I went west, kind of.I mean, I did not go far out west, out on the prairies, or anything that silly. I am no cowboy.I look pretty absurd in a gallon hat and those horrific nightmares known as cowboy boots.

No, I headed west out of the Bay state and found myself in western New York, land of Niagara falls, the Buffalo Sabres, and Wegman’s grocery stores.I think I am in love, with the place, and Wegman’s, among other things.Sorry, Sabres, I will cheer you on only if you are not playing my Habs.

It was not even that bone crushingly cold, which I had not really prepared for, so I was pleased by the fact that I did not freeze to death.

Good for me, and great for you, as I can now share with you my Buffalo Popcorn Chick’n recipe.

But, before I dip into that, I suppose I should give a bit of a telling of what I did there, or at least post a photo or two of the region.I guess.

I went to the falls, of course.It would be kind of silly if I had not, no? Give me a bit of credit.No, I did not go over the falls in a wooden barrel, apparently that is looked down on, or perhaps dangerous.Who knew?

I was somewhat surprised to see an old friend there, Mr. Nikola Tesla.He was apparently a giant in real life, if the the statue is to be believed.I tend to believe sculptures, so apparently Tesla was fucking huge.

So, I saw some stuff, hung out in grocery stores, cooked, and even ate out a few times. There is vegan food in Buffalo, you just need to have a vegan guide or know where to look. I probably could eat at Amy’s Place once or twice a week and eat the same thing and die a happy man. I had something called the ” Biff”. The “Biff” is basically BBQ sauce drenched seitan tips with an onion, tomato, and some kind of secret sauce that they place on the bun.I sucked it down like a Dyson vacuum cleaner.

I got my piggy vegan on, and it felt good.I will probably need new pants, but I am prepared for that result. I always am. Always.

So, You cannot be in Buffalo, and not have Buffalo sauce, right? I thought it was only right that I had some, though I had to make it myself as apparently no one who runs a vegan place or has vegan food in Buffalo has considered having something with Buffalo sauce on their menu. A bit odd, kinda, sorta.

I landed up just making it myself, and really, you could use another sauce in the end and these would still be tasty. I guarantee it. You need some ingredients, though. I should maybe list those, now.

Ingredients.
- TVP chunks, about a cup or a little bit more.
- 2 cups of veggie stock or broth.
- 1 tablespoon of worcestershire sauce.
- 1 tablespoon of steak sauce.
- 1 tablespoon of basil.
- 1 tablespoon of thyme.
- 1 tablespoon of rosemary.
- A few dashes of salt.
- A few dashes of pepper.
- A cup or two of flour, in a bowl.
- A few dashes of salt and pepper.
- 1 tablespoon of paprika.
- Half a cup of Earth Balance butter.
- Half a cup or give or take of Frank’s Hot sauce.
- 1 tablespoon of ketchup.

Do not get frightened by all the ingredients, this is rather simple. I would not lead you astray, maybe. Okay, I may, as I like being a prankster, but this time I assure you this is for real.Or, as the kids say, for realz.

In a large skillet, stir together the broth or stock with all the dry ingredients up till the flour. You can mix the flour, paprika, salt and pepper, in a bowl and put aside. Once the broth and stuff is stirred into a skillet, place it over medium heat, and add the TVP chunks. I try and avoid it coming to a boil, a gentle simmer is okay, just watch it, I suppose.

You can now do nothing, just let it cook till the stock is gone. Easy, no? Once this is done,You can just dunk the TVP chunks into the flour mix, coating them in the batter.I tend to be lazy about this and just drop them all in the bowl, mix them a bit with a fork and be done with it.

Heat up a couple tablespoons of oil in a wok, and drop the battered tvp in, cooking them for about 5 minutes or so over medium heat.Once they are cooked remove them from the wok , and leave them in a bowl or on a place.
Now, using the same wok, over the same heat, add the butter, hot sauce and ketchup, till the butter melts and it is all one orange-y like sauce.

Drop the TVP back in the wok, covering them with the sauce, and there you go. Yes, there you go, you just made some Buffalo Popcorn Chick’n.
You can eat them on their own, in a roll, in a wrap, whatever you want, I do not give a crap.

Yeah, I just rhymed.

Neat-o.

I made a wrap, with some pickles, and lettuce, and mayo. I am no local, but I think it was a pretty good Buffalo Popcorn Chick’n wrap when you consider I am but a simple New Englander.