To see images of my past posts & get links to the recipes – look on my Pinterest board – HERE.
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All my posts now have a VERY customizable PRINT & PDF option. Create a PDF & save the recipe to your computer or print it out. It offers a “remove images” option & you can delete any part of the post you do not need before printing. The button is below by the Twitter & Facebook links.
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Click the image above to watch the video.
Keto Vegan sausage & Kale Soup with Spinach
Serves 8
INGREDIENTS
8 or more vegan sausages (I used Beyond Meat)
1 head kale – tough ribs removes & the leaves chopped
1 pound spinach
2 TBS olive oil
1 onion – chopped
2 red bell peppers – seeded & chopped
2 poblano peppers – seeded & chopped
8 celery stalks – chopped
2 tsp dry basil
1 tsp dry oregano
1 tsp crushed red pepper (optional)
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp chopped fresh rosemary
8-10 cups vegan stock
S&P
Fresh basil as garnish
DIRECTIONS
Cook the sausages (removing skins if you prefer) in a skillet until browned. Set aside.
Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot. Add the onion, bell peppers, celery, and poblano peppers & saute until soft. Add the dry basil, cumin, oregano, crushed red pepper, and rosemary and stir to combine.
Add the sausage, kale & stock & heat through. Season with S&P.
When ready to serve, put a handful of raw spinach in each bowl & ladle the hot soup on top. Garnish with fresh basil.
To see images of my past posts & get links to the recipes – look on my Pinterest board – HERE.
All my posts now have a VERY customizable PRINT & PDF option. Create a PDF & save the recipe to your computer or just print it out. It offers a “remove images” option & you can delete any part of the post you do not need before printing. The button is below by the Twitter & Facebook links.
To watch the video – click the image above.
There are about an infinity of ingredients in this stew – most of which can be eliminated without a negative impact on this dish. I happened to have all but mushrooms, an onion & carrots on hand. If you are missing an ingredient or two (or three) – I think you will still like the results.
I used those vegetarian bouillon cubes above but I am going to stop buying them. They contain palm oil & an obscene sodium content so – I will be moving on to Better Than Bouillon, when my supply of these runs out.
I served my stew over mashed cauliflower. When I was done eating – I mixed the leftover mashed cauliflower directly into the stew. This had the effect of making it seem thicker & denser – but it is just cauliflower – so it actually lightens the dish up.
**NOTE – I made this in a slow cooker (on high) while I hiked. It was pretty much done when I returned 2 1/2 hours later. You could make this just as easily stove top – maybe in less time. Just bring to a boil & simmer until the veggies are cooked. To thicken it – return it to a boil. Whisk 1/4 cup cornstarch into some hot water & add to the boiling stew. It should thicken nicely. If not – do it again. Add water if it gets too thick.
Hearty Vegan Beef & Vegetable Stew for the Slow Cooker
Serves 6 or more
INGREDIENTS (VERY flexible – both in what you use & quantity)
1 TBS Kitchen Bouquet (seasoning available in the spice aisle or near gravy ingredients)
Few squirts Maggi (seasoning available in the spice aisle or near gravy ingredients)
1 tsp smoked (or regular) paprika
2 bay leaves
6 whole coves
1 tsp agave nectar (or sugar)
1/4 cup chopped parsley
1/4 cup nutritional yeast (optional)
1/4 cup corn starch (or more)
S&P
DIRECTIONS
I really prefer slow cooker recipes that require ZERO prep. Recipes where you just dump the shit into the cooker & go away. But – I really wanted a stew-like flavor here so – I thought cooking the onions & bringing their flavor – & the flavor of the sauteed mushrooms were important. Also – browning the steak cubes assists in the visual presentation. You could certainly just dump it all in & would probably be just as happy with the result. Your call.
So – heat 2 TBS or so of oil & saute the onions & the beef cubes. When the onions start to brown. Add the garlic & saute one minute. Add the wine (or stock) and quickly deglaze the pan. Put this into the slow cooker.
In the same pan, add another TBS or so of oil & saute the mushrooms until they begin to sear. Deglaze the pan with a tiny bit of water & add the mushrooms to the slow cooker.
If you are going stove top – do the steps above & then put those things & the rest of the ingredients (EXCEPT THE CORNSTARCH) into a huge stock pot, bring to a boil & simmer until the vegetables are tender – not more than 1/2 hour. To thicken it – return it to a boil. Whisk 1/4 cup cornstarch into some hot water & add to the boiling stew. It should thicken nicely. If not – do it again. Add water if it gets too thick. Season with S&P.
If you are slow cooking it – dump the rest of the ingredients (EXCEPT THE CORNSTARCH) into the slow cooker & leave it covered & on high for 3 hours or so. To thicken it – remove the lid. Whisk 1/4 cup cornstarch into some hot water & add to the boiling stew. It should thicken nicely. If not – do it again. Leave the top off until it thickens. Add water if it gets too thick. Season with S&P.
If you have am Instant Pot or pressure cooker – Cook for 15 minutes.
Serve over rice or mashed potatoes or – as I did – over mashed cauliflower. When I was done eating – I mixed the leftover mashed cauliflower directly into the stew. This had the effect of making it seem thicker & denser – but it is just cauliflower – so it actually lightens the dish up.
To see images of my past posts & get links to the recipes – look on my Pinterest board – HERE.
All my posts now have a VERY customizable PRINT & PDF option. Create a PDF & save the recipe to your computer or print it out. It offers a “remove images” option & you can delete any part of the post you do not need before printing. The button is below by the Twitter & Facebook links.
Click the image above to watch the video.
This is as easy as a dish can be! It took me less time to make the chicken & broccoli than it did to make the rice. Easy, delicious & as spicy (or not) as you please. Ok – I list 11 ingredients but I only used snap peas because I had them. Use them, lose them, substitute them with something else. Your call.
Vegan Spicy Chinese Barbecue Chicken with Broccoli
Heat the oil & saute the jalapenos & scallion slices for a minute or two. Add the remaining sauce ingredients & the chicken. Heat for a few minutes until the chicken is warmed & the sauce thickens a bit. Lower heat & set aside.
Boil water & blanch the broccoli & peas (if using) for 5 minutes then drain. You can either add the broccoli to the chicken & sauce or simply serve it beside the chicken.
Plate with some rice & garnish with sesame seeds & scallion slices.
To see images of my past posts & get links to the recipes – look on my Pinterest board – HERE.
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All my posts now have a VERY customizable PRINT & PDF option. Create a PDF & save the recipe to your computer or print it out. It offers a “remove images” option & you can delete any part of the post you do not need before printing. The button is below by the Twitter & Facebook links.
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Click the image above to watch the video.
There is nothing easier than putting raw ingredients into a crock pot & walking away – only to return in a few hours to a home that smells yummy & food that is delicious. But this comes together on the stove top in about 5-10 minutes.
This is the easiest fucking dish ever. I used Beyond Meat’s vegan chicken one & Morning Star Veggie Pulled Pork the next time.
Easiest Ever Vegan Garlic Sesame Chicken (with or without Honey) for the Slow Cooker
Feeds 2 well with rice
INGREDIENTS
9 oz vegan chicken or other vegan faux meat
6 cloves garlic – minced
1 small onion – diced
1/4 cup of some dark berry jam – I used blueberry but blackberry would be great
1/4 cup hoisin sauce
1 TBS agave nectar
1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
1 tsp crushed red pepper
1 TBS sesame oil
1 – 2 TBS cornstarch (optional)
1 TBS dark (black) soy sauce (optional – for color)
For garnish:
Scallions, sesame seeds and/or Thai basil and cooked rice
Directions
Cook some rice.
STOVE TOP VERSION
Heat the sesame oil & cook the onions until soft. Add the garlic & after one minute – add the remaining ingredients (the corn starch is optional). Heat through. Add water if it gets too thick – cornstarch if it is too watery. Add the dark soy sauce if you want a darker color.
Garnish as you desire & serve over rice.
SLOW COOKER VERSION
Put everything EXCEPT THE CORNSTARCH the garnishes in your crock pot. Stir it all up. My crock pot has no settings so I assume it is just always on high. Leave it alone for an hour or two – stirring it if you can or want to but it doesn’t need it.
Once it was all bubbly & hot, I used a slotted spoon & took the chicken out and used two forks to sorta shred it – like a pulled pork. I whisked about 1-2 TBS cornstarch into the sauce to thicken it & then returned the shredded chick to the pot. I let it sit a while longer but it didn’t need it. It didn’t REALLY need the shredding or cornstarch, either, so if it looks good to you right outta the pot au naturale – go for it!
Then I garnished it & ate some over rice. I enjoyed it.
To see images of my past posts & get links to the recipes – look on my Pinterest board – HERE.
Click the image below to watch the video for this recipe. Plus – watch it to meet my newest foster dog – an adorable & brave trauma rescue from Uruguay and hear how I met Rachel Maddow, Fairuza Balk, Doyle from the Misfits & more!
This chicken & broccoli comes together faster than the rice – so – if you have warm, cooked rice ready – you can serve this in ten minutes. None of the ingredients are particularly exotic but it is GENUINELY spicy. I like a lot of heat & this took it to my limit – so – if you are more timid in the spice department – cut the spicy things way back or drop them completely. I used – as always – Beyond Meat brand vegan chicken because it is absolutely the best on the market. It comes in 9 ounce packages.
1-5 dry red chilies – halved & seeded (VERY optional as these are VERY spicy – and if you use hem – do not chew & swallow them – but pick them out when you eat)
1/2 cup vegan hoisin sauce
1-2 TBS sriracha sauce
1-3 tsp crushed garlic (I used jarred)
1 TBS ginger (I used jarred)
Broccoli for 2 – fresh or frozen
Salted peanuts
Sliced scallions as garnish
Cooked rice for 2
DIRECTIONS
Cook the rice. If you are using fresh broccoli – steam it a few minutes until it is done to your taste & set aside. If using frozen – cook it according to directions & set aside
Heat 1 TBS olive oil in a pan. Saute the jalapeno & red chili – if using them. When the jalapeno is softens (a few minutes) – add the garlic & ginger & saute 1 minute. Add the hoisin & sriracha and the chicken & heat the chicken through.
Assemble the bowls with the rice, broccoli & chicken & garnish with peanuts & scallions.
To see images of my past posts & get links to the recipes – look on my Pinterest board – HERE.
All my posts now have a VERY customizable PRINT & PDF option. Create a PDF & save the recipe to your computer or print it out. It offers a “remove images” option & you can delete any part of the post you do not need before printing. The button is below by the Twitter & Facebook links.
The photo just above is from the wonderful blog – The Iron You. It is their Eggplant Parm Rice Casserole and it is that recipe that inspired mine here. There are a few subtle changes but the primary difference is that I used cauliflower rice rather than real rice and I made it vegan. That way – this dish is very light & nearly guiltless. Is is very easy to make & comes together in less than 45-60 minutes – 30 of which are in the oven. It is a surprisingly tasty recipe & chock full of fresh vegetables.
Eggplant Parmesan Casserole with Cauliflower Rice (Vegetarian or Vegan)
Serves 8
INGREDIENTS
1 large head of cauliflower
2 eggplants – cut into 1/4 inch slices
Olive oil
1 cup basil – chopped
2 large shallots (or 1/2 small onion) – diced
2 cups cherry tomatoes – quartered (reserve a few extra to garnish)
2-3 cups vegan mozzarella – according to your preference (I used 3 cups)
1-2 cups grated vegan Parmesan – according to your preference
S&P
1 TBS oregano
1 TBS crushed red pepper (optional)
1 cup vegetable stock
1 1/2 cups of your favorite pasta sauce
3 (or more) vegan sausages – cooked
Parsley or basil – chopped as garnish
DIRECTIONS
If you have a grill or grill pan, spray some olive oil on the eggplant (or toss them in a light coating of olive oil or dressing) & grill on each side until a bit charred & soft. Set aside.
If you do not have a grill or grill pan – follow Iron You’s oven method directions: Preheat oven to 400°F and place a rack in the middle. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and grease them with vegetable oil. Set aside.
Fill a large bowl with cold water, add 1 teaspoon of salt and stir until it dissolves completely.
Add eggplant slices and let them sit for at least 20 minutes to draw out the bitterness. Fish the eggplant slices out of the water, pat them dry, and arrange them on a single layer on prepared baking sheets. Bake in the oven for about 15 minutes, or until the slices turn deep brown on top.
Remove the slices from the baking sheets and carefully transfer them on a plate to cool.
Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees.
Cook sausages & chop.
Cut the florets from the cauliflower & either grate them on a box grater or using the grater of your food processor (the FAR neater way to go). Set aside.
Toss the tomatoes with basil, a pinch or S&P & the oregano & crushed red pepper & set aside.
Heat a TBS or so of olive oil in a large frying pan (large enough to hold all the cauliflower rice) & saute the shallots or onion until soft. Add the cauliflower rice & the stock. Over high heat – saute until the cauliflower is soft & the bulk of the stock has evaporated. Stir in the tomato & basil mix and the sauce.
Grease a casserole pan (I used cooking spray) and layer 1/3 of the rice on the bottom. Top with half the eggplant and 1/3 of the cheese and 1/2 the sausage. Add another 1/3 of the rice, remaining eggplant and 1/3 of the cheese & the remaining sausage. Top with a final layer of rice & cheese.
Bake for 20-30 minutes or until the cheese is melted & the casserole is heated through.
Let sit for 10 minutes & then serve with parsley or basil & maybe extra diced tomato.
To see images of my past posts & get links to the recipes – look on my Pinterest board – HERE.
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All my posts now have a VERY customizable PRINT & PDF option. Create a PDF & save the recipe to your computer or print it out. It offers a “remove images” option & you can delete any part of the post you do not need before printing. The button is below by the Twitter & Facebook links.
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These came out UNBELIEVABLY well! I was a lifetime Big Mac whore & no other fast food ever appealed to me. My Big Mac pizza was pretty successful but this burger puts that to shame.
Above, beneath my Big Bam pizza, is a real Bic Mac – followed by my copycat & then a side by side. Doesn’t the vegan one look BETTER? This really is the closest I think you can come to the real thing. Click the image below to watch the video.
DDD #101 – Vegan Big Mac with Beyond Burgers & Copycat Special sauce
3 sesame seed buns (or just two – if you are not interested in the center piece of bread)
4 slices vegan cheese
Iceberg lettuce – chopped
Onion – minced
Pickles – sliced
Copycat Special Sauce
1/4 cup vegan mayo
1 TBS vegan French dressing
1 TBS sweet relish
1 TBS minced onion
1 TBS yellow mustard
1/2 tsp white vinegar
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp garlic powdet
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
DIRECTIONS
Whisk the sauce together. et aside.
If using Beyond Burgers – make each patty into two thinner patties.
Cook the burgers & top with cheese & melt.
Assemble the Big Mac: smear two bottom buns with sauce & top with onions, pickles & lettuce. Put a cheeseburger on each & stack them. Top with the bun.
To see images of my past posts & get links to the recipes – look on my Pinterest board – HERE.
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All my posts now have a VERY customizable PRINT & PDF option. Create a PDF & save the recipe to your computer or print it out. It offers a “remove images” option & you can delete any part of the post you do not need before printing. The button is below by the Twitter & Facebook links.
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2 images above courtesy of Beyond Meat.
Click the image above to watch the video.
Vegan Beyond Sausage & Lentil stew
Serves 4 very well
INGREDIENTS
6-12 Beyond Sausages or your favorite vegan sausage
1 lb cooked lentils
1 medium onion – diced
1-8 garlic cloves (to taste) – minced
4 carrots – sliced
4 celery stalks – chopped
1 parsnip – chopped
1 sweet potato – cubed
1-2 jalapenos – diced
1 lemon
1 (14 oz) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
1 cup salsa (optional)
4 cups stock
1 TBS mild harissa (optional)
1-2 TBS olive oil
2 tsp ground cumin
1 TBS sweet paprika
1 TBS cayenne (or less if you are intolerant of spicy foods)
S&P to taste
DIRECTIONS
Cook the lentils & set aside.
Heat the olive oil in a large stock pot & saute the onions & celery until soft.
Add the garlic & saute one minute. Add the can of tomatoes. Combine.
Add the salsa, harissa, cumin, paprika, cayenne & the juice of the lemon & combine.
Add the carrots, parsnip, sweet potato & jalapeno & 4 cups of stock.
Bring to a boil. Lower heat & simmer for about 10 minutes or until all the vegetables are tender. Stir in the cooked lentils & season to taste with S&P.
Cook the sausages & serve either sliced or whole. You can stir the sausage into the stew or serve it on the side to add as garnish to the stew.
To see images of my past posts & get links to the recipes – look on my Pinterest board – HERE.
All my posts now have a VERY customizable PRINT & PDF option. Create a PDF & save the recipe to your computer or just print it out. It offers a “remove images” option & you can delete any part of the post you do not need before printing. The button is below by the Twitter & Facebook links.
Click the image below to watch the video.
OK – in order to make this recipe – you really will need two important ingredients – seen above – preserved lemons & ras el hanout. The preserved lemons will give the dish its distinctive Moroccan flair and the ras el hanout will keep this stew from tasting like a curry. You can make the ras el hanout – as it is just a blend of other spices – but buying it will be so much cheaper & easier. See the package below – list the spices involved in that particular brand.
I used saffron – because I had it – but saffron can be very expensive so – if you don’t have any & don’t want to shell out the funds – blow the saffron off. Same with the harissa (a hot sauce). The two things I really suggest you not blow off are the preserved lemons & the ras el hanout – both of which can be purchased on Amazon.
Preserved lemons come in a jar (see above) & are simply lemons pickled in brine. They maintain all their sharp lemon flavor but are quite salty & very soft. The flavor they give this dish is critical – so – be patient – and get some before making this.
Other than that – this is a straight-forward slow cooker dish (which could be made by simmering on the stove, too) with ingredients that are easy to come by. I served mine with this Trader Joe’s blend of grains but couscous is more traditional. I like this stuff from Trader Joe’s because it is pretty & offers lots of textures. You can serve yours with whatever grain you prefer.
I used Beyond Meat chicken because I think it is the best on the market. I thawed & shredded it because it breaks down in stews better that way & because – visually – it really looks like shredded chicken. I am convinced you could slip this by meat-eaters with no complaints.
Vegan Moroccan Chicken, Chickpeas & Butternut Squash with Preserved Lemons for the Slow Cooker (or Not)
Serves 4-6 with couscous or rice
INGREDIENTS
9-12 oz vegan chicken
1 onion – diced
2-4 garlic cloves – chopped
2 (15 oz) cans of chickpeas – drained
4 cups vegetable stock
1 TBS ras el hanout
1/4 – 1 preserved lemon (depending on hpw large it is) – diced small (start with less & add more as you go – just so that this flavor doesn’t get to overpowering for you) – I used the entire 1/2 lemon using all parts
Saffron (a large pinch or more) – optional
Green and/or black olives – I used half Kalamata & half large martini olives – in a quantity to suit your taste for olives – optional
1 TBS harissa (or other hot sauce) – optional
1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes
3 carrots – chopped
1 butternut squash – peeled, seeded & cubed
1/2 – 1 red bell pepper – diced
1 lemon – peeled & sliced
1 handful cilantro
GARNISH – chopped cilantro or parsley, lemon wedges/slices
Cooked couscous or other grain
DIRECTIONS
Instant Pot – Put all the ingredients in & use soup setting for 20 minutes.
Slow cooker – Put everything into a slow cooker & cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 8. If you started light with the preserved lemon – taste occasionally & add more – if you like the flavor. Overall – it should have a strong lemon flavor. It should not need salt – because the preserved lemons, olives & stock should have that covered.
Stove top – just bring to a boil & simmer everything until the vegetables are soft – likely less than an hour. If you started light with the preserved lemon – taste occasionally & add more – if you like the flavor. Overall – it should have a strong lemon flavor. It should not need salt – because the preserved lemons, olives & stock should have that covered.
In all cases – add water if it gets too thick. Drain in a colander if it is too wet.
Serve with whatever grain you chose & garnish with cilantro or parsley & lemon wedges.
To see images of my past posts & get links to the recipes – look on my Pinterest board – HERE.
To watch the video, click the image above.
I had cabbage & I had a desire for some old school comfort food. I was Googling around looking for inspiration & saw this thing of beauty by Proud Italian Cook:
Both my friend, Rose, and I were blown away & both swore to make it immediately. And we both did. I think she stuck with the original recipe but I had to make it vegan & make it before work – including going to the store to buy a different kind of cabbage – Savoy cabbage – so I could get that pretty lace effect – so I had quite a task ahead. My cabbage, ultimately, was not quite as vascular as the one Proud Italian Cook used & my oven heats unevenly – so I did not get quite the forest effect they did & I browned one side. No matter! This was easy to make & is really delicious & quite the show stopper!
I would have just used two bags of the Beyond Meat rather than add tofu but I only had one bag. I used frozen tofu that I thawed & then squeezed the water out. It gives the tofu a spongy-texture that resembles ground beef more than raw tofu does. It also has the added benefit of removing lots of the moisture.
I also added maitake mushrooms (seen above) and 2 grilled zucchini – simply because I had them. You could fill your cake with whatever traditional filling you would use for cabbage rolls or use this recipe or tweak this recipe. I used Rao’s sauce for ease & because it is the best jarred sauce on the market. You can use your own favorite – homemade or from a jar. Whatever you decide – I promise you will be delighted with this unexpected & regal reinvention of the humble stuffed cabbage roll.
Vegan “Tree of Life” Cabbage Cake (Stuffed Cabbage Tower)
Serves 4-6 (depending on appetites)
INGREDIENTS
1 large head of Savoy (or other green) cabbage
2+ TBS olive oil
9 oz vegan beef crumbles (or 18 oz or more and skip the tofu below)
1 lb tofu – frozen, thawed, water squeezed out & crumbled
1 onion – diced
4 garlic cloves – minced
1 celery stalk – chopped
1/2 to 1 lb mushrooms – chopped (optional)
1/4 cup parsley – chopped
1-3 tsp fresh thyme (or oregano) – less if you use dried
1 1/2 cups cooked rice (I used brown basmati)
S&P to taste
24 oz of your favorite red sauce
1 cup or so of Grated vegan Parmesan – optional
DIRECTIONS
Heat the oven to 350 degrees.
Core the bottom of the cabbage (leaving it in tact) & place in a deep pot cored-side down. Add 2-3 inches of water & bring to a boil – covered – for 5 minutes. Plunge into cold water & when it is cool enough to handle – carefully peel the leaves away & place on paper towels to dry.
Heat the olive oil in a large saute pan & then cook the onions, celery and mushrooms (if using) until soft (my photos do not reflect the proper order & it doesn’t really matter). Add the beef, tofu, and garlic, thyme, parsley rice & 1 cup marinara. Blend well. Season with S&P.
Grease a deep, round casserole or souffle-type dish & then arrange the prettiest and largest leaf on the bottom. Place another leaf on top of that and up the sides of the dish all around. Layer in some beef mixture (maybe 1/2 inch) & top with another layer of cabbage. Repeat until you reach the top or run out of filling. Finish with cabbage on top making sure to tuck it in the dish all around. Drizzle the top with olive oil and a sprinkling of about half your cheese (if you are using vegan or real cheese) all over. The cheese can be eliminated completely with little impact on this recipe.
Bake for about 40 minutes. Let it rest then invert a serving plate over the casserole dish, then carefully flip it over. Top with more warmed marinara & some of your cheese. Cut into slices and serve with additional warmed marinara and more grated cheese.
To see images of my past posts & get links to the recipes – look on my Pinterest board – HERE.
Click the image above to watch the video.
Today is Official Chucky the Killer Doll Day! So – be sure to watch the UNRATED dvd version for a post credits surprise!
1989 – above. 2017 – below.
Kyle fan art by @LuxBlackArts
Isn’t that cool? Anyway –
These take 5 minutes & are completely irresistible! I ate the entire 9 oz of chicken in one sitting. I recommend using Beyond Meat chicken because it really is the best on the market. Click the link to use their store locator. In the pictures – I cooked these in a regular non-stick pan but I did, ultimately, transfer them to a grill pan – just for the aesthetic of the grill marks. If you have a grill pan – use it – otherwise any pan will do.
5-Minute Vegan Sticky & Spicy Indian Masala Chicken Fingers
Serves 1-2 as an appetizer (though this would go great with rice, too)
Whisk all the ingredients except the chicken, agave & garnish. Set the sauce aside.
If you have a grill pan (or other pan) – treat it with cooking spray or olive oil. Put the chicken in the pan on high heat. Add the sauce & cook, turning the strips frequently, until the sauce thickens & begins to blacken in spots – likely only a few minutes. Just before they are done – drizzle with a little agave nectar for moisture.
To see images of my past posts & get links to the recipes – look on my Pinterest board – HERE.
The video for the stovetop version is here. The slow cooker one is far below. Click the image below to watch the stovetop recipe.
Vegan Pulled Pork Jackfruit in a Sriracha and Blackberry Jam BBQ Sauce (Stovetop)
Serves 2
INGREDIENTS
Drizzle of olive oil
1 (20 oz) can of young jackfruit – drained & shredded by hand
1-2 garlic cloves – chopped
2 tsp cider vinegar
2 tsp Dijon mustard
A few dashes of soy sauce or tamari
1/3 cup ketchup
1 TBS blackberry (or other dark berry) jam or preserves or chutney
1 TBS Sriracha
1 tsp molasses
A few dashes vegan Worcestershire sauce (optional)
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp brown sugar
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp chili powder
DIRECTIONS
Heat a little bit of oil in a pan. Add the shredded jackfruit & the remaining ingredients & combine. Heat through & serve as you desire.
That above is jackfruit. It is a staple in Southeast Asian diets. It is a giant fruit that grows to 100 pounds. If you want to read more about it – I went into some detail in my Vegan Jackfruit Spicy Szechuan Dan Dan Noodles post. Those are the noodles – below.
I bought this jackfruit in cans for $1.39 at my favorite Thai market – Bangluck – but I hear most Asian markets carry it. Just be sure to buy UNRIPE or young jackfruit in water or brine. Ripe jackfruit in syrup – it seems – tastes like Juicy Fruit gum & would be awful in this dish.
I made this in the slow cooker using a combination of jackfruit & Beyond Meat vegan chicken strips.
Both the jackfruit (above) & chicken will require that you shred it using two forks to achieve the pulled chicken visual. It is easy once they are warmed & soft. Just fish them out of the BBQ sauce & shred them on a cutting board.
To see images of my past posts & get links to the recipes – look on my Pinterest board –HERE.
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All my posts now have a VERY customizable PRINT & PDF option. Create a PDF & save the recipe to your computer or print it out. It offers a “remove images” option & you can delete any part of the post you do not need before printing. The button is below by the Twitter & Facebook links.
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OK, people! This dish is INSANELY easy & outrageously good! Better than take-out! Wow your friends! Make your neighbors jealous. Oh – and buy my book!
Reposting this recipe because I have a video from my new Youtube cooking show to accompany it. Please – subscribe to my channel on Youtube. Www.VideoVegan.com.
FULL DISCLOSURE – this is an update on my original April 26, 2014 post. That version involves browning the chicken & baking it but THIS version can be done stove top in about 5 minutes. Ready?
OK- that said – back to this outrageous revelation! You can use real chicken or shrimp, if you want, but I hope you will try it with this stuff – Beyond Meat. Go to their site to find out which retailers near you might carry it.
(This makes more than the 1/3 cup required for the Firecracker Chicken)
INGREDIENTS
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons flour
1 cup cayenne based hot sauce
¼ cup water
1 tablespoon vinegar
DIRECTIONS
In a small saucepan, heat the oil over a medium-low heat. Add the flour and stir constantly until the flour starts to look golden and smell sorta toasted. It can bubble but do not boil it. This should take about 4 minutes. Add half the hot sauce and stir until it is all mixed. The flour should thicken it a bit. Add the rest of the hot sauce, water, and vinegar and stir until it is all mixed up. Set aside.
Can I repeat how easy & insanely yummy this is! And do not expect it to taste like buffalo sauce. It doesn’t. At all. Which is bizarre. So – if buffalo sauce ain’t your thing – still try this. And know – the more sugar you add – the less you taste any buffalo sauce element.
FIVE MINUTE Spicy & Easy Vegan (or Not!) Firecracker Chicken
Feeds one well
INGREDIENTS
9 oz vegan chicken – cut into cubes
1/3 cup Buffalo sauce (store bought or homemade – recipe above) – I used Frank’s
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 TBS apple cider vinegar
1/4 tsp salt
1 TBS water
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper (or to taste)
Scallions – chopped for garnish
Cooked rice
DIRECTIONS
Cut the chicken into cubes.
For the Firecracker sauce, heat the Buffalo sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, salt, crushed red pepper & water until the sugar dissolves. Add cut up chicken & simmer until it is warmed through & the sauce is thick.
Serve that shit over your rice with some scallions. Resist the urge to pour it all over your naked body & roll around in ecstasy. That shit is hot and WILL burn you – and it really is too delicious to waste on your sordid sex life.
To see images of my past posts & get links to the recipes – look on my Pinterest board – HERE.
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Reposting this recipe because I have a video to accompany it. Please – subscribe to my channel on Youtube. Www.VideoVegan.com.
I used a 12oz package of Beyond Meat chicken strips – because they are the best on the market. If you cannot find them – use the brand available to you – preferably not breaded.
This recipe is really just for a marinade (not totally necessary) & for the peanut & coconut sauce. You can whisk each together in bowls & heat the chicken in any pan on the stove. So easy & REALLY delicious!
Vegan Chicken Satay with Peanut & Coconut Sauce
Depends on the amount of “chicken” you use & appetites – but 1 or 2
INGREDIENTS
for the chicken satay
Beyond Meat chicken strips (or other vegan chicken) – in the quantity you require
Cooking oil or cooking spray
for the marinade (an optional step – you can skip the marinade if you want to but it does ratchet up the flavors)
2 garlic cloves – minced
2 shallots – minced
1-2 serrano or jalapeno peppers – minced (seed them for less heat)
Whisk ingredients together & put the chicken in it. Marinate in the fridge for 30 minutes – or overnight. I did this in a Ziplock bag.
for the peanut-coconut sauce
Whisk everything together. Adjust the peanut butter to coconut ratio to suit your tastes. I put mine in an old pickle jar so I could give it a good shake before using it.
for the chicken satay
Heat some oil or cooking spray & dump the chicken & marinade into a pan. Heat through.
Plate the chicken & drizzle with a light bit of the peanut-coconut sauce (reserve some because there is a lot of sauce).
Serve with rice & garnish with extra sauce, cilantro & lime wedges.
To see images of my past posts & get links to the recipes – look on my Pinterest board – HERE.
Reposting this recipe because I have a video to accompany it. Please – subscribe to my channel on Youtube. Www.VideoVegan.com. Click the image below to watch.
One of my all-time favorite foods, since childhood, is BBQ ribs – especially of the Chinese variety. Sticky, sweet & chewy – just delicious. I lived above a Chinese take-out while I was in high school & smelled this shit cooking every day & never tired of it. Even as the grease filled the air & I could feel my skin breaking out – I still craved these all the time – even if I only let myself have them on special occasions – mainly because I perceived them as extremely fattening and bad for you.
Then I gave up meat in the eighties & all ribs of all varieties fell forever from my diet.
Still – I craved that BBQ sauce & would have my mother send me the Ah-So Sauce (below) – a brand not available in Los Angeles – and I would stir it into rice or dip vegetables in it. It was not nearly as satisfying as ribs but I learned to live with it.
Chinese BBQ pork is called Char Siu. Lee Kum Kee brand is widely available & certainly available online. I saw this jar on a shelf & a great idea popped into my mind. Why not make BBQ pork using Beyond Meat vegan chicken? Why not, indeed! Their chicken strips have a texture that can be experienced as chicken OR pork – as pork & chicken really do have a very similar quality. And – I also decided to make the Char Siu sauce from scratch. The ingredients are not terribly exotic & can certainly be purchased online – if your local ethnic or regular grocery stores don’t have them all. The result was visually vibrant & the flavor is dead on. I recommend this dish very highly! You could also chop these “ribs” up & make a pork fried rice that would feel even the most deenerate carnivore.
I marinated the chicken overnight (in the bag) but that is totally unnecessary. You can whip these up in ten minutes & feel all take-out Chinese-y & get your late night, OMG-I-drank-too-much experience right in the comfort of your own kitchen.
Vegan Char Siu or Chinese BBQ Pork Ribs
Serves 2 as an appetizer – double the marinade recipe if you like lots of BBQ sauce on your ribs
INGREDIENTS
9-12 oz vegan chicken (or seitan strips)
1/2 tsp Chinese 5 Spice
2 TBS agave nectar
2 TBS Shao Xing Chinese rice wine
1 TBS hoisin sauce
1 TBS Thai chili sauce
1 TBS dark soy sauce
2 tsp vegan oyster or mushroom-flavored sauce
2 tsp molasses
1 TBS minced garlic
1 TBS sesame oil
1 tsp red food coloring (critical for the fiery red color)
GARNISH (optional) – sliced scallions or green garlic
DIRECTIONS
Blend all the ingredients together & then add the chicken. Marinate for a few minutes – or overnight. I did this right in the Beyond Meat packaging.
When you are ready to cook them – heat a pan treated with cooking spray. Add the MARINADE first & heat until it bubbles. Add the chicken & cook, on high, turning often. The idea is to let them get a bit blackened. The sauce will thicken very quickly – which is why I suggesting doubling the marinade recipe if you like lots of sticky BBQ sauce. You could even heat part of the marinade in a separate pan & pour it over your finished ribs.
To see images of my past posts & get links to the recipes – look on my Pinterest board – HERE.
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All my posts now have a VERY customizable PRINT & PDF option. Create a PDF & save the recipe to your computer or print it out. It offers a “remove images” option & you can delete any part of the post you do not need before printing. The button is below by the Twitter & Facebook links.
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This is a repost of my recipe of March 3, 2015. The only thing new is my Youtube channel & the videos I am making for it. My first 90-second video is above. If you like it – please subscribe to my channel there and/or subscribe to my blog here. There is a link in the right hand column for you to add your email address. I hope you like my video!!!
The hardest part of this recipe is finding the ingredients & none are very exotic – meaning? No excuses! Try this fucker. It comes together in 20 minutes & is so fucking delicious – it was all I could do not to just devour it before I photographed it. It could be made with real chicken – if that is your thing. I used my favorite vegan chicken from Beyond Meat. Also – the marinating is optional.
20-Minute Spicy Vegan Kung Pao Chicken
Feeds 2 with rice
INGREDIENTS
Cooked rice
9 oz vegan chicken (or real chicken) – cubed
2 TBS peanut or olive oil
5-10 dry red chili peppers (10 peppers makes this VERY VERY spicy – reduce the number to under way 5 if you hate heat) – chopped (get rid of the seeds if you want this less spicy)
4 scallions – white & green parts – chopped & separated by color
6 garlic cloves – minced
2 tsp ginger
1/4 cup peanuts (plus more if you want to use them as garnish)
for the marinade
1 TBS soy sauce (or tamari)
2 tsp rice wine (or dry sherry)
1 1/2 tsp cornstarch
for the sauce (double this part for an extra saucy dish)
3 TBS black vinegar (or a good balsamic)
1 TBS soy sauce (or tamari)
1 TBS hoisin sauce (if you cannot find it – recipes are HERE)
1 TBS sesame oil
1 TBS cornstarch
DIRECTIONS
Make some rice. I used brown Basmati.
Whisk the marinade together & toss the chicken in it. Set aside. I marinated it in the bag.
Whisk together the sauce ingredients and set aside. Prepare everything else – because this will happen fast.
In a wok or heavy-bottomed pan, heat the oil over high heat. When hot (test by adding a piece of chili. It should sizzle a lot, immediately), add the dry chilies for 30 seconds & then add the chicken. Cook for one minute (if using real chicken, cook 2-3 minutes or until cooked through) and then add the sauce.
Stir it around for a minute and then add the garlic, ginger, and the white part of the scallions and half the green parts (my scallions are homegrown & have no white part). Cook another minute or until the sauce thickens & then stir in the peanuts.
Serve immediately over warm rice & garnish with more peanuts (chopped – if you prefer) and/or the remaining green scallions.
