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 below to watch the video.
These guys are REALLY easy to make but this recipe makes a fuckton. If you make more than you want to eat immediately – form them into 1″ balls & place – UNCOOKED – on a cookie sheet & parchment paper. Freeze. Once frozen, you can transfer them to a Ziplock bag. Thaw before frying.
FRESH FALAFEL
Makes about 40 falafels
INGREDIENTS
1 lb DRY garbanzo beans (chickpeas) – soaked overnight in deep water
1/2 onion
1 jalapeno or serrano (optional)
5 garlic cloves
1 cup parsley
1 cup cilantro
1 TBS turmeric
2 TBS ground cumin (maybe more – to suit your taste)
1 TBS ground coriander
juice of 1 lemon (2-3 TBS)
2 TBS olive oil
1 TBS salt (maybe more – to suit your taste)
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp baking powder (this will make the falafel a bit lighter)
1 tsp ground cardamom (optional)
Water – just enough to get the ingredients to blend but go easy – start with 1/2 cup
Blend all the ingredients in a food processor using as little water as possible – until combined. It should be moist but crumbly.
Form 1″ falafel balls. Do not go too big or they will be burned outside or raw inside. Raw dough will keep several days in the fridge.
Heat oil on high & fry – turning to cook evenly. They should cook in about a minute on each side. Drain on paper towels.
Serve as you will!
PICKLED TURNIPS
Makes enough for 40 falafel
INGREDIENTS
1 red beet
2 lbs turnips – peeled & cut into matchsticks
1/3 cup kosher salt
1 cup white vinegar
DIRECTIONS
Dissolve the salt in the water & vinegar. If you need to warm it – that is OK but not not put the turnips in until it is cooled completely. Add the turnips & beet & store in a jar overnight. They should last a good two weeks in the fridge.
TAHINI-YOGURT SAUCE
Mix 1/4 cup tahini with 3/4 cups vegan yogurt. Season with S&P, minced garlic and/or lemon juice. Maybe a pinch of cumin and chopped parsley. It should keep for the lifetime of the yogurt.
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. I had a head of purple cabbage in my fridge that was the size of a basketball. I decided to add half of it to some leftover rice to accomplish two things: not waste all the cabbage & to extend the quantity of rice with some guiltless & vibrant cabbage. I am very happy with the result both in color & the crunch the cabbage adds to the texture. I recommend it very highly.
Purple Cabbage Fried Rice
INGREDIENTS
(I used a tad more cabbage than rice but the ratio is up to you.)
2 cups cooked rice
2 cups chopped purple cabbage
1/2 onion – diced
1 cup grated or slivered carrots
1-5 cloves garlic – chopped
2 or more TBS fresh minced ginger
1 TBS sesame (or other) oil
DIRECTIONS
Heat the oil in a large wok or saute pan. Add the onions, & cabbage & saute until they begin to soften. Add the carrots, rice & ginger & stir to combine & warm through. Add the garlic and saute another minute or two. Serve.
Vegan Spicy Lemongrass & Ginger Beef
Serves 2 very well (this is HALF the recipe I made in the video)
INGREDIENTS
2 or 3 stalks of lemongrass – cut into 3″ lengths & smashed with the handle of a knife (to bruise them & release the flavor. The cooked lemongrass is inedible so pick around it in the finished dish.) . Or – use the juice of 1/2 lemon.
8+ ounces seitan (or other meat replacement like – Beyond Meat Chicken or Gardein beef or pork products)
3 dry red chilies (optional – they are quite spicy) – crumbled a bit
2 TBS dark soy sauce (it gives the seitan that dark & beefy color)
1 TBS liquid aminos (or soy sauce or tamari)
1 TBS shao xing rice wine
2 TBS brown sugar
Potential garnished: sliced red or green jalapeno peppers, basil or mint or cilantro leaves
DIRECTIONS
Heat the oil in a wok or large pan & add the dry red chilies – if using. Add the lemongrass & saute a minute or two. Add the green beans & saute on high heat until they begin to sear a bit.
Add the remaining ingredients. Add about 1/4 cup water to aid in steaming the beans a bit & create some sauce. Heat through – until the sauce thickens. Serve with rice.
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.
Ok – this pasta. A Facebook friend requested it & I could not believe I had not already posted the recipe. This dish is an old regular of mine from 25 years ago & there is a funny story that goes with it. I used to make it all the time at home & for company & many of my friends had asked for the recipe. One day, my then boyfriend & I were served a mushroom cream pasta dish at my friend Angie’s. My boyfriend took one taste & looked at me and said, “Babe! This is amazing! You have to ask for her recipe!”
Yeah. Well – it WAS my recipe. The only difference was that she added salt to hers & I was still brainwashed into thinking using salt was a capital sin. I learned that lesson well that day & now I consider salt a genuine ingredient in most things – not just a forgettable & optional seasoning. There are all kinds of fancy salts widely available now, too, and some even have healthy benefits. Pink Himalayan salt, for example, boasts these benefits:
Regulate water content both inside and outside of cells
Balance pH(alkaline/acidity) and help to reduce acid reflux
Prevent muscle cramping
Aid in proper metabolism functioning
Strengthen bones
Lower blood pressure
Help the intestines absorb nutrients
Prevent goiters
Improve circulation
Dissolve and eliminate sedimentto remove toxins
So, yeah – use salt. Salt is not just a flavor unto itself. It also brings out & enhances other flavors. Trust me. Too much is awful but just the right amount is magic.
Vegan Fried Sage and Mushroom Cream Pasta Sauce with Orecchiette
Feeds 2 very well
INGREDIENTS
1 pound pasta cooked according to package instructions
Olive oil
10 or more fresh sage leaves
1 lb mushrooms (of nearly any variety or mix) – sliced
2 shallots – chopped
3 garlic cloves – chopped
1 cup (or more) vegan dairy (a combo of non-dairy milk & some vegan soft cheese of your choice)
1/4 cup vegan Parmesan
Salt & pepper to taste
Parsley – chopped as garnish (it adds a lot of flavor!)
Extra Parmesan for garnish
DIRECTIONS
Cook the pasta. Reserve about a cup of the pasta water (in case you need it to thin your sauce later) & drain the pasta.
Heat 1-2 TBS olive oil over med-high heat & fry the sage a few minutes. It need not brown. Drain on paper towels.
Add the mushrooms & about a tsp of salt & raise the heat to high. The salt will help the mushrooms release their moisture. Stir the mushrooms occasionally – letting them get seared. When they are nice & brown – add about another TBS of olive oil & the shallots & garlic. Fry for about 2 minutes & then add the vegan dairy & Parmesan. Crumble the fried sage & add that to the sauce. Bring to a boil & then lower to a simmer. It should thicken very quickly. Use more cream & cheese if you want a pasta with more sauce. Add some pasta water if it gets too thick. When it is the consistency of a heavy cream sauce – season to taste with salt & pepper. Add the pasta, stir to combine & serve it up. Garnish liberally with chopped parsley & maybe more Parmesan.
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.
This is another super easy & healthy one! I used sweet potatoes but any orange squash would also work. No dairy in this at all & it still tastes so decadent! If you own a blender – you can make this in less than 30 minutes. The sauce can be used as it is here – over pasta – but if you added a bit more stock or some non-dairy milk or vegan heavy cream – you would have a delightful soup! Or – leave it thick & make ravioli. Or slather some in a white lasagna. Mmmmm!
Vegan Creamy Sweet Potato Pasta with Fried Sage
Serves 4 well
INGREDIENTS
1 lb pasta (if you use less pasta – see notes above about how to re-purpose the extra sauce)
2 TBS olive oil
1 package or bunch of fresh sage
1 large sweet potato (2 lbs or so – or 3 cups) – peeled & cubed
1 medium onion – diced
4 garlic cloves – minced
1 TBS (or less – if heat bothers you) crushed red pepper
2 cups vegetable stock
S&P
DIRECTIONS
Cook & drain your pasta – but reserve about a cup of the hot pasta water. Toss the pasta with a drizzle of olive oil to keep it from sticking. Set aside.
Over medium heat – warm the oil in a large saute pan & fry the sage. Be careful not to burn it (it should not brown in the pan). After 2 minutes or so – drain it on papers towels & set aside.
In the same pan, add the onions. Once softened, add the sweet potato, garlic & crushed red pepper. Stir for one minute & then add the stock. Bring to a boil & boil until your sweet potato is soft.
Being careful not to burn yourself, puree the sweet potato mixture. Season liberally with S&P (to taste). Put the noodles in the pan you cooked the sweet potatoes in. Spoon only as much of the sweet potato puree onto it so you get a light cover. You don’t want to drown the pasta. I had a lot of puree left over from the 1/2 pound of pasta I cooked & I will make it into soup (see notes above the recipe). If it gets too thick, stir in some of the reserved pasta water – a bit at a time.
Plate the pasta & crumble sage on it. Garnish with fresh cracked pepper & maybe some vegan Parmesan.
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.
This is super easy & really quite delicious. I used a spice called Bell’s Seasoning – but I think this might only be available in the Northeast. If so – just use poultry seasoning.
So – no fanfare today. So much to do. To eat. To drink. So I will just get on with the recipe.
Vegan Apple Sage Stuffing
INGREDIENTS
7 cups cubed bread (even gluten-free bread if you like)
1/2 cup diced shallots (or onion)
5 celery stalks – chopped
1 Golden Delicious apple (or any apple) – diced
10-20 sage leaves
olive oil
2 cups non-dairy, unsweetened milk
4 TBS vegan butter
1 tsp Bell Seasoning (or poultry seasoning)
1 tsp dry sage
1 tsp each S&P
2 vegan egg replacements (or other vegan alternative – like – 1/2 cup pureed silken tofu)
DIRECTIONS
Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees.
Put the cubed bread in a large bowl.
Heat a TBS or two of olive oil in a large pan. Saute the shallots/onion & celery until soft. Add the apple & heat through. Add this to the bread.
Add another TBS of olive oil to the same pan & fry the sage leaves until they begin to brown – turning them a few times. Drain on a paper towel, crumble them & add to the bread.
Melt the butter in another pan & add the milk. Warm it & add the spices. Add this to the bread. Add the eggs to the bread & stir to combine well.
Grease a casserole dish with butter or cooking spray. Put the stuffing in there & bake, covered, at 350 for 45 minutes.
Remove the cover & bake another 20 minutes or so – until the top is crusty & golden.
GARNISH – fresh mint, sliced scallions, cilantro, sesame seeds, and serve with cooked rice or in lettuce cups)
DIRECTIONS
In a blender or food processor, blend 3/4 of the onion (reserve 1/4), the apple, garlic, ginger, crushed red pepper, Gochujang, pepper, 2 TBS sugar (reserving 1 TBS), soy sauce & sesame oil.
Heat this sauce in a large frying pan or a wok. Add the faux meat. Cook until the sauce reduces & begins to cling to the faux pork. Add the remaining 1/4 onion, carrots (if using), remaining TBS brown sugar & a splash of water. When the onions & carrots are soft, serve over rice or in lettuce cups. Garnish with either cilantro, mint sprigs, some sesame seeds or scallion slices.
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.
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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.
So easy & delicious over rice or my Garlic & Ginger Cauliflower Rice.
Spicy Garlic and Ginger Green Beans
INGREDIENTS
12 oz green beans
1 onion – sliced
1 TBS (more or less – to taste) crushed red pepper
Splash of soy sauce
1-2 TBS coconut oil (or olive oil)
4 garlic cloves – minced
1 TBS ginger – minced
Sesame seeds as garnish
DIRECTIONS
In a very large saute pan (or wok) – heat the oil on high heat. Add the onions, green beans & crushed red pepper. Stir & cook until the green beans are cooked to your desired softness. I like them a bit crunchy & probably cooked them for between 5-8 minutes. At the very end, add the minced garlic & ginger & stir to incorporate. Cook for maybe a minute or two. Garnish with sesame seeds & eat it as a side or over rice. Ymmmmmmm!
The top video there is trailer for my novel. The second is me reading from it a while back – at Vroman’s.
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.
Red Coconut Curry Pad Thai Noodles with Crispy Garlic Tofu
serves 4-6
INGREDIENTS
1 lb tofu
oil
3 TBS red curry paste
1 15 oz can lite coconut milk
1 TBS fresh ginger – minced
2 TBS minced garlic
1 TBS soy sauce
for the marinade
1/4 cup hoisin sauce
2 TBS brown sugar
2 TBS low sodium soy sauce
1 TBS minced garlic
1 TBS minced ginger
1 TBS crushed red pepper
for the noodles
1 lb noodles (either fresh Pad Thai noodles or a pound of cooked & drained noodles of your choice)
1 small onion – diced
1-3 jalapenos – sliced
Your mix of fresh vegetables (I used 1 15 oz can of baby corn, 1 small can diced water chestnuts, 1 cup broccoli florets, 1 cup chopped purple cabbage, 1 cup chopped carrots, 1 cup sliced snap peas, 1 cup frozen peas)
Garnish: lime wedges, cilantro, sesame seeds and maybe another can of warmed coconut milk with red curry paste whisked in to use as a gravy over the noodles – for those that like a saucy dish)
DIRECTIONS
Optional – cut the tofu in half so you have two large squares about 3/4 inch thick. Put them between paper towels & cover with a heavy pan for 30 minutes to release some moisture.
Cube the tofu. Whisk the marinade together & marinate the tofu for 30 minutes or longer.
Heat a TBS or oil & over high heat – fry the drained tofu. Let it sit a few minutes on each side before turning until it is well browned. Set aside.
Heat 1 TBS oil in a pan & saute the onion & jalapeno. When soft, add the remaining vegetables (retaining the frozen peas to add later) and saute a few minutes. Add garlic, ginger & soy sauce. Stir to combine.Add curry paste & coconut milk. Stir & add fresh or cooked noodles. If it gets too dry – add some water. Heat through. Stir in the frozen peas & heat through.
Plate each serving & top with the crispy tofu.
Garnish as you desire.
I warmed another can of coconut milk & whisked in more red curry to drizzle over each serving.
To see images of my past posts & get links to the recipes – look on my Pinterest board – HERE.
This is a very easy recipe & it is very flexible. You can use the veggies that I did or sub in ones you prefer. You could use jalapeno for a spicy dish or add brown sugar for a sweeter dish. Click the image below for the recipe video & please subscribe to my channel.
Sweet & Spicy Vegan Island Chicken with Pineapple
INGREDIENTS
2 TBS coconut oil
9 oz vegan chicken
1 jalapeno – diced (optional)
1-2 cups dice fresh pineapple
1 red bell pepper – diced
1 cup carrots – chopped or grated
1-2 cups broccoli florets
3 garlic cloves – chopped
2 TBS soy sauce (or liquid aminos or tamari)
2 TBS sriracha
2 TBS ginger – minced
juice if 1/2 lime
2 TBS brown sugar (optional – I did not use it as I am not a fan of things too sweet)
Cornstarch
S&P
2 cups cooked rice OR tortillas (for tacos or wraps) OR lettuce leaves (for lettuce cups)
Garnish: cilantro or sesame seeds or sliced scallions
DIRECTIONS
Thaw the chicken, cube it & toss with some cornstarch. Set aside.
Heat the coconut oil in a large pan or wok. Add the veggies (bell pepper, broccoli, jalapeno, carrots) & saute until soft. Add the vegan chicken tossed in cornstarch. Add the soy sauce, sriracha, ginger & combine. Add brown sugar (if using – I did not). Combine & then add pineapple. Combine & then add rice (if doing a stir fry). Stir in the garlic & squeeze in the juice of 1/2 lime. Season with S&P to taste. Heat through & serve (either with rice or as tacos, wraps or lettuce cups). Garnish as you desire & devour!
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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I am reposting an updated version of my original post for these dished from July 30, 2013. Originally, this was posted as vegetarian recipes. I updated them to be vegan & there is a video on my channel to accompany it. Click the image below to watch & see how easy this stuff is to make.
From July 30, 2013:
In my hunt for other recipes meant to provide a cauliflower version of fried chicken, I ran into THIS post about Popeye’s Fried Chicken. Here is a picture from that site:
I have never eaten at Popeye’s or any other fried chicken joint (except KFC & Dinah’s here in Glendale) and I haven’t tasted ANY fried chicken in over 25 years – but my boyfriend Miles eats it all the time. In fact, he eats it weekly now that the famous Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken opened a few blocks away from him in downtown Little Rock. Miles is always sending me (at my request) pictures of the food he eats & I find myself looking at fried chicken so much – I have developed an undeniable craving for it. And – that blogger that spoke of an incredible meal at Popeye’s didn’t help. And that Delta sauce? I liked the sound of it & a few clicks here & there revealed that Popeye’s discontinued it. In fact, there seems to be quite a bit of hand-wringing going on about the now-unavailable Delta Sauce and that piqued my curiosity. Fortunately, the blogger who loved the Delta sauce posted a copycat recipe for it & I could not resist. So – I made it & I include that recipe here. It is like a spicy Thousand Island dressing & it is INCREDIBLE on my – wait for it – Southern Fried Cauliflower!
Doesn’t that look just like a fried chicken plate? I was so Goddamn happy with myself yesterday – you have no idea. If you make any of my zillions of cauliflower recipes – I have to say – it should be THIS one! So easy & so delicious! And if, like me, you don’t eat meat but the reasons for that do not include any distaste for meat products – this might really satisfy any existing fried chicken craving you might be in denial about.
It also includes some smashed baked potatoes & a vegan white gravy.
This is quite a decadent meal & the perfect fix on those days when the hole in your heart is bigger than your ass & you just don’t give a fuck. You wanna eat & you wanna eat something bad. This is as Paula Deen as I am likely to get but even with this dish – the fried chicken is really cauliflower & there is no bacon (or other meat) fat in any of it (excepting egg & milk) & the potatoes were made with a minimum of butter & WATER – because I’d run out of milk. So – seriously – AT LEAST try the southern fried cauliflower & Delta dipping sauce. I am certain you will enjoy!
Spicy Southern Fried Cauliflower and Delta Dipping Sauce with Smashed Baked Potatoes and White Gravy and Buffalo Mac & Cheese (All Vegan)
(This feeds about two (very well) so increase the recipes if you are feeding more. The mac & cheese recipe feeds at least 4.)
INGREDIENTS
For the Southern Fried Cauliflower
(depending on the size of your cauliflower – you may need more or less of the other ingredients – so maybe have extra on hand)
1 head cauliflower
2 eggs worth of egg replacer (optional)
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup Frank’s Hot Sauce
2 cups flour
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp each of S&P
1 tsp chipotle chili powder (or smoked or regular paprika)
1 tsp garlic powder
Lots of vegetable oil for frying
1 gallon zip lock baggy (not necessary but it makes life easier)
Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Rub olive oil on the potatoes & sprinkle with salt. Bake them – DIRECTLY on the oven rack – for about 45 minutes. Remove from the oven & allow to cool a bit. Peel the potatoes (I left bits of skin & browned spots for some color) & mash them up with the butter & some salt & pepper and as much milk or water (I used water as I was out of milk) as you need to get to a texture you like. I used an old school hand masher & left them chunky & on the drier side. I smashed them a bit more at the end with an immersion blender. You do it however you like.
For the white gravy
Heat the butter in a sauce pan & add the bouillon cube & the shallots. Cook a minute or two until the shallots soften & the bouillon cube is dissolved. Add the flour, sage & salt and pepper & stir constantly for about 2 minutes. It should be quite dry. Add the milk 1/2 cup at a time & allow it to thicken. Continue until all the milk is incorporated and heat until the gravy is at your desired thickness. Add milk if it is too thick.
For the Southern Fried Cauliflower
In a bowl – whisk together the egg replacer, water & hot sauce. I think you can omit the egg replacer with no real effect on the recipe.
In a zip lock bag or in a deep bowl – blend the flour with the rest of the dry ingredients.
Cut the cauliflower into the largest “drummettes” possible so they resemble chicken thighs & a few wings. I sprayed my cauliflower with water so the flour mix would stick.
Put the cauliflower in the flour mix & toss to coat. Dunk into the egg mix until covered & then back into the flour. Coat again with the flour.
I do not have a thermometer to measure oil temp but I think 350 is the correct temperature for frying. I just let it get hot, put one drummette in there & once that started bubbling pretty rapidly – I added a few more pieces
Turn a few times & fry until they are a golden brown all over. Drain on a paper towel. Repeat until all the cauliflower is cooked. Now – just divvy up the goodness & fill up that whole in your heart with some old school home cooking!
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 photo below to watch the video.
Today – I wanted to use one of them for my Green Beans & Minced Pork. I looked at the calorie count of each of the two remaining cans and was surprised to see a huge calorie disparity despite the fact that the ingredients list is identical.
So – since the “roast duck” had fewer calories – I used that one. Despite the image on the can – it looked exactly like the fried gluten one did. I have not opened the third can yet but I suspect it is just more of the same but – somehow – with more than twice the calories – so – I likely will feed it to my dogs & just use the others in the future. I man – see below? First image below is the fried pork & the second is the duck.
Same thing. Canned seitan in water. So – for this dish, you could use canned & drained seitan or your favorite brand of seitan – or even a faux beef like Beyond Meat’s Beefless Crumbles (or other brand of ground beef). The flavors in this dish are very strong & will take over the dish. You could even use Beyond Meat’s chickenless strips. No matter.
I served this with my newest rice discover – Thai Rice Berry (black jasmine) rice.
I saw this new rice at my favorite Thai grocery store – Bangluck. $10 for 5 pounds – so I could not resist. I looked it up online & found THIS:
Riceberry Rice is the new variety of rice that has been bred in Thailand. The rice is deep purple in colour; this rich dark colour is typical of plants that yield high nutrition. Rice berry rice is cross pollination of three hardy and loved rice strains; they are:
Thai Hom Mali Race – also known as fragrant jasmine rice, the highest quality and most sort after rice in the world, after cooking it retains its structure but takes on a soft fluffy consistency.
Hom Nin Rice – has well known and documented antioxidant properties, but this grain can become a little chewy if it isn’t cooked through.
Khao Dawk Mali 105 – a hardy seed which will grow in a broad range of agricultural environments.
The cross-pollination of these three rice plants has resulted in Riceberry Rice, a new and exciting rice variety. Riceberry takes on the best attributes of each of the grains that were used in its inception. The light fluffy texture and flavour from Thai jasmine rice, high in minerals and antioxidants from Hom Nin rice and hardy and high yield characteristics of Khao Dawk Mali 105.
Riceberry Rice Nutrition Profile
Riceberry rice is rich in many antioxidant that help our immune system stay healthy. It contains significant levels of:
Beta-carotene
Gama Oryzanol
Vitamin E
Folic Acid
Tannin
Zinc
Fiber
Bran Oil
These antioxidants, vitamins and minerals give riceberry rice a nutrition profile that is relatively unique. The dark purple colour it matures signifies it high nutrition content and gives it a unique appearance when served.
The rice is also extremely high in fiber and bran oil, this natural aids digestion and helps keep the stomach free from disease.
Thai Rice Glycemic Index
Riceberry rice has been graded as low-medium in the glycemic index. The abundant fiber and bran oil which it contains helps to reduce the risks of diabetes by hindering the absorption of sugars into the blood through the stomach. It also helps the pancreas function better.
This green bean dish is very easy. I used fresh green beans & loads of spices. You could use frozen green beans but I think canned ones will just become mush.
Vegan Spicy Szechuan Green Beans with Minced Pork
serves 2 with rice
INGREDIENTS
10+ oz seitan (or other faux meat)
1 lb green beans – trimmed & cut in half
1 TBS olive oil
2-3 TBS cornstarch
1-6 cloves garlic – minced (I used 6)
2 TBS brown sugar
1/4 cup hoisin sauce
1 tsp to 2 TBS crushed red pepper (according to your taste for heat)
1-6 dry red chilies (VERY spicy & VERY optional) – cut in half (I used 6)
GARNISH – cooked rice, sesame seeds
DIRECTIONS
Cook the rice.
Mince the faux meat & toss with the cornstarch.
Heat the olive oil in a large saute pan & add the rest of the ingredients – EXCEPT THE GARLIC.
Stir to combine. If using fresh green beans – add about 1/4 cup water, bring to a boil & cover for 3-5 minutes or until the green beans are cooked to your taste. Frozen beans won’t need this step but you can still add water if your sauce cooks off too much or the meat sticks to the pan too much.
When it all seems warmed through & the sauce is thick – toss in the garlic & stir for one minute. Serve with rice.
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.
I had a head of purple cabbage in my fridge that was the size of a basketball. I decided to add half of it to some leftover rice to accomplish two things: not waste all the cabbage & to extend the quantity of rice with some guiltless & vibrant cabbage. I am very happy with the result both in color & the crunch the cabbage adds to the texture. I recommend it very highly.
Purple Cabbage Fried Rice
INGREDIENTS
(I used a tad more cabbage than rice but the ratio is up to you.)
2 cups cooked rice
2 cups chopped purple cabbage
1/2 onion – diced
1 cup grated or slivered carrots
1-5 cloves garlic – chopped
2 or more TBS fresh minced ginger
1 TBS sesame (or other) oil
DIRECTIONS
Heat the oil in a large wok or saute pan. Add the onions, & cabbage & saute until they begin to soften. Add the carrots, rice & ginger & stir to combine & warm through. Add the garlic and saute another minute or two. Serve.
Vegan Spicy Lemongrass & Ginger Beef
Serves 2 very well
INGREDIENTS
3 stalks of lemongrass – cut into 3″ lengths & smashed with the handle of a knife (to bruise them & release the flavor. The cooked lemongrass is inedible so pick around it in the finished dish.)
8+ ounces seitan (or other meat replacement like – Beyond Meat Chicken or Gardein beef or pork products)
3 dry red chilies (optional – they are quite spicy) – crumbled a bit
2 TBS dark soy sauce (it gives the seitan that dark & beefy color)
1 TBS liquid aminos (or soy sauce or tamari)
1 TBS shao xing rice wine
2 TBS brown sugar
Potential garnished: sliced red or green jalapeno peppers, basil or mint or cilantro leaves
DIRECTIONS
Heat the oil in a wok or large pan & add the dry red chilies – if using. Add the lemongrass & saute a minute or two. Add the green beans & saute on high heat until they begin to sear a bit.
Add the remaining ingredients. Add about 1/4 cup water to aid in steaming the beans a bit & create some sauce. Heat through – until the sauce thickens. Serve with rice.
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.
2016 is behind us. It seems there is a collective agreement that it was just a hideous year. Too many legends lost, for a majority of voters – a lost election. For the first time in history, a candidate with 3 million fewer votes than his rival has won the election. But for me – this year will always be defined by the loss of that gorgeous boy above – my beautiful & perfect Memphis. He died at 7 unexpectedly & inexplicably. The scar on my heart is still as raw as it was in June – when he left us. I am not sure everyone knows this – but your i-phone can make slide shows for you. Mine made this on Sunday & it left me sobbing. Memphis was VERY special & losing him has been too brutal for words.
Anyway – I thought I would recap the blog’s top recipes of 2016. I will post them here from 10 to number 1! Here they are:
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.
See that gorgeous slaw? My recipe for it is HERE. It takes ten minutes & can be made even a day or two in advance. I used just a hint of Just Mayo in it. If you are curious about vegan mayonnaise – there is a great article about how the various brands fared against each other & against egg mayo – HERE.
Because I am trying to spend as little money as possible on groceries & I needed a roll for my Po’ Boy – I had to make my own bread! I used Deep South Dish’s recipe found HERE for Pistolette Sandwich Rolls. There were several steps but none were difficult. Plus – the whole house smelled like freshly baked bread – a WONDERFUL thing anytime but especially in colder weather. Here are some photos of my process:
I put a little dish of water in the oven while they baked & they came out golden & crusty on the outside & soft in the middle. They would make amazing dinner rolls or as an accompaniment to cheese like – maybe – my Vegan Spicy Jalapeno Cilantro Cashew Nut Cheese – seen just above. That is a raw cheese and can be made in minutes.
Vegan Crab Cake Po’ Boy with Avocado
Serves one
INGREDIENTS
As many Gardein Crabless Cakes as you desire – fried or baked (I fried mine in a little olive oil)
The roll of your choice
Avocado slices
Lettuce
Coleslaw
Sliced radishes (optional)
DIRECTIONS
Assemble your Po’ Boy! It is just that simple. Some bread, a bit of lettuce, a few avocado and/or radish slices, your crabless cakes & some slaw! BOOM! Enjoy!
I initially assembled the sandwich with the crab cakes whole but mashing them up made the Po’ Boy easier to eat & more appetizing to look at. It looks like crab!
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.
So – I bought those two gorgeous green tomatoes at the farmers’ market. Legit, unripe green tomatoes. Harder to find than you may think. So – I made that first effort with them above – my Easy Vegan Fried Green Tomatoes. They were simply & delicious but I did not use anything in place of the egg typically used when folks make this & the breading was fragile & did not stick to the slick sides of the tomato slices. So – today – I used the other tomato for these tacos & used aquafaba in place of eggs.
“What is aquafaba?
The word aquafaba is the common name for the cooking liquid of beans and other legumes like chickpeas. You may know it as the typically discarded liquid found in retail cans and boxes of beans, or as the liquid left over from cooking your own.”
I used the liquid from a can of chickpeas and it worked pretty well. I found that my breadcrumb mixture was still a bit fragile but it seemed to adhere a bit better.
The remoulade is a nice & tangy touch but any sauce you like would do – even vegan salad dressing.
Vegan Fried Green Tomato Street Tacos with Spicy Remoulade
Feeds two
INGREDIENTS
8 small street taco=sized corn tortillas
1 large green tomato – sliced into 1/4 to 1/3 inch rounds (try to get 4 slices)
1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup panko crumbs (I used only panko in these tacos)
1/4 cup cornmeal
1/4 cup breadcrumbs (or any mixture you prefer or have handy)
Cajun seasoning (to taste) or S&P
1/4 cup or so non-dairy milk
The liquid from a can of chickpeas or other beans OR 1/4 cup or so of almond milk
Enough vegetable oil to submerge the breaded tomato in your frying pan
1 tsp juice from a jar of jalapenos (optional) or 1 tsp diced pickled jalapeno
Dash of hot sauce
Pinch of each: onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, paprika
DIRECTIONS
Prep all the ingredients.
Make the remoulade by whisking the ingredients together.
I only used panko this time. You can use whatever mixture of crumbs you desire & season as you like – either with a Cajun seasoning or S&P or something else you like.
Wet the tomato slices & dredge them through the flour then the aquafaba (or almond milk) & then the bread crumb mixture. I dunked mine a second time into the aquafaba & panko.
Heat the oil (deep enough to submerge the tomato slices so they will not require flipping). Let the oil get very hot & then carefully slide the tomato slices into the oil & fry until they are browned to your liking. Drain on paper towels.
While the tomatoes drain – warm your tortillas directly on your stove burners.
Cut the tomatoes in half & assemble 8 tacos. Serve with the accoutrements of your choice & drizzle with remoulade. Devour!
