The Wicked Good Vegan

Today I’m hosting the April 2013 edition of the Gluten-Free Ratio Rally, and I couldn’t be more excited! The theme this month is shortbread. And endless summer…

Tofu ricotta cheese is one of the laziest vegan throw-togethers ever, and you probably have all of the ingredients on hand. (Quick! Make it before that block of tofu in the fridge turns!) For something so easy, it adds awesomeness to many dishes, including stuffed shells, lasagna, and especially pizza.

Quick, easy, and delicious, I challenge you to find something savoury that isn’t made better by pink pickled onions.

Guacamole: my favourite way to eat more fat. (Yes, even more favourite than cashews, if you can believe it.)

Salsa: clean and simple. Except for the fire-roasted tomato part.

This tangy cream is used in everything from swirling into soups to topping freshly sliced fruit. Use it as a base to create flavoured creams for dipping or spreading, or simply dollop on top as a garnish.

Tapenade is a lovely Provençal dish. Traditionally, it includes anchovies, but this vegan version keeps it simple with olives, capers, and other flavourful ingredients. It’s still briny and delicious, it looks beautiful, and it’s easy to serve up with crackers or bread.

This black bean salad packs a lovely one-two punch of creaminess and smokiness with its dressing. The slight Mexican flair is perfect for lazy summer evenings when there’s too much outdoors to be spending an evening slaving over the stove.

This barbecue sauce is a no-brainer alternative to the ones in the store, which always seem to be mostly corn syrup. Bonus: it’ll make your kitchen smell awesome, and get you in the mood for some grilling.

For this June’s edition of the Gluten-Free Ratio Rally, I tackled vegan, gluten-free bread. The result? A bread that’s soft and chewy on the inside and crusty on the outside, which can be made into rolls or loaves. No gluten? No gums? No eggs? No problem.