Hey All!
You may have heard by now that former President of the United States, Bill Clinton has recently become Vegan! What a great representative of the Vegan diet 
In this video clip CNN’s Wolf Blitzer discusses near-Veganism with Doctors Esselstyn and Ornish. They’re not pure-Vegans, but they’re sending a great message:
It’s no secret among my friends that I love to cook. Put me in a kitchen for couple of house, give me a pile of ingredients and a great chef buddy to work with and some beautiful things are likely to happen!
We started by putting together a list of things that Thanksgiving cannot happen without, and then added some of our personal favorites. Here’s what we came up with:
Tofurkey
Roasted Hubbard Squash -
We cut off the top of the squash and carved out the guts. Then we covered it in foil and popped it into the oven at 350 degrees for one hour and 20 minutes. When it was done, we carved it into strips and served it with the stuffing and gravy on top.
Hearty Vegan Stuffing -
1 loaf of bread, we used Silver Hills Squirlly cut into 1-in. cubes
1 pound some kind of Tofurky Italian sausage (or your preference)
2 stalks celery, diced
1/2 cup vegan butter– I like Earth Balance, melted
1/2 of a large onion or 1 small onion, diced
1 clove of garlic, minced
14-15 ounces (about 1 3/4 cups) Veggie Stock
1 egg substitute, with dashes of salt and pepper added to it
a VERY generous pinch of poultry seasoning
large baking dish, greased
Directions:
I should mention that according to my mother’s recipe, the bread should be left out for 1 week in a paper bag to get a little stale, however, she has made this without leaving the bread out and it tastes the same. I surely don’t do it.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Cook the ‘sausage’ (crumbled or chunked) until heated through. Add the celery in, then add the onion and garlic. Saute until tender.
In a large bowl, add the cubed bread and all the other ingredients. Mix together.
Add the stuffing to the baking dish and bake at 350 for 50-60 minutes, until the stuffing is not watery. Don’t cook too long or it may dry out.
This can also be prepared a day or two ahead. Just bake it for 45 minutes and refrigerate. Bake for 20 more minutes or so when ready to serve.
Enjoy with or without the vegan gravy of your choice
Two Gravies
Yorkshire Puddings -
Ingredients at room temperature:
2 cups sweet rice flour
2 tsp guar gum
2 cups soy milk
Egg Replacer for 6 eggs
1 tsp salt
Olive Oil
Preheat oven to 400 F. Mix with whisk. It’s ok to leave a few lumps.(Batter should be super runny.) Let stand at room temperature for 10-15 minutes. Put a half a cap full of oil into each muffin cup. Fill muffin cups about half full of batter and bake approx. 25 mins.
Variation – I did these Gluten Free, however you can use wheat flour instead of the sweet rice flour, and just eliminate the guar gum which isn’t necessary with wheat flour.
Pumpkin Pie! -
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Have ready, one 9″ unbaked pastry crust
Blend in blender:
2 cups solid-pack canned pumpkin
1 cup almond milk
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 tbsp. blackstrap molasses
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. EACH ground ginger, nutmeg and salt
1/4 tsp. ground allspice or cloves
Pour the filling into the pastry and bake 60 minutes, covering the edges with foil if they begin to brown too quickly. Cool on a rack, then refrigerate overnight before serving.
Portabellos with Almond Sauce
Roasted Seasonal Mixed Veggies
Scalloped Potatoes -
6 medium potatoes, peeled and super thinly sliced
4 tablespoons earth balance
3 tablespoons flour (we used sweet rice flour)
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 1/2 cups Almond milk
1 small onion, finely chopped
Preheat oven to 325ºF.
Heat 3 tablespoons of earth balance in a saucepan over low heat until melted. Blend in flour, salt and pepper. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth and bubbly. Gradually stir in almond milk, 1/2 cup at a time. Heat to boiling. Boil and stir 1 minute.
Arrange potatoes in greased 2 quart casserole in 3 layers, topping each layer with part of the chopped onions and 1/3 of the sauce. Dot the top with the remaining 1 tablespoon of earth balance, broken into little pieces.
Cover and bake until potatoes are tender, about 60-70 minutes. Let stand 5 to 10 minute before serving.
Add 1/2 to 3/4 cup shredded Daiya cheese to the sauce and mix to melt.
Olives
and
Chocolate Chip-Coconut Cookies
Recipes to come very soon!
Leading a busy life, full of activities is difficult enough on its own. Trying to stay healthy and eat three meals a day, ideally that consist of something better than a handful of brazil nuts and a Happy Planet juice, is a whole other ball game. I have created a network in my mind of the closest Vegan restaurants, Vegan friendly places to grab a bite to eat, and places to eat if you’re in total desperation 
My #1 suggestion to travelers and locals alike, is to check out www.happycow.net for their absolutely invaluable list of Vegan, vegetarian, and veg-friendly places all over the world. This site has pulled me out of innumerable binds in my Vegan life (which makes me think I should drop them a donation!) Below is a list of the Vegan, vegetarian, and veg-friendly places in town that I eat at regularly and would happily recommend:
3G – 3424 Cambie St. They have wonderful service, and feature nearly all Vegan, chinese food (do ask about dairy in the “meat” dishes though.) **I recommend: The “Chicken” Drumsticks, you can’t go there without ordering them!
Bodhi Choi Heung – 3932 Fraser St. This is a wonderful Buddhist restaurant that is nearly Vegan, but again, do ask about egg or dairy in items. **I recommend: The Lemon “Duck” it is in a VERY sweet lemon sauce so please be warned if you aren’t a fan of super sweet food. I find it devine though, and the crispy bean curd “duck” is simply amazing!
Loving Hut – 546 West Broadway. I adore this place because it is smack in between my work and my school, right on a major transit hub (Broadway & Cambie.) They have traditional American food like pizza (with Daiya cheese,) caesar salad, soups, wraps, nachos and the like. **I recommen: The Loving Hut Pizza; it’s got a heavenly garlic sauce and is creamy, cheesy and just a flavour sensation!
Budgies Burritos – 44 Kingsway (Kingsway & Main.) 100% Vegetarian burritos to go, or to stay if you really want. These are typical, Amercian style burritos, with Yves Ground Round, or various types of beans, veggies, and instead of cheese (which is only available as dairy) they can substitute extra avocado for no extra charge. **I recommend: The Poser on whole wheat, with black beans and fresh salsa, done Vegan. Can’t go wrong.
Organic Lives – 1829 Quebec Street. 100% Raw, Vegan place with a somewhat limited menu and hefty prices, but delicious and unique. **I recommend: The Caesar Salad with raw croutons.
All India Sweets – 6507 Main St. This place has traditional Indian food with a $9.95 vegetarian all you can eat buffet every day until 10pm which has a fair bit of Vegan options. They also have samosas, tikkis, and weird little curried things that are grab-and-go for $.75 **I recommend: The Buffet, it’s cheap, and the curries are all delicious (though one looks like tofu, but is actually cheese!)
Banditas Tacqueria – 2781 Commercial Drive. Absolutely fabulous Vegan food! I wouldn’t say that it is Mexican at all rather it is based upon Mexican and they have used the idea to create a terrific, unique menu. They use Daiya cheese and can make basically everything Vegan upon request. **I recommend: The Taco Salad done Vegan. The lime dressing tastes so fresh that I have a theory that they make it fresh for every order.
Cafe Deux Soleils – 2096 Commercial Dr. Great vegetarian late night spot for a beer with friends, or to catch some local music or maybe even a poetry slam? Not much for Vegan options though… **I recommend: The Tofu Scramble, it’s the best on I’ve found so far in town! Seriously, delicious.
Sejuiced – 1958 W4th. This place is a rad little juice bar, with soups, salads, sandwiches and little dessert treats as well. I’m somewhat confident that they are just about Vegan except for honey, and maybe something else that isn’t coming to my mind right now. Suffice it to say, they are chock full of Vegan yummyness! I recommend: The veggie sandwich. It sounds so boring and plain, and it is in the best way! It is a simple, perfectly made sandwich.
Gorilla Foods – #101 – 436 Richards St. If raw food is new to you, Gorilla will ease you in with foods you’re used to but happen to be completely raw. Menu includes devine smoothies, raw pizza, raw fudge, raw soups, raw falafal. Everything is 100% raw and Vegan, and shall I add, made with love <3 **I recommend: Thai Collard Fresh Wraps; I can’t recommend these highly enough in fact! They are absolutely heavenly and come with a beautifully spiced chutney.
Sweet Cherubim – 1105 Commercial Dr. They have Indian food and some American food, but after half a dozen rotten salads, 2 or 3 rotten somosas, and a rancid bowl of stew, I have abandoned their food possibly forever. However, their desserts are to die for, and have (so far) never steered my wrong. **I recommend: The Bliss Ball. Anyone in East Van will tell you that you haven’t lived until you’ve tried them!
The Cafe @ Eternal Abundance – 1025 Commercial Dr. This is a tiny, all Vegan and Organic, half raw, half cooked cafe with soups, raw zughetti, a raw burrito, raw burger, salad, etc. **I recommend: The Gazpacho, but you can only get it during the summer months. It is totally raw, mostly local, and 100% delicious!
Deserts – 905 Commercial Dr. They are totally vegetarian, and have a great Vegan selection. It’s quick, cheap food on the drive, and you’ll enjoy your meal, so I recommend it when you’re in a hurray. **I recommend: The Vegan Falafal, it’s soooo good!
Hon’s Wonton House – 1339 Robson St. This is a huge restaurant with two completely seperate kitchens, one with meat and one that is completely vegetarian. I love the food here, and there’s a terrific variety of veggie chinese food. **I recommend: The Bean Curd Skin Rolls in Black Bean Sauce, always a hit.
The NAAM – 2724 W 4th. I’m fairly confident that this is the oldest vegetarian restaurant in Vancouver. There is nearly always a line up out the door, and they are open 24 hours. The service is iffy, but the food is always good; not a ton of Vegan options, but they do used Daiya! **I recommend: The Thai Noodles. It’s sort of their take on Pad Thai.
Karmavore Vegan Shop – 468 East Columbia St. Karmavore is an absolute must visit for Vancouverites. They have a marvelous selection of Vegan meats, treats, books, shoes & boots, Vegan condoms (that’s right,) clothing and so much more; all 100% Vegan!!! **I recommend the invaluable Vegan Bodybuilding book by everybody’s favorite Vegan bodybuilder Robert Cheeke.
This is by no means a complete list of veggie friendly places to eat in our fine city. I strongly encourage you to check out happycow for the full list. You can also email mevegan.com at penniesforprince@gmail.com for personal advice, recipes, feedback, or maybe a home delivered batch of Chocolate Cupcakes with Blueberry Buttercream Icing!
Bon Appétite!