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Maple Dijon Pecan Hasselback Butternut Squash | Simple Vegan Holiday

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Simple.

Beautiful.

Delicious.

Tha’s what I’m talkin’ about!

This Holiday, why not skip the Turk and whip yourself up a hasselback butternut squash?

Hasselback it up to prett-ify it to the maximum, and you have yourself a wow-effect kinda dish.

Why Hasselback? According to the Google-tron, it’s because once upon a time at the Hasselbacken hotel in Stockholm, Sweden, they sliced up potatoes like this, served them to the guests and dubbed them the funky name. Ya learn something new every day.

If you’re a last minute kind of person, and you need to whip something special up for the holiday table, I’ve got you.

In just a few steps, your house will be smelling better than Jamie Oliver’s fancy kitchen.

This is a dish that looks fancier than the minimal effort you put into it. Shhh… You can tell everyone you were in the kitchen for hours and hours, I won’t tell.

This Maple Dijon butter topped off with caramelized pecans really does take your typical butternut to the next level. Grab a beauty organic squash from Spud (you can use my code if you’re around the Vancouver area CRVAN-MURJUB, for 20$ off 🙂

Happy Holidays!!


Maple Thyme Hasselback Butternut Squash | Simple Vegan Holiday Dish
 
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A delicious way to devour the butternut squash. If you're looking for a beautiful dish for the holiday table, you've come to the right place! A simple dish with a big wow factor.
Author:
Recipe type: Holiday
Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • 1 large butternut squash, halved length-wise, seeds scooped out, then peeled to the bright orange colour
  • 1 tsp coconut oil (or avocado oil)
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1 garlic clove, sliced

  • Baste:
  • 1 tbsp thyme, minced
  • 1 tbsp vegan butter (I used 'Melt')
  • 2 tsp dijon mustard
  • 1½ tbsp maple syrup
Instructions
  1. Pre-heat oven to 400°F.
  2. Place squash face down on a parchment-covered baking sheet, rub with oil and sprinkle with salt.
  3. Bake for 10-15 minutes (to soften).
  4. Take out of the oven, and transfer to a cutting board to cool for 10 minutes.
  5. When the face-down squash is cool enough to handle, slice the hasselback cuts as thinly as you can. Stop slicing ¾ of the way down the squash to keep the base in tact.
  6. Place the squash, face-down, back onto the parchment covered baking sheet.
  7. Stuff a few garlic slices throughout the sliced squash.
  8. Bake for 10 more minutes while you make the baste.
  9. Make baste: whisk all of the baste ingredients together in a bowl.
  10. Remove the squash from the oven and pour ¾ of the baste over both halves. Use a basting brush to get it all over!
  11. Bake for another 20 minutes. Then add the pecans to the rest of the baste, and pour this mixture over the squash. Use the basting brush to spread any excess liquid on the pan, overtop of the squash.
  12. Bake 10 more minutes.
  13. Serve with roasted veg!

Tag me if you make this! (@hookedonplants on instagram)

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Curried Cauliflower Potato Stew | Oil-free, GF, Vegan

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Stew season is upon us, and this curried cauliflower potato stew is all that a stew should be.

Comforting, chunky, thick, warming, and nutritious.

If you think cauliflower and potatoes are BORING…

… well, let me tell you, this recipe takes them from ‘meh’ to ‘gourmeh’!

There are a few reasons why you and stew should get cozy. It…

  • warms the soul (proven fact)
  • has to be one of the best ways to get in a ton of veggie noots (aka nutrients)
  • it’s your creativity’s best friend being super crazy versatile
  • gives your home an aroma that feels like a big, comfy blanket
  • goes alarmingly well with warm, rustic sourdough
  • is a perfect canvas to sprinkle some of this smokey parm all over
  • gives you reason to get yourself some Eve’s Crackers (stew + crackers  = winning)

This combo of potato + cauli with the curry, blended just enough to keep some satisfying chunky texture, is a go-to around here!

Not to mention, this would round out the Thanksgiving table real nice!

I always grab a few organic cauliflowers when it’s on sale at Spud.ca (use CRVAN-MURJUB for a discount at the checkout) and potatoes are always a staple (thanks Pemberton).

Grab a loaf, simmer this up and enjoy.


Curried Cauliflower Potato Stew
 
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A stew just in time for the crisp fall air. This cauli-potato combo is so satisfying, and the curry gives it a delicious depth of flavour. Add some of my smokey vegan parmesano to this and we have a winner.
Author:
Recipe type: stew, dinner, comfort food
Serves: 6-8
Ingredients
  • 2 large yellow onion, diced
  • 4-5 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
  • 5-8 white mushrooms, diced
  • 4 carrots, chopped
  • 2 celery sticks, chopped
  • 1 small jar red or green curry paste, (I used this Thai one)
  • 2 tbsp tamari
  • 1 tbsp cumin
  • 1 tbsp paprika
  • 1 tsp ginger
  • 1 head cauliflower, roughly chopped
  • 8 medium potatoes (I used new potatoes), roughly chopped
  • 6-8 cups veggie broth
Instructions
  1. Oil-free sauté onions until translucent (turn on pan to medium heat, add onions, let sizzle a minute, then add ¼ cup veggie broth or water to de-glaze, sauté a few more minute, adding more water if it's sticking too much!)
  2. Add garlic, paprika, cumin, ginger, celery and carrots, and curry paste. Let sauté 5 minutes, adding veggie broth as you go (about 2 tbsp at a time to de-glaze)
  3. Add cauliflower, potatoes, and enough veggie broth to just cover the veggies.
  4. Bring to a boil, then turn down to simmer for at least 40 minutes (or longer).
  5. Blend the stew until desired consistency (I like to leave some chunks for texture!). I do this in two loads in my blender.
  6. Serve with crackers or your fave bread, sprinkled with smokey parm!

Tag me if you make this! (@hookedonplants on instagram)

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This week’s email is all about Canada’s Top 10 Vegan Athletes (which I’m honoured to be named in)!

Try the #PlantsForAWeek challenge by grabbing my brand new E-Book!

Top 15 Vegan Halloween Treats

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I’ve searched the net, so you don’t have to, for spooky, cute, creepy and 100% vegan halloween treats. Creep out your guests with these yummy ideas from a few of my favourite food bloggers out there in the blogosphere.

Death By Chocolate by Hot For Food

A deathly delicious smoothie that feels sinful to eat… from Lauren Toyota over at Hot For Food. Her Youtube channel is packed with inspirational and funny vegan-ness.

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Severed Hand Punch by Edgy Veg

Candice from Edgy Veg always comes up with crazy ideas. Her Youtube channel is full of awesomeness too. This is just creepy.

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Vegan Milky Way by Minimalist Baker

Dana, over at the Minimalist Baker, is one of my fave vegan bloggers. Make this healthy version of your fave candy bar, and you won’t miss the mega-unhealthy version.

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3-Ingredient Halloween Apple Bites by Oh She Glows

Angela at Oh She Glows is one of the first food bloggers I started to follow. She’s got a massive following now with her best-selling books and delish vegan recipes. These are easy and awesome for kids to do too!

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Raw Vegan Witch Fingers by The Full Helping

A rendition of your usual witch fingers (because who doesn’t make witch fingers annually?), but pretty darn good for ya!

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Graveyard Taco Cups by Fork and Beans

Zesty, Mexican theme-party must haves I’d say. Not dessert, but definitely needed for the halloween spread.

 

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Raw Candy Pops by The Rawtarian

Raw with all the nutrients intact, and crazy simple with just a few ingredients!

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Bloody Cups by Elephantastic Vegan

Like peanut butter cups but bloody. Just 3 ingredients too! We like simple.

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Spooky Guacamole and Corn Chips by Raw.Vegan.Not Gross

Laura Miller is hilarious. And so is this vid. Hopefully it inspires you to dress up and make food.

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Stuffed Jack-O-Lanterns by The Healthful Pursuit

Why leave carving to just pumpkins? Here’s a gutsy idea for a halloween-y dinner.

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Dark Chocolate Coconut Ghosts by Feasting on Fruit

These are high-carb, low fat, and oh-so-spooky.

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Raw Pumpkins by Girl Gone Raw

Raw, good for you, and delish.

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Oh My Raw Caramel Apples by Rawesome Vegan Life

Emily is the queen of decadent vegan desserts, and I just had to add this one in here because, even though it’s not spooky… it screams Fall and sweetness… plus, I just had to feature Emily because a dessert post round-up without her would be criminal.

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Dairy Free Pumpkin Cheesecake by To Die For

OK, again, I know this isn’t really halloween-themed, besides the pumpkin in there. But I had to include a dessert from Erin, because she is just amazing and she posts some of the most drooool-worthy recipes.

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Vanilla Chia Seed Pudding by The Pure Life

One more fall-flavoured dessert, minus the halloween theme… Only because I want to give a shout out to Sisley! These flavours will taste like halloween, don’t you worry. You could even add some creepy eyeballs to a bowl of this on the treat table to do the trick.

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Tag me if you make these! @hookedonplants on instagram.

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Quarter Pounder Red Lentil Rice Veggie Burgers | Gluten-Free

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It’s burger o’clock! Maybe you caught this recipe over on my instastories (@hookedonplants)? I completely wung it, and it completely worked out (love when that happens). These red lentil rice veggie burgers are not only a complete protein, but also packed with flavour and easy to whip up.

There’s a few things you should always have in the fridge, ready to grab:

  • A cooked grain
  • A cooked legume
  • A sauce
  • Greens

Have these 4 magical ingredients ready to go, and the whole ‘last minute dinner’ freak out thing is a lot less dramatic.

And the possibility of last minute creations like this actually come into fruition is at an all time high.

The universal problem with veggie burgers is:
The squish-outta-the-bun issue. Know what I mean?

They can taste amazing, but the texture just isn’t there.

Well, after the pan-fry, the longer you leave these patties in the oven, the stiffer the texture you will have to bite down on.

The first round we did 20 minutes, without flipping half way. Not enough.

30 minutes (flipping half way through) did the trick, but 40 minutes gives you even more of a stay-together kinda patty. Crispy outside, soft inside. That’s what I’m talkin’ about!


Red Lentil Rice Burgers
 
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A flavourful veggie burger that won't squish outta your bun.
Author:
Recipe type: burgers, dinner, lunch
Serves: 6
Ingredients

  • Burger Patties:
  • 2 cups brown rice, cooked
  • 2 cups red lentils, cooked
  • 2 cloves, garlic
  • ¼ cup red onion, chopped
  • 1 tbsp dijon mustard
  • 1 tbsp molasses
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp tamari
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika

  • Extra:
  • 1 tsp coconut oil

  • Burger Sauce:
  • ¼ cup ketchup
  • ¼ cup vegan mayo (from Hellmans or Veganaise or Sir Kensington's)
  • 1 tbsp onion powder (or chipotle!)

  • Burger fixin's:
  • Buns (or use a collard green wrap)
  • Vegan Cheese (I use Violife or sliced Gusta Blockor Sheese Cheese ~ all of the melt deliciously)
  • Tomato, sliced
  • Avocado, sliced
  • Sprouts of choice
  • Romaine or spinach
  • Sauerkraut
  • Pickles, sliced

  • Caramelized Balsamic Oil-Free Onions (optional):
  • 3-4 sweet onions, thinly sliced
  • ¼ cup balsamic
  • ½ cup water (might not need it all, but have it on hand if it's sticking)
Instructions
  1. Pre-heat the oven to 375°F
  2. Make caramelized onions (optional and not included in cooking time (yummy but takes some time): heat a wide pot or deep pan to medium heat. Throw in all of the onions and let brown for a few minutes. De-glaze with a bit of water. Do this a couple of times. Add balsamic vinegar. Turn heat down to low. Let them simmer for up to 1 hour (could just go for 15 minutes, but the longer you go, the deeper the caramelization). Check them every 15 minutes. If they're sticking to the bottom of the pot, just add a bit more water or balsamic.
  3. Blend all burger ingredients (except for ½ cup of the red lentils) together until nearly smooth in your food processor. Add the rest of the lentils at the end and pulse.
  4. Form the mixture into 6 patties on a parchment covered baking sheet.
  5. Heat a pan to medium heat, and melt the coconut oil.
  6. Fry the patties for 3 minutes on each side.
  7. Place the patties on the baking sheet and bake for 30-40 minutes, flipping halfway. Go for 40 minutes if you want a dryer, stiffer patty!
  8. For the last 2-3 minutes of baking, place cheese slices on the patties to melt and the sliced buns on the pan to get toasty.
  9. Assemble the burger to your liking!

Tag me if you make it ( @hookedonplants on instagram)! I love seeing your recipes.

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This week’s email was the so-called ‘healthy’ egg (not so healthy…)

Nacho Cheeze Fries… with a secret ingredient | Vegan + GF

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Cheezy Poutine? Potato Nachos? Secretly Nutritious Cheese Fries? I DID NOT KNOW what to call this masterpiece. But, I think Nacho Cheeze Fries says it all, ya?

It’s nachos, but with fries.

It’s cheezy, but it’s a special cheeze sauce.

It’s mega nutrient-dense with the hidden ingredient of… red lentils!!!!

Red lentils are nutritional powerhouses, plus they have the magic ability to morph into a creamy sauce. In other words, they deserve to be the star secret ingredient to most things, especially this super delish, comfort-food kinda meal.

If you’re looking for a sneaky way to pump more plant protein into your kids (and yourself), look no further.

This is a good one for a back to school week dinner in 30 minutes. 

Serve it up with a side salad, or integrate the salad into the meal by wrapping each cheezy fry in a romaine leaf (my go-to lazy dinner).

You can get creative with your toppings too. I used smoked tofu (found at most grocery stores), for some smokiness and ‘meatiness’, and green onion to keep it fresh. Go for it though! Here’s some more ideas for toppers:

  • corn
  • beans
  • edamame
  • red pepper
  • artichokes
  • sautéed mushrooms
  • caramelized onions
  • veggie ground
  • cashew sour cream
  • pulled jackfruit

What ever you do, please show me by tagging @hookedonplants on instagram. I love seeing your recipes!


Nacho Cheeze Fries with a secret ingredient
 
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Satisfying in flavour and comfort, with secretly hidden nutrition! These nacho cheeze fries are a fun switch up to the typical nacho platter, with red lentil cheese sauce stealing the show. (Prep time doesn't include the optional lentil soaking)
Author:
Recipe type: dinner, lunch, snack
Serves: 4
Ingredients

  • Fries:
  • 4 russet potatoes OR 2 large sweet potatoes, rinsed, scrubbed and dried, then sliced in ¼ inch thick fry shape
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 2 tsp avocado or coconut oil
  • ½ tsp sea salt or Himalayan salt

  • Toppings:
  • ½ block smoked tofu, diced
  • 2 green onions, diced
  • 1 jalepeno pepper, sliced in thin rounds
  • Salsa of choice for the side

  • Red Lentil Cheese Sauce:
  • 1 cup red lentils (soaked a few hours if possible, then rinsed, for best nutrition and digestion)
  • 1½ cup water or veggie stalk
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ½ cup nutritional yeast
  • ¼ cup soy milk, unsweetened, unflavoured
  • **optional: ¼ cup vegan mayo for extra creaminess
Instructions
  1. Pre-heat oven to 425°F
  2. Mix the chopped potatoes with the oil and spices (except the salt!) in a bowl until evenly coated. Spread them out on a parchment-covered (or reusable baking sheet-covered) baking pan so they aren't touching each other!
  3. Bake for 30-40 minutes, on the middle rack, flipping the fries over half way through.
  4. Season with salt when they're done.
  5. Meanwhile, cook the lentils: Add the lentils to the pot with 1½ cups liquid, bring to a boil, then simmer for 10 minutes (15 minutes if they weren't pre-soaked)
  6. Make the Red Lentil Cheeze Sauce: add the cooked lentils, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, nutritional yeast, mayo (if using), and soy milk to your blender and blend until smooth. Once blended, mix in the smoked tofu chunks.
  7. Layer it up to serve! Fries first, then cheeze sauce, then green onion and jalepeno. Enjoy!

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This week was a round up of must-see documentaries!