Vegetarian Delights: A Confessions of a Foodie Offspring

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Showing posts with label Tofu Scramble. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tofu Scramble. Show all posts

Monday, March 13, 2017

Monday Recipes

It's a dreary-looking Monday as I write this. There's a sixty-percent chance of rain. This, as the northeast prepares for a March snow storm. Thank goodness, spring - and summer - isn't that far off.

In the meantime, here are six recipes to help start your week off. Enjoy!

PEANUT BUTTER BALLS

This is from Gale Gand on The Food Network show Sweet Dreams. If I wasn’t getting hungry just thinking of the show’s name, reading this recipe will do it.

Total Time: 1 hr 3 min; Prep: 1 hr; Cook: 3 min; Yield: 32 balls

Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/peanut-butter-balls-recipe.html?oc=linkback

Ingredients

18 ounces peanut butter, recipe follows

1 (16-ounce) box confectioners' sugar

1 1/3 cups graham cracker crumbs

3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

12 ounces milk chocolate, melted

Peanut Butter:

3 cups peanuts, shelled, unsalted and dry roasted

Peanut oil, if necessary

Directions

In a large bowl, combine peanut butter, confectioners' sugar, graham cracker crumbs, and butter. Mash together until combined. Form the mixture into balls. Transfer to the refrigerator until hardened, about 30 minutes. Dip the peanut butter balls into the melted chocolate and set inside mini paper cupcake forms. Let the chocolate set before serving.

Peanut Butter:

In the bowl of a food processor, grind the peanuts until smooth. With the motor of the food processor running, add peanut oil if necessary, and puree until the peanuts are the consistency of peanut butter.

SWEET POTATOES ANNA WITH PRUNES

This comes from Tara Parker-Pope in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. The recipe begins, “This layered sweet potato gratin comes out of the oven caramelized on the edges and glistening with butter. The potatoes in the center are soft, their layers embedded with prunes; the ones around the edges are so crisp and sweet from the port, they taste candied. Slice the potatoes thinly — use a mandoline if you have one — and check the potatoes after 35 minutes in the oven. By 40 minutes, ours were perfect.”

Yield: 6 to 10 servings; Time: About 1 hour 30 minutes.

This was featured in “Home Cooks Rethink Sweet Potatoes” and can be viewed online here.

Also helpful is “How to Cook Potatoes”, a guide from The New York Times food writer, Julia Moskin.

Note: I don’t keep alcohol around the house, so I plan to use either water or maybe fruit juice - possibly plum or prune juice?

Ingredients

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter

1 cup port

10 pitted prunes

5 to 6 small sweet potatoes, peeled and very thinly sliced

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preparation

Clarify the butter: In a small saucepan set over low heat, melt the butter. Skim off any foam, then pour the clear liquid into a bowl, leaving behind the solids.

Heat the port to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the prunes, turn off the heat and let them soak until plumped, about 20 minutes. Drain and chop the prunes coarsely.

Heat oven to 450 degrees.

Brush a layer of clarified butter onto your favorite 8- or 9-inch round baking dish or ovenproof frying pan.

Arrange a layer of potatoes, overlapping in circles, in the dish. Brush with the clarified butter and season with salt and pepper. Arrange another layer of potatoes and sprinkle with about half the prune pieces. Season with salt and pepper. Brush with clarified butter. Repeat with one more layer of potatoes and prunes, then end with a layer of potatoes. Remember to brush each layer with clarified butter and salt and pepper. You can do four layers of potatoes or six; it’s up to you. Pack the potatoes tightly by pressing down on them with your palms. If there’s a little butter left at the end, it’s no big deal.

Bake until crisp and tender, 35 to 45 minutes.

Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan for a few minutes. Then flip the cake onto a serving plate and cut into wedges. If desired, finish with a dusting of sugar and a couple of minutes of broiling, for a brûlée top. It can also be made using apples and prunes, or just apples.

ROASTED CARROT AND RED LENTIL RAGOUT

This is from Molly O’Neill in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Molly wrote, “Somehow, over the centuries, the word ragout (which in 17th-century France meant anything that stimulated appetite) has come to signify a dish of sturdy consolation. Nearly any simmered food, be it meat, vegetable, fish or fowl, can be called a ragout, although in France, it is generally assumed that the main ingredients will be of a uniform chunk cut into slightly smaller than bite-size pieces. This spicy carrot and lentil ragout can be served first as a main course and later extended with coconut milk or chicken broth to make a soup. Serve it over rice to temper the heat.”

Yield: 6 servings; Time: 1 hour 15 minutes.

This was featured in “Food; Simmer Down” and can be viewed online here. Also, check out Melissa Clark’s guide, titled “How to Cook Beans” to help with the cooking process.

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds carrots, peeled

5 tablespoons olive oil

2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper to taste

1 medium onion, sliced thin

3/4 teaspoon ancho chili powder

3/4 teaspoon chipotle chili powder

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 cup red lentils

5 cups chicken stock

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Lay the carrots in a roasting pan and toss with 3 tablespoons oil. Season with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and a few grinds of pepper. Roast for 20 minutes. Turn the carrots, add the onion and roast 15 minutes, until the carrots are brown and tender. When carrots are cool enough, cut them in 1/4-inch dice.

Warm 2 tablespoons oil in a saucepan. Add the carrot-and-onion mixture, the chili powders and the cayenne pepper. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Stir in the lentils. Add the stock and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 20 to 25 minutes, until the lentils are falling apart. Season with remaining salt and pepper to taste. Serve with rice, or as a thick soup.

SAVORY BREAKFAST SANDWICHES

This recipe, as well as the next one (Tofu Scramble) comes from Compassion Over Killing, and can be found in the breakfast section of their Easy Vegan Recipes.

You can request (or download) Compassion Over Killing's free Easy Vegan Recipes booklet here.

Makes 4 sandwiches

Ingredients

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

3 tablespoons Bragg Liquid Aminos or soy sauce

1/4 cup olive oil

1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper, divided

1 14-ounce package firm tofu, drained and cut crosswise into 8 slices

1 large onion, chopped

4 cloves garlic, chopped

8 ounces button mushrooms, sliced

1 medium tomato, chopped

2 cups baby spinach leaves

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

1 teaspoon salt

Vegan butter, such as Earth Balance (optional)

4 English muffins, toasted

Instructions

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.

In a shallow baking dish, mix together the vinegar, Bragg Liquid Aminos or soy sauce, olive oil, and 1/2 teaspoon of the black pepper with a whisk. Place tofu slices in a single layer in the dish, then turn over to coat on all sides. Allow tofu to marinate for 20 minutes, turning slices occasionally.

Place baking dish in oven for 20 minutes. Flip tofu slices over and continue to bake for an additional 10-20 minutes until crispy and most of the liquid has been absorbed.

Meanwhile, spray a large skillet with oil or cooking spray. Sauté onion and garlic over medium-high heat until onion begins to soften. Add mushrooms and continue cooking until they begin to brown. Add tomato, spinach, thyme, salt, and remaining black pepper. Cook and stir until spinach is wilted and any liquid has evaporated, turning heat to medium low if the vegetables are browning too quickly. Adjust seasoning.

To assemble sandwiches, spread vegan butter on English muffins, if using. Then add 2 tablespoons of the cooked vegetables to the bottom half of each muffin. Top with 2 slices of tofu and evenly distribute the remaining vegetables on top of the tofu slices on all 4 sandwiches. Cover with the other muffin halves and press down to help keep vegetables from spilling out.

TOFU SCRAMBLE

Serves 2-3

Ingredients

1 14-ounce package extra firm tofu, drained

2 tablespoons vegetable oil or vegan butter (try Earth Balance)

1/2 pound white button mushrooms, sliced

1 bell pepper, chopped

1 packed cup fresh spinach

2 green onions, diced

1/2 cup nutritional yeast

1 tablespoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric (for color)

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

Heat the oil or butter in a medium-sized frying pan over medium-high heat. Crumble the tofu into the pan and sauté, stirring occasionally for 8-10 minutes.

Add the remaining ingredients. Lightly toss in the pan until well-cooked, about 5 more minutes.

Adjust spices to taste and serve hot.

WILD BLUEBERRY CHEESECAKE SMOOTHIE

This is from Kaleigh McMordie, MCN, RDN, LD, at VeryWell. Kaleigh wrote, “Smoothies are a great way to pack a lot of nutrition into a single meal, especially if you're on the go. They can also be loaded with sugary syrups and fat if you aren't careful when grabbing a smoothie away from home. For a nutritious smoothie you can feel good about, skip the shop and make this tasty version at home.

“Frozen wild blueberries are extra sweet and pack a lot of flavor and antioxidants into this wild blueberry cheesecake smoothie. They also make this smoothie extra cold and frosty without having to use ice. Research suggests that daily blueberry consumption could lower blood pressure due to the production of nitric oxide.

“The Greek yogurt and avocado duo lends a luxurious creamy texture and also contributes healthy fats, fiber, and plenty of protein to keep you fueled and full. Make this smoothie for a sweet breakfast treat, or split it in half for a healthy snack or dessert.”

Total Time: 5 minutes; Prep: 5 minutes; Cook: 0; Yield: 1 serving.

This can be viewed online here. It can also be found at Kaliegh’s website, Lively Table.

Ingredients

1 cup wild blueberries, frozen

1/2 small avocado

3/4 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt

1/2 cup skim milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon honey

1/2 lemon, juiced

Preparation

Add all ingredients to a high powered blender and blend until smooth. You may need to add more milk to your desired consistency.

Pour into a glass and enjoy.

Ingredient Variations and Substitutions

You can typically find wild blueberries in the freezer section of your grocery store. If you can’t find them, you can substitute regular frozen blueberries, but they will not be as sweet.

This is a great smoothie recipe to disguise veggies, so add a handful of spinach if you want to get a little more vegetable power.

To make this smoothie dairy-free, use dairy-free yogurt, such as Silk, and unsweetened dairy-free milk of your choice.

Cooking and Serving Tips

This recipe makes a meal-sized smoothie. For a post-workout snack or a healthy dessert, divide into two servings.

Thursday, March 9, 2017

Thursday Recipes

Here are today's six yummy recipes to help you through the day, including Baked Hawaii and Pineapple Fried Rice. Enjoy!

SAVORY BREAKFAST SANDWICHES

This recipe, as well as the next one (Tofu Scramble) comes from Compassion Over Killing, and can be found in the breakfast section of their Easy Vegan Recipes.

You can request (or download) Compassion Over Killing's free Easy Vegan Recipes booklet here.

Makes 4 sandwiches

Ingredients

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

3 tablespoons Bragg Liquid Aminos or soy sauce

1/4 cup olive oil

1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper, divided

1 14-ounce package firm tofu, drained and cut crosswise into 8 slices

1 large onion, chopped

4 cloves garlic, chopped

8 ounces button mushrooms, sliced

1 medium tomato, chopped

2 cups baby spinach leaves

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

1 teaspoon salt

Vegan butter, such as Earth Balance (optional)

4 English muffins, toasted

Instructions

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.

In a shallow baking dish, mix together the vinegar, Bragg Liquid Aminos or soy sauce, olive oil, and 1/2 teaspoon of the black pepper with a whisk. Place tofu slices in a single layer in the dish, then turn over to coat on all sides. Allow tofu to marinate for 20 minutes, turning slices occasionally.

Place baking dish in oven for 20 minutes. Flip tofu slices over and continue to bake for an additional 10-20 minutes until crispy and most of the liquid has been absorbed.

Meanwhile, spray a large skillet with oil or cooking spray. Sauté onion and garlic over medium-high heat until onion begins to soften. Add mushrooms and continue cooking until they begin to brown. Add tomato, spinach, thyme, salt, and remaining black pepper. Cook and stir until spinach is wilted and any liquid has evaporated, turning heat to medium low if the vegetables are browning too quickly. Adjust seasoning.

To assemble sandwiches, spread vegan butter on English muffins, if using. Then add 2 tablespoons of the cooked vegetables to the bottom half of each muffin. Top with 2 slices of tofu and evenly distribute the remaining vegetables on top of the tofu slices on all 4 sandwiches. Cover with the other muffin halves and press down to help keep vegetables from spilling out.

TOFU SCRAMBLE

Serves 2-3

Ingredients

1 14-ounce package extra firm tofu, drained

2 tablespoons vegetable oil or vegan butter (try Earth Balance)

1/2 pound white button mushrooms, sliced

1 bell pepper, chopped

1 packed cup fresh spinach

2 green onions, diced

1/2 cup nutritional yeast

1 tablespoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric (for color)

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

Heat the oil or butter in a medium-sized frying pan over medium-high heat. Crumble the tofu into the pan and sauté, stirring occasionally for 8-10 minutes.

Add the remaining ingredients. Lightly toss in the pan until well-cooked, about 5 more minutes.

Adjust spices to taste and serve hot.

MEYER LEMON TART

This is from Amanda Hesser at The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Amanda wrote, “The Meyer lemon has always been something of a California secret, and every year when its brief growing season begins there, eager cooks sigh with relief. The Meyer is not as assertive as the common supermarket varieties, but it offers so much more in nuanced flavor that it is unforgettable. And these days, the Meyer's secret is finally out. A Meyer lemon contains about four times the sugar of a regular lemon, but it can be used almost interchangeably with the traditional varieties, adding a rounder edge to both sweet and savory dishes. And you can use the whole thing – from pulp to peel. This gorgeous tart is the ideal way to showcase its seductive fragrance and flavor. (Regular lemons will work well in this recipe too, but you'll likely want to add a bit more sugar.)”

Yield: One 10-inch tart; Time: 1 hour.

This was featured in “All Perfume, No Pucker” and can be viewed online here.

Ingredients

For the Crust

8 ounces (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened, plus extra for greasing pan

1/2 cup sugar

1 egg yolk

1/2 tablespoon milk

12 ounces (about 2 1/3 cups) all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

For the Lemon Curd

1 1/4 pound (5 or 6) Meyer lemons

1 cup sugar

5 1/2 ounces (1 stick plus 3 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened, plus extra for greasing pan

7 large egg yolks

5 large eggs

1/8 teaspoon salt

Preparation

Make the crust: in the bowl of a mixer, cream together butter and sugar. Add egg yolk and the milk, and beat to combine. In a medium bowl, combine the flour with salt. Slowly add the flour to the butter mixture, stirring until completely blended. Gather dough into two balls. Freeze one for future use, chill the other for at least 1 hour.

Heavily butter a 10-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. Press the dough into the pan and trim the edges. Prick the bottom with a fork, and place the shell in the freezer for 30 minutes.

While shell is in freezer, prepare lemon curd. Grate zest of lemons. Squeeze lemons to extract 1 cup of juice. In a medium nonreactive saucepan, combine juice and zest. Add remaining sugar, butter and salt. Place over medium heat, stirring once or twice, until sugar is dissolved and the butter is melted.

In bowl of a mixer, combine eggs and egg yolks until blended. Slowly add hot lemon mixture to eggs until blended. Return mixture to saucepan, and place over low heat. Whisk constantly until mixture thickens to a pudding-like consistency; do not allow it to boil. Remove from heat, and continue to stir to stop the cooking. Strain lemon curd into a bowl. Adjust sugar to taste; the curd should be tart, but may need additional sugar if the lemons were unripe. Cover with plastic wrap, pressing it right against the surface of the curd. Allow to cool.

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Remove tart shell from freezer, and bake until lightly golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. Spoon lemon curd into tart shell, and smooth the top. Bake until filling has puffed around the edges, about 30 minutes. Cover edges with foil, if necessary, to prevent over-browning. Cool to room temperature before serving.

PINEAPPLE FRIED RICE

This is from Vegetarian Times, and begins, “The Hawaiian answer to the stir-fry, this dish is exotic, colorful, and bursting with flavor. To fill out the dish with more veggies, add 1/2 cup thinly sliced shiitake mushrooms along with the onions and garlic, and 1/2 cup peas just after the carrots.” Serves 6.

This can be viewed at http://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipe/pineapple-fried-rice.

Ingredients

2 1/4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth, divided

1 cup long-grain brown rice

1 1/4 cups diced fresh pineapple, divided

1 Tbs. low-sodium soy sauce or tamari

1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes

2 Tbs. toasted sesame oil

1/2 cup diced yellow onion

6 cloves garlic, minced (2 Tbs.)

1 small carrot, finely diced (1/2 cup)

1/2 cup finely diced red bell pepper

5 green onions, thinly sliced (1/3 cup)

Instructions:

Bring 2 cups broth and rice to a boil in medium saucepan over medium heat. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 40 minutes, or until all liquid is absorbed and rice is tender.

Blend 1/2 cup pineapple, remaining 1/4 cup broth, soy sauce, and red pepper flakes in blender until smooth. Set aside.

Heat oil in skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic; sauté 3 minutes. Reduce heat to medium, add carrot and bell pepper, and sauté 3 minutes more. Add remaining 3/4 cup diced pineapple, and cook 3 minutes. Add cooked rice to skillet, and cook 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add blended pineapple mixture, and cook 3 minutes more, or until liquid is absorbed. Stir in green onions; season with salt and pepper, if desired.

Nutrition Information: Calories: 198; Protein: 4 g; Total Fat: 6 g; Saturated Fat: less than 1 g; Carbohydrates: 34 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 156 mg; Fiber: 4 g; Sugar: 6 g

THAI VEGETABLE STIR-FRY

This is from the February 2001 issue of Vegetables Times. It begins, “Serve with quick-cooking brown rice and toss a salad of curly endive, seedless orange chunks and slivered red onion. For dessert, a bowl of grapes would go well.” Makes 4 servings in 30 minutes or less.

3 medium cloves garlic, peeled

2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped

1/2 tsp. grated lemon peel

1/2 tsp. grated lime peel

14-oz. can lite coconut milk

1 lb. mixed vegetables (about 4 cups): fresh mushrooms, quartered; sliced asparagus; sliced bell peppers; water chestnuts, halved

1 small bok choy, stems sliced and leaves left whole

1/4 to 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes

1 Tbs. soy sauce

1 Tbs. fresh lime juice

10 fresh basil leaves, slivered

In food processor or blender, combine garlic, jalapenos and lemon and lime peel; process to a paste.

Heat large skillet or wok over high heat; add coconut milk and paste mixture and stir well. Simmer 1 minute.

Add all vegetables and season to taste with salt and pepper. Simmer 10 minutes. Stir in red pepper flakes, soy sauce, lime juice and basil. Simmer 5 minutes. Serve hot.

nutritional information Per Serving: Calories: 163; Protein: 7 g; Total Fat: 10 g; Saturated Fat: 4 g; Carbohydrates: 18 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 359 mg; Fiber: 3 g; Vegan

BAKED HAWAII

This comes from the February 2004 issue of Vegetarian Times. It begins, “With a blending of coconut, pineapple and macadamia nuts, this pie takes its cues from the tropics. Be sure to squeeze out any excess juice from the pineapple shreds, or it may dilute the filling. A quick freezing of the filling mix firms it up fast.” Serves 6.

To view this online, click here.

1 pkg. instant coconut-flavored pudding mix

1 3/4 cups nonfat milk

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 prepared crumb pie shell

1 3/4 cups canned shredded pineapple

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup crushed macadamia nuts as garnish

1/4 cup shredded coconut as garnish

2 Tbs. diced crystallized ginger, or more as desired, for garnish

Preheat oven to 450F.

Mix instant pudding with milk and vanilla extract, and pour into prepared pie shell. Put in freezer immediately.

Drain pineapple, and reserve juice for another use. Squeeze excess juice from shreds, and put shreds in baking dish. Sprinkle with brown sugar, and bake for 15 minutes, or until sugar bubbles. Remove from oven.

Take firmed pudding mixture from freezer, spoon pineapple mixture over top and garnish with macadamia nuts, coconut shreds and crystallized ginger.

nutritional information Per Serving: Calories: 310; Protein: 4 g; Total Fat: 11 g; Saturated Fat: 3 g; Carbohydrates: 51 g; Sodium: 450 mg; Fiber: 2 g; Sugar: 35 g

Friday, February 24, 2017

Friday Recipes

It's finally Friday. If you're like me, you probably have plans to get tons of stuff done. And, if you're really like me, you probably won't get half that stuff done before Monday morning. Such is life.

Of course, we still need to eat. So, here are six recipes to help you through the weekend. Enjoy!

SAVORY BREAKFAST SANDWICHES

This recipe, as well as the next one (Tofu Scramble) comes from Compassion Over Killing, and can be found in the breakfast section of their Easy Vegan Recipes.

You can request (or download) Compassion Over Killing's free Easy Vegan Recipes booklet here.

Makes 4 sandwiches

Ingredients

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

3 tablespoons Bragg Liquid Aminos or soy sauce

1/4 cup olive oil

1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper, divided

1 14-ounce package firm tofu, drained and cut crosswise into 8 slices

1 large onion, chopped

4 cloves garlic, chopped

8 ounces button mushrooms, sliced

1 medium tomato, chopped

2 cups baby spinach leaves

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

1 teaspoon salt

Vegan butter, such as Earth Balance (optional)

4 English muffins, toasted

Instructions

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.

In a shallow baking dish, mix together the vinegar, Bragg Liquid Aminos or soy sauce, olive oil, and 1/2 teaspoon of the black pepper with a whisk. Place tofu slices in a single layer in the dish, then turn over to coat on all sides. Allow tofu to marinate for 20 minutes, turning slices occasionally.

Place baking dish in oven for 20 minutes. Flip tofu slices over and continue to bake for an additional 10-20 minutes until crispy and most of the liquid has been absorbed.

Meanwhile, spray a large skillet with oil or cooking spray. Sauté onion and garlic over medium-high heat until onion begins to soften. Add mushrooms and continue cooking until they begin to brown. Add tomato, spinach, thyme, salt, and remaining black pepper. Cook and stir until spinach is wilted and any liquid has evaporated, turning heat to medium low if the vegetables are browning too quickly. Adjust seasoning.

To assemble sandwiches, spread vegan butter on English muffins, if using. Then add 2 tablespoons of the cooked vegetables to the bottom half of each muffin. Top with 2 slices of tofu and evenly distribute the remaining vegetables on top of the tofu slices on all 4 sandwiches. Cover with the other muffin halves and press down to help keep vegetables from spilling out.

TOFU SCRAMBLE

Serves 2-3

Ingredients

1 14-ounce package extra firm tofu, drained

2 tablespoons vegetable oil or vegan butter (try Earth Balance)

1/2 pound white button mushrooms, sliced

1 bell pepper, chopped

1 packed cup fresh spinach

2 green onions, diced

1/2 cup nutritional yeast

1 tablespoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric (for color)

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

Heat the oil or butter in a medium-sized frying pan over medium-high heat. Crumble the tofu into the pan and sauté, stirring occasionally for 8-10 minutes.

Add the remaining ingredients. Lightly toss in the pan until well-cooked, about 5 more minutes.

Adjust spices to taste and serve hot.

ROASTED CARROT AND RED LENTIL RAGOUT

This is from Molly O’Neill in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Molly wrote, “Somehow, over the centuries, the word ragout (which in 17th-century France meant anything that stimulated appetite) has come to signify a dish of sturdy consolation. Nearly any simmered food, be it meat, vegetable, fish or fowl, can be called a ragout, although in France, it is generally assumed that the main ingredients will be of a uniform chunk cut into slightly smaller than bite-size pieces. This spicy carrot and lentil ragout can be served first as a main course and later extended with coconut milk or chicken broth to make a soup. Serve it over rice to temper the heat.”

Yield: 6 servings; Time: 1 hour 15 minutes.

This was featured in “Food; Simmer Down” and can be viewed online here. Also, check out Melissa Clark’s guide, titled “How to Cook Beans” to help with the cooking process.

Note: The recipe originally called for chicken stock. I've replaced that with vegetable stock.

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds carrots, peeled

5 tablespoons olive oil

2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper to taste

1 medium onion, sliced thin

3/4 teaspoon ancho chili powder

3/4 teaspoon chipotle chili powder

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 cup red lentils

5 cups vegetable stock

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Lay the carrots in a roasting pan and toss with 3 tablespoons oil. Season with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and a few grinds of pepper. Roast for 20 minutes. Turn the carrots, add the onion and roast 15 minutes, until the carrots are brown and tender. When carrots are cool enough, cut them in 1/4-inch dice.

Warm 2 tablespoons oil in a saucepan. Add the carrot-and-onion mixture, the chili powders and the cayenne pepper. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Stir in the lentils. Add the stock and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 20 to 25 minutes, until the lentils are falling apart. Season with remaining salt and pepper to taste. Serve with rice, or as a thick soup.

BARLEY-STUFFED RED PEPPERS

This comes from the January 2003 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 21. It begins, “Baked, stuffed bell peppers make an ideal budget main course but usually require lengthy cooking time. This speedy version calls for steaming the red peppers to soften them before you fill them to the brim with zesty barley-mushroom stuffing.” Serves 3 in 30 minutes or less.

To view this online, go to http://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipe/barley-stuffed-red-peppers/.

1 cup uncooked quick-cooking barley

3 cups vegetable or mushroom broth

3 large red bell peppers

2 Tbs. olive oil

1 large onion, peeled and diced

1 Tbs. minced garlic

6 oz. presliced portobello mushrooms, cubed

4 oz. feta cheese, crumbled

1 tsp. lemon juice

1/3 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley

Hot pepper sauce to taste

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Parsley sprigs for garnish

Combine barley and 2 cups vegetable broth in saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, cover and cook until tender, 10 to 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, slice tops off red peppers, and remove seeds and inner membranes. Reserve tops for later use. Place peppers on steaming rack over boiling water, and cover saucepan. Steam peppers for about 15 minutes, or until tender but not soft. Remove from heat, and set aside until cool enough to handle.

Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat until hot. Sauté onion and garlic until onion becomes translucent, about 5 minutes. Add barley and any remaining cooking liquid, and stir until grains are coated with oil. Add mushrooms and remaining 1 cup vegetable broth, and sauté mixture for about 5 minutes, or until mushrooms soften and liquid absorbed. Stir in feta, lemon juice, parsley, hot pepper sauce, and salt and pepper to taste, and cook about 2 minutes more. Remove from heat.

Stand peppers upright, and spoon barley mixture into them. Fill each pepper, and serve with tops over the filling or propped alongside. Garnish with parsley and serve.

nutritional information Per Serving: Calories: 460; Protein: 14 g; Total Fat: 19 g; Saturated Fat: 7 g; Carbohydrates: 62 g; Cholesterol: 35 mg; Sodium: 900 mg; Fiber: 13 g; Sugar: 13 g

BAKED VEGETABLE MEDLEY

This also comes from the January 2003 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 22. It begins, “The crust for this vegetable-filled pie may be made from ready-made, store-bought dough that you roll out and fit into a pie plate. Or, for a no-fuss meal, start with a premade frozen pie crust. This is a meal-in-a-slice, calling only for a light dessert of fruit and nuts.” Serves 4 in 30 minutes or less.

To view this online, go to http://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipe/baked-vegetable-medley/.

One 9-inch unbaked frozen pie shell

2 Tbs. olive oil

1 large leek, thinly sliced

1 tsp. minced garlic

1/2 bunch kale, shredded

2/3 cup chunky seasoned tomato sauce

1 1/2 cups artichoke hearts, drained

6 oz. smoked tofu, cut into thin strips

1 cup grated low-fat mozzarella cheese

Preheat oven to 375F. Reserve strips of leek for garnish.

Bake pie shell until golden, about 10 minutes, or according to package directions. Remove from oven, and set aside. Increase oven temperature to 450F.

Heat olive oil in large skillet over med-ium heat. When hot, sauté leek and garlic for about 5 minutes. Add kale and tomato sauce, stirring often, and cook until kale wilts and leeks are translucent. Add artichoke hearts.

Fill baked pie shell, and arrange tofu pieces decoratively on top. Sprinkle grated cheese over top, and bake 5 minutes more. Increase oven temperature to broil, and heat until cheese browns, about 1 minute.

nutritional information Per Serving: Calories: 420; Protein: 18 g; Total Fat: 25 g; Saturated Fat: 8 g; Carbohydrates: 34 g; Cholesterol: 20 mg; Sodium: 510 mg; Fiber: 5 g; Sugar: 3 g

HERBED TOFU LASAGNA WITH ZUCCHINI

This also comes from the April 2006 issue of Vegetarian Times. It begins, “Simple, fresh flavors and an innovative way with tofu—it's blended with herbs and seasonings until creamy and ricotta-like—make this lasagna one you'll want to make year-round. The key: Use the best purchased marinara sauce you can find, then drizzle each serving with extra virgin olive oil.” Serves 10.

To view this online, go to http://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipe/herbed-tofu-lasagna-with-zucchini/.

2 14-oz. pkg. firm tofu, well drained

1/2 cup chopped fresh basil

1/3 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley

1/3 cup pine nuts, toasted

2 cloves garlic, peeled

2 Tbs. lemon juice

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes

1/4 tsp. sugar

1 Tbs. olive oil

4 medium-size zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch slices (about 3 cups)

5 cups marinara sauce

16 no-cook lasagna noodles (9 oz.)

Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat 13×9-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Combine tofu, basil, parsley, pine nuts, garlic, lemon juice, salt, red pepper flakes and sugar in food processor; blend until smooth and similar to ricotta in texture.

Put oil and zucchini in large nonstick skillet. Sauté 3 to 5 minutes over medium-high heat, or until just tender.

Spread 3 Tbs. marinara sauce over bottom of prepared baking dish. Cover with layer of noodles, overlapping slightly, half of tofu mixture and half of zucchini mixture. Top with another layer of noodles, remaining tofu and zucchini, and 1/2 cup sauce. Finish with another layer of noodles and remaining sauce.

Cover with foil, and bake 1 hour. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.

nutritional information Per SERVING: Calories: 314; Protein: 18 g; Total Fat: 12 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 36 g; Sodium: 617 mg; Fiber: 6 g; Sugar: 10 g; Vegan