You won't miss the meat with the vegan country fried steak at this Atlanta restaurant

The vegan country fried steak at Argosy.

Credit: Yvonne Zusel

Credit: Yvonne Zusel

The vegan country fried steak at Argosy.

Dish of the Week: Vegan Country Fried Steak at Argosy

It's getting to be that time of year -- temperatures cool down, and people turn to comfort food like beef stew and meatloaf to stave off the chill from the impending winter months.

But just because a lot of heavy, seasonal food involves meat doesn't mean vegetarians -- or vegans, for that matter -- shouldn't be able to have something that sticks to their bones, too.

Enter the vegan country fried steak at Argosy in East Atlanta, a dish perfect for hat and scarf weather, and one so hearty that you'll nearly forget it's not a "real" steak.

So how does Argosy chef Michael Person create such an un-vegan vegan dish? A cauliflower steak is dredged in rice milk, then tossed in a corn starch and semolina mix with spices and lightly pan fried, giving it a satisfying crunch. The veggie is drizzled with a zesty gravy laden with oyster, shitake and button mushrooms, and served with sides of pureed carrots and sauteed green beans.

If food allergies are an issue for you, the dish is not only vegan, but soy-free.

It's a guilt-free way to get your comfort food fix before you indulge in the not-as-healthy fixings of the holiday season.

Argosy, 470 Flat Shoals Ave. SE, Atlanta. 404-577-0407, argosy-east.com/

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