My blurb in today's newspaper


A couple of weeks ago, the food columnist in our local paper had written a column about vegetarians. At the end of the article, she asked for emails from readers and I sent one in that day. Prior to this column, there had been some small mention of vegetarianism but usually in the light of "happy meat", "free-range", "no hormones/antibiotics" crap. I was disappointed and didn't want to go Vegan Freak all over her so I bided my time.

It is definitely worth it to praise the articles that do get printed, thus encouraging more coverage. I sent Joan quite a few links and named several of my favorite cookbooks. She was quite receptive and asked me if I'd consent to an interview. Which we did, via cell, last Friday. And, below, is the result of said correspondence. Yay for more veg*n coverage in Fresno :)

I've pasted the entire article, with my quotes italicized, for convenience:

Favorite places to go meatless
By Joan Obra / The Fresno Bee
07/11/07 04:38:59

My goodness, you veg*ns are a passionate and articulate bunch.
A couple of weeks ago, I asked veg*n (vegetarian and vegan) readers to tell me what -- and where -- they like to eat in Fresno. Well, you overdelivered.

Not only did you tell me your fave dishes, you lamented some wonderful ones that were taken off menus. You also noted Web sites and cookbooks. And generally confirmed that veg*nism is thriving in Fresno.

First, a quick primer for those who don't know the difference between vegetarian and vegan. Here's the textbook definition: Vegetarians don't eat meat, but they do eat animal products. (That means they'll shun salmon but embrace eggs.) Vegans won't eat either.

Vegans and vegetarians abound in Fresno and Clovis.

"There is a surprisingly large group of veg*ns out there, but I think we're all thinking, 'Where are they?' " Melissa Sesma-Smith writes in an e-mail.

She's found others through the Valley Vegan & Vegetarian Friends, a Meetup.com group that gathers for monthly meals. The group has about 30 members; 10 or 11 are regulars, she says.

Find out more at meetup.com. In the "Enter an Interest" box, type in "vegetarian" or "vegan." Then add a Fresno-area ZIP code. Click on "Go," and you should see the group.

Sesma-Smith raves about the group's dinner at Joy Luck Chinese Cuisine in the Villaggio shopping center at Blackstone and Nees avenues.

"I ... recall the sesame tofu as a standout dish," she writes. "Plus, the giant lazy Susan on the table made it ideal for sharing food."

You'll find more recommendations at fresnovegan.com. The Web site touts vegan cupcakes at Charlotte's Bakery in the Tower District, customized veggie meals at Senses World Cuisine (also in the Tower District) and tofu-veggie kebabs at Fugazzi's California Bistro in Clovis.

Charlotte's is popular among many veg*ns for various reasons. The bakery carries vegan cupcakes daily, says Josh Rocha, whose parents own the bakery. The selection -- made with margarine and soy milk -- varies; flavors include Mexican hot chocolate, lemon macadamia nut and triple chocolate.

Other vegan offerings are pastry horns filled with custard, pasta salads and sandwiches. The bakery also makes vegan cakes by special order.

Other readers praised vegetarian dishes at The Thai House (Shaw Avenue and First Street), vegan baked goods at Whole Foods Market (Fig Garden Village) and frozen vegetarian dishes at Trader Joe's (Blackstone and Barstow avenues in Fresno; Willow and Nees avenues in Clovis).

Now for the bad news. Some of you lament the loss of the pear-and-gorgonzola pizza at California Pizza Kitchen.

"The waiter told me the decision to take the pear-and-gorgonzola pizza off the menu was a corporate decision," Bee reporter Tracy Correa writes in an e-mail. "That's lame!"

She also misses the vegetable calzonetto at Romano's Macaroni Grill in River Park. Correa remembers it as a wood-fired bread stuffed with grilled vegetables, served with a balsamic vinaigrette and marinara dip.

"Its awesomeness was short-lived," she writes.

With limited veg*n items on Valley menus, losses like these hurt. Our area won't become a veggie haven anytime soon, so it pays to do your own cooking.

Sesma-Smith recommends cookbook authors Sarah Kramer, Isa Chandra Moskowitz and Dreena Burton. They have too many vegan cookbooks to list here, so you'll have to do an Internet search.

Remember to e-mail me once you're done cooking. Now that I know so many veg*ns are readers, I'll be happy to pass on good recipes.

The columnist can be reached at jobra@fresnobee.com or (559) 441-6365.


You can read the online version here.

It's a positive step though I did have an issue with the description of "vegan". I wrote her an otherwise praiseworthy email but pointed out that most vegans are vegan for ethical reasons not health. Veganism is a lifestyle not a diet choice. But, I also realized this was printed in the food section and I wrote that, too. Just clarifying ;)