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Vegan Plant-Based Personal Chef

Melanie Daponte

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Tag: Comfort food

Plant-Based: On The Cheap

“I would try the plant-based diet, but I can’t afford it!” A phrase I have heard often. But, it’s a … More

animal rights, chef, Comfort food, Cooking, Food, healthy food, Heart Healthy, meatless meals, Nutrition, Personal chef, plant-based, recipes, Vegan, vegetarian, Weightloss

Tofu Vindaloo

This is a spicy Indian dish I decided to prepare without any added oil. It turned out  tasty and well … More

Comfort food, dinner, Food, Indian food, Indian recipes, kitchen time, Low-fat vegan, Middle Eastern Food, Oil-free, recipes, spicy, Tofu, Vegan, vegan food, vegan indian food, Vegan recipes, vegetarian, vegetarian indian food

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

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

Rajma Masala (Red Kidney Bean Curry)

I couldn’t wait to try this recipe I stumbled upon at SpiceyAndSugaryBites. I’ve never made an Indian curry with kidney beans … More

beans, Comfort food, Indian recipes, meatless meals, plant-based, 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

Vegan Lentil-Tempeh Sloppy Joes

Here’s a new enlightened version of an old classic that is just perfect served in the traditional buns or over a … More

Comfort food, Cooking, Heart Healthy, Personal chef, plant-based diet, recipes, Vegan, vegetarian, weight loss

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

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

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

animal activism, brunch, Comfort food, dairy free, desserts, frangipane, pastry, plant-based, Vegan, vegan baking, Vegan Desserts, 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 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

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

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

asian food, Comfort food, Cooking, Food, Japanese, recipes, 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

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

Comfort food, Cooking, indian cooking, meatless meals, Personal chef, plant-based, Vegan, 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

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

chocolate, Comfort food, desserts, Vegan, vegan baking, Vegan Desserts

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

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

animal activism, animal rights, Comfort food, Cooking, healthy, Vegan, vegetarian

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

animal rights, Baking, Comfort food, Cooking, Forks Over Knives, healthy, Heart Healthy, recipes, t. colin campbell, 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

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

animal rights, Comfort food, Cooking, Food, holiday, Personal chef, plant-based diet, plant-based personal chef, recipes, Thanksgiving, Vegan, 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

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

Basil-Spinach Pesto

Yes, of course vegans can enjoy pesto!! I think it tastes even better without the cheese usually present in most … More

Comfort food, Cooking, dairy-free baking, meatless meals, pasta, plant-based, recipes, Vegan, vegetarian

Warm Apple Crisp (Oil-Free, Refined Sugar-Free)

Fall is my favorite time of the year. I look forward to the cooler temperatures,  anticipating the fun of preparing … More

apple crisp, apples, Comfort food, fat free, fat free desserts, Food, fruit desserts, healthy desserts, holiday desserts, low-fat desserts, Low-fat vegan, recipes

Ultimate Cheezy Sauce

As many will tell you, one of the most difficult animal-based foods to give up in the beginning is cheese. … More

Comfort food, dairy free, dairy free cheese sauce, Vegan, vegetarian

Two Bean and Bulgar Chili

I came across this recipe, while sifting through a kitchen junk drawer. It was a page torn from one of … More

Comfort food, Creativity, dinner, Food, Food photography, Inspiration, Lifestyle, Low-fat vegan, plant strong, plant-based, recipes, Simple recipes, Vegan, vegan chili, Vegan cooking, Vegan recipes, vegetarian, vegetarian recipes

Soup and Bread

It occurs to me that there are two foods I can simply never do without–soup and bread.  I will never … More

Baking, Breads, Comfort food, Food photography, meatless meals, soups, stews, Vegan, vegan baking, vegetarian

Chana Masala

There will always be Indian food in my weekly meal rotation. Why? Because it’s delicious and nutritious, and need not … More

animal rights, chef, chickpeas, Comfort food, Cooking, Food, Heart Healthy, Indian recipes, meatless meals, plant-based, plant-based diet, recipes, Vegan, vegetarian, weight loss

Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

Every once in awhile, I am moved to pull out  various appliances and put them to work, such as the … More

Comfort food, Food, Food photography, frozen desserts, ice cream, Low-fat vegan, Vegan, Vegan Desserts, vegan ice cream, vegetarian, vegetarian desserts

Plant-Based Mushroom Stroganoff (Vegan)

Another super simple recipe!  I’ve made this recipe for my family, not all of whom are vegan and I’ve made … More

animal activism, animal rights, chef, Comfort food, Cooking, dairy free, dinner, easy recipes, healthy food, meatless meals, mushrooms, Vegan, vegetarian

The Benefits of Eating Hot Food

I like salad as much as the next plant-based lifestyle devotee, but there is something to be said for that … More

animal activism, animal rights, Comfort food, Cooking, Food, plant-based diet, recipes, soup, Vegan, vegetarian

Peanut Dragon Sauce

It’s been a super busy week! When I crave a quick comforting meal, soba noodles are often my go-to food. … More

animal activism, animal rights, brunch, chef, Comfort food, Cooking, dinner, easy recipes, healthy food, meatless meals, Personal chef, Vegan, vegan asian food, Vegan Lunch, vegetarian

Restaurant-Style Marinara

The secret for marinara sauce that tastes like it’s been simmering all day? Tomato paste. The savory-sweet intensity adds depth … More

animal activism, animal rights, chef, Comfort food, Cooking, Food, meatless meals, recipes, Vegan, vegetarian

Fast (and Easy) Whole Wheat Bread

Time was…young girls were taught to bake as an essential life skill. As with cooking in general, this knowledge and … More

animal activism, animal rights, Baking, bread, chef, Comfort food, Cooking, recipes, Vegan

Calm Before the Storm Corn Muffins

Unless I am preparing food for a client, baking is usually an emotionally led decision for me. I’ll simply be … More

Baking, chef, Comfort food, Cooking, dairy free, Food, recipes, Vegan, vegetarian

Vegan Apple Crisp

I remember when I first became aware there was such a thing called apple crisp. And it wasn’t at home. … More

Comfort food, Cooking, dairy free, desserts, Food, plant-based, Vegan, vegan baking, Vegan Desserts, vegetarian

French Onion Soup

They said it couldn’t be done…but here it is, a veganized version of the classic French onion soup! This recipe … More

Comfort food, french onion, plant strong, plant-based, Vegan, Vegan cooking, Vegan recipes, vegan soups, veganized recipes
Dan Dan Noodles Ingredients

Dan Dan Noodles

This spicy Asian noodle recipe is super-simple to make. After cooking and draining my thin, whole wheat spaghetti, I blitzed the … More

asian food, Comfort food, Cooking, Noodles, plant-based diet, recipes, spicy, Vegan, vegetarian

Creamy Pasta Salad

Here’s a delicious reworking of traditional macaroni salad. Prepared with whole-grain pasta and  lots of crunchy fresh veggies, this one … More

Comfort food, creamy pasta salad, dinner, Food, Low-fat vegan, Oil-free, raw cashews, Simple recipes, Vegan, Vegan Lunch, Vegan recipes, Vegan side dishes, vegetarian, whole grain pasta

Chocolate Chip Muffins (Vegan, Whole-Grain, Oil-Free)

Muffins are a happy little baking project. Quick breads are meant to be simple, tasty and portable. These little gems … More

animal activism, animal rights, Baking, Comfort food, Cooking, dairy-free, egg-free, Food, Oil-free, Personal chef, plant-based, recipes, Vegan, vegan personal chef, whole-grain

Vegan Samosas with Mint Chutney and Sweet Tamarind Glaze

A party favorite, these samosas are fun and easy to make and bake. They also freeze well, so when you’re … More

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

Vegan Fudge Brownies (Low-Fat)

This is by far the best low-fat vegan brownie recipe I have found. I’ve been through a lot of cookbooks. … More

brownies, chocolate, cocoa, Comfort food, dairy free, desserts, vegan baking, vegan cookies, Vegan Desserts, Vegan recipes, vegan treats

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