VEGAN GF SOUTHERN STYLE SHEPHERD'S PIE

I know I just did a shepherd's pie recipe not too long ago but I love them! They are so easy and so satisfying.  You can use up lots of your random leftovers from previous meals during the week and serve tons of people during the process.  This recipe I actually split into two medium sized pies. It worked out great and the flavours were all really complimentary to each other. My boyfriend and I had some southern style meals earlier this week so I wanted to use up my cabbage  and broccoli. Im so glad I did!  Also the rice was a great addition. Its an awesome cheap filler if your low on beans in your pantry. Just spice it to your preference. Rice and lentils also make a whole protein so you know what you're eating is good for you. A great cheap meal to make for a vegan potluck or if you're broke and need food for a couple days. This stores awesome in the fridge and its even better the next day. I made this recipe fun and gave it a little twist, barbecue sauce! Don't be alarmed, its actually really good! Enjoy it, share it, eat it! 

VEGAN SOUTHERN STYLE SHEPERD'S PIE

RECIPE
GLUTEN FREE

1/2 purple onion, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced
3 mushrooms, diced

2 carrots, chopped

1 head of broccoli, chopped

1 cup cabbage, chopped small

1 teaspoon olive oil

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon pepper

4 drops liquid smoke

1 cup rice, cooked

 * add 1 teaspoon turmeric, 1 teaspoon salt & 1 teaspoon pepper 

1 tablespoon earth balance

1/2 cup tvp ( soaked in 1/3 cup boiling water ) 

4-6 drops liquid smoke

1 tablespoon barbecue sauce & 4 tablespoons for veggie mix

1 can corn

1 can lentils

1 can peas

6 yellow potatoes,  boiled, mashed

1 tablespoon earth balance

5 tablespoons coconut milk

1 teaspoon salt

paprika and nutritional yeast for on top

STEPS

Makes 2 medium sized pies

Preheat oven to 350F

Start by filling a large pot with water and a dash of salt to make your mash potatoes. Bring it to a boil. Peel and cut your potatoes.  Soak them in a large bowl to help get rid of the starch. Drain after 5 minutes. Once your water is boiled, add your potatoes.  Next cut up all your veggies.  You want them fairly small so you can fit everything.  Sautee your garlic, onion, carrot, mushroom and broccoli. Saute with olive oil, pepper, salt and a couple drops of liquid smoke. Drain your corn, peas and lentils. Boil some water to make your tp. Measure out 1/2 cup of tvp. Add 1/3 cup boiling water, liquid smoke and barbecue sauce.  Stir together until all water is absorbed.  Let stand for 10 minutes. Drain your potatoes once they are soft enough to poke with a fork. Add your coconut milk, earth balance and salt. Mash together, stirring all the ingredients in while doing so. Once everything is prepared, oil two medium sized baking pans or one large one.  Add your corn, lentils, peas and veggie mix along with your barbecue sauce. Stir everything together well and press down the mix till it takes up about half your pan. Add a layer of tvp then your potatoes. Smooth everything with a spatula and sprinkle paprika and nutritional yeast on top. Place in the oven for 35-40 minutes. Allow to cool before serving! 

Enjoy :)

VEGAN GF PAKORAS

VEGAN GF PAKORAS

This recipe is awesome. I love pakoras but sometimes buying authentic vegan ones can get pricey.  Luckily most indian food is actually vegan. Its always my go to restaurant when i'm in a town I don't know. There's always tons of vegan option on the menu and if you ask a waiter about vegan options they always know what youre talking about. Dont you just hate when you ask a waiter about vegan options and they give you a confused look and you have to explain yourself? I know I do. I always have an uneasy feeling afterwards like they didn't understand and I'm eating something vegetarian. Thats why I love homemade everything! You know exactly what's in your food, where its from and how its cooked. Plus its so rewarding when you make something as delicious as pakoras. Serve these with mango chutney and you will think you died and gone to heaven. Its an awesome recipe to make if you're having people over because it makes tons! I made mine pretty big and it made 20 so im sure you could make them a little smaller and make 40! These store great in the fridge too. Just put the leftovers in a tupperware and fry it in a frying pan with a little oil to reheat. They will last up to 7 days in there. I hope you love spicy!  Enjoy my vegan pakora recipe.

Recipe                                         

Batter
GLUTEN FREE
2 cups garbanzo bean flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
3 teaspoons pepper
3 teaspoons turmeric
6 tablespoons curry powder
1 1/2 teaspoons ground mango powder
2 teaspoons cumin
2 teaspoons coriander
1 cup water


Vegetables
1 head of cauliflower, finely chopped

1 can of sweet peas
half a white onion, finely chopped
4 potatoes, peeled, grated
1 big handful of spinach, finely chopped

Steps
Preheat your oven to 400 F. Oil your baking pan. Make sure there's lots of oil in your pan. Cut your cauliflower,onion and spinach. Peel and wash your potatoes. Grate your potatoes fine. Makes sure everything is cut pretty small. This helps it all stay together better. Once your vegetables are all washed and ready, combine all of them  together in a large bowl. Time to start your batter. Combine all your dry ingredients together in a medium sized. Stir together with a fork to make sure there's no clumps. Add the water slowly. Keep stirring with the fork while adding the water. It should be like the consistency of pancake batter. If its too thick, add some more water one tablespoon at a time. If its too watery add more garbanzo bean flour one tablespoon at a time. Once your batter is the right consistency pour it into the bowl of vegetables. Stir everything together really well. Make sure all your vegetables are covered in some batter. Using a big spoon, take out large scoops of the mix. Make sure to let any excess drip off. Then place it on your place. It might seem a little runny but it bakes together great! Repeat this until your bowl is empty. You can choose the size of the pakoras as you please but try to keep it uniform so they all bake evenly. Place in the oven. Bake for 10 minutes then flip them and bake for another 10 minutes.

If they stick a little just flip them gently. Allow them to cool for 10 minutes then serve with chutney!

VEGAN CAULIFLOWER BBQ WINGS

While I was up visiting my family my little sister and I made an amazing christmas dinner.  Christmas dinner in our house is a little tricky because I'm the only vegan. My sister's only eat certain meats and have both been vegans at some point in their lives , my brother eats everything and my parents loveee their turkey and ham. I love a challenge so we made a bunch of different sides. As vegan as we could. I think the only non vegan things there was rice a roni (which is my moms favourite so its a must of course) and the stuffing! One of the awesome dishes my little sister made was spicy cauliflower wings! They were so good and I was so happy she made a special vegan dish. I loved them so much I thought I'd make my own recipe.  So props to my little sister Ivy for inspiring me to make these. So easy and so quick to make. This recipe is easy to change around spices and sauces to your own preference. Experiment and have fun. All of my meat eatin'  family members loved them.  Enjoy:)

VEGAN CAULIFLOWER BARBECUE WINGS

Recipe

1 head cauliflower washed and broken up

4 tablespoons of olive oil *for your baking pan

1 cup unbleached white flour 

1/4 cup corn starch

1 teaspoon pepper 

2 1/2 teaspoons chili spice

1/2 teaspoon salt 

dash of curry powder

2 teaspoons sriracha 

2 teaspoons vegan barbecue sauce

1 cup cold water

1/4 barbecue sauce * for brushing on the wings while they are baking

Steps
Preheat your oven to 400 F.  Oil your baking tray. Wash your cauliflower and break off pieces with stems on the bottom. Its pretty easy to just follow the stem of the cauliflower. If the pieces are too large you can just cut them in half with a knife.
Combine ingredients flour through water in a medium sized bowl. Mix together well with a fork. Dip the cauliflower pieces into the batter with a fork. Allow the excess batter to drip off and place the cauliflower on the pan.

 Repeat for all your pieces and place in the oven.  Bake for 10 minutes. Take the pan out and use your 1/4 cup of barbecue sauce to brush on the cauliflower pieces. Place them back in the oven for 10 more minutes.
When you take them out just let them cool down then you can peel any excess batter dried around your cauliflower.
Put them on a plate and serve! You could serve them with dipping sauce as well.
Enjoy!

VEGAN COCONUT DONUTS WITH MAPLE ICING

I said I was going to post a recipe for baked donuts a looonngg time ago in my first donut post.  Sorry it took me so long! These are so insanely easy to make.  It probably took me a half an hour tops and that includes making icing and baking. The longest part is waiting for them to cool down.  The icing recipe I used is from my maple scone recipe. (There's a link attached here) its an amazing icing recipe thats super versatile. It works great for donuts, danish's and scones! I love making baked donuts because you can eat so many guilt free:) They are much healthier for you and much less oily. I hope you love making and munching these easy, healthy and delicious donuts.

Recipe

Makes 14 donuts

2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

pinch of sea salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 cup shredded coconut

1/2 cup turbinado sugar

1/4 cup earth balance, melted

1/2 cup of unsweetened almond breeze

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Steps

Preheat your oven to 350 F. Combine all your dry ingredients except the sugar into a large bowl. Stir together well with a fork to make sure all the lumps are out and everything is well incorporated.  Melt your butter and pour it into a medium sized bowl. Add your milk, vanilla and sugar. Stir together well with a fork. Make a well in the middle of the dry mixture. Pour all your wet ingredients into the well. Stir all the ingredients well together with a big wooden spoon. Once it mostly mixed together begin to knead it with your hands. It should form into a doughy ball like this!

*My mom bought me that beautiful rolling pin for christmas. She also bought me the cute green platter and the funky plate. Thanks Mama <3

Once your dough is formed prepare an area on your counter to roll your  dough out. I have a donut cutter so if you don't have one you can cut your dough into thin long strips and form the two ends together by pinching the dough together with your fingers.
Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface. It needs to be about half an inch thick to make the proper size and amount. Begin to cut your donus out. Prepare a lightly oiled baking tray and place the cut donuts on the tray. I used the middle of my donuts to make donut bites too! Place them in the oven and bake for 8 minutes. Let them cool for a half hour before icing.

You can get the icing recipe here. Sprinkle your donuts with your favourite toppings and serve!

VEGAN SEITAN ROAST STUFFED WITH MACARONI

Happy new year! Theres nothing better than starting a new year. It always feels great to  shake off all the bad times and start fresh! I always make  a lot of goals when the year starts too. This year I'm really hoping to start writing my own cookbook and get really into my baked goods. Hopefully by this time next year you'll be able to buy something of mine in a local grocery store! Amongst all that I have a million plans for my boyfriend and I. Overall I'm really excited for 2015. 

So for Christmas I thought I'd go a little crazy and make something I never have before.  Its my own creation.

A combination of my pinto bean seitan roast and my coconut cream mac n cheese! (There's a link attached to the recipes) Unfortunately theres not going to be any point in making an entire recipe and step by step post for this because it's identical to those two recipes.  However I can post pictures and tips!! This roast was absolutely insane and by far my favourite christmas dinner ever. Its most definitely good for any day of the week! 

Enjoy!

You can follow the steps just like the ones in my other recipe. Just be careful not to over stuff your roast so you can wrap it up nice and tight. Cut the macaroni recipe in half in order to make the right amount.          

           Roll your seitan roast out. Scoop your macaroni on top about 3/4 of the seitan roast. Make sure you leave about 1 1/2 inches of just seitan on the side opposite to you. This is what you'll use to pinch it shut. Begin to roll the roast starting with the side closest to you. Roll it gently but tight making sure macaroni stays in. Roll in up in foil, twist the ends and bake! 

Christmas time!

 This is my first post from my brand new tablet! I am sooo spoiled and so grateful that my parents got me one for Christmas. I had been talking alot about buying my own to work on my blog. I guess my parents really love my blog! Which is great. Its so nice to have so much support. I think one of the best things I did this year was start this blog! So as 2014 comes to an end id like to thank each and every one of you for visiting this blog. It warms my heart to see more and more vegans and non vegans coming together to enjoy cruelty free meals! Keep sharing recipes, cooking at home and trying to be as d.i.y and animal free as you can:)

This is a couple snapshots from my christmas vacation. One including my macroni stuffed seitan!! Thts right. I went there. Ill be posting a recipe with steps soon but for now you can just drool over it.

 I got so many beautiful things for my kitchen im too busy in there to be posting on here. Thsts means more recipes will be coming very soon! Happy holidays everyone. See you in 2015!

 My peanut butter cups are amazing.

Thats my sister room mates new kitten, Alice. She is the cutest!!!

Also my chocolate banana waffles made for Christmas eve morning. 

See you soon.

VEGAN SHEPERD'S PIE

VEGAN SHEPHERD'S PIE

Its been a pretty mild winter in Victoria BC but that doesn't mean that we can't make big hearty meals! Winter time is my favourite because hearty food is my favorite. I love mashed potatoes with paprika and roasted veg. Reminds me of a simpler time. This shepherd's pie is WAY better than your typical ground beef one. Share it with all your meat eating friends, they will not be disappointed! I've just really started using tvp a lot and I can say this is most definitely one of the best ways to do it. I love being able to flavour my own meat! I used mesquite bbq liquid smoke, pepper, olive oil, salt and a little dash of chili powder. Try doing it your own way and let me know the results! It saves you alot too. 1 cup tvp makes about 2 and a half cups faux meat and its muchhh cheaper than your typical store bought vegan meats. This was also my first time using the new SILK CASHEW MILK in one of my recipes and I am so pleased! The cashew milk made the mashed potatoes taste reallyyy good and it rocks for cooking. Ive been drinking in my coffee and tea as well and I think its my new favourite alternative milk! Let me know what your favorite alternative milk is:) 

ENJOY! Happy holidays!!!

Recipe

FILLING
1 can kidney beans, drained, rinsed
1 can chick peas, drained, rinsed
1 can corn, drained, rinsed
4 stalks celery, washed, chopped
3 carrots, peeled, washed, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
half a white onion, chopped
1 can organic tomato paste (much less oily and less added salt!, way richer flavour)
1 cup tvp (soaked in water for ten minutes, click here for info!)
4 tablespoons nutritional yeast
1 teaspoon pepper
1 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 tablespoon chili powder
dash of curry powder
dash of paprika

POTATOES
6 large potatoes, peeled, cut and soaked for 5 minutes in cold water
4 tablespoons earth balance buttery spread
2 tablespoons silk cashew milk
dash of salt

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat your oven to 350F. In a large frying pan heat some olive oil up to fry your veggies. Starting with beans and ending with onion. Allow these to fry for 7-10 minutes on medium heat. Add your spices and stir them in well. Turn down to low-med heat and place a lid on top. Time to make your tvp. Place one cup of tvp in a large bowl and add 7/8 cup of boiling hot water. Stir together really well. Pretty much all the water should be absorbed pretty quickly, if its not add a little more tvp. Add your spices and let sit for 10 minutes. Drain any excess water. Time to make your potatoes. In a large pot add 6 cups of water, a dash of salt and some olive oil. Place a lid on top and turn up to high heat. Peel, cup and soak your potatoes for 5 minutes in cold water (this helps get the starch out of your potatoes). Once your pot is boiling, add your cut potatoes and boil for 8 minutes or until your potatoes are soft enough to poke with a fork. Once the potatoes are ready, drain out the hot water. Begin to mash your potatoes, add your butter and milk, stirring constantly. Once your potatoes are mashed and ready to go check on your frying veg. Make sure everything is a little soft before you get ready to make your pie. If its not, fry for 3 more minutes. In a large glass baking pan place your fried beans and veggies. Add your tomato paste and work it into the mixture. This helps build the base of your pie and really adds to the flavour. Once all the tomato paste is evenly distributed squeeze the mixture down in order to make room for your tvp and mash potatoes. Next add your tvp on top. Squishing again in order to fit all your potatoes. Add the mashed potatoes on top, squish it down and smooth it over with a butter knife. Sprinkle some paprika on top of your potatoes and place in the oven. Bakes for 30-35 minutes. The top should be crispy brown when its done :) 

VEGAN VANILLA CHOCOLATE CHIP CUPCAKES

VEGAN VANILLA CHOCOLATE CHIP CUPCAKES

w/ cinnamon glaze

I have been baking cupcakes like no tomorrow lately. I have another recipe after this that is crazy!! Anyways these are more on the simple side of things. I wanted to show an easy cupcake recipe since the last ones were a little time consuming. This recipe is really nice and moist. Great for storing, they taste even better the next day. The cinnamon glaze was just something I whipped up for fun because I wanted to use my sprinkles and it was a success! It soaked into the cupcakes a bit making them all gooey and soft. If you love baking like me, you'll love this easy vegan cupcake recipe. 

Recipe

Makes 12

1/2 cup organic brown sugar

1 1/4 cup unbleached white flour

1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

Pinch of salt

2 teaspoons vanilla

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 cup almond fresh vanilla almond milk

1/4 cup earth balance , melted

1/4 cup camino dark chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375 F. Combine all your dry ingredients in a large bowl. Stir together well with fork to beat out all the clumps. 

Next combine your milk, vanilla and margarine in a small bowl. Stir together. Make a well in the middle of your dry mix and add the wet mixture. Mix ingredients together well until there's no lumps. It should look like this!

Add your chocolate chips and stir one more time. Oil a muffin pan with coconut oil and fill each hole until 2/3 full. Sprinkle some coconut on top if you want and pop them in the oven!

Bake for 15-20 minutes. Test with a tooth pick to make sure they are done. It'll come out clean if they are.

This gives you the perfect amount of time to make your cinnamon glaze!

CINNAMON GLAZE RECIPE

1/3 cup earth balance buttery spread, melted

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 tablespoon almond fresh vanilla almond milk

1 cup wholesome sweeteners powdered sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

Steps

Combine butter , vanilla and milk in a medium sized bowl and stir together well. Start to gradually add your powdered sugar, beating it into the liquid with a fork. 

Add your cinnamon and begin to stir. You'll see your icing start to form so just keep mixing it! The longer the better. It helps fluff up the icing. Once your icing is thick and a little fluffy pop it in the fridge and wait for your cupcakes to be done.

Remove your cupcake from the oven once they are done (15-20 minutes) Take them out of the pan to allow them to cool. Let cool for 10 minutes. Drizzle your glaze all over your cupcake and throw some sprinkles on top! These are so fun to make and they look amazing afterwards. Have fun getting cupcake creative. Happy cruelty free baking!