This Can't Be Vegan

Glazed Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls

2012-10-28T16:36:00.000-07:00

I think I've made yeast breads a total of two times in my life. Both times, I was scared out of my mind. My first yeast bread attempt--dinner rolls--came out surprisingly well. Then again, I was just shocked that they actually rose. So I figured 'tis the season to give it another go. I always thought cinnamon rolls would be difficult to make, but I surprised myself yet again. Oh, and pumpkin ones at that, for the season of course.

Read more »

Guava-Glazed Grilled Chicken with Cilantro-Jalapeno Salsa

2012-10-20T13:40:00.000-07:00

Want a quick and easy taste of the tropics? Try this simple, quick recipe that's light, fresh, and full of flavor. Oh, and there's more of my new best friend too. Hello, guava paste.

Read more »

Pumpkin, Sausage, and Mushroom Pasta

2012-10-19T17:08:00.000-07:00

Hearty, warm, and woodsy, this pumpkiny pasta is the perfect kickoff to fall and winter meals. Chockful of delicious Italian goodies, this dish is easy and quick to make, with probably the most difficult part being the vegetable prep. And if you can chop onions, slice mushrooms, and mince garlic, you're already halfway there.

Read more »

Guava and Cream Cheese Pastry

2012-09-03T18:25:00.000-07:00

My first experience with guava paste was way back when. I don't recall exactly, but I know I was a child. I remember tasting it and thinking, this is just like a mouthful of tropical fruit roll-ups! And what kid doesn't love fruit roll-ups. Fast forward to last year: I got a cube of it at a food fair and instantly fell in love again. I scoured my neighborhood Mexican markets looking for it, and a large can of it (for only about $3, mind you) sat on my shelf for months. I started looking for recipes using guava paste, and found quite a few that also featured cheese. Hmmm...

Read more »

Cinnamon-Sugar Raspberry-Cream Cheese Squares

2012-08-29T12:46:00.000-07:00

I have fond memories of eating cream cheese and jelly sandwiches as a child. My friends thought it was the strangest thing, but then, they probably never had the delight of tasting the combination. Salty and creamy mixed with sweet and fruity, who wouldn't love that? So when I came across this recipe, it reminded me so much of those sandwiches of yore...but in rich, decadent dessert form.

Read more »

Cherry Chipotle Barbecue Meatballs

2012-07-29T14:30:00.000-07:00

I love all things appetizers, finger foods, and party bites. This is the perfect, delicious example of that: sweet-spicy meatballs to serve at your next shindig. But beware, these babies pack a lot of heat! Be sure to have plenty of ice cold beer on hand while eating...

Read more »

Cherry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake

2012-07-14T11:28:00.000-07:00

Coffee cake doesn't have to be just coffee cake. Try this behemoth of a brunch sweet, which tastes just like cherry cheesecake. Cherry pie filling atop a creamy cheesecake filling...all encased in a thick almond-flavored cake. And all vegan!

Read more »

Spicy Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce

2012-06-10T10:18:00.000-07:00

I absolutely love Thai food, and this is a perfect example of how easy it can be to make at home. This quick, restaurant-quality dish is absolutely amazing: perfectly seasoned, full of authentic Thai flavors, and totally addictive.

Read more »

Nutty Cheesecake Shortbread Bars

2012-06-09T09:38:00.000-07:00

My first attempt at vegan cheesecake...a success! This isn't an over-the-top recipe, but it's simplicity does yield delicious, decadent results. Although vegan cream cheese probably can't fool most people into thinking it's the regular version, there is one secret ingredient that I think transforms it into being pretty indistinguishable.

Read more »

Bacon and Cheese Stuffed Dates

2012-06-08T14:37:00.000-07:00

I love fancy-shmancy finger foods, the kind that seemingly take hours to make or require all kinds of crazy ingredients. That isn't the case for these fun and sophisticated treats: "bacon" and "cheese" stuffed dates can actually be made vegan, and they can actually be delicious. Just a few ingredients easily and quickly puts this recipe on the must-bring-to-the-next-party list.

Read more »

Akoori (Indian Breakfast Scramble)

2012-05-13T12:50:00.000-07:00

I've never been crazy about eating eggs. I can't eat them fried, poached, sunnyside up, whatever. The runny yolk absolutely disgusts me, and if I eat them scrambled, they HAVE to be well done. I'm talking, I want to see browned edges; no runniness or creaminess in sight.

Enter the tofu scramble, the vegan's best savory breakfast friend. Every time I make a tofu scramble, I think to myself, this is actually BETTER than eggs...and there's none of that weird overly egg taste. The texture so very closely resembles that of scrambled eggs, that I bet this photo can fool a lot of people. And the taste, well...the taste can be whatever you want it to be!

Read more »

Tex-Mex Potato Skins

2012-05-05T14:26:00.000-07:00

These are so droolworthy. I mean, you will literally be salivating for these after taking your first bite. Yes, they are that good. Potato skins are a great thing to veganize if you've got the right toppings, and these have just that. Some of the big names are featured: Daiya Pepperjack, Tofutti Sour Cream...but perhaps the biggest star is the new Tofurky Chorizo Style grounds. Finished off with pickled jalapenos, this makes the perfect meal for game day...or any day!

Read more »

Indian Spiced Shrimp

2012-04-15T12:38:00.001-07:00

Many would probably argue that the best, richest, most flavorful Indian curries take a long time to cook. I don't disagree, but sometimes, you just need a quick-fix Indian meal. It's recipes like this will make anyone a believer in culinary simplicity. If you want an easy weeknight meal that's ready in no time, packed with curry flavor, and uses standard ingredients, look no further.

Read more »

Thai Crab Cakes with Cilantro-Peanut Sauce

2012-04-07T10:31:00.004-07:00

I was able to get my hands on some faux crab meat, so I was determined to make something I never actually had during my meat-eating days. Believe it or not, a crab cake. Of course I couldn't make just a standard crab cake, but something with an extra unique twist. Asian flavors dominate this recipe, which is surprisingly amazing and full of seafoody flavor.

Read more »

Sweet Beer Bread

2012-04-07T09:59:00.003-07:00

Okay, this might be the easiest quick bread I've ever made. Four ingredients, five minutes of prep, and almost an hour of baking will give you the most delicious beer-infused baked good you'll ever eat. What's cool about this recipe is that it can be altered to suit whatever your beer-loving palate wants at the time: German beer, Mexican beer, Asian beer, Belgian beer...it's all about the beer!

Read more »

Maple-Dijon Chicken

2012-03-31T23:04:00.000-07:00

So simple, yet so bold. That's actually an understatement for this recipe. It's so easy, you could do it with one hand tied behind your back. It's so delicious, you'll want to lick the sauce from the plate (which I may or may not have done).

Read more »

Cocoa-Spiced Pork Chops

2012-03-20T12:07:00.000-07:00

Meat alternatives have really come a long way. I wanted my first experience with Match Meats to be a good one, so I scoured the web for the most interesting sounding recipe for pork chops. Yes, I was determined to make a vegan pork chop. I found hundreds of recipes, but I settled on the one that seemed the most simple, and with pretty much all of the ingredients already in my pantry.

Read more »

Oreo Cheesecake Cookies

2012-03-19T14:24:00.020-07:00

It's hard to believe that America's best-selling cookie is vegan. That's right: Oreos are vegan. Sure, they aren't anything close to being a nutritional powerhouse, but sometimes you need to indulge a little. In this recipe, Oreos are paired with another classic American dessert to take the cookie to another level.

Read more »

Spicy Sausage and Red Beans with Rice

2012-03-04T11:43:00.117-08:00

Looking for a hearty, Southern-inspired, soul-warming dish? This recipe is a unique spin on red beans and rice, adding a spicy sausage to the mix and yielding a delicious, well developed, gumbo-like flavor. It's easy to make, and as with most stews, leftovers are even better the next day.

Read more »

Mushroom Cream Cheese Pate

2012-03-03T11:42:00.105-08:00

If you love the earthy, meaty, rich flavor of mushrooms, you must try this recipe. I'll be honest: only recently have I come around to embrace the mushroom. For years, I couldn't stand the taste of them. But then something clicked, and I couldn't get enough (especially when they're cooked with alcohol, like here).

Read more »

Curried Beef Kabobs with Jade Sauce

2012-02-25T12:20:00.129-08:00

Get ready to create an authentic Indian-inspired meal at home that's full of flavor, great for parties, and ridiculously easy to make. Cubes of curried "beef" are skewered and broiled, and served with a delicious sweet and tangy cilantro-lime sauce. Sounds amazing, right?

Read more »

Caramelized Chicken with Cranberry Conserve

2012-02-19T20:29:00.083-08:00

You know those fancy gourmet recipes that seem so complicated and unattainable for the everyday home cook? This looks like one of those, right? Well, you'll be pleasantly surprised to know that it's not. In fact, it's easier than you can even imagine. And isn't your mouth watering just looking at it?

Read more »

Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese

2012-02-06T19:57:00.001-08:00

Hallelujah! I think I've found my go-to standard macaroni and cheese recipe (hey, we all need one). Not only is this absolutely delicious and may soon become a weeknight dinner staple, but it's surprisingly simple and easy, and uses ingredients that you probably already have at home.

Read more »

Red Velvet Krispie Treats

2012-02-04T15:15:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day is approaching, and you know what that means...red velvet everything! For my ode to the holiday, I chose to veganize something I've made before and absolutely loved: Red Velvet. Cocoa. Rice Krispie Treats. Yes, all three things together in one delicious and fun dessert.

Read more »

Cheesy Spinach Noodle Bake

2012-01-14T19:35:00.001-08:00

Looking for a vegan comfort food that will fool even the most die-hard meat eaters (I have proof!) and provide you with a week's worth of meals? Then you must try this recipe ASAP. Imagine taking a shortcut to lasagna, but with all the same delicious flavors and heartiness. Yum!

Read more »