Strawberry mud cake

A refreshing dish

 Easy , tasty, 

Ingredients 

1 quart (32 ounces) heavy whipping cream

1/2 (heaping) cup powdered sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract 

2 pounds strawberries, sliced

3 sleeves (about 30) graham crackers (about a normal box)

Directions 

Combine the whipping cream with sugar and vanilla and whip until stiff peaks.

Divide strawberries in 3 parts

Line the bottom of a 13 by 9 inch pan with whipped cream.

Cover with a layer of grams. Top with whip cream, then strawberries.

Repeat with grams, whip cream, and strawberries 

Do 3rd final layer with grams, cream, strawberries 

Cover with plastic wrap and place in frig for a minimum of 2-3 hours. Better longer it sits ie even over night.

Cut and serve

Note: below doing a small dish of  Gluten free Oreo cookies with strawberries and cream since I was out of gf crackers for me— the rest of the family can enjoy the big dish above. AND it is FANTASTIC with Oreo cookies in place of gingerbread!

Not pictured— I did add another layer of whipped cream under those Oreo cookies 

Garam masala chicken

 

Such an easy crockpot dish

Ingredients 

6 boneless skinless chicken thighs

1 cup diced onions 

1 can diced tomatoes (15 ounces) draining is optional 

2 garlic cloves minced

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon ground coriander 

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 teaspoon garam masala divided (see directions)

1/2 cup plain yogurt

Salt to taste at end of cooking

Directions 

Place chicken on bottom of crock- sprinkle onion over. Mix the tomatoes with all of the spices but reserve half the garam masala to the end of the cooking time. Add tomatoes with spices to cover chicken. Cook low 8 hours or high 4 hours. At end of cooking time shred chicken with 2 forks and add the yogurt and the rest of garam masala. Serve over rice or noodles. Also could add black beans to this at end of cooking and serve in wraps or tacos. Salt if needed.

Would be good served with avocados or picante sauce too.

Gf puff pancakes

 So easy and so delicious 

Ingredients 

6 eggs

1 cup of milk ( I used drinkable coconut milk)

I cup King Arthur gf measure for measure flour ( you can use regular all purpose flour if you don’t need gf)

Pinch of salt

5 tablespoons butter ( me use less!)

Directions 

Place butter in 10” iron skillet ( some say you can use a 13 by 9 inch pan. Place in oven and set oven to 425 F so butter melts. 

In a separate bowl -Mix eggs, milk, then add flour and salt mixing well.

When oven reaches 425 remove pan from oven and pour in egg mixture. Place back in oven -Cook 30 minutes or until it browns and starts getting crispy. Note:It puffs way up and then collapses as it cools. Serve with berries and maple syrup— good with added whipped cream or sweetened yogurt too. Below is how much it puffs.

Note to self— I used my 9” pan and did one less egg, 1 less tablespoon butter, a bit less flour and milk— however the butter overflowed onto the foil while it was puffing so 🙂 next time even less butter .

Chickpea salad with avocado dressing

 So good. I first make the chickpea salad found here https://nannykimsrecipes.blogspot.com/2022/04/chickpea-salad.html?m=0

Ingredients 

1 15 ounce can chickpeas, drained

Parsley 

Red onion

About 1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 tablespoon of olive oil

Dried dill 

Salt and pepper 

Sugar

Directions 

Mix everything and eat 😄. I do it to taste. I do a light sprinkle of the sugar before mixing. But sugar is not necessary.

Then add sliced plum tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, and sliced red (purple) cabbage. Top everything with the avacado dressing.

Dressing for one salad bowl:

1/2 avocado mushed

1/4 of a lemon juiced

A squirt of honey

A tablespoon or so of Greek yogurt

Dried dill sprinkled to taste

Combine dressing ingredients to your desired taste 

Mung bean flat bread 2 ingredients

 A very easy flat bread made of just mung beans and water! You can substitute red lentils in this recipe as well.

1/2 cup split yellow mung beans (or substitute red lentils) I have only tried the mung)

1 cup water

Olive oil for pan unless you are using nonstick pan// but works better on nonstick pan.

This makes two large flat breads plus 1 medium - double for 4-5. When I spread it more thin I can get 4, but they are tricky to flip— I ease my silicone spatula underneath,

Directions 

Soak beans in water for 3 hours. Dump everything in blender. You can add seasonings if desired— like salt or ginger and cumin. I enjoy it with just some salt.  Blend well. For using as a pizza crust I sometimes add Italian seasoning.

Heat an iron skillet brushed with olive oil on medium until nice and hot. Pour batter just like pancakes to desired size. Cook about 2 minutes until bubbles form all over. Flip and cook other side about a minute. Repeat. I use two spatulas for flipping.

Garlic broccoli stir fry

Very fast dish to make and oh so flavorful! 15 minutes to make if you have rice or a wrap ready! Good either way. 

Go to the link for all the details. I will give the ingredients below. 

Ingredients

Broccoli Stir Fry:

• 1 tablespoon oil (*see recipe notes)
• 1 onion diced
• 5 garlic cloves minced
• 1 heaped tablespoon fresh ginger minced
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
•  Black pepper & sea salt to taste
• Pinch of cayenne pepper
• 1 (450 g) medium head of broccoli cut into small florets
• 1/3 cup (80 ml) vegetable broth
• 1 (15 oz) can of chickpeas rinsed and drained
•  Cooked rice of choice for serving

Sauce:

• 1/2 cup (120 ml) of water
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce (gluten-free if needed)
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar or balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup or any other sweetener
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

https://elavegan.com/wprm_print/6728. 

Or https://elavegan.com/garlic-broccoli-stir-fry/

 

Sweet potato black bean cauliflower tacos

Pretty tasty , like the seasonings, but we do like salsa on it 😊 picture shown without salsa. Find the recipe here: https://playswellwithbutter.com/roasted-sweet-potato-cauliflower-tacos/

Posting this for future reference 
 

Chickpea salad

 Always love chickpea salad 😀

Ingredients 

1 15 ounce can chickpeas, drained

Parsley 

Red onion

About 1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 tablespoon of olive oil

Dried dill 

Salt and pepper 

Sugar

Directions 

Mix everything and eat 😄. I do it to taste. I do a light sprinkle of the sugar before mixing. But sugar is not necessary.

Corned beef tofu

 A nice tasty different way to have tofu. I did not add the optional beet juice (or food coloring).  The full recipe and details can be found here https://thehiddenveggies.com/vegan-corned-beef/

Ingredients 

 2  of the 14 ounce extra firm tofu (me- did one)

5 cups water

1 teaspoon pickling spice

1 teaspoon mustard seeds ( me -used 1 teaspoon ground mustard seed)

1 teaspoon coriander seed (me -ground)

1 bay leaf

1 teaspoon brown sugar

Salt I added right before cooking , but recipe calls for 1 tablespoon.

Directions 

Go to above link— basically you boil the seasonings in the water for about 10 minutes. Then add your quarter inch slices of tofu to the water and simmer 5 minutes. Turn off heat and let sit in the water another 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 375F. Place the tofu on well greased sheet and  if you didn’t use salt in the brine then add at this time— bake about an hour until crispy.

For one block of tofu it made about 7 slices

Gf bagels

 Easy!

Ingredients 

1 cup King Arthur gf measure for measure flour

2 teaspoons baking powder 

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup Greek plain yogurt

Egg wash optional— 1 egg plus 1 tablespoon water beaten

Preheat oven 400 F. In large bowl mix dry ingredients.Continue  to Mix adding yogurt. You may have to use a tablespoon or more additional yogurt as you want the dough to stick together nicely. With you hands form a ball of the dough then divide into 6 balls. Flatten a bit on a parchment lined cookie sheet and make a hole in the center of each. It helps if your fingers have been dipped a bit in water. Brush with egg wash if using and sprinkle with poppy seeds or whatever if desired. 

Bake 22-26 minutes flipping about 1/2 way through so both sides brown nicel!

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.

 

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.

 

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.

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.

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.

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 😊

 

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.

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 😀

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

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. 

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 🤣

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 🤣

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.