Summertime Vegan Entertaining

Here's a few shots from that picnic potluck party I recently threw.

It started with a blanket in the shade, good friends, and cute animals...

Then moved on to a table full of yummy dishes and drinks...

And ended with some impromptu music making!

That's really all you need to throw a great party.

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Citrus Watermelon Mint Salad

Pots/Pans used: none!

This dish is so simple, you won't believe it! I recently made it for a picnic potluck party I threw in my backyard. Everyone brought outstanding vegan dishes that I wish I could have shared with all of you. Regardless, I thought I would at least share one of the dishes I made... Plus, it's a refreshing treat for the hot summer months to come!

All you have to do is chop up one watermelon, squeeze a few limes over top, and sprinkle fresh mint and a drizzle of agave. Seriously, that's it! Just toss it up, and serve!

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Vegan in Disney World

I went to Disney World for the weekend to celebrate my mom's birthday and check out the new Fantasyland. While the parks don't offer tons of vegan options, you definitely won't starve. I recommend making reservations ahead of time and calling to speak with the chefs. From what I've read, they're extremely accommodating. Unfortunately, I left everything to the last minute, so table service wasn't really an option. Regardless, I've compiled a few quick vegan bites the Magic Kindgom has to offer.

Even though Fantasyland isn't 100% complete, there was plenty of new stuff to see! For example, a new castle (seen in the distance!) and Belle's village...

I stopped in Gaston's tavern for "LeFou's Brew" (Frozen apple juice with a hint of toasted marshmallow flavor, topped with passion fruit-mango foam). WHATTT!? It was good AND cute.

For lunch we headed to the Columbia Harbor House for their veggie chili and Lighthouse Sandwich (If you want it vegan, you have to omit the broccoli slaw). Even though it was just hummus and tomato, it was filling and surprisingly tasty.

Walked around a bit... Saw some magical topiary...

To be honest, I was pretty sick of veggie burgers by the time I was done with this vacation. I really wish they would come up with something more original. I will say they prepared a pretty jazzed up version at the Pop Century Resort with an avocado corn salsa and tortilla strips.

(Keep in mind many veggie burgers are bound with eggs, so I recommend asking for the ingredient lists before ordering. From what I've read on other blogs, the park's burgers are vegan, but I've yet to find an official Disney source to confirm. So just double check to be safe!)

And get ready to freak out.... THEY HAVE VEGAN ICE CREAM AT THE MAGIC KINGDOM~!   There's an ice cream parlor at the end of main street that carries Toffuti and Rice Dream. It's even listed on the main menu, so don't feel shy about asking for it!

As far as snacks go, the pretzels and popcorn served in the park are totally vegan from what I've read.

We also went to Epcot and Hollywood Studios on this trip. I feel Epcot is a little easier to find food at, because they have the world showcase. You can usually find (or modify) some vegan fare in Mexico or Japan. In Hollywood Studios we ate at Mama Melrose's Italian Restaurant which serves a really good vegetarian minestrone.

AHHHHH!! look at me get sniffed by this giant puppy dawg nose!

Last but not least is my favorite meal of the trip... VEGAN MICKEY WAFFLES!

 As it turns out, most places that serve these waffles carry a gluten/egg/dairy-free batter upon request. Just ask the chef! They were seriously awesome... Even better than the regular waffles according to my mom.

Disney is the best and I love it. K Bye!

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Havarti & Oyster Mushrooms

For those of you that have yet to try Daiya's Jalapeno Garlic Havarti... What are you doing with your lives??? It's seriously so, so great. It's the first vegan cheese that I enjoy unmelted (aside from Dr-Cow's). Not to mention, my mom agreed that it tasted like real cheese! So there.

Anyways, I saw this recipe here and decided to try it out. It's a little crazy how awesome this is. BUT the oyster mushrooms and havarti are vital to the success, so don't even bother messing around with substitutes!

I just sauteed some mushrooms (that I grew mahself!) with a little olive oil, s&p, and then topped it on a toast with melty cheese. Sprinkle some fresh or dried basil, and you'll have one of the easiest best damn things you will ever eat. You're welcome!

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Green Smoothie

Most of you probably make green smoothies all the time, but here's one I made that was particularly successful!

(Sorry guys, I didn't bother with measuring)
Combine a couple handfuls of fresh spinach, a few leaves of basil, blueberries, frozen bananas, soy milk, and the juice of one grapefruit in a blender and....

!!!!!!!

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Super Macro Bowl XLVII

Alicia Silverstone recently posted a recipe for a macro bowl on The Kind Life, and it looked so good that I decided to post my own!

When I'm not trying out fun recipes for the blog, I'm usually making some variation on this dish most nights for dinner. This time, I piled my bowl high with brown rice, kale chips, tofu (sauteed with some tamari), and sliced pickled radishes. Then, I drizzled some extra tamari and sriracha over top.

Simple but daYUM! What's your go-to meal??

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Spinach & Mushroom Quiche

Pots/Pans Used: 2

Ingredients

1 sheet puff pastry, thawed for 40 min.

1 lb mushrooms, sliced (mix it up! I used half baby bella, and half shiitake)

2 handfulls fresh spinach

3 cloves garlic, diced

2 shallots, sliced

1 pkg firm tofu

1/3 cup nutritional yeast

4 Tblsp. lemon juice

2 Tblsp. Unsweetened Original Almond milk

dash tumeric

1/2 tsp dry mustard

s&p to taste

3 Tblsp. olive oil

Daiya's Jalapeno & Garlic Havarti cheese (or cheese of your choice)

tomato slices

fresh basil

You guys have to try this! It's surprisingly simple and is so pretty and impressive when it comes out of the oven! Not to mention, it's freakin' delicious.

1. Preheat oven to 425...

2. Heat olive oil in skillet over medium heat. Add shallots, garlic, and mushrooms. Let them cook down and get fragrant. Next, add spinach and cook down.

3. Meanwhile, blend ingredients tofu thru s&p in a blender until smooth. Pour mixture over sauteed veggies.

4. Grate vegan cheese into mixture. I probably grated about 1/4 cup. Mix well.

5. Grease pie plate and arrange puff pastry into shell. pour tofu and veggie mixture into pie shell.

6. Garnish top with tomato slices, chunks of havarti, and basil leaves. Bake for 30 minutes and let cool.

BEFORE...

 AFTER!!!!!

7. Garnish with some more fresh basil, and serve with a simple arugula salad for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!

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Homemade Seitan & Gravy

Pots/Pans Used: 4ish

Ingredients

In Roast:
1 1/2 cups wheat gluten
1/4 cup soy sauce
1- 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth or water
1/2 cup nutritional yeast
1/2 tsp black pepper, crushed red pepper
1 tsp thyme, rosemary, garlic powder, rubbed sage, dried minced onion, oregano

In Broth:
8 cups vegetable broth
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 Tblsp nutritional yeast
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp sea salt
2 bay leaves
potatoes, carrots, etc.

This may not be my most beautiful dish ever, but it's freakin' delicious so whatever. I was so impressed after trying my friend Jess' homemade Thanksgiving seitan loaf, that I went right home and made a batch for myself. It's a bit of a process, but well worth it nonetheless. Plus, you will impress people!

1. Mix roast's dry ingredients
2. Mix roast's wet ingredients
3. Mix wet into dry. Don't overwork it. Just lightly mix until the ingredients combine.
4. Take "dough" and knead it on a clean surface for about 30 seconds. Shape it into a loaf-like shape.
5. Throw all your broth ingredients into a large stock pot. Turn up to medium/high heat.
6. Let it simmer covered for 45 minutes to an hour.
7. (Brace yourself before you peek. It's going to look really scary, but that's okay!) Take the loaf from the pot and quarter it. Then, sear the pieces on a hot skillet in a few tablespoons of melted Earth Balance for some added color and flava.
8. Once the pieces are nicely browned, set then aside to made the gravy. Add some of the broth that you boiled the seitan in into the skillet. Add a bit of flour to thicken it. Whisk until gravy consistency.
9. Slice up your seitan, pour the gravy overtop, and serve with a side of your stewed veggies! Freak out!

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Vegan Food Swap - October!

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving! I am belatedly posting the package I got for October's Vegan Food Swap. For those that aren't familiar, you sign up here and get paired up with someone. You send them a box of vegan treats, they send you a box of vegan treats... it's fun!

My box came from Melissa Fitton of the Loves To Eat Vegan! blog

She sent me some her favorite items: Chili Lime Potato Chips, Carrot Giner Soup, Apple Coconut Bar, Funky Monkey Pineapple Snack, Raspberry Dark Chocolate Bar, and Cowboy Chili.

I still haven't tried everything yet, but I absolutely loved the cowboy chili. You just add beer, water, and tomatoes. It's very simple to make and was surprisingly delicious for a boxed chili. Thanks, Melissa!!

= ^._.^ =

My box was sent all the way to Alaska!! (which I thought was pretty cool) My box is roughly themed around Florida. I sent: Tangerine Balsamic Vinegar, Florida Crystals Brown Sugar, Homemade Papaya Panda Jam, Mung Bean Noodles, Rosemary Crackers, and Apple Cider Apricot Spice Granola (Made by my friend, Izzy).

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Happy Halloween!!!

He's Olivia for the night...

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