The first time I was offered nutritional yeast on popcorn I looked at my friend like he was crazy. What on earth was that weird yellow stuff and why are you putting it on my food?! Upon first taste I swallowed my words and an enormous bucket of popcorn. Ever since I have been obsessed with all things nutritional yeast (a peek through my blog will testify to this) and have been working on perfecting my popcorn recipe. I personally prefer the stove top method to the air popped variety as I prefer a bit of oil to make it richer (read: fatty goodness).

Nutritional Yeast Popcorn

2 tbsp of grapeseed oil
1/2 cup of yellow or white popcorn
a spritz of olive oil spray
1/2 cup of nutritional yeast
1 tsp of sea salt
dash of cayenne (optional) 

Place oil and kernels in a heavy pot with a tight-fighting glass lid on medium-high heat. Using oven mitts, shake pot to coat the kernels with oil. Continue shaking every 20-30 seconds, never letting it rest on the heat for more than 30 seconds.  After all kernels are popped transfer to an extra large bowl. Lightly spritz with olive oil spray and start shaking in the salt and nutritional yeast. Repeat this process as you continue shaking the bowl until all contents are evenly coated. Top off with a dash of cayenne (if using) and give it a final shake. Throw on a movie and enjoy!

Prep time: 10 minutes

A savory gravy can pull together a simple meal and transform it into a taste explosion worthy of licking the plate. Whenever I don't feel like cooking, I usually make nutritional yeast tofu and/or mashed potatoes. These simple creations were begging for a savory topping but making gravy can be time consuming and it doesn't seem worth it for a single person meal. Enter this miso gravy. Though I love a gravy with fresh onions and garlic, I decided to create this one with a prominent miso flavor that I can whip up easily with ingredients I always have on hand. Make sure you add the miso after the the gravy is no longer boiling so you don't destroy the nutritional benefits.

Miso Gravy

1/3 cup Earth Balance (or other vegan margarine)
2 tbsp garbanzo bean or spelt flour (or flour of your choice)
2/3 cup plain rice milk (or other non-dairy beverage)
2 tbsp nutritional yeast
1 tsp soy sauce
2 tbsp white miso (or other light miso)
1/4 tsp cayenne
1/8 tsp fresh pepper
1/8 tsp dried sage
2 tsp arrowroot powder, dissolved in water (optional)

1. Heat Earth Balance in a medium saucepan over medium heat
2. Add flour and stir constantly until fully dissolved
3. Add rice milk and continue stirring until gravy thickens
4. Reduce heat to low and add nutritional yeast, stirring constantly
5. Add miso and rest of ingredients and continue to stir
6. If gravy is not thick enough, add some arrowroot powder and remove from heat
7. Serve immediately

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 2-4

Ever since first having this simple dish at The Bye and Bye in Portland, I have become obsessed with eating it as often as possible. It's quick, easy and super tasty. There are a lot of ways to dress it up with sauces, side dishes or in a salad but I tend to prefer having it just to munch on as a snack. This a great recipe to use when you are having a tofu craving but haven't marinated anything or just want to make something fast and simple.

Nutritional Yeast Tofu

3 tbsp grapeseed oil (or other neutral tasting oil)
16 oz extra firm tofu, drained and patted dry
2/3 cup nutritional yeast
3/4 tsp of sea salt
1/4 tsp paprika


1. Slice tofu block in half lengthwise and then slice 1/4 inch thick (it'll yield about 16 pieces or so)
2. Mix nutritional yeast, sea salt and paprika in a large airtight glass container and set aside
3. Heat oil in a cast iron skillet on medium high heat
4. Spread 8 pieces of tofu in the oil and cook for five minutes on each side or until lightly golden brown
5. Use a slotted spatula to scoop out tofu, making sure most of the oil is drained (do not place on paper towel) and toss it in spice mixture. Seal container and shake until all pieces are evenly coated. Scoop tofu pieces out of mixture and set aside
6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 with remaining tofu

I put this cheese on just about everything I eat except, of course, sweet things. I simply cannot live without it. Not only is it a great source of B vitamins (including B12) but it also gets me a nice dose of healthy raw nuts sprinkled on my food.

Nutritional Yeast Cheese

1/2 cup of raw almonds, walnuts or pecans
1 cup of nutritional yeast
1 tsp of sea salt

Blend all ingredients in a food processor until well incorporated. Keep in a glass jar in the refrigerator. Use it to top salads, mashed potatoes, soups or popcorn.

After years of missing the hot gooey goodness of spinach artichoke dips I created this recipe, which I think comes pretty damn close to the original, without all the heavy cheese, cholesterol and cruelty.

Spinach Artichoke Dip

1 1/2 tbsp canola oil
1 tbsp spelt flour (or flour of your choice)
1 small yellow onion, sliced
4 garlic cloves chopped, plus one left whole and raw
1 (12 oz) jar marinated artichoke hearts, coarsely chopped
1 (8 oz) package frozen spinach (thawed, drained & squeezed dry)
1 (12 oz) package firm silken tofu
1 1/2 cups cooked chick peas, or other white bean (or 1 can drained and rinsed)
2 1/2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 tbsp of fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup of fresh parsley
1 cup nutritional yeast flakes
1 tbsp sea salt
2 tsp fresh black pepper
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
2 tsp of dried basil, divided

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Blend together tofu, chick peas, nutritional yeast, raw garlic clove, vinegar, lemon juice and parsley in food processor until smooth. Remove contents and place in large bowl
3. Heat oil in cast iron skillet. Add flour when hot and stir constantly until browned
4. Add onion, garlic and cook 3 minutes then add spinach & artichoke hearts and saute until onion is soft
5. Add cooked ingredients and spices to bowl and stir until well mixed. You can also puree all ingredients in a food processor for a creamy consistency or pulse to leave it chunky.
6. Add extra seasonings & nutritional yeast, as needed
7. Smooth into non-stick baking dish and top with basil and nutritional yeast 'cheese' (recipe to follow) or plain nutritional yeast. Bake covered for 15-20 mins plus an additional 5 minutes uncovered or until lightly browned on top.
8. Serve warm with toasted bread, tortilla chips or fresh veggies, such as broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and celery.

Total Prep and Cooking Time: 45 minutes to 1 hour
Servings: As an appetizer for 5-10 people

Nutritional Yeast 'Cheese'

1/2 cup of raw almonds, walnuts or pecans
1 cup of nutritional yeast
1 tsp of sea salt

Blend all ingredients in a food processor until well incorporated. Keep in a glass jar in the refrigerator. Use it to top salads, mashed potatoes, soups or popcorn.