketchup/mustard bottle is perfect for this).
So now I shall eat this salad and pine for the parties, lights and loose times that Las Vegas seems to promise. One day I will get there. How about you? Where in the world would you LOVE to visit? Your dream escape? Your ultimate adventure?
22 Responses to “an Ode to Las Vegas (through vegan food – inspired by insomnia)”
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Vegan. Stay at home Mum of Misty. Yoga teacher in training. Passionate about REAL food - creating it, eating it, sharing it. I can never stick to a recipe.
yummmm…. how good is smoked paprika…. love that stuff!
I know, right? Amazing stuff…. spices are such glorious things
Mesa Grill is one of my favourite restaurants on the planet!!!!!! I love Southwestern food. The best flavour combinations.
I think you deserve a Las Vegas adventure!!!
I think I do too, Bethaney
Just wish my finances agreed with us!! One day.
I had no idea Las Vegas was a place for good vegan food! I have to admit that it’s never been high on my list of places to visit, but if I ended up there, I think I’d have a lot of fun
For now, I love these recipes, and they should be a bit easier to manage than a 24 hour + plane flight 
Definitely a lot easier, Kari! We can live vicariously through our food for now
Oh my gosh, sweet potato mayonnaise- genius!
Thanks Gabby – I actually made something similar waaaaaay back when I first started blogging, and had completely forgotten about it – it’s a good one
Oh yes, you absolutely got it right that pretty much every salad in the US comes with candied nuts! Also, you could definitely do Vegas with a toddler; when my parents took my brother and me, we were something like 4/5 and 7/8, stayed in Circus Circus (before it was so run-down) and there were free circus acts that I remember being so excited about (trapeze!). Actually, we saw Sigmund and Roy (or whatever their names are, the tiger people), but that probably wasn’t vegan.
You’ll get there, Lou! I saw Vegas re-commitment-wedding-vows-whatever-that’s-also-called. DO IT.
Hehehe I keep thinking of all these Simpsons episodes with you at the moment – just remembered when those 2 tiger tamers were on the Simpsons
How cool that your parents took you to Vegas at that age!
That’s too funny! Vegas actually kind of terrifies me, but I love that you love it.
I only gambled once. Lost $10 on a slot machine and was bitter the rest of the night. I’m too cheap for that. 
there is something fun about kitsch though, and I have a soft spot in my heart for glitzy shows!
Ha, I’m actually waaaaaay too cheap to gamble for real – but just the whole idea of Vegas is like my grown up version of Disneyland
Oh yes, I love glitzy shows – the more over the top the better, sigh – one day.
that salad looks SO GOOD. I am actually just getting over a nasty bout of food poisoning (ugh horrible) and this salad might be just the thing to take me back into the land of real food
. I have always wanted to go to Vegas too! My total dream vacation though is actually a secluded cottage on a lake somewhere… I don’t even have an exact location in mind, but I have always wanted to just escape by myself to a little cottage and waste my days away reading and staring at the water! That escape has become even more dreamy sounding since becoming a mom haha.
Oh that cottage on the lake sounds magnificent – actually anywhere ON MY OWN sounds incredible these days
Funny how things change when you have a little one needing you for EVERYTHING! Simplicity and serenity – yes please!
Oh and BOO to the food poisoning
Yuck, I’ve been there, it’s horrible…. hope you feel better soon x
thanks Lou! FINALLY starting to feel back to myself today. Was a rough couple days :s
I only recently discovered Vegas has such vegan friendly fare after reading about Annie’s trip there!! I was like say whaatt!! OK don’t laugh at me, but my dream location to travel to right now…would be…Australia!! TADAAA!! HAAH. I want to visit so badly! You let me stay with you, and I’ll take you to Vegas how about that?
Oh you DEFINITELY have a place to stay in Aussie – no ifs or buts! I can just see you LOVING it here so much….. I think you would truly dig the lifestyle here – start a savings fund NOW
It is impressive how many vegan options – GOOD vegan options Vegas offers. And, of course, it is just the silliest, most absurd place. I hope you are able to get there!
Arrrrrrrgh I knew there was another blogger that had written about vegas – it was YOU wasn’t it? Remember reading some time ago, doh should have linked you in too! I LOVE the silly & absurd so I’m sure I would fit in fine
I just went to Vegas for the first time. I actually only saw ONE Elvis. I was shocked. I didn’t actually go out looking for him, mind you since I was pretty occupied at a conference, but I thought only one sighting was kind of odd when we spent a quite a bit of time on the strip.
Our group went to the Wynn Casino that boasts Vegan menus in each of the eight restaurants. We drooled though the hallway as one of us read the menus out loud. We settled on a the country club steak house with an amazing view and enjoyed our meal with flowers and a waterfall in the background. The food was so, so good. A potato and mushroom stacked Napoleon with a yellow lentil drizzle and sauteed arugula. (The four of us got four different entrees and passed them around). They had a Vegan cheeseburger, fry and chocolate milkshake combo that tasted so realish that we had to ask the waiter again if it was Veg. A blue cheese and steak salad. YUM. And a pasta deliciousness.
Vegas definitely can do Vegan food up right!!!
Oh wow, man I just want to GO THERE. I too, would have expected more Elvis-sightings, but I suppose who knows what to “expect” in Vegas, right?