plant based Archives - The Passionate Vegan

December 28, 2017

Winter Solstice Cookies aka: Choc Choc Chip Cookies (vegan and gluten-free)

The Winter Solstice is my favorite day during the crazy holiday blur (I mean) season. It’s the shortest (and darkest) day of the year which makes it the best day for introspection. I like to share this day with others so I threw a small party and served these wonderful “Winter Solstice Cookies” aka chocolate chocolate chip cookies to celebrate the richness of the dark.

I chose cookies that are wheat-free, gluten free, vegan, easy to make and seductively delicious and this fantastic recipe by Demeter of The Beaming Baker, fit the bill.

December 18, 2017

Egg-less Cauliflower Fried Rice

People have been raving about cauliflower fried rice for some time now, but I held out because I’m naturally skeptical. Could cauliflower ever taste like rice??? Hmmmmm….(doubting face). When I was growing up, Wednesday nights was when my father took my brother and I out to Sing Wu, our local Chinese restaurant. This was a special night since our parents were divorced and I got to see DAD but also because I could eat my FAVORITE dish…….Fried Rice. Oh how I savored that rice. Could cauliflower ever compare to that special memory?

November 30, 2017

Vegan Paleo Cauliflower Stuffing from Food Faith Fitness

This year, Thanksgiving hit me right in the butt. It slammed into me just as I was removing my Halloween costume….WHAM…there it was! It came swiftly and I wasn’t ready. So, when I was trying to decide what to cook for it, I was unprepared. I didn’t have the usual time to mull over recipes and savor the anticipation.

November 20, 2017

Worlds Easiest Tofu: No Pressing Required

This is the world’s easiest tofu recipe and my favorite way to eat it – crispy browned cubes with a tamari/tahini coating. There is no pressing required, only 3 ingredients (plus salt if desired), a non-stick pan and quick 15 minute cooking time. I mostly devour these cubes immediately but when I can manage self-restraint, I love adding these tasty chunks to salads, soups and Buddha bowls.

July 11, 2017

How to Eat Raw Cauliflower: Try this Cauliflower Detox Salad

As it turns out, cauliflower isn’t always the vegetable on people’s minds. In fact, this humble superfood often goes completely unnoticed. Seriously, when was the last time you ate cauliflower? If you can’t recall, you are not alone. It’s easy to overlook this white Brassica but it ranks among the top 20 foods according to the Aggregate Nutrient Density Index score (source). I am certain this cauliflower detox salad will surprise you. It’s fresh, tangy and delicious, you’ll hardly notice that you’re eating cauliflower!!

May 24, 2017

Lentil Quinoa Protein Salad With (My Favorite) Lemon Tahini Dressing

This healthy lentil quinoa protein salad was one of the first recipes I made from Oh She Glows, Angela Liddon’s amazing vegan cooking blog (and still my favorite). It’s got all the things I love mixed together in a mouth watering bowl of plant based protein. Lentils, grains, leafy greens, cherry tomatoes, and a tangy Tahini dressing that would make anything taste divine.

February 22, 2017

Quinoa and Edamame Asian Chopped Salad

I am loving this Quinoa and Edamame Asian Chopped Salad right now. I often get obsessed with new salads and they become the only thing I want to eat. So I make a big batch and keep it in the fridge adding it to greens, Buddha bowls, or scooping spoonfuls into a bowl when I want something light and delicious. You know what they say about eating the rainbow! Well, this rainbow in a bowl is snappy, crunchy, tangy, beautiful and HEALTHY so it checks all of my boxes. Throw this salad together for your family, guests, or a potluck/BBQ.

January 18, 2017

“Big Magic” and a Carob Dessert Shake

I’ve been engrossed in Elizabeth Gilbert’s book Big Magic. In this enlightening book, she illustrates not only the importance of creativity but the idea that there is a touch of divinity or “magic” involved. Thus, it is critical for us to be receptive so when an idea or spark of genius comes flying towards us, we have an alluring vacancy sign attracting it.

Elizabeth is a beautiful writer whose sentences flow together like Tango dancers but she also understands and empathizes with the struggle of being creative. She recognizes the crushing perfectionism and self-doubt that hold us back. She’s been there herself and articulates it with heartfelt validation.