Mock 'Tuna' Chickpea Spread

I love chickpeas. Maybe not as much as my buddy Meagan (The Snarky Chickpea). But almost as much.
This recipe is simple. Especially if you are just using a can of chickpeas.

INGREDIENTS:

• 15 oz (1 can) -- chickpeas
• 1 -- dill pickle spear (dill relish can be substituted)
• 1 1/2 TBS -- vegenaise
• 1 tsp -- yellow mustard
• 1 tsp -- ketchup
• 1/2 tsp -- minced garlic
• squirt -- lemon juice
• to taste -- salt
• to taste -- pepper
• (optional) -- half stick of celery

STEP 1:

Put all ingredients in a food processor











STEP 2:

Process
(a few chops will do)










STEP 3:

Put in a fancy dish and serve with pita chips or spread over toasted bread.

STEP 4:

Enjoy.










-Jordan Halliday

Spicy Nutritonal Yeast (Nacho) Cheese Dip

Back before there were the many vegan cheese varieties of today, we had our nutritional yeast. I still really enjoy this cheese alternative. This is of the spicy variety. Perfect for dipping tortilla chips in or pouring over chips for nachos. If you hold out on the hot sauce it is less spicy and still tasty and can be used for mac & cheese, or over broccoli or a pizza.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 Cup -- Cold Water
• 1/4 Cup -- Unbleached Flour
• 1/4 Cup -- Nutritional Yeast Flakes
• 1 1/2 Tablespoon -- Vegan Margarine (I used smart balance light for this, but I prefer earth balance) 
• 1 teaspoon -- Salt
• 1/3 teaspoon -- Minced Garlic (can substitute with garlic powder)
• 1/2 teaspoon -- Yellow Mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon -- Favorite Hot Sauce (I used Tapatio)
• (optional) -- diced tomatoes, jalapenos, salsa, etc. (I like a less chunky sauce)

STEP 1:

Melt margarine in a small sauce pan over low heat.








STEP 2:

In a separate bowl, mix together dry ingredients.








STEP 3:

Whisk in water until there are no clumps left.








STEP 4:

Stir in remaining ingredients (hot sauce, garlic, and mustard).








STEP 5:

Add mixture to sauce pan and heat over medium setting.









STEP 6:

Stir frequently until desired thickness is reached.










STEP 7:

Put in fancy cup & enjoy.










As I said before you can add additional ingredients to your liking. If you prefer a chunkier, spicer cheese dip adding sliced jalapenos & tomatoes go perfect in this and can be added after or during step 4.

Stores & reheats easy.

If it solidifies adding a tiny amount of water and reheating should fix the problem.

-Jordan Halliday

Must Have Items

Hey everyone,

So, I have been constantly asked to create a food blog that has my recipes and other various things. I finally decided to take the time and create it.

So I am just going to jump into this thing. I think it will be easier. So here it goes.

Veganism is easy and cheap if you make you.

Here is a basic list of items I always have on hand, you can always make something quick if you have some of these basic items.

ITEMS I ALWAYS HAVE ON HAND:

• Nutritional Yeast

 I always grab this in bulk from the local grocery store. But if you can't find it in bulk, you may be able to find it at your local health food store or online.

(a few well known brands: Bob's Red Mill & Redstar)

• Vital Wheat Gluten Flour

This is something else I always grab in bulk. But the same goes with this stuff, if you can't find it in bulk. you might be able to find it in smaller bags at your local health food store or online.

(a few well known brands: Bob's Red Mill & Arrowhead Mills)

• Grain Milk/Milk Alternatives

I personally enjoy sipping on grain milks and milk alternatives, but even if you can't get into that, they are always used in cooking and baking and are a must in the fridge. Varieties include: Soy, Rice, Almond, Oat, Hemp, Coconut and many others.

(a few well known brands: Silk, 8th continent, Blue Diamond, pacific, west soy, soy dream & rice dream)

• Chickpeas

Chickpeas/Garbanzo Beans are by far one of my favorite most versatile food items. I will be posting many recipes with them. Trust me.
Buy in bulk, soak over night... *whispers* or use a can.

• Rice

It is just easy, add to some beans and you have a meal.

• Noodles

Noodles are also an easy thing to make. Buy in different varieties. 

• Tofu

 I always have firm or extra firm tofu on hand. It makes for good breakfasts in the morning. Tofu is readily available at most groceries stores. I buy mine at the local asian market for 99 cents a block. But, most groceries store sell blocks for around $2.50. Make sure to buy Firm or Extra firm and NOT SILKEN. Silken is a different style tofu and I rarely use it for anything.

• Spices

Good Spices to have on hand include:
Salt, Pepper, Cumin, Curry powder, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Tumeric, Paprika, etc.

Honestly, if you buy a spice rack that includes all the spices with it. It should have most of the stuff you need save a few.

• Vegan Margarine

Just another one of those staples that is good to always have on hand.
(well known brands: Earth Balance)

• Bragg's Liquid Aminos 

This amazing stuff tastes like soy sauce and is packed full of all the aminos acid your body needs. Use as a replacement for soy sauce, and to flavor food. Find it at a local health food store or online.

• Vegenaise

There is no competition when it comes to mayonaise alternatives. This is the best. Many non-vegans prefer it to animal based mayo.

• Various Produce

Always good to have things like potatoes, carrots, celery, lettuce and all your favorites.
-Jordan Halliday