Vegan/Vegetarian Thread (discussion, recipes, laughs)

[violaine]

the best culinary gourmet egg replacer is called "ener-g", and it is awesome. i will also use flax meal, which adds moisture to baked goods, and you can reduce some of the oil if you like. walnut oil is great for baking. i made a totally vegan banana walnut cake in nordic ware [bake ware], and the physician said it was like "a piece of art". not to mention healthy- low sodium, fat [the good kind!], and it's balanced with the flours/milk. his staff loved it. just used bananas, flours: soy, fava, sorghum, chickpea; ener-g egg replacer, soy and/or coconut milk, flax meal, walnut oil, local and buckwheat honey, brown sugar, and a bit of vanilla.

[Surayna]

I was a vegetarian for years in my younger days...

Working hard on getting back to it, but still like my comfort foods from when I was a kid.

Would LOVE to eventually go vegan - maybe some day.

[Linus]

Originally Posted by violaine

the best culinary gourmet egg replacer is called "ener-g", and it is awesome. i will also use flax meal, which adds moisture to baked goods, and you can reduce some of the oil if you like. walnut oil is great for baking. i made a totally vegan banana walnut cake in nordic ware [bake ware], and the physician said it was like "a piece of art". not to mention healthy- low sodium, fat [the good kind!], and it's balanced with the flours/milk. his staff loved it. just used bananas, flours: soy, fava, sorghum, chickpea; ener-g egg replacer, soy and/or coconut milk, flax meal, walnut oil, local and buckwheat honey, brown sugar, and a bit of vanilla.

I've never used ener-g egg replacer. And I have a nice recipe for a vegan banana bread that's extremely simple:

Ingredients:
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3 medium sized ripe bananas
2 tablespoons peanut butter
2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup coarsely chopped nuts (walnut, pecan, etc.)
3/4 cup of sugar


Instructions:
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Mash bananas. Add the peanut butter, salt, baking soda, sugar and nuts. Stir together until combined. Add flour and stir to combined. Pour into greased baking pan (use soy butter for this). Use a small casserole dish or a 9 x 12 pan to ensure it's evenly baked.

Let bread bake for one hour at 350F in oven. Then let cool for 15 minutes before removing from pan.


Additional comments:
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This is a quick recipe and one I do by hand since we don't have a blender or masher. The bread lasts about 3 days max here (there's only two of us) so it goes quickly. You could easily freeze extra portions. Additionally, this recipe is great if you freeze ripe bananas and want to use them later. Just let them dethaw for about 4-8 hours and then use them.

You can make the recipe without nuts but the bread will feel denser. If you do make it without nuts shorten the time in the over to about 40-45 minutes as the bread will bake faster.

I've also added vanilla and/or cinnamon for an additional hidden flavouring to the bread.

Originally Posted by Surayna

I was a vegetarian for years in my younger days...

Working hard on getting back to it, but still like my comfort foods from when I was a kid.

Would LOVE to eventually go vegan - maybe some day.

Many of those same comfort foods can be vegan/vegetarian. What specifically were your favourites?

[violaine]

i should have noted that the cake i made was also wheat/gluten free. linus, thank you for your recipes.

[violaine]

http://www.all-creatures.org/article...ganturkey.html

http://www.veganlunchbox.com/loaf_studio.html
[click on food items and hit submit for your recipe. my non-vegan friend made this and loved the loaf, plus the simplicity of just choosing an item from each group]

[Passionaria]

I was a vegetarian / vegan for years. I love vegetarian fare, although I now am an omnivore. I am naturally ethereal, and need the grounding..... I need to find Vegan cake recipes, as I am very allergic to eggs. I stopped baking, because nothing turned out well. I saw the red velvet cake Linus posted, and I once again have hope. I sure would love to see more Vegan baked yummies if you have recipes to share!

I saw this prepared on the food Network and it looked so good I had to try it. It has become a favorite. The ratio of sweet potatoes to coconut milk is important if you want to get the right consistency. Also I tend to be heavy handed with spices, it was not a good idea here. The recipe is perfectly blended.

Caribbean Sweet Potato Pudding

Ingredients

* Softened butter, for the pan
* 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, plus more for the pan
* 3 pounds white-fleshed sweet potatoes, called boniato or batata
* 1/4 cup shredded coconut
* 1/4 cup raisins
* 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
* 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
* 1 cup packed dark brown sugar
* 3 cups coconut milk
* 1/4 cup evaporated milk

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Butter and flour a 9 by 13-inch baking dish.

Using the grater attachment on a food processor, grate the potatoes and put in a large bowl. Add the flour, coconut, raisins, vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg and mix well.

Heat the sugar, coconut milk, and evaporated milk in a saucepan over low heat until the sugar is dissolved, about 4 minutes.

Pour the coconut milk mixture into the potato mixture and mix well. Pour the mixture into the baking dish, smooth the top, and bake until set, about 1 1/2 hours.

[Passionaria]

Plantains are usually found in Ethnic markets or placed that have Latin ingredients. They look like really large Bananas, and have a very tough skin. They are used green, where they are not sweet, and ripe where they can be very sweet. These bananas are for cooking, not for eating raw!!!!! This recipe calls for sweet ripe Plantains. The skin will be Yellow as opposed to green. There may be brown spots, which does not mean you can't use them, as long as they are "firm" they are good.
go here to learn how to use Plantain or Platanos>>> http://www.elboricua.com/platanos.html

Plantain Fritters

Ingredients

* 3 ripe plantains
* 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
* 1 tablespoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon crushed garlic
* 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, optional
* 1/4 cup vegetable oil

Directions

Wash plantains and cut into thirds; leaving the skin on. Place the pieces in a medium pan with water; cover, and bring to a boil. Cook until the flesh is soft, about 15 minutes

Drain and peel the plantains and transfer to a large bowl. Mash to a smooth consistency and add the baking powder, salt, garlic, and pepper. Mix well. Using your hands, form small, thin cakes about 2 1/2 inches in diameter. Heat oil in large skillet until very hot. Fry the cakes until golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.

[ahk]

::subscribing::

I am not a vegetarian or vegan -- but I can go months without eating meat.

Linus, the banana bread sounds delish-- and the cake, yummy.

[WolfyOne]

I saw this recipe and immediately thought of Jenny and BB


Baked Sweet Potato Falafels

Ingredients (serves 4):
1 pound sweet potatoes, cooked and peeled
14 ounces chickpeas, rinsed and drained
2 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. turmeric
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. coriander
2 tsp. parsley
1 tbsp. Earth Balance® Buttery Spread, (use Soy Free for a soy free dish)
2 tbsp. ground flaxseed

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Mash sweet potatoes with chickpeas.

Add seasonings, Earth Balance® Buttery Spread, and flaxseed to chickpea mixture.

Spray baking sheet or line with foil. Roll mixture into quarter-sized balls and place on baking sheet.

Brush or spray the tops of the falafel with oil.

Bake 25-30 minutes, flipping once halfway through.

Let cool 5 minutes before removing from sheet.

You can serves these falafels as with hummus, veggies and topped on pita bread, or chop them up for salads, sandwiches or even eat them on their own.