Tag Archives: vegan

Israeli Cucumber Salad

Israeli Cucumber Salad

This salad is too cool for school – it just stares you down like it’s the reason that your life is spectacular and you should adore it as such. The recipe is wicked simple – just a little chopping and a light vinaigrette of olive oil and lemon juice to hold it all together. Continue reading

Tabbouleh

Simple Tabbouleh

Traditionally made with bulgar that is soaked until tender, I’ve been known to shave a bit of time off the prep work by using whole wheat couscous. Parsley and tomato are standard, but feel free to experiment with the other greenery and veg – my favorite is the inclusion of crisp cucumber and slivers of scallions, along with plenty of mint to keep the flavors cool and fresh. Continue reading

Purple Potatoes Vinaigrette

Purple Potatoes Vinaigrette

This salad is the perfect tribute to summer, giving traditional mayo-laden potato salad a run for the money. Tender potatoes soak in a vibrant dressing full of basil and garlic, imparting mounds of flavor. Continue reading

sesamecukes

Sesame Cucumbers

Make this as a side dish for a dumpling feast, or as an appetizer for your next FU to Chinese takeout, whereby you prepare a fresh meal without all the MSG, overcooked veggies, oversauced meat and stale fortune cookies (fortune and all). Your tummy will thank you. Continue reading

Fresh Tomato Salsa © Photo by Angela Gunder

Fresh Tomato Salsa

This one comes from my grandmother, Vo, who was given this recipe by a friend, who in turn received it from her grandmother – the same recipe that she used back in Mexico. Something as seemingly pedestrian as salsa becomes a celebration of the sweetness of ripe tomatoes and the piquant flavor of jalapeno. Continue reading

asparagus

Asparagus with Gremolata

The quest for the fall back side has one more contender in the running – this simple preparation of asparagus with a delicious italian condiment of the brightest flavor and texture is an absolute gem. Continue reading

Hoppin' John © Photo by Angela Gunder

Hoppin’ John (Black-eyed Peas and Rice with Collard Greens)

This version is absolutely vegan and so very flavorful, you won’t miss the pork one bit. It’s good as a standalone dish, but if you are jonesing for some protein, try it with a little sliced andouille sausage or kielbasa. Any way you eat, you’ll be a lucky ducky (if but for having the opportunity to tuck into such a tasty dish!) Continue reading

Couve (Brazilian-Style Collard Greens) © Photo by Angela Gunder

Couve (Brazilian-Style Collard Greens)

Although these are typically served with black beans and rice in Brazil, they are equally delicious with fresh fish, grilled chicken or steak. Work them into your repertoire of side dishes for some serious garlicky goodness. Continue reading

Greek-Style Oven Baked Green Beans © Photo by Angela Gunder

Greek-Style Oven Baked String Beans

This recipe takes advantage of the ability of fresh string beans to absorb savory, saucy goodness when slowly braised in the oven. The Greeks often cook their green beans in tomato sauce until tender – this recipe is a spicy variation on that tradition. Continue reading

Roasted Asparagus © Photo by Angela Gunder

Simple Roasted Asparagus

When I get a case of the doldrums and asparagus is in season, this is my answer to the big question of “What the hell am I going to eat with my dinner tonight?” Continue reading

Tomato Bruschetta © Photo by Angela Gunder

Tomato Bruschetta

There are very few ingredients in this bruschetta, so you have to use the best ingredients possible. Fresh ripe tomatoes, leafy basil and fruity olive oil make all the difference. Continue reading

limabean

Lima Bean Bruschetta

This recipe is similar to a popular crostini topping that I used to eat all the time in Orvieto – there it was made from fava beans (or broad beans) and drizzled with fruity, golden olive oil. The lima beans are great because they’re easy to pull out of the freezer in a pinch, and cheaper than fava beans. Continue reading

olivetapenade2

Olive Tapenade

Olive tapenade is so incredibly easy to make, and versatile as not only an appetizer, but also as a marinade and sauce. It keeps well in the fridge, and can be made from such common pantry ingredients – it’s a good appetizer to add to the mix without adding any extra cooking time. Goodness. Continue reading

Sesame Mandarin Salad © Photo by Angela Gunder

Sesame Mandarin Salad

This salad is inspired by the delicious concoction that my buddy Maureen used to whip up for all of us working at the Learning Resource Center at NOVA. Perfectly tangy, crunchy, and sweet – it was probably the most requested item at our potlucks and parties. Remind me to beg her for her recipe sometime. Continue reading

Thai Chopped Salad with Crisp Noodles and Herbs © Photo by Angela Gunder

Sweet Peanut Lime Dressing

This dressing is a variation of one of my favorite go-to dressings, a light citrus combo that is sweetened with a bit of sugar and honey. I use it on my Thai Chopped Salad with Crisp Noodles and Herbs, but if you leave out the peanut sauce, you can use it as the basis for a Mandarin Orange Salad or even as a marinade for meat or vegetables. Continue reading

Thai Chopped Salad with Crisp Noodles and Herbs © Photo by Angela Gunder

Thai Chopped Salad with Crisp Noodles and Herbs

This particular recipe reminds me of all of my favorite things about a salad – exceedingly crisp, ultra light, and super refreshing. Matchsticks of carrot, daikon and red bell pepper give an addictive crunch, and the crisp noodles help to soak up the yummy peanut lime dressing. Cilantro and mint add spice and sweetness, and the dressing gets a kick from a bit of chili and garlic. It’s all around goodness. Continue reading

Vegan Summer Rolls © Photo by Angela Gunder

Summer Rolls (Goi Cuon)

These rolls are truly fresh – no cooking involved and they are eaten at room temperature. This is a good recipe to tuck away for those summer nights when you couldn’t be bothered to slave over a hot stove. Or any night that you’re looking for a satisfying crunch of veggies that come in a different delivery mechanism than a meager salad. Continue reading

Fresh Guacamole © Angela Gunder

Fresh Guacamole (and Bean Tostadas)

Apparently, NYC feels a need to charge a premium for fresh guacamole goodness. They buy a mocajete (stone mortar) and a pestle, have some dude wheel a cart of fresh ingredients to your table, and for the tableside prep, charge you a hefty $12 – 15 depending on how fancy the restaurant. You can make this guacamole for around $5 at home. All that’s left is to buy some top shelf añejo and make some fresh lime margaritas to seal the deal. Continue reading

Vegetable Potstickers (Before Cooking) © Angela Gunder

Vegan Potstickers

Vegetarian, vegan or no, give these dumplings a whirl. If you make them at the same time as the chicken or pork versions, not only will you have a veritable dim sum spread in front of you, you’ll be winning the favor of your non-meat eating friends. And friends are a good thing, I hear ;) Continue reading