Seitan Summer Rolls

This looks so good! When it's hot outside, don't feel like cooking, these rolls are ideal. Prepare all ingredients in advance, put them in little containers, bring a thermos of hot water and a bowl to soften the rice paper and plan where you will roll them and you're in for a fantastic treat. This is the Meatless Monday meal of the week.

Enjoy a delicious twist on traditional spring and summer roll recipes by replacing the tofu with chopped seitan.

Rachel at MissRachelsPantry.com, says, "Using traditional, fresh Asian flavors, this appetizer whips up in a flash and packs a flavorful punch."

Ingredients:
For Seitan Filling 1 tablespoon canola oil
1 cup seitan, chopped (see product recommendation below)
1 teaspoon diced ginger
2 teaspoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon sriracha (hot sauce, optional)
1 tablespoon agave nectar
1/2 teaspoon Chinese 5-spice

Wrappers & Other Filling
6 rice paper wrappers
1/2 cup finely sliced cucumber
1/2 cup shredded carrot
1 cup rice vermicelli, cooked, reserve liquid
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1/4 cup chopped scallion (green part only)

Directions:
Heat oil in a pan over medium heat and add seitan. Coat well with the oil, then add the ginger and soy sauce. Brown for 5 minutes, then add the lemon juice, sriracha, agave and 5-spice. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, then remove from heat.

Take the reserved cooking liquid from the rice vermicelli and place in a wide, shallow pan (or just use very hot tap water). Submerge one rice paper wrapper at a time in the water to soften; about 15-30 seconds per piece.

Place the softened wrapper on a plate and add 2 tablespoons of the seitan mixture, a few pieces of cucumber, 1 tablespoon of shredded carrots, 2 tablespoons (a big pinch) of rice noodles, then a light sprinkling of cilantro and scallion.

Gently roll the wrapper by first bringing sides over the mixture, then bringing the bottom up over the mixture and press down while rolling up.

Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce (hoisin, shriracha, peanut sauce, etc.).

*Recipe and photo courtesy of Rachel Klein of MissRachelsPantry.com.

Vegan Ice Cream Shell Recipes

I am a total Ice cream fan and so I was excited to find these recipes for ice cream shells. Of course I'm on a strict diet so i can only eat this on Sundays so tomorrow, I'm making the peanut butter one!

They were created by Hannah Kaminsky, from Vegan a la Mode but I found the recipes here: http://www.vegkitchen.com/recipes/vegan-baking-and-sweets/vegan-ice-cream-vegan-baking-and-sweets/magical-ice-cream-shell/

A magical shell topping can be so dangerously addictive. A sauce that pours on as a liquid but instantly solidifies upon hitting a frosty scoop of ice cream, it’s almost as much fun to play with as it is to eat.

Chocolate is always the most popular with any crowd, but don’t let the classic limit your creativity! Plenty of other flavors can add a crunch that’s just as sweet and satisfying.

Makes about 1 cup for each flavor variation

Chocolate Shell: 1/2 cup coconut oil 3 ounces (1/2 cup) semi-sweet chocolate chips 1 tablespoon light agave nectar
Pinch salt

Peanut Butter Shell: 1/2 cup coconut oil 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter 1/3 cup confectioner’s sugar 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 teaspoon salt

Find the recipe for a vanilla shell and instructions on how to put it all together here:
http://www.vegkitchen.com/recipes/vegan-baking-and-sweets/vegan-ice-cream-veg...

Lose Weight, Go Vegetarian

from: http://m.boldsky.com/health/diet-fitness/2012/vegetarian-diet-weight-loss-029...

Saying that vegetarian diet aids weight loss is putting it too simplistically. It is true that vegetarian food helps you manage your weight within limits and under certain circumstances.

It is true that vegetarian diet works well for weight loss but it also depends on the kind of foods you choose. If you choose a vegetarian diet that has high calories like deep fried snacks or starchy foods then it is will surely not help you to lose weight.

Few Facts About Vegetarian Diet:

1. A vegetarian diet consisting of fruits, vegetables and whole grains will certainly make you healthier if not slimmer. You have lesser chances of picking up animal based infections like bird flu and tapeworm.

2. It has also been observed that vegetarians are generally leaner than hardcore non vegetarians. This does not directly imply that vegetarian diet helps weight loss. But the situational evidence does support green foods.

3. Fruits and vegetables have high water content apart from being healthy. So they make you feel full for a longer period of time, as result of which you tend to eat less or at least opt for smaller portions of food. Smaller portions of food is definitely a trick for diets that works well.

4. If you choose a vegetarian diet for weight loss then it should definitely be a balanced diet. As you are not getting proteins from animal sources, your diet must include plenty of vegan proteins like pulses, legumes, milk and dairy products.

If you fail to supplement meat with other vegetarian proteins then you will be missing out on vital nutrients. You will then be following a fad diet to lose weight faster.

5. Cooking methods are also very important in deciding whether a diet works or not. Whether you are a vegetarian or non vegetarian, deep frying, sweetening and adding excess oil will make you put on weight. Just because you are going vegan, it does not give you license to binge.

6. Not all junk foods contain meat or eggs. A cheese burger is just as fattening as a ham cheese burger. Fried potato chips is just as high in calories as deep fried chicken nuggets. So if you are on a vegetarian diet to lose weight then you have to ditch junk foods altogether.

Being vegetarian will only give you that extra push. There are many celebrities who turned vegetarian. The list includes big names such as Pamela Anderson, Natalie Portman and Kareena Kapoor. We might be tempted to think that vegan foods is a shot to lose weight. However, the fact remains that you have to choose the right kind of vegetarian diet for weight loss.

Vegetarians must be embraced as a lifestyle choice and not as a clever ploy to lose weight fast. Don't you agree?