Category: vegan night

Simple Homemade Marinara Sauce with Garlic & Basil

Hello and happy fall!

If you read my blog you already know this—I’m Italian, and I love pasta. While I’ve been making my own homemade noodles for about a year, I’ve been hesitating on the sauce. Who wants that mess? You have to peel tomatoes and the juice splashes everywhere, etc. The list goes on. Or so I thought. Turns out I was wrong. Yes, it can be messy to make your own sauce, but it’s not that bad and it’s totally worth it. I never should have hesitated. I now LOVE making my own Simple Homemade Marinara Sauce with Garlic & Basil.

Not only is it way healthier to eat, but it makes your entire home smell amazing and it tastes so much better than that stuff from the jar. There is nothing better than the mix of fresh-snipped basil and ripe tomatoes with a splash of olive oil. There is a reason pasta marinara is a household staple, and it’s not just because it’s a cheap, quick fix. It’s really good, too. Pasta marinara is so simple, yet when you get a realllllly good noodle with an impeccable sauce, there’s just nothing better for a crisp, cool night!

My garden has been producing an overwhelming amount of tomatoes so my partner and I are hurrying to make sure none of our homegrown tomatoes go to waste. With a half dozen jars of salsa under our belt, we moved onto canning the following marinara sauce recipe.

Go ahead and give it a try. Let me know what you think!

Cheers and happy eating!

Jocelyn

* Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. As always, all opinions are my own!

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Recipe: Thick & Chunky Garden Salsa

Hello everyone,

Over the past week, I’ve been looking for the perfect salsa recipe for canning, and I think I finally found it. I stumbled upon Tim J Turner’s Youtube channel and found a video for, “Canning and Sharing a Thick Salsa Recipe.” I adjusted the recipe a bit, and the result was amazing! It produced a slightly sweet, a tad bit spicy, thick salsa—perfect for your next potluck or date night in. I’m so excited to share this Recipe: Thick & Chunky Garden Salsa.

As you know, I planted a garden this year, and I may gone a bit overboard with tomatoes. I don’t even like tomatoes that much. Luckily, I do love pasta sauce and salsa. What better way to put all those cherry and vine tomatoes to use than to make a bunch of sauces and salsas ahead of time?

Garden Veggies

Chips and salsa is such a feel good party food. It’s perfect for game night, football season, and so many other get togethers. Now I’m ready for fall with eight cans of homemade salsa! It has just the right amount of heat, and it’s a tad bit sweet. That means it will satisfy a variety of food palates! This salsa pairs really well with veggie tacos and simple rice bowls. Impress your friends at your next get together. Bring along some homemade Thick & Chunky Garden Salsa!

Cheers and happy snacking!

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: 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: Japanese Curry with Fried Eggplant

Hello everyone,

If you’re like me the word “curry” triggers thoughts of rich, creamy coconut milk- based goodness or a nice Indian meal. If so, you’re missing out! 

For years, I too, was ignorant that there is yet another type of curry that should not be missed. It’s Japanese Curry! This style of curry is thick, indulgent and delicious! Simply put — it’s a must try. The base of the dish is more of a gravy than sauce so it’s certainly a splurge meal, but it’s worth it. 

The basic components include white or brown rice, the sauce, and a slew of steamed or sautéed vegetables. My partner was feeling particularly ambitious, so we added breaded eggplant to our dish. The result was an amazing meal meant to be enjoyed with friends. 

Give this recipe for vegan Japanese Curry with Fried Eggplant a try, and let me know what you think!

Cheers & happy eating!

Jocelyn

* Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. As always, all opinions are my own!

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A Vegan Visits Cancun, Mexico (& eats lots of good food!)

Hi all,

As I indicated with my last post, I’ve been a little MIA lately. Work has been extremely busy, I am looking for a house, and I just  took a vacation to Cancun, Mexico! And the latter, is exactly what this post is about!

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