Thursday, March 31, 2022

Yogurt chocolate mousse


 Ingredients 

1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips 

1/2 cup milk of choice ( I used drinkable coconut milk)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

1 tablespoons honey

1/2 to 1 tablespoons granulated sugar or to desired sweetness 

1 and 3/4 cup Greek yogurt 


Directions 

Place chips and milk in microwaveable bowl and microwave for about 2 minutes. Remove and stir until chips are melted and mixture is well blended. Let cool 5 minutes. Add remaining ingredients mixing thoroughly. Add more sugar if it is too tart— amount depends on tartness of your yogurt and sweetness of your chips. Pour into 4 ramekins. Cool about 2 hours in refrigerator before serving.

Split mung bean soup (kitchari)

Love the flavors in this-/ my husband went for seconds 🙂 Actually the flavors the second time around came out wrong so I have since omitted the fennel seeds.

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon each: can sub ground for seeds

     Cumin seeds

     Minced ginger

     

     Mustard seeds

     Ground coriander 

     Ground turmeric 

1 cup split mung beans (I get on Amazon)(can also substitute red lentil s)

1/2 cup jasmine or basmati rice white

1-2 cups chopped veggies of choice( I used potatoes, cauliflower, carrots ) 

6 cups water

1 to 1&1/2 teaspoons salt


Directions 

Sauté for 30 seconds ginger in large pot— you can use up to 1 and a half tablespoons of minced ginger if you like more. 

Add the rest of the spices— you can use ground if you don’t have the seeds called for— just use same amount. Sauté 30 more seconds.

Add everything else and simmer 30 minutes until everything tender and creamy consistency.



 

Tuesday, March 29, 2022

Fagioli in crockpot

We really enjoyed this— nice flavors. I used GF rotini in mine and my husband used cheese tortellini in his.

Ingredients 


  • 1 -2 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion (diced)
  • 2 medium cloves garlic (minced)
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 4 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth I like the chicken broth flavor)
  • 1/2 small green cabbage (finely chopped I like to use slaw that is already chopped (2-4 cups))
  • 3 medium carrots (peeled and diced (1 cup))
  • 1 medium zucchini (diced (optional))
  • 1 15-ounce can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 14-ounce can diced tomatoes (prefer Italian style)
  • 1 cup small pasta of your choice (or more if desired)
  • 1 tablespoons balsamic vinegar during last hour
  • I/2 to one tablespoon sugar during last hour
  • 1/8 teaspoon baking soda last hour
  • Additional salt and pepper to taste
When serving top with parsley and parmigiana cheese if desired.

Directions 

Sauté onions for about 5 minutes adding garlic near end. Place in crockpot. Place seasonings, broth, cabbage, carrots, squash , carrots, kidney beans, tomatoes, zucchini in pot. Cook 8 hours on low or 4-5 on high. During last hour add sugar, balsamic vinegar and baking soda. The baking soda makes it fizz, but it will calm down in moments 🤣

Cook pasta separately and add the amounts you desire to each bowl when serving and top with parsley and grated parmigiana if desired.

Can add cooked tofu crumbles or ground beef at the end if you desire.

 

Monday, March 28, 2022

Smokey bean burgers



 Found this recipe here: https://youtu.be/Tk99zeQ71nQ

From Jane Esselstyn’s YouTube channel. I like the smokey flavor. I can’t have nutritional yeast so I substituted finely ground raw cashews.

Ingredients 

1 cup cooked cooked rice (me white)

2 Cans of cannellini beans rinsed and drained

1/2 cup nutritional yeast OR for ME 1/4 cup ground cashews 

1/4 cup picante sauce (me mild)

1/4 cups oats (I used rolled whole)

1 teaspoon garlic powder 

1 teaspoon onion powder

1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder 

1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika 

Optional things you can add— chopped purple onions or a green onion, bit of chopped kale, etc

Mash the ingredients together with a potato masher or Jane does it with her hands (see video)— she says to leave some beans not totally mashed. Form patties and place on parchment lined sheet . Makes about 6 large patties— make them the size you desire. Bake 350 F for 30-50 minutes depending on how thick you have made them and depending on how crunchy you want them.

See YouTube video for more details.


Wednesday, March 23, 2022

Tuna cannellini bean salad

 


Nice easy lunch dish

Ingredients 

5 ounce can tuna

2 teaspoons lemon zest 

1-2 tablespoons olive oil 

2 garlic cloves minced

1 can 15 ounce cannellini beans

Dried dill or fresh in amount you desire

Few squirts of lemon juice if desired 


Directions 

In skillet at medium high heat combine beans, lemon zest olive oil, garlic and dill. Stirring frequently heat till hot and fragrant. Mix in tuna adding some lemon juice if desired. Good served on fresh lettuce.

Tuesday, March 8, 2022

Baked berry oats

Option 2 ABOVE and option 1 pictured below

 Nice and  good for fancy breakfast as fancy Nancy might say 🤣 2 different ways to do this.

Ingredients 

2 cups rolled oats

4 large eggs

1/4 cup maple syrup 

2 cups unsweetened almond milk 

1 & 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract 

1 teaspoon lemon zest

1/4 cup chopped walnuts

1 large banana sliced 

1 cup frozen blueberries 

Oil for pan

13 by 9 inch pan


Directions 

#option 1.  Preheat oven 350 F

Mix eggs, milk, maple syrup,vanilla, zest until frothy.

Add oats and let them soak 20-30 minutes ago to option number 2 OR you can just whip this up with a beater and omit the soaking— whipping with the electric beater works just as well as soaking.

Mix in nuts and berries then pour into greased pan. 

Slice your banana and spread evenly. Poke banana down into batter.

Bake until golden brown  on edges and center is set. Mine took around 25-45 minutes (varies if using frozen  berries). May be less if you use fresh ones. I had foil on the bottom rack which blocks the heat!

# option 2 I have found it is nice to sprinkle the walnuts and blueberries evenly into the uncooked batter in the pan to make the distribution more even. Also you can just whip mashed banana into the batter instead of slicing . This option 2 is my favorite way!

Store in refrigerator for leftovers OR I cut into servings and freeze in containers separating with parchment paper. Just take out and microwave for a fast breakfast.


Sunday, March 6, 2022

Vegan lunch meat

 

This is really good— I cut mine too quickly so it cracked—doesn’t matter— I love it. This is how the topside and bottom side appears on mine. I found the recipe here: 

https://www.rabbitandwolves.com/vegan-lunch-meat/

Ingredients 

1 block extra firm tofu

2 teaspoons tamari or soy sauce (gf)

2 teaspoons liquid smoke (used the hickory)

2 teaspoons poultry seasoning 

1 teaspoon garlic powder 

1 & 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika 

1/4 teaspoon salt (note it depends on how salty your soy sauce is— so do to taste)



Directions:

Preheat oven to 450 F

Squeeze moisture out of your tofu if you have the kind packaged in water.

Mix all in food processor . Spread to about 1/8 inch thick —or thicker if desired—on parchment paper on a baking pan.cook 25 minutes if 1/8 thickness or do more for other thickness. If you over cook it tends to crack more like mine, but I like the crispier outside texture. You want it a bit brown on top.

Let it cool and then cut in the shapes you desire.

Go to the link above for fuller directions and nicer photos 😂

Note: the recipe called for black pepper to add at end— I don’t use it.



Broccoli blueberry apple yogurt dressing salad

 

Nice yummy treat especially at lunchtime.

Found the idea here https://www.tipsandcrafts.com/tips-and-crafts/broccoli-apple-and-blueberry-salad-recipe-with-a-delicious-dressing-without-mayo

Ingredients 

Broccoli 

Apple

Blueberries 

Dried cranberries 

Slivered almonds or sunflower seeds

Red onion (I forgot!)


Dressing


  • 1 cup Greek yogurt
  • ¼ cup honey
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon poppy seed
I just made an individual salad and downsized the above dressing 😊

 


Friday, March 4, 2022

Potato bean mash


 Nice different way to have mashed potatoes. 

Ingredients 

4-5 red potatoes (small kind but not tiny ones)

1 sweet potato 

1/2 to 1 cup cauliflower 

1 cup cannellini beans (from can)

Some of the vegetable broth from cooking the potatoes 

Onions

Onion powder 


Directions 

Peel and chop vegetables. Cook potatoes and cauliflower together in pot with water about 15 minutes or until tender. Meanwhile dry fry onion until caramelized. Mash the cup of beans. Drain veggies saving broth. Then add all veggies and beans and onions and seasonings together and mash using a tablespoon or so of the reserved vegetable water. Note: you can mix in the onions or use them as a topping. Soy sauce is optional.



Thursday, March 3, 2022

Irish coffee creamer


 An excuse to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day early

Ingredients 

1 & 1/4 cup whiskey 

1 cup full cream Or substitute half and half

1 can sweetened condensed milk (14 ounces)

2 tablespoons chocolate syrup 

2 teaspoons vanilla

Optional one tablespoon instant coffee.


Directions 

Mix throughly in blender or with hand mixer. Pot into clean container and place in refrigerator. Keeps about 2 months. Use in your coffee as desired 😀

Tuesday, March 1, 2022

Crockpot Taco Soup



 Gotta love taco soup. I go lighter than some on the seasonings . NOTE: below I will also give a stove top version that is different from this one.

Ingredients 


7 ounces or more of Beyond Meat Crumbles (Feisty ones), cooked first - you can use entire package if desired.

2 and a half teaspoons onion powder 

2 teaspoons oregano (dried)

1 can pinto or kidney beans rinsed and drained, 15 ounces 

1 can black beans, rinsed and drained

2 cans diced tomatoes, 14 ounces each

2 to 3 cups corn

1 & 3/4 cup beef broth 

2 teaspoons garlic powder 

1 teaspoon chili powder 

1 & 1/2 teaspoons cumin

2-3 teaspoons cornstarch 

1 teaspoon sugar

2 teaspoons dried parsley 

1 teaspoon dried dill or more

1 teaspoon dried chives or more

1/2 teaspoon dried tarragon

1/4 teaspoon mustard powder 

1 teaspoon smoked paprika especially if not using feisty meat crumbles.

Pinch of red pepper flakes 


Directions 


Put all in crockpot low 4-5 hours. High 2 hours. Can garnish with Greek yogurt, or sour cream, or cheese, or avocado, cilantro, corn tortillas etc— whatever you want.

Makes 6 servings or so depending on bowl size. 



ANOTHER VERSION --stove top version of a TACO SOUP with vegan version included 


Saute:

1 cup diced onion

4 teaspoons taco seasoning

1/2 tablespoon nutritional yeast flakes

1 cup veggie crumbles (or hamburger meat if you aren't vegan)


Add and simmer:

4 cups vegetable broth (can add or use beef broth if not vegan) (I sometimes use more)

1 ten  or 15 ounce can diced tomatoes

1 can (15 oz) pinto beans, rinsed and drained

1 can (15 ounce) black beans, rinsed and drained

1 can Kidney beans , rinsed and drained (OPTIONAL--I don't always use) or A can of RFRIED beans ( fat free kind)

1 cup frozen corn (can add more if you didn't use all 3 cans of beans)

........after cooking add 1 tablespoon lemon juice


DIRECTIONS

1.Saute the onion until soft. Add taco seasoning, nutritional yeast flakes and veggie crumbles if using stirring well. Cook a minute or so.

2. Add the rest of ingredients EXCEPT for the lemon juice

3. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 10-15 minutes with the lid partially off.

4. Remove from heat and stir in the lemon juice.

Serve with cilantro if desired or crumbled corn taco shells or chips etc




Monday, February 21, 2022

Gf Blueberry pound cake



 Easy and good.

Ingredients :

3/4 cup milk of choice (I used silk coconut milk drinkable kind)

3/4 cup sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract 

3 tablespoons vegetable oil (canola)

Juice from 1/2 lemon (and zest if desired)

1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt 


Dry Ingredients:

2 cups gf King Arthur measure for measure flour

1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum

1.5 teaspoons baking powder 

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup blueberries divided (used frozen)


Directions:

Preheat oven 350 F and grease an 8 by 4 loaf pan.

Mix first 6 ingredients in small bowl throughly. In large bowl mix the other dry ingredients. Combine the wet with the dry. Mix well. Add 3/4 cup blueberries to the batter. Pour into loaf pan. Spread the remaining 1/4 cup of blueberries on the top.

Bake for 50-60 minutes or until toothpick in center comes out clean. Ps Frozen blueberries might change cooking times. Mine took about 55 minutes with the frozen ones.

Note: I used a bit more for total blueberries.

Cool on a rack for 5-10 minutes then loosen sides and empty loaf on cooling rack. Cool before slicing. 



Saturday, February 19, 2022

Potato waffle “fries”



 Easy and the taste like waffle fries but are not fried.

Ingredients

One large potato cooked

1/4 cup quick rolled oats

Salt


Directions 

Mash your cooked potato without adding anything but seasoning. Add the oats and let sit ten minutes. Cook in preheated waffle maker 3-5 minutes until you achieve the crispy texture you desire. Ps The two photos above are of the same waffles— one side cooked more! Great with ketchup. If I had been more careful in spreading them in the waffle maker they would have looked nicer 🤣


Friday, February 18, 2022

Red lentil cabbage rice dish

 



Delicious recipe and so easy! 

1 cup Jasmine rice
1 cup red lentils
2 cups chopped cabbage ( or slaw)
8 cups of water
Season to taste (I just used a bit of salt)
*Optional- spices like cumin, turmeric, ginger, coriander etc. see below

Cook 25 minutes in a large pot. Ps can serve with hummus and avocado if desired 
* added spices you can sauté in olive oil a teaspoon of each of the following cumin seeds, fennel seeds, mustard seeds, ground coriander, ground turmeric, fresh minced ginger doing this at the beginning then adding all ingredients and cooking as described. If you don’t have the seeds you can substitute ground seasoning.

Gf sandwich bread


 

Go to this link for directions-/ https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/recipes/gluten-free-sandwich-bread-recipe

Easy recipe— I plan on slicing and freezing.350 F 45-60 minutes 

Made this much and I ate the ends 🤣

Monday, February 14, 2022

Gf chocolate cake








 So easy/ one bowl! Hits the spot!

Ingredients 

1 and 1/2 cup gf King Arthur measure for measure flour
1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum
14 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder * see below
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup Greek yogurt 
1/2 cup oil (vegetable or canola)
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract 
3/4 cup warm water

*instead of 14 tablespoons of cocoa you can do 3/4 a cup plus 2 more tablespoons 

directions 

1. Preheat oven 350 F and grease 9” round cake pan.
2. In large bowl mix all dry ingredients. Make a well and add all the rest of wet ingredients. Mix well.
3. Pour into prepared pan and bake in center of oven for 30 minutes or until center comes out mostly clean with toothpick. Watch carefully so you don’t over cook.
4. Cool on a rack 10 minutes then invert onto a wire rack. Let cool completely before frosting. 

Optional frosting:

4 tablespoons soft butter
1 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 
1 and 1/2 teaspoons of milk or brewed coffee.
Pinch of salt if desired 

Mix together and add more of the liquid if needed.


Sunday, February 6, 2022

blancmange or almond milk pudding



 Easy and refreshing. Great with strawberries or alone!! Very creamy !!We saw “All Creatures Great and Small” the other night and they served a variation on this dessert for Tristin’s birthday.  Found the recipe here https://www.thespruceeats.com/almond-milk-pudding-recipe-1446853

Go there to the above link. Note: I added a forth teaspoon of almond extract. You can serve topped with mashed strawberries or whatever!

This differs from blancmange in that it uses cornstarch instead of gelatin.

For the Pudding:

  • 2 cups almond milk

  • 1/2 cup sugar, or sugar substitute, or to taste

  • 4 tablespoons cornstarch

  • 3 -4 tablespoons cold water

  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract,

         1/4 teaspoon almond extract

Note: I used my custard cups for this. Follow the instructions at the given link. Refrigerate a few hours before eating.

Wednesday, February 2, 2022

Crockpot pork loin




 Very nice flavor !  Found this here https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/recipes/a54791/crock-pot-pork-roast-recipe/

Go to the link for added details. 

My roast was 2.75 lbs and it cooked less than 3 hours on high.!basically you want it about 145 F - 170 F for the meat’s internal temperature.! 

Cook the sauce ingredients on stove top separately bringing  to a boil and then reducing the temperature and simmering about 10 minutes until thickened. Refrigerate until using later during last hour of cooking time for the meat.

Brown the meat on all sides  in iron skillet with the olive oil., then place the meat on top of the thinly sliced purple onions in the crockpot. Cook 3 hours on high or 6 on low or until meat gets to 145 degrees F or higher if desired. During the last hour of cooking baste the meat with the sauce every 15 minutes. Let the meat rest on a platter for 15 minutes before cutting.

 When the meat is done you can thicken the gravy using 2 tablespoons of cornstarch dissolved in a bit of water in a separate pot—then add the sauce from the crockpot to the cornstarch solution, stirring the sauce until boiling-/turn down and simmer stirring until thickened. Serve over meat with rice if desired. 

Thursday, January 20, 2022

Monday, January 10, 2022

Cauliflower butternut curry


Very nice and creamy. I use other seasonings than the ones above- do what you want. Got this from my son— but if you want an instant pot version go to Pinch of yum and look for instant pot cauliflower curry.


Sauté onion about 5 minutes with a bit of oil or water. Add garlic. Simmer a few minutes. Add water, tomatoes, red lentils, seasonings, cauliflower and butternut. Cook till tender about 20 minutes or so. Sometimes I use frozen cubed butternut and cook separately adding at end.  Cook until beans and vegetables are soft. Mash a bit and add coconut milk - serve over rice. 

Some seasonings I like — curry powder, ginger, turmeric, coriander, cinnamon, Garam  masala, cumin 
 

Sunday, January 9, 2022

Vegetable lentil soup

Note: I like some rice added— about a handful uncooked added with the lentils 


 Easy yummy soup: for directions go to https://itsallgoodvegan.com/2021/02/15/one-pot-vegetable-lentil-soup/

Tuesday, January 4, 2022

Red cabbage and chicken pasta

Tasty- we enjoyed this for a different pasta recipe. I didn’t have fettuccine so subbed the spirals.


 

Sunday, January 2, 2022

Kale apple salad


 Nice

Ingredients 

Kale

Walnuts or pecans chopped 

Dried cranberries 

Apple chopped 

Goat cheese or a triangle of laughing cow cheese chopped


Dressing below are approximates-/change it up however you like

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 ½ tablespoons apple cider vinegar (or white wine vinegar)
  • 1 tablespoon smooth Dijon mustard
  • 1 ½ teaspoons honey or maple syrup
Massage chopped kale with some of the olive oil and then add salad ingredients except for the nuts. Mix your dressing and toss with salad. Just before serving sprinkle with nuts.


Vegetable biryani




 Nice Indian  one pot vegetable dish —makes 6 servings found recipe here https://dinnerthendessert.com/easy-vegetable-biryani/#wprm-recipe-container-33879v


Ingredients 

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 yellow onion cut into 1/2-inch dice
  • 1 tablespoon garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon ginger minced
  • 1 roma tomato minced finely
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 cup peas
  •  carrot sliced into thin coins
  • 2 russet potatoes peeled and chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper sliced
  • 2 stalks celery thinly sliced
  • 1 cup cauliflower florets
  • 2 teaspoons Kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon coriander
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 2 cups basmati rice rinsed and drained (me jasmine  rice)
Go to link for directions