June 18, 2021June 19, 2021 by betsy

Best, Lightest Cauliflower Gnocchi (vegan & plant-based)

I think I have perfected the lightest, tastiest, and most lovely textured gnocchi with only 1/4 cup flour and 1 tablespoon cornstarch. All the rest is pureed cauli and spices.

Gnocchi Dough:

8 ounces riced, cooked cauliflower, pureed in food processor, and chilled until cold (I steam in bag in microwave), about 3/4 cup

1/4 cup flour

1 tablespoon cornstarch

1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

1/8 teaspoon onion powder

1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

Optional: 1 tablespoon olive oil

Bring a medium saucepan filled with salted water to a simmer. Meanwhile, blend all ingredients together with a fork in medium bowl. On cutting board, roll one-fourth of dough at a time into a rope, 3/4-inch in diameter. Slice into 1-inch pieces for a total of 12 to 14. Add to simmering water and cook until gnocchi float. While gnocchi cook, heat olive oil or nonstick spray in skillet, preferably nonstick, over medium heat. Remove gnocchi with a slotted spoon to skillet and cook a couple of minutes on each side or until golden brown.

Serve as desired, 6 to 7 per person. I like to place the gnocchi over a bed of lightly sauteed baby spinach with dabs of fruit chutney, foraged blackberries, pistachios or pine nuts, and a few grates of vegan mozzarella, or with sauteed fresh green peas, diced shallot, sliced garlic, white wine, and lemon zest.

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June 17, 2021June 17, 2021 by betsy

Sichuan-Inspired Noodles in Hot Chili Oil with Spinach

Yield: 1 to 2 Servings

This lightening quick, nutritious, delicious, and colorful meal is satisfying on every level. Plus, if you care about such things, the entire enormous bowl is only 300 calories.

Simply heat together 2 handfuls fresh baby greens and an 8 ounce package shirataki noodles. Drain, place in a large bowl, and toss with 1/2 to 1 teaspoon soy sauce, just shy of 2 tablespoons hot chilli oil, fried chilies in oil, or hot chili crisp–available on the International Isle at the grocery store–and an optional dash crushed Sichuan peppercorns to tastw. Heap into a bowl and garnish with a smidge of the hot chili oil or crisp and a few roasted and lightly salted peanuts.

Dinner is served!

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June 12, 2021June 12, 2021 by betsy

Fresh Peach Curd Tarts (gf, vegan & plant-based)

Yield: 4 servings

A gift of fresh peaches–the first of the season–inspired these beautiful ready-in-a-flash tarts with their delightfully textured raw vegan crusts and creamy sweet-tart filling. The garnishes I chose were barely sweetened vegan sour cream, blackberries I picked on a walk in the woods, shredded coconut leftover from our wedding cake, sliced almonds, and lemon balm I grow in a pot outdoors.

Welcome, Summer!

Make filling and set aside to cool:

1/2 cup sugar

1 tablespoon cornstarch

2 medium peaches including skin, pitted, and processed in food processor until smooth

Juice 1/2 large lemon

2 tablespoons non-dairy milk

Optional: 1 tablespoon peach liqueur

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

In a small saucepanover medium or medium-low heat, simmer together all ingredients except almond extract, whisking continually, until very thick. Whisk in almond extract. Set aside to cool. Mixture will continue to thicken as it cools.

Make Raw Vegan Date, Nut, Coconut Crust:

1 cup slivered or sliced almonds or a combination pecans and almonds

1 cup shredded coconut, sweetened or unsweetened

8 dates

Pinch sea salt

Process together in food processor until ingredients are minced and hold together when pinched. Divide into fourths and press evenly onto bottom and sides of four 5-inch tart pans. Divide filling evenly among shells, smoothing tops, and garnish as desired.

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June 8, 2021July 24, 2021 by betsy

Chewy Cowgirl Cookies (vegan & plant-based)

Yield: 1 dozen (easily multiplies)

The secret to the irresistible texture of these cookies is melting the vegan butter, but not the shortening and forming them using the double scoop method.

1/4 cup vegan butter (I like Miyoko’s), melted

1/4 cup vegetable shortening

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon almond extract

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 cup + 2 tablespoons all purpose flour

2 tablespoons nondairy milk

1/4 cup each chocolate chips, shredded coconut, and chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheet with Silpat or parchment paper. Cream together butter and shortening on high speed of electric mixer. Beat in both sugars until fluffy. On low speed, beat in extracts, soda, salt, and cinnamon. Then beat in flour and non-dairy milk, scraping down sides of bowl as necessary. Next add chips, coconut, and pecans. With a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop, make 10 to 12 mounds of dough, 2 inches apart. Then repeat with a second scoop, only nestle the second ball of dough right on top of first one, pressing down firmly to create a kind of tophat form. Bake 13 minutes or until golden brown. Cool and store in airtight container.

June 6, 2021June 6, 2021 by betsy

Sichuan Slaw over Stoneground Cheez Grits (vegan & plant-based)

A delicious deck dinner with our dear friend and Aint B to our dogs, Bonnie Mattiko, signals the cusp of summer:

Sichuan Slaw over Stoneground Cheez Grits

I sometimes like a slaw-salad mix that is part shredded cabbage/carrot and part mixed baby greens. The dressing was mayo, artisanal habenero pickle juice (though any sweet or dill juice would be tasty), and hot chili crisp to taste. I purchase the crisp in the Asian foods aisle at Kroger. It is piquant, but not too spicy.

If anyone cares about such things, I found a no- cal mayo that allows me all the delicious dressing I want. Called Walton Farms, I purchase it at Harris Teeter and, while I don’t care for it on its own, I really like it jazzed up with assertive flavors such as this.

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veganslaw

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vegancheesegrits

plantbasedasian

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June 3, 2021June 3, 2021 by betsy

Sichuan Pizza (vegan & plant-based)

Homemade Sichuan Pizza!

My addiction to hot chili crisp (or oil) from the grocery store is no secret, and I am happy to share my “secret” pizza recipe, which is really more of a simple method:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Roll out your favorite pizza dough super thin and place on a baking stone or lined baking sheet. Brush with olive oil, top with very thinly sliced yellow onion and garlic and halved grape tomatoes. Sprinkle with vegan mozz–or not–and bake 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, make a slaw of shredded cabbage, carrot, mayo (I use Walton Farms no-calorie mayo), and hot chili crisp/oil to taste. Pile on top of freshly baked pizza, top with pickled veg if desired, drizzle with a little more hot chili crisp, sprinkle with lightly salted peanuts, and garnish with a basil leaf.

I hope you love it as much as I do; I enjoyed two nights in a row!

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May 31, 2021May 31, 2021 by betsy

Almond Joy Dates (vegan & plant-based)

Almond Joy Dates are super quick, easy, and luscious bite-size bundles of joy and healthful decadence made by a dear friend, Sharon Lee Clohessy, for my birthday.

Simply sweeten plant-based cream cheese with natural sugar and coconut, tuck inside dates, and top with chopped chocolate-covered almonds. That’s it!

Serve on a platter, if you don’t devour them first, with alternating whole dates garnished with a few of the whole chocolate-covered almonds.

May 22, 2021June 22, 2021 by betsy

The Very Best Fudgy Black Bean Brownies with Chocolate Chips & Pecans (gf, vegan & plant-based)

Recipes for these abound, but I like mine best, she says modestly…perhaps it is the brandy!

The absolute strangest thing happened with this recipe. I created it, proudly posted photos and the recipe, and a friend made it and had drastically different results: way too soft and fudgy, even after refrigetation, if there is such a thing, haha.

So I made the recipe again myself and had the same results. Not satisfactory at all. I can’t imagine what I did and I will never know. But, I went back to the drawing board, adding 1/2 cup oatflour–but you could add any flour–2 tablespoons less water, though you might need to add it back in depending on how absorbent your flour is, and 1/2 teaspoon baking powder. I turned up the temperature to 350 instead of 325 and I cooked them for 33 minutes vs. 25.

The result is exactly what you see in the new photos and I can’t imagine a brownie as good with no refrigeration necessary…brownies should not be cold! I was devastated when this happened, but now I’m so glad it did because these are superior to the others and, frankly, to any brownies I have ever made or tasted!

1-15 ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed well

1/2 cup oatflour or your favorite flour, including all purpose if gluten is no problem

2 tablespoons flaxseed meal whisked with 1/4 cup water and set aside for 5 minutes to thicken; whisk again before using

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

1 tablespoons strong brewed coffee (can use decaf)

2 tablespoons brandy (or rum)

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (not Dutched)

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup vegan chocolate chips, divided

1/2 cup pecan pieces, divided (optional, but recommended)

Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray an 8-inch square baking pan with non-stick spray, line bottom and up two sides with parchment paper, and spray again.

In a food processor, place all ingredients except chocolate chips and pecans. Process until very smooth, scraping down sides of bowl as necessary. If consistency is more cookie dough than thick brownie batter, you can add 1 to 2 tablespoons additional water. Remove blade and gently stir in 1/4 cup chocolate chips and 1/4 cup pecan pieces. (In the photo, I just used 1/4 cup pecans on top for prettier slicing.)

Spread mixture evenly into prepared baking pan. Sprinkle tmremaining chocolate chips and pecans evenly over surface.

Place brownies in center of preheated oven and bake about 33 minutes until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out with just the slightest bit of moist chocolate coloring it (not really clinging to it). Cool pan on a wire rack. Serve or cover tightly until serving time.

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May 22, 2021May 22, 2021 by betsy

Creamy Coconut Lentils with Hot Chili Oil 2 Ways! (Vegan & Plant-based Dip and Burger)

Creamy Coconut Lentils with Hot Chili Oil Two Ways : Dip and Burger!

Hit chili oil/hot chili crisp is my new jam. I can’t stop creating new ways to enjoy it.

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 small onion, slivered or diced
2 to 3 green onions, thinly sliced on the diagonal
1 teaspoon soy sauce
2 to 3 large cloves garlic, peeled and thinly sliced
1 pound dry lentils (I used green), rinsed, drained, and picked over
1 tablespoon hot chili crisp (I purchase at Kroger on Asian aisle) or hit chili oil
4 to 5 cups water
4 bouillon cubes or 4 teaspoons vegetable base
1/3 cup coconut milk (I used light)

In a Dutch oven or large soup pot, heat oil to sizzling over medium. Add onion, green onion, and soy sauce, and saute, stirring frequently, until soft. Stir in garlic and saute for another 30 seconds. Add all remaining ingredients except coconut milk and simmer 20 minutes or so until lentils are tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in coconut milk and heat through.

Poached Garlic and Ginger in Hot Chili Crisp:
1 tablespoon hot chili crisp or oil
4 to 5 large cloves garlic, peeled and thinly sliced
1 inch ginger root, peeled and thinly sliced

Place all ingredients in small dish or cup, cover with plastic wrap, and poach in microwave for 30 seconds to one minute or until tender.

To serve as dip with wonton chips:

Cut vegan wonton wrappers into triangles and deep fry in oil heated to about 375 degrees just until golden brown. Drain well and sprinkle with a little sea salt. Serve lentils topped with poached garlic and ginger slices and wonton chips.

To serve as Lentil Burgers with Hot Chili Crisp Slaw:

2 cups Creamy Coconut Lentils with Hot Chili Crisp, cooked until most of moisture is evaporated or absorbed
1 cup old fashioned oats, raw
1 bag (approximately 14 ounces) shredded slaw mix
3 to 4 tablespoons vegan mayo (I use Walton Farms no calorie)
Poached Garlic and Ginger in Hot Chili Crisp

Combine Creamy Coconut Lentils with old fashioned oats and set aside for oats to absorb moisture. Meanwhile, combined mayo with Poached Garlic and Ginger in Hot Chili Crisp to taste. In large bowl, combine dressing with slaw mixture and chill until serving time.

Form lentil mixture into 8 patties approximately 3/4 inch thick. In a skillet sprayed with nonstick spray, pan fry, compacting with spatula, for about 2 minutes on each side over medium heat or until they develop a golden brown crust. Serve atop a mound of slaw, with or without a toasted bun, garnished as desired. I used red bell pepper strips, dill pickles, baby kale leaves, and lightly salted and roasted cashew halves.

May 22, 2021May 22, 2021 by betsy

Cauliflower & Coconut Milk Chili (vegan & plant-based)

When you are craving a lighter, brighter, and less tomatoey version of the classic with a nod to global fusion.

Cauliflower and Coconut Milk Chili
Yield: 6 servings

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, diced
1 large garlic clove, diced
1 Poblano pepper, seeded and diced
5 ounces riced cauliflower
1 teaspoon sea salt
1-15 ounce can dark red kidney beans, drained
1 teaspoon adobo
1 teaspoon coriander
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1-15 ounce can fire-roasted tomatoes
1-10 ounce Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies
1-10 ounce Rotel diced tomatoes with lime juice and cilantro (or, if you want it less tangy, a second can of diced tomatoes and green chilies)
1 cup coconut milk, lite or regular
1 tablespoon maple syrup
Toppings: vegan sour cream and roasted, lightly salted pumpkin seeds, and fresh mint leaves

Heat olive oil over medium in Dutch oven or large soup pot. Saute onion, garlic, pepper, cauliflower, and sea salt until tender. Add all remaining ingredients except toppings, stir well, and simmer for 20 minutes. Serve in cups or bowls, topped as desired.