Perfect for Summer Potlucks

Oh man, I love this dip because I invented it to take to a vegan potluck with friends last summer. It just tastes like warm weather, kids running around in the sprinkler, and pure summer bliss. My husband thinks I am weird for saying that but this is one of those foods that really brings back the memories for me...

Vegan 7-layer Dip*

1 can refried beans

8 oz tofutti “Better than Sour Cream” (about ⅔ of the container; or you could use fake cream cheese in a pinch)  

3/4 tsp taco seasoning mix (or to taste)

guacamole (about 3 or 4 avocado’s worth)

prepared salsa

⅓ cup chopped green onion

½ cup chopped tomato

very thinly sliced lettuce, enough to sprinkle on top

2 ¼ oz can sliced black olives   

1. Spread one can of refried beans in the bottom of an 8x8 baking pan.

2: In a bowl, combine  8 oz of Tofutti “Better than Sour Cream” with the taco seasoning. The more you add, the less you can tell that it's dairy-free sour cream so start with 3/4 teaspoon and if it's not too spicy, keep adding more! Spread on top of the beans.

3.  Next spread on a thin layer of salsa and then the guacamole.

4.  Sprinkle with lettuce, green onion, tomato and black olives. 

If you want to make this ahead, wait to add the guacamole and the veggies until just before serving.  

Variations: Add some ground meat (cooked in taco seasoning) or sprinkle some shredded fake cheese on top.

*Ok, not actually 7 layers... but you get the idea.

Asparagus Two Ways

Asparagus with Walnut Oil Vinaigrette

So every year I wait very patiently for asparagus to come into season and then we cook it all the time.   Asparagus soup, fried asparagus, roasted asparagus, asparagus with eggs, steamed asparagus with vinaigrette...  My husband and I usually eat a full pound each when we make it for dinner. By the end of the season, I feel like I never want to see a spear of asparagus ever again.  But then inevitably, when February comes around again, I am dying to see the fresh stuff come into the grocery stores.

This year has been an epic failure.  I waited and waited but kept seeing the regular old low quality stuff from Mexico coming in week after week.  I kept thinking, "Wow, the season must be very late this year!"  Until a couple of weeks ago I finally e mailed my brother in California to find out if they were having asparagus season out there.  It turns out, it was already OVER.  But I will not let a spring go by without asparagus so I bought a whole bunch and got cooking.  I'm probably not going to get sick of it this year but, oh well, there is always next year!   

Here are two ways I like to dress 2 pounds of steamed asparagus. Both serve 4 regular people or 2 asparagus crazy adults.  

Walnut Oil Vinaigrette
adapted from Emeril

6 Tbsp walnut oil*
1/4 cup neutral tasting oil (such as canola, grapeseed, or light olive oil)
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
2 teaspoons dijon mustard
1 Tbsp finely chopped shallot
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
Optional garnishes: toasted walnuts, chopped fresh parsley.

Dump all the vinaigrette ingredients into a tupperware or glass jar with a tight fitting lid and shake.  Pour over asparagus and sprinkle with some more salt. That's pretty much it.

*Walnut oil is available at better grocery stores and at health food stores.  Refrigerate after opening.  



Mustard Mayo Sauce

1/4 cup Tbsp light or regular mayonnaise 
2 Tbsp olive oil
2 Tbsp white wine vinegar
2 tsp dijon mustard
salt and pepper to taste

Stir together all the ingredients.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  Pour over the asparagus.  

This sauce tastes too strong on its own but is perfect on asparagus.  

My Favorite Mashed Potatoes

You can always make your favorite mashed potato recipe substituting dairy free margarine and a neutral-flavored alternative milk.  The potatoes will be good but they will not be as good as these ones.  This recipe for mashed potatoes is so good you can serve it to your dairy-loving friends and no one will notice there is no cream or real butter. Thanks to my mother-in-law for letting me in on the secret of cooking the potatoes in chicken stock.


My Favorite Mashed Potatoes

• 5 large potoates
• Chicken stock or broth to cover (about 4 cups)
• 1/2 cup unsweetened alternative milk (I like SO Delicious brand coconutmilk but soy or almondmilk would work too)
• 3 Tbs non-hydrogenated margarine*
• salt and pepper to taste

1. Chop the potatoes into uniform pieces (about 1 inch).  Add enough chicken broth to cover the potatoes completely (you can also add some water if the broth doesn't completely cover your potatoes). Bring potatoes and broth to a boil.

2. Cover, reduce the heat to medium and simmer until tender, about 12 minutes. You will want them to be tender enough to mash easily, but don't overcook or they may absorb too much stock and be thinner than you would like.

3. Drain the potatoes, reserving some of the broth.

4.  Put the potatoes through a potato ricer.  If you don't have a ricer, you can just use a regular potato masher but they will not be as luscious as if you use a ricer.  Mix in the milk and margarine.  Add extra stock if you want more liquid.  Season with salt and pepper.  If you've used canned chicken broth you probably will not need to add salt but homemade stock will probably need some.

*To make this recipe soy-free, make sure your margarine does not contain soy, or use olive oil.