Notably excluding long cooking time methods like braising
Anything lower heat that doesn’t go past Maillard and start the HCA reactions. I haven’t read any studies comparing different methods but I imagine they’re out there.
I was lost in Chicago a couple years ago trying to find Wrigley Field and walked into a neighborhood called Boystown (it’s an LGBTQ mecca I later learned). Found this place called The Chicago Diner that claimed to be “meat free since '83” and got a table. Anyone been there? Had the seitan chorizo nachos which were great–I’d sub that in place for meats in my cooking repertoire if I could accurately reproduce it. The only weird thing is I am not any of the five letters or vegetarian and I think our waitress in the knee-high military boots and vintage flannel was wise to it. Not that I give a fuck, I’d eat there often if I lived close but interesting experience feeling like I was being judged. 
Its been a lot easier to cut out meat from my diet when I’m only eating take out 1-2x a week instead of 1-2x a day. I don’t think I’ve ever had a vegetarian meal at a restaurant haha. I doubt I’ll ever become a vegetarian but I could see myself eventually only eating meat a few times a week. I’ve started working out at home and supplementing my diet with 48g of whey protein every day which has probably helped a ton.
I don’t think many LGBTQV feel like you’re not allowed to eat at their restaurants.
On a related note:
I did not feel unwelcome. I felt like I was very obviously “not from around there” and could read it on her face, body language, and voice.
I almost ordered a chicken pita for dinner and then I remembered this thread so I switched to falafel. Praise me, I’ve earned it! Jk but man do I love falafel, sadly I tend to forget it exists and then I’m so happy when I get it.
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So they could peg you as a straight guy, so to speak.
L’chiam!
I tried to chat her up a bit but she wasn’t into small talk. Just the tip.
I like to toss oven roasted Brussels sprouts with a tablespoon of sriracha and a teaspoon of maple syrup.
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I’ve spent many drunk nights at that diner and in boys town in general with a few of my gay friends, some of them would get jealous that so many guys hit on me even though I’m straight lol.
Chicago is pretty great when it comes to selection for vegetarians and vegans. If anyone is visiting amitabul on the northwest side is an amazing Korean vegan spot that’s been there for a while, they even sell meal plans
I stopped eating meat last august and only sometimes eat fish. It’s been pretty great for me and hasn’t been very difficult. I might eat meat when I go back home to visit my grandparents since they raise their own livestock but otherwise not too much desire to eat it again.
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Talk dirty to me.
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There’s a local sandwich place that I will often go to when I work the 1030-9 shift at work because I can get a sandwich and soup and eat it for the whole day. In the spirit of trying to eat less meat and not wanting to eat deli meat, I got their beet sandwich today, which is roasted beets, herb goat cheese, cucumbers, and balsamic on focaccia and holy shit is it fantastic. I really need to be more willing to try stuff like this instead of resorting to crappy meat based stuff that I’m more familiar with.
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No-meat fish eater for going on three decades.
I used to be fully vegetarian, but since succumbing to social pressure during my first trip to Japan and discovering how incredibly delicious the seafood is here, fish remains on my dish.
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The number of meat free meals (breakfast not included) I have had since last posting itt is approximately zero. Tonight though I am having falafel. Same Serious Eats recipe.
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I did November vegetarian again this year. When I ran out of fresh veggies, I ordered meatless spicy sausage pizzas alot and learned no new recipes. Online grocery order substituted meatless sausage balls for the falafel balls I wanted. I made my usual Thai curry chicken with meatless sausage and frozen veggies. Disgusting. Tonight I made my bibimbap with falafel and a fried egg on top (I do lacto-ovo vegetarian) and all fresh veggies. Wonderful!
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