Whole food plant based | Crystal's Recipes

Vegan No-Oil Ramen Noodle Bowl

31 August, 2025 Crystal's Recipes 0 Comments Dinner Esselstyn Lunch No Oil Soups Vegan Whole food plant based 10:43 am

This is one of my favorite fast and easy lunches. It takes only about 10 minutes, depending on how long it takes you to chop a few mushrooms and garlic, and the turmeric makes it…

Vegan Not-Chicken Noodle Soup

27 December, 2020 Crystal's Recipes 0 Comments Dinner Esselstyn No Oil Soups Vegan Whole food plant based 5:00 am

I missed the soothing, "everything's-right-with-the-world" feeling of homemade chicken noodle soup- but I definitely didn't want the oil, chicken, or mega-salt load of the canned stuff I remember from childhood. This recipe tastes just as…

Vegan Perfect Gravy

20 December, 2020 Crystal's Recipes 2 Comments Dinner Esselstyn Holidays No Oil Sides Vegan Whole food plant based 5:16 pm

I love gravy, and until I made this recipe I hadn't found anything that rivaled the good ol' fashioned gravy I remember eating from SAD (standard American diet) days. This is so good, I can't…

Fluffy Buttermilk Biscuits – Vegan, Oil-Free

11 December, 2020 Crystal's Recipes 14 Comments Breakfast Desserts Esselstyn Holidays No Oil Recipes Scones & Muffins Sides Vegan Whole food plant based 12:00 pm

When I first took a bite of these golden puffs of heaven, I felt like I'd completely won the vegan baking award: I’d succeeded in making a perfect oil- and butter-free biscuit. I usually make…

Book Review: I [Love] Raw by Christy Harden, M.S., M.A.

17 June, 2020 Crystal's Recipes 0 Comments Articles Esselstyn No Oil Vegan Whole food plant based 10:26 am

Friend and publisher Maurice Bassett, knowing I'm vegan and a huge fan of raw food, sent me Christy Harden's latest book, I ❤️ Raw: A How-To Guide for Reconnecting to Yourself and the Earth through…

Vegan Cabbage Rolls Esselstyn Style

16 December, 2019 Crystal's Recipes 0 Comments Dinner Esselstyn No Oil Vegan Whole food plant based 6:48 pm

I love cabbage, especially red cabbage chopped up in one of my favorite soups. When I threw a couple of ideas out to my husband, his vote was cabbage rolls, so cabbage rolls it was!…

Baked Soft Pretzels- Vegan, Oil-Free

26 November, 2019 Crystal's Recipes 11 Comments Esselstyn Holidays No Oil Recipes Scones & Muffins Sides Vegan Whole food plant based 12:23 pm

These are the ultimate comfort food. I make these when I want something a little salty (we keep the salt to a minimum around here, to follow Essy's guidelines) but as someone who doesn't have…

Sugar-Free Chewy Gingerbread Spice Cookies

2 September, 2019 Crystal's Recipes 4 Comments Cookies Desserts Esselstyn No Oil Recipes Vegan Whole food plant based 5:13 pm

These Gingerbread cookies are incredible. The perfect cookie when you want something comforting, and special enough to feel like a celebratory treat. These are based on my Chewy Gingerbread Spice Cookies, but without sugar and…

Hearty, Classic Vegan Chili

18 August, 2019 Crystal's Recipes 0 Comments Dinner Esselstyn No Oil Recipes Soups Vegan Whole food plant based 2:15 pm

Last night as I was tucking my 7 year-old into bed, she said, "Mom, will you make chili for dinner tomorrow? I LOVE your chili." What mama could resist that? This recipe is adapted from…

Roasted Chickpeas

9 August, 2019 Crystal's Recipes 0 Comments Esselstyn Lunch No Oil Recipes Sides Vegan Whole food plant based 7:29 am

These are addictive and delicious. I love to make roasted chickpeas when I know we'll be taking long car rides, because everyone loves them. What's better, since we don't cook with oil, these never leave…

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Category: Whole food plant based