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Bowls, Grains, International vegan cuisine, oil free vegan recipes, Vegan

Vegan Jerk Chicken Recipe

Posted on January. 2023January. 2023 by writinstuff

I’ve been trying for a while now to figure out a way to make a vegan Jerk recipe that tastes authentic and delicious, without compromising the deep flavors and the spice.

Tofu works but you have to marinade it for a long time, which is a totally viable option but I work for myself as a ghostwriter and author and sometimes I get sucked into the writing cave and only pop my head out when its time for dinner. For tofu that idea is no bueno as it requires a much longer marinade period.

So I did some digging. And some scouring looking for the right vegan jerk chicken recipe and what did I do? What any good researcher would, I compiled them together to come up with something that’s spicy and delicious with the authentic Jerk flavor.

So let’s see how my vegan jerk chicken turned out!

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International vegan cuisine, oil free vegan recipes, Sides, Vegan

Vegan Soul Food Recipes ~ Vegan BBQ, Baked Sweet Potatoes & Greens

Posted on January. 2023January. 2023 by writinstuff

Soul food is a traditional cuisine that is steeped in history and culture. It’s a cuisine that has been passed down through generations and is known for its rich and comforting flavors. However, traditional soul food often relies heavily on meat and dairy products, making it difficult for vegans to enjoy. But, with a few simple substitutions and a little bit of creativity, it’s easy to create a vegan soul food Sunday dinner that is just as satisfying as the original. And healthier!

It doesn’t matter if you’re from the United States or anywhere else in this world, you can enjoy a traditional albeit vegan, soul food dinner.

The key to creating delicious vegan soul food recipes is creativity! Think up your favorite 3 or 4 vegan soul food dishes and then think about how you can veganize it. Really, it’s all about the seasoning that you use whether you have barbecue vegan chicken or vegan ribs. Just think about it and let today’s recipes guide you.

Oh, and just in case you were wondering, vegan soul food recipes aren’t just for Sunday dinner!

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Bar Food, oil free vegan recipes, Plant Based, Vegan

Spicy & Sweet Cauliflower Bites

Posted on January. 2023January. 2023 by writinstuff

When it comes to one of my favorite bar foods, buffalo anything comes to mind. Whether it is a buffalo dipping sauce for my fries, buffalo tofu bites or the much beloved cauliflower wings, I am a sucker for buffalo sauce. Vegan cauliflower wings are a great Friday night recipe, poker night bites or pretty much anytime you want to feed a crowd.

In my quest to enjoy my favorite vegan recipes without breaking the calorie bank, today I’ve baked the spicy cauliflower bites so I don’t have to skimp on the sauce!

These bites are they a tasty and satisfying, but they’re also healthier than their deep fried cousins.

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Casseroles, Grains, Pasta, Plant Based, Sauces & Creams, Vegan

Vegan Comfort Food ~ Vegan Broccoli Mac & Cheese

Posted on January. 2023January. 2023 by writinstuff

There’s nothing quite like a warm, comforting bowl of vegan mac and cheese on a cold winter day. Not only is it delicious and satisfying, but it’s also a great way to incorporate more plant-based foods into your diet. Broccoli is and has always been one of my favorite vegetables and this vegan dinner recipe is a staple in our house, but you can add cauliflower, carrots or any other vegetable that tickles your fancy.

One of the great things about vegan comfort food is that it can be just as indulgent and creamy as its non-vegan counterparts, but without the negative health consequences. By using plant-based ingredients like nuts, seeds, and vegetables, you can create rich and flavorful dishes that are much lower in saturated fat and cholesterol than traditional comfort foods.

One of my favorite vegan comfort food recipes is vegan mac and cheese with broccoli and garlic. Not only is it packed with flavor, but it’s also loaded with nutrients thanks to the addition of broccoli. Plus, the garlic adds a nice depth of flavor and helps to boost the immune system.

What is your go to vegan comfort food recipe?

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International vegan cuisine, Italian, oil free vegan recipes, Pasta, Plant Based, Sauces & Creams, Vegan

Vegan Stuffed Pasta Shells with Silken Tofu Ricotta

Posted on January. 2023January. 2023 by writinstuff

Happy 2023!!!

Show of hands, who loves pasta? The easy answer is just about everyone except one girl I’ve known since I was a kid!

One of the pasta dishes I haven’t thought about in a long time is stuffed pasta shells. Back in the day I used to love it, bursting with bubbly cheese and a thick tomato sauce–usually from a can–I couldn’t get enough of it. But then as the years went by, I kind of forgot about it for years and years and years.

Until recently (well not so recently but these suckers aren’t easy to find in Europe) when I found myself watching some non-vegan cooking show and what did I see? Stuffed pasta shells. I looked everywhere, at all the grocery stores in town, even online and there was nothing.

Then one day at Lidl, which does a fantastic job of bringing in specialty items from week to week, I saw a giant bag of pasta shells. Score!

I still had a box of silken tofu in the fridge for just this purpose so I knew what would happen, and SOON.

So, if you’re looking for a delicious and easy vegan twist on the classic stuffed pasta shells recipe, look no further! This recipe uses silken tofu as a substitute for ricotta cheese, and is filled with flavorful vegetables such as spinach, onion, tomatoes, garlic, and bell peppers. Plus, the addition of tomato paste adds a rich and savory depth to the filling.

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Cheese, Plant Based, Sandwiches, Vegan

Smoked Tofu, Vegan Gouda & Cranberry Sauce Sandwich ~ Delicious Vegan Sandwich Recipes

Posted on December. 2022December. 2022 by writinstuff

Are you looking for a delicious and easy vegan lunch option? Look no further! This smoked tofu, vegan Gouda, and homemade cranberry sauce sandwich is the perfect combination of flavors and textures. Plus, it’s easy to make and can be customized to your taste preferences.

You don’t have to use smoked tofu, in fact you can use any vegan meat alternative you choose. But I was browsing online and came across a non-vegan dish that was very similar to this and jogged a few nostalgic memories and I knew I would make a vegan version, especially since I was looking for a new vegan recipe to use with the fresh cranberries. Gotta make the most of them while they’re in season, right?

Take some time to find a sandwich bread of your choice, because bread is very important when it comes to making a proper vegan sandwich.

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Casseroles, International vegan cuisine, Vegan

Vegan Holiday Recipes ~ Romanian Vegan Drob Recipe

Posted on December. 2022December. 2022 by writinstuff

Have you ever heard of Drob? I have been married to a Romanian for nearly two decades and the first I’d heard of it was about 6 years back when a friend living in Germany made it. My hubs had never really mentioned it even though we’ve enjoyed plenty of Romanian dishes together, especially prior to adopting a vegan lifestyle. Basically it was a Romanian meatloaf only…not.

Anyway, this year for some reason he really wanted Drob and I looked up a few recipes to see how the dish is traditionally made and decided I was up for the challenge.

What is Drob?

Drob is a traditional Romanian and Moldovan dish that is usually made with lots of different animal parts, often lamb or mutton and usually some type of offal. Gross, right? I know but you need to know the context so you’ll understand what vegan ingredients I chose.

Usually Drob is made for easter, which is the one and only time I’ve had it until recently, but it is often served at many other calendar and religious holidays.

Drob is/isn’t Meatloaf!

Calling Romanian Drob ‘meatloaf’ is the simplest way to understand it because it’s cooked in a loaf pan and it contains mince(s), herbs and seasoning. But the texture isn’t quite the same, so yes it is a loaf of meat but it is not a meatloaf.

Now that you know what it is and isn’t, let’s get down to making vegan Drob!

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Desserts, International vegan cuisine, Vegan

Vegan Savarina “aka” Savarina de post

Posted on December. 2022December. 2022 by writinstuff

The other day the Hubs and I stopped inside a local bakery that makes the most delicious bread to see what else they have to offer. I’m the cynic in our little family and I wasn’t going to hold my breath for anything other than bread, so imagine my shock and delight when learning there were several “de post” options.

Now for those of you who don’t know, de post, is a religious designation that means fasting but not fasting how us English speakers think of it. This is a way to note that the food contains no animal products and is therefore suitable for de post times. It’s odd but the good thing is that depending on where you are in the country, you can find plenty of accidentally vegan options.

Yay for us.

The Hubs spotted a vegan version of one of his favorite childhood desserts called Savarina. This was my first time hearing about it or seeing it, but the glazed over look in his eyes was full of memories as he ordered one for us to share.

This post isn’t a vegan recipe post, just me sharing a cool vegan dessert I discovered here in Romania.

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Bar Food, Dips, oil free vegan recipes, Plant Based, Snacks, Vegan

Easy Vegan Dip Recipe ~ Roasted Garlic & Artichoke Dip

Posted on December. 2022December. 2022 by writinstuff

When it’s time for a party, you have to have a dip. Or two or three, actually. Whether its salsa, a vegan yogurt dip, cheese dip or hummus, there’s no party without something creamy to dip your carrot sticks and broccoli tops into. Right?

The great thing about vegan party dips is…they aren’t just for parties. Recently we went to see Avatar 2: Way of the Water and we went after a long day spent amongst people. You don’t know this about me but I’m not much of a people person. Between the noise and germs and bodies, it just becomes a lot pretty quickly. So by the time the movie was over–really great, by the way–I was over it all. And it was late-ish, as in a few hours before dinner so I decided that instead of whipping up a big ole lunch, we should do a quick dip.

I bought a baguette and I knew we had cucumbers and tomatoes already for a quick side salad. So there it was, a quick and easy vegan dip made from scratch and oil free.

Dips are great. They are fun and there are so many different ways you can whip up a few, quickly and easily.

Today’s dip is easy and let’s the oven do most of the work.

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Asian Food, Bowls, Curry, Indian, International vegan cuisine, one pot recipes, Plant Based, Vegan

Hot & Creamy Vegan Cauliflower & Sweet Potato Curry

Posted on December. 2022December. 2022 by writinstuff

Are you looking for a cozy and delicious vegan recipe to try this winter? Look no further than vegan cauliflower & sweet potato curry! After a long walk or a sweaty workout on a winter’s day, all I want is something warm. It can be soup, because who doesn’t love a hearty vegan soup? But it can also be curry when you want to switch up your soup game.

This hearty and flavorful vegan recipe is perfect for warming up on a chilly winter day, and it’s packed with the health benefits of cauliflower.

Why Cauliflower?

Cauliflower is a nutrition powerhouse, containing high levels of vitamin C, vitamin K, and vitamin B6. It’s also a good source of fiber, protein, and antioxidants. Cauliflower has been shown to have a number of health benefits, including improving digestion, reducing the risk of cancer, and aiding in weight loss. Put simply, you get a lot of food for a small number of calories cauliflower is a fiber-rich dish which means you really feel satisfied after a vegan cauliflower dish!