Sometimes a hot summer day calls for a crisp, cool salad. Now, we’re not talking about any salad because this one is slightly indulgent. This combines crispy chickpeas, fresh kale and tomatoes, vegan parmesan and always creamy caesar dressing.

You can use the greens of your liking, but I suggest kale because of how well it absorbs the dressing when you let it refrigerate. Additionally, Biolife parmesan and Daiya caesar dressing (or homemade) pair the best together. The sharpness of the parmesan with the tangy, saltiness of the chickpeas and dressing really knock this salad out of the park.

This is such a great quick lunch option, meal prep, or a side dish for dinner. It comes together in under 15 minutes and requires little to no prep. I’ve even subbed bac’n bits (did you know they’re vegan and made from textured veggie protein??) for the chickpeas when under a time crunch.

It’s really only a matter of throwing some ingredients together and thoroughly massaging the kale to let it absorb the creamy dressing! What’s your favorite salad go-to? Which dressing do you always have to have on hand? Let me know in the comments!

5 Ingredient Caesar Salad

June 18, 2019

Servings: 2

Prep: 5 min

Cook: 10 min

Total: 15 min

Difficulty: Easy

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By: themessyvegan

Ingredients

• 4 cups chopped kale
• 1 cup halved tomatoes
• 1/2 grated non-dairy parmesan cheese
• 1/2-1 cup non-dairy caesar dressing
• 1 can chickpeas, rinsed
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/4 cup lemon juice

Directions

• Step 1 Preheat oven to 400F
• Step 2 Rinse and drain 1 can of chickpeas
• Step 3 Toss chickpeas in salt, pepper, paprika and lemon juice
• Step 4 Spread evenly onto baking sheet
• Step 5 Cook for 10-15 minutes
• Step 6 Combine ingredients and coat evenly in dressing
• Step 7 *Recommend refrigerating for 10+ minutes to let kale absorb dressing

There’s nothing quite like greasy, fried zucchini fries especially when you dip them in ranch. But, I always think everything is better with ranch. This recipe is gluten-free AND oil-free because it uses an air fryer and gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs. You could also bake them which also keeps them lighter.

The key is all in the mixture to coat the zucchini fries. You could always use your own homemade breadcrumbs, but I used a store bought GF-safe option. For the flour coating I chose almond flour to keep it GF and with knowing that almond flour tends to work well with liquids. The order is also essential: flour, milk, then bread crumbs.

This would also work well if you chopped the zucchini in coins for chips, but who doesn’t love fries? I did find that layering the breaded fries in the air fryer limits how crispy the first layer gets. I’d recommend doing rounds in the air fryer depending on how many you make.

Seasoning is also essential depending on what flavors you want to come through. My personal favorite is some nooch (nutritional yeast), salt, pepper, and herbs de provenance. I think that some garlic salt or everything bagel seasoning would be perfect as well. Don’t forget the dipping sauce! I’ve tried burger sauce, ranch dip, and caesar dressing which tasted wonderful with the cheesy-ness of the fries.

What’s your favorite fry dip? Let me know in the comments below and enjoy!

Air Fryer Zucchini Fries

June 14, 2019

Servings: 3

Prep: 10 min

Cook: 10 min

Total: 20 min

Difficulty: Easy

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GF & oil-free

By: themessyvegan

Ingredients

• 1 large zucchini
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1/2 cup milk of choice
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1/2 tsp nooch
• 1/2 tsp herbs de provence

Directions

• Step 1 Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees (or oven)
• Step 2 Slice zucchini into wedge/fry shapes
• Step 3 Place flour in one bowl, milk in another, and bread crumbs in a third
• Step 4 Dip zucchini into flour, then milk, and finally bread crumbs
• Step 5 Repeat the process until all or coated
• Step 6 Place into air fryer tray
• Step 7 Cook for 10-12 mins until crispy

You’ve probably seen jackfruit across social media by now. It’s become a popular choice for sandwiches as it replicates the texture of pulled pork very well. Similar to tofu, it also absorbs whatever flavoring you pair with it. While it does come from a large green melon-esque shaped fruit, when bought canned all you have to do is shred and flavor it over heat.

I paired it with homemade coleslaw (because mayo makes everything taste good, right?) and put it on an oven-baked bun. Personally, I was hoping my Target would have had pretzel rolls but they were sadly all out.

The coleslaw can be as simple or as mixed as you want. I went the easier route and tossed a bag of dry coleslaw mix with some vegan mayo, apple cider vinegar, and salt and pepper. However, there are many other flavors you could pair with it such as lemon or mustard.

The best part is, of course, the bbq jackfruit. It’s tangy, sweet, and spicy all at once. My bbq sauce of choice was Annie’s Original Barbecue Sauce, but you can use whatever sauce you choose or make your own (mix ketchup with maple syrup, liquid smoke, and paprika). For this recipe, I took canned jackfruit and my favorite barbecue sauce then heated it over medium until the sauce bubbled and thickened and the jackfruit pulled apart even more.

Finally, you pile it all on the toasted bun and enjoy the best sandwich of summer. Seriously, this will knock your socks off and you’ll be thinking about it for the rest of the week!

BBQ Jackfruit Sandwiches

June 11, 2019

Servings: 4

Prep: 15 min

Cook: 20 min

Total: 35 min

Difficulty: Easy

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By: themessyvegan

Ingredients

• Pulled Jackfruit:
• 2 cans jackfruit in brine
• 1 cup bbq sauce of choice
• 1/2 cup water
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Coleslaw:
• 1 bag coleslaw mix
• 1/4 cup vegan mayo
• 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Homemade BBQ Sauce:
• 1 1/2 cup tomato sauce
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon molasses
• 1/4 cup coconut sugar(can sub with brown sugar)
• 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon chilli powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 3/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
• 1 teaspoon salt

Directions

• Step 1 Pulled Jackfruit:
• Step 2 Drain and rinse the jackfruit
• Step 3 Combine bbq sauce, jackfruit, and water in pan
• Step 4 Stir well and cover leaving it to cook for 20 minutes on low medium and stirring occasionally as the sauce thickens
• Step 5 Using two forks or a potato masher, mash and pull apart the jackfruit
• Step 6 Coleslaw:
• Step 7 Combine all ingredients in a bowl, mixing well and seasoning to taste
• Step 8 Assemble sandwiches with toppings of choice and enjoy!

Summer makes me think of lemonade, fresh fruit, and in my opinion one of the best pies there is: Lemon Meringue. How do you veganize something that is full of dairy and eggs? There’s a secret ingredient which I’ve always been skeptical of until I tried it for myself. Aquafaba! It’s been making headlines and popping up in several recipes across the internet, but it really is a gamechanger and you do not taste it at all when using it in baking.

This recipe combines the light and airy texture of meringue with the ever-so-creamy thickness of lemon curd. I’ve also tried this with lime and it really hits the mark for key lime pie.

To get it just right you’re going to need a few key ingredients. Fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, cornstarch (I’ve also seen bloggers use xantham gum and/or agar-agar), and thick coconut milk. You’ll need full-fat otherwise it won’t achieve the same thickness or creaminess and it won’t hold together when setting in the fridge.

For presentation, I did dollops of the meringue around the edge of the pie. However, for ultimate creaminess, I’d highly recommend spreading that wonderful meringue across the entire pie. You could even bake a few to save as cookies! the first bite is truly the best. You get the tartness from the lemon with the perfect amount of sweetness and the light and airy meringue really hits the spot!

Do you prefer lemon or lime pie? Meringue on pie or as cookies? Let me know in the comments below 👇Tag your creations with #messyvegan!

Vegan Lemon Meringue Pie

June 7, 2019

Servings: 8 slices

Prep: 5 min

Cook: 20 min

Total: 25 min

Difficulty: Easy

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By: themessyvegan

Ingredients

• For the lemon curd: 1 can coconut milk (full-fat)
• 1/3 cup lemon juice
• Grated zest of one lemon
• 3 tbsp cornstarch
• 1/4 maple syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• For the meringue: 1/3 cup aquafaba
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 tsp cream of tartar

Directions

• Step 1 Make sure to prebake your pie crust! I used a store-bought vegan safe one, but you can follow whatever your favorite recipe is for the crust.
• Step 2 Lemon curd: Combine milk and cornstarch in a small bowl and whisk together.
• Step 3 Pour into a heated saucepan and continue whisking and cooking over medium heat until it starts to bubble, this will take about five minutes.
• Step 4 Add syrup or sugar of choice, lemon zest and juice. Continue to cook, whisking until it thickens, about 3-5 mins.
• Step 5 You’ll know when it’s done if it is no longer runny when you run a spoon through it!
• Step 6 Transfer to a bowl and let cool in the fridge as you make the meringue.
• Step 7 Meringue: In mixer bowl, combine aquafaba, sugar, and cream of tartar
• Step 8 Set mixer speed to low and beat for 2 minutes.
• Step 9 Turn speed up to medium and beat for 2 minutes.
• Step 10 Set to highest speed and beat mixture until fluffy and peaks form, about 4 to 6 minutes. It will have a similar texture to marshmallow fluff.
• Step 11 Spread lemon curd in an even layer in pie shell.
• Step 12 Let set for up to 3 hours or until firm
• Step 13 Top with meringue. With torch at full blast, holding it 2 to 3 inches from the surface, toast the top of the meringue until golden brown – or broil in the oven on the top shelf.
• Step 14 Serve immediately!

Oatmeal is a versatile and nutritious option for breakfast. It’s one of my favorite go-to’s whether it’s cooked on the stove or thrown together for overnight oats. When you add cocoa powder to it? It’s even better because who doesn’t love chocolate? I came up with this recipe during the cold months of winter while I was in crunch time for school. It’s great fuel for those long mornings and is just as good in the warmer months.

In my opinion, chocolate makes everything better especially when you’re stressed. Adding pumpkin and spices makes it that much better. I highly recommend adding some peanut butter on top, but that’s just me. This oatmeal is oh so creamy and practically tastes like dessert which is a great way to start your morning.

The banana adds some natural sweetness while making it even creamier! I’d suggest keeping it to 1/4 or 1/2 as it is rather sweet to begin with. You could even omit it and add some maple syrup or coconut sugar. I have yet to test this as overnight oats but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work just as well and keep the pumpkin pie satisfaction.

My favorite toppings for this are peanut butter–as mentioned–cherries and some granola for crunch. It’s really the ultimate oatmeal! Post below your favorite oatmeal toppings and enjoy!

Who doesn’t love pasta? Even if it’s as simple as buttered pasta, it’s delicious, comforting, and soul-warming.  I always remember my mom making me the best-buttered pasta whenever I was sick as a kid.

But, since we’re all grown-ups here cooking with alcohol is always a great option. Especially when you can pour a glass for yourself while you’re cooking. When I did eat meat, I was never a fan of it anywhere near my pasta dish, let alone in meatball form. However, beefless crumbles and the Chardonnay really add something to this dish. It is exploding with flavor, so comforting on a cold day, and oh-so-satisfying! It should always be noted that everything can be adjusted to your liking in this recipe. You may want to use whole wheat pasta, add more garlic, sub a veggie, or omit the white wine.

I’ve added other veggies in this as well such as peppers and that seemed to work well, especially when they’ve been roasted in olive oil and sea salt. The Ninja Foodi really speeds everything up and you can have this done in as little as a half hour! I’ve struggled with cooking the pasta because sometimes the Foodi doesn’t like the lack of liquid in the sauce, but you can always cook the pasta separately and add it in once the sauce is done. Additionally, I highly recommend pairing this with a good chunk of a baguette toasted and topped with some EarthBalance and garlic salt. You’ll thank me later!

Be sure to share your creations with the hashtag #messyvegan and let me know your thoughts! Don’t forget the garlic bread!

Chardonnay Bolognese

June 1, 2019

Servings: 4

Prep: 10 min

Cook: 30 min

Total: 40 min

Difficulty: Easy

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By: themessyvegan

Ingredients

• 1 jar of pasta sauce (I recommend basil tomato)
• 1 12 oz can of crushed tomatoes
• 1/2-1 cup of vegetable stock (depending on your instant pot)
• 1 package of vegan ground beef crumbles
• 2 cups penne pasta
• 2-3 tsp of finely diced garlic
• 1/2 of a sweet onion, finely diced
• 2 cups spinach
• 2 tbsp chardonnay or white wine of choice
• 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

Directions

• Step 1 Using Ninja Foodi: Set sauté to medium
• Step 2 Add onion and garlic and cook for 2 minutes
• Step 3 Pour in the full jar of pasta sauce, vegetable stock, chardonnay, vinegar, and crushed tomatoes
• Step 4 Add in package of beefless crumbles and cook till it is separated and no longer frozen
• Step 5 Add in pasta
• Step 6 Set instant pot to low
• Step 7 Seal and cook for 3 mins
• Step 8 Depending on pasta and instant pot used, it may need less or more time
• Step 9 Add spinach and let it cook on the keep warm setting
• Step 10 Enjoy!

Hello friends!

This recipe came about, as many do, from experimenting with a variety of flavors. I wanted something nutritious but packed with flavor and filling. While I don’t have a grill in my apartment, I opted for a panini press which gives the same results in a quicker amount of time. Be sure to press–or buy sprouted tofu–the tofu for long enough to ensure it absorbs more of the flavor.

The marinade is possibly the best part other than the dressing that pulls it all together. The flavors of the marinade are really great for a summertime dinner or when you’re having a grill out!

You should let the tofu rest in the marinade for at least 30 minutes, but overnight would really let the spices and sauce come through.

My absolute favorite thing about my Ninja Foodi is that I can enjoy roasted sweet potatoes and oil-free fries any time I want! It also makes for quick cooking at the ease of a button.

To add some variety, I peeled half of a cucumber and carrot which rested on top of a bed of greens. My personal favorite for salads is a spring mix, but you can use any that you like! Then I piled on the tofu and sweet potatoes and topped it off with Briana’s Homestyle Poppyseed Dressing, my absolute favorite dressing at the moment. Hope you enjoy this quick recipe!

Sweet Potato & Tofu Bowls

May 31, 2019

Servings: 1-2

Prep: 30 min

Cook: 10 min

Total: 40 min

Difficulty: Easy

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By: themessyvegan

Ingredients

• For the grilled tofu:
• 1 tsp of minced garlic
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 tbsp soy or tamari sauce
• 1 tsp maple syrup (or sweetener of choice)
• For the sweet potatoes:
• 1-2 sweet potatoes
• Oil as needed
• Seasoning of choice (or none)
• For the salad:
• 1/2 of a shredded carrot
• 1/2 of a shredded cucumber
• 1/4 cup diced tomato
• 1 cup (or more) greens of choice (I recommend spring mix!)

Directions

• Step 1 For the marinade:
• Step 2 Combine and season to taste
• Step 3 Whisk and set aside
• Step 4 For the tofu:
• Step 5 Press tofu for ten minutes
• Step 6 Slice into long strips
• Step 7 Set into bowl with marinade for at least 20-30 mins
• Step 8 Using a grill or panini press, grill for 5-10 mins until grill marks show
• Step 9 For the sweet potatoes:
• Step 10 Cut into wedges or strips
• Step 11 Salt or season as needed
• Step 12 Using an air fryer (or oven preheated to 400) place them in a row
• Step 13 Fry/roast for 15 minutes or until desired texture
• Step 14 Assemble:
• Step 15 Layer the bowl starting with the greens, then veggies, and finally tofu and sweet potatoes
• Step 16 Highly recommend choosing a poppyseed dressing (such as Brianas Homestyle Poppyseed)
• Step 17 Enjoy!

One morning I wanted something in between oatmeal and chia seed pudding. I ended up throwing a few things in a blender and discovered this. It was perfectly creamy, warming with spice, and could be adjusted as needed. I have also added oats in for a chewier texture but typically stick to the recipe as follows. This is also great to pop in your blender the night before and refrigerate overnight. Then, in the morning, all you have to do is blend and serve! I would also imagine it would hold well if blended then refrigerated.

Raw Chia Porridge

July 4, 2018

Servings: 1

Difficulty: Easy

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Always creamy, quick, and delicious!

By: themessyvegan

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup chia seeds
• 1-2 dates, pitted
• 1/4-1/2 cup milk of choice
• Handful of frozen berries
• Dash of maple syrup
• 1 tsp or more of cinnamon/allspice
• 1 tsp vanilla

Directions

• Step 1 In a blender combine all of the ingredients. Depending on how thick you want the porridge, add more or less milk, and adjust spices to taste. Serve in a bowl and top with peanut butter, maple syrup, and fresh fruit.

This has been my ultimate breakfast as of late because Chicago is experiencing a heat dome. The heat index is usually in the 100s (who wants to go outside in that?!). It’s been sweltering daily which means all I want are acai bowls and all of the iced tea. What’s your favorite easy breakfast?

If I could, I would buy a share of Purely Elizabeth’s granola because it is one my (many) cruxes. Have any of you tried it? It’s somehow buttery, spicey, and oh so addicting. Which is why I’ve tried to step back and figure out how to make my own favorite granola. I’ve seen many recipes around the internet but all that I’ve tried aren’t quite spot-on. So I got into the kitchen and tried my hand at granola. Not gonna lie, I may have burned a batch and made my apartment smell bad for the rest of the day. All for the price of some wonderful granola. After trial and error, I have come up with a soul-warming absolutely delicious granola!

Soul-warming Granola

July 1, 2018

Servings: 6

Prep: 35 min

Cook: 10 min

Total: 45 min

Difficulty: Easy

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Soul-warming granola that's oil-free and will become a staple in your pantry.

By: themessyvegan

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup crispy brown rice cereal
• 1/4 cup of whatever dry ingredients you love, PE typically has seeds (nuts, seeds, cereal, coconut, quinoa, buckwheat, etc.)
• 1 tsp tumeric
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 cup maple syrup (+1 more tablespoon for extra clusters)
• Optional: 1/3 cup almond butter--this replicates that buttery taste

Directions

• Step 1 Preheat the oven to 375F.
• Step 2 Combine all the ingredients in a mixing bowl.
• Step 3 Stir to evenly coat all the dry ingredients.
• Step 4 Spread on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
• Step 5 Press it into a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick.
• Step 6 Bake for 10 mins at 375F until the edges are just starting to brown. Do not stir it.
• Step 7 Remove from the oven. Let it cool for at least 30 mins before stirring or moving or touching.
• Step 8 Then break apart into chunks.
• Step 9 Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

What add-ins do you love in your granola? I’m a fan of seeds and lots of cinnamon. Ginger can also be a great add-in, as well. Hope you enjoy!

I have a confession to make. It could be below zero and I would still reach for an iced cold latte or coffee. The stronger the espresso and the creamier the milk, the better. To cut back on money (I am the stereotypical grad student, after all), I’ve been attempting to master an iced double shot with soy milk from Starbucks. After trial and error with my french press and ninja coffee bar, I have finally succeeded!

Frothy Iced Espresso

June 28, 2018

Servings: 1

Prep: 5 min

Total: 5 min

Difficulty: Easy

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Creamy, strong iced espresso for those hot days.

By: themessyvegan

Ingredients

• For Ninja Coffee Bar:
• 3-4 scoops of your favorite espresso or coffee blend
• Scoop of ice
• As much creamer or milk as desired
• For French Press:
• 4 tbsp of your favorite espresso or coffee blend, finely ground (this will give you two servings of espresso)
• Splashes of boiling water that has cooled off (depends on the size of french press--I typically fill mine up halfway)
• Ice
• Creamer or milk of choice

Directions

• Step 1 French Press Instructions:
• Step 2 Make sure you’ll get coarse grounds because fine ones will make your coffee muddy. The piston that goes to the bottom of the press will not be able to hold those fine grounds down, and nobody wants to pass the coffee through a sieve.
• Step 3 You’ll need 4 tablespoons of coffee for 2 cups of espresso
• Step 4 Fill your kettle and heat the water to a boil, then set aside for 30 seconds before brewing.
• Step 5 Add the coffee grounds to your French press. You’ll be using roughly double the amount of coffee you would normally use for French press coffee. This will give your brew a stronger flavor and darker brew, reminiscent of espresso.
• Step 6 Use your hot kettle to add a few splashes of water to the French press and let it rest a few seconds. This allows your coffee to bloom, releasing its oils and aromatics.
• Step 7 Add the rest of your water to the French press. Don’t stir it—this will cause the grounds to fall out of suspension and potentially ruin the extraction of tasty coffee flavors and richness.
• Step 8 Close the lid—don’t plunge yet!—and allow your coffee to steep for around 4 minutes. If you prefer your espresso stronger, you can let it steep for a minute or two longer. Don’t let it go for too long, though, as this can lead to over-extraction and a bitter, drying taste.
• Step 9 Press down the plunger on your French press with slow, steady, and even pressure. Plunge halfway, and then raise the plunger to the top before plunging all the way down to finish the press.
• Step 10 Pour your coffee into a serving pot. This will halt extraction and help preserve the coffee flavor you’ve worked so hard to create.
• Step 11 Rest of prep:
• Step 12 Add espresso, ice, and creamer into a shaker. Shake for about 30s-1min to reach maximum frothiness! Pour into a glass of choice and enjoy!