Vegan Valentine Recipe

I recently returned to the set of WWLP-TV's "Mass Appeal" program to demonstrate how to make a decadent gluten-free vegan dessert for Valentine's Day.  Everyone loves brownies!  This chocolatey treat is perfect any time, but it can be dressed up and made extra special for the holidays by adding raspberry coulis, maple bourbon cream and fresh berries. 

These brownies deliver that traditional ooey gooey moist texture and rich chocolate flavor that everyone expects from a decadent dessert... but without the refined flour, eggs and butter!  Dress them up with a garnish of fresh berries and raspberry coulis, layer them with fresh fruit for an elegant parfait, or top them with a big dollop of coconut milk ice cream and your guests will be impressed!

You can watch me demonstrate how to make and assemble these double chocolate brownies on the following link.  The recipe is below.

Watch me make Double Chocolate Brownies right here.   

Gluten-free Chocolate Chip Brownies (makes 16)

(adapted from Robin Robertson’s Vegan Planet recipe)

1/4 cup coconut oil

1 cup semisweet vegan chocolate chips, divided

2 Tbl ground flax seed + 6 Tbl water (egg replacer)

3/4 cup vegan sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup all-purpose gluten-free flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp xanthan gum

2 Tbl cocoa powder

1/4 tsp sea salt

1/4 cup water (approx.)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and lightly oil an 8”x8” pan. In a small sauce pot over medium heat, combine 1/4 cup oil plus 1/2 cup vegan chocolate chips, stirring until melted.  Remove from heat and set aside.  Place flaxseed mixture in a large bowl.  Add sugar and vanilla and blend well.  Str in melted chocolate mixture.  Stir in the flour, baking powder, xanthan gum, salt, and cocoa powder and enough water to form a smooth batter.  Fold in remaining chocolate chips, then pour into prepared pan.  Bake approximately 20-25 minutes, or until top is firm.  Let cool in the refrigerator before cutting into squares.  

Raspberry Coulis

1 10 oz. jar of raspberry preserves

1 Tbl maple syrup

1 Tbl water

Blend all of the above ingredients together in a high-speed blender until smooth and slightly foamy.  Pour into squeeze bottle and squeeze sauce onto dessert.

A Month of Menus

We're in the depths of winter here at Well on Wheels headquarters, but like the birdies, I'm thinking spring.  This month's menu features some warming comfort foods as well as light and refreshing green vegetables to ease into the seasonal transition.  An abundance of spices such as curry, cumin, cinnamon and ginger liven up many of these meals.

Coconut Curry Tofu and Veggies with Brown Rice  

Azuki Bean, Kambocha Squash and Kale Sautee with Brown Rice

Triple Green Tofu with Brown Rice

Tofu Scramble with Spicy Homefries and Salsa

Dijon Agave Glazed Tempeh with Quinoa and Strignbeans Amandine

Fire-roasted Tomato and Black Bean Chili, Cumin Spiced Zucchini and Brown Rice

Sesame Tofu with Cabbage and Carrot Ribbons and Brown Rice

Chickpea Tuno with Raw Cruciferous Vegetable Slaw

Red Lentil Millet Cakes with Carrots, Strignbeans and Green Curry

Tempeh Stroganoff with Mushroom and Broccoli on Rice Noodles

Baked Tofu with Eggplant Caponata and Sautéed Greens with Caramelized Onion

Lentils with Strignbeans and Brown Rice

Tofu Mock Salmon with Beets, Sautéed Kale, Quinoa and Cashew Tartar Sauce

Creamy Pumpkin Penne with Escarole and White Beans

Sesame Tempeh, Broccoli and Red Pepper Stir Fry with Brown Rice

Maple Glazed Tempeh with Forbidden Rice Pilaf and Brussels Sprouts

Sezuan Tofu with Eggplant and Red Pepper on Brown Rice

Escarole and White Beans with Asparagus and Leek Risotto

White Bean Fritters with Pumpkinseed Pesto and Zucchini Ribbons

Dijon Agave Glazed Tofu with Mashed Root Vegetables and Brussels Sprouts Amandine

Mexican Chili with Brown Rice

Pasta with Shiitake Mushroom, Snow Peas and Fresh Basil

Spring Vegetable Stew with Baked Polenta

Thai Yellow Curry with Tofu and Veggies on Brown Rice

Stuffed Portobello on a Bed of Asparagus Risotto with Chipotle Cashew Aioli

Eggplant Caponata with Creamy Butter Beans and Baked Polenta

Tofu Piccata with Mashed Root Veggies and Asparagus

Tempeh and Broccoli with Spicy Sesame Peanut Sauce on Rice Noodles

Barbecue Tofu with Dilled Red Bliss Potatoes and Brussels Sprouts