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vegan appy

Fresh Vegan Bruschetta with Cashew Parmesan | Oil-Free

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When in doubt, vegan bruschetta it out….

Too corny? Nah… Ooo, but corn would be an amazing addition to these little toasts…

Anyway, this is a perfect snack, appy, lunch, or even a super simple dinner alongside a mega salad!

Bruschetta is always a go-to at a restaurant with no vegan options. Minus the cheese ontop and butter below. You really can’t go wrong with tomatoes and toast, ya hear me?

Making this at home allows you to experiment a little, and it’s an easy, delicious way to get that fresh Italiano feel in the heat of the summer.

It’s not your typical brusch though (yes, brusch is now a word…), balsamic reduction gives it a deep sweetness, a little lime juice brings the tartness, and a sprinkle of cashew parm achieves that cheezy, salty flava flave.

If you can get your hands on some heirloom tomatoes, then cudos points to you, because your brusch will then blow the summery flip flops off of your guests tanned feet.

And the bread? Try to find yourself a rye sourdough baguette, that’s my fave.

Crunch away, my friends!

Benefits:

  • Tomatoes are one of nature’s magical fruits. They’re packed with vitamin K to help your bones, potassium for your heart, vitamin C for your immunity, and vitamin A for bones and your vision.
  • Basil is a powerful herb, packed with antioxidant, anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties. This guy will help prevent stress and anxiety, plus improve your digestion and liver function!
  • Shallots are amazing for lowering your blood pressure and increasing your blood flow. They’re sulfur-containing morsels, which makes them a star when it comes improving collagen levels and growing healthy hair.


4.0 from 1 reviews
Fresh Vegan Bruschetta with Cashew Parmesan
 
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A fresh summer dish for everyone to devour. Heirloom tomatoes make this recipe next level!!
Author:
Recipe type: Vegan Bruschetta with a twist
Cuisine: snack, lunch, appetizer
Serves: 2 people
Ingredients
  • 15-20 cherry tomatoes, diced
  • ½ shallot, minced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • large handful basil, chopped
  • 2 tbsp balsamic reduction (I used Nonna Pia'scabernet merlot)
  • ⅛ tsp himalayan salt
  • ⅛ tsp pepper
  • ¼ lime wedge
  • ¼ cup cashew parmesan
  • 5-6 thin slices of baguette (rye sourdough is my favourite)
Instructions
  1. Mix tomatoes, shallot, garlic, spices, balsamic and basil together in a bowl.
  2. Toast bread.
  3. Pile the tomato mixture on the toasted slices, and top with a squeeze of lime and sprinkle with cashew parmesan.

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Chipotle Buffalo Cauliflower Wings & Cashew Dill Ranch Dip

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It’s pub food, gone healthy!

Bet’chya can’t eat just one!

And this time, that’s not a bad thing.

In just a few steps you’ll find yourself devouring a healthy version of your favourite spicy pub food.

Batter them.

Bake them

Sauce them

Bake them

Whip up the dip

Devour.

Hot wings minus the bones!

And this dairy-free ranch dip is a perfect side kick for these spicy wangs.

Serve it up as a main or an appy!

 

Benefits:

  • Cauliflower is part of the brassicas family, which means it’s a sulfur-containing cruciferous veg. The sulfur helps synthesize the antioxidant glutathione. It’s got disease fighting components, it’s low in fat, high in fibre. Plus it’s high in vitamin C and potassium.
  • Dill is packed with vitamin A (for your eyes), vitamin C (for your immunity), manganese (for your bones and metabolism), plus it’s a great breath freshener!
  • Cashews are packed with vitamin E (a disease fighting antioxidant) and are rich in minerals.

 

Chipotle Buffalo Cauliflower Wings & Cashew Dill Ranch Dip
 
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Wings with a kick, without the chicken! The texture and flavour of these cauliflower wings will satisfy that games day craving. This dip is so creamy and a perfect compliment to these veggie wings.
Author:
Recipe type: appetizer, snack, potluck
Serves: 8 servings
Ingredients
  • 2 heads cauliflower florets, chopped into wing sizes (save the stalks for a different recipe or to make veggie stalk)

  • Batter:
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp onion powder
  • ¼ tsp Himalayan salt
  • 1 cup oat flour (blend up oats in your blender) - use gluten free if needed
  • 1¼ to 1½ cups soy milk

  • Chipotle Sauce:
  • ¼ cup tomato paste
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp chipotle powder
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp vegan Worcestershire sauce (if you don't have this on hand, Tamari or Soy Sauce will work)
  • ¼ cup water

  • Cashew Dill Ranch Dip:
  • 1 cup cashews, soaked for 1 hour minimum
  • 1 tbsp onion powder
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • juice of ½ lemon (about 2 tbsp)
  • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ cup water
  • ⅛ cup chives
  • 1 tbsp dill

  • Extras:
  • 4 carrots, chopped lengthwise
  • 4 celery stalks, chopped lengthwise
  • 2 chive stems, minced
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 450 F
  2. Mix together the dry batter ingredients in a medium sized bowl, then add in the soy milk a little at a time. You may need it all. The batter should be slightly runny, but not so much that it doesn't adhere to the cauliflower florets.
  3. For each cauliflower floret, dip completely into the batter, transfer to a drying rack with a plate it to catch the drips (this is to ensure the cauliflower isn't too coated with excess batter), place on a parchment covered baking sheet
  4. Bake for 20 minutes, flipping half-way, until browned
  5. While they're baking, make the Chipotle Sauce: add all chipotle sauce ingredients to large bowl and mix thoroughly
  6. Take cauliflower wings out of the oven, then dump them into the big bowl with the chipotle sauce. Toss until the sauce is evenly coated, then with your hands, shake off the excess sauce and spread the wings out on the baking sheet again.
  7. Bake for another 15 minutes, flipping half way. The glaze should be caramelized at the end
  8. While they're baking, make your Cashew Dill Ranch Dip: add all ingredients to your blender and blend until smooth
  9. Take out the wings and let cool 5 minutes, then plate cauliflower wings with chopped carrots, celery and the dip topped with chives!

Veggies For Dayz Rice Paper Rolls with Tahini Lime Dip

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Perfect for those days that you have that urge to dive into a plate-full of cleansing, vcggie deliciousness.

This dish is part of the Vancity Virtual Potluck menu!

The #VancityVirtualPotluck includes over 30 delish recipes from amazing Vancouver (/Whistler!) bloggers. The lovely ladies over at Piquant Marketing have brought us all together to form a mega-menu to devour.

I was super excited to start off the appetizer course of the Virtual Potluck, but then, just like a real-life potluck… I went ‘AH, what do I make’?

Then, ‘ahhhhhh yes rainbows are pretty. Let’s make some.’

For the appetizer that comes after these rice paper rolls, head over to Stephanie and Kiana at Karma and Soul for their amazing Roasted Balsamic Beet Hummus recipe (inspired by Melissa at Spread’Em Kitchen)!

The link for the next dish is at the bottom.

Click this photo for the full menu!

Back to these crunchy, nutrient-dense rolls. So simple and SO fresh.

Raw.

Vegan.

Oil-Free.

Gluten-Free.

And this sauce is perfection.

You can create an endless combination of veggies and fruit to stuff into these wraps. Just pack in your favourite colours of the veggie rainbow.

(I get all my favourites from Spud – use CRVAN-MURJUB for 20 buckeroos off!)

These babies are perfect to bring as a colourful appetizer to any shindig you’re going to.

The dipping sauce is also used in the Cucumber Cups canapé recipe. It’s so versatile and can be used as a spread, dip or dressing depending on the amount of water you add.

There’s no doubt that this flavourful, oil-free sauce will become a sought after staple in your abode.

Benefits:

~ Raw produce of any kind are what makes your body thrive. Eating fruits and veggies in their raw form keeps the nutrients in tact, plus gives you the water content and fibre you need for the digestion and assimilation of the vitamins, minerals and nutrients. You’ll get mega-benefits from all the enzymes and phytonutrients in raw goodness. This leaves you with more energy for healing and life! Clearer skin, more energy, less sickness, easier weight-loss, better digestion, and less inflammation are all benefits of eating an abundance of raw fruits and veggies.

~ Tahini is one of the best sources of calcium you can consume. The calcium in sesame seeds (what tahini is made of) is easily absorbed and assimilated by your body to help create strong bones well into your 90s

~ Rice paper wrappers are gluten-free, low-calorie, low-fat and easy to use. They are a great option for creating wraps with because the only ingredients are rice, and water (maybe some salt)!

Veggies for Dayz Rice Paper Rolls with Tahini Lime Dip

Serves: 2-4

Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

Wraps:

  • 5-8 rice paper wrappers
  • 2 beets, grated
  • 4 carrots, grated
  • 2 mangos, sliced
  • 2 cucumbers, sliced length-wise
  • 1 avocado, sliced
  • 1 red pepper, sliced thinly
  • as many sunflower sprouts as you can fit
  • 1 cup water (for rice paper)

Tahini Lime Ginger Dip:

  • 2 tbsp tahini
  • 4 tbsp almond butter
  • 1 tbsp + 1 tsp tamari or soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup
  • 1/2 tsp ginger powder
  • 1/2 cup water

Directions:

  1. Make dipping sauce: add all dip ingredients to mini food processor or blender. Blend until smooth
  2. Roll up the wraps: pour water in a plate. Submerge one rice paper in the water for 20 seconds. Take out and place on breadboard. Fill the wrap with some of each veggie. Fold the ends of the rice paper over the veggies, then roll like a burrito.
  3. Cut in half, and serve with dipping sauce.