Vegan Recipes from Cassie Howard

Vegan Insanity >> Vegan recipes that are delicious and easy to make. Plus, kitchen, cooking & shopping tips!

Homemade Peanut Butter Cups

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Peanut-Butter-Cups-VeganHalloween is just around the corner and the kid in me is more excited than I should probably admit. I get a little decoration-happy over here!

It’s a shame I can’t partake in trick or treating anymore. Not just because I’m a MOM and I’m pretty sure it’s a no-no to beg for candy door-to-door when you’re almost thirty, but also because – have you SEEN the crap people hand out on Halloween? It’s like they’re trying to kill those precious little children.

PB-Cups-in-TinEverything is loaded with sugar, loaded with salt, and loaded with a bunch of ingredients that should never go into your body ever, ever, ever (I’m lookin’ at you, corn syrup!).

Homemade-Vegan-Peanut-Butter-CupsI let my kids go trick or treating, but only because I don’t want them to feel left out. I dump a good 75% of their candy into the trash when they go to bed, and honestly, they don’t miss it.

Vegan-Peanut-Butter-CupsBut I miss it! Before I switched to a vegan diet, I would rummage through my kids’ Halloween bags and eat their Coffee Crisp, Kit Kat, Doritos and Reese Peanut Butter Cups. Now, I have to look at those treats lovingly and then just toss them away. Which is probably a good thing, but I digress…

Homemade-Peanut-Butter-CupsThis year, I decided that if I was going to survive another year of watching my kids eat my favourite non-vegan treats from afar, I was going to need some treats of my own – like these peanut butter cups.

Vegan-Homemade-Peanut-Butter-CupsWith only 3 ingredients and less than 15 minutes of time, this is probably one of the easiest recipes ever. If you can even call it a recipe.

Peanut-Butter-CupsHello chocolate, meet peanut butter.

Homemade Peanut Butter Cups
Recipe Type: Snacks
Author: Vegan Insanity
Prep time:
Total time:
Serves: 12
Ingredients
  • 1 cup dairy-free chocolate chips (I used Enjoy Life brand)
  • 1/2 cup peanut butter (store-bought or homemade)
  • Kosher salt (optional)
Instructions
  1. Add chocolate chips to a microwave-safe bowl and heat for about 2 minutes, stirring every 45-60 seconds, until melted. Stir until smooth.
  2. Add paper or silicone liners to a large muffin pan. Add about 1 tbsp melted chocolate to the bottom of each liner. Freeze for about 10 minutes, or until the chocolate has hardened.
  3. Add about 1 tbsp peanut butter on top of the hardened chocolate (you may need to spread it out a bit), then add another 1-2 tbsp melted chocolate on top, making sure to cover the peanut butter.
  4. Sprinkle each peanut butter cup with a bit of kosher salt, then put the pan back in the freezer for another 10 minutes or so, until hardened.
  5. Store in the refrigerator (when you want to eat one, remove it from the fridge and allow to come to room temperature).

 

Apple Pie Smoothie

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Apple-Pie-SmoothieSo I woke up the other morning with the desire to eat pie. Apple pie.

I must have been dreaming about pie or something, because I woke up, with droll all over my face, ready to bake me a pie for breakfast.

But then I came to my senses. “Pie isn’t for breakfast, silly!”, I said to myself.

Apple-Pie-Smoothie-VeganBut I still craved apple pie. So what did I do? I made a smoothie of course! I normally have a green smoothie in the morning, but since my apple pie craving was SO SO STRONG, as in, MUST HAVE IT NOW, I went with a smoothie that tasted like apple pie.

I just threw a bunch of pie ingredients into a blender, added more liquid (duh), and let the blender whirl. And wouldn’t you know it? This smoothie tasted just like apple pie! Without the delicious flaky crust, of course.

But still – YUM.

Easy-Vegan-Apple-Pie-SmoothieI was drinking apple pie! From a glass! In the morning!

I’m such a rebel.

Vegan-Apple-Pie-SmoothieNow you can be a rebel, too. Go ahead, drink some pie.

Apple Pie Smoothie
Recipe Type: Smoothie
Author: Vegan Insanity
Prep time:
Total time:
Serves: 2
Ingredients
  • 1 large apple, sliced (I used a honeycrisp apple)
  • 1 large banana
  • 1 1/2 cups non-dairy milk (I used almond milk)
  • 1 large date, pitted
  • 1/2 tbsp chia seeds
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • 3 or 4 ice cubes
Instructions
  1. Add all ingredients to a high speed blender and blend until smooth!
Notes
Use a nut-free non-dairy milk to make this recipe nut-free.[br]Use a non-dairy milk other than soy milk to make this recipe soy-free.

 

Sesame-Orange Tofu Rice Bowl

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Orange-Tofu-Rice-BowlWhat’s another word for “in love”?

Infatuated? No… Obsessed? No…

I know – enamored. Yes, enamored. That’s exactly how I feel about rice bowls. Completely and utterly enamored. I guess you could say I’m infatuated and obsessed, too, but either way: LOVE.

Vegan-Orange-Tofu-RiceSo GORG! Swoon.

I piled a heap of brown rice, sauteed kale and a sweet & savory sesame-orange tofu on my plate and then sprinkled with some sesame seeds and green onions. DINNER IS SERRRRRRVED. YES.

The combination of orange juice, sesame oil, and a hint of heat from the red chili flakes, makes your mouth be all “what is this deliciousness I’m tasting and why don’t you feed it to me more often?”. I’m sorry mouth. I will do better.

Orange-Tofu-Rice-Bowl-VeganCan I also mention that my kids ate this and kinda sorta liked it? For real! My anti-tofu, anti-anything green kids liked this meal. Surprise of a lifetime. Guess that means no leftovers for me. But my kids ate greens! And tofu! Who are they?!

Vegan-Orange-Tofu-Rice-BowlNow it’s your turn to dig into this super yummy bowl of everything awesome. Enjoy, friend!

Sesame Orange Tofu Rice Bowl
Recipe Type: Entree
Author: Vegan Insanity
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 2
Ingredients
  • Marinade
  • 2 tsp cornstarch
  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 1 tsp orange zest
  • 1 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 3 tbsp tamari
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup
  • 1 1/2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 2 medium garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt
  • 1 lb extra-firm tofu, sliced into 1/4 inch pieces
  • Rice Bowl
  • Sliced green onions, for garnish
  • 1 1/2 tbsp sesame seeds
  • 1 cup kale, chopped
  • 2 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 cups cooked brown rice
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400F.
  2. Add cornstarch and water in a small bowl until the cornstarch is fully disolved. Set aside.
  3. In an 9×9 inch baking dish, add orange juice, orange zest, red pepper flakes, tamari, maple syrup, vinegar, garlic, sesame oil, salt and pepper, and the cornstarch & water mixture. Stir to combine .
  4. Add tofu coat it with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate 30-60 minutes.
  5. To bake, cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes, flipping the tofu over halfway through cooking time.
Rice Bowl
  1. While the tofu is cooking, heat a large pan over medium heat. Once warmed, add your olive oil, then the minced garlic. Cook for 1-2 minutes, or until the garlic is lightly browned. Add in the kale and cook until wilted, another 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
  2. In a bowl or on a plate, add rice, then the kale, then the tofu. Sprinkle with green onions and sesame seeds. Enjoy!

 

Gluten-Free Pumpkin & Oat Chocolate Chip Cookies

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Pumpkin-Oat-Chocolate-Chip-Cookies-VeganHave you ever made something that you just could’t bear to eat because it was cute?

For me, it was these cookies. LOOK AT THE CUTENESS!

Pumpkin-Oatmeal-Chocolate-Chip-CookiesA gorgeous orange-brown colour, so perfect for fall. So delicious for fall. So cute, so cute, so cute!

These pumpkin cookies are studded with mini chocolate chips, and made with gluten-free flour and oats, making them a delicious, gluten-free fall treat.

And they’re cute!

Pumpkin-Oat-Chocolate-Chip-CookiesI got over the “can’t eat them ’cause they’re cute” problem quite fast, because although they are cute, surely they are delicious, especially with that yummy pumpkin scent swirling around in the air.

Verdict? Yes. Yes they are delicious. Now I must eat another. And another more. And another… um, okay, don’t pay any attention to me over here.

Vegan-Pumpkin-Oat-Chocolate-Chip-Cookies

Oat-and-Pumpkin-Chocolate-Chip-CookiesIf you’re a pumpkin lovah like me, you will love these delicious (and cute!) little cookies. I won’t judge you if you eat 5 in one sitting like I did. Okay fine, it was 6. Cough.

Vegan-Oat-&-Pumpkin-Chocolate-Chip-Cookies

Gluten-Free Pumpkin & Oat Chocolate Chip Cookies
Recipe Type: Dessert
Author: Vegan Insanity
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 12
Ingredients
  • 3/4 cup sorghum flour
  • 1/2 cup gluten-free rolled oats
  • 1/4 cup coconut sugar
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 tbsp coconut oil
  • 1/4 cup dairy-free chocolate chips
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a non-stick baking mat.
  2. In a medium sized mixing bowl, add flour, oats, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, pumpkin spice. Mix until well combined.
  3. In a small bowl, combine maple syrup, pumpkin, vanilla, and oil.
  4. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients. Do not over-mix. Fold in the chocolate chips.
  5. Using 1 tablespoon per cookie, scoop dough onto your baking sheet, and flatten with your hand a bit.
  6. Bake 10 minutes, or until edges turn golden brown.
  7. Remove from oven and allow to cool for about 15 minutes.

 

Vegan Veggie & Black Bean Enchiladas

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Veggie-Black-Bean-EnchiladasENCHILADA LOVE OVER HERE!

Just look at these beauties. So gorgeous, so tasty, so healthy, so amazing. I’m in love!

Vegan-Black-Bean-EnchiladasThis recipe all started with an expired jar of enchilada sauce.

You see, I had planned on making some enchiladas for dinner recently, and so I went to the store to buy some enchilada sauce. Because, you know, I was too lazy to make my own.

I came home, ready to get down to business, and that’s when I noticed that the enchilada sauce that I JUST BOUGHT was expired. By 3 months!

That’s what I get for trying to go the easy route.

Black-Bean-Veggie-EnchiladasAfter a fit of rage ensued (not really, but kinda sorta yes it’s true), I took some deep breaths and decided to just make my regular enchilada sauce. I had all the ingredients, and it was easy, so fine. I’ll do it. I wanted enchiladas too bad to give up on the whole operation.

After THAT situation was handled, I got to work on the filling for these enchiladas. I just used a few veggies I had in my fridge. When they were done cooking, I then drizzled some super yum cashew cream on top, sprinkled pretty things on top (because I like pretty food), and stuffed my face.

 

Totally oblivious to the awful enchilada sauce experience I’d just had. Because DAMN, these things are GOOD.

Black-Bean-Enchiladas-Vegan

Vegan Veggie & Black Bean Enchiladas
Recipe Type: Main Dish
Author: Vegan Insanity
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 4 Servings
Ingredients
  • Enchilada Sauce
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tbsp flour (I used kamut flour)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp oregano
  • 4 tbsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 cups vegetable broth
  • Cashew Cream
  • 1/3 cup raw cashews
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • Filling
  • 1/2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced
  • 1 small bell pepper, diced (I used red)
  • 1 small zucchini, diced
  • 1 1/2 cups cooked black beans (or 1 15oz can)
  • 1/2 cup corn kernels
  • 1/4 sliced olives (I used black olives)
  • 3-4 green onions, sliced
  • 1/2 cup chopped cilantro or parsley (I used parsley)
  • Salt & pepper, to taste
  • 8 flour or corn tortillas (I used flour tortillas)
Instructions
Enchilada Sauce
  1. In a small pot, heat your oil until warm, over low heat, then add in the flour and whisk until there are no clumps remaining. At that point, you can add in your spices, tomato paste and vegetable broth. Whisk until smooth. Simmer for about 10 minutes, or until thickened.
Cashew Cream
  1. Add all ingredients to a food processor or high-powered blender and process/blend until very smooth.
Filling
  1. Add your oil to a large pan, over medium heat. Once warmed, add in your diced onion, and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
  2. Then, add in the bell pepper and zucchini. Cook for another 5 minutes, or until softened.
  3. Add in your cooked black beans and corn, until it’s all warmed through. Season with salt and pepper. Remove the pan from heat and set aside.
  4. Preheat your oven to 350F and add a big ladle-full of enchilada sauce to the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish.
  5. Add about 2 tablespoons of veggies to a tortilla, top with olives, green onion and cilantro/parsley. Roll it up tightly, and place seam-side down in your baking dish. Repeat with remaining tortillas.
  6. Pour the enchilada sauce over your enchiladas, making sure to cover everything well.
  7. Cover the baking dish with foil, and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbling around the edges.
  8. Serve with a drizzle of cashew cream, chopped cilantro/parsley, and a few more green onions on top.

 

Roasted Salt & Pepper Delicata Squash

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Roasted-Delicata-SquashMy absolute favourite squash of all time is the gorgeous delicata squash. Not only is it beautiful, but it’s SO tasty! My favourite way to cook it is by roasting it in the oven with a bit of oil, salt & pepper. I can eat it as a snack on it’s own, that’s how good it is. Usually, though, it’s a side dish.

This recipe is hardly a recipe at all, considering there are only 4 ingredients (and one of them is the squash!). But it’s so delicious, I just had to share.

DelicataSlice your squash in half, and remove the seeds. This is the fun part. No really!

Normally I just throw out the seeds, but this time, I kept them, and roasted them, too, after the squash was done. They were so good!

Delicata-SquashAdd to your baking sheet, toss with a bit of oil, salt & pepper. Then bake!

Vegan-Roasted-Delicata-SquashCome oooooon. Look at those little cuties? Don’t you just want to snatch them up and eat the whole entire bowl-full yourself?

No? Just me?

Roasted-Delicata-Squash-VeganI added the squash to a rice bowl this time, with some sauteed greens and lentils. My belly was happy. Your belly would be happy too, if you made this squash! Do it!

Roasted Salt & Pepper Delicata Squash
Recipe Type: Sides
Author: Vegan Insanity
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 3-4 sides
Ingredients
  • 1 medium delicata squash
  • 1/2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp salt (add more or less, to taste)
  • 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper (add more or less, to taste)
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 375F.
  2. Wash the squash, then slice off the stem, and cut the squash in half, length-wise. Do not remove the skin. Remove and discard the seeds (or you can save them and roast them for a snack!). Slice squash into half-moon shapes, about 1/2 inch thick.
  3. Spread your squash out on a large baking sheet. Add the oil, salt & pepper, and mix well, with your hands, until every half-moon is covered.
  4. Bake in the pre-heated oven for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway through the cooking time, or until the squash has browned and you can easily pierce it with a fork or knife.
  5. Serve hot!

 

Pumpkin Donuts with Powdered Sugar Glaze

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Vegan-Pumpkin-Doughnuts

Pumpkin EVERYTHING is in full effect over at my house. What about yours? I’m eating this stuff like it’s candy, and I don’t see myself stopping any time soon!

Not that I’m complaining or anything…

The other day I opened up a can of pumpkin puree, just so I could smell it. SERIOUSLY. I had no intentions of making anything with it. I just wanted to smell that pumpkin smell and then melt into a puddle of OMG IT SMELLS SO GOOD.

I can’t make this stuff up. I’ve done some weird stuff before, but this just moved up to the top of my “crazy things I’ve done” list.

Pumpkin-Doughnuts

Anywho, that pumpkin went in the fridge, and then the next morning I had the urge to bake with it. After giving it another good, long sniff, of course.

But what to make? There’s cookies and muffins and cupcakes, oh my! But no. None of those were right. Pumpkin bread? Donuts? Yes. Yes, that’s what I’ll make. DONUTS.

Pumpkin-Doughnuts-Vegan

And so that’s what I made. Delicious, moist, pumpkin-y orange donuts with extra cinnamon and drizzled with a bit of icing (who cares if they’re for breakfast? A little icing never hurt anyone.)!

Pumpkin-Spice-Doughnuts

Pumpkin Spelt Doughnuts with Powdered Sugar Glaze
Recipe Type: Dessert
Author: Vegan Insanity
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 12
Ingredients
  • Pumpkin Spelt Doughnuts
  • 1/2 cup + 2 tbsp pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
  • 1/4 cup coconut sugar
  • 1/2 tsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp non-dairy milk (I used almond milk)
  • 2 tbsp vegan butter, melted (I used Earth Balance)
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 1/2 cup spelt flour
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla
  • Powdered Sugar Glaze
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 3 tbsp non-dairy milk
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla
Instructions
Pumpkin Spelt Doughnuts
  1. Preheat oven to 350F. Spray doughnut pans with non-stick spray and set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, add pumpkin puree, coconut sugar, apple cider vinegar, non-dairy milk, melted vegan butter, baking soda, baking powder, flour, salt cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla. Yep, everything. Add it all to the bowl and mix until combined.
  3. Spoon into your prepared doughnut pans and flatten them with your fingers.
  4. Bake for 10 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  5. Allow to cool for about 20 minutes. While the doughnuts are cooling, you can make the powdered sugar glaze.
Powdered Sugar Glaze
  1. Add all ingredients to a small bowl and whisk until you reach the desired consistency. If the glaze is too thin, add more powdered sugar. If it’s too thick, add more non-dairy milk.
  2. Once doughnuts have cooled completely, drizzle the glaze over each doughnut. Sprinkle with more cinnamon and enjoy!

 

Spirulina Protein Power Bites

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I spotted it in the store a few months ago. It stood out and called my name: SPIRULINA.

Spirulina

I had heard about the almighty spirulina before, but I had never seen it at the store. Until THAT DAY. That day when I decided to look a little closer for this superfood that is such a rich source of calcium and iron.

And there it was. Sitting on a shelf. Calling my name.

Spirulina-Balls-Recipe

So I bought it. And it sat in my kitchen cupboard for over 2 months without being opened once. I’m a procrastinator, what can I say?

Spirulina-Balls

After seeing this full jar of spirulina at least 5 million times, I finally decided enough was enough, and set out to make something THAT DAY.

Spirulina-Balls-Vegan

It was a green smoothie. And it was delicious. I’ve made that smoothie a bunch of times now and even my picky kids will drink it!

But this is not that recipe.

Spirulina-Snack-Balls

I was feeling ambitious a few weeks ago, and decided to use spirulina to make something other than green smoothies, so I went with these adorable little bites of goodness.

And it worked – they are absolutely delicious, and healthy and everything I love in a snack.

But man are they ever GREEN. I stained my white t-shirt while making these, so if you plan to make them, I strongly recommend black everything!

Spirulina-Snack-Bites

 

Spirulina Protein Power Bites
Recipe Type: Snack
Author: Vegan Insanity
Prep time:
Total time:
Serves: 15-20
Ingredients
  • 1 cup dates
  • 1/2 cup raisins or dried cranberries
  • 3/4 cup almonds
  • 2 tbsp spirulina
  • 3 tsp lemon juice
Instructions
  1. Add all ingredients to a food professor and process until well combined.
  2. Roll into balls and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

 

Vegan-Spirulina-Balls