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Melanie daPonte

Plant-Based Personal Chef

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Tag: Personal chef

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: 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

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

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

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 Chocolate Chip Cookies

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

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

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

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

Vegan Pecan Pie…Yes You Can!

Leave it to the folks at America’s Test Kitchen to dig into the science on this special recipe challenge! Traditional … More

Comfort food, Food, holiday recipes, Personal chef, pie, 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

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

Vegan Baked Ziti

  This recipe is more about method than it is about the ingredients. You could simply layer sauce, pasta and … More

animal rights, Cooking, dairy free, meatless meals, pasta, Personal chef, plant-based, recipes, Vegan, vegan personal chef, vegetarian

Black Bean Fajita Bowl with Cilantro-Lime Chimichurri

I had an opportunity recently to work with a local vegan restaurant, helping them come up with new dishes to … More

beans, chef, Cooking, Gluten-free, meatless meals, Personal chef, plant-based diet, recipes, 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

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

Easy Chocolate Ganache

A rich, creamy coating of chocolate ganache makes a grand impression on a special dessert! Here is a simple recipe … More

animal activism, animal rights, Baking, cake, chef, chocolate, dairy free, easy recipes, Personal chef, Vegan, vegan chocolate, 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

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

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

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

Asian, Gluten-free, Korean, Personal chef, Quick and easy, soy curls, Stir-fry, 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

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

Hearts of Palm 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

Quinoa With Broccoli, By David Lynch

I found myself inspired the other night by David Lynch’s short film, Quinoa, included as a special feature on his Inland … More

chef, Cooking, david lynch, Food, meatless meals, Movies, Personal chef, plant-based diet, 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

Vegan Sweet Rolls with Fruit Filling

Times like these, I am sure your family is thankful they live with someone who enjoys cooking. And it’s times … More

animal activism, animal rights, Baking, Breads, brunch, chef, Cooking, dairy free, egg-free, Food, Personal chef, peta, plant-based, recipes, Vegan

January 2020 Menu

Nutritious and nourishing to the body without depriving you of flavor or satisfaction, a plant-based diet supports the wellness of … More

animal rights, Cooking, Food, menus, Personal chef, plant-based diet, recipes, Vegan, vegan personal chef, 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

Working Lunch

The summer months are a time to rest and re-energize my mind as well as my body. A time to reflect, … More

animal activism, animal rights, Food, Food blogging, Personal chef, recipes, Vegan, vegetarian, work from home

About Melanie

https://veganflavorista.org/about-melanie/  

chef, Cooking, culinary, Food, Personal chef, recipes, Vegan, vegetarian

Summer Tempeh Sammies

Okay, everyone knows tempeh is good for you. At first, I didn’t know what to do with it. I cut … More

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

April 2018 Menu!

I have moved to an all-in-one, meal-in-a-box format this Spring. It seems to be the best way to keep reheating … More

animal rights, chef, Cooking, Food, meatless meals, Personal chef, recipes, Vegan, vegetarian

One Big Vegan Pancake

Sometimes I am in the mood for pancakes, but dread standing over the stove babysitting the griddle until all the … More

chef, Cooking, dairy free, Food, Personal chef, plant-based diet, recipes, Vegan, vegetarian

Top Ten Vegan Dessert Recipes

  You asked for it and here it is! The Monster List of Vegan Desserts! Enjoy!     Dark Chocolate Ganache … More

chocolate, dairy free, Personal chef, plant-based, Vegan, vegan baking, Vegan Desserts, vegetarian

Recent Posts

  • Client Stories: Peter
  • Vegan Carrot Cake with Cashew Cream Frosting
  • Carrot-Coconut Soup with Fresh Ginger Root
  • Client Stories: Warren
  • Tofu Scramble

Recipe Box

  • Breakfast/Brunch (32)
  • Chef Biz (5)
  • Client Stories (10)
  • Desserts (34)
  • Editorial Commentary (13)
  • Main Dishes (82)
  • Sauces/dressings (18)
  • Sides (12)
  • Soup/Stews (20)
  • Uncategorized (18)

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Top Posts & Pages

  • Vegan Apple Crisp
    Vegan Apple Crisp
  • Plant-Based:  On The Cheap
    Plant-Based: On The Cheap
  • Vegan French Toast
    Vegan French Toast
  • "Meaty" Grilled Tofu
    "Meaty" Grilled Tofu
  • Maple-Dijon Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Shallots
    Maple-Dijon Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Shallots
  • Vegan Carrot Cake with Cashew Cream Frosting
    Vegan Carrot Cake with Cashew Cream Frosting
  • Tofu Curry
    Tofu Curry
  • Vegan Creme Brûlée
    Vegan Creme Brûlée
  • Easy Homemade Pizza Dough
    Easy Homemade Pizza Dough
  • Spicy Red Bean and Tofu Jambalaya
    Spicy Red Bean and Tofu Jambalaya
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