Food By Ayaka -

Crispy Garlic Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Some foods need a little extra love to make them taste good. Brussels sprouts are one of those foods. They tend to get a bad rap, as people always make jokes about how bad they are. The truth, however, is that brussels sprouts can be really tasty, as long as you prepare them correctly! The…

Vegan Baked Matcha Cheesecake With Oreo Crust

This summer, I am going to be traveling to Japan alone for the first time. This marks a very special moment in my life, as it represents me embracing my Japanese heritage. For the majority of my childhood, I resented the Japanese holidays we celebrated at home and was embarrassed of the bento boxes my…

High Protein TVP Tacos (Vegan)

Textured vegetable protein is an underrated ingredient. If you’ve never heard of it before, TVP is dehydrated soy protein that has a texture exactly like ground beef when rehydrated. Some vegans argue that it is overly processed, or that soy is bad for you, but TVP is actually a very healthy food. Just because a…

Vegan Tempeh Bacon

There’s a million responses I get when I tell people I’m vegan, but the most annoying one is when people say “But what about bacon?” Honestly, it’s incredibly rude to just discredit someone’s beliefs with a joke. Most ethical vegans care very deeply about animals and don’t feel that this topic is a laughing matter….

Brownie Bottom Banana Bread Bars

Happy Easter Sunday! I hope all of you are enjoying the holiday and spending it with your families. This year, I am spending my Easter in Los Angeles! I’m here for spring break to visit a few colleges, as well as enjoy all the vegan food. This afternoon, I plan to go to the weekly…

Vegan Strawberry Muffins With Lemon Glaze

Last week, I completed my school’s leadership program for juniors. To celebrate, everyone in the program brought in food, and we all had a big breakfast together. I signed up to bring blueberry muffins, since I knew I had a bag of blueberries in my freezer. But when I went to make the muffins, I…

Vegan Trail Mix Biscotti

Biscotti are unlike any other type of cookie. They’re twice-baked, extra crunchy, and perfect for dipping in coffee! Traditionally, they’re made with almonds, but you can use the same technique to make any biscotti flavor you want. Some popular additions include nuts, dried fruit, and my personal favorite: chocolate. After I learned how to make…

Vegan Sourdough French Toast

Sourdough is all the rage these days. The fermentation process makes it easier to digest than other types of bread, and it also yields more nutritional benefit. With the trend towards healthier eating, people are constantly looking for better alternatives to their favorite foods. Zoodles and bean pastas have replaced wheat spaghetti, smoothies have taken…

Vegan Salted Caramel Pretzel Blondies

Salty-sweet desserts have been a subject of debate in my household for as long as I can remember. I have always loved anything salty- sweet, particular when caramel is involved. Salted caramel is my jam. My dad, on the other hand, is not a fan of salty-sweet desserts. He despises chocolate-covered pretzels and claims to…

Baked Pumpkin Donuts With Cinnamon Sugar (Vegan)

One of my fondest childhood memories took place during my family’s annual visit to a local farm, where we picked pumpkins, navigated through corn mazes, and went on hayrides. Every year, as we pulled up to the farm, the aroma of freshly made pumpkin donuts from the donut stand would hit me, and I would…