Vegan Recipes You Have to Try

by | Jun 6, 2023

 

Frankei’s Homemade Granola

Did you know that 31 million Americans skip breakfast every day? Normally due to lack of time or being too busy. We take the message to not skip breakfast as a recommendation or simply good advice that is optional to follow at best. Maybe we will eat something tomorrow. However, do not wait for tomorrow. Breakfast is actually backed by science and here is why. Eating breakfast jumpstarts your metabolism and helps you burn calories throughout the day. By skipping breakfast you are sending a message to your body that food is scarce and we need to hold onto those extra calories. Eating breakfast also helps you meet your fruit and veggie goals for the day and increases better performance at work and school. Want to make a quick breakfast that will fuel you on the go? Try making my homemade granola. Your tummy will say thank you. Homemade granola is truly a chance to show your creativity in the kitchen. You can add anything you want, but more importantly, it can really change the flavor with the seasons.

Frankei's Homemade Granola

INGREDIENTS:

  • 3 cups of oats
  • ¾ cups of mixed nuts (I used pecan, brazil, and walnut)
  • ½ cup unsweetened coconut flakes
  • ½ cup pumpkin seeds
  • 3 Tbs sunflower seeds
  • ¼ cup coconut sugar
  • ½ tsp cinnamon
  • ¼ cup coconut oil melted
  • ¼ cup maple syrup (can use agave, honey, or any liquid sweetener)
  • ¼ cup almond butter (sun butter for allergy friendly)
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • ¾ tsp salt
  • 3 Tbs hemp seeds
  • ½ cup thinly slice unsweetened dried fruit (I used apricots and cherries)

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees
  2. Mix the oats, nuts, coconut flakes, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, coconut sugar, and cinnamon into a mixing bowl.
  3. In a separate bowl mix in the coconut oil, maple syrup, almond butter, vanilla, and salt. Whisk until well combined.
  4. Mix the wet and dry ingredients together and stir until mixed well.
  5. Lay wet granola mix on parchment paper or a baking mat.
  6. Bake for 30 minutes tossing halfway through.
  7. Serve with dairy free milk of choice, put on your favorite smoothie bowl, yogurt, or simply take to go in your day to day. Best for hiking. Stores lovely in a container on the counter for up to 10 days.

 

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Shannon’s Lunch Bagel

Bagels are largely thought of as a breakfast food, but I’m a pretty big fan of them and regularly make yummy bagel sandwiches for lunch!

Shannon's Vegan Bagel

INGREDIENTS:
  • Everything bagel
  • Vegan cream cheese (I love lots of brands but Kite Hill is my current fav)
  • Vegan butter
  • Red onion
  • Tomato
  • Cucumber
  • Salt & pepper
DIRECTIONS:
Toast the bagel to your preferred crispiness and butter both sides. Spread the cream cheese on either side (or both!). Add sliced red onion, cukes, and tomato. Salt and pepper to taste. Smoosh the top half on and enjoy!
Other options for toppings: green peppers, banana peppers, white onions, greens, olives, pickled jalapeños, and so much more!

 

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Morgan’s Sticky-Tofu

If you’re looking for an easy comfort food, this is it. I found this recipe on Instagram, tweaked it a little to my liking, and it quickly became a recipe I often make. Most ingredients are probably already in your cupboard, but if not, Trader Joe’s is where I go to pick up more specialty ingredients. I love their extra firm tofu. It holds together really well and it’s not watery like some other brands. My tofu-skeptical friends even like this recipe! It’s a winner for me and I hope it’s a winner for you and your friends, too. Enjoy!

Morgan's Sticky Tofu

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 block of extra firm tofu
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1/2 tbsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp minced ginger
  • 3 minced garlic cloves

Sauce:

  • 1/4 cup water
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch
  • 3 tbsp coconut aminos
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp ketchup
  • 1/2 tsp chili flakes

Garnish:

  • Sesame seeds
  • Green onion

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Preheat the oven to 400℉.
  2. Break the tofu into small chunks using your hands. Cover with cornstarch and mix well. Bake for 20–30 minutes until crispy.
  3. While that cooks, make the sauce. Combine water, cornstarch, coconut aminos, brown sugar, ketchup, and chili flakes in a bowl. Set aside.
  4. When the tofu is ready, set it aside.
  5. Add sesame oil to pan and sauté ginger and garlic for 2 minutes.
  6. Pour the sauce into the pan. Once the sauce thickens and gets sticky, add the tofu to the pan and mix well.
  7. Serve as is or with rice. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onion.

AUTHORS

Aimee Douglass is the Director of Compassionate Living. Aimee works in the healthcare industry and has a bachelors degree in Creative Writing from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown and a masters degree in Communications with a health care focus from Southern New Hampshire University.

Abhi Nadendla is a blogger at HAP and has been volunteering at the organization since late 2022. She is a student at the University of Pittsburgh and loves spending her free time helping out at animal shelters.

Hannah Lewis is a grant writer and blogger from Pittsburgh’s North Side who has been with HAP since 2020. In addition to writing and advocating for animals, she enjoys hiking, cooking plant-based meals, bouldering at her local climbing gym, and curling up with a good book and her long-haired cat, Freyja.

Kelly Frantz has recently joined the HAP family as a blog writer. She is passionate about animal protection and is excited to educate the community about animal welfare.