Articles tagged:

vegan

  1. Chocolate açaí smoothie topped with cacao nibs

    Chocolate Açaí Pudding Smoothie

    I called this chocolate-açaí smoothie a pudding smoothie, because that's what it tastes like. More accurately, it tastes like something of a cross between pudding and chocolate-raspberry cheesecake. Either way, it's absolutely delicious. I'm happy to use this to replace dessert, without feeling like I'm missing anything at all.

    The flavors in this smoothie are so nicely balanced, as the cacao brings out the açaí's flavor, and the bananas and yogurt add creaminess. It's a little bit of an indulgence, but as indulgences go, this one's relatively healthy!

  2. Pineapple-Ginger Açaí Smoothie A Refreshing Immune-Boosting Recipe

    Pineapple and ginger are a refreshing combination known for their healing properties. Pineapple contains a group of enzymes known as bromelain, which assist in digestion and help reduce inflammation (which can show up in a variety of conditions, from the common cold to arthritis). It's also a good source of vitamin C. Ginger has its own anti-inflammatory substances called gingerols, which are also helpful for arthritis. And it's known to reduce nausea and improve gastrointestinal health. Açaí is thought to have its own health benefits, but there's not enough research yet to make any conclusions.

    Either way, this smoothie is a light and refreshing, but flavorful drink. If you've never had fresh ginger in a smoothie before, be warned: it has a little bit of a bite. You might want to reduce the amount of ginger until you get accustomed to the taste. Or, if you really don't like it, you can leave it out entirely!

  3. Peanut butter & açaí smoothie

    Peanut Butter and Açaí Smoothie Recipe (a.k.a. PB & Açaí)

    I was first introduced to açaí berries in 2011, when I visited Rio de Janeiro. It was a hot day on the beach in Ipanema, and my Brazilian friend led me to the vendor selling açaí cups along the beach walkway. She said most Americans don't like açaí, but I loved it. Later, it became more popular in the United States and now I can easily buy frozen acai packets at my local grocery store.

    While acai bowls and cups are the "normal" way of consuming acai, I really like acai in smoothies as well. I've experimented a lot, and one of my favorite smoothies is "PB & Açaí", with, you guessed it, peanut butter. I also used homemade cashew milk in this recipe to make it even creamier, and frozen strawberries to balance the mellow flavor of the peanut butter.

  4. Strawberry Açaí Smoothie

    This strawberry-açaí smoothie is my perfect summer smoothie recipe! It's light and refreshing, and oh-so-delicious. Strawberries and açaí create a classic flavor combination that's tart but sweet.

    If you're unfamiliar with açaí (pronounced ah-sigh-EE), it's a fruit that grows in the Brazilian Amazon rainforest. Brazilians have been enjoying it in cups and bowls for a long time, but it only recently became more popular in the United States. Because the fruit doesn't last very long, the best way to get it here is either in frozen or powdered form.

  5. Açaí is for more than just bowls!

    4 Delicious Açaí Smoothie Recipes

    I had my first taste of açaí in 2011 at a beachside stand in Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It was a simple cup of frozen tart fruit topped with granola and banana slices. Since that time, I'm happy to report that açaí has become more widely available in the United States, from juices to powders to frozen packets. Unfortunately, the fruit spoils too quickly to be transported here fresh.

    Açaí bowls are the most common way to enjoy this exotic fruit, but I've come to love acaiaçaí smoothies just as much. It's a really versatile flavor that makes great combinations with other fruits, and even chocolate and peanut butter. I've decided to share my four favorite açaí smoothie recipes with you so you can enjoy this fruit just as much as I do!

  6. General Tso's Tofu A Vegan Take on Chinese Takeout

    I haven't had Chinese takeout in probably ten years. But there are a few indulgences I really enjoyed back then, like crab rangoon, sweet and sour chicken, and of course, General Tso's chicken. So I decided to do a vegan take on takeout and make a General Tso's tofu recipe. I made this recipe in different variations more than ten times, but I'm finally in love with the results!

    In case you're curious, there actually was a General Tso (Tso Tsung-t'ang) who lived in the 1800s, and legend claims that this chicken was his favorite dish.

  7. Crispy Fried Tofu A Takeout-Style Recipe

    It's been a long time since I've eaten anything fried in oil. But recently I found myself craving General Tso's sauce, and decided I'd treat myself. Since I'm vegan, I obviously won't be eating chicken with that sauce, so I decided to batter and fry tofu instead. This tofu came out so perfect, golden, and delicious that it was worthy of its own recipe. The texture of the coating is very similar to the battered chicken you'll find in many Chinese takeout places, so you can use it with a variety of sauces. It also has enough flavor to be snacked on alone!

  8. Lasagna is a crowd-pleasing main dish that everyone can agree on.

    The Absolute Best Vegan Lasagna

    Toss out that store-bought frozen vegan lasagna. Scrap all the other vegan lasagna recipes you've tried. Yes, this vegan lasagna recipe is that good.

    Before we get to the recipe, I need to mention that the flavor of a good lasagna is highly dependent on the sauce you use. So if you don't make your own, I strongly recommend that you use a high-quality sauce, like Rao's or the Silver Palate. (Although these brands are pretty expensive, I can often find one or the other on sale at Whole Foods, and I stock up when I see them).

  9. Famous Vegan Carrot Cake Cupcakes

    When I had my cupcake business more than 10 years ago, my carrot cake cupcakes had a cult-like following. The same people showed up to my little stand religiously to buy the carrot cake cupcakes over and over. My friends even started randomly offering to help me with various things in exchange for more carrot cake cupcakes. So naturally, they were high on my priority list of cupcake recipes to veganize.

    Cake recipes are complicated to turn vegan, as they don't usually work by simply replacing a few ingredients. However, the effort was well worth it for these delicious cupcakes.

  10. Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting

    Sometimes, I create a recipe, and even I can't believe how amazing it turned out. This frosting is one of those recipes.

    As I've mentioned in previous recipes, I used to have a cupcake business many years ago. I've been (slowly) working on creating vegan versions of my old recipes. When I created my vegan carrot cake recipe, I wondered how I was going to recreate a cream cheese frosting to go with it. I wanted to avoid using store-bought non-dairy cream cheese because they vary so widely in their taste and ingredients.