Vegan MoFo VII, Day 17: Curry Tofu and Arugula Salad

Curry Tofu and Arugula Salad from
The Complete Guide to Vegan Food Substitutions (page 177)

Man, I don't know about all of you, but where I live we are experiencing a late summer heat wave like we haven't had in YEARS.  Hovering around 104 since Saturday. Sheesh.  You better believe no ovens are getting turned on around here. And if I can help it, no stove either!  This recipe from The Complete Guide to Vegan Food Substitutions: Veganize It! Foolproof Methods for Transforming Any Dish into a Delicious New Vegan Favorite is quick and easy, and requires no cooking.

Vegan MoFo VIII, Day 3: Tortilla Soup

Tortilla Soup from The COmplete Guide to Vegan Food Substitutions (page 213)

Today's recipe comes from a little old book known as The Complete Guide to Vegan Food Substitutions: Veganize It! Foolproof Methods for Transforming Any Dish into a Delicious New Vegan Favorite. I say little, because this tome actually is little.  It's the size of your typical paperback novel, and fits easily into a purse or bag, so you can take it with you easily on shopping trips. 

Easy Breezy Summer Afternoons (are perfect for mac salad!)

It can be found on page 100 of The Complete Guide to Vegan Food Substitutions. 

Man, do I love a warm sunny day.  It begs for you to come outside and enjoy yourself instead of cooping yourself up inside and staring at a computer screen.  And when I spend the day outside, the last thing I want to do is go back inside to cook!

What? Christmas is Next Weekend?

Whoa.  I better get my rear in gear.  And for me that means many, many treats for neighbors, friends, coworkers, and family.  With not much time left, I am going to have to call upon some ghosts of Christmas past to help me along in the idea department.  I mean there is no reason to reinvent the sleigh wheel right?


Let me begin by admitting, I am not a real big fan of baking.  I know, I know, chastise me if you must, but I really enjoy making other types of treats way more than cookies, pies, and (shutter) cupcakes.  So candies have always been my bag at Christmas time.  Sure, I will break down and whip up a few batches of sugar cookies cut out into stars and trees, decorated with green and pink (still can't get a perfect vegan red icing!) sprinkles.  I may even bake up some of my Espresso Chocolate Chip Cakes that I usually reserve for Valentine's Day.


Back to candies.  The majority of my bags, baskets, boxes and platters will be filled with Kittee's Peanut Butter Fudge, Peppermint Candy Cane Bark, Microwave Peanut Brittle, and Mashed Potato Candy.


This year I am going to add a new member to the family.  For a select, very special few, I will make this very special treat.  I have posted pictures of this delicious candy in the past, but not until now have I posted the recipe.  It comes straight from the pages of The Complete Guide to Vegan Food Substitutions and appears on page 162.   It is reminiscent of that old fashioned candy known as Honeycomb Candy.  The texture is crumbly and sticky, and when dipped in bittersweet chocolate, it is just delicious.

Maple Sponge Candy (page 162 in The Complete Guide to Vegan Food Substitutions)

Maple Sponge Candy


This candy is a molasses-y twist on old fashioned honeycomb candy. Crispy and sweet (and possibly coated in chocolate.) Not for the novice, it requires patience and an accurate candy thermometer. Don’t let the simple ingredients fool you. This candy is pure science!

2 cups (384 g) Sucanat
1/2 cup (120 ml) pure maple syrup
1/2 cup (120 ml) water
1 tablespoon baking soda
Melted chocolate for dipping (optional)

Prepare a 9×13-inch (23 x 33-cm) baking dish by lining it with foil and then sprating the foil with nonstick cooking spray.
In a large soup pot, place the Sucanat, maple syrup, and water.
Heat on low, constantly stirring until Sucanat is completely dissolved.
Raise heat and bring to a boil, watch temperature carefully. Bring the temperature to 250˚ F (121˚ C) and maintain that temperature constantly for ten minutes.
Remove from heat and quickly, but thoroughly, stir in the baking soda.
The mixture will begin to bubble and froth.
Immediately pour the mixture into the prepared foil lined dish.
Allow to cool completely before removing from pan and breaking into pieces.
Dip in melted chocolate if using. Allow to cool completely before storing.
Store in an airtight container for up to one week.

Yield: 1 batch, about 30 pieces

Tuffalo Hot Wings - Perfect for Gameday!

No money bets this year, but my husband and I have our own pool for house chores, back rubs, and other unmentionables.  Ha!

A small affair today.  Just us, my sister and my nephew, so we won't be making anything major.  BUT we will be making wings!  Toffalo Hot Wings to be exact.  This recipe is from The Complete Guide to Vegan Food Substitutions!

Tuffalo Hot Wings

Serve with Cool Ranch Dipping Sauce (below) and a few stalks of celery for an even more realistic experience.

A deep fat fryer comes in handy here, but if you don't have one, a pot with oil heated to 350°F (180°C) will do just fine.

Sweet Potato Po'Boys (and a holiday giveaway!)

Less than a week until Christmas!?!  Oh my gosh.  I am not even halfway there...not even a quarter way there.

So before I get all caught up in the rush of it all, let me give my present to you...a new recipe featuring my favorite tuber, the sweet potato!  And if you leave a comment (here on the blog, not on facebook or twitter) telling me your favorite way to prepare sweet potatoes, I will pick 2 of you at random, Wednesday night at 8pm, Due to weather related issues, the giveaway has been extended, and I will do the drawing on Wednesday December 29 at 8pm, to receive a copy of Celine and my brand spankin' new book The Complete Guide to Vegan Food Substitutions.  CONTEST NOW OVER

Okay, to the food:


Sweet Potato Po'Boys
If I ever opened a lunch truck or diner, it would be made up solely of gourmet sandwiches and a variety of macaroni salads. This sandwich would definitely be on the menu. Not a traditional Po’ Boy by any sense of the word, it is inspired by the fried seafood sandwiches made famous in Louisiana. Now a true Po’ Boy would be a foot long, so these ones are considered “shorties” and if you decide to use the highly recommended pile of Sweet Peppercorn Coleslaw, well then you can consider your Po’ Boy “dressed.”


As always, a deep fryer works best here, but if you don’t have one, a pot filled with about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of oil will work just fine.

For the Sweet Potatoes:
1 large sweet potato
1/2 cup (120 ml) plain soymilk or other nondairy milk
1/2 cup (62 g) all-purpose flour
1/2 cup (14 g) cornflakes, crushed
1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

For the Fennel Marmalade:
2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
1 bulb fennel, sliced in a thin julienne (reserve the leaves for later use)
2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
2 shallots, thinly sliced
pinch salt
2 tablespoons (42 g) agave nectar

For the Aioli:
1/3 cup (75 g) vegan mayonnaise
1/2 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
1 tablespoon (2 g) chopped fennel leaves (reserved from the bulb above)
1 teaspoon minced garlic

Vegetable oil for frying
4 (6-inch, 15 cm) french rolls
1 recipe Sweet Peppercorn Coleslaw, below, optional, but highly reccommended
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C, or gas mark 6).
To make the sweet potatoes: Slice the sweet potato into thin rounds, about 1/4 inch (6 mm) thick. You can peel your potatoes if you choose, but we like ours with the skin on!

Place the potatoes in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment or a silicone baking mat.
Bake for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool.
To make the Fennel Marmalade: While potatoes are cooking, add olive oil to a pan and heat over low heat. Add fennel, garlic, shallots, and a pinch of salt.
Slowly cook until very soft and tender, and just beginning to caramelize, About 15 minutes, stirring occasionaly.
Add in agave and toss to coat. Crank up the heat and cook about 5 more minutes, stirring constantly, until caramelized, sticky, and browned. Remove from heat and set aside.

To make the aioli: Whisk ingredients together. Keep refrigerated until ready to use.

Finish the sweet potatoes: Preheat your oil to 350°F (180°C). Place milk in a shallow dish. Add flour, cornflakes, Old Bay, and cayenne to a resealable plastic bag and shake to combine. Dip one round into the milk to coat and then add it to the bag. Repeat until you have about 5 rounds in the bag. Shake to coat the potatoes with the flour mixture. Carefully add to the coated potatoes to the hot oil and cook for about 2 to 3 minutes, flipping half way through, until golden and crispy. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil. Repeat until all potatoes are fried.

Assemble the Po’ Boys: Spread a layer of aioli on each half of the french roll. Pile 1/4 of the sweet potatoes on the bottom half of the roll, and top with 1/4 of the Fennel Marmalade, add a heaping pile of the Sweet Peppercorn Coleslaw, if using. Serve immediately.

Yield: 4 Po’ Boys

Sweet Peppercorn Coleslaw
*Gluten Free

*Quick and Easy
This coleslaw is a great side dish on it’s own, but it really takes the Sweet Potato Po’ Boys to a whole new level. You can make this ahead of time, but if you do, keep the dressing separate and toss together just before serving.

For the slaw:
1/2 head of green cabbage, shredded
1 1/2 cups (162 g) shredded carrots
1/2 cup (80 g) raisins or dried cranberries, optional

For the peppercorn dressing:
1/2 cup (120 ml) plain soymilk
2 tablespoons (30 ml) lemon juice
1/2 cup (112 g) vegan mayonnaise
1 tablespoon black peppercorns, coursely ground or cracked
1 tablespoon (2 g) fresh chopped fennel leaf
1 tablespoon (13 g) sugar
salt to taste

To make the slaw: Toss together the ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
To make the dressing: Add soymilk to a small mixing bowl. Stir in lemon juice and allow to sit for a few minutes. It will curdle and become like buttermilk.
Whisk in the remaining ingredients.
Toss dressing with the slaw and serve immediately.

Yield: 8 servings

I've been a bad MoFo'er

So, on this last day of Mofo I plan to play catch up.  Starting with Finger Limes and a giveaway!  These limes just arrived at work last week and I was so excited to bring some home and play with them.  And play is about all I did.  Other than adding these to a cocktail, or squeezing a tad of the caviar like insides onto a sweet biscuit, or even using them in some kind of mock sushi, I can't really think of anything to do with them, and at $45 a pound, it would be pretty expensive to use them in any sort of large quantity.


(picture borrowed from HERE)

But don't get me wrong...these little fellas are quite tasty.  The fruit is quite small.  It's about 2 inches long and about the size of a dime around.  The insides really do look like caviar, but each of those little balls is full of delicious sweet and sour lime juice, and there are what seem to be thousands in each lime.

Maybe you all can help me think of something to use them in?  Leave a comment (only on the blog please, not on Facebook!) with an idea of how you might use these in a recipe or as a garnish.   (Keep it vegan please, as I don't want anyone posting ways to use these with seafood...I AM NOT INTERESTED!)

I will pick one random commenter to receive a copy of The Complete Guide to Vegan Food Substitutions, as soon as I get my hands on one to send!  Rumor has it that some have started shipping, although the official release date isn't until January.   I will pick a winner on Saturday Night (12-4-2010) at 10pm PST.  Yes, I will ship internationally! CONTEST OVER!!!



The Complete Guide to Vegan Food Substitutions: Veganize It! Foolproof Methods for Transforming Any Dish into a Delicious New Vegan Favorite

I just cannot get enough salad!

Finally, having just about wrapped up testing for Hearty Vegan Meals for Monster Appetites: Lip-Smacking, Belly-Filling, Home-Style Recipes Guaranteed to Keep Everyone-Even the Meat Eaters-Fantastically Full, I simply cannot get enough green salad!  Kale, mixed baby greens, spinach, cabbage, romaine, even iceberg...my body has never appreciated leafy greens as much as it does right now. 

Thankfully, I have a big fat handful of great recipes from Celine and my latest effort, The Complete Guide to Vegan Food Substitutions: Veganize It! Foolproof Methods for Transforming Any Dish into a Delicious New Vegan Favorite, to help me on my rabbit inspired new love for a big bowl of crunchy goodness.

If the unseasonably warm Southern California weather (it was 104 degrees on Sunday and 112 degrees on Monday at my house) has you ready to throw your pots and pans out the window and opt for a cool, easy to toss together no-cook salad like it does me, well, try on one of these for size:

From The Complete Guide to Vegan Food Substitutions:

Curry Tofu and Arugula Salad

*Quick and Easy
*Wheat Free
*Gluten Free
The more natural colors on your plate, the healthier the meal! This salad a riot of peppery green arugula, sweet red peppers, and yellow curry dressing. You’re welcome to enjoy it on its own, but why not try scoop it onto a crostini, or stuff it into a wrap or pita? If you are not a fan of arugula, feel free to substitute baby spinach.

1 pound (454 g) extra-firm tofu, drained and pressed, pan-fried if desired
3 ounces (84 g) stemmed arugula
1/4 cup (40 g) raisins
1/4 cup (30 g) pine nuts
1/4 cup (46 g) diced roasted red peppers
Half a medium red onion, finely diced
1 cup (224 g) vegan mayonnaise, store-bought or homemade
2 tablespoons (30 ml) apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon (6 g) curry powder to taste
Salt and pepper to taste

Chop tofu into small cubes. Add to a large mixing bowl.
Add arugula, raisins, pine nuts, red peppers, and onion.
In a small bowl, whisk together mayo, vinegar, curry powder, salt, and pepper.
Add dressing to salad and toss to coat.

Yield: 4 main-dish or 8 side-dish servings

No-Fat Balsamic Mustard Dressing
*Quick and Easy
*Nut Free
*Corn Free
*Low Fat

Wait! No oil? That's right. A super kicky dressing without an ounce of fat! Enjoy over dark leafy greens or warmed with steamed kale.

1/2 cup (120 g) Dijon mustard
1/2 cup (120 ml) balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons (30 ml) agave nectar
1 tablespoon (8 g) garlic powder
1 tablespoon (8 g) onion powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
Black pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients in an airtight container, cover with lid, and shake to mix. Store in the fridge until ready to use.

Yield: Just over 1 cup (270 ml)

Shown here in a wrap and in a bowl…I like it both ways!

From Hearty Vegan:

Chopped Waldorf Wraps

For the dressing:
1 cup (224 g) vegan mayonnaise, store bought or homemade
1/2 cup (120 g) nondairy sour cream, store bought or homemade
1/2 cup (120 ml) orange juice
1 tablespoon (9 g) poppyseeds
salt and pepper to taste

For the salad:
3 hearts (12 ounces, 340 g) romaine lettuce, chopped
2 medium granny smith apples, cored and chopped into small cubes
3 stalks celery, chopped
1 cup (160 g) diced red onion
1 cup (109 g) pecan pieces
1 cup (160 g) raisins

For the wraps:
6 large burrito size tortillas (Find the largest, freshest, most pliable tortillas you can find, they work best for wraps)
6 pieces of parchment cut to squares just larger than the tortillas

To make the dressing whisk together all ingredients in a medium bowl.
Set aside.
To make the salad, toss all ingredients together in a large mixing bowl, add prepared dressing and toss to coat.
Refrigerate until ready to use.
To make the wraps lay one piece of parchment on a flat surface.
Place a tortilla in the center of the parchment.
Place 2 to 3 cups (340 g to 510 g), depending on the size of your tortilla, of prepared salad in the tortilla, spread out across the half of the tortilla closest to you. It will seem like a lot, but that’s the magic of making a tight deli style wrap.
Using the parchment to help keep the tortilla from tearing, begin to roll it up like a burrito, folding in the edges halfway through.
Roll as tightly as possible.
Tape the parchement to keep it closed tightly.
Use a sharp knife to cut the wrap in half on the bias.

Yield: 6 wraps or a large bowl of salad, about 15 cups (2550 g)

Add it! Cubed tofu and cubed avocado make a wonderful addition to this salad.


From The Best Veggie Burgers on the Planet:
Creamy Balsamic Dressing
*Wheat-free

This dressing is my answer to a creamy garlic dressing that is served at one of my favorite Italian restaurants. Unfortunately for me, that dressing contains beef consommé and, therefore, is not vegan.

12 ounces (340 g) extra-firmed tofu, drained but not pressed
1/2 cup (120 ml) olive oil
1/4 cup (60 ml) balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon (8 g) garlic powder
1 tablespoon (8 g) onion powder
Salt and pepper

Place all the ingredients in a blender and process until smooth.
Keep refrigerated in an airtight container until ready to use. Lasts about 1 week.

Yield: 1 1/2 cups (375 g)

Ribs for the 4th of July!

Here's a few recipes to help you celebrate Independence day with outdoor barbecue bliss!  Enjoy!

Barbecue Ribs

Barbecue Ribs (page 140 of The Complete Guide to Vegan Food Substitutions) Photo by Celine Steen

Yes! Even vegans can enjoy a big ol' rack of barbecue ribs. Wow the skeptics with these remarkably realistic ribs complete with "bones"!

3 cups (432 g) vital wheat gluten flour
1 cup (120 g) whole wheat flour
1/4 cup (30 g) nutritional yeast
2 tablespoons (16 g) onion powder
1 tablespoon (8 g) garlic powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 cups (470 ml) water
1/2 cup (125 ml) barbecue sauce, store-bought or homemade
1/4 cup (60 ml) steak sauce
2 tablespoons (30 ml) soy sauce
2 tablespoons (30 ml) liquid smoke
2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
2 cups (470 ml) additional barbecue sauce for baking and grilling
6 bones (See note below)
Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C, or gas mark 4).
Line a 9×13-inch (23 x 33-cm) baking pan with foil or parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, mix together dry ingredients.
In a separate bowl, mix together wet ingredients.
Add wet ingredients to the dry and knead for 5 minutes.
Let mixture rest for 20 minutes.
Shape mixture into a large rectangle, to fit in the pan, with at least an inch of space around the edges.
Push the bones through the mixture, at equal distances from each other.
Pour additional 3/4 cup (180 ml) barbecue sauce into the bottom of the baking pan.
Place “rack of ribs” in the pan.
Spread another 3/4 cup (180 ml) barbecue sauce over the top.
Cover pan tightly with foil and bake for 90 minutes.
You can enjoy these as is, or refrigerate for later use.
To reheat, fire up the grill to give ribs extra smoky flavor and grill marks. Brush with 1/2 cup (125 ml) even more barbecue sauce while grilling!

Finger Lickin' Good: Disposable bamboo chopsticks or even Popsicle sticks work wonders here, but if
you want to kick it up a notch, try food-grade cedar cut into 1/2-inch x 6-inch (1.27 x 15-cm) “bones,” makingsure to sand down any rough edges. Whichever you choose, start by soaking them in a mixture of 2 cups (470 ml) warm water mixed with 2 tablespoons (30 ml) liquid smoke to add some smoky flavor to the ribs. For an edible set of bones, try taro root. Although this method will yield edible “bones,” they will be more flimsy after cooking, thus requiring a fork and knife for eating.

Yield: 6 large ribs

Orange Chipotle BBQ Sauce

Orange Chipotle Barbecue Sauce

Oh, so sweet! But wait, what’s that there kick? Ohhh, the smoky chipotle has emerged from the sweetness to leave your tongue warm…not burning.

2 tablespoons (30 g) extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium yellow onion (about 6 ounces, 168 g), roughly chopped
1 tablespoon (15 g) minced garlic
24 ounces (672 g) tomato sauce
6 ounces (168 g) tomato paste
1/2 cup (120 ml) fresh orange juice
1/2 cup (110 g) brown sugar, tightly packed
1/4 cup (80 g) grape jelly (NOT JAM! JELLY! This is Joni’s Gramma Jo’s secret ingredient!)
2 tablespoons (12 g) ground chipotle powder
In a stock pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil on medium high heat.
Add onion and garlic and saute until transluscent and fragrant, and just beginning to brown.
Add in remaining ingredients and stir. Bring to a simmer. Cover and reduce heat to medium low and simmer
for 20 minutes.
Remove from heat and serve as you would any barbecue sauce.
If not using right away, place in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator. Should last about a week in
the fridge, or freeze for later use.

Yield: About 4 cups

Old Fashioned Deli Style Macaroni Salad

Deli Style Macaroni Salad

This is the kind of macaroni salad you could EASILY serve to an omnivorous group at a potluck or get togetheror Saturday afternoon barbecue, without anyone ever questioning the veganocity. It’s chock full of crunchyveggies and coated in a creamy, tangy dressing.

1 pound (454 g) elbow macaroni, prepared according to package directions
1 bell pepper (red, green, or yellow), cored, seeded, and diced
1 cup (160 g) diced red onion
1 cup (48 g diced green onion or chives
1 cup (100 g) chopped celery
1 cup (110 g) shredded carrot
1/4 cup (60 g) sweet pickle relish
1 cup (224 g) vegan mayonnaise, store-bought or homemade
1/4 cup (60 ml) apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons (30 g) prepared dijon mustard
1 teaspoon dried dill, or 1 tablespoon fresh
Salt and pepper to taste
While pasta is boiling, prep vegetables and prepare dressing.
To make the dressing, whisk together mayo with cider vinegar, mustard, and dill.
Once pasta is cooked, strain and run under cold water to cool. Return to the pot.
Add chopped veggies, relish, and dressing to the cooled pasta and toss to combine.
Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.

Yield: 16 servings

Cold Multigrain Salad

Here's a sneak-peak at one of the recipes from The Complete Guide to Vegan Food Substitutions, it will be in the chapter about substituting fat in your diet. This one has no added fats!

This Cold Multigrain Salad has no added fats and is full of nutrition.

Cold Multigrain Salad
Low Fat-Corn Free-Nut Free

WARNING: This makes a butt ton of salad...really. Like, so much you can take it to "Food Not Bombs" and feed all of downtown. I make this salad when I am going to a potluck or get together and let the old ladies swoon at the fact that it has less than 1 gram of fat per serving with 2 grams of fiber and 2.5 grams of protein and only 75 calories, which means it only has 1 WW point!

For the Salad:
1 cup dry pearled barley
1 cup dry red quinoa (white will work just fine as well)
1 cup dry wild rice blend
1/3 cup (1 ounce, 28 g) finely chopped green onion
1 shallot, diced
1 bell pepper, cored and seeded, diced (any color is fine)
2 tablespoons (30 g) minced garlic
1 ounce (28 g) finely chopped fresh parsley (about 1 packed cup)

For the dressing:
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup Bragg's Liquid Aminos (or soy sauce)
1/4 cup Agave nectar
1 tablespoon red pepper flakes
Salt and pepper to taste

To make the salad, first prepare all of your grains. This can take awhile, so it's best to do some of the work in advance. For barley, the ratio is 1 cup barley to 3 cups lightly salted water. For the rice and the quinoa the ratio is 1 cup grain to 2 cups lightly salted water. It is not recommended to cook the grains together. You can, however, cook them in the oven at the same time. Mix the proper ratios, each into a separate covered oven safe casserole and bake at 350°F (180°C, or gas mark 4) until water is absorbed and grains are tender, about 45 minutes to an hour. Fluff with a fork. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Once grains are prepared, mix them all together in a large mixing bowl. Add in the green onion, shallot, bell pepper, garlic and parsley.

To make the dressing, whisk togehter the vinegar, Bragg's, agave, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper in a separate small bowl.

Add dressing to salad, and toss to mix.

Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.

Yield: 24 servings

The Complete Guide to Vegan Food Substitutions

Now available for Preorder! Woohoo!

Beer Battered Corndogs and Baked Sweet and Creamy Macadamia Nut Brie

These seem to be the fan favorites, so here you go!



All American Hot Dogs
Whether simply served in a bun with ketchup and mustard, or made into Beer Battered Corndogs (BELOW), these everyday wieners are sure to please even the kids!

2 cups (288 g) vital wheat gluten flour
1 cup (120 g) whole wheat pastry flour
2 tablespoons (14 g) smoked paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon maca powder (optional)
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1 1/2 (355 ml) cups water
4 ounces (112 g) extra firm tofu, drained and pressed
1/2 cup (120 ml) canola or vegetable oil
1/4 cup (60 ml) soy sauce or tamari
1/4 cup (84 g) brown rice syrup
2 tablespoons (33 g) tomato paste
1 tablespoon (15 ml) liquid smoke

Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C, or gas mark 4).
Mix together flours, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, maca powder, and turmeric.
In a blender, purée together water, tofu, oil, soy sauce, syrup, tomato paste, and liquid smoke.
Add wet to dry and mix until uniform. The mixture will be wet.
Divide dough into 8 to 12 pieces, depending on how large you like your wieners.
Tear off 8 to 12 pieces of aluminum foil, about 6 x 12-inches (15 x 30-cm).
Form each piece of dough into a sausage shape and place near the long edge of the foil.
Roll up the foil and twist the ends tight.
Place seam side down on a baking sheet and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until firm.
Remove from oven and let cool enough to handle before unwrapping.
Enjoy as you would any hot dog.

Yield: 8 to 12 wieners

Beer Battered Corn Dogs
Who doesn’t love a corn dog? Made with beer, this batter cooks up quickly, is crispier than the traditional carnival fare, and a tad more sophisticated too. We think some whole grain mustard is the perfect dipping medium for such a dog. Got a deep fryer? Now’s the time to use it, otherwise using a pot filled with oil heated to 350°F (180°C, or gas mark 4) will do the trick.

3/4 cup (93 g) all-purpose flour
3/4 cup (105 g) yellow corn meal
1 cup (235 ml) vegan beer
2 tablespoons (30 ml) vegetable oil
1 tablespoon (21 g) agave nectar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon paprika
6 vegan Hot Dogs, store-bought or homemade (page XX)
6 popsicle sticks, skewers, or disposable chopsticks
Oil for frying

Preheat oil. Have ready a plate or tray lined with paper towels.
Mix together flour, corn meal, beer, oil, agave, Dijon mustard, baking soda, baking powder, and paprika until smooth. Transfer batter to a tall glass, like a pint glass, to make dipping easy.
Pierce the bottom of each hot dog with a stick and skewer it through leaving ample room for a handle.
Dip each hot dog in the batter to coat with a nice thick coating of batter.
Using the handle, submerge the battered dog into the hot oil to fry until golden and crispy, about one minute.
Transfer to paper towel lined plate to drain excess oil.

Note: You can omit the sticks and make corn dog nuggets by cutting your hot dogs into 2 or 3 inch (5 or 8 cm) pieces and using a slotted spoon to remove them from the oil.

Yield: 6 hot dogs or 18 corn dog nuggets




Baked Sweet and Creamy Macadamia Nut Brie
*Wheat Free
*Corn Free
Other than the baking time, this is a brie-ze to throw together.

14 ounces (397 g) silken tofu
3 ounces (85 g) dry roasted macadamia nuts
2 tablespoons (16 g) arrowroot powder
2 tablespoons (42 g) agave nectar
1 tablespoon (18 g) white or yellow miso
1 tablespoon (15 ml) apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon ground mustard seed
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
Non-stick cooking spray

Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C, or gas mark 4).
Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until silky smooth.
Spray a small round casserole (about 6 inches [15 cm]) or 4 small ramekins with cooking spray.
Pour mixture into baking dish, making sure to leave at least a half inch at the top to account for rising.
Place baking dish(es) on a baking sheet (just in case it cooks over) and bake for 30 (small ramekins) to 45 (small casserole) minutes.
Remove from oven when it is slightly firm to the touch and slightly browned.
Place in the fridge to cool completely before serving.
To serve, invert on serving plate and serve with crackers.
For an even more festive display, serve topped with cranberry sauce or blueberry compote.

Yield: 1 large, or 4 small wheels of brie

The Complete Guide to Vegan Food Substitutions

You may or may not know that Celine and I are just about wrapping up the testing phase for our next book, The Complete Guide to Vegan Food Substitutions. This really does explain my lack of blogging lately. Here's a few photos of the foods I've been making over the last few months:



1. Smashed Pepper Peas, 2. Curry Tofu Arugula Salad, 3. Maple Sponge Candy, 4. Potato Croquettes, 5. Soup of the Shrier, 6. Ambros-ish salad, 7. Cold Multigrain Salad, 8. Potato Cheese Soup, 9. Orange County Rolls, 10. Beer Battered Corndog, 11. TVP Pepperoni Pizza Topping on Cornmeal Crust, 12. Macadamia Nut Brie, 13. Roasted Tomato Basil and Garlic Soup, 14. Cheezy Chikin Casserole close up, 15. Chococado Pudding, 16. French Onion Soup

You can see more pictures (From Me, Celine, and the testers) by clicking HERE!

I am more than willing to share a recipe or two, so please leave a comment on which of these you'd most like to have and I will see what I can do for ya!

Thanks!