Category: vegan appetizer

Recipe: Vegan Elote-Style Roasted Corn Salad

Hello everyone,

My partner and I traveled to Mexico last year, and ever since, he has been on a roasted corn kick. He has been grilling corn on the cob all summer long and recently made a fabulous Vegan Elote-Style Roasted Corn Salad.

What is elote? It is a popular street food found throughout Mexico and parts of Central America. Generally, the corn is served boiled or grilled in the husk, but it is customarily eaten while skewered on a stick. The husk can serve as the “handle.” While it is known as a street food, it is also served in many upper scale Mexican dining establishments as an appetizer. Elote can be served smothered in everything from butter to cheese, even mayo! Traditionally, the corn is then topped with chile powder and a healthy squeeze of lime juice.

We opted to create a hybrid spread utilizing vegan butter, mayo, as well as, lots of lime juice and chile powder! This vegan elote-style roasted corn salad is so satisfying! The flavors work well together, and opting to create a corn ‘salad’ eliminates all the problems of getting corn stuck in your teeth. I think this is going to become a quick favorite in my household! Why not give it a try?

Cheers and happy eating!

Jocelyn

* Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate and referral links. I may earn a commission or bonus if you click through to make a purchase.  All opinions are my own. I only work with companies and brands I personally support.

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Recipe: Zucchini Cream Cheese Tart

Hello everyone,

I don’t know about you, but for me, it is a summer of squash! I’ve eaten more zucchini and yellow squash the past two months than I had in two years. Contributing to my massive increase in squash consumption is the fact that I planted a plethora of zucchini in my garden, and my parents brought me some beautiful vegetables from a relative’s garden in West Virginia.

I’ve also been eyeing the “just so happens to be vegan” puff pastry from Pepperidge Farms. I put two and two together and decided to put a vegan spin on a classic cream cheese tart. Admittedly, I had no idea what I was doing with the puff pastry, and it was nothing short of a miracle that this recipe worked out. It was quick, it was easy, and if I could do it, you can, too!

There is something so comforting about a flaky crust smothered in faux cream cheese and  olive oil lightly drizzled over zucchini with herbs. Ahh. This really is a perfect recipe for your next summer get together. Give it a try and let me know how it goes!

Cheers & happy eating!

Jocelyn

* Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate and referral links. I may earn a commission or bonus if you click through to make a purchase.  All opinions are my own. I only work with companies and brands I personally support.

Continue reading “Recipe: Zucchini Cream Cheese Tart” →

Mixed Cabbage Salad w/ Citrus Peanut Vinaigrette

Hello everyone,

My partner loves asian-inspired flavors. He uses sesame oil when it isn’t necessary. He uses soy sauce at odd times. You get the idea. Well, I’ve been looking for new, quick & easy recipes with asian flavors outside the usual stir fry. I recently created a recipe for chilled sesame noodle salad, and now I’ve hit the mark again with a mixed cabbage salad with a citrus peanut dressing.

This has easily become a quick favorite because it’s so practical. You can make a large batch on Sunday and use it for lunches throughout the week. Simply keep the vinaigrette on the side and add the dressing as you go. The base flavors are mild—meaning this recipe is also easily adaptable. You can even make a few different dressings to keep it interesting.

If you stick true to the recipe you’ll end up with a crunchy, sweet and sour salad that tastes great. Plus, it’s so appetizing with all the vibrant colors! Give it a try!

Cheers,

Jocelyn

* Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. As always, all opinions are my own! Continue reading “Mixed Cabbage Salad w/ Citrus Peanut Vinaigrette” →

How to Make Fattoush Salad

Hello everyone,

I love Middle Eastern cuisine. Baba ghanoush, falafel, tabouli, you name it— it’s some of my favorite food. I was craving a feel good meal this weekend, so I decided to try my hand at a classic, fattoush salad.

Fattoush (فتوش) is a levantine bread salad which originated in Lebanon, but is also common in Syria and other Middle Eastern counties. Fattoush includes toasted or fried pieces of pita bread mixed with greens and fresh vegetables. It generally also includes cucumber, tomato, and other ingredients depending on season, location, taste, etc.

The dressing is slightly sour and acidic, using a healthy serving of lemon juice and sumac. Since I didn’t have sumac, I used zatar seasoning to give the salad a full flavor. I also used store bought pita chips to save time, but I’m sure this recipe would be even better if you used homemade pita bread for the crunch. This is a deceptively easy salad to make considering the robust flavor combinations. Why not give it a try?

What’s your favorite Middle Eastern recipe?

Cheers,

Jocelyn

* Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. As always, all opinions are my own! Continue reading “How to Make Fattoush Salad” →

Recipe: Chilled Sesame Noodle Salad

Hello friends!

Have you been looking for the perfect salad to bring to your next potluck? My Chilled Sesame Noodle Salad will do the trick.

It’s deceptively simple, and will please even the pickiest of palates. The mix of bright, fresh peppers and green onion goes perfect with the tangy sesame vinaigrette. The powerful dressing is a mix of citrus juice, Sriracha, and ginger powder which pairs well with black or toasted sesame seeds. This is a wonderful dish to bring to a potluck or to make if you’re hosting events. It lasts about one week so you can even use it for last minute lunches.

The best part? This recipe takes under 30 minutes, then you place the salad in the refrigerator for an hour, and voila! You’re appetizer is ready to serve.  It’s almost too good to be true. Go ahead and give it a try!

Cheers & happy eating,

Jocelyn

* Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. As always, all opinions are my own! Continue reading “Recipe: Chilled Sesame Noodle Salad” →