Songs and snacks with Sarah Factor

What are the foods of your childhood?

My foods of my childhood are macaroni and cheese and Campbell's Chunky Chicken soup. Okay, and I guess my mom's chili with rice.

What are your all time favourite foods today?

Oy, that is a difficult one. I do love sweet potato fries, and vegan biscuits.

What do you think are the best fruits and vegetables?

Fresh mangoes forever, and I quite enjoy munching on snap peas and watermelon in the summer months.

What foods do you dislike? Can you explain why?

I dislike anything with the consistency of pudding. I am all about consistency and I cannot stand yogurt. I remember when Greek yogurt became a thing and I was like, "Finally! Something with a consistency that makes sense."

What are your favourite desserts?

Desserts are not my thing, I'm more of a salty girl (haha), but I could jam with a flourless chocolate cake anytime.

What do you eat for breakfast on a typical day? What is your ideal breakfast?

I usually have toast with peanut butter and banana, or with vegan cream cheese. I love making vegan pancakes on the weekend, and again, biscuits. I would love to enjoy a nice tofu scramble with potato mash and veggies.

What is your favourite holiday or festival? How do you celebrate it, and what do you eat?

My favourite holiday is Christmas but it doesn't really remind me of any specific foods. Chanukah however, comes with latkes and I make a mean vegan latke, or several. I also make a delicious vegan challah. Vegan, vegan, everything!

Where did you grow up? What are some typical foods to be found there?

I grew up in Toronto but we don't have any typical foods. It's the same as America: burgers and fries, I guess? Judaism informed my food environment more than where I grew up. Matzah ball soup, knish, blitzes, and my grandma's famous honey garlic wings.

Where else have you lived? Where do you live now? What was/is the food like? Do you like it?

I currently live in NYC and the food is wonderful. I can order any type of food I want, at basically any hour and it's delicious and, sometimes even authentic.

It’s 2 am, it’s been a wild night, and you’re just getting home. What are you eating?

Not eating. I'm that person. Just chugging water and then sleep.

Imagine your fridge. What is inside?

Coconut/Almond milk, vegan cheese slices, tofu, a Green Chef meal I'm procrastinating making, leftover pasta, tempeh, tomatoes, vegan cream cheese, hummus, an avocado.

Do you like to cook? What do you typically make?

I cook a tofu stir fry blindfolded. I mean, not actually but you know what I mean. I'm always making beans and rice or some version of that, much to my wife's dismay. I could eat beans and rice for every meal.

What do you think are the best summer foods?

Watermelon always. With a little salt on top. I love making smoothies in the summer too, but I eat them, instead of drinking them. Sprinkle a little hemp hearts, banana slices, and granola on top: yum!

What do you crave when the weather is cold?

Soup, soup, soup! Butternut squash soup especially and I love to make chili all winter long.

Ultimate sandwich?

Vegan BLT; Tempeh bacon, lettuce, tomato, vegan mayo.

Beverages of choice?

Wheat beer, water, kombucha.

What is the best pizza topping?

Mushrooms! Pineapple! (I said that because I knew it'd be controversial and I like to stir the pot. Also, it's delicious and belongs wherever I want it to go.)

What is the most interesting thing you’ve tried while traveling?

I'm not very adventurous with food, especially because I'm vegan. I once tried oysters by force and it was the most disgusting thing I've ever put in my mouth and never swallowed. But we can call that interesting, I guess!

What is the best thing you can remember eating?

I had an incredible meal at the new restaurant in Williamsburg, Brooklyn called Modern Love. Fancy AF vegan food.

What do you put on toast?

Avocado, hopefully.

If you were throwing a party, what would you serve?

Chips. Haha.

When you hear the word “family”, what food comes to mind?

Chocolate.

If you could recommend any restaurant, cafe, or bar in the world, which one would it be?

That's a really difficult one. In the whole wide world? Gosh, I don't know! I'm not that fancy. I would still go with Modern Love, I guess!

If it’s just you for dinner, what do you make?

Beans and Rice!