The other day, when I posted my Vegan Resource article (which included an easy “Chicken” Piccata recipe), I promised another “beginner vegan” recipe. As I mentioned in that post, giving up meat, whatever your reasons, can be challenging. When you’ve based your meals around a meat entree for years, you might be left wondering what you can eat.
I suggest making the transition to a plant based diet by taking baby steps toward learning how to prepare tasty vegan meals. Meat substitutes can help with this transition, allowing you to create dishes that you are comfortable with. As time goes on, you will probably find, as I did, how much fun and how delicious it is to cook with whole, unprocessed foods, and you will gradually move away from the mock meats.
For this recipe I used Trader Joe’s Mandarin Orange Chicken-less Morsels and Spicy Peanut Vinaigrette. Gardein also makes a great Mandarin Orange Crispy Chick’n, but I was at TJ’s so that’s what I used. I was originally going to use a Mango Lime Vinaigrette, but I was shopping, this sounded good, so there you go.
Mandarin Orange “Chicken” Salad
Ingredients
One Package Mandarin Orange “Chicken” Nuggets (either Trader Joe’s or Gardein)
1/4 cup toasted almonds
Three cups mixed greens
1/2 cup yellow cherry tomatoes, cut in half
1/4 cup green onions, sliced
1/2 cup snow or snap peas
1/2 cup edamame, shelled
2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped (if you don’t like cilantro, you can skip it)
1 avocado, cut into chunks
1/4 cup spicy peanut vinaigrette
1/2 teaspoon ginger
Pepper to taste
Directions
Prepare the “chicken” according to package directions (they give you cooking options, I prefer to bake them for extra crispiness). Allow to cool, but don’t chill.
Spread the almonds in a small pan and toast (at the same temp as the chicken is fine) for a few minutes.
Measure out 1/4 cup of the spicy peanut vinaigrette. Mix in the ginger and pepper to taste.
Toss the greens, tomatoes, onions, peas, cilantro, and edamame in a large bowl. Add the dressing, avocado, and almonds and toss gently. Add the “chicken” and toss lightly.
Serves 2-3.
If you are a “new” vegan, a vegetarian thinking about switching to a plant based diet, or an omnivore exploring options or trying to eat less meat, check out my Vegan Resources for lots of information and links for blogs, recipes, cookbooks, and more.
Are you vegan? How did you make the switch?
Do you have a favorite blog, book, movie, or cookbook that I didn’t list? Share!
I know a lot of people avoid mock meats, but I think they are great! Not something I eat every day, but I love the variety and ability to veganize ANYTHING. 🙂
As far as resource, my fav cookbook continues to be Peas and Thank You. And I think my blog is a pretty good resource too, but I’m biased. 😉
I agree! Every now and then it is nice to relax and have something easy.
I’ve never tried the Peas and Thank You cookbook. I’ll have to check it out. I added your blog to my resource list. I’ve been following you for a while, but missed you when I made my list. Fixed now 🙂
I’m not vegan but am slowly going that way. I agree with Heather, Peas and Thank You is where I get a lot of my recipes. Also, Oh She Glows.
Thanks for sharing!
Thank you. I love Oh She Glows.
Vegan or not, this looks delicious! I love these recipes you share as I transition into more of a vegan lifestyle. Keep the inspiration coming!
Thank you so much, Katie, I’m glad I can help.
Thanks for sharing that info! I’m not vegan but I do enjoy learning all about it!
I love mandarins in my salad…I had it the other week and it’s so refreshing 🙂 Perfect citrus addition!
Thanks. Actually, this salad doesn’t have mandarins in it. It has “chicken” in mandarin sauce. But now that you say it, real mandarins would be a great addition.
What a great idea for a transition recipe! We don’t do a lot of mock meats, but it’s a great way to help people make the change. Looks delicious!
Thank you. I don’t do as many mock meats anymore either, but I really do think it helps with the change. Plus, sometimes, it’s nice to have something easy to make (and TJs mandarin chicken is pretty darn tasty!).
This is an excellent option for transitioning! Pinned =)
Thanks, AZ girl! Going to read your post about vegan options in Phoenix now.
I really want to try eating at LEAST meatless once a week. It seems like an adventure. I love how you’re helping people transition. Looks like I’m going to have to go downstairs to TJ’s and buy me some ingredients. 🙂
Hurray! I love helping people eat less meat.
I’m not a vegan, but this recipe sounds delicious!
Believe me, it is 😉
Wow does that look great! I’ll have to try it.
I love the Skinny Bitch cookbook–such great and easy recipes!
Thanks, it is very good. I’ve never read any of the Skinny Bitch books. I’ll have to change that!
mmmm yummy!! i need to look more into more vegan alternatives, the ones I enjoy now are too high in sodium, and do not benefit me at all, but they do taste soooo good!!
That’s one of the problems with processed foods, too much sodium.
Hi Debbie,
that salad looks really delicious. I am not a vegan myself but I can’t eat any dairy so I try to make a lot of vegan salads all the time. I really love any salad with avocado because it is really nourishing and mouthwatering.
Mariella
I <3 avocado. I put it in almost everything. It's texture makes a salad or sandwich so much more satisfying.
Love Gardein when I have the urge for something “meat like” I eat vegetarian and almost vegan but throw in the occasional dairy product or egg from friends who raise their chickens. The hidden animal products are the toughest part especially when eating out.
You really have to become an educated label reader when you go vegan, that’s for sure. Gardein is nice when you’re short of time, or want something meaty. The Trader Joe’s versions are very good too.