UnCheesecake Parfaits

This past Sunday The Vegan Food Project had another lovely potluck, this time brunch themed. While trying to decide what to make for this gathering, I was highly inspired by two desserts my husband and I shared for my birthday. One was a rich cake like parfait and the other was a vegan cheesecake.
Both were so good that I knew I could make something brunch appropriate that somehow incorporated both. These delicious cups are filled with flavor and nutrition - and maybe some sugar and smart balance and a little "OMG".

INGREDIENTS
(Makes 8 servings if using 9 oz. cups)
1 tub Toffuti Cream Cheese
1 container Strawberry Soy Yogurt
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp lemon juice
1/2 package of vegan graham crackers or other vegan cookie
1/2 cup smart balance butter
Fresh berries
cashews (optional)

Being by blending the filling. Mix the cream cheese, yogurt, sugar and lemon juice until well combined. Let sit in the fridge and chill until ready to use.
In a food processor pulse the graham crackers or cookies until no large chunks remains. Pour melted smart balance over grahams and mix with hands until evenly coated and able to maintain a shape without falling apart.
Press the graham crust into the bottom of a parfait cup. Spoon filling in and top with fresh berries and cashews.

If you prefer the chocolate filling you will need to melt 1/2 cup peanut butter and 1/4 cup chocolate chips together in a non stick pan over medium heat. Chill and follow instructions as above.


I'm really proud of this recipe. I usually never create recipes on the fly. I'm more prone to bastardizing existing ones. I hope you enjoy this one as much as we did!

Happy eating!!

Don't tell me you don't want to eat this.

One night a couple of weeks ago I wanted to surprise my husband with a classic, homemade dinner. It was what we call "romantic dinner night", and he's been gone directing a lot as of late so I wanted to make our time together as special as possible. I turned my attentions toward comfort food and headed to the store. Asparagus was on sale, vegan chick'n was half off and I already had red potatoes. When I brought this out to him (along with a frosty ale) he had the wonderment of a child on Christmas morning in his eyes. I received many kisses for this one and I think you will too. But not by my husband, cuz we don't get down like that.

Asparagus Recipe:
1. Rinse the asparagus and chop off the rough ends.
2. Arrange on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic to taste.
3. Pop in a 350 degree oven for 10 minutes.

Red Skin Popper: (or baked potato as some normal people may call it)
1. Take one large potato and poke several holes in it. Microwave for about 7 minutes. Yea, I microwave. It takes a lot less time and energy than baking but you can cook it however you want.
2. You can find the cheese sauce recipe here. It's pricey, but worth it. Ooo so worth it.
3.Top the potato with the sauce and bacon bits which, ironically, are vegan.

Fried Chik'n:
1. First find a brand of chick'n that you love, but make sure it is dense enough to stand up to frying oil. Any cutlet should do the trick. (The ones above are Gardein brand cutlets)
2. Allow a non stick pan of vegetable oil to become fairly hot. Make sure it's filled up about half way but not so full that you'll have a mess on your hands.
3. Make a mixture of 1/2 cup flour, 1/4 cup nutritional yeast and salt and pepper to taste.
4. Dredge the chick'n in plain soymilk and then in the flour mixture.
5. Cook the pieces in the hot oil for about 5 minutes, flip and let cook for three more.


I know this looks so heavy and filling, but it was actually a very light and satisfying meal with tons of health benefits. Antioxidants, protein and above all - amazing flavor. Enjoy!

Krisitna

An 'I don't know why' hiatus took place.

Sometimes I start things that I think have merit and then over time start to wonder if I'm the only one that thinks what I'm saying is important and I stop. For the past few weeks I've been collecting recipes and spicing things up, then taking picture of all my creations, and I keep telling myself I'll post soon. I really will. But then I don't because I think I'm just posting for me and I'd really rather watch a movie or take a shower or make shortcake.

But today changed that.

This afternoon started off with a friend who had read my blog thanking me for introducing her to tofu. I consider this a serious win because this friend eats meat and to get a meat eater to like tofu can be challenging. I was so happy that she discovered something new and my resolve to start posting more became stronger.
About an hour later I received an email from an old high school comrade who I don't really talk with but am aware of via social networking sites. She said she felt I was a "health guru" and could help her with some information regarding type 1 diabetes. I was bewildered at her request for information, but my resolve to post grew more.
And last but not least, as I was just sitting her thinking about what to post first, another friend I haven't seen in eight or nine years says that he wants to make his wife tofu because she isn't into healthy food and he was sure I had a way to make this pleasant for her.

What gives world?!

This onslaught of attention regarding healthy eating practices is forcing me to see myself in a way that I have never thought of myself before; in a way that I've always wanted to see myself.

People are listening and paying attention and that's all I need to keep going. To rise to these challenges, if you have a specific recipe you want to see me make or something you need step by step instructions for email me and let me know. I'll dedicate a post to you and eat in your honor.

You can look for my next post tomorrow and until then, bon apetite!

Kristina

Caterpillar Lunch Cake!

My 3 year old loves the book "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle and for some reason calls it the Caterpillar Lunch book. (Maybe because he eats everything in sight?) The picture on the top is the cake I just made for her birthday party tomorrow. The picture on the bottom is the original water color caterpillar. It may not be an exact match, but mine tastes much more delicious!

Vegan cake can be a hard thing to conquer, so I decided to turn to the interwebs for help. I typed in "fluffy vegan cake" and the first thing that came up looked like a keeper.

I went to the store and got some pre-made frosting. Turns out, some brands are vegan and it's cheaper to buy it than make it. And easier. And it thickens better.

I used some black gel frosting, jelly beans and twizzlers for the yummy bits. I suggest you put this on a colorful cake board. I made mine out of some cardboard I had. I got tissue paper from the dollar store (dots are kind of a theme in the book) and taped it down well. Personalize it with the gel and you have an edible vegan delight.

I bet she is going to love it!

Birthdays are for free things!

This is how I feel about free things. I want to bring a horde of friends to awesome deals and this little plan is a good'n.

I figured I'd spend an hour one day signing up for every free birthday offer imaginable, that way when my birthday hits in a month and a half I will be flooded with options. Many of these offers are good for a week or two or even the entire month so you can get lots of great freebies.

Downside? You have to sign up for newsletters. But don't turn on me yet! I've found a way to circumvent this.

Create an email you will never check except for your birthday and sign up using that account. The mail you don't care about will go there so forget about it, but one week before your birthday start checking it out to see the offers roll in. It's so worth it.

My favorites are Coldstone Creamery (they have a dairy free sorbet ) and Beni Hana. Why? Because Beni Hana gives you a $30 gift certificate to use at any point during your birthday month. I know! I can't believe it either.

Hey, it's free!

Some of them aren't so great if you're vegan but even free french fries are nice sometimes. I signed up for the Qdoba newsletter(free burrito on your birthday!) and they sent me a coupon for free chips and salsa. I wandered over for a delicious bag full of warm chips and a side of medium salsa. Yea, I'll take your stupid newsletter for that.

Please post about other great offers you know of and share the love.

Peace. Out.

Kristina

Cake Batter Shake - Please send fan mail to KristinaLakey@gmail.com

I might be a little cocky with this one, but if you believe everyone was put on this earth for a reason then my reason may be to bring you this recipe. Light in calories, decadent and so rich that you'll feel naughty. Here is what you need:



2 cups vanilla almond milk
2 big tbs creamy peanut butter
2 tbs cocoa powder
2 large bananas



I really suggest you use vanilla almond milk because the vanilla lends itself to a cake batter flavor. The bananas will thicken up the shake and if they are frozen first they're even better.




Put all the ingredients in the blender and blend on low for a minute or so. You'll have some free time on your hands so you might want to think about licking the peanut butter spoon.

Let's face it. I love cheap, easy delicious things. Most of us aren't gourmet chefs and we have lots to do. When I get out of class I want to go home and drink cake batter. It's okay, you can admit it. We're all friends here.
My blog is really about efficient meals that are cruelty free and yummy enough to make the carnivores swoon. Another thing my blog is about is saving dough. Here's how you do it with this recipe.

Almond Milk - It's amazing and often cheaper than soy milk by a dollar or so. I appreciate Blue Diamond and you can get a coupon here. Take it to Kroger. I LOVE Kroger! Why? Because they double coupons up to $1. That means that the .55 cent coupon is now $1.10 coupon and you can get your milk under $2. In addition, Almond Milk is calorie friendly. It's only 90 calories per cup. I'm also a calorie counter - watch out.

Peanut butter - Again, on sale at Kroger this week for $1. Go buy seven of them.

Cocoa Powder - You can get a large amount for around $2 and I bet you already have some anyway.

Bananas - When it comes to blending bananas, feel free to go with the brown ones. Stores usually sell them at .35 cents a pound because they want to get rid of them. And I say yes, I will buy your bananas and make delicious treats.

When I gave this to my husband as an after rehearsal treat he had one comment, "Oh wow - I feel like I could put this in a cake pan and bake it". I when I had my first sip I thought the same thing. Enjoy it friends.

Kristina

Tofu Smammiches - Rocking your face.

"And the heavens opened and lo, a tofu smammich came down from the heavens to be a light for all of mankind."

Yes, it really is that good and simple. Maybe you've made it before but I'm starting things off with some of my favorite foods of all time.

First thing you want to do is get yourself some extra firm tofu. For this I go to Kroger because they have a store brand that costs $1.39 while most other brands cost $1.99. That may not seem like a big difference, but when you buy as much tofu as I do you'll be grateful for the extra help. Now lots of folks drain tofu in different ways. I can't be bothered so I slice that baby up and let the pan do the work. Lemme show you.



This part is important because it requires you to have a non stick pan and if you don't you'll end up with burnt tofu bits. Promise. You want to cut the pieces lengthwise from the top and make then as thick or thin as you like. * Keep in mind that thin slices will make for crispy bites and thick ones will be chewier on the inside.*

The non stick pan will allow you to let the tofu simmer and the water will naturally evaporate and you will be left with this.

Do not add oil to this pan!! You'll never get it crispy if you do.






As for seasonings, use what you like. For this recipe I enjoy salt, pepper and mesquite. It's simple and it should be because the next ingredient is even more awesome than tofu. Hummus!





This is Sabra Classic Hummus, my favorite of all the store brands. I can get this for $3.99 a container at Kroger, and they often have them on reduced quick sale - this works for me because it will be gone in two days and I win.

To keep this sammy simple and delicious I pile it high with baby spinach or a romaine blend, but you can add whatever you like. Slide all of that between two toasted whole wheat pieces of bread and you have what I like to call nom noms. This recipe happily provides a lot of food for a small budget. All of the ingredients will cost roughly around $8 but it could provide a minimum of four meals.

**There were no available coupons for this recipe at the current time but I once wrote Sabra and told them how awesome their hummus is and they sent me a coupon for free hummus!**

Sabra