Meatless Monday – Three Bean Chili

by Dianne Wenz


I’m not really into sports, but I’m told that there’s a big game this weekend. I’ve also been told that chili is often the food of choice at game day viewing parties. A few years ago my coworkers had a chili cook-off in the office at lunchtime, and my veggie Three Bean Chili was a big hit. A few people whispered in confidence that they preferred it over the meat-filled chili dishes other coworkers brought in. This recipe makes a lot of chili, so it’s perfect for gatherings with coworkers or friends.

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Meatless Monday – Temeph Fricassee

by Dianne Wenz


It is cold here in New Jersey, and I’ve been craving warming comfort foods, like this Tempeh Fricassee. For those of you unfamiliar with tempeh, it’s a traditional Indonesian food made with soybeans, and it’s perfect for use in recipes that usually call for meat. Since tempeh is fermented, people have told me that the taste is too strong for them, and I usually recommend that the steam it before adding it into the dish that they’re making. Steaming cuts downs on the fermented taste and allows for the tempeh to readily absorb the flavors of what it’s being cooked with. 

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Meatless Monday – Vegan Chocolate

by Dianne Wenz in


From Mark Bittman’s transition to mostly vegan, to Gwyneth Paltrow’s emphasis on vegan meals in her new family cookbook, more and more people are realizing they can enjoy the benefits and satisfaction of a vegan diet without having to commit to plant-based eating at every meal.  Thanks to Fran Costigan’s Vegan Chocolate: Unapologetically Luscious and Decadent Dairy-Free Desserts, either full- or part-time vegan eating can include rich, sinful-tasting, and delicious chocolate desserts.

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Meatless Monday - Soy Lime Seitan Tacos with Mango and Chipotle Aioli

by Dianne Wenz


Over the weekend my friend Jenna and I did a cooking demo at the Bethlehem VegFest in Bethlehem, PA. We made Jenna’s seitan tacos, which the crowd really enjoyed. If you’re not familiar with seitan, it’s a “wheat meat” that can be used in recipes that call for chicken or beef. Packaged seitan can be found in grocery stores near the tofu, or you can make your own.

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