Tag: Vegan

Honey Ginger Roasted Carrots

Honey Ginger Roasted Carrots

These Honey Ginger Roasted Carrots are sweet, savory and delicious, an ideal side dish for holiday cooking. I always buy of a 1 pound bag of carrots when I do my grocery shopping but end up throwing them away because I forget to cook them READ MORE

Easy Chopped Broccoli Salad

Easy Chopped Broccoli Salad

I wanted a simple broccoli salad recipe and most broccoli salads that I found had mayo, cheese and bacon. So I figured I would create a quick, easy broccoli salad to my taste. I always have ACV (apple cider vinegar with the mother) without mayo, READ MORE

Tostones (Fried Green Plantains)

Tostones (Fried Green Plantains)

I love TOSTONES!! So much so that for one whole week we made crispy Tostones and ate it with every meal! They are so tasty and CRUNCHY! Oh my goodness! I once made them for a dinner party of 15. I made 72 of them – and when I went to get some they were ALL GONE! 😜They are a huge hit! This one is made with a dipping sauce that my Puerto Rican sister told me about! Sooo yummy!

Is this a snack or just a side dish?

Tostones aka fried green plantains are both a snack and a side dish. As a snack, they can be served with salsa, garlic sauce or you can eat them without a sauce. Either way, if you love crunchy and salty snacks, this is the snack that everyone would enjoy.

What countries are known for Tostones?

I was amazed to know countries from the Caribbean all the way to southeast Asia eat fried green plantains. Cool, huh? As I mentioned before, my dad is from Haiti and my mom is from Jamaica. Both countries make them. In Haiti they are called bannann peze. And in Jamaica, they are fried green plantains – Jamaicans keep it simple. LOL. But whatever they are called, I know them as delicious.

How do I know which plantain to buy?

You will need the green ones not the yellow ones. Buy the ones that do not have a hint of yellow on the skin. The ones that are yellow or black are the sweet ones. (those are yummy, too). Make sure they are free of bruises and not soft.

How long should I fry It?

The first fry should be 3-4 minutes. The second time you fry the plantains, they should be fried until light, golden brown. Immediately salt after frying.

I love TOSTONES!! So much so that for one whole week we made crispy Tostones and ate it with every meal! They are so tasty and CRUNCHY! Oh my goodness! I once made them for a dinner party of 15. I made 72 of them – and when I went to get some they were ALL GONE! 😜They are a huge hit! This one is made with a dipping sauce that my Puerto Rican sister told me about! Sooo yummy!
Easy Guacamole

Easy Guacamole

This Easy Guacamole recipe is by far one of the easiest recipes! I love guacamole. It is refreshing and just dances all over my taste buds. I remember the first time I had it in a Mexican restaurant in Manhattan with some warm tortilla chips. READ MORE

Easy Carrot and Almond Salad

Easy Carrot and Almond Salad

You’ve got to try this easy Carrot and Almond Salad! I came up with it on a whim.  I wanted to have some color on the plate and decided to go with carrots. They have natural sweetness, fiber and vitamin A. Eating them is a READ MORE

Easy Hummus with Tahini

Easy Hummus with Tahini

What do you do when friends stop by and you can’t run to the store? Make some delicious, quick and easy Hummus with Tahini 🥣 – served with homemade flatbread. I try to have a can of chickpeas, limes and tahini on hand just for moments like these. This recipe is super simple and in no time you have a scrumptious appetizer.

This recipe is super simple and in no time you have a scrumptious appetizer.
Roasted Butternut Squash

Roasted Butternut Squash

I love butternut squash! Roasted Butternut Squash is a simple, easy recipe that can be enjoyed on any occasion. The natural sweetness of the butternut squash is what I like most. They have a unique nutty flavor that will make you come back for more. READ MORE

Balsamic Portobello Mushroom Bowl

Balsamic Portobello Mushroom Bowl

Balsamic Portobello Mushroom Bowl is served with rice and fresh carrots and broccoli. The Portobello mushroom is seasoned with onions, garlic, salt and black pepper and finished off with Balsamic vinegar. Buying Tips They should be fresh, firm and dry. If not prepackaged, try to READ MORE

Cheesy Casarecce Pasta with Zucchini

Cheesy Casarecce Pasta with Zucchini

This Cheesy Casarecce pasta with Zucchini is a scrumptious yummy dish. The vegan cheesy sauce makes this dish a hit! When you add the zucchini it really elevates the dish. Cutting them lengthwise into strips helps to absorb maximum flavor. I used almond milk and nutritional yeast to make it cheesy and yummy. This is a hearty plant based and dairy free dish, a treat for my vegan foodies.

Quick Vegan Cheesy Sauce

This quick vegan cheesy sauce is super easy and is ready in minutes. This plant-based creation will have you coming back for more. It goes well with chips, on pizza, burgers and can be used to make the infamous Mac and Cheese, or my Cheesy Casarecce Pasta with Zucchini.

Dairy or dairy free? That’s the question

From age 8-14, I struggled with asthma, pneumonia, and bronchitis. I would have a violent attack every year. It was so bad that I would have to go to the hospital for nebulizer treatments. (That was back in the day when they didn’t send you home with the nebulizer). My mother was so worried because some of the medication was so strong that it would make me shake.

Please step away from the cheese!

One year it was so bad that I had to be admitted to the ICU. The Attending doctor made it very clear that I should not consume any dairy products ever again! He was very adamant and of course when I was discharged I had my favorite pistachio ice cream only to suffer the consequences afterwards.

Eventually I stopped eating all dairy. At that time they did not have as many alternatives as they do today. Most of the alternatives were disgusting. I wanted ice cream, sauces and foods that tasted like the real thing.

This vegan cheesy sauce definitely tastes like the real thing. I think even better! It makes me feel like I’m not missing a thing!

This Cheesy Casarecce pasta with Zucchini is a scrumptious yummy dish. The vegan cheesy sauce makes this dish a hit! When you add the zucchini it really elevates the dish.