Passover is coming up in late March this year, and we’ve got lots of great vegan recipes to share with your friends and family. Below are a few recipes to get you started, and we have lots more in these books:

• No Cholesterol Passover Recipes
• Vegan Passover Recipes
• The Lowfat Jewish Vegetarian Cookbook

If you would prefer to order over the phone, you can call us at (410) 366-8343, Monday-Friday, 9-5.

Matzo Meal Pancakes
From No Cholesterol Passover Recipes by Debra Wasserman

Makes 8 small pancakes

3 small ripe bananas, peeled
½ cup matzo meal
¾ cup water
2 teaspoons oil

Mash bananas in a small bowl. Add matzo meal and water. Mix well. Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Form 8 small pancakes in heated pan and fry for about 10 minutes until brown on both sides.

Pear and Apple Slaw
From Vegan Passover Recipes by Nancy Berkoff

(Serves 5-6)

1 pound (about 3 cups) fresh pears
½ cup (about 4 ounces) green or tart apple
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
1 cup finely shredded green cabbage
1 cup finely shredded red cabbage
2 Tablespoons oil
1 Tablespoon vinegar
½ teaspoon black pepper

Wash and dice pears and apples (don’t peel) and toss with lemon juice. Add green and red cabbage and toss. In a cup, mix oil, vinegar and pepper until combined. Toss with vegetables until well coated. Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Note: Make a double batch of this recipe, as the flavor gets even better the second day!

Syrian-Style Okra with Dried Fruit
From The Lowfat Jewish Vegetarian Cookbook by Debra Wasserman

(Serves 4)

½ pound okra, chopped
½ small onion, finely chopped
1 teaspoon oil
1 Tablespoon water
1½ cups dried fruit (about 8 ounces prunes, apricots, and/or raisins, etc.)
½ cup prune juice
½ cup tomato juice
¼ lemon, minced (rind and fruit)

Stir-fry okra and onion with oil and water in a large frying pan for 5 minutes over medium heat. Add dried fruit, juices, and lemon. Simmer 15 minutes, stirring often. Serve warm or chilled.

Oh, and don’t forget… Star K (orthodox) said quinoa can be used if certified Kosher for Passover. The OU on their website says it can be a local decision, so ask your rabbi. You easily can make sweet or spicy dishes with this grain or simply use it instead of rice as a base for vegetable-based dishes you are preparing.

Give a holiday gift that lasts all year long: a $25 gift membership to The Vegetarian Resource Group! We’ll also send a free Vegans Know How to Party book ($24.95 value) along with the quarterly Vegetarian Journal.

Go to http://www.vrg.org/donate

Under comments, write in the recipient of the gift, his/her address, any message you want us to include with the gift, and mention to send the free Vegans Know How to Party book.

Your gift membership is a great present and helps us continue vegan and vegetarian projects. Give four memberships and the fifth one is free.

You can also place your order by calling us at (410) 366-8343 Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM, Eastern Time.

Organic Vegan Mashed Potatoes and Gravy
( Serves 8 )

• 8-10 large Russet Idaho Baking Potatoes, peeled and cut into 2-inch-sized pieces
• 1 Cup Earth Balance Buttery Spread
• ½ Cup Bragg Liquid Aminos
• 3 teaspoons Goya Adobo Seasoning, without cumin and pepper
• 3 teaspoons onion powder
• 3 teaspoons garlic powder

Fill a medium-sized stainless steel pot halfway with water. Bring the water to a rapid boil. Reduce heat to medium and gently pour in the cut potatoes. If necessary, add more water. Stir the potatoes a bit so they can cook evenly. Check them occasionally with a fork. When the potatoes are soft and tender, turn off the heat and drain them in a colander in the sink. When the potatoes are well drained, return them to the pot or put them in a dry clean bowl. Mash the potatoes thoroughly until there are no lumps. Gently stir in the seasonings and mix thoroughly and evenly until the potato mixture is creamy. This makes a wonderful delicious Thanksgiving dish! Serve and enjoy!

Organic Vegan Gravy to serve with mashed potatoes above

• 1 envelope Hain vegan gravy
• 1 Cup boiling purified water
• 1 heaping Tablespoon Earth Balance Buttery Spread
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 3 Tablespoon Bragg Liquid Aminos

In a medium-sized stainless steel pot, bring 1 Cup water to a rapid boil. Gently slowly pour in the gravy mix, stirring evenly and rapidly. Reduce heat to medium or low, continue stirring until gravy mix thickens, then add remaining ingredients. Remove from heat and pour over mashed potatoes (see above recipe).

Salad Dressing

This dressing is wonderful and delicious in any garden salad or salad of greens. It’s very versatile.

• ½Cup or 6 Tablespoons Bragg Liquid Aminos
• ½Cup Olive Oil
• 3 Tablespoon Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
• 2 Tablespoon fresh squeezed lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons onion powder

Mix well in the salad until all the seasonings are evenly mixed and the delicious pungent flavor is well balanced.

Delicious Sandwich of Organic Vegan Thanksgiving Leftovers

• 2 slices of your favorite organic vegan bread, lightly toasted
• 1 thick slice of Thanksgiving Tofurky Roast
• Mashed potatoes and gravy (see above recipes).

Serve Tofurky Roast covered with mashed potatoes and gravy on toasted bread and enjoy!

D.A. Colvin is a social and environmental issues freelance writer and is an active environmental advocate and animal rescue advocate. She and her husband live in the SW of the USA and are the happy proud parents of an adorable beautiful 8 month old sweet baby boy. They also share their sweet loving home with two adorable, wonderful, sweet cats, their babies. D.A. Colvin can be reached via e-mail at: permadeva@yahoo.com
and her blog at: http://bodyearthself.blogspot.com.

For more Thanksgiving recipes, visit: http://www.vrg.org/recipes/vegan_thanksgiving.php

Celebration Roast and Hazelnut Cranberry Roast en Croute from Field Roast
http://www.fieldroast.com/products/

Tofurky Freast and Savory Gravy from Turtle Island Foods
http://www.tofurky.com/tofurkyproducts/holiday_products.html

Vegan Whole Turkey from Vege USA
http://www.vegeusa.com/VegeUSA/products/vegan_turkey.html

Holiday Roast from Gardein
http://www.gardein.com/products.php?t=frozen&p=67

If you’re looking for some fantastic recipes to prepare for Thanksgiving consider purchasing these books from The Vegetarian Resource Group:

• Vegans Know How to Party, by Nancy Berkoff
• Vegan For the Holidays, by Zel Allen

You can also find many recipes here: http://www.vrg.org/recipes/vegan_thanksgiving.php

Need more Passover recipes? Get both Vegan Passover Recipes and No Cholesterol Passover Recipes for just $13 and receive FREE shipping. A must have for every home that wants to celebrate a healthy and ethical Passover. Enjoy egg-less blintzes, knishes, apple latkes, sweet and sour stuffed cabbage and much much more.

A.M. Crunchies
(Makes about 5 cups)

¼ cup oil
¾ cup maple syrup
3 cups matzo farfel
½ cup coarsely chopped almonds
½ cup coarsely chopped pecans
½ cup raisins
¼ cup copped dates
½ teaspoon minced fresh ginger
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

In a heat resistant, microwave-safe bowl, combine oil and syrup. Microwave on HIGH for 2 minutes, stirring once, until boiling. Add farfel and nuts and mix well, so dry ingredients are coated.

Microwave on HIGH for 5 minutes, stirring twice. Mixture will be sticky when it comes out of the microwave. As it cools, it will become crisp.
Place mixture in a storage container and allow it to cool, stirring several times to break it up into pieces. Finally, stir in raisins, ginger, and cinnamon.

Note: Serve for breakfast or as a snack. You can store the crunchies for up to 2 weeks in an airtight container.

Pear and Apple Slaw
Serves 5-6

From Vegan Passover Recipes
By Chef Nancy Berkoff

1 pound (about 3 cups) fresh pears
½ cup (about 4 ounces) green or tart apple
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
1 cup finely shredded green cabbage
1 cup finely shredded red cabbage
2 Tablespoons oil
1 Tablespoon vinegar
½ teaspoon black pepper

Wash and dice pears and apples (don't peel) and toss with lemon juice. Add green and red cabbage and toss. In a cup, mix oil, vinegar, and pepper until combined. Toss with vegetables and fruit until well coated. Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Note: Make a double batch of this recipe, as the flavor gets even better the second day.

Fresh Tomato Soup
Serves 4

From No Cholesterol Passover Recipes
By Debra Wasserman

1 large onion, chopped
5 small ripe tomatoes, chopped
1½ cups water
½ teaspoon fresh parsley, minced
Pepper and salt to taste

Combine all the ingredients in a large pot and cook over medium heat for 15 minutes and then cool. Place mixture in a blender cup and blend until creamy. Reheat soup and serve hot.

Indian-Style Potato Dish
Serves 6

From No Cholesterol Passover Recipes
By Debra Wasserman

4 cloves garlic, minced finely
2 teaspoons oil
1 large green pepper, chopped finely
¾ cup shredded coconut
3 large potatoes, scrubbed and diced
3 ripe tomatoes, chopped finely
Pepper and salt to taste
1½ cups water

Sauté garlic in oil over medium heat for ½ minute. Add pepper and coconut, and lower heat. Add potatoes, tomatoes, seasonings, and water. Bring to a boil and then lower heat and simmer for 40 minutes. Stir occasionally. Serve hot.

Russian Potato and Mushroom Croquettes
(Serves 5)

From The Lowfat Jewish Vegetarian Cookbook
By Debra Wasserman

1½ pounds potatoes, peeled and chopped
5 cups water
1 onion, peeled and chopped
¼ pound mushrooms
1 teaspoon oil
1 Tablespoon water
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup matzo meal
1 Tablespoon oil

Boil potatoes in water until tender. Drain and mash potatoes. In a separate pan sauté onion and mushrooms in oil and water over medium-high heat for 3 minutes. Mix the mashed potatoes, sautéed onion and mushrooms, seasonings, and matzo meal together in a large bowl. Form 10 burgers. Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Fry burgers for 8 minutes, flip over and continue frying for another 8 minutes. Serve two burgers per person.

Traditionally, hamentashen are served during the Jewish holiday of Purim. This cookie is usually prepared with eggs; however, here’s a vegan version which you can find in VRG’s The Lowfat Jewish Vegetarian Cookbook!

Hamentashen
Serves 15

1½ cups unbleached white flour
1½ cups whole wheat pastry flour
1½ teaspoons baking powder
1/3 cup oil
2/3 cup water
½ cup applesauce
3 Tablespoons orange juice
5 Tablespoons prune or poppy seed filling (found in the baking or Kosher section of
supermarkets)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix all the ingredients, except filling, together in a large bowl. Knead dough for
a few minutes. Separate into 3 balls. Cover balls of dough with a slightly damp towel
and refrigerate dough for about 3 hours. Remove dough from refrigerator and roll balls
of dough out to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut out approximately fifteen 4-inch rounds. Place
1 teaspoon prune or poppy seed filling in center. Form a triangle out of the dough by
folding in edges but still leaving some space in the middle of the dough for the filling to
remain mostly uncovered.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes until dough is brown. Serve.

Note: If you are unable to purchase prune or poppy seed filling in your local supermarket, simply purée a few prunes with a little fruit juice.

Need vegan recipes for Passover? Right now we are offering a special:

Get both Vegan Passover Recipes and No Cholesterol Passover Recipes for just $13 and receive FREE shipping. A must-have for every home that wants to celebrate a healthy and ethical Passover. Enjoy egg-less blintzes, knishes, apple latkes, sweet and sour stuffed cabbage and much much more.

Passover begins April 6 and ends April 14.

For ordering call (410)366-8343, send your check to VRG at P.O. Box
1463, Baltimore, Maryland 21203, or go to:
http://www.vrg.org/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=26

Need vegan recipes for Passover? Right now we’re offering a special!

Get both Vegan Passover Recipes and No Cholesterol Passover Recipes for just $13 and receive FREE shipping. A must have for every home that wants to celebrate a healthy and ethical Passover. Enjoy egg-less blintzes, knishes, apple latkes, sweet and sour stuffed cabbage and much much more.

Makes a great gift!

Passover begins April 6 and ends April 14.

For ordering call (410)366-8343, send your check to VRG at P.O. Box
1463, Baltimore, Maryland 21203, or go to:
http://www.vrg.org/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=26

Get both Vegan Passover Recipes and No Cholesterol Passover Recipes for just $13 and receive FREE shipping. A must have for every home that wants to celebrate a healthy and ethical Passover. Enjoy egg-less blintzes, knishes, apple latkes, sweet and sour stuffed cabbage and much much more.

Passover begins April 6 and ends April 14.

For ordering call (410)366-8343, send your check to VRG at P.O. Box
1463, Baltimore, Maryland 21203, or go to:
http://www.vrg.org/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=26

Whenever I think of Valentine’s Day I think of something unusual and exotic. I think spice and chocolate, or I look for show stopping recipes to make for that special someone. So when I was asked to write an article for a vegan Valentine’s Day I perused all the recipes in the VRG library for unique recipes to add a dash of spice to the holiday of love.

Usually to celebrate this holiday, couples flock to a nice restaurant where they pay top dollar for a decent meal. Rarely do I find couples truly excited about their night out together. Normally I hear that what should have been an intimate evening was really a loud, overpriced, and not genuine outing. For those of you that agree, then here are some fresh new ideas to celebrate.

For tips on throwing a party whether it be for two or ten, check out Vegans Know How to Party by Chef Nancy Berkoff. She gives great party advice, sample menus, and recipes from drinks to desserts and everything in between.

While searching recipes I found some entrée recipes that really made my belly grumble in excitement. "Spicy Mandarin Chickpeas," a recipe from Conveniently Vegan, sounded exotic and delicious. This recipe definitely fits the bill of unusual and the best part is that it is easy to make! Another great option for those short on time and guests is the "Sweet Indian Rice with Carrots and Dates" from Vegan Meals for One or Two. This recipe serves 2 and is ready in less than 30 minutes.

An entrée that sparked my attention was found in a back issue of the Vegetarian Journal. The recipe is a "Mac and No-Cheese with Zucchini "Cream" Sauce." I love mac and cheese recipes because they are so versatile and with this recipe you can keep it plain or dress it up. To add a meaty texture to the mac and no-cheese you can garnish with fried mushrooms or stir in some chopped sundried tomatoes.

Dessert must make an impression on Valentine’s Day! From the same back issue in which I found the mac and no-cheese recipe, a "Crispy Rice Square" recipe called my attention. I know crispy rice squares don’t sound like a treat fit for such a special occasion but it is all in the presentation. For example you can flavor the rice squares with melted chocolate and then press them into foil heart molds which can be found in the baking section of many grocery stores around the month of February. This technique can dress up any basic and easy recipe, even cupcake and brownie recipes!

I can’t think of any other dessert that better represents Valentine’s Day than chocolate cake. In the book Vegans Know How to Party a "Moist Chocolate Cake" recipe sounded like the perfect option for dessert. To keep the decadence flowing finish off this chocolate cake with a “Vegan Caramel Sauce” also from Vegans Know How to Party. And for those non-chocolate lovers out there or those just short on time use the vegan caramel sauce recipe and a "Cream Cheese Spread with Fruit" recipe from the same book to turn up the romance. How do you go about pushing the love level into overdrive? Use these sauce and spread recipes as dips for fresh fruit and you and your significant other can practice the art of love by feeding each other. So whether you have plenty of time or are short on time and whether you are cooking for two or six, spice up this Valentine’s Day with some special vegan treats!

Spicy Mandarin Chickpeas
Serves 4
From Conveniently Vegan
By Debra Wasserman

Ingredients:
Two 19-ounce cans chickpeas, rinsed and drained
Two 10.5-ounce cans mandarin oranges, drained
¼ cup strawberry jam
2 Tablespoons spicy brown mustard
½ teaspoon cayenne

Method of Preparation:
Heat all ingredients in a medium sized pot over medium heat for 10 minutes. Serve warm.

Sweet Indian Rice with Carrots and Dates
Serves 2
From Vegan Meals for One or Two
By Chef Nancy Berkoff

Ingredients:
2 Tablespoons vegan margarine
1 cup matchstick cut peeled carrots
2 Tablespoons chopped dates
1 ½ cups vegetable broth
½ teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg
½ teaspoon ground cloves
¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
¾ cup uncooked white or basmati rice

Method of Preparation:
Melt margarine in a large pot. Add carrots and dates; cook and stir until carrots are soft, approximately 5 minutes. Add broth and spices, stir, and bring to a quick boil. Reduce heat and simmer until rice is cooked and all the liquid is absorbed, approximately 20 minutes.

Mac and No-Cheese with Zucchini "Cream" Sauce
(Serves 6)
From Vegetarian Journal; Volume XXIX, NO 4
By Debra Daniels-Zeller

Ingredients:
4 cups washed, peeled, and roughly chopped zucchini
5-7 quarts salted boiling water
One 12-ounce package your favorite pasta
2 cloves garlic, pressed
Pinch of freshly ground black pepper
Sea salt to taste
½ cup chopped fresh basil (optional)
½-1 cup toasted bread crumbs

Method of Preparation:
1. Add the zucchini to a large pot of salted boiling water and reduce the heat.
2. When the zucchini is very tender, scoop it out, place in a strainer, and drain. Save the water.
3. Using the back of a spoon, press the zucchini to squeeze as much water as you can from it. Save the liquid.
4. Pour the zucchini water into the pot of water and bring it to a boil again.
5. Add pasta and cook until al dente (tender but firm).
While the pasta cooks, place the zucchini in a food processor with garlic and pepper.
6. Process the mixture until very smooth.
7. Season to taste with salt. Stir in chopped basil, if desired.
Place the pasta in a serving bowl and toss with the zucchini sauce.
8. Top each serving with toasted bread crumbs.

Crispy Rice Squares
(Makes one 9-inch round or one 7 x 5-inch pan, approximately 15 servings)
From Vegetarian Journal; Volume XXIX, NO 4
By Debra Daniels Zeller

Ingredients:
½ cup rice syrup
½ cup almond or peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
½ cup raisins
3 cups crispy rice cereal

Method of Preparation:
1. Place rice syrup, nut butter, vanilla, and raisins in a small saucepan. Heat for a few minutes, and then stir thoroughly.
2. Pour the rice cereal into a large mixing bowl and add in the rice syrup-nut butter mixture.
3. Mix until well-blended. Press into a 9-inch pan.
4. Allow to cool. Cut into bars.

*Variation: For a chocolate version of this recipe, melt a 1-ounce square of vegan chocolate into the nut butter.

Moist Chocolate Cake
Makes one 9 X 13-inch pan (8 large servings) or 24 cupcakes
From Vegans Know How to Party
By Chef Nancy Berkoff

Ingredients:
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar (favorite vegan variety)
2 Tablespoons baking soda
1 Tablespoon salt
½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
¾ cup vegetable oil
1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
2 Tablespoons white vinegar
2 cups water
Vegetable oil spray

Method of Preparation:
Preheat oven to 350F. Mix the dry ingredients in one bowl and then add the wet ones, and mix until smooth and well combined. Spray pans and pour into a 9- x 13-inch pan or 24 cupcake tins. Bake at 350F for approximately 20-25 minutes (cupcakes) or 50 minutes (9- x 13-inch pan). Test with a toothpick to make sure center is baked. Cool cake and ice with your favorite frosting.

Vegan Caramel Sauce
Makes 1½ cups
From Vegans Know How to Party
By Chef Nancy Berkoff

Ingredients:
¼ cup soy or rice milk
¾ cup sugar (favorite vegan variety)
1/3 cup maple syrup or brown rice syrup
1 Tablespoon water
1 Tablespoon arrowroot
2 Tablespoons vegan margarine
1 Tablespoon vanilla

Method of Preparation:
1. Place the milk, sugar, and maple in a small saucepan and whisk well to combine.
2. Cook over medium heat for 3 minutes, while whisking occasionally.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together the water and arrowroot, and then whisk the mixture into the saucepan.
4. Cook the mixture, while whisking constantly an additional 2-3 minutes or until it thickens.
5. Remove the saucepan from the heat and whisk in the remaining ingredients.
6. Serve warm as a topping for cakes, desserts, non-dairy frozen desserts or as a dipping sauce for fruit. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and reheat as needed.

Cream Cheese Spread with Fruit
Serves 8-10
From Vegans Know How to Party
By Chef Nancy Berkoff

Ingredients:
1 cup vegan cream cheese
1 teaspoon fresh orange zest
½ cup fruit preserves
¼ cup fresh fruit

Method of Preparation:
1. Place cream cheese in a medium-size bowl. If necessary whisk with a fork to soften
2. Add remaining ingredients, except fresh fruit, and mix well to combine.
3. Place in a bowl and serve as a fruit dip or spread on a cooled cake, muffins, or cupcakes.

Broccoli Chow Mein

Serves 3

From Simply Vegan
By Debra Wasserman and Reed Mangels, PhD, RD

3 stalks broccoli, chopped
1 Tablespoon oil
½ cup water
½ pound mung bean sprouts
½ cup slivered almonds or sunflower seeds (optional)
1 Tablespoon arrowroot starch or cornstarch
½ cup water
1-½ Tablespoons tamari or soy sauce
1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)

Stir-fry broccoli in oil and ½ cup water for 3 minutes over medium-high heat. Add bean sprouts and almonds or seeds. Stir-fry for 2 more minutes.

Dissolve starch in ½ cup water. Add to broccoli and sprout mixture along with tamari or soy sauce and sesame oil if desired. Stir, then heat covered for 1 minute longer. Serve hot.

Moo Shu Tempeh

Serves 8

From Vegans Know How to Party
By Nancy Berkoff, EdD, RD

Marinade:
4 Tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
4 Tablespoons cold water
2 Tablespoons dark sesame oil
2 teaspoons orange juice concentrate
3 cloves garlic, minced

Combine all marinade ingredients in a large glass or plastic bowl. Set aside.

Tempeh:
2 Tablespoons dried mushrooms (shiitake are a good variety)
1 cup warm water
1½ pounds tempeh, cut into thin strips
Vegetable oil spray
4 cups finely shredded green cabbage
1 cup finely shredded carrots
1 cup diced green onions (white and green parts)
2 Tablespoons cornstarch
½ cup warm water
8 flour tortillas

Combine mushrooms and 1 cup warm water in a small bowl. Allow them to soak for 15 minutes or until soft. Discard water. Cut mushrooms into thin strips. Set aside.

Add tempeh to marinade, cover, and marinate for 30 minutes. Drain tempeh, reserve remaining marinade to use as sauce.

Spray a large skillet with oil and allow to heat. Add tempeh and allow to brown, about 3 minutes. Stir in mushrooms, cabbage, carrots, and green onions. Quickly mix cornstarch with ½ cup warm water and add to tempeh mixture. Stir and cook over high heat until cabbage is tender and mixture is hot. Remove from stove.

To serve, warm tortillas in the microwave or oven, rolled, and wrapped in a towel. Place tortillas flat on a serving platter or on individual plates. Spoon a small amount, about 1 teaspoon marinade in the center of each tortilla. Top marinade with ¼ cup tempeh mixture. Fold bottom edge over tempeh mixture. Fold left and right sides of tortilla to the center to form a loose roll. Serve hot.

Fried Rice with Peanuts or Almonds

Serves 6

From Meatless Meals for Working People
By Debra Wasserman and Charles Stahler

1 large onion chopped
1 Tablespoon oil
2 cups pre-cooked rice (leftovers are good)
1 large green pepper, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 cup mushrooms, sliced
1 small zucchini, chopped
2 Tablespoons soy sauce or tamari
1 cup roasted peanuts or almonds, chopped or whole

Sauté onion in oil in a large frying pan or wok over a medium heat for 3 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients and stir-fry 15 minutes.