Ginger Shiitake Yuba Soup

I don’t know about you, but this semester is already draining the life out of me! This soup is a life saver when you’re hit with allergies, a sinus infection, body aches, food poisoning, and your period. Yes, I literally had to deal with all of that last week, on top of my thesis. I barely felt like eating, or cooking, for that matter, but I knew I needed something hot, spicy, soothing, and relatively easy (compared to the preparations and wait time for phở).

This healing soup comes together quickly, without too much work. The fiery combination of garlic, ginger, and white pepper will wake your senses, warming you from head to toe. I also like that there’s not too much chewing involved. It’s funny how the most mundane tasks, like chewing, become 100 times more difficult when you’re sick. This soup provides a spicy burst of nutrition to keep you going!Ginger Shiitake Yuba Soup | plantcrush.co

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Summer Farewell Peach Pizza

Last week on Instagram for #VeganMofo, I shared a shot with my favorite late summer food: fresh, ripe peaches. It was the aftermath of the recipe I’m about to share with you.

Summer Farewell Peach Pizza | plantcrush.co

I celebrated the end of summer with this sweet and savory pizza, made with all seasonal ingredients. Gather up your very last summer peaches and some basil from the garden! Continue reading

Kimchi ‘Bella Burgers

This post has been at least a year in the making. Last summer, I made some Asian-inspired portobella mushroom burgers for a friend and he told me they were the best burgers he’d ever tasted! I’ve since then made the recipe several times, tweaking things and adding different toppings.

This year, I’m participating in #VeganMofo for the first time! I’m mostly posting quick micro-blogs on Instagram, because grad school is my #1 priority at the moment. My life since last week: studying + studio all day every day (with breaks for food *photography* + quick runs to the gym). However, Vegan Mofo’s theme for Day 5, “best sandwich ever,” prompted me to create an entire blog post dedicated to this beautiful burger. 🙂

Burgers are sandwiches, right? 😉 I stepped up my game this time with double the ‘bellas, a creamy avocado basil sauce, and delectable caramelized kimchi (inspired by this dish made by ELY of Buzzfeed). This may be the best reincarnation of this burger yet!  Continue reading

Shredded Mushroom + Tofu Bánh Mì

I threw some things together to make bánh mì for my dad and myself last weekend, not thinking too much about it. The sandwiches turned out so beautifully that I had to photograph them and share a recipe with you!

Shredded Mushroom + Tofu Bánh Mì

When it comes to bánh mì, the fixings really make the sandwich, and silly things like measurements are not necessary. The quantity of fillings just depends on how hungry you are.

Fixings I used:

  • paprika mayo (I just whisked together some Just Mayo, smoked paprika & garlic powder)
  • cucumber sticks
  • fresh cilantro
  • fresh basil
  • jalapeño slices
  • Đồ chua (Vietnamese pickled carrots & daikon–available at Asian markets, or you can DIY!)
  • Sriracha

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Kimchi & Tofu Lettuce Wraps

The warm spring weather has prompted my sister and me to put many spring rolls and lettuce wraps on the menu lately. My cousin Jackie introduced us to kimchi tofu wraps last month and we’ve been hooked. Savory dry-fried tofu and fiery kimchi provide the main flavors in these wraps, while add-ins like basil, sprouts and cucumbers add green freshness.

Kimchi & Tofu Lettuce Wraps | plantcrush.co

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Bite-Sized Coconut Macaroon Nests

Say hello to the cutest dessert I’ve ever made, inspired by spring and nature!
Mini Coconut Macaroon Nests | plantcrush.coCrunchy on the outside, tender and chewy on the inside, these little coconut macaroon bites are best enjoyed soon after they’re taken out of the oven. They are decadent and delicate at the same time. To compliment the macaroons’ rich coconut flavor, I topped them with fresh juicy blueberries for some tart sweetness.

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Green Pear Flatbread Pizza

Happy National Pi Day! Let’s celebrate with pie. Pizza’s a pie, right?
Green Pear Flatbread Pizza | plantcrush.co
Fragrant pear slices + savory cilantro pesto + a toasty herb crust. I’ve been dreaming of this green pizza. When the idea for this recipe formed, I was feeling in between two things: inspired by the color green and craving a friend’s beloved apple pizza. Pesto-based pizzas may be above classic pizzas in my book of flavor cravings.

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Lunar New Year | Sweet Celebration Bowl

Chúc Mừng Năm Mới!
Happy Lunar New Year!

For today’s post, I considered making something savory, but we’ve been having some mildly warm afternoons here in Texas, so instead, I will share a refreshing fruity recipe. This recipe showcases lucky fruits with meanings for Tết (Lunar New Year): soursop (custard apple), coconut, papaya, and mango.
Sweet Celebration Bowl

In Vietnamese, the names of these fruits create a pun, “Cầu Dừa Đủ Xoài (Cầu Vừa Đủ Xài).” This phrase means “[Let’s] pray for just enough [resources/money/food, etc.] to use”–a wise wish for the new year.

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