This easy “pesto” was born on a day when I was craving spinach artichoke dip, but was really not in the mood for the cream cheese and heavy cream in practically every recipe I could find. So, I took a healthier & lighter approach with fewer ingredients and arrived at this pesto-like mixture (omitting the…
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Cucumber Salad with Chili-and-Garlic-Oil
The marinade from this cucumber salad can be applied to any vegetable you prefer, but I’ve found that it works most amazingly with cucumbers due to their absorbent nature. A tangy edge is introduced from fresh lemon juice and if you’re not familiar with freshly ground coriander – which I hear is actually seeds of…
Jollof Rice – Vegan Style
After obsessing over countless Jollof Rice recipes from African cooks on YouTube, I have arrived at this recipe which follows more of a Ghanian method. There is an ongoing culinary debate about how Jollof Rice is prepared between countries; for example Ghanian uses basmati rice and a has lighter, fluffier texture. Nigerian recipes use long…
Coleslaw with Sriracha-Ginger “Vinaigrette”
If you’re in the mood for coleslaw without mayonnaise and enjoy a spicy edge, then consider this vegan alternative featuring Sriracha sauce and grated ginger. I uses the term “vinaigrette” loosely because lemon juice is the acidic stand-in for vinegar this coleslaw recipe, and like most vegetable marinades this side dish gets better as it…
Black-Eyed Pea Dip with Roasted Garlic
Put down the hummus and consider this faster-cooking black-eyed pea dip to impress any vegan and/or Southern/Soul food aficionados you may be cooking for. Roasting garlic is a crucial step you certainly don’t want to skip, as it takes only 20 minutes and ideal to be done in a toaster oven. Once the peas are…
Homefries – Broiler or Skillet Method
These crispy, well-seasoned, oven-made homefries can enhance any meal if you just follow just a few simple concepts. Be sure to briefly boil them (for just a few minutes) prior to seasoning, don’t be shy with the seasonings, and use extreme temperatures. You can achieve similar results using one of two methods — frying in…
Fried Yam Fixings
These sweet, crispy bits of fried yam matchsticks can be an exciting addition to any sandwich, wrap, salad topping, or a snack by itself. No matter if you are vegan, vegetarian, or meat-loving, these fixings work with literally everything. Be on the lookout for a hand-held matchstick slicer (pictured down below), available online or any…
Easy Jerk Chicken from the Jar
While researching recipes for jerk chicken I found many people tend to add their own “other” ingredients. People add all sorts of non-traditional items including parsley, nutmeg, or even soy sauce. However, I really wanted to experience the traditional version of this amazing Jamaican comfort food so I, again, turned to YouTube. From researching the…
Gumbo with Black-Eyed Peas and Mashed Jalapeño-Yams
While traditional gumbo gets its thick texture from making a roux at the start of the recipe, for this vegan interpretation achieves a similar consistency from mixing some mashed yams into your bowl at the very end. This recipe includes making your own vegetable stock so you can either buy it or make your own…
Sautéed Collard Greens
This recipe for sautéed collard greens does not involve the traditional method of preparation in which the greens endure hours of simmering with a ham hock or smoked turkey wing. Instead, you can try this vegan option in only 20 minutes of cooking time. The introduction of a few key ingredients gives this dish what…