Epicurean Vegan

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Raw Date Granola

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Raw Date Granola - Epicurean Vegan

For the last couple of months, I have been making more of an effort to not skip breakfast and to incorporate more fruit into my diet. I’m not sure why I reach for leafy greens before an orange, but I guess I just love my veggies. As we all know, a healthy vegan diet’s gotta include fruit, so let’s do this! I recently came across the book, Life-Changing Foods and while I don’t (yet) know about life-changing, I will say, the recipes have been meal-changing for me. Unprocessed and fresh. That’s what I’ve been focusing on for the last six months and I’ve embraced my love of food again. I was getting too reliant upon vegan products and not plant-based, whole foods—one of the main reasons my becoming a vegan. (I’ve even cut way back on gluten/wheat and I feel so much better, but that’s a whole other post.) Anyway, this recipe (which I double) from Life-Changing Foods has certainly changed my breakfasts, which needed a serious (and delicious) overhaul.

INGREDIENTS:
4 C fresh, pitted dates
1/2 C unsalted almonds (I like to roast mine)
1/2 C unsweetened coconut flakes
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon (my addition)

DIRECTIONS:
I like to add the salt and cinnamon to the food processor first to get them well-combined. I then add the dates, almonds, and coconut; blend well. Transfer to a glass container and store in the refrigerator. I usually make this the night before, otherwise, it’s too soft to be granola. For breakfast, I crumble/pull apart pieces.

Raw Date Granola - Epicurean Vegan

My favorite breakfast:
Raw Date Granola - Epicurean Vegan
unsweetened Cashew Yogurt
a teeny drizzle of agave
fresh strawberries
fresh blueberries

 

Enjoy!

 

 

 

Raw Date Granola
 
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For the last couple of months, I have been making more of an effort to not skip breakfast and to incorporate more fruit into my diet. I'm not sure why I reach for leafy greens before an orange, but I guess I just love my veggies. As we all know, a healthy vegan diet's gotta include fruit, so let's do this! I recently came across the book, Life-Changing Foods and while I don't (yet) know about life-changing, I will say, the recipes have been meal-changing for me. Unprocessed and fresh. That's what I've been focusing on for the last six months and I've embraced my love of food again. I was getting too reliant upon vegan products and not plant-based, whole foods---one of the main reasons my becoming a vegan. (I've even cut way back on gluten/wheat and I feel so much better, but that's a whole other post.) Anyway, this recipe (which I double) from Life-Changing Foods has certainly changed my breakfasts, which needed a serious (and delicious) overhaul.
Author:
Serves: 3 cups
Ingredients
  • 4 C fresh, pitted dates
  • ½ C unsalted almonds (I like to roast mine)
  • ½ C unsweetened coconut flakes
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp cinnamon (my addition)
Directions
  1. I like to add the salt and cinnamon to the food processor first to get them well-combined. I then add the dates, almonds, and coconut; blend well. Transfer to a glass container and store in the refrigerator. I usually make this the night before, otherwise, it's too soft to be granola. For breakfast, I crumble/pull apart pieces. My favorite breakfast: unsweetened Cashew Yogurt, a teeny drizzle of agave, fresh strawberries, fresh blueberries. Enjoy!

 

Cinnamon-Almond Croissants

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Cinnamon-Almond Croissants -- Epicurean VeganPuff pastry can sometimes be a vegan’s best friend. I had one sheet of it in the freezer, so I stuck it in the fridge the night before so that it would be thawed by morning. Otherwise, it takes about 45-60 minutes if you take it out and set it on the counter to thaw. These were ready in no time and were the perfect breakfast treat for a lazy weekend morning.

INGREDIENTS:
1 puff pastry sheet, thawed
Flour for dusting
2 Tbs vegan margarine
1/4 C brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp almond extract/flavoring
2-3 Tbs almond milk

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 400. In a small saucepan, melt the vegan margarine over low-medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar, cinnamon and almond flavoring.
Cinnamon-Almond Croissants -- Epicurean VeganNext, roll out the pastry sheet over a lightly floured surface until you have roughly a 10″x 10″ square. It doesn’t need to be perfect. Cut the dough into four even squares and spread a 1/4 of the sauce on a square.
Cinnamon-Almond Croissants -- Epicurean VeganTake one corner and fold it over to the opposite corner. Roll the folded side toward the corner, turn over and curl the ends in.
Cinnamon-Almond Croissants -- Epicurean VeganPlace onto a baking sheet and brush with the almond milk. Bake for 15 minutes, or until golden. Enjoy!

Cinnamon-Almond Croissants
 
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Puff pastry can sometimes be a vegan's best friend. I had one sheet of it in the freezer, so I stuck it in the fridge the night before so that it would be thawed by morning. Otherwise, it takes about 45-60 minutes if you take it out and set it on the counter to thaw. These were ready in no time and were the perfect breakfast treat for a lazy weekend morning.
Author:
Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • 1 puff pastry sheet, thawed
  • Flour for dusting
  • 2 Tbs vegan margarine
  • ¼ C brown sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp almond extract/flavoring
  • 2-3 Tbs almond milk
Directions
  1. Preheat oven to 400. In a small saucepan, melt the vegan margarine over low-medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar, cinnamon and almond flavorin
  2. Next, roll out the pastry sheet over a lightly floured surface until you have roughly a 10"x 10" square. It doesn't need to be perfect. Cut the dough into four even squares and spread a ¼ of the sauce on a square.
  3. Take one corner and fold it over to the opposite corner. Roll the folded side toward the corner, turn over and curl the ends in.
  4. Place onto a baking sheet and brush with the almond milk. Bake for 15 minutes, or until golden. Enjoy!

 

Easy, Vegan Cinnamon Rolls

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Easy, Vegan Cinnamon Rolls -- Epicurean Vegan

Sorry it’s been a while since my last post; been busy I guess. Next week, I’ll be bringing you 2 cookbook reviews that I’m super excited about, so look for that in the coming days. For now, I’ve got a quickie recipe for vegan cinnamon rolls, perfect for a lazy Sunday morning.

INGREDIENTS:
24 Rhodes white dinner rolls, thawed
1/4 C vegan margarine
1-1/2 C brown sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
Dash of ground cloves
Confectioner’s sugar
unsweetened vanilla almond milk

DIRECTIONS:
I ended up defrosting the rolls in microwave, so that worked well, but I recommend taking the rolls out the night before and thawing them in the fridge. Melt the vegan margarine in a small pan over low heat. Stir in the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Turn off the heat and let the mixture stay warm. Combine all of the rolls with your hands and knead the dough for about 7-8 minutes, or until all the air bubbles are gone. Roll the dough out into a large square—maybe just over a foot on each side. If the dough wants to keep bouncing back, just keep at it; it’ll eventually roll out. Spread the brown sugar mixture on the dough, then, working from the top or bottom edge, roll up the square. Using a serrated bread knife, cut the roll into 12 pieces. Place in a greased 9×13″ baking dish. Cover with a dish towel, place in a warm area and let the rolls rise for about 30 minutes. Once they’ve risen a bit, preheat oven to 400, then bake for 18-20 minutes. I whipped up some frosting by combing about a cup of powdered (confectioner’s) sugar in a bowl with just a tablespoon or so of almond milk; you can play with these amounts to get the consistency you want. Once the cinnamon rolls are out of the oven, frost them and serve. Enjoy!

Easy, Vegan Cinnamon Rolls
 
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Author:
Serves: 12
Ingredients
  • 24 Rhodes white dinner rolls, thawed
  • ¼ C vegan margarine
  • 1-1/2 C brown sugar
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp nutmeg
  • Dash of ground cloves
  • Confectioner's sugar
  • unsweetened vanilla almond milk
Directions
  1. I ended up defrosting the rolls in microwave, so that worked well, but I recommend taking the rolls out the night before and thawing them in the fridge.
  2. Melt the vegan margarine in a small pan over low heat. Stir in the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Set aside.
  3. Combine all of the rolls with your hands and knead the dough for about 7-8 minutes, or until all the air bubbles are gone.
  4. Roll the dough out to a large square---maybe just over a foot on each side. If the dough wants to keep bouncing back, just keep at it; it'll eventually roll out.
  5. Spread the brown sugar mixture on the dough, then, working from the top or bottom edge, roll up the square.
  6. Using a serrated bread knife, cut the roll into 9 pieces and place in a greased 9x13" baking dish. Cover with a dish towel, place in a warm area and let the rolls rise for about 30 minutes.
  7. Once they've risen a bit, preheat oven to 400, then bake for 18-20 minutes.
  8. I whipped up some frosting by combing about a cup of powdered (confectioner's) sugar in a bowl with just a tablespoon or so of almond milk; you can play with these amounts to get the consistency you want. Once the cinnamon rolls are out of the oven, frost them and serve. Enjoy!

 

Lemon-Pecan Waffles

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Lemon-Pecan Waffles -- Epicurean VeganThese are some hearty, no-joke waffles. You could certainly add a bit more milk to thin out the batter a little more to make a lighter, crispier waffle, but we enjoyed the muffin-like texture of the thicker ones. Either way, you won’t be disappointed with this lemony, nutty breakfast/brunch mainstay.

INGREDIENTS:
3-1/2 C flour
2/3 C ground pecans (about 1-1/4 C whole pecans)
1 Tbs baking powder
1 tsp salt
4 C unsweetened almond milk (plain or vanilla)
1/4 C vegan margarine, melted
3 Tbs lemon juice
Zest from one large lemon
1 C pecans, chopped and toasted
Cooking spray
Vegan margarine
Maple syrup

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to about 200 degrees and preheat waffle maker according to its instructions. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, pecans, baking powder and salt. In a medium bowl, whisk together the almond milk, melted margarine, lemon juice and zest. Add  the wet ingredients to the flour mixture and gently fold until well combined, using a rubber spatula.

Lemon-Pecan Waffles -- Epicurean VeganSpray the waffle irons with cooking spray and place about a 3/4 to 1 cup of the batter in each waffle square. (Waffle makers vary, so be sure to find out how much/little batter to use).
Lemon-Pecan Waffles -- Epicurean VeganBecause these are thicker waffles, you will probably want to add a couple of minutes to the regular cooking time. (And I could have used a bit more batter).
Lemon-Pecan Waffles -- Epicurean VeganPlace the finished waffles on a baking sheet, cover with foil and place in the warm oven while you cook the rest of the waffles. I got about 12 waffles out of this batter, but if you decide to thin the batter out, you’ll definitely get a few more. Top individual servings with some vegan margarine, syrup and a scoop of toasted pecans. Enjoy!

Lemon-Pecan Waffles
 
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These are some hearty, no-joke waffles. You could certainly add a bit more milk to thin out the batter a little more to make a lighter, crispier waffle, but we enjoyed the muffin-like texture of the thicker ones. Either way, you won't be disappointed with this lemony, nutty breakfast/brunch mainstay.
Author:
Recipe type: Breakfast/Brunch
Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • 3-1/2 C flour
  • ⅔ C ground pecans (about 1-1/4 C whole pecans)
  • 1 Tbs baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 4 C unsweetened almond milk (plain or vanilla)
  • ¼ C vegan margarine, melted
  • 3 Tbs lemon juice
  • Zest from one large lemon
  • 1 C pecans, chopped and toasted
  • Cooking spray
  • Vegan margarine
  • Maple syrup
Directions
  1. Preheat oven to about 200 degrees and preheat waffle maker according to its instructions.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, pecans, baking powder and salt.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the almond milk, melted margarine, lemon juice and zest.
  4. Add the wet ingredients to the flour mixture and gently fold until well combined, using a rubber spatula.
  5. Spray the waffle irons with cooking spray and place about a ¾ to 1 cup of the batter in each waffle square. (Waffle makers vary, so be sure to find out how much/little batter to use).
  6. Because these are thicker waffles, you will probably want to add a couple of minutes to the regular cooking time.
  7. Place the finished waffles on a baking sheet, cover with foil and place in the warm oven while you cook the rest of the waffles. I got about 12 waffles out of this batter, but if you decide to thin the batter out, you'll definitely get a few more.
  8. Top individual servings with some vegan margarine, syrup and a scoop of toasted pecans. Enjoy!

 

 

Vegan & Gluten-Free Mini Quiches

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Vegan and Gluten-Free Mini Quiches -- Epicurean VeganI’ve been wanting to figure out how to make vegan mini quiches for a while now, but I wasn’t sure where to start. Do I use tofu? Flour? Wave a magic wand? Well, when I came across this recipe, I knew my search was over. I only made one modification and that was to add the veggies to the batter instead of just topping the batter with them. Doing so, will give you about 4 more quiches (16 instead of 12) unless . . . you have a larger muffin tin like I do—you’ll just get 12 larger quiches. Otherwise, you could add your veggies just to the tops. I was thoroughly impressed with these. They taste like a cross between an actual egg-y quiche and a biscuit. They’re packed with protein and make a great quick breakfast on the go—just zap in the microwave for 20-30 seconds and you’re good to go. (These are especially ideal for a post-workout snack.) Also, think about making these in tart pans, ramekins, or other small dishes for various presentations.

INGREDIENTS:
2-1/2 C garbanzo/chickpea flour (I also had some garbanzo & flava flour mix that worked great, too)
3 C cold, filtered water
3 Tbs olive oil
2 tsp salt
Cooking spray
Veggies/toppings: Use your favorites, but I like to use 1-1/2 to 2 cups of chopped . . . spinach, tomato, mushrooms, green onion, cilantro
Other options: veggie bacon or ham, bell pepper, sauteed garlic, olives, broccoli, sun-dried tomatoes, arugula, basil, Swiss chard, shredded (and squeezed dry) zucchini, peas, . . . the list is endless. (My favorites are mushrooms, onion, and kalamata olives along with some dried rosemary, thyme, and garlic. YUM!)
Note: I used sun-dried tomatoes (packed in oil) in a batch and I recommend easing up on the oil in the batter by at least a tablespoon.
Also, throw in some chia seeds. Pepitas or sunflower seeds would also be great additions. I also sometimes add some seasonings or herbs such as thyme, basil, or garlic powder for some extra flavor.

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 500 and lightly spray the muffin tins. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, water, oil, and salt. Be sure to whisk until all the lumps are gone and  you have a smooth batter. You can then pour the batter evenly among 12 muffin cups and just add your veggies to the top, OR (as I would recommend) add the veggies to the batter.

Vegan and Gluten-Free Mini Quiches -- Epicurean Vegan

Fill the muffin tins . . . Vegan and Gluten-Free Mini Quiches -- Epicurean VeganBake for 14 minutes, then crack the oven door slightly, and cook another 11 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes or so, and remove with a knife. Enjoy!

Vegan and Gluten-Free Mini Quiches -- Epicurean Vegan

Vegan & Gluten-Free Mini Quiches
 
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Author:
Serves: 12-16
Ingredients
  • 2-1/2 C garbanzo/chickpea flour (I also had some garbanzo & flava flour mix that worked great, too)
  • 3 C cold, filtered water
  • 3 Tbs olive oil
  • 2 tsp salt
  • Cooking spray
  • Veggies/toppings: Use your favorites, but I like to use 1-1/2 to 2 cups of chopped . . . spinach, tomato, mushrooms, green onion, cilantro.
  • Other options: veggie bacon or ham, bell pepper, sauteed garlic, broccoli, sun-dried tomatoes, arugula, basil, Swiss chard, shredded (and squeezed dry) zucchini, peas, . . . the list is endless. (My favorites are mushrooms, onion, and kalamata olives along with some dried rosemary, thyme, and garlic. YUM!)
  • Note: I used sun-dried tomatoes (packed in oil) in a batch and I recommend easing up on the oil in the batter by at least a tablespoon.
  • Also, throw in some chia seeds. Pepitas or sunflower seeds would also be great additions. I also sometimes add some seasonings or herbs such as thyme, basil, or garlic powder for some extra flavor.
Directions
  1. Preheat oven to 500 and lightly spray the muffin tins.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, water, oil, and salt. Be sure to whisk until all the lumps are gone and you have a smooth batter. You can then pour the batter evenly among 12 muffin cups and just add your veggies to the top, OR (as I would recommend) add the veggies to the batter.
  3. Fill the muffin tins.
  4. Bake for 14 minutes, then crack the oven door slightly, and cook another 11 minutes.
  5. Let cool 5 minutes or so, and remove with a knife. Enjoy!

Pumpkin-Spiced Pancakes

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Pumpkin-Spice Pancakes -- Epicurean Vegan
What a fabulous fall morning for these pancakes!

DSC08032

The Ninth Grader found this recipe last week and we finally got around to making them. The original recipe is not vegan; easy enough to remedy. . . and we also upped the spices to give these more flavor. With the leftover canned pumpkin, I’ll be making vegan pumpkin-spiced lattes tomorrow, which I’m definitely looking forward to.

INGREDIENTS:
1-1/2 C almond milk
1 C pumpkin puree
Egg-replacer for one egg (I used Ener-G Egg replacer)
2 Tbs oil
2 Tbs vinegar
2 C flour
3 Tbs brown sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp allspice
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp salt
The Rest:
Earth Balance margarine
Syrup

DIRECTIONS:
In a large bowl, combine the milk, pumpkin puree, egg-replacer, oil, and vinegar. In a separate bowl, combine the dry ingredients. Slowly whisk in the dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture.

Pumpkin-Spiced Pancakes -- Epicurean VeganPlace a flat pan over medium heat and spray with oil. Let it preheat for a minute or two. Scoop 1/3 cupfuls of batter onto the hot pan.

Pumpkin-Spiced Pancakes -- Epicurean VeganLet cook 3-5 minutes, then flip.

Pumpkin-Spiced Pancakes -- Epicurean VeganI transferred the cooked ones to a pan, covered with foil and placed in a warm oven until all pancakes were cooked. This recipe makes 12 pancakes.

Pumpkin-Spiced Pancakes -- Epicurean Vegan

Enjoy!

Pumpkin-Spiced Pancakes
 
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Author:
Serves: 6
Ingredients
  • 1-1/2 C almond milk
  • 1 C pumpkin puree
  • Egg-replacer for one egg (I used Ener-G Egg replacer)
  • 2 Tbs oil
  • 2 Tbs vinegar
  • 2 C flour
  • 3 Tbs brown sugar
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 2 tsp allspice
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp ginger
  • ½ tsp salt
  • The Rest:
  • Earth Balance margarine
  • Syrup
Directions
  1. In a large bowl, combine the milk, pumpkin puree, egg-replacer, oil, and vinegar.
  2. In a separate bowl, combine the dry ingredients. Slowly whisk in the dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture.
  3. Place a flat pan over medium heat and spray with oil. Let it preheat for a minute or two. Scoop ⅓ cupfuls of batter onto the hot pan.
  4. Let cook 3-5 minutes, then flip.
  5. I transferred the cooked ones to a pan, covered with foil and placed in a warm oven until all pancakes were cooked. This recipe makes 12 pancakes. Enjoy!

Lemon Monkey Bread

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Lemon Monkey Bread -- Epicurean Vegan

I was going to post this recipe tomorrow, but after taking a bite, I think you might want to run out and buy the ingredients for tomorrow’s breakfast. So worthy of veganizing! You may have seen the original recipe on Pinterest . . . it’s definitely making the rounds and now I know why! The original recipe was a bit hard to follow because of the way it’s laid out—lots of really closeup pictures with some directions, then at the bottom of the post is the ingredient list and directions. It also wasn’t clear how long it was going to take to let these puppies rise, but luckily, it was only about 45 minutes. These are little pieces of glaze n’ sugar heaven; like a mini glazed doughnut! And the crunchy sugar topping?! Forgetaboutit! Frickin’ amazing and perfect for a brunch get together (that is, if you want to share)!

INGREDIENTS:
12 Rhodes dinner rolls, thawed, but still cold (I took them out of the freezer and stuck them in the fridge the night before)
Zest from one lemon
1/2 C sugar
3 Tbs Earth Balance, melted + some for greasing the pan
1/2 C powdered sugar
1 Tbs lemon juice

Rhodes Rolls

DIRECTIONS:
Grease (very well) the bottom and sides of a 9×13 baking dish. Cut each roll in half . . .

Lemon Monkey Bread -- Epicurean Vegan

. . . and place flat-side down into the pan.

Lemon Monkey Bread -- Epicurean Vegan

Drizzle with the melted butter . . .

Lemon Monkey Bread -- Epicurean Vegan

In a small bowl, combine the sugar and lemon zest. Sprinkle half of the sugar mixture on the top of the rolls.

Lemon Monkey Bread -- Epicurean Vegan

Cover and let rise for 45 minutes, or until they have doubled in size. (I turned my oven onto the lowest temp: 190. Placed the covered rolls inside and just cracked the oven door. Works beautifully)!

Lemon Monkey Bread -- Epicurean Vegan

Preheat oven to 350. Sprinkle the rest of the sugar on top.

Lemon Monkey Bread -- Epicurean Vegan

The original recipe says to bake them for 20-25 minutes, but mine were ready in about 16-17 minutes. Check often as all ovens run differently. And let me tell you, these smelled SO incredible as they baked!

Lemon Monkey Bread -- Epicurean Vegan

Remove from the pan onto a plate. In a small bowl, combine the powdered sugar and lemon juice. Drizzle on top. Thoroughly enjoy!!

Lemon Monkey Bread -- Epicurean Vegan

UPDATE:

I recently made these with cinnamon and sugar . . . YUM!

Cinnamon-Sugar Monkey Bread -- Epicurean Vegan

Prepare them the same as above, but use 1/3 C sugar (I reduced the amount from 1/2 C), 1 Tbs cinnamon, and zest from one orange. This is a quick and easy alternative to cinnamon rolls, especially if you’re short on time. Enjoy!

Lemon Monkey Bread
 
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I was going to post this recipe tomorrow, but after taking a bite, I think you might want to run out and buy the ingredients for tomorrow's breakfast. So worthy of veganizing! You may have seen the original recipe on Pinterest . . . it's definitely making the rounds and now I know why! The original recipe was a bit hard to follow because of the way it's laid out---lots of really closeup pictures with some directions, then at the bottom of the post is the ingredient list and directions. It also wasn't clear how long it was going to take to let these puppies rise, but luckily, it was only about 45 minutes. These are little pieces of glaze n' sugar heaven; like a mini glazed doughnut! And the crunchy sugar topping?! Forgetaboutit! Frickin' amazing and perfect for a brunch get together (that is, if you want to share)!
Author:
Serves: 12
Ingredients
  • 12 Rhodes dinner rolls, thawed, but still cold (I took them out of the freezer and stuck them in the fridge the night before)
  • Zest from one lemon
  • ½ C sugar
  • 3 Tbs Earth Balance, melted + some for greasing the pan
  • ½ C powdered sugar
  • 1 Tbs lemon juice
Directions
  1. Grease (very well) the bottom and sides of a 9x13 baking dish.
  2. Cut each roll in half and place flat-side down into the pan.
  3. Drizzle with the melted butter.
  4. In a small bowl, combine the sugar and lemon zest. Sprinkle half of the sugar mixture on the top of the rolls.
  5. Cover and let rise for 45 minutes, or until they have doubled in size. (I turned my oven onto the lowest temp: 190. Placed the covered rolls inside and just cracked the oven door. Works beautifully)!
  6. Preheat oven to 350. Sprinkle the rest of the sugar on top.
  7. The original recipe says to bake them for 20-25 minutes, but mine were ready in about 16-17 minutes. Check often as all ovens run differently.
  8. Remove from the pan onto a plate. In a small bowl, combine the powdered sugar and lemon juice. Drizzle on top. Thoroughly enjoy!!

Ricotta-Stuffed French Toast

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Field Roast and Veggie Tacos -- Epicurean VeganGotta love Mother’s Day brunch…I saw this recipe at Olives for Dinner and knew immediately, I had to give it a try. I was intrigued by the soy-free ricotta. I made a few adjustments like using apple cider vinegar instead of coconut vinegar, and I also made the ricotta the morning of instead of the night before. These turned out delicious! And the salted butterscotch sauce was a fantastic touch!

INGREDIENTS:
1 loaf of French bread
Ricotta cheese:
1 can full-fat coconut milk
1/2 tsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
5 tsp agar flakes
For the batter:
1 C almond milk
1 C canned coconut milk
3 Tbs garbanzo flour
2 tsp egg replacer powder
Sauce:
1/2 C brown sugar
2 Tbs almond milk
2 Tbs coconut oil
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp xanthan gum
Toasted pecans and walnuts to top

DIRECTIONS:
I was supposed to make the ricotta the night before and let it chill, but I did’t get to it, so I improvised. I threw it in the freezer to let it set up, which it did quite quickly. So…in a saucepan, whisk together all of the ricotta ingredients. Stir over medium heat until the agar flakes dissolve completely, for about 20 minutes. The agar still hadn’t dissolved after 30 minutes, so taking the advice from Olives, I poured the mixture through a fine mesh strainer.

Ricotta-Stuffed French Toast -- Epicurean Vegan

I was really surprised at how much agar was still left. Not sure what happened there . . .anyway, transfer to a covered dish and chill. It set up within 15 minutes in the freezer, so I placed it in the fridge until I was ready to use it. The bread, however, I did leave out overnight after I sliced it into 1″ slices. Doing so will toughen the bread up for battering. Cut each slice about 3/4 of the way down, but not all the way through.

Ricotta-Stuffed French Toast -- Epicurean Vegan

Once the filling has set up, stir it up with a spoon or fork.

Ricotta-Stuffed French Toast -- Epicurean Vegan

Next, combine the batter ingredients in a large shallow dish/bowl.

Ricotta-Stuffed French Toast -- Epicurean Vegan

In a small saucepan, combine the sauce ingredients and cook over a low to medium heat, whisking often to prevent burning. (I suggest growing an extra set of hands, because you’ll need them, or better yet, enlist some help). It will only take a few minutes for the sauce to thicken. I may have cooked it a bit too long because it was very chutney-like. It was still good nonetheless.

Ricotta-Stuffed French Toast -- Epicurean Vegan

Spray a skillet or flat griddle with cooking spray and heat to medium. Dunk each slice of toast to thoroughly coat it. The original recipe says to let these sit in the batter for 20 minutes, but I was short on time, so it was dunk n’ cook…

Ricotta-Stuffed French Toast -- Epicurean Vegan

Cook about 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown, but check periodically. Serve with some Earth Balance, toasted nuts, and the salted butterscotch sauce. Brunch was complete with some fruit, home potatoes, and mimosas, of course!

Ricotta-Stuffed French Toast
 
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Gotta love Mother's Day brunch...I saw this recipe at Olives for Dinner and knew immediately, I had to give it a try. I was intrigued by the soy-free ricotta. I made a few adjustments like using apple cider vinegar instead of coconut vinegar, and I also made the ricotta the morning of instead of the night before. These turned out delicious! And the salted butterscotch sauce was a fantastic touch!
Author:
Ingredients
  • 1 loaf of French bread
  • Ricotta cheese:
  • 1 can full-fat coconut milk
  • ½ tsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 5 tsp agar flakes
  • For the batter:
  • 1 C almond milk
  • 1 C canned coconut milk
  • 3 Tbs garbanzo flour
  • 2 tsp egg replacer powder
  • Sauce:
  • ½ C brown sugar
  • 2 Tbs almond milk
  • 2 Tbs coconut oil
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp xanthan gum
  • Toasted pecans and walnuts to top
Directions
  1. I was supposed to make the ricotta the night before and let it chill, but I did't get to it, so I improvised. I threw it in the freezer to let it set up, which it did quite quickly. So...in a saucepan, whisk together all of the ricotta ingredients. Stir over medium heat until the agar flakes dissolve completely, for about 20 minutes. The agar still hadn't dissolved after 30 minutes, so taking the advice from Olives, I poured the mixture through a fine mesh strainer.
  2. I was really surprised at how much agar was still left. Not sure what happened there . . .anyway, transfer to a covered dish and chill. It set up within 15 minutes in the freezer, so I placed it in the fridge until I was ready to use it. The bread, however, I did leave out overnight after I sliced it into 1" slices. Doing so will toughen the bread up for battering. Cut each slice about ¾ of the way down, but not all the way through.
  3. Once the filling has set up, stir it up with a spoon or fork.
  4. Next, combine the batter ingredients in a large shallow dish/bowl.
  5. In a small saucepan, combine the sauce ingredients and cook over a low to medium heat, whisking often to prevent burning. (I suggest growing an extra set of hands, because you'll need them, or better yet, enlist some help). It will only take a few minutes for the sauce to thicken. I may have cooked it a bit too long because it was very chutney-like. It was still good nonetheless.
  6. Spray a skillet or flat griddle with cooking spray and heat to medium. Dunk each slice of toast to thoroughly coat it. The original recipe says to let these sit in the batter for 20 minutes, but I was short on time, so it was dunk n' cook.
  7. Cook about 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown, but check periodically. Serve with some Earth Balance, toasted nuts, and the salted butterscotch sauce. Brunch was complete with some fruit, home potatoes, and mimosas, of course! Enjoy!

Zucchini and Kale Breakfast Frittata

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Zucchini and Kale Breakfast Frittata -- Epicurean VeganI haven’t made a breakfast frittata/casserole in a while and I was craving one. Plus, I had veggies that needed to get eaten before they went beyond the  point of recognition. Loaded with some of my favorite veggies,  I could have eaten the entire pan.

INGREDIENTS:
1 Field Roast sausage, Italian-style, thawed and crumbled
4 green onions, sliced
3-4 C torn kale (I used a red boar kale)
1 small zucchini, sliced thin
6-8 mushrooms, sliced
1 C crackers
1/3 C vegan cheddar shreds
1 small tomato, diced
1 Tbs olive oil
1 tsp garlic, minced

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and garlic. Add the Field Roast, zucchini, and green onion. Cook until the zucchini begins to soften, 3-4 minutes.

Zucchini and Kale Breakfast Frittata -- Epicurean Vegan

Add the mushrooms and kale; cook another few minutes, or until the kale begins to wilt. Because kale is a heartier green, it doesn’t cook down as fast as spinach or chard. Crumble the crackers into the bottom of a pie plate and sprinkle half the cheese on top.

Zucchini and Kale Breakfast Frittata -- Epicurean Vegan

Pour the veggie mix into the pie plate.

Zucchini and Kale Breakfast Frittata -- Epicurean Vegan

Top with remaining cheese and the diced tomatoes.

Zucchini and Kale Breakfast Frittata -- Epicurean Vegan

Cover with foil and bake for 12-15 minutes. If you want crispier kale, cook uncovered. Enjoy!

Zucchini and Kale Breakfast Frittata -- Epicurean Vegan

Zucchini and Kale Breakfast Frittata
 
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I haven't made a breakfast frittata/casserole in a while and I was craving one. Plus, I had veggies that needed to get eaten before they went beyond the point of recognition. Loaded with some of my favorite veggies, I could have eaten the entire pan.
Author:
Ingredients
  • 1 Field Roast sausage, Italian-style, thawed and crumbled
  • 4 green onions, sliced
  • 3-4 C torn kale (I used a red boar kale)
  • 1 small zucchini, sliced thin
  • 6-8 mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 C crackers
  • ⅓ C vegan cheddar shreds
  • 1 small tomato, diced
  • 1 Tbs olive oil
  • 1 tsp garlic, minced
Directions
  1. Preheat oven to 350. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and garlic. Add the Field Roast, zucchini, and green onion. Cook until the zucchini begins to soften, 3-4 minutes.
  2. Add the mushrooms and kale; cook another few minutes, or until the kale begins to wilt. Because kale is a heartier green, it doesn't cook down as fast as spinach or chard. Crumble the crackers into the bottom of a pie plate and sprinkle half the cheese on top.
  3. Pour the veggie mix into the pie plate.
  4. Top with remaining cheese and the diced tomatoes.
  5. Cover with foil and bake for 12-15 minutes. If you want crispier kale, cook uncovered. Enjoy!

Give thanks . . . for vegan cinnamon rolls

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Ok, well, there’s so much more I’m thankful for: my family, my health, my friends, my house, and  . . . after this morning’s, brunch . . . our treadmill.

It was just the three of us today and so The Husband made his favorite Hash Brown Casserole and I made vegan cinnamon rolls—recipe from Mike and Dan at The Gay Vegans. What a FABULOUS recipe!! I got a lovely baker’s dozen and they were so simple to make and absolutely delicious. This will be my go-to cinnamon roll recipe for future brunches to come.

Vegan Cinnamon Rolls

I’m so thankful for all of my readers and I wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving!

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