I know barbecue baked beans are something people usually eat in the summer, yet I can't help but feel like they make the perfect winter dish. They're warm, hearty and spicy...what else can you ask for on a cold day?
Read MoreBroccoli Lover's Pizza
A while ago, I was listening to a radio show in which a couple of accomplished chefs were being interviewed about what they like to cook for the holidays. The conversation turned to vegetables, and one of the chefs essentially remarked, "It's hard to eat fresh, local vegetables because they don't grow in the winter, so I just eat a lot of citrus fruit."
Read MoreFestive Winter Fruits and Veggies With Tempeh Bacon
Vegans and those who cook for them tend to assume that vegan cuisine has to be new, weird and non-traditional. Sometimes this expectation is also an excuse to use off-season ingredients. I'm a firm believer in seasonal cooking, and I see no reason why holiday dishes should be any different, particularly if you're looking for traditional flavors. The roasted fruits and veggies in this dish are not only seasonal and nutritious, but tasty enough to appeal to any hungry traditionalist, vegan and omnivore alike.
Read MoreGobi Manchurian
Throughout culinary history, both amazing and terrible things have happened when cultures collide. In America, for example, we have a merging of European and Mexican culinary cultures that have brought us chili, fajitas and this sort of thing.
Read MoreFall Soup
As the season draws to a close, I find myself eager to snatch up the last of the fall goodies at the farmer's market before it's gone until spring. This soup gives me a good excuse for that, and, in keeping with my newly-founded tradition of dedicating soups to people I know, this one goes out to my friend, Kate.
Read MoreMaple Iced Pumpkin Cranberry Loaf
Time for another pumpkin dessert! This one makes a festive and impressive option for holiday parties. The mild sweetness of the pumpkin bread is highlighted by the decadent icing and contrasted by tart bursts of fresh cranberries. It's become so much a favorite that I've started baking it every year.
Read MoreAgave Glazed Golden Stir Fry With Tofu
It took me years to learn how to make a decent stir fry, and even now the ones I cook come nowhere near the quality of those made at my favorite Chinese restaurant. It truly is an art, and many people end up overcooking everything into a mushy, soggy mess.
Read MoreThanksgiving Stuffed Acorn Squash
My favorite part of Thanksgiving has always been my mom's stuffing recipe, which has been passed down through generations. I've veganized it (with a few additions of my own of course) and prepared it in a number of different ways over the years. One of my favorite applications is stuffed acorn squash. It makes a beautiful addition to any Thanksgiving table.
Read MoreTofu Scramble Ranchero
A popular Tex-Mex breakfast, Huevos Rancheros, means "Rancher's Eggs" and typically consists of tortillas covered in fried eggs and spicy tomato sauce, sometimes with beans. My veganized version of this recipe turns the eggs into a yummy, protein-filled tofu scramble that is perfect for waking up and getting energized in the morning. It also makes a great breakfast-for-dinner.
Read MorePumpkin Snickerdoodles
In case you haven't noticed lately, the past few years have seen pumpkin flavored treats growing and growing in popularity each fall. This year it seems like EVERYTHING has to be pumpkin flavored, and you know what? I can't be more happy about it. BRING IT ON.
Read MoreTofu Yakisoba
Most people who know me know that I prefer spicy food with bold flavors, and that's the kind of food I tend to cook. This recipe is an exception.
Read MoreGlazed German Apple Cake
I once had the great privilege of visiting Germany, and while I was in Munich, I sampled a cake I saw in a number of bakery windows. It was bursting with a multitude of luscious apple slices that were barely held together with a dense, lightly sweetened dough.
Read MoreWhite Chili
I decided it was time to inaugurate the first soup recipe on this blog, and with the weather turning colder and colder, a chili seemed like the best choice. I've also decided to start doing something new. From now on, I will dedicate each soup recipe to someone awesome in my life.
Read MoreBalsamic Sesame Tempeh and Sweet Potatoes With Mustard Greens
In our house, we often use the phrase "happy tummy feeling". It describes feeling full, but in a particular kind of way. There's a fullness that comes with eating a plate of french fries, but it's not really a happy fullness. It's more of a heavy, greasy, oh-my-god-why-did-I-do-that fullness, which is the opposite of happy tummy feeling.
Read MoreSeitan Normandy
In our house, this dish signifies the beginning of fall. It's named after the Normandy region of France which is famous for (among many other things) its apple brandy. The brandy, called Calvados, is also named for the region in which it was first distilled centuries ago, and continues to be made there. Although Calvados has many applications, both sweet and savory, in food or drink, this one is by far my favorite.
Read MoreTamale Pie
Casserole season is upon us! Let's start with one that everyone seems to dig - good old fashioned, American tamale pie.
Read MoreKheer
Kheer, a heavenly spiced Indian rice pudding made with fruit and nuts, is one of those desserts I started missing as soon as I went vegan. I was very happy to learn how easy it is to make at home. It can be enjoyed warm or cold, making it a perfect year-round treat.
Read MoreEggless Salad
Okay, yes, it's been done before. Everyone knows that replacing the egg in egg salad with tofu is one of the easiest vegan things you can do in the kitchen. But is it worth it? What I mean is, does it taste good? Good enough to remind you of sunny picnics and squirrels and hitting your sibling in the head with a frisbee "on accident"? Don't pretend you don't know what I'm talking about.
Read MoreSeitan and Roast Potatoes With Mustard Sauce
"I'm a meat and potatoes kinda person." That's a thing people say, isn't it? I suppose it's to let others know that they're approachable and down-to-earth. Well, are you a meat and potatoes kinda person? If so, you'll love this dish. If you're not, you'll still love this dish because it has a subtle French twist - just a small eccentricity in the form of a tangy, creamy mustard sauce. Everybody wins!
Read MoreChocolate Peanut Butter Banana Bars
Today we're channeling our inner funky monkey with the time honored combination of peanut butter, bananas and chocolate. The rich decadence of these bars makes them more of a special treat than an everyday snack, but they're great to serve to people who think that vegan food is all cardboard and dandelion leaves.
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