Vegetable Fried Rice

This vegan fried rice is inspired by food court style fried rice that typically has peas, carrots, and eggs. This version obviously removes the eggs, but also pumps up the protein by adding edamame. Broccoli and peas are a good vegan protein source too. 

You could easily customize this recipe by adding different vegetables or tofu.

Vegetable Fried Rice

Ingredients

• Oil for cooking - I used canola
• 1/2 cup white rice plus 1 cup water
• Vegetables, about 1/2 cup of each, chopped into small pieces
• Carrots
• Onion
• Broccoli
• Edamame - I used frozen shelled edamame
• Peas - I used frozen
• Seasoning
• Garlic
• Salt
• Pepper
• Garlic powder
• Soy sauce

Directions

1. Cook rice separately by boiling with water and salt. When the water starts to boil, turn off the heat and cover. 
2. Saute the onions and carrots in cooking oil. 
3. When the onions are clear, add the garlic and broccoli.
4. When the broccoli starts to get soft, add the edamame, cooked rice, and seasonings. You may need to add more oil. 
5. Stir to combine and continue to stir occasionally until some parts of the rice start to caramelize. Adjust seasonings to taste.
6. Add the frozen peas last so they don't get mushy. Stir them in until they are evenly mixed. 

Note: Chopping all of the vegetables can take a lot of prep time. You can save time by prepping the vegetables in advance and freezing them, or by using store-bought frozen vegetables. 

Easy Linguini with Cherry Tomatoes

This is a quick pasta dish you can throw together when you have minimal ingredients on hand. I made this when I had just bought fresh cherry tomatoes from the farmers market, but hadn't gone grocery shopping yet.

When cherry tomatoes cook the flavor becomes more complex. As they heat up, the juice inside expands and they explode. This turns the tomatoes into a light sauce. I use the same method with my tomato and asparagus pasta.

Easy Linguini with Cherry Tomatoes
Ingredients

• 1/2 pound linguini
• Olive oil
• Garlic
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes
• Salt and pepper

Directions

1. Cook the pasta separately and set aside.
2. Saute the cherry tomatoes until some of them pop open from the heat. Gently "pop" the rest with the back of your spoon or spatula. 
3. Add the garlic to the sauce and simmer for about 5 minutes. 
4. Add the cooked linguini and stir with tongs. Add salt and pepper to taste. 

Product Review: Boca Original Chik'n Nuggets

Because of how much I liked Boca's Spicy Chik'n Patties, I tried their vegan chicken nuggets next. They were very similar to the patties, but the original breading is a little boring compared to the spicy. 

Just like the patties, these are ridiculously easy to prepare. They would be great for a quick snack or meal. 

Review: Boca Original Chik'n Veggie Nuggets

First impressions: "This is good."

Taste: Like the Boca Spicy Chik'n Patties, but a little boring without the spice. 

Texture: The inside texture reminds me of McDonald's chicken nuggets. 

Does it look like the picture on the box? Yes.

Can you tell it's vegan? No.

Worth buying again? Yes, I will probably always have these or the patties on hand for when I don't feel like cooking. 

Overall: 4.5 out of 5

Vegan Tacos with Beyond Meat Beef-Free Crumbles

The vegan beef crumbles made by Beyond Meat are better in recipes where they can be complimented by other flavors and textures. Of course I thought of tacos first. 

This is an easy taco recipe my boyfriend uses for regular beef. Use the measurements as a guideline, not a rule, and adjust to your taste. 

Vegan Tacos with Beyond Meat Beef Crumbles

Ingredients:

• 1 package of Beyond Meat Beef-Free Crumbles (or another faux beef)
• 1/4 cup of your favorite salsa
• 1/2 packet of your favorite taco seasoning
• Juice from 1 lime
• Tortillas
• Avocado
• Tomato
• Lettuce

Directions:

1. Saute the crumbles until warm. Add salsa, taco seasoning, and lime juice. Stir and cook until heated through. 
2. Add to tortillas and assemble tacos with your favorite taco veggies and toppings. I used iceberg lettuce, tomato, avocado, and a taco sauce packet I stole from taco bell. You could also try rice, beans, bell peppers, onions, or vegan sour cream. 

Product Review: Beyond Meat Beef-Free Crumbles

Beyond Meat has been in the news a lot lately, does it live up to the hype? The short answer is yeah, pretty much. 

It could replace beef some recipes but not all. It comes in tiny crumbles that do not stick together. It's kind of like buying precooked ground beef, as opposed to a pound of fresh ground beef. You couldn't use it to make meatballs or burger patties. It's better for recipes like tacos or goulash.

One thing that worried me is the package says not to overcook it. I don't know what happens if you do, but it might not be good in recipes that use the oven or crockpot. 

Review: Beyond Meat Beef-Free Crumbles

First impressions: "It really looks like beef."

Taste: It tastes like beef, but isn't quite as satisfying. More like beef broth than a hamburger.

Texture: Small, dry crumbles.

Does it look like the picture on the package? Yes.

Can you tell it's vegan? Yeah, something about it just seems different. 

Worth buying again? I probably won't. If you are strictly vegan, this is probably the closest thing to beef you will find right now. 

Overall: 3.5/5