Vegetarian Delights: A Confessions of a Foodie Offspring

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Thursday, June 30, 2016

Thursday Recipes

Enjoy!

VEGETARIAN CHILI

This is from Runner's World. Apparently, it was in the December 1999 issue and repeated after someone mentioned it in a letter in the February 2000 issue. I'm always amazed at the great food coming out of there!

1 onion, chopped

1 sweet green pepper, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon soybean or olive oil

1 16-ounce package extra-firm tofu, drained and crumbled

1 or 2 19-once cans of beans (kidney, pinto, or white)

1 28-ounce can stewed tomatoes

3 medium carrots, sliced

2 Tablespoons chili powder

1 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon hot sauce

Salt & Pepper to taste

Sauté the onion, pepper & garlic in oil over medium heat. Add the tofu and sauté until crisp & lightly browned (about 10 minutes). Add the beans, stewed tomatoes, carrots, chili powder, cumin, hot sauce, & salt & pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat & simmer for 50-60 minutes. Serves 4.

From Runner’s World, December, 1999/letters Feb. 2000

REWORKED VEGETARIAN CHILI

I've fixed this recipe probably several hundred times, easily. I started off with the above Runner's World recipe; it slowly morphed into this recipe.

Note: I have a habit of buying anywhere from 16 to 20 (or more) peppers of varying colors at the same time, then chopping them all up, putting them into several containers, and freezing them. When I put them into the containers, they're not separated by color, but, rather, dumped in together. This way, I end up with containers with red, green, yellow and orange bell peppers all thrown in together. Then, whenever I need cut up peppers, I end up with a colorful bunch of peppers in whatever I'm putting them in. If you prefer, you can buy one or two peppers as needed (like for this recipe) and cut it up at that time. You can use whichever color bell pepper you want; if I'm out of frozen peppers, and am planning to buy only one or two for this recipe, I usually go with the green peppers, since they're usually the cheapest.

Also, with the onions, I usually try to have both yellow and red onions on hand; when I do, I use one of each in this recipe. Finally, for the cans of beans, I lean toward one can of black beans and one can of either Navy or Great Northern beans, both of which are white. Between the multi-colored peppers, two different kinds of onions, and different colored beans, it makes for a more colorful chili. But if you only have two cans of white, red or black beans, that's fine, too.

2 T olive oil

2 onions, chopped

4-6 cloves garlic, minced

1-2 peppers, chopped

16-ounce package extra-firm tofu, drained and crumbled

2 19-once cans of beans, drained

1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes

3 medium carrots, sliced

2 Tablespoons chili powder

1 teaspoon cumin

Salt & Pepper to taste

Note: For cutting up onions, check here.

Sauté the onion, peppers & garlic in oil over medium heat.

Add tofu and sauté until crisp & lightly browned. While this is cooking, peel and cut the carrots. Add the beans, crushed tomatoes, carrots, chili powder, cumin, & salt & pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat & simmer for 50-60 minutes. Serve over noodles. Serves 4. YUM!

APRICOT-PISTACHIO BISCOTTI

This comes from the December 2013 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 57. It starts off, “Corn and millet flours add crunch and sweetness to these treats. Biscotti can be stored for up to two months layered in wax paper in an airtight container.” Makes 5 dozen biscotti.

To view this online, click here.

1 cup blanched whole pistachios

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup whole-wheat pastry flour

1/4 cup millet flour

1/4 cup corn flour or masa harina

1 1/4 cups sugar

1 Tbs. baking powder

1/2tsp. salt

8 dried apricots, finely chopped (1/2 cup)

3 large eggs

4 Tbs. vegetable oil

1/2 tsp. almond extract

Preheat oven to 350°F. Toast pistachios on ungreased baking sheet 
4 to 6 minutes, or until pale brown and fragrant. Cool, and finely chop. Reduce oven temperature to 325°F.

Stir together flours, sugar, baking powder, and salt in large bowl. Stir in pistachios and apricots.

Whisk together eggs, oil, and almond extract in small bowl until smooth. Stir just enough of liquid into flour mixture until dry, shaggy dough forms. Reserve remaining liquid.

Divide dough in 2 pieces. Wet hands with water to prevent sticking, and roll each piece of dough into 12-inch log, flattening tops of logs so they’re each about 1 1/2 inches high. Line large baking sheet with parchment paper, and place logs at least 5 inches apart on sheet. Brush tops with remaining liquid mixture.

Bake logs 25 to 30 minutes, or until edges are browned and firm, and centers have puffed and developed a skin, but are still slightly soft. Cool 30 minutes, then slice crosswise on the bias into 1/2-inch-wide slices using serrated knife.

Reduce oven temperature to 300°F. Return sliced biscotti to baking sheet, bottom-side down and spaced at least 1/4 inch apart, and bake 20 to 30 minutes more, or until golden, crisp, and dry.

nutritional information Per Biscotti: Calories: 61; Protein: 1 g; Total Fat: 2 g; Saturated Fat: less than 1 g; Carbohydrates: 9 g; Cholesterol: 9 mg; Sodium: 52 mg; Fiber: less than 1 g; Sugar: 5 g

TABIL-SPICED POTATO-AND-EGG CIGARS

From the July 2013 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 44. It starts out, “Savory pastries made with rolled and foled brek pastry leaves, or warka, are common starters in North Africa. Here, easy-to-find phyyllo sheets replace the specialty brek leaves and encase a savory potato-and-egg filling.” Makes 14 cigars

To view this online, click here.

1 large Yukon gold potato (3/4 lb.), peeled and sliced

1 Tbs. olive oil

1/2 large onion, chopped (1/2 cup)

1 Tbs. tabil spice blend, or 2 Tbs. ground coriander

1 tsp. granulated garlic

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

1 large egg, lightly beaten

2 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and chopped

2 Tbs. grated Parmesan cheese

7 frozen phyllo sheets, thawed

3 Tbs. melted butter

Place potato slices in medium pot, and cover with water. Bring to a simmer over high heat, reduce heat to medium, and cook 12 to 15 minutes, or until tender. Drain. Transfer to large bowl, and coarsely mash with fork.

Heat oil in skillet over medium-high heat, and cook onion 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in tabil, and cook 1 minute more. Stir onion mixture, parsley, and beaten egg into potato mixture. Fold in hard-boiled eggs and Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.

Preheat oven to 400°F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper. Place 1 sheet phyllo with long side facing you. Brush with butter, and fold in half like a book. Cut crosswise to make 2 stacked rectangles. Spoon 2 Tbs. potato mixture on center right edge of one rectangle, fold in top and bottom edges, and roll up like an egg roll. Place seam-side down on prepared baking sheet, and repeat with remaining phyllo and filling. Brush rolls with remaining butter, and bake 25 to 30 minutes, or until browned and crisp. Serve hot.

nutritional information Per Cigar: Calories: 101; Protein: 3 g; Total Fat: 5 g; Saturated Fat: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 10 g; Cholesterol: 47 mg; Sodium: 95 mg; Fiber: less than 1 g; Sugar: less than 1 g

BLACKBERRY ICE CREAM

This comes from the One Green Planet emailing list. They have quite a few really good vegetarian recipes. Give it a try!

This recipe starts off, “I served my ice cream as a soft serve, but I also froze it in an airtight container and it turned to the same consistency as the ice cream you knew/know and love/d as a non-vegan. I won't lie; this ice cream is not as creamy as the dairy kind, or the soya or nut-based ice cream you can buy from health food stores, but the banana makes this more than just a sorbet. Not to mention, it cuts the calories by half. At least. So enjoy your 'ice cream' guiltlessly! You have my permission.”

Ingredients

2 cups frozen blackberries

2 frozen bananas, in chuncks

a few splashes of almond milk

Preparation

In a blender or food processor, blend the frozen fruit with a little bit of almond milk, adding the milk little by littled. Don't add too much or you'll just end up with a frozen smoothie, you want to add just a few splashes when necessary. Depending on the speed of your blender or food processors, this will take about five minutes. You may need to stir the ice cream mixture with a spoon between pulsing to make sure everything gets blended (unless you want chunks).

Serve immediately as soft serve, or place in a container in the freezer for at least one hour before scooping it out.

BISCUITS AND GRAVY

From the April/May 2012 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 46. It starts off, “Trust us, no one will miss the flour (or the meat!) in this gluten-free indulgence.” Serves 8 in 30 minutes or less.

Biscuits

1 cup white rice flour, plus more for dusting work surface

1/2 cup chickpea flour

1/2 cup potato starch

1 1/2 Tbs. sugar

1 Tbs. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. baking soda

2 oz. (1/2 stick) butter or trans-fat-free margarine, cut into small pieces

3/4 cup fat-free buttermilk

Gravy

1 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas, or 1 15-oz. can chickpeas, rinsed and drained

2 1/2 tsp. paprika

2 tsp. poultry seasoning

1 tsp. onion powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. ground black pepper

1 pinch cayenne pepper

2 Tbs. vegetable oil

4 Tbs. butter or trans-fat-free margarine

1/4 cup potato starch

1/4 cup chickpea flour

4 cups fat-free milk, warmed

To make Biscuits: Preheat oven to 375°F. Coat large baking sheet with cooking spray.

Whisk together rice flour, chickpea flour, potato starch, sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda in large bowl. Cut butter into flour mixture with pastry blender or two knives until no large pieces remain. Stir in buttermilk.

Pat dough into flat 1-inch-thick disk on rice flour–dusted work surface. Cut dough into 16 rounds with 2-inch cutter, and place on prepared baking sheet. Bake 12 to 15 minutes, or until golden-brown on top.

To make Gravy: Pulse chickpeas, paprika, poultry seasoning, onion powder, salt, pepper, and cayenne in food processor 8 times, or until crumbly.

Heat oil in skillet over medium-high heat. Add chickpea mixture, and sauté 3 to 5 minutes, or until fragrant and crisp. Transfer to plate.

Add butter to skillet, and melt over medium heat. Whisk in potato starch and chickpea flour, and cook 1 to 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in milk, and cook 3 to 5 minutes, or until sauce is thickened, whisking constantly. Stir in chickpea mixture. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.

To serve: Place 2 Biscuits on each plate. Ladle 1/4 cup Gravy over top.

Nutritional information Per Serving (2 biscuits plus 1/4 cup gravy): Calories: 397; Protein: 11 g; Total Fat: 17 g; Saturated Fat: 8 g; Carbohydrates: 54 g; Cholesterol: 33 mg; Sodium: 721 mg; Fiber: 4 g; Sugar: 12 g; Gluten-Free

Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Wednesday Recipes

It's half-way through the week. Here are six recipes to help you through the day. Enjoy!

LOW-FAT GRANOLA

From the May 1998 issue of Vegetarian Times. This vegan recipe makes 6 cups. It starts out, “There are no hard-and-fast rules for mixing ingredients, except for the fact that it’s better to add dried fruits after the granola is baked so they don’t turn to rocks.”

To view this online, go to http://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipe/low-fat-granola/.

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups dried fruit, such as raisins, chopped apricots, or dried cranberries

1/2 cup honey, golden syrup or maple syrup

Vegetable oil cooking spray

3 cups rolled oats

1 cup unsweetened wheat or corn flakes

1/2 cup toasted wheat germ

1/4 cup chopped almonds

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp. grated nutmeg

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 cup thawed apple juice concentrate

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Coat two baking sheets with cooking spray and set aside.

Place oats in a colander and sprinkle with enough cold water to dampen them. Transfer to medium mixing bowl. Add cereal flakes, wheat germ, almonds, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt.

In small bowl, combine juice, honey and vanilla. Pour over oat mixture and stir until evenly coated.

Spread granola mixture in prepared pans. Bake until golden brown, about 30 to 35 minutes, turning every 10 minutes so that it browns evenly. Stir in fruit and bake 5 minutes more. Let cool and store in airtight container until ready to use.

nutritional information Per 1/2-cup serving: Calories: 225; Protein: 6 g; Total Fat: 3 g; Saturated Fat: g; Carbohydrates: 46 g; Cholesterol: mg; Sodium: 124 mg; Fiber: 4 g; Vegan

SUPER MOIST VEGAN CARROT CAKE

This comes from Jolinda Hackett, About.com's Vegetarian guide. She writes, “With several five-star reviews, you can rest assured that this homemade vegan carrot cake is absolutely foolproof. The recipe is simple and easy to follow. And, since it's egg-free and dairy-free, it's also low in fat and cholesterol-free. Frost this homemade vegan carrot cake with a vegan cream cheese frosting. You might also want to try this recipe for an orange flavored vegan cream cheese frosting.” (Both of these follow the cake recipe.) Jolinda adds, “If this vegan carrot cake doesn't sound like the recipe you're looking for, try checking out my dozens of other vegan cake recipes.”

View this online here. Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 45 minutes; Total Time: 55 minute; Yield: 1 9-inch square cake

Ingredients

1/4 cup cinnamon applesauce

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup vegan margarine, softened

1 tsp salt1 1/2 tsp baking powder

2 tsp cinnamon

1 cup sugar

1 1/4 cups flour

1/4 cup soy milk

1 cup grated carrots

1 cup walnuts, chopped

Preparation

Pre-heat oven to 325. Grease and flour a 9-inch square baking pan.

Combine applesauce, vanilla, vegan margarine, salt, baking powder, cinnamon, sugar, flour and soy milk until well mixed. Add carrots and walnuts.

Spread batter evenly in baking pan. Bake for 45 minutes.

Allow to cool. Frost with a vegan cream cheese frosting. You might also want to try this recipe for an orange flavored vegan cream cheese frosting.

VEGAN CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Also from Jolinda Hacket, who writes, “Vegan cream cheese frosting, using non-dairy cream cheese and vegan margarine. This is the perfect vegan cream cheese frosting for topping off a vegan carrot cake, a vegan pumpkin cake, or even a pineapple cake. One tester called this vegan frosting "fluffy and delectably smooth". And indeed it is.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 container Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese

1/2 cup soy margarine

2 cups powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 1/2 tsp lemon juice

Preparation

Combine the cream cheese and margarine. Slowly add the powdered sugar, then vanilla and lemon juice. Beat until soft and fluffy and well combined.

ORANGE CREAM CHEESE FROSTING WITH VEGAN CREAM CHESSE

Finally, this frosting, again from Jolinda Hacket. Can this lady come up with good-tasting recipes? I think so! She writes, “An orange cream cheese frosting recipe adds the perfect touch to a light lemon or vanilla cake. This vegan frosting recipe uses vegan cream cheese and fresh orange juice and zest.”

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1/2 cup vegan margarine, softened

1 8 ounce container vegan cream cheese

1 tsp vanilla

juice and zest from one orange

4 cups powdered sugar

dash orange food coloring (optional)

Preparation

Mix together vegan margarine and cream cheese. Add vanilla, orange juice and orange zest and stir to combine.

Add powdered sugar until desired consistency is obtained and add a dash of food coloring, if desired.

TRADITIONAL FALAFEL

This comes from the September 2012 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 50. It makes 36 falafel balls. The recipe starts off, “The most time-consuming step in this recipe is soaking the chickpeas for 24 hours. After that, the falafel balls come together quickly and easily. Serve with lettuce, tomatoes, tahini, hot sauce, and a minty yogurt sauce.”

To view this online, click here.

1 cup dried chickpeas, rinsed and sorted

1/2 tsp. plus 1/3 tsp. baking soda, divided

1 small leek, white and light green part cut into 4 or 5 pieces

1 cup fresh parsley leaves

3 cloves garlic, peeled

1 Tbs. lemon juice

1 tsp. ground cumin

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. ground black pepper

3–4 drops hot sauce, optional

2 cups canola oil

Place chickpeas and 1/2 tsp. baking soda in large bowl, and cover with 3 to 4 cups water. Soak chickpeas 24 hours. Drain.

Place chickpeas, remaining 1/3 tsp. baking soda, leek, parsley, garlic, lemon juice, cumin, salt, pepper, and hot sauce (if using) in bowl of food processor. Process 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until chunky paste forms.

Shape 1 Tbs. chickpea mixture into compact ball, pressing out any excess moisture, and place on plate. Repeat with remaining mixture.

Heat oil to 350°F in large skillet over medium heat. Add 12 falafel balls, and cook 1 to 2 minutes, or until browned on bottoms. Roll, and cook 1 to 2 minutes more, or until golden brown all over. Transfer to paper-towel-lined plate to drain. Repeat with remaining falafel balls.

nutritional information Per Falafel ball: Calories: 35; Protein: 1 g; Total Fat: 2 g; Saturated Fat: less than 1 g; Carbohydrates: 4 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 46 mg; Fiber: less than 1 g; Sugar: less than 1 g; Vegan; Gluten-Free

LATE SUMMER MINESTRONE WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND FRESH CORN

This comes from the September 2013 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 61. It starts off, “Bright, beautiful, and bursting with veggies, this colorful minestrone is a great way to stretch the harvest.” Serves 6.

To view this online, click here.

2 Tbs. olive oil

1 cup sliced leeks

1 cup chopped celery

1 cup chopped red bell pepper

1 tsp. salt, optional

4 cloves garlic, minced (4 tsp.)

1 Tbs. chopped fresh sage, or 2 tsp. dried sage

1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning

1 bay leaf

2 large tomatoes, peeled and coarsely chopped (1 cup)

2 cups cubed peeled butternut squash (3/4- to 1-inch cubes)

2 cups green beans or flat beans, cut into 1-inch pieces

1 15-oz. can or 1 1/2 cups cooked white beans, rinsed and drained

1 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels

1/2 tsp. balsamic vinegar

2–3 Tbs. chopped fresh mint, plus more for garnish, optional

Heat oil in 5-qt. Dutch oven or other large soup pot over medium heat. Add leeks, celery, bell pepper, and salt, if using. Cover, and cook 6 to 8 minutes, or until veggies are softened, stirring occasionally. Uncover, and continue cooking 5 to 6 minutes more, or until celery is somewhat shrunken and leeks are browned.

Add garlic, sage, Italian seasoning, and bay leaf. Stir 30 seconds, or until fragrant. Add tomatoes and 8 cups water, and bring to a boil. Season with salt and pepper, if desired. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 20 minutes. Add squash, cover, and simmer 10 minutes. Add green beans, white beans, and corn; simmer 10 minutes more, stirring occasionally. Just before serving, stir in vinegar and mint.

nutritional information Per 2-cup serving: Calories: 185; Protein: 7 g; Total Fat: 5 g; Saturated Fat: less than 1 g; Carbohydrates: 30 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 130 mg; Fiber: 9 g; Sugar: 7 g; Vegan; Gluten-Free

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Tuesday Recipes

Enjoy!

VEGETABLE SHEPHERD'S PIE

This came from the Food Network's Magazine several years ago.

Prep Time: 25 min; Cook Time: 41 min; Level: Easy; Serves: 4 servings

Ingredients

6 medium Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and diced

Kosher salt

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 large onion, diced

3 large carrots, cut into 1/2-inch chunks

2 stalks celery, cut into 1/2-inch chunks

1 bunch baby turnips, halved or quartered if large

6 cloves garlic, minced

Freshly ground pepper

1/2 bunch fresh parsley, leaves chopped (stems reserved)

1 1/2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

5 tablespoons unsalted butter

3/4 cup chopped veggie burgers or vegetarian protein crumbles

2/3 cup milk or half-and-half

Grated parmesan cheese, for sprinkling (optional)

Directions

Preheat the broiler. Cover the potatoes with water in a pot; season with salt, cover and boil until the potatoes are fork-tender, 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat the oil in a stovetop casserole dish or shallow enamel pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion, carrots, celery, turnips and garlic. Season with salt and pepper and cook until the vegetables brown, 8 minutes. Add 1 1/2 cups cooking liquid from the potatoes to the casserole dish. Lower the heat and scrape up any browned bits with a wooden spoon. Tie the parsley stems with twine and add to the casserole. Cover and simmer until the vegetables are tender, 8 minutes. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, 2 tablespoons butter and the chopped veggie burgers and warm through, 5 minutes. Remove the parsley stems and stir in the chopped parsley. Keep warm.

Drain the potatoes and mash with the remaining 3 tablespoons butter and the milk; season with salt and pepper and spoon over the casserole. Sprinkle with parmesan, if desired. Broil until golden brown, 5 minutes.

Per serving: Calories 558; Fat 24 g (Saturated 11 g); Cholesterol 42 mg; Sodium 656 mg; Carbohydrate 68 g; Fiber 9 g; Protein 17 g

HAWAIIAN-STYLE SWEET-AND-SOUR ROASTED PINEAPPLE AND BELL PEPPERS

This comes from the May/June 2010 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 26, and begins, “This tropical medley is a fresh alternative to a vegetable side dish. To stretch it into a main dish for four, top with 1 cup of roasted cashews and serve it over steamed rice.” Serves 6.

To view this online, click here.

3 cups cubed fresh pineapple

1 medium red bell pepper, cubed (1 1/2 cups)

1 medium red onion, cut into thin wedges (1 1/2 cups)

1 Tbs. toasted sesame oil

1 Tbs. vegetable oil

1 Tbs. dark or light brown sugar

1 Tbs. sweetened coconut flakes, optional

1 Tbs. lime juice

Preheat oven to 400°F. Arrange pineapple cubes, red bell pepper cubes, and red onion wedges on ungreased rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with toasted sesame oil and vegetable oil, sprinkle with brown sugar, and season with salt and pepper, if desired. Toss to coat.

Roast pineapple mixture on center oven rack 30 minutes, or until lightly browned, turning once. Remove from oven and sprinkle with sweetened coconut flakes, if using, then drizzle with lime juice. Remove to serving bowl and toss well to combine. Serve hot or at room temperature.

nutritional information Per 1-cup serving: Calories: 108; Protein: 1 g; Total Fat: 5 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 17 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 3 mg; Fiber: 2 g; Sugar: 12 g; Vegan; Gluten-Free

FRENCH LENTIL SOUP WITH ROASTED TOMATOES & PEPPERS

This comes from Seattle's Macrina Bakery. The recipe starts off, “This soup is a perfect comfort food on a drizzly Seattle day. We like to serve it in our cozy café with a few slices of crostini topped with goat cheese and a drizzle of good olive oil. It is pictured here with our Rustic Potato Roll. French green lentils are usually available in specialty shops and some supermarkets. If you can’t find French green lentils at your favorite market, you can substitute regular lentils.” Serves 4 to 6

Ingredients:

4 Roma tomatoes

3/4 cup olive oil

Kosher Salt

Freshly Ground Pepper

10 garlic cloves

1 medium yellow onion, diced

2 red bell peppers, diced

1 celery rib, diced

1-1/2 Tbsp ground cumin

1-1/2 Tbsp ground coriander seeds

1-1/2 cups French green lentils*

8 to 10 cups vegetable stock

1 Tbsp fresh Italian parsley, chopped

1 tsp fresh thyme, chopped

*Available in specialty shops and some supermarkets.

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

Wash and core the tomatoes, then cut them into 12 pieces each. Combine chopped tomatoes and 1/4 cup of the olive oil in a bowl and toss together. Pour tomatoes onto the prepared baking sheet and spread into an even layer. Season with salt and pepper and roast on center rack of oven for about 15 minutes. Set aside.

Place 7 of the garlic cloves and another 1/4 cup of the olive oil in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over low heat and cook until cloves are tender, approximately 15 minutes. Swirl the pan occasionally to keep the cloves from sticking to the pan. Transfer cooked garlic cloves to a small bowl and mash into a paste. Set aside.

Pour the remaining 1/4 cup of the olive oil into a large, heavy-bottomed soup pot. Add diced onion, red bell peppers and celery. Cover pot and cook for 15 minutes over medium-low heat to sweat the vegetables, stirring occasionally. The onions will become translucent. Finely dice the 3 remaining garlic cloves and add to the soup pot along with the cumin and coriander. Continue cooking over medium-low heat for 1 minute or until garlic smells sweet but is not brown.

Add roasted tomatoes, mashed garlic, lentils and 8 cups of the vegetable stock. Bring to a simmer. Cook soup for 45 to 50 minutes or until lentils are tender, adding more stock if needed. If foam gathers on the surface of the soup, remove it with a spoon. Before serving, add parsley and thyme and season to taste with salt and pepper.

CRANBERRY PIE

This recipe can be found in my e-cookbook Off the Wall Cooking.




My dad sent this recipe in a letter dated “18 No 79”. He wrote, “Here is a recipe for a pie. 1st the way it was in the paper and the way I made it.”

2 T cornstarch

1 C sugar

1/4 tsp. salt

1 1/4 C hot water

1 C raisins

1 T butter

2 C cranberries

Pie crust

Blend 1st four ingredients & cook in double boiler until thick. Add next 3 ingredients & cook 10 minutes. Put in pie shell & bake at 450 degrees for 20-30 minutes, covering pie with foil for the first 10-15 minutes. (Crust can be any kind you want, whether double crust or simply a bottom crust.)

VARIATION

2 Tbls cornstarch

3/4 C honey + 1/4 C molasses

1/4 tsp. salt

1 1/4 C hot water

1 C raisins

1 T margarine

1 1/2 C cranberries + 1 C canned cranberries (kind with berries in sauce)

Pie crust

Make as above.

RAINBOW SLAW

From the July 2006 issue of Vegetarian Times. Serves 8. The recipe starts out, “Salting the cabbage before making the salad draws out excess moisture, so your slaw won't be watery.”

To view this online, click here.

1/2 small head green cabbage (about 1 1/4 lb.)

1/2 small head red cabbage (about 1 1/4 lb.)

1 large carrot, peeled

1 Tbs. kosher or coarse salt

2 Tbs. mustard seeds

1 Tbs. vegetable oil

1/4 tsp. chili flakes

1/2 cup cider vinegar

1/4 cup sugar

1 tsp. Dijon mustard

1 red bell pepper, cut into thin strips (about 1 1/2 cups)

1 yellow bell pepper, cut into thin strips (about 1 1/2 cups)

Slice cabbage into thin strips. Grate carrot on largest holes of box grater.

Combine cabbage, carrot and salt in large colander set over bowl. Refrigerate 1 1/2 hours. Rinse off salt under cold water. Pat dry.

Put mustard seeds, oil and chili flakes in small skillet; cover and cook over medium-high heat 1 minute, or until seeds start to pop, shaking constantly. Remove from heat and continue shaking pan until popping subsides. Cool in bowl. Whisk in vinegar, sugar and mustard. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Combine cabbage, carrot and bell peppers in large bowl. Add dressing, and toss to coat. Adjust seasonings. Serve immediately, or store up to 1 day in refrigerator.

nutritional information Per serving: Calories: 111; Protein: 3 g; Total Fat: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 20 g; Sodium: 148 mg; Fiber: 4 g; Sugar: 13 g; Vegan

RASPBERRY-LEMONADE SORBET

From the July/August 2013 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 73. The recipe starts off, “Extra-lemony and not too sweet, this is an easy sorbet to whip up year-round with frozen raspberries. Try the recipe with blueberries, blackberries, or cherries as well.” Makes one quart.

To view this online, click here.

5 cups fresh or frozen raspberries

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup lemon juice

Purée raspberries in blender or food processor until no whole fruit remains. Press purée through fine sieve, and discard seeds. (You should have 2 cups.)

Stir 1/2 cup water into sugar in saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar. Remove from heat, and stir in lemon juice. Stir sugar mixture into raspberry purée.

Chill mixture in refrigerator until cold, then churn in ice cream maker according to manufacturer’s directions. Transfer to 1-quart container, and freeze.

nutritional information Per 1/2-cup serving: Calories: 141; Protein: less than 1 g; Total Fat: less than 1 g; Saturated Fat: less than 1 g; Carbohydrates: 35 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 1 mg; Fiber: 2 g; Sugar: 29 g; Vegan; Gluten-Free

Monday, June 27, 2016

Monday Recipes

Enjoy!

CHOCOLATE BANANA CAKE

This comes from the July 2004 issue of Vegetarian Times. It begins, “This cake is as moist as it is healthful.” Serves 16.

This can be viewed online by clicking here.

2 cups spelt flour

1/4 cup soy flour

2/3 cup low-fat cocoa

2 Tbs. oat bran

2 Tbs. cornstarch

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. non-aluminum baking powder

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp. sea salt

1 12.3-oz. pkg. lite silken tofu

1/4 cup prune purée

3/4 cup (2 medium-sized) mashed bananas

1 1/4 cups evaporated cane juice

1/2 cup enriched soymilk

1 Tbs. pure vanilla extract

Dusting of organic powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350F. Spray 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking oil spray.

Combine spelt flour, soy flour, cocoa, oat bran, cornstarch, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and salt in large mixing bowl. Set aside.

Place tofu in food processor, and blend. Add prune purée and bananas. Blend, add remaining ingredients and process thoroughly. Make a well in dry ingredients, and fold in liquid mixture without overbeating. Pour into prepared pan.

Bake for 35 minutes, or until cake tester inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from oven, and set aside to cool. Sprinkle with organic powdered sugar, and serve.

nutritional information Per SERVING: Calories: 150; Protein: 5 g; Total Fat: 1 g; Saturated Fat: 0 g; Carbohydrates: 35 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 195 mg; Fiber: 4 g; Sugar: 18 g; Vegan

BEST PINEAPPLE ORANGE SORBET

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been on several bulletin boards over the years (mainly feminist bulletin boards), and find others’ nicknames on the boards interesting. This was posted on a long-since-forgotten-emailing-list by hungry kitten and was from mydailymoment.com. Hungrykitten wrote, “I like this recipe because you don't need an ice cream maker. Cooking time is freezing time.” Time: 2 1/4 hours; 15 min prep; serves 10.

To view this online, click here.

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 cups orange juice

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 (20 ounce) can pineapple, crushed

2 teaspoons orange zest, freshly grated

In a medium saucepan, bring water and sugar to a simmer over medium high heat until sugar is dissolved.

In a blender, puree pineapple with its juice until smooth. Transfer to a metal bowl, and stir in lemon juice, orange juice, and orange zest. Freeze until slightly firm, but not frozen and process mixture again in the blender until smooth. Transfer to a freezer container and freeze until firm, about 2 hours.

CRUSTY MACARONI AND CHEESE

This comes from Julia Moskin in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Julia wrote, “Macaroni and cheese may seem an easy proposition. Noodles, cheese. But the secret to this creamy dish with a crunchy and crisp top is American cheese. This is no place for fancy cheeses or fancy noodles. Leave the whole-wheat penne and artisanal orecchiette in the cupboard and bring on the elbow pasta.” Yield: 8 to 12 servings; Time: 1 hour 15 minutes.

This was featured in “Macaroni and Lots of Cheese” and can also be found by clicking here.

Ingredients

3 tablespoons butter

12 ounces extra-sharp cheddar cheese, coarsely grated

12 ounces American cheese or cheddar cheese, coarsely grated

1 pound elbow pasta, boiled in salted water until just tender, drained, and rinsed under cold water

1/8 teaspoon cayenne (optional)

Salt

2/3 cup whole milk

Preparation

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Use one tablespoon butter to thickly grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Combine grated cheeses and set aside two heaping cups for topping.

In a large bowl, toss together the pasta, cheeses, cayenne (if using) and salt to taste. Place in prepared pan and evenly pour milk over surface. Sprinkle reserved cheese on top, dot with remaining butter and bake, uncovered, 45 minutes. Raise heat to 400 degrees and bake 15 to 20 minutes more, until crusty on top and bottom.

LOWCOUNTRY PICKLED COLESLAW

This comes from Kim Severs, also in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Kim wrote, “Ben Moïse, a retired game warden in South Carolina, has been serving a version of this coleslaw at his Frogmore stew parties for years. The hot, boiled dressing softens the cabbage and pickles it slightly. The result is a salad that stays delicious even when it sits outside on a picnic table for a few hours. The amount of vegetables can vary, and a finely chopped jalapeño can be added for a little extra heat.” Yield: 8 servings.

This was featured in “Summer Seafood Boils Take On Local Flavor”, and can be found by clicking here.

Ingredients

For the Slaw:

5 cups chopped green cabbage (1/2-inch pieces)

2 cups chopped purple cabbage (1/2-inch pieces)

1/2 heaping cup chopped Vidalia or other sweet onion

1/2 cup finely diced carrot

1/2 cup finely diced red bell or other sweet pepper

For the Dressing:

1 large clove garlic

1/2 tablespoon salt, more to taste

1 tablespoon minced ginger

1/3 cup rice wine vinegar

1/2 cup olive oil

For Serving:

Juice of 1 freshly squeezed lime

Salt and freshly ground pepper

Preparation

Make the slaw: Put the chopped and diced vegetables in a bowl or other container that will fit in the refrigerator.

Make the dressing: Crush the garlic, and with the side of a knife work the salt into the clove until it makes a rough paste. Add the garlic paste, ginger, vinegar, oil and 1/3 cup water to a saucepan and bring to a low boil. Cook for 3 or 4 minutes, stirring now and then. Remove from heat. Allow to cool for 1 or 2 minutes, then pour over the vegetables, tossing well to combine. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.

Just before serving, toss with the lime juice and a few grinds of black pepper. Taste and add salt if needed.

BROCCOLI CHOWDER

From Diabetic Gourmet. Yield: 6 servings, 1 cup each

Source: "The Eating Well Diabetes Cookbook"

Ingredients

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1 large onion, chopped (1-1/2 cups)

1 large carrot, diced (1/2 cup)

2 stalks celery, diced (1/2 cup)

1 large potato, peeled and diced (1-1/2 cups)

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon dry mustard

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

3-1/2 cups vegetable broth (two 14-ounce cans)

8 ounces broccoli crowns, cut into 1-inch pieces, stems and florets separated (3 cups)

1 cup grated reduced-fat Cheddar cheese

1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream

1/8 teaspoon salt, or to taste

Directions

Heat oil in a Dutch oven or large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion, carrot and celery; cook, stirring often, until the onion and celery soften, 5 to 6 minutes. Add potato and garlic; cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Stir in flour, dry mustard and cayenne; cook, stirring often, for 2 minutes. Add broth and broccoli stems; bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to medium. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes. Stir in florets; simmer, covered, until the broccoli is tender, about 10 minutes more.

Transfer 2 cups of the chowder to a bowl and mash; return to the pan. Stir in Cheddar and sour cream; cook over medium heat, stirring, until the cheese is melted and the chowder is heated through. Season with salt.

Nutritional Information Per Serving (1 cup each): Calories: 180, Fat: 8 g, Cholesterol: 15 mg, Carbohydrate: 23 g, Protein: 6 g, Fiber: 4 g, Sodium: 354 mg Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Starch, 1 Vegetable, 1 High-Fat Meat

BLACK BEAN BREAKFAST BURRITO WITH PLANTAINS AND MANGO SALSA

This comes from the March 2015 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 36. It begins, “Ripe plantains have a starchy consistency like potatoes, but with more fiber.” Serves 4 in 30 minutes or less.

To view this online, click here.

2 cups sliced ripe plantains (2 medium)

1 lime, juiced and zest grated (2 Tbs. juice and 1 tsp. zest)

1 15-oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed

1/2 cup prepared mango salsa, plus more for serving, optional

4 8-inch flour tortillas, warmed

Combine plantains, lime juice, and 1/2 cup water in small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, cover pan, and simmer 20 minutes, or until plantains are very soft. Mash with fork or potato masher, and stir in lime zest. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.

Combine beans and salsa in small saucepan; warm over medium heat 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.

Spread heaping 1/4 cup plantains on bottom half of each tortilla, leaving 2-inch border. Top with 1/2 cup bean mixture. Fold sides of tortilla over filling, then roll from bottom up. Serve with additional salsa, if using.

nutritional information Per Burrito: Calories: 349; Protein: 11 g; Total Fat: 4 g; Saturated Fat: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 72 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 779 mg; Fiber: 9 g; Sugar: 18 g; Vegan

Friday, June 24, 2016

Friday Recipes

Finally, Friday! Here are today's six recipes to help you through the weekend. Enjoy!

QUINOA AND VEGETABLE STUFFED PEPPERS

This comes from Rachel Ray, star of The Food Network’s Rachael Ray’s Week In A Day. Total Time: 1 hr 10 min; Prep: 25 min; Cook: 45 min; Yield: 6 servings; Level: Easy

Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/quinoa-and-vegetable-stuffed-peppers-recipe.html?oc=linkback

Ingredients

1 cup quinoa

2 cups chicken or vegetable stock

6 small bell peppers, mixed colors, seeded and halved

3 tablespoons EVOO, plus extra for drizzling

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

1 small firm eggplant, trimmed of half the skin, chopped

1 small to medium firm zucchini, seeded and chopped

1 red onion, chopped

1 fresh chile pepper, such as Fresno, thinly sliced, or 1 teaspoon dried crushed pepper

1/2 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, chopped

1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, a handful, chopped

2 plum tomatoes, chopped

1 cup crumbled feta or ricotta salata cheese

Directions

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.

Bring the quinoa and stock to a boil. Cover and simmer until the liquid is absorbed and the grain looks translucent, 12 to 15 minutes. Then fluff with a fork. You will have about 4 cups of cooked grain.

Drizzle the bell pepper halves with EVOO and season both sides with salt and pepper. Roast cut-side down until the skins begin to char and the peppers are just tender, about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool to room temp, then arrange in a baking dish cut-side up.

Meanwhile, heat 3 tablespoons EVOO, 3 turns of the pan, over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, eggplant, zucchini, onions and chiles, and season with salt and pepper. Cook partially covered to tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Add the herbs and tomatoes, and combine with the quinoa.

Fill the pepper halves with the quinoa and vegetable stuffing and drizzle with EVOO. Cool and chill for a make-ahead meal. To serve, roast in a 375 degree F oven until the peppers are hot through. Serve the pepper halves topped with lots of cheese crumbles.

BROCCOLI SALAD

This comes from Trisha Yearwood, star of The Food Network’s Trisha’s Southern Kitchen. Not only can she sing, but what a cook! Total Time: 1 hr 20 min; Prep: 15 min; Inactive: 1 hr; Cook: 5 min; Yield: 10 servings; Level: Easy

Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/trisha-yearwood/broccoli-salad-recipe.html?oc=linkback

Ingredients

8 ounces bacon

Salt

5 cups small broccoli florets

1 cup mayonnaise

1 tablespoon cider vinegar

1/3 cup chopped onion

1/4 cup sugar

3/4 cup raisins

1/2 cup sunflower kernels

Directions

Cut the bacon into small pieces and cook over medium heat just until crisp; drain on paper towels.

Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add the broccoli and blanch until bright green and slightly softened, about 3 minutes. Drain well, run under cold water to stop the cooking, and drain again.

In a mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, vinegar, onion, sugar and raisins. Add the broccoli and toss the coat with the dressing. Refrigerate for 1 hour. Just before servings, fold in the sunflower kernels and the bacon pieces. Serve immediately.

CUBAN BLACK BEAN AND POTATO SOUP

This is from page 52 of the March 2011 issue of Vegetarian Times, and begins, “The distinctive flavor of this soup comes from a sofrito, a puréed mix of onions, garlic, and bell peppers.” Serves 6 in 30 minutes or less.

To view this online, click here.

1 medium onion, diced (1 1/2 cups)

1 small red bell pepper, diced (1 cup)

1 small green bell pepper, diced (1 cup)

6 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced

6 cups cooked black beans, divided

3 medium potatoes, peeled and diced (2 1/2 cups)

2 Tbs. white wine vinegar

1 Tbs. ground cumin

1 Tbs. fresh oregano leaves

1 bay leaf

1/2 tsp. salt

Diced red onion and green bell pepper for garnish

Sauté onion, bell peppers, and garlic in saucepan with a little water or vegetable broth over medium heat 2 to 3 minutes, or until vegetables soften. Transfer to blender, and purée until smooth. Add 3 cups beans and 6 to 7 cups water; purée until mixture is consistency of thick soup.

Return mixture to saucepan, and add remaining beans, potatoes, vinegar, cumin, oregano, bay leaf, and salt. Bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, covered, 20 minutes, or until potatoes are soft. Remove bay leaf. Garnish each serving with diced red onion and green bell pepper.

nutritional information Per 1-cup serving: Calories: 321; Protein: 18 g; Total Fat: 1 g; Saturated Fat: less than 1 g; Carbohydrates: 62 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 610 mg; Fiber: 18 g; Sugar: 4 g; Vegan; Gluten-Free

PASTA WITH FRESH TOMATO SAUCE AND RICOTTA

This comes from David Tanis in The New York Times Cooking e-newsletter. David wrote, “This wonderful pasta is made with nothing more than fresh tomato sauce and good ricotta, plus a little pecorino. It’s most delicious if you keep the pasta quite al dente; use just enough sauce, no more; give it a good pinch of crushed red pepper; and season it with enough salt of course. For the best results, use good quality imported noodles made from hard Durum wheat.” Time: 30 minutes; makes 4 to 6 servings.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 pound dried pasta, such as farfalle or penne

Salt and pepper

2 tablespoons butter, softened

Crushed red pepper (optional)

2 1/2 cups Quick Fresh Tomato Sauce, warm (see recipe, which follows)

6 ounces ultra-fresh ricotta, at room temperature

Grated pecorino

Basil leaves, for garnish

Preparation

Cook the pasta in a large pot of well-salted water, making sure to keep it quite al dente.

Put butter in a wide deep skillet over medium heat. Add drained pasta to the pan and season with salt, pepper and crushed red pepper, if using.

Add tomato sauce gradually and stir to coat pasta, using only enough sauce for a light coating (you may not need the entire 2 1/2 cups).

Transfer pasta to a warm serving bowl and dot top with spoonfuls of ricotta. Sprinkle lightly with pecorino and garnish with a few torn basil leaves.

QUICK FRESH TOMATO SAUCE

This also comes from David Tanis in The New York Times Cooking e-newsletter. David wrote, “In August and September, when tomatoes are at their ripest, make a batch of fresh tomato sauce. At the market, look for the cracked, slightly bruised tomatoes sold at a discount. The flesh of the tomato should be dense, sweet and blood red. This makes a very fresh- and bright-tasting sauce in a manageable small batch. Take advantage of good tasty tomatoes and fill a few zip-top bags for the freezer.” Time: 30 minutes; makes about 2 1/ 2 cups.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

5 pounds tomatoes

3/4 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1 garlic clove, halved

1 basil sprig

1 bay leaf

Preparation

Cut tomatoes in half horizontally. Squeeze out the seeds and discard, if you wish. Press the cut side of tomato against the large holes of a box grater and grate tomato flesh into a bowl. Discard skins. You should have about 4 cups.

Put tomato pulp in a low wide saucepan over high heat. Add salt, olive oil, tomato paste, garlic, basil and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then lower heat to a brisk simmer.

Reduce the sauce by almost half, stirring occasionally, to produce about 2 1/2 cups medium-thick sauce, 10 to 15 minutes. Taste and adjust salt. It will keep up to 5 days in the refrigerator or may be frozen.

CHICKPEA TACOS

This comes from the March 2008 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 36. It begins, “Turns out, tacos don’t have to be hot to be delicious. The chickpea-avocado mash used as a filling here is prepared and served at room temperature. (It makes a great sandwich spread as well.) Because the fat content of taco shells can vary, look for brands that contain approximately 6 grams or fewer per shell.” Serves 4 in 30 minutes or less.

To view this online, click here.

1 avocado, peeled, pitted, and diced

1 15-oz. can chickpeas, rinsed and drained

3 Tbs. chopped cilantro

4 tsp. fresh lime juice

1 clove garlic, minced (1 tsp.)

8 corn taco shells

2 cups baby salad greens

1 cup prepared salsa (medium or hot)

1/2 cup nondairy sour cream

Place avocado in small bowl, and mash with fork. Stir in chickpeas, cilantro, lime juice, and garlic; season with salt and pepper.

Set taco shells in napkin-lined basket. Place salad greens, salsa, and sour cream in separate bowls, and set out alongside chickpea-avocado mash.

To serve, let each person build their own taco by filling each shell with 1/4 cup chickpea-avocado mash, some greens, salsa, and sour cream.

nutritional information Per Serving (2 tacos): Calories: 402; Protein: 11 g; Total Fat: 19 g; Saturated Fat: 4 g; Carbohydrates: 51 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 800 mg; Fiber: 10 g; Sugar: 2 g; Vegan; Gluten-Free

Thursday, June 23, 2016

Thursday Recipes

Here are today's six vegetarian recipes to help you through the day. Enjoy!

BLACKBERRY-RHUBARB FOOL

This comes from the March 2007 issue of Vegetarian Times, and begins, “Foolishly simple to make, this old-fashioned English dessert marries a fruit purée with whipped cream. To cut down on calories, we folded drained vanilla yogurt into a small amount of real whipped cream.” Serve 6.

To view this online, click here.

3 cups chopped fresh or frozen rhubarb (about 12 oz.)

1 1/2 cups frozen blackberries, divided

1/3 cup sugar

1 Tbs. orange juice

1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon

2 6-oz. containers low-fat vanilla yogurt (1 1/4 cups)

1/3 cup whipping cream

1 Tbs. crushed vanilla wafers

Combine rhubarb, 1 cup berries, sugar, orange juice and cinnamon in saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to medium low, cover, and cook 5 minutes, stirring often. Remove lid and cook 3 to 5 minutes, or until rhubarb is tender and mixture has broken down into a chunky purée, stirring often. Cool completely.

Meanwhile, line sieve or colander with cheesecloth or coffee filters, and set over bowl. Spread yogurt in sieve, and let drain in refrigerator 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or overnight.

Chill mixing bowl and beaters in freezer 1 hour, or overnight. (This will make it easier to whip cream.) Put remaining 1/2 cup blackberries in refrigerator.

Fold yogurt into rhubarb mixture with spatula. Whip cream in chilled bowl with electric mixer until soft peaks form. Fold into rhubarb-yogurt mixture, leaving distinct swirls. Spoon into dessert dishes, and garnish with wafer crumbs and thawed blackberries.

nutritional information Per SERVING: Calories: 157; Protein: 4 g; Total Fat: 6 g; Saturated Fat: 3.5 g; Carbohydrates: 25 g; Sodium: 41 mg; Fiber: 3 g; Sugar: 20 g

PINEAPPLE-COCONUT SORBET

This also comes from the March 2007 issue of Vegetarian Times. It begins, “Desserts don't get faster or easier than this: Frozen fruit plus a food processor equal a refreshing sorbet.” Serves 6 in 30 minutes or less.

To view this online, click here.

1/3 cup coconut chips or flaked coconut, optional

1 16-oz. pkg. unsweetened frozen pineapple chunks (3 cups)

1/3 cup sugar

1/2 cup light unsweetened coconut milk, chilled

2 Tbs. lime juice

Preheat oven to 300°F if using coconut chips. Spread on small baking sheet, and toast 5 to 10 minutes, or until light golden, stirring occasionally. Cool, and store in airtight container.

Pulse pineapple and sugar in food processor until finely chopped. Combine coconut milk and lime juice in small bowl. Pour coconut milk mixture gradually through feed tube, with machine running. Process until smooth and creamy, stopping once or twice to scrape down bowl.

Serve sorbet, garnished with coconut chips if desired. To store, transfer to airtight container, and freeze. Place in refrigerator 30 minutes before serving to soften slightly, or microwave at low (20%) power, 1 to 2 minutes.

nutritional information Per SERVING: Calories: 107; Protein: 1 g; Total Fat: 4 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 19 g; Sodium: 4 mg; Fiber: 1 g; Sugar: 16 g; Vegan

LEMON POTATO SALD WITH MINT

This comes from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Melissa wrote, “This light and refreshing potato salad is the antithesis of the usual, creamy, mayonnaise-based recipes. The mint and scallion add a bright, herbal flavor while the sprinkle of chile lends a kick. Make this the morning you plan to serve it and let it marinate at room temperature all day long. Or refrigerate for longer storage but be sure to bring it to room temperature before serving. Other herbs like cilantro, parsley, tarragon and sage can be substituted for the mint; adjust the quantity to taste.” Yield: 8 servings; Time: 45 minutes.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

2 pounds small waxy white or yellow potatoes, roughly about the same size

Juice of 1 lemon, more for serving

1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, more as needed

1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1/2 cup thinly sliced scallions, white and light green parts, more for serving

1/4 cup torn mint leaves, more for serving

1/4 teaspoon Turkish pepper, more for serving

Preparation

Place whole unpeeled potatoes in a large pot with enough salted water to cover by 1 inch. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook until potatoes are just tender, 15 to 25 minutes depending upon size. Drain and cut potatoes into 1 1/2-inch chunks as soon as you can handle them.

In a bowl, whisk together lemon juice, salt and olive oil.

Transfer hot potatoes to a large bowl and toss with dressing, scallions, mint and Turkish pepper. Let cool to room temperature, or refrigerate until ready to use. Just before serving, top with additional lemon juice, scallions, mint and Turkish pepper.

TOFU WITH HOT CHIPOTLE BARBECUE SAUCE

This comes from Martha Rose Schulman, also in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Martha wrote, “Instead of throwing out the adobo sauce that canned chipotle peppers are packed in, use it for this sauce. You can marinate the tofu in it for an extra-hot dish, or just brush it on cooked or uncooked tofu. This makes enough for a pound of tofu.” Yield: 1/2 cup.

This was featured in “Tofu Dresses To Beat the Heat”, and can also be found by clicking here.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon adobo sauce from canned chipotles

2 teaspoons light or dark brown sugar

Salt to taste

1/4 cup ketchup

2 tablespoons unrefined peanut oil or extra virgin olive oil

1 teaspoon soy sauce

1 to 2 tablespoons water (more to taste)

Preparation

Mix together all of the ingredients. Brush on seared or grilled tofu as soon as it comes off the heat, or onto uncooked slices.

Tip

Advance preparation: This keeps for a week in the refrigerator.

BROCCOLI CHOWDER

From Diabetic Gourmet. Yield: 6 servings, 1 cup each

Source: "The Eating Well Diabetes Cookbook"

Ingredients

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1 large onion, chopped (1-1/2 cups)

1 large carrot, diced (1/2 cup)

2 stalks celery, diced (1/2 cup)

1 large potato, peeled and diced (1-1/2 cups)

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon dry mustard

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

3-1/2 cups vegetable broth (two 14-ounce cans)

8 ounces broccoli crowns, cut into 1-inch pieces, stems and florets separated (3 cups)

1 cup grated reduced-fat Cheddar cheese

1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream

1/8 teaspoon salt, or to taste

Directions

Heat oil in a Dutch oven or large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion, carrot and celery; cook, stirring often, until the onion and celery soften, 5 to 6 minutes. Add potato and garlic; cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Stir in flour, dry mustard and cayenne; cook, stirring often, for 2 minutes. Add broth and broccoli stems; bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to medium. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes. Stir in florets; simmer, covered, until the broccoli is tender, about 10 minutes more.

Transfer 2 cups of the chowder to a bowl and mash; return to the pan. Stir in Cheddar and sour cream; cook over medium heat, stirring, until the cheese is melted and the chowder is heated through. Season with salt.

Nutritional Information Per Serving (1 cup each): Calories: 180, Fat: 8 g, Cholesterol: 15 mg, Carbohydrate: 23 g, Protein: 6 g, Fiber: 4 g, Sodium: 354 mg Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Starch, 1 Vegetable, 1 High-Fat Meat

GEMELLI WITH BLISTERED CHERRY TOMATOES, CHICKPEAS, AND SMOKED PAPRIKA

This recipe comes from the September 2015 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 28, and begins, “For an extra kick of flavor, sprinkle this spicy-smoky dish with quartered Kalamata olives.” Serves 4 in 30 minutes or less.

To view this online, click here.

2 Tbs. olive oil

16 oz. cherry, tear drop, or grape tomatoes (about 3 cups)

1 clove garlic, minced (1 tsp.)

1/2tsp. smoked paprika

1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes

2 Tbs. chopped fresh Italian parsley

1 Tbs. chopped fresh marjoram

1 15-oz. can chickpeas, rinsed and drained

8 oz. gemelli

1 cup crumbled reduced-fat feta cheese, optional

Heat 1 Tbs. oil in large non-stick skillet over high heat. Add tomatoes, and cook 10 minutes, or until tomatoes blister in spots, stirring occasionally. Stir in remaining 1 Tbs. oil, garlic, paprika, and red pepper flakes. Fold in parsley and marjoram, then chickpeas. Remove from heat.

Meanwhile, cook gemelli in large pot of boiling salted water according to package directions. Drain, reserving 3/4 cup cooking liquid.

Add gemelli to tomato-chickpea mixture in skillet, and toss to coat. Mix in enough reserved cooking liquid to moisten. Season with salt and pepper, if desired, and serve sprinkled with feta (if using).

nutritional information Per Per 1 1/2-cup serving: Calories: 393; Protein: 13 g; Total Fat: 10 g; Saturated Fat: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 64 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 248 mg; Fiber: 8 g; Sugar: 8 g

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Wednesday Recipes

Enjoy!

TANGERINE-GLAZED CARROT CAKE

This comes from the March 2007 issue of Vegetarian Times, and begins, “Moist, tender and full of flavor, this carrot cake will fool any egg and dairy eater. Carrot juice makes this batter extra rich and sweet, though you can use 1 cup water instead.” Serves 10.

To view this online, click here.

Carrot Cake

2 cups flour

1 cup sugar

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp. ground ginger

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. baking soda

1 cup raisins

1/2 cup carrot juice

4 oz. (1/2 cup) vegan margarine, cut into small pieces

2 cups grated carrots (about 4 medium carrots)

Tangerine Glaze

2 cups confectioners’ sugar

1/4 cup tangerine juice

To make Carrot Cake: Preheat oven to 350F. Spray 10-cup Bundt pan with nonstick cooking spray.

Stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, salt and baking soda in large bowl. Bring raisins, carrot juice and 1/2 cup water to a boil in medium-size pot. Remove from heat, and stir in margarine until melted. Pour carrot juice mixture into flour mixture, and stir to combine. Fold in grated carrots.

Pour batter into prepared Bundt pan, and bake 40 to 45 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes in pan. Unmold onto wire rack.

To make Tangerine Glaze: Whisk together sugar and tangerine juice until smooth. Pour over cake while still warm. Cool cake completely before slicing and serving.

nutritional information Per SERVING: Calories: 367; Protein: 3 g; Total Fat: 9 g; Saturated Fat: 4 g; Carbohydrates: 73 g; Sodium: 268 mg; Fiber: 2 g; Sugar: 50 g; Vegan

UPSIDE-DOWN PEAR GINGERBREAD

This also comes from the March 2007 issue of Vegetarian Times, and begins, “This glistening cake gets its rich taste from spices and applesauce instead of butter.” Serves 12.

To view this online, click here.

Gingerbread

1 Tbs. unsalted butter, melted

3/4 cup whole-wheat pastry flour

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

2 tsp. ground ginger

1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

1 large egg

1/3 cup sugar

1/3 cup molasses

1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce

1/4 cup canola oil

1/3 cup plain low-fat yogurt

Pear Topping

1/4 cup packed light brown sugar

1/4 cup chopped walnuts

3 pears, peeled, cored and thinly sliced lengthwise

Preheat oven to 350F. Brush 10-inch cast-iron skillet or 8×8-inch glass baking dish with butter.

To make Gingerbread: Whisk flours, ginger, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda and salt in medium bowl. Beat egg, sugar and molasses with electric mixer 3 minutes. Add applesauce and oil, and beat until blended. Fold in flour mixture and yogurt.

To make Pear Topping: Press brown sugar over bottom of prepared skillet. Sprinkle with nuts. Arrange pear slices in circles over nuts. Pour batter over pears.

Bake 35 to 40 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Loosen edges with knife. Invert cake onto platter.

nutritional information Per SERVING: Calories: 221; Protein: 3 g; Total Fat: 8 g; Saturated Fat: 1.5 g; Carbohydrates: 37 g; Cholesterol: 21 mg; Sodium: 138 mg; Fiber: 3 g; Sugar: 20 g

SPINACH, PEPPERS, AND CHERRY TOMATOES WITH PENNE RIGATE

This comes from page 28 of the November 2013 issue of Vegetarian Times, and begins, “Fresh cherry tomatoes and spinach add bright color, flavor, and body to this Mediterranean-style dish.” Serves 4 in 30 minutes or less.

To view this online, click here.

2 1/2 cups penne rigate pasta (6 oz.)

1 Tbs. olive oil

2 cloves garlic, minced (2 tsp.)

1 12-oz. jar roasted red peppers, rinsed, drained, patted dry, and sliced

10 oz. cherry tomatoes, halved (2 cups)

4 cups packed baby spinach leaves (8 oz.)

1/4 cup chopped pitted kalamata olives

1 Tbs. finely chopped fresh oregano

1 1/2 tsp. grated lemon zest

1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

Prepare pasta according to package directions. Drain, and reserve 1/2 cup pasta-cooking water.

Meanwhile, heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add garlic, and cook 1 minute, stirring frequently, or until lightly browned.

Increase heat to high. Add roasted peppers, and cook 3 to 4 minutes, or until lightly browned, stirring occasionally.

Add tomatoes, spinach, olives, oregano, lemon zest, and pepper. Cook 4 to 6 minutes, or until tomatoes soften and spinach wilts, stirring frequently. Add pasta and reserved pasta-cooking water; cover, and cook 3 minutes more, or until heated through.

nutritional information Per 1 1/2-cup serving: Calories: 266; Protein: 8 g; Total Fat: 6 g; Saturated Fat: less than 1 g; Carbohydrates: 46 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 340 mg; Fiber: 7 g; Sugar: 4 g; Vegan

GARLIC SOUP

This is from Martha Rose Schulman in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Martha wrote, “This garlic soup, which is based on a Provençal recipe, requires a minimal number of the staples that I always have on hand. It calls for garlic; eggs; some sort of pasta; a green vegetable that can be as simple as the limp bunch of broccoli in my crisper or, as I use in this recipe, frozen peas; and Parmesan or Gruyère for the garnish.” Yield: 4 servings; Time: 30 minutes.

This was featured in Garlic Soup That’s in a Rush, and can also be found online at http://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1017705-garlic-soup.

Ingredients

4 garlic cloves, minced, plus 1 garlic clove, cut in half

Salt to taste (about 2 teaspoons)

1 bay leaf

1/4 teaspoon dried thyme, or a few sprigs fresh thyme

1/2 cup pasta, such as elbow macaroni, orecchiette or fusilli

1 cup frozen peas

4 slices country-style bread, cut in half, or 8 slices baguette, lightly toasted

2 large eggs, beaten

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

Ground pepper to taste

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

2 to 3 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan or Gruyère cheese

Preparation

Bring 6 1/2 cups water to a boil in a 3- or 4-quart saucepan. Add minced garlic, salt, bay leaf and thyme. Cover and simmer 15 minutes. Taste and adjust salt. Remove bay leaf, and fresh thyme sprigs, if using. (Dried thyme will be difficult to remove.)

Add pasta to pot. Stir, cover and simmer until al dente, about 5 to 10 minutes, depending on pasta type. Stir from time to time so that pasta doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pot. Add peas and simmer 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, rub toasted bread slices with cut garlic clove and place 2 pieces in each bowl.

Beat together eggs and olive oil. Temper the egg: Spoon 2 ladlefuls of the hot soup into eggs and stir together.

Turn off heat under soup and slowly stir in tempered egg mixture. Add pepper and parsley. Ladle soup into bowls over bread, sprinkle cheese over the top and serve.

ROASTED VEGETABLES

This is from Melissa Clark, also in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Melissa wrote, “The key to roasting all kinds of vegetables is to know the right temperature for cooking them. Dense, low-moisture vegetables (like the roots and squashes in this recipe) need lower heat and more time in the oven than vegetables with more moisture, like eggplant or zucchini. Then simply toss your vegetables with oil and season with salt and pepper before roasting. Top your roasted vegetable with a couple of fried eggs or a dollop of yogurt, or both, and you have a meal.” Yield: 4 to 6 servings; Time: 30 minutes to 1 hour.

This was featured in 5 Easy Meals for the Distracted Cook, and can also be viewed by clicking here.

Ingredients

2 to 3 pounds root or dense vegetable, peeled if you like and cut into 1-inch chunks or wedges (carrots, beets, potatoes, sweet potatoes, turnips, radishes, rutabaga, winter squashes)

Oil (olive, coconut or grapeseed)

Salt and pepper

Fried eggs and/or plain yogurt

Fresh herbs, torn or chopped
Preparation

Heat oven to 425 degrees. Toss vegetables with oil, salt, and pepper. Roast, stirring at least once or twice during roasting for even cooking and browning.

Serve with fried eggs and/or yogurt, ground black pepper and plenty of torn herbs on top.

Tips

You can use 2 pounds high-moisture vegetables instead (eggplant, peppers, zucchini, fennel, onions, brussels sprouts). Slice them and cut into chunks or wedges. Roast at 450 degrees until golden brown all over, 10 to 40 minutes depending on variety and the size of the pieces.

Or use 1 to 2 pounds hardy green vegetables (broccoli rabe, snow peas, green beans, kale, collard greens, chard) or cherry tomatoes, trimmed. Roast at 450 degrees for 7 to 15 minutes.

INDONESIAN TOFU AND VEGETABLE STEW

This recipe begins, “With a light coconut lime flavor, this recipe features green beans, bell peppers and zucchini. If you have other fresh veggies on hand, then you can add them as well.”

Yield: 8 servings.

Serving Size: 1 cup

Source: Patricia Chuey, RD

View online with photo: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/1251.shtml

Ingredients

1 Tbsp freshly grated ginger

Juice of one medium sized lime

1 1/2 Tbsp canola oil, divided

1 (12 oz) block of firm or extra firm tofu, diced into cubes

1 large onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp ground coriander

1/4 tsp ground cloves

1 cup sodium-reduced vegetable or chicken broth

1 cup light coconut milk

2 cups green beans, cut in 2 inch pieces

1 red bell pepper, diced

1 medium zucchini, diced

2 Tbsp fresh cilantro

Directions

In a bowl, marinate tofu with the ginger, lime juice and 1/2 Tbsp canola oil. Toss well to coat. This can be done about 30 minutes ahead of time and up to overnight in the refrigerator.

In a large saucepan, no lid required heat remaining 1 Tbsp canola oil. Add onion and cook for about 6 minutes or until softened and slightly browned. Add garlic, cumin, coriander and cloves and stir for 2 minutes.

To saucepan, add stock and coconut milk. Simmer, uncovered, for about 10 minutes until slightly thickened.

Add green beans, bell pepper and zucchini and cook for about 10 minutes more or until vegetables are tender. Add marinated tofu and cook an additional 5 minutes. Garnish with cilantro. Serve over steamed brown rice or quinoa, if desired.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 120; Protein: 5 g; Fat: 8 g; Sodium: 290 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Saturated Fat: 2 g; Dietary Fiber: 3 g; Carbohydrates: 8 g

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

Tuesday Recipes

Here are today's six vegetarian recipes to try. Enjoy!

ROASTED MAPLE PECANS

This comes from the January 2006 issue of Vegetarian Times, and begins, “You can nibble on these crunchy sweet pecans out of hand, or sprinkle them on just about any dessert you can think of. Try them on baked apples or with fresh pears or as a topping for frozen soy desserts. The nuts will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 weeks.” Serves 6.

To view this online, click here.

1 cup pecans, coarsely chopped

2 Tbs. maple syrup

2 Tbs. evaporated cane sugar or maple sugar

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350F.

Combine all ingredients in small bowl, and toss to coat. Spread pecans on parchment- or foil-covered baking sheet. Bake 20 to 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes, until sugar is caramelized. Set pan on wire rack, and let cool 10 minutes. Break apart any nuts that have stuck together, and serve.

nutritional information Per SERVING: Calories: 153; Protein: 2 g; Total Fat: 13 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 10 g; Sodium: 1 mg; Fiber: 2 g; Sugar: 7 g; Vegan

PEAR-BERRY CLAFOUTI

This is also from the January 2006 issue of Vegetarian Times, and begins, “Clafoutis were invented by the French as a way to use up leftover crêpe batter, but the rich, creamy results are so delicious that these fruit-filled desserts have become a favorite all on their own. Pears usually arrive at the market underripe, so it’s best to buy them a few days before you need them, and let them ripen in a sealed paper bag. They’re ripe when the stem end yields to slight pressure (pear will still be firm).” Serves 8.

To view this online, click here.

2 Tbs. plus 1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

4 large eggs

1 cup low-fat milk or plain soymilk

1 Tbs. unsalted butter or soy margarine, melted

2 tsp. grated lemon zest

1 tsp. vanilla extract

2 ripe but firm Anjou pears, peeled, cored and thinly sliced

1 cup fresh or frozen unsweetened raspberries

Confectioners’ sugar for dusting

Preheat oven to 400F. Coat a 9 1/2-inch round deep-dish pie pan or 6-cup gratin dish with cooking spray. Sprinkle with 1 Tbs. sugar, tilting pan to coat. Whisk together 1/2 cup sugar, flour, eggs, milk, butter, lemon zest and vanilla in large bowl.

Arrange pear slices in prepared pan. Scatter raspberries over top. Pour batter over fruit. Sprinkle remaining 1 Tbs. sugar over batter.

Bake 40 to 50 minutes, or until clafouti is puffed and firm to touch. Let cool slightly. Dust top of clafouti with confectioners’ sugar, and serve warm or at room temperature.

nutritional information Per SERVING: Calories: 197; Protein: 5 g; Total Fat: 5 g; Saturated Fat: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 34 g; Cholesterol: 112 mg; Sodium: 63 mg; Fiber: 3 g; Sugar: 25 g

THREE SISTERS STEW

This comes from the September 2004 issue of Vegetarian Times, and begins, “The three sisters—corn, squash and beans—merge into a delicious stew. The stew should be thick, but you may need to thin it slightly with vegetable stock or water. Recipe courtesy of Michelle Emond, a PhD student at Stanford University.” Serves 6.

To view this online, click here.

1 Tbs. olive oil or canola oil

1 large onion, sliced

1 clove garlic, chopped

1 jalapeño chile, seeded and minced

1 lb. medium-sized yellow summer squash, 3/4-inch-thick slices

2 medium-sized zucchini, cut into 1-inch chunks

1 large butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut into 3/4-inch chunks

1 lb. green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces

1 cup corn kernels, preferably fresh

2 16-oz. cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed

1 cup vegetable stock or water

1 Tbs. fresh thyme leaves

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Heat the oil in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic and jalapeño, and sauté until the onion is tender and translucent, for about 5 minutes.

Stir in all the remaining ingredients except the thyme, salt and pepper, and bring to a boil.

Reduce the heat to low, and cook, covered, over low heat for 15 to 25 minutes, or until all the vegetables are tender.

Add the thyme leaves during the last 5 minutes of cooking. Add the salt and pepper to taste, stirring them in well, and serve the stew warm.

nutritional information Per SERVING: Calories: 330; Protein: 17 g; Total Fat: 4 g; Carbohydrates: 65 g; Sodium: 140 mg; Fiber: 20 g; Sugar: 11 g; Vegan

ITALIAN DIJON GREEN BEANS

This also comes from the September 2004 issue of Vegetarian Times, and begins, “A stylish dish, this vegetable accompaniment combines Italian, French and Asian influences and flavors. It would make a refreshing and light first course for an end-of-summer meal, or the perfect luncheon dish if served with a rich soup and hot biscuits or warmed French bread. Recipe courtesy of Karen Zack, a private plot holder at the Stanford garden.” Serves 4.

To view this online, click here.

1 lb. fresh green beans, washed and ends trimmed

2 Tbs. olive oil

2 tsp. country-style Dijon mustard

1/2 tsp. dried oregano or Italian spice blend

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

2 Tbs. sesame seeds

Layer the beans in a steamer basket over boiling water. Cover and steam until bright green but still very crisp, for 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the heat, and drain.

Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the beans until crisp-tender, for about 2 minutes, tossing them gently with tongs.

Combine the mustard and oregano in a separate mixing bowl. Add the beans, and toss them in the mixture, stirring until coated. Add the salt and pepper, sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve.

nutritional information Per SERVING: Calories: 130; Protein: 4 g; Total Fat: 10 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 10 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 65 mg; Fiber: 4 g; Sugar: 2 g; Vegan

BLACK BEAN AND EDAMAME SLIDERS

This comes from page 65 of the March 2011 issue of Vegetarian Times, and begins, “Here’s the veg answer to Sloppy Joes—edamame lightens up a black bean mixture to keep these sliders from tasting too dense.” Makes 12 sliders in 30 minutes of less.
,br />To view this online, click here.

1 cup frozen shelled edamame

1 clove garlic

1 1/2 cups cooked black beans, or 1 15-oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained

1 chipotle chile in adobo sauce, drained and minced

1/4 cup coarsely chopped cilantro

3/4 cup plus 1 Tbs. prepared fat-free barbecue sauce, divided

1 1/2 tsp. ground cumin

1/4 tsp. salt

1 tsp. olive oil

12 small whole-wheat dinner rolls, split like buns

4 oz. reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese, cut into 12 slices

Bring small pot of water to a boil. Add edamame, and cook 10 minutes. Drain.

Process garlic in food processor until minced. Add edamame, black beans, chipotle chile, cilantro, 1 Tbs. barbecue sauce, cumin, and salt. Process until mixture forms coarse paste.

Heat oil in saucepan over medium-low heat. Add edamame mixture, and heat until hot, stirring occasionally.

Spoon 1 Tbs. barbecue sauce onto each bottom bun. Top with bean mixture, cheese, and top buns.

nutritional information Per Slider: Calories: 329; Protein: 16 g; Total Fat: 9 g; Saturated Fat: 3 g; Carbohydrates: 51 g; Cholesterol: 14 mg; Sodium: 815 mg; Fiber: 11 g; Sugar: 12 g

QUINOA AND VEGETABLE STUFFED PEPPERS

This comes from Rachel Ray, star of The Food Network’s Rachael Ray’s Week In A Day. Total Time: 1 hr 10 min; Prep: 25 min; Cook: 45 min; Yield: 6 servings; Level: Easy

Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/quinoa-and-vegetable-stuffed-peppers-recipe.html?oc=linkback

Ingredients

1 cup quinoa

2 cups chicken or vegetable stock

6 small bell peppers, mixed colors, seeded and halved

3 tablespoons EVOO, plus extra for drizzling

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

1 small firm eggplant, trimmed of half the skin, chopped

1 small to medium firm zucchini, seeded and chopped

1 red onion, chopped

1 fresh chile pepper, such as Fresno, thinly sliced, or 1 teaspoon dried crushed pepper

1/2 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, chopped

1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, a handful, chopped

2 plum tomatoes, chopped

1 cup crumbled feta or ricotta salata cheese

Directions

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.

Bring the quinoa and stock to a boil. Cover and simmer until the liquid is absorbed and the grain looks translucent, 12 to 15 minutes. Then fluff with a fork. You will have about 4 cups of cooked grain.

Drizzle the bell pepper halves with EVOO and season both sides with salt and pepper. Roast cut-side down until the skins begin to char and the peppers are just tender, about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool to room temp, then arrange in a baking dish cut-side up.

Meanwhile, heat 3 tablespoons EVOO, 3 turns of the pan, over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, eggplant, zucchini, onions and chiles, and season with salt and pepper. Cook partially covered to tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Add the herbs and tomatoes, and combine with the quinoa.

Fill the pepper halves with the quinoa and vegetable stuffing and drizzle with EVOO. Cool and chill for a make-ahead meal. To serve, roast in a 375 degree F oven until the peppers are hot through. Serve the pepper halves topped with lots of cheese crumbles.

Monday, June 20, 2016

Monday Recipes

Enjoy!

CREAMY CAULIFLOWER MAC

This is from Mark Bittman in the March 2011 issue of Runner's World, page 40, and posted on the Runner's World website February 9, 2011. Mark wrote, "Instead of using high-fat butter and cream, Bittman makes his healthier mac and cheese with pureed cauliflower, chicken stock, and a moderate amount of cheese." Serves 4.

To view this online, click here.

2 1/2 cups vegetable or chicken stock

2 bay leaves

1 cauliflower, cored and cut into large pieces

8 ounces whole-wheat elbow macaroni

1/2 cup grated cheese (such as sharp cheddar, Gruyere, or Emmental, or a combination)

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

Salt and black pepper

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 cup whole-grain bread crumbs

Heat oven to 400° F. Boil a pot of salted water.

In a saucepan, warm stock and bay leaves on medium-low heat for five minutes; turn off heat.

Cook cauliflower in boiling water for 25 minutes. Put cauliflower in a food processor.

Cook pasta in boiling water for five minutes. Drain and rinse to cool; put pasta in a greased, nine-inch square baking dish.

Process cauliflower with stock (discard bay leaves), cheese, oil, mustard, nutmeg, salt, and pepper, working in batches.

Pour sauce over pasta, toss, and spread evenly in dish. Top with Parmesan and bread crumbs. Bake 20 minutes. Serves four.

CALORIES PER SERVING: 420; CARBS: 57 G; PROTEIN: 20 G; FAT: 15 G

WHOLE WHEAT PIZZA CRUST

This comes from the May 2004 issue of Vegetarian Times. Makes 2 Large or 4 Small Crusts.

To view this online, click here.

1 Tbs. active dry yeast

1 1/2 cups warm water

2 Tbs. olive oil

1 1/2 tsp. salt

2 cups whole wheat flour

1 1/2 to 2 cups bread flour

Mix yeast with 1/2 cup warm water in a small bowl, and set aside until yeast begins to foam, for 5 to 10 minutes.

Add remaining water, olive oil and salt, and stir to combine. Using a portable or standing mixer, add flour by cupfuls until a sticky dough comes together. Knead by machine, or put dough on lightly floured work surface and knead by hand for 5 minutes, or until dough is smooth and elastic. Put dough in a bowl, cover with a clean towel and let rise in a warm place for 1 to 11/2 hours, or until doubled.

Punch dough down, and form into equal-sized balls for 2 large or 4 small pizzas. Spray pizza pans or baking sheets with nonstick cooking spray, or rub with olive oil. Let dough rest for 30 minutes, shape into pizza crusts and place in pans or on sheets.

nutritional information Per Serving: Calories: 150; Protein: 5 g; Total Fat: 3 g; Carbohydrates: 27 g; Sodium: 290 mg; Fiber: 3 g

SOUTHWESTERN PIZZA

This also comes from the May 2004 issue of Vegetarian Times. It begins, "This zesty pie captures the beloved flavors of the Southwest." Servies 6.

To view this online, click here.

1 12- to 14-inch pizza crust

1 Tbs. vegetable oil

6 oz. taco-seasoned soy “ground meat”

5 fresh tomatillos, thinly sliced

1 cups salsa, or more as desired

1 2 1/4-oz. can sliced black olives, drained

8 oz. shredded cheddar cheese

1 avocado, peeled and sliced, for garnish

1/4 cup cilantro leaves for garnish

1/4 cup crumbled taco chips for garnish

Preheat oven to 450F. Prebake fresh pizza crust, if using, for 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from oven, and set aside to cool slightly.

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium heat, and saut8E “ground meat” for about 1 minute. Set aside.

Layer tomatillo slices on crust, and top with “ground meat.” Add salsa, olives and cheddar cheese, spreading evenly.

Bake for 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from oven, garnish with avocado slices, cilantro leaves and taco chips and serve.

nutritional information Per Serving: Calories: 470; Protein: 22 g; Total Fat: 26 g; Saturated Fat: 10 g; Carbohydrates: 42 g; Cholesterol: 40 mg; Sodium: 940 mg; Fiber: 9 g; Sugar: 4 g

PIZZA MARGHERITA

This is also from the May 2004 issue of Vegetarian Times. It begins, "This versatile pie originated in Naples in the 1800s. Tradition has it that a local pizza baker was commissioned to create a special pizza to honor visiting Italian royalty, King Umberto and his Queen Margherita. Hence, this pie." Serves 6.

To view this online, click here.

1 Tbs. olive oil, optional

1 tsp. minced garlic

1 cup basil-flavored tomato or pizza sauce

4 plum tomatoes, cored, seeded and diced

1/4 cup shredded fresh basil plus extra leaves for garnish

2 cups shredded low-fat, regular or soy mozzarella

3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 450F. Prebake fresh pizza crust, if using, for 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from oven, and set aside to cool slightly.

Brush crust with olive oil, if using. Sprinkle with garlic, and spread sauce evenly over top.

Top with diced tomatoes, shredded basil and mozzarella. Sprinkle with 1DA2 cup Parmesan.

Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until cheese melts. Remove from oven, garnish with basil leaves and remaining Parmesan and serve.

nutritional information Per Serving: Calories: 340; Protein: 20 g; Total Fat: 14 g; Saturated Fat: 7 g; Carbohydrates: 34 g; Cholesterol: 30 mg; Sodium: 770 mg; Fiber: 4 g; Sugar: 3 g

PIZZA PROVENCAL

This is also from the May 2004 issue of Vegetarian Times, and begins, "This pie brings together the robust and sunny flavors of the south of France. For an injection of gusto, add garlic to taste." Serves 6.

To view this online, click here.

1 12- to 14-inch pizza crust

2 Tbs. olive oil

1/2 cup chopped onion

1 small Italian eggplant, skin removed and sliced into 1/2-inch-thick slices

2 tomatoes, cored and chopped

1/2 cup green beans, cut into 1- to 2-inch-long pieces

1 Tbs. balsamic vinegar

10 to 15 pitted black olives

2 Tbs. capers, drained

1 tsp. fresh thyme (or 1/2 tsp. dried)

1 Tbs. fresh basil, shredded

8 oz. shredded low-fat, regular or soy mozzarella cheese

Preheat oven to 450F. Prebake fresh pizza crust, if using, for 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from oven, and set aside to cool slightly.

Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat, and saut8E onions for 3 to 4 minutes. Add eggplant, cover and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, turning occasionally. Add tomatoes and green beans, cover and stir occasionally for another 3 to 4 minutes. Add balsamic vinegar, olives, capers and herbs. Stir, and remove from heat.

Spread vegetable mixture over pizza crust, and top with cheese.

Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until cheese melts thoroughly. Remove from oven, and serve.

nutritional information Per Serving: Calories: 340; Protein: 16 g; Total Fat: 15 g; Saturated Fat: 5 g; Carbohydrates: 36 g; Cholesterol: 20 mg; Sodium: 620 mg; Fiber: 4 g; Sugar: 4 g

WARM BUTTERSCOTCH-BANANA PUDDING

This is from the September 2003 issue of Vegetarian Times, and begins, “This luscious, rich-tasting pudding contains bits of melted butterscotch, giving added texture to the dessert. Note that it thickens as it cools, and is equally good thoroughly chilled or still warm.” Serves 5 to 6 in 30 minutes or less.

To view this online, click here.

2 1/2 cups vanilla soymilk

1/4 cup cornstarch

1/4 cup instant tapioca pearls

2 bananas, peeled and sliced

1 Tbs. vanilla extract

1 cup butterscotch chips

3 Tbs. brown sugar

Mix 1 cup soymilk with cornstarch and tapioca pearls, and set aside. Place banana slices into 11/2-qt. dish. Set aside.

Heat remaining 11/2 cups soymilk over medium heat, and stir in cornstarch-tapioca mixture, vanilla extract, butterscotch chips and brown sugar. Continue cooking and stirring until mixture thickens, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat, and pour over bananas. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

nutritional information Per Serving: Calories: 300; Protein: 4 g; Total Fat: 10 g; Saturated Fat: 7 g; Carbohydrates: 49 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 70 mg; Fiber: 1 g; Sugar: 14 g; Vegan