This year some friends hosted a vegan/vegetarian Thanksgiving dinner. It was a lovely gathering with a table full of vegan-friendly dishes, and the first time in years I didn’t make the whole Thanksgiving meal myself. Ahhhh. Among the dishes I contributed were a cashew-based “cheese” ball, pecan pie, and sweet potato dish made with pineapple … Read more
I eat an enormous salad almost every day. Ever since I found out that whole food fats are needed for the body to absorb fat-soluble carotenoids from foods such as sweet potatoes, carrots, and leafy greens, this dressing has had a place of honor on my plate. This salad dressing is rich and creamy, and takes … Read more
This curry is easy and quick to make, especially if you cook it in an Instant Pot. I took some liberties with the spices, as berebere is an Ethiopian spice. If you don’t have any, add a touch of cumin, clove, and cayenne. You can use any kind of vegetables–those in the recipe are what … Read more
I’ve been on a cheesy sauce kick lately. Remember that potato carrot cheese sauce that everyone seemed to be posting about a few years ago? If you don’t remember, this sauce was everywhere on vegan blogs and Facebook groups. I, of course, have my own version. I’ve been making this sauce a lot, this time … Read more
One of Guatemala’s blessings is our wonderful markets, filled with fresh local fruits and vegetables. Yesterday I went up to one of my favorite vendors, where I often buy basil and leafy greens. There was no basil on display, so I asked for it. The vendor pulled out a small paper bag: “Sí, hay.” She … Read more
I made my first vegetarian mushroom nut loaf back in the 1970s. Back then it was filled with cheese and seemed like a ton of work. Much as changed since then: no more cheese, and I have a food processor to grind the nuts and a great chef’s knife for chopping other ingredients. It no … Read more
I first had this dish when my dad made it for me. He was looking for a vegan dish that everyone in the family might enjoy, and this arugula pesto certainly is a crowd-pleaser. My dad found the recipe on the Food Network website. Whenever we get a nice bunch of arugula, this is the … Read more
This simple Creamy Avocado Dressing is one of our favorites. The creaminess comes entirely from avocados and non-dairy milk: refined oils need not apply. It’s wonderful on green salad, coleslaw, or with our Tropical Vegetable Salad. It also makes a great topping for Sweet Potato Black Bean Burgers. Or you can just sit and eat it … Read more
When Mark and I started dating, he wanted to impress me by making a vegan lunch. And impress me he did! I figured any man who was not vegan but was willing to make me a vegan lunch was worthy of consideration. We recently celebrated our third wedding anniversary… and this tropical vegetable salad was … Read more
Every vegan cook needs a chia pudding recipe. Chia is so versatile and loaded with nutrients: it’s packed with protein, Omega-3 fatty acids, and is a rich source of calcium. It becomes gelatinous when mixed with liquid, so it makes a good egg replacer in baked goods. The naturally gelatinous quality of the seeds is … Read more
I got my first spiralizer in 2008. I had just switched to a plant-based diet, and very quickly started eating 85% raw foods. Then, somehow, the spiralizer was pushed to the back of the cupboard and I forgot about it. With my increased focus on nutrient-dense and unprocessed foods, the spiralizer has once again become … Read more
I recently rediscovered Dr. Joel Fuhrman‘s Eat to Live program. As I was researching material for a weight loss retreat, I tested the program on myself and promptly lost the 10 extra pounds I’d been carrying for the past year. One of the Eat to Live guidelines is to have a big salad every day, … Read more
At this time of year, it seems we always need a quick and easy snack, whether to take to a party or to have ready when friends drop by. I used to buy tamari roasted nuts, but had forgotten all about them until we had a party to attend and little time to make something … Read more
I remember how surprised I was the first time a co-worker told me tomato soup was one of her comfort foods: I simply couldn’t relate. For me, comfort came in the gloppy can of Campbell’s Cream of Mushroom soup. So imagine my surprise today when, as I was feeling a bit under the weather, I … Read more
This year at Thanksgiving, the unthinkable happened: there were no fresh cranberries to be had. Apparently cranberries just didn’t make it to Guatemala this year, so my grandmother’s Cherried Cranberry recipe was off the table (so to speak). I couldn’t stand the idea of canned cranberries, so I bought a small bag of dried cranberries and … Read more
It’s that time of year. The wind is blowing and the night is cold and clear. I’m planning my Thanksgiving menu, and it’s time to whip up a batch of my super simple vegan eggnog. Yes, I know that it technically can’t be eggnog if there are no eggs. It’s still eggnog to me, so … Read more
This coming week we celebrate Thanksgiving in the U.S. Though I have lived in Guatemala for the past five Thanksgivings, I still celebrate by making a feast for my family and guests. Though vegan menus are somewhat different from the Thanksgiving meals of my childhood, one dish remains constant: Grandma’s Cherried Cranberries. When I was young, … Read more
The days are getting cooler. Where I live, in the highlands of Guatemala, cooler means that the temperature outside has dropped from 78 degrees F to 68. Brrrr. Time to make my favorite tempeh vegetable chili! In addition to being hearty and satisfying, this chili is packed with nutrition. It’s a sneaky way to get … Read more
My favorite orange sweet potatoes are uncommon in the Lake Atitlan area. We find them now and then, along with a purple variety, but most of the sweet potatoes (camote) here have white flesh that becomes yellow when cooked. They’re not bad, but they don’t have the body and depth of flavor of the orange … Read more
I had some leftover garbanzos after making Moroccan Eggplant Garbanzo Stew, and wanted to make something besides hummus. As I looked through my lunch recipes, it hit me that I could use the garbanzos to amp up my quinoa salad. This satisfying Quinoa Garbanzo Salad was the result: it’s both vegan and gluten-free. When I … Read more