Franks And Beans Vegan Style

After a long week I am always looking  forward to the weekend and its finally here. Franks and Beans has always been a fave of mine ever since I can remember and thanks to the people over at Field Roast I can still enjoy this classic in a vegan version. Now I am no paid spoke person but I will say I know my hot-dogs before I was vegan I planned a whole west coast family vacation around going to Portland Oregon just for me to eat some hot dogs, these Field Roast Frankfurters are with out a doubt the best vegan dog you can buy. The taste and texture is comparable to a high quality all beef frank it is that good and you don't get a belly ache after eating them. Now this dish is a staple at any family function its very simple cheap and real quick to throw together. I found that the cannellini bean is the best bean to use for this recipe it has the a perfect taste and it holds up during the baking.

For the recipe this is what you need

1 batch of my BBQ sauce found here

1 batch of hot-dog buns found here (They are just like my hamburger buns only shaped different)

3 cans of cannellini beans

3  Field Roast Frankfurters sliced into 1/4 inch slices (I go with one frank pre can of beans)

1 large onion diced

For the beans just open can and drain and rinse very well I love the 365 organic brand from Whole Foods cause they are not packed with any of the bad stuff. In a pot that has an oven safe rating mix together the BBQ sauce, beans and half the chopped onion. Cover and bake for 15 min at 350 degrees pull out and stir bake for 15 more min then you are ready for some franks and beans. But wait what goes great with frank and beans well a hot-dog does silly.

Make sure you remove the plastic casting.

To pan fry these dogs to perfection is and art form (not really) to get the perfect amount of char on the outside. Heat up 1 tbsp of oil on a med to high heat unwrap the the franks and place them in the skillet, once the brown up pour a bit of water to steam them up and turn over to repeat till is perfectly cooked. Now the best topping combo for these franks for the meal is straight yellow mustard and chopped onion in a fresh made bun wow.

Have fun and Enjoy.

Vegan BBQ Tofu and Baked Beans

It's always gonna be a good day when you got BBQ on the brain whether its a rainy Monday or not. This is real simple as long as you marinate both the tofu and the beans. Say its for dinner than marinate in the morning  and leave them sit all day.

BBQ Beans and Tofu

1 batch of my bbq sauce found here

1 package extra firm tofu 

2 cans cannellini beans (or your choice) rinsed

Some Memphis Rub 

Rinse and drain your beans, then mix gently with about a cup the sauce. Scoop into little glass bowls add about 1/4 of sauce on top and cover with foil and stick in the fridge. The tofu is easy also press out and cut into 1" cubes and  cover with sauce cover and put into the fridge. 

Now after they have been in the fridge at least 4 hours pre oven to 400 place the covered beans in the cold oven let them come up to temp with the oven NEVER PUT COLD GLASS IN A HOT OVEN did read you that NEVER PUT COLD GLASS IN A HOT OVEN it's really bad. Once at temp place tofu on foil lined pan sprinkle lightly with the rub bake for 20 mins flip and brush with sauce bake for 20 more min. Transfer to hot oiled grill and grill for 5 min per side basting with sauce cause that's what real BBQ cooks do. Pull you beans out at the same time as the tofu just keep covered till you serve them. 

Steam up whatever greens you want and serve up one hell of BBQ dinner.

Be careful not break up the tofu.

Re-sauce under the tofu.

Re-sauce the tops also

Careful very Careful they can be tricky.

These will be bubbling hot DO NOT uncover yet let set at least 10 min.

Oil up your grill.

Turn a quarter turn for the cool grill marks

Look at the color and it taste just as good.

I always put some chopped raw onions on top my beans.

Have fun and Enjoy. 

BBQ Sauce Vegan Style

The one true thing that every backwoods redneck can agree is that BBQ is awesome, but when you start talking about the different sauces and styles that's when trouble starts and a family picnic can end up in a brawl. This sauce goes great on every thing you want to put it on or dip in it.That being said this is my sauce that took about 5 years to perfect it I have taken a lot of pride into this sauce, so I hope that you enjoy it.

The sauce is

2 cups organic ketchup

1/2 cup molasses  

1/4 cooked onoins

3 tbsp apple cider vinegar

1/4 cup vegan worcestershire sauce 

1 tbsp liquid hickory smoke

1 tsp oil

and a pinch of the following
cayenne
chipolte chile pepper powder
garlic powder
sea salt
black pepper

Dice the onions small and sautee in the oil till translucent (big word I heard on the food network ) then turn the heat down and starting with the ketchup and work your way down the list of ingredients mixing well as you go, never letting it come to a heavy boil just a low simmer. The spices do in small amounts so you can adjust to your own taste for more spicy go with more cayenne and you get the point. Heat on stove for 30 min then jar it up and keep it in the fridge.