Plow Bao Closes This Week–Here’s What to Try

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First of all, ATX friends, if you haven’t *already* tried everything on Plow Bao‘s menu, you are missing out on Joyce Ni’s blessings, and you must get there ASAP before they close this Saturday (August 20th). Attend their farewell party (details at the end of this post) & order everything!

Joyce is a dear friend to me, and while that may make me biased, I genuinely appreciate her blend of veganized traditional recipes from her Chinese grandmother, with fun fusion rotations, such as her cheeseburger shu mai last month–incredible. While it can be difficult to find a dim sum experience as a vegan (unless you’re in Taiwan), Joyce’s truck certainly scratches that itch! Each dish is made with care, and the fusion dishes are not just fusion for trendiness’ sake, but truly inspired by Joyce’s Chinese heritage and American/Texan influences. Joyce’s nourishing friendship aside, here are the top dishes I will personally pine for the most in Plow Bao’s absence. These are in no particular order–however, the bao tacos are limited to Tuesday’s, and today is the LAST bao taco Tuesday. So, get to it!

Pro tip: Plow Bao is available for ordering in person or online–if ordering online, please use their square site instead of UberEats if you want to avoid extra costs & support/tip the team!

1. PEKING “DUCK” BAO TACOS

The flavor of these is quite nostalgic to me–my Vietnamese family loves implementing Chinese 5 spice wherever we can, and my mom was always sneaking cucumber into our meals for more veggies. The refreshing cucumber cuts the savory “duck” filling in a very satisfying way. 

Reminder: bao taco specials are only available on Tuesday’s! Tuesday’s are date night for me and my partner, so we have often frequented Plow Bao for their various bao taco offerings. Tonight will be the last chance to get these, so you can bet we’ll be there to celebrate/send off one of our favorite haunts!  

2. CRAB RANGOONS

These are a classic favorite: creamy, savory, crunchy, and sweet & sour & spicy with the sweet chili dipping sauce. They are also a special treat for me and my boyfriend–we shared our first kiss after eating one of Joyce’s rangoons!

3. CHILI OIL WONTONS

These are a signature Sichuan street food, and perhaps my absolute favorite of Joyce’s offerings. The savory filling goes so well with the striking sauce, which includes chili oil and black rice vinegar. Topped with cilantro, scallions, (and extra spice per my request), the complexity of flavors and textures are a true delight.

4. BREAKFAST FRIED RICE

You can’t go wrong with breakfast or fried rice, so combining the two is a genius move. This is a great comfort food, and the portion is so large you really could have half for dinner and half for breakfast the next morning. Even though this is a brunch/breakfast food, it’s available to order all this week (except Tuesday)!

5. STEAMED “PORK” DUMPLINGS

This is kind of a secret item, but not really. Plow Bao’s regular menu has pan-fried dumplings, which are delicious, but I prefer to ask for them steamed if possible. This way, I can fully appreciate the filling–a savory mixture of Beyond Sausage, Napa cabbage, scallions and ginger. I love how much ginger is in these! I like ordering these for a night when I don’t feel like cooking, as they go very well with a healthy side of steamed greens (think mustard greens, gai lan, and bok choy). 

6. FRENCH TOAST BAO 

Only available during their weekend brunch–this is the decadent brunch sandwich of your dreams! I love the combination of sweet, savory, crunchy and fluffy. Oftentimes they will have a cayenne maple syrup to go with this, and it really pulls everything together. 

7. BREAKFAST BAO

Also only available during their weekend brunch! These pillowy baos come with all the fixings of a breakfast sandwich (Just Egg, Beyond Sausage, hashbrown), and are topped with fresh scallions, sriracha ketchup & sriracha mayo. This tends to be my first go-to when ordering brunch at Plow Bao, because it’s not too heavy and is easy to share!

If you’re looking for weekend plans, Plow Bao is having a farewell party pop up this weekend, and I will be vending (noodles & Vietnamese slaw). I hope to see y’all there–come help us send off one of Austin’s favorite vegan food trucks, and pick up some goodies from other local vendors! Plow Bao, as the first fully vegan, Chinese owned & operated business in Austin, you will be dearly missed and will always hold a special place in this city’s heart. Shout to my friend Joyce for being such an inspiring & encouraging, all around BOSS!

PS: all these photos were taken by yours truly! I was lucky to be able to do some freelance photography work for Plow Bao during my period(s) of unemployment during the height of the pandemic. Being unemployed is not something I have shared much about online, but I will say that it was an extremely challenging time, and my imposter syndrome deepened as I was feeling quite lost for a while. Contributing to one of my favorite impactful businesses helped me continue to believe in my creative skills and abilities during some of the most trying times of my professional career. The Plow Bao team always made me feel so seen and welcome even though I was not a part of their daily team–honestly, my skills and personhood were acknowledged and appreciated even more than at my first big design firm job. I am forever grateful to Joyce for the support and for giving me a creative outlet outside of the traditional 9-5, even after I recently started a new design office role that I am loving! Storytelling via food photography is my first love, and Joyce helped me remember that.

7 Spice Shiitake Mushroom Soup

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With a new year that already doesn’t feel too celebratory (besides the incredible senate seat wins in Georgia!), I truly hope you are taking care of yourself, friends! My gift to you today is this spicy, warming soup–I hope it can help you find a moment of zen during this brutal, cold beginning of 2021.

I don’t know about you, but the beginning of 2021 has already been wearing heavy on me! The political climate (of oppression, double standards, and the normalization of fascism) in the United States continues to be infuriating and depressing, to say the very least. As I reflect on the state of the country, I am continuing to focus on what I can do from where I am–recipe testing for the next Bakers Against Racism event, and taking care of my mental and physical well-being, to make such efforts possible and sustainable. Prioritizing self care this year so far has included a renewal of a daily yoga practice, and lots of homemade food!

Veganuary Recipe Roundup

A few blogger friends and I have teamed up to share a roundup of fun recipes for #Veganuary! For those unfamiliar, it’s a month-long challenge where people try veganism at the beginning of the year. It is a great way to dip your feet into veganism, whether you are considering long term veganism or not! While I think positive lifestyle changes can (and should) be celebrated any time of the year, there is something invigorating about starting a challenge at the beginning of a new calendar year. Whether you are interested in veganism for the animals, your health, or the environment, I wholeheartedly support you and your journey! Remember that you can’t care for others if you aren’t also taking care of YOU. Check out the other recipes below.

Vegan BLT’s with Tempeh Bacon by The Baking Fairy

Breakfast Cookies by Cook with 5 Kids

Cranberry Coffee Cake by This Wife Cooks

Creamy Vegan Spiced Carrot Soup by Chickpea & Herb

Easy Vegan Mac & Cheese with Broccoli by Simple And Savory

Favorite Pumpkin Quinoa Waffles with Pecans by Melissa Traub

Hara Bara Kebab by FoodTrails25

Instant Pot Dal Soup by Palatable Pastime

Raspberry Chocolate Chip Baked Oatmeal Muffins by Return to the Kitchen

Roasted Banana Almond Butter Breakfast Cookies by Shockingly Delicious

Sweet Potato Patties by Flavours Treat

Tofu Benedict with Hemp Hollandaise by Upbeet Kitchen

Vegan Chickpea Shawarma in the Air Fryer by Kate’s Recipe Box

Vegan Chocolate Ice Cream Sandwiches by My Kitchen Stories

Vegan Cinnamon Rolls (Tangzhong Method) by The Urben Life

Vegan Lemon Poppyseed Muffins by Messy Vegan Baker

White Bean Dip with Homemade Pita Chips by Blogghetti

Seven Spice Shiitake Mushroom Soup
makes 4-5 servings

You can purchase Chinese five spice at any Asian supermarket, or you can DIY.
Active time: 20 minutes
Total time: 1 hour
Ingredients:

  • 8 cups water
  • 2 medium carrots, chopped
  • 1 medium daikon, chopped
  • 1 inch knob of ginger, sliced
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 small apple, sliced (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons mushroom powder (available at Asian markets)
  • 2 medium carrots, cut into ribbons (turns out to be 2.5 cups of carrot ribbons, loosely packed)
  • 3″ knob of ginger, peeled and cut into matchsticks (about 1/4 cup of matchsticks)
  • 10-12 shiitake mushrooms, sliced
  • 3 teaspoons Chinese 5 spice
  • 2 teaspoons soy sauce (or liquid aminos)
  • 3/4 teaspoon cayenne powder (or to taste)
  • 10 Chinese dates (AKA jujube–also available at Asian markets. These are optional!)
  • 1/2 teaspoon cocoa powder (omit if not using the Chinese dates)
  • white pepper and sliced scallions, for serving

Method:

  1. In a medium to large soup pot, bring 8 cups of water to a boil. Add the chopped carrots, diakon, 1″ ginger knob, celery, onion, and apple. Let the broth simmer for 45 minutes on medium low.
  2. Meanwhile, prep the other veggies–cut the 2 medium carrots into ribbons, peel and cut the 3″ knob of ginger into matchsticks, and slice the shiitake mushrooms.
  3. In a saucepan, heat up a couple teaspoons of neutral oil (I used grapeseed) on high heat. Add the ginger matchsticks and the shiitake mushrooms, along with 1/2 teaspoon Chinese 5 spice and 2 teaspoons of soy sauce (or liquid aminos). Toss to incorporate and sauté until the mushrooms are lightly browned, about 3-4 minutes. Take them off the heat and set aside.
  4. After the broth has finished simmering for 45 minutes, strain it and put the liquid back into the pot. Add 5 cups of water and the 10 Chinese dates (if using).
  5. Bring the broth to a boil, and let boil for 5 minutes for the Chinese dates to soften. During the last couple minutes or so, add the carrot ribbons and seasonings (mushroom powder, Chinese 5 spice, cayenne powder, cocoa powder).
  6. Once the carrots are tender, turn off the heat, and add the sauteed shiitake mushrooms to the pot. Serve hot, with a generous dash of white pepper and some sliced scallions. Feel free to add noodles and protein for a full meal, or serve as is for an appetizer. I had this for breakfast recently with noodles, and it was divine, especially on a snowy Sunday morning!

In closing, I want to note that you will not see me taking a “neutral” stance on any of the events in the U.S. right now, or ever. To be neutral is to empower the oppressor.

“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.”

— Bishop Desmond Tutu

We must recognize and call out the recent events at the Capitol for what they are: white supremacy and fascism running unchecked. I want to make it very clear that there is no room for hate of any kind on this platform, or in the vegan movement.

Here are a few posts that I have learned from lately–I encourage you to check them out and take them to heart:

Spicy Chinese 5 Spice Gingerbread Stars

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These cookies will punch you in the throat–in the best way. Think warm gingerbread spices, with an Asian twist–these cookies pack a fiery kick and will leave a zingy, lingering burn in your throat. These go well with a creamy glass of nondairy milk or a hot cup of peppermint tea!

Y’all know I have a well documented obsession with Chinese five spice, also known as ngũ vị hương in Vietnamese. I put it in everything, including banh mi bites, to bao, “beef” dishes, and even cookies! Today’s recipe is actually just a spicy remix of my Chinese 5 Spice Gingerbread Cookies.

I came up with this combination as I was finishing up my latest Bakers Against Racism sale–this time, it was a collaborative effort with Kowon Bakery and Mollycule428! We had such an amazing (and overwhelming) response from our ATX sale, and so much interest from DFW, that we extended the sale to DFW. This has been the most successful BAR event I’ve participated in this year, and I could not have done it without Angeline and Molly! Our group effort really made it all possible.

The support from both Austin and DFW has been incredible, and we are learning so much and getting energized for our next collaborative effort. We raised $1,400 to donate to efforts to flip the senate blue in Georgia! We decided the majority of our funds should go to grassroots efforts, so early last week, we sent $1,000 to Fair Fight, with the remaining $400 to be split between the two Democratic candidates. We are feeling so grateful and inspired by everyone’s energy–so if you supported or shared the sales, thank you so so much!!

Chinese Five Spice Gingerbread Cookies
makes 2 dozen, give or take, depending on cookie cutter size
I used small cookie cutters so this batch made about 40 little cookies!

You can purchase Chinese five spice at any Asian supermarket, or you can DIY.
Active time: 20 minutes
Total time: 1.5 hours
Ingredients:

  • 3 cups white flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon Chinese five spice
  • 1 tablespoon ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 3/4 teaspoon – 1 teaspoon cayenne (optional)
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 6 tablespoons coconut oil, softened (not totally melted)
  • 3 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 3/4 cups coconut sugar
  • 1 flax egg
  • 1/2 cup molasses
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2-3 tablespoons almond milk

 Method:

  1. Sift and whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  2. In a large bowl (I used my stand mixer), beat together the coconut oil and coconut sugar until fluffy. Beat in the maple syrup, flax egg, molasses, spices, and vanilla extract.
  3. Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, until smoothly incorporated. During this process, add 2-3 tablespoons of almond milk, as needed.
  4. Divide the dough in half.
  5. On a lightly floured surface, form each half of the dough into a disc, about 1 1/2 inches in height. Wrap the discs in plastic and refrigerate for an hour.
  6. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Take one of the discs out of the fridge. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to 1/4 inch thickness, or 1/8 inch thick if you want a crunchier cookie. Use a cookie cutter to cut out shapes. Place the cookies 1” apart on a baking tray (wiped with coconut oil).
  7. Place the baking tray into the fridge for 5-10 minutes, for the dough to firm up again (optional: this helps keep the cookie shapes intact).
  8. Repeat the process for the second disc of dough.
  9. Bake the cookies for 7-9 minutes. I baked mine for 7 because I like softer cookies, but 8-9 minutes will yield crunchy cookies! I’ve done it both ways with good results.
  10. Remove cookies from the oven and transfer to wire cooling racks.
  11. Enjoy as is, or decorate them with some vegan royal icing! I also topped each cookie with a sliver of candied ginger, but that’s optional!

I hope you all have a happy holiday and stay safe and warm!! Stay tuned for more recipes and an announcement about our upcoming Valentine’s themed bake sale! 😉

Vegan Pumpkin Spice Latte Rice Krispie Treats (+ Giveaway!)

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Hi friends! I don’t know about y’all, but I am feeling BURNT OUT. Between work stress, Zoom fatigue, the pandemic, and this election cycle, I’ve been feeling so much pressure and anxiety from all angles. Naturally, I have turned to baking as an outlet, and have been occupied with various #BakersAgainstRacism efforts. Always, but especially in these isolating and uncertain times, I find it is so meaningful & important to put our energy towards causes bigger than ourselves (in whatever capacity we can).

Aren’t these gorgeous?! They are the latest treat I baked for my most recent #BakersAgainstRacism sale, along with my Butterbeer Macaroons! It was a smaller response this time, I’m guessing because everyone is super drained and stretched thin. We raised $225 for The Okra Project—a collective seeking to address the crisis of violence by providing meals + resources (including therapy) to Black Trans people worldwide. I talked a bit more about the meaning of this particular sale on my Instagram here.

I remember at the start of election week, I kept reminding myself regardless of the results, that I would continue to invest myself in creating a better world through efforts like this. So if you ordered or shared about the bake sale, thank you so much for being a part of this supportive and empowering community.

ALLERGY FRIENDLY FALL BLOG HOP!

Speaking of community, this recipe is part of an Allergy Friendly Fall Treats Round Up, in collaboration with several other blogger friends. Most of the recipes are vegan, GF, and many are also nut free! Check out their creations below, and don’t forget to enter our fun giveaway on Instagram!

Apple Cider Donuts by The Urben Life

Vegan Pumpkin Coffee Cake by The Baking Fairy

Vegan Chocolate Ginger Cookies by The Zestfull

Top 8 Allergen Free Carrot Cake Loaf by The Frugalista Mom

Vegan Pecan Bars by Messy Vegan Baker

Flourless Chocolate Cookies by One Sweet Appetite

Vegan Pumpkin Granola by Jess Baumgardner

Vegan & Gluten Free Pumpkin Blondies by Spabettie

Paleo Almond Butter Cups by I Chews U

Vegan & Gluten Free Apple Pie Pancakes by Kvetching In The Kitch

Vegan Pumpkin Spice Waffles by Color Me Courtney

Vegan Pumpkin Pecan Cupcakes by Mrs Neil’s Vegan Meals

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Vegan Pumpkin Spice Latte Rice Krispie Treats
makes 1 dozen (depends on pan size—I used a 11 x 16 pan)

Active prep time: 10 minutes
Wait time: 15 minutes
Total time: 25 minutes
Ingredients:

For the treats:

  • 6 tablespoons vegan butter
  • 4 tablespoons pumpkin puree
  • 2 bags of 10 oz vegan marshmallows (I’ve had good results with Funky Mello and Dandie’s)
  • 3 teaspoons instant coffee
  • 2 teaspoons pumpkin spice mix
  • 8 cups rice cereal (Rice Krispies or any off-brand! I used HEB’s brand)

For the coffee pumpkin glaze, whisk together the following (adjust liquid/sugar as needed for desired consistency):

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon instant coffee
  • 1 tablespoon hot water
  • 3/4 teaspoon pumpkin spice
  • 1 tablespoon pumpkin puree

For the cinnamon glaze, whisk together the following:

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 tablespoon nondairy milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon hot water (slowly add more if needed)
  • 1/2 tablespoon melted coconut oil

Method:

  1. In a large non-stick pan, melt the vegan butter and pumpkin puree on high heat, whisking to incorporate.
  2. Add the marshmallows to the pan and lower the heat to high-medium. Stir until melted and fluffy (this takes about 5 minutes).
  3. Stir in the instant coffee and pumpkin spice and mix well.
  4. Take the mixture off the heat and add the rice cereal.
  5. Press the mixture into the bottom of a 11 x 16 inch pan (coated in vegan butter or coconut oil). You can make these as thick/thin as you want. My pan was 1/2″ deep, and I wanted the bars to be thick, so I ended up only covering 2/3 of my pan.
  6. The mixture will be very sticky, so it’s best to use a large sheet of parchment paper or foil to press it down in the pan (I also applied pressure to the exposed side of the mixture). Allow it to set for at least 10 minutes. I also like to place a book and some weights on top of mine to make sure there are no air bubbles. Letting it set in the fridge yields the best results–I’ve found the cold really helps solidify the treats!
  7. Carefully remove the mixture from the pan and cut into bars. Drizzle with coffee and cinnamon glazes (above) if desired. Enjoy!
  8. These can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days, or up to 5 days in the fridge (I found they will get a little stale if left too long). But they are so good you probably won’t have to think about storing any!

Thanks so much for checking out my recipe. Hopefully it brings you some comfort during these crazy times! I hope you are taking time to process your emotions lately. Feel them! Let them out. Wipe your tears of relief, of exhaustion (this has been me a lot lately). Remember it is okay to celebrate and find some peace while recognizing what is still at stake & knowing that there is still much progress to be made in this country.

As an empath, I have been all over the place as of late. Trump losing has been such a breath of relief for all marginalized communities. May we continue to listen and advocate for each other and hold those in power accountable. Thank you to the BIPOC who made these strides possible—especially Black women. And let’s recognize that their vote was not to save us, not just to defend democracy, but for their survival. I will continue listening to and supporting community leaders and organizations who have been doing the work, like the Austin Justice Coalition, and I urge you to do the same in your community.

I know the direction I am moving. Let’s keep moving and acting in the direction of love and compassion, to quote a dear friend of mine. I’m in the middle of organizing a collaborative #BakersAgainstRacism sale in Austin for the holidays to raise funds to help flip the senate in Georgia! LET’S GOOO! Keep your eyes on my Instagram for the announcement. And if you don’t live in ATX, check out a sale near you because this is a collective effort taking place in multiple cities around the world!

Bakers Against Racism | Virtual Bake Sale for Black Lives Matter

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“Imagine how much love you’ve felt when someone advocated for you. Imagine how protected you felt when someone put themselves in between you and any kind of bully…imagine.”

— Angelia Trinidad, CEO of Passion Planner

It’s been a heavy time. While the pandemic is still raging its course, many Americans are confronting the truth of another illness that has been deeply rooted in our nation’s history–white supremacy. Racism is very much alive and well in the 21st century.

Black lives matter.

It’s been a minute since I talked to y’all! I meant to break my blog hiatus with some recipes inspired by my grandmother, who recently passed away. But there are more pressing matters, as I realize I haven’t been using all my platforms to their fullest potential to advocate for my Black friends. I’ve always considered myself a supporter of Black Lives Matter, but I have not been as active or vocal as I should be. I’m sure many of you may be feeling the same way. I must remind you (and myself) that guilt is not a useful emotion, and wallowing in it is actually self-centered and does nothing to help any cause. We must channel our emotions into actions. I’m not here to argue with anyone about politics. This is about basic humanity.

“Use your platform, but what does that really mean? It’s not an Instagram post. Your platform is using your time, your talent, and your treasure (your money) to really create change. Make sure you’re investing in the world you want.”

— Brit Rettig, founder of GRIT Fitness (AKA my gym back in DFW!)

I am still figuring out the ways in which I can use my strengths to be a better ally,  including educating myself and others. I’ve decided to participate in Bakers Against Racism this week–a nation-wide virtual bake sale that aims to fundraise for organizations doing the important work to fight for justice. I am energized by this re-visitation of my college roots in vegan baketivism. For those of you who live in Austin, TX, check out my menu below, and order using this form.

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All proceeds will benefit the Austin Justice Coalition, to support their important work in serving and empowering people who are historically and systematically impacted by gentrification, segregation, over policing, a lack of educational and employment opportunities, and other institutional forms of racism in Austin. AJC has served as a catalyst for positive change towards economic and racial equity for Austin’s people of color by developing, organizing, and providing robust programs and events. Their main avenues of advocacy are education, policing, civic engagement, and community building.

If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll see I’ve been sharing some resources for ways to support the Black Lives Matter movement, especially for Asian Americans (more thoughts on the significance of Asian Black solidarity at a later date). It’s so key for us to show up and advocate for Black people in the communities and spaces we occupy.

I have been heartened to see my employer being proactive about starting a dialogue at work. Understanding the design profession’s complicity in upholding oppressive systems is important, and I hope we can engage in these issues and be advocates in our work.

Advocacy and allyship should be an ongoing effort, and I hope you will join me!

View this post on Instagram

It’s been heavy week. Scroll for ways to help & support. There are many ways to be a light, and it should be an ongoing practice, not a to-do list. ✨ . . To my Black friends, I feel I can never find the right words, but my heart breaks with you always, and I am with you. Yesterday, in a conversation with one of my best friends, she reminded me: you don't need to know what to say—the most important thing is that you are offering us support and a listening ear. And that's so true. Non-Black people, we must: Listen. Learn. Advocate. . . Particularly to the Asian American community—confronting + unpacking the internalized anti-black racism that runs rampant in our own communities is essential to this work. We must all do better. Educate yourself. As we close out Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month, amidst increased xenophobia during this pandemic—do not forget to revisit our own history, understand how it relates to Black history. Understand that as Asian Americans, many of the rights we can enjoy today are due to the work of African Americans during the civil rights movement. Our struggles are not the same, but the root that both oppresses and pits us against each other is white supremacy. Our solidarity matters. #yellowperilsupportsblackpower . . Swipe through for a few things we can all do + should be doing. Note that this is not a checklist—these are a starting point; inspired by @fitwithmartha, @tiffanyma_rdn, and others. I also have a BLM highlight with more resources/Black voices to follow: @rachel.cargle & @adrianmichaelgreen's work especially resonate, & I've been a longtime fan of @sistahvegan's work. . . "Imagine how much love you've felt when someone advocated for you. Imagine how protected you felt when someone put themselves in between you and any kind of bully…imagine." @angeliatrinidad said this yesterday & it really resonated in so many ways! . . To my vegan friends—our veganism should aim to be intersectional, or it is nothing. Widening our circle of compassion includes both human and non-human beings. 🙏🏼 #blacklivesmatter

A post shared by Ann Mai 🌼 (@plantcrush) on

If you live in Austin, TX, again, you can order some treats from me via this form–you have until Friday night (June 19th, 2020)! And if you don’t live in ATX, you can search for a Bakers Against Racism sale near you, or find other ways to support, wherever you are! Let’s keep this momentum going.

Vegan Five Spice “Beef” Vermicelli Bowls

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While fall is my favorite season, this year, I’ve actually found myself fondly holding onto the last few days of summer. It’s not that hard to do here in Texas, because it’s still hot AF. This past summer has honestly been one of the best I’ve ever had: graduation,  traveling to Taiwan, Vietnam, Tanzania and Kenya, and some exciting collaborations (involving pizza and the Dallas Farmers Market), with many more exciting projects to come!

With the weather being so warm, I find myself still sticking to refreshing foods full of cooling greens and herbs, like spring rolls and vermicelli bowls. Vietnamese vermicelli bowls (bún) are heavy on veggies, quite easy to assemble, and there is lots of room for improvisation. Traditional Vietnamese vermicelli bowls feature various protein toppings, which include grilled pork (bún thịt nướng), lemongrass beef (bún thịt bò xào sả), eggrolls (bún chả giò, or sometimes lemongrass tofu (bún đậu hũ xào sả). Nowadays, these toppings are easily veganizable. Today I am sharing a vermicelli bowl featuring my five spice beef as the protein!

Vietnamese Vermicelli Bowls + Five Spice "Beef" | plantcrush.co

In Vietnamese, this would be called bún thịt bò chay (which translates to rice noodles & vegan beef).

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Exploring Vegan Options at the Dallas Farmer’s Market | The Shed

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The weekend has arrived, which means it’s time to go to brunch at the Dallas Farmer’s Market! A couple weekends ago, I had the absolute joy of taking part in a collaborative veggie takeover organized by my good friend Brooklynne (@beetsbybrooke) and the Dallas Farmer’s Market. Brooklynne did an amazing job showcasing all the vegan finds at The Shed at the farmer’s market–you can check out her stories here on the Dallas Farmer’s Market’s VEGAN highlight!

Spread

We were joined by our good friends Courtney (@colormecourtney_), Malinda (@kindred.vegan.souls), and John Francis (@johnfmfilms) which was great because we needed a lot of help to eat all the food. One thing to know before brunching at DFM: bring your whole crew! Don’t forget reusable containers!

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Rainbow Smashed Purple Potatoes + 5 Spice Peanut Sauce

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POTATOES. That’s it, that’s my intro for this recipe. Are you hooked?

Rainbow Smashed Purple Potatoes + 5 Spice Peanut Sauce | plantcrush.co

Well, now you’re hooked!

Hi friends! I’m back with another recipe, and this time it’s in collaboration with some blogger friends, in honor of #NationalPotatoDay! What an awesome concept–a day to celebrate one of my favorite ingredients. Most, if not all, of the following recipes can be veganized–let me know if you guys need advice or have questions about going about that! For the event, I decided to feature the beautiful purple Japanese sweet potato!Rainbow Smashed Purple Potatoes + 5 Spice Peanut Sauce | plantcrush.co

Happy National Potato Day!

Thank you to Valentina from The Baking Fairy for organizing this event!
Check out all of the delicious potato recipes we made for the occasion:

Air Fryer Garlic Herb French Fries by Daily Dish Recipes
Banh Mi Potato Skins by The Spiffy Cookie
Baked Tornado Potatoes by For The Love of Food
Brunede Kartofler (Danish Caramel Potatoes) by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
Campfire Potatoes by Our Good Life
Cheesy Smashed Potatoes by One Sweet Appetite
Chutneywale Aloo by Food Trails
Gnocchi with Sage and Pancetta by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
Hearty Beef and Potato Soup by Tip Garden
Individual Pommes Anna by A Day in the Life on the Farm
Loaded Cincinnati Potato by Palatable Pastime
Loaded Mac and Cheese Stuffed Baked Potatoes by Big Bear’s Wife
Paleo Zuppa Toscana by Frugal & Fit
Potato and Spinach Curry by Savory Moments
Potato Dinner Rolls by Karen’s Kitchen Stories
Sour Cream and Chive Mashed Potatoes by Cheese Curd in Paradise
Spinach Gnocchi with Roasted Tomato Sauce by The Baking Fairy
Rainbow Smashed Purple Potatoes + 5 Spice Peanut Sauce by PlantCrush
Roasted Fingerling Potatoes with Herbs by Lemon Blossoms

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As you may know, my mom raised me on a lacto-vegetarian diet, and she has always emphasized the importance of intuitively eating lots of colors for optimal health. Thus, from a young age, I developed a habit of eating colorfully at every meal. Research indicates that my mom was right (aren’t mom’s always right)! Colorful, plant-based foods are loaded with antioxidants and nutrients that help us thrive.

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Here are just a few general benefits of eating the rainbow (not Skittles):

Red foods are good for the brain and circulatory system
Orange foods are best known as immunity boosters
Yellow foods promote good digestion among other benefits
Green foods strengthen muscles, bones, and teeth
Purple foods have been shown to lower the risk of some cancers
White foods helps boost the lymphatic system

Rainbow Smashed Purple Potatoes + 5 Spice Peanut Sauce | plantcrush.coThese smashed purple potatoes are one of my favorite meals because they are absolutely gorgeous, filling, and wholesome, but they don’t take that much work to put together. You can prep the components at the beginning of the week and just assemble throughout the week. Measuring isn’t even necessary for this recipe–it’s all to your taste and needs. The ingredients below are for about 4 servings, but you can multiply according to your needs.

Rainbow Smashed Purple Potatoes
makes 4 servings

Active prep time: 10 minutes
Wait time: 1 hour
Total time: 1 hour, 10 minutes
Ingredients:

  • 4 Japanese purple sweet potatoes (I got mine at the Asian market!)
  • 2 cups steamed edamame (1/2 cup per potato, or more–for example, if I’m eating this after a workout, I would make it 1 cup of edamame per serving)
  • 5 Spice Peanut Sauce, for serving (recipe here, 1 batch should cover 4 potatoes!)
  • mango salsa (see below)

Tropical Mango Salsa
makes 2 cups

Toss together the following in a medium bowl:

  • 2 cups diced mango (1 large mango)
  • 1/2 cup fresh lime juice
  • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
  • 10 Thai basil leaves (about 1 handful), roughly chopped
  • 1 small carrot, shredded (about 1/4 cup)
  • 1 pinch Himalayan pink salt (to taste)
  • 2 tablespoons chili garlic sauce (to taste)

Method:

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Rinse and clean the potatoes. Using a fork, prick the potatoes all over.
  3. Place the potatoes on a non-stick or parchment lined baking sheet.
  4. Roast until the potatoes are fork tender (about one hour).
  5. Using a knife, split each potato in half and smash with a fork to open them up more, to hold the toppings.
  6. Load up the toppings on each potato: edamame (about 1/2 cup per potato), and spoon on mango salsa to taste, adding additional herbs (cilantro, scallions, etc.) to your taste. Drizzle with 5 Spice Peanut Sauce and serve immediately.
  7. These make great leftovers and should be good up to a week! I also like to enjoy the leftovers on top of a huge bed of greens (air-frying the leftover sweet potatoes is a game-changer). Complex carbs + colorful veggies + lots of greens…a recipe for HAPPINESS. Enjoy!

Rainbow Smashed Purple Potatoes + 5 Spice Peanut Sauce | plantcrush.co

Exploring the Vegan Pizzas at Tutta’s in Dallas West End

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Hey Dallas pizza lovers, mark your calendars for August 9th, because Tutta’s is having a pizza party, to celebrate the addition of 9 vegan pizzas to their menu! I’m not a party person…but if you’re having a 4 course vegan pizza party, you can count me in! Last week, my dear friend Courtney Garza (@colormecourtney_) invited me and the girls to check out the new vegan pizza menu at Tutta’s in Dallas West End to promote this event, and we were all thoroughly impressed. You can get tickets here!

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Vegan pizza spread at Tutta’s! Photo by @beetsbybrooke.

Tutta’s owner and head chef, Jeremy Scott, is really creative about their toppings and they make everything from scratch, in house! For those wondering, the vegan cheese they use is Teese–I loved it because it’s not too heavy or greasy. You must come to the pizza party and try all their new vegan pizzas! Tutta’s vegan menu isn’t on their site just yet, but not to worry, I got you covered here! Here’s everything we tried… Continue reading →

Eating Vegan in East Africa

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On the road in Kenya | Veggie samosa from a gas station in Kenya–filled with potatoes and spinach! I loved the addition of greens, since I don’t usually see samosas with greens in the U.S.!

Hi friends! Ever wondered what it’s like being vegan in East Africa? Read on, I’m about to tell you all about it. But first, you may be wondering, what in the world was I doing in East Africa, and why has my blog been silent for so long?! Well, after graduating in May (yes, y’all, finally!) I had the great opportunity to participate in a study abroad session in Tanzania with UT Arlington and the University of Cincinnati. I asked my mom if that could be my graduation gift–to go to Tanzania with my classmates and learn how to give back using my recently acquired landscape architecture skills. My mom was absolutely supportive of this idea, and she also suggested that I expand my trip to include Taiwan (for a personal meditation retreat) and Vietnam (for vacation with family), before embarking to Tanzania. So I have been abroad for a month this summer, and am finally back home now, settled enough to start blogging more about the experiences! Continue reading →

Green Papaya Salad | Gỏi Đu Đủ

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Summer is almost upon us! Time for all the refreshing foods, like this green papaya salad!

Green Papaya Salad | plantcrush.coMy apologies for the huge hiatus on the blog, y’all, my design thesis has been my main priority for about a year now! I am happy to report that I have successfully defended my thesis to graduate. This past weekend, I finally graduated with my Master’s in Landscape Architecture! It still feels so surreal to type those words. I’ve been an emotional, nostalgic mess, and am preparing for an international trip to 3 countries, but that didn’t keep me from getting back in the kitchen!

I’ve had a few potlucks in the past couple weeks, so I’ve been making this green papaya salad a lot. Everyone has been loving it! It’s a classic Thai/Vietnamese dish, and yesterday I made it again for mom for Mother’s Day. Besides spring rolls, Vietnamese salads are one of my mom’s favorite things to eat! Continue reading →

Lemongrass “Beef” Spring Rolls | plantcrush x It’s Jerky Y’all

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What’s the one food you could eat everyday? For me, the answer would be spring rolls! There have been weeks where all I eat for dinner are spring rolls, especially during the long blazing heat of Texas summer. There are just so many ways to make them–they’re so fresh and fun! Plus, I think it’s the best way to get a lot of greens in (I’ll take spring rolls over salad any day).lime

It’s actually amazing that I don’t have a spring roll recipe on the blog yet, considering how much I eat them. Today, I am happy to share this spring roll recipe with you, in collaboration with one of my favorite vegan brands based in Texas: It’s Jerky Y’all! My dear friends at Sprinkles Creative and I teamed up to make this adorable how-to video for the recipe. I’m so happy my friends and I got to work together on this; we all had a blast. For the full written recipe, scroll down.

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Nana-politan Ice Cream Parfaits | plantcrush x Beets by Brooke

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Who else gets excited when they can sneak veggies into their desserts? I like to make healthy choices most of the time, but I’m also not opposed to treats, like this nana-politan ice cream parfait I whipped up with my friend Brooklynne (@beetsbybrooke)!process-3.jpgWe got together to create a Galentine’s Day menu featuring beets! We made a divine heart beet pizza and salad for the main meal, and for dessert, we decided to go crazy and put beets in our banana ice cream too! Beets have a lovely sweetness that is truly marvelous. #beetcrush Continue reading →

Heart Beet Pepperoni Pizza | Plantcrush x Beets by Brooke

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IMG_0487This recipe is for that girl you can’t live without. Final Process PicYour best friend, your sister, your mom, whomever it may be–show them you love them by making this delectable heart beet pizza, complete with a side salad! Ok, you can also make this for your male/other friends too, but the point is, this pizza came about because of the spirit of Galentine’s Day! Continue reading →

Q&A With a Pig | BB Addresses Her Fans

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For those of you who celebrate, I hope your Lunar New Year week has had a beautiful start! I’ve been spending a lot of time with family, eating great food and treats, and re-visiting childhood memories. In honor of the year of the pig, I asked you guys on Instagram to send in your questions about BB, the adorable pig I fostered a couple years ago. She has graciously taken the time to answer your queries below–enjoy!

How did Ann end up fostering you?

I was found wandering the streets in Fort Worth, and was taken to the Fort Worth Animal Care and Control Center. I had a couple scars…we’re not sure what happened to me, but thank goodness the animal shelter took care of me. They posted a picture of me on Facebook, and Ann found it through a local vegan group. Those people were so nice, helping me when they didn’t even know me! Ann shared the post with her former boss, V, who has had a pet pig before. V wanted to adopt me, but she was in the middle of moving, so Ann offered to foster me! She became my foster mom. 🙂 We lived together for about 3 months! Continue reading →

UT Arlington gets Down to Earth | Finally, a vegan place on campus + a giveaway!

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“The best feeling is when my customers tell me they feel the love I put into my cooking. The mission of Down to Earth is to bring you good food that’s good for you!”

— Alma Rangel, founder of Down to Earth

My university, UT Arlington, hasn’t always been the best place for vegans, vegetarians, or earth and health conscious folks. Having been a student there for almost a decade (yes, I’m in grad school now), I’ve seen it all–the struggle of choosing a bruised banana or a greasy hashbrown for morning fuel was real. I remember at orientation, I made my first friend over a sad/hilarious vegan bonding experience over the slim pickings at the salad bar. We rallied with other forward thinkers (veg and non-veg!), advocating for more plant-based options on campus in various ways, earning unanimous support from Student Congress.

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Photo courtesy of Richard Hoang (The Shorthorn).

Options got better overall, but they weren’t particularly amazing or consistent. La Blue Casa had a great run at College Park, until it went down in an unfortunate turn. If you wanted vegan tacos, your best bet would be to make your own (which we did). Now, with the arrival of Down to Earth at College Park, students can get a variety of vegan tacos and other authentic, plant-based Mexican fare on demand. Read to the end to find out how you can win a free meal at Down to Earth!

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Down to Earth offers a variety of taco fillings, including nopalitos (cactus), calabacitas (Mexican squash), spicy sweet potato and black beans, and aguacate a la Mexicana (avocado fans rejoice)!

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Chinese 5 Spice BBQ Jackfruit Bánh Mì Bites

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Happy 2019, friends! I’m just popping on the blog to share a quick recipe with you today, as I’ve gotten many messages about these jackfruit bánh mì bites on Instagram. I made them for a vegan NYE potluck my friends Christina and Courtney hosted, and they were a hit! The five spice is the lingering aroma that makes this dish epically memorable. I’ve used this warming spice in literally everything, from my go-to peanut sauce, to gingerbread cookies to faux beef stir fries, jackfruit bao bites, and even protein bars! It’s been my recent obsession and also is an homage to a lot of the food I had growing up in a Vietnamese household. This spice holds the ultimate expression of nostalgia for me.Chinese 5 Spice BBQ Jackfruit Bánh Mì Bites | plantcrush.co

As I get older, I have really loved leaning into my Vietnamese roots more, after many younger years where I pushed my culture away in order to assimilate/avoid being bullied for being “different.” Now, it always feels so damn good to embrace my family’s heritage and blend it with my own personal experiences/influences. This dish is kind of a fusion dish–5 Spice BBQ jackfruit on bánh mì bites! I’ve made 5 Spice BBQ fusion jackfruit bao bites before, and this recipe is basically the same thing but with bánh mì fixings. Continue reading →

2 Ingredient Chocolate Mousse With Citrus + Lychee

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Lychee is one of my favorite southeast Asian fruits, second only to mangosteen. Its pink-white flesh is glossy, delicate and aromatic…the vibrant taste is absolutely unique. Think of a grape, but juicier, with smooth floral, rosy notes and pear undertones. Even comparing it to a grape is slightly insulting, because its freshness and flavor is on an entirely different level.

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Clearly, lychee is my valentine this year.  Lychee is also considered a lucky fruit in Chinese culture, symbolizing family abundance and harmony, so this dessert would be a fun fusion dish for Lunar New Year gatherings this weekend. Red and golden hues make a lucky color palette. Continue reading →

Beet + Ginger Vitality Soup for Chinese New Year // A Cup of Joan Collab

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The Lunar New Year (commonly known as the Chinese New Year) is tomorrow! I’m so excited to finally share this collaboration that my friend Joan La (A Cup of Joan) and I have been working on. Joan is an ethical, vegan fashion blogger. Her content exists in a genre somewhere between storytelling, activism, and art. Ultimate goals–I love this babe so much!

I love the way Joan expresses herself and stands up for what she believes in. I’m Vietnamese (with some Chinese, but culturally I’m Viet) and Joan is Korean. We have passionately discussed the need for a bigger presence of Asian American and persons of color in the vegan movement. We’ve both noted that vegan versions of traditional Asian dishes are not as widely known, and it’s especially irksome when our cultural food is either looked down on or appropriated by “trendsetters” with no cultural context (vegan fish sauce as a start up venture, for example…). I could go into it more but this post is going to be long as it is, so I must save that for another time–let’s get to the good stuff! For our CNY collaboration, we decided to each post a recipe and share interviews with our moms, to celebrate our different cultures and share the similarities. Yesss, Asian female empowerment and solidarity! I urge you to check out Joan’s post here, and follow her beautiful inspiring Instagram here–you won’t regret it. Continue reading →

Lemon Lavender Candied Ginger (Mứt Gừng) for Chinese New Year (Tết) | plantcrush.co

Lemon Lavender Candied Ginger for Chinese New Year (Mứt Gừng)

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Like any new year celebration, Chinese New Year is about new beginnings. Sweet treats are popular cross-culturally, as they symbolize a sweet, joyful start to the upcoming year. I think we can all agree that we definitely need more joy this year. This year, I was honored to be invited by the lovely Christine (Vermilion Roots) to participate in a Chinese New Year sweets party with several other Asian bloggers. It’s kind of like a virtual potluck—I urge you to check out the participating blogs below, to get a taste of the lunar new year from various parts of Asia! Continue reading →

Fusion Jackfruit Bao Bites

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Hi lovelies! It’s been way too long–I literally haven’t blogged since last year! I owe you a lot of recipes. But I will make it up to you guys, starting with these adorable little bao bites…yes, I knooow, they look incredible and more importantly, they taste just as delicious as they look–you’re welcome. 😉

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