Jackfruit Quesadillas (Dairy-free)

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easy vegan jackfruit quesadilla recipe

Easy Vegan Jackfruit Quesadillas

So…Jackfruit. Ever heard of it? This fruit is a vegan GAME CHANGER. The possibilities are literally endless and the taste and texture will make you side-eye meat for the rest of your life. After you cook with it, you’ll realize (if you haven’t already) that meat is utterly obsolete.

Trust me 😎

Do you miss shredded chicken? Pulled pork? Fish tacos? No matter what meat you’re Jonesing for, there’s a jackfruit for that. Easy vegan jackfruit quesadilla recipe after the jump.

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DIY Non-Toxic Mineral Sunscreen

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☀️ It’s officially summer and that means people are rushing out to buy sunscreens all over the world. Sunscreen for their face, sunscreen for their body, spray on sunscreen, makeup with sunscreen in it, sunscreen for your lips, etc., etc., etc. Learning how to make your own DIY Non Toxic Mineral Sunscreen is a lot easier than it sounds.

In case you haven’t heard, sunscreen is a big deal to a LOT of people.

It should be simple enough: it’s summer, you need sunscreen, you go out to buy sunscreen from your favorite store or just the most convenient store and you expect all the sunscreen options they offer you to be safe because…why wouldn’t they be? Would companies really put harmful, toxic and even carcinogenic products in sunscreen? Could the very disease you are trying to prevent (cancer) really be lurking in that bottle of Coppertone? Could that really expensive sunscreen from Sephora with the French name really just be chemical soup in a pretty bottle?

The answer is yes. There are a TON of toxic chemicals in the most common and the most exclusive sunscreens on the market. So what is a person covered in skin supposed to do?

Well, you can spend a few hours online sifting through the varying (and contradictory) reports on the safety of sunscreen which will eventually cause you to abandon the reconnoissance mission and reach for a bottle of wine instead…

OR…you can scroll down and read up on the research that I’ve found and, as a bonus, watch a video on how I made my own sunscreen. (I know, it just keeps getting better 😉)

It’s about to get reaaaal simple 😊

First thing’s first:

  • There are TWO types of sunscreens: chemical and mineral and I bet you can guess which one is better for you.
  • SPF stands for Skin Protection Factor, SPF protects against UVB rays, and it is actually unnecessary to entertain SPFs higher than 50 as the added protection of higher SPFs is minimal
  • SPF 15 blocks 93% of the sun’s UVB rays. SPF 30 blocks 97%. SPF 50 blocks 98% and SPF 70 blocks 98.5%. See what I mean?
    • A lot of companies touting 70, 90, and 100 SPF don’t mention that for that fraction of increased protection you’re actually getting almost double the toxic ‘inactive’ ingredients. So, make sure to use a sunscreen that is at least 30 SPF and no higher than 50 (unless you made it yourself and used non-toxic ingredients)  *A great rule of thumb for skincare and cosmetics: if the ingredients list is more than 10, pull out your phone and get to Googling those 11+ word ingredients and see what you find. Chances are, it won’t be pretty.
  • UVA vs UVB rays
    • UVB rays are what causes sunburn
    • UVA rays cause radiation, aging, and skin cancer

Ok, so SPF protects against UVB rays which cause sunburn…whoop-dee-do, they’re annoying but they’re not deadly. UVA rays sound way more scary so how the heck do you protect yourself from those? Is that even possible?

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Cauliflower Wings 5 Ways

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IMG_0751

When I went vegan, I assumed I’d never eat anything resembling a chicken wing ever again. When I learned that cooked cauliflower has a similar consistency to cooked chicken, I had to judge for myself. When I tasted the buffalo cauliflower wings from Sage Vegan Bistro in Echo Park, I was sold. Not only can you re-create delicious buffalo wings using cauliflower, you can also make ANY kind of chicken wing flavor using cauliflower. Check out my recipes for cauliflower wings 5 ways below.

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Vegan Buffalo Cauliflower Wings

Course Side Dish, Snack
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes

Ingredients

Batter

  • 3/4 cup flour
  • 1/2 cup non-dairy milk
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 tbsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper

Buffalo Sauce

  • 3/4 cup Tabasco buffalo sauce (purchased at Sprouts)
  • 1 tbsp Earth Balance butter

Ranch Dressing

  • 1 cup Veganaise (or any vegan mayonnaise)
  • 1/4 cup almond milk
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp dill
  • 1 tsp chopped parsley (preferably dried)

Instructions

  1. Pre-heat oven to 450 degrees

  2. Cover cauliflower in batter, shake off excess batter and place on a non-stick baking sheet or parchment paper

  3. You can turn over the wings and bake for another 20 minutes if desired. 

  4. In a sauce pan, combine the vegan butter and buffalo sauce and bring to a slight boil, remove from heat and set aside. 

  5. Once wings are cooked, toss wings in buffalo sauce, cook for an additional 6-8 minutes. 

  6. Remove from heat and let cool. 

  7. Mix ranch dressing ingredients in a small bowl.

  8. Serve

FullSizeRender 31

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Vegan Mexican Food Meal-Prep

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vegan mexican food meal prep

Did you know walnuts can be used as a substitute for meat? I am not taking crazy pills, I swear. When you throw walnuts into a food processor along with certain spices, you end up with a taco meat-like consistency that is an EXCELLENT source of protein, 12 grams to 1 cup, to be exact. If you’re someone who wants a creative and cholesterol-free way to get your protein, then I highly suggest you try walnut meat tacos.

I’ve also cooked up some other Mexican-inspired recipes to compliment the walnut meat and these recipes can also double as a meal prep for one week. Mexican quinoa salad, and spicy potatoes au gratin after the jump.

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Walnut Meat Tacos

Course Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine Mexican
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes

Ingredients

Walnut Meat

  • 2 1/2 cup raw walnuts
  • 2 tbsp Bragg's liquid aminos
  • 2 tsp paprika
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 tsp cumin

Toppings

  • 3 portobello mushrooms (diced)
  • 1 red bell pepper
  • 1 yellow bell pepper
  • 1 orange bell pepper

Instructions

  1. Satuee mushrooms in olive oil for 5-7 minutes on low heat. Sautee bell peppers on low heat for 3-5 minutes. Drain. Mix in with mushrooms

  2. Mix walnut meat ingredients into a vitamix or food processor on the low setting. Drain.

vegan mexican food meal prep

vegan mexican food meal prep

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Vegan Greek Recipes Meal Prep

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My favorite type of food is Mediterranean/Greek. Haven’t made it to that side of the world yet but if I ever do, I might never come back. I slightly altered a few recipes from the amazing The Greek Vegan. Please check out her site for delicious vegan versions of traditional Greek recipes. I chose to make a zucchini orzo dish, lahanorizo (cabbage and rice), and a yummy giant bean salad. Now we can both fantasize that we live in a place with amazing weather and even better food. Or is it the other way round? Anyway, check out the zucchini orzo dish below and the other recipes after the jump.

vegan greek recipesrecipe from here

Vegan Greek Recipes Meal Prep

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Zucchini Orzo

Course Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine Mediterranean
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 cups uncooked orzo
  • 4 cups vegetable stock
  • 2 cups water
  • 3-4 medium green or yellow squash (1.5-2 lbs or 3 cups diced)
  • 1/2 sweet onion
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1/2 cup white wine
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 2 tbsp dried oregano
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Cook orzo in 4 cups veggie stock and 2 cups water for 8-10 minutes until soft but not completely cooked. You want the orzo to still be a little firm. 

  2. Drain the orzo and toss with 1 tsp olive oil and set aside.

  3. Sautee onion and zucchini in olive oil on low until onions become translucent. Stir frequently to prevent zucchini from browning. 

  4. Add salt, pepper, oregano, and white wine to the zucchini. Mix well and cook uncovered on low for 10 minutes. 

  5. Add cooked orzo and mix thoroughly. Add lemon juice and then cook uncovered for 10 minutes. 

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Green Curry 4 Ways (Vegan)

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vegan green curry 4 ways

Green Curry w/ Cauliflower Rice

So…this was totally experimental but it was not in vain! I tried FOUR different recipes to get to the best version of green curry I possibly could without actually going to Thailand. I was desperately trying to recreate this amazing curry I had in Manoa Falls, Hawaii. It was the perfect blend of sweet and savory, not to mention comforting. I’ve never been a fan of curry until that day. Maybe it was the lush greenery that surrounded me or the soft, sweet, island rain, but that was the day I proclaimed myself to be a green curry connoisseur lol.

With that being said, I did the dirty work so you don’t have to. My closest attempt to the curry I had in Hawaii was the second recipe listed here: Green Curry with Jasmine Rice. It was great..honestly not an exact replica but it was close enough for this Angeleno. The last two recipes are on the savory/spicy side, tasted great as well but I was specifically looking for that balance of sweet, savory and spicy. The curry paste that I used for my favorite recipes was purchased from Trader Joe’s, you can check it out here.

Check out my recipes for Vegan Curry 4 Ways after the jump.

Enjoy!

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Green Curry with Cauliflower Rice

Course Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine Asian, Thai
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 3/4 package of Trader Joe's cauliflower rice (16 oz / 2 cups)
  • 1/2 package of extra firm tofu
  • 1/4 cup diced onions
  • 10 cloves crushed garlic
  • 1/4 cup sliced carrots (after slicing, cut pieces in halves)
  • 1/4 cup bell pepper
  • 1 stalk lemongrass
  • 1 lime
  • 4 tbsp green curry paste (purchased from Trader Joe's)
  • 1 cup coconut milk
  • 1/4 cup basil leaves
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup sliced mushrooms
  • 1/2 cup snow peas

Instructions

  1. In a deep sauce pan or wok, sautee onions and 4 cloves chopped garlic in coconut oil until they are browned/translucent on medium-low heat. Toss in carrots, bell peppers, and broccoli. Let simmer for a few minutes and then add in chopped lemon grass and stir. Add 4 tbsp of green curry paste, juice of 1 lime, and snow peas.

  2. Add 1 cup coconut milk, 1 tbsp brown sugar, and 1/4 cup basil leaves. You can add extra coconut milk if too much of the liquid has evaporated. Toss in 1/4 cup sliced mushrooms.

  3. Sautee 4 cloves chopped garlic in coconut oil. Toss in cauliflower rice and cook for 5-7 minutes. Uncovered.

  4. Season with herbs and spices to taste. Remove from heat and set aside.

  5. Season and fry tofu (cut into rectangles) until desired crispiness and set aside.

  6. Plate cauliflower rice and tofu. Cover with curry and serve. 

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Vegan Bacon (Tempeh) Ideas

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So…are you surprised that vegan bacon even exists? Well, prepare to have your mind blown because you’re about to see 3 vegan bacon tempeh ideas that will impress vegans and meat-eaters alike. All of the recipes center around this first recipe for delicious tempeh bacon that you can use in so many different dishes. I used the tempeh bacon in bacon cheese fries, vegan mac and cheese, and a yummy butternut squash and kale dish. All recipes are after the jump.

Enjoy!

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Vegan Bacon (Tempeh)

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 package tempeh
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce or Bragg's liquid aminos
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp maple syrup
  • 2 tsp liquid smoke
  • 1/2 tsp hot sauce
  • 1/2 tsp cumin

Instructions

  1. Slice the tempeh into thin slices and let the pieces sit in the marinade for 10-15 minutes (overnight if you can). 

  2. Sautee tempeh in a pan with a light layer of olive oil. Cook until desired crispiness. Toss in any remaining marinade you have left over and let simmer. 

  3. Remove tempeh slices from heat and place on a paper towel. Can dice if desired or serve as is. 

Recipe Notes

For the tempeh, I used Lightlife's brand which can be found at many health food stores. 

If you want to make a jar of the marinade so you don't have to remix every time, increase the measurements 1:1 to each serving you'd like to store away. Example: for 4 servings, do 4x as much of each ingredient.

vegan bacon tempeh ideas

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Buffalo Cauliflower Wings

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Buffalo Cauliflower Wings

Want to learn how to make delicious buffalo cauliflower wings? These buffalo cauliflower wings are easy, vegan and taste better than the real thing. The best part? They are completely meat-free!

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Buffalo Cauliflower Wings

Course Dinner, Lunch, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes

Ingredients

Batter

  • 3/4 cup flour
  • 1/2 cup non-dairy milk
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 tbsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper

Buffalo Sauce

  • 1/4 cup Tabasco Brand Buffalo Sauce *cut with non-dairy milk if mixture is too spicy
  • 2 tbsp Earth Balance butter

Vegan Ranch Dressing

  • 1 cup vegan mayonnaise (I used Veganaise)
  • 1/4 cup almond milk
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp parsley
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp dill

Instructions

  1. Cut and wash cauliflower. Cover cauliflower in batter, shake off excess batter and place on a non-stick baking sheet or parchment paper.

  2. Pre-heat oven to 450 degrees and bake for about 20 minutes.

  3. You can turn over the wings and bake for another 20 minutes if desired. 

  4. In a sauce pan, combine the vegan butter and buffalo sauce and bring to a slight boil, remove from heat and set aside. 

  5. Once wings are cooked, toss wings in buffalo sauce, bake for an additional 6-8 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.

  6. Mix vegan ranch dressing ingredients together in a sealable container and serve.

I guarantee you that you will never want to eat regular chicken wings again after trying this recipe. The consistency is so similar to chicken that it’s scary. Why eat the legs of an innocent being and have to pick around bones and veins when you don’t have to? Try the difference!

Buffalo Cauliflower Wings recipe video:

If you’re looking for even more cauliflower wing recipes (lemon pepper, orange ‘chicken,’ jerk ‘chicken,’ and even cauliflower popcorn) check out this post.

Recommended:

Cauliflower Wings 5 Ways

Vegan Bacon Cheese Fries

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Vegan Bacon Cheese Fries
Vegan Bacon Cheese Fries
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Vegan Bacon Cheese Fries

Course Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes

Ingredients

  • 4 medium sized potatoes
  • 1 package vegan shredded cheese (I used Daiya)
  • 3-5 slices Field Roast cheese (Chao flavor)
  • 1 bunch green onion
  • desired seasonings for french fries

Instructions

  1. Cut and wash potatoes. Toss with desired seasonings. I used seasoned salt and black pepper.

  2. Place fries on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking pad. If you can, try to avoid aluminum foil because it is toxic.

  3. Bake at 450 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes on each side (or until desired crispiness). 

  4. Move fries to a rectangular baking dish. Add your layers of cheese to the baking dish. Shredded then, slices. Place in the oven until the cheese is melted.

  5. Add tempeh bacon and green onions to baking dish and serve with vegan ranch dressing.

Recipe Notes

Tempeh bacon and vegan ranch dressing recipes are also listed below. 

Vegan tempeh bacon and vegan ranch dressing recipes below:

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Vegan Bacon (Tempeh)

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 package tempeh
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce or Bragg's liquid aminos
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp maple syrup
  • 2 tsp liquid smoke
  • 1/2 tsp hot sauce
  • 1/2 tsp cumin

Instructions

  1. Slice the tempeh into thin slices and let the pieces sit in the marinade for 10-15 minutes (overnight if you can). 

  2. Sautee tempeh in a pan with a light layer of olive oil. Cook until desired crispiness. Toss in any remaining marinade you have left over and let simmer. 

  3. Remove tempeh slices from heat and place on a paper towel. Can dice if desired or serve as is. 

Recipe Notes

For the tempeh, I used Lightlife's brand which can be found at many health food stores. 

If you want to make a jar of the marinade so you don't have to remix every time, increase the measurements 1:1 to each serving you'd like to store away. Example: for 4 servings, do 4x as much of each ingredient.

 

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Vegan Ranch Dressing

Course Dinner, Dressing, Lunch, Salad
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 cup vegan mayonnaise (I used Veganaise)
  • 1/4 cup almond milk
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp parsley
  • 1/4 tsp dill
  • 1/4 tsp salt

Instructions

  1. Mix vegan ranch dressing ingredients together in a sealable container and serve.

Whether you need an easy dish to serve at your next game day bash, or you simply want to jazz up your french fries, this vegan bacon cheese fries recipe will hit the spot for sure. You can tweak this recipe a bit by maybe adding a spicy cheese or using a chipotle ranch dip instead of regular ranch. Get creative with it! There’s really no wrong way to cook as long as it tastes good to you.

Check out my video on these Vegan Bacon Cheese Fries below:

Recommended:

Vegan Bacon Recipe Ideas