A disturbing incident in Eket, Nigeria reveals that unsuspecting roadside barbecue patrons may have been eating vulture meat instead of chicken.

Hungry buyers tempted by the scrumptious sizzle of meat cooking over a charcoal fire may want to think twice before buying a snack from one of these outdoor roasting vendors. What they think is chicken could actually be … vulture.

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Because of my location, I can stand on just about any corner of my hometown, inhale deeply, and smell wood smoke and meat. If you are of the meat-eating persuasion, and know your ‘cue, then you know the power of this smell is enough to make you forget all about green concerns and dive onto a platter of ribs like a starving dog on a meaty bone.
Problem is, few of these establishments are using sustainable, ethically-raised meats, and well, wood smoke is not the most environmentally-friendly cooking method. I’ve had to give up the very culinary tradition my hometown is world famous for. It’s tough being an ethical eater sometimes.

How does an eco-conscious omnivore with a weak spot for ribs get around this?

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A cool summer salad is the perfect side dish complement for a summer barbecue or dinner on a warm evening.  Many summer salads are mayonnaise based though and typically not too healthy.  Here’s a simple, healthy, and quite delicious antipasto salad.

Here are the ingredients that you’ll need.  As always, I strive for the most local and organic products that I can get my hands on.

• 3 cups (2inch) sliced asparagus (about 1/4 lb)
• 3 cups quartered mushrooms (about 3/4 lb)
• 1 cup red bell pepper strips
• 1/2 cup pitted ripe olives
• 3 oz mozzarella cheese cubed (omit or replace with firm tofu, seitan, or soy cheese if you want to make the recipe vegan)
• 1 lb (or a 14 oz can if you’re feeling lazy like I am sometimes) quartered artichoke hearts drained
• 1 (11.5 oz) jar pickled pepporoncini peppers drained

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It might not be Monday, but that doesn’t mean you can’t sneak in some meat-free, carbon friendly eats at your weekend barbecues!  While burgers and hot dogs might be traditional, they’re certainly not doing the environment–or your health–any favors.  Why not surprise your hosts or guests by providing some unexpected and delicious vegan options at your next summer get together?  Here are my favorite ideas for meat and dairy free barbecue dining:

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1. What’s the greenest grilling option? Electric and propane grills are definitely better than charcoal. If that’s your only option though, try using cleaner burning, natural charcoals. A great list can be found here at GreenYour.com. If you’ve got your heart set on the flavor that comes from grilling over wood, Woodflame grills were the most eco-friendly option I could find.

2. Skip the meat. As if you didn’t need another reason to lower your meat intake, I also recently came across this health-related article on the 5 Worst Foods to Barbecue. (Hint, none of them are tofu.) You can replace the burgers and hot dogs with some vegetarian knock-offs (respectively, I recommend Amy’s burgers which come in a variety of flavors, and Lightlife Tofu Pups.) Or you could even try making your own ahead of time. I have to admit, I’ve never tried grilling my black bean or white bean burgers, but it’s worth a shot!

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Editor's note: We're pleased to welcome Colleen Patrick-Goudreau to the Green Options writing team! Colleen has taught vegan cooking classes in Oakland, California, for seven years, and is a columnist for VegNews magazine, and a contributing writer for KQED radio's Perspectives program. Her first cookbook, The Joy of Vegan Baking: The Compassionate Cooks' Recipes for Traditional Treats and Sinful Sweets, will be published in October. Colleen has a real knack for making vegan cooking and eating accessible to those of us who may be a bit mystified by the idea of taking animal products out of our diets, and we're very happy to have her on board.

In my work as a vegan educator, advocate, and cooking instructor, one of my goals is to take "vegan food" out of the box. There tends to be a notion that “vegan food” exists in a food group separate from “normal food” or reserved only for those who label themselves “vegan.” But the fact is that even non-vegans eat “vegan” food every day — they just don’t call it “vegan.” Plant-based cuisine is simply made up of the foods we already eat and love: vegetables, fruit, legumes, grains, nuts, beans, seeds, mushrooms, herbs, and spices. When we recognize that “vegan” food is already part of our meals, we take the mystery out of the label.

Plant foods contain all the flavors, textures, and colors that satisfy our palates and our senses. In fact, it is flavor, texture, and familiarity we crave whenever we eat, and all of these elements are found in the rich array of plant foods available to us. The Holy Triumvirate of meat, dairy, and eggs has become so dominant in our daily diets that they have replaced what was once the foundation of the human diet: plant foods. Even when we do eat vegetables, we tend to drown them in fat-laden cheeses, oily butters, and heavy cream sauces – forgetting that the vegetables themselves contain all the flavor we crave.

I’m always surprised when people declare that “vegan food” is bland and boring. I usually remind them that the herbs and spices we flavor our food with are all plant-based – they’re all “vegan.” Considering the fact that we’re the only animal who has to cook and flavor meat before we eat it, it’s not surprising that the things with which we typically serve our hamburgers, hot dogs, and steaks are plant-based: ketchup, mustard, relish, sauerkraut, pickles, tomatoes, lettuce, BBQ sauce, Worcestershire sauce, tabasco sauce, chili sauce, horseradish, liquid smoke, vinegars, lime and lemon juices, and, of course, salt and pepper. You also have your capers, wasabi, tahini, soy sauce, chutneys, and a variety of other condiments to provide flavor, heat, and texture.

A backyard barbecue is the perfect occasion to showcase delicious, nutritious, animal-free foods that will satisfy bellies and arouse taste buds.

**GRILL IT UP**

Every summer, I’m dismayed by the “safety tips” about grilling meat that give people the false impression that they can actually prevent the carcinogenic (cancer-causing) compounds (heterocyclic amines) from forming when they cook meat (including chicken, beef, pork, and fish) at high temperatures. There is no magic formula that people can follow to ensure that these compounds do not form – whether you’re grilling or pan-frying. Undercook your meat, and you risk consuming dangerous food-borne pathogens; heat your meat at high temperatures, and you risk cancer. But what happens when you cook vegetables? They get hot! These cancer-causing substances are not present when plant-based foods, including meatless burgers and hot dogs, are cooked. Period. So, heat up your grill and enjoy these fantastically delicious grilled fiber-rich foods:

*Seasoned eggplant slices
*Marinated Portobello mushrooms
*Skewers of bell peppers, red onions, and summer squash
*Corn on the cob (grilled in their husks)
*Polenta squares (cooked with red onions, garlic, and sundried tomatoes) topped with dairy-free pesto
*Yellow and sweet potatoes or yams
*Tempeh marinated in barbecue sauce
*Tofu flavored with a ginger, citrus marinade

**TOSS IT UP**

A huge array of summer salads can be made from beans, pasta, potatoes, tofu, tempeh, or grains. The options are endless. I’ve included a couple recipes and suggestions below, and many more can be found in my online cookbook.

*Toss pasta (penne, fusilli, et. al.) with chopped raw veggies, lightly toasted pine nuts, fresh basil, balsamic vinegar, and a little extra-virgin olive oil.
*Combine spinach leaves with fresh raspberries, sunflower seeds, brazil or macadamia nuts, and mandarin orange slices in advance, and toss with seasoned rice vinegar just before serving.
*Spread Focaccia bread with dairy-free pesto, and add grilled veggies (eggplant, zucchini squash), thinly sliced tofu, roasted red peppers, fresh tomatoes, and basil. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar.

Tantalizing Thai Slaw a.k.a. Holy Slaw
I call this “Holy Slaw” because it tastes so darn good. This really is filling enough for a meal, but it’s a great side with a veggie burger. Serves 4 as a complete meal; serves 6 as a side

INGREDIENTS

1 small head green cabbage, shredded
½-1 whole head red cabbage, shredded
1 cup shredded carrot
1 red onion, sliced thinly
1 cup roasted, unsalted, peanuts
1 block (about 1 pound) firm or extra firm tofu
½ cup chopped green onion
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
1-2 teaspoons toasted or raw sesame seeds (black seeds add beautiful color!)
½ cup chopped parsley or cilantro (optional)
Sesame oil (optional)
Orange Ginger Vinaigrette (see below)

DIRECTIONS

The tofu is optional, as this delicious salad is perfect on its own. Adding sautéed tofu will add some more flavor and texture. If adding the tofu, fry it up with a little sesame oil to make it nice and crispy. Let it cool and then add to the other ingredients. Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl. Voila!

*Oil-free version with tofu: if using a non-stick pan, you can just add the cubed tofu directly to a non-stick skillet. Just let it get golden brown and crispy before turning it over. Don’t fuss with it; let it get brown, and then turn it. Delicious!

Orange Ginger Vinaigrette
¼ cup orange juice
¼-½ cup seasoned rice vinegar
3 tablespoons maple syrup
2 tablespoons grated ginger
2 teaspoons garlic, minced

Copyright © 2006 Compassionate Cooks, LLC – All rights reserved

Cannellini Beans with Tomatoes & Herbs
This light, fresh salad is perfect for a picnic or BBQ. The lemon zest is an especially nice addition and adds beautiful color to this delicious, healthful dish. Makes 4-6 servings

INGREDIENTS

2 cans of Cannellini beans (or other white beans, such as Great Northern or Navy), drained and rinsed
3 or 4 tomatoes (cherry, heirloom, or any tomatoes in season)
½ medium size red onion, diced
1 cup fresh, frozen (thawed), or canned corn kernels
2 red, yellow, orange, or green bell pepper, finely diced
1 ripe avocado, diced
Assortment of fresh herbs: marjoram, basil, thyme, sage, minced
3 tablespoons vinegar, your choice (red, white wine vinegar, seasoned rice vinegar)
Juice from 1 lemon
Zest of 2 lemons
2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
Salt and pepper

DIRECTIONS

In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients and set aside for 15 minutes or more to allow the flavors to develop. Add salt and serve at room temperature.

Serving Suggestions and Variations:
*You can use any bean you like for this salad. White beans are just one suggestion. You can use kidney, chick peas, black, pinto – or a combination of all them!
*You may add a tablespoon or two of extra virgin olive oil.
*Fresh tomatoes are best, and keep in mind that tomatoes don’t do well refrigerated. So, if you wanted to make this salad in advance, just eliminate the tomatoes, store in the fridge, and add the tomatoes just before serving.

Copyright © 2006 Compassionate Cooks, LLC – All rights reserved

**SWEETEN IT UP**
Don’t forget dessert! Another misconception about “vegan food” is that desserts are somehow inferior to those prepared with cow’s milk, dairy butter, and chicken’s eggs. These are unnecessary ingredients. What rich baked goods can’t do without, however, is fat, moisture, and leavening – all of which exist outside of animal products. Here are a couple treats to serve at your next summertime soiree. More can be found in the desserts section of our online cookbook as well as in our upcoming cookbook, The Joy of Vegan Baking: The Compassionate Cooks' Recipes for Traditional Treats and Sinful Sweets available for pre-order on Amazon.com and other online stores. (Ask your local bookstore to carry it!)

No-Bake Strawberry Pie with Chocolate Chunks
This amazingly delicious pie is perfect when strawberries are at their height in the summer. Get the sweetest, ripest strawberries you can find at your farmer’s market. It is best when served within an hour or two of preparing it, since it is at its most fresh then, but it holds up just fine in the fridge. Serves 8-12

INGREDIENTS

Crust:
2 cups raw almonds or pecans
¾ cup pitted dates, preferably Medjool

Filling:
5 cups sliced ripe organic strawberries
5 pitted dates, soaked 10 minutes in warm water and drained
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
Dark chocolate chunks, preferably from a good, organic, fair-trade bar (optional)

DIRECTIONS

1. Place the nuts in a food processor and grind until they’re a coarse meal. Add the ¾ cup of dates (for the crust) and process until thoroughly combined. Press the mixture into a non-stick or very lightly oiled pie plate or spring form pan.

2. Arrange 4 cups of the sliced strawberries on top of the crust and set aside.

3. In a food processor or blender, combine the remaining 1 cup of strawberries with the 5 soaked dates and lemon juice. Puree until smooth. Pour the sauce mixture over strawberries.

4. Arrange the chocolate chunks on the top of the sauce (optional), and refrigerate the pie for 1 hour before serving. This will help the pie set and will be perfect for slicing.

Copyright © 2006 Compassionate Cooks, LLC – All rights reserved

Decadent Chocolate Cake
This chocolate cake might be the easiest cake in the world to make – and is the most versatile as well. No eggs or dairy make it cholesterol- and cruelty-free, and it takes about 5 minutes to prepare. Makes one 9-inch cake or 8 cupcakes. Double it for a layer cake or a bundt cake

INGREDIENTS
1-1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
¾ cup sugar (white or turbinado)
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon vanilla
½ teaspoon peppermint extract (optional)
1/3 cup canola oil
1 tablespoon white distilled vinegar
1 cup cold water

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Combine the dry ingredients in a bowl until mixed thoroughly. No need to sift.

2. Make a well in the center and add the wet ingredients. Stir until well mixed.

3. Pour into a 9×9-inch baking dish (or cupcake or bundt pan), and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

4. Cool completely, then frost with Chocolate Frosting (below).

Chocolate Frosting
Makes enough for one 9-inch cake or 8 cupcakes

INGREDIENTS

3 tablespoons softened non-dairy butter (Earth Balance is the best!)
1-1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
1/3 cup cocoa, sifted
½ teaspoon vanilla or ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
2-4 tablespoons water or non-dairy milk (almond milk adds a subtle touch of special flavor)

DIRECTIONS
Cream the non-dairy butter in a small bowl then add the sugar, cocoa, vanilla, and enough liquid to make a thick but spreadable frosting.

Copyright © 2006 Compassionate Cooks, LLC – All rights reserved

ENJOY!