Doing breakfast in a healthy way at Whole Foods

   Since being introduced to vegan food from my daughter, I have tried to build some of her recipes into my normal meal plans.  I know for most people unfamiliar with a vegan menu you probably thing of it as bland food.  Not true.  Some of the most flavorful meals can be healthy with the right preparation and seasoning.  I blogged once before on the vegetarian and vegan food offered at "The Counter" in the Columbia Whole Foods store.  The Counter is next to the pizza ovens in the back of the store.  A return visit to The Counter this week didn't disappoint.  The Farmer's breakfast pictured below of toast eggs and a medley of white potato, sweet potato and red pepper is still my favorite.

      This time I got a little more adventurous and tried the vegan tofu taco platter shown below.  It came with the same potato medley but the tofu tacos with spinach had an interesting seasoned flavor.  Like any new dish it could grow on you.  It is different from scrambled eggs but tasty.  I have seen a number of recipes for tofu scrambled eggs that use curry or turmeric to add flavor and color to the tofu.

     The best brownies I have ever had were from my daughter's vegan recipe listed below.  I also included the vegan nacho cheese recipe that will fool any nacho cheese lover.


Ingredients for vegan brownies:
1 1/2 C. granulated sugar
3/4 C. unsweetened applesauce
2 tablespoons water
2 teaspoons ground flaxseed
1/2 C. water
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/3 C. unbleached all-purpose flour
3/4 C. unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1 C semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 C. chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Directions
1 Preheat oven to 350 F. With canola oil, grease an 8x8 baking pan.
2 In a medium bowl, stir together the sugar, applesauce, and 2 tablespoons water.
3 In a small bowl or food processor, combine the ground flaxseed with 1/2 water (until thick & frothy). Add this to the applesauce mixture, along with the vanilla and stir to combine.
4 In a separate bowl, combine flour, cocoa, baking powder, salt, chocolate chips and nuts (if using). Add to the applesauce mixture and stir just to combine.
5 Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 40 minutes. The finished product should be moist. Bake longer if you like a cakier result. Remove from oven and let cool before cutting.
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Nacho Cheese recipe:

1/4 cup raw cashews
1 1/2 cups cold water
2 ounces pimientos (half of a 4 oz. jar)
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons nutritional yeast flakes
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 to 1 teaspoon salt
1 (4 ounce) can diced green chilies (optional but SO GOOD!)

INSTRUCTIONS
1. SOAK CASHEWS IN HOT WATER WHILE COMBINING THE REMAINING INGREDIENTS (EXCEPT CHILES) IN A BLENDER. IF YOU DON’T HAVE A HIGH POWERED BLENDER, SOAK CASHEWS FOR AN HOUR OR TWO IN HOT WATER FIRST.
2. ADD CASHEWS TO BLENDER AND PROCESS ON HIGH FOR 1-2 MINUTES.
3. COOK IN A SAUCE PAN OVER MEDIUM HEAT, STIRRING CONSTANTLY, UNTIL THICK. ADD CHILES AND SERVE OR USE IN OTHER RECIPES THAT CALL FOR CHEESE SAUCE.

#hocofood