9 Vegan & Vegetarian Fall Dishes That Aren’t Salad

Vegans and vegetarians rejoice. We've compiled a list of some of our favorite vegan and vegetarian dishes to serve during the holidays. 

Cranberry Pecan Skillet Stuffing

This delightful stuffing is delicious for any Thanksgiving meal. Serve it with tofu steak and mushroom gravy for vegans. Add a pan-fried tofu steak and mushroom gravy to this vegan stuffing for your favorite vegetarian Thanksgiving guest.

Mashed Sweet Potatoes

These easy sweet potatoes are sure to bring compliments as a holiday side dish. The coconut milk makes them extra flavorful – and dairy-free.

Savory Stuffed Pumpkin

Celebrate fall with a savory mix of sautéed apples, garlic and sausage stuffed in pie pumpkin.

Sweet Potato and Parsnip Latkes

This tasty latke variation can be enjoyed with applesauce, chipotle sour cream, and horseradish sauce.

Parsnip Apple Soup

The tangy and sweet qualities of both parsnips and apples combine in this delicious and hearty fall soup.

Acorn Squash Stuffed with Chard & White Beans

Acorn squash is perfect for stuffing. This filling has Mediterranean flair: olives, white beans and Parmesan cheese.

Mushroom & Wild Rice Frittata

Packed with a flavorful medley of chewy wild rice and three kinds of mushrooms, this frittata is great any time of day.

Sweet Potato and Greens Gratin

This savory, vitamin-rich casserole makes a hearty accompaniment to roasted poultry or ham, or atop baked polenta.

Sweet Potato, Red Onion & Fontina Tart

Try this roasted-vegetable free-form tart as an appetizer or side for a special dinner or as a vegetarian main dish.

Raspberry Agave Sorbet

Sorbet is a refreshing and light alternative to ice cream. Try it layered in parfaits, floated in berry sangria, or on top of another berry desserts, such as cobbler. In this version, using agave syrup means that you can skip the traditional step of making a syrup from sugar, since agave dissolves in cold water.

Ingredients

• 12 ounces frozen or fresh raspberries
• 1/2 cup light agave syrup
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Equipment

• Ice cream maker or food processor

Preparation

1. If using an ice cream maker, have it chilled and ready to go (if using the freezer method, have an ice cube tray or cookie tin lined with parchment paper ready to go). Place a fine wire screen strainer over a bowl, which you'll use to strain the raspberry puree.
2. In a food processor or blender, puree the raspberries until smooth. Use a rubber spatula to scrape the puree into the wire strainer, and then to press the puree through. Scrape and move the fruit pulp until all you have left are seeds. You should have about one cup of puree. Stir in the agave, water and vanilla, then chill until very cold.
3. Use the ice cream maker to freeze the sorbet. If desired, transfer to a storage tub and freeze until ready to use. (If using the freezer method, pour the sorbet mixture into the ice cube trays or onto the parchment lined cookie tray and freeze. Break the frozen sorbet mixture into chunks, if using a cookie tray, and puree the chunks in a food processor before serving.)

Photo via Creative Commons. 

Authored by Robin Asbell. Reprinted by permission from StrongerTogether.coop. Find articles about your food and where it comes from, recipes and a whole lot more at www.strongertogether.coop.

Goddess Quinoa Bowl

Veggies, whole grains and Sriracha tahini dressing make this flavorful, easy, one-bowl meal a perfect addition to your weeknight dinner rotation. This recipe is very versatile - swap ingredients for your favorite veggies.

Ingredients

• 1 cup dry quinoa or bulgur
• 1 1/2 cups plus 1 tablespoon water, divided
• 1/4 cup tahini
• 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Sriracha sauce
• 1 tablespoon tamari sauce plus 1 teaspoon, divided
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1/2 cup raw unsalted pumpkin seeds
• 1 bunch Tuscan kale, thinly sliced
• 2 large carrots, shredded
• 2 medium avocados, halved and pitted

Preparation

1. Cook the quinoa or bulgur. In a small pot, bring 1 1/2 cups water to a boil, then add the grain. Return to a boil, and if using quinoa, reduce the heat to low and cook for 14 minutes, covered. For bulgur, bring to a boil for 1 minute, then cover and let stand for 15 minutes. Fluff the finished grain with a fork.
2. While the grain cooks, place the tahini, cider vinegar, one tablespoon each tamari, honey, Sriracha sauce and water in a small bowl and stir with a fork until smooth. Add a bit more water if the dressing is too thick.
3. Place the pumpkin seeds in a small sauté pan and swirl over medium-high heat. When they begin to pop and become fragrant, stir in the tamari. The tamari will coat the seeds and the pan will be dry. Transfer to a bowl to cool.
4. Place a quarter of the cooked grains in each of four low, wide bowls. Arrange the raw kale and carrots on top of the grains, then slice the avocado halves in the skin and carefully scoop them out with a spoon. Fan half an avocado over each bowl. Top with sauce and pumpkin seeds.

Serving Suggestion

Grain and noodle bowls are the way to go for simple, flexible meals. The easy tahini dressing has enough Sriracha sauce to make it exciting, but if you don't like it hot you can always cut the amount in half. Customize with your favorite cooked or shredded veggies, proteins or sauces.

Reprinted by permission from StrongerTogether.coop. Find articles about your food and where it comes from, recipes and a whole lot more at www.strongertogether.coop.

How to choose and store tofu

Soft, firm and extra-firm tofu are not only a delicious source of protein but also provide the basis for everything from sauces to stirfries and scrambles. Shefaly Ravula demystifies the most common types of tofu and offers tips on how to use and store them. She demonstrates how to make an orange dream silken smoothie. Once you have the technique down, customize this creamy treat with your choice of fruits, protein powder or flavorings.

Header image provided by Yoppy via Creative Commons

Budget Friendly Chana Masala

These flavorful chickpeas are quick and easy; a perfect meal served with rice or naan bread and veggies on the side.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups long-grain brown rice
• 3 tablespoons Field Day canola oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
• 1 tablespoon garam masala
• 2 tablespoons curry powder
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 cups water
• 1 15-ounce can Field Day garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 large russet potato, peeled and diced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

Bring rice and 3 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Cover tightly and reduce to a simmer for about 40 minutes or until water is absorbed.

Heat oil in a deep frying pan or shallow soup pot. Add onion and cook over medium heat until soft and translucent, then add garlic, ginger, spices and tomato paste. Pour into a blender or food processor and blend thoroughly. Return the spiced tomato paste to the same pan; there will still be a thin coat of oil in it. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it turns medium brown and oil separates around the edges of pan. Gradually whisk in water until it makes a thick gravy, about 2 cups. Bring to a boil.

Add potato and salt, and reduce heat to simmer. Cook for about 8 minutes, then add garbanzo beans. Return to a simmer, cover and cook for 10 minutes, until potatoes are tender. Stir in lemon juice and red pepper flakes, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve over rice.

Reprinted by permission from StrongerTogether.coop. Find articles about your food and where it comes from, recipes and a whole lot more at www.strongertogether.coop.

Photo courtesy of Johan Bichel Lindegaard
 

Tempeh Tacos

Tempeh, made from fermented soybeans, gives a deep flavor and meaty texture to Dana Tomlin's vegetarian taco filling.

Ingredients

• 1 pound plain tempeh
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 tablespoons tamari
• Pinch of pepper

Preparation

1. Crumble tempeh into a small bowl.
2. Heat oil in a medium sized skillet or sauté pan over medium heat. Add tempeh and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 15-20 seconds until aromatic.
3. Add chili powder, pepper, tamari, and water. Mix well and sauté a few minutes more until liquid evaporates. Note: Add additional oil if tempeh is sticking to pan.

Serving Suggestion

Serve with fresh corn tortillas and your favorite taco fixings.

Reprinted by permission from StrongerTogether.coop. Find articles about your food and where it comes from, recipes and a whole lot more at www.strongertogether.coop.

Cover photo courtesy of Sarah Stierch

Bean Burgers with Spicy Guacamole

Crunchy cornmeal on the outside and Southwestern flavors on the inside, these bean burgers please all kinds of eaters.

Make burgers one day in advance to save time.

Ingredients

Burgers

• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup quinoa, rinsed (see Note)
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 1/2 cup chopped red onion
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 2 1/2 cups cooked pinto beans, well drained
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon ground toasted cumin seeds (see Tip)
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 3 tablespoons cornmeal, plus 1/3 cup for coating burgers
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Freshly ground pepper to taste
• 6 whole-wheat hamburger buns, toasted
• 6 lettuce leaves

Guacamole

• 1 ripe avocado
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons finely chopped red onion
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or more to taste

Preparation

1. Bring water to a boil in a small saucepan. Add quinoa and return to a boil. Reduce to a low simmer, cover and cook until the water has been absorbed, about 10 minutes. Uncover and let stand.
2. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add 1/2 cup onion and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and fragrant, about 3 minutes. Add beans, paprika and ground cumin and mash the beans to a smooth paste with a potato masher or fork. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and let cool slightly. Add the quinoa, 3 tablespoons cilantro, 3 tablespoons cornmeal, 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper; stir to combine.
3. Form the bean mash into 6 patties. Coat them evenly with the remaining 1/3 cup cornmeal and transfer to a baking sheet. Refrigerate for 20 minutes.
4. To prepare guacamole: Mash avocado with a potato masher or fork. Stir in 2 tablespoons cilantro, lemon juice, 2 teaspoons onion, garlic, cayenne and 1/8 teaspoon salt.
5. Preheat oven to 200°F.
6. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large cast-iron (or similar heavy) skillet over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium and cook 3 burgers until heated through and brown and crisp on both sides, 2 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer to the oven to keep warm. Cook the remaining 3 burgers with the remaining 1 tablespoon oil, reducing the heat as necessary to prevent over-browning. Serve the burgers on buns with lettuce, tomato and the guacamole.

Tips & Notes

• Toast cumin seeds in a small skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until very fragrant, 2 to 5 minutes. Let cool. Grind into a powder in a spice mill or blender.
• Quinoa is a delicately flavored, protein-rich grain. Rinsing removes any residue of saponin, quinoa's natural, bitter protective covering.

Authored by Eatingwell.com. Reprinted by permission from StrongerTogether.coop. Find articles about your food and where it comes from, recipes and a whole lot more at www.strongertogether.coop. 

Smoked Tofu Burgers

Tofu is like a sponge, soaking up smoke and getting firmer and denser as it sits on the grill. Just keep it on the cool side of the grill and give it plenty of time to get nice and smoky. 

Double the tofu and marinade and grill up an extra batch of tofu to use in sandwiches, salads, and soups for the week.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons tamari soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons cup vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 block (1-pound)  extra firm tofu
• 5 whole wheat hamburger buns
• 5 large lettuce leaves, shredded
• 1 large tomato, sliced
• 2 scallions, chopped
• Ketchup, mustard, barbecue sauce, if desired

Materials

• 4 cups woodchips, soaked in water
• 1 spray bottle filled with water
• Smoker box or foil to make a pouch

Preparation

1. Mix soy sauce, vegetable oil, wine vinegar and paprika in a square container with a liquid-tight lid large enough to hold all of the tofu. Drain water from tofu and wrap in clean towels, press carefully to soak up water without breaking the tofu. Unwrap tofu and slice into 5 thick slices per block. Place the slices in the marinade, put the lid on the container and turn it over to coat the tofu. Refrigerate the marinating tofu for at least 24 hours or up to three days, turning occasionally to coat.
2. Prepare the grill for smoking (see Tips & Notes for instructions).
3. When the grill is ready and the cool side of the grate is oiled, place the tofu on the grate. Close the lid, opening it once every 10 minutes to quickly turn the tofu. Smoke tofu for 40 minutes.
4. Serve on buns with lettuce, tomato, and condiments of choice.

Tips & Notes

1. Create hot and cool zones

For best smoking results, create hot and cool zones on the grill. The hot zone is where the smoke is created and the food may be seared. The cool zone is where the food is placed to allow the food to cook more slowly and absorb the smoky flavor. If your grill is too small to create both a hot and a cool zone, check your food for doneness earlier as it will cook faster over the high heat

2. Prepare your grill for smoking

Heat the grill

Gas grills: Remove the grate, then turn the gas on high. If your grill has more than one burner, use a single burner on one side. Once the grill is hot, place the smoker box filled with soaked woodchips, or a foil pouch filled with the same, on the hot side of the grill. Replace the grate.

Charcoal grills: remove the grate, pile the charcoal to one side and light it. Heat until it is hot and covered with white ash. Place the smoker box filled with soaked woodchips, or a foil pouch filled with the same, directly on the coals and replace the grate.

Get the woodchips smoking

Allow the woodchips to start smoking. Once you smell the smoke and see wisps of it, you are ready to smoke your food.

3. Smoke your food

Pour a couple tablespoons oil into a cup. Dip a clean paper towel into the oil, hold it with tongs and quickly oil the cool side of the grate (if there are no hot and cool zones on your grill, oil wherever you plan to place the food). Place the food on the oiled grate and quickly cover the grill to allow the food to cook and absorb the smoky flavor.

4. Keep the flames in check

Have a spray bottle of water ready to douse out any flare-ups.

Authored by Robin Asbell. Reprinted by permission from StrongerTogether.coop. Find articles about your food and where it comes from, recipes and a whole lot more at www.strongertogether.coop. 

Goddess Chickpea Salad with Kale

Creamy and crunchy this salad is packed with protein. Enjoy by itself or stuffed in a whole wheat pita. If you don’t have green goddess dressing on hand, substitute your favorite dressing. 

Meal prep trick: place the dressing at the bottom of the mason jar, top with salad to avoid soggy greens.

Photo Credit: Food, Pleasure & Health

Ingredients

• 1 can chickpeas, drained
• 1 cup packed thinly shredded kale
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/4 cup slivered red onions
• 1/4 cup green goddess salad dressing
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Preparation

1. In a large bowl, combine the chickpeas, kale, cherry tomatoes and red onions. Pour the green goddess dressing over the mixture and toss to coat.
2. Grind fresh black pepper over it all and mix, then taste and add salt if desired. Serve immediately, or store, tightly covered for up to a week in the refrigerator.

Serving Suggestion

This salad is also delicious wrapped in a tortilla or stuffed in a whole wheat pita. If you don’t have green goddess dressing on hand, substitute your favorite dressing.

LA Inspired Street Food: Fruit Salad

If you’ve been to Los Angeles, you may be familiar with the fruit carts sprinkled throughout the city’s many neighborhoods. Carts are typically situated on street corners topped with a rainbow umbrella. Once you spot one, they’re hard to miss.

No matter where you are in the city, vendors stock their carts with the same tools and ingredients - a cutting board, a sharp knife, Ziploc bags, and a bounty of fresh fruits on ice. The secret to this fruit salad is the seasoning. Tajín, a spicy Mexican salt, combines with fresh lime juice for an extra kick and refreshing treat.

LA fruit vendors load up a ziploc bag to be enjoyed on-the-go.

Like any fruit salad, this recipe is very forgiving and can be completely tailored to your tastes. LA fruit carts traditionally use tropical fruits, like mango, melons, and pineapple, but feel free to substitute as you please.

Ingredients

• 1 small watermelon
• 1 cantaloupe
• 1 jicama
• 1 pineapple
• 1 cucumber, peeled and seeded
• 2 mangos
• 1 papaya
• Healthy dash of Tajín or chili powder
• Juice of 1 lime

Preparation

Chop fruits into bite sized pieces. Toss fruits with lime juice and Tajín salt or chili powder. Add an extra dash of Tajín if you can handle the heat.

Serving Suggestion

Serve in a bowl at your upcoming summer bbq. Throw the salad in a Ziploc bag and enjoy on-the-go like a native Angeleno.