Breakfast of...Vegans

If you are vegan, chances are you have leftovers such as rice, pieces of tofu and fruits like apples in your kitchen. And chances are, no matter who you are, you have probably been in your kitchen in the morning and felt a little bored making your usual breakfasts. Well here is something totally new and different for you to try. It just so happens to have protein, fiber, healthy carbs, and tastes like breakfast. Bon appetit! 

Be a Champion With My 'Buff Apple Tofu Brown Rice Breakfast' Recipe

*Makes 1- 2 Servings

3 oz tofu, drained and cubed or crumbled

1 apple, chopped

1/2 cup cooked brown rice

1/2 cinnamon stick

1 tsp pure maple syrup

In a small pot, cook first four ingredients on medium heat for about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. When ingredients are warmed and apples are soft, remove from heat. Drizzle maple syrup on top before serving. Discard cinnamon stick before eating. Enjoy!

Upcoming...

Stay tuned for a Reader Request blog post coming your way soon!

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Impressive Beefless Recipe

Make A Vegan Impression With My 'Beefless Stroganoff' Recipe

1 lb wheat pasta or noodles

1 14oz container Tofurky "Giblet" Gravy

3 tbsp vegan butter

1 cup onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1/3 cup vegan white wine

1 cup veggie "beef" (I used Trader Joe's Beef-less Strips)

Sprinkle of vegan Parmesan to taste, optional

Boil water to cook pasta/ noodles. In a small saucepan, defrost/ heat Tofurky gravy over stove. In a large saute pan, melt vegan butter and saute onions and garlic. When aromas are released, add wine. Stir then cook for about 3 minutes. Add in "beef" and simmer on low until your gravy and pasta are ready. Add gravy to saute pan and heat thoroughly. Drain pasta and serve Stroganoff over pasta. Sprinkle vegan parm on top. You may also like to serve this dish with a side of country vegetables such as potato, mushroom, green beans, etc. Enjoy!

Filling, fabulous, and fun! Perfect dinner party or holiday dish!

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Colorful Cookout Recipe

Cook up something colorful and fun for that Independence Day gathering! Who wants an ol' boring salad?

Make Some Noise At Your Holiday Cookout With My 'Fireworks Pasta Salad' Recipe


1 lb. wheat rotini
1 16oz bag frozen Trader Joe's Soycutash (or mixed vegetables of choice), thawed
3 tbsp vegan mayo
1/2 onion, chopped
1 tbsp dijon or spicy brown mustard
1 tbsp Bragg's Liquid Aminos (or Soy, Tamari, Shoyu sauce)
1 tbsp garlic, minced
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp chives
Sea salt and black pepper to taste


Boil water and cook pasta to al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water in strainer. Mix with the remaining ingredients and chill until time to serve. Enjoy!

Have fun, Naughty People!

Summer Crockpot Roast Recipe

Tofurky is not just for fall and winter, Kids! Here is a nice summery recipe to prepare a Tofurky (or even Field Roast if you wish)...and get this one, it is crockpot easy!

This Season's Hottest 'Summer Crockpot Tofurky' Recipe


1.5 cups cauliflower florets
2 cups water
1 "beef" bouillon cube (I used Edward & Son's "Not Beef" flavor)
2 heaping tbsp vegan butter (I used Smart Balance Light)
1/2 onion, chopped
2 tbsp garlic, minced
2 bay leaves
1 tsp Italian Seasoning
Sea salt & black pepper to taste
1 Tofurky Roast


Place all ingredients in crockpot on High for 7 hours, switching to Low for the last couple hours if necessary. This depends on if you thawed your Tofurky or not. I chose to run mine under warm water, just enough to safely remove the outer casing (please be careful either way - I safely snipped off one end with kitchen shears then peeled casing off) and cook the entire 7 hours on High. This can be served with sides like a summery salad and/ or bread and the accompanying Tofurky Gliblet Gravy. Enjoy!

The cauliflower adds body that's hearty but light without the heaviness like autumn/ winter potatoes!

Yum!

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What Do Vegans and the President Have In Common?

The President just loves Dirty Vegan Foods! Do you like how I totally nailed the accent and speech pauses?!


He likes us so much, he has even sent us on very serious missions to change America and save animals, such as this one...


Wowzers, look at me in my belly shirt! Those abs gotta be from being vegan!!!

Hope these gave you a laugh and helped brighten your day. Now continue to giggle through the rest of it!

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The Path I'm Taking...

Okay, so I just got a generous package of goodies sent to me from Nature's Path (thank you!!!)...and I'm embarrassed to say I've completely wolfed through the entire stash (okay maybe I'm not so embarrassed, I am the Dirty Vegan after-all. Did you expect anything different?). 

I've been a Nature's Path Organic fan for years now. I love a vegan-friendly cereal that has no dairy products or honey in it! Hello, Organic Flax Plus Multi-Bran! Nature's Path makes other vegan-friendly foods as well (bars, waffles, etc.). Here is what I think of the new NP products I've just tried for the first time...

Hemp Plus Granola - I love a granola cereal that is 3/4 cup per serving!!! Calories are good, fat is all healthy polyunsaturated and monounsaturated, protein is 6g per serving (great for cereal/ granola!), lower sugar, has iron...and I haven't even gotten to the taste! This box only lasted a couple days between my husband and myself. This stuff is ridiculous tasty! What can I say, vegans love their granola, and their hemp...

Crunchy Maple Sunrise cereal (gluten free) - The taste of this cereal is crunchy, fun, and totally reminds me of camping and autumn for some reason. For that, I am hooked on this - my new breakfast staple. It's got potassium (add banana slices and you'll have even more), quinoa, buckwheat, amaranth, fiber, whole grains, Omega-3, and other good-for-you ingredients (while tasting like a dessert cereal). And its even gluten free; too cool.

Mesa Sunrise cereal (gluten free) - This cereal is healthy cereal at its finest, and tastes really amazing for something so healthy for you. This cereal will get your metabolism revved up with body fuel like flax, corn, and amaranth. Sodium and sugar are real low in this too, which would make this my go-to cereal the next day after being maybe a little too Naughty (is there even such a thing?).

Trailmix Granola Bars - I'm in love with these bars! Best bar I've ever had! Its not a protein bar, so don't expect that. These are trail mix granola bars. Some have more protein than others. I think this is the perfect snack. Incredibly yummy, not heavy or junky, and the Pumpkin-N-Spice reminds me of camping and autumn - two of my favorite things. 

Any food that reminds me of good times like that is definitely a keeper. Remember, food is very emotional and significant. Food is fuel, keeps you alive, can represent family or friends, can heal, can bring back memories, can bring people together, can comfort, can nourish, can break the ice...and so on. I think Nature's Path Organic nailed it all. Wholesome food that also fits into people's lifestyles. I'm more of a fan than I was before (and before I was a big fan, so now I'm a MEGA FAN!).


I would also like to note that Nature's Path uses a lot of wholesome ingredients such as: ancient grains, hemp, quinoa, buckwheat, flax, and more  - all organic. And I love their eco-packaging, called EnviroBox ("Less Package. More Sustainable") and they also do Eco Pacs for products like Mesa Sunrise! They also are the makers of EnviroKids cereals and snacks (oh, don't pretend you don't eat em'...you know you do! I do...kid at heart!).

Thank you NP for making awesome products! Keep on keepin' on! And for now, the Dirty Vegan is signing off. Wishing your next meal brings you joy, great memories, smiles, and good health!

The Dirty Vegan Favorite!

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Dine Like You're Famous!

"I'm your biggest fan, I'll follow you until you love me, papa-paparazzi. Baby, there's no other superstar you know that I'll be, papa-paparazzi" -Lady GaGa

 A quick bite with your fellow famous friends and/ or lover before a night on the town?

 A business lunch to go over your newest project?

Lunch with your girlfriends (and/ or boyfriends!) during your day of shopping at the hottest stores?

We've all seen the tabloid pictures of celebrities and socialites like Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, Nicole Richie, Mila Kunis, Rachel Bilson, Miley Cyrus, and Britney Spears dining at hot California restaurants such as Koi, The Ivy, and Mr. Chow. And how about New York City eateries like Butter and Il Cantinori? Have you ever wanted to have the superstar experience yourself, but maybe are stuck in a state like Rhode Island, Massachusetts, or New Jersey? Also maybe you are wondering how to dine like a celebrity when you are vegan. Well have no fear - Papa Razzi is here!

Papa Razzi Trattoria & Bar in Cranston, RI is super swanky, chic, and the place to see and be seen. And it just to happens to be located in the glamorous Garden City Center where you can find sophisticated retail locations such as Anthropologie, Williams Sonoma, Whole Foods, Starbucks, and lots more, to fulfill your wildest Rodeo Drive fantasies. The perfect day? Shopping at these glammy stores and boutiques then waltzing into Papa Razzi just in time for your reservation...and possibly getting your photo snapped by the paparazzi! Well you do look fabulous in those designer shades, with shopping bags from the hottest stores, dining at this stylish establishment, with the tastiest vegan options. And yes I said vegan options...read on for details!

The experience at Garden City is definitely very celebrity, but when you approach the restaurant, the swank-factor gets taken up a notch; even more when you step inside. You first will notice the luxurious and hip decor. The bar is really modern and cool if you just want to go in for drinks and a bite. Also, something that caught my eye immediately was the gorgeous staff - but since you are a beautiful vegan socialite yourself, who else better than other gorgeous people to be a part of your dining experience? The bathrooms are clean and lavish also. But I know you didn't come here to only hear about the hot staff and the decor; you want to hear about the vegan-friendly food!

There are an assortment of sumptuous salads to choose from; my favorite is the Spinachi which is baby spinach, fresh strawberries, shiitake mushrooms, and vinaigrette (just ask for it without the goat cheese). There are also a variety of pasta dishes that can be made vegan upon request. What I love about this restaurant the most is the friendly and approachable vibe. The waitstaff and management are so helpful and accommodating  That is very important to me when dining out, and the fact that Papa Razzi is so kind to people with alternative diets, means a lot. For dinners you can also get wood-fired, thin crust pizzas without cheese (I do this at Bertucci's too and they taste amazing!). The vegan possibilities are so great when you are at an elegant restaurant like this with a huge selection of ingredients and wonderful people willing to serve you up tasty veg-friendly dishes! Right on the Papa Razzi menu they encourage you tell them if you have any special requests, which is awesome for a restaurant to do. And you all know how proud of my Italian heritage I am (hence most of my recipes on here are Italian dishes and/ or heavy on the Daiya cheese!), so it is cool for me to be vegan and find a cool Italian restaurant willing to accommodate my diet. And seriously, what's more celebrity than getting a custom made vegan dish that a talented Italian chef creates for you? Chefs love doing that stuff, but rarely people ask them to.

There are other Papa Razzi locations (like upscale Newbury Street in Boston and even locations in DC!), but if you are in the Cranston, RI area, I do recommend this one for the whole experience at the Garden City Center and the exceptional restaurant service. I hope you enjoy being fabulous and almost famous! You can tell them the Dirty Vegan sent you, but I can't guarantee the VIP treatment is from me - you may just feel fancy saying it. For now, the Dirty Vegan is signing off. Champagne dreams and tomato sauce wishes to you, my Friends!

Good luck in ducking the paparazzi, all you Fabulous Naughty People!

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