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Vegan Plant-Based Personal Chef

Melanie Daponte

  • Vegan Plant-Based Chef Melanie Daponte
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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

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

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

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

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

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

animal activism, animal rights, Cooking, Food, meatless meals, Personal chef, plant-based diet, recipes, Vegan, vegetarian

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
Plant-Based Chilil

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

Cooking, Food, meatless meals, plant-based diet, recipes, 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

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

cancer prevention, Cooking, Food, Health, healthy eating, meatless meals, Nutrition, plant-based diet, Vegan, vegetarian, weight loss

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

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

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

barbecue, Cooking, Food, jackfruit, 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

brunch, Cooking, Drinks, Food, meatless meals, Personal chef, plant-based diet, recipes, Vegan, Wellness

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

animal rights, Cooking, Food, healthy food, raw vegan, recipes, Vegan, 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cooking, Food, plant-based, Potatoes, recipes, Vegan, vegetarian

Tempeh Picatta

Tangy lemon and capers in a savory butter garlic sauce over pan-seared tempeh. A very easy, enlightened version of the … More

dinner, Food, Food photography, picatta, plant strong, plant-based, recipes, tempeh, tempeh picatta, Vegan, Vegan cooking, Vegan recipes, vegan restaurant classics, vegetarian, vegetarian recipes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

animal activism, animal rights, Baking, chef, Cooking, dairy free, egg-free, fat free, Food, peta, plant-based diet, Vegan

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Recent Posts

  • Plant-Based: On The Cheap
  • Client Stories: Peter
  • Client Stories: Michael
  • Client Stories: Ryan
  • Vegan Crab Cakes with Tomato-Caper Remoulade

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