SWEET CHILI CHICKEN + FRIED RICE LETTUCE WRAPS
I wasn't sure this day would ever come. I've been blogging about food and writing recipes for nearly a decade, and this is the first inherently not-vegan recipe published on this site. It's nothing personal my veg friends - if you've been paying attention, I published a coming out of sorts on this bog about 3 years ago. I admitted that my veganism felt like a cage rather than helped me live an abundant life. I was sick, had developed a severe soy allergy, and was really tired of eating vegan because I has cornered myself into it rather than because it still brought me joy.
Anyway - that was then, and this is now. You could, of course, omit the chicken here or substitute it for meat-free variation, but it works well in this recipe. I like the flavor and the added protein, and the whole dish whips up quickly and easily. Perfect for packed lunches or food prep weeks, and easy to make and share. I'm maybe most excited about the addition and ease of the RightRice Fried Rice Medley in the recipe. Easy to make, full of vegetables and legumes, good for you - and it tastes really good! I admittedly was hesitant on my first taste test of the medley alone; would it taste like real fried rice? It totally does! A little lighter and healthier, but I prefer it that way anyway. And as someone with an aforementioned severe soy allergy, it was such a treat to find that all of RightRice's products are totally soy-free. This is the closest thing to 'asian-style food' I've had in so long - it's traditionally hard to find without soy! Scroll down for the simple recipe + assembly instructions!
INGREDIENTS:
1 bag of RightRice Fried Rice Medley 1 cup cooked chicken breast, shredded 1 head Butter or Romaine Lettuce sweet chili sauce, for topping cilantro, for garnish DIRECTIONS: In a saucepan, prepare RightRice Fried Rice Medley according to directions. While it sits (you’ve got 12 minutes!), prepare your chicken breast by shredding with two forks. Set aside. Wash your lettuce well, then slice large individual leaves from the head to use as lettuce cups. Cut with a shark knife toward the base of the head. Make sure lettuce cups are shaken or patted dry before using. Once RightRice is ready, simply toss in the chicken and toss to combine. Scoop 1/4 portions of the mixture into your lettuce cups and drizzle with sweet chili sauce (available at all grocery stores). Sprinkle with a little cilantro + enjoy! Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container overnight, but are best enjoyed fresh. Serves 4. 
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Falafel Pitas with Smoky Lemon Yogurt Sauce
This post is sponsored by So Delicious and all opinions are my own.
One of the hardest parts for most people about living a plant-based lifestyle is ditching the dairy - especially for someone like me who has always been lactose intolerant! Luckily for us, So Delicious continues to churn out impressive, better-than-the-real-thing, dairy-free alternatives to our favorite foods, making it easier and easier to say no to milk, cheese, and even yogurt. So Delicious has been in the dairy-free game for over 30 years and their products are at the top of the market for taste and accessibility. They offer all kinds of allergen-free options and different types of dairy alternatives, but one of the products I reach for over and over again is their thick, creamy coconut milk yogurt!
Made with organic coconuts, active cultures and non-GMO ingredients, each flavor offers just the right amount of sweetness - their unsweetened flavor contains LESS than 1 g of sugar - and a truly unsweetened yogurt can be SO hard to find! Because these yogurts are made similarly to traditional yogurts, they don’t sacrifice taste and texture - but you can feel a lot better about eating them!
I like eating the yogurts on their own (obvs - YUM!), but also love them in smoothies, parfaits, and even use the unsweetened flavor a base for savory sauces. I think yogurt tends to get a bad rap for being too much of a breakfast food, and I think that’s silly. Yogurt is great any time of the day! You’ve just gotta get creative. Which is exactly why we’re sharing one of my favorite easy yogurt sauce recipes today - so you can start loving and using yogurt and reaping the probiotic (and delicious) benefits, too. We love toasting and stuffing warm pita full of healthy ingredients for an easy lunch around here, and we almost always have avocados and hummus on hand. We bought some falafel, added our favorite homemade yogurt sauce and our on-the-go pitas went from lunchbox worthy to Instagram worthy real quick.
We shot the recipe + are sharing it so you can enjoy some seriously tangy, savory, smoky yogurt sauce stuffed with fresh herbs that’ll leave you craving more and finding new ways to eat more of it. As a dressing for roasted vegetables, anyone? Scroll down for our recipe! 
FALAFEL PITAS WITH SMOKY LEMON YOGURT SAUCE
INGREDIENTS 1 (5.3 oz) container So Delicious Unsweetened Dairy Free Yogurt Alternative 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill 1 clove fresh garlic, minced 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika 1/4-1/2 teaspoon (to taste preference) each salt + pepper DIRECTIONS In a small dish combine all the ingredients and stir until combined. Serve over falafel, roasted veggies, as a dip with pita or warm bread, or as a dip for french fries! Leftovers save well in the fridge for up to a week too. We simply stuffed our favorite pitas with pre-made falafel and some chopped veggies, then drizzled the sauce all over. Yum! Serves 2-4. 
Find So Delicious Dairy Free Yogurt Alternatives at stores nationwide - head to their website to find a store locator and sign up to receive exclusive product coupons! And, if you love their new Almondmilk with Cashew as much as I do, you need to check out this creamy morning matcha recipe, too. Enjoy, friends!
Chilled SOBA NOODLE SALAD WITH SUNBUTTER SAUCE
I’ve been really grooving on quick, healthy, on-the-go meals lately. They never go out of style, make running out the sorry and to the studio much easier, and are a great way to make sure you’re packing some real food and real nutrition into your busy days.
One of my favorite cold salad options is a soba noodle salad. I had my first one years ago and have loved the simplicity ever since. Cold, sturdy, wheat-based soba noodles boiled to perfection and chilled, then tossed with a sweet, tangy peanut sauce and fresh, crisp veggies - the perfect lunch or dinner! However, as someone with a few food allergies herself, I get that those delicious peanut sauces aren’t especially delicious or functional for people with nut allergies. So I’ve partnered with my pals over at SunButter to create a totally nut-free version of one of my favorite dishes - simplified and paired down to the easiest version BUT that still tastes like the traditional version - so you can be eating in no time!
SunButter makes the best sunflower seed butter option on the market - and it’s totally free of the top 8 food allergens! A serving packs just as much protein as traditional nut butter, but more magnesium, vitamin E and iron - and less saturated fat, too. It makes a great snack on it’s own, but you are going to fall in love with it as the main sauce ingredient in this satisfying bowl. Since it is allergen-free, SunButter also makes a great option for kid’s lunches and is available at major grocers and food stores all over the US!
To get started, all you’ll need is your favorite jar of SunButter, some quality soba noodles, and your favorite uncooked veggies. Let’s get cooking!
INGREDIENTS:
SunButter Sauce: 1/2 cup Natural SunButter 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice 1 tablespoon coconut aminos 1/2 teaspoon maple syrup 1/4 teaspoon sesame oil 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh ginger, grated 2 cloves garlic, minced 3-6 tablespoons water Soba Noodle Bowl: 6 oz whole wheat soba noodles 2 cups red cabbage, thinly sliced 1 1/2 cup bell pepper, thinly sliced 1 cup carrot, thinly sliced 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced 1/4-1/2 cup cilantro, roughly chopped sesame seeds, for garnish DIRECTIONS: In a small bowl, whisk together the SunButter, lime juice, coconut aminos, maple syrup, sesame oil, fresh ginger, and garlic. Once combined completely, begin adding in water 1 tablespoon at a time, until mixture becomes smooth and creamy. Add water until the sauce is your preferred texture. Set aside. Cook the soba noodles to directions on package. Remove from heat, strain, and run under cold water until the noodles are no longer hot to the touch. Place the noodles into a bowl and into the fridge to chill while you prep the veggies. Thinly slice your cabbage, bell pepper, carrot, jalapeño and cilantro and toss them into a large mixing bowl. Pour your SunButter Sauce over the veggies and toss to combine. Throw in the chilled soba noodles and gently toss again to combine. Top with a little extra chopped cilantro and sesame seeds for garnish and enjoy immediately! NOTES: Serves 4-6. Leftovers last 3 days in the fridge. Sub in whichever favorite veggies you prefer! 
Creamy Avocado Pesto Pasta
When life gives you lemons, you could make lemonade. Or you could get some serious meal-spiraton from us and make this lemony Avocado Pesto Pasta, instead! This creamy dish is packed with flavor but comes together super easily - you can even make the pesto ahead for an easy instant meal builder. It's the perfect dish for welcoming in warm, spring weather and the recipe is easily doubled for family-sized meals or lunch-leftovers. Top it with a sprinkle of hemp seeds for a bit of texture, and of course serve with fresh lemon slices- they add a ton of fresh flavor when squeezed over the top!
Before we get cooking, just wanted to let all my Orange County pals know that my vegan, organic baked goods are now being sold at Green Bliss Cafe in downtown Fullerton! This week they've got Oatmeal Cream Pies and Perfect Peanut Butter Cookies from our NEW Homestyle Vegan Cookbook (available for pre-order!!), as well as matcha-glazed and maple-glazed donuts! And if you need a custom baked goods order, let us know! We're happy to help bake and deliver whatever goodies you may need. Any questions? Shoot me an email at . Now let's get cookin'!
INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 cups fresh basil 1/4 cup hemp seeds (shell-free) 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice 2 garlic cloves 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 cup olive oil 1 medium avocado, halved and seed removed 16 ounces spaghetti noodles (or any pasta you prefer!) lemon slices, for squeezing + garnish hemp seeds, for garnish DIRECTIONS In a food processor or high speed blender combine the basil, hemp seeds, lemon juice, garlic, pepper and salt. Drizzle in the olive oil and scoop the avocado into the mixture and process until creamy. Set aside. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the noodles until al dente, then drain. Pour the avocado pesto sauce into the pasta and toss to coat evenly. Garnish with a squeeze of lemon and a sprinkle of hemp seeds. Serve + enjoy! NOTES Serves 4. Leftovers last in the fridge up to about a week. 
Easy Miso Gravy
You know what's better than gravy that's ready in just over 5 minutes? ALMOST NOTHING. Gravy is like my lifeblood - I could eat it slathered on just about any vegetable and I think it makes everything taste better. A good gravy, that is. I'm not much for store-bought packets, so whenever I want gravy I follow pretty much this exact recipe and whip up a batch to dump on everything. And since I've made it so many times, I've gotten pretty darn good at it. So good at it, I figured it was about time I shared it with you guys. And just in time for Thanksgiving! Kitchen time on Tofurkey Day is valuable, so who wants to waste it slaving over an hour long gravy recipe? NOT YOU! And sure as heck not me. So grab a pan, whip up a batch of this easy, flavorful gravy, and go smother some mashed potatoes in it. Or share it with our friends at the dinner table, if that's your jive turkey. Let's eat!
Looking for more Thanksgiving sides? Check out our Celeriac Mashed Potatoes, Lemon Miso Cranberry Sauce, and Homemade Tofurky! 
INGREDIENTS
2 tablespoons vegan butter 1/4 cup flour (AP or WW) 2 cups vegetable broth 1 teaspoon miso paste 1/4 teaspoon onion powder 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper DIRECTIONS In a small cast iron pan (or sauce pan, but we like the flavor and the way the butter browns a bit more in cast iron) melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, stir in the flour. The mixture will be chunky. Stir and let brown for 1-2 minutes, then pour in vegetable broth, miso paste, onion powder and pepper. Whisk vigorously until completely combined. Continue to cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally for 3-4 minutes, until the mixture is bubbling and thickening. Turn the heat to low and simmer a few more minutes, until your desired gravy thickness is achieved. Serve immediately! NOTES Makes about 2 cups. If you don't have flour/ want to keep it GF, you can substitute cornstarch. Start with an equal amount and use more to thicken as needed. Leftovers can be refrigerated up to a week in an airtight container.
Mexican Wheat Berry Salad
Sometimes you want something a little spicy, sometimes you don't. If you don't, thats okay. If you do, this dish is for you! We used our flavor-packed, low-fat Cauliflower Queso Cheeze recipe to coat one of our favorite and underused pantry staples, wheat berries, and added plenty of fresh veggies and cilantro to kick it up to party-worthy appetizer level! We fell in love with wheat berries a few years ago at a friends wedding where they served a lovely vegetarian salad (that I literally picked the cheese out of) and have been incorporating them into our diets more and more ever since. Wheat berries are the entire kernel of wheat, including the bran, germ, and endosperm. This means that they are the purest, whole, unprocessed form of wheat. When ground, they make whole wheat flour! Wheat berries are high in fiber and rich in vitamins B1 and B3, plus magnesium, phosphorous, copper, manganese and selenium. And since they're so hearty and full of fiber, a 1/2 cup serving of cooked wheat berries does a great job of filling you up and keeping you fuller, longer. We love this salad as an appetizer or side dish alongside our Jackfruit Asada Street Tacos. Its a crowd pleaser and requires very minimal work on your part, plus is easily made ahead for parties. Let's eat!
INGREDIENTS:
3/4 cup hard wheat berries 3 cups water 1/2 cup Queso Cheeze 1-2 tablespoons jalapéno, chopped 1/2 cup tomatoes, diced (we used yellow tomatoes from the garden!) 1/2 cup green onion, sliced 2-3 tablespoons chopped cilantro juice of 1 lime chips for scooping (optional) DIRECTIONS: In a medium sized pot, boil wheat berries in water for about an hour, until the berries become soft enough to eat. Drain the water, and set the wheat berries aside to cool. If you haven't prepped the queso cheese, go ahead and do that. If you have, move on to the next step. Prep jalapeños, tomatoes, green onion, and cilantro. When wheat berries have cooled, mix in queso cheeze, jalapeños, tomatoes, green onion (save a little for garnish, if you like), chopped cilantro, and the juice squeezed from 1 lime. Mix with a wooden spoon to combine, garnish with remaining green onion, and serve with chips! Makes about 2 cups, serves 4. This dish will save well in the fridge for up to a week. Enjoy!
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Field Roast Fiesta Burger!
We've been fans of Field Roast for a few years now and have always loved incorporating their flavorful grain-based sausages in jambalaya, soups, and on their own in a bun and slathered in mustard and onions. At Expo West this year, we FINALLY tried the long-awaited and AMAZING Chao cheeses in all three flavors - tomato cayenne, creamy original, and coconut herb. They're super realistic in flavor + texture to what I remember munching on a kid and they are the perfect filling for an ooey-gooey grilled cheese. Alex is big on finding the PERFECT veggie burger- and as far as texture and flavor goes, Field Roast's Hand-Formed is his first choice. Is it the most realistic looking burger to a meat patty we've seen yet- especially pre-cooked. You could convince any meat eater that whats in the plastic is a turkey burger for sure...if you trash the label, of course. The burger base is a blend of whole barley, carrots, garlic, onions, and celery- and of course, a secret blend of spices! They're high in protein and non-GMO, and are hand-made in small batches, by hand, in Seattle.
When we were sent a few extra samples after the Expo, we decided to create (what we're calling) a Fiesta Burger smothered in Firecracker Sauce, Roasted Poblano Peppers, and Cilantro Lime Cabbage Slaw...and its fucking delicious. So, let's just pretend we're celebrating Cinco de Mayo three weeks early, grab a margarita, and get cooking. Olé! 
INGREDIENTS
2 Field Roast Hand-Formed Burgers 2 slices of Field Roast Chao Tomato Cayenne Cheese 2 focaccia buns, sliced 1 large or 1 medium poblano peppers 2 cups shredded purple cabbage 1/4 cup chopped cilantro 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup vegan mayo 1-2 tablespoons hot sauce 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika 1 avocado, pitted and sliced DIRECTIONS Roasted Peppers: Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Roast washed, halved, and seeded peppers on a lined baking sheet for 15-25 minutes, until skin gets bubbly and brown. Remove from oven, let cool, and peel off bubbly skin so you're left with just the meaty part of the pepper. Set aside. Cilantro Lime Cabbage Slaw: In a large mixing bowl toss together cabbage, cilantro, lime juice, and salt. Set aside. Firecracker Sauce: In a small bowl combine mayo, hot sauce, and paprika. Stir well to combine. Fiesta Burger: Heat a teaspoon of oil over medium heat in a large cast-iron pan. Fry Field Roast patties until crisp and browning on one side. Flip burgers, toss on a slice of tomato cayenne cheese, and let burgers cook until equally crisp and browning on the bottom side. While the burgers cook, slather bottom patties with about 2 tablespoons each of the Firecracker Sauce. Top with the cooked burger and melty cheese, then layer on the roasted poblano peppers, Cilantro Lime Cabbage Slaw, and sliced avocado. Spread a bit more Firecracker Sauce on the top bun, add it to the pile, and enjoy! Serves 2. Leftover slaw + firecracker sauce can be refrigerated for up to a week.
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