Vegan Egg Nog

Just like cooked egg nog, this version starts with a custard base then is loaded with flavor and thick coconut milk. If desired, add rum in lieu of the extract, but keep in mind it won’t be as thick.

Vegan Egg Nog

3 cups nondairy milk
1 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pinch ground cloves
Pinch salt
1/2 cup agave nectar
5 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons sorghum flour
1 can full-fat coconut milk, chilled in the refrigerator (I like Thai Kitchen)
1 1/2 to 1 3/4 teaspoons rum extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Nutmeg, for serving

Put 2 1/2 cups of the nondairy milk, the nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, and salt in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer.

Put the remaining nondairy milk, agave nectar, cornstarch, and flour in a large measuring cup. Whisk well. Pour about 1/2 a cup of the warm nondairy milk into the agave nectar mixture. Mix well. Pour the mixture into the pot with the simmering nondairy milk. Bring to medium heat, continually whisking until thickened, about 5 minutes.

Once thick, remove from heat and whisk for 30 seconds vigorously. Scrape the mixture into a bowl. Cover with a piece of waxed paper or plastic wrap, pressing directly onto the mixture. This will prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate until it has set, at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight.

After the custard has set, take the coconut milk out of the refrigerator. Pour it into a blender and blend for 2 minutes, until fluffy. Scrape in the custard mixture, as well as the rum and vanilla extract, adding rum extract to taste. Blend until completely smooth.

Serve immediately or refrigerate until serving, reblending just before serving. Pour into serving glasses and dust with nutmeg.

Just a note: I felt the cloves could have been omitted, it was a little strong at first. But once it sat for a few hours, the flavors came together and it was delicious! It didn’t stay as thick after a day or two in the fridge.

The Best Rice Cooker Brown Rice

Let’s be honest with ourselves: although we might be good cooks or know our way around the kitchen, sometimes we just can’t master something we really, really want.

For me, it was good rice.

Sounds silly, doesn’t it? Who can’t make a pot of good rice? Every time I made it, it would be too mushy (though I don’t mind it that way), or too dry (and I had to add more liquid), or too something. But never as good as I would eat a restaurant. Continue reading

Pecan-Crusted Vegan Cheeseball

Making a vegan cheeseball might seem like a lot of work, but it’s actually just a quick whizz in the food process. No dairy analogs used here, the flavor comes from nuts, nutritional yeast, and a few seasonings and spices.

Pecan-Crusted Pate:Cheeseball

Pecan-Crusted Cheeseball (vegan)

1 cup almonds
1/2 package extra firm tofu, pressed of excess moisture
1/2 cup (24 g) nutritional yeast flakes
2 1/2 teaspoons (12 g) garlic powder
1 teaspoon (5 g) crushed thyme
1 teaspoon (5 g) dried oregano
Juice from half a lemon
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
1 cup (143 g) pecans, chopped into pieces

Place almonds in the food processor and whizz until finely ground. Add all remaining ingredients, except for pecans, and blend until smooth. Test for seasonings.

Spread chopped pecans onto a plate. Using your hands, form the almond/ tofu mixture into a ball, then roll in the pecans until coated. Wrap and place in refrigerator until ready to serve. (Overnight is best; you can do all of the steps without the pecans, then do that about an hour before serving).

Serve with vegetable sticks and crackers.