@KatetheGreat Here are a few of my favorite new recipes (you can increase or decrease the quantities depending upon if you’re making stuff just for you or for a potluck)
Raw Kale Salad with Root Vegetables This is from Vegetarian Times and I’ve made it about 5 times, each time using different root veggies. Rutabag and beets work really well.
Cold Soba Noodle Salad This one came from a blogger. You can switch up the veggies if you like. I actually prefer broccoli. And if you like you can use a firmer textured tofu like Trader Joe’s Organic Baked Tofu, which is what I use, because it’s more flavorful and has a chicken-like texture (and it’s not squishy). You can also substitute somen noodles for the soba noodles if you find them too earthy (I’ve done it with both and they’re both very tasty).
Tofu (eggless) Egg Salad This tastes just about exactly like real egg salad. I use Vegenaise which in my opinion tastes just like real mayonaise. For this recipe use regular, but firm tofu. I also add a couple of pinches of turmeric (not to add any flavor, but to give it a slight yellow color).
You can also use the Vegenaise to make a vegan version of Apple Waldorf Salad. Just follow this recipe but use the Vegenaise in place of the regular mayo. I also like to use dried cranberries or dried cherries in place of the grapes/raisins. For a little kick, sometimes I’ll also add a Tablespoon of honey and a half teaspoon of curry powder! Be aware that vegans sometimes choose not to eat honey either.
You can also use the vegenaise to make your favorite potato salad or macaroni salad.
If you like soup here’s a few that you might like:
Hot and Sour
Cream of Tomato
Black Bean
Minestrone
Potato Leek
Corn Chowder
Note: if you need to thicken up any kinds of soups that you are making without adding any cream you can use pureed white beans or pureed fresh corn kernels.
If you are looking for a good vegan margarine/butter substitue I would suggest Smart Balance