Vegan Buffalo Sauce

Buffalo Cauliflower

The first time I made this, it was for buffalo tofu bites. I couldn't get enough of it! I admit, I put it on everything. (I might have been known to eat it with a spoon, lol.) I usually make a double or triple batch and freeze some for later use - because I ALWAYS have buffalo sauce on hand! Serious yum.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 C vegan buttery spread
• 1 C Texas Pete Hot Sauce
• 1 C Frank's Red Hot Original Hot Sauce
• 1 T agave nectar
• 1-2 t ground cayenne pepper
• garlic powder to taste (optional...but isn't everything better with garlic?)

Preparation:

1. Melt the vegan buttery spread in a sauce pot over medium heat.
2. Add other ingredients and bring to a boil.
3. That's it! Incredibly easy and completely addictive.
4. Enjoy!

Creamy Cashew and Sunflower Seed White Sauce

My inspiration for this dish was the macaroni and "cheese" that I had at Hugo's in Los Angeles a couple of years ago. If I hadn't been in such a hurry to eat this tonight, I would've added green peas, mushrooms, and fried onions on top. However, given that I could barely wait long enough to take a picture, I didn't get to the embellishments!

Ingredients:

• 1 C cashews, soaked
• 1/4 C sunflower seeds, soaked
• 3 1/2 C plant-based milk
• 2 t onion powder
• 1 t garlic powder
• 1 t garlic salt
• 1/4 t white pepper, finely ground
• 3 T cornstarch
• 2 T white balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 C white miso
• 1/4 C vegan buttery spread

Preparation:

1. Soak the cashews and sunflower seeds in water for several hours until softened.
2. Strain the soaking water and place the nuts and seeds in a blender.
3. Add the plant-based milk, onion powder, garlic powder, garlic salt, and white pepper.
4. Blend until smooth.
5. In a large pot, melt the vegan buttery spread over medium-low heat. Add the contents of the blender.
6. Add the cornstarch, balsamic vinegar, and miso, and whisk until fully incorporated.
7. Bring the mixture to a low boil and let it simmer until desired thickness.
8. Add vegetables, if you'd like.
9. Serve over your choice of pasta.
10. Enjoy!

Notes:

I have to say, the results surprised me. This MIGHT be even better than the sauce at Hugo's - and I have to thank them again for the inspiration!

Sweet and Spicy Barbecue Sauce

Grilled Veggie Skewers

This is a really simple, basic barbeque sauce. I don't see any need to buy bottled sauce when homemade is so easy to make - and it tastes fantastic. Use as a glaze or dip for veggie burgers, chickenless nuggets, or my favorite, veggie skewers!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 C ketchup
• 1/2 C apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 C brown sugar
• 1/4 C agave nectar
• 2 T tomato paste
• 1 T chili powder
• 1 T yellow mustard
• 1 t onion powder
• 1 t garlic powder
• 1/2 t chipotle powder
• 1/2 t garlic salt
• 1/2 t coarse ground black pepper
• habanero or red pepper flakes to taste (optional)

Preparation:

1. Put all ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil.
2. Let the sauce simmer for 15-20 minutes.
3. Enjoy!

Nutritional Yeast "Cheesy" Sauce

Nutritional yeast is a deactivated yeast that is chock full of protein and vitamins, especially B-complex vitamins. The flavor is often described as nutty or cheesy...I think it's fantastic! I enjoy this sauce more than I ever enjoyed a cow's milk cheese sauce. And bonus: it's ready in less than 10 minutes!

Ingredients:

• 1 T vegan buttery spread
• 3/4 C unsweetened almond milk
• 1 T all purpose flour
• 1/3 C nutritional yeast
• 2 t Dijon mustard
• 1 T tahini
• 1 T white miso
• 1/4 t garlic powder
• 1/4 t onion powder
• 1/4 t cajun seasoning*
• 1/8 t turmeric

Preparation:

1. Melt the vegan buttery spread in a small saucepan over medium-low heat.
2. Whisk together the flour and almond milk until there aren't any clumps.
3. Add the almond milk mixture and the nutritional yeast to the pot.
4. Mix thoroughly.
5. Add the remainder of the ingredients and simmer until thickened, whisking often. It shouldn't take more than about five minutes.
6. Enjoy over pasta, with tortilla chips, or any way you'd use a traditional cheese sauce. (My favorites: with Garden of Eatin' Red Hot Blues spicy chips or with pasta.)

Notes:

*If you don't like spicy food, just omit the cajun seasoning.