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2011 December

Tofu Potpie with Savory Crumb Topping

Ever since my first taste of Stouffer’s version, I’ve loved pot pies.  Nearly anything topped with a flaky crust got my attention and I’m no different today.  Over the years I’ve made a lot of …

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Fudgy Espresso Cookies An Unrefined VeganFudgy Espresso Cookies An Unrefined VeganFudgy Espresso Cookies An Unrefined Vegan

Fudgy Chocolate Espresso Cookies

I’ve had this recipe for a long time and the first time I made them – years ago – I used the recipe straight up: refined white flour, 1 cup of refined sugar, 4 eggs …

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Maple Walnut Wheat Bread with Dried Cherries

This recipe has been kicking around since my bread machine days – when I decided I didn’t want it to have all of the fun.  I wanted to get my hands dirty, so to speak.   …

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Flourless Almond Cookies with Cinnamon & Coconut

The flavor and texture of these simple cookies remind me of macaroons – helped along by the fact that these are coated in flaked coconut.  I can imagine easily devouring a plateful of these tiny …

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Post-Holiday Detox: Simple Black Beans, Brown Rice and Vegetables

If you overindulged during Christmas, this simple meal might just assuage your guilt – and your body will most definitely thank you for providing it with such a delicious dose of nutrition.  I took a …

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Christmas Morning Peanut Butter & Chocolate Chip Waffles

The Christmas morning breakfast tradition in my childhood home – after opening presents, of course – was to eat up the scrumptious cinnamon rolls my mom baked.  We could smell them baking in the oven …

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Merry Christmas

I’m heading into the kitchen for a couple of days of intense cooking and baking – followed by some intense eating – so An Unrefined Vegan will be taking a couple of days off. Coming …

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Tagine with Chickpeas and Dates

I’ve long coveted those conical earthenware bakers glazed with bright reds and oranges – but have never been able to justify devoting the cupboard space to something I would use maybe once or twice a …

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Pinto Beans & Black BeansPinto Beans & Black BeansPinto Beans & Black Beans

Slow-Cooker (Un)Refried Beans

A good friend of mine shared the link to this easy recipe for “refried” beans prepared in a crock-pot and it was so good, I had to further spread the word.  After 6-8 hours, the …

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Tilted

I clipped out this picture from an issue of Wired (along with the accompanying, brief article) knowing that at some point I would figure out what I wanted to say about it.  It has sat …

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Onion & Walnut-Stuffed Beer Bread

Time this month has been in short supply, but one still needs to put bread on the table.  Since I’m currently lacking in the patience to spend 10-12 minute kneading dough, I’ve repeatedly turned to …

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Pear & Cranberry Galette

Galettes are perfect for when you’re in the mood for pie, but don’t feel like wrestling with two crusts.  They have a rustic elegance.  If you’ve tucked away some pie dough in the freezer, you …

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Indian-Spiced Roasted Squash Soup

A few weeks back, when it seemed that my grocery store was selling every kind of winter squash ever grown, I picked up two kinds (both with bright orange and yellow, one with stripes) that …

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Peanut Butter & Banana Muffins

I’m not going to lie to you.  These muffins are outstanding.  There’s no time to waste – bake them this very afternoon!  Dense, moist, toasty and peanuty with a hint of banana flavor and a …

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Pumpkin-Carrot Spice Cake

Carrot cake is the homiest of desserts: warm, cinnamon-y, moist and with a little bite from the shredded carrot.  This is the first veganized version of carrot cake I’ve made and it includes pumpkin puree …

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Stuffed Artichokes Oliverio: A Family Tradition Veganized

Christmas Eve.  Christmas Eve was a big deal in my childhood – and in many ways, much more special than Christmas Day.  By 9:00 am on Christmas Day I always felt a little deflated, as …

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Roasted Pepper & Quinoa Chili

The many ways of chili…made with pinto, kidney white or black beans, ladled over rice or not; with tomatoes, bell peppers or corn… I love chili in all its many meatless incarnations and this one …

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Cracked Wheat No-Knead Bread

Is it wrong to wax eloquent about a peanut butter and jelly sandwich (as I do on my sister blog, Dough, Dirt & Dye)?  Well, if it’s wrong, I don’t want to be right.  This …

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The Virtues of Baked Tofu

When you make the change to plant-based eating, you quickly realize what a big part soy plays in one’s diet.  From steamed pods of edamame to impersonating sausage and cold cuts; to grilled tempeh and …

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Whole Wheat & Almond Meal Chocolate Chip Cookies

I found the “mother” recipe for these cookies on a curious little website that appears to be some kind of homage to Trader Joe’s brand name products.  Nearly every item listed in the recipe (as …

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Italian “Sausage” and Roasted Eggplant Sandwiches

The inspiration for this sandwich came from leftovers from other recipes – roasted eggplant and roasted plum tomato sauce from the sandwich posted here earlier and “sausage” I’d made to veganize a Christmas family tradition: …

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Barley Risotto with Sun-Dried Tomatoes & Spinach

I’ve always felt a little guilty eating risotto made with arborio rice – since I assumed that it was just another version of refined rice – nothing but empty calories.  Turns out, it’s better than …

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Rosemary Whole Wheat Rolls

Dig out that six quart food grade bucket and add a mere ten ingredients, then apply a little bit of elbow grease and stir.  Let sit on the counter for a few hours (where it …

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Pesto Pasta e Fagioli

This is the soup I make when my stomach is demanding something fast, delicious and satisfying to eat – but the cupboards are nearly bare.  The staple ingredients are always in my pantry and except …

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Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Pancakes with Cherry-Apricot Compote

There are some killjoys out there who would have you reserve things like chocolate waffles and chocolate chip pancakes for “special occasions.”  Why?  Because those decadent indulgences are usually loaded with refined flour, sugar, dairy …

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Asparagus and Cilantro Soup

This is another simple, savory recipe that tastes like you are doing something healthful and healing for your body.  Because you are.  It would be the perfect meal after an overindulgent day.  The flavors are …

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Tempeh Bacon, Fig Chutney and Apple Sandwich

The lunch requirements were for sweet and salty, tangy and smokey.  The result: a sandwich with seemingly disparate ingredients coming together in tasty harmony. Tempeh Bacon, Fig Chutney and Apple Sandwiches Makes 2 8 oz. …

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Warming Winter Stew with Cilantro Chimichurri

I’m a lightweight when it comes to spicy dishes – yet I’m addicted to chipotle peppers.  I add Chipotle Tabasco or pureed chipotle peppers to many of my recipes – just to get that tangy …

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This Year, Make It Vegan Snow

I unearthed this disturbing fact in the December issue of Wired I snagged from a hotel lobby: canned snow can contain two kinds of animal fat.  Yes, sometimes fake snow contains palm or coconut fat, …

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Curried Swiss Chard Soup with White Beans

Sometimes the very things that make a recipe appealing – ease of preparation, few ingredients – are the same things that cause me to wonder whether or not it could possibly be good.  How could …

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