How It All Vegan!: Irresistible Recipes for an Animal-Free Diet (7 page)

HUKI-LA SMOOTHIE

“Oh, we’re going, to a Huki-la!” For fun, serve in a coconut and garnish with pineapple and a paper umbrella. This recipe is also great frozen. Pour into popsicle moulds and eat on a hot summer day!

2- 4 ice cubes

1 cup soft
or
silken tofu

4-6 strawberries

1 cup guava
or
tropical fruit juice

1 frozen banana

½ cup pineapple
or
apple juice

¼ cup pineapple (optional)

In a blender or food processor, purée all the ingredients until creamy. Makes 2-4 servings.

TANGY CITRUS SHAKE

A delightful tropical favourite.

1 frozen banana

1 cup orange juice

2 tbsp fresh lime juice

½ cup soft
or
silken tofu

1 tsp maple syrup

In a blender or food processor, purée all the ingredients until smooth. Serve and garnish with a slice of lime. Makes 2 servings.

FRESH ’N’ FRUITY ENERGY SMOOTHIE

You can get soy lecithin and spirulina in health food stores.

1½ cups apple juice

1 frozen banana

½ cup fresh
or
frozen blueberries

1 heaping tsp spirulina

1 heaping tsp soy lecithin

In a blender or food processor, purée all the ingredients until smooth and creamy. Makes 2-4 servings.

IN A HURRY ENERGY SHAKE

Gulp this down and get the hell outta the house.

1 cup apple juice

1 tsp spirulina

Pour ingredients in a large glass and stir. Makes 1 serving.

BAN-INI

Tahini not only enhances this creamy masterpiece with a unique flavour, but adds a nutritional element, too.

1½ cups soy milk

2 frozen bananas

3 tbsp tahini

2 tbsp sweetener

1 tsp vanilla extract

In a blender or food processor, purée all the ingredients until smooth and creamy. Makes 2 servings.

TEAS

For centuries teas have been used as a gentle cure for the body’s ailments, all the while providing soothing and cozy moments in time. There are hundreds of medicinal herbs that can be used as a daily tonic or for simple pleasure: peppermint for digestion, ginger for fever and nausea, chamomile for relaxation. Many herbs can be grown right outside in your backyard; consult your local herbalist for ideas. The recipes included here are just some ideas of what you can enjoy.

CURE-ALL GINGER TEA

A healthy hot tea that doesn’t make you drowsy. Drink when you feel under the weather.

3 cups water

3 tbsp or more fresh ginger, peeled and grated

tsp cayenne pepper

sweetener to taste

In a medium saucepan on high heat, bring the water to a boil. Add the ginger and cayenne and reduce heat. Simmer for 20 minutes and strain. Add sweetener to taste. Drink and be healthy. Makes 2-4 servings.

JANA’S EARTH’S HERBAL SUN TEA

This is a nice relaxing tea to drink at the end of the day. Also great for children before bedtime. You can get ingredients for the Sun and Moon Teas at health food or herb stores, or pick your own.

1 tsp each of fresh
or
dried:

lavender

peppermint

rose

lemon balm

2 cups water

In the morning, place herbs in a glass mason jar. Add water and cap tightly. Set out in the sun in a nice warm spot, and let steep for the entire day. Once the sun goes down, strain and serve. Makes 2 servings.

JANA’S EARTH’S HERBAL MOON TEA

A lovely longevity tonic.

1 tsp each of fresh
or
dried:

raspberry leaf

hawthorn berries

chickweed

calendula flowers

2 cups water

In the evening, place ingredients in a glass mason jar. Add water but do not cap. Set jar outside right under the moonlight all night long. Strain and drink first thing in the morning. Makes 2 servings.

SPICED CHAI TEA

A rich, warm tea spiced to perfection. You can find cardamom in South Asian markets. This recipe is also yummy served chilled.

6-8 cups water

1 tbsp dried cardamom

1 tbsp fresh ginger, chopped

¼ tsp whole cloves

1 tsp black peppercorns

1 cinnamon stick

4 tea bags (orange pekoe or peppermint)

sweetener (to taste)

soy milk (to taste)

In a medium saucepan on high heat, add water, cardamom, ginger, cloves, peppercorns, and cinnamon stick and bring to a boil. Immediately reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add tea bags. Cover pot and let steep for 5-10 minutes. Strain out into a teapot. Add sweetener and milk to taste. Makes 2-4 servings.

QUICK THAI TEA FOR TWO

A delicious and quick version of the popular tea enjoyed in Thailand.

2 cups water

½ tsp dried cardamom

2-4 tbsp sweetener

½ cup soy milk

2 tea bags (orange pekoe or peppermint)

In a small saucepan, add water, cardamom, sweetener, and milk and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and add tea bags. Let steep 3-10 minutes before serving. Makes 2 servings.

QUICK THAI ICED TEA

Sit back, and chill out!

6 cups water

1½ tsp dried cardamom

½-¾ cup sweetener

1½ cups soy milk

4-5 tea bags (orange pekoe or peppermint)

mint sprig (garnish)

In a medium saucepan, add water, cardamom, sweetener, and milk and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and add tea bags. Let steep 3-10 minutes. Remove tea bags and pour into pitcher and chill for 30-60 minutes. Pour tea over ice in large glasses and serve with a sprig of mint. Makes 2-4 servings.

SAVOURY MISO DRINK

This is a delicious and nutritious alternative to coffee or as a pick-me-up if you’re feeling spent. Miso, which you can find in most grocery stores or in health food stores, is rich in both vitamin A and B12.

1 tbsp miso (light or dark)

1 mug boiling water

Mix ingredients in a mug until miso dissolves. Drink up! Makes 1 serving.

APPLE CIDER HEALTH DRINK

In 400 B.C. Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine, treated his patients with natural apple cider vinegar for its powerful cleansing, healing, and germ-fighting qualities.

½ fresh lemon, sliced

1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

1-2 tsp liquid sweetener

¼ tsp cayenne pepper

2 cups water

In a small saucepan, add all the ingredients and bring to a slow boil over medium heat. Simmer for 5 minutes. Strain and serve. Makes 1 serving.

EGGLESS EGGNOG

Are you a sad vegan warrior whenever the festive season comes around? Feel outta place with no eggnog in hand? Not a problem. Get out your blender and whip up the best eggless nog on the block. After a couple of spiked cups, no one will be able to tell the difference.

2½ cups silken tofu

2 cups soy milk

1 tbsp vanilla extract

½-¾ cup dry sweetener

2 tbsp maple syrup

¼ tsp turmeric

¼-½ tsp nutmeg

½-1 cup rum
or
brandy (optional)

In a blender or food processor, purée all the ingredients thoroughly until smooth and creamy. Serve well chilled. Makes 2-4 servings.

SODAS

Enjoy making these refreshing drinks as an alternative to store-bought soda. Surprisingly easy to make, they add just the right amount of sparkle to tickle your tastebuds.

FRESH FRUIT JUICE SPRITZER

Light and lively, you can enjoy this any time of the day.

½ cup fresh fruit juice of your choice

½ cup club soda

fruit garnish

Stir the juice and soda together in a frosty glass. Serve with a fruit garnish. Makes 1 serving.

SPARKLING HOMEMADE GINGER ALE

Begin festivities with this perky ale.

3 cups club soda

½ cup fresh ginger, grated (or 1 tsp powdered ginger)

2-4 tbsp sweetener (to taste)

cinnamon stick (optional)

Mix all ingredients together in a mason jar. (In order to avoid having to strain the ginger ale later, you can place the grated ginger in a “tea ball.”) Cap tightly and let it steep in the fridge for about half an hour or more. Strain out ginger and serve with a cinnamon stick if desired. Makes 2 servings.

JUICES

A vegetable or fruit juicer is a great kitchen investment. There is nothing finer than a glass of freshly squeezed juice. It’s best to drink immediately after making, so you don’t lose any vitamins or nutrients. Here are a few great recipes to get your juices running.

CARROT APPLE GINGER JUICE

Simply the world’s greatest juice combination. It tastes great and is nutritious at the same time.

8 carrots, peeled and cut into large chunks

4 apples, peeled, cored, and cut into chunks

2-inch piece of fresh ginger

Run all the ingredients through a juicer. Pour juice into a tall glass over ice and serve. Makes 2 servings.

PEAR APPLE GRAPE JUICE

This fresh triple-fruit juice combination will guarantee a spectacular juice experience.

4-6 pears, peeled and cored

2-3 apples, peeled and cored

½ cup grapes

Run all the ingredients through a juicer. Pour juice into a tall glass over ice and serve. Makes 2 servings.

GERRY’S CHERRY JUICE

Oh my Gerry, he’s as sweet as a cherry.