Tasty Strips

 Gardein has produced a lot of good vegan offerings in the past years.One such product  is their chicken strips. These are versatile and are good on their own as a main dish or in salad or in sandwiches sandwiches.

I decided to make them ,seasoned and air fried.

These just needed to be dipped into a mix of olive oil, garlic and onion powders combined.

Then theywere popped into a 400 degree Farenheit air fryer for seven minutes each side.

They should be evenly spaced for just the right crispiness.

These were good on their own

I added instant microrave veggies for more substance.

It was good .The next time I will try these in salad for a delicious light supper. They;re also good with mayo on a bun.

These are great instead of the usual nuggets. They can be made cruispy and good .They;re also perfect in any kind of dish

Fire Horse Noodles

 Celebrating the Lunar New Year is always fun There are fireworks and bao or dumplings. There are homemade dishes to bring in the Year of the Fire Horse. There es one dish rich with fire and flavor that's perfect for this night.

I wanted to celebrate the holiday with a dish that's a riff on PF Chang's Mongolian beef and also on the Szechuan classic ants climbing a tree..It starts with Gardien's plant based beef crumbles

This , , a quarter cup of soy sauce (you can add more if you want more flavor) and a cup of sliced scallions are browned in olive oil. 

}Garlic is crucial in any Chinese dish and for the heat I used about five to six grinds of LIdl''s black pepper ground into the meat. You can use  whole Szechuan pink peppercorns for more fire and crunch.

Cook until the ground meat is brown and crispy. Add another cup of fresh scallions right before serving for more flavor.

This can be served with noodles or rice. I like it with noodles and even Pasta can work here. I used Ronzoni's spaghetti but you can also use angel hair or even bucatini.

Fill a bowl halfway with the pasta and spoon the beef over rit. You can add more soy sauce if you want.

I absolutely loved this and plan on making it again.I may add fresh or dried ginger for more zing but still it was one of my favorite creations. The flavors , from the beef to the scallions worked so well together and the noodles were a great buffer tempering the fire.

It's the Year of the Fire Horse. Make this spicy , tasty dish to celebrate and ring in the New Year. Its'a great dish of exciting flavor.

Back InThe Kitchen For Thanksgiving

 There are somethings that are inevitable. Cooking for Thanksgiving. Any home chef can;t escape it. As much as dining out is a temptation, sometimes that just cannot be done.

It will be this way with my kitchen this holiday. I thought it would be a day free of any cooking but unfortunately it won't be.Most restaurants and diners in my areas will be closed for Thanksgiving.I will be cooking. To be honest a vegan Thanksgiving will be easy if I make Gardein's turkey cutlets/ These are breaded plant based cutlets that come four to a package. Gravy comes with them and they're all an easy cook. I can air fry the cut lets  in a few minutes while cooking the gravy on the stovetop. I could also go the more elaborate route although it;s more work. Gardein and Tofurky also makes a stuffing filled loaf however it is elaborate to cook. It has to be tented and basically baked in a 425 degree Farenheit oven first for twenty minutes.The foil tent is removed and its' baked for another twenty minutes for a nice crusty finish.The end result is delicous and it also comes with it's own large packet of plant based gravy. Yet cleaning up afterwards cna be a pain, usually taking two days to thoroughly clean the pan.

Thankfully stuffing is the easiest.I love Lid's cornbread kind which is the closest in taste to scratch.This is an easy blend  of the mix stirred together with melted butter and water. It is perfect with any kind of gravy and I always get a jar of Lidl's turkey one. Again this also tastes like made from scratch gravy and it's good with the Gardein;s turkey cutlets giving them a richer flavor. Unlike other home chefs who go crazy over sides I may just serve one. Lidl is always my go to for sides. I lived their pureed squash which is an easy microwave cook. This is a pureed one,perfect with plant butter stirred in. I also like their Vendomo brand of Italian veggies that also have olive mixed in. This is a sauteed pan fried one that's also very delicious. As for desserts, it;s time to turn to Acme, which I was even going to do if the original plan went through. They have all sorts of freshly baked pies.I plan on getting one pumpkin and one pecan along with vegan whipped cream. Unfortunately all t hese create dirty and messy dishes that need to be cleaned and that means a holiday in front of the kitchen sink.

It's hard to escape Thanksgiving cooking and cleaning. There is a lot of work to create a great dinner. However it's worth it for a good, memorable meal.

Gardein's Ultimate Burger Big and JUicy

 This is burger season. Everyone loves a juicy, patty dripping with juices. Unfortunately vegans and vegetarians don;t get this tasty experience - until now.Gardein has the Ultimate Plant Based Burger that's thick  juicy and tender.It's the perfect summer burger.

These burgers are really thick, weigning in at a whopping two and a quarter pounds. 

They took about fourteen minutes in the air fryer at 370 degrees Farenheit. They were flipped halfway through. The result was amazing ,especially on Lidl's brioche buns

This was a big ,tasty bite similar to what you;d get in restaurants. It was sheer perfection in the air fryer.It was juicy and  beefy tasting It will be wonderful on the grill.It doesn't go with it but I took leftover mashed potatoes mixed with Lidl's spinach and created a tasty if unusual side dish colcannon

It actually worked with the burgers. (I was going to air fry  Lidl's crinkle fries for the ultimate fast food at home experience but I had so many left over  mashed potatoes). Still the burgers go well with any side ,from salads to just sliced tomatoes.

Gardein's Ultimate Burgers are the perfect burger experience. Grill or air fry them to enjoy their juiciness .every bite is a treat.

Friday Sub Ins

 Lenten Fridays mean one thing - no meat of any kind. years ago this was a hard fix with families winding up with either pizza or a veggie and egg dish for their supper. Nowadays it's an entirely diffrent ball game. This is where plant based products easily can step in.

Of course Lenten dishes will always have some kind of fresh vegetable at their core. For any easy beginning of the weekend supper think ratatouille.  The good thing about this is that if you make enough it can well go into a Saturday lunch or dinner. It's a simple cook of tomatoes eggplants, red and yellow peppers and white onions sauteed or baked with oliv oil and a variety of spices and herbs. You could easily make in on the stove as you saute the veggies in a mix of olive oil and butter or plant butter. Serve with sliced baguette for a filling meal. Vega lasagna can also work here if you have the time. Buy the lasagna sheets already cooked to save more time on arranging and layering the veggies in them. Keep in mind that you can add in plant based beef crumbles or meatballs for more protein and substance. Any pasta dish is worth trying on a Friday  and again the leftovers make for a tasty weekend lunch. Make the kids a big bowl of spaghetti to celebrate the start of the weekned. Have a nice sald and a loaf of fresh, hot garlic bread to found it out.

Plant based meats will definitely sub in for the real thing until Lent is over. Gardein  offers some excellent choices . Their chick'n nuuggets and tenders taste like the real thing. Serve them with dipping sauces and fries for a fun Friday  night meal. There's also chicken filets which like the other too can be easily air fried . Turn those into Popeye style sandwiches with a slice of tomato and lettuce on a bun. Gardein also has Mandarin style chicken with a tangy sweet and sour sace that can be made ina skillet. Serve with  homemade veggie fried rice. Their ultimate plant based burger is pretty tasty too and it's a easy fry up on a grill or in the air fryer. The company also has microwaveable meal bowls as well as soups and chili for a lighter fare.Morningstar Farms is another brand that offers a wide range of meat sub ins. They too have chicken tenders and nuggets as well as a variety of bean burgers. Their bacon and sausage patties are excellent , especially if you want to make breakfast for dinner.

You don;t have to resort to pizza and fish every Friday during this time. Try some other alternatives for a filling meal. You'll be amazed at the wide assortment out there.

Helping Other Help Themselves

 It is tough to be on your own or in a new country. That's where being a neighbor comes in. Sometmes a cooked meal can do more than anything else. Food is always a good way to connect.

Elderly neighbors or shut ins can appreciate having their grocery shopping done for them. Volunteer when you go on your own shopping trip. Sit down with them to write out a list that should include nutritional foods like fruit and veggies. Yes, they can have treats within limits but also make sure they get a wide variety of good produce too. Ask them also what their allergies are along with restrictions too. They may be diabetic which means restricting sweets and even some fruits or have hypertension issues which means buying low sodium products and staying away from some processed and canned foods. Also include necessities like toilet paper and paper towels. If you have newly arrived neighbors in your neighborhood ask if they'd like to visit the local groceries and markets. You may also benefit when they introduce you to ingredients and spices that are native to their cuisine. Another big help is looking on like for specific shops that sell food they're familiar with. There are always Asian ,  AfricanSouth American and Caribbean markets that are within walking and driving distance

Cooking brings everyone together. Always keep older friends, fmaily and neighbors in mine when you have a Sunday dinner or a late season barbecue. Even an invitation to an at home tail gating party will be fun. A plus is asking them if they have any favorite dishes or desserts and then creating them for them.If they want to help let them. You can also use a pair of extra hands however make sure that they don't do anything too strenuous or that can do them harm. As for new neighbors, co-workers and classmates  treat them to a dinner featuring the best of either American or your own ethnic cusine. They 'll appciate the work that went into it and enjoy both the food and the company. Keep in mind  that there may be dietary restrictions. You could try making Impossible Meat or Beyond Beef hamburgers or Gardein's plant based chicken nuggets. Roasted veggies like eggplants, tomatoes, ,peppers and asparagus make for a tasty barbecue. You can even grill fruit such as pineapple and peaches. Introduce them to that great American dessert s'mores. It's a fun treat for adult and kids alike.

Today is a day for remembering. Remember the elderly and the newly arrived  when you shop or plan a dinner or party. They'll like that you kept them in mind  as they enjoy good food and good conversation.

Stuffed Onions Gone Wrong

 One of the unofficial dishes of Piedmonte Italy is  stuffed onions,  every family has a recipe for cipolli or oignon ripienne , varying ingredients and spices. Are they hard to replicate ? yes and no.

I've been wanting to make these bt to be honest didn't have the recipe (I do now) I also wanted to skip the process of placing them in the oven. What I didn;t know was that theyhad to be boiled in a mix of vinegar water and salt for half an hour. I did choose the right onions though.

These were really perfect white onions bought form my local Acme. I followed air fryer fried onion recipes (big mistake)  which requires them with cut ends and a cored out middle. The two outer layers had to be removed as well.

This was impossible to do and there was also left over chopped onion which was cooked with extra Gardein meatballs 

I used only four of these as a filling.

The onions required a lot more coring to fit th e meat balls. Then it was onto putting them in the air fryer. I followed various  recipes for cooking times. and came up with eight minutes at 400 degrees Farenheit for th e first fry then another eight minutes at 370 degrees Farenheit for the second

  Thisis after the first cook.

                                                              Then the second.

As far as the flavor, the onion over powered them and the interior layers were not as cooked as I would have liked them .I prefered wihat I made with the extra meatballs and onions corings.

I just used two tablespoons of Melt plant butter and olive oil and sauteed and steamed them until the onions bits became translucent.

These were better than the stuffed onions

 These turned out perfect and I plan on makng these again with the addtion of chopped green peppers and tomatoes.

The next stuffed onion recipe will be the true Piedmonntese one. The air fryer ones just did  not come out right. I realzie classic recipes need classic cooking in order to be delicious.

Easing Into Lent

 With Lent comes sacrifice. Many swear off meat , dairy or sweets .This is their way of fasting which is good and mindful. However it can be a shock to the taste buds to give up beloved foods. There are ways to ease into it.

Luckily there has been an explosion of all sorts of vegan meats in the  last few years.It's easy to give up beef , poultry and even seafood. Gardein has been a leader in this and you can visit any grocery or Target to buy their products. Their hamburgers taste exactly like the real ones and they're even good grilled outdoors. They also have meatballs, which are perfect for subs or if you're thinking of making Swedish meatballs and egg noodles. The company also produces chicien nuggets  and thick crispy tenders. These are so much like chicken itself that KFC is even putting out Gardein nuggets in various locations.Try their fish filets which are beer battered along with fries ro their crab cakes. If you're also thinking about giving up egg then go to Just Egg. This a substitute , using mung beans to get that eggy flavor and rich beaten yolk yellow color. Make a scramble for the family using it and spinach. Add Morningstar Farm's soy bacon which can get as crisp as actual bacon when microwaved.Also incorporate more beans such as kidney and chickpea for protein boosts. Think more dishes with veggies and rice like stuffed cabbage or a filling ratatouille.

As extreme as it sounds giving up dairy is also doable for Lent. There are so many plant and nut milks out there. If the kids do have a nut alllergy then use soy or oat milk. Both work in many recipes calling for dairy along with satisfying an afterschool need for a glass fo chocolate milk. (in fact many of these milks also come in chocolate now and can be bought in small bottles or boxes for lunch boxes), Almond milk is a nice ,creamy alternative and can be bought in gallon containers. If you do cave in and want a treat remember there are non diary yogurts and ice creams to snack on. You may even like these so well that you'll be eating them after Lent has finished. As for butter , try Melt. This plant based spread tastes exactly like the real deal and can be used in eveything form baking to cooking to being spread on toast or bagels. Maybe the hardest Lenten sacrifuce is giving up sweets. This is where a push for a healthier diet comes in. Try an apple for dessert. You could slice it and then dip in cinnamon for something different. PIneapple cubes are another great meal ender along with being a good snack. Think about getting fruit cups like Aldi's pears in syrup which are light tasting or any fruit salad cup like Acme's Signature brand mixed fruit ones. As for candy, nuts can do the trick if you want a snack or popcorn. Raisins or Craisins are fun snackables that you can eat by the handful.

It's a good and mindful thing to have some sort of sacrifuce during this important time in the Christian calendar. However it's best to ease into this new diet .Use these sub for meat , daiiry and sweets tomake that time effortless.

Are You Christmas Ready

 The big day is a week away. Are you ready for that day tha'ts not only known for gift giving but major cooking. Are you all set for that second or third batch of Christmas cookies?

To be honest it's tough to find good deals. Few groceries are offering discounts on such Christmas staples as ham and turkey. If you haven't bought yours yet, then think about going to Aldi or LIDL for a discount.The next question is what to serve with it. Ham is a bit easier, You could easily go German style and have potato salad and baked beans. As for the turkey , you could do a rehash of Thanksgiivng and have stuffing along with cranberry jelly and green bean casserole. If you're going this route decide if you want to use Stove Stop stuffing - which is easier - or homemade stuffing which is more labor intensive. For vegans and vegetarian have you bought you tofurkey or tofu loaf yet? These are becoming arder and harder to find on store shelves.Have a Plan B on the ready. Keep in mind you can create a festive loaf using Beyond Meat and then serving it with a mushroom gravy. Another Plan B meal is Gardein's Turkey Cutlets with gravy. These taste like the real thing and have gravy with them. Buy a few packages of these (there are four cutlets per package) for your dinner.

Have you started on your baking? What about what to serve after  Christmas dinner? Luckily there are some small deals on baking ingredients so take advantage of these. Do you have enough flour for all those batches? What about the other baking basics like eggs and sugar? Buy two dozen eggs if you feel you'll need a lot for baking cookies and cakes. Sugar,  like flour , goes fast. Buy a four pound bag instead of a two pound (you can always use the extra for every day coffee and tea. Do you have enough confectioners sugar. That too goes fast, thanks to it being turned into butter cream and royal icings. Another must check are deocorations. Do you have enough food coloring in both liquid and gel. Remember that some icing recipes work better with colored gels than liquid dye. Are there enough sprinkles and sanding sugar? Now is the time to stock up before you actually start baking and decorating. what about that Christmas dessert? do you want to go with a fancy cake like a red velvet or a trifle. The second is an  easy and fun boozy mix of a cake like pound cake layered with pudding, cream and fruit. You can douse it with rum for even more kick. 

Are you Christmas ready? This is the week to make it so. It's not too late to plan a sumptuous Christmas feast followed by a lush dessert.

Simple Lunches

 Lunch is often t he meal t hat's overlooked,especially if you're working from home. It's either a smoothie or a cup of yogurt and a drink of some sort to wash it down. Yet' that's not a meal.  A simple lunch can get you through the afternoon.It's a tasty mid day break that's both filling and tasty.

Cold days deserve a hot meal. A simple lunch is an easy canned soup. Gardein and Campbell's Well Yes are perfect for this. Gardfein's has a variety of plant based ones along with chili for a satisfying good for you middday meal. Their  version of Italian wedding soup is just as flavorful as Progresso's which is made wirh beef meatballs and chicken broth. The company also has a really good gumbo too along with beef and chik'n ones that are also loaded with veggies rice or noodles Well yes is going in this vegan vein too. They introduced their version of plant based chicken noodle and rice soups. A true plus about Well Yes is that  they have indiviual  microwavable cups of  soup. This is perfect if you're eating by yourself . For those who want classic then think about Campbell's tomato soup. or chicken noodle Both make for  a fun lunch . especially with a big stack of Saltines. A homemade soup is easy too. Heat smaller sized pasta like orzo or pastina in any kind of broth. Within half an hour there's a delicious hot meal that's soothing and filling.

An easily made hot sandwich is always a good lunch. You couldgo with a simple grilled cheese or the fancier Croque Monsieur. white bread is used but you can also go with whole wheat or even brioche bread. This is buttered liberally on one side. You could use mayo as many home chefs swear by this. as for the cheese most go for the good old fashioned American but if you want some zing then use a sharp, zingy Vermont cheddar.It's then frying it ona griddle or fryer for a few minutes on both sides. For a lusher lunch try the French bistro classic the croque monsieur. This is a yummy  amped up version of grilled cheese complete with an easy Bechamel sauce. Don''t be fooled by the name. The sauce is an easy cook on the stove top, using milk butter and flour. Dijon  mustard and nut meg are added at the end and whisked in. (Keep in mind that the sauce can be made in advance and also the extra is good over any kind of veggie). It's slathered on toasted white bread followed by a layer of ham and shredded Gruyere cheese.  The sandwich is then cooked for about five minutes in a 425 Farenheit degree oven. You can make an air fryer version of this and add the bechamel sauce later.

An easy lunch is easy to make. A hot soup or sandwich fills the bill. They make for a rewarding mid day meal.

Yes, We're Open

 Consider it a grand reopening . The Pantry is open again and with it some new insights. It was a strange ride to say the least.

Bad enough you have to go through one of the worst surgeries( I feel), then there's the first few days of wondering and worrying what to eat. Luckily orzo cooks up well in veggie broth and it's also very safe on the newly reconstructed bile ducts. (the ducts are cut after the gall bladder is removed, and I 'm guessing from my cuts, through my tummy or navel). Heavy foods are literally off the tables. They can irritate the liver which produces bile. This means that the bile is dumped into the upper intestine. A lot of bile is like a laxative.It  can create diarrhea and gas. Luckily those without a gallbladder can take Imodium to prevent both as they navigate this new world. Ginger ale is the recommended drink and it was a big help during those days as was fruit and herbal teas. You're not supposed to have any colas once the gall bladder is out but I have had several diet Pepsis and"m fine. I've also graduated to orzo and Melt butter and I'm quickly introducing favorites like my air fryer portobellos and tomato salad into my diet.

It feels good to cook again and cook my favorites. The portobellos have always been one of my most loved dishes and it was wonderful to eat one again. I have to admit I was a little leery about the tomato salad but that too was perfectly digested. I am  looking forward to making my spinach and mushroom sauce tomorrow with pasta.I'm also looking forward to Beyond Beef hamburgers and anything from Gardein.I've already eaten two of the their soups, Italian Wedding and Beef and Vegetables. So far so good. It would be nice to try their turkey and gravy along with stuffing. I have read on  line that I shouldn't be eating heavy meals, and I wonder if this one , turkey and stuffing would be considered such. There's also this ban so to speak against spicy foods . What will happen the next time I eat Indian or Mexican, two cuisines that I love?Their dishes are easy to replicate at home and I can easily make favorites like curry with a teaspoon less garam masala and burritos without the chili powder. What I will miss are the French fries, but again, maybe my system may tolerate them.

This is a strange new world>However it will soon be familiar , filled with the foods and flavors that I love. Things will be different but they will also be the same too.

Your Earth Day Challenge

 Today is Earth Day , a day to reflect on our impact on the environment. Instead of thinking, let's do. What can we do in our kitchens to help combat climate change? Let's try to reduce our culinary carbon footprint by large and small actions.

One of the easiest and most delicious ways is reducing your meat intake.Think Beyond Burgers instead of the real beef and turkey ones. Anyone can easily adapt to a meatless diet thanks to such companies as Beyond Burgers, Gardein and Morningstar Farms. Gardein has made the most inroads in the faux meat industry. Try their Chik'n and Rice or Italian Wedding soups. They taste exactly like Campbells and Progresso brands. Their turkey is the best , even beating out the bird itself for flavor. what about reducing our egg and dairy intake? Both industries are off shoots of the meat industry. You're still contributing to hurting the planet by having them. Try Just Egg, which is made from mung beans for your yolk fix. You can make great scrambles and omelets from it along with using it in baking. Almond milk is a great sub in for dairy and there are also other nut and oak milks too. as for the kitchen, reuse leftovers. This has been a common kitchen practice for centuries, yet some have gotten away from it. Use and reuse. For really stale foodstuffs,t hink about giving it to your local wildlife or start a compost heap.

Consider yourself a green  home chef already if you have an air fryer. It may produce more energy than a toaster oven but it's still more energy efficient. This is due to them cooking food faster and no preheating.An air fryer is also fifty per cent less energy consuming than an electric oven and thirty-five more efficient than a gas one. Using your air fryer will also lower your utility bill by a few dollars.You'll also create tastier food too thanks to the air fryer producing crispier foods.As much as people complain about microwaves these do save up to eighty per cent of energy. Try to use it to cook sides and reheat leftovers. It also doesn't heat up a kitchen like a stove does so it does help you cut back on air conditioning.Of course some leftovers and frozen foods do call for the oven. Frozen pizza tastes better if its' been baked in a hot oven as does garlic bread. To save energy while cooking think sheet pan meals. This allows you to cook the main course and sides all together on one pan.

You can easily make your kitchen and eating habits greener. It's easy and delicious. It's just being thoughtful with your choices for ingredients  and how to cook them.

Big Plans For Fall

 All home chefs should get excited about cooking and baking. New and tried and true recipes come out as we prep for the holiday season ahead.It could be a new way to cook a roast or a new side or a different dessert recipe,

It's exciting to see Brussels sprouts at the Farmer's Market . this is a sure sign of fall. There's nothing like them steamed the serving them with melted butter and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. AIr frying them seems intriguing. They will crisp up and their flavor will come through better than with steaming. Of course there has to be the melted butter and Parmesan. These bring out their flavor too. With that you may want to think about the main course. Cooking in a vegetarian household that means Gardein' breaded turkey cutlets  complete with sage laced gravy. That brings up another fall and winter side - stuffing. The question asked go with Stove top Stuffing or the decades old family recipe that comes out more like a savory bread pudding. Decisions, decisions.Butternut squash is equally as exciting. Should it be stuffed or just steamed , served again with what else - butter. It can be cubed and then air fried, drizzled with olive oil and maybe dusted with nutmeg.

The season also brings about the urge to bake. The New York Times featured Otis Lee's poundcake with a lemony cream cheese base glaze.It's still a staple at his Fo Fo deli in Detroit now run by his son, Keith Lee. I 'm thinking thus would be the perfect ending to Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. Of course I'll bake it beforehand. It'll be nice after a week day dinner or afternoon snack. apples are another fall treat.Again I'm thinking of them baked, but in the microwave and stuffed with caramel, butter and maybe chopped walnuts. Crisps are also interesting.This is an easy make and a perfect weekend dessert that stretches two days. The same thing for galettes, those rustic apple tarts , reminiscent of a French country kitchen,This is also the season for pears. They could be poached but why ruin their fresh goodness. Just eat them plain as a snack or as a healthy dessert.

It's the fall season and it's the time for exciting recipes and ingredients. Get your heart racing with cooking and baking. Experiment, with the wonders of the season,

The Flexitarian Life

 Many people find transitioning from carnivore to herbivore daunting. They're grown up eating delicious BLTs and juicy steaks. They find it difficult eschewing butter and cheese. Yet these are the same people who want to help the planet and animals or protect their health.What to do? Become a flexitarian.

What are flexitarians? A person who is a vegetarian but occasionally eats meat or fish. It's the easiest way to convert from a meat eater to a vegetarian and then to a vegan, someone who does not ingest any animals or animal based products. In yesterday's New York Times Business section there was an interesting article about companies like Beyond Burgers and Impossible  Meat  catering to the large and growing sector of flexitarians. Now it's much easier to transition than years ago. Soy products of even twenty years ago were horrible, with a funky taste and aftertaste not to mention a rubbery texture.Veggie burgers were the worst . They were studded with peas and fell apart at first bite. Now  people can't tell the difference between the real thing and the plant based burger. Beyond Meat burgers grill up nicely with a crusty exterior and a juicy pink inside. These can easily be served two or three times a week or at a Sunday tailgating party. The company also had the plant based meat in loaf form which makes for a yummy meat loaf. Serve it with a mushroom gravy and a side of mashed potatoes for comfort food goodness.

Another company that can help you go meatless is Gardein. Their products have an authentic taste.  A favorite is their Ultimate Burger which can be subbed for beef patties. Their battered fish fillets are the best, tasting like North Atlantic cod. The batter coating is nice and crispy  and brings to mind those fish and chips platters at seafood restaurants like Bahr's in the Atlantic Highlands. This is one of my favorites, perfect with Ore-Ida fries. Their chicken nuggets are also good, great with any dipping sauce. What about milk , butter and cheese? These are staples in our everyday diets. For milk go with Almond Breeze from Blue Diamond.Their milk is very good especially in cereal. It comes in plain, vanilla and chocolate, The company also makes creamer and yogurt too in tasty flavors like caramel cream, for the creamer and strawberry and peach for the yogurt. Miyoko's Creamery is the best brand for your butter and cheese needs.Miyoko Schinner has created a butter that's exactly like the real thing.She has created a variety of different cheeses., from mozzarella to cheddar for pizzas and sandwiches.

It is easy to become a flexitarian.There are so many animal free products out there you won't miss the real thing. Try them all for the first step in healthy and compassionate eating.

Eating For Climate Change

 Every year around this time we bemoan the horrific weather. How can we deal with such sper storms like Hurricane Ida along with sizzling temperattures, massive droughts and devastating floods. Take a page out of Greta Thunberg's culinary playbook. Go vegan or at least vegetarian

Meat eaters need to know(as well as myself) that all those burgers is responsible for methane gases along with CO2 and nitrous oxide. There are other problems too like deforestation. THis happens in such cattle rich countries like Paraguay, Brazil and Argentina. Brazil already has it bad thanks to the destruction of one of our most important rain forests, the Amazon.How does this land becoming grazing land? BY using wildfires which emit CO2  or carbon dioxide.Another problem is half the world's land is used for grazing by animals destined for our plates. DEcaying  manure from these animals also causes this gas. Our soil and water also also affected/ Our waterways become clogged, fertile lands become barren and there's an increased risk of flooding. This destroys all the veggie and fruit farms which drives up their prices and causes shortage.This also harms grain crops as well.

What to do? You may not be able to give up meat cold turkey but you can ease up on it. Thankfully and luckily there are all sorts of meatless alternatives.You can try Beyond Burgers once a week just to get acclimated. To make them taste like the old fashioned ground beef patties of our mothers' day, dust them with onion powder, salt and freshly ground pepper. Extras like caramelized onions and sliced avocados help amp up the taste factor. Air frying them also gives them flavor. Soy dogs are also good in the air fryer. Split them first down the middle and brush with melted I Can't Believe It's Not Butter. The result is a crispy , tasty dog that's even better tasting than the real thing. They're also good topped with chili and vegan shredded cheddar.Ground soy beef is also good in chili or Bolognese sauce. Morningstar Farms has excellent nuggets and chicken while Gardein has a whole range of plant based products from batter "fish" fillets to turkey and gravy, These are more than perfect and really do taste like the real thing,

Can you stop climate change? es in your own way by going meatless. Be conscious of what you cook and eat. It will make a difference.

A Vegetarian Mother's Day

 Mother's day is full of good homemade meals and treats. Yet what happens when Mom eschews those yummy strips of bacon or that great chicken dish? Not to worry of you have a vegetarian or vegan mother. There are plenty of substitutes that you can use for  tasty and delicious dishes throughout the day.

Nothing beats a Mother's Day breakfast.One of the best sub ins to serve is Morningstar Farms Bacon strips.

This is like the real thing, especially when it's microwaved crisp. It has the same crunch and flavor as the real thing and goes great with any of the Vegg products.

These can be bought on Amazon and both the power scramble - which resembles scrambled eggs when cook and the egg yolk are great. One of my favorite any time meals is bowl of the yolks which are easily cooked in the microwave, and the Morningstar Farm bacon strips. I love dipping the bacon in the "egg' yolk". Make a side of toast buttered fingers also for fun dipping. Add a mimosa and it's a great brunch.

As for lunch and dinner, you cannot go wrong with the Gardein soy meat products. I love their teriyaki chicken strips.

They're a quick fry in the air fryer while the sauce is heated in the oven. Serve with white rice and a Japanese salad with a carrot ginger dressing for a nice dinner in. Gardein also has turkey cutlets with gravy which tastes like the real thing. Serve with steamed asparagus for a lovely Spring dinner for Mom. For a more fun meal, definitely grill up their burgers for an old fashioned barbecue or serve their chicken sliders with air fried French fries.Finish with soy or almond milk shakes in chocolate, vanilla or strawberry.

Don't worry about cooking your vegan or vegetarian mom a meal. There are so many ways and so many products to give her memorable meals. She can have brunch , lunch  and dinner with a whole host of meatless products.

Planning A Vegan Valentine's Day

What do vegans and vegetarians do for Valentine's day? The same thing as the rest of us - a romantic meal and chocolates except there's a twist - no animals were harmed in the making of any meal or treat. It's easy to do, starting with breakfast and ending with a romantic meal.

Breakfast in bed sounds heavenly for Valentine's day. There's nothing like a big breakfast shared with your loved one.  You can still have  bacon and eggs , thanks to Morningstar Farms and Vegg Vegan egg yolk, The first produces a yummy bacon that cooks into tasty, crispy strips much like the real thing. The second is Vegg's take on egg yolk, perfect for dipping toast points or croissants into. This last is just a mix if the powder and water and then microwaved. The company also makes a power scramble that is like the real thing. They also have  a French toast mix that is a sub in for the usual milk and egg mix. You could easily make this, using thick slices of challah bread for the French toast. What about waffles and pancakes? Use the Vegg egg mix for baking for those, It's mixing a the egg mix with a small pinch of sugar and water and then adding it to the batter.As for butter use Miyoko's oat butter or I Can't Believe It's Not Butter.

Lunch and dinner can be just as special and equally as vegan. A fun idea is making Beyond Burgers and then filling them with avocado slices , tomato slices , vegan cheese slices and Morningstar Farms bacon. Vegan cheese slices are easy to find. Most grocery stores carry Chao vegan cheese slices. The company has smoked cheddar that works well as a snack or in various dishes. It can  top a homey baked mac made with soy based cheese. You can pair it with soy ham and create a tasty croque Monsiuer , that French bistro classic. Add homemade fries  to it and a glass of hard cider for a truly Gallic meal. As for a romantic dinner, think Gardein's crab cakes which are perfect for a sweet dinner in. They taste exactly like real crab cakes and can easily be cooked in an air fryer. Gardein also makes turkey and gravy that can fool any meat eater Add some stuffing and Brussels sprouts for an elegant dinner for two. As for dessert Daiya has a non dairy cheesecake in such delicious flavors as strawberry, Key Lime and chocolate.

Yes you can have a tasty vegan meal for Valentine's Day. There is a wide variety of products that can help you in creating the perfect meal. Best of al they're easy to cook and delicious to eat.

Happy Meals For Dark Days

 The weather is lousy, the news is depressing. What's worse we can't go out and enjoy a fun , tasty meal. The antidote? Create one at home. Plan a perfect dinner and enjoy.

That was my plan today. I made Gardein's Beyond Burgers, always a favorite with crispy crinkle fries made crispier in the air fryer. Both were a fun and easy make, only taking at best maybe fifteen minutes. I placed the burger on a slice of brioche bread from Walmart or an extra treat .I added broccoli salad, for the healthy part  along with it has such a great flavor.

  Again such a simple make. A quick microwave of six minutes and then dressed with an easy mix of olive oil and apple cider vinegar along with dashes of salt, pepper and garlic powder. 

                                           Dessert was fudge topped cupcakes from Acme.

Who could resist Fudge Week where the cupcakes are top heavy with fudge? One frosting even slid off.

Anyone can create the perfect fun dinner. It doesn't have to be burgers and fries.It could be baked mac and cheese, lobster tails and champagnes, if you're more incline. You decide what you want and make it. Add some festive decorations even. Cook and bake or buy whatever makes you happy.

Read Those Labels

 One of the worst crimes you can commit in a vegan household is buying a product with animal products in it.That happened to me recently and I was left with a large uneaten pot of soup. I should have read the label but didn't .It does pay to read every aspect of the product you're buying

What should you look for if you are cooking for any kind of diet? Everything that's on that diet and everything that's not. Don't take it for granted that a meatless product is just that. Soups usually have a beef or chicken stock in their base. Check . A soup like Alessi's porcini mushroom soup may seem vegan enough but it has dehydrated chicken added to it. To be honest most of their soup mixes are vegan , with the emphasis more on beans and tomatoes. It can fool you especially if you regularly buy their products.If you're in this situation, the best bet is to stick with well known vegan brands like Morningstar Farms and Gardein. They are famed for their fake meats and instant dinners. Gardein keeps adding different products to their line. They now have soups made with soy meats and vegan stock. It's easy to open up a can of their  chicken noodle or gumbo. Another aspect is in the cookie aisle. Many like Tates' or Walkers use real butter in their cookies and shortbread.  The best bet again is scouring the labels. Some companies like Nabisco have had vegan cookies for years. There are no and never have been animal products in Oreos and Lorna Doones.

Allergies play another important part in label reading. US manufacturers have to explicitly put on their labels that their baked goods are gluten free. Yet there's a caveat. They're not required to test their products to label cookies or crackers without it. The labels are still pretty much spelled out. Yet what about those products from a grocery store's bakery? Some , like Stop & Shop will put a gluten free labels on their cakes, cookies and cupcakes. The best bet is don't buy if you're still doubtful. Buy the already established brands that you know are safe to eat.Other allergies like egg ones are a bit trickier. Many products , especially cookies and cakes are made with eggs. Labels have to be read carefully, especially if the sufferer has problems with stomach cramps, vomiting and /or breathing. Research the product on line before buying. See what the ingredients are and even write to the company. Most will gladly tell you the percentage of eggs along with the other ingredients used. The same goes for those with soy and fermentation allergies. Many are allergic to soy sauce and a pre made Asian meal may have some in it. The same goes for frozen dinners that feature a balsamic vinegar glaze. Find out how much is in the dinner.

It's important that you read the labels , whether on line or in the store. Don't assume. It could lead to food not being eaten or people becoming sick.

Chicken And Waffles Vegan Style!!!

 One of the most popular dishes right now is chicken and waffles. This Amish Sunday dinner and famed Black dish is being made throughout the US.I thought I'd jump on the bandwagon and make it. The only problem? It has to be vegan.

The vegan chicken part was easy.It was simply air frying Gardein's chicken tenders in the air fryer.

This was the easy as pie part. It was just air frying the tenders at first 400 degrees F for eight minutes, then  turning. They were finished at 360 degrees F for five minutes.

The next part was hard.

I used Bisquik's gluten free mix which gives the finished product s dense texture. 

To make the waffles vegan it was adding two cups of almond milk which produced a creamier batter (the recipe called for a cup and a half but that was a mistake. The batter looked like wallpaper paste). The recipe called for three tablespoons of vegetable oil along with one egg. I used Vegg's Uncaged egg baking mix for the egg substitute. One teaspoon of the mix is mixed with half a teaspoon of granulated sugar and a quarter of a cup of milk. This is thoroughly mixed before added to the batter.

I chilled it for half an hour, simply because I needed time to prep the waffle iron and air fryer.

I used my batter distributor to evenly pour the batter onto the iron after spraying the plates with cooking spray (I used Stop and Shop's butter flavored one).

This is the batter precooked.It looks like gooey toast.

This was the first batch which was sorely disappointing. 

They were half cooked and stuck to the plates.

I didn't cook them long enough. Bisquick recommends cooking the waffles for five minutes.

 Depending on your waffle iron I'd say ten minutes should do it. This was the third batch.

They're not deeply golden but they are perfectly formed. Both were served with maple syrup which is an interesting add on (but not one I particularly like. There has to be another sauce to put on both)

Would I try this again? Maybe. I may  add soy cheese to the waffles to make them more savory and nix the maple syrup.Maybe a barbecue sauce????)

Chicken and waffles are the latest thing right now. I will try them again, - maybe less sweet and more sandwich like for the chicken. The best part is that it was all vegan,