I love cooking plant-based and couldn’t imagine anything else I would rather do for a job. Becoming a personal chef … More
Tag: 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
Client Stories: Peter
Peter– “I was having trouble gaining weight and with my strength training routine I was hungry all the time and … More
Client Stories: Michael
“I recently returned from a 30 day health retreat where I learned about proper nutrition and the best way to … More
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
Vegan Crab Cakes with Tomato-Caper Remoulade
This recipe is hands-down the menu item my clients request most often! Light, but filling these vegetable cakes are actually … More
Tofu Vindaloo
This is a spicy Indian dish I decided to prepare without any added oil. It turned out tasty and well … More
John Legend’s Chili, Plant-Based Version
I came across this recipe for chili in Chrissy Teigen’s cookbook, “Cravings”. I decided to follow the recipe exactly (with … More
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
The Truth About Plant-Based Meat
Choosing a vegan burger, hot dog or plant-based meat breakfast sausage doesn’t make burgers, sausage or hot dogs healthy. It … More
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
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
Smoky Pulled Jackfruit
When I first heard that jackfruit can imitate the texture of shredded meat classically prepared as barbecue, I could hardly believe it. … More
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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: 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
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
Cajun Potato Cake with Horseradish Cream
Doesn’t this look delish? It’s really simple to make. CAJUN POTATO CAKES 1 CUP LEFTOVER MASHED POTATOES ¼ CUP FLOUR, … More
Tempeh Picatta
Tangy lemon and capers in a savory butter garlic sauce over pan-seared tempeh. A very easy, enlightened version of the … More
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
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
Chana Masala
There will always be Indian food in my weekly meal rotation. Why? Because it’s delicious and nutritious, and need not … More
Crispy Marinated Tofu with Braised Kale
I can’t emphasize enough how tasty, simple and quick this recipe is. So much flavor, from so few ingredients! Crispy … More
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
Blueberry Cardamom Muffins (Oil-Free, Whole Grain, Vegan)
By the time I finish my morning coffee, I’m thinking about what I want to cook for the day. This … More
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
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
The Vegan Reuben Project
I enjoy a personal culinary challenge now and then. Especially one that results in good eats! I set out to create … More
Vegan Gumbo with Homemade Andouille, A Passion Project
Every once in awhile I find myself overwhelmed by the urge to make something I know will be complicated. And … More
Vegan Andouille Sausage
Here’s just the companion to my gumbo recipe, a tasty, spicy sausage to enhance the dish or slice up and … More
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
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
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