This Easter, Paint a Picture of Compassion

Holidays offer the perfect opportunity to help spread a message of compassion for all animals—both human and nonhuman. Here are some recipe and gift ideas for a cruelty-free Easter celebration that everyone can enjoy.

Egg-Free Breakfast Scramble
Serves 2

• 1 14-ounce package extra-firm tofu, drained
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 cup nutritional yeast
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/2 pound mushrooms, chopped (optional)
• 1 green onion, finely chopped (optional)
• 1 bell pepper, finely chopped (optional)

Using a fork or potato masher, crumble the tofu into small pieces and then sauté in oil in a frying pan. After a few minutes, add the remaining ingredients, turmeric through bell pepper, if used. Lightly toss in the pan until well-cooked. Serve warm.

Missing Egg Sandwich
Makes 4 sandwiches

• 1/2 pound firm tofu, mashed (about 1 cup)
• 2 green onions, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon vegan mayonnaise (such as Vegenaise® or Nayonaise®)
• 2 tablespoons pickle relish
• 1 teaspoon stoneground mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 8 slices whole wheat bread
• 4 lettuce leaves
• 4 tomato slices

Combine the mashed tofu with the green onions, vegan mayonnaise, pickle relish, mustard, cumin, turmeric, and garlic powder. Mix thoroughly.

Spread on whole wheat bread and garnish with lettuce and tomato slices.

Lots of Layers Lasagna
Serves 6 to 8

• 2 8- or 9-ounce packages of lasagna noodles
  
• 1 10-ounce package of frozen chopped spinach, thawed
  
• 1 14-ounce package of extra-firm tofu
  
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  
• 1 teaspoon onion salt
  
• 1 teaspoon basil
  
• 1 teaspoon oregano
  
• 1 Gimme Lean Sausage Style or 2 cups of dry textured vegetable protein (TVP) with 2 cups of boiling water
  
• 4 cups Moo-Free Cheese Sauce
  
• 5 cups of tomato sauce
  

Cook the lasagna noodles according to package instructions.

Preheat the oven to 375°F.

Drain and then mash the tofu in a mixing bowl. Add the thawed spinach, garlic powder, onion salt, basil, and oregano.

Cut the Gimme Lean Sausage Style into 1/4-inch slices or, if using TVP, soak it in the 2 cups of boiling water.

Lightly oil the bottom of a 9- by 13-inch baking pan or casserole dish. Place 1 layer of noodles on the bottom of the pan and spoon on half of the spinach-tofu mixture. Then pour 1 cup of Moo-Free Cheese Sauce and 1 cup of tomato sauce, making sure the sauces are evenly distributed over the whole pan. Add a second layer of noodles and half of the Gimme Lean slices or 1 cup of the reconstituted TVP. Then pour 1 cup each of the "cheese" and tomato sauces. Add a fourth layer of noodles, the rest of the Gimme Lean or TVP, and 1 cup each of the two sauces. Top with a final layer of noodles and the last cup of tomato sauce.

Wrap the pan tightly with tin foil and bake for 35 to 45 minutes, until the sauce is bubbling. Then uncover and bake for an additional 5 minutes. Serve warm.

Creamy Chocolate Pudding
Serves 4

• 1 1/2 cups soy or rice milk
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

In a medium saucepan, combine all the ingredients except the vanilla extract. Whisk rapidly. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the pudding is thickened.

Stir in the vanilla and pour into individual serving dishes. Chill and serve.

For more delicious meat-, egg-, and dairy-free recipes, visit VegRecipes.org.

Decadent dairy-free chocolate and other tempting treats—all available at the click of a button!

Dairy-Free Chocolate Eggs from Pangea	Gummy Candy from Vegan Unlimited	Chocolate Bunnies from Vegan Essentials

Vegan Jelly Beans from Vegan Essentials	Dairy-Free Giant Truffle Easter Eggs from Chocolate Decadence	Vegan Peanut Butter Cups from Food Fight