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Vegan (!!) Lemon-Teriyaki Shrimpz Stir-Fry Noodles w/ Bell Pepper

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Vegan what?? Vegan Shrimpz! Yes, you read correctly! And no, we are not doing any boring vegan fish alternative here but an incredibly delicious one, that actually tastes like the real deal! To make these Shrimpz taste even more delicious, we are combining them with saucy noodles with a lemony twist and fresh veggies. The combination is a real dream. And trust me, you will miss nothing in here.

I totally understand if this is a bit suspicious to you and you have some worries regarding the taste in a vegan fish alternative. I totally understand it because I have been there too. Nonetheless, I gave Vegan Zeastar Shrimpz a shot and I am super happy I did – because I was totally convinced. All in all I would say that they probably taste somewhere between 85-90% like ‚real‘ Shrimpz. The only difference is that these have a slight lemon flavour to them and are a bit softer texture-wise.

What is special about this dish?

First of all, we have the vegan Shrimpz, which already are very special. If you want to read more about those, skip to the next paragraph. Besides these though, there also are a few other aspects that make this dish kinda special. For example the teriyaki sauce. It is not the regular sweet and salty teriyaki sauce that you get with your favourite takeout dish. In here we are adding fresh lemon juice to the mix, which gives it a surprisingly good and super tasty flavour. It lightens everything up and adds a fresh note.

What is more, this recipe is really incredible versatile! In here the recipe calls for bell peppers and green beans because it is what, in my opinion, goes best with the sauce and the Shrimpz. If you do not happen to have these veggies at home however, you can easily substitute them for other ones like broccoli, carrot, zucchini, asparagus, peas – whatever you can find! Also the protein source can be altered and switched to chicken, tofu, or something else if you wish to do, although it definitely tastes best with these vegan Shrimpz!

Vegan Shrimpz? Really?

Nothing beats some crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, delicious shrimps, right? Well it definitely is a dream tastewise, but after having watched Seaspiracy, you know that fish consumption definitely is not a dream from a sustainability perspective (Seaspiracy is a documentation about the fishing industry and its dramatic consequences). Fortunately, we do not need to destroy our oceans and environment in order to have that delicious shrimp flavour. How so? By opting for vegan fish alternatives like Vegan Zeastar!

I too was a bit suspicious when I prepared the Shrimpz for the first time. Given that, it was twice as surprising that these Shrimpz really resemble the taste of real shrimps very, very well. They are mainly made out of starch, water, soy and lemon, which makes it even more fascinating in my opinion! When you purchase them, they come already covered in breadcrumbs, which not only saves you time and work but also is extra delicious!

Vegan Zeastar offers a variety of other products too, including vegan Sashimi and Calamari, however the shrimpz are my favourite from what I have tried so far. All products also are super easy to prepare, which I believe is amazing!

Where to find them?

In Austria you can find the Vegan Zeastar products, including the Vegan Shrimpz at the SPAR supermarket in the frozen section!

how to make this dish – and how to prepare these shrimpz?

Both are way easier than they may seem at first. To make the stir fry, all it essentially comes down to is to chop the veggies, fry them in a pan, mix the teriyaki sauce, boil the noodles and mix it all together! Really not complicated, is it? Also making the sauce is not complicated since you only need to mix ingredients you probably have at home anyway!

the shrimpz: 3 different ways of making them

The package suggests that you deep fry them. Nevertheless, I tried 3 different version of preparing them and they all turned out to taste equally delicious: deep frying, semi-deep frying and oven baking.

  1. Deep-frying: this is the preparation method the package suggests. To do this we need to add about 4 cm of oil to a pan, enough that the Shrimpz can swim in it. In order to fry them, the oil needs to be super hot. If it is not hot enough, they will only soak up the oil and not turn out crispy. So be patient with heating up the oil and once hot, fry the Shrimpz for about 2 minutes on each side until golden-brown and crispy!
  2. semi-deep frying: for this method less oil is used, only about one centimeter. The remaining process is the same as it is for deep-frying, just that it probably takes about 4 minutes for each side!
  3. oven baking: if you want to go for this method, just drizzle the Shrimpz with oil and bake them at 225°C for 20 minutes, flipping them every 5 minutes

My preferred method definitely is oven baking because 1) it is the easiest to make with the least work, 2) it is the healthiest method since the least fat is used and 3) there is no food waste (when deep frying food, usually most oil is wasted). And really, there barely was any difference in taste. However, deep frying them definitely is the quickest way to prepare them.

Is dish dish healthy?

Yes! Because of its high veggie content, it is loaded with fibre, vitamins and nutrients. The bell peppers are packed with Vitamin C, making sure your immune system stays healthy throughout the cold season. Also the homemade teriyaki sauce definitely is healthier than store bought one since you really know and can decide what goes into it. Plus, the noodles not only give you a very comforting feeling but actually provide carbs, so you stay full of energy!

A MUST MAKE!

No matter whether you are vegan or not, you really need to try this recipe! It tastes SO incredibly delicious, is full of flavour and so easy to make! Definitely a new staple recipe at our house! Also, I can only highly recommend you try these Shrimpz, even, or especially, if you are a non-vegan!

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Vegan Lemon-Teriyaki Shrimpz Stir-Fry Noodles w/ Bell Pepper

These neither are your regular Shrimpz, nor is this your regular stir fry. In the recipe the classic Teriyaki sauce is taken next-level with a lemony twist and the Shrimpz are veganized since we are using Vegan Zeastars Shrimpz. A must make for all vegans and non-vegans!

Course bowl, dinner, lunch, Main Course
Cuisine asian, Chinese
Prep Time 10 Minuten
Cook Time 20 Minuten
Total Time 30 Minuten
Servings 3 servings

What you will need

  • 1/2 each red, yellow & orange bell pepper
  • 250 g green beans
  • 250 g rice noodles (glas noodles)
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger
  • 1 tbsp oil
  • one package Vegan Zeastar Lemon Shrimpz
  • oil for frying/ baking

For the teriyaki sauce:

  • 3 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp honey or maple
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • juice of 1/2 lemon
  • 2 tsp sriracha or chili sauce

How to

  1. Start by heating up the oven to 225°C. Place the frozen Shrimpz on a baking tray lined with parchment paper and generously drizzle them with oil. Bake them for about 20 minutes, flipping them every 5 minutes.

  2. In the meantime wash and chop the bell peppers into thin strips, cut off the ends of the green beans and half them or chop them into bite-sized pieces. Peel and finely mince the garlic and ginger.

  3. In a pan heat up 2 tbsp of oil and fry the ginger and garlic for about 30 seconds until fragrant before adding in the remaining veggies and sautéing them on high heat for about 2 minutes. Turn down the heat and let them soften for roughly 5-10 minutes.

  4. Bring a pot with water to a boil and prepare the rice noodles according to package instructions. Usually they need to cook around 5 minutes, then drain and rinse them under cold water (so they do not continue to cook).

  5. Mix all ingredients for the sauce and add into the pan with veggies along with the drained noodles and give everything a good mix so it is all combined. Divide onto bowls, top with the prawns and enjoy!

I would love to know how you like this recipe, so feel free to let me know here in the comments or through Intsagram! Have fun cooking!
Enjoy,
Katie // Une Petite Cuisinière

My November Top 6

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We are approaching the end of the year and only have 2 months left. I know I say this every time I write the Top 6 but it simply is crazy how time flies – and it is crazy how many Top 5 or Top 6 have already been uploaded on the blog! Because we do not even have full 60 days left of this year, we need to make the most out of those! These November Top 6 should help you do so! This restaurant, food, recipe, product, workout and inspiration aim to inspire you to make the most out of November and enjoy it! As usual, all of these tips and recommendations come from myself and my experiences, nothing here is sponsored. I am wishing you a wonderful, delicious and healthy November!

Restaurant of the Month – Iko Sushi

If you are looking for an incredibly delicious, non-expensive and super centrally located, healthy modern asian fusion restaurant, then IKO is perfect for you! Here you will find all different kinds of super tasty sushi rolls, rice bowls, salads, soups – all your asian heart is dreaming of! Plus it is amazing to reach with public transport, the staff is super friendly and the food is really affordable!

I myself have gotten to know this restaurant through a friend of mine. She always told me that this is super delicious and quick and she loves to go there! So I joined her and I was really not disappointed by what she has promised me. We went there by food from the Tram and Underground Station „Schottentor“ and it was a nice 10 minute walk. However, there are several other stations such as Stephansplatz (U1, U3 & 1A), Herrengasse (U3, 1A, 2A), Hoher Markt (1A, 3A) and Salztorbrücke (1, 2, 2A). You see – there are multiple ways to get there via public transport!

What I loved so much about this restaurant was that it had so many vegetarian and vegan options, and that these were super tasty and not boring at all! You could opt for vegan sushi, rice bowls, curry, salads, and so on. We went there for lunch and chose a Vegan Don, which is a rice bowl with stir fried veggies and tofu, and pure salad, which consisted of sweet potatoes, lotus root, greens, mung-beans and a pomelo-lime dressing. Both were packed with flavour and very filling! Plus it was super quick, which makes it an amazing lunch break restaurant!

If you go there for dinner, there are even more options to choose from – you can for example choose from 18 different rolls, numerous tapas, mains and sushi sets. And let me tell you, they all sound super mouth water! We were completely convinced from this restaurant and will definitely go there more often from now on! Also, the interior is super cool, a bit chic and definitely a place anyone feels comfortable in! The open kitchen also adds an authentic flair and the Japanese speaking chefs make you feel as if you were in Japan.

So, next time you are running errands in that area or want a nice dinner place to catch up with your friends, IKO is the perfect place to go. I can really only highly recommend it!

Food of the month – Apples

an apple a day keeps the doctor away! Probably every single one of us has heard this sentence hundreds of times – so it is no surprise that apples are healthy! But what actually makes them so healthy that you should eat one every day? This is a very good question that we‘ll answer here. Plus, we‘ll explore the best way of how to use apple in cooking!

Apples are one of the few foods that are grown worldwide. They originated in central Asia and there are – incredible – 7500 different types of apples!! Such a crazy number. From a nutritional point of view it can be said that apples are amazing! One medium sized apple contains about 100 calories, 25 grams of carbs, 4 grams of fibre as well as a decent amount of Vitamin C, K and potassium.

Due to its high carbohydrate content, the apple is great for quick energy! The fibre from the carbohydrates makes sure you feel full and stay full for long. So why should you eat one a day? Well, maybe because one apple contains about 14% of the daily recommended value of Vitamin C. Vitamin C is known to improve your immune system and keep you healthy. However, our bodies can, unfortunately, not store Vitamin C, so we have to gain it from food everyday on the new.

Now we know why they are healthy but how should we best eat an apple? On the blog you can find several recipe including apple. For example the NO-BLENDING & EASY 1 BOWL HEALTHY APPLE PIE BAKED OATS, the WINTER SALAD WITH BAKED APPLE, PINK CHRISTMAS APPLE SAUCE – which is an all time favourite we make in bulk every year – BIRCHER MUESLI WITH HONEY POACHED APPLE, also a family love that is amazing for meal-prep, or make my cousin‘s favourite HEALTHY APPLE CRUMBLE CAKE!

In general apples are very versatile! They do not only taste amazing when biting into a fresh one, they are also super delicious when cooked or baked – in a cake or pure! Maybe surprisingly, apples actually taste great in combination with savoury food – for example chicken. You could try this combination in salads with fresh and crunchy apple or you could also make roasted chicken with apples. The sweetness from the apples and the savoury chicken work in great balance with each other! Apples also taste great in tabouleh or bowls. What also always is a good idea is an apple crumble or apple cake! However, my all time fav will always be the Christmas apple sauce – nothing beats this!

Recipe of the Month – Vegan (!!) Teriyaki-Lemon Shrimpz Stir-Fry Noodles with Bell Peppers

We all know these fall days where we just want to cuddle into a huge blanket, sit on the couch, watch some Netflix and batch in comfort with a bowl of comfort food right? Some carby, salty goodness that just warms one from the inside. And since the temperatures are dropping outside, it is high time to warm oneself from the inside. And there are few better ways to do so than with this Vegan Teriyaki Lemon Shrimpz Stir-Fry Noodles with Bell Pepper. The Lemony-Teriyaki sauce tastes so unique and is so addicting that you will want to have 3 more bowls of these noodles!

The name makes it sound like a super complicated, fancy dish but indeed it is the complete opposite! This asian inspired stir-fry is ready in few minutes and super delicious! It really only takes a bit of vegetable chopping, mixing a sauce, boiling noodles and frying shrimpz. Or if you want an even lazier version of it, then just pop the shrimpz into the oven for 20 minutes, turning them occasionally and there are even less dishes to clean!

In addition to the simplicity of this recipe, it needs to be said that it is pretty healthy too. Since we have a lot of veggies in here, we make sure that our body gets enough nutrients and fibre to keep us happy and healthy as well as full and satisfied. The noodles provide comforting carbs that give us energy, and they also come with some protein, which is important for several reasons, including muscle and bone health.

We not only loving making this as a comforting, quick dinner but actually also as an easy lunch! Since it does not take a lot of time to make this recipe, it also works great as such! In addition this stir-fry is really versatile as you can just make it a bit spicier or add a different protein or different vegetables if you like! Therefore, it is a family favorite and has already become a staple recipe at home!

Product of the month – Vegan Zeastar Crispy Lemon Shrimpz

Nothing beats some crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, delicious shrimps, right? Well it definitely is a dream tastewise but after having watched Seaspiracy you know that fish consumption definitely is not a dream from a sustainability perspective (Seaspiracy is a documentation about the fishing industry and its dramatic consequences). Fortunately, we do not need to destroy our oceans and environment in order to have that delicious shrimp flavour. How so? By opting for vegan fish alternatives like Vegan Zeastar!

It is crazy which consequences our fish consumption has on the planet. After having watched Seaspiracy my dad and I were really shocked. And more we questioned ourselves what the solution would be? Plant based fish alternatives – yes – but we have never tried those and certainly not have seen them at a supermarket. Until suddenly Vegan Zeastar popped up in the frozen food section of SPAR a few weeks ago. Once I saw this there was no way around trying it – so I gave it a shot!

How do they taste?

We all know those claims from plant based versions of animal products that claim that the product tastes exactly like the real deal. And we all know that this is not true in most of the cases. So I was a bit suspicious when I made the Shrimpz for the first time. Given that, it was twice as surprising that these Shrimpz really resemble the taste of real shrimps very, very well. It does not taste 100% identical but somewhere between 85% and 90% I would say! The only difference in my opinion is that the Vegan Zeastar Shrimpz have a slight Lemony taste and are a bit softer consistency wise.

How to prepare them: 3 different ways

Also preparation wise I was really convinced of these Shrimpz. They come already coated in breadcrumbs in the packaging, so you only need to heat them up. The package suggests that you deep fry them. I tried 3 different version of preparing them and they all turned out to taste equally delicious: deep frying (the Shrimpz are completely covered in oil – there is about 4-5cm of oil in the pan), semi-deep frying (where you use less oil – about 1cm) and oven baking (here I just drizzled the shrimps with oil and bake them at 225°C for 20 minutes, flipping them every 5 minutes). My preferred method definitely was oven baking because 1) it is the easiest way to make them with the least work, 2) it is the healthiest method since the least fat is used and 3) there is no food waste (when deep frying food, usually most oil is wasted). And really, there barely was any difference in taste. However, deep frying them definitely is the quickest way to prepare them.

How to enjoy them?

A great way to serve them is as an appetiser with a dipping sauce, like a vegan mayo. They would also taste amazing on top of a fresh salad or in a buddha bowl. Another way we love to serve them is with some soup – a curry soup or an asian inspired pumpkin soup for example. In the recipe that you‘ll find on my blog, they are accompanied by a teriyaki noodle stir-fry. This combination, in my mind, is unbeatable. As you can see – there are endless opportunities – just serve them as you would serve regular shrimps!

Workout of the month – 25 Minute Evening Yoga Ritual by Jessica Richburg

There are those workouts where 10 minutes feel like 25 and those where 25 minutes feel like 10. This evening yoga routine by Jessica Richburg definitely is one of the second kind. In this Video Jessica takes you through a relaxing, grounding, stretching Yoga session to wind down at the end of a long, exhausting day. It is perfect to relax your mind and body.

Yoga can can be tough. If not practiced regularly even 15 minute yoga videos can be very long. In this Video by Jessica Richburg you will definitely not have this feeling though! When I made this for the first time I was shocked by how quickly it went by and by how relaxed I was at the end of it! To be fair, I could have gone on listening and following her along for another 25 minutes.

The exercises in this video are none that require great strength or energy, they are really stretching and calming for the most part. Through the breath exercises, you calm your breath and your energy levels, which is perfect just before going to bed. The exercises are just long enough that you really feel a stretch but not too long, so you do not get bored by them. The long shavasana at the end also is perfect to round everything off and gain mental clarity at the end of the day.

I am not exaggerating when I say that this is my favourite evening yoga session that I have ever done. It by now has already almost become part of my evening routine and I can only highly recommend you trying it out! I would love to know how you like it!

Inspiration of the month – Netflix Explained (the mind)

Netflix and Inspiration may at first seem like a contradiction. When thinking of this streaming platform one automatically tends to think about all the classic series to entertain that one cannot stop watching. I though the same until I recently went onto Netflix and stumbled across this series, which was very new to me: Netflix Explained.

What is it about?

The format Netflix Explained aims to inform the watcher about a subject in an easy to understand way that still covers the subject in depth. There are several subjects that are covered with this format including money, corona virus, US elections and also the mind. For „the mind explained“ there are 5 different, 20-minute episodes on 5 different topics: Memory, Dreams, Anxiety, Mindfulness and Psychedelics. The information is backed up by scientific research and explained with animations and interviews. This way it is really easy to follow along, understand information and interesting to watch.

After watching the first episode we were so gripped that we continued watching the next ones. Not only is this series really well made production wise but also incredibly interesting regarding the information it conveys. I personally believe there are few topics as interesting as how our mind works.

how much does it cost?

Unfortunately you cannot only purchase this series but you have to pay a monthly subscription to Netflix in order to watch this. The plans go from 7.99€ to 17.99€ a month depending on how many devices can watch at the same time and the quality in which can be watched. But if you subscribe you have access to what seems like endless series and documentaries – and many different explained episodes!

If you are looking for an interesting, informative yet easy to watch series, the mind is an amazing option! I love it and will continue to watch it on different topics!

I really hope that these tips will help you have the most amazing November and get the most out of it! I am wishing you a lot of beautiful, cozy, healthy and happy days!

Love,
Katie // Une Petite Cuisinière

Better Than Your Regular Oriental Loaded Sweet Potato Nachos

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Loaded Nachos with cheese sauce are not what we‘re making any longer…. From now on we‘re leveling up our party snack and are making Loaded Sweet Potato Nachos. Not only healthier but also more delicious and more nutritious. If you haven’t so far given them a shot, it is high time!

We all know that nachos are pretty delicious. However, it is no surprise that they are not very good for us. High in fats, highly processed, loaded with cheese, very few vitamins, and, and, and, … but they are so handy, aren’t they? Yet, it is possible to have some with more nutritional value !

What is special about this dish?

As the name already suggests: these are no regular nachos but instead these are sweet potato nachos. What? Sliced, spiced and baked sweet potato that you can eat with your hands. To make them more fun and more filling, they are topped with various different things – hummus, veggies, salsa, tahini, jalapeños, … ! Personally, I think these toppings work great in combination with the nachos. However, if you prefer different toppings – such as chickpeas, meat, cheese, feta, or whatever comes to your mind – you can totally add these on top! This makes this dish super versatile!

A nutrition-bomb

Contrary to regular nachos, these are packed with nutrients! To start with, the sweet potatoes are incredibly high in fibre, carbs and several vitamins. They will make sure you have a lot of energy for a long time, stay full for long and make sure you stay healthy. Such an amazing, easy-to prepare carb!

the perfect hummus

The sweet potato is not the only source of nutrients though, there are many other! The hummus for example: it is nit only packed with deliciousness but also with several good-for-you‘s! Fibre, plant based protein and healthy, unsaturated fats from the olive oil! You can either make it yourself or buy it! When you gl to the store, just be aware that there is good and not so good hummus (and that makes a huge difference in the meal)! The one I can not only recommend but genuinely LOVE is the one from NENI am Tisch!! In here actually, I am using the new one – the Hummus with Za‘atar, which is even more flavorful than regular hummus and SOO delicious!! In general NENI hummuses are the best in my opinion: they are creamy, rich, authentic and just SO delicious!

what else?

We still are not done with our healthy ingredients. Let‘s move on to the toppings: here you can totally go for whatever you love! Personally I believe the ones in this recipe work great with the oriental flavors – if you though have other preferences, go for it! So, here we have cucumber, tomatoes (both amazing for hydration, vitamins & fibre), jalapeños, parsley (more vitamins), the salsa (healthy, unsaturated fats from the olive oil) & Tahin (more unsaturated, healthy fats). All in all, it is fair to say that these nachos not only are loaded with delicious toppings but also loaded with nutrients!

How to make those nachos?

Since there is no need for deep-frying them, they are super easy to make! All that needs to be done is to slice the sweet potatoes into thin slices, spice them with olive oil and Zata‘ar and bake them. Zata‘ar is an oriental spice mix that works great in this meal – however, if you do not have this at home and cannot find it at the store, you can also spice the sweet potatoes differently, with salz, pepper, chili, paprika & sesame for example! Those now go into the oven and we can focus on making the toppings!

That means, for the hummus we need to just give it a mix, so that the spices are well mixed in. Next, we make the salsa! That means finely chopping the green chilis, parsley & mint and combining it with olive oil and salt! Also, we chop up the tomatoes, cucumber and fresh herbs so they are bite-sized! As soon as the sweet potatoes are done baking, they can already be topped and ultimately enjoyed! That‘s it!

Perfect Party snack!

This recipe definitely is amazing for parties! Why? You can really prepare everything beforehand, just pop the sweet potatoes in the oven right before the guests are here and then serve them while they are warm. Also, you could meal prep them and have them as a cold lunch for school or work – that works great too!! They not only are the perfect party snack but also amazing for meal prep!

If you want to level things up,

then you can totally do so by going crazy with the toppings! Options really are endless! You could for example go ahead and add minced meat or meat substitute on top or roasted chickpeas and feta cheese! If you feel like roasted tofu, add it! Or are you craving chicken strips? Why not add them on top? Same goes for veggies!! Why not adding some corn or avocado on top? This part really is up to you and adds a personal twist to this recipe!

Really, I have to say that I really LOVE this recipe! Not only for parties but also for those Netflix and chill kind of evenings 😉 I hope that you will also love it and have a fun time cooking!

Enjoy,
Katie // Une Petite Cuisinière

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better than your regular oriental loaded sweet potato nachos

regular nachos is nothing we are doing any longer – from now on, we are making loaded sweet potato nachos! imagine those soft sweet potatoes with the tangy hummus, fresh cucumber & tomato and that satisfying tahini drizzle = heaven!

Course Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine oriental
Prep Time 15 Minuten
Cook Time 35 Minuten
Total Time 50 Minuten
Servings 1 tray (for about 2-4 people)

What you will need

  • 2 (medium sized) sweet potatoes
  • 2 tbsp oil
  • 1 tbsp za‘atar

for the toppings*:

  • 1 package NENI am Tisch Hummus with Za‘atar
  • 1/2 cucumber
  • 1 handful tomatoes
  • 1/2 red onion
  • green chili
  • tahini to drizzle

for the green chili salsa (optional but very good):

  • 100 g green chili or green peppers
  • 2 tbsp chopped parsley
  • 2 tbsp chopped mint
  • 100 ml olive oil
  • salt & pepper

How to

  1. start by preheating the oven to 200°C. wash the sweet potatoes and chop them into about 1cm thick slices. mix the za‘atar with the oil and toss the sweet potatoes in the mix. lay out on a baking tray and bake for about 25-35 minutes until soft on the inside and crispy and golden on the outside.

  2. in the meantime prepare the toppings. wash and dice the cucumber into bite-sized pieces, half the cherry tomatoes, peel and cut the onion into thin half-rings.

  3. for the salsa, remove the seeds of the green peppers and super finely mince them. also mince the mint and parsley and mix it all together along with the olive oil and salt.

  4. once the sweet potatoes are done baking, top them with the hummus, the different veggies and fruit, the salsa and drizzle some tahin. to finish it off, sprinkle fresh herbs and enjoy!

Notes

*you can really use anything you like and have on hand as a topping – personally I love the combination with these fruits, veggies & hummus, but feel free to add what you love! it can be chickpeas, minced meat, corn, tofu, beans, avocado, whatever you love!

The Ultimate (vegetarian) Bánh Mi Recipe Anyone Will Love (vegan options)

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Bánh what? Bánh Mi! This vegetarian/ vegan take on the Vietnamese Classic is nothing you would want to miss! Imagine crispy baguette, with a tangy, satisfying, spicy mayo, some super flavorful tofu, crunchy pickled veggies and a whole bunch of freshness! Doesn‘t that sound like something we would all need to bring some summery happiness into these cloudy days?

What is more, this can easily be prepared beforehand (essentially this means marinating the tofu and pickling the veggies) and then the dish is ready in what – 10 minutes probably! Sounds easy, right? Well, it is! And it is SO good!! When I made this, we devoured it, and finished every last crumb, although we already were super super full and happy 🙂

What is special about this dish?

Traditionally, bánh mi is served with pork sausage, cilantro, pickled carrots, radishes and buttery mayonnaise is a short baguette. However, we want to make it a little bit more nutritious and therefore do a few changes. Instead ig pork sausage, we are using marinated and pan-fried tofu. This not only makes this meal vegetarian (and optionally vegan) but also mire nutrient dense and less heavy in fats. What is more, instead of the buttery mayo, we are lightning it up by mixing in some greek yoghurt (in the following paragraph you can read how this is healthier). If you want to make a vegan version of it, you could decide to go for vegan mayo and for a plant based yoghurt instead.

How healthy is this recipe?

In general it can be said that this dish is pretty nutritious, because of the variety of ingredients. The pickled vegetables, that really account for that typical bánh mi flavor, are high in fibre and vitamins. The carrots for example, are a great source of Vitamin C, which helps boost your immune system – great for the colder season ahead!

Besides, the tofu also is high in protein and does contain all amino acids to make it a complete protein (if you want to read more about why tofu is so good for you, click here). And in comparison to traditional bánh mi, which is served with pork, it is considerably lower in saturated fats and higher in fibre. Since we are adding soy sauce to the marinade, the sodium content is rather high, however, you could use low-sodium soy sauce.

The bread is a great source of carbohydrates, providing you energy. It though is not wholegrain and is a simple carb. For more nutritional value, you can simply use whole grain baguette. This then is a complex carbohydrate, causing your blood sugar levels not to spike and keeping you full for longer due to its fibre.

Last but not least we have the mayo. It can be said that without the Mayo it is not really a bánh mi because it gives it this classic spicy and rich flavor. Nonetheless, mayo contains a lot of fats. They for the most prt are unsaturated, which is great for your brain, but too much also is not ideal. Therefore we are lightning this sauce up by mixing the mayo with greek yoghurt and sriracha. The greek yoghurt comes with a decent amount of protein and does not really change the flavor too much! A great way to lighten things up!

Make it vegan!

In case you want to make a vegan version out of this dish, that is super easy! Instead of traditional mayo and greek yoghurt, just use vegan mayo and a plant based yoghurt alternative. The bread should be vegan anyway and regarding the tofu marinade, you could just use vegan fish sauce or leave it out completely! And there you go and have your vegan version of it!

Is it really that simple to make?

Yes, it is! The only things you need to prepare are the tofu and the pickles. For the tofu, all that needs to be done is mixing the different sauces with garlic and ginger and letting the tofu bath in there for a few hours. The longer the better! If you only have one hour, that works too, just be aware that the flavor will not be that intense.

What else needs to be prepared are the pickles, but also those are easy peasy. Here we add some vinegar, rice wine vinegar, water and a little bit of sugar to a pot, bring it to a boil and then pour it over the slices carrots and radish and also just let them chill in the fridge.

Once the preparation is done, the rest is fairly easy. We just need to fry the tofu in the pan for about 2 minutes on each side and then fill the bread with the mayo, the tofu, the herbs, pickles and veggies! And voilà – there you go!

Seriously, I was not kidding when I say that we devoured this dish! It was sooo incredibly flavorful and satisfying and all the ingredients worked together in such great harmony. I cannot think of a reason for why you should not make this – it is just way too delicious!! In case you try this (which you should), I would love to hear how you like it, so feel free to leave a comment or text me on Instagram!

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The Ultimate (vegetarian) Bánh Mi Recipe Anyone Will Love (vegan options)

Step away from your regular sandwich game and take it next level! Crispy baguette filled with spicy, tangy mayo, super flavorful tofu, crunchy pickles and fresh herbs. Every bite is an explosion of flavor in your mouth – plus it is super easy to make!! No excuses not to make it!

Course lunch, Main Course
Cuisine Vietnamese
Prep Time 20 Minuten
Cook Time 10 Minuten
Total Time 30 Minuten
Servings 2 servings

What you will need

  • 1 baguette
  • 2 tbsp mayo
  • 1 tsp sriracha (or more if you wish)
  • 4 tbsp greek yoghurt
  • 1 cucumber
  • cilantro & mint

For the tofu:

  • 200 g tofu
  • 4 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp (vegan) fish sauce
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • 1 lime
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1 thumb-sized piece ginger

Pickles:

  • 1 carrot
  • 1/2 radish
  • 50 ml white wine vinegar
  • 50 ml rice vinegar
  • 50 ml water
  • 1 tsp sugar

How to

  1. To marinate the tofu, finely grate or chop the ginger and garlic and mix with the soy sauce, fish sauce, sesame oil and lime juice. Cut the tofu into about 1/2cm thick and 3x4cm wide pieces, cover in the marinade and let sit for up to 3-4 hours (it also works if you only let them sit for an hour). The longer, the better.

  2. To make the pickles peel carrot and radish and cut into thin sticks. Bring the vinegars, water and sugar to a pot and bring to a boil. Place the carrot and radish in a jar and cover with the vinegar. Let sit for as long as possible – the longer the better.

  3. Once ready to prepare the rest, cut the baguette in two pieces and then cut them in half lengthwise (if you do not cut them through, it is easier to eat them). mix the mayo, greek yoghurt and sriracha and spread the bread with it. Next add the pickles.

  4. Remove the tofu from the marinade and fry it in hot oil for about 2-3 minutes on each side, turn down the heat to medium and pour the remaining sauce over the tofu and let it cook in.

  5. Add the tofu on top of the pickles, next the cucumber and then the herbs. Close the sandwich and enjoy!!

Have fun cooking & enjoy!
Love,
Katie // Une Petite Cuisinière