By Chef Nancy Berkoff

Remember those very retro canned, French- fried onions that seem to pop up in markets during winter holidays?

We can’t claim that they are “health food,” by any means…but, used sparingly, they can add verve, taste, and texture to menu items. Brands may vary, but they generally seem to be about forty five calories for two Tablespoons, about the same as peanut butter. In our area, French’s, Trader Joe’s, Durkees, and several store brands were vegan. As always, read the label.

Rather than BLTs (vegan bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwiches), we create OLTTs. We toasted our bread, thinly sliced extra firm tofu (smoked or teriyaki-flavored tofu would work as well) and tomatoes, and created a sandwich with a layer of tofu, sliced tomato, crispy lettuce, along with a sprinkle of canned onions—it worked! The canned onions, used sparingly, of course, enlivened grilled Portobello sandwiches, bagels and vegan cream cheese, and… peanut butter, sliced banana, and jam sandwiches.

Chili spaghetti is a cold-weather, quick- to-put-together dinner. We tossed leftover spaghetti (any cooked pasta will do) with left-over chili, topped with canned onions and then baked until bubbly. If it’s a real “rush,” this can be done in individual portions in the microwave. Leftover cooked greens can be shredded, mixed with cooked pasta, nutritional yeast, and canned onions for a hearty entrée, as well. Canned onions add crunch and taste to tacos. Make a version of Egyptian “kasheri” (see the recipe in this previous Vegetarian Journal article: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2018issue3/2018_issue3_vegan_egypt.php), combining lentils with macaroni and topped with canned onions.

If you’d like to jazz up bread stuffing to use with mushrooms, peppers, or tomatoes, add your new “secret” ingredient, both mixed in the stuffing and a little sprinkle on top. If you have time for a slow soup, simmer freshly sliced onions (lots and lots of them) in mushroom broth, add canned onions, and you’ll have a French (fried) onion soup. If you have less time, make a fast lentil soup with canned lentils, canned chopped tomatoes, and canned onions for flavoring.

Of course, there’s the infamous green bean-mushroom-onion casserole, which can be made with vegan mushroom soup, fresh or frozen green beans, and canned onions. Actually, vegan sour cream, canned, drained, sliced mushrooms (or sautéed, fresh), and nutritional yeast can be used rather than the mushroom soup. Along with canned onions, most vegetables or vegetable combinations do well as this type of casserole, either as an entrée, such as potato, carrot, cauliflower or sweet potato and kale combinations, or as a side dish, such as with spinach, peas, or spaghetti squash.

Through December 31, 2018, you can give a gift membership to The Vegetarian Resource Group (includes a 1-year subscription to Vegetarian Journal) for $15 each (40% discount). This offer is valid in the USA only!

This is a terrific way to share the vegan message, as well as support VRG. Gift subscriptions can be done online by simply typing in your message and the address(s) of the gift recipient(s) in the comments field. Go to: https://www.givedirect.org/donate/?cid=1565

Photo from Althea

The Vegetarian Resource Group maintains an online Guide to Vegan/Vegetarian Restaurants in the USA and Canada. Below are some recent additions. The entire guide can be found here: http://www.vrg.org/restaurant/index.php

To support the updating of this online restaurant guide, please donate at:
Donate to The Vegetarian Resource Group

Here are some new additions to VRG’s guide:

Alternative Plate
1602 Main St.
Lake Como, NJ 07719
Alternative Plate features all house-made plant-based meats and cheeses, used in a variety of dishes from gyros to burgers to vegan pork, egg and cheese rolls. They also make a good variety of pizzas, such as their buffalo chikan and taco pizzas.

Althea
700 North Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611
Located in Saks Fifth Ave. Chicago, this restaurant offers beautiful dishes including Kimchi Dumplings, a vegan cheese plate, Chickpea Curry, Polenta Verde, Butternut Squash Gnocchi, and lasagna. For dessert, enjoy Apple Pie, Coconut Cream Pie, and more.

Hartbreakers
820 Hart St.
Brooklyn, NY 11206
Hartbreakers is a fast-casual 70’s style all-vegan diner, offering a variety of hot sandwiches such as the Rah Rah beet burger and the Thunderbird fried chik’n sandwich, as well as sides like waffle fries and roasted and spiced cauliflower. Gluten and soy-free options are available.

Kelley Farm Kitchen
1112 W. Washington St.
Harpers Ferry, WV 25425
Whether you’re hiking on the Appalachian Trail near Harpers Ferry or simply visiting this quaint town, be sure to stop by this cozy restaurant. Menu items vary; however, options that have been offered include a variety of salads, soups, Fresh Spring Rolls, Grilled Reuben, BBQ Jackfruit, chili, burgers, and more.

Lovin Oven
418 Kuulei Rd.
Honolulu, HI 96734
What could beat an all vegan pizza joint in Hawaii? Nothing! They even have decadent desserts such as mocha tiramisu and double chocolate cake. The pizzas are loaded with vegan toppings including fresh veggies and fruits, vegan meats and cheeses, and homemade sauces. Grab a pie to-go or get it delivered, either way you will not be disappointed!

New Leaf Elementals
11813 N Armenia Ave.
Tampa, FL 33612
New Leaf Elementals is a gift shop and café in one! Browse their shop then just come in to enjoy a sandwich such as grilled cheese, pizza, and an espresso or smoothie.

Parlor City Vegan
840 Upper Front St.
Binghamton, NY 13905
Parlor City Vegan operates out of the Binghamton Farmer’s Market, and while it’s always vegan, the menu varies from week to week. One week they may offer burgers and shawarma, the next might be mac and cheese and poutine.

V-Grits
1025 Barret Ave.
Louisville, KY 40204
V-Grits is an all-vegan brewpub with eclectic offerings, from chicken-fried oyster mushrooms, to lasagna and stir-fry. Try one of their hot sandwiches! If you can’t decide between their numerous mac and cheese varieties, try the mac and cheese flight, and wash it all down with a beer that’s brewed on-site.

Vegandale Brewery
1346 Queen St.
Toronto, ON M6K 1L4 Canada
A bar with a strong moral code makes for an all vegan brewery! Vegandale Brewery has cold vegan brews on tap with a variety of delicious bar food. Whether you fancy IPAs, sours, stouts, or pilsners, this brewery has it all. In addition to classic bar fare, they serve up savory waffles, loaded fries six different ways, and decadent desserts.

Please book mark and use this link. Eligible shopping will support our vegan education and activism. http://smile.amazon.com/ch/52-1279034

About Amazon Smile: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/chpf/about/ref=smi_se_rspo_laas_aas

By Reed Mangels, PhD, RD

Kate Farms has developed plant-based products that can be used by children age 1-13 years who are receiving tube feedings. These formulas are designed to be either the sole source of nutrients or to be used as supplemental feedings. They can also be used as oral feedings. They are based on organic pea protein, organic coconut oil, sunflower oil, organic flax oil, organic brown rice syrup solids, and organic agave syrup. The products are fortified with vitamins and minerals, are certified gluten-free, and do not contain artificial flavors or the most common allergens. These formulas are vanilla-flavored and are available at concentrations of 1.2 calories per milliliter and 1.5 calories per milliliter. According to Kate Farms Customer Service, products are vegan. For more information go to www.katefarms.com. Products are available through national distributors, durable medical equipment and home infusion companies. Always consult with your medical professionals before using this type of product or making any changes to a prescribed enteral (tube-feeding) formula.

Also see: https://www.vrg.org/seniors/#meal

The contents of this posting, our website, and our other publications, including Vegetarian Journal, are not intended to provide personal medical advice. Medical advice should be obtained from a qualified health professional. We often depend on product and ingredient information from company statements. It is impossible to be 100% sure about a statement, info can change, people have different views, and mistakes can be made. Please use your best judgment about whether a product is suitable for you. To be sure, do further research or confirmation on your own.

Chanukah is a time that extended families gather together. The first night of Chanukah this year is Sunday, December 2, 2018. Here are three vegan recipes you can share with your friends and family during this 8-day celebration.

Tofu/Potato Pancakes (from Conveniently Vegan)

Makes 8 pancakes – serve 2 per person

2 pounds white potatoes, peeled and chopped
6 cups water
1 box (about 10-12 ounces) extra firm silken tofu, crumbled
½ cup matzo meal
Small onion, finely chopped
¼ teaspoon dill weed
Salt and pepper to taste
2 Tablespoons oil

Place potatoes in water in a large covered pot. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and cook 15 minutes over a medium-high heat. Drain.

Place the cooked potatoes and remaining ingredients (except for the oil) in a food processor cup. Blend until smooth (about 3 minutes).

Heat oil in a large non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat. Brown pancakes on each side for 8 minutes. Flip over carefully. Serve warm pancakes with applesauce.

Vegan Noodle Kugel (from Vegans Know How to Party)

Serves 5

Vegetable oil spray
One 12-ounce package wide vegan noodles (lasagna noodles work well)
1½ cups silken tofu
¾ cup organic sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons orange zest
½ cup raisins
½ cup drained, chopped canned peaches
1½ cups peeled, cored, and cubed green apples
¼ cup applesauce

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray a loaf pan (about 4 inches deep and 8 inches long) with oil. Cook noodles according to package directions, drain, and cool. Using a blender or mixer, puree tofu with sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and zest.
In a large bowl, combine raisins, peaches, apples, and applesauce. Whip in tofu mixture. Add in noodles and mix until well combined. Pour into loaf pan and bake for 30 minutes, or until golden.

Variations: For different flavors, use pineapple or apricots instead of peaches and dried cranberries and cherries or apricots instead of raisins. Whole wheat noodles can be used in this recipe.

Festive Cashew Cookies (from Simply Vegan)

Makes 2 dozen

2 cups raw cashews
1 cup rolled oats
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/3 cup molasses or maple syrup
½ cup water
¼ cup oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Small jar fruit-only jam

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grind the raw cashews and rolled oats together in a food processor for a few minutes. Pour mixture into a large bowl and add the remaining ingredients, except for the jam. Mix all the ingredients together.
Form 24 round balls and place on a lightly oiled cookie sheet. With your thumb, form a small well in the center of each ball. Place a small amount of jam in each well. Bake for 15 minutes at 375 degrees. Allow cookies to cool before removing from the cookie sheet. These cookies make a wonderful gift!

Luna Verde Vegan Mexican Restaurant
Enjoy authentic Mexican cuisine vegan style! Appetizers include guacamole, pico de gallo, nachos, and more. Also enjoy salads and soups, as well as tacos, burritos, fajitas, chimichangas, and tostadas (some filled with seitan or mushrooms). Dessert options include vegan flan and tres leches (vanilla cake with fluffy cream and strawberries). Finally, for brunch enjoy sweet pineapple tamales, no huevos rancheros (tofu Scramble served w/refried beans, handmade corn tortillas, avocado, crema, and fruit), panqueques dorados (three golden pancakes (flour) served w/tofu scramble and fruit), and more.

Open Tuesday through Friday for lunch and dinner. Open Saturday and Sunday for brunch, lunch, and dinner. Closed Monday.

Location: 400 Main St., Bradley Beach, NJ 07720
Phone: (732) 361-8180
See: https://www.veganlunaverde.com/

Due to the generosity of an anonymous donor, The Vegetarian Resource Group each year will award $20,000 in college scholarship money to graduating U.S. high school students who have promoted veganism/vegetarianism in their schools and/or communities. Vegetarians do not eat meat, fish, or fowl. Vegans are vegetarians who do not use other animal products such as dairy or eggs.

One award of $10,000 and two awards of $5,000 will be given. Entries may only be sent by students graduating from high school in spring 2019. Deadline is February 20, 2019. We will accept applications postmarked on or before February 20, 2019. Early submission is encouraged.

Applicants will be judged on having shown compassion, courage, and a strong commitment to promoting a peaceful world through a vegan/vegetarian diet/lifestyle. Payment will be made to the student’s college (U.S. based only). Winners of the scholarships give permission to release their names to the media. Applications and essays become property of The Vegetarian Resource Group. We may ask finalists for more information. Scholarship winners are contacted by e-mail or telephone. Please look at your e-mail.

For details on the contest, see: VRG Scholarship Contest

November 7, 2018

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is announcing today the opportunity to provide comment on a proposed web-based consumer survey about allergens in cosmetics. Cosmetics are a broad category that includes items such as fragrances, hair products, makeup, nail products, and skin care products. The survey will be the first on consumer perceptions of cosmetics that the FDA has conducted since 1975. The purpose of the survey is to collect information that will improve the FDA’s current understanding of adverse events caused by allergens in cosmetics. In addition, the survey will help the agency better understand consumer perceptions and awareness as well as consumer behavior regarding allergens in cosmetics such as decisions to purchase specific products or to avoid certain ingredients, when to contact a health care provider, and when to report an adverse event. The people invited to participate in the survey will be selected to be representative of U.S. adults.

This survey is part of the FDA’s ongoing effort within recent years to learn more about allergens in cosmetics. In 2015-2016, the FDA contracted Integrated Laboratory Systems, Inc. (ILS) to conduct a comprehensive literature review of 26 fragrances that the European Union has identified as allergens. In 2016-2017, the FDA expanded the literature review to other cosmetic ingredients. Beginning in 2019, the FDA hopes to begin conducting a new consumer survey.

In order to do so, the FDA must obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget to conduct the survey. As a first step toward obtaining that approval, tomorrow the FDA is publishing a notice in the Federal Register seeking public comment on the survey pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act. The survey will be included in the docket. Comments must be submitted on or before 60 days after date of publication in the Federal Register. FDA encourages the public to submit comments on the survey here: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/11/08/2018-24441/agency-information-collection-activities-proposed-collection-comment-request-web-based-pilot-survey. Written comments may also submitted to Docket Management Staff (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, Room 1061, Rockville, MD 20852.

For Additional Information:
• FDA requests public input concerning a new consumer survey about allergens in cosmetics: https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/FDAInBrief/ucm625264.htm?utm_campaign=CFSANCU%3A%20FDA%20Requests%20Comments%20on%20New%20Consumer%20Survey%20about%20Allergens%20in%20Cosmetics&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua

• Using Adverse Event Reports to Monitor Cosmetic Safety: https://www.fda.gov/Cosmetics/ComplianceEnforcement/AdverseEventReporting/ucm531634.htm?utm_campaign=CFSANCU%3A%20FDA%20Requests%20Comments%20on%20New%20Consumer%20Survey%20about%20Allergens%20in%20Cosmetics&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua

• How to Report a Cosmetic Related Complaint
https://www.fda.gov/Cosmetics/ComplianceEnforcement/AdverseEventReporting/default.htm?utm_campaign=CFSANCU%3A%20FDA%20Requests%20Comments%20on%20New%20Consumer%20Survey%20about%20Allergens%20in%20Cosmetics&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua

• CFSAN Adverse Event Reporting System (CAERS)
https://www.fda.gov/Food/ComplianceEnforcement/ucm494015.htm?utm_campaign=CFSANCU%3A%20FDA%20Requests%20Comments%20on%20New%20Consumer%20Survey%20about%20Allergens%20in%20Cosmetics&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua

Join The Vegetarian Resource Group on Instagram. See:
https://www.instagram.com/vegetarianresourcegroup/