Passover begins the evening of April 22, 2024 this year and The Vegetarian Resource Group is the publisher of several books that feature vegan Passover recipes. Below we share three recipes with you. In the USA, you can purchase these vegan cookbooks from the VRG Book Catalog here: http://www.vrg.org/catalog

Fresh Tomato Soup (from No Cholesterol Passover Recipes, by Debra Wasserman)

(Serves 4)

1 large onion, chopped

5 small ripe tomatoes, chopped

1-1/2 cups water

½ teaspoon fresh parsley, minced

Pepper and salt to taste

Combine all the ingredients in a large pot and cook over medium heat for 15 minutes and then cool. Place mixture in a blender cup and blend until creamy. Reheat and serve hot.

Minted Carrots with Chilies (from Vegan Passover Recipes, by Nancy Berkoff)

(Serves 4-5)

1-1/2 cups sliced onions

Vegetable oil spray

1 garlic clove, minced

2 Tablespoons peeled and minced fresh ginger

2 Tablespoons seeded and minced fresh chilies or green pepper

1-1/4 pounds carrots (about 3-1/2 cups), peeled and sliced lengthwise 1-inch thick

2 Tablespoons chopped fresh mint

Place onions in a large frying pan, spray liberally with vegetable oil, and sauté over medium heat until soft and golden, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, ginger, and chilies and stir. Allow to cook for 1 minute.

Add carrots and add enough water to just cover. Cook uncovered for 15 minutes, or until carrots are tender. Add mint, cook for 2 more minutes. Serve hot.

Russian Potato and Mushroom Croquettes (from The Lowfat Jewish Vegetarian Cookbook, by Debra Wasserman)

(Serves 5)

1-1/2 pounds potatoes, peeled and chopped

5 cups water

1 onion, peeled and chopped

¼ pound mushrooms

1 teaspoon oil

1 Tablespoon water

Salt and pepper to taste

1 cup matzo meal

1 Tablespoon oil

Boil potatoes in 5 cups water until tender. Drain and mash potatoes.

In a separate pan, sauté onion and mushrooms in 1 teaspoon oil and 1 Tablespoon water over medium-high heat for 3 minutes. Mix the mashed potatoes, sautéed onion and mushrooms, seasonings, and matzo meal together in a large bowl. Form 10 burgers (croquettes).

Heat 1 Tablespoon oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Fry croquettes for 8 minutes, flip over and continue frying for another 8 minutes. Serve two croquettes per person.

Don’t forget, you can purchase these vegan cookbooks from the VRG Book Catalog here: http://www.vrg.org/catalog

photo from Bodhi Express

The Vegetarian Resource Group maintains an online Guide to Vegan/Vegetarian Restaurants in the USA and Canada. Here are some recent vegan restaurant additions. The entire guide can be found here: http://www.vrg.org/restaurant/index.php

To support the updating of this online restaurant guide, please donate at: www.vrg.org/donate

Here are some new additions to VRG’s guide:

BARE Blends, 7545 South University Blvd., Centennial, CO 80122; 1425 2nd St., Sarasota, FL 34236; 1310 Beacon St., Brookline, MA 02446; 15 Clifton County Rd., Clifton Park, NY 12065; 1475 Western Ave., Albany, NY 12203; 380 Fuera Bush Rd., Glenmont, NY 12077; 262 Saratoga Rd., Glenville, NY 12302; 664 New Loudon Rd., Latham, NY 12180; 26 North Greenbush Rd., North Greenbush, NY 12180; and 18 Congress St., Saratoga, NY 12866

BARE Blends is proof that food can be both delicious and good for you, which is exactly the mission of this woman-owned juice and smoothie bar that is expanding franchises beyond its original location in Albany, New York. “Bare” may describe the fact that there are no added sugars or preservatives in its food, but the expansive menu of yummy smoothies, refreshing juices, and mouthwatering smoothie bowls is the exact epitome of bare. Menus have some variations depending on location, but examples include the Green Giant Smoothie (pineapple, orange, mango, kale, lime, matcha, ginger, and oat milk); the Tickled Pickle fresh juice (ginger, pineapple, cucumber kale, and lime); and the Banana Cream Pie smoothie bowl, which has a base of banana, cashew cream, and oat milk, topped with banana, plain granola, coconut, golden raisins, and cashew cream. They also offer waffles with toppings and meal-sized salads that can be made into a grain bowl with the addition of whole grain brown rice. And if you’re needing a pick-me-up, grab a coffee and protein blend, such as the Vanilla Coffee Blend, made with coffee, cashew cream, vanilla protein, and oat milk. Let’s hope that BARE Blends continues to grow, because every state in the country needs at least one!

Bodhi Express, 135 Market St., Westlake, OH 44145

Striving to promote healthy, ethical veganism, Bodhi Express espouses a commitment to sustainability and reducing their carbon footprint. They make all their sauces in house.  Appetizers include Veggie Tempura, Vegan Potstickers, Vegan Spring Roll, Veggie Tempura, or Crispy Tofu. Some Entrée options are breaded and fried Orange Garden™ Chicken with red Bell peppers, chili flakes and orange sauce, sliced, and fried King Oyster Beijing Mushroom in a sweet and sour sauce and Beyond™ Beef & Broccoli with ginger to name a few. Pick a Side. Like rice? Choose White, Brown, or Fried with peas, carrots and cabbage. There’s also Lo Mein or Mixed Greens. Sweeten the deal with Fruit Cup or Almond Jelly—a gelatin-like dessert made with agar agar.

Cosmic Bird, 619 Baxter Ave., Louisville, KY 40204

Cosmic Bird is THE restaurant to find crispy and delicious chicken sandwiches that are entirely plant-based. From a Hot Chick’n sandwich to a General Tso Chick’n sandwich, Cosmic Bird has a plethora of options for you to try and enjoy.

Don Vegane, 97 Rue du Sault-au-Matelot, Québec, QC G1K 3X7, Canada

Don Vegane has developed its uniqueness by offering a hip ambience and an eclectic menu with an international flair. Diners can travel the world through its menu, from the spicy Thai soup to the Spaghetti Bolognese served with a Caesar salad to the Burrito Bowl made with BBQ jackfruit and pico de gallo to the Curry Masala with butternut and cauliflower. Dessert offerings include chocolate cake and Poor Man’s Pudding, a French-Canadian specialty. The adult beverage offerings are likewise broad, including after-dinner drinks, hard liquors, and cocktails, as well as mocktails such as Le Mojito Virgin and Le Betteroyal. Brunch items include a Morning Burrito and gluten-free pancakes with fruit—and mimosas.

Gray Leaf Café, 58 Thoreau Dr., Freehold, NJ 07728

Looking for a healthy and delicious café? Green Leaf Café is a must try for your wraps, salads, smoothies, and more. Wraps include Grilled Falafel wrap, Buffalo Cauliflower wrap, and more. Pair your wrap with a favorite fruit-filled smoothie, such as Acai Berry, Tropical Kale smoothie, and Strawberry and Banana.

GRN Burger, 946 Grady Ave., Ste. 101, Charlottesville, VA 22903

Can a burger be delicious and plant-based? At GRN Burger this dream becomes a reality. From their vegan pulled pork sandwiches, to their saucy and cheesy burgers, their vegan delights will have your heart. GRN also has simple salads, including a Caesar flavored salad, a mushroom salad, and a deluxe salad topped with vegan bacon, cheddar cheese, and ranch dressing. For the kids, try GRN’s “Smiley Meal” with a cheeseburger or kids sized vegan grilled cheese.

La Veganeria, 921 W. Commerce St., Dallas, TX 75208

Looking for authentic Mexican meals that are both delicious and plant-based? Then, La Veganeria is THE plant-based Mexican scratch kitchen to try out. La Veganeria has a deep connection to traditional Mexican gastronomy and the love of vegan food. Their menu features veggie-packed items including for breakfast, try their “El Azteca” Waffle Sandwich, filled with savory vegan sausage, melted vegan cheddar cheese, and a hint of sweetness from strawberry preserves. For lunch or dinner, La Veganeria has a plethora of taco varieties to try, including a chicharron taco, tacos made with slow cooked oyster mushrooms, and much more.

Vegan Quick Bites, 1636 St Nicholas Ave., New York, NY 10040

Vegan Quick Bites is a small store in New York City that serves Mexican/American type food from burritos to bowls, beans, and sautéed vegies. Also, they have a popular plant-based mac and cheese.

Vegan Journal is published by The Vegetarian Resource Group. Enjoy in-depth original research, product and book reviews, scientific updates on veggie nutrition, delicious vegan recipes with gorgeous photos, plus so much more. Both long-term vegans and those new to a vegan life-style will enjoy this magazine.

To subscribe in the USA only, see: https://www.vrg.org/member/2013sv.php

By Danielle Choma and Carolyn Stoller, VRG Interns

The Vegetarian Resource Group offers several scholarships to high school seniors applying to their freshman year in college. To win the scholarship, applicants must fill out the appropriate forms and information and submit an essay explaining how they have contributed to veganism/vegetarianism and what it means to them. This blog analyzes the scholarship essay entries of ten applicants from 2003 and ten applicants from 2024.

The first 2003 applicant that we reviewed was written in a story-like format and right off the bat mentions Gandhi. Similarly, in three other 2003 essays, Gandhi was mentioned. This is interesting to note about Gandhi’s influence. Overall, it was found that the 2003 essays were written with a stronger skill set then the essays written in 2024. Paragraphs flowed better and were delivered in a more sophisticated manner. In addition to the stronger writing, the 2003 essays commonly mention how vegetarianism includes not buying, wearing, or using leather or wool. The 2024 essays do not mention the usage of different materials and fabric, but rather focus on the nutritional information surrounding the diet. This allows us to draw some conclusions about the individuals writing the essays in 2003. Maybe these individuals were more dedicated to the vegetarian/vegan lifestyle as they commonly, publicly promoted vegetarianism and all that it includes.

Furthermore, the 2003 entries explain their drive for becoming vegan stems from wanting to support environmental and animal rights causes. For example, one entry discusses that their drive for becoming vegan was when they organized the first animal rights workshop on factory farms. Other entries talked about the environmental impact of eating meat, such as “increasing carcinogens associated with red meat.” In addition, many of the 2003 entries also discussed that a challenge to overcome would be maintaining a vegan diet in college. One entry stated that they would overcome this challenge by promoting vegan and sustainable options themselves on the college campus they plan to attend. Referring back to the animal rights theme, many scholarship applicants stated that they would continue to collaborate with local organizations in college and beyond that amplify the needs of farm animals and the environmental damages caused by eating and packaging meat products.

As for the 2024 essay entries, overall, there was a common theme of nutrition driving the want for a vegan/vegetarian diet, as well as a love for animals. For the generation of 2024 high school seniors, maintaining a healthy diet is very important. As an example, one entry discussed how switching to a vegan diet not only helped their overall health but exponentially helped their athletic abilities in their respective high school sports. Overall, it was very inspiring to see that students in 2003 were just as dedicated to eating vegan, like the applicants today.

If we took a larger sample, we may have seen different comparisons. This is what an intern last year came up with in her comparison.  https://www.vrg.org/blog/2023/05/15/comparing-what-motivates-veganism-vegetarianism-now-vs-20-years-ago/

For more information about The Vegetarian Resource Group scholarships, see https://www.vrg.org/student/scholar.htm

For information about internships, see https://www.vrg.org/student/index.php

To support VRG internships and scholarships, donate at www.vrg.org/donate

photo from Sodexo

By Reed Mangels, PhD, RD

A recent press release from Sodexo, a global food service and facilities management company, announced that it has expanded its DefaultVeg strategy, which uses behavioral nudges to promote plant-based eating. At Sodexo dining halls on close to 400 college and university campuses in the United States, unless the school opts out, every dining hall will have an entirely plant-based entrée station and a station that alternates plant-based and animal-based meals as the main offering every day.

The program was pilot tested on 3 college campuses where a study found that alternating between plant-based and meat-based dishes as the default option at one hot entree station resulted in a 58.3 percent increase in students choosing plant-based dishes on the plant-based days. Even on plant-based days, students could ask for and receive a meat-based dish – it just wasn’t the default option.

According to the press release, Sodexo has committed to serving 50 percent plant-based meals at its campuses by 2025.

To read more about the use of default options to promote choice of vegan meals see:

Encouraging College Students to Choose Vegan Entrees

Sustainable Food Choices Lecture.

Veganizing Your Foodservice

To read more about vegan foods in college see:

How to Add More Vegan Foods to Your College Cafeteria

Introducing Vegan Foods into a College Foodservice and Tips for Students Who Want to Do the Same at Their College

How to Get Veggie Options Prepared by a Chef in a Frat House

Are you ever in such a rush that you don’t have time to chew your food? Then, your blender may hold the answer to fast but tasty dining options. Chef Nancy Berkoff, EdD, RD, offers many suggestions including for dinner:

-Fast Tomato-Potato Chowder

Scoop leftover mashed potatoes into a blender. Add some pre-made vegan tomato soup, such as the aseptic ‘boxed’ vegan soups from Imagine and Pacific brands, and blend until smooth. Pour into a container or mug and add your ingredients of choice. For a spicy flavor, stir in salsa. If you like your soup chewy, add drained, canned mixed vegetables or sliced mushrooms. You can season with onion, garlic, or curry powder; white pepper; parsley flakes; or nutritional yeast.

To make a tomato-potato-corn chowder, add some canned creamed corn (which is non-dairy when it consists of smashed corn thickened with cornstarch) and some drained canned or leftover cooked corn to your tomato-potato chowder.

-Broccoli or Cauliflower Cheddar Soup

Another good way to use leftovers! Place cooked broccoli or cauliflower into a blender and then add mashed potatoes, soft silken tofu, or soymilk. Blend for a short time, but leave the mixture chunky. You may want to blend in some ripe avocado as well, if you like. For lunch, pour one of the thicker soups above into a microwave-safe mug or canister. Then, toss an apple or orange and a bag of pretzels into your lunch box, knapsack, or briefcase, and you’ve got a meal ready to heat and eat. As for dinner, just blend, heat, and serve!

For Dessert try:

-Creamy Smooth

Fruit-flavored soy yogurt, rice milk, bananas, nutritional yeast, thawed orange juice concentrate, and drained canned apricots.

Read the entire article here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2008issue4/2008_issue4_vegan_cooking.php

Subscribe to Vegan Journal in the USA only here: https://www.vrg.org/member/cabdacae.php

I am studying physics and mathematics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, minoring in Middle Eastern languages. I do physics research primarily modeling and analyzing many-body electronic systems in biological settings with quantum mechanics and computational chemistry. This year, I celebrate my sixth year of veganism. Though physics may seem detached from liberation theory, including the non-violence and sustainability central to veganism, these concepts are intertwined and thus fundamental to my work. I focus on this in my research and daily life from philosophical and humanistic perspectives.

A while ago, the Principal Investigator (PI) of my laboratory, Dr. Philip Kurian, asked me to define life. My answer began: What motivates the quest for a definition of life should inform how that definition is arrived to. Rooted in anthropocentric pursuits and bounded by moral considerations, human conception of life becomes a problem parameterized by survival and sanctity. We navigate the tension between the imperative to survive and the moral obligation to preserve life, particularly sentient beings. This definition can extend to consider the extension of survival and sanctity even to the smallest units of matter. Life can be human, animal, bacterium, quanta—it depends why one asks. Certainly, if I could, I would advocate for lepton rights as I do sentient beings’ rights and oppose violations of either. To do this, we must first determine exactly what is a lepton and how this elementary particle, in a given system, might behave when observed. I think there are deep ideological consequences from using physics to characterize the hot and wet systems of soft matter.

Outside of my studies, I spend my time helping lead our campus Society of Physics Students (SPS), where I started the department’s first free tutoring program targeting K-12 students in Orange County. I hope to instill in others similar philosophical understandings of math and physics to cultivate empathetic and liberatory mindsets. I also hope to convey that research in physics, trying to discover ways things work, is not so different from philosophies of non-violence and animal liberation; it requires creativity, thinking about different observers, and using reason to determine solutions to worldly problems.

Here is information about Jasmine’s high school work when she applied for the scholarship.

https://www.vrg.org/blog/2021/05/13/florida-student-jasmine-mace-wins-5000-vegetarian-resource-group-scholarship/

The deadline for VRG college scholarship applications is February 20 of each year for high school seniors. Go to https://www.vrg.org/student/scholar.htm

To support VRG scholarships and internships, donate at www.vrg.org/donate

photo from Naked Vegan

The Vegetarian Resource Group maintains an online Guide to Vegan/Vegetarian Restaurants in the USA and Canada. Here are some recent vegan restaurant additions. The entire guide can be found here: http://www.vrg.org/restaurant/index.php

To support the updating of this online restaurant guide, please donate at: www.vrg.org/donate

Here are some new additions to VRG’s guide:

Cinnaholic, 10000 Research Blvd., Unit 136, Austin, TX 78759 and 5161 San Felipe St., Ste. 180, Houston, TX 77056

Enjoy “create your own” cinnamon rolls and other sweet treats like made from scratch brownies, cookies and edible cookie dough.

Fern Café Bakery, 1115 N. Park St. #1, Victoria, BC V8T 1C7, Canada

Enjoy a full café menú and drinks, with a featured brunch ítem on weekends. Everything made in house from scratch – burgers, hand-cut fries, mac n cheese, fried chickun. Sample breakfast ítem: Big Bad Breakfast Sandwich – spicy chorizo crumble, tofu egg, cheddar, lettuce, tomato, crispy fried hash brown patty, kétchup, and mayo on a toasted ciabatta bun. Sample burger: BBQ Plant Burger – plant-based burger patty, lettuce, tomato, mayo, “honey” mustard, BBQ sauce and pickles on a sesame seed bun.  Sample salad:  Kale and Romaine Caesar Salad – kale, chopped lettuce, croutons, and vegan parmesan. Outdoor seating weather permitting.

Greenstraw Café, 243 N. Sycamore St., Newtown, PA 18940

Bakery features donuts. Café features various fruit smoothies such as:  Hawaiian Healer – coconut water, orange juice, banana, pineapple, and Classy Berry – almond milk, orange juice, strawberry, banana.  “Featured Products” include avocado toast, homemade granola bites, various oatmeal dishes, Nutty Yum Acai Bowl (acai blended with banana, blueberry and apple juice, topped with house-made granola, peanuts, peanut butter, and a drizzle of agave), soup of the day, tofu egg salad, hummus and veggies, Super Bowl – almond milk blended with banana, mango, raspberry, spirulina, spinach, topped with granola, cacao, goji, and a drizzle of agave; plant-based egg sandwich, and almond berry toast.

Milky Way Shakes, 2324 E. Cesar Chavez, Austin, TX 78702

Milky Way Shakes most popular milk shake is their Oreo Borealis. This includes mint, Oreos, chocolate syrup swirl, and glitter star sprinkles. Their food truck is also surrounded by other fully vegan food venders as well! All of their shakes are made from an almond and coconut milk blend, and all of their sauces, creams, and syrups are homemade as well! There are picnic benches nearby.

Naked Vegan, 311a McAlister Rd., Greenville, SC 29607

From their delicious, creatively named food to their detailed and comical decor, Naked Vegan is a feast for all your senses, serving unique and healthy comfort food. At the restaurant, they have a variety of meals, from their ‘Comfort Me Please’ section containing meals like Hot Digg No Dog (vegan hotdogs) and Spoiled Brat to their selection of smoothies and power cups made of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Strange Town, 2101 N. Prospect Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53202

This upscale eatery in central Milwaukee (near McKinley Park) features natural wine, craft cocktails, and a seasonal menu of “small plates” (though most are shareable).  A few notable examples include Mushroom Tartine, Butternut squash Muhammara, and Eggplant Caponata Orzo.

The Joint, 19 N. Tejon St., Colorado Springs, CO 80903

The Joint serves sandwiches, tacos, and pizzas. They pride themselves in transparency of menu items ingredients. They have parmesan truffle fries, Birria Tacos, a ‘Cubano-FX’ which includes mojo marinated jackfruit, celery root, mustard aioli, and Swiss served with fries or their parmesan truffle fries.

Urban Lyfe Center and Juice Bar, 3223 Eastern Ave., Baltimore, MD 21224

Urban Lyfe Center is not only a juice bar; they also serve sweet treats such as vegan truffles and plant-based brownies, along with sandwiches such as Urban chick’ burgers, avocado toast, and a no-tuna sandwich. Additionally, they offer colorful different Acai Bowls and smoothies.

fancy toast photo by Rissa Miller

Jason Yowell shares several fancy toast recipes including Frico Caprese; Mushroom Medley Toasts with Herbed Cashew Cheeze; Seitan “Brat” Crostini; Sweet Potato Toasts with Beet Purée; BLT Toasts; and a dessert toast called Sweet Cream & Fruit Tartine. Find all the recipes here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2021issue3/2021_issue3_fancy_toasts.php

Subscribe to Vegan Journal in the USA only here: https://www.vrg.org/member/cabdacae.php

Chef Nancy Berkoff’s previous Vegetarian Journal article International Maritime Stews serves up these creative recipes:

Paella Sans Pescado

Saffron Broth with Tomato

Orzo Pilaf

Bourride

BouillabaisseVegan or Non-Fisherman’s Stew

Saffron Mayonnaise

To subscribe to Vegan Journal in the USA, see: https://www.vrg.org/member/2013sv.php