Vegan Sunday Brunch: Savory Breakfast Bowl with Roasted Potatoes.

Nobody alive can deny the fact that breakfast is not only the most important meal of the day, but also the most delicious. I mean, come on--is there anything on earth better than a tall stack of perfectly fluffy flapjacks after a long day?! Nope. Nothing. 

One of the coolest things about breakfast is the diversity of dishes and flavor combos--you've got sweet, salty, warm, cold, comforting not, fresh, the list goes on and on. I'm generally a "sweet" or "fresh" brekkie eater: I can't go a day without my nice cream, oatmeal, and smoothies! But some days a girl just needs to eat breakfast twice...because there's just too many options!! And this, my friends, is my theory of how "breakfast for dinner" was born...along with this delicious recipe :) enjoy!

               Vegan Sunday Brunch. 

Savory Breakfast Bowl and Roasted Potatoes. 

        Veggieful "meaty" goodness!

       Crisped to perfection...no oil needed!

Vegan Sunday Brunch: Savory Breakfast Bowl with Roasted Potatoes. Vegan, gluten-free. Serves one. 

Ingredients

Breakfast bowl

1. 2/3 cup TVP granules

2. 1/4 tsp poultry seasoning

3. 1 T braggs liquid aminos

4. 1/4 cup chopped red onion 

5. 2 tsp minced garlic 

6. 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms 

7. 1/4 cup sliced grape tomatoes

8. 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped

9. Black pepper, to taste

Potatoes

1. Two medium Yukon gold potatoes, sliced into wedges

2. Braggs aminos, drizzle

3. Spices of choice, to taste (I opted for onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, and a little cumin! Delish!)

4. Ketchup for serving, optional 

Method

Breakfast Bowl

1. Combine TVP and poultry seasoning in a medium microwaveable bowl and mix. Add 2/3 cup water and 1 T aminos and stir. Nuke 2 minutes. 

2. Line a small soup pot with water and satire onion and garlic until soft and fragrant. Add mushrooms and cook 2 minutes. 

3. Stir in cooked TVP "meat" along with tomatoes. Add a splash of water and stir. Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes. 

4. Stir in chopped spinach off of heat until wilted. Season with pepper and spoon into serving dish. 

Potatoes

1. Place potato wedges into large bowl and drizzle with aminos. Sprinkle with spices and stir well to coat. 

2. Spread coated potatoes over a parchment-lined baking sheet and roast at 400 degrees F for 25 minutes. 

3. Remove from oven and let cool 10 minutes. Serve alongside breakfast bowl, with ketchup on the side, if desired. 

Protein Pasta Salad!

What's up with the weather this year? It's crazy! Last week we had 2 feet of snow on the ground...and today it was 59 degrees. But this girl ain't complaining--I HATE winter! Anyway, this warm burst has got me craving Spring...and springtime FOODS! And one of my all-time FAVORITE spring and summer dishes? PASTA SALAD. MMMMMMMMHHHMMMMM. And my Protein Pasta Salad is even better than regular pasta salad (shocking, I know)...because it has an impressive 25 GRAMS OF PLANT PROTEIN PER SERVING/RECIPE! My secret? BEAN PASTA NOODLES. I used a lentil macaroni noodle from the brand "Pasta Legume" which I am OBSESSED with, but I love all the bean pasta brands out there! Explore Asian is another great brand...love their mung bean fettuccine! I know. I just turned pasta salad fit. You love me, I know. Enjoy :)

Protein Pasta Salad!

Protein Pasta Salad! Vegan, Gluten-free. Serves One.


Ingredients
1. 3/4 cup bean-based small pasta noodles (I used lentil macaroni noodles from "Pasta Legume")
2. 1/4 cup chopped red onion
3. 1 cup raw cauliflower florets
4. 1/2 cup sliced grape tomatoes
5. 1/2 cup canned pinto beans, drained and rinsed
6. one stick celery, sliced
7. 1/8 tsp each onion and garlic powder
8. 2 T white vinegar
9. black pepper and dried parsley, to taste
10. salt, to taste

Method
1. Bring a small soup pot of water to a boil on the stove. Add pasta noodles and cook until al dente--NOTE--bean-based pastas cook MUCH faster than grain-based. When the pot begins to overflow, the goods are done!
2. Drain noodles and rinse briefly under cold water.
3. Combine noodles with remaining ingredients and toss well.
4. Spoon pasta salad into a large bowl, cover, and refrigerate 30 minutes for flavors to mingle (or until ready to eat). Serve chilled and enjoy!

Caramelized Red Onion Sandwich with Balsamic Cream Dip.

Ever had a craving? And I don't mean a craving for something...normal, like popcorn or nice cream. I mean a weird craving. Like a...date I say it...PREGNANCY CRAVING. And before your eyes jump out of your face, I can happily assure you that I AM DEFINITELY NOT PREGNANT. Or plan on being ANYTIME SOON. But I swear...sometimes the things I crave make me wonder. Take this little sammie into account. Really Anna?! An onion sandwich?! And yep, a delicious, caramelized, ooey-gooey luscious onion sandwich. Complete with tangy balsamic cream for dippage. Holy. 

    Caramelized Red Onion Sandwich with          Balsamic Cream Dip. 

Caramelized Red Onion Sandwich with Balsamic Cream Dip. Vegan, gluten-free option. Serves one. 

Ingredients

1. Two slices vegan bread of choice (use gluten free, if needed)

2. One small red onion, sliced into thin strips

3. 3 T water

4. 2 tsp braggs aminos

5. 1/2 tsp dried thyme 

6. 5 oz. silken tofu

7. 1/8 tsp each onion and garlic powders 

8. 1 T balsamic vinegar

Method 

1. Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Test the heat of your pan by adding a drop of water. If it sizzles of, congratulations: your pan is heated! 

2. Add 3 T water and aminos to pan. Toss in your sliced onions and sprinkle thyme over top. Fold continuously with spatula, adding more water if needed, until caramelized. Set aside off of heat and let cool. 

3. In your food processor, combine tofu, balsamic, and onion/garlic powders. Blend until completely smooth and creamy. Spoon into small ramekin. 

4. Place onions on top of bread, toasted if desired, and serve with cream on the side. Enjoy!

Greek style Pita Sandwiches.

These are super simple, super delish, and perfect for a quick lunch or even afternoon snack! Even better?! You won't hear up the kitchen in this heat! #score. 

          Greek style Pita Sandwiches. 

   Oh yeah...they're also kind of gorgeous, too...

   But I think that was pretty self-explanatory.

Greek style Pita Sanwiches. Vegan, Gluten-free. Serves one. 

Ingredients

1. Two whole grain/gluten free pita breads

2. 1/4 cup hummus of choice (Cava brand traditional is my fave!)

3. Two grape leaves

4. One small Roma tomato, sliced

5. Handful of sliced red onion 

6. 2 oz. firm tofu

7. 1-1/2 tsp apple cider vinegar

8. 1/8 tsp each onion and garlic powders

9. Black pepper to taste

10. Flat leaf Italian parsley for garnish

Method

1. Lay your pita breads flat and spread each with 2 T of the hummus (divide evenly between the two). 

2. Lay one grape leaf on each hummus-slathered pita. 

3. Place Roma slices close to one side of each pita and top with red onion slices. Set aside. 

4. For the "tofu feta", place tofu in a small bowl and add vinegar, onion, garlic, and pepper and mash with the back of a fork. 

5. Sprinkle tofu feta to the inside of the tomato slices. 

6. Top with parley and fold in half before eating. 

Pink Lady Stew!

It never fails...every February, all I want to make is pink food. I undoubtedly blame that on all the cutesy Valentine's Day displays in stores. And it really doesn't take much to get me in the mood to cook holiday-themed food...I'm so sappy! 😂 

Anywho, the idea for this awesome stew came to me while I was cooking it. Totally serious right now! I just started throwing things into a pot, and voila! New favorite recipe! Hope you enjoy! (Hint: this one is PERFECT for "Soup Sundays"!)

                   Pink Lady Stew!

     Everything's better when it's pink!

Pink Lady Stew!; Vegan, Gluten-free. Serves one. 

Ingredients

1. 1 1/3 cups water, divided

2. 2 oz sliced red onion

3. 2 tsp minced garlic 

4. 1 T Apple cider vinegar

5. 1/2 cup frozen chopped spinach

6. 1 cup great northern beans (or other white beans)

7. 3/4 cup steamed, sliced beets (I used canned, actually. Just make sure they have no salt and no sugar added...just beets and water)

8. 1/2 packet stevia

9. 1/4 tsp nutmeg

10. Chives for garnish

Method 

1. Sauté onion and garlic in 1/3 cup water until soft. Add nutmeg and stir. Cook 2 minutes. 

2. Add rest of water, ACV, white beans, stevia, and spinach. Bring to a boil, and simmer for 5-10 minutes. 

3. Add beets and mix well. Simmer 5-10 more minutes, until water turns a bright pink. 

4. Serve in a large bowl, and garnish with chopped chives. 

Raw Yellow Squash Noodles with Tangy Chickpeas.

Yes, yes. The title of this one is preeeeeettyyy boring. Don't let the title fool you. This dish is AHMAZING! It literally takes 10 minutes but tastes like you slaved in the kitchen. Ready. Set. Go! 

Raw Yellow Squash with Tangy Chickpeas. 

                     Close up time!

Raw Yellow Squash Noodles with Tangy Chickpeas; Vegan, Gluten-free. Serves one. 

Ingredients 

1. One medium yellow squash, spiralized or julienned into "noodles" (I use the "vegetti")

2. 3/4 cup canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed 

3. 2 tsp spicy brown mustard

4. 1 T balsamic vinegar

5. 1/4 cup sliced red onion 

6. Garlic powder to taste

Method 

1. Make your veggie noodles and place in a large bowl. 

2. Heat a nonstick pan over medium heat. Add chickpeas. 

3. In a small bowl, whisk mustard and balsamic. Pour over chickpeas and let it sizzle. Mix aroun with spatula an cook until "toasty". Serve over noodles. 

4. In same pan, after scraping as much glaze off as possible, add red onion with about 3 T water. Let it caramelize, stirring with spatula occasionally. Add garlic powder and cook until dry. Serve over chickpeas an noodles and enjoy! 

Mini Frittatas: Sweet Potato, Red Onion, and Brussels Sprouts!

These mini frittatas are SO good, SO easy, and they look SO fancy when they are finished! I was very proud of these.
The combination of ingredients was pretty random...you could really use anything you've got in your fridge...I just happened to have brussels and red onion. But they came out really nice! Very filling too. Add a grain and an extra serving of veggies and you've got dinner on the table.

Mini Veggie Frittatas.

Mini Veggie Frittatas; Vegan, Gluten-Free. Makes 3 mini Frittatas (one serving). 

Ingredients

1. Small-medium size sweet potato (mine weighed 5 oz.), steamed
2. 1/4 cup chopped red onion
3. 2 tsp minced garlic
4. 6 oz. firm tofu
5. poultry seasoning to taste 
6. 6 oz. brussels sprouts

Method

1. Preheat your oven to 350 F.
2. Steam your potato. I did this quickly by piercing it a few times with a sharp knife, wrapping it in a paper towel, and microwaving it for 2 and 1/2 minutes. 
3. In a non-stick pan over medium heat, sauté your onion and garlic in a little water. Cook for two minutes, add poultry seasoning, and cook until liquid is gone.
4. Once cool, peel your potato and place it in a mini food processor along with the tofu. Process with a splash of water until a thick and completely smooth batter/paste forms (it will be VERY thick!).
5. Transfer to a medium-large bowl and stir in your onion and garlic sauté. Mix together very well and spread batter into desired bakeware (I used 3 mini paper oven-safe baking dishes, but silicone would work perfectly also). 
6. Place dishes on baking sheet and bake uncovered for 30 minutes.
7. Remove from oven and let cool at least 10 minutes before removing from dishes. Enjoy!