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Vegan Plant-Based Personal Chef

Melanie Daponte

  • Vegan Plant-Based Chef Melanie Daponte
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Tag: chef

“Meaty” Grilled Tofu

Through much trial and error over the years– I have come to a great appreciation and respect for the humble … More

animal rights, chef, Cooking, meatless meals, plant-based, recipes, Tofu, Vegan, Vegan recipes, vegetarian

Tofu Pad Thai with Rice Noodles

One of my favorite noodles dishes made vegan and oh so much healthier than take-out! This recipe is super-easy and … More

Asian, chef, Comfort food, Cooking, meatless meals, Noodles, Personal chef, plant strong, plant-based recipes, thai food, Tofu, Vegan, vegan asian food, Vegan comfort food, vegetarian

Korean Gochujang Barbecue Bowl

You may have noticed a condiment called gochujang popping up in your neighborhood grocery recently. It’s basically a spicy Korean … More

animal rights, asian food, chef, meatless meals, Personal chef, Tofu, Vegan, vegetarian

Balsamic-Roasted Mushrooms

This dish makes a great appetizer or a light meal. Mushrooms have that satisfying umami flavor and a lovely “meaty” … More

chef, Cooking, meatless meals, plant-based diet, Vegan, vegan appetizers, vegetables, vegetarian

How To Make Lentils Taste Good

If you hate lentils, chances are you have eaten them from a can. The first time I tried them was long … More

animal rights, chef, Comfort food, Cooking, lentils, meatless meals, plant-based, recipes, Vegan, vegetarian

Senate Bean Soup

U.S. Senate Bean Soup  is traditionally made with navy beans, ham hocks and onions. It is served in the dining room … More

beans, chef, Comfort food, food history, Personal chef, plant-based diet, Vegan, vegetarian

Golden Indian Dal Soup

Dal is my go-to comfort food. A warm, savory, nourishing meal, filled with creamy, protein-rich lentils and healing turmeric–tempered with cumin … More

animal rights, chef, Comfort food, Cooking, Indian food, plant-based diet, protein, Vegan, vegetarian

Butternut Squash and Chickpea Curry

This quick and simple but intensely flavorful bowl is my current lunch favorite. And the recipe welcomes substitution for whatever … More

animal activism, animal rights, chef, Cooking, Food, Indian, main dishes, Personal chef, peta, plant-based, recipes, Vegan, vegan personal chef, vegetarian

Easy Enchilada Sauce

In my experience, you can stuff a burrito with just about anything. But the sauce…now, the sauce can make it … More

animal rights, chef, Cooking, Food, mexican food, Personal chef, peta, plant-based diet, recipes, tomato sauce, Vegan, vegetarian

Plant-Based Vegan Taco ‘Beef’ Crumbles

 This easy recipe from my home kitchen collection is always a big hit, whether featured in burritos, tacos, nachos, salads…the list … More

animal rights, chef, Comfort food, Cooking, plant-based diet, recipes, Vegan, vegetarian

Mushroom-Sesame Soba With Edamame

I love noodles, especially soba. Here’s a quick and easy dish that works for a weeknight meal, but translates just … More

Asian, chef, Cooking, Noodles, recipes, Vegan, vegetarian

Lentil-Walnut Loaf with Sweet Tomato Glaze

This is a client favorite and a recipe I swear by, having grown up eating traditional meatloaf. This version has … More

chef, Comfort food, Cooking, Food, meatless meals, plant-based, recipes, Vegan, vegetarian
Vegan Mushroom Soup

Easy Vegan Mushroom White Bean Soup

A Quick and Easy Plant-Based, Nutritious Vegan Lunch or Dinner Idea! This mushroom white bean soup will keep you warm … More

chef, Cooking, Heart Healthy, meatless meals, plant-based diet, recipes, Vegan, vegetarian

Dirty Chai

A shot of fresh-brewed espresso poured into a cup of spicy, rich chai tea. The best of two worlds? I just had … More

chai, chef, Coffee, Cooking, Food, Indian, recipes, Vegan, vegetarian

David Lynch’s Quinoa: An Incidentally Vegan, Plant-Based Recipe

David Lynch’s short film, Quinoa, is included as a special feature on his Inland Empire DVD. Filmed in black and white, … More

chef, Cooking, david lynch, Food, meatless meals, Movies, Personal chef, plant-based diet, Vegan, vegetarian
Plant-Based Chilil

Never Bored: Easy Vegan Plant-Based Meals For Your Week

“What’s For Dinner?” A vegan plant-based diet is anything but restrictive when you have a collection of easy, tasty recipes … More

animal rights, cancer prevention, chef, Cooking, Food, heart healty, meal planning, meatless meals, plant-based diet, recipes, Vegan, vegetarian, weight loss

Best. Hummus. Ever.

What makes this hummus recipe so special? It’s simplicity. So, I’m not going to ramble on about the history of … More

animal rights, chef, Comfort food, Cooking, Food, plant-based diet, plant-based personal chef, recipes, Vegan, vegan personal chef, vegetarian

The New American Plate

What Can a Plant-Based Diet Do For You? According to the latest report, over 40% of adults in the USA … More

cancer prevention, chef, diet, healthy cooking, Heart Healthy, Obesity, plant-based diet, Vegan, vegetarian, weight loss
Vegan Plant Based Personal Chef Special Event

Celebrating Ten Years in Business!

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

chef, Personal chef, plant-based diet, Vegan, vegetarian

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

chef, Cooking, dairy free, desserts, egg-free, Food, plant-based diet, Vegan, vegetarian

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

animal rights, Baking, chef, Cooking, dairy free, Food, plant-based diet, Vegan, vegetarian

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

animal rights, Baking, chef, chocolate, cookies, Cooking, Personal chef, plant-based diet, recipes, Vegan, vegetarian

Superfoods For Your Week

We don’t need to spend a lot of money to eat well. In a market saturated with prepared food ‘products’ … More

chef, Comfort food, Cooking, Heart Healthy, meal prep, Personal chef, plant-based diet, recipes, Vegan, vegetarian

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

chef, Cooking, dairy free, desserts, Food, holiday, plant-based diet, Vegan, vegetarian

“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

animal rights, chef, Comfort food, Consumer advocacy, Cooking, Food, Grocery, healthy eating, Heart Healthy, meatless meals, plant-based diet, recipes, Vegan, vegetarian, Wellness

Artisan Vegan Frankfurters

What can I say? I grew up like most American kids. Hot dogs were most definitely on the menu. Nowadays, … More

animal rights, chef, Comfort food, Cooking, Food, meatless meals, plant-based, recipes, Vegan, vegetarian

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

animal rights, chef, cookbooks, Cooking, Food, meatless meals, plant-based diet, Vegan, vegetarian

Cornmeal-Molasses Waffles

I was in the mood for waffles today. But not the usual sweet, refined version most of us are used … More

animal rights, brunch, chef, Cooking, dairy free, food history, recipes, Vegan, vegetarian

Client Stories: Michael

“I recently returned from a 30 day health retreat where I learned about proper nutrition and the best way to … More

chef, Cooking, Food, meatless meals, Nutrition, plant-based diet, Vegan, vegan personal chef, vegetarian

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

chef, Comfort food, Cooking, Party Food, plant-based diet, recipes, Vegan, vegetarian

Client Stories: Ryan

Ryan– “I travel alot with work and when I come home it’s great to have healthy, custom vegan meals waiting … More

animal rights, chef, Food, meatless meals, Personal chef, plant-based diet, Vegan, vegan personal chef, vegetarian

Client Stories: Peter

Peter– “I was having trouble gaining weight and with my strength training routine I was hungry all the time and … More

animal rights, chef, Food, meatless meals, Personal chef, plant-based diet, Vegan, vegan personal chef, vegetarian

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

animal rights, chef, Comfort food, Cooking, Personal chef, peta, plant-based diet, recipes, Vegan, vegetarian

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

chef, Comfort food, Cooking, granola, oatmeal, recipes, snacks, Vegan, vegan snacks, vegetarian

So You Want To Be a Personal Chef…

I love cooking plant-based and couldn’t imagine anything else I would rather do for a job. Becoming a  personal chef … More

chef, Cooking, culinary arts, Food, food business, Personal chef, personal narrative, recipes, Vegan, vegetarian

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

animal rights, chef, Personal chef, plant-based diet, plant-based personal chef, Vegan, vegan personal chef, vegetarian

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

chef, Comfort food, meatless meals, Personal chef, plant-based diet, Vegan, vegan personal chef, vegetarian

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

chef, Comfort food, meatless meals, plant-based, Vegan, vegetarian

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

chef, Cooking, diet, Food, healthy eating, plant-based diet, recipes, Vegan, vegetarian, weight loss

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

animal rights, chef, Cooking, Food, meatless meals, sunday brunch, Vegan, vegetarian

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

animal activism, animal rights, Baking, cake, chef, chocolate, dairy free, dairy-free baking, desserts, Personal chef, Vegan, vegan chocolate, vegetarian

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

animal rights, chef, Cooking, dairy free, Food, Gluten-free, Oil-free, plant-based diet, recipes, Vegan

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

chef, Personal chef, plant-based diet, Vegan, vegan personal chef, vegetarian

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

chef, Comfort food, Cooking, Food, holiday, Personal chef, plant-based diet, recipes, Vegan, vegan personal chef, vegetarian

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

chef, plant-based diet, Vegan, vegetarian

Sometimes Vegan Breakfast…

…looks like this. But more often, especially during the week, it looks like: Or… Now and then, weekend breakfast looks … More

animal rights, chef, Comfort food, Cooking, meatless meals, Personal chef, plant-based diet, recipes, Vegan, vegan personal chef, vegetarian

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

Asian, chef, Comfort food, Cooking, Gluten-free, japanese food, raw vegan, recipes, Vegan, vegetarian

Kidney Bean-Quinoa Burgers with Easy Homemade Barbecue Sauce

Okay, so I didn’t think about posting this recipe until I was plating it up for service. This was our … More

chef, Cooking, Food, meatless meals, plant-based diet, recipes, Vegan, vegetarian

Client Stories: Alex

Alex– “My daughter is vegan and when she comes to visit over school breaks I never knew what to feed … More

chef, plant-based diet, plant-based personal chef, Vegan, vegan personal chef, vegetarian

Easy Mozzarella Cheeze Sauce

So, you reach a point when you stop trying to replace cheese with processed substitutes like Daiya or Follow Your … More

animal rights, chef, Cooking, meatless meals, plant-based, recipes, Tofu, Vegan, vegetarian

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  • Vegan Crab Cakes with Tomato-Caper Remoulade
  • Tofu Scramble
  • “Meaty” Grilled Tofu
  • Tofu Vindaloo
  • Sesame Grilled Tofu with Sichuan Vegetables

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Top Posts & Pages

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