Thursday, August 4, 2011

Vegan Dining Guide: Newer Vegan Restaurants in the Portland Metro Area



1239 SW Jefferson Street
Portland, OR 97205
USA

 

1806 SW 6th Avenue
Portland, OR 97201

301 SW Morrison
Portland, OR 97204

14601 SW Millikan Way
Beaverton, OR 97006


Loving Hut just opened May 18th, only a couple months ago. I haven't tried it yet, but oh I will! They serve vegan sushi!!


Cafe Yumm has been around a while but it doesn't come up on google searchs as a vegan restaurant even though their signature sauce is vegan, and they serve a variety of vegan rice bowls, salads, and tofu skewers.


If you're ever in the Portland area then try eating out at these veg friendly spots.


Dessert Recipe: Deluxe Cocoa Brownies


Ingredients:
3 ounces firm silken tofu (1/4 the package)
1/4 cup coconut milk
1/2 cup canola oil
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 325. Grease your square brownie pan with non-dairy butter. Puree the tofu, coconut milk, and oil in a blender or food processor. Transfer the tofu mixture to a mixing bowl, use a spatula to scrape down the sides to make sure you get everything. Mix in the sugar and add the vanilla. In a separate mixing bowl, combine the flour, cocoa powder, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt. Create a well in the dry mix, and slowly pour the tofu mixture in and fold until the batter is moist and smooth. Transfer the batter to the pan and smooth the top. Bake for 30-32 minutes. Let the brownies cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Variations:
Walnut Brownies: Fold 1 cup of walnuts into the batter.
Chocolate Chip Brownies: Fold 3/4 cup chocolate chips into the batter (make sure they're non-dairy)

Notes:
I love this recipe! I have finally found the perfect vegan brownie recipe for me and my family. It's tastes like a boxed mix, yummy!


Friday, July 29, 2011

Quick and Easy Dinner Recipe: Vegan Sausage Jambalaya




Ingredients:
1 box of Zatarains Jambalaya Pasta Dinner Mix
1 Gimme Lean Ground Sausage Link

Directions:
Follow the directions on the back of the Zatarains box. Cook the sausage separately in a small saucepan over medium heat. Make sure you scramble it like you would with "ground beef".

Notes:
I recommend pairing this with a side of mashed sweet potatoes, steamed carrots, and cornbread or Bisquick biscuits.




Monday, July 25, 2011

Quick and Easy Vegan Alfredo Sauce Recipe


Ingredients:
1 cup of coconut milk
2 cups of firm silken tofu
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt
pinch of nutmeg and black pepper (to your liking)

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a food processor, and blend until very smooth and creamy. Transfer the mixture to a medium sauce pan, and cook over low heat until warm. Do not boil. Serve at once.

Notes:
This does not keep well, so if you want good leftovers you'll want to make another sauce.

Friday, July 22, 2011

Vegan Event Reminder: Animal Freedom Day is this Weekend!!!



Nadia Masoudi is an 18 year old film maker and animal activist from Hamilton, Ontario. Nadia is also the producer and director of a new documentary film called “Don’t Eat Me”. Her goal is to become an advocate leader for animal rights and has helped create Animal Freedom Day, a global event happening every year on July 23rd and 24th to raise awareness and solutions for animal rights. Her documentary will air  at Animal Freedom Day all weekend so go check it out, and let's help raise awareness for animal rights! Vegans unite!