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Coconut Curry Bowls

The people have spoken! When asked which recipe from The Vegan Cookbook for Kids that you wanted me to share first, the answer was the delicious and decadent Coconut Curry Bowls!

This is a fantastic example of the kinds of recipes in the book – it’s healthy and easy to make but it’s also flavorful and fun! Kids, especially those that are foodies and are interested in cooking, have some pretty developed tastes and they don’t want to keep eating the same old things. They want to experiment and try something new, and I say good for them! I was definitely *not* a foodie as a child and basically refused to eat anything that wasn’t pizza or a burger or what we used to call tv dinners.

This coconut-based curry is delicious and the beans and veggies are familiar, so even if your kid isn’t as adventurous (or is just starting out!) this dish should still appeal to them.

The kindle version of The Vegan Cookbook for Kids is available now, and the print version is available starting November 3rd, 2020 on Amazon or wherever you buy your books!

Here’s a picture of the recipe as it appears in the book (I just love the design of this book!) or just scroll farther down for the printable recipe!

*Reprinted from The Vegan Cookbook for Kids

Coconut Curry Bowls

Please don't tell the other recipes in this book, but this one is my favorite! It's so creamy and rich, yet it doesn't take very long to make. There are so many different curries out there from many different parts of the world, and I encourage you to experiment with all of them – but this simple curry is a good place to start.
Prep Time15 mins
Cook Time15 mins
Servings: 4
Author: Barb

Equipment

  • Cutting board
  • Knife
  • Large skillet
  • Spoon
  • Small mixing bowl
  • Small whisk

Ingredients

  • 2 large carrots
  • 1 15oz can great northern beans
  • 1/4 cup water, plus 2 teaspoons, plus more as needed
  • 3 heaping cups broccoli florets
  • 1 15oz can lite coconut milk
  • 2 tsp red curry paste
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp cornstarch
  • 4 cups frozen cauliflower rice

Instructions

  • Prep the ingredients. Cut the carrots into thin circles. Drain and rinse the great northern beans.
  • Cook the veggies. In a large skillet over medium-low heat, heat 1/4 cup of water. Add the carrots and broccoli. Simmer for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, adding an additional tablespoon of water if the pan gets dry.
  • Combine the flavors. Stir in the great northern beans, coconut milk, red curry paste, and salt. In a small mixing bowl, whisk the cornstarch with the remaining 2 teaspoons of water, then add this slurry to the skillet. Increase the heat to high and cook until the sauce begins to boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 5 minutes, or until the sauce thickens and the veggies are tender.
  • Prepare the cauliflower rice and serve. While the curry simmers, cook the cauliflower rice according to the package instructions. (Some brands differ, but many are in microwavable bags and only take a couple minutes to cook). Divide the rice among 4 bowls and top with the curry.
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The Vegan Cookbook for Kids – Preorder now!

The Vegan Cookbook for Kids

Well, this is exciting! My third book, The Vegan Cookbook for Kids, is now available for pre-order!

I’m really proud of this book- it’s packed with tips and tricks to get young chefs (ages 8-12) started in the kitchen in a way that will keep them both safe and excited, plus 50 delicious recipes across different types of cuisines!

There are familiar flavors and ingredients, and some that will appeal to kids with a more adventurous palate – and all are dishes the whole family will enjoy!

The Vegan Cookbook for Kids

I had a lot of fun taking foods and flavors and recipes and making them a bit more kid-friendly. For example my Fruity Sheet Pan Pancakes which allow even the youngest chefs to make a delicious breakfast treat without needing to hover over a hot pan. Or my PB&J Ice Cream Pie which has all the flavors of our favorite childhood sandwich, but for dessert!

  • Cinnamon Swirl Pancakes
  • Sweet n’ Sour Tofu
  • Creamy Buffalo Cauliflower Dip
  • Southwestern Sweet Potato Salad
  • Spinach and Red Pepper Hummus Melts
  • Veggie Pot Pie
  • Cookies n’ Cream Cake
  • And so much more!
The Vegan Cookbook for Kids

In addition to the recipes, there is an entire chapter dedicated to kitchen safety, guides to kitchen tools and pantry essentials, as well as instructions on prep skills like measuring, chopping, and prepping!

As we are heading into the colder months its a great time to get back into the kitchen, especially if you have kids in your life who are curious to learn more. This book would make a great gift for the young chefs in your life!

The book will hit the shelves on November 3rd, but you should definitely pre-order your copy today!

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Chico!

Yah, yah, yah… I didn’t last long before slacking off on my posting schedule, but these are crazy times and, well… I don’t really have an excuse 🙂

I don’t have a recipe for you today, but I do have something even better. Chico! Chicopotamus, Chicasaurus-Rex, Chico de Gallo, Cheeky Boy… he goes by a lot of names around here, but he definitely also answers to Good Boy, because that’s what he is!

He loves to snuggle with his big brother Elmie

Aren’t they cute!? Chico came as a foster from the Dumb Friends League back in February. He was about to have surgery for a torn ligament in his back leg, and need a home to convalesce in, who could also give him some physical therapy. The whole process went really well, and just as he was about done… he tore that same ligament in his other leg! So he had the surgery again, on the other leg, last Thursday. Here he is 2 days after, when he was able to come home:

You can see the bruising around the incision site. He’s doing really well though, walking on that leg more and more each day. He doesn’t enjoy having it iced but luckily starting today we are transitioning from the bag of frozen corn to a heating pad. And he has been really good about letting me do his stretches.

He is such a sweet and gentle boy, I love him so much. And, of course, I have an adoption hold on him so as soon as he is all healed from this surgery (~3 months, give or take), he will officially join the pack! Although let’s face it… as far as he is concerned, he’s already official ❤️

Having these two good boys has made this whole process of staying home all the time So. Much. Better. I know a lot of people struggle with staying home, especially those who live alone as I do, but as an introvert it doesn’t bother me too much. I mean, okay sure, maybe I have a few too many conversations with the dogs, but that’s okay. They are very good listeners!

I hope you’re all doing okay, too!

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Cravings

There are so many of my favorite recipes that I’ve been craving lately, but I lack either the ingredients or the energy to make them.

Weirdly, looking at pictures of them helps a little bit. It also keeps my motivation up to keep cooking and blogging!

Here are a few memories that have me drooling these days…

Spicy Sweet Potato Hash with Roasted Poblano Peppers

Spicy Sweet Potato Hash with Roasted Poblano- And easy breakfast or brunch that's full of flavor! www.thatwasvegan.com

Creamy Bacon Corn Dip

Creamy Bacon Corn Dip | www.thatwasvegan.com

Creamy Kimchi Pasta with Bacon

Creamy Kimchi Pasta | www.thatwasvegan

Thai Tempeh Tacos

Thai Tempeh Tacos - deliciously sweet n' spicy vegan tacos! www.thatwasvegan.com

Baked Mac n’ Cheese

Okay, those are just a few. Tell me what you’re craving these days!

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Beyond Meatloaf

When I first moved in with my (now ex) husband and suddenly started cooking a real dinner each night, I was kind of at a loss. I had no idea what to cook really, and so most of our dinners were probably quite boring. The one dish I did excel at, and enjoyed the most, was meatloaf. I used a Betty Crocker recipe, breadcrumbs instead of crackers, and ALWAYS topped it with tons of ketchup. I truly cannot get enough ketchup. I’m a weirdo, I know.

After going vegetarian in 2008 and then vegan in 2010 there was no more meatloaf. I tried my hand at a few lentil loafs over the years, and they were okay, but… not the same. Not what I was craving. I did make and blog about Vegan Meatloaf Cupcakes back in 2014, which were really delicious. They were still made with lentils and tofu though, so they didn’t really scratch that itch. I guess I was looking for something more authentic.

Then along came Beyond and Impossible! Beyond is what I used in this recipe, but Impossible would work just as well (I know a lot of people have very strong preferences between the two). I also want to try it with Simple Truth’s new vegan “burger”, but it was out when I went to the store that day.

So. Good. Spices, peppers, and onions… all the deliciousness. I served it up with mashed potatoes and frozen peas because A.) nostalgia, and B.) ongoing pandemic.

Sidenote: Am I the only one who has really learned to embrace frozen veggies during this mess?

And of course, the aforementioned KETCHUP, which is really what makes a meatloaf killer.

Other than the Beyond meat, all the ingredients were things I had on hand so I think this counts as a #PantryMeal. And if not, it can still claim #ComfortFood, that’s for sure.

If you’re not a fan of the new generation of plant meats, or if your local grocery is just sold out, definitely check out my meatloaf cupcakes for an entirely different version!

Beyond Meatloaf

Vegan meatloaf that is totally crave-able!
Prep Time20 mins
Cook Time1 hr
Total Time1 hr 20 mins
Course: Dinner, Entree, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: vegan, vegetarian
Servings: 6
Author: Barb

Ingredients

  • 1 lb Beyond Meat Impossible or similar will also work
  • 1 green bell pepper diced
  • 1/2 small sweet onion diced
  • 1 Follow Your Heart of Just egg prepare to package instructions
  • 1 cup panko crumbs
  • 1 tbsp worcestershire sauce make sure it's vegan, not all brands are
  • 1 tbsp spicy brown mustard
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 cup ketchup more to taste, and for serving

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients except the ketchup. Mix with a large spoon or your hands!
  • Press the mixture into a 9×5 (or similar) loaf pan, and spread the ketchup evenly over the top. Bake for about 60 minutes or until firm and the center is just slightly pink. Let rest for ~5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

If you don’t have a loaf pan, you can just use your hands to press the mixture into a “loaf pan shaped” shape, and bake on a baking sheet. 
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Hi!

Hey everyone! I hope you’re all staying healthy and happy and snuggled up at home with your loved ones (especially the 4-legged ones).

I know I’ve been on radio silence since… the end of January. Wow. I even got a few Facebook messages from readers asking if I’m okay, which was incredibly sweet and touching! And yes, I am okay.

I spent all of February and the beginning of March working on my latest book (that’s #3 if you’re keeping count), and around the time I turned my manuscript in was when the world turned upside down. So I was too busy to blog and then I was too anxious and overwhelmed.

There has been good these last few months though- like that beautiful boy Chico! He’s my foster pibble that I will soon be adopting 🙂 As you can see, he is already besties with his brother Elmer.

I’ve been working from home (for my “real” job) since mid May March (what month is it?), which is great but I want to get back to blogging. I miss that connection and the wonderful vegan community. SO! I am going to attempt to get back to my Tuesday/Thursday posting schedule, starting next week with some amazeballs “meatloaf” that I think you’ll all love. It’s the comfort food we need these days.

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Dryuary 2020: Day 31

Well, it looks like I made it to the end of January without a damn drink. Ha! I honestly never doubted I would, and it really wasn’t too terrible. I found that social situations where I would normally want a drink (dinner with a friend, brunch, etc) were more tempting than, say, the thought of drinking in general.

As of today, I’ve lost 11 pounds which is cool.

More importantly, my sleeping is better and I wake feeling more refreshed. I also think this experiment has given me more insight into my relationship with food, as it pertains to alcohol. I’m aware now that I overeat when I’m drinking, and that is something I need to keep an eye on.

My mom’s birthday is this weekend, and we’re having a celebratory lunch tomorrow. It is a pretty safe bet that I’ll be drinking 😉 It’s also a pretty safe bet that I won’t repeat this experiment next year… but we’ll see!

*This post may contain affiliate links.

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Mile High Vegan Eats: Tap & Burger

Mile High Vegan Eats

I love eating lunch alone, at the bar, with a beer (or glass of wine) and a book. It’s kind of my “me time”. One of my favorite places to partake in this little ritual is Tap & Burger, a VERY vegan-friendly local chain with three locations around Denver Metro. With a full bar and a big menu, it’s the perfect place to bring omni friends and family, because there truly is something for everyone. They have locations in DTC, Highland, and Sloan’s Lake.

I’m still eating my way through the very clearly-marked plant-based options on their menu, and wanted to share a few of my favorite things with you guys.

First up, the Impossible Tacos made with crumbled Impossible burger, guacamole, and pico verde.

Mile High Vegan Eats: Tap & Burger
Mile High Vegan Eats: Tap & Burger

So tasty! I’m a big fan of Impossible, and absolutely loved these. They’re listed on the menu under “Sharing”, which is sort of an appetizer section, but these three little tacos along with a glass of wine were the perfect size for lunch.

And speaking of Impossible… look at this beautiful Impossible Burger, with a side of sweet potato tots:

Mile High Vegan Eats: Tap & Burger

Yes, you do see potato chips on there! This burger comes with roasted tomatoes, green goddess aioli, sea salt & vinegar chips (!), lettuce, onion, and cheese. I think cheese used to be an add-on, which is why it isn’t pictured here. But now it appears to be part of the regular burger, per the menu. Anyway, it was perfect! I love the addition of the crunchy chips, and you’ll never get me to stop loving sweet tater tots.

If Impossible isn’t your thing (my mom doesn’t like it, she thinks it’s too realistic) they also have the Mile Highlander which is a smoked portabella mushroom, although I haven’t tried that. They also have a black bean patty, but it is vegetarian, not vegan.

Lest you think all they offer is bar food… they have a great Greens section on their menu as well.

This is the Winter Chopped Salad, with mixed greens, maple roasted sweet potato, radish, red onion, apple, carrot, puffed grains and a lavender sage cider vinaigrette:

Mile High Vegan Eats: Tap & Burger

Hearty and satisfying, but not at all heavy. The only thing I might change about this salad would be to make the pieces of onion a little smaller, but other than that – DELICIOUS!

Last, but not least, this is the Red Curry Quinoa Salad, with mixed greens, smoked carrot, tomato, red pepper, crispy onions, cucumber, and cilantro:

Mile High Vegan Eats: Tap & Burger

So much flavor packed into this salad, and so healthy! This was my mom’s choice when we had lunch there once and she really enjoyed it.

There are other items on the menu I really want to try, like the Southwest Chili (made with Impossible) and the Roasted Cauliflower and Brussels Sprout Salad, so you know I’ll be heading back to T&B soon!

Want more Denver-area restaurant reviews? Check out my Mile High Vegan Eats page!

*This post may contain affiliate links.

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Dryuary 2020: Day 23

I am so sick of Dry January. I want it to be over.

It’s not that I need to drink, or even that I want to get drunk. I just want to be able to have a cocktail at brunch or enjoy a glass of wine while making dinner.

Do you know what it really is? It’s the idea of deprivation. This is why I’ve never had luck with diets. As soon as there is something I cannot have, it’s all I want.

Also? I am craving soda really badly. Mostly I’m sticking to my fizzy waters, but I have indulged in that sugary goodness badness a few times this month, which is a lot more than usual.

Highlights:

  • Still sleeping really well! Sleep score is up to 89, and my resting heart rate is down to 60.
  • I’ve lost 10 lbs!

I am happy with the weight loss but other than that I am counting down the days until next Saturday. Is anyone else still sticking with this terrible experiment? 😉

*This post may contain affiliate links.

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Dryuary 2020: Day 13

Well, I’m still on the wagon… although I will admit I came thisclose to opening a bottle of wine the day Frankie passed away. I’m glad I stuck with it though.

I’m almost halfway through the month, and most days I don’t even think about drinking. It’s just become normal to me that I don’t.

Highlights:

  • Sleeping even better! According to my Fitbit, my average sleep score for the past week is 87, compared to 83 before I started this experiment. Now, I don’t know exactly what this means, because I haven’t paid for Fitbit premium… but it seems like a good thing.
  • My resting heart rate is down more, to 63! Last week it was 68, and the week before that it was 69.
  • I lost 2 more pounds, for a total of 7 over the last 2 weeks. It wasn’t the main intention of Dryuary, but hey I’ll take it.

Want to start from the beginning of this experiment?

*This post may contain affiliate links.

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