Exploits of a Vegan Wannabe

Last weekend we were in Cleveland, Ohio for a wedding. The morning we left the hotel, I searched Happy Cow for a nearby vegan option and found The Root Cafe in a neighboring  suburb called Lakewood. The menu was overflowing with vegan options. So much so, that I kept ordering food and baked goods like I was sharing with my invisible family. I was just overcome by our good fortune and everything sounded so good.

One of the things I ordered was a create your own Calzone. I designed mine with tempeh, pesto and Greek olives. The combo was so divine that I could hardly eat it for fear of the experience ending. I took more than half of it home to extend the joy to my own kitchen where I could express how fabulous it was as loud as I wanted. The next day I decided to replicate the flavors, but this time on a pizza instead of tucked inside a calzone. It worked famously and the finished pie was extraordinary.  I also made up a new Pepita Pesto in the experiment that I really enjoyed. I hope you enjoy it as well.

Tempeh Pizza w/Pepita Pesto

By: S. Duquet

Tempeh Ingredients

1 pkg tempeh

1/2 tsp granulated garlic

black pepper to taste

2 tsp Tamari

Make It Happen

~In a saucepan boil enough water to cover tempeh. Boil for 1o minutes then remove from water. Set aside until it cools.

~Cut tempeh into small cubes

~Lightly coat saute pan with spray oil and saute tempeh with Tamari, garlic and pepper until lightly browned then set aside

Pesto Ingredients

2 packed cups fresh Basil

1 packed cup fresh Parsley

3/4 C raw Pepitas

3 Tbsp Nutritional Yeast flakes

2 tsp granulated garlic

water to assist in creating your desired consistency of pesto

Make Pesto Happen

~Put all ingredients in food processor and pulse until it reaches your desired consistency. Add water a little bit at a time as needed.

~Set aside

Pizza Ingredients

1 vegan crust of your choice (I used a 12 inch round from Rustic Crust)

1 C Diced red, yellow and orange peppers

1 C jumbo, pitted Kalamata Olives, halved

Prepared tempeh

Prepared pesto

Make Pizza Happen

Spread crust with pesto then top with the tempeh and all the  ingredients you desire. Bake according to your crust directions. Enjoy and rejoice in your unique pizza making talents.

The tempeh adds such a beautiful flavor and texture to pizza. I don’t want to ever have one without it again.  The sweet peppers and salty olives are the perfect pair for this pie.

Have a delicious day.

Tags: compassionate eating, cooking with herbs, dairy free, E2 friendly recipes, exploits of a vegan wannabe, going veg, Happy Cow, no oil pesto, oil free recipes, Pepita pesto, plant based diet, plant strong, raw pesto, tempeh pizza, The Root Cafe, vegan challenge, vegan pizza, vegan recipe, vegan wannabe, vegetarian recipe