Quick
Chickpea Spread
This is excellent stuffed into or spread on pita bread, as well as on crispbreads and crackers. I like it best on fresh pumpernickel bread.
“Egg Salad”-Style Tofu Spread
Whenever I make this for lunch I always think, “I should make this more often.” It’s a pleasant change-of-pace spread that can be served on fresh bread or, better yet, stuffed into pita.
“Tuna”-Style Tofu Spread
When I serve this to lunchtime company, even tofu skeptics love it! For me, it’s a throwback to tuna salad, something I gave up many years ago, though I still liked its taste. This is especially good served in warm pita bread. I also like to mix leftovers with macaroni for a “tofuna”-noodle salad. For more information on baked marinated tofu, see page 136. For this recipe, it’s best to use a baked tofu product that comes in large chunks like Soy Boy’s Tofu Lin, rather than the type that comes in small cutlets.
Curried Tempeh Spread
Tempeh is a chewy, fermented soy food. For more information, see page 146. This spread is comparable to a curried chicken salad, though if you already like tempeh, you need not compare it with anything; just enjoy it on fresh wholegrain bread or crackers.
Salsa Ranchera
Store-bought salsas are generally quite good (I always have some on hand, both for using as a dip and as a shortcut to great flavor in recipes). However, for an occasional treat, nothing equals homemade salsa, especially one made with fresh tomatoes. Serve with tortilla chips or as a condiment with Mexican-style dishes.
Hot Bean Dip
This spicy dip makes a filling snack for a crowd. Serve with stone-ground tortilla chips.
No-Fuss Guacamole
Using prepared salsa to make guacamole is an easy way to incorporate the flavors of tomatoes, onions, and chilies. Serve with stone-ground tortilla chips.
Tomato-Mango Salsa
A somewhat more exotic salsa, this jazzes up meals with a tropical beat. See the menu with Gingered Coconut Rice, page 96. Serve with tortilla chips or as a condiment with spicy dishes.
Dilled Yogurt-Tahini Dip or Dressing
Use this as a dip for vegetables or small crackers or as a dressing for salads or pita sandwiches.
Spinach-Miso Pesto Spread
Serve as a spread on whole-grain crackers, crisp lavash, or wedges of pita bread. For more information on miso, a pungent soyfood, see page 21.
Light Cheese Dip
Here’s a dip that could inspire your family to eat more raw vegetables. It’s great for informal gatherings and cold buffets, too. Serve this with an array of colorful vegetables, including broccoli florets, baby carrots, red bell peppers, and halved cherry tomatoes.
Yogurt “Tartar Sauce” or Dip
This is especially good as a sauce for Shake-and-Bake Tofu (page 138). You can also use it as a sauce or spread with veggie burgers, or try it as a dip for crisp raw vegetables.
Dilled Spinach and Feta Frittata
The addition of feta cheese gives this frittata a rich, pungent flavor.
Mushroom Gravy
A simply delicious sauce to serve over grains, veggie burgers, green vegetables, or mashed potatoes.
Peanut Butter or Cashew Butter Sauce
A delectable sauce to serve over noodles, grains, or green vegetables. Cashew butter is a luscious treat. Look for it in natural foods stores. It is also, as you may imagine, a delicious change of pace from peanut butter in sandwiches. This recipe doubles easily if you’d like a larger quantity.
Spinach or Swiss Chard Frittata Parmesan
This is good with either of these greens, but try it in late summer or early fall when gardens are overflowing with Swiss chard.