fuji apple salad

Overview

Time: 20 minutes
Dishes: skillet, measuring cup, salad spinner

Heads Up! dried apples and apple butter

Hello, hello Dear Readers!

This one was on my table in 15 minutes, I kid you not, which is amazing for a salad!  

Every time I make this meatless, vegetarian and vegan salad I wonder why I forget how delicious apple butter is! Heads up on this meatless, vegetarian, and vegan recipe - it needs apple butter and dried apples. This is like the Panera salad that I would never have because of the actual chicken involved (so, I think it's like it!), but since it is really tasty and easy to make, there is nothing missing for anyone.

I use plain yogurt for the dressing, but you can do the mayo if you want. You can also use Gardein or chickpeas with equal success. If you can't find dried apples, use a fresh apple, sliced, and add some croutons for added crunch. In addition, those pecans are glazed by the time the dish is ready, so it brings some nice texture there, as well.

My hubs added Follow Your Heart Blue Cheese Dressing, but, for me, the apple butter dressing is just perfect. But he does have a point; apple butter and blue cheese pair well. Your call! 

Enjoy!

Speedy Cooking Tips:

• Follow the recipe; it is easy and flows appropriately. 
• You can use frozen Gardein strips or scallopini. Use a lid for the Scallopini if still frozen. The strips do not need a lid. 

 

Fuji Apple Salad

Makes 3-4 servings 

easy//moderate (ingredients list kicks it to moderate)

1. Glaze: Whisk the ingredients in a measuring cup and add to a medium or large skillet:

1/2 cup orange juice

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon lemon-pepper or Mrs. Dash

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

salt to taste

 

2. Protein: Heat the Glaze over medium heat. Add and cook until golden brown and the Glaze is absorbed, about 10 to 13 minutes, stirring as needed:  

4 Gardein scallopini, sliced or 1 (15-oz) chickpeas, drained

1 cup pecans

 

3. Dressing: Whisk the ingredients in the same measuring cup:

1/4 cup vegan mayo or plain yogurt

3 tablespoons apple butter

2 tablespoons water

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

 

4. Salad: Combine in a large bowl and divide as desired:

8 cups Romaine lettuce, chopped

3 cups kale or spinach, chopped

1/2 onion, thinly sliced

2 cups dried apple slices

1 cup shredded vegan cheese (optional)

     

5. Serve: Serve the Salad with the Protein and the Dressing.

© 2020 Copyright Zsu Dever. All rights reserved.

making vegan bacon

Welcome to Making Mondays, dear Readers! 

On Mondays I will be posting tutorials for making staples and this is the first in the series. Let's get started today, and replacing bacon is a great place to start!

This meatless, vegetarian, and vegan bacon is made from tofu but is elevated to sheer baconness with the air-frying. If you don't have an air fryer then bake them in the oven with a few tablespoons of oil until as crisp as you like. 

The steps are basic and easy; the recipe is ready in about 20 minutes, including the air-frying. 

You can use tofu that ranges from medium-firm to extra-firm. Probably won't work with silken or soft, but the other fresh tofus are up for the transformation.

I use full-sodium tamari, but reduced-sodium works, too, or even straight up soy sauce. 

Liquid smoke is found in any grocery store, but if you are avoiding liquid smoke, let me know; you can use black cardamom, but it would take a few extra steps. 

Add these to BLTs, eat them out of the pan (as I do) or mince and top salads - your choice!

Below is the step by step.

Enjoy!

Making Vegan Bacon

Makes 18 to 25 strips 

Preheat air-fryer or oven to 400F 

1. Tofu: Press the tofu. Cut into thin slices, about 20 to a pound, but more if you can hack it.

1 pound regular tofu (not soft or silken)

Oil spray

2. Cook the tofu in a lightly oiled pan over medium heat until golden on both sides, about 8 minutes. Repeat with the rest of tofu. 

3. Nutritional yeast: Add all the cooked tofu back into the pan. Add the nutritional yeast and toss for 1 minute.

3 tablespoons nutritional yeast flakes

4. Sauce: Combine the tamari and the liquid smoke. Add the mixture to the pan. Toss while adding. Remove from heat when the sauce evaporates 

1/4 cup tamari or soy sauce

1 teaspoon liquid smoke

5. Spray the air-fryer basket with oil (or add 2 tablespoons oil to a baking sheet if using the oven). Add the tofu strips and spray again with oil (flip the tofu in the oil if using the oven) Bake until crips, 5 minutes for air-fryer (about 8 minutes for oven - flip at 4 minutes for the oven)

© 2020 Copyright Zsu Dever. All rights reserved.

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