December 29, 2019 by betsy

Mini “Cheeseball” Pops

It would be downright wrong of me not to share this recipe before New Year’s because every southern gal knows it’s not a proper party unless there’s a cheeseball on the table.

But for our Christmas Cheer Open House, I felt guests would enjoy the food more if they could pick it up and pop it in their mouths without a plate–though I provided plates–and I was right!

These were a hit and were even included on a New Year’s appetizer menu by a chef who saw my post in a plant-based Facebook group for chefs and serious home cooks.

But don’t wait for a party to make these. Filled with different ingredients, they just might be a way to get kids to eat more veggies!

Mini “Cheeseball” Pops

Yield: approximately 20 pops

8 ounces vegan cream cheese (I used Follow Your Heart brand though any brand–or home-made–could work as long as it is fairly firm)

1/2 to 3/4 cup dried cranberries, chopped

1/2 to 3/4 cup roasted and lightly salted shelled pistachios, chopped

1/4 to 1/3 cup thinly sliced green onion

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Optional: pinch garlic powder

20 straight pretzels

In a medium bowl, mix together all ingredients with a fork. Using a small scoop–or just a spoon (but a scoop is so quick!)–form 1-inch balls. Place on parchment paper (or foil or waxed paper) in a lidded carton if not serving immediately. Insert pretzel sticks, cover and refrigerate until serving time.

Recipe notes:

1) As you insert the pretzel stick, it may hit a diced ingredient and start to force the ball apart just a little. Don’t panic! Just use the fingers of your other hand to gently squeeze it back together.

2) Feel free to experiment with other ingredients–though the red and green is especially pretty–maybe dates, pecans, and sliced green onions or parsley.

#vegan #veganrecipes #veganfoodshare #veganfoodporn #plantbased #plantbasedrecipes #plantbasedfoodshare #plantbasedfoodporn #veganappetizers #plantbasedappetizers #vegancheeseball #plantbasedcheeseball #veganholiday #plantbasedholiday

January 13, 2019December 28, 2019 by betsy

The Jazzy Vegetarian’s Vegan Miso-Parsley Hummus

Yield: 4 servings

Laura Theodore, aka the Jazzy Vegetarian, is hitting all the high notes and winning awards and accolades in the process. From her latest vegan cookbook, to the Jazzy Vegetarian on public television, to her podcast radio show, to her pop-up restaurant, this vibrant recording artist never misses a beat. She is everywhere: from Netflix to CBS to HBO, just to mention a few forums where she has been featured.

Her recipes are simple and straightforward; the resulting dishes colorful and flavorful. In fact, I gifted good foodie friends with one of her cookbooks, Vegan-ease this Christmas. Like me, they like to use recipes as a starting point for their own iterations, and no better place to start than with Laura’s, though her recipes are perfectly balanced as is.

When her latest cookbook, Jazzy Vegetarian’s Deliciously Vegan hit the stands, I had promised to participate in a “blog tour,” but life got in the way. So, better late than never. Today, I finally had an opportunity to return the favor to this energetic and supportive member of the vegan community, for years ago, she interviewed me on the Jazzy Vegetarian Radio when my cookbook, The Blooming Platter: A Harvest of Seasonal Vegan Recipes was published.

Says Laura of her quick and easy recipe featured here, “Miso provides texture and taste to this hummus without adding any oil, keeping it a light and low-fat option for a satisfying snack.”

True confession, I added a tablespoon of oil because I love the mouthfeel of a hint of oil, but I also love Laura’s idea of using good ‘ole tap water for most of the moisture. Also, though I know the prevailing wisdom is to make a recipe as printed the first time and then adjust, I didn’t have any chickpeas on hand, it is pouring rain here, and I didn’t want to run into the grocery store. So, I made it with the edamame which I had in the fridge. Yum. And I used my food processor rather than blender.

Also, because my hummus was leaning in an Asian direction–and because I have been cooking and developing award-winning recipes for a very long time–I made a couple of other alterations: I added 2 large cloves of garlic, minced, and, over the top, I drizzled about a tablespoon of my Blooming Platter Mayo (basically, a white tangy “sauce”) and another of Asian Sweet Chili Sauce for color and zing. I think Laura would approve of my “jazzing up” my version just a little.

But, I guarantee that her unadulterated Miso-Parsley Hummus would be delicious as is:

1 can (15 to 16 ounces) chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained and rinsed
2 to 3 tablespoons water, plus more as needed
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (see note)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon mellow white miso
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon sea salt

Chef’s Note: For a more lemony taste, add 1 more tablespoon of fresh lemon juice.

Put all of the ingredients into a blender and process until smooth. Add a bit more water, as needed, to achieve the desired consistency.

January 13, 2019January 13, 2019 by betsy

Vegan Edamame Buddha Bowl (only 25O calories per huge serving)

Yield: 1 large serving; easily multiplies

Dinner on Friday night was delicious, nutritious, beautiful, and almost more than I could eat…but only 25O calories.

We had considered Chinese takeout, but I didn’t want to get back out after walking the dogs. So with Asian cuisine on my mind, I did a mental scan if what was in the fridge and created this satisfying and beautiful bowl.

Be sure to enjoy it with chopsticks; it is so much more fun that way.

1/2 cup shredded cabbage and carrot slaw mix (12.5 calories)

4 green onions, sliced

1 cup frozen, shelled edamane, thawed (110 calories)

1-8 ounce package Shirataki noodles, rinsed and drained (20 calories)

2 tablespoons vegan Fish Sauce (sold as vegetarian in Asian markets–20 calories)

1 to 2 teaspoons soy sauce

2 tablespoons Blooming Platter Mayo (20 calories)

2 tablespoons Asian Sweet Chili Sauce (60 calories)

1 tablespoon chopped cilantro + 1 spring for garnish

Barely cover the bottom of a large skillet with water. Saute cabbage and green onion, just until slightly tender, but still bright in color. Add edamame and do the same. Add all remaining ingredients in order and heat through, stirring until hot and well-combined. Serve immediately in a bowl garnished with a sprig of cilantro.

January 12, 2019December 28, 2019 by betsy

Vegan Kentucky Bluegrass Chex Mix: Bourbon, “Bacon,” & Pecans

My favorite Chex Mix recipe is whichever one I have just created. So this rich mix is my current favorite. It was created for a bourbon-loving friend’s birthday but enjoy it for any occasion or no occasion at all.

Casting around for a logic behind ingredient selection, I decided to go with other flavors associated with the Bluegrass State in addition to Bourbon: bacon and pecans. Bacos are vegan, though they’re not necessarily health food, so that choice was easy.

I was going to use Rye Chex, but you can’t find them anymore, or I couldn’t, and I even searched online, so I went with wheat. The cheese crackers and fried onions are because, well, I just love those flavors with smoky bourbon, smokier bacon, and sweet, earthy pecans.

Plus, the cheese crackers lend some color contrast. Brown Chex Mix may taste great, but it doesn’t do much in the appearance department.

The Cheerios and pretzels are for shape and texture contrast and Chex Mix just isn’t Chex Mix without both where I come from.

1 cup vegan butter

1/3 cup bourbon

2 tablespoons Liquid Aminos

2 tablespoons maple syrup

1 tablespoon celery seed

1 tablespoon garlic powder

1 jar Bacos (they are vegan!)

16 ounces pecan halves

4 cups Cheerios

3 cups pretzel sticks

3 cups Wheat Chex

1-6 ounce box Earth Balance Cheese Squares

1-6 ounce can fried onions

Preheat oven to 275 degrees. Melt butter in oven in a large roasting pan, carefully remove from the oven, start animating ingredients, and roast for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Cool completely in store in airtight containers.

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

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.

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.

January 4, 2019 by betsy

Vegan Middle Eastern Roasted Parsnip, Carrot, and Walnut Spread

My first recipe of 2019 is beautiful, bursting with flavor, nutritious, low in calories and fat, and a textural sensation. Happy Healthy New Year’s to all!

1 pound carrot chunks, peeled and roasted (I purchased already roasted at Whole Foods)

1 pound parsnips, peeled and roasted (I purchased already roasted at Whole Foods)

1/3 cup walnut pieces

1/4 cup olive oil

1/4 cup orange juice (app. one-half an orange)

2 tablespoons lime juice (or lemon)

2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 teaspoon ground coriander or 1 1/4 teaspoon coriander seeds (the latter lends little bursts of flavor)

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning or dried oregano

1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper

1 large garlic clove, quartered

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Water to reach desired consistency

Garnish: walnut pieces (duh…I grabbed cashews for photo not thinking)

Process all but garnish in food processor until a coarse paste forms. Garnish as desired and serve with pita points (we like the decadence of frying them because the dip is so low calorie).

#vegan #veganrecipes #veganfoodshare #veganfoodporn #veganappetizers #plantbased #plantbasedrecipes #plantbasedfoodshare #plantbasedfoodporn

November 18, 2018November 19, 2018 by betsy

Cheesy Vegan Low-Fat/Low Calorie Taco “Meat” Filling
Holy (Non) Cow!

Honestly, this filling is a rave and impossibly healthy. Not only is it made with no oil, but no calorie-dense ingredients like nuts. It is made from what virtually everything I make is made from nowadays: riced vegetables, but you would NEVER know it. Rich, thick, and beautifully spiced, this filling can be used in tacos, enchiladas, burritos, and quesadillas or spooned over nachos.

1/2 large yellow onion, diced

2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced

2 cups riced vegetables (I used a hash made of cauliflower, broccoli, and carrot, but any single or combination of these vegetables would work great)

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

1 teaspoon dried cilantro (or 1 tablespoon fresh, finely chopped)

1 vegetable bouillon cube (the size to make 8 ounces broth) or 1 teaspoon vegetable broth base

1/2 to 1 teaspoon sauce from a can of Chipotle Chilies in Adobo Sauce (it is very spicy, so you might want to start with the smaller amount)

Sea salt to taste

1/2 cup my Luscious Vegan Low-Fat/Low-Calorie Cauliflower Cheese Sauce

Add water to a large skillet just to cover the bottom. Heat over medium to medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and saute for a few minutes, stirring frequently, until tender. Add riced vegetables and enough water to not quite cover. Cook, stirring frequently, until vegetables are tender and moisture is mostly evaporated. Stir in cumin, smoked paprika, cilantro, bouillon cube, Adobo Sauce, and sea salt to taste. Stir in cauliflower cheese sauce and heat through. Serve immediately.

Serving note: I love it spooned over a brown rice cake and topped with a dab of vegan sour cream, a spoonful of pico de gallo, and two or three halved cherry tomatoes. A sprig of cilantro would be just right, but I didn’t have any for the photo shoot.

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

November 18, 2018November 18, 2018 by betsy

Luscious Vegan Low-Fat/Low-Calorie
Cauliflower Cheese Sauce

This rich, thick and creamy cheese sauce–which contains no added fat and is ridiculously low in calorie–owes a debt of gratitude to Susan Voisin. I consulted her recipe, but then tweaked the flavor to suit my taste. It instantly became a staple in my home.

Angela Phillips, my friend and the owner of the yoga studio where I can be found every Saturday and Sunday morning, came over for happy hour on Wednesday evening, bringing with her some lovely baby Romaine. So, instead of serving the sauce with a spoon as I’d threatened, I served it with Romaine leaves and waffle-cut carrot slices. So pretty and delicious. And Angela, who is not a vegan, loved it, reporting this morning when I saw her at the studio, that the leftovers with which I sent her home were delicious with plain broccoli last night.

Our happy hour would have been practically virtuous except that Bob decided to make some of our famous French fries. Angela and I allowed ourselves a very few and, boy, were they good dipped in this cheese sauce! I’m quite sure there is not much that wouldn’t be improved with some of this addicting sauce, perfect in taste and texture. And so easy to boot.

4 cups cauliflower florets

4 cups lightly salted water

Juice of 1/2 medium-large lemon

1/2 cup nutritional yeast

2 tablespoons yellow miso paste

1 teaspoon stone ground mustard

1 teaspoon Liquid Aminos

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric

In a large bowl, combine cauliflower and water. Microwave for about 10 to 15 minutes or until very tender. (Alternatively, you may simmer, partially covered, in a large saucepan over medium to medium-high heat.) Transfer cauliflower and about a half cup of the water into the bowl of food processor. Save remaining water. Process until cauliflower forms a thick paste. Add all remaining ingredients to the bowl of the processor and process until very smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired. Transfer to a large saucepan and simmer over medium heat until desired consistency is reached, adding remaining water a half cup or so at a time. Serve immediately as you would any cheese sauce. It is delicious for dipping, drizzling, or stirring into casseroles and fillings. Or…eaten with a spoon.

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