Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

These Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups are so delicious and so much better than Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. They are also healthier than Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups!

Servings: 12

Ingredients:

½ c. Earth Balance butter

¾ c. crunchy peanut butter (preferably unsweetened and unsalted)

¾ c. graham cracker crumbs or 10 graham cracker squares (look for some that are naturally sweetened or low in sugar)

¼ c. maple syrup

1 c. non-dairy chocolate chips

¼ c. soy milk

Directions:

1.       Line a muffin tin with paper liners. (I didn’t use them but it is helpful to reduce stickiness. Make sure you oil the muffin tin if you don’t use paper liners.)

2.       Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.

3.       Stir in the peanut butter, graham cracker crumbs, and maple syrup. Mix well.

4.       Remove the mixture from the heat.

5.       Evenly divide the mixture among the muffin cups.

6.       Combine the chocolate and milk in another saucepan. Stir over medium heat until the chocolate has melted.

7.       Spoon the chocolate evenly over the peanut butter mixture.

8.       Place in the refrigerator to set for at least 2 hours before serving.

9.       Enjoy! (BEWARE: They are addicting.)

Cinnamon Swirl Raisin Bread

This cinnamon raisin bread is absolutely delicious. It is better than anything you can buy at the store. It won’t last long…trust me!

Ingredients:

1 ½ c. water

2 tbsp. soy milk

2 tbsp. oil (preferably canola)

2 tsp. instant yeast

3 tbsp. organic cane sugar

4 c. whole wheat flour

1 tsp. salt

1 c. raisins

2 tbsp. oil (preferably canola)

2 tbsp. organic light brown sugar

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. cornstarch

3 tbsp. water

Directions:

1.       In a bowl, add the water, milk, and 2 tbsp. oil. Mix to combine.

2.       Add the yeast, cane sugar, and flour. Mix.

3.       Add the salt and mix.

4.       Add the raisins and mix.

5.       Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover. Place in a warm spot for 1 hour.

6.       Grease a 12 inch loaf pan.

7.       Combine 2 tbsp. oil, brown sugar, and cinnamon.

8.       Roll out the dough to a ½ inch thick rectangle and smear the cinnamon paste all over.

9.       Tightly roll up the dough and place the log, seam side down in the loaf pan.

10.   Cover and let rest in a warm space again for 1 hour.

11.   Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

12.   Combine the cornstarch and water and brush over the top of the loaf.

13.   Bake for 30 minutes and let rest for at least 20 minutes before slicing.

14.   Enjoy! I love it with Earth Balance and jam.

Tofu Stir-fry

Right now I am obsessed with making stir-fries. Stir fries are simple and easy to make. They can be served over noodles or rice if desired.

*Serves 6

Ingredients:

1 ½ c. vegetable broth

3 tbsp. Bragg’s or soy sauce

1 tbsp. rice vinegar

1 tsp. minced ginger

1 tsp. sugar (I use Stevia)

1 block extra-firm tofu, pressed and cubed

1 medium eggplant

½ red onion

½ cucumber

1 tbsp. cornstarch

Directions:

1.       In a small bowl, whisk together the vegetable broth, Bragg’s, rice vinegar, ginger, and sugar.

2.       Press and cube the block of tofu. In a large skillet, brown the tofu in olive oil on all sides. Add oregano, parsley, garlic powder, and/or black pepper if desired. Place on a plate and set aside.

3.       Cut the eggplant, onion, and cucumber in small pieces. Add the vegetables to the skillet and sauté in olive oil. Add oregano, parsley, garlic powder, and/or black pepper if desired.

4.       Add in the tofu.

5.       Reduce heat and add vegetable broth mixture. Whisk in cornstarch. Bring to a slow simmer and cook until thickened, stirring to prevent lumps. Add more cornstarch if you want the sauce to be thicker.

6.       Enjoy!

Raw Food Challenge

I have decided to go on a raw food challenge. I am going to eat raw food every Monday starting today! I went to the store a couple of days ago anticipating my first day on the raw food challenge. I bought spinach, grapefruit, bananas, an orange and an apple. I am writing this at the end of the day on Monday. I ate half a grapefruit and a banana this morning for breakfast. For lunch I made a salad. I put spinach, red onions, carrots and cucumbers in the salad. I squeezed fresh lemon juice over the salad. For an afternoon snack I ate the rest of the grapefruit and had another banana. I also ate a handful of raw almonds. For dinner I had the rest of my salad and a granny smith apple.

The food I ate today was simple to prepare. However, there are many foods that raw foodists eat that require planning. For example, rice and grains require sprouting or overnight soaking to become digestible.

What is raw food?

Raw food is uncooked, unprocessed, and often organic food. The food must not be heated to above 104 degrees F. Many raw vegans believe that foods cooked above this temperature have lost much of their nutritional value and are less healthful and even harmful to the body. Since I am a vegan I do not eat raw meat, fish, cheese, etc. Raw food diets consist of raw fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and sprouted grains and legumes.

Why I decided to do this:

1.       It’s healthy! Advocates argue that raw or living foods have natural enzymes, which are critical in building proteins and rebuilding the body.  Raw foods have higher nutrient values than foods which have been cooked. The raw food diet contains fewer trans fats and saturated fat than the typical Western diet. It is also low in sodium and sugar and high in potassium, magnesium, folate, fiber, Vitamin A, and health-promoting antioxidants.

2.       Reduced risk of diseases! Being on a raw food diet lowers risk of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, breast cancer and hypertension.

3.       It makes you look good! Raw foods such as fruits and vegetables are high in antioxidants and raw-foodists believe they can help stifle signs of aging.

4.       Makes you more energetic!

5.       I don’t feel like I need to lose weight but some people may go on a raw vegan diet to do that.

6.       It cleanses your body!

Tips:

1.       Soak nuts and seeds before eating them. This activates their enzymes.

2.       If you would like to prepare gourmet raw food recipes buy a blender, food processor, juicer and dehydrator. Some foods such as crackers, breads and cookies may need to be dehydrated. A dehydrator simulates sundrying. They are enclosed containers with heating elements to warm at low temperatures. A fan inside the dehydrator blows warm air across the food, which is spread out on the trays.

3.       Some raw beans can be eaten after they have been soaked and sprouted, but others are considered unsafe to eat, such as kidney beans, soy beans, and fava beans.

4.       One of the main concerns people have with the raw food diet are deficiencies in vitamin B12, iron, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids. Supplement with a multivitamin and eat a variety of foods.

5.       Ease into the diet. Having one 100% raw day per week can give your body a rest and let it heal and rebuild.

Saucy Chinese Veggies with Tempeh

This is a simple and basic stir-fry recipe suitable for a main dish. Serve over noodles or rice if desired.

*Serves 6

Ingredients:

1 ½ c. vegetable broth

3 tablespoons soy sauce or Bragg’s

1 tbsp. rice vinegar

1 tsp. minced ginger

1 tsp. sugar (I use Stevia)

18 ounce block tempeh, cubed

2 tbsp. olive oil

1 red bell pepper, chopped

1 c. snow peas

2 scallions, sliced

1 tbsp. cornstarch

Directions:

1.       In a small bowl, whisk together the vegetable broth, soy sauce, rice vinegar, ginger, and sugar.

2.       In a large skillet, brown the tempeh in olive oil on all sides.

3.       Add the bell pepper, snow peas, and scallions and heat just until vegetables are almost soft. Stir constantly.

4.       Reduce heat and add the vegetable broth mixture. Whisk in cornstarch. Bring to a slow simmer and cook until thickened, stirring to prevent lumps.

Vegan Crepes!

Breakfast is the best meal of the day! These crepes are absolutely deliciousJ They are also very easy and quick to whip up.

*Six 6 inch crepes

Ingredients:

½ c. soymilk

2/3 c. water

¼ c. vegan butter, melted (I use Earth Balance)

1 c. whole wheat flour

¼ tsp. salt

1 tbsp raw sugar (I use Stevia)

2 tsp. vanilla extract

2 tbsp water (to thin)

Berries (topping) I use a frozen berry medley containing blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries. I just defrost some in a bowl.

Additional toppings:

Sliced peaches, bananas, strawberries, or any fruit for that matter

Powdered sugar

Maple syrup

Nut butter

Directions:

1.       Combine all of the ingredients in a bowl.

2.       Whisk until smooth and thin. Add water if it still needs to be thinned.

3.       Put a little bit of vegan butter or oil in a skillet.

4.       Pour a small amount of batter on the skillet so that it is thin and round. You can make them as small or as large as you want!

5.       Flip carefully when the top is covered with bubbles. Cook until lightly browned on each side.

6.       Top with berries or whatever you would like. I also add some maple syrup to them.

Vegan Pizza!

My favorite food before going vegan was pizza! I loved itJ After becoming vegan, I made a lot of vegan pizza to satisfy my cravings. There are many ways you can make vegan pizza. There are many different toppings, sauces, and crust you can use.

Makes two 9 inch pizzas.

1.       Make the pizza dough. Start preparing toppings while pizza dough is rising.

Pizza Crust Ingredients:

1 ½ c. warm water

¼ ounce packet yeast

1 tsp. salt

3 c. flour

Pizza Crust Directions:

1.       Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

2.       Whisk water and yeast until dissolved.

3.       Add salt and whisk again.

4.       Stir in flour and knead.

5.       Set aside and let dough rise for 20 minutes.

6.       Knead again. Let rise for another 10-20 minutes.

7.       Split the dough in two. Spread dough out on two pizza pans. You can also make one big pizza pan. Use a cookie sheet if desired. Make sure to grease the pans with olive oil!

8.       Spread olive oil on the top and bake for 10 minutes. Take out and add your favorite toppings.

Additional Crusts:

-Use a bagel or a tortilla for the crust!

-You can also buy a store bought pizza dough mix. Pillsbury makes one!

Directions for pizza toppings:

1.       Saute ½ an onion and 4 cloves of garlic in olive oil. Season with black pepper, crushed red pepper, oregano and parsley.

2.       Saute 1 can of artichokes in olive oil with lemon juice and paprika.

3.       Brown ½ of a Gimme Lean ground beef tube or any mock vegan meat. I seasoned the meat with mesquite seasoning.

4.       To make the pizza, spread the two pizzas with tomato sauce. I buy tomato sauce at the store that doesn’t have any sugar in it. Spread the onion mixture, then the artichokes, then the meat onto the pizzas. Sprinkle daiya cheese (I like Mozzarella) on the pizzas.

5.       Cook the pizzas at 350 degrees F for 10 minutes or until the cheese has melted.

6. Add basil, parsley, or oregano.

Additional toppings:

Tomatoes

Olives

Basil

Spinach

Avocado

Vegan pepperoni (Yves makes them!)

Mushrooms

Red/green bell peppers

Pineapple

Tempeh

Tofu

Seitan

Additional sauces:

Hummus

Bbq sauce

Pesto