Connect with us

Good Eats

Good Eats: The Vegan Life

Published

on

Sesame Cauliflower Bites made by Sasha Thomas

There are so many reasons to celebrate the month of February! Black history, love, Chinese New Year, and now…sesame seeds! In fact, these tiny ‘gold mines’, which are used commonly in Chinese cuisine, are known, not only for their ability to enhance and maintain sexual capabilities, but they can also help to lower cholesterol, improve mental and intellectual performance, and they are a source of minerals such as calcium, magnesium and iron, to name a few. Sesame seeds for the February win!

Today, I’m sharing two delicious recipes which can help you to incorporate these gems into your diet. Of  course, you can just eat them by themselves, but where is the fun in that?! 
Sesame Cauliflower Bites

Ingredients
6 cups cauliflower florets
2 flax eggs*
1 Tbs high heat oil**
1/2 cup sesame seeds
1/2 cup millet flour (can sub a different flour with varied results)
1 tsp salt
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
Dash of cayenne pepper (optional)

Directions 
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees (218 degrees Celcius).
2. Prepare flax egg, and allow to sit while you cut cauliflower.
3. Cut cauliflower into bite sized pieces and place in a large bowl.
4. In a small bowl, mix flour, sesame seeds and seasonings.
5. Add the flax eggs and oil to the large bowl of cauliflower. Then shake or mix until all the florets are evenly coated.
6. Add the sesame seed mixture to the bowl and shake or mix until the florets are evenly coated.
7. Arrange the cauliflower into a single layer onto a lightly sprayed or parchment lined baking sheet.
8. Bake for 25 minutes.
9. Best enjoyed immediately but can be reheated at 350 degrees for about 7-10 minutes.

Serves 5

*1 flax egg = 1 Tablespoon ground flax seeds + 3 Tablespoons water, let sit for a few minutes
**Avocado or Grape Seed Oil are good options

Omega* Sesame Candies

Ingredients
1 cup sesame seeds
1 cup shredded coconut
3/4 cup walnuts, chopped
3/4 honey
1/4 cup shelled hemp seeds
1.5-2 tsp ginger powder
1/4 tsp salt

Directions
1. Combine all ingredients into a saucepan and stir constantly over medium heat for 5-7 minutes.
2. Spoon into a 6×8 or 9-inch lightly sprayed or parchment lined pan.
3. Press the mixture into an even layer.**
4. Cut into squares immediately.
5. Store sealed in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.


Yields approx. 25 squares

HINT: Spray a small amount of cooking spray on your fingers, then press OR use parchment or wax paper to avoid the mixture sticking to your fingers.  

 Walnuts and hemp seeds are a great source of Omega 3 and Omega 6 essential fatty acids. 
All nutritional information found in Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants, Vol. 2.

If you would like to try any of Sasha’s delicious plant-based, visit her blog Verily Fed  at http://www.verilyfed.com.

If you have a recipe you’d like to see revamped or ‘veganised’, email it to Sasha at verilyfed@gmail.com .