The Bojon Gourmet • seasonal recipes from a recovering pastry chef

Vegan Peanut Butter Fudgesicles

Chocolate peanut butter lovers rejoice! This vegan fudgesicle recipe takes just a few healthyish ingredients: coconut milk, peanut butter, maple syrup, cocoa powder, and vanilla. A hit of salt and chopped peanut butter cups take them over the top.

The Quest for a Healthier Homemade Fudgesicle Recipe

Full disclosure: Though I spent many childhood summers nomming strawberry, coconut, and lime fruit-only popsicles, as well as ice cream bars, Italian ices, and loads of Coffee Heath Bar Crunch ice cream, I can’t remember ever having eaten a classic Fudgesicle. Nor do I have any desire to. So my version may or may not taste like the classic. But I can assure you, it tastes delicious. And it definitely does not taste vegan or naturally-sweetened.

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Vegetarian Cobb Salad with Grilled Tofu & Coconut Bacon

This protein-packed vegetarian Cobb salad is loaded with marinated grilled tofu, smoky coconut bacon, California avocados, tomatoes, romaine, hard boiled eggs, cheese crumbles, and a creamy mustard vinaigrette. Thanks to the California Avocado Commission for sponsoring this post!

Last year, Sarah and I had the pleasure of styling a Cobb salad for The New York Times. The recipe was by Alison Roman and featured the classic Cobb combo of chicken, bacon, romaine, hard boiled eggs, avocado, tomatoes, blue cheese, and a mustard vinaigrette. I’ve been dreaming of making a vegetarian version ever since, and I’m so excited to share it with you today!

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Italian-Style Marinated Grilled Tofu

Grilled tofu doesn’t have to be an afterthought. Here I marinate slabs of firm tofu with lemon, garlic, olive oil, oregano, tamari, and maple syrup for a flavorful marinade that doubles as a sauce. Toss this in a cobb salad or enjoy it alongside other grilled vegetables and summer sides. More serving suggestions below!

Cookout season is here and if you’re gluten-free and vegetarian(ish) like me, every BBQ invitation brings anxiety at the thought of loads of meat products sandwiched in gluteny buns. Vegetarian options are often an afterthought, and if you try to find a tasty pre-made veggie burger that can handle a grill, you may be SOL.

Enter this marinated grilled tofu. It makes a great addition to pot lucks and parties because it takes just a few minutes to throw together, can be made well in advance for extra marinating time, and it cooks in minutes.

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4-Ingredient Coconut Bacon

This gluten-free vegan coconut bacon gets its salty/sweet/smoky flavor from just a few ingredients. It tastes just like crispy bacon bits but it’s vegetarian!

The first time I tried coconut bacon was at a vegan restaurant in Sebastopol over a year ago. Sarah, Gerry, Carla and I had finished setting up our food styling and photography workshop and ordered gluten free pizza and vegan caesar salad from a nearby restaurant. I was skeptical about the coconut bacon on the salad and I had questions. What is coconut bacon? How is it made? How could coconut possibly taste anything like bacon? How??

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Gluten Free Blueberry Cobbler with Lavender & Oat Biscuits

Rich & tender oat biscuits with crispy, craggy tops. Gooey blueberries kissed with lemon and lavender. Scoops of melty vanilla ice cream. This gluten free blueberry cobbler is a dreamy summer dessert that’s easy enough for weeknight baking, but special enough for weekend guests.

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Vegan Tahini Homemade Hot Fudge Sauce + Gluten Free Teff Waffles

Creamy, thick, gooey, warm, vegan chocolate sauce: homemade hot fudge sauce spiked with toasty tahini and a hit of salt can be in your face with just 8 ingredients and 10 minutes. Pour it over ice cream or make these luxurious gluten-free teff waffle sundaes!

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