Nowadays, with all the modern gear available (did you discover single-serve brewers yet?), preparing coffee, including Americano has never been easier.The following article contains instructions on how to prepare this drink as well other useful information about it. Sounds good? Read on!

What Is An Americano?

To put it simply, Americano is a shot of espresso with some added hot water. We already mentioned the history of the drink, and since its creation, the recipe has remained unchanged.

Still, the fact is that there are better and worse ways to prepare this beverage, and in the following sections we will go over some crucial points that you need to know to brew a proper cup.

The Base: Espresso

For a good Americano you will first need good espresso. Ideally, this means that you find some top quality beans and a fine espresso maker, but this isn’t necessary. You can use a pod coffee machine too if you prefer.

However, a very important factor that determines the quality of an Americano is the flavor of beans. When you pour in hot water over the espresso, it will emphasize the coffee’s bitterness, and this means that you should try to find beans which are not very bitter. If you fail to do to this, the result will be less than optimal, and your beverage is not going to be as enjoyable.

The Magic Word: Ratio

As you probably know, it is really important how much water you put in. This will largely determine whether the outcome is a success or not. Too much water will make the Americano too bland it will resemble drip coffee. Too little water will make it too strong. So what is the magic number?

Believe it or not, this has turned into a science and baristas have calculated the perfect amount of water for the given amount of espresso (single shot, double, or triple).

– 7 grams of coffee – 99 grams of Americano

– 14 grams of coffee – 197 grams of Americano

– 18 grams of coffee – 253 grams of Americano

– 21 grams of coffee – 296 grams of Americano

You can see that the amount of beverage is given in grams, and we’re going to clarify this further. Let’s explain by using an example.

Say that you use 14 grams of coffee grounds to make a single espresso shot. The next thing that you should do is place that cup on a scale and tare to zero. Then, grab some hot water and pour into the cup until you reach the desired grammage (197 grams, in this case). Voila! Your cup is ready!

Now, if you don’t want to memorize the numbers given above, just measure the weight of the coffee grounds that you plan to use and multiply it by 14 to get the final weight.

If you’re not into measuring and precision, you can also do it the layman’s way – just pour in 1 to 8 ounces of hot water over espresso. You’ll need to experiment a bit until you find the amount that suits you.

The Alternative Method: Water Goes First

In most cafés, Americano is prepared by pouring hot water over the espresso. This is fine, and it will make a perfectly good cup of Joe. However, if you are in the mood to try something a bit different do it the other way around – first water, then espresso.

Why should you do this? Well, pouring the espresso over the hot water will help to maintain the beautiful crema that forms on top. This is one of the most important features of a proper cup of coffee (according to some folks), and if it’s important to you too, then try this method.

The Details: Temperature Of Water

If you wish to be really precise with the preparation of your beverage, then you can get a thermometer and measure the temperature of the water. The right warmth according to most sources is anywhere between 185°F and 200°F. Our best advice is that you try different temperatures and see which one yields the most delicious result.

Conclusion

Due to modern world’s obsession with coffee and all things related to it, the preparation of this once simple beverage has been transformed into an art, and in some cases, even science. It’s very easy to be a coffee geek nowadays, and we see no harm in it, but if you are a simple, give-me-my-cup kind of person we assume that you won’t care about the finesses too much.

Whichever category you fall into, we hope that you will find our article useful and that you’ll be able to enjoy Americanos for years to come.

The post How To Make An Americano Coffee appeared first on Sea Bird's Truck.

This type of coffee consists of espresso, milk, and foam, and it is very similar to cappuccino. While there is no doubt that espresso can be made with every type of coffee bean, not every type of bean results in the same flavor and texture. But how can you know which coffee bean will make your cup of latte as delicious as it can be?

Stick, around, and in this article, I’ll give you the answer to this question and even more useful information.

Bonus: Learn To Find The Best Latte Machine With Paula

How To Understand The Flavor Profile?

Before I move on to explaining what flavor profile is, I should tell you that low-quality coffees usually don’t have flavor profile listed on their container. If you notice that this is not listed on the label, you should avoid this coffee. The flavor profile includes the descriptions of flavor and all of them together can show you whether the beans match your taste. Here are some common descriptions you can find on coffee containers and their meanings:

● Acidity: the measurement of the wine-like or fruity taste of the coffee.
● Aroma: the smell of coffee.
● Aftertaste: the lingering flavor that remains after you swallow the coffee which can sometimes be different than the initial flavor of the coffee.
● Balance: the ratio of different flavors, such as acidity, bitterness, and sweetness.
● Complexity: the number of different flavors and how they fit in together.
● Brightness: the flavor of the citrus fruit.
● Crema: a measure of freshness (not quality).
● Cleanliness: how free is coffee of defects and how clearly defined are the flavors.
● Earthiness: flavor like dirt or soil.
● Floral: perfume-like aroma and floral taste.
● Finish: flavors that are clear in the aftertaste.
● Sourness: sharp flavor similar to vinegar.
● Sweetness: sugary, honey and caramel notes.

What’s The Difference Between Robusta And Arabica?

If you have ever done just a little bit of research on coffee beans, you have probably heard about Robusta and Arabica. But do you know how are they different and which one is better? These two types are the most common on the coffee bean market.

Robusta is ideal for espresso because it produces a lot of crema, but Robustas don’t have a lot of subtypes. If you do decide to buy Robusta, always go for fresh, high-quality beans.

Unlike Robusta, Arabica has a lot of subtypes. These are commonly referred to as cultivars or varietals. While Robusta is an excellent choice for espresso, some varietals of Arabica do show high quality, such as bourbon (well-rounded taste), Ethiopian (a strong note of blueberry), and Typica (balanced flavor).

You can also decide for a blend of two or more types of beans, but be sure to check the flavor profile before you choose.

Is The Origin Of Coffee Relevant?

I always wondered why manufacturers have to accentuate that certain bean is from Brazil or another famous coffee region. However, as I became more passionate about coffee, I’ve learned that factors such as humidity, ambient temperature, soil, growing altitude all affect the taste and quality of coffee beans.

One thing to remember is the higher the growing altitude is, the better quality of the beans is.

The Significance Of Processing

Improperly processed coffee beans can result in undesirable earthy flavor or taste of mold/mildew. Let’s go through the most common processing methods so that you can learn the differences:

● Dry processing means allowing the coffee cherry to dry out naturally with the help of the ambient air. Beans processed this way are more prone to defects.
● Wet processing uses water to remove the cherry and access the bean. After, the beans are soaked in water and left like that for up to a week. This process results in more acidic and fruity notes.
● Honey processing is similar to wet processing except soaking the beans. The beans are washed and dried immediately. Beans processed like this produce the best balance of flavors.

How Can Roasting Change The Original Flavor?

Even though the type of coffee, origin, and processing form a certain taste, different methods of roasting can produce entirely different flavors. Here’s how:

● Lightly roasted coffee emphasizes the natural taste of the bean and sometimes tastes a bit grassy.
● Medium roasted coffee leaves the flavors fairly intact, but ads slight caramelization to the sugars in coffee.
● Darkly roasted coffee modifies the flavor the most and caramelizes sugars completely. This gives the roasts strong, bitter, smokey and burned notes.

Here It Comes The Best Coffee Beans For Latte!

Are you nervous about having to wait this long to get the answer from the titular question? Well, I’m sorry, but the answer isn’t that simple, and you need to be better familiarized with the terminology, different types of beans and factors that impact their taste.

As I said, latte is an espresso-based drink, but while espresso can be made with all kinds of beans (depending on your taste), latte isn’t that flexible. Because latte contains a significant amount of milk which alters its flavor and strength, subtle and weak taste profiles don’t work well for this drink.
It is better to decide for beans with bold, more pronounced flavors so that the natural taste of coffee overpowers the milk. For the same reason, you should choose the medium of full-bodied coffees because they enhance the richness of the coffee taste, which is very desirable for latte. Light bodied coffees, on the other hand, result in watery taste.

Final word

Preparing a perfect cup of latte depends on many things, including your skill, the choice of milk, your coffee maker and, of course, the coffee beans you decide for. With this article, at least you will have the last thing covered.

I hope the tips I gave will be useful for you. Let me know if you have any additional question in the comment section below.

The post How To Choose The Best Coffee Beans For Latte appeared first on Sea Bird's Truck.

However, while they are both, as the name says, coffee with milk, the manner of their preparation as well as the resulting taste, differ greatly. Soon, you will find out exactly how and why.

The Similarities And Differences

For starters, there are more than a few similarities between the two types of coffee. They both use espresso as the most common coffee base, and both use steamed milk in the mixture more often than not. However, that’s where most of the similarities end.

The first big difference between the two types of coffee is the way milk is incorporated into the mixture. Caffé latte uses a lot of milk and is usually two parts milk one part espresso. It also uses a mixture of steamed milk and milk froth that is usually lighter on the froth. Some even use micro-froth, and there are various ways in which one can achieve the perfect ratio of milk-to-froth.

Because of this, making a latte can be quite a lengthy process. Pouring the milk into the espresso is an art in itself, and one of the things that led to the wide popularity of café latte is the latte art made by pouring the milk. Some people who are less artistically inclined like the pour the espresso after the milk, which is sometimes referred to as a “reverse latte” and creates a different taste.

Caffé au lait, on the other hand, uses milk differently. It only uses steamed milk and uses no froth at all, while the mixture is half espresso and half milk. However, the coffee that’s used doesn’t necessarily have to be espresso. While it is rare to see caffé latte made with anything other than espresso it is not uncommon for caffé au lait to be made with any other kind of strong coffee, usually brewed in a French press.

However, there are even more differences in these types of coffee depending on where in the world you happen to be. What do I mean by that? Well, allow me to explain.

The US Vs. Europe

The way latte – and especially caffé au lait – is made, differs greatly when you cross the Atlantic. Many people are confused when they order one of these beverages in a foreign country and get something completely different from what they thought they were going to get. That’s because these beverages developed differently in European countries when compared to the US.

For starters, in a lot of European countries, the term “caffé au lait” is used interchangeably with “caffé latte,” and there is little or almost no difference between the two. Depending on which part of Europe you’re in, it might not even be called either of these names. In Germany, it would be “milchkaffee” for example, while in Spain it would be known as “café con leche” and so on.

In some other countries, the two terms are used to indicate if the coffee is served in the French way (caffé au lait) or the Italian way (caffé latte). The first is almost always served in a white cup or bowl and might use espresso or some other dark coffee, while the second is almost always served in a kitchen glass and made by using an espresso machine.

In the US, things are a bit different. Caffé au lait is almost always significantly different from café latte and more commonly brewed using strong coffee as a base instead of espresso, and it’s served in a cup. There are a lot of regional variants as well, with the most prominent being the one found in New Orleans where it is mixed with chicory and made using scalded milk instead of steamed milk, producing an exceptionally bitter taste.

So, be careful what you’re asking for when going to the other side of the pond – you might find yourself getting a different cup of coffee than you’re used to. Or, if you’re in Italy, a plain glass of milk, in case you only ask for “a latte.”

But there are at least two other types of coffee with milk that are commonly confused with these two. What about them? Well, here’s the deal.

What About Cappuccino And Macchiato?

These are two other coffee-based beverages similar to caffé latte and caffé au lait. They are also often confused with them and, depending on the region, you might get something more similar to latte when you order one of them.

Cappuccino is especially similar to latte since it’s also made out of espresso with steamed and frothed milk. However, the difference is the ratio of milk to froth in the mixture. Cappuccino has a lot more froth than milk, which leads to a different taste – that’s also why coffee art can’t be made well with a cappuccino.

Macchiato is another type of coffee made with espresso as a base to which the milk is added. However, it only uses milk froth and no steamed or scalded milk. It’s much less creamy than any of the similar beverages.

Now, where things get a little murky is when making “wet” cappuccino that uses more milk than usual. It can be almost indistinguishable from a latte and in many places it is just a latte. This varies from shop to shop and from region to region.

Macchiato can also slide into cappuccino territory if some milk is added to it, though you will probably never mistake one for a latte.

Overall, these are all similar coffees, but they still have some significant difference that you will become attuned to after drinking them for a while.

Conclusion

And so, we’ve come to the end of this article. As you can see, caffé latte and café au lait can be significantly different types of beverages. They do share a lot of similarities though, and in some parts of the world, these names are used to refer to the same beverage.

However, once you get a taste for them you will be able to tell the difference with a single taste – even if a coffee shop calls something a latte, you will know if it isn’t.

The post The Difference Between Latte And Cafe Au Lait appeared first on Sea Bird's Truck.

These legumes, like many others of their kind, are native to Central and South America and have migrated westwards during the European colonization of those parts of the world. These days they are a staple of many, and beloved by cultures and cuisines all over the globe. In this article, we are going to elaborate on why you should include more of this food in your diet (vegan or not), as well as give you some cool white bean vegan recipes.

Why Should You Eat White Beans?

One cup of cooked white beans isn’t much, right? However, it hides a world of nutritional wonders, and in this section, we will discuss what kinds of benefits a small portion of these beans provides you with. After reading this, there will be no excuse not to include this food in your eating regimen.

Packed With Fiber

As you may or may not know, most of the legumes (including white beans) are full of fiber, both soluble and insoluble. Just one cup of cooked white beans satisfies more than 40% of your recommended daily fiber requirements. That sounds great, but why does it matter? Well, soluble fiber can bind itself with bile acids that form in your stomach and remove them out of the body, thus preventing their further build up.

This process prevents the absorption and synthesis of bad cholesterol. Insoluble fiber will increase the amount of your stool and prevent constipation. The latter is good news for anyone with irritable bowel syndrome.

Anti-Cancer Properties

When our bodies metabolize, they produce these things known as the free radicals. These compounds tie to the cells and cause a plethora of negative effects such as faster aging, cancer, etc. White beans can help here since they contain a lot of antioxidants which fight and destroy free radicals, so regular intake of antioxidant-rich foods will negate their effects.

Good For The Heart

Vitamin B9, which goes by the name of folic acid (folate), can also be found in the white bean. This vitamin is known to counter the effects of the amino acid homocysteine which has been related to an increased risk of stroke and heart attack.

One cup of white beans has about 50% of your recommended daily folate intake. It has been shown that people who regularly consumed a 100% of the recommended daily value have decreased their risks of heart disease by 10% since their homocysteine levels declined as time went by.

Maintains Good Cognitive Functions

Renewal and proper operation of brain cells partially depend on regular intake of a vitamin called B1, also known as thiamin. This vitamin has been linked to the normal functioning of your brain and memory, and one cup of white beans contains around 15% of the recommended daily value of B1.

Source Of Quality Protein

A cup of cooked beans contains around 18-20 grams of high-quality protein, which is the same amount that 100g of chicken breast have. This is an essential factor for vegans or anyone who is on a diet that might be lacking this macronutrient. However, make sure to combine the beans with other plant protein sources in order to have a complete amino acid profile and reap the most benefits.

White Bean Vegan Recipes

1. White Bean And Mushroom Soup

Creamy, rich and delicious – three words to describe this dish. The white bean and mushroom soup is one of those hearty meals that you’ll crave on a cold autumn afternoon; perfect to share with a loved one. It is healthy, satiating and loaded with flavor, so don’t be surprised if it becomes one of your favorite meals. The best part is, it takes a mere 40 minutes to prepare!

Ingredients

● 450 grams of baby Bella mushrooms
● 1 red onion
● 2 cloves of garlic
● 400 grams of white beans (1 can)
● 500 milliliters of vegetable broth
● 1 teaspoon of dried rosemary
● Salt
● Pepper
● 1 tablespoon of olive oil

Instructions

1. Peel and chop the red onion; peel and finely mince the garlic cloves.
2. Wash and roughly chop the mushrooms; drain and rinse the white beans.
3. Heat up oil in a saucepan and then add the onion and garlic. Stir frequently and let it cook until the onions start to brown.
4. Add the mushrooms and let them soften.
5. After the mushrooms become soft and the rosemary and the white beans.
6. Let everything cook for about 4-5 minutes and then add the vegetable broth.
7. Season with salt and pepper, bring to a boil and let it simmer for about 30 minutes.
8. You can let it cook for longer if you wish.
9. Take the immersion blender, place it into the soup and blend until creamy.
10. Garnish with fresh herbs.

2. Spicy White Bean Vegan Chili

Lovers of Mexican cuisine will be thrilled to find this recipe. Here, we are presenting you with a spicy and tasty vegan version of this famed dish. Chili has been a family favorite all over the world for many decades now, and the beauty of it is that its ingredients are flexible and it can be prepared in bulk. Our white bean chili doesn’t require any preparation ahead and is made with ingredients that are affordable and easy to find in most households.

Ingredients

● 3 large tomatoes
● 2 white onions
● 2 cloves of garlic
● 100 grams of chopped mild chilies
● 450 milliliters of vegetable broth
● ½ teaspoon of red ground pepper
● 1 teaspoon of oregano
● Salt
● Pepper
● 1 tablespoon of olive oil
● 800g of canned white beans (2 cans)
● Non-dairy cheese

Instructions

1. Wash and finely chop tomatoes, peel and chop onions, peel and mince garlic gloves.
2. Finely chop the chilies.
3. Heat up a pan over medium heat.
4. Add the onions and let them cook until they are light brown.
5. Add the chopped chilies, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and all the spices.
6. Reduce the heat and let the mixture simmer until tomatoes soften.
7. Add the vegetable broth, bring to boil, reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 15 minutes.
8. Add the beans and let the chili simmer until it thickens (about 15-20 minutes)
9. Season with salt and pepper to taste
10. Serve in a bowl and grate the non-dairy cheese over it

3. Mediterranean White Bean Salad

This healthy Mediterranean white bean salad combines the crunch of fresh vegetables, mushiness of the beans, and a variety of condiments to deliver a multi-textured, flavorful meal. It is light and quick to whip up which makes it ideal for folks who like to eat on the go. Have it at home or bring it to work for lunch.This one is a great option for those trying to lose some weight and do it on a budget. All the foods that go into this dish are cheap, healthy, and it’s almost impossible to overeat on this salad.

Ingredients

● 1 bunch of parsley
● 400g canned white beans (1 can)
● 20-25 cherry tomatoes
● 4 cloves of garlic
● 2 tablespoons of olive oil
● Juice from 1/2 lemon
● Pepper
● Salt
● Handful of walnuts

Instructions

1. Wash the cherry tomatoes and slice them into halves.
2. Open the can, drain and rinse the beans thoroughly.
3. Chop the parsley into large chunks.
4. Peel and finely mince the garlic.
5. Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl and pour olive oil over it.
6. Squeeze a little bit of lemon juice on the salad, add salt and pepper to taste.
7. Throw in a handful of walnuts.

Conclusion

When it comes to white beans (or any bean as a matter of fact), you need to keep your mind open, because this is the only way to experience the full potential of this wonderful food. Try out new recipes or try to make up your own original dishes, because beans present an ideal base for experimentation.

Keep in mind that healthy food can also be delicious, and these legumes prove that pleasure doesn’t have to be guilty. Even if you are not vegan, try switching meat for a few servings of beans once in a while. We are sure that you will love it and your body will thank you.

The post White Bean – The Unfairly Overlooked Bean + Vegan Recipes appeared first on Sea Bird's Truck.

Being vegan does not deliberate you from this important task, and your family and friends are sure to hold it against you too! Do not worry though, as we are always at your side! So, do continue reading and you will find numerous vegan bread pudding recipes which are sure to wow your guests and leave them asking for more!

What Is Bread Pudding?

As its name suggests, a bread pudding is a bread-based dessert. It is very popular all over the globe but is thought to originate from Great Britain. Americans have made it a part of their tradition too and often serve it during the holidays.

Common ingredients needed to make this delicious treat are the stale bread of any type, milk, butter, and eggs. You can already assume that making a vegan version can be a bit challenging as most of these ingredients are a big No-No in the vegan world.

Preparation is more-less the same no matter which specific ingredients are being used- you need to soak the bread with some liquid, add the rest of the ingredients and bake it in the oven. It is usually a rather easy and quick process.

Should You Serve Your Vegan Bread Pudding Hot Or Cold?

Bread pudding is sure to add cheer to your holiday party, but we all know that cooking for a large group of people is never an easy task. Sometimes it is easier to prepare things a bit ahead of the time as to be able to rest for a while and have enough energy to entertain your guests.

For this reason, many people wonder is it ok to serve the bread pudding cold? Moreover, is there a way to reheat it without spoiling its texture or taste? In our opinion bread pudding is best served warm. You can refrigerate the leftovers and have them later, but in that case, we recommend you heat them up.

So, how to do it properly? If you have a microwave, you can use it for this purpose, but you have to be careful to get the settings right. Namely, if you heat your bread pudding on the maximum power setting, it will change its texture and become kind of spongy and difficult to chew. You do not want that, do you?

Therefore, make sure that you set your microwave to the medium power and short time intervals. It is better to repeat the process twice than dry up your bread pudding too much. For this reason, you should also heat this dessert in a container with a cover or a lid that will keep the moist contained within.

If you do not own a microwave, you can use your oven. Once again you have to be careful as the oven can dry your bread pudding too. As a solution, we suggest making a water bath and placing all your portions in individual ceramic bowls in it. If you like your bread pudding top soft, you should cover it with aluminum foil, if you prefer it crusty leave it uncovered.

You can place them in the oven as soon as your guest arrive, set it on low, and take the perfectly warmed portions when the dinner is over, and it is time for dessert! Your guest will appreciate this warm treat, especially during the winter!

Bread pudding can be served with sauce or cream, or simply sprinkled with sugar. If you serve it with the sauce, you have three options: placing the sauce in a separate bowl, putting a slice of bread pudding on top of the sauce, or pouring some sauce over a piece of bread pudding. Bread pudding can also be topped with chilled fruits such as various berries, oranges or bananas. In this way, you will make it more healthy and nutritious.

If you serve your bread pudding as a part of a Christmas dinner, you can be a bit (or a lot) creative and play with Christmas decorations. For example, you can serve the pudding in a jar and tie a red ribbon around it with a little personalized Christmas card for every guest.

The Best Vegan Bread Pudding Recipes

Step by step, we have reached the most important section of our article. A good recipe is a guarantee of a tasty meal, and knowing this we have found four best vegan bread pudding recipes. Believe us, you and your family and friends are sure to enjoy every mouthful! Even if some of your guests are not vegan, they will be 100%satisfied!

Here are our suggestions for the best vegan bread pudding recipes:

Vegan Banana Bread Pudding

Ingredients

• 7 ounces of a whole grain bread
• 3/4 of a cup almond milk
• one tablespoon of real maple syrup
• one teaspoon of ground flax
• two sliced bananas ( you can use strawberries or blueberries as well)
• two tablespoons of natural peanut butter
• 1/4 teaspoon of cardamom
• maple syrup

Preparation

Before you start, turn the oven on and set it to 400°F allowing it to preheat. Next, mix all the ingredients in a large bowl. Pour the mixture into individual ramekins and place them into the oven for 20 minutes. The time can vary due to differences in the size of ramekins and oven strength, so you should also keep an eye on the bread pudding and take it out when the top crust becomes golden brown.

We suggest you serve it warm and with some maple syrup on top.

Neutral Vegan Bread Pudding

Ingredients

• 5 cups of bread cut in cubes
• 2 1/4 cups of soy milk
• 1/2 cup of brown sugar
• two tablespoons of maple syrup
• one teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup of raisins
• ground cinnamon to your taste

Preparation

Whisk the soy milk, sugar, vanilla and maple syrup in a large bowl. Gently mix in the bread cubes and leave the mixture to sit for 10 minutes, to allow the bread to absorb the soy milk and become soft. Gently mix in the raisins and cinnamon and pour the mixture into the well greased 8×8 pan. Place the pan in a preheated oven and bake for 30 to 45 minutes or until the pudding turns golden brown and there is no milk.

Tofu Bread Pudding

Ingredients

• 10 ounces of tofu
• nine slices of bread cut into cubes (approximately 1 inch each)
• one tablespoon of vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup of raisins

Preparation

Before you start, set the oven to 350 F degrees and let it heat. Mix tofu with bread, vanilla extract, and raisins making sure that all of the bread gets well coated. Leave it to soak for ten minutes.
Grease a 9-inch casserole dish, pour the mixture into it and place it in the oven to bake for half an hour.

Pumpkin Bread Pudding

Ingredients

• 4 cups of cubed bread
• 1/4 cup of unsweetened almond milk
• one tablespoon of melted coconut oil
• 1/4 cup of coconut/brown sugar
• 1/4 cup of maple syrup
• 1/3 cup of crushed raw cashews
• 1 cup of plain pumpkin purée
• three tablespoons of cornstarch
• two tablespoons of rum
• 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt
• whiskey
• liquor
• 1/2 tablespoon of vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon of almond extract

You can use two tablespoons of pumpkin pie spice or:

• one teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon of ground allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon of ground ginger
• 1/8 teaspoon of ground cloves

Preparation

Start by preheating the oven to 350 F degrees. Spread the bread on a baking sheet and bake it until it dries and becomes firm and crisp. Do not turn the oven off.

Use a blender to blend the almond milk, maple syrup, coconut oil, cashews, sugar, and pumpkin puree into a smooth mixture. Use a mesh sieve to pour the mixture into a large bowl.
Whisk the cornstarch with some almond milk to break all the lumps, and then add it to the bowl as well. Add the liquor, vanilla and almond extracts, salt, and spice(s). Grease the loaf pan and spread half of the bread cubes. The other half should be joined with the mixture in the large bowl and then poured on top of the dry bread.

Place the loaf pan into the oven and bake for around half an hour. When taken out, the bread pudding should be left to cool off for five minutes and then served hot with some vegan ice cream.

Conclusion

We hope that we have inspired you to make your life sweeter during the holiday season. Remember, this is the time of the year that you should spend with your loved ones! We are sure that they will appreciate your invitation, but they will love you even more after they taste the delicious bread pudding you have made especially for them.

So, try out our vegan bread pudding recipes, and do not forget to put the secret ingredient. (Shhhh! It is LOVE!)

The post The Best Vegan Bread Pudding Recipes To Treat Yourself During Holidays appeared first on Sea Bird's Truck.

Indeed, only a few of us can boast of a working place which is close to a restaurant that serves vegan food to go or have an office right next to a farmer’s market. In short, vegans usually do not have it easy when it comes to eating nutritious, high-quality food at their work. Of course, you can bring an apple or a banana, some vegan protein shake or other snack, but if you work long hours that will simply not be enough.

For this reason, we have set on a mission to discover the best vegan lunches for work, and we will share the quest and its results with you.

Will Eating Vegan Food Influence Your Performance At Work?

If you are an experienced vegan, you have surely discovered all the pros and cons of this kind of diet. It is not all bells and whistles, but being vegan definitely offers a lot of benefits, especially when it comes to your health. However, there are some drawbacks too, and some of them are more than important if your work entails a lot of hard physical work or mental strain and stress. In both cases, you will have to eat well, and make sure you are getting all the nutrients you need so that your mind and body can function optimally.

For this reason, you need to plan your meals carefully to make sure that you intake all the important vitamins and minerals. If not, you might experience the lack of concentration, tiredness or even become seriously ill.

The first problem that many vegans encounter is the lack of Iron. Red meat is a great source of iron, and when you eliminate it from your diet, you automatically risk disturbing the iron levels in your body. Iron deficiency results in you feeling tired and sleepy, which can seriously diminish your working abilities and hinder your performance.

As we have already mentioned, people on a regular diet get their iron from the meat. This does not mean that iron cannot be found in plant-based food. It is, quite oppositely, present in most fruit and vegetables, especially the green leafy veggies.

The problem is that the absorption of iron from vegan food is much slower and less successful in comparison to that from meat. To fulfill your nutritional needs, you must try to eat wholemeal flour, beetroot, pulses, and drink nettle tea. You can also take supplements or ready-made food fortified with iron. On the other hand, do not make eating packaged (and thus processed) food a habit. You might not be at home, but you still want to eat as healthy as possible. That is the whole point of becoming a vegan in the first place, isn’t it?

Another potential problem of a vegan diet is a lack of Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D. Together with iodine and DHA (the long-chain omega-3 fat), these vitamins regulate your mood (or mood swings, to be more precise). If you have too low levels of these vitamins, you can feel a bit depressed- which is certainly not a good thing when you are at work, no matter what you do.

The lack of vitamin B12 will also contribute to your fatigue, which is even worse as it can further diminish your working ability. If you want to prevent these problems, you should either take supplements or fortified food as that is the only way to get enough vitamin B12 and DHA. Vitamin D will rise if you spend enough time in the sun, so you can use a brake time at your work and go out to enjoy the sun ( at least for a short time).

The Best Vegan Lunches For Work

We have reached the most important part of this article. By now, you should have realized that eating proper food at your work is very important, even more so when you work hard and experience tiredness all the time. Our recipes are, therefore, simple and easy to make and take with you, but also rather healthy. Perhaps some of them will not be able to better your performance, but most will at least be tasteful and healthy and thus make you quite satisfied. In the end, happy employees are better workers!
Finally, let’s look at some suggestions:

1. Quick And Easy Grain Bowl

You will need: a grain of choice (rice, quinoa,millet) , a cup of beans, a cup of chopped raw broccoli , a cup of chopped carrots, salt, spices of your choice.

How to prepare: Boil the grain you have chosen and mix it with all the other ingredients. Place the mixture into a microwave-safe container that has a lid. Put it in the microwave and set it on medium power. Let it cook for 60-90 seconds. Make sure to stir it when you take it out. Finally, enjoy this healthy vegan dish!

Extra Tips: This recipe is especially useful if you have a microwave at your work since then you can enjoy it while it is warm! You can combine this dish with fresh veggies as well, and we recommend tomatoes, olives, and onions!

2. Tasty Vegan Sandwiches

You will need: two slices of a whole-grained bread, 2 tablespoons of hummus, some chopped and sliced fresh vegetables of your choice- be creative!

How to prepare: This is obviously a very simple meal to prepare, and therefore it is a great choice when you are in a hurry. Simply spread the hummus on your bread, place the veggies of your choice on top of it, join the two slices together and you are done!

You can take these sandwiches wherever your work takes you as they are light, easy to pack, and can be eaten without any additional “equipment”- not even a fork!

3. Speedy Vegan Pasta

You will need: One package of whole wheat spaghetti, 3 tablespoons of olive oil, 2 tablespoons f minced garlic, 3 diced tomatoes, 1 chopped red onion, 1 chopped yellow bell pepper, 1 chopped red bell pepper, 1 cup of chopped zucchini, 1/2 cup of sliced fresh mushrooms, 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar and seasoning to your taste.

How to prepare: To be honest you will have to do a lot of chopping, slicing, and dicing, but you are sure to enjoy the end results. So, prepare all the ingredients. Cook the pasta in a slightly salted water for around 10 minutes. Place skillet over a medium heat and saute garlic until its brown mix in all the vegetables and stir until they become tender. (it will take only a few minutes) Add the balsamic vinegar and season to your taste. Join the veggies and spaghetti, and you are ready to take your meal to work- it is great even when it cools down!

Conclusion

We hope that you like our suggestions, we have tried them all and are more than satisfied- but that might be our taste! If you have any complaints, or you do not like any ingredients, you can simply replace them with something you do like. We have chosen these recipes due to the endless combinations you can make using the foundations provided. So feel free to experiment, be creative and alter anything you like or do not like! Just make sure you choose healthy ingredients that will deliver all the important nutrients you need while working!

The post Be A Green, Mean Working Machine: The Best Vegan Lunches For Work appeared first on Sea Bird's Truck.

Today we will focus on pinto beans, their history, benefits and finally some amazing vegan recipes that include these pink-brownish legumes.

About Pinto Beans

The history of pinto bean cultivation goes back thousands of years to the ancient civilizations of Mexico and Peru. In the 15th Spanish explorers who were returning home from South and Central America brought these beans to Europe, and from there they spread to Africa and Asia.

They fall into the category of “common” beans along with their cousins like kidney beans, navy beans, Great Northern beans, etc. However, one thing that sets pinto beans apart from the others is that they contain the most fiber out of all popular beans eaten today.

Health Benefits Of Pinto Beans

Now that we’ve learned a bit about the history and gained some basic knowledge of the pinto bean, it is time to talk about the health benefits of this wonderful legume.

All That Protein

As mentioned before, a major concern for some vegans is how to intake a sufficient amount of protein on a daily basis. Pinto beans are a fantastic source of lean protein, meaning that, contrary to meat, they contain almost no fat in their structure.

About 100g of chicken or fish will provide you with about 20 to 25 grams of protein, whereas 100g of pinto beans (uncooked) contains around 21 grams of protein. As you can see, the numbers do not fall far behind.

Full Of Fiber

If you search for a list of foods high in fiber, you’ll discover that beans are on top of it, and the pinto bean contains THE highest amount of fiber out of the entire bean family. Why is this good? Well, fiber plays an important role in our digestion and the processing of food in our body.

Also, fiber can also regulate blood sugar levels and lower cholesterol. It promotes stool bulk and helps to prevent constipation which is a struggle many people face. Just one cup of cooked pinto beans contains about 15 grams of fiber which is 60% of the recommended daily fiber intake for a 2000 calorie diet.

Minerals And Vitamins

Iron is one of the main minerals that regulate our energy production and metabolism. It is especially important that menstruating or pregnant women intake enough of this element, and pinto beans are a fantastic source. Unlike other iron sources such as red meat, these beans are almost fat-free and very low in calories.

One mineral that aids iron absorption and synthesis is copper, and it too can be found in the pinto, along with manganese. Vitamin B1 or thiamin helps our cognitive functions and maintains our good memory.

Helps To Detoxify The Body

Certain foods (especially preserved ones) that we eat contain substances known as sulfites which can cause problems such as rapid heartbeats, headaches, and disorientation. Pinto beans have a very rare trace mineral molybdenum, which can help people sensitive to sulfites to detoxify their body.

Most folks usually don’t have problems with sulfites but those who react to them might have low molybdenum levels in their bodies, and it would be a good idea to replenish them.

Tasty Pinto Beans Recipes

1. Mexican Pinto beans

Mexican food and beans are almost synonymous, and if anyone knows to make these legumes taste absolutely amazing , it is the Mexicans. Now, preparing beans from scratch might sound like a lot of hassle and many people avoid it because they have the wrong ideas about the process.

This recipe is here to prove them wrong, and show that it is actually quite simple and heaps more delicious than anything you can buy in a store. This recipe will show you how to prepare beans in bulk which you can use right away or freeze for later. The final product is not a
dish in itself, but a base for other bean related recipes.

Ingredients:

• 450 grams of dry pinto beans
• 1.5 liters of water
• 500 ml of water (for later)
• ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper
• ½ teaspoon of paprika
• ½ teaspoon of cumin
• ½ teaspoon of garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon of onion powder
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Pour the beans into a large pot and go through them with your hands to remove any undesirable components.
2. Pour 1.5 liters of water over the beans and bring to a boil.
3. After it starts boiling, reduce the heat, cover and let it simmer for about 1 hour.
4. Add all the seasonings except for salt, pour in 500 ml of water, and let it simmer covered for another hour.
5. Taste the beans to see if they are fully cooked and add salt or other seasonings to taste.

2. Vegan Pinto Bean Tacos

Tacos are definitely one of the most beloved street foods in the Americas, and the vegan versions have become just as popular as the meaty ones. This dish includes cooked pinto beans from recipe number 1, and a variety of veggies and condiments to flavor up the whole package.

If you have your beans ready to go, these tacos are so quick to make and can make a
perfect meal for any time of the day.

Ingredients:

• 500g of cooked pinto beans
• 1 avocado
• 2 tomatoes
• 100g of sweet corn
• 2 jalapeno peppers
• 8 small tortillas
• Fresh cilantro
• Juice from one lime
• Salt
• Pepper

Instructions

1. Take out about 500g of cooked beans from the pot along with the broth. Place it in a smaller pot, heat it up and let the liquid evaporate so that you get a thick sauce. Remove from the heat.
2. Wash and slice tomatoes, jalapenos, and cilantro. Peel and slice the avocado.
3. Open a can of sweet corn and rinse it well.
4. Place a pan over medium heat.
5. Heat up the tortillas about 30 seconds each side.
6. Put the tacos together. Take a tortilla and put 2 tablespoons of bean in it. Top the beans with chopped tomatoes, jalapenos, cilantro, sliced avocado, and a handful of sweet corn.
7. Squeeze some lime juice on the taco before serving.

3. Pinto Bean Veggie Soup

There is truly nothing like a warm, hearty soup for the cold and bleak days. It can cure even the most severe cases of “winter blues,” guaranteed! This pinto bean and vegetable soup is healthy and so tasty that it is almost unbelievable. The best part is that it will provide you with nourishing, nutritious, guilt-free pleasure, and all of this with the minimum amount of effort. It is a 100% vegan, and we are sure that any omnivore will be able to appreciate it as much as plant eaters do.

Ingredients:

• 200g dry pinto beans
• 1 liter of water
• 2 tomatoes
• 1 onion
• 4 potatoes
• 2 carrots
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper

Instructions:

1. Soak the pinto beans overnight. After the beans are soaked, drain the soaking water and rinse them well.
2. Peel and slice the onion, and chop the potatoes, carrots, and tomatoes.
3. Place a pot over medium heat and add the olive oil.
4. Add the onions to the pot. Keep stirring and fry them until they are brown and soft.
5. Add the beans, potatoes, carrots, and onion to the pot and cover with water.
6. Bring to a boil and once it starts boiling reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer for about an hour.
7. Check if the ingredients are soft and cooked.
8. When it is cooked, take an immersion blender and blend until the soup becomes homogenous.
9. Add salt and pepper to taste.
10. Wait a few minutes for the soup to cool down.
11. Serve with slices of sourdough bread.

Conclusion

We hope that the facts and recipes provided in this article will inspire you to eat healthier, and show you that beans and vegan dishes can be just as exciting as any other food. All of the recipes provided today can be enjoyed by anyone who loves tasty and easy-to-make meals, not just plant-based eaters.

Also, we advise you not to stop here and suggest that you explore more bean-based dishes since the world of legumes is versatile and has a lot to offer. Non-vegans or people who do not have any health problems can certainly benefit from introducing more plant foods in their diet, especially regarding finance. That would be all for today, stay inspired in the kitchen!

The post Pinto Bean Facts And Delicious Vegan Recipes appeared first on Sea Bird's Truck.

Most people who go on gluten-free diets start eating a lot of meat, eggs, and cheese to replace all the foods they stopped eating. However, vegetarians and vegans don’t have that option and going on a gluten-free diet without meat might seem like a tough thing to do.

There are ways to do it, though, and plenty of recipes that you can use to get through it. Today, we will list some important info about gluten-free diets, how they impact vegetarians and go through a few of the best vegetarian, gluten-free recipes we could find. So, let’s get started!

What is Gluten?

Gluten is a word that’s been thrown around a lot these days, but not a lot of people understand what gluten is. In short, the word refers to a while family of different proteins that can be found in grains like wheat, barley, rye, oat, and others. Thus, it can also be found in most products derived from those grains. It’s what gives dough elasticity and what gives pastries their savory taste and chewy texture. Proteins in corn, maize, and rice are also called gluten sometimes, but they are not the ‘true’ gluten we are talking about here, which is only found in some grains.

However, gluten has found wide application in the food industry and many common, everyday products contain it. This type of wheat gluten is also called seitan.

This is especially pertinent to vegetarians and vegans since many staple foods of vegetarian and vegan diets are filled with gluten. Imitation meats are made almost entirely out of gluten, for example, and it can be commonly added to soy-based products like tofu. If you’re a vegan making a Thanksgiving dinner, you have probably used or heard of the Tofurkey, and it is loaded with gluten. It is also present in various condiments, like soy sauce or ketchup, as well as beverages like beer. You can even find it in the most unexpected places, including foods like ice cream.

Gluten by itself is not harmful to most people, excluding those with some genetic diseases, the most prominent of which is the celiac disease, but there are others, including simple wheat allergy as well as gluten sensitivity. The incidence of various gluten-related diseases is growing in recent times, partly due to the wider use of gluten and partly due to the lowering of the overall quality of gluten.

Thus, more and more people are resorting to a gluten-free diet, vegetarians included.

What are the Benefits of a Gluten-free Diet?

Well, for people who have problems with gluten, whatever their cause, will find their symptoms relieved. These symptoms can range from flatulence to indigestion, stomach pain, trouble gaining or losing weight, insomnia, lack of appetite, headache, chronic fatigue, and so on. Both celiac disease, as well as gluten sensitivity, can cause these symptoms and more. Organs not even remotely related to the intestinal system may be affected, and neurological or even psychiatric problems can arise – some people even had hallucinations due to gluten intolerance.

You might be sensitive to gluten but just not know it, since the condition is not regularly diagnosed at this time. Various small health issues you might have and that can’t be pinned on anything specific could be a result of gluten intolerance. It is estimated that around 6 to 10 percent of the population is gluten intolerant, which is a significant number.

Trying a gluten-free diet is, currently, the easiest and most reliable way to check if you are gluten intolerant and trying it is completely risk-free since there are no nutrients in gluten that can’t be provided by other foods. Just make sure to choose a well-balanced and healthy diet – not every gluten-free food is automatically healthy and good for you. Gluten is not poison, and most people handle it fine – it just can’t hurt to try it and check if you’re one of those that don’t.

The 3 Best Gluten-free Vegetarian Recipes

After scouring the internet and trying out a lot of different recipes, we have narrowed down our list to a few of the best ones. These recipes are relatively easy to make, don’t require any extravagant ingredients and you can eat them daily without problems. They’re the perfect solution for vegetarians on a gluten-free diet, and here they are.

Mexican Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Eggs

This is a dish that requires almost no effort to make and won’t leave you cleaning sticky dishes. It can be used as a tasty and filling snack or as an appetizer. Either way, it’s, nutritious, tasty and gluten-free.

You will need the following: 4 sweet potatoes, 4 eggs, 2 garlic heads, 2 teaspoons of extra virgin olive oil, ½ tablespoon of taco seasoning, ¼ cup of fresh cilantro, ½ cup of avocado, 1 tablespoon of lime juice, 1 teaspoon of lime zest, 2 tablespoons of water and 1 fresh tomato.

– Preheat the oven to around 400 degrees and place a baking tray lined with foil inside, with the potatoes on it. Bake for around an hour and a half.
– Afterwards, cut off the garlic tips and drizzle the olive oil onto the cloves.
– Wrap the garlic into tinfoil and bake it for around 40 minutes.
– Once the potatoes are done, leave them to cool then slice them down the middle. Scoop the flesh out of the middle but leave a little on the sides.
– Mash half of the flesh you removed and add taco seasoning, cilantro, salt and pepper to it, to your taste.
– Then, squeeze in all the garlic into it and mix it all.
– Place the flesh back into the potatoes while leaving a hole in the middle of each one.
– Put the potatoes back onto the baking sheet and crack an egg in the middle of each one.
– Bake them at 375 degrees for around 10 to 15 minutes. Watch closely and don’t overcook the eggs.
– While that is being done, put the mashed avocado, lime zest and lime juice into a food processor or mix it by hand until it’s smooth. Mix in the water then season it with salt and pepper to your liking.
– Spread the sauce on top of the potatoes when they are done and serve.

There, it’s mostly a simple but delicious vegetarian recipe that is completely free of gluten.

Cauliflower Lentil Loaf

This is quite a hearty meal that will satisfy the taste of most people and can be used as a great substitute for bread, or as a standalone meal.

The following ingredients are necessary: 1 cup of cooked brown lentils, 3 cups of raw cauliflower, 1 cup of chopped up sweet onions, 2 cups of chopped bell peppers, 2 tablespoon of nutritional yeast, 2 teaspoons of minced garlic, 1 teaspoon of mustard, ½ teaspoon of smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon of cumin, ¼ teaspoon of black pepper and ¼ of chipotle powder.

– Preheat the oven to approximately 400 degrees.
– Saute the chopped onions and pepper on a stove in a skillet to soften them.
– Rice the cauliflower using a food processor until you end up with 3 crumbled cups. Squeeze them with a towel to get rid of the excess water.
– Cook the lentils according to the instructions on their packaging and leave them to cool.
– Combine all the ingredients in a large food processor until they are mixed well, not smooth.
– Put them in a loaf pan lined with parchment, press them into the pan and make the top smooth.
– Add additional seasoning or sauces on top, to your liking.
– Bake it in the oven for around 40 to 45 minutes.
– Let it cool, then slice and serve.

As you can see, it is a relatively straightforward recipe. It is well-suited for almost any meal and will satisfy even people who aren’t vegetarians.

Brown Rice Risotto with Mushrooms

This is a creamy and delicious baked brown risotto that takes almost no effort to make. It is a great meal for a group of people, and this recipe is suited to anywhere between 4 to 6 servings.

These ingredients are required: 3 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 chopped small yellow onion, 2 minced cloves garlic heads, 5 cups of vegetable broth, 1.5 cups of brown Arborio rice, 12 ounces of sliced baby Portobello mushrooms, 1 cup of grated parmesan cheese, 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter and 4 sprigs of oregano.

– Preheat the oven to around 375 degrees.
– Heat up one tablespoon of olive oil until it starts simmering.
– Add onions with a little salt.
– Cook and stir for around ten minutes before adding minced garlic
– Continue cooking for another 2 to 5 minutes, until the onions become browned
– Add 4 cups of broth then cover it all and wait until it boils, then remove from heat and pour in the rice while stirring.
– Bake it all until the rice becomes tender, for around 60 to 70 minutes.
– During baking prepare the mushrooms and warm two tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet until it simmers.
– Add the mushrooms in and cook until they are darkened, which should take around 15 minutes.
– Remove the pot from the oven and pour in the remaining one cup of broth.
– Add the parmesan, the butter, salt, and plenty of pepper.
– Stir it for 2 to 4 minutes until the rice becomes creamy and thick.
– Stir in all of the mushrooms.
– Season it however you like, then it into bowls and top it with plenty of fresh oregano leaves.

As you can see, it’s a relatively easy dish that will leave you nice and full. It’s good for a group of guests coming over.

Conclusion

Those are the best vegetarian, gluten-free recipes we could find, and we like them all a lot. We believe they will be able to satisfy most people. If you happen to have a recipe you like, feel free to share it with others in the comments. We hope this article was helpful to you and that you will find other useful articles here.

The post How To Make 3 Of The Best Vegetarian Gluten Free Recipes appeared first on Sea Bird's Truck.

There are a lot of different recipes for potato salad, but the cornerstone ingredient in most of them is mayonnaise – lots and lots of mayonnaise. Without it, is it even real potato salad? Some people would say that it isn’t.

Still, there are people who simply can’t stomach mayo, whether because of health concerns or various other reasons. In that case, what can you do? You can’t make a potato salad without mayo – or can you?

Well, yes you can, and it can be almost the same as it is with mayo. Don’t believe us? Well, here are some science & recipes that will prove our point.

Why Make A Potato Salad Without Mayo?

One of the main reasons for making a potato salad without mayonnaise is if you’re a vegan. As you know, mayonnaise is mostly made from chicken eggs, making it completely incompatible with a vegan diet. However, you might still want to enjoy a creamy and delicious potato salad regardless, so this is a nice solution.

Another reason comes in the form of health concerns. Mayonnaise contains a lot of calories and a lot of bad fats so it can be bad for your health, especially if you have high cholesterol or high blood pressure. In that case, you should avoid mayo due to how unhealthy it can be, but a nice potato salad without mayo might still find its way onto your menu.

If you’re trying to lose weight, eating something with copious amounts of mayo in it also might not be a great idea, due to the number of calories it contains. In that case, you can still have potato salad just without the ingredient that makes it so fattening.

The last reason is if you simply don’t like mayo and don’t want to be anywhere close to it. That is understandable; there are people who don’t like certain foods and just can’t stand them but might still want to experience dishes that contain them. Making a potato salad without the mayonnaise is a great alternative for those sorts of people.

The 3 Best Mayo-Less Potato Salad Recipes

You will find a surprising amount of different potato salad recipes out there, and a lot of them contain no mayo at all. However, some of them aren’t quite up to snuff and are just normal recipes with the mayo removed – that doesn’t make for a satisfying potato salad. Here are some recipes that don’t contain mayo but are equally as delicious as the ones that do.

Lemony Roasted Potato Salad

This is a nice alternative to a mayo-based potato salad which is easy to make and has a unique flavor. It is great for people on a diet and is exceptionally healthy and tasty – it has everything you would want out of a dish like this.

The ingredients you will need are as follows: 2 pounds of diced potatoes, 2 minced celery stalks, 4 tablespoons of virgin olive oil, 3 tablespoons of plain Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of minced mint and some salt and pepper.

Making this is quite simple:

1. Preheat the oven to somewhere around 400 degrees.
2. Toss the diced potatoes in a bowl along with 2 tablespoons of oil and some salt and pepper, before placing them on a baking sheet.
3. Roast them for 30 to 40 minutes at most, flipping them over halfway through, when they become tender.
4. Remove them and let them cool for a while in a bowl, before adding the minced celery.
5. While they’re cooling, whisk together the remaining oil, lemon juice, yogurt and some salt and pepper. Taste it a bit to see if you need more or less of some ingredients.
6. After you’re done with that, pour it over the potatoes and toss them to get the completely coated in it.
7. Garnish them with some minced mint and serve to 4 or 5 people at most.

As you can see, this is a recipe that can be done in under an hour and requires almost no effort at all. It’s great for everyone, even people who prefer their potato salads with mayo and it has a nice lemony flavor that sticks out when combined with the mint dressing.

German Potato Salad

This is a nice and hot potato salad that doesn’t require a lot of ingredients or complicated preparation. In its regular form, it’s not vegetarian-friendly, but it can easily be modified if needed.

Here’s all the stuff you’ll need: 4 pounds of red potatoes, 1 pound of bacon, 1 large yellow onion, 1 cup of white vinegar, 3 tablespoons of German mustard, 2 tablespoons of sugar, ½ cup of chopped parsley and some black pepper.

Here’s how to make it:

1. You should start by cooking the potatoes on high heat in a saucepan until the water reaches boiling point.
2. Season them with some salt and reduce the heat to medium. Continue cooking for another 10 minutes or so, until they are tender.
3. Drain the water and leave them to cool for around 10 to 15 minutes. Cut them into large pieces, and then return them to the pan to keep them warm.
4. Cook the sliced bacon in a skillet over medium heat for about 5 minutes, until it becomes browned.
5. Once it’s done, transfer to a plate, but keep the skillet over the heat.
6. Add the onion to the skillet and cook for around 3 to 5 minutes in the bacon grease until it becomes transparent but not browned.
7. Stir in one cup of water, mustard, sugar and white vinegar and keep cooking for another 5 to 7 minutes.
8. Add the potatoes back to the pan and toss them until they are completely coated in the dressing.
9. Add the parsley and the bacon.
10. Season it with salt, pepper and other spices you might favor.
11. Serve it while still warm.

There you go! Now you have a tasty potato salad that is easy to make and has a lot of texture. It is high in fat and not suitable for vegetarians, but that is solved by removing the bacon from the recipe and substituting it with something else. Imitation meat or tofu does the job equally well.

White Bean Potato Salad

This potato salad is a great side dish that can be served with almost anything. However, it is also hearty enough that it could be a full meal on its own. It’s well-suited for those on a vegetarian diet, and it’s filling while also feeling quite light and easy to eat.

For this dish you will need the following: 4 pounds of gold baby potatoes, 3 cloves of garlic, 2 tablespoons of melted butter, ¼ teaspoon of salt, 1 cup of water, ¼ cup of Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, 1 teaspoon of lemon zest, ¼ cup of minced parsley, ¼ cup of minced scallions, ¼ teaspoon of black pepper and 1 cup of cannellini beans.

Here are the instructions:

1. Cut the potatoes in half and place them in a skillet, cut side down.
2. Add in water, garlic cloves, butter, and salt.
3. Simmer it all over medium heat for around 10 to 15 minutes, until the potatoes become tender.
4. Remove the garlic, turn the heat up to high or medium-high and cook, while swirling the pan constantly to prevent sticking.
5. Cook for around 15 minutes until the potatoes are golden on the cut side, then transfer them to a bowl.
6. Mash the cooked garlic into a paste and add the yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, zest and minced parsley to it. Also, add salt and pepper to your liking. Stir it all until it is combined.
7. Add the beans and scallions to the potatoes. Mix it all with the garlic dressing until it is well combined.
8. Season with any additional spices you may like and serve.

As you can see, this salad can be quite a decent meal on its own, and you can make it for lunch or dinner if you like since it is quite light. Despite that, it will make you feel full and satisfied while tasting great and spicy. You can modify it to your liking by adding some additional spices or replacing some of the ingredients in the dressing – be creative.

Conclusion

There you have it; those are the best potato salad recipes – sans mayo – that we could find right now. Each one is great in a different way and will be able to satisfy most people, even those who like their potato salads with tons of mayo. Each of the recipes is also quite easy to modify to your liking, so you can experiment and create something you might like even more. If you do have a favorite recipe for a mayo-less potato salad, feel free to share it in the comments. We hope you liked this article and that you will read some of our other articles as well. Have a good day and good luck cooking!

The post How To Make Potato Salad Without Mayo – 5 Delicious And Easy Recipes appeared first on Sea Bird's Truck.

There are also a lot of different kinds of potatoes, allowing for plenty of great variations on standard potato dishes that you can try. It’s easy to modify them and preparing different kinds of potatoes is mostly the same in the end.

The white sweet potato is an often overlooked type of potato that can improve some common potato dishes massively, and today we will cover some of the great recipes you can make with it.

What Are White Sweet Potatoes?

You might not have heard about white sweet potatoes, and that’s not surprising since they are not quite as common as the other types of sweet potatoes. As you might know, sweet potatoes can come in a wide variety of different skin colors – yellow, red, brown, and so on. Different flesh colors like white, orange, yellow and even purple are also out there. However, the most common type of sweet potato is the one with copper-colored skin and soft orange flesh. The other main type comes with golden skin and white flesh, which is the one we will cover today.

The white sweet potatoes are less sweet than the orange variant, making them well-suited for dishes that require a bit less flavor from their ingredients. They can also be used with a wider variety of spices since their natural flavor won’t overpower the spices used in the dish. They can add that little bit of sweetness and texture without dominating the dish, which is something you can’t do with orange sweet potatoes.

Don’t confuse sweet potatoes with yams though, that’s a completely different story. Orange sweet potatoes tend to be labeled as yams as a way to distinguish them from the white sweet potatoes. However, yams are a completely different sort of vegetable, and you shouldn’t mistake them for sweet potatoes.

The Nutrition White Sweet Potatoes Provide

In general, sweet potatoes of all kinds are healthier than regular potatoes, even though both are good in moderation. There are a lot of reasons why sweet potatoes come out above regular potatoes as the healthier food item. First is the fact that they contain more antioxidants which are beneficial for people with high blood pressure. The other one is that, despite what their sweetness may lead you to think, they actually contain fewer carbs than regular potatoes, on average. They also contain a lot more vitamin A and vitamin C, which are both essential for a healthy balanced diet. There’s more, but going into every detail might be a little too much for this article.

When it comes to nutrition, white sweet potatoes aren’t much different than orange sweet potatoes. They contain slightly fewer antioxidants, but that’s about it. The main difference is in the taste, rather than in the nutrition.

Skin vs. No Skin

Some people will tell you to take off the sweet potato skin when baking or cooking them, but others will swear by it and say that taking the skin off is a bad thing to do. So, what’s the deal? Well, we looked into it and here’s some info we came across.

Overall, the skin of a sweet potato is extremely beneficial and contains plenty f useful nutrients that you shouldn’t pass up on. It’s rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Beta-Carotene, which are all essential to a healthy and balanced diet. If you take off the skin, you make the sweet potato a lot less nutritionally beneficial for yourself.

Of course, you should wash the potatoes thoroughly before eating them, since a lot of dirt can be gathered up in the skin. This is where the myth of the potato skin being inedible or bad for you, comes from – badly washed potatoes that made people sick. It was not the fault of the skin but rather the people preparing the meals that used it – don’t make the same mistake.

The 3 Best White Sweet Potato Recipes We can Recommend

Let’s get right down to it and go through some of the best white sweet potato recipes we know of. Most of them are relatively easy to make, and you should be able to find all the ingredients at your local grocery store. You will be able to cook up some of them in no time at all. So, let’s begin with one of our favorites.

White Sweet Potatoes with Mirin and Honey

This is a great sweet side dish that can be served with a wide variety of main dishes, like pork chops or a roasted turkey. It can also be served as an appetizer or even as a dessert if you don’t want something too sweet and carb-heavy. It’s quite a versatile dish.

You’ll need the following ingredients: 2 pounds of white sweet potatoes, half a cup of mirin or some other sweet wine, 2 tablespoons of honey, 1 tablespoon of distilled white vinegar, half a tablespoon of salt, 2 teaspoons of corn oil or some equivalent substitute, 2 tablespoons of butter and some sea salt, which is optional.

Making this dish might seem complicated at first glance, but it’s not. First, you should put a cast-iron skillet in the oven to preheat it. The oven should be at around 450 degrees. You start out by microwaving the potatoes on high for around 5 minutes. After that, you wisk the honey, vinegar, and mirin with salt in a small to a medium-sized bowl.

Now peel the potatoes and cut them into round slices, preferably not more than 1-inch thick, then add them to the mixture you made and leave it to coat. Now, take out the skillet and add oil onto it before tossing the potatoes, cut side down, onto it. Bake them for around fifteen to twenty minutes, until they caramelize, then turn them over and cook them for five to ten more minutes, until they are tender.

After that, transfer them to a platter and scrape the brown parts off. Add some melted butter, sauce and salt to them for seasoning, and it is done! You can also experiment with other spices when making this dish, and some of us have found that we like it lot with some wasabi. Try it out and see how you feel about it.

White Sweet Potato Pie

You can whip this pie up in almost no time at all, and it will be a great fit for almost any dinner table. It can be served standalone or as a nice and healthy dessert.

The necessary ingredients are as follows: 1 stick of butter or margarine, 2 cups of sugar or stevia, 2 eggs, 2 tablespoons of flour, 1 cup of mashed white sweet potatoes, 3 tablespoons of vanilla and a pie crust. Start out by boiling the potatoes until they are soft, draining the water they were boiled in, then adding a bit of milk and mashing them.

After that, melt the stick of butter in a pan, add the sugar and eggs to it, then mix it all until it becomes creamy. Follow that up by adding the flour and the mashed potatoes to the mix before pouring it all into a premade pie crust. Bake the pie at 300 or 350 degrees until it becomes firm and takes on a golden brown color. Take it out and serve it while still hot for the best results!

Roasted White Sweet Potatoes

Here we have a nice and savory dish that can be served as a good appetizer or just a light and tasty snack that doesn’t contain a lot of carbs or fat. You can also replace some of the seasonings here with different ingredients and experiment until you get the recipe down to how you like it.

To get started you will need these ingredients: 4 medium-sized white sweet potatoes, 3 medium-sized red onions, 3 tablespoons of olive oil, 2 tablespoons of chopped rosemary(fresh, not dried), 1 tablespoon of sea salt and 1 cup of grated parmesan.

Begin by cutting the potatoes into one-inch pieces (peel them before cutting, if you want) and chopping the red onions into slightly smaller pieces. Put in the oil and toss it around before adding one tablespoon of chopped rosemary, preferably fresh, and spread it all out on a roasting pan. Roast it all at around 400 degrees for around thirty to forty minutes. After that add in the second tablespoon of chopped rosemary as well as the grated parmesan and salt, then toss it all and serve!

You can also experiment with adding a few more different spices or replacing rosemary with a different seasoning. We like adding some black pepper to the recipe for extra spice!

Conclusion

Those are the best recipes for white sweet potatoes that we could find, and they are all relatively straightforward and easy to make. You should try them out and see for yourself! Once you get the hang of them, you can also modify them to your liking with ease.

The post How To Cook White Sweet Potatoes – 3 Tasty And Easy Recipes appeared first on Sea Bird's Truck.