Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Vegan Shepard's Pie



This is a GREAT comfort food, especially when the weather is a little cooler.

Ingredients:

4 large baking potatoes (Idahos)
1/2 cup vegan sour cream subsitute
1/2 stick vegan margarine
1/4 cup almond milk (non-sweet)
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp chives
1 cup vegan cheddar style cheese
5 cups over your favorite veggies (chopped)
I use carrots, peas, corn, celery, broccoli and cauliflower
2 large tomatoes (chopped)
2 tsp seasoned salt (optional)

Directions:

Cube and boil potatoes until tender (about 10 minutes) - drain and set aside
add all veggies, except tomatoes to sauce pan, simmer on low until semi-tender, then put the veggies in an oven safe baking dish.
Add cubed tomatoes to the top of the veggies, sprinkle seasoned salt evenly over all veggies.

In mixing bowl, add boiled potatoes, vegan sour cream, vegan margarine, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, salt, chives, vegan cheese and almond milk.  Use hand mixer to blend until smooth.

Place potato mixture on top of veggies, back in oven at 350 for 20 minutes, turn the oven on broil and brown the top of the potatoes.

Remove from oven, allow 15 minutes to cool and serve!

Place p

Sunday, January 25, 2015

Red Beans and Rice (& Cornbread)



Ingredients (2 day process): 

1 pound of dry red beans (soaked in water overnight in the refrigerator)

Next day:

2 tbsp of olive oil
1 small white or yellow onion (finely chopped)
1 small bell pepper (finely chopped)
4 celery stalks (finely chopped)
4 cloves of garlic (finely chopped)
4 cups vegetable broth
1 tsp thyme
2 tsp oregano
2 whole bay leaves
1/2 teaspoon paprika (preferably smoked paprika)
2 tsp fresh ground pepper
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
6 cups rice (parboiled)

Directions:

Drain water off beans, rinse them in cold water and allow them to drain.

Simmer the celery, onion, garlic and pepper in the olive oil until onions become transparent.  Remove from heat.

Place all ingredients (except parboiled rice) into large soup style pot, bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 2 hours.  Add rice and simmer for an additional 20 minutes.  Remove from heat and allow to cool and thicken.  Serve.  Use your favorite hot sauce to taste.




CORNBREAD...The Perfect Accompaniment

Ingredients

2 cups cornmeal
1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/3 cup coconut oil (melted/liquid)
2 tablespoons maple syrup
2 cups almond milk (room temperature)
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar (or fresh squeezed lemon juice)
1/2 teaspoon salt

 Directions


Combine the non-dairy milk and apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice) in a medium-sized bowl and wisk together. Set aside.

Combine all dry ingredients together (cornmeal, flour, baking powder and salt) in a medium-sized bowl and stir until well combined.

Add the melted coconut oil and maple syrup to the non-dairy milk mixture and wisk until foamy and bubbly.

Mix the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients and stir until well combined. (The batter will be somewhat thick).

Use a spoon or spatula to transfer the batter into an 8 x 8 glass baking dish.

Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 30 - 35 minutes.









Monday, January 5, 2015

Black Bean Soup (Great for a Cold Winter Day)

 

Ingredients 

Makes 6 servings 
  • PREP
    15 mins
  • COOK
    30 mins
  • READY IN
    45 mins

Directions

  1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Saute onion, celery, carrots and garlic for 5 minutes. Season with chili powder, cumin, and black pepper; cook for 1 minute. Stir in vegetable broth, 2 cans of beans, and corn. Bring to a boil.
  2. Meanwhile, in a food processor or blender, process remaining 2 cans beans and tomatoes until smooth. Stir into boiling soup mixture, reduce heat to medium, and simmer for 15 minutes.

Sunday, January 4, 2015

Vegan Pad Thai

 

Ingredients 

Makes 6 servings 
  • PREP
    40 mins
  • COOK
    20 mins
  • READY IN
    1 hr

Directions

  1. Soak rice noodles in cold water 30 to 50 minutes, or until soft. Drain, and set aside.
  2. Heat butter in a wok or large heavy skillet. Saute chicken until browned. Remove, and set aside. Heat oil in wok over medium-high heat. Crack eggs into hot oil, and cook until firm. Stir in chicken, and cook for 5 minutes. Add softened noodles, and vinegar, fish sauce, sugar and red pepper. Adjust seasonings to taste. Mix while cooking, until noodles are tender. Add bean sprouts, and mix for 3 minutes.