My crunchy oil-free batter is gluten-free because it requires no flour. That’s right: I mix GF nutritional yeast with dill pickle juice and spices before battering and baking these crispy cubes. I love my spice blend, but substitute other spices to suit your mood. Crunchy-on-the-outside and tender-on-the-inside, these nuggets are nutritious and delicious on their own, but even more mouth-watering with a dipping sauce.
16 ounces extra-firm tofu (wrap in paper towel, place on a rack over a bowl, weight–I place the carton on top with a heavy canned good inside–and drain while making batter)
1/2 cup dill pickle juice
1 cup nutritional yeast
1/2 teaspoon each of the following spices (or to taste; feel free to change proportions or substitute): celery seed, ground coriander, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, tumeric
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Dipping Sauce: equal parts vegan mayo and sweet chili sauce, whisked together (I use Walton Farms no-calorie mayo from Harris Teeter)
Optional garnish: sliced green onions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Spray baking sheet liberally with non-stick spray. In tofu carton or small bowl, whisk together dill pickle juice, nutritional yeast, and spices. Unweight and unwrap tofu and blot again with paper towel. Slice in half horizontally and then into quarters the long way and thirds the short way, making 2 tiers of 12 cubes. Working with a few cubes at a time, place in batter, turn to coat, and place about 1.5 inches apart on prepared baking sheet. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden and crispy. Avoid burning around edges. Serve immediately with dipping sauce, garnished if desired.
Note: in the photo, I decorated the top of the sauce with 3 dots of Sriracha
If it is extra hot, as it is here in Southeastern Virginia this July, pop these babies in the freezer for a bit before serving. They will cool you right down and perk you right up.
A note about the garnish: I sprinkle my tarts with mini white chocolate chips, but if you don’t have any, just sprinkle with a little powdered sugar for a bit of color contrast. The little bites of white chocolate are nice, but probably not worth making a special purchase. If you use the powdered sugar, be sure to dust the tarts just before serving.
1/2 cup pecans, plain or toasted
1/2 cup shredded coconut (I like unsweetened)
1/4 to 1/2 cup dates or dry figs, stemmed (this may sound like a big difference, but it depends on how moist the fruit is)
Pinch sea salt
Vegan Chocolate Mousse (recipe follows)
Vegan Chocolate Ganache (recipe follows)
12 fresh raspberries, rinsed and patted very dry
Approximately 2 tablespoons mini vegan white chocolate chips or powdered sugar
Garnish: fresh mint sprigs
Place 12 mini muffin cups liners in muffin tin. in food processor, a small one if you have it, process together pecans, coconut, and one quarter cup of figs or dates, and salt. Process until the mixture starts to hold together. If It holds together when pinched between your fingers, it is the right consistency. If not, keep adding figs or dates, one or two at a time. Divide mixture among lined muffin cups and press into bottoms. Fill each with chocolate mousse. (If there is any mousse left over, spoon into a carton and chill, covered, for another use.) Refrigerate for an hour or so and then prepare chocolate ganache, swirling about 1/12 of the mixture in the center of each tart. While ganache is still soft and pliable, press a raspberry gently into the center and garnish with white chocolate chips. Return to refrigerator until chilled through. If using powdered sugar, dust just prior to serving. Serve with mint sprigs if desired. For a quick cool-down treat, freeze the tarts for about a half hour before serving.
Vegan Chocolate Mousse (easily doubles):
8 ounces firm or extra-firm tofu (if you purchase blocks in 14 ounces rather than 16, use half or 7 ounces)
6 ounces vegan chocolate chips, melted and cooled slightly
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon almond extract (it masks the slightly off-taste of silken tofu)
Pinch sea salt
Optional: 1 tablespoon raspberry liqueur
Place tofu in bowl of large food processor and process until creamy. Add remaining ingredients and process until smooth, creamy, and completely combined, scraping down sides of bowl as necessary. This mousse sets up quickly and can also be served on its own or as a cake filling.
Vegan Chocolate Ganache:
2 tablespoons non-dairy milk, half-and-half or creamer
1/4 cup vegan chocolate chips
Heat non-dairy milk in small cup in microwave or until very warm. Whisk in chocolate chips and let cool until very spreadable, but not warm enough to melt mousse.
These hot, humid summer days in Southeastern Virginia call for cooling foods that hydrate. My Banana-Tangerine Nice Cream fits the flavorful bill to a “T.” Plus it is beautiful and healthful, a little sweet, and a little tart.
Once the fruit is frozen, it goes together in minutes, ready to eat immediately as soft serve or to scoop after a short stint in the freezer.
Feel free to experiment with different combinations of fruit–you need about 5 cups total–but remember that fruits like bananas and mangoes lend a lovely creaminess to the texture.
If chocolate is your jam, add a little cocoa powder, starting with about 2 tablespoons. You may need to add slightly more agave nectar.
To blend, I use my large heavy-duty Cuisinart food processor, but a Vitamix might work well. Whatever you use, it needs to be strong and sturdy to process the frozen fruit chunks, though you can let them thaw ever so slightly before processing or blending so that your machine doesn’t have to work so hard.
Banana-Tangerine Nice Cream
3 medium bananas, peeled, cut into 1-in pieces, and frozen, and ever so slightly thawed, if desired
3 tangerines, not peeled, pitted, quartered, and frozen, and ever so slightly thawed, if desired
3 tablespoons agave nectar
Place half of fruit and all of agave nectar in food processor and process, sturdying your machine on the counter if necessary, until somewhat broken down and blended. Add remaining fruit and keep processing, scraping down sides of bowl as necessary, until the mixture lightens in color and changes texture to a creamy, luscious buttercream-like consistency. This will take Just a few minutes. Serve immediately or cover and return to freezer for a scoopable consistency.
With fresh fruits and vegetables glistening in the refrigerator and perspiration glistening on my skin even at 8:00 a.m.–or 8:00 p.m.–cool, hydrating, and refreshing gazpacho seemed to need be the order of the day.
Nothing is easier nor more nutritious than chunking up vegetables and fruit and giving it a good whirl in the food processor or heavy duty blender.
Quasi-decadent garnishes include bread cubes toasted in a tiny bit of olive oil and sea salt, roasted and salted sunflower seeds, mint sprigs, and a drizzle of olive oil. I used blood orange flavored for this batch, but unflavored olive oil would be just as delicious.
When the heat’s got you down, this soup will perk you right up.
Tomato-Peach Gazpacho
1 red onion, peeled and quartered
1 large tomato, cored and quartered
1 peach, pitted and quartered
1 tangerine, pitted and quartered
Juice of 1 small to medium lime
1 to 2 cloves garlic or roasted garlic
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika or to taste
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Garnishes: croutons, roasted and salted sunflower seeds or other seeds or nuts, mint sprigs, drizzle of olive oil, flavored or plain
place everything except garnishes in the bowl of a large food processor or heavy duty blender and process or blend until as smooth as you desire. Ladle into bowls or cups, garnish as desired, and erve immediately or chill, covered, until serving time. Garnish just before serving.
For some reason, probably all Pinterest’s fault, I was craving M&Ms cookies and bars. Pinterest can ignite an obsession like nothing else.
But I learned the hard way not to order Unreal brand chocolate-covered peanuts, basically a vegan M&M, from Amazon in July and Southeastern Virginia. They arrived like this.
Out of three 5-oz bags, only about 50 of the candies were usable–the rest were a melted, cracked, and clumped mess. The upside is that the candies are a beautiful color and taste delicious, so I would buy them again, just in the fall or perhaps directly from the company.
With enough candies to make a half batch of cookies, that is what I did and it was worth it. Besides, I don’t need a lot of cookies around tempting me, but if you are unable to purchase these candies or the equivalent in the grocery store, you might want to wait until a cooler month unless it happens to be cool where you live. And if the latter, lucky you!
My recipe includes simple directions I learned recently for creating a perfect bakery style shaped cookie every time, provided you make the large variety because it takes two scoops.
However you scoop them, you will love them, if you can prevent yourself from eating all of the dough first!
M&M Cookies (vegan & plant-based)
1/2 cup vegan butter
1/2 cup vegetable shortening
1/2 cup brown sugar (I like dark brown)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 to 4 tablespoons non-dairy milk
1/2 cup vegan chocolate chips
1/2 cup vegan M&M style candy
1/2 cup broken pecans or peanuts
Preheat oven to 350°. Line a baking sheet with Silpat or parchment paper. In bowl of electric mixer, cream together butter, shortening, both sugars, vanilla extract, and baking soda. With mixer on medium to low speed, beat in flour in three portions, with 1 or 2 tablespoons milk in between each, scraping down bowl as necessary. Avoid over beating. With mixer on lowest speed or by hand, mix in chocolate chips, candies, and nuts. Using a one tablespoon scoop, make small cookies by placing one scoop about two inches apart in rows. To make bakery style large cookies, after placing one scoop onto baking sheet, put a second scoop in the center and press down very firmly. Big small cookies for about 8 to 10 minutes and large ones for about 12 to 15, or until golden brown.
I think I am becoming an unintended expert at micro-sizing food, mostly out of necessity. Namely becauseI am cooking for one and am a restless cook who grows bored easily if I have to eat the same thing day after day.
My omni partner, Bob, does not eat the way I do, almost on principle. We have had occasional heartfelt discussions, a story for a different day, about my feelings of rejection when he declines even a taste of the dishes I prepare because, as for many of us, cooking is a gesture of sharing and love.
But, he, a smoker for many years, truly tastes food differently and, like all of us, wants to control his own diet. Still, it is fun to cook together as long as we can tailor the ingredients for our own tastes and lifestyles. Basically, anything that can be custom-filled or -topped works well: tacos, pizzas, wontons, fried ravioli, etc. But, I can assure you, he would not go near a tomato pie.
If we weren’t in the middle of a pandemic, I would share with friends as I always have, but many of us are not too keen on eating food from other people’s kitchens right now.
So cakes become cupcakes and cupcake recipes are downsized to make only four and, in this case, a big luscious tomato pie became six luscious two-bite tartlets.
Months ago, I purchased a bag of these tartlet pans at a thrift store to make this really cool metal floral wall hanging for a friend. All of the flowers were assembled out of metal housewares And I featured the end result in my DIY Decor column. I never really thought I would use the leftovers, but they have come in handy on a number of occasions.
Ingredient note: I am a calorie-counter and an avid exerciser. So I use Walton Farms no-calorie mayonnaise available at our Harris Teeter. (It is not great on its own, but when it is mixed with other ingredients with strong flavors, it is worth it to me to save 100 calories per tablespoon.) But use whatever kind of mayo you prefer, including homemade. I make a delicious tofu mayonnaise (available here on this site) with only 10 calories per tablespoon, but I was too hungry to stop and make a batch.
I use Everything Bagel seasoning in my creamy topping because I love the mixture of dried garlic and onion, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, etc. Feel free to omit, as there will be plenty of flavor without it. But, I highly recommend.
Whatever you choose to top yours with, enjoy celebrating these glistening red gems of the season in two-bitesize format.
Mini-Tomato Pie Tartlets Press-In Crust (vegan & plant-based)
6 approximately 1.5 x 3 inch tartlet pans
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon non-dairy milk
Pinch sea salt
Pinch garlic powder
Pinch onion powder
1/4 cup vegan mayonnaise
3 tablespoons shredded vegan mozzarella cheese
1 tablespoon shredded or grated vegan parmesan cheese
1 generous teaspoon thinly sliced green onions
1 teaspoon minced fresh basil or chiffonade
Pinch sea salt
Pinch black pepper
Optional (but recommended): 1/2 tsp Everything Bagel seasoning or to taste
6 slices tomato (to fit your tart pans)
Garnish: fresh basil sprigs
Preheat oven to 350°. Place tart pans on baking sheet. In small bowl, combine flour, vegetable oil, non-dairy milk, salt, and garlic and onion powders. Mix together with a fork until moist and crumbly. Add a drop or two more oil or non-dairy milk if necessary. A little bit of the dough should hold together when pinched with your fingers. Divide into six portions, crumble into the bottom of each tart pan, and press evenly onto sides and bottom. Bake 10 minutes or until set and just beginning to turn golden. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, blend together remaining ingredients except tomatoes and garnish. After tart shells have baked, lay a slice of tomato in each one and top with 1/6 of mixture. Return to oven and bake for another 10 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil sprigs and serve warm or at room temperature.
Yield: 4 cupcakes (easily multiplies to create 1 dozen or more)
I have been craving a big layered coconut cake. I love the look of big desserts. But let’s be honest, with only me and Bob living here–and him not eating my food, practically on principal–never mind food sharing dramatically curtailed because of this pandemic, I did not need a big coconut cake to eat by myself. I didn’t even need a dozen cupcakes.
So I developed this recipe for four cupcakes, but I made them extra special with a layer of coconut pastry cream under the delicious coconut cream cheese frosting. I make the pastry cream in the microwave because it is such a small amount, but you could certainly make it in the smallest saucepan you have.
And I like to pipe the frosting on, even though it will be covered by shredded coconut, just so the pastry cream stays in place. Use a fairly large tip so that the coconut in the frosting won’t clog it.
Coconut Cupcakes with Coconut Pastry Cream and Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting
5 tablespoons all purpose flour 3 tablespoons granulated sugar 1 tablespoon + 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch 1/4 teaspoon baking powder 1/8 teaspoon baking soda 1/8 teaspoon sea salt 1/4 cup coconut milk (lite or regular) 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 teaspoon almond extract Coconut Pastry Cream (recipe follows) Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting (recipe follows) Garnish: approximately 1/4 to 1/3 cup shredded coconut, sweetened or unsweetened (I prefer unsweetened)
Preheat oven to 350°. Line 4 muffin tins with paper cupcake liners. In a small bowl, whisk together all ingredients. Divide evenly among lined muffin tins. Thanks for approximately 22 to 23 minutes or until the toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool and then top with 1/4 of the cooled pastry cream followed by 1/4 of the frosting. I like to pipe the frosting on (with a large tip) so the pastry cream stays in place. Sprinkle thickly with shredded coconut.
Coconut Pastry Cream: 1 tablespoon vegan butter 2 tablespoons granulated sugar 1 tablespoon cornstarch 1/8 teaspoon sea salt 2 tablespoons coconut milk (lite or regular) 1 drop vanilla extract 1 drop almond extract Approximately 2 tablespoons shredded coconut (sweetened or unsweetened)
You can make this on the stove top, but because the quantity is so small, I find it easier to make in a small bowl in microwave. Melt together butter and granulated sugar, whisk well, and then whisk in cornstarch and sea salt, followed by coconut milk. Microwave about 30 seconds to thicken. Stir in coconut. Let cool.
Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting: 2 tablespoons vegan butter, softened 2 tablespoons vegan cream cheese, softened 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/8 teaspoon almond extract Approximately 1 cup powdered sugar If needed: 1 tablespoon coconut milk 1/4 cup shredded coconut (sweetened or unsweetened)
Cream together butter and cream cheese. Best in extracts followed by powdered sugar. If needed to teach desired consistency, beat in a little coconut milk or powdered sugar. Stir in coconut. If piping on, use a large tip that shredded coconut will easily pass through.
Yield: 2 appetizer servings or 1 main dish serving (easily multiplies)
To say I am obsessed with no soya brand wonton wrappers would be an understatement. I love them for fried ravioli, fried wontons, and now baked ravioli.
But as much as I love them, I may love my miso butter sauce even better!
6 wonton wrappers
3 tablespoons cooked filling (I used a mixture of mashed butternut squash, caramelized onion, sliced green onions, shredded mozzarella, and minced garlic)
2 tablespoons vegan butter
2 tablespoons yellow miso
1 tablespoon sliced green onion
1/2 cup vegan dry white wine
8 small leaves fresh sage
Garnish: Fresh sprigs sage
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. On a small baking sheet, lay out the wonton wrappers. One at a time, wet edges by dipping your finger in a cup of water and running around the edge. Place one and a half teaspoons filling in the center, full dough over, and seal edges. Repeat with remaining filling and wonton wrappers. Sprit slightly with non-stick spray or oil and fake for 10 minutes or until golden brown.
While ravioli bakes, make sauce. In a skillet over medium heat, whisk together all ingredients. Simmer to heat through. When wontons are baked, remove from oven, plate, and pour sauce over. Garnish and serve immediately.
This is less of a recipe and more of a mini advertisement for Nasoya brand wonton wrappers, which are vegan and available at mainstream grocery stores, and a method for using them. They are about 3-inches square, handle beautifully, taste delicious and have a lovely texture.
To make 2 appetizer servings of 3 each, or a total of 6, you only need about 3 tablespoons filling. For these I used mashed roasted butternut squash, sliced green onion, and just a drop of soy sauce, sesame oil, minced garlic, and minced ginger. Go easy on the ginger as it easily overpowers.
Simply lay the wontons out flat on a plate or baking sheet, and wet all 4 edges of the first wonton wrapper by dipping your finger in a cup of water and running it around the edges. Place about 1 teaspoon filling in the center, bring corners together at the top, and pinch the 4 seams with dampened fingers to seal. Repeat until all filling is used.
Deep fry for about 1 1/2 minutes at 375 degrees or until golden brown. Drain on paper towel and serve with duck sauce.
