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Melanie daPonte

Plant-Based Personal Chef

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Tag: 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

Vegan Carrot Cake with Cashew Cream Frosting

    This easy to prepare cake is full of carrots, pineapple, raisins and walnuts. It is super low-fat, yet … More

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

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

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

Tofu Scramble

Tofu scramble, when I reflect on my day to day cooking, is probably the recipe I cook most often at … More

animal rights, Cooking, healthy eating, plant-based diet, recipes, Tofu, Vegan, 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

Hearty Vegan Lasagna: Step by Step

If you break it down, lasagna is a really simple, yet really impressive dish. This recipe combines everything I love … More

dairy free, meat-free, plant-based, Vegan, vegetarian

Never Bored: My Plant-Based Dinner Rotation

It’s no easier for me, as a chef, than for anybody else– to decide what to make for dinner at … More

animal rights, chef, Cooking, Food, meatless meals, 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

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

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: 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

Spicy Thai Noodles

When it comes to noodles, it’s all about the sauce. This one is full of flavor, without any added oil. … More

dinner tamarind pad thai, fat free, low fat, Noodles, spicy, Vegan, vegetables, 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

Friend or Faux: What You Need to Know About Fake Meats

If you want to improve your health, reclaim your naturally balanced weight, increase energy and focus…all of this is possible … More

Cooking, Food, Health, healthy eating, meatless meals, Nutrition, plant-based diet, Vegan, 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

Mini Tofu Omelets

Here’s a tasty, portable breakfast option from the new cookbook by Isa Chandra Moskowitz, “Isa Does It”. These cute little … More

breakfast, brunch, gluten-free vegan, Tofu, Vegan, 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

Gingerbread Cut-Out Cookies

These are the best gingerbread cookies I have ever baked, vegan or not! The flavor and spices are perfectly balanced, … More

animal rights, Baking, cookies, holiday, plant-based, recipes, Vegan, 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

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

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

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

Soup Magic: Hearty Lentil

Lentil is one of my favorite high-protein meal soups. It’s simple and low maintenance, and comes together in just a … More

budget-friendly recipes, cheap eats, crockpot, legumes, lentils, meatless meals, one-dish meals, protein, Quick and easy, soups, 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

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

Cinnamon Applesauce Muffins (gluten-free, soy-free, vegan)

The best part about this recipe is it’s simplicity. Many gluten-free recipes read like a science project, but this one … More

animal activism, animal rights, dairy free, Gluten-free, recipes, soy-free, Vegan, vegan baking, 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

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

Vegan Taco “Beef”

Hey, I can’t believe I haven’t shown up on the blog with this recipe until now. This one, from my … More

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

Indian Lentil Salad with Curry Vinaigrette

Where I am getting my lean, mean protein lately? Why lentils, of course! These friendly little legumes pack 18 grams … More

beans, curry, Indian, legumes, lentils, protein, Vegan, vegan indian food, vegetarian, weight loss, whole foods

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

Vegan Pumpkin Spice Pancakes

It goes without saying that this time of the year begs for pumpkin spice, especially on weekend mornings. These pancakes … More

animal rights, Cooking, Pancakes, plant-based diet, pumpkin, recipes, Vegan, vegetarian

Vegan Pumpkin Spice Muffins

These tasty muffins are standard in my seasonal recipe rotation. They are moist and richly flavored with cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice … More

brunch, dairy free, desserts, egg-free, greenmarket, healthy baking, holiday desserts, low-cholesterol, muffins, pumpkin, Vegan, vegan baking, 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

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

Soup Magic: Homestyle Split Pea

Put something warm and nourishing in your belly with this super-easy soup recipe. When I think of split pea soup, … More

crockpot, hearty soups, legumes, plant strong, plant-based, quick meals, slow cooker, soups, split pea, Vegan, vegetarian

The Best Plant-Based Cookbook is Waiting For You, And It’s Free!

  “Do you cook a lot?” asks the librarian behind the counter. It’s after work, I’m in my chef jacket, … More

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

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Recent Posts

  • Original Ginger (O.G) Refresher
  • Buffalo Chickpea Tenders
  • Client Stories: Ryan
  • Best Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • Client Stories: Peter

Recipe Box

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Top Posts & Pages

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