Vegan Spinach Artichoke Dip

I've been saving this recipe from the now-defunct Vegetarian Times magazine for literally years.  I finally got around to making it for the "big football game" this year, and it is fantastic!  It's from a lovely vegan food blog called Dreamy Leaf.  Check them out!

 

Ingredients:

1 12-oz. package soft silken tofu (Be sure to get the silken tofu, not the crumbly Chinese tofu.)

1/4 c. nutritional yeast

1 T. lemon juice

1/2 t. crushed red pepper

1/2 t. freshly ground black pepper

salt

1 T. olive oil

1/2 red onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 lb. frozen, chopped spinach, thawed and drained

1 14-oz. can artichoke hearts, drained and roughly chopped

Method:

In a blender, purée the tofu, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, crushed red pepper, ground black pepper, and a pinch of salt until creamy and fully blended.

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.  Add the onion and garlic, and cook until slightly softened (2 - 5 minutes).  Add the spinach and artichokes, and cook another 5 or so minutes until everything is soft and warmed through.  Add the tofu, and continue cooking 2 - 3 minutes until fully heated through.  Transfer to a serving dish, and enjoy!

Makes about 2 - 2.5 cups.

Broccoli Cornbread

This recipe is modified from a couple of recipes that appear in a cookbook my extended family put together for a family reunion.  I love this as a hearty snack or as an entrée served with a big pot of beans.  I think you'll love it, too.

Vegans could try substituting Ener-G's Egg Replacer.

Ingredients:
1 stick vegan margarine (I like Earth Balance.)
2 c. yellow cornmeal, plus more for dusting the skillet
1 c. flour
1.5 T. baking powder
1.25 t. salt
2 T. sugar
3 eggs, beaten
1.5 c. plant-based milk of your choice
1 medium onion, chopped
1 10-oz. bag frozen broccoli

Method:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.  During the preheat, melt the vegan margarine in a 10-inch ovenproof skillet in the oven.  (Cast iron is traditional for cornbread, people!)

In a large bowl, mix the dry ingredients together with a fork.  Stir in the eggs and milk.  When well mixed, stir in the melted butter until well blended.  Stir in the chopped onion.  Finally, stir in the broccoli.

In the butter-coated skillet, sprinkle cornmeal to cover the bottom, then pour the batter over the cornmeal.  Bake until the cornbread is golden and the sides of the bread start pulling away from the skillet (45 - 60 minutes).  Serve huge, delicious chunks with a side of beans, if desired.