THE VEGAN LOVE PROJECT – Page 3 – The Vegan Love Project

Grilled Tofu Caprese Summer Salad

So delicious and simple!!! Especially when you don’t feel like cooking in warm weather. I made the tofu this weekend and the basil pesto was from a couple of weeks ago stored in my fridge. I picked up gorgeous heirloom tomatoes at the Greenfield Farmer’s Market along with a beautiful, tender head of green leaf lettuce and more fresh basil- making the assembly of my lunch today a breeze.

Simple Grilled Tofu

1 pound extra firm tofu

2T Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 large clove garlic, smashed and minced

1/2t pink salt

black pepper

Heat up the grill or grill pan.

Prepare the tofu:

Remove the tofu from the package and drain the water. Rinse and then place the tofu between to plates. Weight the tofu down in the sink with something over the top plate. Let press for at least 15 minutes to remove excess water. This makes for a “chewier” end result.

Slice the tofu in ¼-1/2” slices, an average block of tofu should yield 7-10 slices.

In a large plate, add the garlic, olive oil, salt and pepper. Lightly dredge the tofu slices in the oil and set aside.

Over medium high heat, place the slices on the grill or pan and close the grill or cover the pan. Let grill for about 6-7 minutes. The slices should easily flip and have gorgeous markings- if not, they are not ready for turning. Once flipped, continue to grill for another 5-6 minutes.

Salt and pepper the slices again to taste.

Serve hot or cold.

On a bed of clean greens (arugala would be amazing also), layer the fresh tomato slices, brushing each one generously with pesto. Add the cold or hot grilled tofu on top. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil, salt, fresh black pepper and a squeeze of lemon.

Eat immediately!!!

Cream of Zucchini Soup

Cream of Zucchini Soup

This is the perfect way to use them, showcasing their sweet summer flavor. Roasting the zucchini first enhances the entire flavor of the soup but it is also an additional step in the preparation and is not necessary for a delicious soup.

Wheat-Free, Gluten-Free

1 large onion, coarsely chopped

1 large zucchini, chopped

1/4t chipotle powder *optional

3T coconut oil

6c boiling water

1 veg bouillon

1t salt or to taste

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1/4c cashews

1/2-1 whole fresh jalapeño

large handful fresh parsley or basil *optional

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Bring 6c of water to a boil.

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In a large soup pot, add the oil and sauté the onions until golden and soft. Add the zucchini, salt, and black pepper. Continue to sauté until the zucchini softens and turns bright green. Add the boiling water, the bouillon cube (or powder). Bring to a boil and reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.

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In a blender or vitamix, add the zucchini mix, the cashews, and the jalapeño. Blend first at low speed and finally walking it up to full power. Let run for about 30 seconds.

Adjust the seasonings again after blending.

*Caution: blending hot liquids can be extremely dangerous. Fill the blender only half way and proceed in batches if necessary.

Simple Tofu Scramble

Super simple after an intense Crossfit workout: 300 double unders, 10 Cleans (#83 pounds), 50 front squats (#83 pounds), and 60 tricep dips….WOOOF! I finished and about 45 minutes after I WAS HUNGRY!!! I usually add lots of veggies into my scramble but today I was just feeling SIMPLE and it was SO delicious….the miso lends a “cheesiness” that was just yummy. I ate my greens on the side and had whole grain toast with coconut oil spread on top, and a side of my home made Kombucha and I did not want for anything…..FRICKEN YUM.

Simple Tofu Scramble

1 package (15oz) firm tofu, crumbled

2t xvo

1T coconut oil

½ medium onion, small diced

1/4c nutritional yeast- more if desired!

1 clove garlic, minced

1/2t ground turmeric

1/2t salt

1/4t black pepper

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2t miso

2T water- more if needed

Mix the miso paste with the water and set aside.

In a heated skillet or fry pan over medium high heat, heat up the oil and add the onion, garlic, turmeric, salt, black pepper and sauté until aromatic and golden.

Add the crumbled tofu and sauté over medium heat, stirring frequently for 2-3 minutes, coating the tofu with the onion mixture. Cover the pan and steam for about 2-3 minutes.

Remove the lid and mix the miso paste into the scramble. Sprinkle in the nutritional yeast and mix until well incorporated.

Serve immediately with toast or in a breakfast tofu burrito, sprinkled with additional nutritional yeast.

Raspberry Acai Berry Power Smoothie

Filled with natural anti-inflammatory ingredients, omega-3’s and recovery boosting antioxidants…this one is a winner!

Raspberry Acai Berry Power Smoothie

1c nut milk

1T hemp seed

1t raw agave or raw local honey

1T coconut oil

1/2c Raspberries (fresh or frozen)

1T Acai Berry Powder

1T chia seeds

1T golden flax seeds

1t vanilla

1 scoop protein powder

Pinch pink salt

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1c ice

Blend all ingredients together except the ice and process until smooth- taste and adjust if needed

Add the ice and blend just until smooth.

Blueberry Maqui Maca Berry Power Smoothie- Recovery Fuel

Blueberry Maqui Maca Berry Power Smoothie

1c nut milk

2T hemp seed

1t raw agave or raw local honey

1T coconut oil

1c Blueberries (fresh or frozen)

2T Maqui Berry Powder

1T flax seeds

2t maca powder

1t vanilla

1 scoop protein powder

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1c ice

Blend all ingredients together except the ice and process until smooth- taste and adjust if needed

Add the ice and blend just until smooth.

Hearty Summer Black Bean Soup with Greens

Local greens, tomatoes, corn, onions and garlic- this soup is so satisfying and absolutely delicious.

Hearty Summer Black Bean Soup with Greens

Wheat-free * Gluten-free*

1 large onion, medium dice

2c fresh tomato medium dices or crushed tomatoes

2 cloves garlic, minced

3c black beans, cooked and drained or 2 cans

1 medium sweet potato, medium dice- I Japanese yams which are less sweet than orange

1 medium white potato, medium dice

2c fresh corn niblets

2c greens (kale, spinach, swiss chard)

2t smoked chipotle powder

2t cumin

1t turmeric

2t chili powder

1/4t black pepper

1/4t cayenne pepper

3T extra virgin olive oil

1-2 vegetable bouillon cubes

1/4c fresh parsley *optional

1t-smoked salt

6c boiling water

1t salt or to taste

Bring 6c of water to a boil.

In a large soup pot, add the olive oil and sauté the onions and garlic with until golden and soft. Add in the cleaned greens and sauté until wilted. Remove just the greens from the pan and set aside, reserving for later. Add the beans, spices, salt, black and red pepper, and sautéing for 2-3 minutes. Add the tomatoes, and both the sweet and regular potatoes, then the boiling water, and the bullion cube (or powder). Bring to a boil and reduce heat and simmer for 30-40 minutes.

In the last 5 minutes of cooking, add the sautéed greens and the fresh parsley. Garnish with fresh parsley and nutritional yeast.

Black & White Bean Soup with Greens

Black & White Bean Soup with Greens

This soup is wonderfully hearty and delicious. The rice can be substituted with gluten free pasta or another grain of your choosing. Adding in a mix of greens would be amazing but I am partial to kale.

Wheat-free Gluten-free

1 large onion, medium dice

1c tomato puree or crushed tomatoes

2 cloves garlic, minced

1c cannellini beans, cooked and drained

1c cooked brown rice

1c black beans

2c greens (kale, spinach, swiss chard)

2t smoked chipotle powder

1/4t black pepper

1/4t cayenne pepper

3T extra virgin olive oil

1-2 vegetable bouillon cubes

1/4c fresh basil *optional

1t-smoked salt

6c boiling water

1t salt or to taste

Bring 6c of water to a boil.

In a large soup pot, add the olive oil and sauté the onions and garlic with until golden and soft. Add in the cleaned greens and sauté until wilted. Remove just the greens from the pan and set aside, reserving for later. Add the beans, rice, salt, black and red pepper, and sautéing for 2-3 minutes. Add the tomatoes then the boiling water, the bullion cube (or powder), smoke flavor if using. Bring to a boil and reduce heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes.

In the last 5 minutes of cooking, add the sautéed greens and the fresh basil. Garnish with fresh basil and nutritional yeast.

Sundried Tomato & Scallion Tofu Spread (Surfer’s Spread)

I was at a local co-op here they have a spread called “Surfer Spread”. It. is. YUMMY. I was determined to replicate it, I have a ton of RAW unsulfered sun-dried tomatoes, and picked up some local fresh scallions at the Farm Stand down the road and VOILA….It took me two times to get it. I have to say, mine tastes a little bit more badass. Just sayin. Don’t over process the tofu or else you will have more of a paste than you might like but experiment with the consistency you prefer!

Sundried Tomato & Scallion Tofu Spread

¼ sundried tomatoes- rehydrated

1 pound tofu, blanched and drained well

3T Extra Virgin Olive oil

1 small bunch of scallions, trimmed and coarsely chopped

1/4c nutritional yeast

2 cloves garlic

2T shoyu or tamari

1t ume vinegar

salt & pepper to taste

In a food processer, mince the scallions and then remove to a medium size bowl.

In the same work bowl, add the sun dried tomatoes and the oil and process until desired size, I like mine finely minced. Remove 2/3rd of the mix to the scallion bowl. Add the tofu in the work bowl with the garlic, shoyu, ume, and nutritional yeast and process until smooth. Remove to the scallion tomato mix and mix until well incorporated. Season with the salt and pepper, to taste.Place in the refrigerator to chill. (SO much better cold- it firms up as well)Serve with crusty bread (FRICKEN YUM), as a sandwich filler, or as a vegetable dip.

SO YUM!

Maca Chocolate Chip Power Smoothie

Maca Chocolate Chip Power Smoothie

1c almond or cashew nut milk

1T hemp seed

1t raw agave or raw local honey

2T raw cacao nibs

1T maca powder

2t lucuma powder

1T chia seeds

1t vanilla

1scoop protein powder

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1c ice

Blend all ingredients together except the ice and the cacao nibs and process until smooth- taste and adjust if needed

Add the ice and the nibs and blend just until smooth.

Strawberry Maca Cacao Power Smoothie

Still obsessed with strawberries..This one add a little bit more umpf to the morning, natural energy from raw cacao and chia seeds make for a sustainable energy high. D E LI C I O U S.

Strawberry Maca Cacao Power Smoothie

1c nut milk

1T hemp seed

2-3 t raw agave or raw local honey

1c strawberries

1T gold flax seeds

1T chia seeds

2T raw cacao powder

2t maca powder

1T coconut oil

1t vanilla

1scoop protein powder

1c ice

Blend all ingredients together except the ice and process until smooth- taste and adjust if needed

Add the ice and blend just until smooth.