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Okay, so, I really wanted to make this a vegan entree. BUT, the slaw just begged for a touch of mayonnaise. BEGGED! Either way, this is a fabulously easy vegetarian dinner that can be made vegan very simply with vegan mayonnaise. All it requires is a bit of prep work the night before.

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juice 2 limes
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tsp toasted sesame oil
1 10-oz package tofu, drained
1 red onion, finely sliced
1/4 cup rice wine vinegar (or white wine vinegar)
1 lb carrots, peeled
1 jalapeño, de-seeded and minced
1 1/2 Tbsp mayonnaise
2 Tbsp cilantro, roughly chopped

1. Whisk together the lime juice, soy sauce and sesame oil.
2. Slice the block of tofu lengthwise into 4 pieces and place into the lime and soy marinade.
3. Cover and marinate overnight.
4. Combine the sliced onions with the vinegar. Stir, cover and marinate overnight.
5. Shred the carrots using a grater or food processor, or julienne using a mandoline.
6. Combine the carrots with the jalapeño, mayonnaise and cilantro.
7. Add a few teaspoons of the lime and soy marinade to the carrot mixture, to taste. Cover and refrigerate.
8. The next day, plate the carrot slaw, top with pickled red onions and a slice of tofu, cut in half on a diagonal.

We all know about pickled red onions. It’s nothing new. But they’re so profound and make such an impact in any dish they garnish that they deserve their own post. (My apologies for the lack of pickled red onions in the photo. I…ate them.)

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1 red onion, thinly sliced
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
kosher salt, optional

1. Combine the ingredients and stir.
2. Allow to marinate for at least 20 minutes and up to 1 week.

2 tomatoes
3 Tbsp olive oil
kosher salt and black pepper
Baguette, sliced (traditional or whole wheat)
1/2 clove garlic

1. Cut tomatoes in half.
2. Gently squeeze the tomatoes to remove most of the seeds.
3. Using the large holes of a box grater, grate the cut side of the tomato into a bowl. You will be left with most of the skin in your hand (discard).
4. Add olive oil to the tomatoes and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
5. Toast baguette slices and, while warm, rub with the cut side of the garlic.
6. Top each slice with the grated tomato mixture.

pan con tomate

Originally created as a garnish for a vegan mango mousse experiment for work (still perfecting that recipe), this brittle stands alone as a delicious vegan dessert. No need for a candy thermometer–just keep a close eye as the caramel cooks.

1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp kosher salt
2 tsp curry powder
1 1/2 cups cashews, raw or lightly toasted

1. Combine sugar and 1/4 cup water in a heavy bottomed pot.
2. Bring to boil, reduce to simmer and allow the sugar to take on a caramel color. Do not stir or shake the pan while the sugar cooks.
3. Toast the cashews, if desired, and then spread out on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
4. Once caramel reaches desired color, quickly stir in the salt and curry powder.
5. Pour the sugar mixture evenly over the cashews.
6. Cool to room temperature, and then break apart with your hands.

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Store in an airtight container for, I dunno, a while.

So now that we’ve made homemade vegan refried beans, it’s time to eat.

The first two times I made this healthy condiment, I slathered it between tortillas with shredded cheese and made quesadillas. The first time I even topped it with a fried egg and fresh picked cilantro. These are excellent vegetarian entrees that leave you full but not, ya know, fuuuuuuull.

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The third and most recent time I made the refried black beans, it was for a vegan breakfast. Toast a whole wheat English muffin (or any kind of whole grain bread–there are more wholesome options available, but I was in the mood for the nooks ‘n’ crannies) and top with a healthy smear of refried beans. Garnish with a few slices of avocado and a sprinkle of salt (flaked sea salt is ideal, but I used kosher because it was all I had on hand).

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