By Jerri X | Taste & Live | Sally Says So
Let’s be honest: folks who say plant-based food is boring just haven’t had it seasoned right.
When I first started shifting toward plant-powered cooking, I had one mission — keep it bold, keep it soulful, and keep it real. Because if the food don’t speak, I don’t eat. That’s why I created the Taste & Live Seasonings line and built the Taste & Live Veggie Grill menu from scratch, using ingredients that talk back.
Here are three easy ways to take your plant-based plate from bland to brilliant — no meat, no dairy, no apologies.
1. Use Layers, Not Just Salt
One of the biggest flavor mistakes people make is relying too much on salt. The real secret? Build layers of taste.
Think garlic, smoked paprika, lemon zest, fresh herbs, vinegar — things that hit different parts of your palate. Try rubbing All Life Spice on sweet potatoes before roasting, or sprinkle it on black beans as they simmer. That one step? Instant upgrade.
2. Finish with Something Fresh
Your final flavor should wake up the whole dish. That might be fresh lime on lentils, chopped cilantro on grilled tofu, or crushed red pepper in a creamy cashew sauce.
Even at the Taste & Live Veggie Grill, where we work fast, we don’t skip that step. Our Black Magic Bean Burger gets a tangy slaw and herbed aioli right before it hits the tray — because flavor waits for no one.
3. Spice with Purpose
Don’t just add heat — add heart. My personal favorite is What’s on Them Fries? (WOTF). It’s sweet, savory, and just a little spicy — perfect for roasted vegetables, corn, or popcorn. And if you’re watching your sodium? Just Spice has zero salt but all the attitude.
You don’t need a pantry full of powders. You just need the right three.
Final Word from Sally
If Poke Sallet Sally was writing this, she’d say, “Season it like you mean it, or just eat cereal and save yourself the shame.”
In other words: be generous, be bold, and stop holding back. Your plate deserves flavor. And so do you.