Vegetarian Delights: A Confessions of a Foodie Offspring

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Tuesday, June 4, 2024

Double-Post Tuesday

Besides being Taco Tuesday, it's also Double-Post Tuesday. Today's post includes Slow-Cooker Spinach-Mushroom Tortellini and Paprika Cauliflower Pita Pockets. Enjoy!

BLACK BEAN-BROWN RICE BURGERS

This comes from Hannah Verrinder on the Genius Kitchen site. Time: 40 minutes; Serves: 6; Yield: 6 patties

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1/2 cup uncooked brown rice

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

1 small onion, chopped (white or yellow)

1 garlic clove, minced

1 cup frozen corn

1 teaspoon salt

cayenne pepper (to taste)

1/3 teaspoon chili powder

1 egg

1/3 cup breadcrumbs (preferably seasoned)

Directions

In a small pot, combine rice and 1 cup water; bring to a boil, and then turn down to medium heat and cook 20 minutes.In a saucepan, heat a little oil over medium heat and saute the onion and garlic about 5 minutes, until the onion is translucent and soft.

Add the corn and spices and cook until the corn is defrosted, another 5 minutes.

In a medium bowl, mash the drained beans with a fork or your fingers.

Add the rice, corn, and onion; combine, mashing it with your fork as you go. Taste and adjust the spices now, because once you put the egg in you could risk salmonella.

Add the egg and mix in well.

Add the breadcrumbs.

Form into patties by patting the desired amount of mixtured into a flat round. (I used a giant cookie scoop to make sure all the patties were the same size, but you can just divide the mixture into six sections).

Cook about 2 minutes on each side (if you can't flip the patty without breaking it, it's probably not finished cooking).

CREAMY BROCCOLI SOUP

This is from The Mayo Clinic Diet.

Serves 6; Serving size: 1-1/3 cup.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon canola oil

1 medium onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 teaspoons thyme leaves or 2 tablespoons fresh chopped thyme

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1/2 teaspoon salt-free lemon-pepper seasoning

32 ounces low-sodium vegetable broth

6 cups frozen broccoli, chopped

6 tablespoons plain, fat-free Greek yogurt

Instructions

Heat oil in a 3-quart saucepan over medium to high heat.

Add onion and cook for about 4 minutes, until soft and translucent.

Add garlic, thyme, red pepper flakes and lemon pepper, cooking for an additional minute.

Add vegetable broth and broccoli. Bring to a boil and reduce heat. Simmer for 8 to 9 minutes, until broccoli is tender.

Remove soup from the heat. Puree in batches in a blender until smooth.

Top each serving with a tablespoon of yogurt.

Nutritional Information: Amount per serving: Calories: 90; Total fat: 3 g; Saturated fat: 0 g; Sodium: 135 mg; Total carbohydrate: 12 g; Dietary fiber: 6 g; Protein: 6 g

SLOW-COOKER SPINACH-MUSHROOM TORTELLINI

This is from Betty Crocker, and begins, "This hearty, creamy vegetarian dinner is easy, cheesy and the best use of the slow cooker since your grandma’s pot roast."

Prep Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 7 hours 50 minutes; Makes 6 servings

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 package (8 oz) white button mushrooms, thinly sliced

1 cup thinly sliced yellow onions

4 tablespoons butter, melted

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

2 cups Progresso™ Broth Vegetable(from 32-oz carton)

1 package (20 oz) refrigerated cheese-filled tortellini

1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened and cubed

3 cups baby spinach leaves, lightly packed

1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (2 oz)

1/4 cup shredded fresh basil leaves

Directions

Spray 4 1/2- to 5-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. Mix mushrooms, onions, melted butter, soy sauce, salt and pepper in cooker. Pour vegetable broth over vegetable mixture.

Cover; cook on Low heat setting 7 to 8 hours or until vegetables are very tender and browned.

Stir in tortellini and cream cheese. Cover; cook on Low heat setting 15 minutes. Cook and stir 14 to 16 minutes longer or until tortellini are tender. Stir in spinach. Let stand 5 minutes. Top with Parmesan cheese and basil.

Tips from the Betty Crocker Kitchens

tip 1

Save time by purchasing presliced mushrooms.

tip 2

Sauce will be thin after stirring in spinach, but it will thicken after standing.

COCONUT RED CURRY WITH TOFU

This is from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. Melissa wrote, “This simple weeknight red curry relies on jarred or canned red curry paste for flavor, which you can find at larger supermarkets and specialty markets. Transfer leftover canned curry paste to a jar, top it with a little oil and store in the refrigerator for up to a month. Or freeze for longer storage. Feel free to substitute other vegetables for the mushrooms and snow peas, though you might have to increase the cooking time slightly if using something dense like carrot or cubed winter squash.”

Yield: Serves 4; Time: 30 minutes

This was featured in “Curry and Coconut Milk Fire Up a Weeknight Basic”, and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1016196-coconut-red-curry-with-tofu.

Ingredients

14 ounces extra-firm tofu

1 tablespoon peanut or safflower oil

1-inch ginger root, peeled and minced

2 shallots or 1 small onion, minced

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 Thai chile or 2 serrano peppers, seeded and thinly sliced

2 tablespoons chopped cilantro stems

8 ounces cremini mushrooms, quartered

1/2 teaspoon sea salt, more to taste

3 tablespoons prepared red curry paste

1 cup unsweetened coconut milk

2 teaspoons Asian fish sauce

Zest and juice of 1 lime

1 cup snow peas

Basil and/or cilantro leaves, for garnish

Brown or white rice, for serving

Preparation

Cut tofu into 1-inch slabs and place on paper towel-lined baking sheet. Cover with another layer of paper towels and place another baking sheet on top. Let sit for 20 minutes. Cut into 1-inch cubes.

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add ginger, shallots, garlic, chile and cilantro stems, and sauté until tender, about 5 minutes. Add mushrooms and sauté until golden brown and tender, about 5 minutes. Season with salt. Stir in curry paste and cook 2 minutes. Pour in coconut milk, scraping up any curry paste with a wooden spoon. Add fish sauce, lime zest and juice. Add tofu cubes and snow peas. Simmer until the sauce thickens slightly and the snow peas are tender, 7 to 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Taste and add more salt and/or fish sauce if needed.

Serve warm with brown rice and a scattering of torn basil and/or cilantro leaves on top.

FANTASTIC FRUIT SALAD

This comes from MyDailyMoment, and begins, “This refreshing fruit salad is delicious to the core, and if an apple a day keeps the doctor away, this will surely do the trick! No matter how you slice it, you're sure to be satisfied with healthy treat.”

Makes 4 servings.

View this online at https://www.mydailymoment.com/recipes/fantastic_fruit_salad.php.

Ingredients

1 red apple, cored and chopped

1 Granny Smith apple, cored and chopped

1 nectarine, pitted and sliced

2 celery stalks, chopped

1/2 cup(s) dried cranberries

1/2 cup(s) chopped walnuts

1 (8 oz.) container, nonfat lemon yogurt

Directions

In a large bowl, combine red apple, Granny Smith apple, nectarine, celery, dried cranberries, and walnuts. Mix in yogurt. Chill until ready to serve.

PAPRIKA CAULIFLOWER PITA POCKETS

This is from the September 2007 (?) issue of Vegetarian Times (page 76), and begins, "Cauliflower, like paprika, is frequently undervalued in home kitchens. What better way to highlight them both than with this simple dish. Try topping with fresh tomatoes, chopped black olives, and some low-fat Parmesan cheese." Makes 4 servings; Time: 30 minutes

To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/paprika-cauliflower-pita-pockets/.

Ingredients

1 head cauliflower (2 lb.), cut into bite-size florets

3 Tbs. olive oil

2 Tbs. sweet Hungarian paprika

1/2 tsp. ground black pepper

1/2 tsp. fine sea salt

1 small red onion, diced (1 cup)

1 clove garlic, minced (1 tsp.)

1/2 cup low-sodium vegetable broth

2 Tbs. lemon juice

4 pita bread rounds, halved and warmed

Preparation

Steam cauliflower 7 to 9 minutes, or until tender.

Heat oil, paprika, pepper, and salt in nonstick skillet over medium-low heat, 2 minutes, or until fragrant, stirring constantly. Add onion and garlic, and sauté 2 minutes more. Stir in broth and cauliflower, and simmer 3 minutes. Remove from heat, and stir in lemon juice. Serve with pita halves.

Taco Tuesday

It's time for another Taco Tuesday. Yum! Today's offerings include Soft Tacos with Mushrooms and Cabbage and Loaded Crispy Tofu Tacos. Enjoy!

EGG AND POTATO BREAKFAST TACOS

This is from the Food Network, and begins, "Quick and easy to assemble, it makes sense why tacos are enjoyed during any time of the day in Mexico. Roast potatoes with poblano peppers and onions until golden brown, then enjoy on warm tortillas with buttery scrambled eggs."

Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Makes 4 servings; Level: Easy

To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/egg-and-potato-breakfast-tacos-3363842.

Ingredients

8 large eggs

1 teaspoon chili powder

Kosher salt

2 Yukon gold potatoes (about 1 pound), diced

1 onion, diced

1 poblano chile pepper, thinly sliced

Cooking spray

3 plum tomatoes, diced

1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

2 tablespoons jalapeno hot sauce

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

12 white corn tortillas

Directions

Position a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat to 475 degrees F. Separate 1 egg; set the yolk aside. Whisk the egg white, chili powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large bowl until frothy. Add the potatoes, onion and poblano; toss. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray; spread out the vegetables, then coat with more cooking spray. Bake, flipping once, until golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, toss the tomatoes, 2 tablespoons cilantro and 1 tablespoon hot sauce in a bowl; season with salt and set aside.

Whisk the reserved egg yolk and 7 eggs with 1/4 cup cilantro and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a bowl until frothy. Melt the butter in a medium nonstick skillet over medium heat; swirl to coat. Add the egg mixture and cook, stirring, until just set, about 5 minutes.

Toast the tortillas in a dry skillet or wrap in a damp paper towel and warm in the microwave. Toss the remaining 2 tablespoons cilantro and 1 tablespoon hot sauce with the vegetable mixture. Divide the vegetables and scrambled eggs among the tortillas. Serve with the tomato salsa.

CRUNCHY BLACK BEAN TACOS

This comes from The Kitchn’s e-newsletter. If you haven’t signed up for The Kitchn’s e-newsletter yet, I highly recommend that, as well as its sibling site, Apartment Therapy.

This recipe serves 3 to 4, or makes 8 tacos; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes and can be found online by clicking here.

Ingredients

2 cups cooked black beans

1/2 cup minced red onion

2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon paprika

Pinch of salt

4 to 6 ounces (1 heaping cup) grated Pepper Jack cheese

2 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil

8 corn tortillas

Toppings

Avocado

Hot sauce

Salsa

Sour cream

Directions

In a medium bowl, add beans along with red onion, cilantro, cumin, and paprika. Add a pinch of salt and lightly mash all the ingredients together. Grate the cheese and have it ready as well.

In a large, nonstick or cast-iron skillet, add the 2 tablespoons oil and heat over medium-high heat. Add one corn tortilla at a time and let each get hot in the oil for a few seconds. Then add about 1/4 cup of the bean filling to one half of the tortilla. Top with a sprinkle of grated cheese. Try not to overfill the tacos, or you might have issues flipping them without losing filling.

Using a spatula, carefully fold the other half of the tortilla over to form a shell. Press down lightly on the tortilla so it holds its shape. If some cheese spills out, don’t worry — it will get crispy and delicious.

As the first taco cooks, move it to the side and begin a second one. Depending on the size of your pan, you can cook two or three tacos at once. A griddle will hold even more.

Cook each taco until they are nicely browned and crispy, about 3 minutes per side. When flipping the taco to cook on the other side, use a spatula and flip the taco toward the fold so the filling doesn’t fall out. If your pan is very dry between batches, add another drizzle of oil.

Place the cooked tacos in a warm oven while you finish the rest. If the tacos are very greasy, blot them with a paper towel before moving them to the oven.

Serve tacos with toppings like hot sauce, salsa, avocados, and sour cream.

Recipe Notes:

Corn tortillas are resilient to heat. Don’t worry about burning them; they are very sturdy. Just be sure to cook tortillas on each side long enough to get them really crispy.



SOFT TACOS WITH SCRAMBLED TOFU AND TOMATOES

This comes from Martha Rose Shulman in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Martha wrote, “Soft tofu makes a wonderful stand-in for scrambled eggs. Serve these savory tacos for a great Mexican and vegan breakfast.” Yield: Serves four; Time: 25 minutes.

This was featured in “Tofu: Not Just for Health Nuts Anymore” and can be viewed online here.

Ingredients

1 14-ounce can tomatoes, drained

2 large garlic cloves, coarsely chopped

1 serrano or jalapeño chile, seeded if desired and chopped (more if you like things really hot)

1 tablespoon canola oil

1 small or 1/2 medium onion, chopped

1 teaspoon lightly toasted cumin seeds, ground

Salt to taste

1 12-ounce box medium or firm silken tofu, drained

Soy sauce to taste

1/4 cup chopped cilantro

8 corn tortillas

Salsa

Preparation

Combine the tomatoes, garlic and chile in a blender, and blend until smooth.

Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, and add the onion. Cook, stirring, until tender, about five minutes. Increase the heat to medium-high, and add the cumin. Stir together, and when the pan is quite hot, pour in the blended tomato mixture. It should sizzle. Cook, stirring, about five minutes, until the sauce is thick, dark and fragrant, and your spoon leaves a canal when you run it down the center of the pan. Add salt to taste.

Add the tofu to the pan, and mash it into the sauce using the back of your spoon. Add the soy sauce, and continue to cook for another five minutes, stirring and mashing the tofu. Stir in the cilantro. Taste and adjust seasonings.

Heat the tortillas and place two on each plate. Top with the tofu mixture and serve, passing salsa on the side.

Tip

Advance preparation: Unlike scrambled eggs, scrambled tofu keeps well for a couple of days. You can reheat it — I even like to eat this dish cold for a quick lunch.

SOFT TACOS WITH MUSHROOMS AND CABBAGE

This is also from Martha Rose Shulman in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Martha wrote, “Two nutrient-dense vegetables combine forces in this delicious filling. Mushrooms are an excellent source of vitamins and many minerals, particularly selenium, copper, potassium, phosphorous, zinc, and manganese – and they contain a powerful antioxidant called L-ergothioneine. They're used medicinally throughout Asia for their immunity-boosting properties. They also contain more protein than most other vegetables, and their meaty texture makes them a perfect choice for vegetarians. Cabbage possesses phytochemicals like sulforaphane, which protects the body against cancer-causing free radicals, and indoles, which help metabolize estrogens. It’s also an excellent source of vitamins K and C, and a very good source of dietary fiber, vitamin B6, folate, manganese and omega-3 fatty acids.” Yield: 4 servings; Time: About 15 minutes.

This was featured in “Tacos for the Holidays” and can be viewed online here.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

1 pound mushrooms, cut in thick slices

1 bunch scallions, white and light green parts, finely chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

1 small head cabbage

1/4 cup chopped cilantro

1/4 to 1/2 cup Chipotle Ranchera Salsa

8 corn tortillas

Queso fresco to taste

Preparation

Heat a large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the mushrooms and sear, stirring often or tossing in the pan, until they are lightly colored and beginning to sweat, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the scallions and cook, stirring, for about 1 minute, until tender. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, 30 seconds to a minute.

Season the mushrooms with salt and pepper and stir in the cabbage. Cook, stirring often, until the cabbage is tender, about 5 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste and stir in the cilantro and .25 to .5 cup of the salsa (to taste).

Heat the tortillas. Top with the mushroom/cabbage mixture, sprinkle with cheese if desired, and serve.

Tip

Advance preparation: The mushroom filling will keep for about 3 days in the refrigerator.

CARROT-AND-BLACK BEAN CRISPY TACOS

This recipe comes from Country Living, and begins, “Dig into vegetarian tacos with tons of fresh flavor.” Total Time: 30 minutes; Prep Time: 30 minutes; Level: Easy; Yield: 4 servings.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided

1 small onion, chopped

1 poblano pepper, diced

1 tsp. chili powder

1 (15.5-oz.) can black beans, drained and rinsed

1 tbsp. fresh lime juice, plus wedges for serving

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

1/2 lb. medium carrots, cut into 3" to 4" sticks

1 tsp. ground cumin

8 whole-grain taco shells, warmed

Sliced avocado, crumbled queso fresco, and chopped fresh cilantro and radishes, for serving

Directions

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Heat 1-1/2 tablespoons oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, 4to 6 minutes. Add chili powder and cook, stirring, until fragrant, 30 seconds. Add black beans and 1/3 cup water. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, 4 to 6 minutes. Mash beans with the back of the spoon until thick. Stir in lime juice. Season with salt and pepper.

Meanwhile, toss carrots with cumin and 1-1/2 tablespoons oil on a rimmed baking sheet. Season with salt and pepper. Roast, turning once, until just tender, 10 to 12 minutes.

Divide beans and carrots between taco shells. Top with avocado, queso fresco, cilantro, and radishes. Serve with lime wedges alongside.

PER SERVING: protein: 8 g; fat: 17 g; carbohydrate: 42 g; fiber: 10 g; sodium: 261 mg; cholesterol: 0 mg; calories: 334.

LOADED CRISPY TOFU TACOS

This is from The Woks of Life, and can be viewed online at http://thewoksoflife.com/2014/07/loaded-crispy-tofu-tacos/.

Prep time: 30 mins; Cook time: 15 mins; Total time: 45 mins; Serves: 4 servings

Ingredients

Ingredients

You'll need:

1 package firm tofu

1 tablespoon Sriracha

1 tablespoon honey

1/2 cup fine cornmeal

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 teaspoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/8 teaspoon pepper

1/4 cup oil

3 scallions

1 bunch cilantro

1/4 cup yogurt

warm corn tortillas

Other toppings:

shredded cheese

chopped tomato

chopped onion

sweet corn

avocado

lime wedges

Instructions

Cut the tofu into 3/4 inch cubes. In a wide, shallow bowl, combine the Sriracha and honey, and gently toss the tofu in the mixture. In another wide, shallow bowl, combine the cornmeal, chili powder, cumin, salt, garlic powder, and pepper. Toss the tofu in this dry mixture until well-coated.

In a cast iron or non-stick skillet, heat the oil over medium high heat. Add the tofu and allow the pieces to crisp up on all sides. While that's happening, whizz up the scallions, cilantro, and yogurt in a food processor or blender. Build your tacos with tortillas, your sauce, and whatever toppings you like.