It's Monday, time to start the week off again. Here are six yummy recipes to get your week off just right, including Carolina-Style Barbecue Sandwiches and Vegan Mapo Tofu. Enjoy!
VEGETARIAN SWEDISH MEATBALLS
This is from Kay Chun in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Kay wrote, "Cremini mushrooms, chickpeas and bulgur wheat mimic the texture of ground meat in this vegetarian version of the classic Swedish meatball dish. Seasoned generously with allspice and nutmeg and blanketed in a velvety mushroom gravy, they are excellent served over egg noodles or mashed potatoes — or spooned onto a toasted hero (add sliced tangy pickles to balance out the richness). Leftover cooked meatballs can be frozen and reheated in a 425-degree oven until warmed through, about 15 minutes."
Yield: 2 dozen meatballs; Time: 50 minutes.
To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020839-vegetarian-swedish-meatballs.
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
2 tablespoons bulgur wheat
4 cremini mushrooms, stemmed and quartered
1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed (about 1 1/2 cups)
1/3 cup plain bread crumbs
1/4 cup sour cream
1 large egg
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
3/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
Canola oil, for greasing
For the Gravy:
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups mushroom stock (or vegetable stock)
1 tablespoon sour cream
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Preparation
Make the meatballs: Heat oven to 375 degrees. Bring 1/4 cup water to a boil in a small saucepan. Add the bulgur, remove from heat, cover and let sit until tender, 15 minutes. Drain, pressing to remove excess water. Cool.
Meanwhile, in a food processor, pulse mushrooms until finely chopped with some pea-size pieces remaining (do not purée); transfer to a large bowl. Repeat with the chickpeas: Pulse, then add them to the large bowl. Add the bread crumbs, sour cream, egg, salt, allspice, pepper, onion powder, nutmeg and the cooled bulgur and mix until well blended. Form into 1 1/4-inch meatballs (about 2 teaspoons each; you should have about 24). Arrange on a greased baking sheet and bake, turning halfway, until golden, 18 to 20 minutes.
Make the gravy: While the meatballs bake, in a large nonstick saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour and cook, whisking constantly, until smooth and lightly golden, 2 minutes. Add stock and bring to a simmer. Cook, whisking, until thickened, 2 minutes. Whisk in sour cream, parsley and mustard; season to taste with salt and pepper (you should have about 1 cup gravy). Add meatballs and simmer, spooning sauce over meatballs, until nicely coated, about 2 minutes more. Serve warm.
MAPLE & BROWN SUGAR OATMEAL WITH ORANGE, CRANBERRIES & ALMONDS
I somehow ended up on the Kroger emailing list, which is a little strange, considering that 1) there isn't a Kroger anywhere near me, and 2) I don't recall signing up for their emails. No matter…I did visit a Kroger once while visiting family in Knoxville, and will say that while it looks like there are maybe two Krogers in Florida, I wouldn't object to them spreading out, say, to Florida's west coast. (Hey, Kroger people, are you listening?)
For the record, I'd also love to see Wegmans here, too. While I've shopped at Publix for years, it'd be nice to have some competition from the aforementioned two grocery stores. I'll leave it at that…
Anywho, this recipe was in the Kroger emailing list and looked absolutely yummy. While I'm not a fan of instant oatmeal, and plan to use this recipe to come up with something similar using quick cook oats, I'll post it here as it does look good. (Keep in mind that when I tweak it, I'll post the new one, okay?)
Serves: 1; Prep time: 5 minutes; Total time: 5 minutes; Difficulty: Easy
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 package Quaker® Maple & Brown Sugar Instant Oatmeal, prepared according to package directions
1/4 orange, peeled and diced
1 tablespoon dried cranberries
1 tablespoon sliced almonds
1 tablespoon orange zest, grated
Directions
Top oatmeal with orange, dried cranberries and sliced almonds. Garnish with orange zest.
VEGAN MAPO TOFU
This is from David Tanis in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. David wrote, “Mapo tofu is a justly popular menu item in many Chinese restaurants. It is a quickly cooked dish of braised tofu with minced pork (sometimes beef) in a bracing spicy sauce made with fermented black beans and fermented broad bean paste, along with hot red pepper and Sichuan pepper. This meatless version with fresh shiitake mushrooms is completely satisfying, and surprisingly easy to make. For the best texture, use soft tofu rather than firm, taking care to cook it gently to keep it from crumbling.”
Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 to 6 servings.
This was featured in “Mapo Tofu Goes Vegetarian”, and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1017358-vegan-mapo-tofu.
Ingredients
8 ounces shiitake mushrooms
2 cups water
15 ounce block of soft tofu (do not use silken)
Salt
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 small dried hot red peppers
1 tablespoon fermented black beans, rinsed
1 tablespoon fermented spicy broad bean paste (doubanjiang)
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 tablespoon grated ginger
2 teaspoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
1 teaspoon finely ground Sichuan pepper
1 tablespoon corn- or potato starch, dissolved in 3 tablespoons cold water
1/2 cup slivered scallions, both white and green parts
Cilantro sprigs, for garnish
Preparation
Remove stems from mushrooms. Make a light mushroom broth by simmering stems in 2 cups water for 15 minutes, then strain and reserve broth (discard stems). Dice mushroom caps and set aside.
Cut tofu into 1-inch cubes. Cover with boiling salted water, let steep for 15 minutes, then drain.
Put oil in a wok or wide skillet over medium heat. Add red peppers, black beans and bean paste and cook, stirring until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add garlic and ginger and let sizzle, then add mushrooms, soy sauce, sesame oil and Sichuan pepper. Add 1 1/2 cups mushroom broth and cook mixture gently for 2 minutes.
Carefully add tofu cubes. Shake pan to distribute sauce, using a wooden spoon to help. Try to avoid smashing tofu. Drizzle in cornstarch mixture, gently swirling pan to incorporate (sauce will thicken) and simmer tofu in sauce for 2 minutes more. Thin with a little mushroom broth if necessary. Transfer to a low bowl or platter. Sprinkle with scallions and cilantro sprigs.
PUMPKIN SOUP
Recipe Yield: Makes 8 servings.
Source: AICR
Recipe and image appear courtesy of American Institute for Cancer Research.
View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/pumpkin-soup-2.
Ingredients
4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth, divided
4 cups pumpkin puree (canned or fresh) (butternut squash may be substituted)
1 cup finely chopped onion
1 clove garlic
1 tsp. fresh thyme, chopped
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
2 Tbsp. light whipping cream (optional)
1 tsp. fresh parsley, chopped
Nutmeg (optional)
Directions
In large pot over medium-high heat add 3 cups broth, pumpkin, onion, garlic, thyme, salt and pepper. Bring to boil. Reduce to low and simmer uncovered, about 30 minutes.
Puree mixture until smooth, in small batches, using blender or food processor. Return to pot. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for another 30 minutes. Add remaining broth as desired. (Optional, stir in cream.)
Pour into bowls. Garnish with parsley (or sprinkle of nutmeg) and serve.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 71; Fat: 1 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Sodium: 284 mg; Protein: 3 g; Carbohydrates: 16 g
CAROLINA-STYLE BARBECUE SANDWICHES
This is from Vegetarian Times (posted on the website on May 9, 2017), and begins, "A tangy mustard-based sauce distinguishes Carolina-style barbecue from its sweeter Kansas City cousin. This recipe makes 2 cups of sauce, leaving plenty to serve on the side. For crunch in your sandwiches, buy coleslaw at the deli, or make Deep South Slaw."
Makes: 4 servings.
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/carolina-style-barbecue-sandwiches.
Ingredients
1 cup apple cider vinegar
2/3 cup no-salt-added ketchup, such as Heinz
1/4 cup yellow mustard
3 Tbs. dark brown sugar
1 Tbs. molasses
2 tsp. Louisiana-style hot sauce
2 tsp. black pepper
1 tsp. salt
12 oz. seitan, cut into thin strips
4 hamburger-style buns
12 pickle chips, optional
1 cup prepared coleslaw, optional
Directions
Bring vinegar, ketchup, mustard, brown sugar, molasses, hot sauce, black pepper, and salt to a simmer in saucepan over medium heat. Cook 5 minutes. Transfer 1 cup sauce to bowl, and set aside. Add seitan to saucepan, and cook 10 minutes. Divide among buns. Serve with pickle chips, coleslaw, and extra sauce, if using.
DEEP SOUTH SLAW
This is from Vegetarian Times (updated on the website on June 11, 2019), and begins, "The key to perfect coleslaw is a creamy base, a hint of sweetness, a touch of tangy vinegar, and, in the case of Cajun versions, a little kick from hot sauce or cayenne pepper."
Makes: 8 Servings
This can be viewed online at https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/deep-south-slaw.
Ingredients
2 medium carrots, grated
10 oz. green cabbage, thinly sliced (4 cups)
1 medium red bell pepper, thinly sliced (1 cup)
3 Tbs. vegan mayonnaise
2 Tbs. whole-grain mustard
1 Tbs. cider vinegar
1 Tbs. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/2 cup parsley, chopped
Directions
Combine cabbage, carrots, and bell pepper in large bowl. Whisk together mayonnaise, mustard, cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and cayenne pepper in small bowl. Pour mayonnaise mixture over cabbage mixture, and toss to coat. Chill well. Sprinkle with parsley before serving.
Showing posts with label Vegan Mapo Tofu. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vegan Mapo Tofu. Show all posts
Monday, July 20, 2020
Wednesday, June 17, 2020
Tofu
For years, tofu got an almost bad rap: bland, almost tasteless, and then there's the texture...
Fortunately, the bad rap didn't last long. The texture can be taken care of when fixed the right way. And the blandness? It takes on the taste of the spices and other ingredients used in the recipes it's cooked with.
With that in mind, here are six yummy tofu recipes that can make a convert of most, including Baked Tofu with Peanut Sauce and Coconut-Lime Rice and Tofu Crème au Chocolate. Enjoy!
VEGAN MAPO TOFU
This is from David Tanis in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. David wrote, “Mapo tofu is a justly popular menu item in many Chinese restaurants. It is a quickly cooked dish of braised tofu with minced pork (sometimes beef) in a bracing spicy sauce made with fermented black beans and fermented broad bean paste, along with hot red pepper and Sichuan pepper. This meatless version with fresh shiitake mushrooms is completely satisfying, and surprisingly easy to make. For the best texture, use soft tofu rather than firm, taking care to cook it gently to keep it from crumbling.”
Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 to 6 servings.
This was featured in “Mapo Tofu Goes Vegetarian”, and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1017358-vegan-mapo-tofu.
Ingredients
8 ounces shiitake mushrooms
2 cups water
15 ounce block of soft tofu (do not use silken)
Salt
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 small dried hot red peppers
1 tablespoon fermented black beans, rinsed
1 tablespoon fermented spicy broad bean paste (doubanjiang)
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 tablespoon grated ginger
2 teaspoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
1 teaspoon finely ground Sichuan pepper
1 tablespoon corn- or potato starch, dissolved in 3 tablespoons cold water
1/2 cup slivered scallions, both white and green parts
Cilantro sprigs, for garnish
Preparation
Remove stems from mushrooms. Make a light mushroom broth by simmering stems in 2 cups water for 15 minutes, then strain and reserve broth (discard stems). Dice mushroom caps and set aside.
Cut tofu into 1-inch cubes. Cover with boiling salted water, let steep for 15 minutes, then drain.
Put oil in a wok or wide skillet over medium heat. Add red peppers, black beans and bean paste and cook, stirring until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add garlic and ginger and let sizzle, then add mushrooms, soy sauce, sesame oil and Sichuan pepper. Add 1 1/2 cups mushroom broth and cook mixture gently for 2 minutes.
Carefully add tofu cubes. Shake pan to distribute sauce, using a wooden spoon to help. Try to avoid smashing tofu. Drizzle in cornstarch mixture, gently swirling pan to incorporate (sauce will thicken) and simmer tofu in sauce for 2 minutes more. Thin with a little mushroom broth if necessary. Transfer to a low bowl or platter. Sprinkle with scallions and cilantro sprigs.
BAKED TOFU WITH PEANUT SAUCE AND COCONUT-LIME RICE
This is from Yewande Komolafe in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Yewande wrote, “A spicy, fragrant peanut sauce reminiscent of the groundnut stews that are popular across West Africa anchors this recipe. Any protein would be lucky to be doused and marinated in it, but tofu soaks up the peanut sauce’s flavors and chars up nicely upon roasting. The tofu’s neutral flavor allows the other flavors in the dish to break through. Red miso and fish sauce provide umami, honey lends a subtle sweetness and the lime zest in the coconut rice brightens it all. Finished with pickled peppers and fresh sliced scallions, this dish comes together to make an exciting but quick weeknight dinner.”
Yield: 4 servings; Time: 25 minutes
To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020530-baked-tofu-with-peanut-sauce-and-coconut-lime-rice.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons peanut or vegetable oil, plus more for brushing the pan and drizzling
2/3 cup lime juice (from about 5 limes), and zest of 1 lime
Kosher salt
8 baby bell peppers or 1 medium bell pepper (any color will do), stemmed and thinly sliced lengthwise
Black pepper
1 cup long-grain rice like jasmine or basmati
1/2 cup full-fat coconut milk
1 cup smooth, natural peanut butter
1 tablespoon red miso
1 tablespoon grated ginger
1 tablespoon fish sauce (optional)
2 teaspoons chopped habanero pepper, stem and seeds removed, or 1 tablespoon sambal
2 tablespoons buckwheat honey or molasses
2 (14-ounce) package extra-firm tofu, drained and sliced crosswise, 1/4-inch thick
3 cups peppery greens, like arugula, mizuna or baby mustard greens
2 scallions, trimmed and thinly sliced
Preparation
Heat the oven to 450 degrees and lightly brush a large rimmed sheet pan with oil.
In a small bowl, stir 4 tablespoons lime juice with 1/2 teaspoon salt until salt dissolves. Add the sliced peppers, a few cracks of black pepper and set aside.
In a small pot, combine the rice with 1 cup water and the coconut milk. Season with salt and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook over medium-low until the rice is just tender, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and let sit, covered, until ready to serve.
In a medium bowl, whisk 4 tablespoons lime juice with the peanut butter, miso, ginger, fish sauce (if using), habanero, 2 tablespoons oil, 1 tablespoon honey and 3/4 cup water. Stir until smooth and season to taste with salt.
Arrange the tofu pieces in a single layer on the oiled baking sheet and season with salt. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the peanut sauce over each, covering the top and allowing the sauce to run down and coat the sides. Drizzle the tops with some oil, and roast until glaze is set, deep brown and caramelized along the edges, 18 to 20 minutes. Add the remaining lime juice and 1 tablespoon honey to the leftover peanut sauce in the bowl to make the dressing; set aside.
Divide the greens among bowls. Add the lime zest and half the sliced scallions to the rice, then fluff with a fork. Top the greens with the rice, then the tofu. Spoon the peanut dressing over everything, and garnish with the drained pickled peppers and remaining sliced scallions.
Tip
Peanut sauce can be made 2 to 3 days in advance and stored refrigerated until ready to use.
HERBED TOFU LASAGNA WITH ZUCCHINI
This 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/.
Ingredients
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.)
Directions
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
TOFU-SPINACH LASAGNA
This is from PETA's website. Whether you like PETA or not, they do have good vegetarian recipes. This one makes 6 to 8 servings, and can be viewed online at https://www.peta.org/recipes/tofu-spinach-lasagne/.
Ingredients
1/2 lb. lasagna noodles
2 10-oz. packages frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
1 lb. soft tofu
1 lb. firm tofu
1 Tbsp. sugar
1/4 cup soy milk
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
3 tsp. minced fresh basil
2 tsp. salt
4 cups tomato sauce
Instructions
Cook the lasagna noodles according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Squeeze the spinach as dry as possible and set aside.
Place the tofu, sugar, soy milk, garlic powder, lemon juice, basil, and salt in a food processor or blender and blend until smooth. Stir in the spinach.
Cover the bottom of a 9-inch-by-13-inch baking dish with a thin layer of tomato sauce, then a layer of noodles (use about one-third of the noodles). Follow with half of the tofu filling. Continue in the same order, using half of the remaining tomato sauce and noodles and all of the remaining tofu filling. End with the remaining noodles, covered by the remaining tomato sauce. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes.
CHOCOLATE TOFU ICE CREAM
This comes from the August 2000 issue of Vegetarian Times, and begins, “You’d never guess that this rich, dense, fudgy ice cream contains considerably less fat than the classic version.” Makes 5 cups.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 lb. soft tofu, drained
1 cup sugar
1 cup plain soy milk
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 Tbs. vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Directions
In blender, puree all ingredients in 2 equal batches until very smooth.
Pour mixture into ice cream maker and freeze according to manufacturer’s directions. Serve right away or transfer to airtight container and freeze up to 3 days.
nutritional information Per 1/2-cup serving: Calories: 126; Protein: 3 g; Total Fat: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 25 g; Sodium: 25 mg; Fiber: 1 g; Vegan
TOFU CREME AU CHOCOLATE
This comes from the January/February 2015 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 46, and begins, “We’ve given this dessert its French name to highlight how decadent it is—a chocolate pudding for grown-ups as well as kids! No one will guess it’s made with tofu.” Serves 8.
To view this online, go to http://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipe/tofu-creme-au-chocolat/.
4 oz. dark chocolate, broken into pieces
1 Tbs. Earth Balance Original Buttery Spread
1 14-oz. pkg. silken tofu, drained
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
1 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
1/8 tsp. salt
Melt chocolate in microwave on medium power or in double boiler. Stir in buttery spread until no lumps remain.
Blend tofu, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and salt in blender or food processor 1 to 2 minutes, or until smooth and creamy.
Add chocolate to tofu mixture, and blend 30 seconds, or until smooth and creamy. Transfer to bowl, cover, and refrigerate 2 hours, or until set.
nutritional information Per 1/2-cup serving: Calories: 146; Protein: 3 g; Total Fat: 8 g; Saturated Fat: 4 g; Carbohydrates: 15 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 56 mg; Fiber: 1 g; Sugar: 12 g; Vegan; Gluten-Free
Fortunately, the bad rap didn't last long. The texture can be taken care of when fixed the right way. And the blandness? It takes on the taste of the spices and other ingredients used in the recipes it's cooked with.
With that in mind, here are six yummy tofu recipes that can make a convert of most, including Baked Tofu with Peanut Sauce and Coconut-Lime Rice and Tofu Crème au Chocolate. Enjoy!
VEGAN MAPO TOFU
This is from David Tanis in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. David wrote, “Mapo tofu is a justly popular menu item in many Chinese restaurants. It is a quickly cooked dish of braised tofu with minced pork (sometimes beef) in a bracing spicy sauce made with fermented black beans and fermented broad bean paste, along with hot red pepper and Sichuan pepper. This meatless version with fresh shiitake mushrooms is completely satisfying, and surprisingly easy to make. For the best texture, use soft tofu rather than firm, taking care to cook it gently to keep it from crumbling.”
Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 to 6 servings.
This was featured in “Mapo Tofu Goes Vegetarian”, and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1017358-vegan-mapo-tofu.
Ingredients
8 ounces shiitake mushrooms
2 cups water
15 ounce block of soft tofu (do not use silken)
Salt
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 small dried hot red peppers
1 tablespoon fermented black beans, rinsed
1 tablespoon fermented spicy broad bean paste (doubanjiang)
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 tablespoon grated ginger
2 teaspoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
1 teaspoon finely ground Sichuan pepper
1 tablespoon corn- or potato starch, dissolved in 3 tablespoons cold water
1/2 cup slivered scallions, both white and green parts
Cilantro sprigs, for garnish
Preparation
Remove stems from mushrooms. Make a light mushroom broth by simmering stems in 2 cups water for 15 minutes, then strain and reserve broth (discard stems). Dice mushroom caps and set aside.
Cut tofu into 1-inch cubes. Cover with boiling salted water, let steep for 15 minutes, then drain.
Put oil in a wok or wide skillet over medium heat. Add red peppers, black beans and bean paste and cook, stirring until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add garlic and ginger and let sizzle, then add mushrooms, soy sauce, sesame oil and Sichuan pepper. Add 1 1/2 cups mushroom broth and cook mixture gently for 2 minutes.
Carefully add tofu cubes. Shake pan to distribute sauce, using a wooden spoon to help. Try to avoid smashing tofu. Drizzle in cornstarch mixture, gently swirling pan to incorporate (sauce will thicken) and simmer tofu in sauce for 2 minutes more. Thin with a little mushroom broth if necessary. Transfer to a low bowl or platter. Sprinkle with scallions and cilantro sprigs.
BAKED TOFU WITH PEANUT SAUCE AND COCONUT-LIME RICE
This is from Yewande Komolafe in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Yewande wrote, “A spicy, fragrant peanut sauce reminiscent of the groundnut stews that are popular across West Africa anchors this recipe. Any protein would be lucky to be doused and marinated in it, but tofu soaks up the peanut sauce’s flavors and chars up nicely upon roasting. The tofu’s neutral flavor allows the other flavors in the dish to break through. Red miso and fish sauce provide umami, honey lends a subtle sweetness and the lime zest in the coconut rice brightens it all. Finished with pickled peppers and fresh sliced scallions, this dish comes together to make an exciting but quick weeknight dinner.”
Yield: 4 servings; Time: 25 minutes
To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020530-baked-tofu-with-peanut-sauce-and-coconut-lime-rice.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons peanut or vegetable oil, plus more for brushing the pan and drizzling
2/3 cup lime juice (from about 5 limes), and zest of 1 lime
Kosher salt
8 baby bell peppers or 1 medium bell pepper (any color will do), stemmed and thinly sliced lengthwise
Black pepper
1 cup long-grain rice like jasmine or basmati
1/2 cup full-fat coconut milk
1 cup smooth, natural peanut butter
1 tablespoon red miso
1 tablespoon grated ginger
1 tablespoon fish sauce (optional)
2 teaspoons chopped habanero pepper, stem and seeds removed, or 1 tablespoon sambal
2 tablespoons buckwheat honey or molasses
2 (14-ounce) package extra-firm tofu, drained and sliced crosswise, 1/4-inch thick
3 cups peppery greens, like arugula, mizuna or baby mustard greens
2 scallions, trimmed and thinly sliced
Preparation
Heat the oven to 450 degrees and lightly brush a large rimmed sheet pan with oil.
In a small bowl, stir 4 tablespoons lime juice with 1/2 teaspoon salt until salt dissolves. Add the sliced peppers, a few cracks of black pepper and set aside.
In a small pot, combine the rice with 1 cup water and the coconut milk. Season with salt and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook over medium-low until the rice is just tender, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and let sit, covered, until ready to serve.
In a medium bowl, whisk 4 tablespoons lime juice with the peanut butter, miso, ginger, fish sauce (if using), habanero, 2 tablespoons oil, 1 tablespoon honey and 3/4 cup water. Stir until smooth and season to taste with salt.
Arrange the tofu pieces in a single layer on the oiled baking sheet and season with salt. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the peanut sauce over each, covering the top and allowing the sauce to run down and coat the sides. Drizzle the tops with some oil, and roast until glaze is set, deep brown and caramelized along the edges, 18 to 20 minutes. Add the remaining lime juice and 1 tablespoon honey to the leftover peanut sauce in the bowl to make the dressing; set aside.
Divide the greens among bowls. Add the lime zest and half the sliced scallions to the rice, then fluff with a fork. Top the greens with the rice, then the tofu. Spoon the peanut dressing over everything, and garnish with the drained pickled peppers and remaining sliced scallions.
Tip
Peanut sauce can be made 2 to 3 days in advance and stored refrigerated until ready to use.
HERBED TOFU LASAGNA WITH ZUCCHINI
This 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/.
Ingredients
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.)
Directions
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
TOFU-SPINACH LASAGNA
This is from PETA's website. Whether you like PETA or not, they do have good vegetarian recipes. This one makes 6 to 8 servings, and can be viewed online at https://www.peta.org/recipes/tofu-spinach-lasagne/.
Ingredients
1/2 lb. lasagna noodles
2 10-oz. packages frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
1 lb. soft tofu
1 lb. firm tofu
1 Tbsp. sugar
1/4 cup soy milk
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
3 tsp. minced fresh basil
2 tsp. salt
4 cups tomato sauce
Instructions
Cook the lasagna noodles according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Squeeze the spinach as dry as possible and set aside.
Place the tofu, sugar, soy milk, garlic powder, lemon juice, basil, and salt in a food processor or blender and blend until smooth. Stir in the spinach.
Cover the bottom of a 9-inch-by-13-inch baking dish with a thin layer of tomato sauce, then a layer of noodles (use about one-third of the noodles). Follow with half of the tofu filling. Continue in the same order, using half of the remaining tomato sauce and noodles and all of the remaining tofu filling. End with the remaining noodles, covered by the remaining tomato sauce. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes.
CHOCOLATE TOFU ICE CREAM
This comes from the August 2000 issue of Vegetarian Times, and begins, “You’d never guess that this rich, dense, fudgy ice cream contains considerably less fat than the classic version.” Makes 5 cups.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 lb. soft tofu, drained
1 cup sugar
1 cup plain soy milk
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 Tbs. vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Directions
In blender, puree all ingredients in 2 equal batches until very smooth.
Pour mixture into ice cream maker and freeze according to manufacturer’s directions. Serve right away or transfer to airtight container and freeze up to 3 days.
nutritional information Per 1/2-cup serving: Calories: 126; Protein: 3 g; Total Fat: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 25 g; Sodium: 25 mg; Fiber: 1 g; Vegan
TOFU CREME AU CHOCOLATE
This comes from the January/February 2015 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 46, and begins, “We’ve given this dessert its French name to highlight how decadent it is—a chocolate pudding for grown-ups as well as kids! No one will guess it’s made with tofu.” Serves 8.
To view this online, go to http://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipe/tofu-creme-au-chocolat/.
4 oz. dark chocolate, broken into pieces
1 Tbs. Earth Balance Original Buttery Spread
1 14-oz. pkg. silken tofu, drained
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
1 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
1/8 tsp. salt
Melt chocolate in microwave on medium power or in double boiler. Stir in buttery spread until no lumps remain.
Blend tofu, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and salt in blender or food processor 1 to 2 minutes, or until smooth and creamy.
Add chocolate to tofu mixture, and blend 30 seconds, or until smooth and creamy. Transfer to bowl, cover, and refrigerate 2 hours, or until set.
nutritional information Per 1/2-cup serving: Calories: 146; Protein: 3 g; Total Fat: 8 g; Saturated Fat: 4 g; Carbohydrates: 15 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 56 mg; Fiber: 1 g; Sugar: 12 g; Vegan; Gluten-Free
Monday, April 6, 2020
Monday Recipes
We made it through another weekend. Here are six recipes to get your week started just right, including Vegetarian Skillet Chili and Made-in-the-Pan Chocolate Cake. Enjoy!
VEGAN MAPO TOFU
This is from David Tanis in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. David wrote, “Mapo tofu is a justly popular menu item in many Chinese restaurants. It is a quickly cooked dish of braised tofu with minced pork (sometimes beef) in a bracing spicy sauce made with fermented black beans and fermented broad bean paste, along with hot red pepper and Sichuan pepper. This meatless version with fresh shiitake mushrooms is completely satisfying, and surprisingly easy to make. For the best texture, use soft tofu rather than firm, taking care to cook it gently to keep it from crumbling.”
Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 to 6 servings.
This was featured in “Mapo Tofu Goes Vegetarian”, and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1017358-vegan-mapo-tofu.
Ingredients
8 ounces shiitake mushrooms
2 cups water
15 ounce block of soft tofu (do not use silken)
Salt
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 small dried hot red peppers
1 tablespoon fermented black beans, rinsed
1 tablespoon fermented spicy broad bean paste (doubanjiang)
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 tablespoon grated ginger
2 teaspoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
1 teaspoon finely ground Sichuan pepper
1 tablespoon corn- or potato starch, dissolved in 3 tablespoons cold water
1/2 cup slivered scallions, both white and green parts
Cilantro sprigs, for garnish
Preparation
Remove stems from mushrooms. Make a light mushroom broth by simmering stems in 2 cups water for 15 minutes, then strain and reserve broth (discard stems). Dice mushroom caps and set aside.
Cut tofu into 1-inch cubes. Cover with boiling salted water, let steep for 15 minutes, then drain.
Put oil in a wok or wide skillet over medium heat. Add red peppers, black beans and bean paste and cook, stirring until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add garlic and ginger and let sizzle, then add mushrooms, soy sauce, sesame oil and Sichuan pepper. Add 1 1/2 cups mushroom broth and cook mixture gently for 2 minutes.
Carefully add tofu cubes. Shake pan to distribute sauce, using a wooden spoon to help. Try to avoid smashing tofu. Drizzle in cornstarch mixture, gently swirling pan to incorporate (sauce will thicken) and simmer tofu in sauce for 2 minutes more. Thin with a little mushroom broth if necessary. Transfer to a low bowl or platter. Sprinkle with scallions and cilantro sprigs.
PUMPKIN SOUP
Recipe Yield: Makes 8 servings.
Source: AICR
Recipe and image appear courtesy of American Institute for Cancer Research.
View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/pumpkin-soup-2.
Ingredients
4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth, divided
4 cups pumpkin puree (canned or fresh) (butternut squash may be substituted)
1 cup finely chopped onion
1 clove garlic
1 tsp. fresh thyme, chopped
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
2 Tbsp. light whipping cream (optional)
1 tsp. fresh parsley, chopped
Nutmeg (optional)
Directions
In large pot over medium-high heat add 3 cups broth, pumpkin, onion, garlic, thyme, salt and pepper. Bring to boil. Reduce to low and simmer uncovered, about 30 minutes.
Puree mixture until smooth, in small batches, using blender or food processor. Return to pot. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for another 30 minutes. Add remaining broth as desired. (Optional, stir in cream.)
Pour into bowls. Garnish with parsley (or sprinkle of nutmeg) and serve.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 71; Fat: 1 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Sodium: 284 mg; Protein: 3 g; Carbohydrates: 16 g
MADE-IN-THE-PAN CHOCOLATE CAKE
This wonderful vegan cake is from Margaux Laskey in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Margaux wrote, "This surprisingly tender vegan chocolate cake is made entirely in an 8-by-8-inch baking pan: Just toss in the ingredients, stir until you don’t see any flour streaks, then bake. For flourish, add a small handful of chocolate chips before baking or sprinkle the finished cake with a little confectioners’ sugar. Adapted from Mollie Katzen’s 'Honest Pretzels: And 64 Other Amazing Recipes for Kids Who Love to Cook,' this recipe was developed for kids, but adults love it, too. It’s an ideal snacking cake, or you could gussy it up with a simple ganache frosting."
Yield: 9 to 12 servings; Time: 45 minutes.
This was featured in "The Best Cookbooks for Kids", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020063-made-in-the-pan-chocolate-cake.
Ingredients
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/3 cup canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar or white vinegar
2 tablespoons semisweet or vegan chocolate chips (optional)
Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting on top (optional)
Preparations
Heat oven to 325 degrees. Add the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt to an 8-by-8-inch square glass or metal baking dish. Whisk the mixture together until uniform in color. Use your fingers to break apart any lumps.
Add 1 cup water along with the oil, vanilla extract and vinegar. Stir slowly with a fork or a whisk in small circles to blend. Mash, scrape and stir with a fork and spoon until the mixture becomes a smooth and uniform batter.
Scrape the sides of the baking dish with a rubber spatula and spread the batter in an even layer. Sprinkle with chocolate chips, if using.
Use a damp paper towel to wipe the edges of the baking dish clean. Carefully transfer the dish to the oven and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of the batter comes out mostly clean, 28 to 33 minutes. (Instead of looking like you dipped the toothpick in chocolate frosting, it should look like it has some chocolate cake crumbs clinging to it.)
Remove from the oven, let cool, then cut the cake into squares. If you’re feeling fancy, this tastes good (and looks pretty) with some confectioners’ sugar dusted on top.
CREAMY BROCCOLI MAC AND CHEESE
This comes from Chungah on her wonderful site, Damn Delicious. If you haven’t checked out her site, you really should! Go ahead, I’ll wait.
Chungah wrote, “The EASIEST and CREAMIEST mac and cheese made in less than 30 min! Comfort food perfection! And it is the perfect way to sneak in those greens!”
Yield: 4 servings; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes
To view this online, go to https://damndelicious.net/2017/12/28/creamy-broccoli-mac-and-cheese/
Ingredients
8 ounces medium pasta shells
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 shallot, minced
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/3 cups whole milk
1 cup half and half
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 cups chopped broccoli florets
6 ounces extra-sharp cheddar cheese, grated
Directions
In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package instructions; drain well.
Melt butter in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add garlic and shallot, and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
Whisk in flour until lightly browned, about 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk, half and half and Dijon until slightly thickened, about 3-4 minutes. If the mixture is too thick, add more milk as needed; season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Stir in pasta, broccoli and cheese until well combined, about 3-4 minutes.
Serve immediately.
VEGETARIAN SKILLET CHILI
This is from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Melissa wrote, “If you keep canned beans, tomatoes, onion and garlic in your pantry, you can make this dish on any weeknight without having to shop. The pickled onions aren’t strictly necessary, but they are simple to make and add a welcome tangy contrast to the beans. Pickled peppers are a fine substitute. If you have a bell pepper or jalapeño or two, chop them up and sauté them with the onions. And if you want to be fancy, grate the zest off the lime before juicing for the pickles, and stir it into the sour cream.”
Yield: 4 servings; Time: 30 minutes
This was featured in “5 Easy Meals for the Distracted Cook,” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
For the Pickled Onions:
1 lime
1 red onion or shallot, thinly sliced
Salt, as needed
Sugar, as needed
For the Chili:
Olive or grapeseed oil
1 large onion, chopped
Garlic cloves, to taste, minced
Chile powder
Dried oregano
2 (15-ounce) cans beans, drained
1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes
Salt, to taste
Fresh cilantro, diced avocado and sour cream, for garnish (optional)
Preparation
Make the pickled onions: Squeeze the lime juice into a bowl and add the onion or shallot, a large pinch of salt and a small pinch of sugar. Let rest for 20 minutes while you make the chili.
Heat a large skillet, then add the oil. When hot, add the onion and sauté until softened. Add the garlic, chile powder and oregano and sauté until fragrant. Add the beans and tomatoes and a few large pinches of salt and let simmer until the tomatoes break down, about 20 minutes.
Taste and add more salt, chile and/or oregano to taste. Serve with the pickled onion and any of the garnishes you like.
TERIYAKI TOFU KABOBS
Yield 4 servings
Serving Size: 2 skewers
Source: The Diabetes Food and Nutrition Bible
Author: Hope Warshaw and Robyn Webb
Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/330.shtml
Ingredients
8 bamboo skewers
3/4 pound extra firm tofu, drained and cut into 32 cubes
1 red pepper, cut into 16 squares
1 cup canned pineapple chunks, reserve 1/2 cup juice
1 tablespoon lite soy sauce
1 clove garlic
2 teaspoons minced ginger
Directions
Soak skewers in water for 30 minutes to keep them from burning as you cook the skewers.
Meanwhile, put the tofu, red pepper, and pineapple chunks in a plastic bag or container with a lid. Add reserved pineapple juice, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. Marinate for at least 30 minutes.
Drain, reserving marinade to baste. Thread the tofu, red pepper, and pineapple on the skewers.
Prepare an outdoor grill or oven broiler with the rack set 6 inches from the heat source. Grill or broil the kabobs about 5 minutes per side, basting with the marinade. Serve with brown rice.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 107; Protein: 7 g; Fat: 2 g; Sodium: 147 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Carbohydrates: 17 g; Exchanges: 1 Carbohydrate, 1 Very Lean Meat
VEGAN MAPO TOFU
This is from David Tanis in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. David wrote, “Mapo tofu is a justly popular menu item in many Chinese restaurants. It is a quickly cooked dish of braised tofu with minced pork (sometimes beef) in a bracing spicy sauce made with fermented black beans and fermented broad bean paste, along with hot red pepper and Sichuan pepper. This meatless version with fresh shiitake mushrooms is completely satisfying, and surprisingly easy to make. For the best texture, use soft tofu rather than firm, taking care to cook it gently to keep it from crumbling.”
Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 to 6 servings.
This was featured in “Mapo Tofu Goes Vegetarian”, and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1017358-vegan-mapo-tofu.
Ingredients
8 ounces shiitake mushrooms
2 cups water
15 ounce block of soft tofu (do not use silken)
Salt
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 small dried hot red peppers
1 tablespoon fermented black beans, rinsed
1 tablespoon fermented spicy broad bean paste (doubanjiang)
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 tablespoon grated ginger
2 teaspoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
1 teaspoon finely ground Sichuan pepper
1 tablespoon corn- or potato starch, dissolved in 3 tablespoons cold water
1/2 cup slivered scallions, both white and green parts
Cilantro sprigs, for garnish
Preparation
Remove stems from mushrooms. Make a light mushroom broth by simmering stems in 2 cups water for 15 minutes, then strain and reserve broth (discard stems). Dice mushroom caps and set aside.
Cut tofu into 1-inch cubes. Cover with boiling salted water, let steep for 15 minutes, then drain.
Put oil in a wok or wide skillet over medium heat. Add red peppers, black beans and bean paste and cook, stirring until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add garlic and ginger and let sizzle, then add mushrooms, soy sauce, sesame oil and Sichuan pepper. Add 1 1/2 cups mushroom broth and cook mixture gently for 2 minutes.
Carefully add tofu cubes. Shake pan to distribute sauce, using a wooden spoon to help. Try to avoid smashing tofu. Drizzle in cornstarch mixture, gently swirling pan to incorporate (sauce will thicken) and simmer tofu in sauce for 2 minutes more. Thin with a little mushroom broth if necessary. Transfer to a low bowl or platter. Sprinkle with scallions and cilantro sprigs.
PUMPKIN SOUP
Recipe Yield: Makes 8 servings.
Source: AICR
Recipe and image appear courtesy of American Institute for Cancer Research.
View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/pumpkin-soup-2.
Ingredients
4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth, divided
4 cups pumpkin puree (canned or fresh) (butternut squash may be substituted)
1 cup finely chopped onion
1 clove garlic
1 tsp. fresh thyme, chopped
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
2 Tbsp. light whipping cream (optional)
1 tsp. fresh parsley, chopped
Nutmeg (optional)
Directions
In large pot over medium-high heat add 3 cups broth, pumpkin, onion, garlic, thyme, salt and pepper. Bring to boil. Reduce to low and simmer uncovered, about 30 minutes.
Puree mixture until smooth, in small batches, using blender or food processor. Return to pot. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for another 30 minutes. Add remaining broth as desired. (Optional, stir in cream.)
Pour into bowls. Garnish with parsley (or sprinkle of nutmeg) and serve.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 71; Fat: 1 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Sodium: 284 mg; Protein: 3 g; Carbohydrates: 16 g
MADE-IN-THE-PAN CHOCOLATE CAKE
This wonderful vegan cake is from Margaux Laskey in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Margaux wrote, "This surprisingly tender vegan chocolate cake is made entirely in an 8-by-8-inch baking pan: Just toss in the ingredients, stir until you don’t see any flour streaks, then bake. For flourish, add a small handful of chocolate chips before baking or sprinkle the finished cake with a little confectioners’ sugar. Adapted from Mollie Katzen’s 'Honest Pretzels: And 64 Other Amazing Recipes for Kids Who Love to Cook,' this recipe was developed for kids, but adults love it, too. It’s an ideal snacking cake, or you could gussy it up with a simple ganache frosting."
Yield: 9 to 12 servings; Time: 45 minutes.
This was featured in "The Best Cookbooks for Kids", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020063-made-in-the-pan-chocolate-cake.
Ingredients
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/3 cup canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar or white vinegar
2 tablespoons semisweet or vegan chocolate chips (optional)
Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting on top (optional)
Preparations
Heat oven to 325 degrees. Add the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt to an 8-by-8-inch square glass or metal baking dish. Whisk the mixture together until uniform in color. Use your fingers to break apart any lumps.
Add 1 cup water along with the oil, vanilla extract and vinegar. Stir slowly with a fork or a whisk in small circles to blend. Mash, scrape and stir with a fork and spoon until the mixture becomes a smooth and uniform batter.
Scrape the sides of the baking dish with a rubber spatula and spread the batter in an even layer. Sprinkle with chocolate chips, if using.
Use a damp paper towel to wipe the edges of the baking dish clean. Carefully transfer the dish to the oven and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of the batter comes out mostly clean, 28 to 33 minutes. (Instead of looking like you dipped the toothpick in chocolate frosting, it should look like it has some chocolate cake crumbs clinging to it.)
Remove from the oven, let cool, then cut the cake into squares. If you’re feeling fancy, this tastes good (and looks pretty) with some confectioners’ sugar dusted on top.
CREAMY BROCCOLI MAC AND CHEESE
This comes from Chungah on her wonderful site, Damn Delicious. If you haven’t checked out her site, you really should! Go ahead, I’ll wait.
Chungah wrote, “The EASIEST and CREAMIEST mac and cheese made in less than 30 min! Comfort food perfection! And it is the perfect way to sneak in those greens!”
Yield: 4 servings; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes
To view this online, go to https://damndelicious.net/2017/12/28/creamy-broccoli-mac-and-cheese/
Ingredients
8 ounces medium pasta shells
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 shallot, minced
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/3 cups whole milk
1 cup half and half
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 cups chopped broccoli florets
6 ounces extra-sharp cheddar cheese, grated
Directions
In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package instructions; drain well.
Melt butter in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add garlic and shallot, and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
Whisk in flour until lightly browned, about 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk, half and half and Dijon until slightly thickened, about 3-4 minutes. If the mixture is too thick, add more milk as needed; season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Stir in pasta, broccoli and cheese until well combined, about 3-4 minutes.
Serve immediately.
VEGETARIAN SKILLET CHILI
This is from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Melissa wrote, “If you keep canned beans, tomatoes, onion and garlic in your pantry, you can make this dish on any weeknight without having to shop. The pickled onions aren’t strictly necessary, but they are simple to make and add a welcome tangy contrast to the beans. Pickled peppers are a fine substitute. If you have a bell pepper or jalapeño or two, chop them up and sauté them with the onions. And if you want to be fancy, grate the zest off the lime before juicing for the pickles, and stir it into the sour cream.”
Yield: 4 servings; Time: 30 minutes
This was featured in “5 Easy Meals for the Distracted Cook,” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
For the Pickled Onions:
1 lime
1 red onion or shallot, thinly sliced
Salt, as needed
Sugar, as needed
For the Chili:
Olive or grapeseed oil
1 large onion, chopped
Garlic cloves, to taste, minced
Chile powder
Dried oregano
2 (15-ounce) cans beans, drained
1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes
Salt, to taste
Fresh cilantro, diced avocado and sour cream, for garnish (optional)
Preparation
Make the pickled onions: Squeeze the lime juice into a bowl and add the onion or shallot, a large pinch of salt and a small pinch of sugar. Let rest for 20 minutes while you make the chili.
Heat a large skillet, then add the oil. When hot, add the onion and sauté until softened. Add the garlic, chile powder and oregano and sauté until fragrant. Add the beans and tomatoes and a few large pinches of salt and let simmer until the tomatoes break down, about 20 minutes.
Taste and add more salt, chile and/or oregano to taste. Serve with the pickled onion and any of the garnishes you like.
TERIYAKI TOFU KABOBS
Yield 4 servings
Serving Size: 2 skewers
Source: The Diabetes Food and Nutrition Bible
Author: Hope Warshaw and Robyn Webb
Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/330.shtml
Ingredients
8 bamboo skewers
3/4 pound extra firm tofu, drained and cut into 32 cubes
1 red pepper, cut into 16 squares
1 cup canned pineapple chunks, reserve 1/2 cup juice
1 tablespoon lite soy sauce
1 clove garlic
2 teaspoons minced ginger
Directions
Soak skewers in water for 30 minutes to keep them from burning as you cook the skewers.
Meanwhile, put the tofu, red pepper, and pineapple chunks in a plastic bag or container with a lid. Add reserved pineapple juice, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. Marinate for at least 30 minutes.
Drain, reserving marinade to baste. Thread the tofu, red pepper, and pineapple on the skewers.
Prepare an outdoor grill or oven broiler with the rack set 6 inches from the heat source. Grill or broil the kabobs about 5 minutes per side, basting with the marinade. Serve with brown rice.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 107; Protein: 7 g; Fat: 2 g; Sodium: 147 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Carbohydrates: 17 g; Exchanges: 1 Carbohydrate, 1 Very Lean Meat
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