Category: Recipes

Black Bean and Rice Cakes

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These are easy little patties that can work as a snack, or turn into a meal when served on a bun like a burger. I still sometimes need to trick my son into eating beans… but tasty patties like these make it easy!

Ingredients:

  • 1 (15-ounce) drained and rinsed can black beans
  • 1/2 cup cooked white rice
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
  1. Place the beans in a bowl and mash until mostly smooth. Add the rice, chives, cumin, garlic powder, and breadcrumbs, stirring until combined.
  2. Shape the mixture into 8 or 9 small patties.
  3. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the patties, working in batches, and cook for about 4 minutes on each side, until crisp and golden.

Banana-Seed Pudding

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I’m always on the lookout for desserts that pack a nutritional punch, alongside a chocolate-y smile. This one wins on both counts!

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups vanilla almond milk
  • ¼ cup agave nectar
  • 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
  • Dash of salt
  • 1/2 cup chia seeds
  • Banana slices

1.       In a bowl, whisk together the milk, agave, cocoa powder, and salt.

2.       Stir in the chia seeds, then cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours, and up to overnight, stirring occasionally (this helps to smooth out lumps).

3.       To serve, place about ½ cup pudding in bowls, and top each serving with thinly sliced bananas.

Salami Roll-Ups

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Deli Roll Ups (1)

Skip the bread and simply roll up Yves Veggie salami slices, and you have the perfect nosh for your kiddos. Double up portions to make these lunch!

Hummus Roll-Ups:

  • 3 slices Yves Veggie salami
  • 1 tablespoon hummus
  • 1 tablespoon shredded carrots
  1. Spread the hummus evenly over the salami slices.
  2. Top evenly with the carrots, then roll up to serve.

Pizza Roll-Ups:

  • 4 slices Yves Veggie salami
  • 1/4 cup non-dairy cream cheese
  • 1 tablespoon chopped sun-dried tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon sliced black olives
  • 1 tablespoon shredded non-dairy mozzarella
  1. In a bowl, mash together the cream cheese and tomatoes until combined. Spread evenly over the salami slices.
  2. Sprinkle evenly with the black olives and mozzarella, then roll up to serve.

Deli Rolls Ups (2)

Tropical Trail Mix

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This easy pack-and-go mix will give kids the energy to get through any morning or afternoon slump between meals!

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups multigrain cereal
  • 1/4 cup coconut chips
  • 3 tablespoons non-dairy chocolate chips
  • 6 tablespoons chopped dried mango
  • 6 tablespoons chopped dried pineapple
  1. Toss all the ingredients together to mix, then serve!

You can store the mix in an air-tight container at room temperature.

Simple Stuffed Tomatoes

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Simple Stuffed Tomatoes

Here’s an adorable little snack that takes tomatoes from good to gourmet! If a store near you doesn’t sell Miyoko’s creamy cheeses (or a similar substitute), you can order online from purveyors like Vegan Essentials.

Ingredients:

  • 6 grape tomatoes
  • 1 ounce Miyoko’s double cream chive cheese
  • 1 tablespoon walnuts
  1. Halve the tomatoes, and scoop out the seeds with a small spoon. Arrange on a platter.
  2. Break the cheese into crumbles and divide evenly among the tomato halves.
  3. Finely chop the walnuts, and sprinkle evenly over each piece.

Apricot Sunshine Bites

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Apricot Sunshine Bites (3)

These after-school snacks are bursting with energy and with natural sweetness from the coconut and dates. They’re the perfect boost to get through a busy afternoon!

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup dried apricots
  • 1/2 cup pitted dates
  • 1/2 cup shredded coconut
  • 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
  • 3 tablespoons water
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1/3 cup + 1/4 cup walnuts, divided
  • 1/2 cup almonds, divided
  1. Combine the apricots and dates in a food processor; pulse until finely chopped.
  2. Add the coconut, flax, water, and salt; pulse to blend.
  3. Add 1/3 cup walnuts and 1/4 cup almonds to the mixture, and process until it forms a ball – the mixture will be quite sticky.
  4. Finely chop the remaining 1/4 cup walnuts and 1/4 cup almonds, and transfer to a shallow bowl.
  5. Using wet hands, divide the apricot mixture into tablespoon-size balls, rolling between your hands, and then rolling in the chopped nuts.
  6. Refrigerate at least 45 minutes before serving.

Apricot Sunshine Bites (2)

Bacon-Asparagus Hash

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My son loves asparagus – so much so that I don’t tell him I’m making it ahead of time, or he’ll throw a tantrum while it cooks #veganproblems. I delighted him the other day with not one but two of his favorite foods, adding vegan bacon slices into this easy side dish. My favorite brand for little kids is Lightlife, which has a mild flavor. For a smokier, more intense bacon dish, try this with Tofurky’s maple bacon tempeh.

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound asparagus, trimmed and chopped
  • 2 Lightlife bacon slices, finely chopped
  1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the asparagus and cook for 10 minutes.
  2. Halfway through cooking, add the bacon, stirring frequently until the asparagus is tender and the bacon is crisp.

Fancy Toast

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Fancy Toast 2

Just the name of this quick snack makes it sound exotic and exciting – enough so to get a picky preschooler to try out food combinations he or she might not otherwise attempt. You can serve any of the following combinations on toasted baguette slices, but we like to use crispbread crackers from Ryvita. Double up portions and you’ll move any of these combos from a snack to a meal.

Tomato and Cheddar Fancy Toast

  • 2 crispbread crackers or baguette slices
  • 1 tablespoon vegan mayonnaise
  • Dash of salt
  • Dash of black pepper
  • 2 ounces sliced Daiya cheddar
  • 1 tomato
  1. Spread the mayonnaise evenly over the cracker slices, and sprinkle with a pinch of salt and black pepper.
  2. Thinly slice the cheddar, and arrange the slices on the crispbread. Thinly slice the tomato and divide the slices evenly over the cheddar.

Fancy Toast 3

Pumpkin Butter Fancy Toast

  • 2 crispbread crackers or baguette slices
  • 1 and 1/2 tablespoons pumpkin butter
  • 6 thin apple slices
  • Dash of cinnamon
  1. Spread the pumpkin butter in a thin layer over the crackers.
  2. Top evenly with the apple slices, and sprinkle evenly with a dash of cinnamon.

Banana-Nut Fancy Toast

  • 2 crispbread crackers or rye bread slices
  • 1 tablespoon almond butter (or other nut butter)
  • 1/4 cup banana slices
  • 1/4 teaspoon sesame seeds
  1. Spread the nut butter evenly over the cracker slices.
  2. Top evenly with the banana slices and sprinkle with the sesame seeds.

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Sushi-Stuffed Avocado

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Sushi Avocado (1)

This recipe takes avocados from everyday to gourmet for my little avocado lover. The ingredients might sound fancy, but my preschooler gobbles this one up to the last bite! I love using chopped hearts of palm as a vegan alternative in any recipe that calls for crabmeat, which is what I’ve done here.

Ingredients:

  • 6 tablespoons cooked white rice
  • 2 teaspoons vegan mayonnaise
  • Pinch of sugar
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped cucumber
  • 1/3 cup finely chopped hearts of palm
  • 1 avocado
  • Sesame seeds (optional)
  1. In a bowl, combine all ingredients except the avocado, mixing well.
  2. Cut an avocado in half and discard the pit. Divide the rice mixture evenly between the two avocado halves, and sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired.

Sushi Avocado (2)

Avocado Mousse

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Avocado Mousse (2)

Here’s a dessert you can really feel good about giving your kids – they’ll never suspect that the decadent treat is healthy!

Ingredients:

  • 1 avocado
  • 1 banana
  • 3 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt
  • 4 tablespoons cocoa powder
  1. Place the flesh of the avocado and banana in a food processor; discard the peels and pit.
  2. Add the remaining ingredients to the food processor and process until smooth. Divide evenly among 3 bowls.
  3. If desired, you can add toppings like sliced fruit or chopped nuts.

Avocado Mousse (1)