cantaloupe smoothie

Enjoy these fruits while they’re in season by indulging in this smoothie.

1/2 cantaloupe, seeds and rind removed
2-3 large peaches, pits and skin removed
Juice of one large orange
8-10 ice cubes
1 cup your favorite non-dairy milk

Combine all ingredients in blender; process until smooth. If you like your smoothies a little sweeter, add some agave nectar.

glogg

Glogg, a traditional drink of the Scandinavian Advent season, is like mulled wine. The varieties of glogg recipes could boggle one’s glogg-addled mind (try saying that three times quickly), but basic glogg consists of red wine with spices and a combination of other spirits and fruit juices. We here in the Ethnic Vegan test kitchens were happy to experiment with a number of recipes until we hit on a great-tasting result that will knock your winter socks off.

Plan to make the spice mix at least 24 hours ahead. Cardamom and nutmeg seedpods may be hard to find; you can substitute ground, if necessary. Heat to the simmer stage, but do not boil! Serve warm.

spice mix:
8 cardamom seeds, cracked (or 1 tsp. ground)
1/3 cup raw, peeled almonds
1 whole nutmeg seed pod, cracked (or 1 tsp. ground)
1 cinnamon stick
10 whole cloves
1/2-inch slice fresh ginger, peeled and diced
Zest of 1 orange
1 cup raisins
Burgundy wine (enough to cover ingredients in saucepan)

Place all ingredients in a small saucepan, and cover with wine. Bring to a boil, remove from heat, cover, and let stand (unrefrigerated) for at least 24 hours.

The next day, strain liquid into a larger pan, and add:

4 cups burgundy wine
1 cup orange juice
1 cup pineapple juice
2 cups port wine
1 cup brandy
1 cup sweet vermouth

Heat until steaming (don’t boil!). Stir before serving; solids will have settled to the bottom.

jamaican jerk tofu

Want to impress your friends with Jamaican fare for your next vegan dinner party, or just spice up your Saturday night supper? Try this full-flavored recipe that bumps up the flavor of tofu to “Irie, Mon!” Hot and spicy (but not too hot), this marinade/sauce can be adapted to the tongue-smoking level by adding Scotch bonnet or habanero peppers instead of the milder jalapeño.

Try serving jerk tofu with baked yams topped with toasted pecans and maybe that Caribbean staple, rice and beans (we’ve posted a recipe for gallo pinto from Costa Rica). Jamaican Red Stripe beer adds a refreshing, authentic touch.

This recipe makes enough marinade to cover two blocks of tofu, which serves four people. Divide in half if using one block of tofu.

6 green onions, sliced thinly (discard top 1/3 of green ends)
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 Tbs. fresh ginger, minced
2 jalapeño peppers, minced
Juice of 1 lime
1/4 cup orange juice
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup olive oil
1 Tbs. ground allspice
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 tsp. thyme
1 Tbs. vegan brown sugar
1-2 blocks extra firm tofu

1. In a large bowl, mix the first nine ingredients, including olive oil. In a smaller bowl, combine spices and brown sugar. Add to liquid mix and stir. If using one block of tofu, spray an 8 x 8 pan with oil. Slice tofu into three slices from its narrow end. Place in pan and pour HALF of marinade over tofu. For two blocks of tofu, use a 9 x 13 pan, and pour ALL the marinade over tofu.

2. Let stand for 15 minutes. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes.

indonesian rice salad

Sue worked hard this week to create the Asian-inspired dressing for this salad, a perfectly blended balance of sweet, salty, spicy, and tart flavors, with none overpowering the other. Her husband loves it.

dressing:
2/3 cup orange juice
3 Tbs. peanut oil
1 Tbs. sesame oil
3 Tbs. tamari
2 Tbs. lemon juice
2 Tbs. dry white wine
1 tsp. sugar or agave nectar
1/4 tsp. garlic, minced
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 tsp. hot red pepper flakes
1/4 tsp. salt
Dash of white pepper

salad:
2 cups cooked rice
Small bunch of green onions
1/2 cup pineapple tidbits
1/2 medium zucchini, julienne sliced
1/3 cup currants
1/3 cup celery, diced
1/3 cup cashew halves
1 8 oz. can water chestnuts, sliced
1/3 cup Italian flat-leaf parsley, chopped

1. Place dressing ingredients into small mixing bowl and mix well with wire whisk.

2. Slice green onion bunch in half, and discard dark green half. Chop onions and place in large mixing bowl. Add remaining ingredients and set aside.

3. Pour dressing over salad ingredients, mix well, and refrigerate.