I went to college at the University of Georgia in Athens. It’s pretty much the best college town ever. The downtown is walking distance from campus and full of bars, shops and great restaurants. I was first introduced to true vegetarian cuisine in Athens at The Grit. I enjoyed many delicious dinners and hungover brunches (sorry Mom) there. One of my favorite things to order was their Golden Bowl. It’s tofu on brown rice with veggies and their house-made vegan yeast gravy. I purchased The Grit cookbook several years ago but have never gotten around to recreating the Golden Bowl at home. I was finally inspired tonight.

I pressed and drained the tofu and then sautéed it with olive oil, Dizzy Pig Tsunami Spin and soy sauce until it was golden brown. Then I sautéed veggies (Trader Joe’s Asian Stir Fry Blend and spinach) and heated some brown rice.

The Yeast Gravy is what totally makes the bowl. I want to share the recipe with you. Now that I got around to making it, I’ll be whipping it up much more frequently. It’s very easy and so good!

The Grit’s Yeast Gravy
(Recipe source, The Grit Cookbook)
*note – I thirded this recipe and it still made a ton!

1 cup (2 sticks) vegan margarine (I used butter)
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 cup flaked nutritional yeast
2 cups plain soy milk (I used unsweetened almond milk)
1/2 cup soy sauce
1 3/4 cup hot water
2 tablespoons vegan worcestershire sauce (I prefer the Annie’s brand)

Melt butter/margarine in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour and nutritional yeast and stir to create a roux. Whisk constantly for 4 minutes, reducing the heat if necessary. You just want it bubbling. Be sure to stir, stir, stir.

Continue whisking and gradually add in milk. The mixture will become thick. Combine the soy sauce, water and worcestershire and slowly add to gravy. Once you’ve achieved the desired consistency, stop adding liquid. It will thicken as you continue cooking.

Yield: 4 cups

Try it!

I ate some other good things today.

Lunch was an open faced veggie burger. This was impossible to eat neatly and such a mess even with a knife and fork.

Mid-afternoon frozen yogurt. My office overlooks Yoforia and I consider it a huge accomplishment that I don’t make weekly visits. I was so excited that they had waffle cone pieces and Cinnamon Toast Crunch on the toppings bar today. YUM!

Off to shower (sitting in gross yoga clothes from hours ago) and crash. It’s been a long day.