--------TAKE THE PLEDGE--------

Delicious and Nutritious

Sometimes, people don't realise just how much delicious, vegetarian foods there are out there. They assume that vegetaian food equals - potatos, pasta and salad, and there's nothing more to it.

But that's where they're all wrong. Becoming vegetarian opens a whole new world of flavours and tastes. If you thought you hated vegetables, trying them in a whole new way can completely change that opinion. If tofu tasted bland to you, then using a certain stir fry recipe will show you how tofu can taste just like meat.

So, just for you, I have created this recipe page, filled with all sorts of delicious vegetaian/vegan recipes from all over the world wide web.

Please note that most measurements are in cups. If you don't know how to masure in cups, use this conversions calculator from 'Gourmet Sleuth'.

http://www.gourmetsleuth.com/cookingconversions.asp

Snacks

'Parmesan' and 'Ham' Toast Points

This 'cheesy' toast is just as good as what mom used to make.

• Preheat the oven to 400°F.
• Slice the bread into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Cut off the edges of each slice, if desired, to make triangle shapes.
• Mix the remaining ingredients until well blended, and spread a spoonful on each slice of bread.
• Bake the slices, face up, for 7 to 10 minutes, until browned and bubbly. Serve hot.

Makes 8 servings

‘Chili-Cheese’ Fries

No sporting event would be complete without a plate of these tasty fries.

• Bake the fries according to the package directions.
• In a medium bowl, combine the Tofutti cream cheese, vegetarian chili, hot sauce, jalapeño slices, and veggie burger crumbles. Microwave on high for 3 minutes, or until hot.
• Place the fries on a large plate and cover with the “chili-cheese” sauce.

Makes 6 servings

Main Meals

‛Chicken’ and Dumplings

For the Dumplings:

For the Soup:

• Combine the dry ingredients for the dumplings in a bowl.
• Mix the margarine with the dry mixture until crumbly. Add the soy milk, stirring until moistened. Add more soy milk, as needed, if the mixture is too dry.
• Knead the dough for 30 seconds on a well-floured surface, then roll to 1/8-inch thickness and cut into 1/2-inch squares.
• Place the margarine, onion, and celery for the soup in a large saucepan and sauté until the vegetables are soft.
• Add the flour, salt, and pepper to make a thick paste. Slowly mix in the broth and bring to a boil.
• Add the carrots, faux chicken, and bay leaf.
• Add the dumpling squares one at a time, stirring gently. Reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring often. Serve hot.

Makes 6 to 8 servings

'Chicken' and Mushroom Quesadillas

• Heat the oil in a large sauté pan; add the strips and cook for 3 minutes on each side, or until browned and crispy. Remove from the oil and set aside.
• Add the onions and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, or until softened.
• Add the mushrooms and garlic and sauté on medium-high heat for 8 minutes, or until the mushrooms have softened and released their liquid. (Note: You may add additional oil if the mushrooms become dry during cooking.)
• Place the chili powder, cumin, salt, and cilantro in the pan and mix well; remove from the heat.
• Lay out 6 tortillas and evenly spread the cooked mixture onto each tortilla. (Note: If there is residual liquid, pick the mushrooms up out of the liquid to prevent soggy quesadillas.)
• Sprinkle the "cheese" on top, cover with the remaining tortillas, and brush the tops lightly with vegetable oil.
• Heat a clean nonstick sauté pan and place one quesadilla at a time, oiled side down, into the heated pan. Brush oil on the dry side of the quesadilla.
• Cook for 3 minutes, or until browned. Flip and cook the other side. Repeat until all the ingredients are used.
• Cut each quesadilla into 4 segments and serve with salsa, guacamole, and vegan sour cream.

Alternate Cooking Method: Oil both sides of the quesadillas, place on a cookie sheet, and cook in a preheated 375°F oven for 10 to 15 minutes, or until crispy.

Makes 6 quesadillas

Deserts

Banana Muffins

These moist and delicious muffins will please even the pickiest of eaters.

3 ripe bananas
1/4 cup oil or melted margarine
1 cup sugar
2 cups flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional—see other options listed below)

• Mash bananas (overripe ones make the best bread). Add oil/margarine and sugar. Mix well.
• Sift the flour, salt, and baking soda together and add to the banana mixture. Mix until the flour is blended (do not beat).
Pour into muffin pans or a bread pan and bake at 360°F until a toothpick comes out clean.

Optional: Add a handful of walnuts, oatmeal, raisins, chocolate chips, currants, coconut, or all of the above!

Makes 1 Dozen Muffins

‘Little Devil’ Cupcakes

by Flying Biscuit Café

2 cups whole-wheat flour
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup cocoa powder
2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. flaxseeds
1/3 cup water
1 cup diced cooked beets
1 cup water
1/3 cup canola oil
2 tsp. apple-cider vinegar
2 tsp. vanilla extract

• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Prepare a muffin pan with 8 cupcake liners.
• Place the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium mixing bowl and stir with a wire whisk until well combined.
• Place the flaxseeds in a dry blender and grind into a powder. Add 1/3 cup of the water and blend for approximately 30 seconds, or until a gummy mixture is achieved. Add the beets, the remaining water, the canola oil, vinegar, and vanilla extract and process for approximately 1 to 2 minutes, or until frothy and well blended. Pour into the flour mixture and mix just until evenly moistened.
• Quickly spoon into the muffin pan. Bake for approximately 30 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a rack for at least 30 minutes before serving. When completely cool, frost with Fudgie Frosting (see recipe).
• To store, tightly cover the frosted cupcakes and place in the refrigerator.

Makes approximately 1 dozen cupcakes

Auschwitz begins wherever someone looks at a slaughterhouse and thinks 'They're only animals'' - Theodor Adorno