Creamy Basil Dip

1 cup of cashews
1/2 cup water
2 garlic cloves
1 lemon, juiced
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon onion powder
A dash of coarse black pepper
One big handful of fresh basil, leaves only (most of one bunch)

Blend all ingredients except the basil until smooth and creamy. Then add basil and pulse – you still want there to be green flecks in the sauce.

Artichoke Guacamole
adapted from The Olives Table by Todd English and Sally Sampson
Makes about 1-1/2 cups

1 can of artichoke bottoms, including stem
1/2 small red onion, finely chopped
2 plum tomatoes, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about 1/2 lemon)
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
1/3 cup chopped scallions
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1. Place artichoke bottoms in a small saucepan, cover with water, and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook until the artichokes are very soft, about 20 minutes. Drain.
2. When cool enough to handle, finely chop the artichokes and place in a medium-size mixing bowl. Add the onion, tomato, lemon juice, olive oil, sesame oil, scallions, salt, and pepper and gently mash with a fork.

Up close

Before the Daiya

after Daiya, ready to eat!

Slow-cooked Open Enchiladas

• 1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes
• 1 16-ounce bottle chunky salsa
• 1 6-ounce can tomato paste
• 2 15-ounce cans black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 15 1/4-ounce can whole kernel corn, drained
• 1 4-ounce can diced green chiles
• 1 1/2 tablespoons ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 6-10 6″ corn tortillas
• daiya or any other vegan cheese

1. In a large bowl, combine the tomatoes, salsa, tomato paste, beans, corn, green chiles, cumin, and garlic powder. Mix well. Spread about 1 cup of this mixture into the slow cooker liner; spread evenly. Top with 2-3 tortillas, cutting to fit as necessary. Spread on 1/3 of the remaining tomato mixture. Repeat these layers 2 more times, ending with the rest of the tomato mixture; spread evenly over the top.
2. Cover and cook on the low heat setting about 5 hours.
3. Add vegan cheese on top and continue cooking for another 10 minutes, till melted. Serve hot.

or really any party )

Have a great weekend! Go J-E-T-S!!

Cheesy Baked Penne with Cauliflower and Crème Fraîche VEGAN Version! SO GOOD!

Sweet Potato Fries with Raspberry Dipping Sauce

Beet Ravioli with Herb Cheese Filling

Garbanzo Guacamole

Meltaway Peppermint Patties

Vegan 7 Layer Dip

Vegan Eggplant Pecan Pesto Dip

Herbin’ Ranch Dip

Babaganush

Chocolate-Covered Katie’s Banana Butter

Chocolate Banana Oatmeal Cookies

Chopped “Liver” Spread

GO J-E-T-S!!!!!!!!

I always want something yummy that everyone will like but of course want to keep it vegan. This was actually beyond deelish and people were bumping their hands to get in there for more

Hosting a Championships or Super Bowl Football party? Or just attending one and need a fabulous dish to bring….try this one out and let me know what you think. I am sure you and everyone else will be super delighted!!!

with cheese layer, after baking

before cheese layer and baking

Vegan 7 Layer Dip

1 (16-ounce) can vegan refried beans
3 large avocados
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 (8-ounce) containers vegan sour cream
1 packet taco seasoning
1/2 cup diced mild green chiles, drained
1 can sliced black olives
5 tomatoes, chopped
2 cups shredded cheddar daiya or other vegan cheddar cheese

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Spread a layer of refried beans in the bottom of an 8 inch by 8 inch quart glass baking dish.
3. Spoon avocados into a bowl and mash with the lime juice. Spread on top of the refried beans.
4. Stir together the sour cream and taco seasoning, and spread over the avocado.
5. Sprinkle the chiles over the sour cream, and top with a layer of black olives.
6. Add the tomatoes, and sprinkle with the cheese.
7. Heat the dip for 15-30 minutes or until heated through and the cheese is a bit melted.
8. Serve warm or at room temperature.

I can never get enough ‘Peanut Sauce’ haha so I had to give this one a try. YUM! And with the grated daikon and carrot it was the perfect meal. I put the bowl in the Dehydrator for 30 minutes and it was great to have a slightly warmed meal.

Right out of the package they need a little help. But afterwards they were so good!

Kelp Noodles & Veggies in Peanut Sauce
Adapted from The Sunny Raw Kitchen

1 package kelp noodles

‘Peanut’ Sauce
3 tbs almond butter
2 tbs tahini
2 garlic cloves
2 1/2 tbs lime juice
1 tbs tamari
1 tbs raw sesame or coconut oil
1 tbs olive oil
1/2 tbs grated fresh ginger root
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 – 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (depending on how hot you like it)
1/2 tsp salt
3 tbs agave
1/4 cup water

Blend until smooth. If necessary, add more water until desired consistency is reached.

Veggies
1 cup grated carrot
1 cup grated daikon

Place rinsed noodles and veggies in a large bowl. Toss with desired amount of Peanut Sauce. Let sit on the counter or in the Dehydrator for 30 minutes before serving.

I had made a double batch of kale chips a few days before and then whipped up this insanely amazing and unbelievably low-fat dip! We served the dip with multi-grain pita chips and it was divine! The whole time we were eating it I couldn’t believe how good it was since I had just made it and knew what was in it and what was not in it! (fat!!!!) There is 1 cup of Pecans in this but there was no other oil or any other”creamy” ingredients. We really enjoyed the dip warm

Happy Snacking!!

Vegan Eggplant Pecan Pesto Dip
Makes about 3 cups
Recipe adapted from Dr. Neal Barnard

1/2 cup water, more or less as needed
1 medium onion, diced
1/2 teaspoon crushed garlic
1 large eggplant, peeled
1 cup pecans
1/2 cup firmly packed fresh basil
2-3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2-4 tablespoons light miso
dash of salt

Heat water in a large non-stick skillet. Add onion and garlic and cook over medium-high heat for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, cut eggplant into 1/2-inch cubes. Add to onion, cover, and reduce heat to medium. Cook, stirring often, until eggplant is very soft, about 25 to 30 minutes. If necessary, add a little more water to keep eggplant from sticking to pan. When tender, transfer eggplant mixture to blender or food processor. Add remaining ingredients and process until completely smooth. Mixture will be thick. Serve immediately while warm or at room temperature. Store leftovers in refrigerator and reheat to serve.

I made this for our wonderful Surprise Birthday Party for my Dear and Beloved Teacher, Phil! I also made the yummy Vegan chopped liver. I usually make the chopped liver for Passover but since it is so addictively amazing I might start making it year round. YUM! Break out the crudité and enjoy both of these fun dips!!!

Here is the link to the dip: Herbin’ Ranch Dip

All packed and ready to go to the party

Almond Butter Sauce

Lettuce Wraps with Almond Butter Sauce

Lettuce Wraps

• Boston Lettuce
• Jicama, julienned or shredded
• Carrots, julienned or shredded
• Cucumber, julienned or shredded
• Almond Butter Sauce

Place lettuce leaves and stack the Jicama, cucumbers and carrots in them. Drizzle almond butter sauce on top. Enjoy!
Almond Butter Sauce

• 1/2 cup Almond butter
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 ounce chopped onion
• 1/2 tsp Curry powder
• 4 T Almond or any non-dairy milk
• 4 tsp Lime juice
• 2 tsp Agave
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Blend or process all the ingredients until smooth.

We started off with a Raw Vegan Caesar Salad. YUM!! I haven’t made this in over a year and it was soooo good!! I doubled the recipe and kept the rest of the dressing in the fridge for a weeks worth of salads and dip for carrot sticks! You know when you eat the same food over and over and you don’t want it anymore — that did not happen! It was disappointing when we finally finished the dressing YUM!!!

Check out the recipe here Raw Crisp Caesar Salad with Pinenut Parmesan. DEEELISH!!