August 20, 2023August 20, 2023 by betsy

Sizzling Summer Salads (vegan & plant-based)

Get your salad on!

As part of my tasty work with Tofutti, we create the occasional not-to-be missed FREE eCookbooks, a curated collection of favorite recipes, all with photos, in keeping with a theme. As mentioned previously, life and work prevented me from staying current on my beloved The Blooming Platter website, but I’m back!

And I am proud to share our Simple, Sizzling Summer Salads before summer is over. Where I live in Coastal Virginia, we definitely have a few more weeks of summer-like weather ahead of us…and it’s been a hot one until Mother Nature decided to grant us some reprieve just this weekend. (To access and download simply click on the linked title.)

But, let’s be honest: we are fortunate to have at our fingertips a wealth of summer season ingredients year-round and these salads will certainly satisfy 12 months of the year. So, beat the heat with this selection of simple-salads-with-a-twist…or just enjoy whenever the mood strikes. A colleague at the school where I teach taste-tested the entire set–she teaches in the summer and I started a tradition three years ago when I was hired to bring her lunch–and received a hardy and “hearty” thumbs-up.

Released for July 4, each salad honors one of the immigrant cultures that has helped make America what it is:

Chinese Chili Crisp Slaw
German Roasted Potato & Sauerkraut Salad with Maple Caraway Dressing
Creamy Greek Salad
Indian Broccoli, Cauliflower & Eggplant Salad with Creamy Chutney Dressing
Italian White bean, Peach & Mint Salad with Creamy Lemon Dressing

These easy recipes are all prepared with Tofutti Better Than Sour Cream. Tofutti makes my favorite non-dairy sour cream (not to mention cream cheese, ricotta, and ice cream), but feel free to substitute, though non-dairy products batched by different companies all vary in taste and texture and my recipes have only been tested with Tofutti. If you would like to purchase Tofutti products online so you always have them at the ready, visit Plantx.

Happy Last Gasp of Summer!

~Betsy

August 8, 2021August 8, 2021 by betsy

Escabeche Brine Salad with Peanuts in Hot Chili Oil

Celebrate sumner with escabeche my way…or your way! If you want to swap out various spices, by all means. Mine turns amber colored because of the star anise, but it is so tasty. The thyme is assertive so leave out or switch if you are not a fan.

Escabeche Brine

1 cup rice wine vinegar

1 cup water

2 bay leaves

1 hatch fresh chili, seeded and thinly sliced

1 small red shallot , thinly sliced

3 large cloves garlic, thinly sliced

1 teaspoon tri-color peppercorns

1 teaspoon sea salt (I used half truffle salt)

5 to 6 star anise

2 to 3 sprigs thyme

Combine all in a saucepan, bring to a boil, remove from hear, allow to cool completely, place in a lidded jar, and chill.

Eacabeche Brine Salad

Yield: 2 servings

1/2 large cucumber, sliced

12 grape tomatoes, halved

1 cup Escabeche Brine

1/4 cup roasted and lightly salted peanuts

1 teaspoon hot chili oil

Combine all ingredients, except peanuts and hot chili oil, and refrigerate for several hours. In a small bowl,, combine peanuts and hot chili oil. Divide salad between two bowls, reserving extra brine, and serve topped with peanuts.

#vegan #veganrecipes #veganfoodshare #veganfoodporn #plantbased #plantbasedrecipes #plantbasedfoodshare #plantbasedfoodporn #vegansofinstagram #vegansoffacebook #vegansofvirginia #plantbasedescabeche #veganescabeche

November 7, 2020November 7, 2020 by betsy

Roasted Orange Salad with Smokey Orange Dressing (vegan & plant-based)

If you have never enjoyed roasted oranges, skin and all, what are you waiting for?!

When I accepted a position teaching upper school art at Norfolk Academy in July, I had no idea that breakfast and lunch prepared by the talented refectory staff were part of the incentive package. And what an incentive. I am not a breakfast-eater, but I relish my specially-prepared vegan lunches.

We joke that the Academy owns an orchard, as we are fed a bounty of apples and oranges, tucked into our lunch bags. I find whole fruit a little messy to eat–I am not a fan of juice running down my chin–so by the end of each week, I have a collection of whole fruit. From the apples, I make bundt cakes once or sometimes twice a week for faculty members and staff. Sometimes, I use fresh oranges for the liquid.

But, when it occurred to me that roasted oranges in a salad might be a delicious way to use them, I conducted some research, experimented, developed this recipe, and never looked back. Try not to drink the dressing; it is that good.

Make dressing first:

Smokey Orange Dressing

*1/4 cup orange infused vinegar (I buy Orange Blossom Vinegar at Harris Teeter)
*1/4 cup orange infused olive oil (I buy an rosemary-orange variety at Harris Teeter)
1 tablespoon hot chili oil (see my recipe on this website)
2 large cloves garlic, minced
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
Note: you can substitute sherry vinegar and plain olive oil plus zest of 1 small orange

Whisk together all ingredients in a small bowl.

Serve dressing over arugula with diced red onion, roasted oranges (recipe follows), and roasted pistachios.

Roasted Oranges

Slice oranges 1/8 to 1/4-inch thick. Place on foil or parchment paper on rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle lightly with olive oil and sprinkle lightly with sea salt. Roast oranges at 425 degrees for 20 minutes.

#vegan #veganrecipes #veganfoodshare #veganfoodporn #plantbased #plantbasedrecipes #plantbasedfoodshare #plantbasedfoodporn #roastedoranges #roastedorangesalad

January 4, 2019 by betsy

Vegan Butternut Squash, Brussels, Cauliflower, and Onion with Cointreau-Maple-Balsamic Vinaigrette

This was a favorite dish at our Friendsgiving this year…but it is too special–and easy–for a once-a-year feast. Celebrate often!

Approximately 6 cups roasted vegetables (Roast on a rimmed baking sheet, two to four vegetables at a time, tossed with a very small amount of olive oil and sea salt at 425 degrees for approximately 20 minutes, stirring halfway through–be sure vegetables are in one layer–and cool completely.)

2 tablespoons Cointreau

2 tablespoons maple syrup

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1 large clove garlic, minced

1/4 cup dried cherries

1/4 cup pecan halves, toasted at 350 degrees for 5 minutes

Place all vegetables in a large bowl. Whisk together Cointreau, maple syrup, balsamic vinegar, and minced garlic in a small cup. Drizzle over vegetables, add dried cherries and toasted pecans, toss well, and serve immediately. You may roast and cool the vegetables a few hours or a day in advance. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use. Add dressing, dried cherries, and toasted pecans just before serving.

November 21, 2018November 21, 2018 by betsy

Vegan Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Butternut Salad
with Orange-Maple Vinaigrette

Yield: 4-6 servings

Best. Thanksgiving. Salad. Ever. And, you guessed it: it is low fat–with no added oil–and oh-so-low calorie.

12 ounces shaved Brussels sprouts
12 ounces diced butternut squash
1/4 cup dried cherries
1/4 cup pecan haves, roasted for 5 minutes at 350 degrees or until lightly toasted
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Juice of 1 large orange
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons maple syrup

Spread brussels sprouts and butternut squash on a large rimmed baking sheet and roast in a preheated 450 degree oven for about 20 to 25 minutes or until slightly caramelized. Place in a large bowl, add dried cherries and pecan halves, and season with salt and pepper. Whisk together orange juice, vinegars, and maple syrup, drizzle over salad, and toss gently to coat. Refrigerate until serving time if necessary. Best served slightly warm or at room temperature.

Happy Thanksgiving from the Charlotte airport!

#vegan #veganrecipes #veganfood #veganfoodshare #veganfoodporn #plantbased #plantbasedrecipes #plantbasedfood #plantbasedfoodshare #plantbasedfoodporn

November 16, 2017 by betsy

Quick and Tasty Vegan Buffalo Chickpeas

Yield: 2 servings

My go-to vegan lunch…

Perched on pretzels that I used as scoops, this super quick and easy–and let’s not forget tasty–chickpea salad recipe would also make a delicious filling for a wrap, especially with the shredded purple cabbage that I used as a base. I folded the cabbage into the last of the salad and loved that flavor combination and crunch. It is perfect for a workday lunch…with a little mouthwash chaser.

Note: you may omit the butter, but it is a small amount, is included in the traditional recipe for Buffalo Sauce, and it mellows the vinegar, also a traditional ingredient. Each ingredient is needed to create that addicting balance of hot and tangy buffalo goodness.

2 tablespoon softened vegan cream cheese

2 tablespoons Daiya brand vegan blue cheese dressing

1 tablespoon Frank’s hot sauce (or more if you like hot alot)

1 tablespoon melted vegan butter

1 teaspoon white vinegar

1 teaspoon Sriracha sauce

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1-15.5 ounce can chickpeas, rinsed and drained

4 celery hearts, finely diced

4 green onions, thinly sliced

Sea salt and pepper to taste

Shredded purple cabbage

In a medium bowl, whisk together first 7 ingredients. Fold in chickpeas, celery, and green onions. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and cover and chill until serving time. Serve on a bed of the cabbage or fold the two up together in your favorite wrapper.

June 22, 2017 by betsy

Vegan Flexy Sexy Asian Slaw
(with popcorn, my fave new slaw ingredient)

Yield: 2 to 4 servings

My brand new vegan slaw is “flexy” because you can use your favorite vegetables and mix it up differently every time; and “sexy” because it is so light and healthy that it looks good on everyone. Plus, you’ll have to admit, the martini glass presentation is James Bond meets West Elm sexy.

Simply keep the proportions as provided and then have your way with this slaw which is perfect for a light lunch. Serve it however you choose, but a clear stemmed glass and chopsticks make it so pretty and fun to nibble.

1 tablespoon vegan mayonnaise

Juice of 1/2 medium lime or lemon

1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar

1 1 /2 teaspoons soy sauce

1 1 /2 teaspoons granulated sugar (I like coconut sugar)

Optional: 1/8-1/4 teaspoon hot sauce (I like Sriracha)

2 cups sliced, diced, spiralized or julienne colorful, crunchy vegetables (I used a broccoli slaw mix that included purple cabbage and carrots)

2 cups prepared “skinny” popcorn (air popped and very lightly salted or seasoned)

1/2 cup diced tomatoes (I like tri-color cherry tomatoes)

1/4 cup raw cashews

1 teaspoon fresh minced basil (an Asian variety like Thai or Vietnamese is especially nice

1 teaspoon fresh minced or torn mint leaves

Sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Garnish: fresh basil or mint sprigs, a few cashew halves

In a small bowl, whisk together first 6 ingredients to make dressing. In a medium-large bowl, gently toss together remaining ingredients except garnish. Drizzle dressing over, toss again, Divide into serving dishes and garnish as desired. Serve immediately.

July 8, 2014July 13, 2014 by betsy

Vegan Bean and Broccoli Slaw with Lime Aioli Dressing

Yield: 6-8 servings (depending on other side dishes)

I took this salad to a 4th of July celebration at our good friends’ Mary Beth and Ken Mays’ home where it was a huge hit along with burgers (veggie and beef–I was the only vegan, though Mary Beth is a pescetarian and her cousin a vegetarian), red skinned new potato salad with artichoke hearts and both green and ripe olives in a light vinaigrette dressing, and a beautiful fruit salad for dessert.

Since we decided to go fairly traditional with our menu, I felt a slaw was in order. But I also felt a little more protein would be nice, not to mention more color and texture contrast. When all was said and done, this was one addicting salad!

1-12 ounce package prepared (but not dressed) broccoli slaw

5 ounces mixed or single greens like kale, Swiss chard, etc., finely chopped (I use a food processor for this task)

1 orange or red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and diced

1-15.5 ounce can dark red kidney beans, rinsed and well-drained

5 stalks celery hearts, diced

1/2 cup roughly chopped smoked almonds

Pinch sea salt

Pinch freshly ground black pepper

Lime Aioli Dressing (recipe follows)

In a large bowl, toss together all salad ingredients. Drizzle dressing over the top and toss well to combine. Check for seasoning and adjust if necessary. Refrigerate for at least a half hour to allow flavors to marry. Serve cold.

Lime Aoili Dressing:

Juice and zest of 1 small to medium lime

1 teaspoon stone ground mustard

1/2 cup olive oil

1 tablespoon nutritional yeast

1 tablespoon Liquid Aminos

1/2 teaspoon Sriracha (or your favorite hot sauce)

2 teaspoons ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon ground coriander

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

1/2 teaspoon turmeric

Pinch turbinado sugar (or your favorite granualted sugar)

Pinch sea salt

Pinch freshly ground black pepper

1/4 cup vegan mayonnaise

Place lime juice and mustard in a medium bowl. Slowly whisk in olive oil. Add all remaining ingredients and whisk until smooth and completely combined. Check for seasoning and adjust if necessary.

July 1, 2014July 1, 2014 by betsy

Vegan Cauliflower-Tofu “Potato” Salad

Yield: 8 servings

After making my Vegan Cauliflower Steaks with Curry Bechamel and Candied Eggplant, I had some leftover cauliflower that I had cooked before leaving town for the weekend. We ate beautiful food al fresca while we were away, prepared and served by our generous and gracious hostess and friend, Juliane Curvin.

Though inspired to make her flavorful lentil soup, eggplant stew, and chickpea and pomegranate seed salad, with Independence Day approaching, I had more traditional picnic fare on my mind.

Essentially, this salad is what you would get if you added cooked potato to tofu egg salad, only with cauliflower replacing the potato as a lower calorie alternative. So, it’s a kind of a potato salad-egg salad hybrid, which works beautifully, as the ingredients are similar and so compatiable: celery, (green) onion, pickle relish, vegan mayo, mustard, turmeric, garlic powder, and black salt with its uncannily-similar-to-boiled-egg flavor!

Salad:

14 ounces extra firm tofu, pressed, wrapped in paper towels, and drained

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon turmeric

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 teaspoon black salt (lends a distinctive “boiled egg” flavor–it’s magic!)

4 stalks celery hearts, finely diced

4 green onions, thinkly sliced

2 cups cooked cauliflower florets (should be quite tender)

Dressing (recipe follows)

Optional garnish: green onion and a pinch of paprika/smoked paprika

In a medium-large bowl, mash tofu (I like to use my fingers) with spices and then fold in celery, green onions and cauliflower using a fork. Add dressing and toss to completely distribute. Check for seasoning and adjust if necessary. Refrigerate until serving time to allow flavors to marry. Garnish if desired

Dressing:

1/2 cup vegan mayonnaise

3 tablespoons sweet pickle relish (or dill pickle relish if you prefer)

1 tablespoon stone ground mustard

1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

3/4 teaspoon yellow mustard seeds

3/4 teaspoon black mustard seeds

In a small bowl, whisk together all ingredients. Check for seasoning and adjust if necessary.