Blog Archives - HAPPY VEG

Cheesy Roasted Cauli Street Tacos

10/31/2023

Considering tacos are literally one of my favourite things to eat, I've been slacking on the new taco recipes for you guys. In lieu of this, I've created a fun little street taco sitch you guys will love.

It all starts with seasoned and roasted cauliflower florets, smothered in a blanket of melted cheese along with some creamy refried beans. Then, almost every other topping is optional at that point.

I went with some Valentina Extra Hot and sour cream, crispy red cabbage, fresh cilantro, and green onions. You get savoury, fresh, crispy, and cheesy, all of the good things. Head to the RECIPES page.

HAPPY VEG

Sausage & Leek Rigatoni Bolognese

10/29/2023

Sunday's are the perfect day for making a Bolognese, because in my opinion, a good Bolognese cooks for hours. This cooking process allows for such a deep flavour development that makes the sauce so rich and flavourful.

I used Beyond Meat Hot Italian sausages for this recipe because they just have so much more flavour than the original sausages do. Some veggies, some tomato paste and basil, and simple seasonings, simmered in wine, broth, and San Marzano tomatoes for 2 hours. Then, some tender rigatoni pasta finishes its cooking process in our Bolognese along with some pasta water, and that's it.

You've got a hearty, flavourful rigatoni dish worthy of the time it took to simmer. Absolutely delicious and available now under the RECIPES tab.

HAPPY VEG

Meatloaf Sammies

10/25/2023

Growing up, my mom's meatloaf was one of my fave things that she made. Simple and diner-esque as it may have been, there was just something so delicious about her loaf. It wasn't just about the loaf itself however, it was the sandwiches the following day that were really something else!

Unfortunately, we never seemed to have enough leftover the following day for sammies for anyone other than my mom, so we were usually out of luck lol With that being said, there was just something about my mom's meatloaf sammies that were so friggen good. There wasn't much to them; crispy, toasty bread, cold slabs of loaf, and yellow mustard, but something about these 3 things coming together was pure bliss.

Now, I'm an adult and I can make an entire meatloaf for myself, whenever I want, which is exactly what I've done. I've whipped up my Beyond Meat Meatloaf, cooled it overnight, and slapped it between two pieces of perfectly grilled sourdough. Nostalgic AF, the perfect contrast between hot bread & cold loaf, zippy yellow mustard, I mean, these sammies are honestly so simple, and so fab.

You guys need to get on this meatloaf sammie train. As simple as it is, it's so nostalgic for me and I hope it has the same affect on you. I hope it brings you back to the 90's, a happier time for a lot of us in my opinion lol Head on over to the RECIPES tab!

HAPPY VEG

Creamy Pesto Gnocchi with Broccoli & Chilis

10/23/2023

I can't think of an easier, or more satisfying recipe for a Meatless Monday. This whole recipe is ready from start to finish in under 40 minutes, and it's absolutely delicious.

It all starts with my creamy, toasted pine nut pesto. As I've said before, I prefer a creamy, emulsified pesto as opposed to one done in the food processor, but you can make it whichever way you'd like. Then, it's as simple as a quick sauté of shallot, garlic, and wine, our pesto, and a splash of whipping cream.

We toss our gnocchi & broccoli in the skillet until coated and creamy, and that's it. Serve it up with some additional grana padano and some toast or crusty bread and dinner is ready. This creamy gnocchi packs a punch from those chilis, so be prepared ;)

HAPPY VEG

Our Relationship with Our Planet / Animals is Frightening

10/22/2023

North Atlantic Right Whales are on headed towards an inevitable path of extinction. The main contributing factor? Boats who can't be bothered to adhere to slow zones in whale habitat, continuing to cause injury / death to whales through collisions. We're literally going to wipe these creatures off of the planet forever and all because we're too ignorant and entitled to simply slow down?

I typed up a post on why I believe in some cases, it's too late to save some of the many species on our planet that face extinction. Humanity is shameful. We don't seem to have a wink of empathy or compassion towards our planet or the animal kingdom. Giraffes are endangered; people still out there paying tens of thousands of dollars for the opportunity to shoot and kill them for fun. Whales are going extinct and it's as simple as slowing the hell down in their habitat but we can't even mange to do that?

Our entitlement and lack of empathy towards anything but ourselves is horrifying. Every day, a new species of plant, tree, animal, bird, or underwater species, is reported as being Endangered. Almost all of them are facing extinction as a direct result of humans and our actions. We're destroying everything around us why do only a small, fraction of people on this planet care?

Head to the ANIMAL NEWS page.

HAPPY VEG

Mexican Street Corn Salad

10/21/2023

If you guys are following me on Instagram, you've probably seen me share my fave President's Choice bagged salads. Specifically, their street corn salad bag has been one of my favourites now for a couple of months, and I thought it would be fun to try and recreate it at home!

I made a super simple, creamy dressing to start things off. The salad is combination of shredded broccoli, cabbage, carrot, and red cabbage, tossed in our dressing until coated and creamy. Then, this is where the street corn vibe comes in.

Pan fried sweet corn tossed in lime, grana padano, and Tajin, fresh cilantro, green onions, crumbled feta, additional Tajin, lime, and crispy Tortilla Strips for a fabulous crunch.

I think I did my fave salad proud with this home made adaption. It's creamy, flavourful, and fresh, on top of being a lovely fall salad that features hearty cruciferous veg!

Head to the RECIPES page.

HAPPY VEG

Whipped Ricotta Toast with Roasted Grape Tomatoes

10/18/2023

Remember a week or so ago, I shared a whipped ricotta with recipe that featured some gorgeous roasted potatoes? That whipped ricotta was so creamy and so delicious, and luckily for me, I had some leftover for this loaded toast recipe.

It all starts with a perfectly grilled, gorgeously golden brown piece of sourdough. Once crisp, we rub that slice down with garlic to infuse that flavour in every bite. Our toast is then slathered in creamy, whipped ricotta, and topped with gorgeous roasted grape tomatoes, balsamic reduction, sumac, grana padano, and all the pepper flakes you can handle.

You get crispy, you get creamy, you get sweet, nutty, and just the right amount of heat. It's kind of perfect you guys and available now under the RECIPES tab.

HAPPY VEG

Paneer Tikka Masala

10/16/2023

I can't think of a better recipe to put out on a Meatless Monday. My Paneer Tikka Masala is quick thanks to frozen, already fried paneer cubes. It's flavourful AF with a robust combination of seasonings including Tandoori, Garam masala, and Cumin. Plus, it comes together from start to finish, in under 45 minutes. You really can't beat it!

What I love about this recipe is how absolutely flavourful it is despite not being cooked for a very long time. It's delicious, full of flavour, and packs a punch thanks to some heat from Red Thai chilis! Finished with cool sour cream, more chilis, and some gorgeous cilantro.

You get it all with this recipe so head to the RECIPES page<3

HAPPY VEG

Broccoli Cheddar Mac & Cheese

10/13/2023

Broccoli cheddar casseroles of all varieties, were super popular in the 90's, particularly with rice. I'm bringing it back for a 2023 re-release with my Broccoli Cheddar Mac & Cheese.

Tender macaroni noodles and broccoli, baked in a cheesy, egg based mac sauce, until bubbly and gorgeous. I topped the mac with some buttery Ritz crackers, which was also giving me a late 80's, early 90's vibe. The crackers got nice and golden and provided both buttery, and salty notes in every bite. A little pepper flakes of course, and you've got a bangin' mac and cheese.

Head to the RECIPES page.

HAPPPY VEG

Yes, Potatoes For Every Meal

10/11/2023

If I said, potatoes for every meal, would you believe it to be possible? My love for potatoes runs deep and I've managed to create recipes that feature potatoes regardless of the time of the day. Whether it's a hash for breakfast, tacos for lunch, poutine for a snack, or potato steaks for dinner, I've got a plethora of potato recipes for you to choose from.

Head to the RECIPES page for a collection of potato recipes suitable for any meal of the day.

HAPPY VEG