This month the Tasty and Meatless Vegan Foodies Cooking Club of Hawaii had its first event.  It was a potluck style dinner with the theme: “Your Favorite Childhood Dishes – Upgraded and Veganized.”

FonduOne member remembered her mother often pulling out the fondue pot on Friday nights in the 1970s and the fun her family had dipping sourdough bread in the gooey, tangy concoction.  Replacing the cheese with a base made from cashews, nutritional yeast, soymilk and arrowroot, plus the traditional white wine and cognac, produced a thick satisfying sauce.  She brought healthy options to dip, including organic apples, bell peppers, and broccolini.

Another member loved hamburgers as a kid, and she made a gourmet vegan version of the American classic.  She made her Hamburger Upgrade“burgers” appetizer sized, replacing the bun with a slice of perfectly ripened organic tomato, topped with a mini homemade mushroom burger, a thin slice of marinated portobello mushroom and pesto.  It was held together with a toothpick and garnished with fresh sage.  The flavors blended amazingly and we rejoiced how far our culinary journey had come.

For dessert, one member brought a vegan version of Potica, a Slovenian Nut Roll that her grandmother used to make.

DessertAnother made a vegan chocolate pie, a healthier version of an old favorite.  You can see the recipe here.

The food was delicious and we loved hearing stories about childhood memories of home, family and food.

If you love to cook vegan, contact us for membership in the Tasty and Meatless Vegan Foodies Club.