December 12, 2022December 12, 2022 by betsy

FREE eCookbook! Quick & Easy Entertaining: The Holiday Edition (vegan & plant-based)

As many of you know, Tofutti hired me last spring to create tasty content for them, a side hustle made for me if there ever was one!

I also love my day job as an art teacher in the Upper School at Norfolk Academy in Norfolk, VA, so when school let out last June, I went on a recipe development bender over the summer. You can access those recipes which have been published on the Tofutti site’s recipe blog. But there are many more in the can, as they say!

I backed off my flurry just a little once school started back in August but, for the most part, I have continued to create recipes, stage and photograph the finished dishes, and work on various special projects of which this eCookbook is my favorite.

Please note that, while I am paid a contract fee by Tofutti, the eCookbook is NOT monetized, so I am not promoting it for $$. Rather, I love these recipes, think the book is so beautiful to page through, even digitally, and wanted to share with you.

In Quick & Easy Entertaining: The Holiday Edition, you will find

Mex Chex Mix
Cream Cheese Pecan Balls
Turnip Greens, Red Beans & Vegan Sausage Soup
Roasted Butternut Squash, Arugula & Candied Pecans
Savory Vegan Sausage & Rice-Stuffed Microwave Baked Apples
Oatmeal Streusel-Stuffed Microwave-Baked Apples
Mini No-Bake Pecan Pie Cheesecakes
Mini No-Bake Pomegranate Cheesecakes

To access your book, simply click on the link below which will take you to a pretty page where you enter your email address and submit. You will receive your eCookbook via email right away. And, not to worry: you will NOT be inundated with email from Tofutti…or me!

Quick & Easy Entertaining: The Holiday Edition 2022 (mailchi.mp)

Once you have downloaded the eCookbook, you could certainly send it to friends, but we would love it if you would send them the link so that we know how many people are accessing it. And please share on your social media. The more the merrier.

We’d love to know what you think, as well as what other cookbook topics might interest you. We hope you love this little gift from us to you.

Cheers!

~Betsy

July 23, 2021July 23, 2021 by betsy

Mini No-Bake Banana Pudding Cheesecakes (vegan/plant-based)

Cool and creamy bite-sized perfection is only only a few minutes of hands-on time away:

8 ounces vegan cream cheese (I use Tofutti)

2 to 3 very ripe bananas + 8 slices or half-slices for garnish (you can brush slices with lemon juice to prevent oxidization)

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon almond extract

1/3 cup non-dairy whipped topping + 1/3 cup more for topping

8 vegan vanilla wafers (I use Whole Foods brand)

With an electric mixer, cream together cream cheese, banana–except slices for topping– sugar, and extracts until very smooth. With mixer on low speed or by hand, fold in 1/3 cup whipped topping. Divide among 8 miniature serving cups or dishes. I like clear glass to show what is inside. And I use a pastry bag to keep it neat. Top with about 2 teaspoons each whipped topping, 1 vanilla wafer, and 1 slice or half slice banana. Refrigerate, covered, until serving time. I like to garnish with a lemony herb, which not only looks pretty, but also tastes delicious with these flavors.

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July 17, 2021September 26, 2021 by betsy

Scrumptious Peach Poundcake with Peach Schnapps (vegan/plant-based)

When summer gives you peaches, make Peach Poundcake. All you need is a few minutes of hands-on time.

No fussy creaming or alternating ingredients. Just combine all in a bowl and pop in the oven.

3/4 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 cup sugar
3 cups flour
2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
4 tablespoons vegan peach schnapps like Archers + more for brushing on (or substitute peach nectar)
4 tablespoons non-dairy milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2 very ripe pureed peaches (I use my Magic Bullet)
1 pureed banana (or substitute a third very ripe peach)
Accompaniments: non-dairy whipping cream, sliced or chopped ripe peaches, and/or non-dsury vanilla ice cream or peach sorbet

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 10-inch Bundt pan. Combine all ingredients, except accompaniments, in a large mixing bowl and whisk well to completely combine or use the low speed of an electric mixer, scraping sides of bowl often. Spoon batter evenly into pan and gently smooth top. Bake approximately 45 to 50 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes, invert onto wire rack, brush with 3 or so tablespoons schnapps, and cool completely. Serve with desired accompaniments.

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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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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.

November 11, 2020November 11, 2020 by betsy

Fresh Orange Bundt Cake with Black Walnut Streusel

I created this cake to share with a dear friend for her birthday in memory of her dad, who loved a black walnut-orange cake, as she is selling the family home during her birthday week. Today, Veterans Day, we enjoyed a still-warm slice with mid-morning chai on her eclectic artsy patio near the beach.

Streusel:
1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup coarsely chopped black walnuts (or nut of your choice)
1/4 cup softened vegan butter

1 cup non-dairy milk
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1 cup natural sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Zest of 2 medium oranges
1 cup fresh squeezed orange juice
Oprional: 1 tablespoon orange liqueur
3 cups flour (I use white whole wheat)
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon sea salt

Grease and flour 10-cup bundt pan. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Place all streusel ingredients in small bowl and crumble together with fingers. Set aside.

Whisk together non-dairy milk and vinegar in a small bowl and set aside to curdle. In a large bowl of electric mixer beat together oil and sugars for a couple of minutes at medium speed, scraping down sides of bowl as necessary, adding vanilla and orange zest at the end. Add both liquids (curdled nondairy milk and orange juice) and flour, alternating, about 3/4 cup at a time, beginning and ending with flour. Beat in baking soda, powder, and salt. Crumble streusel evenly into bottom of bundt panel. Pour batter over and gently smooth top. Bake 45 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes in pan; invert onto wire rack to finish cooling or enjoy while still warm.

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October 20, 2020October 21, 2020 by betsy

Apple Pie Bundt Cake (vegan & plant-based)

I made this beautiful bundt for Bob’s dad’s socially-distanced outdoor 89th birthday gathering for 9 and 2 on FaceTime. The surprise ingredient of a can of apple pie filling insures extra moistness and fall flavors.

3/4 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 cup sugar
3 cups flour
2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
2 to 4 tablespoons non-dairy milk

1 tablespoon molasses
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
20 ounces apple pie filling (I leave the slices whole, but you could chop or mash)
Optional: Maple-Cinnamon “Cream Cheese” Glaze (recipe follows)

Garnish: 1/2 cup chopped pecans and, optionally, 8 apple chips or dried apple slices

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 10-inch Bundt pan. Combine oil and sugar in large bowl of electric mixer. Beat at medium speed about a minute to dissolve sugar. Add remaining ingredients and beat a couple more minutes or just until completely combined, stopping to scrape down sides of bowl as necessary. Spoon batter evenly into pan and gently smooth top. Bake approximately 45-50 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes, invert onto wire rack, and cool completely. Spoon Glaze around top and let cascade down inside and outside. Garnish with chopped or whole pecans and optional apple chips.

Maple-Cinnamon Cream Cheese Glaze
2 ounces firm tofu (I use regular for body)
1/4 cup vegan butter
1 tablespoon maple syrup

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon almond extract

1/4 teaspoon pure lemon extract or zest of 1 small lemon

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Approximately 4 cups powdered sugar

In bowl of large food processor, process all ingredients except powdered sugar for a few minutes or until completely smooth. Add half of powdered sugar and process until smooth. Repeat with remaining powdered sugar. Add additional powdered sugar if necessary to reach desired consistency.

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October 18, 2020 by betsy

Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bread (vegan & plant-based)

Who am I kidding? This luscious bread is really a cake!

Gifted to yet another helpful colleague, my latest creation with the apples leftover from lunches at my new school–which surely owns an orchard–is simply insane in the flavor and texture departments.

If you are thinking that oatmeal=dry and crumbly, think again…and try not to do a header into the batter!

3 apples, stemmed, cored, and cut into chunks
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup sugar
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup old fashioned oats

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 5 x 9″ loaf pan. In food processor, process apples until finely chopped. Add remaining ingredients and process just until well combined. Stir in oatmeal. Transfer into prepared pan. Bake 50 minutes or until wooden pick inserted on center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Invert onto wire rack to cool completely.

#vegan #veganrecipes #veganfoodshare #veganfoodporn #plantbased #plantbasedrecipes #plantbasedfoodshare #plantbasedfoodporn #plantbasedapplebread #veganapplebread #plantbasedapplecake #veganapplecake

September 26, 2020September 26, 2020 by betsy

Spiced Apple Cheesecake Streusel Bars (vegan & plant-based)

Yield: 16 bars

These plant-based bars are irresistible autumn coziness personified. The four layers go together quickly if you make three of the layers in the same food processor bowl without even wiping it out. The tofu-based cheesecake layer is a dead ringer for its dairy cousin and a luscious complement to the spiced apples and crumbly topping. For those watching calories, these bars are even delicious made with Truvia brown sugar substitute.

Crust:
1 cup flour
1/4 cup brown sugar
8 tablespoons vegan butter

Preheat oven to 350. Line an 8 or 9-inch pan with a wide strip of parchment paper or foil to aid in removal. Pulse ingredients in food processor until mixture holds together in moist clumps. Press evenly into pan and bake for 15 minutes.

Cheesecake Filling:
8 ounces extra firm tofu
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
Juice of 1/2 large lemon
1 teaspoon vanilla
Optional:1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Process for a couple of minutes or so in food processor, scraping down sides of bowl as necessary, until smooth and creamy. Pour filling over warm crust.

Apple Pie Filling:

1/2 cup water, divided
1 teaspoon apple pie spice, pumpkin pie spice, or ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 apples, halved, cored, and thinly sliced or chopped (I don’t peel them, but you can)
2 tablespoons cornstarch

Poor 1/4 cup water into large skillet followed by spice, salt, and apples. Cook over medium heat until apples start to become tender, stirring occasionally. Whisk cornstarch into remaining water to dissolve, pour over apples, gently stir, and continue cooking until thick and apple slices are softened. Arrange apple slices in 3 rows over cheesecake layer.

Topping:

1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup Brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon apple pie spice, pumpkin pie spice, or ground cinnamon
4 tablespoons vegan butter
1/4 cup old-fashioned oats
1/4 cup chopped pecans

Pulse together first four ingredients in food processor until mixture holds together in moist clumps. Stir in oats and pecans. Sprinkle over apples in an even layer and bake for 30 minutes. Cool, cover, and refrigerate before slicing with a serrated knife and serving.

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