Vegan Bagels

Serves: 8           Preparation time: 1 hour

Ingredients:

1 c. warm water

1 package yeast

3 c. whole wheat flour

1 ½ tsp. salt

2 tbsp. vegan sugar

Optional toppings and seasonings:

Sesame seeds

Poppy seeds

Cinnamon and sugar

Pumpkin pie spice

Raisins

Garlic

Sundried tomatoes

Directions:

1.       Add warm water to a small bowl.

2.       Sprinkle the package of yeast to the water. Do not stir. Cover for 5 minutes.

3.       Stir and let sit for an additional 3 minutes.

4.       In another bowl mix together the flour and salt. (Add additional seasonings if desired) Add yeast mixture. Knead.

5.       Cover and set aside to allow the dough to rise for about an hour.

6.       Grease a cookie sheet.

7.       Cut the dough into 8 equal pieces.

8.       Roll each piece into a rope about 1 inch thick. Wet the ends and stick together.

9.       Place on cookie sheet. Cover and let rest for 15 minutes.

10.   Preheat oven to 500 degrees F.

11.   Fill a wok or pot with about 3 inches of water.

12.   Place vegan sugar in the water and bring to a boil.

13.   Add bagels for 1 minute, turning them as they boil. Drain.

14.   Place bagels on cookie sheet and bake for 15 minutes. Sprinkle bagels with sesame seeds, poppy seeds, cinnamon and sugar etc. before baking if desired. Dipping the bagel into a plate of seeds works well.

15.   Enjoy!

Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Cookies

These cookies are delicious and healthy!

*Makes about 15 cookies

Preparation time: 10 minutes, Cooking time: 15-18 minutes

Ingredients:

3 ripe bananas, mashed               

1 tbsp vanilla

¾ cup peanut butter (chunky or creamy)

2 tbsp maple syrup

2 c. rolled oats

½ c. whole wheat flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

½ c. vegan chocolate chips or raisins

Directions:

1.       Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2.       In a large bowl, mix bananas, vanilla, peanut butter and maple syrup into a creamy consistency.

3.       In another bowl, combine oats, flour, baking powder and salt.

4.       Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until they are well combined.

5.       Fold in the chocolate chips.

6.       Place heaping tablespoon-sized balls of batter onto an ungreased baking sheet.

7.       Bake for 15-18 minutes.

8.       Let cool and enjoy!

3 Books to Learn About Veganism!!!

1.       Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer

This is a must read for everyone, vegetarian or not! When Jonathan became a father he wanted the best for his child. He asked himself, Why do we eat animals? And would we eat them if we knew how they got on our dinner plates? His quest for animals led him to visiting factory farms in the middle of the night and delving into the fictions we use to justify our eating habits. He discusses everything: genetic manipulation, animal shit and how it is an environmental disaster, animal suffering, the slaughter process, health risks, and the agricultural methods. He doesn’t preach and is not one-sided. He visits humane farms and discusses humane practices.

2.       Veganist by Kathy Freston

Freston wasn’t born a vegan. She admits that she grew up on chicken-fried steak, ribs, and milkshakes. It wasn’t until she was in her thirties that she adopted a plant-based diet. She believes people should become vegan for their personal well-being and to benefit the environment. The path she took to becoming a vegan was very gradual. She can help anyone ease into the veganist life. Freston discusses the benefits of veganism including weight loss, disease reversal, environmental responsibility and spiritual awakening. She includes expert commentary and real life success stories.

3.       The Kind Diet by Alicia Silverstone

Silverstone shares her insights that encouraged her to become vegan. She also outlines the spectacular benefits of adopting a plant-based diet, including weight loss, clear skin, energy and smooth digestion. She explains how meat, fish, milk and cheese are the culprits behind escalating rates of disease and the cause of permanent damage to the environment. Silverstone introduces delicious food and shows how to cover every nutritional base, from protein to calcium and beyond. She understands that people cannot switch to a vegan diet straight away and that there needs to be a transition. Therefore, the book encompasses three levels, from flirting with veganism to becoming a true vegan to becoming a superhero which relies predominantly on grains and vegetables.

Who Doesn't Like Sushi?

Sushi is a great vegan dish because it is healthy and it is easy to make it tasty without raw fish.

*Makes 8 rolls

*2 Servings

Ingredients:

2 large sheets nori

½ c. brown rice (you can also use sushi rice)

½ large carrot

¼ cucumber

½ avocado

Wasabi (optional)

Bragg’s (optional) This is an alternative to soy sauce.

1 tbsp Seasoned Rice Vinegar

Directions:

1.       The first step is to cook the rice. Bring 1 cup of water to boil in a saucepan.

2.       Once the water is boiling, put ½ c. brown rice in the saucepan. Cover and cook over low heat.

3.       While the rice is cooking, cut the carrot, cucumber and avocado. Cut the carrot and the cucumber into matchsticks. Cut the avocado lengthwise. Take the pit out. Cut ½ the avocado into slices with the skin in place. Take a spoon and spoon out the avocado.

4.       Once the rice is done, put 1 tbsp of seasoned rice vinegar in the rice and stir.

5.       Let the rice cool.

6.       Place 1 sheet of nori on a cutting board, rough side up. It should be vertical.

7.       Spread rice evenly on the bottom ½ of the nori.

8.       Add the carrot, cucumber, and avocado on top of the rice.

9.       Roll it up tightly. You can also use a sushi mat. Before reaching the end, water the top edge with water so that the rolls stay together.

10.   Cut into fourths. Use a serrated knife and saw your way through.

11.   Place on a plate.

12.   Repeat with 2^nd sheet.

13.    Serve with wasabi and Bragg’s if desired. You can put the wasabi and Bragg’s in small bowls or you can put directly on the rolls. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top of the rolls.

14.   Enjoy!!!

*Feel free to create your own!!!

Additional ingredients:

Green beans

Red bell pepper

Tempeh

Mushrooms

Scallions

Peanut Butter

Peanuts

Radish

Ginger

Eggplant

Celery

Asparagus

*Thank you Trevor and Sarah for inviting us to your apartment and teaching us how to make sushi!!!

Chocolate Chip Cookies

This recipe is easy, fast and the cookies are delicious!

*Makes two dozen

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 9-12 minutes

Ingredients:

2 c. unbleached flour

2 tsp. baking powder

½ tsp. salt

1 tsp. cinnamon

2/3 c. vegan chocolate chips

1 c. raw sugar

½ c. oil (canola or vegetable)

1 tsp. vanilla

1/3 c. almond milk or water

Directions:

1.       Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2.       In a large bowl, mix flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.

3.       Stir in chips.

4.       Add sugar, oil, vanilla, and water.

5.       Add more chips if desired.

6.       Spoon onto ungreased cookie sheets.

7.       Bake for 9-12 minutes. The cookies are done when they seem a little bit softer than you want them to be. They will harden up a little as they cool.

8.       Let them cool on cookie sheet before removing.

9.       Enjoy!

Revisions if desired:

*You can use applesauce or Earth Balance instead of the oil.

*Add walnuts and/or coconut.

*Add nutmeg and/or ginger.

Vegan Hamburger

Ingredients:

Hamburger bun

Boca burger (you can also make your own!)

Lettuce

Pickle

Tomato (1 slice)

Onion (1 slice)

Avocado (3 slices)

Ketchup

Dijon mustard

Salt, black pepper, oregano, parsley, garlic powder

Olive oil

Directions:

1.       Toast hamburger bun in a skillet with olive oil on medium heat. Slather ketchup and mustard on bun and put on a plate.

2.       Sauté onions in olive oil on medium heat. Cut tomato, avocado, and pickle while the onion is cooking. Place cut ingredients as well as the onions on the plate off to the side.

3.       Cook burger in the skillet with olive oil on medium heat. Season with salt, black pepper, oregano, parsley and garlic powder on both sides. Cook until browned on both sides.

4.       Place burger on bun. Put some lettuce on top. Put tomato slice, onions, avocado and pickle on top of the lettuce.

5.       Enjoy!

Pigs in a blanket

This is a quick and easy recipe that kids will love or for you to love and remember your life as a kid. They are fun to make and they taste great!

5 minute prep time

12-15 minute bake time

makes 8

Ingredients:

½ cup whole wheat flour

1 tbsp cornmeal

1 tbsp oil

1 tsp raw sugar

1 tsp baking powder

4 vegan hot dogs, halved (smart dogs, tofurky, tofu pups)

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Mix together all of the ingredients except the hot dogs.
3. Add water, little by little until a dough ball is formed.
4. Roll the dough out, as thin as a tortilla.
5. Wrap the dough around each hot dog half.
6. Back 12-15 minutes until golden brown.
7. Dip in mustard, ketchup, etc.