Sara's Quinoa and Sweet Potato Salad

We're kicking off the New Year with Sara, our January Zen Chef of the Month! Through this monthly series, we celebrate chefs, foodies and nutrition influencers in the vegan food space.

For a simple start to 2022, feast your eyes on Sara's delicious and plant-powered Quinoa & Sweet Potato Salad:

Find the full recipe on Sara's blog, Your Weird Vegan Friend and read on to learn more about our Zen Chef!

1. What inspires you most when cooking?

My cooking is all about efficiency. We all have busy lives so I love to show people how to cook tasteful, but easy vegan meals. I’m also really inspired by zero waste cooking. Instead of choosing a recipe and then buying the ingredients, I prefer to look at what I already have in the fridge and then choose or create a recipe.

2. What is your number one piece of advice for someone new to vegan blogging?

Honesty and authenticity. People want real on social media. So let them know products, recipes and restaurants that you really like. If you don’t like something despite giving it positive feedback, they won’t trust your advice in the future. Also, don’t put too much pressure on yourself, keep it fun! Most of us tend to compare ourselves with others, but remember why YOU are blogging.

3. What can we look forward to from @yourweirdveganfriend or www.yourweirdveganfriend.com ?

I want to keep on showing how a vegan lifestyle doesn’t have to be complicated. I’ll continue to post easy and quick recipes on my website, while giving reviews on products and restaurants on Instagram.

4. If you could cook with anyone dead or alive, who would it be and why?

Jean-Philippe Cyr from The Buddhist Chef knows so much about cooking. I would have a lot to learn from him.

5. What is your favourite vegan restaurant and/or dish?

I used to love burgers and sandwiches, but my new favorite dish is tofu pad thai. I even have my own recipe that I love (check it out here!). There are so many tasty vegan restaurants in Montreal. I love Casa Kaizen, Bloom Sushi, Mimi & Jones, Archway, just to name a few.

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