Vegan Snack for Buddhist Nuns?

[Deenso]

There are two lovely ladies who work for a charitable foundation and have space in my office. Every so often, one of them will come out to my desk and present me with a little homemade goodie in a wooden dish. Once it was mooncakes in honor of some festival, last week it was dried goji berries ("very good for your eyes," she promised, but kinda icky in flavor) and a few pieces of very tasty brittle made from a combo of pumpkin and sesame seeds. Today, she brought me sugar-enrobed raw cranberries - ultra-tart/sweet and surprisingly addictive.

I'd love to bring them something in return on occasion and I'm at a loss. My usual gift would be my homemade butter cookies (hence, my avatar), but they eat no animal products - so no butter (or dairy of any kind) or eggs. Which means we can scratch the butter cookies.

Can anyone suggest a little vegan treat - savory or sweet - that I can prepare for them and that can be eaten with the fingers? Thanks!

[Karl S]

Also, be aware that they may not want something that would stimulate the desire for food, ascetic life (not just Buddhist) being what it is. So think simple and nutritious, not hedonic. The idea of medjool dates stuffed with different small nuts seems good.

[goodhealthgourmet]

spiced nuts were my first thought as well - i love to do agave-glazed almonds with matcha powder, lemongrass, ginger & sesame seeds.

piggybacking on the fruit suggestion, you could also give them jars of apple or cranberry compote made with maple syrup.

or maybe some sort of mochi snack with bean paste?

[magiesmom]

Dates stuffed with nuts ( pistachios look and taste wonderful)

goodhealth: is there a recipe for the agave glazed almonds? If so, I'd love it.

[goodhealthgourmet]

i have a terrible habit of winging it when i make things like that, which makes it difficult to pass along recipes...fortunately the last time i whipped some up i had the presence of mind to take notes! they're simple to make, and SO good.

GHG's AGAVE-GLAZED ALMONDS WITH GREEN TEA, LEMONGRASS, GINGER & SESAME

1 c raw almonds
3 Tbsp agave
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
Contents of ½ jasmine or matcha tea bag, or ¼ tsp of powdered matcha
1/8 tsp. lemongrass powder
pinch of ground ginger
pinch of sea salt or dash of tamari
1 Tbsp each black & toasted white sesame seeds

In large pan over medium heat, combine almonds, agave, oil, salt or tamari, tea and spices. Stir frequently until agave is warmed through and almonds are well glazed. Sprinkle with sesame seeds, pour onto sheet of wax paper and spread out. Cool, and store in tightly sealed container.

[magiesmom]

Yum! Thanks, goodhealth.

[goodhealthgourmet]

any time :)

FYI, you can also add a beaten egg white to help stiffen and harden the coating - i just leave it out for vegans.

[enbell]

Similar to the spiced nuts, granola came to mind; be sure to use molasses or agave in place of honey. A selection of gourmet teas or coffee might an option (not sure if they drink that though). For savory I thought of homemade bruschetta, salsa, or pickles. I also thought of reezer jams that don't call for gelatin.

[will47]

Most (though not all) Buddhists who eat a "completely vegetarian" diet will eat dairy -- just not eggs. But of course you'd be wise to confirm this. I know of only one or two sects of Chinese Buddhists (if that) who strictly avoid dairy.

However, they generally will not eat eggs, or any of the 5 pungent spices (onion, garlic, green onion, leeks, Chinese chives). Some groups also avoid cilantro or possibly hot chili peppers. If they're Chinese / Vietnamese, I would reduce the sugar in anything you make by at least 1/4, as a lot of people from this area don't like stuff overly sweet.

As long as you make something that's not totally dependent on butter (like butter cookies), you can get away with making it vegan by substituting vegetable oil, palm oil, or Earth Balance non-hydrogenated shortening (or one of their vegan margarines) for butter, soy or almond milk for milk, and Ener-g brand egg replace or flax seed for eggs.

I'm guessing that, aside from the fruit mentioned by ipsedixit, something flaky and dry might be a hit, maybe something with almonds? Or you could make a coconut milk, agar, and mung bean jelly type thing - cook coconut milk with some sugar (to taste), water, add agar (not too much!), and pour over cooked mung beans. Delicious.

Or maybe banana bread mini-muffins (not overly sweetened)? Easy to veganize.

[ipsedixit]

Knowing many Buddhists, and Buddhist monks, I would suggest simply offering them fresh, whole, uncut fruit.

I am sure they will appreciate any snack you make for them, but in all honesty I think they would most appreciate fresh fruit.

Just my 0.02.

[Caroline1]

I agree completely on fruit! The problem that all people on special diets share, whether they be Buddhist nuns or diabetics, is that there is always an inherent fear that people who don't understand their diet in depth will innocently give them something they've made for them they THINK meets their dietary criteria but in fact, does not. Not nearly so dangerous for Buddhist nuns as it is for serious diabetics, but why not give them things they are completely comfortable accepting? And more importantly, eating.

[femmevox]

Maybe dried fruit--like prunes stuffed with almonds?

Potato or sweet potato chips with vegan dip?

Chickpea flour plus water will hold things together like eggs--so you can make any kind of potato pancake, squash pancake, fritter (that's what Indian pakoras are bound together with).

Little vegan eggrolls?

[rcallner]

Marinated tofu squares on bamboo skewers with a grape tomato on top. Pretty, tasty, vegan, nutritious, fine at room temperature.

[invinotheresverde]

Marinated olives and artichokes. Yum.

[hotoynoodle]

http://southernfood.about.com/od/choc...

wacky cake is my go-to for vegans. you can make cupcakes out of it, and duct them with confectioner sugar or make a layer cake with blackberry or raspberry jam in between.

spiced nuts could be nice too.

[Deenso]

Quick replies! I love the idea of the spiced nuts, which I'm going to be doing for the holidays anyway. And the olives are a good idea from invinotheresverde. Thanks!

[cheesecake17]

I love the idea of a spiced nut mix. You can package them in small containers for the ladies to keep on their desks.

Would they go for cupcakes? Lots of recipes out there for mini and full size cupcakes with and without frosting.

[Deenso]

Hard to know about the cupcakes. However, aside from the butter cookies, I'm really not much of a baker. I think I'm going to go with the spiced nuts for the moment, 'cause I have a good recipe and, unlike olives, they don't need to be refrigerated. Will pick up a couple of small glass canning jars.

[cheesecake17]

an idea if you want to bake something easy (but not finger food)-- mini apple crisps. no butter (margarine instead) and no eggs

[Deenso]

You just raised a few interesting possibilities there, with the suggestion of a fruit crisp. May have to take this a little further... do a little experimenting... hmmmmm.

[cheesecake17]

enjoy! pear or apple maybe with some cranberries.. always appreciated.

also.. what about rice krispie treats? if you use fluff and margarine, you're safe

[enbell]

There is no gelatin in fluff? I have never had it

[MikeG]

Fluff doesn't have gelatin, but it does have egg whites.

[cheesecake17]

no gelatin, but didn't realize it had egg whites. I've made rice krispie treats for a dairy and chocolate allergic friend, so I autimatically thought vegan. so sorry...