.spinach & carrot wraps.

2 tortillas (or wraps)
2 tbsp cream cheese
2 cups fresh spinach
1 cup grated carrot

divide & spread cream cheese evenly over wraps. top with carrot & spinach. fold like a burrito, or roll up & slice into 1 inch pieces.

Add comment May 28th, 2008

.baked bean sandwiches.

2 tsp olive oil
2 garlic cloves, grated or minced
1/2 large or 1 medium onion, diced
1 large can(28 oz) vegetarian baked beans, drained
1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
bread

heat oil in a large nonstick skillet and add garlic and onion. cook until tender, about 4-5 minutes. add beans and tomatoes. bring to a boil, then let simmer on low for another 5 minutes. use a slotted spoon to serve on bread slices.

1 comment May 12th, 2008

.peanut butter alternatives.

although peanut butter is vegan, i wanted to provide some alternatives for those who don’t or can’t eat it. my niece is allergic to peanuts, so i know how careful you have to be when you have food allergies. many of my recipes call for peanut butter, so you can use any of these instead.

• sunbutter

this is the second “peanut” butter i’ve tried, and definitely my first choice. made from sunflower seeds, it tastes great right out of the jar, so you can still enjoy pb&j’s. sunbutter is processed in a peanut-free environment, and they go the extra step and test each batch for allergens. it’s creamy and has only a slight aftertaste, much like you’ve just eaten a handful of sunflower seeds.

• soybutter

soybutter tastes great when cooking (i used it in my chocolate crispy treats) but less appealing when eaten out of the jar. it has a strong, strangely flavored aftertaste which i would prefer not to have. it also is processed in a peanut free environment, and is easier to find than sunbutter.

Add comment March 17th, 2008

.milk alternatives for vegans.

there are plenty of vegan options for milk. some are great to drink right from the container, but others work best when cooking or baking. some are thicker than others and there are plenty of flavors. you can find vegan milk alternatives in the dairy section as well as in shelf stable containers at most grocery stores.

some of the non-dairy alternative ingredients for milk include:

• almonds
• rice
• coconut
• soy
• oats
• potatoes

you’ll need to experiment to find what flavors and brands you like the best.

my favorite soy milk is eighth continent.

3 comments March 17th, 2008

.butter alternatives for vegan cooking.

when making great vegan dishes these are a few of the alternative ingredients i use for butter.

• margarine:

you’ll have to read the label to make sure it doesn’t have any milk products.

i use bluebonnet light margarine, for me it’s the easiest to find.

• applesauce:

when baking replace the butter, or margarine, with equal amounts of apple sauce. this will keep things moist, and works as a binder.

applesauce is a great vegan ingredient in baking because it cuts the calorie and fat content of the dish without compromising taste or texture.

• avocado:

instead of butter on toast, you can use mashed avocado or hummus.

• in many cases you can just skip the butter altogether.

2 comments March 16th, 2008

.mayo alternatives for vegan cooking.

need a vegan alternative for mayonnaise? health food stores carry a variety of brands, with different flavors and options to choose from.

• vegenaise:

this works well on sandwiches or in any vegan recipe that calls for mayonnaise. it doesn’t quite taste like mayo, but it’s pretty good. one of my favorite vegan cafés uses it on sandwiches, and my favorite is for the grilled “ham and cheese”.

• nayonaise:

this is my first pick for a vegan alternative to mayo. i’ve never liked mayonnaise, but miracle whip (salad dressing) instead. it’s not exactly the same, but it comes close. use it on sandwiches, or any recipe that calls for mayo or salad dressing (miracle whip).

• hummus:

hummus works great on sandwiches, toast, and bagels. there are so many flavors to choose from you’ll be sure to find one you’ll like. check back here for some of my hummus recipes in the future.

• avocado:

works much like hummus on sandwiches, and toast and gives a different flavor. just mash a ripe one, and spread it on.

10 comments March 16th, 2008

.egg alternatives for vegan cooking.

vegan egg alternatives can be found at many health food stores, and some in your own pantry. here are a few ideas.

• ener-g egg replacer:

1 1/2 tablespoons mixed with 2 tablespoons water = 1 egg

my mom actually uses this vegan egg replacer more than i do, and it seems to work well in everything she bakes.

• bananas:

1/2 small ripe banana, mashed = 1 egg

best for muffins, pancakes, breads, and cookies.

• applesauce, canned pumpkin, squash or pureed prunes:

1/4 cup applesauce = 1 egg

if you use unsweetened applesauce, you shouldn’t notice the flavor, but just in case you might want to try it in sweet recipes, like cookies or cake.

• tofu:

1/4 cup tofu = 1 egg

make sure you use, plain tofu, and put it in a blender until smooth. silken tofu works best.

• cornstarch:

2 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water = 1 egg

this works a lot like the ener-g egg replacer

and don’t be afraid to experiment. many people use different egg alternatives for different recipes, and others stick to one. test them out and see what you like best.

have any other ideas? let me know what other vegan egg alternatives work for you.

4 comments March 16th, 2008