Meatless Monday Recipe Round-Up, 8/8

Crazy morning for me. I decided to wake up early and venture out to the Westin in DC for Season 8 auditions for Food Network Star. I guess you can say trying out is a tradition for me. I’m a pro. I get there early so I get out in a flash. #16 in line. I was out by 11am. Short and sweet. And it never hurts to try. I always keep pushing for something I want badly enough.

Plus, it’s always fun meeting fellow food-passionate folks. And the post-audition adrenaline rush is pretty addictive. I’ll let you know if I get a call back! I had better luck getting to the final round of casting for Masterchef last year. But after watching that show this season, I’m quite thrilled I didn’t make it on! You can read about my NYC audition from last year here.

Onto this week’s recipes!..

Meatless Monday Recipe Round-Up – 8/8

* Homemade Jumbo Croutons
You already love your salad, right? Well make your salad bowl even more exciting by adding homemade jumbo croutons! Here are three of my fave recipes. Super easy to make – you’ll never want to buy store-bought croutons again. Plus this is a great way to use up day-old french bread.

* 7 Veggie Burger Recipes
If you checked out my Veggie Burger Test Kitchen post, you’re probably anxiously awaiting your next veggie burger night. Well here are 7 of my fave veggie burger recipes – with photos – in a veggie burger slideshow!

* Mini Peanut Butter Pillows
The perfect ending to a Meatless Monday meal? Peanut butter cookies! And with these mini pb pillows, you can certainly have more than one.

* Fluffy Maple vegan French Toast
If you think French Toast needs eggs to be fluffy-tastic, think again! This maple-infused, caramelized edge, spongy-center toast is everything you remember and more!

* Mini Pancake Cinnamon Rolls
Here’s a sweet breakfast (or dessert!) recipe that is fun to make and eat: mini cinnamon rolls, made from thin vegan pancakes. Simply slice, roll, drizzle and serve. Totally kid-approved too. (I bet you can even make this recipe using the french toast above!)

* Five Dairy-Free Alternatives to Cheese!
Craving something cheezy? Pasta, pizza, grilled cheese?? Well have no fear, here are my five fave “cheese” alternatives that give you all the dreamy, savory, cheezy flavor you dream of .. without the dairy!

* Sweet Summer Tomato Roasted Garlic Hummus
Out of basil? No problem! This garlic tomato hummus is pure and delicious – the sweet taste of juicy summer tomatoes throughout.

* Coconut Water Frosty
I’m throwing this beverage in the mix because I’ve been drinking them a lot lately! Frosty, cool, hydrating and packed with electrolytes! So cravable..

* Watermelon Frosty
And just for fun, lets add in my Watermelon Frosty recipe just because it really makes just about any summer Meatless Monday meal better! 🙂 ..I have some frozen watermelon in the freezer right now – planning on making one tonight!

Previous Babble.com Meatless Monday Recipe Round-Up’s:

* 8/1 – hazelnut hummus, pesto pasta, tofu scramble, squash blossoms, savory waffles, hash browns.
* 7/25 – smoothies, vegan burrito, blueberry bread, panzanella salad, beet salad, peach crisp.
* 7/18 – roasted pepper hummus, raw food eats, papaya smoothie, owl cake, chocolate pudding parfait, hemp mashed potatoes and watermelon recipes.