by Megan Grigorian
We’re well into the year, and I’ve been leaning heavily into hearty, delicious breakfasts to sustain me through the cold winter months that are now upon us in the US. Whether you prefer a light start to the day, or a heavier meal in the morning, there are DefaultVeg options for all your taste and palate desires. These meals will surely jazz up your breakfast routine and will work for both those who are well-acquainted with DefaultVeg and those who are just beginning to dip their toes. (You can learn more about the tenets of our DefaultVeg program here.)
Lets dig in.
Photo: Megan Grigorian
Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal with Coconut-Walnut Crumble
Oatmeal is a DefaultVeg staple because it contains a ton of nutrients and is very versatile. This satisfyingly sweet, nutty oatmeal melds together rich flavors from pumpkin, cinnamon, and nutmeg with a thick finish from maple syrup and coconut oil. Nisha Vora brings us this recipe from her debut cookbook The Vegan Instant Pot. Use it to feed a crowd, or save the yummy leftovers to heat up during the week. Instant cookers can be used for developing flavor and saving time, but they’re not required. You can also simmer the dish slowly on the stovetop.
Photo: Megan Grigorian
Jalapeno Hush Puppies with Honey Butter
Hush Puppies might not be on everyone’s breakfast table, but I assure you they are a tasty, fluffy accompaniment to any meal, any time of day. I serve these with a protein filled scramble like the one featured below, and it’s always a hit! These little flavor bombs are a cross between a cornbread, a muffin, and a savory doughnut. The key is using the plant-based version of buttermilk, which you can get from combining soy milk or almond milk with vinegar or lemon juice. Don’t forget to serve some honey butter on the side to slather on your hush puppies for the perfect bite. I just mix agave syrup in with softened Earth Balance butter. My go-to recipe for hush puppies is from Jenne Clairborne’s book Sweet Potato Soul, and you can find the recipe here.
Photo: Megan Grigorian
Scramble
If you’re just starting out on DefaultVeg, and beginning to substitute products like eggs, JUSTEgg scramble is a plant-based alternative that offers flavor notes similar to scrambled eggs. JUST Egg, which can be found in many grocery store chains right next to the eggs, imitates the consistency of chicken eggs brilliantly by using mung beans. It can be cooked exactly as you would eggs, and it also works for baking. If you can’t find JUSTEgg just yet, tofu is a perfectly delicious substitute. For years, tofu was (and still is) my go-to product for a breakfast scramble packed with veggies and spices. Drain, press, and crumble the tofu block into a saute pan over medium heat with a tablespoon of oil. Also, add all the spices and veggies (like shallots and red peppers) you like. Nutritional yeast is a good addition to your scramble if you like that cheesy flavor. This comes together in 20 minutes or less and is loved by eaters all over the plant-based spectrum.
Image from Sweet Potato Soul
Chicken and Waffles
Chicken and waffles is a special, knock-your-socks off kind of breakfast (or brunch) that can be easily replicated using DefaultVeg ingredients: crunchy chicken substitute, over slightly sweet fluffy waffles, all slathered in syrup and topped with a couple dashes of hot sauce. What combines sweet and savory better? There are many ways to approach this dish depending on the amount of time and work you want to put into your meal. If you’re up for making everything from scratch, Sweet Potato Soul gives simple and detailed instructions to bring these components together (available in her fantastic book and online here). For some shortcuts, there are plant-based chicken options available in the freezer section of your grocery store, and my favorite brand of drumsticks are available online from May Wah. I’ve also worn out my copy of The Global Vegan Waffle Cookbook, which has every flavor of waffle you can imagine, plus the simple ingredients needed to mix up and add to your waffle iron.
Other options for making breakfast DefaultVeg
If you prefer a grab-and-go breakfast, there are so many options: toast with almond butter, smashed avocados and red pepper flakes, fruit smoothies with soy milk and a drizzle of agave, or several brands of frozen breakfast burritos, which contain no animal products and can be found in grocery stores.
I hope this gives you some delicious DefaultVeg ideas to make the start of your day and year satisfying. Let these recipes sustain you during this cold season (at least in the Northern Hemisphere!) and warm you from the inside out. Let us know what your favorite breakfast is in the comments. Happy tasting!
Megan Grigorian is a project consultant with CreatureKind.