ZITI WITH SUN-DRIED TOMATO CREAM

Here is a great Ziti with sun-dried tomato cream recipe. This is perfect for lunch or a light dinner and will be a home run to bring to a BBQ or your in-laws for a side dish with dinner.

1 lb ziti pasta
1 cup chopped oil-marinated sun-dried tomatoes
1 cup firm silken tofu, drained and crumbled
3 cloves garlic, chopped
4 Tbsp chopped fresh basil or
1 Tbsp dried basil
2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 small can marinated artichokes, drained and chopped
2 Tbsp minced fresh parsley

First you need to cook the ziti al dente. While the ziti is cooking, grab your food processor. In the processor, combine the tomatoes, tofu, garlic, basil, vinegar, salt, pepper and olive oil. Process these until you have a smooth consistency. Drain the pasta and toss the pasta with the sauce and artichokes. Sprinkle the top with the parsley. Enjoy!

VEGAN FRENCH TOAST

A common misconception is that Vegans don't have much of a selection of things to eat for breakfast but that is far from the truth! You just need a few ideas! Here's a super easy delicious recipe for Vegan french toast!

12 oz package silken tofu
1/2 cup soy milk
2 Tbsp maple syrup
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
2 Tbsp vegetable oil
4-6 slices of bread
Strawberries: sliced

First you're going to combine everything but the bread and strawberries in a blender. This would be the tofu, soy milk, cinnamon, salt and vegetable oil. blend until smooth. Pour mixture into a bowl and dip each slice of bread into it until coated. On a lightly oiled griddle, brown the battered bread on each side. Serve while it's hot and top with your sliced strawberries, nuts, and maple syrup. Yum!

VERY VERY EASY VEGAN TRUFFLES

So...here is a very very easy Vegan Truffle recipe that everyone will love whether they're Vegan or not. Vegan desserts don't have to be 'tough' to make, you just need to know what to make. This is a simple recipe that requires no 'bake' time and they're fun.

Servings: 5 dozen

1 1/2 cups Vegan chocolate chips
8 oz tofu cream cheese
3 cups Vegan powdered sugar
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
Garnishes: finely ground nuts, cocoa powder and toasted shredded coconut

First you are going to place the chocolate chips into the top of a double boiler. Put this over medium heat and melt. While this is melting, grab your food processor and place the Vegan cream cheese in it and process for 1 minute or until smooth and creamy. Add half of the powdered sugar and process around 30 seconds. Add the other half of the powdered sugar and blend well. Next you are going to take you melted chocolate chips and the vanilla in the processor and process until the chocolate is distributed through out the mixture evenly. Transfer this into a glass bowl, cover it and place in the fridge to chill for about an hour.

Here comes the fun part! After this has chilled for about an hour, using your hands, roll into 1 inch balls. Roll the balls in the garnishes so they're evenly covered. Store the in the fridge or the freezer and enjoy!