Epicurean Vegan

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Wild Rice and Blueberry Salad

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Wild Rice and Blueberry Salad -- Epicurean VeganThis recipe comes from Big Vegan cookbook and I thought, what a great combination of ingredients and flavors. The original recipe calls for raspberry vinegar, but after a long search at the grocery store, I found one bottle . . . for $5.99. The fact that I only needed 2 Tbs, and that I rarely come across recipes that call for this fancy vin, I decided to use rice vinegar. Besides, with the maple syrup, I wonder if the raspberry vinegar would make this salad a tad too sweet. Also, may I suggest you buy wild rice in bulk. I went to a regular grocery store (as opposed to Whole Foods, Vitamin Cottage) and they don’t have much in bulk. I picked up a small box of wild rice, but failed to notice (until I got home) that it’s only 4-oz. I needed 6 for this recipe. Who makes 4-oz boxes of rice?! Who needs only 4 ounces?! For 2.69 a box, I find it ridiculous that it’s under a cup of rice per box.

Wild Rice and Blueberry Salad -- Epicurean Vegan

This reminded me of the hilarious scene in Father of the Bride where Steve Martin loses it in the grocery store over hotdogs and hotdog buns. I think the people at the rice factory, got together with the people at the grocery store, and said, let’s make a small box of rice so that customers have to buy two boxes to reach a cup of rice, thus, leaving them with a little bit of rice left . . . Ok, it’s an exaggeration. Just outsmart the rice people and the grocery store people by buying wild rice in bulk.

Anyhow, this is an outstanding salad. I love the combination of flavors and is very simple to make. It’s got a unique sweet and tangy flavor and great for summer.

INGREDIENTS:
6-oz wild rice
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 C canola oil
2 Tbs raspberry (or rice) vinegar
2 Tbs maple syrup
1 C fresh raspberries
1 C fresh blueberries
2 stalks celery, chopped
3 large green onions, chopped

DIRECTIONS:
Bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Stir in the salt and rice. Let it cook anywhere from 25-45 minutes, or until the water is absorbed. Remove from the heat, cover and let it sit about 10 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and refrigerate until cooled. In a small bowl, whisk the oil, vinegar, and syrup together. It’ll get slightly thick.

Wild Rice and Blueberry Salad -- Epicurean Vegan

Combine the celery and green onions with the rice.

Wild Rice and Blueberry Salad -- Epicurean Vegan

Fold in the berries, then toss with the dressing. Enjoy!

Grilled & Stuffed Avocados

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Grilled & Stuffed Avocados -- Epicurean Vegan

There’s a Mexican restaurant here that makes a stuffed and grilled avocado, but they use shrimp and cheese. I wanted to make our own version. We’re lucky around here to find large avocados for a dollar a piece, so when they were on sale, I grabbed several. Our grill hadn’t seen us for a while—in fact, this is the first time we’ve used it this summer. And August is almost over! Anyway, we made the most of it by grilling veggies, too.

Grilled Vegetables

I used this great seasoning from Urban Accents: Teriyaki Grill Kabob Kit, soy, pineapple & sesame.

It was really delicious and an easy way to season vegetables for the grill. Just add some oil and mix it with the veggies. We didn’t use the provided skewers, however, and opted for the grill basket. I separated the mushrooms from the rest of the veggies since they cook fast. I recommend marinating the vegetables for a couple of hours. Over medium heat, grill the veggies for about 30 minutes; stirring often. Add the mushrooms to the grill basket with about 5 minutes of cooking time left.

Now…for the Amazing Avocados . . .

INGREDIENTS:
3 large avocados, pitted and peeled
3 small tomatoes, diced small
1/2 C red onion, diced small
1/2 C fresh cilantro, chopped
1 Tbs red wine vinegar
1/2 tsp lime juice
1 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp black pepper
Olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional: vegan shredded cheese

DIRECTIONS:
To make the filling, combine all of the ingredients in a medium bowl and set aside. I suggest making the stuffing ahead of time and let it get to room temperature.

Grilled & Stuffed Avocados (filling) -- Epicurean Vegan

Brush olive oil on both sides of the avocados. Season with salt and pepper on the rounded side.

Set the grill heat to low. Using a spatula or tongs, place the avocados on the grill rounded-side down. Season the flat side with salt and pepper. You may have to tilt each side of the avocado to get the rounded edges cooked a bit.

Grilled & Stuffed Avocados -- Epicurean Vegan

Cook four minutes on each side.

Grilled & Stuffed Avocados -- Epicurean Vegan

Now . . . you could mix in some Daiya cheese into the filling, heat the broiler in your oven up, fill up the avocados, and broil for a minute. (or top with Daiya and broil) Otherwise, just fill each avocado with tomato filling and enjoy!

Grilled & Stuffed Avocados -- Epicurean Vegan

Grilled & Stuffed Avocados
 
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Ingredients
  • 3 large avocados, pitted and peeled
  • 3 small tomatoes, diced small
  • ½ C red onion, diced small
  • ½ C fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1 Tbs red wine vinegar
  • ½ tsp lime juice
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ⅛ tsp black pepper
  • Olive oil
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Optional: vegan shredded cheese
Directions
  1. To make the filling, combine all of the ingredients in a medium bowl and set aside. I suggest making the stuffing ahead of time and let it get to room temperature.
  2. Brush olive oil on both sides of the avocados. Season with salt and pepper on the rounded side.
  3. Set the grill heat to low. Using a spatula or tongs, place the avocados on the grill rounded-side down. Season the flat side with salt and pepper. You may have to tilt each side of the avocado to get the rounded edges cooked a bit.
  4. Cook four minutes on each side.
  5. Now . . . you could mix in some Daiya cheese into the filling, heat the broiler in your oven up, fill up the avocados, and broil for a minute. (or top with Daiya and broil) Otherwise, just fill each avocado with tomato filling and enjoy!

Vegan Potatoes au Gratin

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Vegan Potatoes au Gratin -- Epicurean Vegan

We’re a potato-loving crowd around here. We’re certainly loving the leftovers of these, too. I didn’t want to overdo the carbs with this meal, so I steamed some kale and carrots, and had a side of fresh fruit salad.

Vegan Potatoes au Gratin -- Epicurean Vegan

INGREDIENTS:
8 russet potatoes, peeled and sliced very thin
3 Tbs vegetable broth
1 garlic clove, minced
2 Tbs arrowroot
1 tsp salt (or Old Bay Seasoning)
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp dry mustard
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1-1/2 C almond milk
1 C shredded vegan cheddar, divided
3 slices of bread (the heels of the load are ideal for this)
3 Tbs vegan margarine, divided
Paprika

DIRECTIONS:

Vegan Potatoes au Gratin -- Epicurean Vegan

Preheat oven to 400. Spread half of the potato slices on the bottom of a 9×13″ baking pan. In a medium saucepan, heat one tablespoon of the Earth Balance and add the garlic. Cook for a minute. Add the broth or water and bring to a boil. Whisk in the arrowroot and cook for a minute over medium heat. Slowly add the almond milk and whisk as you go. Raise the heat and little and continue stirring until it begins to thicken. Add the salt, pepper, dry mustard, and nutmeg. Stir in half of the vegan cheese.

Once the cheese is mostly melted, spread half of the milk mixture on top of the potatoes in the pan.

Vegan Potatoes au Gratin -- Epicurean Vegan

Layer the remaining potatoes on top, then spread the rest of the sauce on top. To make breadcrumbs, combine the slices of bread and remaining 2 Tbs of Earth Balance in a food processor. Pulse until crumbly and sprinkle on top of potatoes, along with the rest of the cheese.

Vegan Potatoes au Gratin -- Epicurean Vegan

 Sprinkle the top with paprika. Cover and bake for 35-45 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender (check using a fork or toothpick).

Vegan Potatoes au Gratin -- Epicurean Vegan

Enjoy!

Vegan Potatoes au Gratin
 
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Ingredients
  • 8 russet potatoes, peeled and sliced very thin
  • 3 Tbs vegetable broth
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 2 Tbs arrowroot
  • 1 tsp salt (or Old Bay Seasoning)
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp dry mustard
  • ⅛ tsp nutmeg
  • 1-1/2 C almond milk
  • 1 C shredded vegan cheddar, divided
  • 3 slices of bread (the heels of the load are ideal for this)
  • 3 Tbs vegan margarine, divided
  • Paprika
Directions
  1. Preheat oven to 400. Spread half of the potato slices on the bottom of a 9x13" baking pan. In a medium saucepan, heat one tablespoon of the vegan margarine and add the garlic. Cook for a minute. Add the broth or water and bring to a boil. Whisk in the arrowroot and cook for a minute over medium heat. Slowly add the almond milk and whisk as you go. Raise the heat and little and continue stirring until it begins to thicken. Add the salt, pepper, dry mustard, and nutmeg. Stir in half of the vegan cheese.
  2. Once the cheese is mostly melted, spread half of the milk mixture on top of the potatoes in the pan.
  3. Layer the remaining potatoes on top, then spread the rest of the sauce on top. To make breadcrumbs, combine the slices of bread and remaining 2 Tbs of vegan margarine in a food processor. Pulse until crumbly and sprinkle on top of potatoes, along with the rest of the cheese.
  4. Sprinkle the top with paprika. Cover and bake for 35-45 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender (check using a fork or toothpick). Enjoy!

Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

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Stuffed Cabbage Rolls -- Epicurean Vegan

The (soon-to-be) Eighth Grader picked these out from Lightlife. The original recipe is for 12 rolls, but one large head of cabbage had about 8 good leaves to use, so we had some leftover filling. If you plan on making 12, you’ll probably want to pick up 2 heads of cabbage. These we actually pretty easy to make and were really flavorful and delicious, not to mention healthy. One roll is only 275 calories! You can also customize these rolls to suit your tastes—mix it up by adding your favorite ingredients. Next time, I’ll try mushrooms and zucchini. Keep in mind, the recipe calls for cooked rice, so you’ll want to get that going first. Also, you’ll need to steam the leaves ahead of time as well.

INGREDIENTS:
1 pkg Gimme Lean “beef”
2 Tbs olive oil
8-12 cabbage leaves
1 large onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 C cooked rice
15-oz can tomato sauce
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 tsp vegan Worcestershire sauce
3 Tbs brown sugar
3 Tbs apple cider vinegar
2-4 Tbs water

Stuffed Cabbage Rolls -- Epicurean Vegan

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the cabbage leaves, remove from heat, cover, and let sit for 10 minutes. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil. Add the garlic, onions, and peppers and cook until tender.

Stuffed Cabbage Rolls -- Epicurean Vegan

Add the Gimme Lean. You could chop it up before adding it, or just dice it up with a spatula in the pan. You’ll want small clumps, or pieces. Add the Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper and continue cooking until the “beef” begins to brown.

Stuffed Cabbage Rolls -- Epicurean Vegan

Add the rice…

Stuffed Cabbage Rolls -- Epicurean Vegan

In a small bowl, whisk together the tomato sauce, brown sugar, and cider vinegar. Reserve a 1/4 cup; set aside. Add the remaining sauce to the pan and combine it well with the veggie mixture. After you’ve drained the cabbage leaves, pat them dry. Lay a leaf out flat and add about a 1/3 cup of the mixture in the center.

Stuffed Cabbage Rolls -- Epicurean Vegan

Fold in the sides, then roll up. You can also secure it with a toothpick if needed, but I found that these rolled up fine and stayed put.

Stuffed Cabbage Rolls -- Epicurean Vegan

Place the rolls in a 9×13 baking pan. Pour about 2-4 Tbs of water int he bottom of the pan to keep the leaves moist.

Stuffed Cabbage Rolls -- Epicurean Vegan

Mix 2 Tbs of water with the reserved 1/4 cup of sauce and pour it over the rolls.

Stuffed Cabbage Rolls -- Epicurean Vegan

Cover and bake for 35-40 minutes. Enjoy!

Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
 
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The (soon-to-be) Eighth Grader picked these out from Lightlife. The original recipe is for 12 rolls, but one large head of cabbage had about 8 good leaves to use, so we had some leftover filling. If you plan on making 12, you'll probably want to pick up 2 heads of cabbage. These we actually pretty easy to make and were really flavorful and delicious, not to mention healthy. One roll is only 275 calories! You can also customize these rolls to suit your tastes---mix it up by adding your favorite ingredients. Next time, I'll try mushrooms and zucchini. Keep in mind, the recipe calls for cooked rice, so you'll want to get that going first. Also, you'll need to steam the leaves ahead of time as well.
Author:
Ingredients
  • 1 pkg Gimme Lean "beef"
  • 2 Tbs olive oil
  • 8-12 cabbage leaves
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 C cooked rice
  • 15-oz can tomato sauce
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 tsp vegan Worcestershire sauce
  • 3 Tbs brown sugar
  • 3 Tbs apple cider vinegar
  • 2-4 Tbs water
Directions
  1. Preheat oven to 350. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the cabbage leaves, remove from heat, cover, and let sit for 10 minutes. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil. Add the garlic, onions, and peppers and cook until tender.
  2. Add the Gimme Lean. You could chop it up before adding it, or just dice it up with a spatula in the pan. You'll want small clumps, or pieces. Add the Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper and continue cooking until the "beef" begins to brown.
  3. Add the rice.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together the tomato sauce, brown sugar, and cider vinegar. Reserve a ¼ cup; set aside. Add the remaining sauce to the pan and combine it well with the veggie mixture. After you've drained the cabbage leaves, pat them dry. Lay a leaf out flat and add about a ⅓ cup of the mixture in the center.
  5. Fold in the sides, then roll up. You can also secure it with a toothpick if needed, but I found that these rolled up fine and stayed put.
  6. Place the rolls in a 9x13 baking pan. Pour about 2-4 Tbs of water int he bottom of the pan to keep the leaves moist.
  7. Mix 2 Tbs of water with the reserved ¼ cup of sauce and pour it over the rolls.
  8. Cover and bake for 35-40 minutes. Enjoy!

Quinoa-Mandarin Stuffed Peppers

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Quinoa-Mandarin Stuffed Peppers -- Epicurean VeganThe Seventh-Grader was nice enough to share his cold with me. I can’t remember the last time I was out of commission with a cold, and I don’t plan to let this one win. So far, I’ve kept it somewhat at bay with lots of juiced veggies and kale. Never under estimate the healing powers of vegetables. That may be why I was drawn to making these. Bell peppers, particularly orange and yellow ones, are packed with vitamins C, A, and B6 (although the heating process will deplete them a bit). But I’m certain they still retain many of their healthy benefits. These also have mushrooms which are a great source of B vitamins, selenium, vitamin D, and potassium. Now on to the zucchini…these guys have tons of vitamin C and A which are actually anti-inflammatory agents. Zucchinis are also high in fiber—an added bonus! And let’s not forget that quinoa is an ideal source of protein, too! Let the healing begin!

Oh, and remember Operation Save Basil from October?

I’m happy to report that it has bounced back beautifully. It looks like there’s room to add another basil plant, but for now, I’m thrilled the basil’s back, baby!

INGREDIENTS:
3 large bell peppers (preferably orange, red, or yellow) sliced in half and innards cleaned out
1 C quinoa
1-15oz can mandarin oranges (look for no sugar added), juice reserved
1 C water
1 tsp tamari
1 Tbs olive oil
2 tsp garlic, minced
1/2 C slivered almonds
1 C mushrooms, sliced
1 small zucchini, sliced then quartered
1/2 C fresh basil, chopped
Salt and pepper, to taste
Sauce:
1 C almond milk
2 Tbs arrowroot
2 Tbs nutritional yeast
2 Tbs yellow miso
dash of nutmeg
dash of garlic salt

DIRECTIONS:
Begin with the quinoa: Combine the quinoa, reserved Mandarin orange juice, water, and tamari in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and cover. Let simmer for 12-15 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 375. While the quinoa is cooking, heat the olive oil and garlic in a skillet. Add the slivered almonds and cook them for 5-7 minutes, stirring often.

Add the zucchini, mushrooms, salt, and pepper; cook another 6-8 minutes on medium heat.

Quinoa-Mandarin Stuffed Peppers -- Epicurean Vegan

Once the veggies are tender, remove from the heat and stir in the oranges and basil.

Quinoa-Mandarin Stuffed Peppers -- Epicurean Vegan

Stir in the cooked quinoa and evenly fill the pepper halves.

Quinoa-Mandarin Stuffed Peppers -- Epicurean Vegan

Sometimes I pour about 2 cups of water in the bottom of the pan before covering with foil. This will help soften the peppers without overcooking the filling. I think this is especially important when using cheese or fake meats in the filling. Bake 20-25 minutes.

Meanwhile, prepare the sauce. In a small saucepan, whisk together the sauce ingredients over high heat, stirring constantly. After a few minutes, reduce heat to medium-low and let it simmer. Stir frequently so it doesn’t burn. Don’t worry about getting the sauce thickened; it’s meant to seep and ooze into the filling. 🙂

Quinoa-Mandarin Stuffed Peppers -- Epicurean Vegan

Ladle the sauce over the peppers and enjoy!

Quinoa-Mandarin Stuffed Peppers
 
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Bell peppers, particularly orange and yellow ones, are packed with vitamins C, A, and B6 (although the heating process will deplete them a bit). But I'm certain they still retain many of their healthy benefits. These also have mushrooms which are a great source of B vitamins, selenium, vitamin D, and potassium. Now on to the zucchini...these guys have tons of vitamin C and A which are actually anti-inflammatory agents. Zucchinis are also high in fiber---an added bonus! And let's not forget that quinoa is an ideal source of protein, too!
Author:
Ingredients
  • 3 large bell peppers (preferably orange, red, or yellow) sliced in half and innards cleaned out
  • 1 C quinoa
  • 1-15oz can mandarin oranges (look for no sugar added), juice reserved
  • 1 C water
  • 1 tsp tamari
  • 1 Tbs olive oil
  • 2 tsp garlic, minced
  • ½ C slivered almonds
  • 1 C mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 small zucchini, sliced then quartered
  • ½ C fresh basil, chopped
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Sauce:
  • 1 C almond milk
  • 2 Tbs arrowroot
  • 2 Tbs nutritional yeast
  • 2 Tbs yellow miso
  • dash of nutmeg
  • dash of garlic salt
Directions
  1. Begin with the quinoa: Combine the quinoa, reserved Mandarin orange juice, water, and tamari in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and cover. Let simmer for 12-15 minutes.
  2. Preheat the oven to 375. While the quinoa is cooking, heat the olive oil and garlic in a skillet. Add the slivered almonds and cook them for 5-7 minutes, stirring often.
  3. Add the zucchini, mushrooms, salt, and pepper; cook another 6-8 minutes on medium heat.
  4. Once the veggies are tender, remove from the heat and stir in the oranges and basil.
  5. Stir in the cooked quinoa and evenly fill the pepper halves.
  6. Sometimes I pour about 2 cups of water in the bottom of the pan before covering with foil. This will help soften the peppers without overcooking the filling. I think this is especially important when using cheese or fake meats in the filling. Bake 20-25 minutes.
  7. Meanwhile, prepare the sauce. In a small saucepan, whisk together the sauce ingredients over high heat, stirring constantly. After a few minutes, reduce heat to medium-low and let it simmer. Stir frequently so it doesn't burn. Don't worry about getting the sauce thickened; it's meant to seep and ooze into the filling.
  8. Ladle the sauce over the peppers and enjoy!

Avocado and Pinto Bean Enchiladas

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Avocado and Pinto Bean Enchiladas -- Epicurean VeganThese are probably some of the tastiest enchiladas I’ve had. The original recipe is from eat, drink & be vegan. I made a couple of minor changes because I couldn’t find one of the ingredients, added some green chilies, but also made a bigger batch (inadvertently). Her recipe yielded 10-12 enchiladas, but I ended up with 17—if my pan was bigger, I would have got 18. I’m glad that I bought extra enchilada sauce because of this. I’m not sure if I just didn’t fill the tortillas up enough, but I definitely had lots of filling left over after the first dozen tortillas. In any case, they were delicious. I was really intrigued with the 1/2 cup of cashew pieces the recipe requires and I have to tell you, they’re fabulous—they add just a little crunch. I highly recommend using them. Below is how I made these, but click on the above link for the original recipe.

INGREDIENTS:
16-18 corn tortillas
1 Tbs olive oil
2 tsp garlic, minced
1 C onion, thinly sliced
1 tsp Ancho chili powder
1/2 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp allspice
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp black pepper
2-1/2 C mushrooms, sliced
1 can pinto beans, drained
1/2 C cashews, chopped
2 Tbs lime juice
2 avocados, peeled and pitted
1-1/4 tsp salt
2 19 oz cans enchilada sauce
1 small can diced green chilies, mild or hot
Optional ingredients: Daiya cheese, cilantro, and vegan sour cream

Avocado and Pinto Bean Enchiladas -- Epicurean Vegan

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 400. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and garlic. Add the onions, chili powder, cumin, allspice, the 1/4 tsp of salt, and the pepper. Saute for about 3 minutes.

Avocado and Pinto Bean Enchiladas -- Epicurean Vegan

Add the mushrooms, beans, and cashews and cook another 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool a few minutes.

Avocado and Pinto Bean Enchiladas -- Epicurean Vegan

Meanwhile, mash the avocado with the 1-1/4 tsp of salt in a bowl, or use the food processor. The avocados I had weren’t completely ripe so I used the food processor. I probably got them a little too mashed, but it turned out just fine.

Avocado and Pinto Bean Enchiladas -- Epicurean Vegan

Stir in half a can of one of the enchilada sauces and the green chilies, into the avocado mixture.

Avocado and Pinto Bean Enchiladas -- Epicurean Vegan

Blend the avocado mixture with the onion/mushroom mixture. At this point, I heated some water in my steam pot to steam the tortilla shells. Place a tortilla one at a time in the pot–it’ll only take about 15-20 seconds per side to steam the tortilla. Pour the rest of the enchilada sauce from the first can on the bottom of a 15″ baking dish (you can also use some from the other can. I also started out with a 9×13 and realized it wasn’t going to be big enough, so I added an 8×8″ baking dish). Fill each tortilla with about 4-5 tablespoons of filling, roll up, and place fold-side down in the pan. Repeat. Pour the remaining sauce on top.

Avocado and Pinto Bean Enchiladas -- Epicurean Vegan

Cover and bake 16-18 minutes. Remove the foil and top with cheese (if using) and bake another 10-12 minutes.

Avocado and Pinto Bean Enchiladas -- Epicurean Vegan

Top with cilantro and sour cream. Enjoy!

Avocado and Pinto Bean Enchiladas
 
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These are probably some of the tastiest enchiladas I've had. The original recipe is from eat, drink & be vegan. I made a couple of minor changes because I couldn't find one of the ingredients, added some green chilies, but also made a bigger batch (inadvertently). Her recipe yielded 10-12 enchiladas, but I ended up with 17---if my pan was bigger, I would have got 18. I'm glad that I bought extra enchilada sauce because of this. I'm not sure if I just didn't fill the tortillas up enough, but I definitely had lots of filling left over after the first dozen tortillas. In any case, they were delicious. I was really intrigued with the ½ cup of cashew pieces the recipe requires and I have to tell you, they're fabulous---they add just a little crunch. I highly recommend using them. Below is how I made these, but click on the above link for the original recipe.
Author:
Ingredients
  • 16-18 corn tortillas
  • 1 Tbs olive oil
  • 2 tsp garlic, minced
  • 1 C onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 tsp Ancho chili powder
  • ½ tsp cumin
  • ¼ tsp allspice
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ⅛ tsp black pepper
  • 2-1/2 C mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 can pinto beans, drained
  • ½ C cashews, chopped
  • 2 Tbs lime juice
  • 2 avocados, peeled and pitted
  • 1-1/4 tsp salt
  • 2 19 oz cans enchilada sauce
  • 1 small can diced green chilies, mild or hot
  • Optional ingredients: Daiya cheese, cilantro, and vegan sour cream
  • Top with cilantro and sour cream. Enjoy!
Directions
  1. Preheat oven to 400. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and garlic. Add the onions, chili powder, cumin, allspice, the ¼ tsp of salt, and the pepper. Saute for about 3 minutes.
  2. Add the mushrooms, beans, and cashews and cook another 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool a few minutes.
  3. Meanwhile, mash the avocado with the 1-1/4 tsp of salt in a bowl, or use the food processor. The avocados I had weren't completely ripe so I used the food processor. I probably got them a little too mashed, but it turned out just fine.
  4. Stir in half a can of one of the enchilada sauces and the green chilies, into the avocado mixture.
  5. Blend the avocado mixture with the onion/mushroom mixture. At this point, I heated some water in my steam pot to steam the tortilla shells. Place a tortilla one at a time in the pot--it'll only take about 15-20 seconds per side to steam the tortilla. Pour the rest of the enchilada sauce from the first can on the bottom of a 15" baking dish (you can also use some from the other can. I also started out with a 9x13 and realized it wasn't going to be big enough, so I added an 8x8" baking dish). Fill each tortilla with about 4-5 tablespoons of filling, roll up, and place fold-side down in the pan. Repeat. Pour the remaining sauce on top.
  6. Cover and bake 16-18 minutes. Remove the foil and top with cheese (if using) and bake another 10-12 minutes.

 

Vegan Scalloped Yams and Zucchini

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Vegan Scalloped Yams and Zucchini -- Epicurean VeganI found myself with several yams and sometimes, I don’t always know what to do with them. So why not scalloped potatoes? I threw in some zucchini and onions, and topped it with some Daiya and panko. Delicious!

INGREDIENTS:
2 large yams, peeled and sliced thin
1 small onion
1 med zucchini, sliced, then quartered
1 Tbs olive oil
2 tsp garlic, minced
2-1/2 Tbs arrowroot
1/4 C nutritional yeast
2 C almond milk
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 Tbs rosemary
1/4 C panko
Vegan cheddar shreds

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350. Boil the yams in a large soup pot for about 10 minutes, or until tender. Drain and set aside.

Vegan Scalloped Yams and Zucchini -- Epicurean Vegan

Meanwhile, heat the olive oil and garlic. Add the onions and cook 3-4 minutes. Add the zucchini and cook until softened. Add the seasonings.

Vegan Scalloped Yams and Zucchini -- Epicurean Vegan

Whisk together the milk, arrowroot, and nutritional yeast. Pour it into the skillet with the onions and zucchini. Stir continuously until the sauce begins to thicken.

Vegan Scalloped Yams and Zucchini -- Epicurean Vegan

Layer half of the yams into an 8″ baking dish. Pour half of the onion mixture on top and spread evenly around. Layer on the rest of the yams, then the mixture. Top with some cheese.

Vegan Scalloped Yams and Zucchini -- Epicurean Vegan

Cover and bake for 15 minutes. Uncover, sprinkle with the panko and bake another 15-20 minutes. Enjoy!

Vegan Scalloped Yams and Zucchini -- Epicurean Vegan

Vegan Scalloped Yams and Zucchini
 
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I found myself with several yams and sometimes, I don't always know what to do with them. So why not scalloped potatoes? I threw in some zucchini and onions, and topped it with some Daiya and panko. Delicious!
Author:
Ingredients
  • 2 large yams, peeled and sliced thin
  • 1 small onion
  • 1 med zucchini, sliced, then quartered
  • 1 Tbs olive oil
  • 2 tsp garlic, minced
  • 2-1/2 Tbs arrowroot
  • ¼ C nutritional yeast
  • 2 C almond milk
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 Tbs rosemary
  • ¼ C panko
  • Vegan cheddar shreds
Directions
  1. Preheat oven to 350. Boil the yams in a large soup pot for about 10 minutes, or until tender. Drain and set aside.
  2. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil and garlic. Add the onions and cook 3-4 minutes. Add the zucchini and cook until softened. Add the seasonings.
  3. Whisk together the milk, arrowroot, and nutritional yeast. Pour it into the skillet with the onions and zucchini. Stir continuously until the sauce begins to thicken.
  4. Layer half of the yams into an 8" baking dish. Pour half of the onion mixture on top and spread evenly around. Layer on the rest of the yams, then the mixture. Top with some cheese.
  5. Cover and bake for 15 minutes. Uncover, sprinkle with the panko and bake another 15-20 minutes. Enjoy!

 

Chili Stew

by

Chili Stew -- Epicurean VeganThe weather has been a bit cold and windy these days, and last night was no exception. On nights like that, a hearty soup or stew hits the spot. I threw in tons of different things in this chili and I think this one is my favorite version so far. It’s also great to scoop onto tortilla chips. I had three avocados I planned on dicing up to top the chili, but each one was bad! Total bummer. Crash Test Vegetarian used olives and roasted red peppers in her chili recipe, so I owe her a big thanks for the idea!

INGREDIENTS:
1 large onion, diced
3 cloves, garlic
1 Tbs olive oi
2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced (1/2 C barley is a good sub)
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 28-oz can diced tomatoes, drained
4 C vegetable broth
2 C water
1 6-oz can sliced black olives
1 small can tomato paste
3 jarred roasted red peppers, diced
1/8 C lime juice
2-3 Tbs Ancho chili powder
1-1/2 Tbs cumin
1 tsp oregano
Salt and pepper, to taste
4-5 green onion, sliced
Fresh cilantro, chopped
Optional: Vegan cheddar shreds, diced avocado, vegan sour cream

DIRECTIONS:
Heat the olive oil and garlic in a large soup pot. Add the onion and cook for 7-8 minutes, or until tender. Add the broth, water, potatoes, tomatoes, black beans, and tomato paste. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook until the potatoes are slightly tender, about 20 minutes. Add the seasonings, roasted red peppers, olives, and lime juice. Simmer another 15-20 minutes and stir in the lime juice. Sprinkle servings with green onion, cilantro, cheese, and sour cream, if desired. Enjoy!

Chili Stew
 
Print
The weather has been a bit cold and windy these days, and last night was no exception. On nights like that, a hearty soup or stew hits the spot. I threw in tons of different things in this chili and I think this one is my favorite version so far. It's also great to scoop onto tortilla chips. I had three avocados I planned on dicing up to top the chili, but each one was bad! Total bummer. Crash Test Vegetarian used olives and roasted red peppers in her chili recipe, so I owe her a big thanks for the idea!
Author:
Ingredients
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 3 cloves, garlic
  • 1 Tbs olive oi
  • 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced (1/2 C barley is a good sub)
  • 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 28-oz can diced tomatoes, drained
  • 4 C vegetable broth
  • 2 C water
  • 1 6-oz can sliced black olives
  • 1 small can tomato paste
  • 3 jarred roasted red peppers, diced
  • ⅛ C lime juice
  • 2-3 Tbs Ancho chili powder
  • 1-1/2 Tbs cumin
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 4-5 green onion, sliced
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped
  • Optional: Vegan cheddar shreds, diced avocado, vegan sour cream
Directions
  1. Heat the olive oil and garlic in a large soup pot. Add the onion and cook for 7-8 minutes, or until tender. Add the broth, water, potatoes, tomatoes, black beans, and tomato paste. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook until the potatoes are slightly tender, about 20 minutes. Add the seasonings, roasted red peppers, olives, and lime juice. Simmer another 15-20 minutes and stir in the lime juice. Sprinkle servings with green onion, cilantro, cheese, and sour cream, if desired. Enjoy!

 

Vegan & Soy-Free Ricotta Cheese

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Vegan and Soy-Free Ricotta Cheese -- Epicurean VeganI am so excited to share this recipe with all of you! Having to give up soy is a little less traumatic now that I’ve come up with a delicious soy-free ricotta cheese. After I made the switch from no wheat and no soy, The Seventh Grader wanted stuffed shells. Of course. And . . . like the power of suggestion, I wanted stuffed shells in the worst way. So I couldn’t use my go-to riotta cheese, nor use regular jumbo shells. Thankfully, I found these “Grand Shells” from Tinkyada.

The ingredients are simple: brown rice, rice bran, and water. They’re a little smaller than the typical flour-based jumbo shells . . .

. . . but it’s not a big deal. They also don’t fold over like regular shells do either. Again, no biggie. Also, cooking these are a bit different. Bring water to a boil, add the shells and cook 1-2 minutes. Turn off the heat, cover, and let the shells sit for 20 minutes. The shells definitely aren’t mushy like some brown rice pasta can be. In fact, they’re pretty al dente—almost too much. If you want them a little softer, I’d leave them for 25-30 minutes. Overall, very impressive! I thought they were delicious.

So onto the ricotta. This recipe makes quite a bit—great for a big pan of lasagna. Feel free to half it for a small portion, otherwise, it makes almost 4 cups.

INGREDIENTS:
1 C blanched almonds
1 C cashews
1 C cold water
1/8 C olive oil
3-4 Tbs lemon juice
1/3 C nutritional yeast
1 C fresh basil
1 Tbs fresh rosemary
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/3 C vegan mozzarella cheese shreds

DIRECTIONS:
I threw the cashews in a bowl of water while I blanched the almonds. Soaking the nuts are not necessary, unless you have the time and want a really smooth ricotta. Add them to the food processor.

Vegan and Soy-Free Ricotta Cheese -- Epicurean Vegan

Add the water, oil, and lemon juice. Puree until smooth. This may take a few minutes to get it real smooth, especially if you opt not to soak the nuts overnight, which I did not. It just depends on your preference. I happen to like the nutty texture.

Vegan and Soy-Free Ricotta Cheese -- Epicurean Vegan

Next, add the basil, rosemary, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, salt, pepper. Blend until well combined. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the cheese.

Vegan and Soy-Free Ricotta Cheese -- Epicurean Vegan

I had some jumbo shells as well as tofu-ricotta in the freezer, so for the guys, I made them regular stuffed shells. Since I don’t have celiac disease and not concerned with cross-contamination, I combined both in the pan.

Vegan and Soy-Free Ricotta Cheese -- Epicurean Vegan

Layer on some sauce and Daiya cheese and you’re good to go. Bake covered for 25 minutes at 375.

Vegan and Soy-Free Ricotta Cheese -- Epicurean Vegan

Enjoy!

Vegan & Soy-Free Ricotta Cheese
 
Print
This recipe makes quite a bit---great for a big pan of lasagna. Feel free to half it for a small portion, otherwise, it makes almost 4 cups.
Author:
Ingredients
  • 1 C blanched almonds
  • 1 C cashews
  • 1 C cold water
  • ⅛ C olive oil
  • 3-4 Tbs lemon juice
  • ⅓ C nutritional yeast
  • 1 C fresh basil
  • 1 Tbs fresh rosemary
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • ⅓ C vegan mozzarella cheese shreds
Directions
  1. I threw the cashews in a bowl of water while I blanched the almonds. Soaking the nuts are not necessary, unless you have the time and want a really smooth ricotta. Add them to the food processor.
  2. Add the water, oil, and lemon juice. Puree until smooth. This may take a few minutes to get it real smooth, especially if you opt not to soak the nuts overnight, which I did not. It just depends on your preference. I happen to like the nutty texture.
  3. Next, add the basil, rosemary, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, salt, pepper. Blend until well combined. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the cheese.
  4. I had some jumbo shells as well as tofu-ricotta in the freezer, so for the guys, I made them regular stuffed shells. Since I don't have celiac disease and not concerned with cross-contamination, I combined both in the pan.
  5. Layer on some sauce and Daiya cheese and you're good to go. Bake covered for 25 minutes at 375. Enjoy!

Stuffed Portobellos and Steamed Bok Choy

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Stuffed Portobellos and Steamed Bok Choy -- Epicurean VeganPortobellos are such a versatile fungi.

They make great burgers, a main stir-fry ingredient, and of course, an ideal vessel for other veggies. I wanted to make something wheat and soy-free, which is tough as a vegan, but these really fit the bill. But what to have with them? Before, I would have served bread, but since I that’s out, I decided to steam some bok choy. By the way, you’ll be seeing more wheat and soy-free recipes (although I may use miso from time to time) on my blog, as I am working on eliminating these from my diet. Why? Well . . . you see, I have endometriosis, something I’ve had to deal with for the last seven years, and I’ve now opted to treat it with diet, herbs and acupuncture. Endo is an inflammatory disease, so processed flour aggravates it. It’s also said that estrogen feeds the disease, so there goes soy with its natural estrogen!

TMI? Sorry. I won’t go on about it, but I wanted to explain my reasoning for my decision and to also let other women know that it’s possible to live with endo and not rely on drugs and/or  surgery (at least, that’s my plan). Otherwise, I want to make clear that I have nothing against soy. In fact, it’s worth pointing out that Dr. Neal Barnard has determined that soy consumption is not only safe, but highly encouraged. Oh, and I want to make clear, I’m steering clear of wheat, not necessarily gluten. There’s a difference between the two, so fortunately, whole grains aren’t out of the picture for me, just processed wheat.

So, on to the recipes!

INGREDIENTS:
4 portobello caps, washed and stems and gills removed
1 box Near East Long Grain & Wild Rice Mix
1 small red onion, diced
1 small zicchini, diced
1/2 C fresh parsley, chopped
2 tsp olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
Salt and pepper, to taste
Vegan cheese shreds

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350. Prepare the rice mix according to the package instructions. This will need to cook for 30 minutes. When the rice has about 6 minutes of cooking time left, heat the olive oil and garlic. Add the red onion and cook for about 3 minutes. Then add the zucchini and cook another 3 minutes or so.

Stuffed Portobellos and Steamed Bok Choy -- Epicurean Vegan

Stir in the cooked rice and parsley; season with salt and pepper.

Stuffed Portobellos and Steamed Bok Choy -- Epicurean Vegan

Place the portobellos upside down in a large baking dish. Sprinkle some Daiya cheese on the bottom and fill each mushroom cap evenly with the rice mixture, piling it high.

Stuffed Portobellos and Steamed Bok Choy -- Epicurean Vegan

Pour a little water into the bottom of the pan. This will help steam the mushroom caps. Bake for about 15 minutes, then top with a little Daiya cheese and bake another couple of minutes.

While these are baking, I got started on the bok choy.

Stuffed Portobellos and Steamed Bok Choy -- Epicurean Vegan

I think this veggie is so underrated. Low in calories, this lightly sweet and crispy veggie is loaded with vitamins C and A as well as calcium. I cut up some mushrooms and together, steamed the veggies with some (soy-free) Earth Balance for about 7-9 minutes.

Stuffed Portobellos and Steamed Bok Choy -- Epicurean Vegan

Enjoy!

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