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Category: Sides

  • Vegan Tortellini Salad with Tomatoes and Giardiniera

    Vegan Tortellini Salad with Tomatoes and Giardiniera

    As a Midwesterner, I have a deep abiding love for all things giardiniera. When I moved to the U.S.’s West Coast, I had trouble finding it. I mean, I could find it packed in vinegar, but not the delightfully salty, spicy version packed in oil. When I’m in Illinois, I try to pick up a…

  • Tofu and Tomato Salad

    Tofu and Tomato Salad

    When I think ponzu, I think tomatoes. It’s a classic Japanese pairing that’s refreshing and delicious. And it was definitely on my mind when I put together this easy vegan tofu and tomato salad recipe with cilantro, mint, scallions, yuzu ponzu, ginger and garlic. Sometimes, I just eat it on it’s own as a light…

  • Strawberry Cucumber Salad with Toasted Pistachios and Fresh Basil

    Strawberry Cucumber Salad with Toasted Pistachios and Fresh Basil

    Strawberries are a staple in our home. Whether I buy them or grow them, they’re always around. Sometimes, they’re on sale or in season. Other times, they’re a splurge that finds it’s way into cereal bowls, rhubarb cobblers or in this case, an easy vegan strawberry cucumber salad recipe with toasted pistachios and fresh basil.…

  • Kidney Bean Salad with Carrots and Leeks

    Kidney Bean Salad with Carrots and Leeks

    Often times, recipes start as a scribble on a piece of paper. Over time, I consider what’s absolutely essential. It’s as though Tim Gunn is standing beside me saying, “Edit!” And this delightful vegan kidney bean salad recipe with leeks and carrots is the result of that process. We’ve got only ingredients that serve the…

  • Chard and White Beans Sauté

    Chard and White Beans Sauté

    Swiss chard, rainbow chard, red chard… they all taste exactly the same. Some are just have more colorful stems. In Northern California, I can keep the same plants going for years and enjoy countless harvests. Between my constant supply and love for it, I am always trying to come up with new ways to enjoy…

  • Blueberry Compote with Rosemary, Orange Zest and Vanilla

    Blueberry Compote with Rosemary, Orange Zest and Vanilla

    I have fond memories of going to IHOP as a child. There was something really special about the syrup caddy. How could there be more flavors than just original maple syrup?! As I matured my tastes for sweets greatly dissipated, but I still enjoy fresh fruit from time to time. With that in mind, I…

  • Kale Sauerkraut Salad

    Kale Sauerkraut Salad

    Sauerkraut and tahini work so well together. File it under, “Really?”, but yes, it’s true. After enjoying many a bowl with them incorporated together, I decided it was time to make a winter salad that would leverage this delicious pairing. So, this is a vegan kale sauerkraut salad recipe with a tahini dressing, carrots, dried…

  • Vegan Cornbread

    Vegan Cornbread

    Over the last 2 years, I’ve been slowly developing a vegan cornbread recipe that’s moist and slightly sweet. And friends, it’s finally ready to share with you. We love to pair it with chili, soup, black-eyed peas and greens and more. It cooks up fast and tastes delicious with lots of melty plant based butter.…

  • Barley Risotto with Mushrooms and Leeks

    Barley Risotto with Mushrooms and Leeks

    In the Fruili-Venezia Giulia, a region of Italy bordered by Slovenia, Austria and the Adriatic Sea, there’s a long standing tradition of making “orzotto” or barley risotto. It requires very little stirring, and is yet another delicious excuse to eat whole grains. Inspired by this, I put together this vegan barley risotto recipe with mushrooms,…

  • Green Beans and Potatoes

    Green Beans and Potatoes

    A few months back, I stirred together this vinaigrette for a salad that was packed for a picnic lunch. Since then, I’ve been a little obsessed with it. And I thought, “This would be great on something warm.” And so, here’s a lovely, warm vegan green beans and potatoes recipe that works well as an…

  • Vegan Potato Salad with Grilled Red Pepper and Tomato Vinaigrette

    Vegan Potato Salad with Grilled Red Pepper and Tomato Vinaigrette

    For all my recipe enthusiasts out there, you know that moment when you’ve put very little time into thinking about a dish, but it just comes together? The kind of moment where you’re feeling your way through and the outcome is delicious? That was this vegan potato salad with grilled red peppers and tomato vinaigrette…

  • Herby Chickpea Salad

    Herby Chickpea Salad

    Layered textures and flavors make this vegan recipe for herby chickpea salad with basil, oregano, thyme, parsley, celery, cucumber, sunflower seeds and more. The chickpeas are marinated in lemon juice, garlic and dried herbs overnight. When they’re done, you mix everything together. It’s delicious on sandwiches, on a bed of arugula, on crackers–whatever you think…

  • Brown Rice Salad with Avocado, Cucumber and Wakame

    Brown Rice Salad with Avocado, Cucumber and Wakame

    Lately, I’ve been eating seaweed more often. I love how it adds umami. As I contemplated putting together recipes for spring and summer, I knew the line up needed to include it. So, here we are with a vegan brown rice salad recipe with avocado, cucumber, wakame and a simple tahini dressing. Giving off sushi…

  • Tempeh Sausage Marinade

    Tempeh Sausage Marinade

    With just a few adjustments to the spices, this vegan tempeh marinade recipe can go from breakfast links to Italian sausage. Regardless of the spice profile you go with, the biggest element going into how rich the flavor will be is your patience. Marinades need some time to work. And if you can wait, you’ll…

  • Vegan Whole Wheat Biscuits

    Vegan Whole Wheat Biscuits

    For the most part, I try to avoid making baked goods. I find that processed versions work just fine. Whether its to cut costs or have more control over the ingredients, I find myself making more and more from scratch. With those two things guiding me, I put together this easy vegan whole wheat biscuits…

  • Snap Pea Salad with Radishes, Carrots and Vegan Honey Mustard Dressing

    Snap Pea Salad with Radishes, Carrots and Vegan Honey Mustard Dressing

    Perfectly suited for spring, this is a super easy snap pea salad recipe with radishes, carrots, arugula, red onions and a homemade vegan honey mustard dressing. This salad is flavorful, fresh and makes an excellent side dish. This recipe makes ~4-6 servings. Two things… Delicious plant based flavor can be easy to accomplish! Discover other…

  • Farro Salad with Radicchio, Mandarin Orange, Pear, and Fennel

    Farro Salad with Radicchio, Mandarin Orange, Pear, and Fennel

    This vegan recipe for farro salad with radicchio, mandarin orange, pear and fennel has wintry, Italian vibes. Basically, I wanted to make a salad where radicchio would play a starring role, and this is where we landed. It’s flavorful, hearty, makes an outstanding side dish, packed lunch, or potluck salad to share. This recipe makes…

  • Lentil Salad with Shiitake Mushrooms, Spinach and Miso Mustard Dressing

    Lentil Salad with Shiitake Mushrooms, Spinach and Miso Mustard Dressing

    This is a super simple, flavorful vegan lentil salad recipe with shiitake mushrooms, spinach, and a homemade miso mustard dressing. Like most UVK recipes, it involves opening some cans (or boiling lentils), rinsing off the lentils, sautéing a few ingredients and then, mixing everything in a bowl. And BOOM, you’ve got an amazing side dish.…

  • Collard Green Salad with Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Raisins and Pumpkin Seeds

    Collard Green Salad with Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Raisins and Pumpkin Seeds

    This vegan collard green salad recipe with roasted sweet potatoes, raisins and pumpkin seeds almost didn’t make it to the table. Why? Because after tasting it, I was busy shoveling in my mouth. The generous explanation would be that it was late in the day and I was really hungry, but the truth is, it’s…

  • Wild Rice Pilaf with Toasted Pecans, Dried Cherries and Mushrooms

    Wild Rice Pilaf with Toasted Pecans, Dried Cherries and Mushrooms

    I love wild rice. It’s loaded with fiber, protein and zinc. It’s got a nice earthy and nutty flavor. And I’ll look for any excuse to use it, like this easy vegan wild rice pilaf recipe with toasted pecans, dried cherries, mushrooms and more. It’s great as a fall side dish, as a part of…

  • Vegan Pumpkin Bread

    Vegan Pumpkin Bread

    This is an easy vegan pumpkin bread recipe with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, cardamom, and more. It also has less sugar than many traditional recipes, but is still flavorful and delicious. It takes one bowl and around an hour of baking time. It’s moist, loaded with spice, and perfect for fall, snacking and breakfast.…

  • Beet Apple Salad

    Beet Apple Salad

    This is an easy vegan beet apple salad recipe with ground coriander, fresh (or dried) tarragon, sherry vinegar, a bit of minced red onion, and lacinato kale. The kale is 100% optional, but adds texture and bitter contrast to the predominately sweet flavors of the dish. I liked it with or without the kale, so…

  • Green Bean and Tomato Salad

    Green Bean and Tomato Salad

    Every summer, I plant a robust garden, which can result in a bounty of fresh produce. This vegan Italian-inspired green bean and tomato salad recipe was a great way to use some of that delicious harvest. All you have to do is infuse the olive oil with garlic, steam the green beans and mix it all in…

  • Vegan Creamy Italian Pasta Salad

    Vegan Creamy Italian Pasta Salad

    This is a tasty vegan creamy Italian pasta salad recipe with homemade croutons, fresh basil, juicy tomatoes, pickled red onion, and a dynamite cashew-based dressing. It answers the question, “What if panzanella was a rich plant based pasta salad?” And I hope you’ll also come to the conclusion that it’s a nice blend of Italian…