Category Archives: Vegan

Every so often, we like to prepare meals with Beyond Meat.  I know it’s not for everyone and some aren’t willing to try it but if you are curious, I highly recommend eating it at least once.  Our latest creation is a Beyond Meat Patty Melt.  It was amazing! Beyond Meat has a similar texture to ground meat but I think it’s a bit moister and juicier.  I also think it has a slightly nutty flavor.  In this case you will know you aren’t eating meat but if you are making other dishes, Tacos or Sloppy Joe’s for example, you won’t taste a difference after adding all the spices and sauces.  The “patty” in this recipe is seasoned Beyond Meat.  You will get the full texture and taste of the product.  Personally, I think it’s great.  Andrew even liked it! The recipe can be found here. Start by dividing the … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized, Vegan | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Beyond Meat Patty Melt

Sometimes I like to cook with chickpeas.  I know they aren’t for everyone, but they are a wonderful meat substitute in many recipes.  Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, are beige in color, pea shaped, and part of the legume family.  They are very versatile and packed with protein. Chickpea Bowls are wonderful.  They are easy to prepare, come together in 20 minutes or less, and can easily be customized with the toppings of your choice.  Wonderful weeknight recipes that are healthy and light but will still fill you up. The 2 recipes I want to share with you today are as follows: VEGAN ORANGE CHICKPEAS are sweet and tangy with a lovely citrusy flavor, similar to orange chicken from a Chinese restaurant. VEGAN SESAME CHICKPEAS are sweet and have a slightly roasted flavor with a sticky sauce, similar to sesame chicken from a Chinese restaurant. Both recipes are vegan.  Feel free to substitute ingredients or add toppings that are … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized, Vegan | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Chickpea Bowls (Vegan)

Vegan Beyond Meat Thai Lettuce Wraps are a great recipe when you are looking for something healthy or are trying to “eat clean”.  They are simple to make, scrumptious, and packed with flavor.  I like how customizable they are because you can add any toppings of your choosing when creating your lettuce wraps.  If you are unfamiliar with lettuce wraps, think of them as a taco but with a lettuce leaf instead of a tortilla or taco shell. The recipe can be found here. Start by preparing the Beyond Meat.  I personally like to use Beyond Meat in a lot of recipes and think it fits well with the flavors in this recipe.  It also makes this recipe vegan if you follow a vegan lifestyle.  If you don’t, feel free to substitute the Beyond Meat with ground chicken, ground turkey, or ground beef. Heat a large skillet over medium heat.  Add the Beyond Meat, onion, and garlic.  Cook for about … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized, Vegan | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Vegan Beyond Meat Thai Lettuce Wraps

If you aren’t familiar with Beyond Meat, it’s a plant-based “meat” that is quite tasty and gives you the texture and juiciness of ground beef.  I use it in a lot of recipes but recently tried it in a taco salad.  It was colorful, zesty, and packed full of flavor.  I didn’t miss the meat and don’t think you will either!  So, I recommend adding Beyond Meat to your next salad to give it that high quality, premium, restaurant feel. If you keep reading, you will learn about my recipe for a Vegan Beyond Meat Taco Salad.  The recipe is for a vegan meal.  All ingredients in the recipe are vegan conscious.  If you are not vegan, are working your way towards becoming vegan, or are simply intrigued, please give this recipe a shot!  You can substitute virtually any ingredient and make it your own to suit your taste.  There is a high chance you will eliminate the vegan … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized, Vegan | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Vegan Beyond Meat Taco Salad

Vegan Beyond Meat Unstuffed Pepper Bowls is an easy to make, comfort food type meal, that is 100% vegan.  It’s bright, colorful, and has all the flavors you love from a classic stuffed pepper recipe.  For those of you who aren’t vegan, or aren’t familiar with Beyond Meat, it’s a 100% plant-based protein.  I personally think it’s delicious and substitute it in a lot of dishes.  In its raw form, it has the texture of ground beef.  In its cooked form, it has a similar texture to ground meat, has a slightly nutty flavor, and is juicy (not like other vegetarian or vegan meats that are bland and dry).  It’s hard to describe but it has good flavor. You can add beans, corn, lentils, rice, mushrooms – anything you like to these unstuffed pepper bowls.  They are completely customizable but if you prefer to follow a recipe, it can be found here. Start by cooking the rice … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized, Vegan | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Vegan Beyond Meat Unstuffed Pepper Bowls

If you follow my blog, you are probably aware that I recently wrote a post about Grilled Jalapeno Poppers.  They are a great appetizer, a fun dish for a BBQ or cookout, and are full of flavor and spice!  I recently made a vegan version of the same grilled jalapeno popper recipe and want to share it with you today. The recipe can be found here. Jalapeno Poppers are essentially hollowed out jalapenos that are stuffed with cheese (non-dairy cheese in this case) and spices, are frequently breaded (we are skipping this step), and either fried, baked, or grilled to perfection.  They are a guaranteed crowd pleaser! To make my Vegan Grilled Jalapeno Poppers, you must first make Vegan Cream Cheese. You can buy plain vegan cream cheese from your local grocery store or make your own.  I prefer to make homemade vegan cream cheese.  For the most part, it … Continue reading

Posted in Grilling, Uncategorized, Vegan | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on VEGAN Grilled Jalapeno Poppers

Beyond Beef Stuffed Bell Peppers are a bright and colorful dish complete with roasted peppers, rice, veggies, and a plant-based protein.  Stuffed peppers are traditionally made with ground beef but a few simple substitutes and voila, you have yourself a vegan meal.  You can use any color bell pepper (use a variety of colors for a nice plating presentation) or even substitute the Beyond Beef with another plant-based protein product.  Anything goes while you are creating this meal because these peppers are a meal in itself! The recipe can be found here. Start by preheating the oven to 375 degrees F.  Set aside an 8×8 baking dish (if using 4 bell peppers) or a 9×13 baking dish (if using 6 bell peppers). Use a knife to remove the tops of the bell peppers.  Don’t remove too much of the top because you want to fill as much of the pepper … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized, Vegan | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Beyond Beef Stuffed Bell Peppers (Vegan)

We recently tried Beyond Meat Plant-Based Ground Beyond Beef in Sloppy Joe format and let me tell you, it was delicious!  I think Sloppy Joe’s transport you back to your childhood where you ate dinner around the family table.  It was a classic meal and a staple in a lot of homes growing up.  However, tastes have changed for some people and others follow a plant-based diet, so a traditional Sloppy Joe just won’t cut it anymore.  That’s where Beyond Meat comes in! Beyond Beef BBQ Sloppy Joe’s are the perfect meal for anyone following a vegan diet or for someone who wants to give it a try.  It’s a plant-based recipe the whole family can enjoy!  The Beyond Beef BBQ Sloppy Joe’s are just as meaty as the traditional version and can be dressed up a bit with onions or peppers. The recipe can be found here. Start by … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized, Vegan | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Beyond Beef BBQ Sloppy Joe’s (Vegan)

Every so often I like to make a vegan dish for a few reasons.  First, the food is actually delicious (don’t knock it ‘til you try it) and second, I have friends and family members who are vegan (or follow a similar diet), so I like to have a few recipes in my back pocket in case I’m ever entertaining them.  I’d rather be accommodating so they know they can comfortably eat at my house than have them eat before coming over.  And truly, the food is quite good, in addition to being good for you! Bruschetta Pasta is one of my to-go dishes.  It is a vegan dish, but you could easily add parmesan cheese or a little shredded mozzarella if you aren’t following a special diet or don’t have dietary restrictions.  I like this pasta because it’s very light and refreshing.  Think of traditional bruschetta, but instead of … Continue reading

Posted in Pasta, Uncategorized, Vegan | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Bruschetta Pasta (Vegan)

Looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal that is also flavorful and delicious?  Look no further!  Meatless Monday has a new fan favorite…. Lentils & Vegetables in Peanut Sauce.  This is a vegan / vegetarian meal that’s packed with fresh vegetables and protein.  I chose some of my favorite veggies to use in this dish, but you can add any veggies you like.  You can add mushrooms, squash, snap peas, you name it! The peanut sauce is what really brings it all together.  It’s bursting with flavor and is rich and creamy.  I think it tasted great when coated on the veggies or when mixes with some white rice.  So good!  And this dish comes together in about 20 minutes. The recipe can be found here. Start by adding the peanut butter, ginger, garlic, soy sauce (or tamari), lime juice, lime zest, cilantro, sriracha, cayenne, salt, sugar, sesame oil, … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized, Vegan | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Lentils & Vegetables in Peanut Sauce