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October 2024
Hello, my beautiful turtles!
Ah, October! That bewitching month where leaves turn into confetti and pumpkins pop out of the ground. Whether you’re gearing up for a ghoulish Halloween or a raucous Oktoberfest, there’s no better time to embrace the flavors of fall in all their vegan glory.
I’m sending two scrumptious comfort food recipes to treat tastebuds of all ages. The trick is, we’ll transform these traditional dishes by making them vegan and gluten-free, and no one will be able to taste the difference between the plant-based and traditional versions. So, grab your broomstick (or lederhosen), and let’s dive into the magic of October with some wickedly delightful vegan eats!
Prepare yourself for a vegan brat with sauerkraut and hot German potato salad. These recipes are so delicious, they might just raise the dead!
We’ll be using the Beyond Sausage Brat Original from Beyond Meat. The sausages sizzle and satisfy with all the juicy deliciousness of a traditional sausage, and come with the upside of being plant-based. As with all Beyond Meat products, the pan of choice is the cast-iron skillet. A cast-iron pan adds to the browning, texture, and flavor of the sausage. It makes a huge difference and will give you and your family an authentic experience. I’ve had the best results using Earth Balance Buttery Spread as my oil, but you may use olive oil if you prefer.
Perhaps you’ve never tried warm potato salad. The temperature, of course, differs from the American salad, but the other difference is the German version has a vinegar-based sauce. Yukon Gold potatoes are the ideal potato; avoid russet potatoes as they tend to fall apart during boiling. However, you can use small red ones.
German potato salad typically is made with peeled potatoes, but if you want a more organic version, you can leave the peels on. If you freeze the dish, it will change the consistency once the potatoes thaw, so I don’t recommend it. However, this will last 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator, so it can be made ahead and reheated, which is convenient. Once the salad is made, it’s delicious leftover. The potatoes will absorb the vinaigrette after refrigeration, so you might need a little extra if your potatoes seem dry.
BTW, these dishes are also perfect for game day celebrations. They’re sure to score big, have everyone cheering, and keep the festivities going strong.
Here you have it, this October vegan menu is set to bring a touch of seasonal magic to your table. These transformed traditional dishes make this fall both delicious and delightfully plant-based. So, embrace the season, enjoy the festivities, and let your taste buds fall in love with autumn’s finest offerings. Happy Halloween and Prost to a fabulous Oktoberfest! 🎃🍂🍻
Now, let’s get familiar with the delicious substitutes for these recipes.
The substitutes are the plant-based products we’ll use for our ingredients instead of animal-based products. They’re how we transform our favorite dishes to be plant-based and gluten-free.
Every substitute I recommend meets my Triple A Standard, which means:
- Appetizing
- Available nationwide
- Affordable
If you’re familiar with plant-based products and have found items you love, prefer, and that work for the ingredient in the recipe, feel free to use your product of choice.
PLEASE NOTE: Not all plant-based/vegan products are created equal. The ones I have recommended will ensure you have a culinary experience that is pleasing to the palate.
| Brand | Product | Where to Find It |
|---|---|---|
| Earth Balance* | Organic Buttery Spread | Refrigerated section |
| Beyond Meat | Brat Original Sausage | Meat or freezer section |
| Colgan | Liquid Smoke | Condiment section near BBQ sauces & ketchup |
| Edward & Sons | Low Sodium Garden Veggie Bouillon Cubes | Soup aisle |
| Bragg or Kelly’s | Nutritional Yeast | https://kellyscroutons.com or Baking section |
| McCormick | Bacon Bits | Condiment section near BBQ sauces & ketchup |
*Organic product
If you can’t find a recommended substitute at your store, ask! Sometimes it’s a matter of locating which departments carry the products you shop for, as it varies store to store. Asking is legitimate because stores constantly move their inventory around. Asking also states customer interest in buying plant-based products. Stores want your business and are interested in what you acquire.
Did you know?
- Colgan liquid smoke is vegan, kosher, gluten-free, and made with all-natural smoke flavor. It contains no animal byproducts, additives, or preservatives and is the instant answer for adding smoke flavor to almost anything, from dips and casseroles to your favorite soups and stews. Create a gourmet-flavored dish with just a few shakes.
- McCormick bacon bits contain no animal products (and never have) and they’re gluten-free as well as kosher. There are a variety of vegan bacon bits on the market these days, but McCormick is easily found in any grocery store, and the flavor is an authentic, crunchy delicious!