NASA is experimenting with growing vegetables in space. NASA’s Plant Habitat-04 experiment successfully grew and harvested hatch chili peppers from seeds, arriving at the International Space Station aboard SpaceX’s 22nd commercial resupply services mission in June 2021.

For more information, see: https://www.thepacker.com/news/packer-tech/nasa-sowing-seeds-space-salsa?mkt_tok=ODQzLVlHQi03OTMAAAGJRXs19Kn30BrSDdPNTr_5p6ai79RK2vFwu4iMAquuOLaVHpnKZoQPktrT8jF83B_uNEkKdxGVqoPa1NW-KnacUp8v_-Vn63kseynFLM7XhQ_m-aL9YA

Have you ever noticed how many different types of rice there are? Chef Nancy Berkoff’s article The Long and Short of It – Meet Red, Black, Green, Gold, and Purple Rice! explains what the differences are and how to prepare vegan dishes using a variety of rice. Enjoy Sofrito with Carolina Gold Rice; Spanakorizo; Walnut & Wild Rice Salad; Cashew Coconut Purple Rice; Green Herbed Pilaf; Mango Sticky Rice; and Red Rice Pilaf.

Find the entire article here: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2021issue2/2021_issue2_long_short_of_it.php

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

Savory Danish from Houldens Rise Above Bakery

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:

Aovara, 2009 Cll España, San Juan, PR 00911

Located in the Dream Catcher Hotel, they offer a changing menu using locally source ingredients. Sample dishes have included salads, soups, pizza, brunch items, and more. They also offer a special 4-course dinner.

Despacito, 294 Winooski Ave. #112C, Burlington, VT 05401

The Despacito menu has Puerto Rican roots and includes empanadas, mofongo, picadillo made with Impossible Burger, and coconut flan.

Fortune Bar, 614 SW 11th Ave., Portland, OR 97205

Fortune is a 100% plant-based cocktail bar and lounge. Their vegan charcuterie board serves 3 people and includes artisan cheeses, bread, fruit, nuts, and pickled veggies. Appetizers such as bakon-wrapped dates, mozzarella stix, and rosemary garlic fries are also available. Main dishes on the menu include a cashew ricotta panini with roasted veggies on a ciabatta bun and a winter salad with roasted beets and lemon vinaigrette.

Houldens Rise Above Bakery, 5029 East 5th St., Tucson, AZ 85711

Does the idea of cakes, cookies, brownies, and treats get your mouth watering with excitement? Are you plant-based? In a pleasant blend of two worlds, Houldens Rise Above Bakery offers a delicious rotation of vegan goodies daily! Daily menus can be found on their Instagram story, and all treats will be available till sold-out each day. Some goodies you can expect are vegan croissants, bear claws, Poptarts, turnovers, bread, custard tarts, cakes by the slice, cheesecakes, doughnuts, cronuts, and more! Houldens is also available at several other locations listed on their website.

Lucky Goose, 3503 Central Ave. NE, Ste. B, Albuquerque, NM 87106

Enjoy Burgers, Chick’n, fries, hot dawgs, milkshakes, and specialty dipping sauces. Try the Wild Style Dawg, topped with tomatoes, pickles, grilled onions, melty cheese, and lucky sauce.

Nefista, 91 E Main St, East Islip, NY 11730; 106 MacDougal St., New York, NY 10012; 3371 Shore Pkwy., Brooklyn, NY 11235; and 656 Anderson Ave., Cliffside Park, NJ 07010

Enjoy vegan Turkish dishes including Kofte, lavash bread, herbed chickpeas, hummus, and baklava. They also serve sushi, tacos, and bowls.

The Boujee Southerner, 706 Grayson Hwy., Ste. 300B, Lawrenceville, GA 30046

The Boujee Southerner prides itself on giving diners Southern hospitality and love, as well as delicious comfort food, and invites everyone, including “undecided vegans” to explore their menu. The menu, offering starters, lunch, dinner, and brunch, definitely offers the full array of Southern comfort, from deep-fried vegan dumplings to the “unmeatloaf” with creamy onion and chives mashed potatoes to vegan gumbo. Pair your meal with a mocktail such as sangria or guava rose, and even the undecided vegans will be convinced that plant-based eating can bring plenty of comfort.

Don’t vegan pizza and calzones sound like the perfect comfort food? Debra Daniels-Zeller’s article “Dairy-Free Pizza & Calzones” serves up these delicious recipes that you can prepare in your own home:

Basic Pizza, Calzone, or Focaccia Dough

Quick Fruit Pizza

Mushroom and Artichoke Calzone

Pesto Potato Calzone

Vegan Pesto

Amaranth-Kamut Individual Pizzas

Black Bean Fiesta Pizza

Roasted Vegetable And Sun-Dried Tomato Pizza

Debra also shows you how to rescue over risen dough and describes pizza essentials. See: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2002issue4/2002_issue4_pizza.php

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

Debra Daniels-Zeller’s previous Vegan article Loafing Around includes these recipes:

Walnut, Onion, and Carrot Rice Loaf
Southwestern Polenta Loaf
Pecan-Lentil Loaf
Chickpea Loaf
Red Bean and Millet Loaf with Sweet Potatoes and Mushrooms
Fire-Roasted Tomato Bread Loaf
Smooth Adobe Sauce
Chipotle Barbecue Sauce

Start cooking today and don’t forget to subscribe to Vegan Journal at https://www.vrg.org/member/2013sv.php

Are you searching for vegan “fish” alternatives? If so, here’s a list of some products you might want to try out. Many of these items are now sold in stores and online.

Akua Krab Cakes

BeLeaf Vegan Shrimp

Gardein Golden Frozen Fishless Filet

Gardein Mini Crispy Crabless Cakes

Good Catch Fish-Free Tuna Naked in Water

Good Catch Mediterranean Fish-Free Tuna   

Good Catch Olive Oil and Herbs Fish-Free Tuna

Loma Linda Tuno in Three Varieties

Lily’s Vegan Pantry Vegan Fish

Lily’s Vegan Pantry Golden Fish Fillet

Lily’s Vegan Pantry Vegan Crab Steak

Lily’s Vegan Pantry Vegan Salmon

Lily’s Vegan Pantry Vegan Scallops

Lily’s Vegan Pantry Vegan Shrimp Ball

Lily’s Vegan Pantry Vegan Tuna

Lily’s Vegan Pantry Squid

Lily’s Vegan Pantry Vegan Lobster

Lily’s Vegan Panty Vegan Red Spot Shrimp

Save da Sea Salmon and Tuna Salad

Sophie’s Kitchen Breaded Vegan Shrimp

Sophie’s Kitchen Vegan Crab Cakes

Sophie’s Kitchen Vegan Fish Fillet

Sophie’s Kitchen Salmon Burgers

Sophie’s Kitchen Vegan Smoked Salmon

Sophie’s Kitchen Vegan Salt Toona

Sophie’s Kitchen Vegan Black Pepper Toona

Sophie’s Kitchen Whitefish Burgers

Are you looking for some vegan-friendly indoor games for young kids? Here’s two created by former VRG staff member Jessica Dadds that you might enjoy:

Veggie-Friendly Memory Cards for Kids (the classic game of Memory, with a veggie twist!)

Veggie Counting Game for Kids

Curry Jackfruit Stew photo by Rissa Miller

Vegan Journal Senior Editor Rissa Miller wrote a creative recipe piece highlighting dishes made from jackfruit in the most recent issue. Enjoy these recipes: Spiced Breakfast Bars; BBQ Jackfruit and Biscuit Casserole; Sweet and Tangy Jackfruit Meatless Balls; Curry Jackfruit Stew; French Dip Sandwiches; Italian Herb Stuffed Peppers; and Orange Cherry Jackfruit Cake with Pudding Layer.

Read the entire article here: You Don’t Know Jack

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

Share this handy poster with family and friends. You can also print it out and post it on your refrigerator. See: https://www.vrg.org/nutshell/VeganDietsinaNutshellPoster.pdf

By Reed Mangels, PhD, RD

Mark your calendar – January 24 is National Peanut Butter Day in the United States! In my opinion, every day should be peanut butter day, unless, of course, you’re allergic to peanut butter. Peanut butter shines both for its versatility and for its nutritional quality.

Here’s what you can expect from 2 Tablespoons of peanut butter (note – this is for peanut butter made only with peanuts and salt and without added oil or sweetener):

• 190 calories
• 8 grams of protein
• 16 grams of fat
• 5 grams of saturated fat (13% of the Daily Value)
• 3 grams of fiber (11% of the Daily Value)
• 2 grams of sugars (0 grams of added sugar)
• 18 milligrams of calcium (2% of the Daily Value)
• 1 milligram of iron (6% of the Daily Value)
• 51 milligrams of magnesium (12% of the Daily Value)
• 9 milligrams of zinc (8% of the Daily Value)
• 4 milligrams of niacin (28% of the Daily Value)
• 6 milligrams of choline (4% of the Daily Value)

In 2018, the most recent year for which amounts are available, according to USDA’s Food Availability Data System, 4.12 pounds of peanut butter were available each year per person in the United States. That’s a lot of peanut butter!

What can you do with peanut butter? Of course, there are PB & J sandwiches but don’t stop there.

• Stir a couple of spoonfuls into oatmeal or other hot cereal
• Blend with plant milk and fresh or frozen fruit to make a smoothie
• Use to add flavor to a tofu/vegetable stir-fry
• Spread on bananas or apples or carrots or any other fruit
• Make my dad’s favorite peanut butter and tomato sandwich
• Create a signature peanut sauce, perhaps with lime juice or rice vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and chili flakes and use to top pasta or rice paper rolls
• Combine with a vinaigrette dressing, thinning with water or balsamic vinegar as needed
• Use to replace tahini in hummus
• Replace some of the oil or plant butter in a banana muffin or banana bread recipe with peanut butter
• Make peanut butter cookies (chocolate chips optional)

To read more about peanut butter see:

Vegetarian Journal’s Guide to Nuts and Nut Butters

Vegan Peanut Butter Noodles from the National Peanut Butter Board