I frequently get asked if there are any foods that were my favorite growing up that were not vegan. Or which animal foods I miss the most. Too be honest, it is not the actual food I miss ( because honestly my tastes have just changed), but the social ease of eating food with other people…
Leftovers
Spicy Pinto & Tempeh Chili
I typically try to avoid using products whose main goal is to “mimick” meat. While I think these products are great every once in a while as a treat, I don’t believe they should be a staple in a person’s diet. For some reason I’ve always put tempeh in this category of processed mock meat…
Oil-Free Takeout Chow Mein
I have never met anyone who does not like takeout noodles. There is something about them, the chewy noodle, the salty sauce, the semi soft veggies that just makes you feel like staying on the couch in your pajamas and watching your favorite shows. And while sometimes I crave killer takeout, I am always a…
Plant Pantry : Oatmeal
Recently my brother-in-law and his girlfriend were in town for a short weekend trip to go explore Olympic National Park. Before their arrival we had just returned from vacation in Canada and had zero time to grocery shop before heading off to Washington’s west coast. The morning we left for our trip we had a…
Antipasti Pasta with Sun Dried Tomato Dressing
You know those fancy self serve olive bars in the grocery stores, I’ve always wondered if people actually used them since I rarely saw people lined up. It wasn’t until recently (when I finally got around to liking olives) that I understood the allure of an entire bar dedicated to salty, sour, spicy, preserved…
Fresh Corn Polenta
In our house, fresh corn is THE ingredient of the summer. It’s sweet, packed with flavor, can be eaten raw or cooked and is extremely versatile. Any other time of the year in our house, dried polenta is a staple in our bulk pantry. It’s simple and it provides a heart base for any…
Jessica’s Crock Pot Black Beans
All right children, it’s time to gather around and get comfortable it’s time to hear a story. Being a chef, you can imagine that I have my fair share of kitchen appliances. Having lived in many different places, with different sizes and storage space I have always leaned towards the side of efficiency. That said,…
Spiced Carrot Congee
The first time I ever had congee was in San Francisco back in 2005. I went on a trip with my boyfriend’s (now husband) family to visit his grandmother. This side of the family grew up in Hong Kong before moving to the United States, and one of their main breakfast staples was good ole…
Sweet Potato & Millet Stew
Well, the forecast calls for what seems like a month of low 30’s to mid-40’s with lots of cute images of raindrops and snowflakes here in Washington. Although I am dreaming of seeing those first sprouts and pea shoots in a glimmering beam of early sunshine I am thankful for the present because it makes…
Yellow Pepper Dal
I LOVE Indian food with a passion. There is something about it that is so unbelievably comforting and nourishing to me. I suppose that, the cuisine tends to focus on fresh and dried spices, while using simple and uncomplicated foods like pulses, rice, potatoes, and vegetables. With a large focus on mostly whole plant foods,…