Vegetarian Delights: A Confessions of a Foodie Offspring

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Tuesday, June 29, 2021

Double-Post Tuesday

Besides being Taco Tuesday, it's also Double-Post Tuesday (because not everyone loves tacos; shocking, isn't it?). Today's offerings include Crock Pot Broccoli & Rice Casserole and Stuffed Grape Leaves Casserole. Enjoy!

CORN BREAD APPLESAUCE MUFFINS

Yield: 8 servings

Source: The New American Heart Association Cookbook

View online: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/545.shtml

Ingredients

Vegetable oil spray

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup coarse yellow cornmeal

1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup fat-free milk

Egg substitute equivalent to 1 egg or 1 egg

2 tablespoons honey

2 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce

Directions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Lightly spray eight muffin cups with vegetable oil spray.

Combine flour, cornmeal, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl, stirring well.

Beat remaining ingredients in a small bowl.

Make a well in cornmeal mixture. Pour milk mixture into well, stirring just until moistened. Fill muffin cups two-thirds full with batter.

Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until a cake tester or toothpick inserted in center of muffins comes out clean.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 86; Protein: 3 g; Fat: 1 g; Sodium: 189 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Dietary Fiber: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 18 g; Exchanges: 1 Bread/Starch

STUFFED GRAPE LEAVES CASSEROLE

This comes from the January/February 2012 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 51. It begins, “If you like stuffed grape leaves, you’ll love this casserole, which has all the flavors of the bite-size appetizers without all the rolling. You don’t have to parboil jarred grape leaves, but a quick dip in boiling water tenderizes them and removes some of their saltiness.” Serves 8.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

30 jarred or fresh grape leaves

2 Tbs. olive oil, plus more for brushing top of casserole and casserole dish

1 large onion, finely diced (2 cups)

1 cup brown rice

2 cups low-sodium tomato juice or vegetable juice

1 cup chopped unsalted, hulled pistachios

1 cup chopped fresh parsley

1 cup chopped fresh mint

1 cup raisins or dried currants

1/4 cup lemon juice

1 lemon, sliced, for garnish

Pomegranate molasses, for drizzling, optional

Directions

Dip grape leaves in large pot of boiling water 2 minutes. Drain, and set aside.

Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, and sauté 7 to 10 minutes, or until beginning to brown. Add rice and 21/2 cups water, and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook 30 to 40 minutes, or until liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat, and stir in tomato juice, pistachios, parsley, mint, raisins, and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper, if desired. (Mixture will be very wet.)

Preheat oven to 350°F. Brush 2-qt. baking dish with olive oil. Pat grape leaves dry. Line bottom and sides of baking dish with grape leaves, allowing leaves to hang over sides. Spread half of rice mixture over grape leaves. Top rice with more grape leaves, then top with remaining rice mixture. Cover casserole with remaining grape leaves, and seal by folding over grape leaves around edges. Brush top with olive oil. Bake 30 to 40 minutes, or until grape leaves on top darken and casserole looks firm and dry.

Dip knife in cold water. Cut straight down with tip of knife to make 8 servings, then remove servings with spatula. Garnish with lemon slices, and drizzle with pomegranate molasses (if using).

nutritional information Per 1 1/2-cup serving: Calories: 341; Protein: 8 g; Total Fat: 15 g; Saturated Fat: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 48 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 408 mg; Fiber: 6 g; Sugar: 17 g; Vegan; Gluten-Free

CRANBERRY-CHERRY LATTICE PIE

This is from the November/December 2007 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 67. It begins, “Because cranberries are naturally high in pectin, the fruit fiber that sets jams and jellies, there's no need to add a thickener to this filling. If you prefer a sweeter dessert, use refrigerated sugar cookie dough to craft the crust and lattice top.” Serves 8.

To view this online, go to http://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipe/cranberry-cherry-lattice-pie/.

Ingredients

3 cups fresh cranberries, divided

1 1/2 cups sugar, plus extra for sprinkling, divided

1 medium orange, for zest and juice (1 tsp. grated zest; 1/3 cup juice)

1 cup dried sweet cherries

Refrigerated pastry for 2-crust pie (plain or whole wheat), or double recipe Perfect Every Time Piecrust (recipe follows this one)

Directions

Preheat oven to 375°F. Line baking sheet with foil, and coat 9-inch pie dish with cooking spray.

Place 1 1/2 cups cranberries, 1/2 cup sugar, orange zest, and cherries in food processor, and pulse until berries are coarsely chopped. Transfer to bowl, and stir in remaining 1 1/2 cups cranberries, remaining 1 cup sugar, and orange juice.

Roll 1 piecrust into 10-inch disc. Press into prepared pan. Spoon in cranberry mixture, and brush edges with water.

Roll second piecrust into 10-inch disc. Cut dough into 1-inch-wide strips using knife or fluted pastry wheel. Lay strips in lattice pattern over top of pie, pressing edges to seal. Trim off any excess from strips. Sprinkle lattice with sugar, and bake on prepared baking sheet 55 minutes, or until filling is bubbly and crust is golden. Cool on wire rack.

nutritional information Per Slice: Calories: 356; Protein: 7 g; Total Fat: 1.5 g; Saturated Fat: 0 g; Carbohydrates: 79 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 155 mg; Fiber: 5 g; Sugar: 53 g

PERFECT EVERY TIME PIECRUST

This is also from the November/December 2007 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 71. It begins, “For a vegan variation on this crust, omit egg and use 1/4 cup plus 2 Tbs. Water.” Serves 8 (makes 1 9-inch crust)

To view this online, go to http://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipe/perfect-every-time-piecrust/.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 Tbs. sugar

1/2 tsp. salt

1 stick (1/2 cup) cold unsalted butter, or nonhydrogenated vegetable shortening, cut into small pieces

1 egg yolk, optional

Directions

Pulse flour, sugar, and salt in food processor several times to combine. Add butter, and pulse 5 times, or until mixture resembles coarse sand.

Beat egg yolk and 1/4 cup ice water in bowl with fork. Add liquid to flour mixture in food processor. Pulse until dough just comes together. Transfer to large piece of plastic wrap or wax paper and press into flat disk. Wrap tightly, and chill 1 hour, or overnight. Roll out to desired size on well-floured work surface and bake according to recipe directions.

nutritional information Per SERVING: Calories: 382; Protein: 4 g; Total Fat: 31 g; Saturated Fat: 19.5 g; Carbohydrates: 24 g;Cholesterol: 114 mg; Sodium: 199 mg; Fiber: 1 g; Sugar: 3 g

HOUSEMAN'S ROASTED-SQUASH SALAD

This comes from Sam Sifton on The New York Times' Cooking newsletter. (Note: If you haven't signed up for their newsletter, I highly recommend it. Seriously.) This recipe begins, “At Houseman, the restaurant Ned Baldwin and Adam Baumgart opened in the Hudson Square neighborhood of Manhattan in 2014, you’ll find this astonishing salad made with red kabocha squash. But the more easily found green kabocha works beautifully in the recipe, as does buttercup squash and sugar pumpkin. For the dressing, some confidence is required. What seems an enormous amount of dried spices — ground fennel, sumac and coriander — is combined with chopped parsley and cilantro. The result looks dry and grainy, as if something is wrong. But olive oil, lime juice and white-wine vinegar (best available, please!) begin to smooth things out, and the cheese, pistachios and vinegar-plumped currants finish the job. The combination makes a fine vegetarian main-course lunch or dinner, particularly paired with braised greens and good bread.” Time: 30 minutes, plus macerating; Makes 4 to 6 servings

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

5 tablespoons dried currants

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons white-wine vinegar

1 kabocha squash, approximately 3 to 4 pounds

Approximately 3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1/2 tablespoon kosher salt

1 tablespoon plus 3/4 teaspoon ground fennel seed

1 tablespoon plus 3/4 teaspoon ground sumac

1 tablespoon plus 3/4 teaspoon ground coriander

1/2 cup chopped parsley, packed

1/2 cup chopped cilantro, packed

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice, approximately 3 to 4 limes

1/2 cup pistachios, toasted and chopped

1/2 cup firm feta cheese, diced

Preparation

Put the currants in a small bowl, and pour the white-wine vinegar over them. Allow them to macerate for several hours or overnight, though in a pinch you can allow them to plump up while you prepare the squash. Heat oven to 450.

Cut the squash in half, scoop out the seeds, peel both halves (if you like: the skin of the kabocha squash is edible) and slice the squash into 1/4-inch half moons. Dress the squash lightly with 1 to 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, and season with the salt. Place the squash on a parchment-lined sheet pan, and roast until soft and caramelized, approximately 15 to 20 minutes, turning the pieces once or twice during the process. Remove the squash from the oven, and set aside to cool.

Meanwhile, in a medium-size bowl, combine the fennel seed, sumac and coriander, then add the parsley and cilantro, and stir to combine. Add 1/3 cup olive oil, and stir to combine. You want a wet mixture and may need to add a couple of extra tablespoons of oil to get it.

Drain the currants, reserving the vinegar, and add them to the green sauce. Add the lime juice, pistachios, cheese, 6 tablespoons olive oil and 5 teaspoons vinegar from the pickled currants to the green sauce. Taste, and add more lime juice or vinegar if you like, along with a spray of salt.

Place squash on a warm platter, and spoon the dressing over the top.

CROCK POT BROCCOLI & RICE CASSEROLE

This came from a long-since-forgotten-emailing-list.

Ingredients

1 small onion, diced

1/4 c. butter, melted

2 c. quick cooking rice

2 c. water

1 (10 oz.) can cream of mushroom soup

1/2 tsp. salt

Pepper to taste

1 (5 oz.) jar sharp cheese spread

2 (10 oz.) pkgs. frozen chopped broccoli, partially thawed

1/4 lb. Velveeta cheese

Corn flake crumbs, browned in butter (opt.)

Directions

Combine all ingredients except corn flake crumbs in crock pot. Stir thoroughly. Cover. Cook low 7 to 10 hours or high 2 to 3 hours. Just before serving, sprinkle crumbs over top. If crock pot comes out of your crock pot, brown under broiler for extra crispness. I double this in my large crock pot. Great for pot luck.

Taco Tuesday

It's time for another Taco Tuesday. Today's offerings include Spicy Pumpkin Burritos and Soft Veggie Tacos with Jack Cheese. Enjoy!

GRILLED MEDITERRANEAN VEGETABLE TACOS

This comes from Old El Paso, and begins, "These veggie-loaded taco bowls are packed with creamy hummus and grilled garden bounty, then topped with bright, fresh Mediterranean flavors for a meal that’s perfect for a summertime meatless Monday."

Prep Time: 40 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Makes 8 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/grilled-mediterranean-vegetable-tacos.

Ingredients

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

2 medium zucchini, cut into 1/4-inch horizontal slices

2 medium yellow summer squash, cut into 1/4-inch horizontal slices

1 large red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch wide strips

1/4 medium red onion, peeled and cut into 4 wedges

1 container (10 oz) classic chickpea hummus

1 package (8 count) Old El Paso™ Soft Tortilla Bowls, heated as directed on package

2 cups mixed greens

1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

1/2 cup diced fresh tomato

2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil leaves

Preparation

Heat gas or charcoal grill. In large bowl, mix oil, salt and pepper. Add zucchini, squash, bell pepper and onion; gently turn to coat.

Place vegetables in single layer on grill over medium heat (350°F to 400°F). Cover grill; cook 8 to 12 minutes, working in batches as necessary, turning once, until grill marks appear and vegetables are just crisp-tender. Set aside.

Divide hummus among heated tortilla bowls; top with mixed greens, grilled vegetables and cheese. Top with tomato and basil.

Expert Tips

Cooking Vegetarian?: Always read labels to make sure each recipe ingredient is vegetarian. Products and ingredient sources can change.

Don’t cover grilled vegetables with foil to keep warm. The trapped steam will make them soft and soggy.

If you have fewer than 8 pieces of bell pepper, after grilling, cut them again lengthwise to ensure each bowl has red bell pepper.

Spinach can be substituted for mixed greens in this recipe.

SPICY QUINOA TACOS

This is from Katelyn Drake in the Share Reader Recipe in Vegetarian Times (April/May 2015, page 12). Serves 6.

Ingredients

1 Tbs. olive oil

1 small onion, diced (1 cup)

1 rib celery, diced (1/2 cup)

1 clove garlic, minced (1 tsp)

1 Tbs. ground cumin

1 Tbs. chili powder

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

1 15-oz. can fire-roasted diced tomatoes

1 15-oz can diced tomatoes with green chiles

1 cup quinoa, rinsed and drained

2 medium carrots, diced (1 cup)

1 cup low-sodium vegetable broth

1 15-oz can black beans, rinsed and drained

1 cup fresh or thawed frozen corn kernels

12 6-inch corn tortillas

Directions

Heat oil in medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and celery, and cook 5 minutes, or until soft. Add garlic, cumin, chili powder, and cayenne, and saute 1 minute. Stir in tomatoes with liquid. Cook 2 minutes, then stir in quinoa, carrots, and broth. Cover, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 20 to 25 minutes, or until quinoa is tender and liquid is absorbed. Season with salt and pepper, if desired. Mix in black beans and corn. Serve in tortillas.

SOFT VEGGIE TACOS WITH JACK CHEESE

This is from the November/December 2006 issue of Vegetarian Times (page 41), and begins, "Red chile sauce, a spicy Mexican condiment served on enchiladas, heats up zucchini, yellow squash and cauliflower in this recipe." Makes 6 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/soft-veggie-tacos-with-jack-cheese/.

Ingredients

2 Tbs. olive oil

1 onion, thinly sliced (1 cup)

4 cloves garlic, minced (about 4 tsp.)

5 cups cauliflower florets (from 1 large head)

2 medium yellow squash, cut into 1/2-inch rounds (about 9 oz.)

2 medium zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch rounds (9 oz.)

2 cups canned medium red chile sauce, such as Las Palmas

1/2 cup chopped cilantro

1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese (about 3 oz.)

12 4-inch corn tortillas or 6 8-inch whole-wheat tortillas, warmed

Preparation

Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, and sauté 4 minutes, or until soft. Stir in garlic. Add cauliflower, yellow squash and zucchini. Sauté 2 minutes. Add chile sauce; bring to a simmer.

Cover, reduce heat to medium low, and simmer 15 minutes, or until vegetables are tender and sauce thickens, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Stir in cilantro, and add cheese. Spoon mixture into warmed tortillas, and serve.

VEGETARIAN BUFFALO CHICKPEA QUESADILLAS

This is from Old El Paso, and begins, "Enjoy this vegetarian take on fan-favorite, Buffalo chicken wings! This chickpea quesadilla recipe layers chickpeas, hot sauce, cheese, green onions and tomatoes into a folded tortilla to create Vegetarian Buffalo Chickpea Quesadillas. Don't forget to serve with Old El Paso™ Zesty Ranch Sauce on the side!"

Prep Time: 40 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Makes 4 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/vegetarian-buffalo-chickpeas-quesadillas.

Ingredients

1/4 cup butter

1 cup chopped onions

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 can (15 to 15.5 oz) chickpeas, drained, rinsed

1/4 cup original cayenne pepper sauce

4 Old El Paso™ Flour Tortillas For Burritos (8 inch)

1 cup Old El Paso™ Shredded Mexican Style 4 Cheese Blend (from 8-oz package)

1/2 cup chopped green onions (8 medium)

1/2 cup chopped tomatoes

2 teaspoons vegetable oil

1/2 cup Old El Paso™ Zesty Ranch Sauce (from 9-oz bottle)

Preparation

In 10-inch nonstick skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Stir in onions and garlic; cook 2 to 3 minutes or until vegetables begin to soften. Add chickpeas; continue to cook 4 to 6 minutes or until vegetables and chickpeas begin to brown. Remove from heat. Add hot sauce; roughly mash chickpeas with fork, leaving some whole.

On half of each tortilla, layer about 1/4 cup of the chickpea mixture, 1/4 cup cheese, 2 tablespoons green onions and 2 tablespoons tomatoes. Fold tortillas in half. Brush top of each quesadilla with about 1/4 teaspoon of the oil.

Heat 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat. Place 2 quesadillas in skillet, oil side down; brush top side with about 1/4 teaspoon of the oil. Cook 1 to 2 minutes or until golden brown. Carefully turn quesadillas; cook 1 to 2 minutes longer or until golden brown. Repeat with remaining quesadillas.

Cut each quesadilla in half; serve with zesty ranch sauce on the side.

Expert Tips

Cooking Vegetarian? Always read labels to make sure each recipe ingredient is vegetarian. Products and ingredient sources can change.

Dial up the heat by adding sliced jalapeños to the chickpea quesadilla filling, along with the green onions and tomatoes.

This Buffalo chickpea quesadilla is hearty enough to serve on its own, but for a bit of added crunch, try serving with a side of tortilla chips.

This recipe uses Frank's™ RedHot™ original sauce, but you're welcome to use another variety of hot sauce.

SPICY PUMPKIN BURRITOS

This is from American Heart Association, and begins, “Try this hearty vegetarian burrito using seasonal Fall vegetables.”

Servings: 8; Serving Size: 1 burrito

To view this online, go to https://recipes.heart.org/en/recipes/spicy-pumpkin-burritos

Ingredients

1 tsp. olive oil (extra virgin preferred)

1/2 cup frozen whole kernel corn

15.5 oz. canned, no-salt-added black beans (drained, rinsed)

15 oz. canned solid-pack pumpkin (not pie filling)

1 cup cooked brown rice, cooked without salt and margarine

1/4 cup water

1 tsp. ground cumin

1 tsp. chile powder (made with ancho chiles preferred)

1/2 tsp. dried oregano (crumbled)

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

8 8-inch low-fat whole-grain tortillas, lowest sodium available

1/2 cup sliced green onions

1/2 cup fat-free sour cream

1/2 cup shredded lettuce, such as romaine, or spinach

1/2 cup chopped tomato

Directions

In a medium saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat, swirling to coat the bottom. Cook the corn for 4 to 5 minutes, or until slightly browned, stirring occasionally.

Stir in the beans, pumpkin, rice, water, cumin, chili powder, oregano, and cayenne. Bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat and simmer for 4 to 5 minutes, or until heated through.

Warm the tortillas using the package directions.

Spoon the filling down the center of each tortilla. Sprinkle the green onions over the filling. For each burrito, fold two sides of the tortilla toward the center. Starting from the unfolded side closest to you, roll the burrito toward the remaining unfolded side to enclose the filling. Transfer with the seam side down to plates. Top with the sour cream. Sprinkle with the lettuce and tomato.

SPICY QUINOA TACOS

This is from Katelyn Drake in the Share Reader Recipe in Vegetarian Times (April/May 2015, page 12). Serves 6.

Ingredients

1 Tbs. olive oil

1 small onion, diced (1 cup)

1 rib celery, diced (1/2 cup)

1 clove garlic, minced (1 tsp)

1 Tbs. ground cumin

1 Tbs. chili powder

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

1 15-oz. can fire-roasted diced tomatoes

1 15-oz can diced tomatoes with green chiles

1 cup quinoa, rinsed and drained

2 medium carrots, diced (1 cup)

1 cup low-sodium vegetable broth

1 15-oz can black beans, rinsed and drained

1 cup fresh or thawed frozen corn kernels

12 6-inch corn tortillas

Directions

Heat oil in medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and celery, and cook 5 minutes, or until soft. Add garlic, cumin, chili powder, and cayenne, and saute 1 minute. Stir in tomatoes with liquid. Cook 2 minutes, then stir in quinoa, carrots, and broth. Cover, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 20 to 25 minutes, or until quinoa is tender and liquid is absorbed. Season with salt and pepper, if desired. Mix in black beans and corn. Serve in tortillas.