Tofu "Steaks" with Mashed Potatoes and Garlic Broccoli

While the recipes calls this a tofu steak, I think I might refer to it more as marinated tofu. Very simple recipe with just a few ingredients makes it an easy meal to make.

Extra Firm Tofu, sliced (drained and pressed)
10-16 oz Sliced Mushrooms
1/4-1/2 c soy sauce
Fresh Cracked Pepper

Place the tofu and mushrooms in a skillet. Add soy sauce and pepper. Cook on medium heat for 10 mins, turning once to brown both sides of the tofu.

Mac N Cheese

I recently came across this recipe which I wanted to try because it doesn't use any "fake" processed ingredients. I have always avoided making a mac n cheese, thinking it was not worth the time. I gave it a try and it was not as much effort as I though, plus it might be my favorite! This recipe makes a full 9x13 dish, but I seperated it into 2 8x8's and froze the second one.

4-5 cups cooked elbow macaroni
1/4 c + 2 TBSP vegan margarine
1/4 c + 2 TBSP unbleached all-purpose flour
3 1/2 c boiling water
1 1/2 tsp salt
2 TBSP soy sauce
1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
pinch of tumeric
2-4 TBSP canola oil
1 c nutritional yeast flakes
paprika to taste for topping


Preheat oven 350 degrees. Cook pasta.

In a saucepan, melt margarine over low heat. Beat the flour in with a whisk, and continue to beat over a medium flame until the mixture is smooth and bubbly.

Whip in the boiling water, salt, soy sauce, garlic powder and tumeric, beating well to dissolve the sauce. Cook until it thickens and bubbles. Whip in the oil and nutritional yeast flakes.

Mix part of the sauce with the cooked noodles and pour into 9x13 dish. Pour remaining sauce on top and smooth out. Sprinkle with paprika and bake for 15 mins. Heat broiler and broil until the "cheese" sauce starts to bubble.

Crispy Cajun Kale

I served this as an appetizer the other night. It is super quick and easy to make, not to mention very healthy!!

1 bunch of kale (de-stemmed and torn into 1-2" pieces)
Olive Oil
Cajun Seasoning
Salt and Pepper

Preheat oven to 350.
Toss the Kale lightly with oil (easiest in a bowl, using tongs). Sprinkle with Cajun Seasoning, Salt, and Pepper.
Bake for 10-15 mins, until crispy.

Sweet Art's New Menu

Sweet Art has recently changed their whole menu. Not to worry, they still have a great selection of cupcakes and brownies!! Pictured is their new Sloppy Joe Sandwich served with a side of Mac N Cheese. The new menu rotates daily and there are quite a few things I can't wait to try.

Kaldi's BBQ Crunch Burger

This amazing looking burger is a new addition to the menu at the Kaldi's on Demun. The burger is match meat with lettuce, red onion, and tomato, topped with guacamole, BBQ sauce, and Billy Goat Chips. It is as delicious as it looks, the chips add a great crunch to the whole thing!!

Kaldi's also has vegan soups on their menu, just ask for the daily selection!

Happy Valentine's Day

If you are looking for something sweet to make for that someone sweet in your life give this recipe a try. My hubby loves white cupcakes with white frosting, (which we of course had to color pink in honor of today) so tonight my daughter and I made him some as a surprise for when he gets home.

White Cupcakes

1 TBSP apple cider vinegar
1 1/2 c plain soymilk
2 1/8 c flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/8 c sugar
1/2 c canola oil
2 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat oven 350, line muffin pan with cupcake liners.
Combine apple cider vinegar and soymilk, stir well. Set aside
In a large bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In another bowl whisk together the soymilk mixture, canola oil, and vanilla. Add the dry to the wet ingredients and beat until smooth using a hand-held mixer.
Fill each liner with about 1/4 c batter (or fill liner about 3/4 way full). Bake 15-20 mins, until toothpick inserted in the middle of a cupcake comes out clean.
Let cool in pan for 5 mins, then remove and place on a wire rack.
Let the cupcakes cool completely before frosting.

Cinnamon Streusel Muffins

Yes, these muffins ARE worth 3 pictures!! I made these on a rainy Sunday morning and they were delicious, light and fluffy with a crumbly top!! Served with some coffee, while sitting in a comfy chair looking out at the rain, great start to any day!!

Streusel Topping:
1/2 c plus 2 TBSP all-purpose flour
1/4 c plus 2 TBSP packed brown sugar
2 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 c plus 1 TBSP butter, softened

Muffins:
2 tsp apple cider vinegar
1/2 c soymilk
8 oz cream cheese (I like Tofutti)
1/2 c butter
1/2 tsp salt
1 TBSP cinnamon
1 c brown sugar, not packed
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 c all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda

This makes 16 muffins

Preheat oven to 350. Line muffin cups with paper liners.
To make streusel: combine all the streusel ingredients using your fingertips, until large crumbs form. Set aside.
To make muffins: combine vinegar and soymilk; it will curdle and become like buttermilk.
Using a mixer, combine cream cheese, butter, salt, cinnamon, brown sugar, and extract. Stir in the buttermilk mixture. Add the flour, baking powder, and baking soda. Mix until combined, being careful not to overmix. Divide ALL the batter amount the 16 liners. Divide ALL the streusel among the muffins, pressing it down a little so it sticks to the batter.
Bake 25 mins, or until toothpick comes out clean. Transfer to wire rack to cool.