My Plant-Based Family

Feeding My Family a Whole Food, Plant-Based Diet, On a Budget

On the Go

Sweet and Tangy Pasta Salad is Potluck Heaven

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Are you a pasta salad kind of gal (or guy)? The boys in my house love this Sweet & Tangy Pasta Salad! It’s incredibly easy and a perfect dish to share at potlucks or cookouts.

We use gluten-free pasta because of my son’s wheat allergy. This recipe can be altered based on your available ingredients. I’ve add chickpeas to make it more of a “main dish” but we usually use it as a side dish.

Sweet and Tangy Gluten-Free Pasta Salad is picnic perfect

Sweet & Tangy Pasta Salad

Ingredients

  • 1 8 oz package pasta (we use gluten-free spirals)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced in halves
  • 1/2 cup diced cucumber
  • 1/4 cup red onion, diced
  • 1 recipe Sweet & Tangy Salad Dressing

Do

  1. Cook pasta according to package directions, set a time so you don’t over cook. You want an al dente pasta.
  2. While pasta is cooking prepare all of the veggies and salad dressing.
  3. When pasta is done drain it well and run it under cool water, drain again.
  4. Mix all veggies and salad dressing into the pasta.
  5. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Serve

This pasta is best chilled but can tolerate being at room temperature for a little while. It would also be a good addition to a lunch box with an ice pack.

Sweet and Tangy Pasta Salad is perfect for potlucks! Its allergy-friendly and really easy to make.

This was perfect with our Vegan Barbecue Sandwiches. I definitely recommend taking this to a potluck, it will be a hit and it’s very allergy-friendly. You can also try my Potato Salad and Portobello Burgers.

Vegan and Gluten-Free Taco Muffins

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I love Tacos! There, I said it. I’m willing to bet that you love tacos too. What I don’t like is the mess my kids make every time they eat them. These Vegan and Gluten-Free Taco Muffins may just be the solution we’ve all be looking for.

If you’ve ever tried my Lentil Tacos then you will see where I’m going with these delicious, hearty muffins. Before you start doubting Taco Muffins let me ask you, have you ever had meat loaf or a faux beanie loaf? Taco Muffins are not that far of a stretch. You can even use a mini loaf or a full loaf pan but I haven’t tried it, yet.

Vegan Taco Muffins

I want to make sure you understand from the beginning that these are savory, taco flavored muffins. My teenage son that I was just being clever and had quite a shock when he took the first bite. I don’t know what he was expecting but he couldn’t stop eating them. My 3 year old devoured most of them over 2 days. I had to cut him off. I got a couple and put one in the freezer to experiment.

taco muffins gluten free and vegan

Taco Muffins (gluten-free and vegan)

Makes 12 muffins

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Brown Rice Flour
  • 1/2 cup Potato Flour
  • 1/2 cup Tapioca Flour
  • 1 tsp xanthum gum
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp each of garlic powder, sea salt, onion powder and cumin
  • 1 1/2 cups unsweetened plant milk
  • 1/2 to 1 cup water
  • 8 oz tomato sauce
  • Lentil Mix (1 1/2 cup cooked lentils; 1 tsp each of garlic powder, sea salt, onion powder; and 1/2 tsp cumin)

Do

  1. Preheat oven to 350° and prepare muffin pan. I spray with a light coat of spray oil.
  2. In a small/medium bowl make Lentil Mix by combining lentils and spices together then set aside.
  3. In a large bowl mix flours, xanthum gum, spices, baking soda and baking powder and mix.
  4. In a separate bowl or large measuring cup mix liquids.
  5. Pour liquids into dry ingredients and stir with a sturdy spoon. Add more liquid as needed. Mine was clumpy so I used a potato masher to help.
  6. Spoon in a small amount of batter into muffin tin, just enough to cover the bottom.
  7. Then dump the Lentil Mix into the remaining batter in the mixing bowl and stir well. Continue filling muffin cups.
  8. Bake for 25 minutes.

Serve these muffins while slightly warm, or straight out of the fridge if you have leftovers. They are equally good the next day and don’t need anything added. These are perfect for lunch boxes or to take to soccer games.

I haven’t tried making wheat versions yet but it’s not my list. I think you could also use a gluten-free flour mix if you don’t have these flours available.

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Bean and Potato Burritos using Oil-Free Skillet Potatoes

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Even before we transitioned to a plant-based diet our family loved Bean and Potato Burritos. My husband has told stories about going on field trips as a small child and his “packed lunch” was a Bean and Potato Burrito. Some of the other kids would want to trade their white bread sandwiches.

I don’t know how my mother-in-law made her Bean and Potato Burritos but I’m pretty sure they were not oil free, in fact they probably contained lard.

Bean and Potato Burrtios

Skillet Potatoes (Oil-Free, Vegan, Gluten-Free)

Ingredients

  • 10 potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 1 onion, diced (I like to add extra onion powder too)
  • 3-5 garlic cloves minced, OR garlic powder to taste
  • salt and pepper are optional, add them after cooking to you taste
  • 1/2 cup or water or veggie broth (more if needed)

Do

  1. Put diced potatoes, diced onion and garlic in a large skillet and add about 1/2 cup of water or veggie broth.
  2. Begin cooking over medium heat and cover with a lid. Stir regularly, potatoes will likely stick to the pan.
  3. Cook for 20-30 minutes adding more liquid as necessary.

Note: Cooking time will vary depending on the size of your skillet, amount of potatoes and the size of the potatoes. If you don’t use a non-stick pan ( I don’t) you will want to keep plenty of liquid in the pan to keep the potatoes from sticking and burning.

Serve

The potatoes are great in burritos or as a side dish. I also like to eat them in a bowl for a quick snack. To make Bean and Potato Burritos follow the instructions below. The potatoes are very soft and are perfect for small children, or kids who have lost a few baby teeth and need soft foods.

Bean and Potato Burritos (Vegan and Gluten-Free)

Use the Oil-Free Skillet Potatoes detailed above along with the recipe for Unfried Pinto Beans (or Unfried Black Beans if you prefer). Choose your favorite tortilla, I used  Food For Life’s Black Rice Tortillas.

Layer Unfried Beans, Skillet Potatoes and any other toppings like fresh salsa or just diced tomatoes into a warm tortilla.

These Bean and Potato Burritos are perfect for Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner and travel well. I eat them warm or room temperature. I think I’ll make a batch for our next road trip too.

The Food For Life Black Rice Tortillas are vegan, gluten-free and yeast-free. I’ve also used them for Veggie Rollups for my boys. Like most tortillas that are vegan and gluten-free they are a little on the rigid side. This can be helped by heating them in a moist paper towel. I wrapped my boys rollups in plastic wrap to help them keep it from unraveling.

FTC Disclaimer: I received the Food For Life Black Rice Tortillas for free but was under no obligation to review them.

Got Snacks? Try Dry Roasted Edamame

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Got Snacks?

My family of 4 eats a plant-based diet, 2 of us are also gluten-free and 1 nut and oat free. Do you realize how hard it is to find good snacks that fit the bill. I’m always looking for snacks that are easy for my 2 year old to eat and not too messy. Sometimes we end up with a variety of granola bars, cereal bars, fruit pouches, etc. but have to be careful about cross-contamination.  It’s tough.

One Snack the Whole Family Can Enjoy

When I first heard about Seapoint Farms Dry Roasted Edamame I was intrigued. We tried the Lightly Salted, Sea Salt, Spicy Wasabi and Goji Blend. They were so good! I didn’t let my 2 or 4 year old try the Spicy Wasabi but they loved the other flavors. I love them all! These are coming with us on our next road trip. We eat a lot of snacks on the road! 🙂

I even shared them with some of the attenders at Healthy Cravings and they loved them as well. The Sea Salt seemed to be the favorite among many of them. I think the Lightly Salted are my favorite. My boys had already eaten all of the Goji Blend so no one else got to taste those. I’d never had dry roasted edamame, I thought they had a nutty flavor.

I Love that these dry roasted edamame are:

  • Gluten-Free
  • Vegan
  • Non-GMO

These are delicious and perfect for those times you want a crunchy (and salty) snack.

FTC Disclaimer: I receive free product samples from Seapoint Farms. All opinions are my own and not influenced by the Seapoint Farms.

10 Tips to De-Stress Your Lunchbox (plus a printer-friendly guide)

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Do you struggle with packing your child’s lunch every day? I’ve eliminated the guess-work and created this handy-dandy guide for you. You (or your child) can pick an item from each column. You may want to mix and match your favorite combinations.

You are welcome!

MyPlantBasedFamilyLunchboxGuidegraphic

I also have a FREE Printer-Friendly PDF version available for you HERE!

10 Tips to De-Stress Your Lunchbox

  1. Pack everything they need like napkins or utensils so they do not waste time waiting for assistance.
  2. Cut up fruit and veggies to make them easier to eat.
  3. Invest in quality lunch containers.
  4. Don’t pack too much food.
  5. Let your child help pack the lunch by giving choices, “pick one item from each column”
  6. Freeze items that need to be kept cold; they will defrost throughout the day. Use ice packs as needed.
  7. Prepackage things like sliced veggies or popcorn so they can easily be added to the lunchbox.
  8. Make sure the meal isn’t too messy. No Build Your Own Pizza on picture day.
  9. Peanut Butter (or Sunflower seed butter) and jelly is always a good standby.
  10. Buy rolls or mini loaves of bread to make sub style sandwiches with veggies.

The PDF has a few recommendations as to how to use the Lunchbox Guide as well. I have mine hanging inside my kitchen cupboard door. It’s easy to reference but not visible unless you open the cabinet (that tip is just a freebie).

It’s your turn! What is your best tip to de-stress the lunch time chaos?

 

Faux Cheezy Black Bean Quesadillas (Gluten-Free)

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backtoschool1 copyGraphics by Melodee Fiske

Looking for something for your kiddos lunch box? Look no further!

quesadillas Forget the boring sandwich and give these babies a try!

Faux Cheezy Black Bean Quesadillas

Ingredients

Do

  1. Spread beans on half of tortilla then add cheese sauce on top of beans.
  2. Fold in half then heat on griddle or in a skillet until brown.
  3. Cut into easy to hold triangles

Serve

We Loved these quesadillas! I served them with Mexican spiced quinoa, salsa, guacamole, and coconut milk plain yogurt. They are the perfect size for a lunch box and can be eaten quickly.

lunchbox copyGraphics by Melodee Fiske

What’s in your kid’s lunch box?