10 Vegan Recipes Worthy of a Cookout

For the non-animal product eating, summer cookouts can occasionally feel, how shall we say, limiting: ribs! Burgers! Cheeseburgers! Ice cream! Potato salad swimming in mayonnaise! This — despite an otherwise excellent selection of picnic sides — can be a little discouraging. But! Cookouts need not be so — and vegan folks need not just linger by the spread of side dishes hoping for an ear of corn or a frozen veggie burger, either.

Here are 10 delicious vegan recipes from Food 52's Gena Hamshaw worthy of a summer afternoon barbecue:

Creamy Vegan Avocado Potato Salad

Tempeh Kebabs with Homemade BBQ Sauce

Sweet, tangy homemade barbecue sauce is a perfect complement to the nutty, earthy taste of tempeh. 
 

Grilled Avocado Halves with Cumin-Spiced Quinoa and Black Bean Salad 

Creamy, satisfying avocado meets a hassle-free, versatile quinoa salad that works on its own as an anytime summer side dish.

Black Bean and Corn Burgers

These veggie burgers are a little bit spicy, thanks to a mixture of paprika, cumin, and chili, and a little bit sweet, thanks to fresh summer corn. 

Penne with Sweet Summer Vegetables, Pine Nuts, and Herbs

Think of this recipe as summer in a bowl. The sweet corn, bursting cherry tomatoes, and tender zucchini lighten up a savory, satisfying bowl of pasta. 

Vegan Sweet Potato Biscuits

A sweet or savory spin on biscuits that feature sweet potato for a tender, moist interior and a very pretty golden color.

Vegan Summer Succotash

The combination of sweet vegetables and buttery coconut oil makes this easy dinner an irresistible delight.

 Perfect Vegan Pie Crust

This pie crust is totally authentic and yet totally dairy free -- all thanks to the magic of coconut oil. 

Strawberry Vanilla Coconut Ice Cream

This rich, dreamy ice cream -- which no one would ever guess is vegan -- benefits from fresh ingredients: seasonal, freshly picked strawberries and fresh vanilla bean. 

No-Fuss Vegan Cornbread 

This cornbread is a perfect balance of savory and sweet, rich and light.

[via Food 52]

21 Vegan Barbecue Dishes

Just because you don't eat meat products doesn't mean you have to suffer through a vacuous frozen veggie burger while everyone else at the summer barbecue chows down on hot, delicious grill food.

You, dear vegan, deserve the very best. And, as it happens, the very best cookout foods are often vegan. Just see the alluring assortment of meat-free options below for proof, then prepare to cook up a veggie-packed storm all summer long.

1. BBQ Tempeh Bowl

Smoky-sweet, blackened tempeh triangles, sweet citrus, caramelized skillet sweet onions, buttery diced avocado, tender sweet potato cubes and a few crunchy California-style sprouts on a bed of baby greens. All that yumminess is drizzled in a super easy vegan ranch dressing. Dinner is done. And delicious! Get the BBQ Tempeh Bowl recipe from Healthy Happy Life.

2. Vegan Jackfruit Pulled 'Pork' Sandwiches

Jackfruit is a nice, meatless meaty substitute for pulled pork and since nothing tops BBQ better than a nice creamy slaw, you can whip up a vegan version, serve it all on a nice artisan sandwich roll. And of course, everything tastes better with tater tots. Proudly serve this recipe to any of your meatlover friends.

3. Vegan Macaroni Salad

Just as much as it’s not summer without pool days, it’s not summer without a good pasta salad. Usually the things are laden with heavy dairy products, but not this one! This recipe from Minimalist Baker is completely dairy-free and loaded with the perfect combo of crispy veg. Pasta heaven in a bowl.

4. Brown Sugar Baked Beans

A staple of nearly every backyard barbecue growing up was baked beans. This recipe from The Veg Life has adapted the traditional recipe into a vegan-friendly dish and while it takes a long while to bake, it's so worth it.

5. BBQ Charred Vegan Hot Dog

Hot Dogs are a classic, social, American food. Hot dogs are eaten at sporting events, from sidewalk food vendor carts and at summer beach BBQ's. Swap out those unhealthy traditional ingredients for organic, vegan, premium ones and we are in the beach barbecue business. Here's the Healthy, Happy Life recipe for those perfect beach hot dogs!

6. Colorful Veggie Slaw

The Superman Cooks Colorful Veggie Slaw recipe (otherwise known as “kitchen sink slaw”) was inspired by a couple of chefs -- whenever they had vegetables in the cooler that were quickly approaching the end of their shelf life, they smartly diced and shredded as many of them as they could, added a simple vinaigrette, and voilà! A great tasting, crunchy salad.

7. Vegan Dijon Fingerling Potato Salad

This dijon-veganaise potato salad recipe is a perfect lunch side, pack it for a picnic or for a weekday lunch and you're set.

8. Smoky Grilled Sweet Potatoes with Cilantro & Lime

Sweet potatoes on the grill? Heck yes! Thin-sliced sweet potato slabs grill up tender and perfect on the BBQ. Rub 'em with spices and top with cilantro and lime for the side of the summer. Grab the recipe here from Kitchen Treaty.

9. Vegan Barbecue 'Ribs'

This vegan spin on BBQ ribs is made from seitan for a hearty and wholesome addition to your next cookout. Try it for yourself....and impress those omnivores at your next cookout!

10. Jamaican Grilled Corn

Simply shove a few of these on the barbie or under the grill and you have yourself a perfect summery treat. This simple dish is quick to make and will make any mouth happy with its bursts of Caribbean flavor! Serve it up for the family with dinner, at your next BBQ or just to have on their own as a snack - you really can't go wrong!

11. BBQ Portobello Sliders

These perfectly proportioned sliders will be the highlight of any barbeque this summer. This Love and Lemons recipe can be adapted with a variety of toppings to suit any mushy-fan.

12. Vegan Skewers With Tofu And Pineapple

Among the vegetables and tofu is sizzling sweet pineapple, which is extremely enriching in taste. This recipe combines the salty tofu and gives extraordinary sweetness and freshness to the whole bit. When paired with an easy-to-make creamy avocado sauce, becomes a delicious meal, which we can also tuck in the house when the weather is nice not to grill outdoors.

13. Italian-Style Eggplant Sausages

What better to make a vegetarian sausage out of than a vegetable that has a meaty texture and is already pretty much shaped like a sausage! I'm talking about the Japanese eggplant, of course. This recipe flavors the Japanese eggplants using the same spice blend you'd find in almost any Italian sausage. It's a savory mix of sage, fennel, and spice.

14. Grilled Artichokes & Polenta With Blistered Tomatoes And Pesto

This rustic, family style Italian recipe is a feast for the senses. Fresh artichokes are blanched, then grilled to perfection giving them a delicious earthy, smokey char. Polenta is grilled and cherry tomatoes are blistered. Drizzled with pesto, sprinkled with capers and strewn with basil leaves, this meal can be kept vegan and gluten free!

15. Vegan Grilled Vegetable Pesto Pizza

Combining that fabulous smoky flavor from the grill and a household favorite...pizza! Welcome Summer with this classic, delicious recipe from Leslie Durso, the Veggie Dreamgirl.

16. Grilled Avocado

Avocados are spectacular fruits that lend themselves to all kinds of savory dishes (and sweet ones too!). But it’s not often we think of enjoying them grilled. This recipe is a fast and easy low-carb grilling option for the vegetarians in your household – no longer will they feel left out of all the smoky goodness that barbecuing brings.

17. Grilled Peaches With Coconut Ginger Caramel

When you grill a peach, or any fruit really, you want the exact right amount of caramelization. Too much and there’s bitterness, too little and it’s just kind of like eating a warm peach. The method in this recipe, simply sprinkles the peach with a little lemon juice and oil. Not adding sugar lessens the danger of over-caramelization, an epidemic that studies show affects 4 out of 5 peaches at every barbeque. Instead rely on the ginger coconut caramel sauce for sweetness!

18. Black Bean Burger

With the addition of chia gel (chia seeds mixed with water and left to sit), this gluten-free vegan recipe makes a great burger that actually holds together on a gas grill with flipping! Not dry or crumbly, not mushy or bland. Nailed it.

19. The World's Juiciest Veggie Burger

The secret is oh so simple – beets! They make the patty moist, and give it a more realistic color. And the slider size? No secret there – it’s more diet friendly!  These veggie burgers are a great go-to for those days when you just really want a burger – but want to be healthier. All you need is a food processor and you are good to go!

20. Grilled Miso Glazed Japanese Eggplant

This is a great example of how simple modern Asian cooking can be. It's a traditional Japanese recipe, with thickened sauce to use it as a glaze and cooked it on the outdoor grill. It is so easy and fast, but the flavors will knock your socks off. Miso and eggplant is a gorgeous combination of flavors, and by caramelizing the glaze it really takes this to another level.

21. Vegan Biscuits

Hats off to the Minimalist Baker for creating these super-simple, gotta-have-just-one-more, please vegan biscuits.  Fill’em with vegan butter and jam, smother them with gravy or paired with vegan BBQ.

1. [via Huffington Post]

The Food Trends to End Summer in Style

This past summer, we've been noshing at and enjoying wine, beer and food festivals in the area. Booze and food just about makes any summer event near perfect. After all, summer is all about great eats against the backdrop of the season's longer days and warmer weather.

With it all about to come to a close with August's end, here are the hot late summer food trends to wrap your summer up in style and kick off fall right when it comes to what you're eating:

1. Peppers -- The pepper has always held a place in the food world, whether it were hot and spicy or crisp and sweet. Cayenne pepper is turning up in everything at the moment from chocolate to beverages and drinks, and just about everything in between. Whole peppers stuffed with everything from cheese to meats are equally as trendy. The great part is this is an easy trend to play with at home -- just add a little cayenne to whatever it is you're eating.

2. Leaf Vegetables in Unexpected Pairings -- Leafy vegetables might seem to be standard and a little bland or plain, but the new way to eat this classic food item is in ways you wouldn't expect. It goes beyond the lettuce wrap to leafy greens paired with everything from pasta to couscous or quinoa. Mustard greens and beet greens are also on trend at the moment -- try them sautéed with a little olive oil as a side to any dish.

3. Root Vegetables at Breakfast -- The explosion of low carb eating has brought a lot of unexpected vegetables to the breakfast table. Tomatoes on the side has always been a classic, but now roasted or even raw root vegetables are fast making a spectacular appearance.

4. Herbs -- Many herbs are in season during August through early fall, but the trend of using herbs of all kinds has been a big thing in the food and drink world this past year. Sprigs of rosemary, fresh sage, thyme, you name it -- especially in desserts and sweets. It's a savory twist to a lot of classics. Have fun and experiment!

5. Fruit at Dinner -- The appearance of fruits at the dinner table isn't new, but it's certainly making the rounds as a chic menu play. Grilled peaches with meat or fish, persimmon served in a savory sweet sauce over chicken and rice, apples raw or baked into everything from turkey dishes to sandwiches, have been popular.

6. Creative Vegetarian -- The vegan and vegetarian dishes at the moment are incredible -- and rarely signal to being completely free of meat. Long gone are the days of bland and strange tastes and textures! There are so many incredible pairings, creative ideas, and unexpected dishes everywhere. Even meat eaters will crave it! It's particularly popular in cheese alternatives -- cashew cheese is so good, you won't know you're eating something dairy free.

[via Huffington Post]

10 Epic Veggie Burgers to Throw on the Grill Now

Veggie burgers are a fun dish to cook and serve in vegan cuisine because there is so much creativity one can put into constructing the perfect burger. Making veggie burger mixes is an easy, try-as-you-go way to add a bunch of good-for-you ingredients, like beans, whole grains and vegetables, in a patty and make it taste like whatever you want. Grilling the patties marries all the flavors and makes an amazing summer lunch. Throw these 10 epic veggie burgers on the grill now.

1. Quinoa Veggie Burger

Quinoa and mushroom lovers must try this patty. Use this recipe as a base and jazz it up with whatever herbs, spices, veggies or toppings you like.

2. The Vegan Eggplant Crunchburger

This vegan, gluten-free burger is decadence on a bun. The recipe author recommends topping them with caramelized onions and a simple spread made with mayo, mustard, and vegan, gluten-free Worcestershire sauce.

3. Quinoa and White Bean Burger

These filling patties are packed with protein and fiber as well as other beneficial nutrients. They’re also packed with flavor; the recipe calls for thyme, garlic, shallots, lemon, red bell pepper, paprika and chipotle chili pepper.

4. Red Lentil Burgers With Kale Pesto

In this recipe, start with red lentils, potatoes, almonds and different seeds. You combine these with a nice blend of spices that includes cumin, paprika, coriander and black pepper. After you grill these patties, add the kale pesto sauce, then it place over some brown rice and you have a fantastic meal.

5. Spicy Cauliflower Potato Burger

Serve these spicy patties with roasted peppers, sliced tomatoes and an either guacamole or a chipotle habanero cashew cream sauce. For the Spicy Chipotle Cream sauce, blend 1/4 cup powdered raw cashews, 1/2+ cup water, 5 to 6 garlic cloves, 1/3 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon lemon juice and 2+ teaspoons Chipotle Habanero Hot sauce or to taste.

6. Hearty Lentil and Brown Rice Burger

These hearty, flavorful veggie burgers pair well with BBQ sauce and are made with delicious ingredients like green lentils, brown rice, yellow onion and garlic.

7. White Bean and Sweet Potato Burgers

White bean, sweet potato, onion, garlic, parsley, cumin, chili powder, breadcrumbs and a few other spices blend harmoniously together for these delicious white bean and sweet potato burgers.

8. Portobello Mushroom Burgers

Portobello mushroom burgers are a classic vegan veggie burger choice. These patties have a delicious glaze over top. Mix olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic,  basil, thyme, oregano, salt and pepper, then pour over caps and let marinade for 20 to 30 minutes on the grill.

9. Cajun Burgers

The base of these burgers are made from kasha, or buckwheat, which has a deep, nutty taste. It also has a delicious taste from the spices, like thyme, basil, oregano, paprika, mustard powder and cayenne pepper.

10. Reuben Burger

This delicious veggie burger has a spice rub of several spices like coriander, garlic, onion, caraway, fennel and black pepper.

[via One Green Planet]

Eco-Friendly Cinco de Mayo Festivities

Eco-friendly isn’t usually the first word that pops into your mind when you think ‘Cinco De Mayo,’ but it can be this year. With a few simple swaps you could be throwing an incredible eco-friendly Cinco De Mayo celebration. It doesn’t take a lot of effort, but it will make a big impact.

Potluck, Barbecue or Fiesta?

First, consider throwing a potluck or barbecue. Potlucks are more environmentally friendly as everyone is bringing something they made in a reusable container, therefore creating very little waste. Barbecues are also friendly on the environment for their low use of energy, if the correct fuel is used. Lump charcoal, propane, or an electric or solar grill are all better choices than charcoal briquettes and lighter fluid. Plus, cooking outside rather than in the kitchen helps to prevent your house from heating up and requiring the air conditioner to be run. Or, instead of cooking, bring home entrees for your fiesta from a restaurant. This is easily made eco-friendly if you bring your own containers, or use foil pans that can be recycled after use.

The Food

After deciding what kind of celebration you’ll be having, it’s time to purchase the food. Visit a farmers market first, for locally grown fresh produce and then head to the grocery store. Remember to bring your own bags, and select locally grown and/or organic items whenever possible.

You can also take your celebration one step further, and make it meatless. Whether you have a potluck, barbecue, or traditional fiesta, all can be made environmentally friendly by excluding meat. Meat not only has a much higher carbon footprint than vegetables, but also requires a lot more water to produce. And with so many delicious meat-free alternatives, its absence will hardly be missed. Serve options such as veggie fajitas, grilled veggie burritos, grilled pizza, cold pasta and potato salads, fruit salad, veggie burgers, bean and cheese dip, cheese enchiladas or tamales, nachos, etc.

When it comes to drinking, ask your guests to avoid stuffing anything, like a slice of fruit or used napkin, inside their bottle or can. This makes the bottle or can unable to be recycled, as it requires too much effort to extract whatever has been put inside. Also ask guests to put their recyclables in specially marked trashcans to be recycled later.

Decor and Aupplies

But before that, you’ll need to actually invite your guests. One of the easiest ways to do that, and go green for Cinco De Mayo, is to invite guests via Evite, rather than posting paper invites through the mail.

Purchasing and making eco-friendly party supplies is just as easy. Use real or compostable plates, cups, and utensils instead of plastic ones. Also select cloth table cloths and napkins, or those made of recycled materials.

Rather than purchasing a pinata, why not try making one out of paper bags (which can be recycled when the party is over)? Or make a colorful banner out of felt or cloth to decorate the space with. Also consider decorating with items like maracas and sombreros, or using brightly colored table cloths, cups and plates.

Lastly, encourage your guests to carpool to the celebration and, especially if alcohol is served, to share a cab home. With a few simple swaps, you can have a colorful and delicious eco-friendly Cinco De Mayo celebration this Saturday. Just remember to recycle and pick up any trash left behind. Happy Cinco De Mayo!

[via Examiner]

Have an Eco-Friendly Labor Day Celebration

Backyard barbecuing and Labor Day go together like Fourth of July and fireworks. But neighborhood grill-outs are traditionally not the eco-friendliest of soirees. Disposable (and potentially BPA-filled) flatware, plates and napkins, hot dogs chock-full of nitrites or hamburgers filled with hormones roasting over an open chemical flame: probably not the best way to commune with Mother Nature. Try our five eco chic Labor Day barbecue ideas to reduce your carbon footprint while still hosting a killer party.

1. Grill sustainably and efficiently: What you grill and how you grill it are both important. Vegetables have the lowest carbon footprint - especially when purchased locally, but if you're serving meat, consider chicken rather than hamburgers. Chickens take less water than cattle to raise. Especially if you use propane rather than charcoal, grill as much food at once as possible to maximize your fuel efficiency. Make a point of grilling locally raised, organic, grass-fed, hormone-free cuts of meat from reputable purveyors such as Applegate Farms, Niman Ranch, Organic Prairie, Laura's Lean Beef, etc.

If you've not yet bought a grill, select one wisely. Charcoal and wood grills release chemicals and soot particles in the air. Propane and electric grills burn cleaner and the long-term fuel price is lower. The upfront cost for electric and propane grills is higher, however.
If you already have a wood grill, use sustainably-grown hickory or mesquite wood. If your existing grill is charcoal-burning, use lump coal rather than briquettes and avoid starter fluids.

2. Use reusable dinnerware: This may seem like a no-brainer, but using reusable dinnerware and napkins is a great way to make your party more eco-friendly. Pick out some fun eco chic dinnerware at a local thrift shop to set the mood for your party. You may be able to talk your friends into a dishwashing after-party with a nice bottle of organic or biodynamic wine. And, bonus, if any of your guests break a few pieces, you don't lose any of your regular dinner sets. Use small bar towels as reusable napkins to avoid paper. If you absolutely must have disposable dinnerware, make use of biodegradable tableware products, like this set from Branch Home.

3. Evites rather than invites: If you're sending out invitations, go digital rather than sending paper invites. You'll save on paper waste, postage and time. If you need tangible invitations, consider handcrafting your invitations with recycled materials at relatively low costs. Or offset your paper usage by planting a tree in honor of your guests.

4. Natural and frugal decorations: Decorate your party area with living plants and thrift store finds. And, beyond the decorations, remember to make recycling easy for your guests. Decorate or purchase some party-themed bins for recycling and composting. Prominently place the bins near the party so your guests know not to trash their bottles, cans and food waste.

5. Use natural bug repellents: If you need to use bug repellent during your barbecue party, go with citronella plants, oil or candles rather than chemical sprays. For yourself, say "no" to DEET and opt for a natural mosquito repellent. You can even make up cute spray bottle party favors filled with fantastic-smelling essential oil bug repellent for your guests.

[via Organic Authority]

10 Ways to Cancer-Proof Your Barbecue

Summer is here. With it come vacations, lush gardens, and barbecues with friends and family. Unfortunately, barbecued food has been linked to an increased risk of cancer.  But you can have your barbecue and your health too with if you follow these suggestions.

1.  Keep a watchful eye to avoid barbecue flare-ups and the resulting charring of your food.  Charred food is linked with the creation of carcinogens.

2.  Cook over lower temperatures. Use low to medium cooking temperatures. When foods like meat are heated over high temperatures or come in contact with flames, compounds called heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) can form. Both compounds are known carcinogens. Of course you don’t need to pronounce them or spell them to reduce your risk of exposure to these carcinogens. Of course if you’re cooking meat or poultry always be sure that the inside temperature reaches a high enough temperature to kill microbes.

3.  If you’re cooking meat or poultry, marinate it in olive oil and lemon juice-based marinades. Research shows that these two items reduce the formation of cancer-causing compounds by up to 99% while cooking, while adding flavor and helping to keep it moist.

4.  Choose naturally low fat foods like vegetables, lean cuts of meat, poultry or fish.  Heterocyclic amines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are primarily formed when fats are heated to high temperatures or fall into the flames and create smoke. Low fat foods reduce the chance of these compounds forming at all.

5.  Trim excess fat from meat prior to cooking it (for the same reason as number 4).

6.  Add fresh or dried herbs to cut your cancer risk. These herbs include:  basil, mint, rosemary, thyme, oregano, and sage. Food Safety Consortium scientists at Kansas State University discovered that using basil, mint, rosemary, thyme, oregano, or sage in marinades drastically reduces the formation of HCAs.  Simply use one or more of these herbs, preferably fresh, in a marinade prior to and during cooking.  They reduce cancer risk and add tremendous flavor.

7.  Avoid overcooking vegetables.  The longer they cook the more certain vitamins like vitamin C and B-complex vitamins break down.  New research in Molecular Biology Reports shows that Vitamin C reduces the cancer-causing effects of HCAs.

8.  Add more vegetables to the grill. One of the easiest ways to cancer-proof your barbecue is to add more veggies.  Making kebabs is a great way to do this.  If you’re cooking meat on kebabs, the veggies will keep it moist and add fiber, flavor, and nutrients.

9.  Include cruciferous vegetables in every barbecue. New research in Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention shows that cruciferous vegetables contain glucosinolates that form cancer-protective compounds known as isothiocyanates. Isothiocyanates have been shown to protect against HCAs and PAHs, making them especially great to cancer-proof your barbecue. Cruciferous vegetables include broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts.

10.  Clean your grill prior to every use. Not only is it more appetizing to eat food that’s been cooked on a clean grill, but you’ll reduce the amount of char that you’ll be eating.  The charred parts of food can cause free radical formation in your body and since free radicals are linked with premature aging, disease, and tissue damage, it’s best to reduce your exposure as much as possible.

[via: Care 2]