S'mores

Not going to lie, I ate four squares of these... and I'm not even that into sweets!  So much fun watching the marshmallows balloon up in the microwave!  This is a perfect mini "cooking" project to do with the kiddies.

2 Honey Maid honey grahams (generic brands have dairy in them)
2 small scoops of Ghirardelli semi-sweet chocolate chips
a few Dandies (or Sweet & Sara) vegan marshmallows

Makes: 2 smores squares

1: Break grahams in half and put one scoop of chocolate chips and two marshmallows on each square
2: Place top cracker on and lightly push down

3: Microwave for about 15 seconds and there you have it!

Note: The marshmallow gets huge in the microwave, so if you try to "radiate" (heh heh) this without a top cracker on it, the marshmallow will balloon all over the plate!

*This recipe contains honey.

Chunky Chili

Make this for the omnivores in your life and they will never know it's vegan!  My brother said it tasted like "regular chili"... I'll take that as a compliment!  ;)

1/2 package of Smart Ground Original Veggie Protein Crumbles
3 cans kidney beans
2 cans (each 14 oz) tomato sauce
1/2 onion
2 stalks celery
2 tbsp chili powder
salt & cracked pepper

Optional: Daiya Cheddar shreds to melt on top

Makes: 4 servings (or in my case, leftovers for lunch and dinner the next day too!)

1: Saute veggie protein with a bit of olive oil until thoroughly heated

2: Add chopped onions and a 2 tbsp chili powder

3: Then add 2 cans tomato sauce and chopped celery; cook on medium for about 10 minutes, until celery is a bit softened

4: Drain kidney beans and add to mix. I like to add more chili powder, but you may want to keep your chili mild.  Lots of salt and cracked pepper too!

5: Stir completely, cover and simmer for an hour on LOW.  Serve immediately with Daiya cheddar shreds and/or Premium oyster crackers

 

Alternate: After step 3, you may choose to transfer the base along with the kidney beans to a crockpot and simmer for two-three hours on LOW instead.

Double Chocolate Peppermint Cocoa

Oh my yum!  If you're into chocolate, this is perfect for you!  I, myself, am only fond of chocolate at certain times of the month *wink* and this treat fills the bill.  

mug of Silk soy chocolate milk
1 scoop Starbucks Hot Cocoa mix
1 tsp peppermint syrup
bunch of Dandie's marshmallows

Heat soy chocolate milk in microwave or on stovetop until hot (maybe 2 minutes).  Add one scoop cocoa and peppermint and mix thoroughly.  Top with marshmallows!

Spicy Bean Burritos

A quick dinner that can literally be made in five minutes.  Whenever I am in a bean phase, I could eat this four times a week!

1 can pinto beans
1/2 chopped onion
2 tbsp hot sauce
3 jalapeno & cilantro tortillas
salt & pepper
Annie's organic balsamic vinaigrette (non-organic tastes bitter, imo)

Makes: 3 medium-sized burritos

1: Saute chopped onion on medium heat, then add beans and hot sauce and cook until beans are somewhat soft

2: Warm up tortillas and spread one scoop of beans down the center of each with a strip of balsamic vinaigrette, then wrap up

3: Serve immediately.

Avocado Sprout Wrap

Simple to make and you can add other fresh veggies like peppers and such to add a bit more crunch.  Be resourceful and use what you have on hand!

1 Flatout Italian wrap
1/2 avocado
2 slices of onion
a few small garden tomatoes
clover sprouts
olive oil
salt & pepper

1: Arrange sliced avocado, onions and tomatoes on middle of wrap

2: Add a strip of olive oil, salt & pepper and a bit of sprouts on top

 

3: Roll up, slice and enjoy!

Vegetable Stew

Great for the crockpot...and if you have the time, throw some bay leaves in there and let it sit all afternoon for an even more flavorful soup!

5 red potatoes

1/2 onion

2 peeled carrots

2 cans (or 3 1/2 cups) vegetable broth

1 package of vegetarian brown gravy

salt & pepper

Optional: small garden tomatoes

1: Add broth and gravy mix to crockpot and whisk together

2: Add chopped potatoes (I leave the skin on), sliced carrots and chunked onions to broth mix.  I also added some small red and yellow tomatoes that my friend gave me from her mother's garden
3: Add salt and pepper, cover the crockpot and cook on high for an hour, stirring a few times.  Eventually turn to low heat for another hour or two.  The longer you have to simmer it, the more the flavors will come out.

4: Serve immediately with some yummy oyster crackers (I used Premium brand, as the off-brands of crackers have whey in them)

Caprese Flatbread Crisp

Made Caprese flatbread pizza for my omnivore Bear and decided to give it a whirl myself... turned out delicious, however, next time I may try the Daiya wedge for a little more gooey-ness!
 
1 large flatbread (I like Lavash bread from Trader Joe's)
2 tbsp tomato sauce (or none, if you prefer)
Daiya mozzarella shreds
1 roma tomato
9 large basil leaves

1: Preheat oven to 400
2: Spread tomato sauce on flatbread (or if you'd like it to be more of a cracker type thing, don't use sauce)

3: Add mini bunches of Daiya,half slices of tomato with a bit of chiffonade basil on top and bake for 6 or 7 minutes, until edges of flatbread are browned

4: Slice into squares

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

What a fun activity to do with the kiddies!  And such a nice, healthy snack alternative!

raw pumpkin seeds from 2-3 pumpkins
2 tbsp melted Earth Balance
salt & pepper

1: Preheat oven to 250

2: Mix cleaned/rinsed seeds, melted Earth Balance and salt/pepper until completely coated

 3: Spread out on pan and bake for 45-50 minutes until seeds are golden brown

 4: Place in an airtight container for storage

Cabbage Coleslaw

 

A perfect side item to bring along to family gatherings...light, crunchy and who doesn't love cabbage?

1/2 head green cabbage

1/4-1/2 head red cabbage

2 cups Vegenaise 

1 tbsp white vinegar

1 tbsp celery seed

2 tbsp brown sugar

salt & pepper

1: Shred cabbage in short strips

 2: Add Vegenaise, brown sugar, vinegar and celery seed

 3: Stir until completely covered and add salt and pepper to taste.  I like to play around with the vinegar and brown sugar too, adding more of either, depending on the tastes of my dinner guests.

Note: You may also use pre-packaged shredded cabbage or broccoli slaw, just add the other ingredients a little at a time to make sure the cabbage isn't soaked in the Vegenaise/vinegar combo because it will make your coleslaw lose it's crisp!

Alternative: Broccoli Slaw

Vanilla Hot Cocoa

Just another reason to dust that old bag of marshmallows off...  *wink*

1 cup Silk Very Vanilla Soy Milk

2 scoops Starbucks hot cocoa

a bunch of Dandie's marshmallows

Heat very vanilla soy milk in microwave or on stovetop until hot (maybe 2 minutes).  I prefer to heat it on the stovetop and whip it until frothy.  Add two scoops cocoa and mix thoroughly.  Top with marshmallows!