Appetizer’s and Snacks – The Vegan Rhino

July 19, 2021

Socca (Chickpea Flatbread)

Looking to try something new and absolutely delicious!? This soccer, which is made from chickpea flour, is slightly earthy in flavor, smooth, moist interior and a crispy outer edge. Whether you are dunking the slices in homemade sauce or eating it as a flatbread, the options are endless.

Yield: 8 slices

Serves: 2-3 people

Ingredients

1 1/4 cup chickpea flour

1 1/4 cup water

3/4 tsp. Himalayan pink salt

1 Tbsp. + 1 1/2 tsp. avocado oil, for greasing pan

Extra

2 cups arugula

1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced

10 cherry tomatoes, halved

Oil & Rice Wine Dressing

1 Tbsp. avocado oil

1 1/2 tsp. Mirin rice cooking wine

Pinch Himalayan pink salt

Pinch ground black pepper

Directions

Pour dressing ingredients into a mason jar with lid and shake vigoursly. Set aside until ready to use.
In a bowl, whisk together flour, water, salt and allow to sit for 30 minutes until batter thickens.
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Preheat 10-inch cast iron skillet in oven for 6 minutes with oil. Remove pan and pour batter in. Bake for 12 minutes on middle rack.
Turn oven to broil. Move skillet up one rack placement (about 7-in. from the heating elements) and broil for 5 minutes with oven cracked open or until top and sides begins to brown and blister.
Remove from oven and use a spatula to help slide socca carefully on to a piece of parchment paper or cutting board. Cut into slices.
Serve topped with arugula, onion, cherry tomatoes, and oil & vinegar dressing.

Chef’s tip: Make sure to watch your socca closely under the broiler otherwise it can burn quickly. You can also let your Socca batter sit covered on the counter top at room temperature for up to 24 hours, with 12 hours being a sweet spot! This longer process gives the final product a fragrant tartness that pairs well with the nuttiness flavor from the chickpeas.

July 15, 2021

Bruschetta

Need something quick-and-easy to make for an upcoming party or friendly gathering? Nothing screams hors d’oeuvres for a party quite like bruschetta. Crusty sliced French baguette is drizzled with olive oil and baked to perfection. Each slice rubbed with garlic and topped with fresh tomato and basil salad with balsamic and oil. Keep an eye on these because they will disappear before you know it!

Yield: 15

Serves: 5 (3 slices per serving)

Ingredients

1 French baguette, sliced diagonally

8 plum tomatoes

1/3 cup fresh basil, chopped

1 Tbsp. fresh basil, to garnish (chiffonade cut)

3 garlic cloves, minced (plus 1 peeled whole garlic clove)

1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar

1 tsp. avocado oil, extra for bread

1/4 tsp. Himalayan pink salt

1/4 tsp. ground black pepper

Directions

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
Slice baguette diagonally and place on baking sheet. Lightly drizzle each side with avocado oil and bake for 8 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and scrape tops with garlic.
Slice plum tomatoes in half and scoop out seeds. Slice into long strips and cube.
In a bowl, combine cubed plum tomatoes, basil, minced garlic, balsamic vinegar, oil, salt, pepper and mix. Refrigerate until cold, roughly 30 minutes.
Serve on toasted bread slices and garnish with basil.

Chef’s tip: For best flavor, make the tomato mixture the night before and refrigerate until ready to use.

July 2, 2021

Heart of Palm Crabless Cakes

Sometimes in life you need a good shortcut, especially when it comes to a recipe. That’s why these crab cakes are made with heart of palm and not crab meat! Whether you are vegan or don’t eat fish, these crabless cakes are just for you.

Yield: 4

Ingredients

14 oz. heart of palm

1/4 cup plant-based mayonnaise

1⁄2 cup green pepper, diced

1⁄4 cup red pepper, diced

2 Tbsp. scallions, chopped

1 tsp. fresh dill, chopped

1 tsp. flat-leaf parsley, chopped

2 Tbsp. Bob’s Red Mill Egg Replacer + 1/4 cup water, prepared

1/2 tsp. Himalayan pink salt

1/4 tsp. ground black pepper

1 cup breadcrumbs, divided

2 Tbsp. avocado oil

Directions

Begin by draining hearts of palm and shredding them. Slice into medium size pieces and oat dry with a paper towel.
In mixing bowl, combine shredded hearts of palm, mayo, green bell pepper, red pepper, scallions, dill, parsley, prepared egg replacer, salt, pepper and half breadcrumbs. Mix well and refrigerate for 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Form into 4 patties and gently press into bread crumbs to coat.
In frying pan on medium heat, add oil and once hot, place cakes in pan and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Remove from pan onto a cooling rack with paper towel under to catch any oil drips.
Serve warm with remoulade sauce and garnished with micro greens and lemon wedge.

Chef’s tip: Freeze tightly wrapped for up to 1 month.

November 8, 2020November 8, 2020

Fried Pickles

Serve these fried pickles as an appetizer or side dish at dinner and watch them disappear! Fried pickles have an awesome flavor combination that when fried, are simply divine. Although I don’t eat too much fried foods, these in my opinion are well worth it!

Yield: roughly 45 pickles, 1 cup sauce

Ingredients

1/2 cup + 2 Tbsp. organic all-purpose flour

1 tsp. Gustus Vitae Greek seasoning

1 1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1/4 tsp. Himalayan pink salt

1/4 tsp. white pepper

1/4 tsp. paprika

3/4 cup water

1 Tbsp. hot sauce

16 oz. dill pickles, sliced and drained

Southern-Style Comeback Sauce

3/4 cup plant-based mayonnaise

3 Tbsp. ketchup

1-3 Tbsp. hot sauce

1 1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

3/4 tsp. Dijon mustard

3/4 tsp. garlic powder

1/4 tsp. black pepper

Directions

In small bowl, stir together sauce ingredients and set aside. Drain pickles and save juice. Place pickles on a kitchen towel to dry.
Preheat 2” inches oil in a pot over medium heat to 375 degrees F.
In a rimmed dish, whisk together all ingredients until smooth. In small batches, add pickles to batter to coat and let excess drip off. Add pickles to oil one at a time.
Fry pickles 1 1/2 minutes or until golden brown. Remove with slotted spoon and drain on kitchen towel.
Serve with dipping sauce.

Chef’s tip: Make sure to dry the pickles before coating in the batter. This helps keep them crispy.

October 6, 2020October 6, 2020

Restaurant-Style Salsa

If you have not tried making your own salsa you will surely be impressed by how simple it is to make. This classic condiment for tacos and other classic Mexican-style food is one of my favorite things to make. The flavor of fresh salsa has no comparison to the store-bought versions or restaurant-style salsas we order. Why make this salsa recipe out of all the others? Because its healthy, easy to make, has a great chunky salsa texture and tastes delicious! Who is ready to get started?

Yield 10 servings

Ingredients

28 ounces whole plum tomatoes, halved and seeded

1 small onion, halved

1 small jalapeño, seeded

2 large garlic cloves

3/4 tsp. ground cumin

1/4 tsp. organic cane sugar

1/4 tsp. Himalayan pink salt

1 small lime, juiced

3-5 sprigs cilantro

Directions

In a food processor, combine all ingredients and pulse until chunky. Keep pulsing until desired consistency is achieved.
Store in an airtight container in refrigerator until ready to serve.
Serve with chips.

Chef’s tip: Make sure you remove the seeds from the tomatoes to reduce the water content if you’d like.

September 15, 2020September 13, 2020

Maduros- Fried Sweet Plantains

These sweet plantains are fried to a deep golden brown and soft. Sprinkled with salt and served up with rice and beans, this delicious side dish can quickly become your dinner. If you haven’t tried making plantains before, its super simple to do! Its literally 3 simple ingredients, and two of them you may already have in your pantry.

Yield 3

Ingredients

2 yellow/black plantains, 3/4-inch thick diagonal slices (Plátanos amarillos)

1/4 cup avocado oil, for frying

Sprinkle Himalayan Pink salt

Directions

Slice ends and 1 long slice through the skin only. Peel back and slice in 3/4-inch thick diagonal slices.
In a skillet on medium-high heat with oil, pan fry the plantain slices for roughly 2 1/2 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Remove and set on a towel to drain and sprinkle with salt.
Serve warm with rice and black beans or side of choice.

Chef’s tip: For extra soft and golden brown maduros, reduce the heat to low after browning each side and cook for 6 minutes.

September 10, 2020October 2, 2020

Vegetable Fried Rice (with Air Fryer Tofu)

Fried rice is one of those dishes you normally get when you are out at a restaurant where they cook in front of you hibachi style. Being able to re create that experience in your home is what this recipe is all about. It is simple to make and the best with leftover rice. With a quick sauté of vegetables, rice, seasonings and tofu, you have yourself a full meal!

Yield 4

Ingredients

2 cups uncooked white rice

3 Tbsp. sesame oil

1 cup baby Bella mushrooms

3/4 cup carrots, halved and chopped

1 medium yellow onion, diced

2 celery stalks, halved and chopped

3 green onions, chopped large pieces

1 cup broccoli florets

3 garlic cloves, minced

3 Tbsp. plant-based butter

1/2 tsp. Himalayan pink salt

1/4 tsp. ground black pepper

1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp. organic tamari sauce

1 package tofu, drained and pressed

Seasonings

Sprinkle of Himalayan Pink salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder

Avocado oil, light drizzle

Directions

Cook rice according to package instructions and set aside once done.
Season tofu and drizzle with oil in air fryer basket. Air fry at 400 degrees F. for 20 minutes. Shaking after 12 minutes and continuing until timing beeps.
In a wok on high heat, add sesame oil and vegetables, sautéing for 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook an additional minute. Combine rice, butter, salt, pepper, and drizzle with tamari sauce in wok. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring in tofu.
Serve warm garnished with green onions or sesame seeds.

Chef’s tip: The best is if you make the white rice a day in advance prior to cooking the fried rice.

September 1, 2020September 1, 2020

Tostones- Fried Green Plantains

Wondering what a tostone is? Its slices of unripe, green plantains (like a banana) that are pan fried, smashed, and fried again until crisp. With a sprinkle of Himalayan Pink salt, they can be extremely addictive. A tip that I was told is to dip the tostone in a garlic-water blend before re frying, it adds additional flavor that steps them up a notch! You can pair them with black beans, rice, and avocado slices.

Yield 18

Serves 4

Ingredients

2 green plantains, 1-inch thick slices (Plátanos verdes)

1/4 cup avocado oil, for frying

Himalayan Pink salt, for sprinkling

Directions

Slice ends and 3 long slices through the skin only. Peel back and slice in 1-inch thick slices.
In a skillet on medium-high heat with oil, pan fry the plantain rounds for 3 minutes or until golden in color. Remove and set on a kitchen towel to drain excess oil.
Using a clean glass, use the bottom to smash the plantains. Re fry in oil until crispy for 1 minute on each side. Remove onto paper towels to drain and sprinkle with salt.
Serve warm with sauce of choice or Puerto Rican-style with a slice of avocado.

Chef’s tip: Take 1 cup water and add 1 Tbsp. minced garlic with juice of 1 lime. Dunk smashed plantains for 5-10 seconds before drying and re frying.

July 30, 2020July 30, 2020

Quick Collard Greens

Quick collard greens are an underrated leafy green vegetable that is a nutritional powerhouse. Dark greens, like collards, provide an important non-dairy source of calcium to our bodies that we don’t get from dairy. These collard greens are inspired by my friend Nancy who introduced me to how good they are! Since collards have a tendency to be more bitter, you can pair this side dish with sweet foods or potato salad. You could even toss some in a tofu scramble, it’s delicious!

Yields 3

Ingredients

1 lb. finely chopped collard greens, washed

1 Tbsp. avocado oil

1/2 cup yellow onions diced

3 large garlic cloves, minced

1 medium tomato

1/2 tsp. smoked paprika

2 sprigs thyme

1/2 tsp. Himalayan salt

1 cup vegetable broth

1 tsp. apple cider vinegar

Directions

In a large saucepan on medium-high heat, sauté onions and cook 3 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute more.
Combine the tomatoes, smoked paprika, thyme, and salt in pot and cook 2 minutes. Add collard greens and cook until wilted. Pour in vegetable broth and apple cider vinegar, cover and reduce heat to low, simmering 30 minutes.
Serve warm.

Chef’s tip: For more of a smoky flavor, add a drop or two of smoked flavoring.

June 30, 2020June 30, 2020

Asian Lettuce Wraps

These vegan asian lettuce wraps are the perfect way to bring the restaurant to your home. They are quick (less than 30 minutes!) and a healthy dinner alternative that tastes scrumptious! I know this may be a bold claim that these lettuce wraps could be just that good, but they are! I enjoy the marinade by Ginger People so much that I decided to utilize that for the sauce, which cuts time in half and reduces the amount of ingredients needed. Give these a go, your family will surely enjoy them, even the kids!

Yield 4

Ingredients

1 (16 oz. container) extra firm tofu, drained

Potato starch, enough to lightly coat tofu

2 Tbsp. avocado oil

1 small yellow onion, chopped

1 cup chopped white mushrooms

1 garlic clove, minced

1/4 tsp. Himalayan salt

1/4 tsp. ground black pepper

1 cup birds eye shredded carrots and broccoli florets

1/2 bottle The Ginger People Ginger People Sesame Marinade

Romaine or iceberg lettuce cups

Chopped green onions, for garnish

Sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)

Directions

Drain and press the tofu until majority of the liquid is gone and pat it dry. Slice the tofu into 1/2 inch cubes and lightly dust with potato starch. Set aside.
In a 8” inch skillet on medium heat, add half the oil and sauté the onions with mushrooms for 5 minutes. Season with garlic, salt and pepper; Sauté for an additional minute. Remove mixture and set aside on a plate.
Next, add the remaining oil and cook the tofu for 4-5 minutes or until browned. Add the vegetable medley mix, mushrooms, onions, and sauce. Cook until sauce thickens.
Serve immedietly with a side of lettuce cups, extra sauce, green onions, and sesame seeds.

Chef’s tip: For extra crunch, chop up some water chestnuts!