Cannellini bean mix

Makes a good lunch with cornbread

Ingredients:

1 medium onion chopped
1 green bell pepper chopped (or any colored one)
1 tsp minced garlic, or more if desired
Italian seasoning--sprinkled over
2 pinches fennel seed
2 pinches dried rosemary
pinch or two of dried thyme
1 can cannellini beans drained
1 can diced tomatoes with the liquid (or a can of mixed okra, corn, and tomato--is great -see photo at bottom of recipe.

directions:

place water in non-stick pan (ceramic is what I use).  Cover the bottom of the pan with a bit of water --cook the onion, pepper, and garlic about 5 minutes at medium until they are softened. Add the can of chopped tomatoes and seasonings and cook another 5-8 minutes or until the seasonings flavor it nicely. Adjust spices to your taste. Add the beans and heat until warm.

Serve with cornbread or on rice  or on elbow noodles, or any pasta or however you desire ;-)




or with okra, corn, tomato, red bell pepper

Zucchini Fritters

Love this with marinara sauce and a tad of Parmesan--see photo at bottom of post 

Fritter Ingredients:

• 1 large zucchini (or 2 small ones)
• 1 clove garlic peeled and minced
• 1/4 cup fresh basil we grow our own, but you can find it at any grocery store
• 1/4 cup fresh oregano 
• 1 tbsp lemon zest (didn't have)
• 2 organic eggs or Flax Egg
• 1/4 cup gluten-free flour
• 1/4 tsp onion powder
• to taste salt
• to taste pepper
• oil--a tad for cooking

Optional--little bit of fresh dill, dry dill, or dill pickle juice

Instructions

1. Using the large holes of a box grater, grate zucchini. Place zucchini in a colander set in the sink and toss with 1/2 teaspoons salt. Let stand 10 minutes, and then wring zucchini dry in a clean kitchen towel to remove moisture.This step is very important--other wise does not crisp up as well. Meanwhile mix in egg, garlic, basil, oregano, lemon zest, onion powder, salt, and pepper and then add the drained and pressed zucchini.  Mix well to combine. Slowly add flour (I used GF Bisquick), stirring so no lumps form.
2. Heat 2 tablespoons coconut oil or olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat until the oil sizzles when you drop a small amount of zucchini mixture into the pan. Carefully drop about 2 tablespoons zucchini mixture into pan; repeat, spacing fritters a few inches apart.
3. Cook fritters until golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Lower heat to medium. Turn fritters, and continue cooking until golden, 2 to 3 minutes more. Transfer fritters to a plate; set aside in a warm place. Cook remaining zucchini mixture, adding more oil to the pan if necessary.

Nice served with marinara sauce or chopped cucumbers--or with a dip etc.  

Great Northern Bean pasta dish

Ingredients:

Mushrooms (can use a jar of mushrooms)
1 good sized onion chopped
teaspoon of minced garlic
Fresh baby tomatoes-about 5 chopped
fresh basil few sliced up leaves
dried sage as desired
dried thyme as desired
fennel seed (a few pinches--to taste)
Fresh spinach
1 can of Great Northern Beans (or white bean of preference)-drained and rinsed
pasta sauce--
pasta--what ever kind you desire

Place water in large pot to just slightly cover the bottom--saute the above onion, garlic , tomatoes and mushrooms. After about 5 min at the seasonings then at Fresh spinach cooking until wilted.  Add the pasta sauce, and beans until heated through. Check seasoning tasting and adding as desired. Serve over cooked pasta

Red Thai noodle salad

Add caption

For one serving-Cook one cup  noodles in simmering water 4-5 min and then run under cold water then toss with raw veggies below:

Sliver a small carrot with the peeler
sliver 1/2 red radish
thinly cut 1/2 of a celery stock
thinly slice some cucumber (I used about an inch worth)
thinly chop a tab of onion
knead about a cup of chopped Kale
Thinly chop 4-5 basil leaves
optional--a handful of left over cooked cubed tofu (that I had marinated in a bit of Tamari and cooked in the oven at 425 F for 40 minutes-turning them at 1/2 way)

Toss with the noodles and add a splash of white rice vinegar and tamari

Gluten free Cornbread for crockpot

Gluten free crockpot cornbread--so yummy-I used 4 and 1/2 quart crockpot
1 cup yellow cornmeal (I use a very fine yellow one from Palmetto Farms, SC https://palmettofarms.com/
1/3  cup of sugar (I forgot and yet I still loved it--corn adds sweetness)
1 rounded teaspoon of baking powder
1/2 teaspoon of salt
3/4 cup gluten free Bisquick mix
2 eggs
3/4 cup of milk (I used the coconut milk that comes in a carton)
1/3 cup veg oil
3/4 cup corn
Line crockpot with parchment paper (if you don’’t have sub foil) coat lightly with cooking spray. Mix eggs and milk and then add the rest mixing well. Pour into the lined crockpot. Cook on high 1 o 1 1/2 hours or until center is set. Mine took one hour. I used a toothpick to test--make sure you don't over cook.

Note: In my new 6 qt crockpot it took 1 hour and 27 minutes Using frozen corn. Do not make it in my small crockpot as the center doesn’t cook well.

Note if you want the recipe to be normal instead of GF go here: https://cookiesandcups.com/crock-pot-corn-bread/  When using regular flour instead of the GF Bisquick mix you use more salt and baking powder --you use 1 tab of baking powder and 1 teaspoon of salt if using plain flour. 

Beans and rice in the crockpot

Easy, quick, and good. beans and rice!

1 tablespoon of olive oil
1 cup raw rice (I used jasmine)
1 (15 oz) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, liquid reserved!
1/2 tablespoon dried onion flakes , or 1/2 cup diced fresh onion
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (or oregano)--I like more
water

1       8 oz can of tomato sauce (added during last 30 minutes)

Optional when serving: can add shredded cheese, chopped olives, chopped green bell pepper, taco chips, salsa, corn

Directions.

grease cooker

Use 4 qt slow cooker.  Put olive oil in pot and mix it with the uncooked rice to coat it.  Add the beans. Drain the tomatoes reserving the liquid in a 2 cup measuring cup. Add to the pot the tomatoes, onion, salt, seasoning.  Add water to reserved tomato juice to make a full 2 cups.  Pour this liquid into the cooker. Stir. Cover and cook on low 4-6 hours (mine with Jasmine rice was done at 4).  Add the 8 oz of tomato sauce during the last 30 minutes .OR high a 3-4 hour:no way with mine.  It would have taken 2 hours in my crock on high.

Note: if you use brown rice or wild rice then it would take longer.

Serve with condiments or whatever---salsa would be good with this as well.

Chocolate nice cream

Chocolate NICE CREAM— so good—

 2 large frozen bananas (sliced and then frozen) and
 3 tablespoons of cocoa powder (or to taste- 1/4 cup is good d!)
 a bit of your favorite milk(can use non-dairy
) 

and if desired a tsp of peanut butter. Or a teaspoon vanilla extract 

 Place in food processor and blend and serve. Takes a bit to blend— stop and stir a bit adding some milk to soften.

Or

2 sliced bananas frozen 

Almost 1/4 cup cocoa powder ( depends on size of bananas if bananas equal about 2 cups)

1 teaspoon vanilla 

Enough plant milk to blend

Note we really liked the flavor this milk gave to it; it is an almond coconut blend-

Tempeh Bolognese

One of the tastier ways to use Tempeh--love it.  Original recipe is found here: https://minimalistbaker.com/1-pan-tempeh-bolognese/   but I have to change it up a bit .

Sauce:

• 1 Tbsp olive oil or so
• 3/4 cup finely diced onion 
• optional-1 cup  mushrooms, minced (didn't have any)
• 8 ounces tempeh (finely chopped or grated on a box grater)Some versions have brown rice mixed in which I happened to use because that was what was available!
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 Tbsp coconut aminos (or 1 Tbsp tamari or balsamic vinegar)Me Tamari GF
• Me omit,1/2 tsp fennel seed (hubby doesn’t like)
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flake (adjust to preferred spice level) me omit
• 1/4 cup dry red wine (optional //  any dry red will do — preferably something you’ll enjoy with the meal!)
• 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes (me -one 15 oz can stewed tomatoes chopped)
• 3 Tbsp tomato paste (me--used a bunch of marinara sauce no paste)
• 1 Tbsp fresh oregano and some fresh basil
• Optional-parmesan or vegan parmesan

Red bell pepper is good in this too 

Directions:

• Heat a large-rimmed skillet, pot, or dutch oven (as large as possible to give room for browning) over medium heat. Once hot, add oil (or water) and onion and sauté for 4-5 minutes until translucent and soft, stirring frequently. If using water, add more water as needed as it evaporates quickly.
• Add mushrooms and stir. Sauté for 2 minutes more. Then add shredded tempeh and garlic and stir (if your pan is small, do this in 2 batches so the tempeh has room to brown*). Then add coconut aminos, fennel seeds, (and red pepper flake.) Sauté for 4-5 minutes (or up to 10 minutes), stirring frequently, until everything is golden brown. Turn down heat if browning too quickly.
• Add wine (optional), stir, and cook for 1 minute. Then add tomato ingredients, ,oregano,. Thin with water if needed 
• Stir to combine and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Taste and adjust flavors as needed, adding more coconut aminos or salt for saltiness, red pepper flake for spice, oregano for herbal flavor, tomato paste for depth of flavor, or vegan parmesan for cheesy flavor.
• Serve with your favorite pasta or pasta alternative, like spaghetti squash, penne, or zucchini or carrot noodles and garnish with fresh basil (optional)!
• Cooled leftovers will keep covered in the refrigerator up to 5 days, or in the freezer up to 1 month. Reheat in a saucepan or microwave until hot, adding a little water as needed to rehydrate.

Chickpea and black bean salad

Tasty-nice flavors--

Ingredients:

1 can chickpeas (15 oz)
1 can black beans (15 oz)
1/2 cup chopped purple onion
1 pint cherry tomatoes, or plum tomatoes chopped
1/4 cup fresh basil (could add some dry as well)
1/4 cup chopped mint (I only had dried, but used some fresh oregano too)
Me--fresh snips of oregano and some dried--to taste
1/4 cup parsley (I didn't have any---used some dried)
Salt to taste and black pepper if you can tolerate it ;-)

Mix the above together.

Dressing

2 cloves minced garlic
3 tab olive oil
(if desired--optional--1/4 cup lemon juice and 1 tsp maple syrup----I didn't use these

Toss together and refrigerate at least 30 minutes for flavors to blend.  I do like fresh oregano in mine.

Lentil Bolognese

Very yummy

1 onion-medium sized--chopped
1 medium celery-chopped
2 medium carrots grated
4 cloves minced garlic
2 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp onion powder,
2 cups chopped tomatoes (canned)
2 cups marinara sauce
1/3 cup red wine
2-3 cups vegetable broth
1 cup dry lentils
spaghetti noodles

Optional: bay leaf, 1 tab soy sauce, 1 tab balsamic vinegar , mushrooms, 1/2 cup plant based milk (I didn't use these),  fresh basil (I did use the fresh)



Cook lentils separately according to package directions.

Place about 1/4 cup water in large pot. Add onions, celery, and carrots. Saute about 10 minutes or until softened. Add wine, tomatoes vegetable broth, marinara sauce and seasonings. Cook at least 20 minutes or until the sauce thickens. Mix in the lentils and anything else from optional ingredients.

Serve over pasta

Another recipe can be found here: https://theplantbasedschool.com/wprm_print/35197

Minestrone

Very tasty and easy

1 large onion, chopped
2 medium carrots, chopped
1 stock of celery, chopped
2 large cloves garlic, minced
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes (I prefer stewed TOMATOES that I cut up)
1  (15.5 can cannellini beans
1/2 cup or so of string beans
4 cups vegetable broth
1/2 tsp dried oregano (I often use more--but you can add more at the end--see directions
1 tsp dried basil
salt and pepper to taste

other Optional additions--GF Penne (handful)
                          left over ham
                          chopped cabbage (however much desired)
                          chopped small potatoes with skin on
                           a chopped turnip
                           chopped kale
                            chopped zucchini
                           Tofu crumbles (the frozen kind are good in this)
                           thyme  and sage and fennel seed are also good in this

In a large pot cook onions, carrots, celery and garlic with a bit of water. Cook about 7 minutes until softened.

Stir in tomatoes with their juice, green beans, chopped cabbage, chopped potatoes, broth, seasonings, penne. Cook 20 minutes or until just tender.

Add cannellini beans and taste and adjust seasonings

coconut tandoori chicken crockpot

Quite tasty---serve on rice or with noodles or in a wrap--whatever.  Found recipe here: https://pinchofyum.com/instant-pot-coconut-tandoori-chicken 

The ingredients are as listed and you can go to the link for the how to.   I changed mine since I can't have the level of spice that it calls for.  But here are the original ingredients:

INGREDIENTS

• 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs (me breasts)
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons garam masala  (me less)
• 1 tablespoon chili powder  (me-omit)
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder (less for me)
• 1 tablespoon cumin  (less for me)
• 2 teaspoons salt  (less for me)
• 2 teaspoons turmeric  (a bit less)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger  (Me less)
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (me omit)
• 14 ounce can coconut milk (me lite)

HOW TO: go to the link--gives instant pot, crockpot, and freezer verion.

GF Banana muffins using GF King Arthur flour

This came out yummy, but I did change a few things from the recipe on the back of the package. Note to self only eat 1/2 a muffin at time since bananas trigger facial sweating for me ;-)

2 teaspoons of baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup sugar (could do less)(I prefer 1/4)
1 and 3/4 cup of the gf King Arthur flour (called measure for measure flour)
1/2 cup vegetable oil (can do part applesauce and part oil instead)
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 large mashed bananas

1. Preheat oven 375 and line muffin tin with paper cups or whatever.
2. Whisk together dry ingredients.
3. Add the wet ingredients with bananas to the dry mix
4. Divide among 10 muffin cups
5. Bake about 20 minutes until center springs back when lightly touched

Shortbread cookies GF

Shortbread GF/ tasty takes minutes.  found it here https://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/gluten-free-almond-flour-shortbread-cookies-recipe  yummy!!!

Ingredients

• 1 cup (96g) almond flour
• 3 tablespoons (43g) softened butter
• 3 tablespoons (21g) confectioners' sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Mix all of the ingredients in a small bowl until a cohesive dough forms.
3. Scoop 1" balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet; a teaspoon cookie scoop works well here. Arrange the balls of dough about 1 1/2" to 2" apart.
4. Use a fork to flatten each cookie to about 1/4" thick, making a crosshatch design.

Hasty Pudding

Hasty pudding is nice for a breakfast change up. Found it here: https://www.almanac.com/recipe/hasty-pudding  I added maple syrup and coconut milk after cooking.

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup yellow cornmeal (I used a finer ground cornmeal--NICE

1 cup cold water

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 cups boiling water

INSTRUCTIONS

Mix cornmeal with cold water. Add with salt to boiling water. Reduce heat and cook 10-15 minutes, stirring frequently. Serve with cream and maple sugar, brown sugar, honey, or molasses. Chill unused mush, slice, dust slices with flour, and brown in butter or bacon grease. Serve with syrup.

Lebanese-Style Lentil Soup

found the recipe here: https://www.bluezones.com/recipe/lebanese-style-lentil-soup-with-swiss-chard-and-lemon-adas-b-hamod/

tasty---we substituted kale for the Swiss chard, used sweet potato instead of Yukon, and didn't use lemon.  We added a half teaspoon or so of garlic also

INGREDIENTS

3 cups red lentils

12 cups water (could use less)

1 large red onion, diced

2 small Yukon gold potatoes, diced (me-one large sweet potato

1 medium zucchini, diced

4 cups Swiss chard, chopped  (me Kale)

1 bunch of cilantro, chopped

¼ cup of lemon juice, more to taste (me omit)

1 teaspoon cumin

Salt and pepper, to taste

Me-added a half teaspoon of minced garlic 

Chickpea salad/ loaded

Go here for the how to: https://peasandcrayons.com/2017/05/garden-veggie-chickpea-salad-sandwich.html

FOR THE SALAD:

• 15 oz canned chickpeas, drained + rinsed (chopped in food processor)
• 3 stalks green onion
• 2 stalks celery
• 1/4 cup chopped shredded carrots
• 1/4 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
• 1/4 cup finely chopped dill pickle (If using this might not need added salt!)
• 1/4 cup store bought or homemade mayonnaise vegan or regular
• 1-2 tsp dijon mustard
• 1 tsp yellow mustard
• 1/8 tsp dried dill or fresh, to taste
• 1/8 tsp salt (or not!)
• 1/8 tsp pepper
• 3 TBSP unsalted roasted sunflower seeds
• 2 TBSP fresh chopped basil plus extra to taste

If not using mayo I add lemon juice , some liquid from the chickpea can and mash part of the ingredients better like hummus to add creamy texture. Sometimes I add a small amount of ketchup.

Butternut squash soup

not the best photo—just want to put this here as I love this soup  https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/moroccan-butternut-squash-goat-cheese-soup-wcoconut-ginger-cream-pistachios/  go to link for directions. Here are ingredients:

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cloves head garlic for roasting (or you may sub 2 garlic, not roasted)
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 1 red bell pepper chopped
• 4 cups butternut squash peeled + cubed
• 1 teaspoon spicy curry powder (me see my note below for sub)
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon cumin
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (me omit)
• ½ teaspoon fresh thyme chopped (or ¼ teaspoon dried)
• 1 (14 ounce) can coconut milk
• 2 cups veggie broth
• salt and pepper to taste
• 4 ounces goat cheese softened + more for topping
• roughly chopped cilantro + pistachios for topping
• arils from one pomegranate for topping

COCONUT GINGER CREAM

• ½ cup canned coconut milk
• 1-2 tablespoons fresh ginger

Note--I omit cayenne pepper and spicy curry.  For the spicy curry I sub a bit of tumeric, garam marsala, cardamom, coriander , plain paprika, and cumin