The Vegan Cooking School

This recipe is full of flavor even though it’s so easy! You can change it up a bit adding different vegetables or a layer of vegan cream cheese to start! Download the MP3 Play the Show 1 Puff pastry sheet, thawed 1 Bunch of Leeks, thoroughly washed off of all grit 1 Red onion 1 Vidalia onion 2 Cloves garlic Extra virgin olive oil Salt and Pepper to taste Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Coat a baking sheet with non stick spray and lay out pastry sheet and set aside. Preheat a sauté pan to medium heat and add a tough of olive oil. Roughly chop cleaned leeks and add to sauté pan, mixing to coat with oil. Slice Red and Vidalia onions and add to leeks. Let this sauté for a few minutes, cooking down. Adjust heat as needed, making sure not to burn leek mixture. Mince 2 cloves of garlic and add to leek mixture, stirring to combine. When leek mixture has cooked down, remove from heat and add to puff pastry sheet, starting in from about ¼ inch. Put in oven and cook for 12-15 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Remove from oven and let sit about 5 minutes to cool. Cut into pieces and serve with a knife and fork or pick up from the edges like a pizza and eat!

This show is sponsored by Great Lakes Sauerkraut, the world's largest producer of sauerkraut, producing more than 120,000 tons of barrel cured kraut a year. Download the MP3 Look for Great Lakes Kraut selling under the Krrrrisp Kraut, Silver Floss,Bush's Best or Cortland Valley brand names at your local grocery store. Sauerkraut can be found in the canned section or refrigerated meat section. Log on to sauerkrautnews for more information, fun facts and tasty recipes. Sauerkraut is full of vitamins A, B-thiamin, riboflavin and niacin-C, phosphorous, calcium, iron, potassium and fiber, so it's great for you! Sauerkraut is also a cruciferous vegetable that contains cancer fighting phytochemicals, and studies have shown an increase in consumption of sauerkraut decreases a person chances of developing certain types of cancers such as breast, colon, lung or liver. So, there are also health benefits to sauerkraut consumption.Check out their sauerkraut and fun recipes. This recipe is fun, easy and will be the center of attention at your next gathering. Using Chocolate and sauerkraut together is fun and surprisingly delicious! I named this “sauerkraut haystacks” because they kind of look like little haystacks! You can throw some raisins in here for another flavor or garnish with a dusting of cinnamon or powdered sugar for an extra treat! Sauerkraut Haystacks 1/2 cup Krrrrispkraut Sauerkraut, drained10 ounce bag Tropical Source non-dairy chocolate chips1/8 teaspoon cinnamon1/4 cup chow mein noodles½ cup almonds, toasted In a double boiler melt chocolate chips. Add cinnamon and mix to combine. Add drained sauerkraut, chow mein noodles and toasted almonds and mix well to coat everything with chocolate. Line a sheet pan with parchment or wax paper and drop teaspoonfuls of haystacks onto it. Put into the refrigerator until cool and harden, about 15 or 20 minutes. Makes about 18-24 haystacks, depending on how big your “teaspoonfuls” are.

The next time someone asks where you get your protein from, make them this recipe! Chick peas, also known as garbanzo beans, are a great source of protein and they are known to lower cholesterol levels. Chick peas are available in all grocery stores and health food markets and can be bought dried or canned. Marsala Chick Peas 1 1/2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil One medium sized vadalia onion, chopped 1 clove garlic, chopped 1/3 cup marsala wine 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon coriander 2 teaspoons cumin 1- 15oz can chick peas, drained and rinsed off 1/2 cup water (more if needed) In a medium saucepan add olive oil and bring to medium heat. Add onion and cooked until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook another minute. Add marsala wine and deglaze the pan. (this means you are getting all the browned bits off the bottom of the pan and into the sauce that you are making) Add spices and mix well. Add chick peas and water and mix well. Cover saucepan and bring heat down to low. Cook covered for 10 to 15 minutes. Uncover half way through as you may need to add a touch more water. You can serve this as is, or over rice or a salad. Download the MP3

This recipe is easy, quick and delicious and you will fool your non-vegan friends everytime! Fried Ravioli 1 package vegan ravioli (I use soyboy) ½ cup water ½ cup plain breadcrumbs 1 teaspoon dried basil 1 teaspoon dried parsley 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon dried thyme Pinch salt and freshly ground pepper Canola oil or safflower oil for frying Vegan parmesan cheese (optional) Tomato sauce Defrost one package of vegan ravioli on a parchment lined paper in the fridge overnight. When the ravioli are defrosted take them out of the fridge and set aside. In a small bowl combine breadcrumbs and herbs with a pinch of salt and pepper and stir until mixed well. In a small saucepan add enough oil to fry ravioli and so they have enough room to move around. Bring oil filled saucepan up to a medium high heat and when oil is ready for frying begin by dipping each ravioli in water first and then breadcrumb mixture, coating them well. One at a time, add ravioli into pan. Do not add more than 3 or 4 at a time as this will bring the oil temperature down and it will take longer to fry. After about 2 minutes turn ravioli over to cook other side. Each side should get about 2 minutes of frying time, or until golden brown. When they are finished frying removed with a mesh strainer and put them on a paper towel lined plate to remove excess oil. Sprinkle with soy parmesan cheese and salt. Serve with warmed tomato sauce. Download the MP3

This show is sponsored by Great Lakes Sauerkraut, the world's largest producer of sauerkraut, producing more than 120,000 tons of barrel cured kraut a year. Look for Great Lakes Kraut selling under the Krrrrisp Kraut, Silver Floss,Bush's Best or Cortland Valley brand names at your local grocery store. Sauerkraut can be found in the canned section or refrigerated meat section. Log on to sauerkrautnews for more information, fun facts and tasty recipes. Sauerkraut is full of vitamins A, B-thiamin, riboflavin and niacin-C, phosphorous, calcium, iron, potassium and fiber, so it's great for you! Sauerkraut is also a cruciferous vegetable that contains cancer fighting phytochemicals, and studies have shown an increase in consumption of sauerkraut decreases a person chances of developing certain types of cancers such as breast, colon, lung or liver. So, there are also health benefits to sauerkraut consumption. Check out their sauerkraut and fun recipes. Download the MP3 This recipe is fun and easy and can be prepared ahead of time. Egg free wonton wrappers can be found in Asian markets or specialty stores. You can ask your local grocery store if they can get them as well. You can assemble the mini egg rolls a day or two ahead of time and fry them up at the last minute while guests are just arriving! Just make the egg rolls and line them on a parchment paper lined tray and cover tightly before refrigerating. You can even freeze them ahead of time and let them thaw out a night before frying them up! This recipe is delicious and so much better than the ones you buy!! Mini Sauerkraut Egg Rolls Makes approximately 24 mini egg rolls 1/2 cup Krrrrispkraut Sauerkraut, drained 1/2 cup Chinese cabbage, sliced thinly 1/2 teaspoon ginger, minced 1 clove garlic, minced 1 teaspoon shoyu or tamari soy sauce 4 shiitake mushrooms, stems removed and sliced thinly Wonton wrappers (egg free!) water Canola or Safflower Oil (teaspoon to saute in and more for frying) In a medium sized frying pan, bring one teaspoon oil to medium heat and sauté ginger and garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add sauerkraut and cabbage and sauté until soft, about 3 more minutes. Add mushrooms and soy sauce and sauté for another 2 minutes until all ingredients are soft and well combined. Set aside. Remove wontons from package and begin to assemble by placing about a half teaspoon in the middle of each wonton. Dab water along all edges of the wonton with your fingers and bring sides in together. Then roll wonton up tightly and place seam side down on parchment paper. Repeat until all mixture is used. In a small saucepan bring oil to a medium high heat(375 degrees F). Add wontons to hot oil frying, cooking each about 2 minutes. Do not place more than 5 in oil at a time as this will bring the cooking temperature of the oil down. Remove each egg roll from oil with mesh strainer and place on paper towel lined plate to get extra oil off. You can serve these with an apricot or plum sauce or eat them as it. They are so tasty!!

This recipe is high in protein and low in calories. This mock “chicken” salad is sure to win over any crowd! Download the MP3 Tempeh Chicken Salad 8 ounce package of tempeh, cubed 3 stalks celery, washed and diced 2 carrots, diced 2 Tablespoons of Currants, raisins or cranberries ¼ cup toasted almonds or walnuts 1/3 cup vegan mayo salt and pepper to taste Whole wheat bread, lettuce and tomato Steam cube tempeh in a covered steamer basket for about 20 minutes, or until tender. Remove and set aside to cool. In a medium bowl add celery, carrots, currants and almonds and mix well. Add mayo and tempeh and season with salt and pepper. This can be served as a sandwich on bread with lettuce and tomato or on lettuce leaves as a salad!

Butternut Squash Soup 1 Medium Butternut Squash, peeled, seeded, and cubed 1 medium vadalia onion, diced 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 inch piece of fresh ginger, minced 1 clove garlic, minced Fresh Filtered Water In a medium saucepan, add olive oil and onion and sauce until soft. Add ginger and garlic and mix. Add butternut squash and just enough water to the pot to cover squash. Cover and bring to a boil. Turn heat down and simmer for about 30 minutes, or until butternut squash is soft. Add mixture to blender or use an immersion blender to blend soup until smooth. Serve and eat! Download the MP3

Fall is my favorite season to bake. Just as the leaves are falling off the trees and the air has a crisp feeling to it I always feel like making an apple pie. If you can go and pick the apples yourself the pie tastes even better! Here is a list of apples to help you along the way! Varieties Softer apples are best for applesauce, while firmer apples are best for baking and making pies. You can increase the sweetness or acidity of the product by adding sugar or a few drops of lemon juice to the recipe. Best for eating out of hand: Gala, Fuji, Mutsu, Jonathan, Cameo, Golden Delicious, Cortland, Empire, Red Delicious, McIntosh, Braeburn, Winesap, Pink Lady, Sundowner Best for pies: Northern Spy, Golden Delicious, Rhode Island Greening, Pippin, Granny Smith, Pink Lady, Gravenstein Best for applesauce: Pippin, Rhode Island Greening, McIntosh, Elstar, Cortland, Fuji, Gala, Gravenstein Best for baking: Rome, Jonagold, Granny Smith, Pippin, Gala, Braeburn, Northern Spy, Gravenstein, Rhode Island Greening, York Imperial, Cortland, Winesap Best for making salads: Cortland, Golden Delicious, Empire, Gala, Red Delicious, Fuji, Winesap, Criterion, Pink Lady Download the MP3 Baked Apples Serves 4 4 Gala Apples ¼ teaspoon nutmeg ½ teaspoon cinnamon 2 Tablespoons turbinado sugar ¼ Cup raisins 2 Tablespoons toasted walnuts ½ Cup apple juice Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Wash apples and core them leaving the bottom still attached. Add ¼ cup apple juice to the bottom of a lipped baking pan. In a small bowl mix together nutmeg, cinnamon, sugar, raisins, walnuts and remaining ¼ cup apple juice. Fill middle of each apple with mixture and place in baking pan. Cover with foil and bake for 25- 30 minutes, until apples are soft. When serving apples, spoon baking juices over them.

1 cup Mung beans 1/2 piece of an avocado 1 clove garlic, minced 1/2 Vidalia onion, diced 1 small zucchini 1/4 cup alfalfa sprouts 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil Sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste 1 package Ezekiel wraps (find in the freezer section at health food store) Download the MP3 Defrost the Ezekiel wraps in refrigerator overnight. In 3 cups of water bring mung beans to boil. Cover and turn down heat to simmer. Cook for 30-45 minutes, or until beans are soft. Remove from heat and drain. Set aside. In a small sauté pan add 1/2 teaspoon olive oil and sauté onions and garlic until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Cut avocado into halves and reserve. Cut zucchini into 2-inch think by 2-inch long slices and toss in remained olive oil. You can grill them or sauté them with onions and garlic until soft, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit for a few minutes. Zucchini retain a lot of water so some will drain off after removed from heat and you do not want this in your wrap! Let them sit for about 10 minutes and then start to make wraps. In a small bowl mix mung beans, avocado, onions and garlic and mash together. To make the wraps: Take one Ezekiel wrap and place on plat countertop. Place half the alfalfa sprouts in middle of wrap. Place ½ mung mixture over it and top with grilled zucchini. Fold sides in and then roll wrap away from you, closing tightly. Cut in half and serve. Repeat with remaining ingredients for second wrap. ** This recipe makes 2 wraps

This show is sponsored by Great Lakes Sauerkraut, the world's largest producer of sauerkraut, producing more than 120,000 tons of barrel cured kraut a year. Download the MP3 Play the Show Look for Great Lakes Kraut selling under the Krrrrisp Kraut, Silver Floss,Bush's Best or Cortland Valley brand names at your local grocery store. Sauerkraut can be found in the canned section or refrigerated meat section. Log on to www.krrrrispkraut.com for more information, fun facts and tasty recipes. Sauerkraut is full of vitamins A, B-thiamin, riboflavin and niacin-C, phosphorous, calcium, iron, potassium and fiber, so it's great for you! Sauerkraut is also a cruciferous vegetable that contains cancer fighting phytochemicals, and studies have shown an increase in consumption of sauerkraut decreases a person chances of developing certain types of cancers such as breast, colon, lung or liver. So, there are also health benefits to sauerkraut consumption. Check out their sauerkraut and fun recipes. Sauerkraut and Spinach Phyllo Appetizers 1/2 Cup Krrrristkraut Sauerkraut, drained 3 Cups Spinach 1-2 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 medium red onion, chopped small 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil, plus more for spreading on phyllo One package phyllo dough, thawed out in the refrigerator 1/2 Cup aged balsamic vinegar 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard 1 shallot, minced Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. In a medium sauté pan bring 2 teaspoons olive oil to medium heat and add sauerkraut. Sauté for a few minutes until it begins to brown. Add onion and garlic and cook for another 3 minutes. Add spinach and cover pan. (you may want to add a teaspoon of water and spoon mixture around so it doesn't stick to the pan) When spinach has cooked through, remove from heat and place mixture in a bowl. Add pine nuts and stir well. Set aside. Remove Phyllo from package and cover with damp towel so the phyllo does not dry out. You will need to work quickly. Using a pastry brush gently brush a sheet of phyllo evenly with oil. Take another sheet of phyllo and repeat until 4 sheets have been oiled. Cut the phyllo into 3 long pieces and begin to make a triangle. After you begin, add a teaspoon of mixture into the center and continue making the triangle until the seam is on the bottom. Place on a sheet pan and after you have a full pan place in oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove and repeat until all mixture has been used up. In a small nonstick pan place balsamic, mustard and shallot and bring to a medium heat, stirring often. The mixture will begin to reduce and thicken. After about 5 minutes remove from heat and drizzle balsamic over phyllo triangles and serve at once. This recipe makes approximately 12-16 phyllo triangles. (depending on how much you fill them!)

I have been making this recipe for years. I've often had people ask me for the recipe so I decided to let the secret out! This recipe is quick, easy, and delicious. Nobody will know they are eating tofu unless you tell them!!Fried Tofu with a Special Dipping Sauce Download the MP3 Play the Show 1 Cup cornmeal 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or more if desired Fresh black pepper Sea Salt 1 package extra firm tofu, drained and pressed and cut into 1/2" cubes Canola Oil 2 Tablespoons organic apricot fruit spread 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced 1/4 Cup Tamari or Shoyu 1/4 Cup Water In a medium fry pan add enough oil for tofu to fry in. (The oil should come to the middle of the tofu but does not need to cover it as you can turn the tofu) Bring oil to medium high heat. You want the oil to fry the tofu but you DO NOT want the oil to bubble or boil. Be careful to watch this does not happen. In medium bowl add cornmeal, red pepper flakes and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Add tofu and coat well. When oil is hot add tofu cubes about 8 pieces at a time. They should cook in about 30 seconds. Remove to a papertowel lined plate to drain off excess oil. Season with sea salt.Repeat with remaining tofu. For the dipping sauce: In a medium bowl add apricot spread, ginger, water and tamari. Mix well. If sauce is not thick enough add more apricot fruit spread, one teaspoon at a time until you have reached your desired consistency. Serve with toothpicks.

Today I found the very first cookbook that I ever owned! Talk about a day of reminiscing!! I remember the day back in 1983 when I was at the book fair in elementary school buying this!!! I used to LOVE making this recipe with my mom! It just happens that I found the cookbook the SAME WEEK that I found my new favorite vegan treat- Vegan Marshmallows! I saw this as a sign to make these and share the recipe. I'm on chocolate overload at the moment as I ate more of these delicious cups than I should have! Download the MP3 Play the Show I decided to make large and small sizes and they both came out great! The larger ones I ended up putting in the freezer. They are both delicious and I highly recommend making this recipe! TRUST ME- you will be glad that you did!! Chocolate Marshmallow Cups 1 package of vegan marshmallows (I used the sweet and sara brand!) 1 (10 ounce) package chocolate chips (I used the Tropical Source brand) 1 Cup natural crunchy peanut butter 1/2 cup earth balance Procedure: In a muffin pan place paper liners. Cut each marshmallow into six small pieces and place 3-4 pieces in each liner. In a medium nonstick saucepan over low heat place chocolate chips, peanut butter and earth balance. Stir until everything is melted and well combined. Remove saucepan from heat and spoon chocolate mixture over marshmallows, about 2 tablespoons per liner. Place tin in refrigerator until chocolate hardens. You can also freeze these. ENJOY!

This show is sponsored by Great Lakes Sauerkraut, the world's largest producer of sauerkraut, producing more than 120,000 tons of barrel cured kraut a year. Download the MP3 Play the Show Look for Great Lakes Kraut selling under the Krrrrisp Kraut, Silver Floss,Bush's Best or Cortland Valley brand names at your local grocery store. Sauerkraut can be found in the canned section or refrigerated meat section. Log on to www.krrrrispkraut.com for more information, fun facts and tasty recipes. Sauerkraut is full of vitamins A, B-thiamin, riboflavin and niacin-C, phosphorous, calcium, iron, potassium and fiber, so it's great for you! Sauerkraut is also a cruciferous vegetable that contains cancer fighting phytochemicals, and studies have shown an increase in consumption of sauerkraut decreases a person chances of developing certain types of cancers such as breast, colon, lung or liver. So, there are also health benefits to sauerkraut consumption. Check out their sauerkraut and fun recipes Potato & Sauerkraut Latke's 2 Cups of Grated Potatoes 1/2 Cup Krrrristkraut Sauerkraut, drained 2 Tablespoons minced red onion 2 teaspoon chives and extra for garnish 1 Tablespoons ground flaxseeds (powder) 3 Tablespoons cold water Sea Salt Freshly ground pepper Canola Oil 2 teaspoons minced red pepper, for garnish (optional) In a large bowl combine potatoes, sauerkraut, red onion and chives and mix well. In a blender add ground flax and water and blend until mixture becomes thick and frothy, about one minute. Add the flax mixture to the potato and sauerkraut and mix well. Season with salt and pepper. In a nonstick skillet add a small amount of canola oil and bring to medium heat. Add teaspoonfuls of the mixture to the pan and flatten out. Fry on each side until golden brown before turning, about 2 minutes. After mixture is cooked place latke's on a papertowel lined plate to remove excess oil. Garnish with vegan sour cream, chives and red pepper!