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)

Join me in the LBC!

I'll be cookin' up some guilt free comfort foods in Long Beach tomorrow night from 6:30-8:30 pm.

We'll be making Beefy Cheesy Mac (Vegan Hamburger Helper Cheeseburger Macaroni)




and Spaghetti with TVP Meatballs. 



Come and join me!

Whole Foods Market
6550 E. Pacific Coast Highway
Long Beach, CA 90803
562.598.8687
$10 per person

Cooking Class in Torrance Monday Night!

I will be teaching a class at the Whole Foods Market in Torrance on Monday night from 6:30-8:30pm. 

The theme is easy weeknight meals featuring TVP.  We'll be making up a scrumptious Hamburger Helper style Cheeseburger Macaroni, a "Meaty" Marinara for pasta and lasagna, and a "Pepperoni" Pizza!

Call the Torrance store at 310.257.8700 to RSVP.  And come hungry!



Whole Foods Market, Torrance
2655 Pacific Coast Hwy

Torrance, CA 90505 USA

Diner Delicious!

Diner delicious just begins to describe the yumminess that awaits you inside this amazing compilation of American classics.

American Vegan Kitchen is Tamasin Noyes' newest book chock full of diner classics and American comfort foods.

If you have followed Tami's blog (Vegan Appetite) then you already know that this gal can cook up a vegan storm.  And with 232 pages full of recipes for omelettes, tacos, burgers, stroganoffs, onion rings, and, of course, down home  desserts like peach cobbler, apple crisp, cherry turnovers, and NEW YORK CHEESECAKE (!!!) you will be lickin' your fingers after every bite!

Go get yourself a copy, you won't be sorry! 

SUPPORT VEGAN AUTHORS!

Burger News!

All-American Burger from The Best Veggie Burgers on the Planet: 101 Flavor-Packed Patties of 100% Vegan Goodness--with More Taste and Delicious Nutrition Than Anything You'd Find at the Store.  Photo Credit: Isa Chandra Moskowitz

Maybe you remember me talking about a burger book awhile back? I mean it was almost done! Then poof, seemed as though it had disappeared from my life.

Well, she's back.  She's new and improved, and she will be available next summer for all of you to enjoy.  Why so long?  I know, summer of 2011 seems like light years away, but there's a reason.

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

Let's make some ribz!

I will be teaching a vegan cooking class on
Thursday July 1, 2010
6:30-8:30pm
VEGAN BARBECUE!
Ribz, macaroni salad, and more!
Space is limited, so call Ellena to reserve a space!
FREE! FREE! FREE!

Whole Foods Market
2655 Pacific Coast Hwy
Torrance, CA 90505 USA
Phone 310.257.8700

Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes

Here's a really sneak, sneak preview of one of the recipes in Celine and my next book, Hearty Vegan!

Fluffy Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes from Hearty Vegan Meals for Monster Appetites.

These bad boys cook up nice and fluffy.  Just as good, or BETTER than any non-vegan version you've ever had!

2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 tablespoons (25 g) sugar
1 1/2 cups (355 ml) soymilk
3 tablespoons (45 ml) lemon juice
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 tablespoon (8 g) Ener-G Egg Replacer powder
1/4 cup (60 ml) warm water
3 tablespoons (42 g) nondairy butter, melted
1 cup (145 g) fresh or thawed frozen blueberries

In a medium size mixing bowl, mix together flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and sugar.
In a small bowl mix together soymilk, lemon juice, and vanilla, it will curdle and become like buttermilk.
In a small bowl, whisk together egg replacer and warm water until foamy.
Add egg replacer to buttermilk mixture.
Add wet ingredients into dry and mix until batter just comes together.
Mix in melted butter.
Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat. If not using a nonstick skillet, melt a little bit of nondairy butter in the pan to prevent sticking.
Ladle about 1/2 cup (5 ounces, 140 g) of batter into the pan.
Sprinkle a handful of blueberries into the pancake.
When batter begins to bubble, flip as you would any pancake.
Cook until golden brown.
Serve immediately with butter and maple syrup.

Yield: Six 6-inch (15 cm) pancakes

Jason Ellis on peta2

I knew there was a reason I loved this guy! CHeck out more at EllisMania.


Learn more about Jason Ellis at peta2.com.

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