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Add cheer to the holidays with cheesy plant-based appetizers

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(Family Features) Reconnecting with family and friends over the holidays means food takes center stage. Perhaps nothing says “happy holidays” quite like a plate of seasonal appetizers. Make your traditional recipes extra special this year with a plant-based twist that starts with cheese.

Holiday plant-based cheese dishes combine cheesiness that people love with fresh vegetables so your hors d’oeurve tray can be enjoyed by everyone no matter their lifestyle or dietary needs. Start holiday eating with a batch of Vegan Stuffed Mushrooms loaded with a colorful assortment of vegetables like onions, zucchini, tomatoes and spinach, and generously topped with plant-based cheese shreds to make an especially cheesy, indulgent and satisfying snack. Or try frying up a plate of Vegan Brussels Sprouts Fritters stuffed with melty, creamy plant-based cheddar cheese for a delicious bite of seasonal comfort.

Try the full range of Violife vegan cheeses to bring these party starters to life. There is no sacrificing taste to enjoy delectable holiday recipes made with melty, stretchy and flavorful vegan cheese. These cheeses are free from dairy, soy, nuts, gluten, preservatives and lactose and are non-GMO. They are made with plant-based ingredients and come in a variety of savory shreds, smokey slices, wedges, blocks or as a cream cheese alternative. Plus, these vegan cheeses are perfect for including in plant-forward holiday spreads and starting new holiday traditions.

Visit violifefoods.com to find more appetizers and snacks for your holiday gatherings.

Vegan Stuffed Mushrooms

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4

  • 12 button mushrooms
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 1 large sweet onion, diced
  • 2 medium zucchinis, diced
  • 4-6 sun dried tomatoes, chopped
  • 2-3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 large handful spinach
  • 1 pinch rosemary
  • salt, to taste
  • freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 pack Violife Just Like Cheddar Shreds
  • finely chopped chives
  1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
  2. Use damp kitchen towel to clean mushrooms. Remove stalks from mushrooms. Rub with 1 tablespoon olive oil and place on lined baking sheet with empty sides up.
  3. In frying pan, saute onions in remaining olive oil until soft then add zucchinis, tomatoes and garlic. Add spinach until wilted. Remove from heat and add rosemary, salt, to taste, and pepper, to taste.
  4. Stuff each mushroom with vegetable mixture and sprinkle with cheese shreds. Bake 15-20 minutes. Sprinkle with finely chopped chives.

Vegan Brussels Sprouts Fritters

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Servings: 8

  • 35 ounces Brussels sprouts
  • 3 green onions, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • pink pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 flax egg (2 tablespoons flax and 2 tablespoons water)
  • 1 pack Violife Just Like Cheddar Shreds
  • 2-4 tablespoons olive oil
  • mint, roughly chopped
  1. Wash Brussels sprouts and finely slice. Place in bowl with green onions.
  2. In separate bowl, whisk flour, salt, black pepper, pink pepper, paprika and garlic powder.
  3. Add dry ingredients and flax egg to Brussels sprouts mixture then add cheddar shreds. Mix well and let rest in refrigerator 10 minutes.
  4. In frying pan, heat olive oil. Use hands to make one patty with 2 tablespoons of mixture.
  5. Shallow fry 4 minutes on each side. Remove and place on plate with paper towels to drain excess oil. Repeat with remaining mixture. Garnish with mint.


SOURCE:
Violife

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EDIBLES

Easy, creamy spring goodness

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(Family Features) For a soup that smells as divine as it tastes, warm up your home with the fresh scents and flavors of Creamy Asparagus Soup. Pair with chicken salad croissants for a simple weeknight meal without the hassle then visit Culinary.net to discover more spring soup solutions.

Creamy Asparagus Soup

Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy
Servings: 4-6

  • 2 asparagus bundles
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 3 cups broth of choice, divided
  • 4 ounces cream cheese
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese
  • 2 teaspoons celery salt
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • salt, to taste
  • pepper, to taste
  • chicken salad croissants, for serving
  1. Chop asparagus into bite-size pieces. In large pot, place asparagus, butter, onion powder, garlic powder and 1 cup broth. Cook over medium heat until asparagus gets tender.
  2. Transfer to blender with 1 cup broth and blend until smooth. Transfer back to pot and, over medium heat, mix in cream cheese, remaining broth and Parmesan cheese. Add celery salt and Italian seasoning. Cook while stirring, blending seasonings in well, then add heavy cream.
  3. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Serve with chicken salad croissants.


SOURCE:
Culinary.net

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EDIBLES

Springtime twist on classic chicken soup

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(Family Features) Chasing away those final cool days in the spring can be done in a cinch: just turn classic chicken noodle soup into a fresh, lemony meal. This Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup calls to mind those classic brothy soups from when you were a kid but with a flavorful spring twist. Serve with fresh cucumber sandwiches for a veggie-forward meal and find more soup inspiration at Culinary.net.

Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy
Servings: 4-6

  • 2 carrots
  • 2 celery stalks
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 2 cups cooked, chopped chicken
  • 1/3 cup lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons lemon pepper
  • 6 cups broth
  • 1 cup orzo
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon thyme
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • salt, to taste
  • pepper, to taste
  • cucumber sandwiches, for serving
  1. Chop carrots and celery. In pot, saute with butter.
  2. In bowl, mix chicken with lemon juice and lemon pepper then set aside.
  3. After carrots and celery are tender, add broth and orzo to pot. Then add garlic powder, onion powder, thyme and sugar. Simmer 10 minutes then add chicken and cream; simmer about 5 minutes.
  4. Add salt and pepper, to taste. Serve with cucumber sandwiches.


SOURCE:

Culinary.net

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EDIBLES

Enjoy a light summer lunch

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(Family Features) Watermelon, strawberries, corn and green beans get all the fresh produce love in the summer, but don’t forget broccoli as a warm-weather staple. Instead of dunking in dressing or smothering with melted cheese, go for a lighter dish with this Broccoli Salad – an ideal light lunch or simple summer side. Visit Culinary.net to find more veggie-inspired salad ideas.

Broccoli Salad

Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy
Servings: 4-6

  • 2 medium heads broccoli
  • 2 apples
  • lemon juice
  • 1 carrot
  • 1 cup blueberries
  • 1 cup dried cranberries
  • 1 cup sunflower seeds
  • 1 cup pecans
  • 1 package (2 1/2 ounces) real bacon pieces

Dressing:

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/3 cup milk
  • 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2/3 cup sugar
  • 2 tablespoons poppy seeds
  1. Coarsely chop broccoli and place in large bowl. Coarsely chop apples and brush with lemon juice to prevent browning; add to bowl. Shred carrot and add to bowl with blueberries, cranberries, sunflower seeds, pecans and bacon.
  2. To make dressing: Mix mayonnaise, milk, apple cider vinegar, sugar and poppy seeds. Pour over broccoli salad and mix well.


SOURCE:
Culinary.net

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