Chocolate Cookies

Ingredients
1/2 c. vegan butter
1/2 c. white sugar
1/2 c. brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 c. all-purpose flour
2/3 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tbsp. non-dairy milk (I used almond)
3.5 oz. dark chocolate chips or chunks

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Add the vegan butter and brown and white sugar to an electric mixing bowl and cream together. Add the vanilla and mix in.

Sift the flour and cocoa powder into a mixing bowl and mix in the baking soda and salt.

Add the dry ingredients to the wet, mixing in by hand until crumbly.

Add the 1 tbsp. milk and mix into a thick cookie dough. Add the chocolate chunks and mix in. Your cookie dough will be very thick, but sticky enough to easily roll into balls. Roll into small balls and space evenly on a parchment lined baking tray.

Bake for 10 minutes. The edges will be firm but the cookies will still be soft in the middle. This is fine, they will firm up as they cool.

Makes about 16 cookies.

Recipe credit to lovingitvegan.com. 

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients
1/2 c. vegan butter
1 c. white sugar
1 c. creamy, salted peanut butter
1 tbsp. vanilla extract
1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
3 tbsp. non-dairy milk (I used almond milk)
6 oz. chocolate chips

Directions
Add the vegan butter and white sugar to an electric mixer and cream them together. Then add in the peanut butter and vanilla and mix together until well combined.

In a separate bowl mix together the flour, baking soda and salt. Then add in to the wet ingredients and mix in with a spoon (don’t use the electric mixer for this part) until you reach a thick crumbly dough. If at this stage you are able to mix it into a cookie dough, so what you have is a proper cookie dough instead of a crumbly dough, then you may not need to add any soy milk, but if you have crumbly dough, then you need the soy milk. This usually depends on the moisture content of your brand of vegan butter and/or peanut butter.

Add in the milk, only as much as needed to get to a thick cookie dough that is able to roll into balls. Add in your chocolate chips or chunks and mix in.

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Roll into big balls and place onto a parchment lined baking tray. Aim for around 20 cookies from your batch, a couple more or less is fine.

Bake for 15 minutes until the tops are golden brown. The middles will still be very soft, this is fine, they will firm up as they cool. Let the cookies cool and firm up on the baking sheet before moving them.

Makes about 20 cookies.

Recipe credit to lovingitvegan.com. 

Vegan Blue "Cheese" Dressing

If I'm honest, this dressing looks more like honey mustard dressing, but it definitely has a blue cheese flavor profile! 

Ingredients

1 c. vegan mayo

1 tbsp. Dijon mustard

1 tsp. crushed garlic

2 tbsp. tahini

1 tbsp. white vinegar

2 tbsp. lemon juice

1 tbsp. maple syrup

1/4 c. nutritional yeast

1 tsp. onion powder

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. dried dill

2 oz. extra firm tofu, crumbled

Directions

Combine all ingredients up until the tofu. Whisk by hand until smooth. Crumble tofu with a fork and then add it in, folding it gently into the dressing. 

Makes about 2 cups.

Recipe credit to lovingitvegan.com. 

Carrot "Lox"

Ingredients
2 large carrots
1 tbsp. soy sauce or tamari
1 tsp. kosher salt
2 tsp. maple syrup
1 tsp. rice vinegar
1/2 tsp. Liquid Smoke

Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Use a peeler or mandolin to peel the carrot into thin strips. Toss the carrots with the soy sauce, salt, maple syrup, rice vinegar, and Liquid Smoke in a baking dish. Cover the dish with foil and roast for 30 minutes.

Drop the oven temperature to 350 degrees. Remove the dish from the oven and toss the carrots again to coat in the sauce. Return to the oven for 10 to 15 minutes to dry out a bit. Once finished, toss the carrots with the dill fronds.

Serve with vegan cream cheese, capers, pickled red onion, and sliced tomatoes on bagels!

Makes enough for about 4 bagels.

Recipe credit to crowdedkitchen.com.

Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Spicy Cashew Sauce & Kraut

Ingredients
2 sweet potatoes
2 garlic cloves
½ cup cashews
2 tbsp. rice vinegar
2 tsp. agave
1 tsp. tamari
1 tsp. red pepper flakes
8 oz. Swiss chard (or other green)
1 Thai chile (or other hot pepper)
1 lime
4 oz. sauerkraut
2 tsp. vegetable oil
2 tbsp. + 1 tsp olive oil
Salt and pepper

Directions
Preheat the oven to 425°F. Halve the sweet potatoes lengthwise and transfer to a baking sheet. Rub halved sweet potatoes with 2 teaspoons of vegetable oil, sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper, and bake cut-side down until tender, 22 to 26 minutes.

Peel the garlic and add to a blender. Measure just ⅓ cup of cashews and add to the blender along with the rice vinegar, agave, tamari, Aleppo pepper, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and 3 tablespoons of warm water. Blend spicy cashew sauce until smooth. Taste, and add salt as necessary.

Thinly slice the Swiss chard stems and roughly chop the leaves. Halve the lime, juice one half, and cut one half into wedges. Thinly slice the Thai chile. Place remaining cashews in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat and toast, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer toasted cashews to a cutting board and roughly chop.

When the sweet potatoes are done, return the skillet to medium-high heat with 1 teaspoons of olive oil. Add the chopped Swiss chard leaves and sliced stems, and cook until just wilted, 2 to 3 minutes. Season the sautéed Swiss chard with a pinch of salt and lime juice.

Divide the sautéed Swiss chard between large plates. Top with roasted sweet potatoes and sauerkraut. Drizzle everything with spicy cashew sauce and sprinkle with toasted cashews and sliced Thai chile. Serve with lime wedges.

Grilled Caesar Salad with Smoky Tofu & Roasted Tomato Pilaf

Ingredients
½ cup quinoa
2 hearts of romaine lettuce
15.5 oz. extra firm tofu (or use SoyBoy Smoked Tofu)
1 shallot
2 oz. roasted tomatoes
1 tbsp. liquid smoke
1 tsp. agave
¼ cup vegan Caesar dressing
1 tbsp. vegetable oil
Salt and pepper

Directions
Add the quinoa, 1 cup water, and a pinch of salt to a small saucepan over high heat. Bring quinoa to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and cook until the spirals burst and the water is absorbed, 12 to 14 minutes.

Halve the lettuce lengthwise. Drain the tofu, pat dry with paper towels, and cut into 1 inch cubes. Peel, halve, and thinly slice the shallot. Roughly chop the tomatoes.

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the halved lettuce cut-side down, pressing to sear, and cook until charred, 2 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a plate and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat with 1 tablespoons of vegetable oil. Add the sliced shallots and cubed tofu and cook until browned in places, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the liquid smoke, agave, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the tofu is caramelized, another 2 to 3 minutes.

Add the chopped tomatoes to the quinoa and toss to combine. Top the grilled lettuce with roasted tomato pilaf and smoky tofu. Drizzle everything with Caesar dressing.

NOTE: This recipe could use a little spice!

Tuscan Zucchini with Herbed Sausage & Lemon Quinoa

Ingredients
¾ cup quinoa
2 zucchini
1 onion
3 garlic cloves
4 oz. cherry tomatoes
2 vegan Italian sausages
1 tsp. dried oregano
½ tsp. red chile flakes
¼ cup panko breadcrumbs
1 lemon
2 tbsp. + 2 tsp. olive oil
Salt and pepper

Directions
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Add the quinoa, 1¼ cups of water, and a pinch of salt to a medium saucepan over high heat. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer until water is absorbed, 15 to 17 minutes.

Halve the zucchini lengthwise and remove seeds with a spoon. Rub the cut side of the halved zucchini with 2 teaspoons of olive oil and add a pinch of salt and pepper. Place cut side down on a baking sheet and roast until zucchini is browned, 10 to 12 minutes. (Or, grill the zucchini!)

Peel and dice the onion. Peel and mince the garlic. Halve the cherry tomatoes. Remove Italian sausages from the packaging and crumble.

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the crumbled sausages and cook until crispy and browned, 5 to 6 minutes. Add the diced onion, minced garlic, oregano, and as much of the red chile flakes as you’d like, and stir frequently until the onion softens, 3 to 4 minutes.

Add halved tomatoes to the skillet and cook until warmed through, 1 to 2 minutes. Move the sausage and sautéed tomatoes to one side of the skillet and add the panko breadcrumbs. Toast for 2 to 3 minutes, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add toasted breadcrumbs to the tomato sausage mixture and stir.

Halve the lemon, juice one half, and cut the other half into wedges. Add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to the cooked quinoa and stir. Divide the lemon quinoa between plates, and top with roasted zucchini and crisped Italian sausage. Serve the Tuscan stuffed zucchini with lemon wedges.

Japanese Gnocchi with Miso Tomato Butter & Nori Spice

Ingredients
1 onion
2 garlic cloves
1 oz. fresh ginger
6 oz. baby bok choy
1 scallion
1 lime
10 oz. fresh gnocchi
1 tbsp. smoked nori spice
2 tbsp. white miso paste
2 tbsp. tomato paste
3 tbsp. vegan butter
2 tbsp. olive oil
Salt and pepper

Directions
Bring a large pot with 4 quarts water and 2 tablespoons of salt to boil. Peel and dice the onion. Peel and mince the garlic and ginger. Roughly chop the bok choy. Thinly slice the scallion. Halve the lime, juice one half, and cut half into wedges.

Add the gnocchi to the large pot of boiling water and cook until they float to the surface, 3 to 5 minutes. Once cooked, reserve 1 cup of pasta water, drain the cooked gnocchi, and toss with 1 teaspoon of olive oil to prevent sticking.

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat with 2 teaspoons of olive oil. Add the boiled gnocchi and cook, tossing occasionally, until browned in places, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the skillet from heat and sprinkle with just 2 teaspoons of of the smoked nori spice, toss to coat evenly, and transfer the crisped gnocchi to a plate. Cover to keep warm.

Heat the skillet on medium-high heat with 1 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the diced onion, minced garlic, and minced ginger. Cook until soft, 3 to 5 minutes.

Add the white miso paste, tomato powder, butter, lime juice, and reserved pasta water to the skillet, and stir to combine. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, taste the miso tomato butter, and add salt and pepper as necessary. Add the chopped bok choy to the skillet and cook, tossing occasionally, until just wilted, 1 to 2 minutes.

Divide the miso tomato butter between large plates and top with the crisped gnocchi. Sprinkle with sliced scallion and remaining nori spice. Serve Japanese gnocchi with lime wedges.

Serves 2.

1 serving = 600 calories

Gochujang Veggie Bowls

Ingredients

2 sweet potatoes

4 radishes

4 scallions

1 oz. fresh ginger

1 garlic clove

1 lime

2 oz. vegan cabbage kimchi

2 tbsp. gochujang

2 tbsp. sesame oil

½ cup midnight grains

2 tbsp. vegan mayo

Salt

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425°F. Dice the sweet potatoes into 1 inch cubes. Trim and quarter the radishes. Cut the scallions into 1 inch pieces. Peel and mince the ginger and garlic. Halve the lime, juice one half, and cut the other half into wedges. Roughly chop the kimchi.

Add the midnight grains, minced ginger, minced garlic, 1 cup of water, and a pinch of salt to a small saucepan over high heat. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer until water is absorbed and grains are tender, 30 to 35 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside, covered, to steam.

Place the diced sweet potatoes, quartered radishes, and sliced scallions on a baking sheet. Toss with gochujang and sesame oil. Roast until sweet potatoes are fork-tender and browned, 15 to 18 minutes.

Add the chopped kimchi, vegan mayo, and lime juice in a small bowl. Stir until combined.

Divide the cooked midnight grains between plates. Top with gochujang roasted vegetables and dollop with kimchi mayo. Serve with lime wedges. 

Okonomiyaki with BBQ Sauce & Sesame Asparagus

Ingredients
3 scallions
2 garlic cloves
1 oz. fresh ginger
1 carrot
6 oz. asparagus (or other green vegetable)
¾ cup + 2 tbsp. all purpose flour
8 oz. shredded green cabbage
1 tbsp. tuxedo sesame seeds
2 tbsp. vegan mayo
2 tbsp. Asian-style BBQ Sauce
1 tbsp. Sriracha
vegetable oil
Salt and pepper

Directions
Thinly slice the scallions, keeping the whites and greens separate. Peel and mince the garlic and ginger. Shred the carrot on the largest side of a box grater. Trim about an inch off the ends of the asparagus.

In a large bowl, combine the flour, ¾ cup water, and a pinch of salt, and whisk until smooth. Add the sliced scallion whites, minced garlic, shredded carrot, and green cabbage. Stir with a spoon to combine. (The batter will be very thick.)

Heat a large nonstick skillet with 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add half of the batter. Spread evenly into a ½ inch thick pancake and lower heat to medium-low. Cook until the bottom is browned, 4 to 6 minutes, then flip and cook for another 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate and sprinkle with salt. Repeat with the remaining batter.

Return the skillet to medium-high heat with 1 tsp vegetable oil. Once the oil is hot, add the minced ginger and asparagus. Cook, tossing occasionally, until crisp-tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Divide okonomiyaki between large plates and drizzle with vegan mayo and BBQ sauce. Top with as much Sriracha as you’d like. Sprinkle with sliced scallion greens and serve with sesame asparagus.

1 serving = 490 calories

1 pancake = 220 calories

Spring Vegetable Gnocchi with White Beans & Lemon Basil Butter

Ingredients
2 garlic cloves
1 shallot
2 carrots
4 oz. asparagus (or other spring vegetable)
½ oz. fresh basil
1 lemon
13.4 oz. butter beans
10 oz. fresh gnocchi
3 tbsp. vegan butter
2 tbsp. vegan parmesan
2 tbsp. olive oil
Salt and pepper

Directions
Bring a large pot of 4 quarts water and 2 tablespoons of salt to a boil. Peel and mince the garlic and shallot. Peel and dice the carrots. Trim 1 inch off the bottom of the asparagus and cut the remaining stalks into rounds. Thinly slice the basil. Zest, halve, and juice the lemon. Drain and rinse the butter beans.

Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic, minced shallot, diced carrot, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring often, until the carrots are tender, 5 to 6 minutes.

Add the gnocchi to the large pot of boiling water and cook until they float to the surface, 3 to 5 minutes. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water and drain the gnocchi. Shake off any excess water.

Return the skillet with the carrots to medium-high heat and add the pasta water and butter and cook until melted, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the asparagus rounds and cook until bright green, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the lemon juice and just half of the basil, taste, and add salt and pepper as necessary. Transfer the lemon basil butter to a medium bowl and cover to keep warm.

Wipe the skillet and return to high heat with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Once hot, add the cooked gnocchi, butter beans, ½ tsp salt, and ¼ tsp pepper. Cook, undisturbed, until well browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Sprinkle with lemon zest and parmesan, toss, and cook for another 2 minutes.

Divide the lemon basil butter between bowls and top with the spring vegetable gnocchi and butter beans. Sprinkle with the remaining sliced basil.

Kimchi Quesadillas with Togarashi Sweet Potato Fries

Ingredients
1 sweet potato
1 tsp. togarashi (or other spice)
1 can black beans
1 tsp. chili powder
1 lemon
¼ cup vegan mayo
1 jalapeño
5.5 oz. vegan cabbage kimchi
2 whole wheat tortillas
vegetable oil
Salt

Directions
Preheat the oven to 425°F. Cut the sweet potato into wedges and place on a baking sheet. Toss with 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil, togarashi, and a pinch of salt. Roast until the sweet potatoes are crisp in places and slightly browned, 20 to 25 minutes.

Drain and rinse the black beans. Heat 1 tsp (2 tsp) olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the black beans, chili powder, ¼ teaspoon of salt, and 2 tablespoons of water. Mash the beans with the back of a fork, stir well, and cook until hot, 3 to 4 minutes. Taste, and add salt as necessary. Cover and set aside.

Halve the lemon, juice one half, and divide the other half into wedges. Add the lemon juice, vegan mayo, and a pinch of salt to a small bowl. Mix the lemon aioli.

Thinly slice the jalapeño. Roughly chop the kimchi. Lay the tortillas on a flat surface and add the mashed black beans to one side of each tortilla. Top the beans with the chopped kimchi and sliced jalapeño, fold the tortillas in half, and press to seal.

Heat 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the first kimchi quesadilla and cook until lightly browned, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Repeat with the remaining quesadilla(s).

Cut each quesadilla into thirds and divide between plates. Top the kimchi quesadillas with any remaining sliced jalapeño and serve with togarashi sweet potato fries, lemon wedges, and lemon aioli for dipping.

Chickpea Quinoa Bowls with Tarator Sauce & Pickled Shallots

Ingredients
¾ cup quinoa
1 can chickpeas (about 2 cups)
2 tsp. sumac
6 oz. broccoli florets
1 shallot or red onion
2 tbsp. golden raisins
2 tbsp. Champagne vinegar
½ cup sliced almonds
1 garlic clove
1 lemon
2 oz. Lacinato kale
1 tbsp. + 2 tsp vegetable oil
2 tbsp. olive oil
Salt and pepper

Directions
Preheat the oven to 425°F. Add the quinoa, 1¼ cups water, and a pinch of salt to a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to low, and cook until the water is absorbed and the spirals burst, 12 to 15 minutes.

Drain and rinse the chickpeas, and pat dry. Place them on a baking sheet with 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil, sumac, and a pinch of salt, and toss to coat. Chop the broccoli florets into bite-size pieces. Add the chopped broccoli, 2 teaspoons of vegetable oil, and a pinch of salt and pepper to the baking sheet and toss to coat. Roast until the chickpeas and broccoli are browned in places, 12 to 15 minutes.

Peel and thinly slice the shallot. Add the sliced shallot, golden raisins, Champagne vinegar, just 1 tablespoon sliced almonds, and a pinch of salt to a small bowl and stir.

Peel the garlic. Halve and juice the lemon. Add the garlic, half the lemon juice, remaining sliced almonds, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and ⅓ cup water to a blender and blend until smooth. Taste, and season the tarator sauce with salt as necessary.

Destem the kale and thinly slice the leaves. Add the sliced kale to the cooked quinoa and toss until the greens are slightly wilted. Add the remaining lemon juice, taste, and season with salt and pepper as necessary.

Divide the kale quinoa, roasted broccoli, and sumac chickpeas between large bowls. Drizzle with tarator sauce and top with pickled shallots.

Smoky Portobello Tacos

Ingredients
Spanish rice
¼ cup cashews
8 oz. portobello mushrooms
1 garlic clove
1 lime
1 radish
1 scallion
1 jalapeño
1 tbsp. liquid smoke
1 tbsp. tamari or soy sauce
4 whole wheat tortillas
2 oz. shredded red cabbage
1 tbsp. vegetable oil
Salt and pepper

Directions
Cook Spanish rice. Preheat the oven to 400°F for the tortillas. Add the cashews and ¼ cup hot tap water to a small bowl. Soak nuts for at least 10 minutes. Thinly slice the portobello mushroom caps. Peel the garlic. Halve and juice the lime(s). Trim the radish(es) and cut into matchsticks. Thinly slice the scallion(s). Deseed and roughly chop the jalapeño(s).

Add the cashews and their soaking water, garlic, lime juice, chopped jalapeño, and a pinch of salt and pepper to a blender. Blend the jalapeño cashew sauce until smooth.

Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced portobello mushrooms and let cook, undisturbed, until they begin to brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the tamari and just 1 teaspoon of liquid smoke. Toss to coat, and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes.

Wrap the tortillas in tin foil and place in the oven to warm, 3 to 4 minutes. Top the warm tortillas with Spanish rice, smoky portobello mushrooms, sliced radish, sliced scallion, and shredded red cabbage. Drizzle with jalapeño cashew sauce. Serve the smoky portobello tacos with any remaining Spanish rice.