September 22, 2024September 24, 2024 by betsy

Best Pumpkin Banana Bread (vegan/plant-based + gluten-free option)

Luscious in texture, gently spicy and molasses-y in flavor–without molasses (except in brown sugar)–this stir-together one-bowl treat will keep you warm all winter.

Feel free to add nuts, chocolate chips, struesel topping, or plant-based cream cheese frosting, but I think all it needs is a cup of chai tea…and maybe some Silk vanilla Greek style yogurt.

Pumpkin Banana Bread

1 cup canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
1 medium banana, peeled (and mashed, if not using electric mixer)
1/2 cup organic granulated sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
2 tespoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups gluten-free 1:1 baking mix (make sure it is 1:1) or unbleached all-purpose flour

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Oil a standard 5 x 9″ loaf pan. In large mixing bowl, whisk together all ingredients except flour until completely combined. (If using an electric mixer, beat pumpkin and banana together until smooth and creamy. Then add remaining ingredients except flour and blend on medium-low until completely combined.) Next, add flour one half-cup at a time, stirring or mixing just until incorporated. Transfer to prepared pan, gently smoothing top. Bake 55 to 60 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes in pan. Remove from pan and let cool on wire rack covered with a dish towel.

Note: It will slice nicely warm if made with all-purpose flour, but if made with gluten-free flour, slice when it is just barely warm to the touch, or it will tend to break apart a bit.

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July 30, 2024September 21, 2024 by betsy

Quick “Overnight” Oats: Ready in Under 1 Hour (vegan & plant-based)

Note: you don’t want to do this too often because, unless you soak raw oats about 12 hours, they can be difficult to digest, causing bloating and building up in your system, as well as preventing the absorption of key minerals.

I woke up craving so-called “overnight” oats. But I wanted this vegan and plant-based treat today, not tomorrow!

Surely, I thought, I could speed up the softening process by heating the soymilk (or almond, oat, etc) and still not turn the oats into a bowl of gruel. Indeed I could!

How It Works: My Simple Method

A loose recipe follows but, essentially, just heat non-dairy milk barely to a simmer in the microwave–about 60-90 seconds on high–or stovetop, stir in oats, sweetener if desired–I use granulated stevia–and pinches of spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or pumpkin pie spice.

At this point, you can also stir in fresh or frozen fruit or canned pureed pumpkin, a couple tablespoons cocoa powder or 3 tablespoons of peanut butter. Layer mixture with plant-based yogurt–I like Silk vanilla Greek style–and more fresh or frozen friut in a glass container for a pretty presentation. I use mugs, Mason jars, or even martini glasses, depending on my mood.

Pop in the fridge and leave for an hour–45 minutes if pressed or starved–while you get ready for work, school, or just the rest of your day, garnish if desired with a few nuts, like slivered almonds or pecans (especially good with pumpkin), and maybe a mint sprig if you want to get fancy. Then enjoy this creamy, textured nutritious treat that tastes like dessert, but will keep you satisfied for hours!

Quick “Overnight” Oats

Yield: 2 servings (1 if you are famished; easily mutiplies)

3/4 cup non-dairy milk

1 to 1 1/4 cup old fashioned oats or slightly more to absorb virtually all liquid

Optional: 1 tablespoon sweetener (I use granulated stevia)

Pinch ground cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice, etc.

If making pumpkin spice oats: 1/4 cup canned pureed pumpkin

If making PB&J: 3 tablespoons peanut butter

If making brownie: 2 tablespoons cocoa powder and a little more sweetener

1/2 cup fresh or frozen berries or diced fruit

3/4 cup non-dairy yogurt, any flavor (I especially like Silk vanilla Greek style)

Optional garnishes: 2 tablespoons chopped or slivered nuts (or about 4 pecan halves), additional berries or fruit, mint sprigs, sprinkle of ground spice

Heat non-dairy milk barely to a simmer in the microwave–about 60-90 seconds on high–or in a pan stovetop, stir in oats to drsired thickness, sweetener if desired, pinches of spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or pumpkin pie spice, and optional pureed pumpkin. If using berries or fruit, stir in half and reserve remainder. In 2 small glass serving containers (mugs, jars, or martini glasses), place 1/4 oat mixture in bottom of each, top with 1/4 yogurt, 1/4 remaining fruit (about 1 tabkespoon each), and repeat. Refrigerate for 45 minutes to an hour, garnish as desired, and serve.

October 14, 2023October 14, 2023 by betsy

Quick & Easy Pumpkin Spice Cinnamon Rolls (vegan/plant-based)

Quick & Easy Pumpkin Spice Cinnamon Rolls (vegan/plant-based)

Yield: approximately 14 rolls

There are two kinds of people in the world: those whose happy place is smack dab in the middle of pumpkin spice season and everyone else.

If you are one of my people in the former group, you will love this quick and delicious recipe. The yeast-free dough comes together in a flash, ensuring that you can whip together warm, spiced, tasty and tender rolls for breakfast–or afternoon tea–even when you get a last-minute inspiration.

Cinnamon Rolls:

1/2 cup non-dairy milk

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 cup Tofutti Better Than Sour Cream

4 tablespoons vegan butter

1/3 cup pureed pumpkin (not pie filling)

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (or substitute mostly cinnamon plus a pinch ginger, nutmeg, and allspice)

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional: 1/4 teaspoon almond extract

Pumpkin Spice Glaze (recipe follows)

Optional Garnish: toasted pecan halves

Directions:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Grease a 9-inch round baking dish, preferably ceramic or glass, and set aside. In a small cup, whisk together non-dairy milk and vinegar; set aside to curdle.

Place flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda in large bowl of food processor and pulse a couple times to combine. Or mix dough by hand in large mixing bowl. Add curdled milk and Tofutti Better Than Sour Cream and pulse until it comes together as a ball. If mixing my hand, stir with a fork until a uniform dough is formed.

Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface, knead a couple times, and roll into a 10 x 14” rectangle with a floured rolling pin. (This size creates the best ratio of dough to filling.)

In a small bowl, whisk together pumpkin, both sugars, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla extract, and almond extract if using. Reserve 1/4 cup to make glaze and spoon the rest down the center of dough rectangle. Spread to within 1/2-inch of border.

Roll up, jellyroll, fashion, staring at one long side. If filling squeezes out as you roll, just scoop up excess with a spoon and add to the reserved mixture. With a serrated knife, cut roll into 14 one-inch-thick slices and place, spiral up, in concentric circles in prepared dish, leaving a little space in between.

Bake 15 minutes or until golden. Remove from oven and let cool on wire rack 10 minutes. Pour and spread glaze over top, garnish if desired with pecan halves, and serve immediately.

Pumpkin Spice Glaze:

1/4 cup reserved pumpkin spice filling

3/4 to 1 cup powdered sugar

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 or more tablespoons non-dairy milk, as needed

Optional: 1/8 teaspoon almond extract

Directions:

Whisk together reserved pumpkin spice filling, 3/4 cup powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and optional almond extract, adding additional powdered sugar and non-dairy milk, as needed, to reach desired consistency. It should be thick, but pourable.

*Created exclusively for Tofutti Brands, Inc. by Betsy DiJulio of The Blooming Platter.

better than sour cream pumpkin spice

Tofutti Brands, Inc.

November 29, 2022November 29, 2022 by betsy

No-Yeast Pumpkin Spice Cinnamon Rolls (vegan & plant-based)

Yield: a baker’s dozen + 1 (approximately 14 rolls)

For some of us, it is always pumpkin spice season. But if you are more of a traditionalist, it is November, so ’tis the season to start your morning on a roll, a Pumpkin Spice Cinnamon Roll.

These glistening golden spirals boast ideal proportions of spicy pumpkin filling, rich caramel-y glaze, and dough made tender and a hint tangy with Tofutti Better Than Sour Cream to balance the sweetness.

Our no-yeast cinnamon rolls are ready in a flash for weekend or holiday breakfasts that everyone will gobble up. In fact, they are so easy and quick to prepare, you might find yourself rolling them out on a chilly weekday morning.

Visit Tofutti at the link above for this recipe–and many more–which is also included here, in case the link becomes broken.

1/2 cup non-dairy milk

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

2 ½ teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 cup Tofutti Better Than Sour Cream

4 tablespoons vegan butter

1/3 cup pureed pumpkin (not pie filling)

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (or substitute mostly cinnamon plus a pinch ginger, nutmeg, and allspice)

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional: 1/4 teaspoon almond extract

Pumpkin Spice Glaze (recipe follows)

Optional Garnish: toasted pecan halves

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Grease a 9-inch round baking dish, preferably ceramic or glass, and set aside. In a small cup, whisk together non-dairy milk and vinegar; set aside to curdle. Place flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda in large bowl of food processor and pulse a couple times to combine. Or mix dough by hand in large mixing bowl. Add curdled milk and Better Than Sour Cream and pulse until it comes together as a ball. If mixing my hand, stir with a fork until a uniform dough is formed. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface, knead a couple times, and roll into a 10 x 14” rectangle with a floured rolling pin. (This size creates the best ratio of dough to filling.) In a small bowl, whisk together pumpkin, both sugars, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla extract, and almond extract if using. Reserve 1/4 cup to make glaze and spoon the rest down the center of dough rectangle. Spread to within 1/2-inch of border. Roll up, jellyroll, fashion, staring at one long side. If filling squeezes out as you roll, just scoop up excess with a spoon and add to the reserved mixture. With a serrated knife, cut roll into 14 one-inch-thick slices and place, spiral up, in concentric circles in prepared dish, leaving a little space in between. Bake 15 minutes or until golden. Remove from oven and let cool on wire rack 10 minutes. Pour and spread glaze over top, garnish if desired with pecan halves, and serve immediately.

Pumpkin Spice Glaze

¼ cup reserved pumpkin spice filling

3/4 to 1 cup powdered sugar

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional: 1/8 teaspoon almond extract

1 or more tablespoons non-dairy milk, as needed

November 28, 2022November 28, 2022 by betsy

Eggnog Pancakes–For Tasty, Toasty Holidays & Weekdays (vegan/plant-based)

Yield: 4 to 6 servings (16 medium pancakes)

Thanksgiving is scarcely over and I am already making Christmasy-breakfasts!

The independent school where I have been joyfully employed as the upper school art teacher since 2020 includes the post-Thanksgiving Monday as part of our holiday–what?! So that left me with a little extra time this morning to have more than a cup of chai. With Chobani Oat Nog in the fridge and a nip in the air, I knew what I wanted to whip up after a couple miles of dog walking and before my longer hike at the Norfolk Botanical Garden: Eggnog Pancakes, or “Eggnot” Pancakes, as a silly play on words.

The distinctive noggy taste of Chobani’s welcome addition to the seasonal array of commercially-prepared products plus a little tang from my go-to, Tofutti Better Than Sour Cream, not to mention the addition of freshly-grated nutmeg–oh, and a little bourbon in the syrup–yielded a twist on a Christmas classic as delicious as its namesake.

1/2 cup Tofutti Better Than Sour Cream

1 1/2 cups Chobani Oatmilk Oat Nog

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 cup powdered sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg or to taste

1/2 teaspoon salt

Garnishes: additional Better Than Sour Cream, maple of bourbon-maple syrup, powdered sugar, freshly ground nutmeg, cinnamon sticks, and star anise

Preheat oven to low or warm, approximately 170 degrees. In medium bowl, whisk together Better Than Sour Cream and a little Oat Nog until smooth and creamy. Then slowly whisk in remaining Oat Nog. Add all remaining ingredients except garnishes and whisk just until smooth. Spray large skillet with nonstick spray and heat over medium. Make pancakes, 3 or 4 at a time, using 2 generous tablespoons batter each. Cook a couple minutes and, when a few bubbles start to appear, flip and cook 2 to 3 more minutes or until center is completely set. Adjust heat as necessary. Remove pancakes to cookie sheet and keep warm in oven. Continue with remaining batter. Serve pancakes warm topped as desired with additional Better Than Sour Cream, maple or bourbon-maple syrup, a dusting of powdered sugar, freshly ground nutmeg, cinnamon sticks, and star anise.

#vegan #veganism #veganrecipes #veganfoodshare #veganfoodporn #plantbased #plantbasedrecipes #plantbasedfoodshare #plantbasedfoodporn #vegansofinstagram #vegansofig #veganinvirginia #goveg #veganforlife #govegan #doitfortheanimals #doitfortheenvironment #dotiforyourhealth #animalsarefriendsnotfood #herbivore #crueltyfree #thebloomingplatter #foodstylist #recipedeveloper #foodphotography #eggnog #pancakes #holidayrecipes

December 5, 2021December 5, 2021 by betsy

Thanksgiving Leftovers: Stuffing Cake Christmas Tree (vegan & plant-based)

A Holiday Hybrid Worth Celebrating!

I continue to upcycle my Thanksgiving Leftovers, first, shaping stuffing into cakes and baking (25 minutes at 350 degrees), then stuffing corn pudding into orange bell pepper halves, baking, and topping with whipped cauliflower and a dollop of cranberry sauce.

For this stack, I gridded the thawed stuffing cakes (they freeze really well) and reprised them this morning. It was the most scrumptious breakfast/brunch, although you could serve it for any meal if you leave off the bourbon maple syrup…but don’t!

In between the cakes, I layered an arugula and butternut squash salad, topping the tree with a drizzle of the syrup, homemade cranberry sauce, a little Follow Your Heart vegan feta, and roasted pepitas.

And I still have half for a snack a bit later.

#vegan #veganrecipes #veganfoodshare #veganfoodporn #plantbased #plantbasedrecipes #plantbasedfoodshare #plantbasedfoodporn #vegansofinstagram #vegansoffacebook #vegansofvirginia #thebloomingplatter #plantbasedbrunch #veganbrunch #PlantBasedThanksgiving #veganthanksgiving #veganbreakfast #plantbasedbreakfast

August 13, 2021August 13, 2021 by betsy

Cauliflower Spoonbread

Yield: 4 servings (approximately 175 calories each)

If cornbread and a souffle had a love child, it would be spoonbread. My version is low calorie–even with rich plant-based butter–and includes no corn, but somehow has a slightly corny taste. Regardless, it is luscious. You can leave out garlic and onion powders and serve with maple syrup for breakfast or brunch.

1 pound frozen riced cauliflower, cooked (I use the steam-in-bag type)
1 cup plain nondairy milk (I use unsweetened soy)
3 tablespoons flaxseed meal
1 tablespoon vegetable-based oil
1/3 cup coconut flour (lends a slightly sweet flavor)
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 to 1 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 tablespoons melted butter (I use Miyoko’s)

Grease an 8″ souffle dish and set aside. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place all ingredients, except butter, in large food processor and process until smooth. Transfer to prepared dish, drizzle with butter, and bake for 45 minutes for a soft consistency or 50 for a slightly firmer consistency. The dish is spoonable while warm and sliceable once cooled.

Note: I enjoy it served with escabeche.

June 29, 2021July 1, 2021 by betsy

Levender Blues aka Lavender-Blueberry Muffin-in-a-Cup for 1 (vegan, gf, added sugar-free)

Yield:1 muffin (easily multiplies)

When it’s just you and you need something nutritious, filling, and a hint sweet.

1/3 cup oat flour

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

2 tablespoons granulated stevia blend for baking (1:1 sugar to stevia ratio), or to taste

2 tablespoons applesauce

1 tablespoon cashew, pecan, or almond butter

1 tablespoon non-dairy milk

1/2 teaspoon culinary lavender

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/8 teaspoon almond extract

1/3 cup fresh blueberries, rinsed, drained, and patted dry

Optional garnish: 1 teaspoon vegan cream cheese or sour cream and a few culinary lavender buds

Grease a mug with nonstick spray and set aside. In a small bowl, stir together all ingredients, except blueberries, with a fork until smooth. Gently fold in blueberries. Transfer batter into mug and cook in microwave for about 3 minutes, in 1-minute intervals or until top is set. Garnish as desired. I cook mine in a clear glass mug so I can get the consistency exactly right. Plus, it looks really sparkly and pretty served that way.

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December 22, 2020 by betsy

Eggnog French Toast–So Quick & Easy (vegan & plant-based)

Yield: 1 serving (easily multiplies)

A holiday gift of a homemade sourdough loaf on the counter, So Delicious Dairy Free Nog in the fridge, and chickpea flour in the freezer inspired this divine and ready-in-a-flash Eggnog French Toast.

And because I am on winter break from school, I just might have made a warm topping with a 2 to 1 ratio of maple syrup and Bailey’s vegan Almande.

For each serving:

1 tablespoon chickpea flour

1/4 cup So Delicious or Silk dairy-free nog

1-1 inch slice sourdough bread, preferably homemade or artisanal

Almande-Maple Syrup (recipe follows) or maple syrup

Optional: chopped nuts and a sprinkling of powdered sugar

Whisk together chickpea flour and nog in a small bowl. Place bread in bowl and press down on one side, flip over and repeat. Allow to soak for as much time as you have up to 20 or so minutes. Even 5 or 10 will be delicious. Flip bread once or twice while it soaks. Then, either melt a tablespoon of vegan butter in a large skillet or simply spray skillet with nonstick spray as I did and place over medium low heat. Remove bread from nog mixture, lay in skillet, and cook 2 to 3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and custard is set. Serve topped with the syrup of your choice plus optional chopped nuts and a sprinkling of powdered sugar.

Almande-Maple Syrup Optional:

2 tablespoons maple syrup

1 tablespoon Bailey’s Almande

Whisk very well, as Almande wants to float on top, and heat in microwave for 10 or so seconds. Careful or it will boil over.