The Best Veggie Burgers on the Planet...Just Got Better! (Recipes and a Giveaway!)

This Burger is Nuts (page 82) with lettuce, vegan provolone, red onion, sauteed mushrooms,
and guacamole on a toasted sesame seed bun. Styled and Photographed by Kate Lewis.

Over a decade ago I began writing a book, I had every intention of self-publishing, that was tentatively titled Just the Burgers: 101 Homemade Veggie Burgers. It was pretty much done. But, as luck would have it, I got a book deal! Not for this book, but for 500 Vegan Recipes with Celine Steen, and it was so successful, we immediately got to work on The Complete Guide to Vegan Food Substitutions, and then Home Cooked Vegan Comfort Food, and then...finally I could breathe, pfew! A few years had gone by and I decided to ask if I publisher would like to take over the burger project...and they did! In 2011, the first edition of The Best Veggie Burgers on the Planet was released. And now, in 2019, The Best Veggie Burgers on the Planet...Just Got Better!

Quinoa Chili for the People

Another chili! I've been stoked on soups, stews, and chili this past few months. Southern California has been uncharacteristically wet and cold this past winter, so warm bowls of yummy always comfort the body and soul, but now it's spring so it's time to lighten it up a bit. But, I'm not quite ready to give up on the bowls of comfort quite yet! This hearty, yet light, chili is chock-full of veggies (You can literally swap out any seasonal veggies when making this!), beans, quinoa, and hominy.

Easy Vegan Broccoli Cheese Potato Soup

Cold outside? Warm up your insides with this easy to throw together Broccoli Cheese Potato Soup!

Butternut Squash Chili

Most of y'all know by now that I work at Tanaka Farms. I've been there about four years now, and the longer I am there, the more I love it. Tanaka Farms is a family owned and operated farm. Farmer Tanaka (a third generation Japanese-American, also known as Sansei) and his son Kenny (Yonsei) run the farm. Since working at the farm, I have learned so much about Japanese, as well as, Hawaiian culture!

One of my favorite bits of knowledge gained is "Chili & Rice." Just like it sounds, it's chili served over steamed rice! Using the farm's fresh produce, including some stellar butternut squash, I came up with this chili that we served at the Tanaka Grill over the holiday season. It was a big hit, and I ended up teaching a cooking class showing folks how to make it at the farm. 

Butternut Squash Chili
Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Soy-Free

Pumpkin Curry Chickpea Salad Sandwiches

Today I had the honor of appearing on the Jane Velez-Mitchell show, Lunch Break Live! I was invited to showcase how easy it can be to make a quick vegan meal, and to promote my appearance at the CA Vegetarian Food Festival next weekend. 

With the first day of fall just a few days behind us, I wanted to use pumpkin. But, man, oh man, it has been at least 80 degrees out lately, so baking, or pumpkin spice anything just didn't sound good. So...I came up with a no-cook pumpkin dish that can provide all that fall flavor without having to turn on the oven (or turn to a latte!)

Connecting the Dots: Green Goddess Bowls

This past weekend I had the honor and privilege to be a guest chef at the Connecting the Dots event, in Santa Ana, put on by Living Ubuntu. I was humbled to be invited to feed and teach amongst this amazing line-up.

I could spend all night writing about the inspiring speeches given throughout the day. But I know you are here for "just the food" so I will say this...please visit the Living Ubuntu Connecting the Dots: Finding Compassion Through Our Differences event page and click around. There were five amazing young people (Jose Trinidad Castenada, Nyajouk "Sunday" Kuany, Amina Mohamed, Arthur (Trey) Carlisle, Audrey Waight) speaking about everything from immigration reform, to the housing crisis, to the refugee crisis, to genocide, to racism. The future is in good hands!

After a brief intermission we were able to enjoy some fruit and cupcakes (Thanks, Susan! They were amazing!) and then we settled in for the second session. It started with a video presentation by Aph Ko, followed by three more inspiring speakers...Asian American Studies and Animal Rights Professor, Claire Kim; iACT’s COO and Camp Darfur exhibit, Katie-Jay Scott; and Farm Sanctuary's Gene Baur.

Tanaka Bowl - Recipes from Plant Fest at Tanaka Farms

This past weekend marked the second Plant Fest at Tanaka Farms. The first one in September of 2017 was so successful, the fine folks over at Tanaka Farms were kind enough to host us again! And...guess what?! This one was even more successful than the first! So, we will definitely be back, in early June, to do it all again! Extra special thanks to the hard-working volunteers from SoCal VegFest for helping to make it all happen! Plant Fest is a project of SoCal VegFest which is a project of the Animal Protection and Rescue League - a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

Chili Con Jackfruit...because REAL chili has NO beans!

Last weekend I competed in the Long Beach Vegan Chili Cook Off at 4th Street Vine on 4th Street in the heart of Retro Row. Growing up in Long Beach, it's amazing how this strip of boutiques, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and vintage stores have not only kept their doors open over the years, but have been flourishing! That section of Long Beach is so popular these days! It's pretty exciting to see (and rather difficult to park!)

Holiday Helpers! Mandarin Orange Bundt Cake

Mandarin Orange Bundt Cake
This moist cake is not overly sweet, and therefore, I find it perfectly appropriate to eat for breakfast!

Holiday Helpers! Sweet and Sour Bean Balls

One of my favorite things about the holidays is the food. From appetizers to the main event to dessert to cocktails, I love celebrating with vegan food!

These sweet and sour bean balls are a great appetizer during the cold holiday months. Poke in a toothpick and your ready to go!