Sometimes I throw things together and it all works out – even when it sounds strange. This is one of those strange things I like to make and thought I’d share with you. It’s so easy, and it’s refreshingly cool, which is perfect for this hot summer weather! So let’s make this yummy bean, tomato, and cucumber salad, shall we?
Veggie Sushi Bowls
Maybe you’ve noticed, but I love food in bowls. All of my baked oatmeals are in bowls. Most of my dinners are in bowls. But these are the easiest, most delicious bowls you could make right now. They’re super inexpensive too! And very customizable. I’ll show you our favorite way to make these, but switch the veggies up to your heart’s content! Yummm. 🙂
Cheesy Broccoli Soup
It’s still technically winter, and it’s been pretty chilly in the mornings here in Arizona, so it’s still time for soup. But I always love a good soup. Especially something cheesy (vegan cheesy, of course). Plus, vegetables are always better when they’re covered in a vegan cheese. And this one is actually healthy for us! No cholesterol in sight. So feel free to get a huge bowl of this comforting, indulgent soup. And even seconds.
No-Oil French Fries
Do you like french fries?
Okay, that was pretty much a rhetorical question. I’ve met very few people who don’t eat them or like them, so I’m assuming you enjoy french fries. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be here. So let’s make some incredible oil-free french fries for a healthier twist on this fast food classic.
The Best Mac and Cheese
Yeah. The best mac and cheese? That’s a big claim. We’ve made mac and cheese on the blog before, but we’ve heard over and over again that this recipe below is THE BEST, so we believe it. Plus, we love it so much ourselves, so we’re going with it. And there will be some leftover cheese to make other kinds of cheesy goodness. Stay tuned this week for a good use for it!
Gluten-Free Cornbread Muffins
These cornbread muffins are heavily inspired by Minimalist Baker’s gluten-free cornbread. However, I love cornbread in muffin form, prefer coconut sugar over cane, and don’t use oil when I bake. Which means I changed it up a bit and absolutely LOVE it. Even my nonevegan/non-GF parents love these muffins! So, if you’re interested–even if you’re not vegan or gluten-free!–you should check this recipe out. The end result is worth working with the aquafaba, in my opinion.
I love making them when Husband makes a big batch of chili, but they’re also a great breakfast, snack, or dessert. They’re super impressive though. The pickiest of eaters in my family love them, and if they do, most people will. So give these a shot. They’re so yummy!
Let me know if you try this recipe! Rate it, comment below, or take a photo and tag me @fruitsohard on Instagram. I’d love to see your creations. Happy eating!
- 3/4 unsweetened non-dairy milk
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/3 cup aquafaba
- 1/4 cup coconut sugar*
- 1/4 cup organic cane sugar
- 1 cup + 1 tbsp gluten-free flour
- 1 cup + 2 tbsp fine cornmeal
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt (pink Himalayan recommended)
- 1/3 cup applesauce
-
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (176 C) and ready your cupcake/muffin tins. I have silicone muffin cups, so I don't use nonstick spray or parchment paper, but feel free to do so. Alternatively, you can bake these in a 8x8 pan** instead.
-
Add non-dairy milk and apple cider vinegar to a small bowl and set aside.
-
Pour aquafaba into a medium mixing bowl and beat with mixer until small peaks form. Add sugar a little at a time and keep beating until it's glossy and firmer peaks form. Then set aside.
-
Mix dry ingredients (flour through salt) in a large mixing bowl and whisk to combine.
-
To the dry ingredients, add the milk/vinegar mixture and the applesauce and stir to combine. Then add the aquafaba/sugar mixture and gently mix until combined.
-
Add batter to prepared muffin tins and bake for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool slightly and then enjoy!
*Or you can use 1/2 cup cane sugar (total) for a more traditional cornbread muffin and leave the coconut sugar out.
**For an 8x8, bake for 25-35 minutes.
**Inspired by Minimalist Baker.
Garlic Parmesan Breadsticks
You guys! Since going gluten-free, my husband and I rarely eat bread. Not gonna lie–I’m lazy, so I don’t make my own. I have started eating Ezekiel bread every so often (okay, sometimes every day when I make avocado toast), but it’s not the same as the horrible-for-you white bread I ate while growing up. 🙂 And, while this isn’t sandwich bread, it’s a seriously delicious, garlicky, gooey-bread breadstick. OMGYUMMM.
Quinoa and Veggies
There are a lot of great things about eating a plant-based diet. One is that meals can be so simple yet so satisfying and filling. Quinoa acts just like rice in a dish like this, and you can choose any veggies you love to add to things like stir-fry for an easy, satisfying dish. Feel free to customize or make this the way we do.
Brown Rice and Lentil Loaf
Ever since my friend Jodie sent me a recipe for lentil burgers, I have wanted to make the recipe work as a loaf. Before I went vegan, I was pretty good at making a tasty meatloaf. It’s one of those things I miss the comfort of, but I obviously won’t make one now. And this is perfect to satisfy those cravings when served with ketchup or barbecue sauce.
“Chicken” Noodle Soup
Chicken noodle soup is one of those home-cooked meals I’ve missed since becoming vegan. My mom used to make huge pots of it on cold winter nights when I was growing up, and there’s something so soothing about having that for dinner. Which means I tasked Husband with figuring out how to make a version I could eat (meaning vegan and gluten-free). And he won that game for sure! Here’s what he came up with.
