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

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

Client Stories: Peter

Peter– “I was having trouble gaining weight and with my strength training routine I was hungry all the time and … More

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

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

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

Tofu Scramble

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Client Stories: Michael

“I recently returned from a 30 day health retreat where I learned about proper nutrition and the best way to … More

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sometimes Vegan Breakfast…

…looks like this. But more often, especially during the week, it looks like: Or… Now and then, weekend breakfast looks … 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

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

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

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

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

Client Stories: Alex

Alex– “My daughter is vegan and when she comes to visit over school breaks I never knew what to feed … 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

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

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

Tempeh Picatta

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

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

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

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

Basil-Spinach Pesto

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

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

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