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Spicy Gingered Chocolate

Care of Amy Symington Ingredients 3 tbsp coconut oil 2 tbsp fresh ginger, finely chopped 1/2 tsp cinnamon Pinch cayenne Pinch nutmeg ½ cup cocoa powder ¼ cup maple syrup 2 tbsp cranberries 2 tbsp toasted pumpkin seeds Directions: Line a small cookie sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Next, in a small sauce pot over medium heat add coconut oil.  Once melted add ginger, cinnamon, cayenne and nutmeg and incorporate with a whisk.  Once spices are fragrant, about 2 minutes, whisk in cocoa powder.  Whisk for about 1 minute while allowing cocoa powder to cook. Next whisk in maple syrup until fully incorporated. Take off heat and evenly pour chocolate on to lined cookie sheet. Read More

Filed under: Eat Veg elifelines Vegan & Vegetarian Recipes

Dirty Chai Pancakes with Cranberry Vanilla Compote

Care of Laura Wright (thefirstmess.com) Serves: 4 Notes: For the uninitiated, a dirty chai is a delicious, spicy and creamy chai latte with a shot of espresso added for a little oomph. I knew this could be a winning breakfast flavour combo sensation with a little something tart to cut through all that richness. Cranberries to the rescue! Compote Ingredients 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries 1/3 cup water ¼ cup maple syrup 2 tsp vanilla extract Pancake Ingredients 1 1/3 cup non-dairy milk (I used coconut) 2 tsp apple cider vinegar ¾ cup whole spelt flour ½ cup light spelt flour 2 tsp baking powder 1 tsp baking soda pinch of fine sea salt 1 tbsp finely ground coffee or 2 tsp ground espresso ¾ tsp ground cinnamon ½ tsp ground ginger ¼ tsp ground cardamom ¼ tsp ground nutmeg pinch of ground cloves 2 tbsp maple syrup 1 tbsp melted coconut oil + extra for cooking pancakes 1 tsp vanilla extract Make the compote: Place the cranberries, water and maple syrup in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring frequently. Add water as needed to keep the sauce… Read More

Filed under: Eat Veg elifelines Vegan & Vegetarian Recipes

Plum Streusel Muffins

Care of Amy Symington Makes 18 small muffins Ingredients Dry 3 cups wholewheat or spelt flour 1/4 cup of ground flax seed 2 tsp baking powder 2 tsp cinnamon 1.5 tsp baking soda 0.5 tsp salt Wet 2/3 cup oil 1/2 cup maple syrup 3/4 cup water 1 cup bananas, mashed (approximately 3 bananas) 2 tsp vanilla extract Garnish 3 cups red plums, sliced 1 cup dates, pitted and chopped Streusel Topping 1/2 cup whole wheat or spelt flour 1/4 cup maple syrup, date syrup or agave 1/4 cup oil 1 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp vanilla extract Directions In a large mixing bowl, combine all dry ingredients. In a small mixing bowl combine all wet ingredients. Add the wet to the dry and thoroughly mix. Add garnish ingredients and fully incorporate. In a small bowl mix streusel topping. Set aside. Evenly distribute muffin mix into muffin trays that have been lined with muffin wrappers. Top with Streusel topping and any leftover plum. Place in a 180F oven for 25 minutes. Test to see if ready by inserting a toothpick into the muffins. Eat or store in an air tight container!… Read More

Filed under: Eat Veg elifelines Vegan & Vegetarian Recipes

Raspberry and Vanilla Chia Pudding

Care of Laura Wright (http://thefirstmess.com) Serves: makes 5-6 cups (a ton!) Notes: I love combining this pudding with some rolled oats and fresh fruit for a sweet breakfast. It feels so luxurious and indulgent, but it’s such a healthy way to start the day. Ingredients 1 cup raw almonds, soaked at least 5 hours 4 cups water 2 cups fresh raspberries (or thawed, frozen ones) ½ cup raw agave nectar (or maple syrup) 2 tbsp extra virgin coconut oil 1.5 tbsp vanilla extract pinch of salt ½ cup chia seeds (white or black)   Directions Combine the soaked almonds, 4 cups of water, raspberries, agave nectar, coconut oil, vanilla extract and salt in a blender pitcher. Blend mixture on medium-high speed for 1 minute, until liquified. Strain mixture through a fine mesh sieve (or nut milk bag if you have one) into a medium-large bowl. At this point you will have a sweet, rich, raspberry flavoured almond milk essentially. Place the chia seeds into another large bowl. Pour the raspberry almond milk on top slowly. Whisk vigorously to combine and prevent clumping of the chia seeds. Allow the mixture to sit for a good hour so that the chia seeds… Read More

Filed under: Eat Veg elifelines Vegan & Vegetarian Recipes

Raw Chard Spring Roll with Spicy Mango Dipping Sauce

Care of Laura Wright Serves: 2 Use any finely shredded/sliced veggies and herbs you like as a filling. As long as you keep it fresh, these crisp little rolled up salads are sure to satisfy. Ingredients 6-8 leaves of chard 3 cups finely julienned/sliced fruits and vegetables such as: -carrots -bell peppers -apples -sprouts -jicama -shaved asparagus -strawberries -beets -radishes -sliced avocado -whatever you want to use up in the fridge! 3-4 sprigs-worth of mild fresh herb leaves such as: -mint -basil (regular or thai) -cilantro -parsley Spicy Mango Sauce: 1 cup diced, ripe mango juice from 1 lime 1 small jalapeno, veins and seeds removed ½ tsp ground cumin 1 tsp grated fresh ginger 2 tsp grapeseed oil (or other neutral oil) 1 tsp nama shoyu or tamari soy sauce ¼ cup filtered water Directions Carefully cut the stems out of the chard leaves: With a paring knife, cut around the stem, on both sides, up to about the halfway point in the leaf. Repeat with other leaves.  Lay the cut leaf on a cutting board. It should look like the top half of the leaf has two little legs sticking out from under it. Cross one… Read More

Filed under: Eat Veg elifelines Vegan & Vegetarian Recipes

Discount Profile: Tenon Vegetarian Cuisine

Care of Marilyn Lazarus A short 20 minute drive up the Don Valley from downtown Toronto, you will find Tenon Vegetarian Cuisine, a Japanese and Thai restaurant. The air-conditioned restaurant is decorated in the typical Japanese style. Very clean and modern, with a few tatami rooms along one wall. There is also a sushi bar where you can watch your sushi being prepared. Upon entering, we were seated immediately, and hot green tea was served while we studied the menu. Now for the food. First, we had a very nicely presented plate of six california rolls and an order of salmon sushi. The fake “salmon” slices looked just like real salmon and the texture and taste was almost identical. I actually had to ask to be sure that is wasn’t real fish. All their “seafood” is vegetarian. Next, came the Veggie “Chicken” Teriyaki ($13.99). Tender, juicy morsels of “chicken” served on a sizzling hot plate, steaming and absolutely delicious. Then, for a nice change, we ordered a Thai Basil “Chicken” dish. This is a must try: a beautiful presentation with just the right amount of spiciness (we asked for medium spicy) which… Read More

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Discount Profile: Sweets from the Earth

Care of Angela Del Buono Sweets From The Earth has been doing delicious, beautiful work consistently for many years. You may have noticed their goodies in big chains ilke Metro, Sobeys and Rexall, in natural food stores like The Big Carrot and Baldwin Naturals, and at restaurants like Fresh and Loving Hut. BUT did you know you can put together a custom order and pick it up at their bakery in the Junction? Loaves, cheesecakes, 7” & 10” cakes, cake pans, cookies, essentially all products listed on the website… you can get it super fresh. The discount also applies to special orders. I called in the morning and spoke with Lisa O (also a famed TVA volunteer), and asked her to put together a sample pack of cupcakes for pick up late in the afternoon. When I came by, Lisa headed into the bakery and I was so pleased to get three of the August monthly special cupcakes, including a S’mores cupcake! That’s right! Vegan marshmallow, spelt graham crumbs and chocolate. Also in my pack were the chocolate-raspberry, coconut, strawberry filled, lavender chocolate and reliable vanilla. It’s so great to get a variety… Read More

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Discount Profile: Gourmet Vegetarian Restaurant

With their prices already low in exchange for massive portions, it’s hard to imagine that vegetarian discount card holders now get an additional 10% off their meal! Even if you live downtown, it’s worth making the trip to Richmond Hill/Markham for a meal out at Gourmet Vegetarian Restaurant. Our first dish, rice and mixed vegetables, may not sound like anything fancy, but the variety of mushrooms and leafy greens was excellent and the flavor was delicious. The “seafood” and bean curd on hot plate came to the table sizzling and was fantastic and unique! I always get a plate of mixed gluten when I dine here and this meal was no exception. It comes with a variety of flavours: sweet ‘n sour, curry, mock duck, BBQ and more. Some varieties are soft and gooey, while others are more chewy, but each one is mouthwatering and I can never get enough. But whatever you do, don’t miss out on the veggie lemon chicken dish! The gooey, sugary coating surrounding the soft gluten-based “chicken” will melt in your mouth and bring you back for more. Discount: 10% (not on holidays or on 1st and 13th of each… Read More

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Discount Profile: Hibiscus

It’s always sad when one of our student interns leave TVA. But, this is also an excuse to go out for a celebratory meal! TVA staff did just that back in April and it was delicious, satisfying and affordable. Close to the TVA office in Kensington Market, Hibiscus is a small and quaint café, complete with park benches for seats at some tables! It was difficult for me to decide which of the many sweet and savoury crepes to order, but I decided to turn down the classic apple and cinnamon and opt for a tomato, basil and mushroom crepe with daiya cheese. I was pleasantly surprised when it arrived and turned out to be huge! The crepe was warm, the cheese melted and overall it was simply delicious. My three colleagues all ordered the soup and salad combo, which vegetarian discount card holders get 10% off! Autumn says of her dish “The soup and salad combo at Hibiscus is always a delicious surprise. I enjoyed a mix of vegetables, beans, tofu, nuts and grains with a warm bowl of squash soup. Nutritious and delicious!” Of course, no meal is complete without dessert and when it comes… Read More

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Discount Profile: Veda Healthy Indian Cuisine

If you’re looking for an affordable but hearty and filling lunch, look no further than Veda Healthy Indian Cuisine (and I mean that literally, you no longer need to look far because they now have 4 locations!). This Indian fast food take out place is not only very vegan-friendly, but the vegan options are clearly labelled making ordering quick and easy. Unless of course you are indecisive like me and can’t decide what to order! They carry “curritos” (vegetable curry and rice wrapped up a buritto), stuffed naan (yes!), and even a veggie burger. After much debate, I decided to go for the $5 small curry bowl (you can get a large for $8), which gave me my choice of regular or vegetable basmati rice, and 2 curries. There were 2 lacto-vegetarian and 3 vegan curries to choose for. I went for the mixed vegetable curry and channa masala and both were delicious, with just the perfect amount of spicyness for a bit of a kick. I topped it off with a baked veggie samosa, and after using my Toronto Veg Card for 10% off, the total including tax came to only $5.87! Discount: 10% off… Read More

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