Besides being Taco Tuesday, it's also Double-Post Tuesday (because, strange as it might seem, not everyone loves tacos). Today's post includes Lentil and Orzo Stew With Roasted Eggplant, Vegan Mushroom and Leek Rolls, and Turtle Cookie Balls. Enjoy!
SPICY PUMPKIN AND COLLARDS
This is from the Food Network. Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 2 hours; Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes; Yield: 4 servings; Level: Easy
You can view this online at https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/spicy-pumpkin-and-collards-recipe-2108870.
Ingredients
2 2-to-3-pound sugar pumpkins
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 small onion, diced
1 plum tomato, diced
1 Scotch bonnet chile pepper, seeded and finely chopped
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
1 clove garlic, chopped
4 scallions, chopped
1 pound frozen chopped collard greens, thawed
Kosher salt
1 cup evaporated milk
Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
4 tablespoons breadcrumbs (preferably panko)
1 1/2 cups shredded sharp white cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
Ingredients
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Slice off the top 1 1/2 inches of the pumpkins and discard. Scoop out the seeds and stringy pulp.
Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, tomato, chile pepper, thyme and garlic and cook, stirring, until the onion is slightly tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in the scallions and collard greens, add 1 1/4 teaspoons salt and cook, stirring, until the greens are slightly tender, about 15 minutes. Stir in the evaporated milk and nutmeg and bring to a gentle boil. Stir in 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs, the cheddar cheese and the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and cook, stirring, until the cheese melts and the mixture thickens slightly, about 2 minutes. Put the pumpkins in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish and fill evenly with the collard greens mixture.
Toss the remaining 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs with the parmesan. Sprinkle over the filling. Add 1 inch of boiling water to the baking dish. Cover loosely with foil and bake until the pumpkins are tender, about 1 hour, 15 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking until browned and bubbly on top, about 30 more minutes. Let cool 5 minutes, then scrape the pumpkin flesh and serve with the collards.
BUSH'S® BLACK BEAN QUESADILLAS
This comes from (you guessed it) Bush's Best. The recipe, which couldn't be easier, begins, "For a quick and hearty lunch, these Black Bean and cheese quesadillas with salsa are perfect.
"These recipes were created with our vegetarian friends in mind. However, we recommend reading each label to make sure every ingredient suits your dietary needs. Please also remember that product formulations can change, so if you ever have any questions, make sure to contact the product manufacturer!"
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 6 minutes; Total Time: 21 minutes; Servings: 4
To view this online, go to https://bushbeans.com/en_US/recipe/black-bean-and-cheese-quesadillas.
Ingredients
2 cans (15 oz) BUSH'S® Seasoned Black Beans, drained
1 cup salsa
2 cups shredded Colby & Monterey Jack cheese
8 (8-inch) flour tortillas
1/3 cup sour cream
Directions
Mash one can of beans.
Mix in remaining can of beans, salsa.
Spread mixture evenly on 4 tortillas; top with cheese.
Cover with remaining tortillas.
Heat skillet & cook quesadillas 2 minutes.
Cut into wedges & serve with salsa & sour cream on the side.
SUMMER VEGETABLE CHILI
This is from the Food Network.
Prep Time: 14 minutes; Cook Time: 26 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Yield: 4 servings; Level: Easy
To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/summer-vegetable-chili-recipe-2112338.
Ingredients
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 medium red onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 poblano chile pepper, seeded and diced
2 portobello mushrooms, stemmed and chopped
2 cups frozen corn (preferably fire-roasted), thawed
2 14-ounce cans no-salt-added pinto beans
1 14-ounce can no-salt-added diced tomatoes
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
Shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream and/or torn fresh cilantro, for topping (optional)
8 corn tortillas, warmed
Directions
Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add all but a few tablespoons of the chopped red onion. Stir in the garlic, chili powder and cumin and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion begins to soften, about 3 minutes. Add the poblano, mushrooms and corn and cook, stirring occasionally, until just tender, about 3 more minutes. Add the beans, tomatoes, 1 1/2 cups water and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then stir and reduce the heat to medium. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender and the chili is thick, about 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
Divide the chili among bowls. Top with the cheese, sour cream and/or cilantro; sprinkle with the reserved red onion. Serve with the tortillas.
LENTIL AND ORZO STEW WITH ROASTED EGGPLANT
This is from Yewande Komolafe at The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Yewande wrote, "For rich, golden cubes of roasted eggplant, a high-temperature oven is crucial. Here, lentils and pasta make for a hearty stew, and the coriander seeds introduce a robust, clean flavor. Use a mortar and pestle, a spice grinder or the base of a wine bottle to crush the seeds, opening them up before they’re tossed with the eggplant. Serve this stew warm or hot, topped with an aged, salty cheese like ricotta salata or feta, and a soft-poached egg if you like. The lemon zest and juice are essential and enhance the finish.'
Time: 45 minutes to 1 hour; Yield: 4 servings
To view this, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1019860-lentil-and-orzo-stew-with-roasted-eggplant.
Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds eggplant (2 small or 1 large, skin on, or peeled, if desired), chopped into 1-inch pieces
Ingredients
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon coriander seeds, crushed
Kosher salt and black pepper
1 medium carrot, finely chopped
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
2 celery stalks, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 cup dried lentils (green, black or brown)
5 cups chicken or vegetable stock, or water
1/2 cup orzo or other small pasta, such as ditalini, stelline or macaroni
Zest and juice from 1 lemon, plus 4 lemon wedges for garnish
1/4 cup shaved ricotta salata or crumbled feta
Preparation
Heat the oven to 425 degrees. In a large bowl, toss the eggplant with 1/4 cup olive oil and crushed coriander seeds until coated; season with salt and pepper. Arrange in an even layer on a large rimmed baking sheet and roast until eggplant is tender and golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes, giving the baking sheet a shake halfway through roasting to toss the eggplant pieces for even cooking.
In a large skillet, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil over medium. Add the carrot, onion and celery. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until vegetables are softened, about 3 minutes.
Stir in the garlic and tomato paste and cook, stirring occasionally, until tomato paste begins to darken on the bottom of the pan, about 5 minutes.
Stir in the lentils until coated. Pour in stock or water and bring to a boil over high heat. Lower to medium and simmer until lentils are tender, 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the type and age of lentils you use.
Stir in the orzo and cook until softened, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the lemon zest and juice.
Season to taste with salt and pepper. Top with the roasted eggplant pieces and large shavings of ricotta salata, and serve with lemon wedges for squeezing.
VEGAN MUSHROOM AND LEEK ROLLS
This is from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Melissa wrote, "Classic sausage rolls are filled with a meat-based sausage mixture, but this hearty vegan version substitutes mushrooms, fennel and plenty of leeks, along with almond butter for creaminess and farro for a delightfully chewy texture. These are best served warm from the oven, or reheated if they cool down. Ketchup is a traditional sausage roll accompaniment, but these are so flavorful on their own they don't need it."
Time: 1 1/2 hours; Yield: 4 rolls
To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1021541-vegan-mushroom-and-leek-rolls.
Ingredients
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more as needed
1/4 cup farro
5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon cider vinegar or white wine vinegar
1 1/4 pounds mixed mushrooms, diced (about 8 cups)
2 large leeks, white and light green parts, cut lengthwise and sliced into 1/4-inch half-moons (about 2 cups)
1 cup diced fennel
2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves, chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely grated or minced
1 teaspoon tomato paste
Pinch of red-pepper flakes (optional)
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1/2 cup creamy almond butter
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, cilantro or dill
1 (13- to 17-ounce) package frozen vegan puff pastry, thawed but still cold
Preparation
Bring a small pot of salted water to a boil, then add farro. Cook until tender, 20 to 30 minutes. Drain well and drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil and the vinegar while still warm, tossing to combine. Let the farro cool.
Heat oven to 375 degrees and line rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
While the farro cooks, prepare the filling: In a large skillet, heat 3 tablespoons olive oil over high heat. Add mushrooms and cook until just tender and golden brown, stirring infrequently so the mushrooms have a chance to sear, 8 to 12 minutes. Lower heat to medium and add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, leeks and fennel. Cook until leeks and fennel soften, 8 to 12 minutes. Add thyme, garlic, tomato paste, 1/2 teaspoon salt and pinch of red-pepper flakes, if using, and cook for another minute or until fragrant.
Add soy sauce to deglaze pan, scraping up the browned bits on the bottom. Transfer mushroom mixture to large mixing bowl and set aside to cool.
Add cooled farro, almond butter and herbs to mushrooms, and mix well.
Place the puff pastry dough between two sheets of parchment paper, and roll to about 1/8-inch thick. Cut pastry into 4 equal rectangles. In the center of each pastry, dollop a quarter of the mushroom mixture, forming it into a long “sausage” running lengthwise on the pastry strip.
Lightly brush one long edge of the pastry with water (to help seal the dough). Starting with the unbrushed sides of the pastry, firmly fold the pastry over the filling to make long rolls, pinching dough to seal. Place on prepared baking sheet, seam-sides down.
Bake until the pastry is golden brown, about 35 to 40 minutes. Serve warm.
TURTLE COOKIE BALLS
This comes from My Food and Family, and begins, "Bite into scrumptious Turtle Cookie Balls. If you like turtle candies, you'll love the caramel, chocolate & nutty flavors of these Turtle Cookie Balls.' Yum!
Prep Time: 30 minutes; Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes; Makes 42 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.myfoodandfamily.com/recipe/128342/turtle-cookie-balls.
Ingredients
1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
70 vanilla wafers, finely crushed (about 2-1/3 cups)
3 Tbsp. caramel ice cream topping
4 pkg. (4 oz. each) BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate, broken into pieces, melted
1/4 cup chopped PLANTERS Pecans
Directions
Mix first 3 ingredients until blended.
Shape into 42 (1-inch) balls. Freeze 10 min. Dip balls in melted chocolate; place in single layer in shallow waxed paper-lined pan. Sprinkle with nuts.
Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm.
Tuesday, January 11, 2022
Taco Tuesday
If it's Tuesday (and my calendar indicates that it is), it's time for another Taco Tuesday. Today's offerings include Adobo Tofu and Portobellow Tacos with Chunky Guacamole and Stand 'N Stuff™ Breakfast Tacos. Enjoy!
VEGETARIAN TACOS WITH AVOCADO SAUCE
This comes from Jeanine and Jack on their wonderful site, Love & Lemons.
This recipe begins, "These easy vegetarian tacos are filled with black beans, roasted vegetables, and a delicious creamy avocado tomatillo sauce. Feel free to use any roasted vegetables you like here. Sweet potatoes, winter squash, poblano peppers, and/or roasted onions would all be great."
Serves 2-3
To view this online, go to https://www.loveandlemons.com/vegetarian-tacos/#wprm-recipe-container-46265.
Ingredients
1 small Japanese eggplant, chopped into 1-inch pieces
1 cup chopped summer squash
1 red bell pepper, chopped into 1-inch pieces
1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced
extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
6 tortillas
1 cup cooked black beans, drained and rinsed
1 avocados, diced
chopped cilantro
1 serrano pepper, sliced, optional
crumbled cotija cheese, optional
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Avocado Tomatillo Sauce
1/3 cup tomatillo salsa
1/4 cup pepitas
1/2 avocado
handful of spinach
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
lime juice, to taste
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400° F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the chopped eggplant, squash, red pepper and tomatoes onto the baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and pinches of salt and pepper and roast until golden brown around the edges 25-30 minutes.
Meanwhile, make the sauce. In a food processor, blend together the tomatillo salsa, pepitas, avocado, spinach, olive oil, lime juice and pinches of salt and pepper, to taste. Chill until ready to use.
Assemble the tacos with the black beans, roasted vegetables, diced avocado, cilantro, serrano, and cotija, if using, and generous scoops of sauce. Serve with extra sauce on the side.
Notes
Store extra sauce in the fridge for 2 to 3 days.
TACOS WITH SUMMER SQUASH, TOMATOES AND BEANS
This is from Martha Rose Shulman on The New York Times cooking site. Martha wrote, "Beans such as pintos, even out of a can, add substance to this summery taco filling. Goat cheese provides a creamy, rich finish."
Yield: 6 servings; Time: 30 minutes
This was featured in "Vegetarian Taco Night", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1016747-tacos-with-summer-squash-tomatoes-and-beans.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 small red or white onion, finely chopped
Salt to taste
2 garlic cloves, minced
3/4 pound tomatoes, peeled and diced
1 1/2 pounds summer squash, cut in small dice (about 4 1/4 cups)
1 serrano chile, minced
1 1/2 cups cooked white beans, pinto beans or black beans (1 can, drained and rinsed)
1/4 cup chopped cilantro (more to taste)
12 to 14 warm corn tortillas
2 ounces goat cheese, crumbled (1/2 cup)
Salsa of your choice
Preparation
Heat olive oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium heat and add chopped onion. Cook, stirring, until tender, about 5 minutes, and add a generous pinch of salt and garlic. Cook, stirring, until garlic is fragrant, about 30 seconds, and add tomatoes. Cook, stirring often, until tomatoes cook down slightly, about 10 minutes (this could take more or less time, depending on the texture and juiciness of the tomatoes).
Stir in summer squash, chile, and salt to taste. Cook, stirring, until squash is tender but not mushy, about 8 minutes. Stir in beans and cilantro and heat through. Taste and adjust seasonings.
Heat tortillas and top with squash mixture and crumbled cheese. Serve with the salsa of your choice.
Tip
Advance preparation: You can make the filling a day in advance and refrigerate overnight. Reheat gently in a skillet.
INDIAN DAL TACOS
This is from Vegetarian Times. It begins, "Yellow lentils or dal can be found in Indian markets, but orange or brown lentils can also be used here. To make your own Greek-style yogurt, place 2/3 cup low-fat plain yogurt in a paper-towel-lined fine-mesh strainer and set over a bowl. Let stand 12 to 15 minutes, then discard liquid and use yogurt."
Makes 4 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/indian-dal-tacos/.
Ingredients
1/2 cup diced onion
3/4 tsp. ground cumin
1/4 tsp. plus 1/8 tsp. turmeric
1/2 tsp. plus 1/8 tsp. salt, divided
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
2/3 cup yellow split lentils, sorted, rinsed, and drained
1/2 cup plain low-fat Greek yogurt
1/3 cup diced cucumber
1 Tbs. freshly chopped mint
4 6-inch corn or flour tortillas, warmed
1 cup thinly sliced fresh spinach
1 cup mung bean sprouts
Preparation
Heat nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, and coat with cooking spray. Add onion, and cook 5 minutes, or until softened and starting to brown. Stir in cumin, turmeric, 1/2 tsp. salt, and pepper. Add lentils and 2 1/2 cups water. Bring to a boil, cover, and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer 40 minutes, or until lentils are cooked but still hold their shape. There will be 1 to 2 Tbs. liquid left in pan.
Meanwhile, combine yogurt, cucumber, mint, and remaining 1/8 tsp. salt in bowl.
Fill tortillas with spinach, bean sprouts, and lentil mixture. Drizzle with yogurt mixture or serve on side.
STAND 'N STUFF BREAKFAST TACOS
This is from Old El Paso, and begins, "Tacos for breakfast? Absolutely! The Old El Paso® Stand 'n Stuff soft taco shells make the perfect vessel to hold your breakfast favorites."
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 20 minutes; Makes 6 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/stand-n-stuff-breakfast-tacos.
Ingredients
6 eggs
1/4 cup half-and-half
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons butter
1 can (15 oz) Progresso™ black beans, drained, rinsed
4 medium green onions, sliced (1/2 cup)
6 Old El Paso™ Soft Tortilla Bowls
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (4 oz)
1/3 cup Old El Paso™ Thick 'n Chunky salsa
1 avocado, pitted, peeled and diced
1/3 cup sour cream
Preparation
In large bowl, beat eggs with whisk. Add half-and-half and salt; beat well. In 10-inch nonstick skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add egg mixture; cook about 7 minutes, scraping cooked eggs up from bottom of skillet occasionally, until mixture is firm but still moist. Gently fold in beans and green onions, stirring to combine.
Heat tortillas as directed on package. Divide egg mixture evenly among tortillas. Top with Toppings. If desired, garnish with dark green tops of green onions.
Expert Tips
Complete this fabulous meal with a delicious fresh fruit salad.
VEGETARIAN BUFFALO CHICKPEA QUESADILLAS
This is from Old El Paso, and begins, "Enjoy this vegetarian take on fan-favorite, Buffalo chicken wings! This chickpea quesadilla recipe layers chickpeas, hot sauce, cheese, green onions and tomatoes into a folded tortilla to create Vegetarian Buffalo Chickpea Quesadillas. Don't forget to serve with Old El Paso™ Zesty Ranch Sauce on the side!"
Prep Time: 40 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Makes 4 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/vegetarian-buffalo-chickpeas-quesadillas.
Ingredients
1/4 cup butter
1 cup chopped onions
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 can (15 to 15.5 oz) chickpeas, drained, rinsed
1/4 cup original cayenne pepper sauce
4 Old El Paso™ Flour Tortillas For Burritos (8 inch)
1 cup Old El Paso™ Shredded Mexican Style 4 Cheese Blend (from 8-oz package)
1/2 cup chopped green onions (8 medium)
1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
1/2 cup Old El Paso™ Zesty Ranch Sauce (from 9-oz bottle)
Preparation
In 10-inch nonstick skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Stir in onions and garlic; cook 2 to 3 minutes or until vegetables begin to soften. Add chickpeas; continue to cook 4 to 6 minutes or until vegetables and chickpeas begin to brown. Remove from heat. Add hot sauce; roughly mash chickpeas with fork, leaving some whole.
On half of each tortilla, layer about 1/4 cup of the chickpea mixture, 1/4 cup cheese, 2 tablespoons green onions and 2 tablespoons tomatoes. Fold tortillas in half. Brush top of each quesadilla with about 1/4 teaspoon of the oil.
Heat 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat. Place 2 quesadillas in skillet, oil side down; brush top side with about 1/4 teaspoon of the oil. Cook 1 to 2 minutes or until golden brown. Carefully turn quesadillas; cook 1 to 2 minutes longer or until golden brown. Repeat with remaining quesadillas.
Cut each quesadilla in half; serve with zesty ranch sauce on the side.
Expert Tips
Cooking Vegetarian? Always read labels to make sure each recipe ingredient is vegetarian. Products and ingredient sources can change.
Dial up the heat by adding sliced jalapeños to the chickpea quesadilla filling, along with the green onions and tomatoes.
This Buffalo chickpea quesadilla is hearty enough to serve on its own, but for a bit of added crunch, try serving with a side of tortilla chips.
This recipe uses Frank's™ RedHot™ original sauce, but you're welcome to use another variety of hot sauce.
Exchanges: 1/2 Starch, 1 1/2 Other Carbohydrate, 1/2 Vegetable, 1/2 Very Lean Meat, 1/2 High-Fat Meat, 3 1/2 Fat
Carbohydrate Choices: 2
ADOBO TOFU & PORTOBELLO TACOS WITH CHUNKY GUACAMOLE
This is from Vegetarian Times. Prep Time: 30 minutes; Cook Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 55 minutes; Makes 4 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/adobo-tofu-portobello-tacos/.
Ingredients
1 14-oz pkg organic extra-firm tofu, drained
1 1/2 tbsp finely chopped canned chipotle chiles in adobo
1 tbsp fresh orange juice
2 tsp raw honey (TRY: Wholesome! Organic Raw Honey)
8 6-inch corn tortillas
1 large red bell pepper, cut into 1/4-inch strips
1 large portobello mushroom, stem discarded, cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices
1/4 sweet onion, cut into 1/4-inch slices
2 tsp safflower oil
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
Guacamole
3 tbsp finely chopped sweet onion
2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 jalapeño chile pepper, finely chopped (about 1 tbsp)
1 small avocado, peeled, pitted and diced
1 tsp fresh lime juice
1/4 tsp sea salt
Preparation
Cut tofu block into 4 slabs. Arrange on a paper towel–lined baking sheet, cover with more paper towels and top with another baking sheet. Using cans, weigh the baking sheet down and set aside at room temperature for 30 minutes to drain.
Meanwhile, prepare guacamole: On a cutting board, mash onion, cilantro and jalapeño with a fork until onion is mashed. In a small bowl, combine onion mixture with avocado, lime juice and 1/4 tsp salt. Cover and set aside.
In a small bowl, combine chipotle chiles, orange juice and honey. Remove cans and top baking sheet from tofu and discard paper towels. Rub mixture on all sides of tofu and set aside on baking sheet.
Heat a grill pan or grill on medium-high. Add tortillas and grill until warm and pliable, about 1 minute per side. Stack tortillas and wrap in foil; set aside.
Mist grill pan with cooking spray or grease grill grate (still on medium-high). In a single layer, add tofu and grill until browned and heated through, 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a cutting board, then cut tofu into 2-inch strips, cover with foil and set aside.
In a large bowl, toss bell pepper, mushroom and onion slices with oil, 1/4 tsp salt and black pepper. Add to grill pan or a grill basket (for outdoor grill) and cook on medium-high, tossing occasionally, until mushrooms are soft and peppers and onions are crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Divide tofu and vegetables among tortillas and top with dollops of guacamole.
VEGETARIAN TACOS WITH AVOCADO SAUCE
This comes from Jeanine and Jack on their wonderful site, Love & Lemons.
This recipe begins, "These easy vegetarian tacos are filled with black beans, roasted vegetables, and a delicious creamy avocado tomatillo sauce. Feel free to use any roasted vegetables you like here. Sweet potatoes, winter squash, poblano peppers, and/or roasted onions would all be great."
Serves 2-3
To view this online, go to https://www.loveandlemons.com/vegetarian-tacos/#wprm-recipe-container-46265.
Ingredients
1 small Japanese eggplant, chopped into 1-inch pieces
1 cup chopped summer squash
1 red bell pepper, chopped into 1-inch pieces
1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced
extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
6 tortillas
1 cup cooked black beans, drained and rinsed
1 avocados, diced
chopped cilantro
1 serrano pepper, sliced, optional
crumbled cotija cheese, optional
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Avocado Tomatillo Sauce
1/3 cup tomatillo salsa
1/4 cup pepitas
1/2 avocado
handful of spinach
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
lime juice, to taste
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400° F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the chopped eggplant, squash, red pepper and tomatoes onto the baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and pinches of salt and pepper and roast until golden brown around the edges 25-30 minutes.
Meanwhile, make the sauce. In a food processor, blend together the tomatillo salsa, pepitas, avocado, spinach, olive oil, lime juice and pinches of salt and pepper, to taste. Chill until ready to use.
Assemble the tacos with the black beans, roasted vegetables, diced avocado, cilantro, serrano, and cotija, if using, and generous scoops of sauce. Serve with extra sauce on the side.
Notes
Store extra sauce in the fridge for 2 to 3 days.
TACOS WITH SUMMER SQUASH, TOMATOES AND BEANS
This is from Martha Rose Shulman on The New York Times cooking site. Martha wrote, "Beans such as pintos, even out of a can, add substance to this summery taco filling. Goat cheese provides a creamy, rich finish."
Yield: 6 servings; Time: 30 minutes
This was featured in "Vegetarian Taco Night", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1016747-tacos-with-summer-squash-tomatoes-and-beans.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 small red or white onion, finely chopped
Salt to taste
2 garlic cloves, minced
3/4 pound tomatoes, peeled and diced
1 1/2 pounds summer squash, cut in small dice (about 4 1/4 cups)
1 serrano chile, minced
1 1/2 cups cooked white beans, pinto beans or black beans (1 can, drained and rinsed)
1/4 cup chopped cilantro (more to taste)
12 to 14 warm corn tortillas
2 ounces goat cheese, crumbled (1/2 cup)
Salsa of your choice
Preparation
Heat olive oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium heat and add chopped onion. Cook, stirring, until tender, about 5 minutes, and add a generous pinch of salt and garlic. Cook, stirring, until garlic is fragrant, about 30 seconds, and add tomatoes. Cook, stirring often, until tomatoes cook down slightly, about 10 minutes (this could take more or less time, depending on the texture and juiciness of the tomatoes).
Stir in summer squash, chile, and salt to taste. Cook, stirring, until squash is tender but not mushy, about 8 minutes. Stir in beans and cilantro and heat through. Taste and adjust seasonings.
Heat tortillas and top with squash mixture and crumbled cheese. Serve with the salsa of your choice.
Tip
Advance preparation: You can make the filling a day in advance and refrigerate overnight. Reheat gently in a skillet.
INDIAN DAL TACOS
This is from Vegetarian Times. It begins, "Yellow lentils or dal can be found in Indian markets, but orange or brown lentils can also be used here. To make your own Greek-style yogurt, place 2/3 cup low-fat plain yogurt in a paper-towel-lined fine-mesh strainer and set over a bowl. Let stand 12 to 15 minutes, then discard liquid and use yogurt."
Makes 4 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/indian-dal-tacos/.
Ingredients
1/2 cup diced onion
3/4 tsp. ground cumin
1/4 tsp. plus 1/8 tsp. turmeric
1/2 tsp. plus 1/8 tsp. salt, divided
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
2/3 cup yellow split lentils, sorted, rinsed, and drained
1/2 cup plain low-fat Greek yogurt
1/3 cup diced cucumber
1 Tbs. freshly chopped mint
4 6-inch corn or flour tortillas, warmed
1 cup thinly sliced fresh spinach
1 cup mung bean sprouts
Preparation
Heat nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, and coat with cooking spray. Add onion, and cook 5 minutes, or until softened and starting to brown. Stir in cumin, turmeric, 1/2 tsp. salt, and pepper. Add lentils and 2 1/2 cups water. Bring to a boil, cover, and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer 40 minutes, or until lentils are cooked but still hold their shape. There will be 1 to 2 Tbs. liquid left in pan.
Meanwhile, combine yogurt, cucumber, mint, and remaining 1/8 tsp. salt in bowl.
Fill tortillas with spinach, bean sprouts, and lentil mixture. Drizzle with yogurt mixture or serve on side.
STAND 'N STUFF BREAKFAST TACOS
This is from Old El Paso, and begins, "Tacos for breakfast? Absolutely! The Old El Paso® Stand 'n Stuff soft taco shells make the perfect vessel to hold your breakfast favorites."
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 20 minutes; Makes 6 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/stand-n-stuff-breakfast-tacos.
Ingredients
6 eggs
1/4 cup half-and-half
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons butter
1 can (15 oz) Progresso™ black beans, drained, rinsed
4 medium green onions, sliced (1/2 cup)
6 Old El Paso™ Soft Tortilla Bowls
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (4 oz)
1/3 cup Old El Paso™ Thick 'n Chunky salsa
1 avocado, pitted, peeled and diced
1/3 cup sour cream
Preparation
In large bowl, beat eggs with whisk. Add half-and-half and salt; beat well. In 10-inch nonstick skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add egg mixture; cook about 7 minutes, scraping cooked eggs up from bottom of skillet occasionally, until mixture is firm but still moist. Gently fold in beans and green onions, stirring to combine.
Heat tortillas as directed on package. Divide egg mixture evenly among tortillas. Top with Toppings. If desired, garnish with dark green tops of green onions.
Expert Tips
Complete this fabulous meal with a delicious fresh fruit salad.
VEGETARIAN BUFFALO CHICKPEA QUESADILLAS
This is from Old El Paso, and begins, "Enjoy this vegetarian take on fan-favorite, Buffalo chicken wings! This chickpea quesadilla recipe layers chickpeas, hot sauce, cheese, green onions and tomatoes into a folded tortilla to create Vegetarian Buffalo Chickpea Quesadillas. Don't forget to serve with Old El Paso™ Zesty Ranch Sauce on the side!"
Prep Time: 40 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Makes 4 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/vegetarian-buffalo-chickpeas-quesadillas.
Ingredients
1/4 cup butter
1 cup chopped onions
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 can (15 to 15.5 oz) chickpeas, drained, rinsed
1/4 cup original cayenne pepper sauce
4 Old El Paso™ Flour Tortillas For Burritos (8 inch)
1 cup Old El Paso™ Shredded Mexican Style 4 Cheese Blend (from 8-oz package)
1/2 cup chopped green onions (8 medium)
1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
1/2 cup Old El Paso™ Zesty Ranch Sauce (from 9-oz bottle)
Preparation
In 10-inch nonstick skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Stir in onions and garlic; cook 2 to 3 minutes or until vegetables begin to soften. Add chickpeas; continue to cook 4 to 6 minutes or until vegetables and chickpeas begin to brown. Remove from heat. Add hot sauce; roughly mash chickpeas with fork, leaving some whole.
On half of each tortilla, layer about 1/4 cup of the chickpea mixture, 1/4 cup cheese, 2 tablespoons green onions and 2 tablespoons tomatoes. Fold tortillas in half. Brush top of each quesadilla with about 1/4 teaspoon of the oil.
Heat 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat. Place 2 quesadillas in skillet, oil side down; brush top side with about 1/4 teaspoon of the oil. Cook 1 to 2 minutes or until golden brown. Carefully turn quesadillas; cook 1 to 2 minutes longer or until golden brown. Repeat with remaining quesadillas.
Cut each quesadilla in half; serve with zesty ranch sauce on the side.
Expert Tips
Cooking Vegetarian? Always read labels to make sure each recipe ingredient is vegetarian. Products and ingredient sources can change.
Dial up the heat by adding sliced jalapeños to the chickpea quesadilla filling, along with the green onions and tomatoes.
This Buffalo chickpea quesadilla is hearty enough to serve on its own, but for a bit of added crunch, try serving with a side of tortilla chips.
This recipe uses Frank's™ RedHot™ original sauce, but you're welcome to use another variety of hot sauce.
Exchanges: 1/2 Starch, 1 1/2 Other Carbohydrate, 1/2 Vegetable, 1/2 Very Lean Meat, 1/2 High-Fat Meat, 3 1/2 Fat
Carbohydrate Choices: 2
ADOBO TOFU & PORTOBELLO TACOS WITH CHUNKY GUACAMOLE
This is from Vegetarian Times. Prep Time: 30 minutes; Cook Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 55 minutes; Makes 4 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/adobo-tofu-portobello-tacos/.
Ingredients
1 14-oz pkg organic extra-firm tofu, drained
1 1/2 tbsp finely chopped canned chipotle chiles in adobo
1 tbsp fresh orange juice
2 tsp raw honey (TRY: Wholesome! Organic Raw Honey)
8 6-inch corn tortillas
1 large red bell pepper, cut into 1/4-inch strips
1 large portobello mushroom, stem discarded, cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices
1/4 sweet onion, cut into 1/4-inch slices
2 tsp safflower oil
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
Guacamole
3 tbsp finely chopped sweet onion
2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 jalapeño chile pepper, finely chopped (about 1 tbsp)
1 small avocado, peeled, pitted and diced
1 tsp fresh lime juice
1/4 tsp sea salt
Preparation
Cut tofu block into 4 slabs. Arrange on a paper towel–lined baking sheet, cover with more paper towels and top with another baking sheet. Using cans, weigh the baking sheet down and set aside at room temperature for 30 minutes to drain.
Meanwhile, prepare guacamole: On a cutting board, mash onion, cilantro and jalapeño with a fork until onion is mashed. In a small bowl, combine onion mixture with avocado, lime juice and 1/4 tsp salt. Cover and set aside.
In a small bowl, combine chipotle chiles, orange juice and honey. Remove cans and top baking sheet from tofu and discard paper towels. Rub mixture on all sides of tofu and set aside on baking sheet.
Heat a grill pan or grill on medium-high. Add tortillas and grill until warm and pliable, about 1 minute per side. Stack tortillas and wrap in foil; set aside.
Mist grill pan with cooking spray or grease grill grate (still on medium-high). In a single layer, add tofu and grill until browned and heated through, 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a cutting board, then cut tofu into 2-inch strips, cover with foil and set aside.
In a large bowl, toss bell pepper, mushroom and onion slices with oil, 1/4 tsp salt and black pepper. Add to grill pan or a grill basket (for outdoor grill) and cook on medium-high, tossing occasionally, until mushrooms are soft and peppers and onions are crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Divide tofu and vegetables among tortillas and top with dollops of guacamole.
Monday, January 10, 2022
Monday Recipes
Here we are, the second Monday of 2022. Hope your weekend was good, though, if it was like mine, it wasn't long enough. Oh, well, there's always next weekend!
In the meantime, here are six vegetarian recipes to get your week started off just right, including Crispy Tofu in a Sweet and Sour Sauce (which happens to be vegan) and Red and Yellow Tomato Salsa. Enjoy!
CORNMEAL CREPES
This comes from Vegetarian Times (May 2005 issue, page 76-77), and begins, "The key to these crêpes is having your pan at the right temperature—too high and the crêpes will burn; too low and they’ll never brown." Makes 8 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/cornmeal-crepes/
Ingredients
2 cups plain soymilk
2 Tbs. arrowroot
1/2 cup cornmeal
1/2 cup unbleached white flour
1/2 tsp. salt
2 Tbs. extra virgin olive oil plus more for pan
3 Tbs. chili powder
2 Tbs. finely chopped scallions
Preparation
Put soymilk, arrowroot, cornmeal, flour, salt and 2 Tbs. oil in blender or food processor, and purée until smooth. Let batter rest about 20 minutes, or until it is the consistency of heavy cream. Stir in chili powder, 1/2 cup water and scallions.
Lightly oil 10- to 12-inch nonstick skillet using paper towel. Heat pan over medium-high heat. Ladle in 1/4 cup batter, tipping pan in circular motion so batter covers entire surface. Cook 45 seconds to 1 minute, or until crêpe bubbles and becomes golden around edges. Loosen edges with spatula, and flip crêpe. Cook about 10 seconds on second side. Slide crêpe onto plate, and cover to keep warm.
Repeat, lightly oiling pan between crêpes, until batter is used up. If batter thickens, add water to thin.
To serve, place crêpe on plate, golden side down. Spoon 1/3 cup beans in middle, and fold all 4 edges toward center, forming square with open center. Put dollop of guacamole and salsa on each crêpe. Alternatively, fold crêpe into quarters, and serve alongside beans, guacamole and salsa.
REFRIED BLACK BEANS
Serves 4; Vegan
This recipe begins, “Because refried black beans are so versatile and can be enjoyed plain or as a filling for enchiladas, tacos, burritos or omelets, they are a must in your stock of recipes. If you’re cooking the beans from scratch, start with 1 1/2 cups dry beans; also, reserve 1 cup of the cooking liquid to use instead of the stock. Add a little water or stock to the beans when you rewarm them.”
Ingredients
2 Tbs. extra virgin olive oil
2 small onions, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
2 tsp. chili powder, preferably chipotle
1 tsp. ground cumin
2 15-oz. cans black beans, drained and rinsed, or 3 cups cooked beans
1 cup low-sodium vegetable stock or bean cooking liquid
1/2 tsp. salt
2 Tbs. fresh lime juice
Preparation
Heat oil in skillet over medium heat. Add onions, garlic and jalapeño, and cook, stirring often, over medium-low heat until onions are softened, 7 to 10 minutes. Add chili powder and cumin, and cook, stirring, 1 to 2 minutes, or until fragrant.
Increase heat to medium. Add 1 cup beans, 1/3 cup stock and salt. Using potato masher or back of spoon, mash beans into liquid. Continue cooking until liquid evaporates, 7 to 10 minutes. Add 1 more cup beans and 1/3 cup stock, and mash and cook again, stirring. Repeat, mashing and cooking and stirring, until liquid is absorbed and beans hold together, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in lime juice, and adjust salt to taste.
RED AND YELLOW TOMATO SALSA
Serves 4; Vegan
This begins, “Using two different colored tomatoes and adding flecks of red onion takes this basic salsa recipe from simple to spectacular. Try it as well with heirloom tomato varieties for even more color and flavor.”
Ingredients
2 medium-sized tomatoes, 1 yellow and 1 red, seeded and diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 small jalapeño chile, stemmed, seeded and minced
1 scallion, thinly sliced
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1/4 cup diced red onion
2 Tbs. fresh lime juice
Salt to taste
Preparation
Combine tomatoes, garlic, jalapeño, scallion, cilantro, red onion and lime juice in small bowl. Sprinkle with salt, and let salsa sit at least 15 minutes to blend. Taste, and adjust salt, if necessary.
GREAT GUACAMOLE
Serves 4; Vegan
The recipe begins, “Extra green and packed with flavor, this is a version of a classic you won’t forget. Blend it to a creamy consistency in a food processor, or keep it chunky by mashing the chiles, green onions and chopped cilantro with the avocados.”
Ingredients
2 ripe avocados, preferably Hass
3 Tbs. fresh lime juice
2 to 3 serrano or jalapeño chiles, seeded and minced
2 scallions, thinly sliced
3/4 tsp. salt
1 cup chopped cilantro
Preparation
Mash avocados and lime juice in mixing bowl. Stir in remaining ingredients. Taste, and adjust salt if necessary.
CONFETTI RICE
This comes from Vegetarian Times (May 2005 issue, page 76-77), and begins, "This colorful rice contains carrots, corn and chayote, a green-skinned Mexican vegetable similar in shape and size to a pear. But the flesh is pale, crisp and fine-textured with a flavor that is a cross between a cucumber and a zucchini. Look for chayotes (also called mirliton) in the produce section of large supermarkets. If you cannot find them, use zucchini instead." Makes 4 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/confetti-rice/.
Ingredients
2 tsp. olive oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1 cup uncooked long-grain rice
3/4 cup peeled, finely chopped chayote
2/3 cup fresh corn kernels
1/2 cup finely chopped carrot
2 cups low-sodium vegetable stock or water
Preparation
Heat oil in large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion, and cook, stirring often, 2 minutes. Add garlic, and cook, stirring often, 1 minute. Stir in rice, chayote, corn and carrot, and cook, stirring often, 3 minutes.
Stir in stock, and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to low and cook 20 minutes, or until rice is tender. Season with salt, and serve.
CRISPY TOFU IN A SWEET AND SOUR SAUCE
This is from One Green Planet, an animal-friendly website. This recipe begins, "There are many ways to turn plain, uninteresting tofu into a culinary masterpiece. My preferred method is rather simple, and it’s ideal for those occasions when I want to get dinner on the table in under half an hour: fry or bake until crispy, then combine with a sauce of my choice. The sauce here is of an umami variety, which works well with the chewy, crispy tofu." Serves 2
To view this online, go to https://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/crispy-tofu-in-a-sweet-and-sour-sauce-vegan/.
Ingredients
1 (10-oz) block extra-firm tofu, pressed if necessary and cut into triangles
2 teaspoons sesame oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 (1-inch) piece ginger, grated
1 medium carrot, peeled and chopped into matchsticks
3 tablespoons tamari
2 tablespoons maple syrup
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
Chopped scallions
Preparation
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange the tofu triangles on the lined baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until a light brown color.
Meanwhile, heat the sesame oil in a nonstick frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the onion, garlic, ginger and carrot, sautéing for 4 to 5 minutes, until the vegetables soften and the onion is translucent.
Make the sauce by stirring together the tamari, maple syrup, rice vinegar, lemon juice and tomato paste. In a separate bowl, whisk together ¼ cup (60 ml) of water and the cornstarch.
When the tofu is ready, pan fry it for 5 minutes, rotating each triangle frequently. Pour the sauce into the frying pan and stir well to coat all the tofu cubes. Allow to simmer lightly for 2 to 3 minutes, then pour in the cornstarch slurry and continue to stir until the sauce thickens.
During the last minute of cooking, stir in the sesame seeds, garnish with scallions and serve with a side of your choice.
Note: It’s important to get as much water as possible out of the tofu. Depending on the brand you use, pressing may be necessary. You can also freeze it overnight to get a firmer and chewier texture.
In the meantime, here are six vegetarian recipes to get your week started off just right, including Crispy Tofu in a Sweet and Sour Sauce (which happens to be vegan) and Red and Yellow Tomato Salsa. Enjoy!
CORNMEAL CREPES
This comes from Vegetarian Times (May 2005 issue, page 76-77), and begins, "The key to these crêpes is having your pan at the right temperature—too high and the crêpes will burn; too low and they’ll never brown." Makes 8 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/cornmeal-crepes/
Ingredients
2 cups plain soymilk
2 Tbs. arrowroot
1/2 cup cornmeal
1/2 cup unbleached white flour
1/2 tsp. salt
2 Tbs. extra virgin olive oil plus more for pan
3 Tbs. chili powder
2 Tbs. finely chopped scallions
Preparation
Put soymilk, arrowroot, cornmeal, flour, salt and 2 Tbs. oil in blender or food processor, and purée until smooth. Let batter rest about 20 minutes, or until it is the consistency of heavy cream. Stir in chili powder, 1/2 cup water and scallions.
Lightly oil 10- to 12-inch nonstick skillet using paper towel. Heat pan over medium-high heat. Ladle in 1/4 cup batter, tipping pan in circular motion so batter covers entire surface. Cook 45 seconds to 1 minute, or until crêpe bubbles and becomes golden around edges. Loosen edges with spatula, and flip crêpe. Cook about 10 seconds on second side. Slide crêpe onto plate, and cover to keep warm.
Repeat, lightly oiling pan between crêpes, until batter is used up. If batter thickens, add water to thin.
To serve, place crêpe on plate, golden side down. Spoon 1/3 cup beans in middle, and fold all 4 edges toward center, forming square with open center. Put dollop of guacamole and salsa on each crêpe. Alternatively, fold crêpe into quarters, and serve alongside beans, guacamole and salsa.
REFRIED BLACK BEANS
Serves 4; Vegan
This recipe begins, “Because refried black beans are so versatile and can be enjoyed plain or as a filling for enchiladas, tacos, burritos or omelets, they are a must in your stock of recipes. If you’re cooking the beans from scratch, start with 1 1/2 cups dry beans; also, reserve 1 cup of the cooking liquid to use instead of the stock. Add a little water or stock to the beans when you rewarm them.”
Ingredients
2 Tbs. extra virgin olive oil
2 small onions, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
2 tsp. chili powder, preferably chipotle
1 tsp. ground cumin
2 15-oz. cans black beans, drained and rinsed, or 3 cups cooked beans
1 cup low-sodium vegetable stock or bean cooking liquid
1/2 tsp. salt
2 Tbs. fresh lime juice
Preparation
Heat oil in skillet over medium heat. Add onions, garlic and jalapeño, and cook, stirring often, over medium-low heat until onions are softened, 7 to 10 minutes. Add chili powder and cumin, and cook, stirring, 1 to 2 minutes, or until fragrant.
Increase heat to medium. Add 1 cup beans, 1/3 cup stock and salt. Using potato masher or back of spoon, mash beans into liquid. Continue cooking until liquid evaporates, 7 to 10 minutes. Add 1 more cup beans and 1/3 cup stock, and mash and cook again, stirring. Repeat, mashing and cooking and stirring, until liquid is absorbed and beans hold together, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in lime juice, and adjust salt to taste.
RED AND YELLOW TOMATO SALSA
Serves 4; Vegan
This begins, “Using two different colored tomatoes and adding flecks of red onion takes this basic salsa recipe from simple to spectacular. Try it as well with heirloom tomato varieties for even more color and flavor.”
Ingredients
2 medium-sized tomatoes, 1 yellow and 1 red, seeded and diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 small jalapeño chile, stemmed, seeded and minced
1 scallion, thinly sliced
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1/4 cup diced red onion
2 Tbs. fresh lime juice
Salt to taste
Preparation
Combine tomatoes, garlic, jalapeño, scallion, cilantro, red onion and lime juice in small bowl. Sprinkle with salt, and let salsa sit at least 15 minutes to blend. Taste, and adjust salt, if necessary.
GREAT GUACAMOLE
Serves 4; Vegan
The recipe begins, “Extra green and packed with flavor, this is a version of a classic you won’t forget. Blend it to a creamy consistency in a food processor, or keep it chunky by mashing the chiles, green onions and chopped cilantro with the avocados.”
Ingredients
2 ripe avocados, preferably Hass
3 Tbs. fresh lime juice
2 to 3 serrano or jalapeño chiles, seeded and minced
2 scallions, thinly sliced
3/4 tsp. salt
1 cup chopped cilantro
Preparation
Mash avocados and lime juice in mixing bowl. Stir in remaining ingredients. Taste, and adjust salt if necessary.
CONFETTI RICE
This comes from Vegetarian Times (May 2005 issue, page 76-77), and begins, "This colorful rice contains carrots, corn and chayote, a green-skinned Mexican vegetable similar in shape and size to a pear. But the flesh is pale, crisp and fine-textured with a flavor that is a cross between a cucumber and a zucchini. Look for chayotes (also called mirliton) in the produce section of large supermarkets. If you cannot find them, use zucchini instead." Makes 4 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/confetti-rice/.
Ingredients
2 tsp. olive oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1 cup uncooked long-grain rice
3/4 cup peeled, finely chopped chayote
2/3 cup fresh corn kernels
1/2 cup finely chopped carrot
2 cups low-sodium vegetable stock or water
Preparation
Heat oil in large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion, and cook, stirring often, 2 minutes. Add garlic, and cook, stirring often, 1 minute. Stir in rice, chayote, corn and carrot, and cook, stirring often, 3 minutes.
Stir in stock, and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to low and cook 20 minutes, or until rice is tender. Season with salt, and serve.
CRISPY TOFU IN A SWEET AND SOUR SAUCE
This is from One Green Planet, an animal-friendly website. This recipe begins, "There are many ways to turn plain, uninteresting tofu into a culinary masterpiece. My preferred method is rather simple, and it’s ideal for those occasions when I want to get dinner on the table in under half an hour: fry or bake until crispy, then combine with a sauce of my choice. The sauce here is of an umami variety, which works well with the chewy, crispy tofu." Serves 2
To view this online, go to https://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/crispy-tofu-in-a-sweet-and-sour-sauce-vegan/.
Ingredients
1 (10-oz) block extra-firm tofu, pressed if necessary and cut into triangles
2 teaspoons sesame oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 (1-inch) piece ginger, grated
1 medium carrot, peeled and chopped into matchsticks
3 tablespoons tamari
2 tablespoons maple syrup
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
Chopped scallions
Preparation
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange the tofu triangles on the lined baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until a light brown color.
Meanwhile, heat the sesame oil in a nonstick frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the onion, garlic, ginger and carrot, sautéing for 4 to 5 minutes, until the vegetables soften and the onion is translucent.
Make the sauce by stirring together the tamari, maple syrup, rice vinegar, lemon juice and tomato paste. In a separate bowl, whisk together ¼ cup (60 ml) of water and the cornstarch.
When the tofu is ready, pan fry it for 5 minutes, rotating each triangle frequently. Pour the sauce into the frying pan and stir well to coat all the tofu cubes. Allow to simmer lightly for 2 to 3 minutes, then pour in the cornstarch slurry and continue to stir until the sauce thickens.
During the last minute of cooking, stir in the sesame seeds, garnish with scallions and serve with a side of your choice.
Note: It’s important to get as much water as possible out of the tofu. Depending on the brand you use, pressing may be necessary. You can also freeze it overnight to get a firmer and chewier texture.
Friday, January 7, 2022
Friday Recipes
It's finally Friday. Yay! If you're like me, you probably have a zillion things to get done over the weekend. And, if you're also like me, half of those things will still be waiting to get done when the weekend is over. Sound familiar?
One thing we do need to do, though, is eat. To that end, here are six vegetarian recipes to help you through the weekend, including Comforting Chili (a vegan recipe from One Green Planet) and Winter Vegetable Medley with Paella-Style Orzo. Enjoy!
ITALIAN WHITE BEAN AND KALE SOUP
This recipe is from Vegetarian Times, and begins, “Add a slice of crusty bread and a tossed salad to this soup for a quick, satisfying cold-weather meal.
“To make the soup without the Slow-Roasted Tomatoes, simply substitute two 15-ounce cans whole tomatoes for the slow-roasted tomatoes and water used.”
View this online at https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/italian-white-bean-and-kale-soup-recipe/.
Servings 4
Ingredients
10 thawed Slow-Roasted Tomatoes (1 cup)
1 Tbs. olive oil, plus more for drizzling
1 large onion, finely chopped (2 cups)
6 oz. lacinato kale, coarsely chopped
1 cup cooked white beans
Directions
Blend tomatoes with 2 cups water in blender or food processor until smooth (you should have about 3 cups); set aside.
Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, and sauté 5 to 7 minutes, or until translucent. Add tomato purée and 4 more cups water, cover, and simmer 10 minutes. Add kale and white beans; cook 10 minutes more, or until kale is tender. Serve drizzled with oil.
STAND 'N STUFF BREAKFAST TACOS
This is from Old El Paso, and begins, "Tacos for breakfast? Absolutely! The Old El Paso® Stand 'n Stuff soft taco shells make the perfect vessel to hold your breakfast favorites."
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 20 minutes; Makes 6 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/stand-n-stuff-breakfast-tacos.
Ingredients
6 eggs
1/4 cup half-and-half
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons butter
1 can (15 oz) Progresso™ black beans, drained, rinsed
4 medium green onions, sliced (1/2 cup)
6 Old El Paso™ Soft Tortilla Bowls
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (4 oz)
1/3 cup Old El Paso™ Thick 'n Chunky salsa
1 avocado, pitted, peeled and diced
1/3 cup sour cream
Preparation
In large bowl, beat eggs with whisk. Add half-and-half and salt; beat well. In 10-inch nonstick skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add egg mixture; cook about 7 minutes, scraping cooked eggs up from bottom of skillet occasionally, until mixture is firm but still moist. Gently fold in beans and green onions, stirring to combine.
Heat tortillas as directed on package. Divide egg mixture evenly among tortillas. Top with Toppings. If desired, garnish with dark green tops of green onions.
Expert Tips
Complete this fabulous meal with a delicious fresh fruit salad.
COMFORTING CHILI [VEGAN]
This is from Jeunesse Pouchet on One Green Planet. She wrote, "Sometimes we just need a warm, comforting and hearty bowl of Chili, especially for those cozy rainy days. And this Chili is all of the above! Better yet, it's quick and simple to make. Accompanied with pickled cabbage, grilled plantain, and a dollop of vegan sour cream. This bowl of goodness is packed with flavor and healthy ingredients."
This dairy free recipe serves 2, and can be found online at https://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/comforting-chili-vegan/.
Ingredients
For the Chili:
2 tablespoons coconut oil
2 cans black beans, drained
1/2 cup whole corn kernels
2/3 cup pumpkin (medium), diced
2 Tomatoes medium, diced
1/4 Cup Onion (small), diced
2 tablespoons garlic, finely diced or minced
2 tablespoons chive or cilantro, chopped
2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon chili powder (optional)
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon roasted Geera or cumin
1 1/2 - 2 Cups water
For The Pickled Cabbage
2 cups purple cabbage, diced or shredded
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or lemon juice (adjust quantity to taste)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
For The Grilled Plantain:
1 Plantain medium ripe, sliced
2 tablespoons coconut oil
For The Sour Cream:
1/4 cup vegan mayo
1 tablespoon fresh chive, chopped
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Preparation
For the Chili:
Add the coconut oil to a pot and place on medium heat.
Then add the diced onion, garlic, chive, apple cider, paprika, chili, salt, onion powder, garlic powder and geera. Stir and saute for a minute until fragrant.
Toss in the tomatoes and pumpkin, then stir and saute for another minute.
Add the black bans and corn kernels and stir to combine. Then pour in the water and partially cover. Cook for approximately 20-22 minutes until the chili has reduced and thickened. Remove from heat.
For The Pickled Cabbage
Add all ingredients to a mixing bowl and toss to combine. Set aside to marinate until ready to serve.
For The Grilled Plantain:
Using a pan, place on medium heat and coat with the coconut oil.
Place the plantain slices on the heated pan and grill each side until golden brown. You can reduce or turn up the heat to suit.
For The Sour Cream:
Add all ingredients to a mixing bowl and stir to combine.
ITALIAN GRILLED STUFFED PEPPERS
This comes from Kraft and begins, “Discover these Italian Grilled Stuffed Peppers and bring a little bit of Italy into your kitchen! These grilled stuffed peppers are delicious!”
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 45 minutes; Servings: 6 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1-3/4 cups water, divided
1-1/2 cups instant brown rice, uncooked
2 cups frozen BOCA Veggie Ground Crumbles
1 small zucchini, chopped
1 tsp. dried Italian seasoning
1-1/2 cups OLIVO by CLASSICO Traditional Pasta Sauce, divided
1-1/2 cups KRAFT 2% Milk Shredded Mozzarella Cheese, divided
1 large each red, yellow and green pepper, cut lengthwise in half, seeded
Directions
Heat grill to medium-high heat.
Bring 1-1/2 cups water to boil in medium saucepan. Add rice; cover. Simmer 5 min. Remove from heat; let stand 5 min. Stir in crumbles, zucchini, seasoning and 1 cup each pasta sauce and cheese; spoon into peppers.
Place each filled pepper half on center of 12-inch-square sheet heavy-duty foil. Top with remaining sauce and cheese. Bring up foil sides. Spoon 1 Tbsp. of the remaining water onto bottom of each foil packet. Double fold top and ends to seal packets, leaving room for heat circulation inside.
Grill 20 to 25 min. or until peppers are crisp-tender and filling is heated through (160ºF).
WINTER VEGETABLE MEDLEY WITH PAELLA-STYLE ORZO
This recipe, fromVegetarian Times, begins, "Good-quality saffron is the key to this dish." Makes 4 servings
This can be viewed online at https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/winter-vegetable-medley-with-paella-style-orzo/.
Ingredients
2 3/4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
2 cloves garlic, minced (2 tsp.)
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp. saffron threads
1 14.5-oz. can fire-roasted whole tomatoes, drained, liquid reserved, and tomatoes halved
2 Tbs. olive oil
1 yellow bell pepper, cut into 16 pieces
1 cup orzo pasta
1/4 cup frozen peas
2 cups large cauliflower florets
8 green onions, each cut into thirds
1 cup large broccoli florets
Directions
Bring broth to a simmer in saucepan. Stir in garlic, Italian seasoning, saffron, and tomato liquid. Season with salt and pepper, if desired, and keep hot.
Coat large skillet or 8-qt. Dutch oven with cooking spray, add oil, and heat over high heat. Add tomatoes, sear 2 to 3 minutes, or until browned and dry, and transfer to plate. Add bell pepper, sear 2 to 3 minutes, and transfer to same plate.
Sprinkle orzo into skillet, and stir 30 seconds. Stir in broth and peas, and reduce heat to medium. Arrange cauliflower florets on top of orzo in pot. Arrange green onions, tomatoes, and bell pepper pieces around cauliflower; cover, and simmer without stirring, 11 minutes. Scatter broccoli over vegetables, remove pot from heat, and let stand, covered, 10 minutes, or until orzo has absorbed all liquid and broccoli is crisp-tender.
BROCCOLI AND CHEESE CRUSTLESS QUICHE
This is from the May 2005 issue of Vegetarian Times (page 42). It is in an article titled Calci-yum!, and begins, "Enjoy this no-crust savory custard pie with a salad for lunch or dinner. For a variation, substitute 5 cups spinach for the broccoli. Serve with warm whole-grain bread."
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/broccoli-and-cheese-crustless-quiche/. Makes 6 servings
Ingredients
2 tsp. olive oil
1/2 cup thinly sliced onion
1 clove garlic, minced
5 cups broccoli florets
1 1/4 cups 1% milk
1 cup shredded reduced-fat Swiss cheese
2 tsp. Dijon mustard
4 large egg whites, lightly beaten
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 Tbs. grated fresh Parmesan cheese
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350F. Spray 9-inch pie pan with cooking spray.
Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic, and cook, stirring often, 1 1/2 minutes. Add broccoli, and cook, stirring often, 1 minute. Spread mixture in pie pan.
Combine milk, cheese, mustard, egg whites, eggs, salt, pepper and nutmeg in large bowl. Pour over broccoli mixture; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
Bake 40 minutes, or until top is golden and knife inserted in center comes out clean. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
One thing we do need to do, though, is eat. To that end, here are six vegetarian recipes to help you through the weekend, including Comforting Chili (a vegan recipe from One Green Planet) and Winter Vegetable Medley with Paella-Style Orzo. Enjoy!
ITALIAN WHITE BEAN AND KALE SOUP
This recipe is from Vegetarian Times, and begins, “Add a slice of crusty bread and a tossed salad to this soup for a quick, satisfying cold-weather meal.
“To make the soup without the Slow-Roasted Tomatoes, simply substitute two 15-ounce cans whole tomatoes for the slow-roasted tomatoes and water used.”
View this online at https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/italian-white-bean-and-kale-soup-recipe/.
Servings 4
Ingredients
10 thawed Slow-Roasted Tomatoes (1 cup)
1 Tbs. olive oil, plus more for drizzling
1 large onion, finely chopped (2 cups)
6 oz. lacinato kale, coarsely chopped
1 cup cooked white beans
Directions
Blend tomatoes with 2 cups water in blender or food processor until smooth (you should have about 3 cups); set aside.
Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, and sauté 5 to 7 minutes, or until translucent. Add tomato purée and 4 more cups water, cover, and simmer 10 minutes. Add kale and white beans; cook 10 minutes more, or until kale is tender. Serve drizzled with oil.
STAND 'N STUFF BREAKFAST TACOS
This is from Old El Paso, and begins, "Tacos for breakfast? Absolutely! The Old El Paso® Stand 'n Stuff soft taco shells make the perfect vessel to hold your breakfast favorites."
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 20 minutes; Makes 6 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/stand-n-stuff-breakfast-tacos.
Ingredients
6 eggs
1/4 cup half-and-half
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons butter
1 can (15 oz) Progresso™ black beans, drained, rinsed
4 medium green onions, sliced (1/2 cup)
6 Old El Paso™ Soft Tortilla Bowls
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (4 oz)
1/3 cup Old El Paso™ Thick 'n Chunky salsa
1 avocado, pitted, peeled and diced
1/3 cup sour cream
Preparation
In large bowl, beat eggs with whisk. Add half-and-half and salt; beat well. In 10-inch nonstick skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add egg mixture; cook about 7 minutes, scraping cooked eggs up from bottom of skillet occasionally, until mixture is firm but still moist. Gently fold in beans and green onions, stirring to combine.
Heat tortillas as directed on package. Divide egg mixture evenly among tortillas. Top with Toppings. If desired, garnish with dark green tops of green onions.
Expert Tips
Complete this fabulous meal with a delicious fresh fruit salad.
COMFORTING CHILI [VEGAN]
This is from Jeunesse Pouchet on One Green Planet. She wrote, "Sometimes we just need a warm, comforting and hearty bowl of Chili, especially for those cozy rainy days. And this Chili is all of the above! Better yet, it's quick and simple to make. Accompanied with pickled cabbage, grilled plantain, and a dollop of vegan sour cream. This bowl of goodness is packed with flavor and healthy ingredients."
This dairy free recipe serves 2, and can be found online at https://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/comforting-chili-vegan/.
Ingredients
For the Chili:
2 tablespoons coconut oil
2 cans black beans, drained
1/2 cup whole corn kernels
2/3 cup pumpkin (medium), diced
2 Tomatoes medium, diced
1/4 Cup Onion (small), diced
2 tablespoons garlic, finely diced or minced
2 tablespoons chive or cilantro, chopped
2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon chili powder (optional)
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon roasted Geera or cumin
1 1/2 - 2 Cups water
For The Pickled Cabbage
2 cups purple cabbage, diced or shredded
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or lemon juice (adjust quantity to taste)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
For The Grilled Plantain:
1 Plantain medium ripe, sliced
2 tablespoons coconut oil
For The Sour Cream:
1/4 cup vegan mayo
1 tablespoon fresh chive, chopped
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Preparation
For the Chili:
Add the coconut oil to a pot and place on medium heat.
Then add the diced onion, garlic, chive, apple cider, paprika, chili, salt, onion powder, garlic powder and geera. Stir and saute for a minute until fragrant.
Toss in the tomatoes and pumpkin, then stir and saute for another minute.
Add the black bans and corn kernels and stir to combine. Then pour in the water and partially cover. Cook for approximately 20-22 minutes until the chili has reduced and thickened. Remove from heat.
For The Pickled Cabbage
Add all ingredients to a mixing bowl and toss to combine. Set aside to marinate until ready to serve.
For The Grilled Plantain:
Using a pan, place on medium heat and coat with the coconut oil.
Place the plantain slices on the heated pan and grill each side until golden brown. You can reduce or turn up the heat to suit.
For The Sour Cream:
Add all ingredients to a mixing bowl and stir to combine.
ITALIAN GRILLED STUFFED PEPPERS
This comes from Kraft and begins, “Discover these Italian Grilled Stuffed Peppers and bring a little bit of Italy into your kitchen! These grilled stuffed peppers are delicious!”
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 45 minutes; Servings: 6 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1-3/4 cups water, divided
1-1/2 cups instant brown rice, uncooked
2 cups frozen BOCA Veggie Ground Crumbles
1 small zucchini, chopped
1 tsp. dried Italian seasoning
1-1/2 cups OLIVO by CLASSICO Traditional Pasta Sauce, divided
1-1/2 cups KRAFT 2% Milk Shredded Mozzarella Cheese, divided
1 large each red, yellow and green pepper, cut lengthwise in half, seeded
Directions
Heat grill to medium-high heat.
Bring 1-1/2 cups water to boil in medium saucepan. Add rice; cover. Simmer 5 min. Remove from heat; let stand 5 min. Stir in crumbles, zucchini, seasoning and 1 cup each pasta sauce and cheese; spoon into peppers.
Place each filled pepper half on center of 12-inch-square sheet heavy-duty foil. Top with remaining sauce and cheese. Bring up foil sides. Spoon 1 Tbsp. of the remaining water onto bottom of each foil packet. Double fold top and ends to seal packets, leaving room for heat circulation inside.
Grill 20 to 25 min. or until peppers are crisp-tender and filling is heated through (160ºF).
WINTER VEGETABLE MEDLEY WITH PAELLA-STYLE ORZO
This recipe, fromVegetarian Times, begins, "Good-quality saffron is the key to this dish." Makes 4 servings
This can be viewed online at https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/winter-vegetable-medley-with-paella-style-orzo/.
Ingredients
2 3/4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
2 cloves garlic, minced (2 tsp.)
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp. saffron threads
1 14.5-oz. can fire-roasted whole tomatoes, drained, liquid reserved, and tomatoes halved
2 Tbs. olive oil
1 yellow bell pepper, cut into 16 pieces
1 cup orzo pasta
1/4 cup frozen peas
2 cups large cauliflower florets
8 green onions, each cut into thirds
1 cup large broccoli florets
Directions
Bring broth to a simmer in saucepan. Stir in garlic, Italian seasoning, saffron, and tomato liquid. Season with salt and pepper, if desired, and keep hot.
Coat large skillet or 8-qt. Dutch oven with cooking spray, add oil, and heat over high heat. Add tomatoes, sear 2 to 3 minutes, or until browned and dry, and transfer to plate. Add bell pepper, sear 2 to 3 minutes, and transfer to same plate.
Sprinkle orzo into skillet, and stir 30 seconds. Stir in broth and peas, and reduce heat to medium. Arrange cauliflower florets on top of orzo in pot. Arrange green onions, tomatoes, and bell pepper pieces around cauliflower; cover, and simmer without stirring, 11 minutes. Scatter broccoli over vegetables, remove pot from heat, and let stand, covered, 10 minutes, or until orzo has absorbed all liquid and broccoli is crisp-tender.
BROCCOLI AND CHEESE CRUSTLESS QUICHE
This is from the May 2005 issue of Vegetarian Times (page 42). It is in an article titled Calci-yum!, and begins, "Enjoy this no-crust savory custard pie with a salad for lunch or dinner. For a variation, substitute 5 cups spinach for the broccoli. Serve with warm whole-grain bread."
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/broccoli-and-cheese-crustless-quiche/. Makes 6 servings
Ingredients
2 tsp. olive oil
1/2 cup thinly sliced onion
1 clove garlic, minced
5 cups broccoli florets
1 1/4 cups 1% milk
1 cup shredded reduced-fat Swiss cheese
2 tsp. Dijon mustard
4 large egg whites, lightly beaten
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 Tbs. grated fresh Parmesan cheese
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350F. Spray 9-inch pie pan with cooking spray.
Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic, and cook, stirring often, 1 1/2 minutes. Add broccoli, and cook, stirring often, 1 minute. Spread mixture in pie pan.
Combine milk, cheese, mustard, egg whites, eggs, salt, pepper and nutmeg in large bowl. Pour over broccoli mixture; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
Bake 40 minutes, or until top is golden and knife inserted in center comes out clean. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
Thursday, January 6, 2022
Chili
If you love chili as much as I do, and have no qualms about meatless chili, today's post is for you. Check out the Vegan Lentil Chili, Texas-Style Chili, or any of the other yummy chili recipes here. Enjoy!
BUTTERNUT SQUASH CHIPOTLE CHILI
This comes from Brittany Williams at TODAY. She wrote, "Embracing a healthier lifestyle meant learning to love and embrace plants. When I was younger, I struggled with consuming vegetable-based meals, so I want my kids to love how fueling their bodies with plant food makes them feel. To do this, I like to sneak as many vegan dishes as I can into our meal rotation. Most of the time, no one even misses the meat! This delicious vegan chili is a regular winter favorite in our home.
"Technique tip: If you're using a homemade, salt-free stock, you'll need to add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoons of additional sea salt. This chili is a great freezer meal: Just place all the ingredients, except for the stock and cilantro, in a gallon-size freezer bag and store in the freezer until you're ready to prepare it. Simply dump the bag of ingredients inside the pressure cooker, add the stock and cook according to the instructions below."
Makes 6 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.today.com/recipes/butternut-squash-chipotle-chili-recipe-t170953.
Ingredients
1 medium butternut squash (about 2 pounds), peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
2 large beefsteak tomatoes, diced
1 medium red onion, finely chopped
1 medium red bell pepper, seeded and diced
3 cups canned black beans, rinsed and drained
2 cups low-sodium or homemade vegetable stock
5 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon chopped chipotle pepper in adobo sauce
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Preparation
Place all of the ingredients except the cilantro in an electric pressure cooker and stir to combine.
Place the lid on the cooker and make sure the vent valve is in the sealing position. Using the display panel, select the manual/pressure cook function and high pressure, and use the +/− buttons until the display reads 10 minutes.
When the cooker beeps to let you know it's finished, switch the vent valve from the sealing to the venting position, administering a quick release. Use caution while the steam escapes — it's hot.
Remove the bay leaf and stir in the fresh cilantro. Serve warm.
Note: Excerpted from "Instant Loss Eat Real, Lose Weight: How I Lost 125 Pounds—Includes 100+ Recipes." © 2019 by Brittany Williams. Photography © 2019 by Ghazalle Badiozamani. Reproduced by permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
ULTIMATE VEGAN CHILI
This is from Vegetarian Times, and begins, "This chili is made with a base of seitan and mushrooms for a rich, thick dish that is, for lack of a better word, meaty!
"In lieu of chili beans such as Bush’s Best Chili Beans, you can substitute or 1 can each black beans, kidney beans, and pinto beans, partially drained. If you like your chili three-alarm hot, add an extra chipotle chile or two."
Makes 8 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/ultimate-vegan-chili-recipe/.
Ingredients
2 Tbs. olive oil
1 large onion, chopped (2 cups)
3 cloves garlic, minced (1 Tbs.)
1 chipotle chile in adobo sauce, drained and minced
8 oz. baby bella mushrooms, finely chopped (1 1/2 cups)
2 8-oz. pkgs. seitan, chopped (3 cups)
3 Tbs. tomato paste
2 tsp. smoked paprika
2 tsp. dried oregano
1 1/2 tsp. chili powder
3/4 tsp. celery salt
3 15-oz. cans chili beans, partially drained
1 cup chopped carrots (2 to 3 large carrots)
2 Tbs. low-sodium tamari or soy sauce
1 Tbs. vegan Worcestershire sauce
Preparation
Heat oil in Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onion, and sauté 7 to 10 minutes, or until beginning to brown, stirring often. Add garlic and chipotle chile, and sauté 1 minute more. Stir in mushrooms; cook 3 to 4 minutes, or until softened. Add seitan, tomato paste, paprika, oregano, chili powder, celery salt, and 1 cup water; cook 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add beans, carrots, tamari, and Worcestershire sauce. Cover, and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer 1 hour, or until carrots are tender.
TEXAS-STYLE CHILI
This is from Vegetarian Times, and begins, "Texas-style chili is a bean-free stew that’s usually made with chunks of slow-cooked beef. Here, eggplant stands in for meat in the traditional thick, spicy sauce. Serve with chopped green onions, cilantro, jalapeño, tomato, shredded cheese, sour cream, and corn chips." Makes 6 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/texas-style-chili/.
Ingredients
3 mulato or pasilla dried chiles
2 costeno dried chiles
1 cascabel dried chile
2 Tbs. olive oil
1 red bell pepper, cut into chunks
1 medium onion, cut into chunks
4 cloves garlic, peeled
1 15-oz. can whole tomatoes
1 1/2 Tbs. chili powder
2 tsp. light brown sugar or 1 tsp. molasses, optional
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. dried oregano
4 medium Japanese eggplant, peeled and cut into 2-inch chunks
2 Tbs. masa harina
Preparation
Place dried chiles in medium bowl, and cover with 1 1/2 cups boiling water. Let stand 20 minutes, or until soft, pushing chiles under water occasionally. Let liquid cool until chiles are easy to handle.
Remove tough stems and seeds from rehydrated chiles, using soaking liquid to rinse away seeds. Coarsely chop chiles, and strain liquid to remove seeds. Set aside.
Heat oil in large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add bell pepper, onion, and garlic, and sear 1 to 2 minutes, or until beginning to brown. Add chiles with soaking liquid, tomatoes with juice, chili powder, brown sugar (if using), cumin, oregano, and 4 cups water. Season with salt and pepper, if desired. Cover, and simmer 30 minutes.
Remove pot from heat, and blend chiles and vegetables with immersion blender until smooth. Stir in eggplant chunks, then cover pot, and simmer 30 minutes over medium heat, or until eggplant is tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in masa harina, and season with salt and pepper, if desired.
BLACK BEAN CHILI
This is from Vegetarian Times, and begins, "You can have this chili on the table in no time at all since you probably already have the ingredients in your pantry. We like ours made with black beans, but you can also use red kidney or pinto beans, or mix two kinds of beans together. For a change of pace, serve the chili over quinoa instead of rice." Makes 6 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/black-bean-chili/.
Ingredients
2 tsp. vegetable oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 medium green bell pepper, diced
2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbs. chili powder
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. dried oregano
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
14-oz. can Mexican-style stewed tomatoes
3/4 cup water
1 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Two 16-oz. cans black beans, rinsed and drained
Preparation
In large nonstick pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion, bell pepper, jalapeño and garlic and cook, stirring often, until vegetables begin to soften, 5 minutes. Add spices, tomatoes, beans and water, and simmer 15 minutes. Stir in corn and cook 1 minute. Stir in cilantro and serve.
WEEKNIGHT TWO-BEAN CHILI
This is from the Food Network, and begins, "This 30-minute weekenight dinner is a vegetarian chili that tastes like it's been slow simmered for hours. The hint of Chinese five-spice powder is a nice spice surprise. If you serve it over spaghetti, it turns into Cincinnati-style chili. (1 serving of Cincinnati-style chili equals 3/4 cup chili + 2 ounce (dry) cooked whole-wheat spaghetti.)"
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 servings; Level: Easy
To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/weeknight-two-bean-chili-recipe-2121374.
Note: The recipe originally called for either low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth. But since this is a vegetarian blog, I omitted the chicken broth.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 small jalapeno, minced (with some seeds)
1 small or 1/2 large red onion, finely diced
2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
1 large clove garlic, minced
1 1/4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
1 cup canned crushed roasted tomatoes
1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
1/4 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder or ground cinnamon, optional
Two 15-ounce cans beans (such as kidney and black), rinsed and drained
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
2 cups cooked brown rice
1/2 cup finely shredded extra-sharp Cheddar (2 ounces)
Directions
Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat; add the jalapenos, onions and vinegar and cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook about 30 seconds.
Stir in the broth, tomatoes, chili powder and five-spice powder if using, and increase the heat to high. Bring to a full boil and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the beans and return to a full boil. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until just slightly thickened but still soupy, about 5 minutes. Stir in the cilantro.
Fill each bowl with about 1/2 cup of rice. Ladle the chili on top, sprinkle with the Cheddar and serve.
VEGAN LENTIL CHILI
This comes from Emily Weinberger at the Food Network. The recipe begins, "This vegan chili is every bit as comforting as the meat-filled counterpart, thanks to hearty lentils, beans and vegetables."
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 to 6 servings; Level: Easy
This can be viewed online at https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/vegan-lentil-chili-9483281.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 bunch scallions, thinly sliced on the diagonal, light- and dark-green parts separated
1 red bell pepper (about 6 ounces), diced
1 orange bell pepper (about 6 ounces), diced
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup tomato paste
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon ancho chile powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Two 14.5-ounce cans diced tomatoes with their juices
1 cup dried red lentils
Two 14.5-ounce cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed
2 cups frozen diced butternut squash (from a 10-ounce bag)
1 tablespoon agave syrup or maple syrup
Assorted garnishes such as thinly sliced radish and jalapeno, cubed avocado and pepitas, for serving
Directions
Heat the olive oil in a large heavy-bottom pot over medium-high heat. Add the light-green scallion parts, both bell peppers, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened, 5 to 6 minutes. Add the tomato paste, garlic, ancho chile powder, cumin and cinnamon and cook, stirring, until the tomato paste darkens in color and the garlic is softened, about 1 minute.
Add the tomatoes and their juices, lentils, 2 cups water, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper to the pot and stir to combine. Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce the temperature and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the lentils have softened, 12 to 15 minutes. Fold in the kidney beans, butternut squash and agave syrup and cook, stirring once or twice, until the squash is heated through, 2 to 3 minutes.
Serve the chili in bowls and garnish with the radish, jalapeno, avocado, pepitas and dark-green scallion parts as desired.
BUTTERNUT SQUASH CHIPOTLE CHILI
This comes from Brittany Williams at TODAY. She wrote, "Embracing a healthier lifestyle meant learning to love and embrace plants. When I was younger, I struggled with consuming vegetable-based meals, so I want my kids to love how fueling their bodies with plant food makes them feel. To do this, I like to sneak as many vegan dishes as I can into our meal rotation. Most of the time, no one even misses the meat! This delicious vegan chili is a regular winter favorite in our home.
"Technique tip: If you're using a homemade, salt-free stock, you'll need to add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoons of additional sea salt. This chili is a great freezer meal: Just place all the ingredients, except for the stock and cilantro, in a gallon-size freezer bag and store in the freezer until you're ready to prepare it. Simply dump the bag of ingredients inside the pressure cooker, add the stock and cook according to the instructions below."
Makes 6 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.today.com/recipes/butternut-squash-chipotle-chili-recipe-t170953.
Ingredients
1 medium butternut squash (about 2 pounds), peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
2 large beefsteak tomatoes, diced
1 medium red onion, finely chopped
1 medium red bell pepper, seeded and diced
3 cups canned black beans, rinsed and drained
2 cups low-sodium or homemade vegetable stock
5 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon chopped chipotle pepper in adobo sauce
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Preparation
Place all of the ingredients except the cilantro in an electric pressure cooker and stir to combine.
Place the lid on the cooker and make sure the vent valve is in the sealing position. Using the display panel, select the manual/pressure cook function and high pressure, and use the +/− buttons until the display reads 10 minutes.
When the cooker beeps to let you know it's finished, switch the vent valve from the sealing to the venting position, administering a quick release. Use caution while the steam escapes — it's hot.
Remove the bay leaf and stir in the fresh cilantro. Serve warm.
Note: Excerpted from "Instant Loss Eat Real, Lose Weight: How I Lost 125 Pounds—Includes 100+ Recipes." © 2019 by Brittany Williams. Photography © 2019 by Ghazalle Badiozamani. Reproduced by permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
ULTIMATE VEGAN CHILI
This is from Vegetarian Times, and begins, "This chili is made with a base of seitan and mushrooms for a rich, thick dish that is, for lack of a better word, meaty!
"In lieu of chili beans such as Bush’s Best Chili Beans, you can substitute or 1 can each black beans, kidney beans, and pinto beans, partially drained. If you like your chili three-alarm hot, add an extra chipotle chile or two."
Makes 8 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/ultimate-vegan-chili-recipe/.
Ingredients
2 Tbs. olive oil
1 large onion, chopped (2 cups)
3 cloves garlic, minced (1 Tbs.)
1 chipotle chile in adobo sauce, drained and minced
8 oz. baby bella mushrooms, finely chopped (1 1/2 cups)
2 8-oz. pkgs. seitan, chopped (3 cups)
3 Tbs. tomato paste
2 tsp. smoked paprika
2 tsp. dried oregano
1 1/2 tsp. chili powder
3/4 tsp. celery salt
3 15-oz. cans chili beans, partially drained
1 cup chopped carrots (2 to 3 large carrots)
2 Tbs. low-sodium tamari or soy sauce
1 Tbs. vegan Worcestershire sauce
Preparation
Heat oil in Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onion, and sauté 7 to 10 minutes, or until beginning to brown, stirring often. Add garlic and chipotle chile, and sauté 1 minute more. Stir in mushrooms; cook 3 to 4 minutes, or until softened. Add seitan, tomato paste, paprika, oregano, chili powder, celery salt, and 1 cup water; cook 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add beans, carrots, tamari, and Worcestershire sauce. Cover, and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer 1 hour, or until carrots are tender.
TEXAS-STYLE CHILI
This is from Vegetarian Times, and begins, "Texas-style chili is a bean-free stew that’s usually made with chunks of slow-cooked beef. Here, eggplant stands in for meat in the traditional thick, spicy sauce. Serve with chopped green onions, cilantro, jalapeño, tomato, shredded cheese, sour cream, and corn chips." Makes 6 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/texas-style-chili/.
Ingredients
3 mulato or pasilla dried chiles
2 costeno dried chiles
1 cascabel dried chile
2 Tbs. olive oil
1 red bell pepper, cut into chunks
1 medium onion, cut into chunks
4 cloves garlic, peeled
1 15-oz. can whole tomatoes
1 1/2 Tbs. chili powder
2 tsp. light brown sugar or 1 tsp. molasses, optional
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. dried oregano
4 medium Japanese eggplant, peeled and cut into 2-inch chunks
2 Tbs. masa harina
Preparation
Place dried chiles in medium bowl, and cover with 1 1/2 cups boiling water. Let stand 20 minutes, or until soft, pushing chiles under water occasionally. Let liquid cool until chiles are easy to handle.
Remove tough stems and seeds from rehydrated chiles, using soaking liquid to rinse away seeds. Coarsely chop chiles, and strain liquid to remove seeds. Set aside.
Heat oil in large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add bell pepper, onion, and garlic, and sear 1 to 2 minutes, or until beginning to brown. Add chiles with soaking liquid, tomatoes with juice, chili powder, brown sugar (if using), cumin, oregano, and 4 cups water. Season with salt and pepper, if desired. Cover, and simmer 30 minutes.
Remove pot from heat, and blend chiles and vegetables with immersion blender until smooth. Stir in eggplant chunks, then cover pot, and simmer 30 minutes over medium heat, or until eggplant is tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in masa harina, and season with salt and pepper, if desired.
BLACK BEAN CHILI
This is from Vegetarian Times, and begins, "You can have this chili on the table in no time at all since you probably already have the ingredients in your pantry. We like ours made with black beans, but you can also use red kidney or pinto beans, or mix two kinds of beans together. For a change of pace, serve the chili over quinoa instead of rice." Makes 6 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/black-bean-chili/.
Ingredients
2 tsp. vegetable oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 medium green bell pepper, diced
2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbs. chili powder
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. dried oregano
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
14-oz. can Mexican-style stewed tomatoes
3/4 cup water
1 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Two 16-oz. cans black beans, rinsed and drained
Preparation
In large nonstick pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion, bell pepper, jalapeño and garlic and cook, stirring often, until vegetables begin to soften, 5 minutes. Add spices, tomatoes, beans and water, and simmer 15 minutes. Stir in corn and cook 1 minute. Stir in cilantro and serve.
WEEKNIGHT TWO-BEAN CHILI
This is from the Food Network, and begins, "This 30-minute weekenight dinner is a vegetarian chili that tastes like it's been slow simmered for hours. The hint of Chinese five-spice powder is a nice spice surprise. If you serve it over spaghetti, it turns into Cincinnati-style chili. (1 serving of Cincinnati-style chili equals 3/4 cup chili + 2 ounce (dry) cooked whole-wheat spaghetti.)"
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 servings; Level: Easy
To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/weeknight-two-bean-chili-recipe-2121374.
Note: The recipe originally called for either low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth. But since this is a vegetarian blog, I omitted the chicken broth.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 small jalapeno, minced (with some seeds)
1 small or 1/2 large red onion, finely diced
2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
1 large clove garlic, minced
1 1/4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
1 cup canned crushed roasted tomatoes
1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
1/4 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder or ground cinnamon, optional
Two 15-ounce cans beans (such as kidney and black), rinsed and drained
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
2 cups cooked brown rice
1/2 cup finely shredded extra-sharp Cheddar (2 ounces)
Directions
Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat; add the jalapenos, onions and vinegar and cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook about 30 seconds.
Stir in the broth, tomatoes, chili powder and five-spice powder if using, and increase the heat to high. Bring to a full boil and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the beans and return to a full boil. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until just slightly thickened but still soupy, about 5 minutes. Stir in the cilantro.
Fill each bowl with about 1/2 cup of rice. Ladle the chili on top, sprinkle with the Cheddar and serve.
VEGAN LENTIL CHILI
This comes from Emily Weinberger at the Food Network. The recipe begins, "This vegan chili is every bit as comforting as the meat-filled counterpart, thanks to hearty lentils, beans and vegetables."
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 to 6 servings; Level: Easy
This can be viewed online at https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/vegan-lentil-chili-9483281.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 bunch scallions, thinly sliced on the diagonal, light- and dark-green parts separated
1 red bell pepper (about 6 ounces), diced
1 orange bell pepper (about 6 ounces), diced
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup tomato paste
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon ancho chile powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Two 14.5-ounce cans diced tomatoes with their juices
1 cup dried red lentils
Two 14.5-ounce cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed
2 cups frozen diced butternut squash (from a 10-ounce bag)
1 tablespoon agave syrup or maple syrup
Assorted garnishes such as thinly sliced radish and jalapeno, cubed avocado and pepitas, for serving
Directions
Heat the olive oil in a large heavy-bottom pot over medium-high heat. Add the light-green scallion parts, both bell peppers, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened, 5 to 6 minutes. Add the tomato paste, garlic, ancho chile powder, cumin and cinnamon and cook, stirring, until the tomato paste darkens in color and the garlic is softened, about 1 minute.
Add the tomatoes and their juices, lentils, 2 cups water, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper to the pot and stir to combine. Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce the temperature and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the lentils have softened, 12 to 15 minutes. Fold in the kidney beans, butternut squash and agave syrup and cook, stirring once or twice, until the squash is heated through, 2 to 3 minutes.
Serve the chili in bowls and garnish with the radish, jalapeno, avocado, pepitas and dark-green scallion parts as desired.
Wednesday, January 5, 2022
Drinks
Today's post deals with (of all things) drinks.
Now, I know there are bound to be a few people who wonder why someone would come up with recipes for drinks when you could simply get a glass of water, a can or bottle of soda (or other beverage), a cup of coffee or tea...there are plenty of things to drink.
But let's face it: if eating the same-old-same-old gets boring, wouldn't drinking the same-old-same-old gets boring, too? Of course!
To that end, here are six drinks to try, including Spicy Hot Chocolate and Caramel Latte. Enjoy!
VANILLA LATTE
This is from Folgers. Prep Time: 15 minutes; Makes 1 serving; Difficulty: Easy
To view this online, go to https://www.folgerscoffee.com/recipes/drinks/vanilla-latte.
Ingredients
1/2 cup milk
3 to 4 tbsp. vanilla flavored syrup
1/4 cup strong brewed Folgers® French Roast Coffee
1/4 cup strong brewed Folgers® Black Silk Coffee
Whipped cream
Ground cinnamon
Directions
Microwave milk in 1-quart microwave-save bowl on HIGH 1 to 1 1/2 minutes or until hot but not boiling. Whisk until foamy.
Microwave vanilla flavored syrup in microwave-safe coffee cup on HIGH 20 seconds. Stir in coffee.
Add milk. Top with whipped cream. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Serve immediately.
CARAMEL LATTE
This is from Folgers. Prep Time: 15 minutes; Makes 1 serving; Difficulty: Easy
To view this online, go to https://www.folgerscoffee.com/recipes/drinks/caramel-latte.
Ingredients
1/2 cup milk
3 to 4 tbsp. caramel flavored syrup
1/4 cup strong brewed Folgers® French Roast Coffee
1/4 cup strong brewed Folgers® Black Silk Coffee
Whipped cream
Smucker's® Sundae Syrup™ Caramel Flavored Syrup
Baking toffee bits
Directions
Microwave milk in 1-quart microwave-safe bowl on HIGH 1 to 1 1/2 minutes or until hot but not boiling. Whisk until foamy.
Microwave caramel syrup in microwave-safe coffee cup on HIGH 20 seconds. Stir in coffee.
Add milk. Top with whipped cream. Drizzle with caramel sundae syrup. Sprinkle with toffee bits. Serve immediately.
PUMPKIN PIE MILKSHAKE
This recipe is from Sarah Copeland in The New York Times cooking section, and posted in the Times on October 30, 2020. Sarah wrote, "As any true pumpkin lover can attest, there's more than one way to get your pie fix, and I milkshake just might be the most winning substitute: It's creamy and has the same shipped-cream topper. Add the spices you most like in your pie - go heavier on the ginger if that's your thing, or load up on cinnamon - and adjust the sweetness to your crowd's tastes. Even if you don't drink whiskey, there's a time and a place for bourbon, and this is it. Add a spash or two for the adults; they'll thank you."
Note: If you're like me, I don't have whiskey around the house, so I would opt for making this without it - especially since it is optional.
Time: 15 minutes; Yield: 4 milkshakes (about 4 1/2 cups)
To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1019654-pumpkin-pie-milkshake.
Ingredients
3/4 cup heavy cream (or whipping cream)
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1 (28-ounce) container premium vanilla ice cream
1/3 cup milk, plus more as needed
1 cup pumpkin puree
2 teaspoons pure maple syrup
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
5 large ice cubes (about 1 cup)
2 to 4 tablespoons bourbon (optional)
Caramel sauce, for drizzling (optional)
Preparation
Whip the cream in a medium bown until it just holds soft peaks (whip in a chilled bowl for faster results). Place the whipped cream and four glasses in the refrigerator to chill. Stir together 2 teaspoons of cinnamon and 1 teaspoon sugar in a small bowl and set aside.
Scoop the ice bream into a blender and pour 1/3 cup milk over the top. Add pumpkin, maple syrup, ginger, remaining 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and ice in a blender and pulse to combine (use a spoon to stir the ingredients between pulses, if needed). Add a few more tablespoons of milk, if desired, depending on how thick you like your milkshakes, and blend until smooth. (It may seem think at first, but once poured, it will melt fairly quickly.) Pulse in the bourbon, if using, and divided among the four chillded glasses.
Spoon the whipped cream over the top and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Drizzle with Caramel sauce, if desired.
PEACH TEA
This comes from Vallery Iomas in The New York Times cooking newsletter. Vallery wrote, "Sweetened with peaches, freshly puréed or from store-bought juice, this beverage tastes extra refreshing in warm weather. The fruit complements strongly brewed tea, and a little lemon juice further accentuates the peach flavor and helps balance the natural sweetness, which you can bolster with sugar if you’d like."
Yield: About 6 cups; Time: 15 minutes
To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1022399-peach-tea.
Ingredients
8 black tea bags, preferably Lipton
2 pounds ripe peaches (6 to 8), peeled, pitted and coarsely chopped, or 2 cups peach juice (see Tip)
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, plus more if needed
1 cup ice, plus more for serving
Granulated sugar, if needed
Fresh peach slices, for serving
Ingredients
In a tea kettle or medium saucepan over high heat, bring 4 cups water to a boil. Remove from the heat and add the tea bags. Allow the tea to steep for 5 minutes.
While the tea steeps, purée the peaches, if using fresh fruit. Pulse in a food processor or blender until very smooth. You should have 2 cups.
Gently squeeze the concentrated tea from the bags and discard the bags. If using puréed peaches, pour the tea into the blender, add the lemon juice and purée until smooth. Transfer to a pitcher. If using peach juice, transfer the tea to a pitcher, and stir in the peach juice and lemon juice.
Add the ice to the pitcher, then taste. If it’s too sweet, add more lemon juice, a couple of teaspoons at a time. If it isn’t sweet enough, stir in sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, until dissolved. Refrigerate until the tea is chilled throughout. Serve in a large glass filled with ice and garnished with peach slices.
Tip
Be sure to use peach juice that is 100 percent juice and has no added sugar, such as Ceres brand.
CLASSIC HOT CHOCOLATE
This is from Melissa Clark on The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Melissa wrote, “This is a dark, rich and classic hot cocoa that’s perfect for any snowy afternoon. Nondairy milk can be substituted for whole milk here, though you might have to reduce the sugar, since some brands are sweetened. Also bear in mind that the higher the cocoa percentage of the chocolate you use, the less sweet the drink will be. Add the sugar gradually, tasting as you go: Hot cocoa sweetness is a very personal thing.”
Yield: 4 servings: Time: 10 minutes
View this online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1019902-classic-hot-chocolate.
Ingredients
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, preferably Dutch-processed
3 cups whole milk
4 1/2 ounces chopped bittersweet chocolate or 3/4 cup bittersweet chocolate chips
1 to 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
Tiny pinch of fine sea salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Whipped cream or marshmallows, for serving
Preparation
Fill a small pot with 1/3 cup water and bring to a boil. Whisk in cocoa; it may clump, which is O.K.
Reduce heat to medium and whisk in milk, whisking around the sides of the pan to help dissolve all the cocoa.
When milk simmers, whisk in the chocolate, 1 tablespoon sugar and a tiny pinch of salt, and reduce heat to low. Whisk until chocolate is melted and very smooth. Taste and add more sugar if you like. Turn off heat and whisk in vanilla.
Serve topped with whipped cream or marshmallows.
SPICY HOT CHOCOLATE
This is from Melissa Clark on The New York Times cooking website. Melissa wrote, "Gently seasoned with a touch of chile powder, cinnamon and vanilla, this fragrant hot chocolate recipe is not too sweet and very complex. Using both cocoa powder and chocolate gives the roundest, deepest chocolate flavor while a mix of whole milk and cream makes it wonderfully rich and thick."
Yield: 4 servings
This was featured in "Hot Chocolate With a Kick", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1016035-spicy-hot-chocolate.
Note One person wrote that she was considering adding a pinch of chipotle for smoky heat; another used cayenne in place of ancho chile powder, half-and-half for the heavy cream, and ground cinnamon in place of the cinnamon stick. These sound like wonderful options, should you decide to experiment.
Ingredients
3 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tablespoons sugar, or to taste
3/8 teaspoon ancho chile powder, or to taste
1 3/4 cups whole milk
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 cinnamon stick
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Marshmallows or whipped cream, optional
Preparation
In a medium pot, whisk together chocolate, cocoa, sugar and chile. Place pan over medium-low heat and whisk until chocolate begins to melt. Slowly whisk in milk, then cream. Drop in cinnamon stick. Bring to a simmer.
Remove pot from heat. Cover pot tightly and steep 1 hour. Whisk in vanilla and taste for sweetness, adding more sugar if you like. Warm over low heat before straining and serving hot, with marshmallows or whipped cream if desired.
Now, I know there are bound to be a few people who wonder why someone would come up with recipes for drinks when you could simply get a glass of water, a can or bottle of soda (or other beverage), a cup of coffee or tea...there are plenty of things to drink.
But let's face it: if eating the same-old-same-old gets boring, wouldn't drinking the same-old-same-old gets boring, too? Of course!
To that end, here are six drinks to try, including Spicy Hot Chocolate and Caramel Latte. Enjoy!
VANILLA LATTE
This is from Folgers. Prep Time: 15 minutes; Makes 1 serving; Difficulty: Easy
To view this online, go to https://www.folgerscoffee.com/recipes/drinks/vanilla-latte.
Ingredients
1/2 cup milk
3 to 4 tbsp. vanilla flavored syrup
1/4 cup strong brewed Folgers® French Roast Coffee
1/4 cup strong brewed Folgers® Black Silk Coffee
Whipped cream
Ground cinnamon
Directions
Microwave milk in 1-quart microwave-save bowl on HIGH 1 to 1 1/2 minutes or until hot but not boiling. Whisk until foamy.
Microwave vanilla flavored syrup in microwave-safe coffee cup on HIGH 20 seconds. Stir in coffee.
Add milk. Top with whipped cream. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Serve immediately.
CARAMEL LATTE
This is from Folgers. Prep Time: 15 minutes; Makes 1 serving; Difficulty: Easy
To view this online, go to https://www.folgerscoffee.com/recipes/drinks/caramel-latte.
Ingredients
1/2 cup milk
3 to 4 tbsp. caramel flavored syrup
1/4 cup strong brewed Folgers® French Roast Coffee
1/4 cup strong brewed Folgers® Black Silk Coffee
Whipped cream
Smucker's® Sundae Syrup™ Caramel Flavored Syrup
Baking toffee bits
Directions
Microwave milk in 1-quart microwave-safe bowl on HIGH 1 to 1 1/2 minutes or until hot but not boiling. Whisk until foamy.
Microwave caramel syrup in microwave-safe coffee cup on HIGH 20 seconds. Stir in coffee.
Add milk. Top with whipped cream. Drizzle with caramel sundae syrup. Sprinkle with toffee bits. Serve immediately.
PUMPKIN PIE MILKSHAKE
This recipe is from Sarah Copeland in The New York Times cooking section, and posted in the Times on October 30, 2020. Sarah wrote, "As any true pumpkin lover can attest, there's more than one way to get your pie fix, and I milkshake just might be the most winning substitute: It's creamy and has the same shipped-cream topper. Add the spices you most like in your pie - go heavier on the ginger if that's your thing, or load up on cinnamon - and adjust the sweetness to your crowd's tastes. Even if you don't drink whiskey, there's a time and a place for bourbon, and this is it. Add a spash or two for the adults; they'll thank you."
Note: If you're like me, I don't have whiskey around the house, so I would opt for making this without it - especially since it is optional.
Time: 15 minutes; Yield: 4 milkshakes (about 4 1/2 cups)
To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1019654-pumpkin-pie-milkshake.
Ingredients
3/4 cup heavy cream (or whipping cream)
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1 (28-ounce) container premium vanilla ice cream
1/3 cup milk, plus more as needed
1 cup pumpkin puree
2 teaspoons pure maple syrup
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
5 large ice cubes (about 1 cup)
2 to 4 tablespoons bourbon (optional)
Caramel sauce, for drizzling (optional)
Preparation
Whip the cream in a medium bown until it just holds soft peaks (whip in a chilled bowl for faster results). Place the whipped cream and four glasses in the refrigerator to chill. Stir together 2 teaspoons of cinnamon and 1 teaspoon sugar in a small bowl and set aside.
Scoop the ice bream into a blender and pour 1/3 cup milk over the top. Add pumpkin, maple syrup, ginger, remaining 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and ice in a blender and pulse to combine (use a spoon to stir the ingredients between pulses, if needed). Add a few more tablespoons of milk, if desired, depending on how thick you like your milkshakes, and blend until smooth. (It may seem think at first, but once poured, it will melt fairly quickly.) Pulse in the bourbon, if using, and divided among the four chillded glasses.
Spoon the whipped cream over the top and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Drizzle with Caramel sauce, if desired.
PEACH TEA
This comes from Vallery Iomas in The New York Times cooking newsletter. Vallery wrote, "Sweetened with peaches, freshly puréed or from store-bought juice, this beverage tastes extra refreshing in warm weather. The fruit complements strongly brewed tea, and a little lemon juice further accentuates the peach flavor and helps balance the natural sweetness, which you can bolster with sugar if you’d like."
Yield: About 6 cups; Time: 15 minutes
To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1022399-peach-tea.
Ingredients
8 black tea bags, preferably Lipton
2 pounds ripe peaches (6 to 8), peeled, pitted and coarsely chopped, or 2 cups peach juice (see Tip)
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, plus more if needed
1 cup ice, plus more for serving
Granulated sugar, if needed
Fresh peach slices, for serving
Ingredients
In a tea kettle or medium saucepan over high heat, bring 4 cups water to a boil. Remove from the heat and add the tea bags. Allow the tea to steep for 5 minutes.
While the tea steeps, purée the peaches, if using fresh fruit. Pulse in a food processor or blender until very smooth. You should have 2 cups.
Gently squeeze the concentrated tea from the bags and discard the bags. If using puréed peaches, pour the tea into the blender, add the lemon juice and purée until smooth. Transfer to a pitcher. If using peach juice, transfer the tea to a pitcher, and stir in the peach juice and lemon juice.
Add the ice to the pitcher, then taste. If it’s too sweet, add more lemon juice, a couple of teaspoons at a time. If it isn’t sweet enough, stir in sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, until dissolved. Refrigerate until the tea is chilled throughout. Serve in a large glass filled with ice and garnished with peach slices.
Tip
Be sure to use peach juice that is 100 percent juice and has no added sugar, such as Ceres brand.
CLASSIC HOT CHOCOLATE
This is from Melissa Clark on The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Melissa wrote, “This is a dark, rich and classic hot cocoa that’s perfect for any snowy afternoon. Nondairy milk can be substituted for whole milk here, though you might have to reduce the sugar, since some brands are sweetened. Also bear in mind that the higher the cocoa percentage of the chocolate you use, the less sweet the drink will be. Add the sugar gradually, tasting as you go: Hot cocoa sweetness is a very personal thing.”
Yield: 4 servings: Time: 10 minutes
View this online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1019902-classic-hot-chocolate.
Ingredients
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, preferably Dutch-processed
3 cups whole milk
4 1/2 ounces chopped bittersweet chocolate or 3/4 cup bittersweet chocolate chips
1 to 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
Tiny pinch of fine sea salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Whipped cream or marshmallows, for serving
Preparation
Fill a small pot with 1/3 cup water and bring to a boil. Whisk in cocoa; it may clump, which is O.K.
Reduce heat to medium and whisk in milk, whisking around the sides of the pan to help dissolve all the cocoa.
When milk simmers, whisk in the chocolate, 1 tablespoon sugar and a tiny pinch of salt, and reduce heat to low. Whisk until chocolate is melted and very smooth. Taste and add more sugar if you like. Turn off heat and whisk in vanilla.
Serve topped with whipped cream or marshmallows.
SPICY HOT CHOCOLATE
This is from Melissa Clark on The New York Times cooking website. Melissa wrote, "Gently seasoned with a touch of chile powder, cinnamon and vanilla, this fragrant hot chocolate recipe is not too sweet and very complex. Using both cocoa powder and chocolate gives the roundest, deepest chocolate flavor while a mix of whole milk and cream makes it wonderfully rich and thick."
Yield: 4 servings
This was featured in "Hot Chocolate With a Kick", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1016035-spicy-hot-chocolate.
Note One person wrote that she was considering adding a pinch of chipotle for smoky heat; another used cayenne in place of ancho chile powder, half-and-half for the heavy cream, and ground cinnamon in place of the cinnamon stick. These sound like wonderful options, should you decide to experiment.
Ingredients
3 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tablespoons sugar, or to taste
3/8 teaspoon ancho chile powder, or to taste
1 3/4 cups whole milk
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 cinnamon stick
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Marshmallows or whipped cream, optional
Preparation
In a medium pot, whisk together chocolate, cocoa, sugar and chile. Place pan over medium-low heat and whisk until chocolate begins to melt. Slowly whisk in milk, then cream. Drop in cinnamon stick. Bring to a simmer.
Remove pot from heat. Cover pot tightly and steep 1 hour. Whisk in vanilla and taste for sweetness, adding more sugar if you like. Warm over low heat before straining and serving hot, with marshmallows or whipped cream if desired.
Tuesday, January 4, 2022
Double-Post Tuesday
Besides being Taco Tuesday, it's also Double-Post Tuesday. Today's offerings include Seville Burgers with Olive-Orange Relish and Baked Risotto With Greens and Peas. Enjoy!
ADOBO TOFU & PORTOBELLOW TACOS WITH CHUNKY GUACAMOLE
This is from Vegetarian Times. Prep Time: 30 minutes; Cook Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 55 minutes; Makes 4 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/adobo-tofu-portobello-tacos/.
Ingredients
1 14-oz pkg organic extra-firm tofu, drained
1 1/2 tbsp finely chopped canned chipotle chiles in adobo
1 tbsp fresh orange juice
2 tsp raw honey (TRY: Wholesome! Organic Raw Honey)
8 6-inch corn tortillas
1 large red bell pepper, cut into 1/4-inch strips
1 large portobello mushroom, stem discarded, cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices
1/4 sweet onion, cut into 1/4-inch slices
2 tsp safflower oil
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
Guacamole
3 tbsp finely chopped sweet onion
2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 jalapeño chile pepper, finely chopped (about 1 tbsp)
1 small avocado, peeled, pitted and diced
1 tsp fresh lime juice
1/4 tsp sea salt
Preparation
Cut tofu block into 4 slabs. Arrange on a paper towel–lined baking sheet, cover with more paper towels and top with another baking sheet. Using cans, weigh the baking sheet down and set aside at room temperature for 30 minutes to drain.
Meanwhile, prepare guacamole: On a cutting board, mash onion, cilantro and jalapeño with a fork until onion is mashed. In a small bowl, combine onion mixture with avocado, lime juice and 1/4 tsp salt. Cover and set aside.
In a small bowl, combine chipotle chiles, orange juice and honey. Remove cans and top baking sheet from tofu and discard paper towels. Rub mixture on all sides of tofu and set aside on baking sheet.
Heat a grill pan or grill on medium-high. Add tortillas and grill until warm and pliable, about 1 minute per side. Stack tortillas and wrap in foil; set aside.
Mist grill pan with cooking spray or grease grill grate (still on medium-high). In a single layer, add tofu and grill until browned and heated through, 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a cutting board, then cut tofu into 2-inch strips, cover with foil and set aside.
In a large bowl, toss bell pepper, mushroom and onion slices with oil, 1/4 tsp salt and black pepper. Add to grill pan or a grill basket (for outdoor grill) and cook on medium-high, tossing occasionally, until mushrooms are soft and peppers and onions are crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Divide tofu and vegetables among tortillas and top with dollops of guacamole.
SEVILLE BURGERS WITH OLIVE-ORANGE RELISH
This comes from Kevin West in the October 2005 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 84. This recipe begins, "A trip to Spain inspired Kevin West to come up with these savory patties, which won 2nd place in our 2005 Reader Recipe Contest. If the burgers don’t hold together well—various brands of whole grain bread tested differently—simply process another piece of bread into crumbs, and fold it into the mixture."
Makes 8 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/seville-burgers-with-olive-orange-relish/.
Ingredients
Olive-orange relish
1/2 cup chopped pimiento-stuffed green olives
3 Tbs. orange marmalade
Seville burgers
3 large slices whole grain bread
1 15-oz. can light kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup chunky-style salsa
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1 Tbs. lemon juice
2 1/2 tsp. dried oregano leaves
2 cloves garlic, minced (about 2 tsp.)
2 tsp. cornstarch
1/2 tsp. salt
1 large egg
1 cup shredded manchego cheese
3 Tbs. olive oil
8 whole grain burger buns, split
1 cup fresh baby spinach leaves
Preparation
To make Olive-Orange Relish: Stir together ingredients in bowl.
To make Seville Burgers: Blend bread into crumbs in food processor. Transfer to large bowl.
Pulse beans, salsa, green onions, lemon juice, oregano, garlic, cornstarch, salt and egg 5 times in food processor, or until blended but chunky. Add bean mixture and cheese to breadcrumbs. Shape into 8 patties.
Heat oil in nonstick skillet over medium heat. Cook patties 5 minutes on each side, or until browned.
Place burgers on bottom halves of buns. Add relish, spinach leaves and top halves of buns, and serve.
PASTA WITH BROWN BUTTER AND PARMESAN
This comes from Ali Slagle on The New York Times cooking site. Ali wrote, "Sometimes you just want a big bowl of pasta with butter and Parmesan. Starchy, silky and salty, it’s always good — and practically foolproof. To make it a little more grown up, just take it one step further: Brown the butter. When you slide the butter into the skillet, let it cook until the milk solids turn a toasty brown. It adds a rich, nutty flavor that makes the dish a bit more sophisticated with very little extra work."
Yield: 4 servings; Time: 25 minutes
To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1019980-pasta-with-brown-butter-and-parmesan.
Ingredients
Kosher salt
1 pound spaghetti, linguine or other long noodle
8 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan, plus more for serving
Freshly ground black pepper
Preparation
Bring a large pot of heavily salted water (2 heaping tablespoons kosher salt to about 7 quarts water) to a boil. Add pasta to boiling water and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta, but don’t shake it fully dry.
In a skillet or Dutch oven large enough to hold the pasta (and preferably with a light-colored bottom so you can see the butter solids brown), melt the butter over medium heat. Cook, swirling occasionally, until the foam subsides, the milk solids turn golden-brown and it smells nutty and toasty, 3 to 4 minutes. (Watch carefully to see that it does not burn. If it does, start over.) Remove from heat immediately.
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss with the brown butter. Stir in the cheese until melted. Stir in pasta water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the pasta is glossy with sauce (you probably won’t need the full 1/2 cup).
Serve with black pepper and more Parmesan on top.
WINTER VEGETABLE MEDLEY WITH PAELLA-STYLE ORZO
This recipe, fromVegetarian Times, begins, "Good-quality saffron is the key to this dish." Makes 4 servings
This can be viewed online at https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/winter-vegetable-medley-with-paella-style-orzo/.
Ingredients
2 3/4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
2 cloves garlic, minced (2 tsp.)
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp. saffron threads
1 14.5-oz. can fire-roasted whole tomatoes, drained, liquid reserved, and tomatoes halved
2 Tbs. olive oil
1 yellow bell pepper, cut into 16 pieces
1 cup orzo pasta
1/4 cup frozen peas
2 cups large cauliflower florets
8 green onions, each cut into thirds
1 cup large broccoli florets
Directions
Bring broth to a simmer in saucepan. Stir in garlic, Italian seasoning, saffron, and tomato liquid. Season with salt and pepper, if desired, and keep hot.
Coat large skillet or 8-qt. Dutch oven with cooking spray, add oil, and heat over high heat. Add tomatoes, sear 2 to 3 minutes, or until browned and dry, and transfer to plate. Add bell pepper, sear 2 to 3 minutes, and transfer to same plate.
Sprinkle orzo into skillet, and stir 30 seconds. Stir in broth and peas, and reduce heat to medium. Arrange cauliflower florets on top of orzo in pot. Arrange green onions, tomatoes, and bell pepper pieces around cauliflower; cover, and simmer without stirring, 11 minutes. Scatter broccoli over vegetables, remove pot from heat, and let stand, covered, 10 minutes, or until orzo has absorbed all liquid and broccoli is crisp-tender.
BAKED RISOTTO WITH GREENS AND PEAS
This comes from Kay Chun on The New York Times cooking site. Kay wrote, "This easy baked risotto eliminates the constant stirring required in traditional risotto recipes. It’s laden with vegetables, namely kale and spinach, but other leafy greens like Swiss chard or collard greens would work equally well. If you happen to have some extra asparagus, sub it in for the peas. This risotto makes a great starter or side dish, but you can also turn it into a vegetarian main course by using vegetable or mushroom stock in place of the chicken broth, and topping it with sautéed mushrooms, a fried egg or crispy tofu slices. Leftovers can be refrigerated for two days and reheated with more broth, or repurposed into crunchy rice cakes or arancini. Simply form into patties or balls, coat in bread crumbs and shallow-fry until golden and crunchy."
Yield: 4 servings; Time: 30 minutes
To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1021287-baked-risotto-with-greens-and-peas.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup finely chopped yellow onion
1 small garlic clove, minced
1 cup Arborio rice (about 7 ounces)
Kosher salt and black pepper
4 ounces green or lacinato kale (about 1/3 bunch), stems separated and thinly sliced, leaves stacked and cut into 1/4-inch-thick ribbons (about 4 packed cups)
3 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
4 ounces baby spinach (about 4 packed cups)
1 cup frozen peas, thawed
3/4 cup grated Parmesan (3 ounces), plus more for garnish
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Preparation
Heat oven to 375 degrees. In a large Dutch oven, heat oil over medium. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and stir until fragrant, 1 minute. Add rice, season with salt and pepper, and stir until coated in oil and lightly toasted, 2 minutes.
Add kale, season with salt and pepper, and stir until wilted, 30 seconds. Add broth and bring to a boil over high heat.
Cover and bake until almost all of the liquid is absorbed and rice is tender, about 20 minutes.
Stir in spinach and peas until spinach is wilted. Add Parmesan, butter and lemon juice, and stir until well blended and saucy. (Liquid will continue to absorb as risotto sits.) Season with salt and pepper. Serve in bowls and top with more Parmesan.
COMFORTING CHILI [VEGAN]
This is from Jeunesse Pouchet on One Green Planet. She wrote, "Sometimes we just need a warm, comforting and hearty bowl of Chili, especially for those cozy rainy days. And this Chili is all of the above! Better yet, it's quick and simple to make. Accompanied with pickled cabbage, grilled plantain, and a dollop of vegan sour cream. This bowl of goodness is packed with flavor and healthy ingredients."
This dairy free recipe serves 2, and can be found online at https://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/comforting-chili-vegan/.
Ingredients
For the Chili:
2 tablespoons coconut oil
2 cans black beans, drained
1/2 cup whole corn kernels
2/3 cup pumpkin (medium), diced
2 Tomatoes medium, diced
1/4 Cup Onion (small), diced
2 tablespoons garlic, finely diced or minced
2 tablespoons chive or cilantro, chopped
2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon chili powder (optional)
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon roasted Geera or cumin
1 1/2 - 2 Cups water
For The Pickled Cabbage
2 cups purple cabbage, diced or shredded
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or lemon juice (adjust quantity to taste)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
For The Grilled Plantain:
1 Plantain medium ripe, sliced
2 tablespoons coconut oil
For The Sour Cream:
1/4 cup vegan mayo
1 tablespoon fresh chive, chopped
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Preparation
For the Chili:
Add the coconut oil to a pot and place on medium heat.
Then add the diced onion, garlic, chive, apple cider, paprika, chili, salt, onion powder, garlic powder and geera. Stir and saute for a minute until fragrant.
Toss in the tomatoes and pumpkin, then stir and saute for another minute.
Add the black bans and corn kernels and stir to combine. Then pour in the water and partially cover. Cook for approximately 20-22 minutes until the chili has reduced and thickened. Remove from heat.
For The Pickled Cabbage
Add all ingredients to a mixing bowl and toss to combine. Set aside to marinate until ready to serve.
For The Grilled Plantain:
Using a pan, place on medium heat and coat with the coconut oil.
Place the plantain slices on the heated pan and grill each side until golden brown. You can reduce or turn up the heat to suit.
For The Sour Cream:
Add all ingredients to a mixing bowl and stir to combine.
ADOBO TOFU & PORTOBELLOW TACOS WITH CHUNKY GUACAMOLE
This is from Vegetarian Times. Prep Time: 30 minutes; Cook Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 55 minutes; Makes 4 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/adobo-tofu-portobello-tacos/.
Ingredients
1 14-oz pkg organic extra-firm tofu, drained
1 1/2 tbsp finely chopped canned chipotle chiles in adobo
1 tbsp fresh orange juice
2 tsp raw honey (TRY: Wholesome! Organic Raw Honey)
8 6-inch corn tortillas
1 large red bell pepper, cut into 1/4-inch strips
1 large portobello mushroom, stem discarded, cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices
1/4 sweet onion, cut into 1/4-inch slices
2 tsp safflower oil
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
Guacamole
3 tbsp finely chopped sweet onion
2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 jalapeño chile pepper, finely chopped (about 1 tbsp)
1 small avocado, peeled, pitted and diced
1 tsp fresh lime juice
1/4 tsp sea salt
Preparation
Cut tofu block into 4 slabs. Arrange on a paper towel–lined baking sheet, cover with more paper towels and top with another baking sheet. Using cans, weigh the baking sheet down and set aside at room temperature for 30 minutes to drain.
Meanwhile, prepare guacamole: On a cutting board, mash onion, cilantro and jalapeño with a fork until onion is mashed. In a small bowl, combine onion mixture with avocado, lime juice and 1/4 tsp salt. Cover and set aside.
In a small bowl, combine chipotle chiles, orange juice and honey. Remove cans and top baking sheet from tofu and discard paper towels. Rub mixture on all sides of tofu and set aside on baking sheet.
Heat a grill pan or grill on medium-high. Add tortillas and grill until warm and pliable, about 1 minute per side. Stack tortillas and wrap in foil; set aside.
Mist grill pan with cooking spray or grease grill grate (still on medium-high). In a single layer, add tofu and grill until browned and heated through, 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a cutting board, then cut tofu into 2-inch strips, cover with foil and set aside.
In a large bowl, toss bell pepper, mushroom and onion slices with oil, 1/4 tsp salt and black pepper. Add to grill pan or a grill basket (for outdoor grill) and cook on medium-high, tossing occasionally, until mushrooms are soft and peppers and onions are crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Divide tofu and vegetables among tortillas and top with dollops of guacamole.
SEVILLE BURGERS WITH OLIVE-ORANGE RELISH
This comes from Kevin West in the October 2005 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 84. This recipe begins, "A trip to Spain inspired Kevin West to come up with these savory patties, which won 2nd place in our 2005 Reader Recipe Contest. If the burgers don’t hold together well—various brands of whole grain bread tested differently—simply process another piece of bread into crumbs, and fold it into the mixture."
Makes 8 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/seville-burgers-with-olive-orange-relish/.
Ingredients
Olive-orange relish
1/2 cup chopped pimiento-stuffed green olives
3 Tbs. orange marmalade
Seville burgers
3 large slices whole grain bread
1 15-oz. can light kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup chunky-style salsa
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1 Tbs. lemon juice
2 1/2 tsp. dried oregano leaves
2 cloves garlic, minced (about 2 tsp.)
2 tsp. cornstarch
1/2 tsp. salt
1 large egg
1 cup shredded manchego cheese
3 Tbs. olive oil
8 whole grain burger buns, split
1 cup fresh baby spinach leaves
Preparation
To make Olive-Orange Relish: Stir together ingredients in bowl.
To make Seville Burgers: Blend bread into crumbs in food processor. Transfer to large bowl.
Pulse beans, salsa, green onions, lemon juice, oregano, garlic, cornstarch, salt and egg 5 times in food processor, or until blended but chunky. Add bean mixture and cheese to breadcrumbs. Shape into 8 patties.
Heat oil in nonstick skillet over medium heat. Cook patties 5 minutes on each side, or until browned.
Place burgers on bottom halves of buns. Add relish, spinach leaves and top halves of buns, and serve.
PASTA WITH BROWN BUTTER AND PARMESAN
This comes from Ali Slagle on The New York Times cooking site. Ali wrote, "Sometimes you just want a big bowl of pasta with butter and Parmesan. Starchy, silky and salty, it’s always good — and practically foolproof. To make it a little more grown up, just take it one step further: Brown the butter. When you slide the butter into the skillet, let it cook until the milk solids turn a toasty brown. It adds a rich, nutty flavor that makes the dish a bit more sophisticated with very little extra work."
Yield: 4 servings; Time: 25 minutes
To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1019980-pasta-with-brown-butter-and-parmesan.
Ingredients
Kosher salt
1 pound spaghetti, linguine or other long noodle
8 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan, plus more for serving
Freshly ground black pepper
Preparation
Bring a large pot of heavily salted water (2 heaping tablespoons kosher salt to about 7 quarts water) to a boil. Add pasta to boiling water and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta, but don’t shake it fully dry.
In a skillet or Dutch oven large enough to hold the pasta (and preferably with a light-colored bottom so you can see the butter solids brown), melt the butter over medium heat. Cook, swirling occasionally, until the foam subsides, the milk solids turn golden-brown and it smells nutty and toasty, 3 to 4 minutes. (Watch carefully to see that it does not burn. If it does, start over.) Remove from heat immediately.
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss with the brown butter. Stir in the cheese until melted. Stir in pasta water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the pasta is glossy with sauce (you probably won’t need the full 1/2 cup).
Serve with black pepper and more Parmesan on top.
WINTER VEGETABLE MEDLEY WITH PAELLA-STYLE ORZO
This recipe, fromVegetarian Times, begins, "Good-quality saffron is the key to this dish." Makes 4 servings
This can be viewed online at https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/winter-vegetable-medley-with-paella-style-orzo/.
Ingredients
2 3/4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
2 cloves garlic, minced (2 tsp.)
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp. saffron threads
1 14.5-oz. can fire-roasted whole tomatoes, drained, liquid reserved, and tomatoes halved
2 Tbs. olive oil
1 yellow bell pepper, cut into 16 pieces
1 cup orzo pasta
1/4 cup frozen peas
2 cups large cauliflower florets
8 green onions, each cut into thirds
1 cup large broccoli florets
Directions
Bring broth to a simmer in saucepan. Stir in garlic, Italian seasoning, saffron, and tomato liquid. Season with salt and pepper, if desired, and keep hot.
Coat large skillet or 8-qt. Dutch oven with cooking spray, add oil, and heat over high heat. Add tomatoes, sear 2 to 3 minutes, or until browned and dry, and transfer to plate. Add bell pepper, sear 2 to 3 minutes, and transfer to same plate.
Sprinkle orzo into skillet, and stir 30 seconds. Stir in broth and peas, and reduce heat to medium. Arrange cauliflower florets on top of orzo in pot. Arrange green onions, tomatoes, and bell pepper pieces around cauliflower; cover, and simmer without stirring, 11 minutes. Scatter broccoli over vegetables, remove pot from heat, and let stand, covered, 10 minutes, or until orzo has absorbed all liquid and broccoli is crisp-tender.
BAKED RISOTTO WITH GREENS AND PEAS
This comes from Kay Chun on The New York Times cooking site. Kay wrote, "This easy baked risotto eliminates the constant stirring required in traditional risotto recipes. It’s laden with vegetables, namely kale and spinach, but other leafy greens like Swiss chard or collard greens would work equally well. If you happen to have some extra asparagus, sub it in for the peas. This risotto makes a great starter or side dish, but you can also turn it into a vegetarian main course by using vegetable or mushroom stock in place of the chicken broth, and topping it with sautéed mushrooms, a fried egg or crispy tofu slices. Leftovers can be refrigerated for two days and reheated with more broth, or repurposed into crunchy rice cakes or arancini. Simply form into patties or balls, coat in bread crumbs and shallow-fry until golden and crunchy."
Yield: 4 servings; Time: 30 minutes
To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1021287-baked-risotto-with-greens-and-peas.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup finely chopped yellow onion
1 small garlic clove, minced
1 cup Arborio rice (about 7 ounces)
Kosher salt and black pepper
4 ounces green or lacinato kale (about 1/3 bunch), stems separated and thinly sliced, leaves stacked and cut into 1/4-inch-thick ribbons (about 4 packed cups)
3 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
4 ounces baby spinach (about 4 packed cups)
1 cup frozen peas, thawed
3/4 cup grated Parmesan (3 ounces), plus more for garnish
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Preparation
Heat oven to 375 degrees. In a large Dutch oven, heat oil over medium. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and stir until fragrant, 1 minute. Add rice, season with salt and pepper, and stir until coated in oil and lightly toasted, 2 minutes.
Add kale, season with salt and pepper, and stir until wilted, 30 seconds. Add broth and bring to a boil over high heat.
Cover and bake until almost all of the liquid is absorbed and rice is tender, about 20 minutes.
Stir in spinach and peas until spinach is wilted. Add Parmesan, butter and lemon juice, and stir until well blended and saucy. (Liquid will continue to absorb as risotto sits.) Season with salt and pepper. Serve in bowls and top with more Parmesan.
COMFORTING CHILI [VEGAN]
This is from Jeunesse Pouchet on One Green Planet. She wrote, "Sometimes we just need a warm, comforting and hearty bowl of Chili, especially for those cozy rainy days. And this Chili is all of the above! Better yet, it's quick and simple to make. Accompanied with pickled cabbage, grilled plantain, and a dollop of vegan sour cream. This bowl of goodness is packed with flavor and healthy ingredients."
This dairy free recipe serves 2, and can be found online at https://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/comforting-chili-vegan/.
Ingredients
For the Chili:
2 tablespoons coconut oil
2 cans black beans, drained
1/2 cup whole corn kernels
2/3 cup pumpkin (medium), diced
2 Tomatoes medium, diced
1/4 Cup Onion (small), diced
2 tablespoons garlic, finely diced or minced
2 tablespoons chive or cilantro, chopped
2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon chili powder (optional)
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon roasted Geera or cumin
1 1/2 - 2 Cups water
For The Pickled Cabbage
2 cups purple cabbage, diced or shredded
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or lemon juice (adjust quantity to taste)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
For The Grilled Plantain:
1 Plantain medium ripe, sliced
2 tablespoons coconut oil
For The Sour Cream:
1/4 cup vegan mayo
1 tablespoon fresh chive, chopped
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Preparation
For the Chili:
Add the coconut oil to a pot and place on medium heat.
Then add the diced onion, garlic, chive, apple cider, paprika, chili, salt, onion powder, garlic powder and geera. Stir and saute for a minute until fragrant.
Toss in the tomatoes and pumpkin, then stir and saute for another minute.
Add the black bans and corn kernels and stir to combine. Then pour in the water and partially cover. Cook for approximately 20-22 minutes until the chili has reduced and thickened. Remove from heat.
For The Pickled Cabbage
Add all ingredients to a mixing bowl and toss to combine. Set aside to marinate until ready to serve.
For The Grilled Plantain:
Using a pan, place on medium heat and coat with the coconut oil.
Place the plantain slices on the heated pan and grill each side until golden brown. You can reduce or turn up the heat to suit.
For The Sour Cream:
Add all ingredients to a mixing bowl and stir to combine.
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