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Jack-O-Lantern Pumpkin Spice Muffins + Charcoal Turmeric Icing

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I can’t boolieve it’s Halloween already!

Time for a funky, trying to be scary…not so scary…super dense, delish muffin recipe. These Pumpkin Spice Jack-O-Lantern Muffins are a cute replacement or add-on to your carved up big one. Or, if you don’t want to carve up a big one this year, just make these little guys and enjoy that halloween pumpkin-y feeling, and eat it, too.

These turned out better than Jack himself could have hoped for.

Sweetened mostly with dates, and packed with pumpkin-y goodness makes them so dense and so flavourful!

Smush in some vegan butter and call it a good day! (Used ‘Melt’ vegan butter here OMG)

…Density. A must have in a good muffin.

Add in that activated charcoal and turmeric to the cashew icing mix and you can pretty much call them superfood muffs!

Grab some kids, or call out your inner child, along with the squeeze bottles to create some delicious art (that will hopefully turn out spookier than my attempt at scary).

And…. Happy Halloween!

For more Halloween-y treat ideas, check out this Homemade Candy Bar round-up or these Top 15 Candy Recipes!


Jack-O-Lantern Pumpkin Spice Muffins
 
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Dense, halloween-y, super pumpkin-y muffins with a superfood-y turmeric and charcoal cashew icing!
Author:
Recipe type: halloween, snack, dessert
Serves: 10
Ingredients

  • Dry Ingredients:
  • 2 cups oat flour (blend 2 cups oats into a fine flour in a food processor or blender)
  • ½ cup coconut sugar
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¾ cup chopped pecans

  • Wet Ingredients:
  • 1 can pumpkin pie mix puree
  • 2 chia eggs (2 tbsp chia soaked in 6 tbsp water for 5 minutes)
  • ¾ cup medjool dates (about 6-8), soaked in warm water for 10 minutes
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

  • Icing:
  • 1 cup cashews, pre-soaked for at least 3 hours (or over night for smoother icing)
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup
  • ½ cup vanilla almond milk
  • 1½ tsp activated charcoal
  • 1½ tsp turmeric
Instructions
  1. Pre-heat oven to 375°F.
  2. Mix together dry ingredients.
  3. In blender, mix together wet ingredients until smooth.
  4. Then add the wet to the dry and until combined.
  5. Spoon about a ¼ cup in each lined (with paper muffin cups or re-usable silicone ones) muffin tin.
  6. Bake for 22 minutes.
  7. Make the icing: In a small food processor, or blender, blend all pre-soaked cashews, almond milk and maple syrup until smooth (you will have to scape down the sides and leave it running for a few minutes).
  8. Take out a ¼ of the cashew icing and set aside. Add the turmeric to the icing in the blender and blend until combined.
  9. Spread this orange icing over the top of the muffins.
  10. Then, add the white icing back into the blender with the activated charcoal. Blend until smooth.
  11. Scoop this black icing into a squeeze bottle or a ziplock with a tiny hole cut in the corner, and create your jack-o-lantern art!
Notes
*Prep-time does not include the soaking of cashews

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This week’s email was all the crazy things that happen by going vegan for just 1 day, plus a Doc spotlight on Joel Fuhrman.

Grateful Fred Stuffed Tofu Turkey | Vegan Holiday Feast

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The holidays are all about love, connection, community, cheersing and good times. The food and the love that goes into it is always big part of all the festivities. So, this Thanksgiving, here’s a stuffed tofu turkey recipe to spread the love, and fall in love with…without the cost of the turkey, Fred (he’s grateful).

Turkey shmurkey. Ham shmam. Steak shmeak.

Eating plant-based during a holiday dinner party isn’t always an easy task, that is unless you bring this comfort-food recipe of a lifetime!

I wanted to help you create something that won’t be a compromise… and may even be just as popular at the Thanksforgivin’er shindig than your Auntie’s turkey pie!

If you’re looking for a pre-made option, Gardein makes a delicious ‘stuffed turkey’ (use CRVAN-MURJUB to shop at Spud to get 2 free ones in your order), and Tofurky does too.

But, if you want to go the cooking route and put as much of that love ingredient in there as possible, look no further!

Fred is thankful he can live out that Turkey life of his, and the fam will be thankful that the vegan doesn’t bring carrot sticks to the comfort-food party!

This turned out really well. The outside is browned, the inside is tasty with pecan stuffing, and the overall feel is incredibly turkey dinner-like.

Top it all off with this mushroom gravy, and this mashed cauliflower for your tastebuds to explode.

Pin this!

Other ideas for a Holiday dinner recipes… Meatless Balls, Whole Roasted Cauliflower, Mashed Butternut Swirl, Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake, or this Apricot Butternut Lentil Loaf (an oldie but a goodie).

Pin this!

Grafeful Fred Stuffed Tofu Turkey
 
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A perfect replacement for Fred the Turkey for a holiday feast! This pecan stuffing rolled up in a tofu 'turkey' will shine on the centre of the dinner table.
Author:
Recipe type: thanksgiving, holiday, christmas, dinner
Cuisine: holiday, thanksgiving
Serves: 8
Ingredients

  • Tofu Turkey:
  • 4 blocks organic firm tofu (each 350g)
  • 2 vegetable bouillon cubes
  • 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
  • 2 tbsp onion powder
  • 2 tbsp garlic powder
  • 2 tbsp fresh sage, chopped
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2½ cups of vegan stuffing (recipe below)
  • 3-4 tbsp Bragg's liquid aminos (for basting)

  • Vegan Pecan Stuffing (makes enough for stuffing the tofu turkey, plus a side dish):
  • 8 cups bread of choice, cubed
  • 1 cup large yellow onion, chopped
  • 1½ cups celery, chopped
  • 7-8 white mushrooms, chopped
  • 1 tbsp dried thyme, minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, minced
  • 2 tbsp fresh sage, minced
  • 2 cups vegetable broth
  • ½ cup pecans, chopped
  • ½ tsp Pink Himalayan or sea salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper

  • Goes well with this Mushroom Gravy
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400°F
  2. Press tofu: Place a layer of paper towel on a plate, then the tofu cubes, then another couple layers of paper towel, then a cutting board, then a bowl filled with water. Let sit for at least 30 minutes (the longer the better)
  3. Meanwhile, make the stuffing! Start by spreading the cubed bread out over a cookie sheet. Bake in the oven for about 25 minutes (stir at the 10 minute mark), until it's dry...smells so good.
  4. In a large pot, oil-free sauté the onions, celery and mushrooms for 5 minutes (just add a bit of the veggie broth if it's sticking), until softened. Add the herbs and salt and pepper. Mix it up, then add 1½ cups of broth. Add the bread and pecans then mix everything well. The stuffing should be moist, but not soaking wet. If your stuffing is still a little dry, keep adding a bit of veggie broth until it's moist (you shouldn't need more than 2 cups total)
  5. Set aside 2½ cups of stuffing for the turkey filling.
  6. Pour the rest of the stuffing into a baking dish and bake in the oven for 25 minutes (hello side dish!)
  7. Prepare your 'turkey' zone: Lay out 2 sheets of tin foil, side by side overlapping about 3 inches, with a layer of parchment on top. The parchment paper should be about 15 inches long by 13 inches wide, with the tinfoil as a border beneath it.
  8. Time to make the 'turkey': To go easy on your food processor, start by blending half of all the tofu turkey ingredients together (except for the stuffing and Bragg's liquid aminos) for at least 1 minute in your food processor, or until a dough-like ball starts to form. Place that mixture as a ball on the parchment paper.
  9. Then, blend the other half of all the tofu turkey ingredients (again, except for the stuffing and Bragg's liquid aminos) in the food processor, and add it to the pile on the parchment.
  10. Spread out the tofu mixture into a ½ - ¾ inch thick rectangle (about 8x12")
  11. Spoon the 2½ cups of stuffing into the middle of the tofu rectangular 'turkey' in a lengthwise tube shape.
  12. Use the parchment paper to roll one side of the tofu turkey over the stuffing, then the other side until the tofu turkey just overlaps. Give it a nice squeeze to make sure it's all overlapping by at least 1 inch.
  13. Unwrap it and fold the ends. Use your fingers to press down any open areas, or cracks.
  14. Pour Bragg's liquid aminos over top and use basting brush to cover the whole turkey.
  15. Then wrap it up with the parchment and tinfoil nice and tight, folding on top and twisting the ends (so it looks like a tootsie roll turkey)
  16. Bake in the oven for 1 hour.
  17. Let cool 15 minutes, then place in the fridge.
  18. When you're ready to serve it, take it out of the fridge, slice in 1 inch slices, wrap it back up and bake for 20 minutes at 350°F.
  19. Serve with the mushroom gravy from this recipe and this cauliflower mash!
  20. Happy Holidays! The Turkey's thank you!
Notes
*Great to make ahead of time, then store in the fridge until you're ready to put it in the oven for 30 more minutes before serving
*If you want to make it right before, just skip the fridge part, and keep it in the oven for another 15-30 minutes, then slice when it comes out!

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

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This week’s email is all about the most important thing to be grateful for… yourself, and what you should do about it.

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

 

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…)

Simple Tofu Scramble + Breakfast Taters | Plant-Based Weekend Brunch

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When your tastebuds are demanding you to chomp down on something savoury, eggy & satiating, PRONTO…here’s the cure-all.  This super simple tofu scramble with all the fixin’s is a 10 on the brunch-o-meter.

After a busy first week of September action, Saturday is the day to take a moment in the kitchen to whip up this yumminess.

These breakfast taters satisfyingly pop in the mouth.

Adding the hummus to the scramble helps soak up those spices to create a flavourful smorgasbord.

I used to love cheese eggs before I became vegan. You know that melted cheese all over a scramble? It was our go-to on camping trips. If you like the cheese + egg combo, spruce this recipe up a bit by melting some vegan cheese over the scramble in the pan for the last few minutes with the lid on (drooling just thinking about it).

 

The meltiest vegan cheeses? Gusta block (grated), Violife cheddar, or Sheese Cheese.

Vegan food is not a compromise.

Let’s get into it!


Simple Tofu Scramble with Breakfast Taters | Plant-Based Weekend Brunchin'
 
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A simple tofu scramble you can whip up this weekend to cure that savoury breakfast craving!
Author:
Recipe type: breakfast, brunch
Serves: 3
Ingredients
  • ½ large yellow onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 6 white mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 red pepper, diced
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • ½ tsp turmeric
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • ½ tsp Hawaiin black salt (for sulfur/egg taste!)
  • ¼-1/2 cup nutritional yeast
  • 1 block of organic medium or soft tofu (about 350g)
  • ½ cup hummus of choice or this Roasted Garlic Hummus

  • Taters:
  • 4-5 russet potatoes, scrubbed clean then diced (into small ¼ inch cubes)
  • 1 tsp avocado oil
  • 1 tbsp onion powder
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp salt

  • Extras:
  • Sliced tomato
  • Sliced avocado
  • Hot sauce
Instructions
  1. Pre-heat oven to 425°F
  2. Coat the potatoes with avo oil, onion and garlic powder. Then lay them out on a parchment-covered (or silicone sheet-covered) pan, making sure they're barely touching each other (you may need 2 pans).
  3. Bake potatoes for 20-30 minutes, flipping half way. They should be golden on all sides.
  4. Oil-free sauté your onions: Bring pan to medium heat, throw onions on and let heat until they brown. Then add a bit of water to de-caramelize the pan. Do this until they are translucent (about 5 minutes, adding water if they stick).
  5. Add mushrooms, pepper and garlic. Let sauté a couple of minutes.
  6. Add the spices and a bit more water (about ¼ cup)
  7. Crumble the tofu with your hands (trying to get the tiniest crumbs possible) into the pan.
  8. Add the hummus.
  9. Mix it all together and let sauté for a couple more minutes.
  10. Serve it up with the potatoes, avocado, fresh tomato, and Sriracha hot sauce!

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This week’s email was all about eating this, not that for weight loss on a vegan diet.

 

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!