Happy World Vegan Day!

Happy Halloween!!!

It's National Cat Day - Meow!

Ghirardelli - What The Hell Did You Do?!?

Dear Ghirardelli,

I have been a faithful and loyal customer since becoming vegan many years ago and discovering that your Semi-Sweet Premium Baking Chips were "accidentally" vegan.  We were such a devoted household that should we get below two bags at any given time, we would freak out and make a special trip to the store just to stock up in case of an "emergency."

So, imagine my shock & horror when upon our most recent stock-up trip, that I discovered that you've changed the recipe to now include, whole milk powder!  What the hell Ghirardelli!?!?!

You had a great product that vegans could use - I've even sited your Semi-Sweet Chips in several of the recipes on this blog, but now you've alienated 1 million of us!*

Here's just a taste of our bitter disappointment.

If you'd like Ghirardelli to return to their dairy-free recipe, let them know!

This is a sad, sad day for the vegan and chocolate communities and I hope with all sincerity, that you go back to the old recipe and stop messing with a good thing.

Until then, you are dead to me.

Sincerely,

P.S. Healthy Hoffer's - do not fret, Enjoy Life has our vegan & dairy allergy backs - with their line of dairy-free baking chocolate!  Whether you need dark chocolate morsels, mini chips, or mega chunks - their dairy-free, casein-free, non-gmo, vegan certified products deliver the real deal.  I just scored a 5 lb. bag from Amazon!  Come to think of it, this may have been a blessing in disguise.  Adios Ghirardelli!


*Source: http://www.vegetariantimes.com/article/vegetarianism-in-america

Hoff's Purple People Eater Pancakes

Hoff's Purple People Eater Pancakes
Yields: 10-15 pancakes
dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, soy-free, gluten-free

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cup Rolled Oats
• 1 cup unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk
• 1 cup Blueberries (frozen/fresh)
• 1 ripe Banana
• 1 tbsp. Coconut Sugar
• 1 tsp. Vanilla
• Pinch Sea Salt

Directions:

1. Throw all ingredients in a high speed blender, like a Vitamix
2. Blend until smooth, about 30 seconds
3. Cook like any other Pancake, but on a non-stick pan, using no oil

Hoff Thoughts: I made these little babies on my Cuisinart Griddler - love that thing!  Check your batter while mixing, if it's too thick, add a touch more Milk.  This picture does not do these justice, the purple color is amazing - perfect for a Halloween breakfast...

Basic DIY Yogurt (IP)

Basic DIY Yogurt (IP)
Yields: 5 servings
dairy-free, egg-free, gluten-free, oil-free, soy-free

Ingredients:

• 32 oz. room temperature Plant-based Milk (no preservatives, sweeteners, etc.)
• 1 package Vegan Yogurt Starter (Belle & Bella)
• 1 tsp. Arrowroot
• Topping of choice (jam, fruit, nuts, etc.)

Directions (Instant Pot):

1. Blend Milk, Yogurt Starter & Arrowroot together
2. Pour into five single serving containers
   
3. Carefully place containers in IP with no lids
4. No need to add water or use trivet
5. Lock lid in place and make sure pressure release valve is closed (IP will never come up to pressure)
6. Select Yogurt setting & change time to 12 hours
7. When complete, add Yogurt topping, put on lids & refrigerate up to one week

Hoff Thoughts: It's important to pick a plant-based milk with just the main ingredient & water, nothing else - for instance soy beans and water.  To accomplish this task, you'll have to look for self-stable plant-based milk and not the refrigerator kind.  For my containers I like to use wide mouth, half pint Mason jars - super cute!  You can stir, shake or blend your base yogurt ingredients - I prefer to use the Vitamix so I know everything is incorporated - this however yields a lot of foam which needs to be discarded.  Your IP will never come up to pressure and the timer will keep changing, just let it go and trust the process.  The end result is amazing, creamy goodness that will have you off the store-bought junk for good!

Hoff's Overnight Fall Harvest Oatmeal

Hoff's Overnight Fall Harvest Oatmeal
Serves: 1
dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, soy-free, gluten-free


Ingredients:

• 2/3 cup Water
• 1/3 cup Rolled Oatmeal
• 1/3 cup Steel Cut Oatmeal
• 2 tbsp. canned Pumpkin
• 2 tbsp. dried Cranberries
• 1-2 tbsp. Maple Syrup
• 1/2 tbsp. Almond Butter
• Dash of Pumpkin Spice
• Pinch of Sea Salt

• Splash Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk (reserved)

Directions:

1. Put Oatmeal in a small serving bowl, top with Water
2. Oatmeal will soak up the Water as it sits
3. Top with remaining ingredients, excluding Milk
4. Place bowl in fridge overnight
5. Next day, add splash of Milk to achieve your desired consistency
6. Cook Oatmeal in the microwave for 2-3 minutes
7. Stir & enjoy!

Hoff Thoughts: As I have Oatmeal every morning during the workweek, I double the recipe and make enough for two days to cut down on prep time.  If I had the space, I'd make enough for five days...one can dream.