I didn't eat a ton of Mexican-inspired dishes growing up on the East Coast, and when I did they involved a lot of weird things like black olives and shredded mozzarella cheese. Eep. Now that I've been a California resident for officially a decade, I have a much finer appreciation for traditional Mexican dishes - and a serious love for hot hot salsa. When I want something a little spicy, my go-to is almost always tacos; but sometimes, you just need to mix it up - or in this case, you just happen to be out of tortillas! Which is fine, because even bowl style with crunchy corn tortilla chips and jackfruit instead of carne asada, these bowls are still so so much better and - dare I say - much closer to the original. I took all my favorite ingredients and tucked them into one bowl, and it's a simple one to toss together, too. The jackfruit is a great option for meat-free friends or meatless Monday meal inspiration, and the addition of RightRice as a protein / carb base elevates the flavor and takes the nutritional punch of the dish to the next level. Plus, it's easy to make for two or to pack half for lunch leftovers!

The big key here is really keep your ingredients as fresh as possible. There's just something about limp, wilted cilantro and browning avocados that makes any meal look sad and like it should've been served up days earlier. Plus, little customizable add-on's to the dish like corn chips, lime slices, and hot sauce can take your bowl from chipotle-style to personal chef status realllll quick. And THAT means meal prep for the week just got a lot more exciting. Get it, girl. Recipe below!

Dang - I LOVE a good bowl, and this is a really great bowl! I can't wait to hear what you think, especially if you try it with the RightRice - I have been loving it as a sub for regular rice a few times a week for something different and a little more well rounded nutritionally, especially now that I'm working out so much more often. What are your favorite healthy food / snack subs?? Would love to hear how you switch it up in the comments below. Enjoy, babes!

Whether you’re sick with a fever or a broken heart, this soup is the answer. We replaced the chicken in this classic comfort food with chickpeas to give you the protein you need to help recover when you’re feeling sick, and the broth filled with fresh thyme and garlic will smell so good your sinuses will want to clear up all on their own! If you’re still heartbroken, a little ice cream probably wouldn’t hurt, either! This recipe is straight from my new cookbook, The Ultimate Vegan Cookbook! (Which, by the way, is 45% OFF today for Cyber Monday! 🙌) It made a sneak appearance in my last cookbook too - it's THAT good, guys. This soup is single-handedly the most requested sick-day recipe in our home, and it's the one dish I always make for friends and family when they need a little pick-me-up, too. 

It whips up easily and tastes so much like the real thing - with no chicken at all! Still packed with protein from the chickpeas and tons of flavor from all the fresh herbs, this soup is a serious crowd-pleaser. Scroll down and let's eat!

I’ve been really grooving on quick, healthy, on-the-go meals lately. They never go out of style, make running out the sorry and to the studio much easier, and are a great way to make sure you’re packing some real food and real nutrition into your busy days. 

One of my favorite cold salad options is a soba noodle salad. I had my first one years ago and have loved the simplicity ever since. Cold, sturdy, wheat-based soba noodles boiled to perfection and chilled, then tossed with a sweet, tangy peanut sauce and fresh, crisp veggies - the perfect lunch or dinner! However, as someone with a few food allergies herself, I get that those delicious peanut sauces aren’t especially delicious or functional for people with nut allergies. So I’ve partnered with my pals over at SunButter to create a totally nut-free version of one of my favorite dishes - simplified and paired down to the easiest version BUT that still tastes like the traditional version - so you can be eating in no time!

INGREDIENTS:
SunButter Sauce:
1/2 cup Natural SunButter
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon coconut aminos
1/2 teaspoon maple syrup
1/4 teaspoon sesame oil
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh ginger, grated
2 cloves garlic, minced
3-6 tablespoons water

Soba Noodle Bowl:
6 oz whole wheat soba noodles
2 cups red cabbage, thinly sliced
1 1/2 cup bell pepper, thinly sliced
1 cup carrot, thinly sliced
1 jalapeño, thinly sliced
1/4-1/2 cup cilantro, roughly chopped
sesame seeds, for garnish 

DIRECTIONS:
In a small bowl, whisk together the SunButter, lime juice, coconut aminos, maple syrup, sesame oil, fresh ginger, and garlic. Once combined completely, begin adding in water 1 tablespoon at a time, until mixture becomes smooth and creamy. Add water until the sauce is your preferred texture. Set aside.

Cook the soba noodles to directions on package. Remove from heat, strain, and run under cold water until the noodles are no longer hot to the touch. Place the noodles into a bowl and into the fridge to chill while you prep the veggies.

Thinly slice your cabbage, bell pepper, carrot, jalapeño and cilantro and toss them into a large mixing bowl. Pour your SunButter Sauce over the veggies and toss to combine. Throw in the chilled soba noodles and gently toss again to combine. Top with a little extra chopped cilantro and sesame seeds for garnish and enjoy immediately! 


NOTES:
Serves 4-6.

Leftovers last 3 days in the fridge.

Sub in whichever favorite veggies you prefer!

Hi friends! We love great plant-based cheeses over here and one of our favorite brands, Daiya Foods, is launching a bunch of new, improved, and DELICIOUS products TODAY, March 10th, at Expo West! Expo is the biggest food show of the year and only the best products make an expo launch - so you KNOW they're gonna be great. How else can you trust that they're better than ever? Because (lucky me!) I got to taste-test all the new styles and flavors and I can promise you - they are SO good! They're still churning out delicious, dairy-free, soy-free, gluten-free plant-based alternatives, but are introducing a few new products this weekend as well - both the improved Daiya Shreds Cutting Board Collection and Cheeze Slices in several flavors. A noticeable improvement from the original version, Daiya is officially stepping up the plant-based cheese game with their new shreds and slices! The new cheeses are made with coconut oil but have the same incredible melt, stretch and taste as dairy-based cheese and can be enjoyed hot or cold. Plus, the cheeses do not contain any titanium dioxide OR carrageenan and are a great source of calcium!

I love that Daiya Foods is passionate about keeping their products plant-based for everyone - whether they’re dairy-intolerant, allergic, vegan, or simply living a healthy lifestyle. As someone with a lot of allergies and dietary restrictions, eating Daiya is a delightfully mindless indulgence. It's comfort food with a conscience! And it's available nearly everywhere these days! In over 22,000 grocery stores across the US and Canada, including Whole Foods, Kroger, Safeway and Publix.

Going to Expo West tomorrow? Or not and wondering what all the fuss is about? Check out our 2015 + 2016 blog posts to find out why EVERYONE in the vegan/ blogging/ health field will be there!

INGREDIENTS
1 lb. frozen or fresh-cut french fries
1/4 cup enchilada sauce
1/2 cup Daiya Pepperjack Shreds - Cutting Board Collection
1 cup cooked black beans
1 medium tomato, chopped
1/2 medium red onion, finely chopped
1 jalapeno, thinly sliced
1/2 avocado, halved + thinly sliced
cilantro, finely chopped
lime wedges, for garnish 

DIRECTIONS
Bake the fries on a baking sheet according to directions or at about 350 degrees for about 40 minutes, flipping halfway through. When finished, move the cooked fries to an oven-safe pan or container (this will be where you assemble your nachos) and set the oven to 'broil' or to at least 450 degrees.

Drizzle the enchilada sauce over the fries evenly, then top with the Daiya Pepperjack Shreds. Place the dish in the oven until the cheese is melty, about 3-6 minutes depending on the temperature. Remove the dish from the oven and top the nacho fries evenly with the cooked black beans, chopped tomato and onion, jalapeño, avocado, cilantro + lime and enjoy immediately! 

​NOTES
You could also sub in Daiya Shreds - Cutting Board Collection in Cheddar, if you prefer. We loved the extra kick of spicy that the pepper jack gave here!

Serves 2-4, depending on your appetites. 

Keep an eye out for these updated packages on the shelves from Daiya soon! (And if you'll be at Expo today, come visit me at the Ozery Booth in Hall E before heading upstairs to Hall D to try Daiya's samples 😊) The Daiya Slices are the perfect addition to your favorite sandwiches. They are round in shape for convenience, and come in an updated, re-sealable package. Available in four crave-worthy flavors, including Cheddar Style, Swiss Style, Provolone Style, and the newest flavor - American Style. The new Daiya Shreds – Cutting Board Collection are perfect on pizza, cheesy pastas, your favorite Mexican dish (like our Nacho Fries above!), or in a simple grilled cheese sandwich. With a more dairy-like flavor and texture compared to Daiya Original Shreds, the Cutting Board Collection features the same amazing melt and stretch in Cheddar Style, Mozzarella Style and Pepperjack Style. You can find more on the new - and all of - Daiya Food's products here. See you all at Expo this weekend!

INGREDIENTS
Daiya vegan provolone cheese slices
​1 loaf Italian bread or 2 large sub rolls, sliced

1 teaspoon coconut oil
1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced

1 teaspoon coconut oil
2 - 20 oz. cans jackfruit, drained and shredded
1/2 cup water
1 large clove of garlic, minced
1 teaspoon liquid smoke
1 teaspoon maple syrup
1 tablespoon white cooking wine
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon soy sauce
salt + pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS
Place the Daiya slices and sub rolls to the side, you'll need them after the filling is prepared.

Heat coconut oil in a medium-sized pan over medium heat. Sauté the thinly sliced onions and peppers until softened, about 8-10 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

Begin heating the next bit of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. As it heats up, pour in the shredded jackfruit, water, minced garlic, liquid smoke, and maple syrup. Sauté until the liquid reduces to about half, then add the white cooking wine, smoked paprika, onion powder, soy sauce, salt and pepper. Stir to combine, and continue to cook over medium heat until the liquid has completely reduced and the jackfruit is beginning to brown.

Throw the onions and peppers into the pan with the jackfruit and toss to combine. Line the mixture into a straight line across the middle of the pan. Place Daiya provolone slices onto the mixture (we used 2 per sandwich), then cover the pan with a lid for about 30 seconds to a minute, or until the cheese has become melty on top of the jackfruit mixture. 

Use a spatula to scoop the mixture onto your sub rolls and enjoy! 


​NOTES
Leftover filling will last in the fridge, covered, for a few days. 

Traditional cheesesteaks are served on soft bread, but all we could really find was a french baguette. While soft sub rolls are my recommendation, use what you can find. 

I love the vegan clothing and awareness company BEETxBEET and that they stand up for our animal friends, but I love owner, activist and girl boss Jacky Wasserman even more. We've been friends for a few years now after meeting at a vegan Oktoberfest and interviewing her about her company back where she first started. She works her ass off saving animals and making rad clothing, which has expanded from a few humble t-shirts to hats, notebooks and sometimes even customized cup cozies! She's had some great new, clever shirts come out lately so we decided to team up and create a recipe based on each of her most popular styles - and pair them each with a giveaway of the t-shirt itself! We made some great meals we think you guys are going to love - and then got to eat them ALL. Haha, but only to make sure they tasted perfectly before we shared them. Promise. (Ahh, the life of a food blogger. It's rarely glamorous, but it is full of taste-tests!) 

Today we're rocking Jackie's clever, 'It's not you, it's MEAT' shirt. It is available in Men's + Women's styles, and is the softest cotton tee almost EVER. We paired it with a Buffalo Jackfruit Sandwich because it is the perfect sandwich for a protein-head - and it totally MEAT-free! This sandwich is spicy, tangy, crunchy, filling and fresh - you'll be craving another one for weeks afterward!

You can get the recipe by scrolling down a  bit. To enter the giveaway to WIN your very own 'It's not you, it's MEAT' tee, scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page and fill out the widget. We'll let the widget randomly choose one winner and we'll email that person directly for size information + gender preference. GOOD LUCK! 

INGREDIENTS
1 teaspoon coconut oil
2 - 20 oz. cans of jackfruit (use plain or brined, not in syrup)
1/2 cup hot sauce (we used Frank's Red Hot)
3 cups broccoli slaw (store bought OR just shredded broccoli, carrots + red cabbage)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
pinch of salt
​4 demi baguettes or ciabatta rolls 
vegan mayo, for spreading 

DIRECTIONS
Heat the coconut oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Toss the jackfruit in a pan with the hot sauce. Cook them together over medium high heat, stirring regularly, for about 12-15 minutes or until the jackfruit begins getting a bit crispy and hot.

While the jackfruit cooks, pour the broccoli slaw mixture into a mixing bowl with the olive oil, lemon juice and pinch of salt. Toss to coat everything evenly and set aside. Slice the ciabatta rolls or baguettes and smear about a little vegan mayo onto one side. 

When the jackfruit is done and cools slightly, scoop it onto the rolls and top with the slaw and other half of the bun. Serve immediately or wrap in paper and take 'em along on a picnic lunch. Either way, enjoy! 
​
NOTES
Serves 4.

Leftover jackfruit stays good in the fridge for up to a week. ​​

I love the vegan clothing and awareness company BEETxBEET and that they stand up for our animal friends, but I love owner, activist and girl boss Jacky Wasserman even more. We've been friends for a few years now after meeting at a vegan Oktoberfest and interviewing her about her company back where she first started. She works her ass off saving animals and making rad clothing, which has expanded from a few humble t-shirts to hats, notebooks and sometimes even customized cup cozies! She's had some great new, clever shirts come out lately so we decided to team up and create a recipe based on each of her most popular styles - and pair them each with a giveaway of the t-shirt itself! We made some great meals we think you guys are going to love - and then got to eat them ALL. Haha, but only to make sure they tasted perfectly before we shared them. Promise. (Ahh, the life of a food blogger. It's rarely glamorous, but it is full of taste-tests!) 

The first shirt we're repping is one of my personal faves, the 'In Plants We Trust' shirt. It is available in Men's + Women's styles, but I especially love this crop-top cut version. We paired it with a Cranberry Apple Salad with Pepitas + Apple Cider Vinaigrette because it is the perfect fall meal - and it's packed with plants! The tart apples and tangy dressing help balance out the sweet of the cranberries, and the pepitas make a great crunch at the end. This salad is packed with good-for-you ingredients and is a great starter before a meal or as a meal in itself. 

You can get the recipe by scrolling down a  bit. To enter the giveaway to WIN your very own 'In Plants We Trust' tee, scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page and fill out the widget. We'll let the widget randomly choose one winner and we'll email that person directly for size information + gender preference. GOOD LUCK! 

INGREDIENTS
Apple Cider Vinaigrette:
1/2 cup olive oil
1 clove garlic
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1 1/2 teaspoon dijon mustard
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon each salt + pepper
​
Salad:
4 cups mixed greens
2 green apples, halved and thinly sliced
1/2 cup dried cranberries 
1/2 cup pepitas

DIRECTIONS
In a blender combine online oil, garlic, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, dijon mustard, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. If you don't have a blender or would prefer more of an oil + vinegar style dressing, simply mince garlic and whisk all ingredients together in a bowl. Set aside.

​In a large mixing bowl toss together the mixed greens, thinly sliced apples, cranberries + pepitas. Drizzle with dressing and serve! 

​NOTES
Extra dressing can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks in the fridge.

Serves 4.

There's a new Whole Foods that was recently built near my house, and I love it. I try not to go too often, but with on-tap kombucha and a killer hot bar, how's a girl supposed to say no?! The store also serves up an incredible, vegan Buffalo Cauliflower Sandwich that I based this recipe off of. Okay, I totally stole the idea. I'm Sorry Whole Foods! Mostly because I can't afford to buy $9 sandwiches every damn day, but also because it's a super easy, super yummy sandwich combo. So maybe it's more like #srynotsry. The hardest thing to find - and maybe the most important part of any good sandwich - is good chewy  bread, which I eventually found in the form of ciabatta rolls. You could also use demi-baguettes, or just slap the ingredients between two slices of thick, chewy bread. It's all gonna taste delicious, because buffalo cauliflower is maybe the best sandwich filling ever. It may the best thing ever, if we're being honest. It's spicy, it's tangy, it's so gooooood. So without further ado, I suggest you get to scrollin' and get to preppin' because these scrumptious sandwiches aren't going to make themselves! 

INGREDIENTS
1 teaspoon coconut oil
4 heaping cups cauliflower (about 1 large head cauliflower), chopped into bite-sized florets
1 cup hot sauce (we used Frank's Red Hot)
2 cups broccoli slaw (store bought OR just shredded broccoli, carrots + red cabbage)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
pinch of salt
​4 demi baguettes or ciabatta rolls 
1/2 cup vegan chive cream cheese (we used Kite Hill)
green leaf lettuce, enough for 4 sandwiches

DIRECTIONS
Heat the coconut oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Chop the cauliflower florets and toss them in a pan with hot sauce. Cook them together over medium heat, tossing to coat, for about 12-15 minutes or until softened.  

While the cauliflower cooks, pour the broccoli slaw mixture into a mixing bowl with the olive oil, lemon juice and pinch of salt. Toss to coat everything evenly and set aside.

Slice the ciabatta rolls or baguettes and smear about 2 tablespoons of cream cheese onto one side. Wash and dry the lettuce and set it aside.

When the cauliflower is done and cools slightly, scoop it onto the rolls and top with the slaw, leaf lettuce, and other half of the bun. Serve immediately or wrap in paper and take 'em along on a picnic lunch. Either way, enjoy! 
​
NOTES
Serves 4.

Leftover cauliflower stays good in the fridge for up to a week. ​

'Tis the season of potato salad! Seriously, I've made more cole slaw and potato salads this month than I think I ever have...which is fine with me! We've had a lot of BBQ's, backyard parties, and things to celebrate this summer so we've been loving experimenting with different ingredients, and until last week, I had never thought to toss tahini in my the mix. I know - WHAT?! I LOVE pouring tahini on all things potato normally, and literally make a snack out of baked potatoes with tahini, lemon and dill on the regular. So how had I never poured any in my potato salad and served it up? Well, it was love at first taste. The addition of crunchy veggies and a little vegan mayo for creaminess makes it next-level good. I've been eating the leftovers all week! You AND your dinner guests will love it, too, I promise. So what're we waiting for?! Let's eat! 

INGREDIENTS
2 lbs. red potatoes, chopped
1/2 red onion, chopped 
3 ribs of celery, thinly sliced
4 green onions, thinly sliced
1 cup vegan mayo
1 cup tahini
2-4 tablespoons of lemon juice
3 tablespoons freshly chopped dill
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

DIRECTIONS
​Place the potatoes in a large pot of water over medium heat and bring to a boil. Cook for 10-15 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork tender. Drain and set aside to cool.

While the potatoes are cooling, chop up the onions and celery and them set aside.

Whisk together the mayo, tahini, lemon juice, dill, salt and pepper in a large mixing bowl. Toss in the potatoes, chopped red + green onions and celery, and toss to combine. 

Serve + enjoy immediately or keep it in the fridge up to a week!

NOTES
Serve 6-8.

Leftovers may need to be tossed as the lemon juice and tahini will separate slightly overtime. 

In case you’ve been living under a proverbial vegan rock for the last year, aquafaba is a viscous, egg-like binder made of the liquid from cooked beans such as chickpeas, navy or black beans. We’ve used it as an egg replacer in our recipes for Cranberry Orange Clafoutis and Easy Chickpeasy Breakfast Burritos with great success. It is super light and foamy when whipped and takes on whatever flavors it is mixed with, making it the perfect egg-free substitution in this mayo.

Fabanaise will be coming out in stores soon and we cannot wait for you guys to get your hands on it! To celebrate, and because this is our new miracle product in the kitchen, we wanted to share this delicious dish we whipped up using the original flavor - it’s too good NOT to share! Our Baked Kale + Artichoke Dip is creamy, cheezy, and totally decadent. The mayo in the recipe gives the dip the perfect amount of smooth, rich texture but it still light enough to enjoy with thick, crusty bread. It whips up in about an hour and is a total crowd pleaser. Perfect for parties or a movie night-in, you’re going to be blown away by this dip. So, let’s get cooking!

​Creamy Baked Kale + Artichoke Dip
​
INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 cups (about 1 - 15 oz. can) cooked white beans
1 cup Sir Kensington's Fabanaise Vegan Mayo
1/4 cup nutritional yeast
1/4 cup roasted red peppers
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon fresh basil, chopped 
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon oil or vegan butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
1 heaping cup artichoke hearts, roughly chopped 
3 packed cups de-stemmed kale, leaves roughly chopped
​1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs (use GF if you prefer)

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 375º.

In a food processor, combine the white beans, Fabanaise, nutritional yeast, roasted red peppers, lemon juice, fresh basil, salt and cayenne pepper until smooth. Scoop the mixture out into a bowl and set aside.

In a medium cast iron pan, melt the oil or butter over medium heat. Sauté garlic and onions together 3-5 minutes, until softened. Pour in the chopped artichokes and stir to combine. Pour in the kale about a cup at a time, stirring to wilt. When the kale has wilted, shut off the heat and pour in the blended white bean mixture. Stir to combine completely. 

Pour the panko bread crumbs over the top of the mixture, then cover the pan with aluminum foil. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes, until the mixture is bubbly and hot. Let cool 5 minutes, then serve with bread, chips or sliced vegetables!

You can find Sir Kensington’s products, including their ALL NEW vegan mayo, at a natural retailer near you or at your nearest Whole Foods. And you can use this link for a $1 discount!  For more info and recipe ideas, head to SirKensingtons.com or find them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @SirKensingtons. 

*​Product provided by Sir Kensingtons. Thoughts, opinions, recipe and photos are my own.*