Keep It Simple with Your Meals

An avocado sandwich with sprouts is a filling, delicious meal.

When I first became vegan, I went though this phase where I replaced animal protein with fake meats in all my favorite dishes. After a few weeks, I then started scouring the Internet for specific vegan recipes in which to impress my family.

I was making cream sauces from cauliflower or cashews. I was using jackfruit as a pulled-pork substitute. I was using nuts, vegetables, and fruits in ways I never imagined. And it was fun! 

After several months, I wanted to simplify things. I wanted to taste vegetables without them being blended in cheesecakes or buried under spices. 

I have struck a good balance now. Maybe about 10 percent of my meals have highly processed vegan products, such as fake meats. About 45 percent of my meals have no such items but require some cooking skills and a variety of ingredients, while the other 45 percent of my dishes are as simple as simple can be. 

A simple sandwich that is absolutely delicious and filling is a smashed avocado sandwich. Just smash a ripe avocado on some toast and sprinkle with salt and pepper. I like to smear a little vegan mayo on the top half of bread, and if I have sprouts, I add that too. The sandwich is creamy, salty, peppery, and just plain awesome.

Even the simplest meals are a masterpiece! 

Recipe: Creamy Mashed Cauliflower

I was inspired to cook with cauliflower after watching the premiere episode of “How to Live to 100,” which is a vegan cooking show on The Cooking Channel. I don’t get The Cooking Channel on Cablevision, but you can watch episodes on the network’s website, here.

As chef Jason Wrobel points out in his show, cauliflowers contain:

• Phytonutrients that activate detoxification enzymes in the body
• Antioxidants – such as Vitamin C and Manganese – that fight free radicals
• Nutrients (like Vitamin K) that fight inflammation

One of my favorite cauliflower comfort-food recipes is a low-carb alternative to traditional mashed potatoes.

Creamy Mashed Cauliflower

Ingredients:
1 head of cauliflower, chopped into florets
3 T of vegan Parmesan, such as Parmela’s Parmesan Style Aged Nut Cheese
2 T of garlic powder
2 T of dillweed or ¼ c – ½ c of fresh chopped dill or chives
3 T of room-temperature vegan cream cheese (I followed this recipe to make my own scallion cream cheese)
2 T of vegan buttery spread (optional)

Directions: Steam or boil the cauliflower until fork tender. This can take anywhere from 20-30 minutes. Drain the cauliflower and place in a food processor. Add the Parmesan and garlic powder, and pulse until creamy. Transfer the mashed cauliflower to a large bowl and stir in the room-temperature cream cheese, dillweed, and buttery spread. Add salt to taste. If you want more of a tang in your mashed cauliflower, use vegan sour cream or dairy-free yogurt instead of the cream cheese. Or, you can use the cream cheese and add 1-2 T of fresh lemon juice, which is what I did.

The cauliflower becomes creamy after a few minutes in the food processor.

My bowl of creamy mashed cauliflower with the scallion cream cheese mixed in it. the arlic powder and Parmesan give the cauliflower a satisfying, savory taste. The cream cheese provides a little tang, and the scallions and herbs add texture and fragrance. Yum!