Whether you choose to keep it kid-friendly or add a little booze, this pink punch is the taste of summer!
Vegan Creamy Chickpea Stew
This build-your-own-adventure stew is perfect for accommodating in-season herbs and veggies. A light seasoning of ginger, coriander, and turmeric provide a backdrop that lets your fresh herbs take center stage while the pureed squash, nuts, and oil compliment your selections with a creamy touch of decadence. Don’t let the base spices limit you to a solely Indian inspired dish. This is phenomenal with any variety of basil, parsley, chives and lemon balm as well as with cilantro. And if the season limits your options, just go ahead and finish with garam masala. .
Tomato Basil & Feta Omelette
Fair warning, this is not the least fussy or quickest omelette you’ll ever make… But it’s not, however, needlessly complicated… At least to me. You see, I don’t love eggs. I just don’t, which is great because I like to eat vegan as much as possible. But when tomatoes and basil are plentiful, this omelette is a regular lunch choice. Even with my favorite power combo, I still need to minimize the “egginess” and pack ‘em with as much good stuff as possible while still holding together. So, through the years, I’ve constructed a set of steps that achieve not only a tolerable but absolutely lovely omelette.
Espresso Vanilla Cream Soda (WITH INFIZZ FUSION)
While this is undoubtedly a coffee-forward concoction, the layers of flavor- the espresso, honey, and vanilla- are reminiscent of the complexity of a house-made rootbeer. Add whipped cream or ice cream, and you are nudging into soda float territory. For a vegan treat, try it with coconut whipped cream. But try it without cream too; it’s absolutely refreshing!
VEGAN WHIPPED COCONUT CREAM
With a fat percentage of 18-20% coconut cream does not have a high enough fat content to form and hold fat bubbles. But the addition of coconut oil pushes that percentage to around 30%, which puts it on par with whipping cream. Now, there’s no way around it, coconut cream tastes like coconut. If you abhor coconut, this recipe is not for you. You can, however, downplay its presence by using refined (flavorless) coconut oil. Additionally, utilizing a more flavorful sugar, such as demerara, brown sugar, or even coconut sugar will add a deeper caramel note; introducing layers of flavor will push the individual elements from the spotlight . On the other hand, virgin coconut oil and white sugar will celebrate coconut. Choose your variations to accentuate your dessert or drink.
CHERRIES & CREAM SMOOTHIE SODA (WITH INFIZZ FUSION)
A smoothie disguised as a soda! Unfortunately, this is the sort of recipe that relies on a very specific piece of equipment- the Breville Infizz Fusion. But if you have one, this recipe will give your machine more mileage. For this soda, you can keep it light and go easy on the sweetener and omit the cream. And when you’re craving a treat, bring on the whipped cream.
CARAMEL POPCORN WITH PEANUTS
This combo of popcorn and peanuts makes a filling and nutritious treat while the caramel satisfies your sweet tooth. Grocery store versions are notoriously bland and not worth the calories. But many home concoctions leave you with a gooey, stick in your teeth, mess. This version is buttery and sweet with a satisfying crunch!
Vegan Smoked Cheddar Popcorn
All the flavor of smoked cheddar with none of the dairy! This snack is a nutritious substitute for potato chips and is great for game day and road trips.
If you're not sure how much chili powder to use, start by adding just a 1/4 teaspoon to the spice mix. Then, after mixing it into the popcorn, taste and decide whether to add more. Add more chili, if desired, a 1/4 teaspoon at a time, mixing between each addition, until optimal spice level is achieved.
Vegan Summer Tacos
A brighter taco experience that pairs wonderfully with summer’s bounty and is a fresh change of pace from the deep and smokey flavors of my original tofu taco recipe. In all honesty this is just my tofu larb lettuce wraps with taco fixins’. I have zero qualms about mixing and matching my food styles. Make it vegan by skipping the cheese or using vegan cheese. Or make it gluten free by using corn tortillas. Works great in a salad or as lettuce wraps too!
GREEN BEAN & CHICKPEA STEW WITH FRESH BASIL
VEGAN TOMATO CURRY WITH EGGPLANT
A perfect way to utlilize your end of Summer bounty… Feel free to toss in extra herbs, chilies, or a bell pepper or substitute summer squash for the eggplant. Utilize whatever basil you have on hand- Thai, sweet Italian, or lemon basil. Each have their own character and will yield delicious results.
Vegan Tofu Tacos
Toasted rice and pan fried crushed tofu build a flavorful base for these tasty tacos. I typically use brown rice because it’s what I have on hand most often. I think it imparts a nuttier flavor than white rice, but white works nicely too. Using a 1/2 teaspoon of chili will give you mild tacos while going with a full teaspoon gives you a spicier bite. Serve with a variety of hot sauces and salsas to allow for different spice levels.
TOFU LARB LETTUCE WRAPS
A bright and fresh dish that comes together quickly and is easily personalized with your favorite herbs and accompaniments. Traditionally, the toasted rice flour is made from glutinous or short grain white rice. Because I typically have long brown rice on hand, I use it with fantastic results… It’s a little different, nuttier and crunchier, than what I’d get at my favorite Thai restaurant, but it’s just as tasty and using whole grain rice bumps up the nutrient count.
Peanut Butter Banana Frozen Pops
LIME & BASIL COCONUT SHERBET
Cheese Stuffed Basil Falafel
These protein packed snacks are perfect with spaghetti, in a sandwich, or just as an app with tomato sauce. Skip the cheese or try cashew mozz for vegan fare, and keep the falafel size small to maximize crunch!
Gluten-Free Flourless Peanut Butter & Oat Cookies
A flourless gluten-free cookie made with ingredients that are already in your pantry. It’s unbelievable, but these flourless delights really do bake up to be, well… cookies! Make them without the oats for a flatter and crunchier confection or swap the oats for chopped nuts, coconut, or chocolate chips. The oats really are just an add-in in this recipe and don’t add to the structure. But I like to add them for the nutrition boost and to balance out the sweetness. Top with chocolate if desired.
VEGAN LEMONGRASS NOODLE SOUP
Personalize this lovely dish by garnishing with your favorite accompaniments. Add punch with chives, turn up the heat with chilies, or keep it mellow with sweet basil.
Noodle soup typically starts with a pre-made stock spiked with fish sauce and finished with crisp yet tender vegetables. This recipe skips the fish sauce for a vegan concoction. And, instead of cooking all the vegetables at the end, I incorporate half the veggies- cabbage, carrot, and tomato- into the water for a long simmer and create a flavorful broth. Then, I finish the soup by quick cooking veggies for some crunch. If, however, you use pre-made stock, you can add all the veggies at the end.
KALE & TOMATO SOUP
