My first attempt at Indian cooking was a bit of a farce. It took me 5 hours to make a batch of samosas flecked with burnt mustard seeds and encased in tough, chewy pastry. As my husband and I sat down to a midnight dinner, you couldn't have convinced me that Indian cooking could be simple or easy. Little did I realize that samosas aren't exactly the easiest dish to tackle as a beginner, not to mention the fact that the recipe I was using was pretty unauthentic to begin with.
Read MoreSpinach Mushroom Quesadillas
There are lots of recipes for vegan quesadillas out there and many of them are fantastic. Sweet potato and black beans seem to be a popular filling, and although that works for a quick throw-together meal, it's not usually what I'm thinking about when I'm craving a quesadilla. Quesadillas are a special treat for me, and when I want them, I want the kind I used to order in restaurants. Savory, melty, spinach and mushroom quesadillas are my favorite, so that's what we're making today.
Read MoreGrilled Tofu Pesto Salad
Sure, pesto is a classic pasta sauce, but did you know it also makes a great salad dressing? Bursting with fresh basil, homemade pesto is a special summer treat that can be whipped up in a food processor. Combine it with grilled tofu, sweet new potatoes and juicy cherry tomatoes and you've got yourself a refreshing meal that highlights some of the best offerings of the season.
Read MoreBaked Rigatoni With Veggie Sausage and Broccoli Rabe
Broccoli rabe is one of those fun "new old" vegetables that have started becoming popular in farmer's markets and natural food stores. It has been a feature of cuisine in Italy for quite some time (where it is called rapini) and is just now making its way into trendy American dishes. Although it has little florets that resemble broccoli, it's actually related to the turnip. Broccoli rabe is also more tender than broccoli and has a spicier, earthier, dare I say, more exotic flavor. If you're looking to try out a new vegetable (that really isn't all that new) give this casserole a shot.
Read MoreSeitan Romesco With Roasted Potatoes and Leeks
Calçotada is the name of a spring festival in Spain that celebrates an oniony-type vegetable known as the calçot. Great quantities of calçots are grilled and then served with romesco, a sweet and savory pepper sauce. In my part of the world, there's an oniony-type vegetable that closely resembles the calçot. It's called a leek, and it's also widely available in the spring and fall. This recipe uses leeks, but it's inspired by the Calçotada's marriage of caramelized, roasted onions with yummy pepper sauce.
Read MoreGreek Orzo Salad
Like a lot of folks, I tend to gravitate toward lighter foods as the weather warms up, moving away from hot soups and stews to sprightly salads. Yes, I know...the s word. Vegans can be wary of salads because omnivores assume they're all we eat, and omnivores are wary of salads because, well, I'll admit they can be boring and unfulfilling. Obviously, it doesn't have to be that way.
Read MoreSpaghetti Puttanesca
The renowned spaghetti of working girls is, as you might expect, spicy, salty and bold. It's also quick, cheap and a flavorful dish to whip up when you don't have a lot of fresh ingredients on hand. In fact, one tale of this recipe's namesake is that it was created by a cook who had to throw some scraps together for customers at closing time. They had asked him for una puttanata qualsiasi or "any old bullshit".
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 MoreBlack Bean Empanadas
Finger foods are great. They're convenient, there's less silverware to wash, and people don't shake their heads at you if you eat them while standing up and walking around. This is why finger foods are well respected at parties. So, for you, I present a party-sized recipe of yummy, spicy veggies in a delicate, flaky pastry. Let's make some empanadas.
Read MoreWatermelon Cucumber Salad With Tempeh and Mint
Sweet, savory and bursting with summer herbs, this salad is one of my favorite homespun recipes. It's great for bringing along to a picnic or barbecue.
Read MoreSeitan Chilaquiles
Chilaquiles are traditionally a brunch dish made with last night's leftovers. We love them so much, we think they're worth making from scratch and having for dinner! Once you give them a try, I think you'll agree.
Read More