Author: betsy

by betsy

Banana-Apple Bundt Cake (vegan/plant-based)

Yield: 1-10 inch Bundt cake or 12-18 minis

I resigned my former art teaching position with our big public school district after 16 years to accept one at a private school chartered in 1728.  The faculty and staff are so lovely and helpful that I am baking a cake to thank someone a couple times a week.

Not wanting to invent them from scratch and risk fails–or look up a recipe–every time. I decided I need an easy to remember formula that can be adapted. After some research and experimentation, I am excited to share my approach.

My “formula” for delicious, moist, never fail cakes is, essentially, a 1:2 ratio of oil to sugar and sugar to flour.  For 3/4 cup oil, 1 1/2 cup sugar, and 3 cups flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder and vanilla extract and 1/2 teaspoon baking soda and sea salt plus 1/4 to 1l2 cup nondairy milk is the perfect base for whatever else you want to stir in.  If the latter is especially moist, like applesauce, you might use the smaller amount of non-dairy milk; if dry, like cocoa powder or maybe oatmeal, the greater amount.

1 1/2 cup sugar (or 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup brown sugar)
3 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, apple pie spice, or pumpkin pie spice
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon sea salt
3/4 cup oil
1/4 cup non-dairy milk
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
3 pureed bananas
1 finely chopped/processed apple, stemmed and seeded

Optional: Brown Sugar Maple Glaze (recipe follows) + chopped pecans or halves for garnish

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 10-inch Bundt pan. Combine dry ingredients in large mixing bowl.  Make a well in center and pour in wet ingredients plus banana and apple. Whisk well to combine.  Spoon batter evenly into pan. Bake approximately 45-55 minutes (or 20-25 for mini Bundts) or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.  Cool 10 minutes, invert onto wire rack, and cool completely. Spoon Glaze over and allow to drip down sides. Garnish, if desired, with pecans.

Brown Sugar Maple Glaze

1cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Whisk together until no lumps remain, adding more powdered sugar or maple syrup to reach desired consistency, if necessary.

#vegan #veganrecipes #veganfoodshare #veganfoodporn #plantbased #plantbasedrecipes #plantbasedfoodshare #plantbasedfoodporn #veganbundtcake #plantbasedbundtcake

by betsy

Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies aka Kelly’s “Perfect Cookie”

Yield: 1 dozen large cookies

Everyone thinks their chocolate chip cookie recipe is the “perfect” one, and that is because ideas about the ideal chocolate chip cookie vary so widely.

I like a couple of different kinds, including this one which is flatter and chewier. Recipes for non-vegan versions abound, but a vegan one proved to be elusive.

It took me several tries, but when my dear friend Kelly tasted this morning’s experiment and asked if we could just call it “the perfect cookie,” I knew I had achieved my goal, though the rapturous look on her face said it all.

Three of the secrets are melted better, no baking powder, and no egg substitute. Three more are a thorough beating of the butter with both granulated and brown sugars, a hint of molasses and water, and a higher ratio of butter to flour.

The final two are the seemingly odd techniques of 1) forming the cookie by placing one ball of dough on top of and pressed into another, and 2) lifting and dropping the sides of the baking sheet onto the cooling rack several times after baking which causes their slight puff to deflate in stages, creating concentric bakery-style ripples.

1/2 vegan butter, melted

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 to 2 teaspoons vanilla

2 tablespoons molasses

2 tablespoons water

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 1/4 cups flour

1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons vegan chocolate chips

1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons walnut pieces

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two baking sheets with silpat or parchment paper. With an electric mixer, beat together butter and both sugars for 2 minutes. Beat in vanilla, molasses, water, and baking soda. With mixer on low speed, mix in flour, 1/3 at a time. Avoid overbeating. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts by hand. Using a 1 tablespoon scoop, place six balls of dough, widely spaced, on each of the two baking sheets. Then place a second scoop on top of each one pressing down very firmly. You should have what roughly looks like a hat, i.e. a dome in the middle of a disk. Bake for approximately 12 minutes or until fairly flat, with a slight puff, and golden brown. Pull out oven rack and, with a hot pot holder, lift up one side of the baking sheet about 4 inches and let it drop. Do this about 3 times, alternating sides. Remove to a cooling rack and repeat a few more times. This will cause the cookies to deflate in stages and create attractive bakery-style concentric ripples on the surface. Enjoy cookies warm, or cool completely and store covered.

#vegan #veganrecipes #veganfoodshare #veganfoodporn #plantbased #plantbasedrecipes #plantbasedfoodshare #plantbasedfoodporn #veganchocolatechipcookies #plantbasedchocolatechipcookies

by betsy

BLT Pasta (vegan & plant-based)

Yield: 2 servings with accompaniments

My riff on a classic BLT sandwich, right down to the Mayo-based sauce, is quick, easy, and filling. Oh, and irresistible.

I make it with Shiritaki noodles–only 0 to 10 calories depending on the type for the whole 8 ounce package–and Walton Farms no-calorie mayo. (The mayo isn’t great on its own, but quite nice with other strong flavors.)

I use tempeh “bacon,” kale in place of lettuce, and griddled cherry tomatoes. A BLT isn’t a BLT without mayo, so the sauce is a Sizchuan Hot Chili Oil Aioli, hence the chopsticks.

2 tablespoons mayo (I use Walton Farms no-calorie mayo)

1 tablespoon Hot Chili Oil, divided (I buy Spicy Chili Crisp on the Asian food aisle at Kroger, decant into a larger jar, and add more oil–sometimes a blood orange-infused olive oil–sea salt, and sliced garlic softened 30 seconds in microwave)

6 slices tempeh bacon

6 tri-color cherry tomatoes, halved

4 ounces dry pasta, cooked (I use an 8 ounce package of 0 to 10-calorie Shiritaki spaghetti, drained)

1 lightly packed cup baby kale or spinach

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

In a medium microwave-proof bowl, whisk together mayo and 2 teaspoons chili oil; set aside. In a skillet or grill pan heated over medium to medium-high, griddle tempeh and tomatoes, cut side down, turning tempeh once, until heated through. You may need to remove tomatoes first, as they should still hold their shape. Drain pasta, add to bowl with aioli, and top with kale. Microwave for 1 to 2 minutes or until heated through and kale is slightly wilted. Stir well with a fork to distribute the sauce evenly. Cut tempeh into bite-size pieces and add along with tomatoes, sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Toss gently to combine and serve drizzled with remaining teaspoon of hot chili oil.

#vegan #veganrecipes #veganfoodshare #veganfoodporn #plantbased #plantbasedrecipes #plantbasedfoodshare #plantbasedfoodporn #veganpasta #plantbasedpasta

by betsy

Cuban-Asian Fusion Nachos + Hot Chili Oil Hack (vegan & plant-based)

Yield: 2 servings

These deliciously different–but not bizarre–nachos substitute plantains for corn chips and infuse the tasty black bean topping with a hint of coconut milk, orange, and spice from my new obsession: Sizchuan Hot Chili Oil. No one will judge if you drizzle more of the addicting oil over the top.

1/2 large yellow onion, thinly sliced

1-15 ounce can seasoned vegan black beans, including juice

3 ears grilled corn, kernels cut from cob

1 cup lightly packed baby spinach or kale leaves

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

1/4 teaspoon turmeric

Sea salt to taste

1/4 to 1/3 coconut milk (I use lite, but regular is more flavorful)

1 generous tablespoon Sizchuan Hot Chili Oil, made with blood orange-infused olive oil (see my hack below)

2 servings packaged plantain chips

Toppings: white vegan cheese like mozarella, halved tri-color cherry tomatoes, vegan sour cream, minced cilantro

In large skillet over medium heat, dry saute onion, stirring frequently, until starting to soften and color. Add all remaining ingredients, except chips and toppings, and cook, continuing to stir frequently, until onion is softened, greens are wilted, mixture is heated through, and flavors are married. Divide chips between 2 plates, spoon half of bean mixture over each, top as desired, and serve immediately.

Note: After topping with cheese, you can run nachos under broiler or pop into mic for 30 seconds before adding remaining toppings.

Hot Chili Oil Hack

1-8 ounce jar Lao Gan Ma: Spicy Chili Crisp (I purchase at Kroger or online)

4 to 5 cloves garlic, thinly sliced and softened by heating for 30 seconds in microwave

1/4 cup neutral vegetable oil

1/4 cup blood orange-infused olive oil (or another 1/4 cup oil + zest of 1/2 large orange

1/2 teaspoon sea salt or more to taste

Decant Spicy Chili Crisp into a larger jar, stir in remaining ingredients, cover, and chill. Stir before using; heat if desired. Delicious on virtually everything savory.

#vegan #veganrecipes #veganfoodshare #veganfoodporn #plantbased #plantbasedrecipes #plantbasedfoodshare #plantbasedfoodporn #vegannachos #plantbasednachos #veganasianfusion #plantbasedasianfusion #vegancubanfusion #plantbasedcubanfusion
by betsy

Thai Coconut Cauliflower Curry–Quick & Lite (vegan and plant-based)

Yield: 4 servings

Hot Chili Oil is my new obsession. I made this curry as light–and tasty–as possible so I can spoon more of the peanuts in hot chili oil on top.

The dish is a sweet-spicy-salty celebration, both creamy and crunchy.

16 ounces bagged cauliflower hash (Kroger) or riced cauliflower
1-20 ounce can pineapple tidbits in juice (not syrup; do not drain)
1 red bell pepper, seeded and cut into small chunks
1 green bell pepper, seeded and cut into small chunks
1/4 cup sliced green onions
1-15.5 ounce can lite coconut milk (or regular for more flavor and fat)
2 tablespoons vegan fish sauce or more to taste (sold as vegetarian in Asian markets)
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon Thai red chili paste (e.g. Taste of Thai brand)
Sea salt to taste
Garnish: lightly roasted and salted peanuts heated with a generous amount of Hot Chili Oil to taste + fresh cilantro
Accompaniment: cucumber and onion salad (slice and combine vegetables with rice wine vinegar, sugar/granulated stevia blend/agave and sea salt to taste; I recommend red onion if available)

In a Dutch oven or large soup pot, combine all ingredients except garnishrs and accompaniment. Heat over medium-high until simmering. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes or so, stirring frequently, until vegetables are cooked through. Serve garnished with cilantro and peanuts in hot chili oil accompanied by cucumber and onion salad alongside.

#vegan #veganrecipes #veganfoodshare #veganfoodporn #plantbased #plantbasedrecipes #plantbasedfoodshare #plantbasedfoodporn #veganthaicauliflowercurry #plantbasedthaicauliflowercurry #veganthai #plantbasedthai

by betsy

Crispy Baked Cauliflower (with option to bathe in Hot Chili Oil) [Vegan & Plant-Based]

Yield:. 1 to 2 servings (depending on how hungry you are and whether you serve anything alongside)

1/4 cup vegan mayo (I used Walton Farms no-calorie)

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon onion powder

1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika

1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Approximately 25 cauliflower florets

Hot Chili Oil (see back below)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper. Place mayonnaise in a shallow carton or bowl. Whisk together remaining ingredients except cauliflower in a small deeper carton or bowl. Add cauliflower florets about three at a time to mayo and coat well using fingers. Drop into flour mixture, shake to coat, and place a couple inches apart on lined baking sheet. Repeat with remaining florets. Bake 15 minutes, turn, and bake 15 more minutes. Serve with sauce of choice or, do as I do and dip each floret quickly into hot chili, place on serving plate, sprinkle with sliced green onion and peanuts and serve immediately with chopsticks.

Hot Chili Oil Hack: purchase a prepared product, but decant into a larger jar, and add lots more oil, 5 large cloves sliced garlic softened for 30 seconds in microwave, and salt to taste. I love a neutral oil, but, when I discovered I was out, I learned that blood orange-infused oil is absolutely lovely with the chilies.

#vegan #veganrecipes #veganfoodshare #veganfoodporn #plantbased #plantbasedrecipes #plantbasedfoodshare #plantbasedfoodporn #vegancrispybakedcauliflower #plantbasedcrispybakedcauliflower

by betsy

Healthier Carrot Cake with Bourbon-Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting (vegan & plant-based)

Yield: 1-6″ two-layer cake or 1-8″ one-layer cake

I still wonder how a cake this moist and delicious can only include 2 tablespoons oil. And if you choose Trivia Blend or Swerve brown sugar over regular, no one will ever know. But let’s talk about this frosting: after trying one bite of this version with no butter, shortening, or powdered sugar, I doubt I will ever go back. It is creamy, tangy, sweet, and can even be piped. What’s not to love?

1 and 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (basically, cinnamon and ginger) 1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/3 cup brown sugar (I used Truvia Blend Brown Sugar; Swerve would also work well)
1/3 cup agave nectar
1/2 cup apple butter
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 cup shredded or fairly finely processed carrots 2/3 cup fairly finely chopped pecans
Optional but recommended: 1 tablespoon bourbon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Cream Cheese Frosting (recipe follows)

Grease and flour a 6- or 8″ round cake pan. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In large bowl, stir together all ingredients just until completely combined. Transfer into prepared pan, and gently smooth tip. Bake approximately 25 minutes for 8″ cake and 35 for 6″ cake or just until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes on wire rack, run knife around edge of pan, and invert onto wire rack to cool completely. If making the 6″ two-layer cake, halve horizontally with a serrated knife. Frost between layers if making the layer cake, as well as top, and sides of cake. Decorate as desired with pecans. Serve immediately or cover and store in refrigerator. Best served at room temperature.

Cream Cheese Frosting:
8 ounces vegan cream cheese
1/3 cup agave nectar (or a little more to reach desired consistency)
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Optional but recommended: 1 teaspoon Bourbon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Decoration: toasted or plain finely chopped pecans and pecan halves

With an electric mixer, cream together all ingredients, except pecans, until fluffy. (Too little agave nectar may allow frosting to crack.)

#vegan #veganrecipes #veganfoodshare #veganfoodporn #plantbased #plantbasedrecipes #plantbasedfoodshare #plantbasedfoodporn #vegancarrotcake #plantbasedcarrotcake #healthiercarrotcake #healthiercreamcheesefrosting

by betsy

Rosemary – and Lavender – Infused Bourbon-Fig Ice Cream (vegan & plant-based)

Yield: 1 quart

This beautiful, silky, and delectable treat tastes like a salted caramel ice cream with subtle notes of rosemary, lavender, bourbon, and fig.

1 cup non-dairy milk, divided

3 tablespoons cornstarch or arrowroot powder

10 fresh figs, pureed until quite smooth

3/4 cup brown sugar (I actually used one 1/2 cup swerve reduced calorie brown sugar and 1/4 cup regular brown sugar)

1/2 to 1 teaspoon sea salt

2 cups soy creamer or non-dairy half and half (I use Silk brand)

Approximately 5 sprigs fresh rosemary, about 4 inches in length

1 tablespoon culinary lavender

2 teaspoons bourbon

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

In a small cup or bowl combine 1/4 cup non-dairy milk with cornstarch or arrowroot, whisking until smooth. In a medium saucepan, whisk together all remaining ingredients and place over medium heat. Once mixture begins to boil, whisk in soy milk and cornstarch mixture, and cook 1 to 2 minutes, whisking continually and lowering heat if necessary, until mixture is very thick. Poor mixture through a fine strainer, pressing firmly on solids to extract all flavors. Cool mixture to room temperature, and then refrigerate, covered, for 2 to 3 hours or longer. Freeze according to your ice cream maker’s instructions. Serve immediately as soft serve, or return to freezer to freeze more solidly. If too frozen when ready to serve, just soften at room temperature or in microwave for a few seconds.

#veganicecream #plantbasedicecream vegan #veganrecipes #veganfoodshare #veganfoodporn #plantbased #plantbasedrecipes #plantbasedfoodshare #plantbasedfoodporn

by betsy

Grilled Corn & Sweet Chili Aioli Dip (vegan & plant-based)

Yield: 2 servings

Dinner time arrived last night before I had a plan. Suddenly, I was famished.

While Bob deep fried pita triangles–only 30 seconds at 375 degrees–I opened the fridge to discover we had 3 cobs of grilled corn and sweet chili aioli: approximately equal parts commercially prepared sweet chili sauce and vegan mayo (I use Walton Farms no-calorie mayo…so I can have deep fried pita triangles) with a little fresh lime juice. So I whipped this together in a couple of minutes.

Grilled Corn Dip with Sweet Chili Aioli

Grilled corn cut from 3 cobs

6 Tri-color cherry tomatoes, cut into quarters or sixths

2 tablespoons, thinly sliced green onion

1 teaspoon minced fresh cilantro

Approximately 2 tablespoons sweet chili aioli or to taste (or 1 tablespoon vegan mayonnaise plus 1 tablespoon prepared sweet chili sauce and a squeeze of lime juice)

Sea salt, if needed, and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Place all ingredients in a medium bowl, start together with a fork, and serve with fried pita triangles, chips, crackers, or the vegetables slices and sticks of your choice. If not serving immediately, store in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

#vegan #veganrecipes #veganfoodshare #veganfoodporn #plantbased #plantbasedrecipes #plantbasedfoodshare #plantbasedfoodporn #vegancorndip #plantbaseddip #vegandip #plantbasedcorndip

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