VEGAN LOVE – Page 2 – The Vegan Love Project

Potato Leek Soup With Broccoli

So easy and really delicious, the addition of coconut oil makes it almost buttery and round in flavor. You could totally puree this and make it like a traditional Potato Leek soup but I love the chunks, especially with the broccoli florets floating around. 🙂

Potato Leek & Broccoli Soup

Wheat-Free, Gluten-Free

3 large russet or 6 gold potatoes, peeled & medium dice

1 small onion, medium dice

4 leeks, trimmed, rinsed and sliced (discard the thick tough green tops)

1 small head broccoli, trimmed and cut

1/4t black pepper

1 vegetable bouillon cube (or 1T veggie broth powder)

2T extra virgin olive oil

1T coconut oil

1t turmeric

1t smoked chipotle powder

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6c boiling water

1t smoked salt or to taste

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Bring 6c of water to a boil, in case you need more.

In a large soup pot, add the olive oil and sauté the onions with the turmeric and salt until golden and soft. Add the leeks and sauté until the leeks turn bright green and have wilted. Add the potatoes, coconut oil, chipotle, and black pepper. Mix well and add the boiling water, and the bouillon cube (or powder). Bring to a boil and reduce heat and simmer for 30-40 minutes.

The leeks should be super soft, almost disintegrated.

Add in the broccoli in the last 10 minutes of cooking, and cook only until the broccoli is bright green and tender.

Adjust the seasonings before serving. Serve with bread or add GF pasta or grains of your choosing.

RAW COCONUT YOGURT

*raw yogurt

This is one of my most favorite foods of all time. I love food- It really doesn’t go well for me when I don’t like the food I am eating. Yogurt is one of those foods that historically has not translated well into being vegan, it’s just sort of weird. Whether its made from soy or nut milk, commercial vegan yogurt is really just not my favorite. It wasn’t until raw food school that I started to dabble in the fermented foods- we made yogurt out of coconuts…I wasn’t impressed, I mean I was, but not for the amount of work that went into making a cup of it….then I discovered raw frozen coconut meat. My sister Karen as per usual, started the entire family on the obsession, this time Raw Organic Vegan Yogurt. Made from literally 3 ingredients, ok 4 if you count water. This tastes like yogurt, but without that weird, sour dairy aftertaste….It’s so so simple, however, it may take a while to get into your awesome vegan yogurt groove. It’s almost imperative that you own a Vitamix or a heavy duty blender to get this done. In this post, I will be as transparent as possible with how I do this recipe simply because I’ve got it down. Feel free to add, change, and experiment with equipment, ingredients, etc and please, if you do, tell me how it goes.

WHAT I USE / ESSENTIALS:

2 packages frozen coconut meat, thawed or / 2 pounds fresh meat (about 2 Young Thai coconuts)– don’t be trying to use the brown coconuts either, it’s not going to go well. Young Thai coconuts are soft, very soft. If you can’t find frozen coconut meat and you are super adept and ambitious and want to make it from scratch scratch, as in from the whole coconut, look up youtube videos on how to open up a coconut. You can use the water for the yogurt or drink it- it’s absolutely spectacular and depending upon the coconut, you may have more water than you will need for one recipe of yogurt.
1 cup filtered water or raw coconut water– if you are using raw coconut water, you may want to adjust the sweetness from the sugar- coconut water is slightly sweet, when I use coconut water, I don’t even add sugar- I like the sour in contrast to fresh fruit (personal). Unless you have a source of raw coconut water, which many really don’t, use water. Even the coconut water that is claiming to be raw- isn’t, it’s treated with pressure which in turn, sort of cooking it. Coconut water in boxes is bullshit, it’s cooked and really is nothing more than sugar water without the vitamins, minerals and electrolytes touted- if you love the flavor then go ahead, otherwise, stick to plain water.
2-4T coconut blossom sugar, raw agave, coconut crystals, maple syrup– I love the coconut blossom sugar, its still got many minerals intact, isn’t crazy sweet and it doesn’t discolor the final product where as the darker sweeteners may
2 probiotic capsules- emptied or 1t probiotic powder– I use a vegan probiotic capsule- this is what kicks off the fermentation. I am sure you could use kombucha or kefir or some other starter but for me, the capsules offer clean, easy and consistent results and you are guaranteed a ton of gut love in the process.
dehydrator– not essential but again, insures consistent results. I put the yogurt mix in and 6-12 hours later its a done deal. If I want it more tart, I leave it in longer. You can purchase a yogurt maker if you know that you want the vegan love in your life all day everyday, or invest in a simple dehydrator if you think you may want to dry a banana or a mango from time to time. If you do not have a dehydrator, store the yogurt in a microwave, a cabinet, or somewhere that stays warm, it may take up to 3 days for it to ferment but it will work, just keep tasting it until it tastes as sour as you like.

HOW I DO:

In the blender, add the meat , sugar if using and the water. Run it on low until the machine grabs it and starts blending it together then start to increase the speed. You may need the Vitamix plunger to help it along- you could add more water but I find that that messes with the end result, it actually tastes like a diluted version. Once you are at full speed, run it for at least 5 minutes or until completely smooth, no specks, bumps, nothing- smooth as velvet or cream. FIVE MINUTES, no less. This is where your average blender will most definitely crap out. Add the probiotics. Let run for another 30 seconds until incorporated.

Pour out of the blender into a container and cover it. I place it in the dehydrator, again, anywhere warm will do it just may take longer to turn.

You can play with adding fruit to this base mix, you can add more sweetener, I love making a fruit concentrate with fresh fruit and sugar and letting it sit out overnight. When I do that, I make individual containers and spoon in the “fruit on the bottom”. Peach is my favorite, strawberries are also quite lovely and of course, blueberry….I’ve made lemon yogurt, coffee, lemon with fresh raspberries, vanilla, plain, whipped…I eat this stuff everyday….. I make Lassis, frozen yogurt, I give it to my Pitbulls, Ginger & Izabel and they LOVE it. Raw Vegan Yogurt for everyone!!!

So go forth, make some badass vegan raw coconut yogurt, if you need supplies, Burning Heart carries the meat and the coconut blossom sugar if you would like to order some. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to ask me at HotYogaGrl@gmail.com, if I can answer them I will. Most importantly, love yourself up when you’re making this and think good thoughts….it truly is a powerful and healing bit of deliciousness, there is something miraculous about it…Let me know how it goes…..Peace Love and all that good stuff ❤

AMAZING Gluten Free Vegan Pancakes

AMAZING Gluten Free Vegan Pancakes

1/4c oat flour

1/4c all purpose gluten free flour

1/4c corn meal, blue or yellow

2t baking powder

1T flax seeds (or flax meal)

1/4t cinnamon

2t apple cider vinegar

1T agave, date or coconut sugar

1/4t salt

1T maple syrup

¾-1 cup cashew nut milk (or other nondairy milk)

1c local blueberries *optional, see below

1T coconut oil plus more for cast iron pan

1t pure vanilla extract

Place your cast iron over low heat with no oil added and start your batter.

Sift all of the dry ingredients except the flax seeds together in a mixing bowl.

In a blender, add the melted oil, flax seeds, nut milk, maple syrup, extract, and blend until smooth.

Pour into the dry ingredients and mix until well incorporated. Add water if needed to the batter if it thickens.

In a medium hot cast iron griddle or pan, add some coconut oil to cover the surface. *Drop in, using a 1/4c measure, the batter, well spaced in the pan. Let heat through until the edges look dry, and flip. Place cooked pancakes in a toaster oven or oven at 300 degrees until all pancakes are made. Should make 9-10 pancakes.

Serve topped with vegan butter, maple syrup and fresh fruit.

I usually do one “starter” pancake to test the temperature of the pan.

Variations:

*add 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries

*add 1 chopped banana to the wet ingredients after blending

*add vegan chocolate chips

*add 1apple, peeled, chopped and cored and add an additional 2t of cinnamon and 1/4 chopped walnuts

AMAZING Gluten-Free Pasta Summer Salad

You can use all of the vegetables you love in this amazing pasta dish- edamame instead of chickpeas, more or less of your faves but this is a WINNER- PERFECT for pot lucks and summer gatherings.

AMAZING Gluten-Free Pasta Summer Salad

½ red bell pepper, small dice

½ green bell pepper, small dice

1 carrot, small dice

½ small red onion, small dice

1 stalk celery, small dice

1c cooked chickpeas, rinsed and drained

3c uncooked pasta, fusilli (or another desired shape)- I use Bionaturae and LOVE it

1T sweetener (raw agave, raw honey, maple)

1T apple cider vinegar

1c vegan mayo

1/4c fresh lemon juice

2T extra virgin olive oil

1t pink salt

1/4t fresh black pepper

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Cook the pasta according to directions, drain and let stand until cool but warm.

In a large bowl, mix all of the veggies with the other dressing ingredients and toss well. This mix should be well seasoned before adding the cooked pasta- if not adjust for saltiness, sweetness as desired.

Add the pasta and with a large spoon, mix well until all of the pasta is well incorporated into the vegetable dressing. Allow to stand on the counter for at least 30 minutes- I am not sure why, but this prevents the Gluten-Free pasta from getting hard when it is refrigerated! You can enjoy this at room temperature or cold. FRICKEN delicious.

Delicious Quicky Potato Salad

Delicious Quicky Potato Salad

I literally had one large potato starting to grow eyes staring at me from the hanging basket – I needed to use it soon! So today was the day! A few weeks back when I was on my scallion cream cheese kick, I planted a bunch of scallions in a pot so I could keep harvesting scallions as I needed them- not wanting to cut into a whole onion for my 1 potato salad salad, a cut the tops off from my potted scallions and was good to go. I had cut into a fresh lemon this morning and thought I could use that in place of vinegar for a bright fresh taste. The added nutrition of a Real Pickle fermented dill pickle to give the salad a bit more dimension, balanced with a hint of sweet makes this salad SUPER easy, super quick and super delicious….

1 large potato, peeled, steamed whole

(1c water, pinch salt, bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium low and steam

partially covered for 10-15 minutes or just until tender)

2 scallions, minced

2T Real Pickles Dill Pickle (1 spear, minced)

1t maple syrup or agave

1/4c Veganaise or another prepared vegan mayonnaise

½ lemon, juiced

1/2t salt

1/4t ground black pepper

Pinch smoked paprika

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In a bowl, combine the dressing ingredients together; the scallions, minced pickle, sweetener, Veganaise, lemon juice, paprika, salt and pepper. Taste and adjust for seasonings, more sweet, saltier etc.

Slice the potatoes in 1” inch pieces into the bowl- I like my potato salad chunkier but slice how you like.

Mindfully mix the potatoes into the dressing, trying not to smash the potatoes. Adjust the seasoning before serving. Sprinkle with a bit more of the paprika.

Serve warm or chilled garnished with fresh scallion.

FRICKEN YUM

Smoked Cherry “the Bomb” Pepper Cheese Spread

Smoked Cherry Bomb Pepper Cheese Spread

2c cashews, soaked for an hour (this step can be skipped)

1T mellow white miso

3 capsules vegan probiotics (empty powder and dispose of the capsule) or 1t powder

1/2c +up to 3T filtered water

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2t onion powder

1t heaping of smoked paprika or smoked chipotle powder

1T heaping of fermented Cherry Bomb Hot sauce or another type of raw hot sauce

1/2t pink salt

1/4c coconut oil

2t lemon juice (omit if fresh is not available)

4 scallions, green & white minced

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Step 1.

In a Vitamix or high-powered blender, add the cashews (drained if soaked), the probiotic powder, miso and 1/2c of water.

Blend this at a lower speed initially to well incorporate the contents, speed up the motor as it gets blended. You will need to process this for at least 4-5 minutes until the cashews are absolutely creamy. Scrape down the sides intermittently and be sure to get all possible ‘pieces’ of cashews blended into the mix. Add a T of water as needed if the mixture gets stuck. If you run this too fast, the contents will heat up, creating an oily mixture.

When totally creamy and smooth, remove to a glass or stainless steel bowl and set in a safe, warm place- I place mine in the dehydrator uncovered at about 100 degrees and let it run overnight. You could also in lieu of a dehydrator, place it in a warm spot in your kitchen, loosley covered. Leave this overnight or for 24 hours.

Step 2.

Mix in the salt, onion powder, smoked paprika, hot sauce, coconut oil (should be room temp and soft, not liquid), lemon juice, and minced scallions. Transfer to a container and place in the fridge for at least 6 hours to set, best, overnight. It becomes a beautiful, spreadable, creamy cheesy bit of awesomeness.

Recovery Broth/ Noodle Soup Broth

I have been addicted to this broth the past several days. I have made it both with fresh turmeric and with powdered- the fresh offers a much more vibrant looking broth but both are equally healing. Perfect to make extra to have to sip on or make 1/2 the recipe and make the perfect amount for a bowl of buckwheat ramen & veggies.

Recovery Broth

6c water

½ onion, coarsely chopped

2” fresh ginger, grated

1” fresh turmeric, grated OR 1t turmeric powder

1t sesame oil

1t pink salt

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Put everything in a pot, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5-10 minutes.

Strain the broth through a fine mesh sieve into a heatproof container. Discard the vegetables. Pour the broth back into the pot and then proceed to add the sesame oil. You can add fresh veggies, cooked rice noodles, buckwheat soba or ramen. This is the simplest, most gorgeous orange broth and it is just so easy and perfect for a pick-me-up or for when you are not feeling full force to just sip on.

Romanesco with Lemon

I can’t get enough of this gorgeous alien looking beauty. It has a taste similar to cauliflower but it has it’s own uniqueness that is unrivaled. It is abundant locally now and I love love love it. Dressed simply to showcase its awesomeness.

Romanesco with Lemon

1 head Romanesco, washed, trimmed, and cut into bite size pieces

1 lemon, juiced

2T extra virgin olive oil- more if desired

1/2t salt

1/4t black pepper

1c water

In a large pot, heat up the cup of water until boiling. Add the Romanesco and steam for 7-8 minutes or until bright green and tender. Drain, reserving the cooking liquid for veggie stock.

In a bowl, add the steamed Romanesco and then the olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper and gently toss. Serve either warm or cold. Delicious both ways.

Hearty Split Pea Soup with Brown Rice and Carrots

Split Pea Soup with Brown Rice and Carrots

This is a meal in a bowl- SO hearty and satisfying. Amazing way to use up left over cooked rice also! You can find smoked salt in the bulk section of the market or it also available online at specialty purveyors- it gives it an earthy delicious flavor paired well with the chipotle. Add sautéed or cooked greens in at the end of cooking for added flavor, texture and nutrition. I eat this shit morning noon and night.

Wheat-Free, Gluten-Free

2c green split peas, cooked

1 large onion, coarsely chopped

1 clove garlic, smashed and minced

1 large carrot, cut into rounds

1” piece of fresh turmeric, grated

2t chipotle powder

1/2t fresh ground black pepper

1/2t cayenne pepper

1t smoked salt

1 1/2c cooked long grain brown rice

3T extra virgin olive oil

6c boiling water

1t pink salt to taste

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Bring 6c of water to a boil.

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In a large soup pot, add the olive oil and sauté the onions and garlic until golden and soft. Add the peas, smoked salt, chipotle powder, black and red pepper. Add the peas, mixing them into the vegetables. Add the boiling water and the cooked rice. Bring to a boil and reduce heat and simmer for 30-40 minutes. Th consistency is personal, for a heartier, stew like soup, cook longer with more water but let most of the water cook out. Be sure to adjust your seasonings. In the last 10 minutes of cooking, add the carrots rounds, partially cover the soup so that they will steam/cook in the soup but still hold their shape.

Spicy Corn Crusted Roasted Potatoes

Spicy Corn Crusted Roasted Potatoes

2 pounds potatoes (2-3 medium size), cleaned and cut into wedges or large french fries

3-4T extra virgin olive oil

1t pink salt

1/4t black pepper

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Coating:

3T cornmeal

1T brown rice flour or amaranth flour

1t pink salt

1t onion powder

1t chipotle powder

1t turmeric

1/2t black pepper

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Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Pre-cook the potatoes

Bring 3c of water to a boil. Add in the cleaned, trimmed potatoes and cook partially covered for 8-10 minutes or just until tender. Remove, drain and set aside.

While the potatoes are cooking, prepare the coating

In a large bowl, mix the coating ingredients together, and blend well with a dry whisk or fork.

Prepare the potatoes for roasting

In a medium bowl, add the drained potatoes, the olive oil, salt and pepper. Toss gently until well coated.

With a slotted spoon, add the potatoes into the large bowl of coating. Toss until the potatoes are well coated.

Pour the potatoes out onto a large baking dish, spread evenly in the around. Make sure all potatoes are covered well with the oil and coating.

Roast the potatoes in a preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until they are golden brown with crisp brown edges. Turn the potatoes mid way to ensure an even tan.

Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce; ketchup, vegan mayo, mustard etc.