Crostini (toasted bread slices)

I was trying to modify my recipe for vegan crab dip to make it better. Which I did. But I didn't have any crackers. So I just made some quick-and-dirty crostini... Traditionally you would use like an Italian baguette or french bread. But I didn't have any. So, I used some sandwich bread.


Ingredients:

• Bread (cut into 20 strips)
• olive oil

• STEP one!
  Pre-Heat Oven to 350° F
  
  Place strips of bread on baking sheet.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  • STEP two!
  Brush each slice with olive oil.
  
  Bake about 10 minutes until golden brown.
  
  
  
  
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    • STEP three!
  Remove from oven and use in dips or cut into croutons for salads.
  
  Enjoy!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  -Jordan Halliday
  

I updated my crab dip recipe

I updated my crab dip recipe, I think it is a little better now... debating trying chickpeas in it too... find the updated instructions under the old ones here:

Vegan Artichoke Heart "Crab" Dip

 -Jordan Halliday

Vegan Short Bread Cookies

I really like Short Bread Cookies. I used to donate my Blood just because I could get a free pack of Lorna Doone Cookies out of it. Well, that's not the only reason I did it. So, I decided to try my hand in making them. This is what I have come up with so far. Traditionally Short Bread Cookies aren't really sweet. So you could add a bit more sugar to this recipe, if you think you want that extra sweetness. Myself, I prefer to dip them in melted chocolate or put some jam on top.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup - vegan margarine*
• 1/2 cup - sugar
• 2 cups - all purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon - baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon - salt
• 1/2 teaspoon - vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons - soymilk
  *make sure it is at room temperature

Step 1:
In a large bowl, cream together the margarine and sugar with a mixer until fluffy.


 




Step 2:
Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt until well mixed. 

Step 3:
Slowly add the flour mixture to the "butter fluff" margarine mixture.

Step 4:
Finally add the vanilla and soymilk, and slowly mix in.

Step 5:
Refrigerate dough overnight or until it is the consistency of butter.

Step 6:
Preheat the oven to 350 F & line a baking sheet with wax paper.
Lightly flour a flat surface and roll dough with rolling pin until it is about 1/4" thick.

Step 7 :
Cut into fun shapes or use a cookie cutter and place on baking sheet.

Step 8:
Bake for about 5 mins, then rotate pan 180 degrees and bake for another 5.

Step 9:
Remove from oven and let cool for about 5 mins on pan before transferring them to a wire rack.

Step 10:
EAT THEM! or Make them pretty like I did for my mom on mothers day. Enjoy!

-Jordan Halliday

Vegan Soy Chai Latte

I am sick of all the boxes of chai tea having honey in them.
VEGAN!

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 tea bag -- Chai Spice Black Tea
• 1 cup -- soymilk
• 1 teaspoon -- sugar
• 1 teaspoon -- brown sugar
• Splash -- vanilla
• Dash -- cinnamon
• Dash -- nutmeg
• Dash -- ground cloves
• *optional* (to taste) agave nectar

STEP ONE!
Mix Soymilk and all the other ingredients (minus the tea bag) in a pan. Heat over medium heat until mild boil.

STEP TWO!
Immediately pour into mug, steep the bag of tea for a couple of minutes. Add Agave to taste. Enjoy!

-Jordan Halliday

Vegan Peanut Butter Cups

I guess you really wouldn't call what I made "cups", maybe peanut butter blossoms, and peanut butter hearts. But semantics, its the same concept.

I bought these Ice Cube Trays at Ikea and they work great for chocolates. Alternatively, you could buy little peanut butter cup wrappers.

The kosher salt was a last minute idea. We ate those ones really quick and I didn't get a picture. The salt goes amazingly well with the chocolate and peanut butter.

Next Challenge Snickers.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 pound -- vegan chocolate (I used bittersweet, ran out and mixed in some dark)
• 1 Cup -- Peanut Butter
• 1/2 Cup -- Powdered Sugar
• 2 splashes -- Vanilla Extract
• Kosher Salt (optional)

 

STEP ONE:
In double broiler Melt Chocolate.

STEP TWO:
Place a couple granules of the kosher salt at the bottom of paper cups or ice cube trays if you are using them. Spoon in some chocolate. Using a little paint brush, brush the sides of the cups/trays making sure chocolate is covering them fully. Make sure there is enough room for the peanut butter and more chocolate on top. Place in Freezer.

STEP THREE:
While Chocolate is solidifying. Mix Peanut Butter, Powdered Sugar, and Vanilla in a bowl. You should get something the consistency of cookie dough.

STEP FOUR:
Press Peanut Butter Dough into trays of chocolate, leaving enough room to be brushed with chocolate on top.

STEP FIVE:
Coat the tops of the peanut butter, allowing the chocolate to fill in all the holes. Brush with a paint brush to make sure its coated well. Put in freezer.

STEP SIX:
Pop the chocolates out of the mold once chocolate has solidified. Enjoy.

-Jordan Halliday

Peanut Butter Cups

Thai Massaman Curry with Tofu

 This is my favorite curry, I realize I make mine probably differently than most. I like mine a little sweeter, So I use a little sugar and my secret ingredient... Peanut Butter. But, it is my style so, whatev's. It tastes good the way I do it. You'll also want to use a large wok for this.

 INGREDIENTS:

• 4 cups -- coconut milk
• 1 can -- massaman paste (can be found at asian market, make sure it is vegan)
• 2 large -- potatoes
• 1 block -- firm tofu
• 2 large -- carrots
• 2 tbsp -- chunky peanut butter (optional)
• 2 tbsp -- sugar (optional)
• 2 tbsp -- roasted peanuts (optional)
• salt and pepper to taste

Step One!
Mix Massaman Paste and 2 cups of Coconut Milk over medium heat until well mixed (about 5 mins).

Step Two!
Chop & Add Potatoes and Carrots, Then Add remaining coconut milk.

  

Step Three!

Cube and Add Tofu and let sit over medium heat until potatoes and carrots are well cooked.

 

Step Four!

Add Peanut Butter, Sugar, Salt, Pepper and Peanuts and Stir Well.
Serve over White Rice. Enjoy!

-Jordan Halliday

Vegan "Jello"

 

So my friend/co-worker Meagan was bummed when she found out she couldn't eat jello the other day.

So I decided to make a recipe to show you all how easy it actually is to make "jello" vegan. 

The hardest thing you will need to find is "agar agar" which is available at most asian markets and some grocery stores.

You can also throw in chopped fruits into this, But I was never a fan of that.

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 Cups -- Juice
  (I used Limeade, which is kinda like a juice, you can use koolaid or whatever you want really)
• 4 Tablespoons -- Agar Agar Flakes
• Food Coloring (optional)

Step One!

Add agar to juice and bring to boil in pot.
Step Two!

Reduce heat and simmer for about 5 minutes or until agar is dissolved.
Mix in food coloring and chopped fruit if you want at this point.

Step Three!

Pour into tray, chill overnight or until firm in fridge. Enjoy!

-Jordan Halliday