18 Mar 2010
by marisashealthykitchen
in Home Cooking, Vegan Recipes, Vegetarian Recipes
Tags: almond milk, comfort food, cream, dayia, entertaining, non-dairy cheese, pasta, sauces, sides, snack, soy, Tofutti, vegan, vegetarian
Who does not love Mac&Cheese? My friend Shalon gave me this recipe which she super enjoyed and I had to agree! Of course I made this Vegan so I could partake in all the fun and I am SOOO happy I did. Michael and I are obsessed with this dish! This made a huge batch and we were happy to have it to eat all week long 🙂 Thanks Shalon!! YUM!!!!
Note: Daiya Cheese – Ummm have you tried this yet? It is ABSURDLY AMAZING! There has never been a Vegan Cheese this good! I have had it before at restaurants but this was my first time cooking with it. SO amazing!! It was easy to find at whole foods, so awesome!

SO Yummy!

Without Breadcrumbs - Look how cheesy!
Cheesy Baked Penne with Cauliflower and Crème Fraîche – VEGAN VERSION IN ITALICS AND BOLD
* 1 – 1 1/2- to 1 3/4-pound head of cauliflower, cored, cut into 1-inch florets
* 1 12oz can of diced stewed tomatoes (drained)
* 5 tablespoons butter (EARTH BALANCE)
* Coarse kosher salt
* 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
* 1 cup 1% lowfat milk (8th continent light soymilk)
* 21/2 cups coarsely shredded sharp cheddar cheese (DAYIA – Used 3 cups)
* 3/4 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano, finely grated Parmesan cheese (Didn’t use)
* 1 cup crème fraîche (Tofutti vegan Sour Cream)
* 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
* 10-12 ounces penne (3 1/2ish cups) (Used 14.5 ounces high protein penne)
* 1 cup fresh breadcrumbs
- Cook cauliflower in large pot of boiling salted water until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Using large sieve, transfer cauliflower to bowl. Reserve pot of water.
- Melt 2 tablespoons butter (earth balance) in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add cauliflower; sauté until beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes. Cook 1 minute to blend flavors. Remove from heat. Season with coarse salt and pepper.
- Return reserved pot of water to boil. Add pasta and cook until tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Drain; return pasta to same pot. Stir in cauliflower mixture.
- Melt 2 tablespoons butter (earth balance) in large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add flour and stir 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in milk (soymilk). Cook until sauce thickens, whisking occasionally, about 4 minutes. Add 2 cups cheddar cheese (daiya cheese); whisk until melted and sauce is smooth. Whisk in 1/2 cup Parmesan (didn’t use), then crème fraîche (tofutti vegan sour cream) and mustard. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat and stir into pasta and cauliflower in the pot.
- Butter 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish. Spoon in pasta mixture and with 1/2 cup cheddar cheese (daiya cheese). Melt remaining 1 tablespoon butter in small skillet. Add breadcrumbs and toss to coat. Remove from heat; mix in 1/4 cup Parmesan (didn’t use). Sprinkle crumbs over pasta.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake pasta uncovered until heated through and bubbling, about 35 minutes.

08 Mar 2010
by marisashealthykitchen
in Home Cooking, Vegan Recipes, Vegetarian Recipes
Tags: almond milk, breakfast, comfort food, dessert, entertaining, quick and easy, soy, vegan, vegetarian, waffles
My fabulous friend Rae hosts super fun brunches in her gorgeous sunlight filled apartment! So fun! Great group of people and amazing food. Love it!
They had all the usual suspects from waffles, eggs, bacon, fruit & mimosas. Rae was so thoughtful and even made me vegan waffles so I have fun food too! They were deelish!
Check out the pics 🙂 Waffles, fruit and boysenberry syrup. YUM!


Rae’s Vegan Waffles
2cups All Purpose flour
1cups Whole Wheat Flour
1/4cup brown sugar (Rae used sucanat)
2tbsp canola oil
1/4tsp salt
1tsp baking powder
2 1/2c soy milk (Rae used rice milk & some water)
Mix the dry together, add the wet. Don’t overmix. Make sure the waffle iron is hot and cook 4-6 minutes each! ENJOY!
01 Mar 2010
by marisashealthykitchen
in Home Cooking, Vegan Recipes, Vegetarian Recipes
Tags: almond milk, coconut, comfort food, Peanut Sauce, quick and easy, sauces, sides, soy, tamari, tofu, vegan, vegetarian
YUM!!! I love peanut sauce, tofu and spinach so what can be bad here?!?! You can serve this over rice or noodles as there is more than enough sauce to go around. What a deelish dinner!

Spinach and Tofu with Peanut Sauce
adapted from Vegan Feast Kitchen
Quick peanut sauce:
1/4 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup veggie broth
1/2 cup plain soymilk or nut milk
2 Tbs coconut powder
2 Tbs sweet Thai chile sauce
1 Tbs lemon or 2 Tbs lime juice
1 Tbs tamari
Whisk all ingredients in a small saucepan and heat gently.
The rest:
Cube 1 block of firm tofu and brown it quickly in a nonstick skillet in 1 Tbs. peanut oil
Add the peanut sauce mixed with:
1 tsp. roasted (Asian) sesame oil
a few shakes of Thai or Vietnamese hot sauce
Stir this around the pan until the tofu almost absorbs it.
Add 12 oz. of fresh, cleaned baby spinach.
Stir around over high heat JUST until the spinach wilts. Serve immediately and ENJOY 🙂


26 Jan 2010
by marisashealthykitchen
in Home Cooking, Vegan Recipes, Vegetarian Recipes
Tags: almond milk, breakfast, comfort food, crock-pot, non-dairy cheese, polenta, quick and easy, sides, slow cooker, vegan, vegetarian
WE LOVE POLENTA! We love grits! Whatever you want to call it, it is deelish and one of my fave comfort foods ever! It is so simple to prepare but even simpler to eat 🙂
Sometimes when I know I have a lot of cooking to do, I love to use the slow cooker so that I can prepare one part of the meal beforehand and it is ready when I am done cooking the rest. Ahh so simple!

Pre-cooked Polenta

Soft Polenta Yummyness

Set Polenta

Polenta Square
Slow cooked Corn Polenta and Chiles
3 cups water (or milk/ or non-dairy milk)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3/4 cup yellow cornmeal
1 cup corn kernels
1 cup shredded montery jack cheese (or non-dairy cheese)
1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese (or non-dairy cheese)
1 can diced mild green chiles
- In a large saucepan or flame-proof slow cooker liner over medium heat bring water, garlic, rosemary, salt and pepper to a boil. Add polenta, whisking to prevent lumps. Continue whisking until mixture begins to thicken and bubbles, about 5 minutes. Add corn, Jack and Parmesan cheeses and chiles and mix well. Transfer to slow cooker stoneware if you are using a saucepan.
- Cover and cook on Low for 2-3 hours. It will then be a soft (deelish) polenta. If you want it to set transfer to a 8×8 glass pan and place in the fridge for a half hour or so.
- Serve and enjoy either way!
LOVE POLENTA!3 cups skim milk (water or soy milk)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3/4 cup coarsley yellow cornmeal, preferably stone-ground
1 cup corn kernals
1 cup shredded montery jack cheese
1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
1 can diced mild green chiles
1. in a large saucepa over medium heat, bring milk, garli, rosemary, salt and pepper to taste to a boil. Gradually add polenta, in a steady stream, whisking to remove all lumps. Continue whisking until mixture begins to thicken and bubbles like lava, about 5 minutes. Add corn, Jack and Parmesan cheeses and chiles and mix well. Transfer to slow cooker stoneware.
2. Cover and cook on Low for 2 hours, until mixture is firm and just beginning to brown around the edges.
21 Jan 2010
by marisashealthykitchen
in Home Cooking, Vegan Recipes, Vegetarian Recipes
Tags: almond milk, artichoke, comfort food, cream, pesto, quick and easy, sides, snack, soup, vegan, vegetarian
This soup was sooo good! Thanks Bryanna! It was super easy and super deelish! I love artichokes and the taste that lingers in your mouth after you have eaten them. This soup is just divine and super creamy and Vegan! Yum! Highly recommend! Bryanna also listed the nutrition stats, which is always helpful!
Plus I just found out this is the coldest winter in NYC since 1977. No wonder I am craving soups lately!

Vegan Creme of Artichoke and Mushroom Soup with Pesto
adapted from Vegan Feast Kitchen
Servings: 4
2 tablespoon vegan margarine or olive oil
1 1/2 cups fresh crimini or white mushrooms, chopped
2 shallots, chopped
2 tablespoons white unbleached flour
6 cups lite soy milk or other nondairy milk
2 tablespoons No-Chicken Bouillon/Soup Base
2/ 14 oz. cans artichokes hearts in water, well-drained and chopped
(OR use two 9 oz. pckgs. frozen artichoke hearts, thawed, drained and chopped)
2 tablespoons non-dairy basil pesto (I made my own but you can just use a packaged brand )
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Melt the vegan margarine or heat the olive oil in a large pot. Add the mushrooms and shallot and stir-cook over medium-high heat, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in flour and stir-cook for 1 minute.
- Vigorously stir in the nondairy milk and bouillon and let it come to a boil, stirring. Cook 1 minute, stirring consistently.
- Add the artichokes, reduce the heat to a simmer and cook, uncovered, for 5 minutes.
- Either use an immersion blender to puree the soup or Carefully pour into a blender and puree there.
- If you are using an external blender pour back into the pot.
- Add the pesto and stir to combine.
- Serve and Enjoy immediately.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition (per serving): 285.1 calories; 27% calories from fat; 9.0g total fat; 0.0mg cholesterol; 3578.0mg sodium; 1272.9mg potassium; 44.1g carbohydrates; 12.9g fiber; 14.5g sugar; 31.2g net carbs; 22.3g protein; 5.6 points.

Check out the steam coming off the top of the soup!
23 Nov 2009
by marisashealthykitchen
in Raw Vegan Recipes, Superfoods, Vegan Recipes, Vegetarian Recipes
Tags: agave, almond milk, breakfast, chia, oats, quick and easy, raw, sides, snack, stevia, superfood, vegan, vegetarian
More oats and chia 🙂 This was great because it was raw and still included oats. Having the oats become saturated by the almond milk overnight really worked! I added a few drops of stevia for some sweetness and raspberries because they are my fave. Yum!

Oats and Chia
serves 2-3
1 cups thick rolled oats (raw if you can find them)
1 cup almond milk, plus more for serving
1 1/2 tablespoon chia seeds
pinch of cinnamon
berries
stevia and/or agave to taste
I am medium bowl place the oats, chia and connamon. Add the almond milk and stir well. Let sit for 10 minutes and stir well again. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
In the morning stir again and then top with berries, stevia and/or agave for some sweetness.

01 Nov 2009
by marisashealthykitchen
in Raw Vegan Recipes, Superfoods, Vegan Recipes, Vegetarian Recipes
Tags: almond milk, breakfast, chia, comfort food, pudding, quick and easy, raw, sides, snack, superfood, vegan, vegetarian
I love all things chia. I am sure you have seen my many posts on Chia and all the fun recipes you can make with it. Chia Seed Pudding, Sweet Double Coconut Chia Pudding, Holiday Chia Pudding, and Banana Date Chia Pudding. (wow, I totally love Chia!!)
Here is a super simple recipe that barely takes any prep time to make (although you do have to let it sit overnight). For me this chia recipe is super simple… I mix it at night and in the morning all I have to do is cut up a mango and I am ready to go 🙂 Love it! Super simple and deelish!

Mango Chia Goodness
4 servings
2 cups vanilla almond milk
1/3 cup chia seeds
1 mango diced
Combine chia seeds with almond milk and whisk. Let sit for 10 minutes and stir again to avoid clumps. Cover and refrigerate overnight. In the morning dice a mango and add to chia pudding. Enjoy 🙂
Per serving: 144 calories, 8 g fat, 1 g saturated fat, 0 g cholesterol, 4 g protein, 18 g carbohydrates, 8 g sugar, 9 g fiber
06 Oct 2009
by marisashealthykitchen
in Vegan Recipes, Vegetarian Recipes
Tags: agave, almond milk, breakfast, comfort food, maple syrup, oatmeal, quick and easy, quinoa, sides, snack, vegan, vegetarian
Another great breakfast recipe! I love this one. The combo of oatmeal, my favorite quinoa, apples and raisins make this a real winner!! The apples are cooked and so soft and good! The raisins become plump and juicy when cooked. So good!! I put all the servings into 1/4 pound containers to have meals for the whole week!

Quinoa Apple Oatmeal
5 servings
1 cup oatmeal
1 cup quinoa
1/2 raisins
3 1/2 cup water
1/2 cup almond milk (You can just use all water and skip this if you want)
1 apple diced
cinnamon to taste
2 tablespoons agave
4 tablespoons maple syrup, or to taste
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
Combine all the ingredients, except the sweetener in a large pot and bring to a boil. Turn down the heat and simmer until your breakfast is ready. Add the sweetners of your choice and Enjoy 🙂
Per Serving: 352 calories, 5g Fat, 0 Sat. Fat, 0 Chol, 46mg Sodium, 71g Carbs, 7g Fiber, 30g Sugars, 8g Protein
look at all that fiber and protein!!!
29 Sep 2009
by marisashealthykitchen
in Raw Desserts and Treats, Raw Vegan Recipes, Superfoods, Vegan Recipes, Vegetarian Recipes
Tags: almond milk, banana, breakfast, chia, dates, dessert, pudding, quick and easy, raw, snack, superfood, vegan, vegetarian
I had read Sarma’s post on banana milk and thought it was pure genius!! I figured I could sweeten my almond milk the same way. I normally use sweeteners like agave and honey, but I loved how simple it was to sweeten this pudding with just dates and bananas. So fabulous! I have to tell you this was one of my Favorite Chia Puddings ever! SOOO GOOD! Breakfast is such a good meal!! Now that I am fully hooked I wonder how I ever lived without it 🙂

Love this Breakfast!!
Banana Date Chia Pudding
serves 3-4
1/2 cup chia seeds
2 cups almond milk
2 bananas
5 dates, pitted
a few dashes cinnamon
a pinch of salt
Place the chia seeds in a bowl. In a Vita-mix blend together the almond milk, bananas, dates, cinnamon, and salt. Pour this mixture over the chia seeds and whisk together with a fork. Let it sit for 10 minutes in the fridge and then whisk again to get rid of any clumps. Cover and set in the fridge overnight. In the morning whisk one more time and then enjoy!! Yum Breakfast!!!!
I looked up the nutrition stats again 🙂 I hope this helps out!
279 Calories, 7g fat, No Saturated fat or Cholesterol, 122mg Sodium, 52g Carbs, 13g Fiber, 32g Sugar and 7g Protein
24 Sep 2009
by marisashealthykitchen
in Superfoods, Vegan Recipes, Vegetarian Recipes
Tags: agave, almond milk, breakfast, comfort food, oatmeal, quick and easy, quinoa, sides, snack, superfood, vegan, vegetarian

As I told you last week my new addition to my diet is Breakfast and I am LOVING it!!! I plan to switch it up every week and try something new. This is a cooked breakfast and it was so good! I love quinoa but I don’t think it is ever thought about as a breakfast food. I thought that this super-grain would be great sweet and hot in the morning and I was right 🙂 So good and super nutritious. Love it!
Quinoa “Oatmeal”
serves 3
1 cup quinoa
1 cup almond milk
1 cup water
1/3 cup dried cranberries
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
3 tablespoons agave
Rinse the quinoa and add to saucepan with water and almond milk. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the dried cranberries and cinnamon and simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in the agave. Cover and let sit for 5 minutes until all liquid is absorbed.
I can’t promise to do this for ever recipe but I looked up the nutrition stats for this breakfast. 🙂
Per Serving: Calories 324, Fat 4g, No Saturated Fat or Cholesterol, 71mg sodium, 67g carbs, 4g Fiber, 25g sugar, 7g protein
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