Here’s a short day-in-the-life video I’m sharing to celebrate ten years cooking delicious vegan, plant-based food for satisfied clients throughout … More
Author: Melanie daPonte, Plant-Based Vegan Personal Chef
Vegan Plant-Based Creme Brûlée
Yes, you read that right. Creme brûlée. Silky smooth and creamy sweet. And can I just mention, so easy … More
Simple Cinnamon Rolls
I love home-cooked breakfast on Sundays. I woke this morning thinking about the other half of a double batch of … More
Vegan Pecan Bars
Oh, my gosh! Scrolling through my reader the other day I came across this delicious recipe from Kaitlyn at myconsciouskitchen.com … More
Top 3 Budget Friendly Vegan Plant Based Cookie Recipes For The Holidays
Home baked cookies, breads and cakes are always a welcome gift and can be quite gratifying for the baker as … More
The Best Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe For Plant-Based Diet
This is one of those ‘I can’t believe it’s vegan’ recipes! Looking for ways to apply my new discovery, Maldon … More
Vegan Carrot Cookies with Orange Icing
One thing you may not know about me is that I have a great fondness for food nostalgia and vintage … More
Vegan Brown Sugar Blondies
These are classic–brown sugary goodness with the addition of chocolate chips, pecans and just a touch of bourbon. A delicious … More
Vegan Frangipane-Raspberry Strudel
I got to thinking about frangipane and how I hadn’t enjoyed it since way back in my culinary school days. I … More
Two-Ingredient Chocolate Sauce
Here’s a recipe I almost forgot I had in my collection. This one is from way back in my culinary … More
Gingerbread Cut-Out Cookies
These are the best gingerbread cookies I have ever baked, vegan or not! The flavor and spices are perfectly balanced, … More
Tofu Curry
This recipe is a client favorite! It’s a north Indian style curry, filled with aromatic spices and baked tofu. The … More
Vegan Pecan Pie…Yes You Can!
Traditional pecan pie relies on the coagulation of eggs with sugar and butter to bake into a custard-like filling to … More
Vegetable Potstickers
These lovely little dumplings are a favorite at our local Japanese restaurant. Served with a simple dipping sauce, they make a tasty appetizer … More
Vegan Pumpkin (or Sweet Potato) Pie
This is hands-down the best pumpkin pie recipe out there! The sweet, creamy filling is firm without being dry, and … More
Tofu Pad Thai
This is a quick and easy recipe for a Thai restaurant favorite. I like to make this dish at home, … More
Client Stories: Warren
Warren– “When my doctor recommended a plant-based diet due to my high blood pressure and pre-diabetes I didn’t know where … More
“Is It Vegan?”: The Pleasures and Perils of Plant-Based Junk Food
I’m sure I’m not the only one noticing how fresh fruit and vegetable sections at the local grocery are shrinking … More
Artisan Vegan Frankfurters
What can I say? I grew up like most American kids. Hot dogs were most definitely on the menu. Nowadays, … More
Mixed Indian Dal with Savory Aromatics
I have an abiding admiration for and a bit of an obsession with Indian cuisine. I find the complexity of … More
What Makes a Plant-Based Recipe “Good”?
What makes a good recipe? Here’s what I look for when I scan the page: Reasonable number of ingredients. Reading … More
Cornmeal-Molasses Waffles
I was in the mood for waffles today. But not the usual sweet, refined version most of us are used … More
Eggless Tofu Salad
This is a quick and easy sandwich filling and certainly one of my husband Steve’s favorites. He’s what I lovingly … More
Vegan Korean Barbecue (Bulgogi)
I’ve been exploring Korean cuisine this week. I am so pleasantly surprised to find recipe websites featuring vegan Korean food. … More
Original Ginger (O.G) Refresher
I am inspired once again by True Food Kitchen. This gingery, bubbly, slightly sweet and sour elixir has become my … More
Buffalo Chickpea Tenders
Okay, I’ve really done it this time! I know there are vegan variations on chicken wings and I’ve tried them … More
Best Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies
When I Google a recipe I narrow my search by starting with the word “best”. When it comes to vegan … More
Vegan Carrot Cake with Cashew Cream Frosting
This easy to prepare cake is full of carrots, pineapple, raisins and walnuts. It is super low-fat, yet … More
Carrot-Coconut Soup with Fresh Ginger Root
Summer is coming down fast and I find myself seeking light, refreshing meals. Here’s a quick soup that is … More
Chik’n Noodle Soup
There’s nothing quite like the distinctive experience of a steaming bowl of fragrant broth brimming with fresh simmered vegetables with … More
Hearty Vegan Lasagna: Step by Step
If you break it down, lasagna is a really simple, yet really impressive dish. This recipe combines everything I love … More
Homestyle Oat Bars
I really like those tasty, chewy individually packaged oat bars I find at Whole Foods Market. But I don’t like … More
Cauliflower-Kale Soup
A tasty way to get your greens! This creamy, satisfying soup is a client AND family favorite and only takes about … More
Client Stories: Jessica
Jessica– “At first, I was a super-picky eater with only a small list of veggies I actually liked. But, I … More
When Life Gives You Bananas…
Is it just me? Or does the sight of those last couple speckled bananas languishing on the countertop trigger an … More
Spicy Thai Noodles
When it comes to noodles, it’s all about the sauce. This one is full of flavor, without any added oil. … More
Client Stories: Leanne
Leanne– “As busy college professors we just didn’t have time to cook the healthy meals we wanted. Hiring a personal … More
Falafel Burgers with Tahini Sauce
Here’s a light, yet filling–substantial, yet easy meal idea: Falafel Burgers (from Isa Chandra Moskowitz) (4 servings) ½ cup Chickpeas, … More
Easy Indian Curry Rice with Peas
Sometimes cooking is the most enjoyable when I really don’t have to cook, but I just want to. Certain dishes … More
Vegan Brunch, From Start to Finish
I love to cook big breakfast on the weekend! Here’s a fairly easy menu I pulled off this morning in … More
Mini Tofu Omelets
Here’s a tasty, portable breakfast option from the new cookbook by Isa Chandra Moskowitz, “Isa Does It”. These cute little … More
Vegan Chocolate Mousse Terrine
Here is a rich, elegant, special occasion dessert that is pretty easy to assemble, believe it or not. Fudgy brownie … More
Recipe Test: Quinoa Pancakes
Here’s the thing about pancakes…I love the way they taste, but not so much how I feel afterward. All that … More
Client Stories: Michelle
Michelle– “I had to give up gluten, nuts, oil and coconut due to chronic health issues. It’s hard to figure … More
Vegan Thanksgiving Gravy
I’m sharing here my favorite vegan holiday gravy recipe from my first plant-based Thanksgiving dinner in 2012. That’s a home-baked … More
Alternative Plant-Based Holiday Menus
I have nothing against Tofurkey or Gardein or various seitan roasts. And of course there’s the “Festival of Sides” as … More
Client Stories: Kate
Kate– “My husband wants home-cooked plant-based meals and I simply don’t have the time to spend menu planning, shopping, prepping … More
Sometimes Vegan Breakfast…
…looks like this. But more often, especially during the week, it looks like: Or… Now and then, weekend breakfast looks … More
Client Stories: Mark and Rachel
Rachel– “Chef Melanie is a life saver! She made a week’s worth of delicious vegan meals for us when we … More
YakiZoodle with Veggies and Edamame
This is a spur of the moment post, just because I want to share an idea more so than a … More
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