April 6, 2022April 6, 2022 by betsy

Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Indian Spices (vegan & plant-based)

Whole Roasted Cauliflower is my new favorite dinner: nutritious, delicious, gorgeous, and so low in calories and fat! This photo is from Tuesday night dinner with friends, but it is impressive enough for the centerpiece of a holiday feast.

Yet, it is also quick and easy. Though it bakes quite a while at 65 minutes, that is all hands-free time.

After removing the stem from the whole head of cauliflower–but not so much that the florets detatch–I blend 6 tablespoons hummus with sea salt and the spices of my choice.

This one was Indian so I used about 1/2 teaspoon each cardamom, coriander, curry powder, and turmeric. Then I rub the paste all over and under, place the cauliflower stem down in an oiled 8-inch gratin dish or metal baking pan for better browning, bake at 400 for 45 minutes covered, uncover, and bake for 20 minutes more.

Lastly, I top in a variety of ways. For this one, I heated together purchased onion jam (a “Burger Topper” I found at Kroger) with mango chutney I had on hand and sprinkled with finely chopped nuts, chives, and Everything Bagel Seasoning. I have also made a “yumtious” Middle Eastern iteration (see previous post).

I was a little late to the whole roasted cauliflower party, but I am making up for lost time!

#vegan #veganrecipes #veganfoodshare #veganfoodporn #plantbased #plantbasedrecipes #plantbasedfoodshare #plantbasedfoodporn #vegansofinstagram #vegansoffacebook #vegansofvirginia #thebloomingplatter #cauliflowerrecipes

February 28, 2022February 28, 2022 by betsy

Red Bell Not-chos (vegan & plant-based)

Yield: 1 serving

Crunchy red bell slices replace tortilla chips in this decadent-but-not version of the classic, complete with melty cheese, and you won’t miss them.

I had planned to make Apple Not-chos, but Bob thought I asked him for a red and a green bell pepper instead of apples. They sound a lot alike don’t they? At any rate, the mistake turned out to be one happy and tasty accident.

Slice 1 red bell pepper 1/4″ thick and microwave for about 30 seconds.

What happens next is up to you!

I layered on the following in a shallow bowl and microwaved for another 30-60 seconds:

-2 slices Follow Your Heart Smoked Gouda (https://followyourheart.com/)

-4 ounces cubed Tofurky Sesame-Garlic Chick’n (https://tofurky.com/what-we-make/chickn/sesame-garlic/)

1 medium yellow onion, slivered and caramelized in 1/2 cup water, 1 tablespoon Luquid Aminos, and 1 tablespoon maple syrup

-1 tablespoon Herbs & Chive Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese (https://www.tofutti.com/)

Top with:

-1/4 cup pico de gallo

-2 tablespoons fresh cilantro leaves

Serve immediately with a fork!

#vegan #veganrecipes #veganfoodshare #veganfoodporn #plantbased #plantbasedrecipes #plantbasedfoodshare #plantbasedfoodpornvegansofinstagram #vegansoffacebook #vegansofvirginia #thebloomingplatter #vegannachos #plantbasednachos #Tofutti #followyourheart #tofurky

January 23, 2022February 21, 2022 by betsy

Beer Bread in a Microwave Mug–with garlic & parmesan (vegan/plant-based)

Rustic Beer Bread in a Microwave Mug is so quick, easy, and addicting.

Beer Bread in a Microwave Mug–with garlic and parmesan (vegan & plant-based)

Yield: 1 serving per mug

I created this recipe while snowed in period it wasn’t so much that I was afraid to drive on the snow, though there was that, there was that, but I just didn’t want to splash mud and salt all over my car. I made this cute, moist, and flavorful bread with what I had on hand. And will be making it throughout the winter… and warmer months as well.

1 tablespoon vegan butter, divided (I use Myokos)
1/2 cup flour
Pinch sea salt
Pinch garlic powder
Optional: pinch dried parsley
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 cup beer (I use Bud Light; identify vegan beers on Barnivore)
1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon shredded vegan Parmesan (I like Follow Your Heart)

Optional: scant pinch freshly ground black pepper

In a microwave safe mug, melt 2 teaspoons vegan butter. Remove from microwave and swirl around sides of cup. In a small bowl or cup, stir together all dry ingredients with a fork. Make a well in center and pour in beer. Stir with fork until completely combined. Stir in 1 tablespoon parmesan and melted butter. Spoon mixture into buttered mug and top with remaining teaspoon shredded parm and optional black pepper. Microwave for about 2 1/2 minutes at full power, checking after 2. If mixture still looks a little moist, continue for remaining 30 seconds. You may need to experiment with your microwave. Top with remaining teaspoon butter and serve immediately.

August 1, 2021August 1, 2021 by betsy

Mini No-Bake Key Lime Pies (vegan/plant-based)

Yield: 8

These light and luscious bites are the perfect, pretty little refresher.

Made from only 7 ingredients and requiring no baking, they are ready when you are. And each cool and creamy treat is only about 220 decadent calories.

Even though key limes are not green, I feel like lime desserts should be, so I add a hint of Macha powder, which doesn’t alter the taste.

8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature (I like Tofutti)

1/4 cup natural sugar

5 ounces coconut cream

Zest of 1large key lime or small-medium lime and juice of entire lime/key lime

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional: 1/2 teaspoon Macha powder or enough to achieve desired color

1/4 cup non-dairy whipped topping + 1/2 cup for topping

Garnish: Vegan Graham Cracker crumbs or pieces + optional lime slices or zest

With an electric mixer, cream together cream cheese and sugar until smooth. If cream cheese is cold, use a food processor. Beat in remaining ingredients, except whipped topping and garnishes, until completely combined. Fold in whipped topping. Divide among 8 very small cups–I like clear glass–not much bigger than a shot glass. Top each with about 1 tablespoon of remaining whipped topping. Refrigerate until serving time. (I store them in a lidded carton.) Garnish as desired and serve.

August 9, 2020August 9, 2020 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

June 21, 2020June 23, 2020 by betsy

Creamy Lemony Riced Cauliflower Risotto (low-calorie, vegan & plant-based)

Yield: serves four as a side dish, two as a main dish

I love anything creamy, particularly if it also has a little bit of texture and layers of flavor. But I am quite a calorie counter and avid exerciser, so the wide availability of riced cauliflower and the fairly new availability in our area of Silk brand half-and-half inspired this dish. That and a powerful appetite on this Father’s Day Sunday at midday. This dish is filling, but light and bright, quick, easy, and so pretty,. Just perfection.

2 cups water, divided

1 small onion finely chopped

1 vegetable bouillon cube or 1 teaspoon vegetable base

1 bulb roasted garlic or two to three cloves raw garlic, minced

10 ounces riced cauliflower

Zest of 1 small lemon

1/4 cup Silk brand vegan unsweetened half-and-half (Ripple brand is nice too, but if you can’t find either or another brand of unsweetened vegan half and half, use coconut milk)

1/4 cup shredded vegan mozzarella

2 tablespoons vegan Parmesan

Garnishes: minced parsley, slivered almonds, toasted or not, a few nutritional yeast flakes or vegan parmesan shreds, fresh lemon slices, wedges, or more zest (in the photo, I used nutritional yeast flakes, parsley, and toasted slivered almonds)

In a large iron skillet over medium-high, bring 1/2 cup water to a simmer, add onion, and sauté/simmer until virtually all water is evaporated. Add remaining water, bouillon cube, garlic, and cauliflower, and simmer, stirring frequently, until virtually all of water is once again evaporated. Add remaining ingredients, lower heat if necessary, and stir until cheeses are melted and all ingredients are fully incorporated. Serve immediately topped with the garnishes of your choice.

#vegan #veganrecipes #veganfoodshare #veganfoodporn #plantbased #plantbasedrecipes #plantbasedfoodshare #plantbasedfoodporn #veganrisotto #plantbasedrisotto

June 16, 2020June 16, 2020 by betsy

Quick & Easy Rice Cakes (vegan and plant-based)

The trick with vegan or plant-based skillet-fried cakes, fritters, and even burgers, is how to get them to hold together without a lot of breading or filler.

These rice cakes, made with leftover cooked rice, hold together beautifully with just a flax egg and cornstarch.

They are ready to devour in minutes with the topping of your choice or by themselves because they are quite tasty.

1 tablespoon flaxseed meal

3 tablespoons water

1 tablespoon cornstarch

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1/4 teaspoon onion powder

1 cup leftover cooked rice

1 green onion, green part only, thinly sliced or snipped with scissors

In a medium bowl, whisk together flaxseed meal and water. Set aside for just a few minutes until it thickens, whisking occasionally. Whisk in cornstarch, sea salt, and onion powder. Then stir in rice and green onion with a fork. Heat a skillet sprayed with non-stick spray over medium to medium high heat. Divide mixture into four even mounds, pressing into a disc about 1/4-inch thick. Cook for a couple of minutes on each side or until golden brown, adjusting heat if necessary. Serve alone or topped as desired.

#veganricecakes #plantbasedricecakes #vegan #veganrecipes #veganfoodshare #veganfoodporn #plantbased #plantbasedrecipes #plantbasedfoodshare #plantbasedfoodporn

May 29, 2020May 29, 2020 by betsy

Vegan Birthday Cake (from a box!) with Homemade Vegan Lemon Curd Filling and Creamy Vanilla Frosting (naturally vegan from a can)

Tuesday was my “day of rebirth” as my dear friend, Iona Drozda, refers to birthdays.

My partner, Bob, said he would make my birthday cake BUT it had to come from a box. He thought that would be a deal-breaker, but nope!

A little research revealed that one can transform any box mix into a moist and delicious–and very tender–vegan cake by simply adding 1.5 cups of the chilled soda of your choice!

We chose Betty Crocker yellow with 1 teaspoon vanilla and sprite because it’s lemon+lime notes sounded delicious with the lemon curd filling and creamy white frosting I was craving. The layers rose beautifully with fairly flat tops!

I recommend oiling cooling racks, as this cake is quite tender. I also recommend wrapping and freezing the layers before frosting for the same reason. Plus, it is a well-known fact that freezing cake layers makes them even more moist.

The curd was spot-on and came from It Doesn’t Taste Like Chicken. I only tweaked a tiny bit by adding a 1/2 teaspoon sea salt. Whisk and simmer together for about 5 minutes: 1/2 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 1/2 cup non-dairy milk (I used unsweetened soymilk), zest of 1 large lemon, 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, and 1/8 teaspoon turmeric for color. (It will thicken even more as it cools.)

The creamy vanilla frosting was from a can (eek!), and Bob piped it on like a pro with very little instruction, saying it was like caulking!

The cake was perfection, though we guilded the lily with softened dairy-free vanilla ice cream.

Happy, happy birthday to all!

#vegan #veganrecipes #veganfoodshare #veganfoodporn #plantbased #plantbasedrecipes #plantbasedfoodshare #plantbasedfoodporn #veganlemoncurd #veganbirthdaycake #veganizedboxcakemix #itdoesnttastelikechicken

January 4, 2019 by betsy

Vegan Pumpkin Coconut Curry Soup

For the 18th (!) Annual Christmas, Chanukkah, Curry, and Cakes Party & Swap for some 25 of my girl tribe, I kept the menu simple, healthful, beautiful, and delicious.

This one time buffet dinner morphed into a cocktail party-swap a few years back and then, last year, into a moveable feast and swap featuring curried pumpkin soup. Soup is self-serve from the stove, but I make it festive with a buffet of toppings. This year’s tasty accompaniments were vegan blue cheese-chutney cole slaw, quartered persimmons, and vegan sugar cookies. Oh, and wine. Lots of wine.

This year’s soup creation was superior to last and I am pleased to share it with you, as I wouldn’t change a thing.

Vegan Pumpkin Coconut Curry Soup

Yield: 10 cups

1- 29 ounce can pureed pumpkin

1-15.5 ounce can lite coconut milk

1-30 gram package Jaswant’s Kitchen Chana Masala seasoning packet or the equivalent (you may prefer less–it is spicy)

4 cups vegetable stock or broth

Toppings bar: grated coconut, sliced green onions, roasted pumpkin seeds, dried cranberries or cherries, etc.

Whisk together all ingredients except toppings in a large soup pan or Dutch oven and bring to a simmer over medium to medium-high heat. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until heated through. Serve topped as desired.