Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Millet (bird seed) Granola Bars

If you haven't had millet, you're missing out. These bars offer a great way to sneak a little millet into your life! Crispy little bits with whatever flavors strike your fancy is always a win.

Ingredients:
1 2/3 c rolled oats
1/3 c flour (I use coconut, you can use whatever you'd like)
1/3 c shredded, unsweetened coconut
1/3 c millet
1/2 c sugar (brown or white, or I've used the coconut sweetener too)
1/2 t cinnamon (but who's measuring?)

3 T Earth Balance (or replace with coconut oil)
3 T coconut oil
1/3 c nut butter (I use peanut)
6 T assorted liquid sweetener (molasses, maple syrup, honey, agave)
1 tsp vanilla

1.5 cups nuts, seeds, dried fruits

I usually use some almonds and raisins, but you can use any chopped, dried fruit you'd like. This recipe is a great way to clear out your nut/seed/dried fruit stash.

Method:
Oven at 350
1. Combine all the dry ingredients in a large bowl.
2. Soak dried fruit in a little bit of hot water while you work.
3. Melt Earth Balance, coconut oil, and nut butter in a liquid measuring cup. Add liquid sweetener and stir to combine (this really helps the peanut butter situation).
4. Drain the dried fruits and add them to the dry mix. Then stir in the wet ingredients.
5. Bake in a greased 8x8, loaf tin, or 7x11. PRESS the stuff into the pan using a spatula or a coconut-oiled hand. The thinner the bars, the less time they will need. 7x11 probably need only 20 minutes while a loaf pan will need as much as 35. Check for browning edges.

COOL COMPLETELY IN THE PAN. WALK AWAY, I'M SERIOUS. These puppies are prone to crumbling. The original recipe called for corn syrup as a liquid sweetener, and swears that it will prevent the breakage. My friend Kelli adds an egg and says that's a good binder, too. Do what you want.

Other great additions include food grade oils, like orange oil. You could use chocolate chips as some of your mix-ins, even though they are not technically fruits, nuts, or seeds.

Black strap molasses makes these bars even healthier, as do the additions of hemp seeds, flax seeds, and other nutrient-dense options. They never come out the same twice, but they are always delicious.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

What is it about roasting (veggies)?

This is not a recipe, but a method. I found my refrigerator teeming with broccoli today, and with two additional heads of cauliflower in the farm share, something had to give.

My most favorite thing used to be broccoli with cheese sauce (you know, the processed stuff that barely passes as cheese but still remains a 'dairy' product?). I still love broccoli, and have learned that cauliflower is delicious, too. Especially when well prepared. There is something unique about the texture of these roasted beauties that makes it difficult to save any for later.

You might have enjoyed my Aloo Gobi and Chard recipe, and that is a tasty trick. But even simpler is the simple act of slowly roasting veggies on a cookie sheet in the oven.

The process is simple:
1. Wash and chop the broccoli and/or cauliflower (you must use fresh for this method).
2. Coat with a thin layer of olive oil by tossing the florets in a bowl with a little oil.
3. Pour onto a cookie sheet and dust with a little sea salt.
4. Roast at 325 for 40 minutes, shaking the tray two or three times in the middle.
5. Serve as is, or toss in seasoned salt, nutritional yeast, or the cheese of your choice (but try it first! It is glorious as is).

Easy side dish for any meal, and so much healthier than anything with the mysterious cheese sauce.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

GF Ginger Brownies and Glutenous Ginger Crisps

WARNING: There is no chocolate in this recipe. These are quite tasty, but if you're seeking a real brownie you'll have to head elsewhere.

Ingredients:
1 1/3 c rice flour
1/3 c potato flour
1/3 c tapioca flour
1 t baking soda
1/4 t salt
2 1/2 t ground ginger
1/2 t ground cinnamon
1/2 t ground cloves
1/2 c oil
1/4 c black strap molasses
1/4 c almond milk
1 c brown sugar
1 t vanilla


1. Heat oven to 350.
2. Combine flours, salt, soda and spices in a medium bowl and set aside.
3. Combine the remaining ingredients in a large bowl and stir to combine completely.
4. Add dry ingredients and stir to combine.
5. Pour into a 9x9 greased baking pan and bake for 30-40 minutes, testing for done-ness about the edges.
Yield: 9 or 16 servings, depending on your needs.

For the Glutenous Cookie version:
Substitute 2 c wheat flour for rice/potato/tapioca flours.
Step 5: Roll balls of dough in sugar and place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Note the dough will be very soft, but do not be tempted to add any more flour. You'll be just fine! The cookies will double in size. I yielded 26 and a couple of mine grew together. Don't worry, I ate the bad ones :) *Thanks to Vegan with a Vengeance by Isa Chandra Moskowitz for the original recipe.

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Greens, Tofu & Kohlrabi (the post-candy meal)

I'm writing this the day after Halloween, and I've heard about quite a bit about candy hangovers today. My first complainant? My husband.

Have you or your family suffered from the sugar rush? Do you need a tasty, healthy meal to counteract your sluggishness? Boy do I have a suggestion for you.

Roasted root veggies, braised greens, and seasoned tofu.

Tofu:
1. Wrap a square of extra firm tofu in a kitchen towel and place a cast iron pan or a baking sheet with a heavy book on top.

2. Allow to sit 30-45 minutes.

3. Remove the towel and saturate the tofu with tamari soy sauce and a dash of liquid smoke.

4. Preheat a cast iron skillet at 7 of 10 heat.

5. Slice the seasoned tofu, reserving any remaining liquid. One block makes 8 slices for me, but adjust to your family size.

6. Cook the tofu in a small amount of olive oil for about 4 minutes. Flip, add any remaining marinade and cook an additional 4 minutes.

7. Serve immediately or set aside.

Roasted root veggies:
1. Chop a variety of root veggies, like kohlrabi, beets, turnips, parsnips, sweet or white/yellow/purple potatoes, to sweet potatoes and toss with peeled garlic cloves and sliced onion.

2. Toss all veggies with olive oil and salt, pepper, paprika, dried chili pepper flakes, oregano, and a dash or two of liquid smoke.

3. Roast in a cast iron dutch oven at 300 degrees for 45 minutes to an hour, stirring every fifteen minutes.

Braised greens:
(this recipe follows easily after the tofu has just finished)

1. Wash and chop your greens (collards and kale work best, but beet, turnip and mustard greens work well too).

2. Saute garlic slices in about 2 T of olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped greens and toss to coat.

3. Add seasoned salt or mixture of salt, pepper, paprika, oregano, and chili flakes. 4. Once greens are brightened, add a dash of lemon juice (juice of one half lemon) and serve immediately.

To cook the whole meal in concert:
1. Press the tofu.
2. Wash and chop greens, then veggies.
3. Start roasting the root veggies.
4. Cook the tofu.
5. Stir the veggies.
6. Cook the greens.

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Spooky Kohlrabi (situation)

As you can see from the following photo, we have a Kohlrabi Situation at our house. Our farm share was particularly prolific in the kohlrabi department this year, and while we've been eating them, we simply cannot keep up.

Combine the Situation with my need to bring healthy Halloween snacks to yoga tonight and my grandmother's everlasting mantra of thou shall not waste anything, ever, particularly food, resulted in the following stroke of genius. If you're a regular old person, you probably think I'm too self-congratulatory in this statement.

If you have a K.S., you're welcome.

Ingredient:
Kohlrabi (or jicama would work, if you're situation-less and actually shopping for Halloween ingredients.)
1. Peel the kohlrabi.

2. Slice into rounds or half rounds (I find cutting easier if I cut it in half).

3. Use your cookie cutters to cut shapes out of the kohlrabi.

4. Serve with dips of your choice. I'm using my hurry, curry recipe, but a black bean dip, guacamole or hummus would work very well.

More kohlrabi recipes from the NYT here.

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Raisin or Chocolate Pumpkin Bars

If you love pumpkin but can't get over the six eggs, one pound of butter and seven cups of sugar recipes out there, this one might be for you. I swear every recipe I search has 3 cups sugar, 4 eggs, and a lot of oil or butter. This recipe tastes better, is easier, takes less time to bake, and is healthier!

Ingredients:
1 3/4 cups flour (I have not tried anything except whole wheat)
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (or just a dash of ground cloves)

1/2 cup sugar (reduce if using chocolate chips)
2-3 T blackstrap molasses 1/2 cup applesauce
1/2 cup pumpkin
1 egg substitute (I recommend 2 T of ground flax, whipped with 4-6 T water until frothy)
2 tablespoons liquid oil (coconut is delicious!)

1/2 cup raisins or chocolate chips

Preaheat the oven to 350. Spray 9x13 pan with cooking spray.

In a small bowl, combine the first set of ingredients. In a large bowl, combine the next set. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients until well blended. Add raisins/chips. Spread in prepared pan and bake 25-30 minutes.

Friday, October 12, 2012

Aloo, Gobi, and Chard

Here is my take on everyone's favorite Indian dish. Serves 6-8, depending on veggie quantities and what else is served at the meal. This recipe is even better the next day. It can be made in the crock pot, if steps 1-4 happen on the stove first. Then combine the rest in the crock pot and increase the cooking time to a few hours. Step 6 should happen with about 20-30 minutes before you plan to serve so that the chard cooks and the beans heat through.

Ingredients:
2 c brown basmati rice
1 head cauliflower, chopped
3 large potatoes, cubed
1 bunch chard, chopped (stems included)
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1" piece of ginger, minced (equal amounts ginger and garlic)
1 32 oz can chopped tomatoes
1-2 cans coconut milk (or homemade!)
1-2 cup(s) or 1 16 oz can of beans, rinsed (garbanzos or white beans) OR 1-2 cups frozen green peas
olive oil

1 t cumin seeds
1 T salt
1 T turmeric
2 T coriander
1 t cinnamon
1 t ground cardamom
1 t cayenne (more or less, to taste)

1. Prepare rice according to directions.
2. Saute onion, garlic, ginger, and cumin seeds in enough oil to coat the bottom of a dutch oven pan over medium heat.
3. Combine all remaining spices and salt into a bowl and open cans of tomatoes/coconut milk.
4. When onion starts to become translucent but before it begins to brown, quickly stir in the spice mixture and stir constantly for about 30 seconds. This is critical! Add the tomatoes and coconut milk to cool the pan.
5. Add cauliflower and potatoes, and allow to simmer for about 30 minutes or until the potatoes are cooked through (you can speed the recipe a little by microwaving the cubed potatoes before adding them in, but they won't taste quite as amazing).
6. Add beans or peas and chard and cook another 5 minutes or until the chard is wilted but still bright green.
7. Ladle over brown rice and enjoy!

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Best Peanut Butter Cookies Ever

If you're as familiar with GF baking as I am, you know that the GF recipe is never as good as the glutenous recipe. Well, this one is the exception. These are literally the best PB cookies ever.

Ingredients:
1/2 c rice flour
1/2 c peanuts
1 1/2 c peanut butter
1/4 c maple syrup
1/4 c molasses
1/2 t vanilla
salt (if your pb is unsalted use 1/2 t)
chocolate chips (optional)

Preheat oven to 350.
1. Mix ingredients.
2. Scoop onto parchment lined baking sheet and top with chocolate chips, if using.
3. Bake 12 minutes.

Voila. Amazing.

Makes 20 2" cookies or 12 3" cookies. One of the many treats my Desert Retreat friends will enjoy at Ojo Caliente.

Friday, October 5, 2012

Rhubarb (or cherry!) Coffee Cake

I'll admit I was terrified of rhubarb as a child. It is impossible to remove from unwanted garden areas, part of the plant is toxic, and (more importantly) there is no rhubarb flavored candy, which was a red flag for me.

I mourn the years of rhubarb yumminess I lost as a child and am steadfastly making up for them now. My most favorite rhubarb recipe is this coffee cake, which is better the next day. Pie cherries (not sweet or sweetened) can be substituted in a pinch.


Ingredients:
1/2 c packed brown sugar
2 1/4 c flour (whole wheat or GF mix or rice), divided
1 t cinnamon
6 T Earth Balance (or butter of your choice)
3/4 c sugar
1 T baking powder
1 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
2 egg substitutes
1 c plain milk (of your choice)
1 T lemon juice
2 t vanilla
4 c rhubarb pieces (fresh or frozen)


1. Preheat the oven to 375 and grease and flour a 13x9 baking pan (I use coconut oil and whichever flour I'm using).
2. Combine Earth Balance, brown sugar, cinnamon, and 3/4 c of flour into a streusel topping (a pastry cutter is ideal for this).
3. Measure the milk and mix in the lemon juice to sour it. It will become lumpy and that's what you're looking for. Soy milk works best among non-dairy varieties, but any milk will do.
4. Sift together the remaining dry ingredients in a large bowl.
5. Add egg replacements, soured milk, and vanilla to dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
6. Pour the mix into the prepared pan and top with fruit. Then top that with streusel topping.
7. Bake 45 minutes.

Reheats very well the next day in the oven with some aluminum foil on top. Heat to 200 for about 30 minutes and everyone will think you just baked it!
Makes 8 generous servings.

Monday, October 1, 2012

Chocolate Banana Walnut Cookies

When you have an extra sad banana around the house, this is one of the best ways to put it to rest! Yield 24 cookies.

Ingredients:
1/3 c non-dairy butter
1 mashed overripe banana
1/2 c firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 c white sugar
1 egg (or equivalent)
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 c flour
1/4 c cocoa powder
1 t baking soda
1/4 t salt
1 c chocolate chips
1/2 c walnut pieces

1. Preheat the oven to 350.
2. Combine butter, banana and sugars. Add egg (or substitute) and vanilla.
3. In another bowl, combine all dry ingredients except chocolate chips and nuts.
4. Mix the dry ingredients into the wet, and incorporate the chocolate chips and nuts.
5. Place on parchment lined baking sheets and bake for 10-12 minutes.

Adapted from the Joy of Vegan Baking by Colleen Patrick-Goudreau.

Friday, September 21, 2012

White Bean and Basil Dip

What's easier than pie and tastier than hummus? White bean dip. It goes with everything from BLTs (tempeh bacon, lettuce and tomato) to carrot sticks and crackers. If the texture of garbanzo bean hummus leaves you queasy, this might be the substitute you've been looking for.

If soaking beans terrifies you, just read through and see how easy it really is.

1 lb dry white beans (or 3 cans of canned white beans)
4-10 cloves of roasted garlic
1 12 oz can of artichoke hearts
several basil leaves (or 1-2 T dried basil)
salt
lemon juice
olive oil
water
1. Pour the dry beans into your crock pot and fill the crock pot with water. Cover and leave unplugged all night long (or at least 8 hours).
2. In the morning, rinse the beans and return them to the crock pot. Cover them with plenty of water (near the top of the crock pot), plug it in, and set it to high heat. Cook for several hours... like 6. If you will be out of the house all day, cook them on low instead.
3. Drain the beans and rinse well.
4. Combine all ingredients into a blender or Vitamix. Add a few tablespoons of olive oil and maybe a little lemon juice. Add enough water so that the liquid covers half of the beans. Puree.
5. Taste, add salt and possibly more oil, juice or water. This isn't a science, you just work until you get the texture you want. If the beans are warm when you do this, you may want to make the mixture a little thinner as it will become firmer once it cools in the refrigerator. Also, if you are soaking beans you will need to add a significant amount of salt. Canned beans are already quite salty, so add gradually but don't lose your mind if you add a tablespoon of salt.

Serve as a spread on a sandwich, a dip with garlic-y chips or veggies, or even use it as a salad dressing. If you have an abundance of tomatoes right now, you can chop them up and serve them coated in the dip on a bed of lettuce.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Peanut Dressing

Yes, this is for salads. And yes, it is fantastic and easy. Also high in protein and not affected too terribly by time outside of the refrigerator.

Serves 2
Ingredients:
1/4 c natural peanut butter
1/2 T tamari soy sauce
1-3 T rice wine vinegar
ginger paste (optional, to taste)

There's only one step!: Combine with a whisk and toss with the veggies.
I recommend the following toppings for your salad along with this dressing:
- grilled tofu
- carrot slices
- radishes
- green beans

To make ginger paste, peel a piece of ginger using a teaspoon. Hold the ginger in front of you and place your thumb into the bowl of the teaspoon. Drag the edge of the spoon towards you along the peel and it comes right off! Then you can puree the ginger with some water or simply chop it finely.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Quinoa Caprese (vegan style)

We're just at the end of summer and the tomatoes and basil are ready for caprese salad! If you're interested in a high-protein, vegan, delicious meal version, you're in the right place. No funny dairy alternatives here, just a tasty meal that is good hot or cold. I like sea salt on this recipe, so if you have it, this is a great time to bring it out!

Ingredients:
1 large eggplant (zucchini is good, too!)
3 large tomatoes
1 c quinoa
1 bunch basil leaves
3 cloves of garlic (or more to taste)
4 T hemp seeds (or pine nuts)
olive oil
balsamic vinegar
salt
pepper

1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees and place a baking sheet inside to warm.
2. Slice the eggplant into 1/2 inch thick slices and brush or spray with olive oil. Place on preheated pan in the oven. Flip after about seven minutes.
3. Bring 2-3 cups of water to a boil, add quinoa and a little olive oil (like 1/2 T). Reduce the heat and cover, cooking for about seven minutes or until you can eat it.
4. Press garlic and sauté in olive oil over medium heat until golden brown.
5. Dice tomatoes and slice basil leaves into thin ribbons (roll many inside of a larger leaf and then slice like you're cutting sushi). When eggplant cools, dice it as well.
6. Drain any water remaining in quinoa and mix with diced veggies, sauteed garlic and basil. Mix in hemp seeds and salt and pepper to taste. Serve with balsamic vinegar and oil or balsamic reduction.
Fancy option: reduce balsamic vinegar by heating it on the stove to medium heat until it is reduced by half.

Friday, September 7, 2012

Almost Pudding: PB & Chocolate

Do you need an intro for this one? I think we should just cut to the chase.


More nutritious than that shelf-stable stuff you can buy, easy to make, and super delicious. Lots more protein, too!
Ingredients:


4/5* of a package of firm SILKEN organic tofu

1 chocolate bar (of your choosing)

1 c natural peanut butter

1/2 c organic soy milk


1. Melt the chocolate bar in a microwave or double boiler.

2. Combine all ingredients in a food processor, or mix with a hand mixer.

3. Pour into individual-sized serving containers.

4. Chill.

Makes 4 3 ounce servings.

*This recipe compliments any vegan salad dressing or soup recipe that involves a little silken tofu. If you have to use the whole package, I think you'll be fine, but it is what I do when I have used 1/5-1/4 of a package.

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Hurry, Curry! (Lentil Dip)

I love hummus, don't get me wrong, but sometimes I find it boring. And sometimes I find that we have no cooked, soaked garbanzos. Or worse, no garbanzos at all.


So, what's a vegan yogini with a GF husband to do?


Improvise.


Introducing a flavorful dip that is just a bit different from anything else (and the only recipe I will EVER write that contains "curry powder".

1 cup dry lentils (any brown, green, or black variety will do, just not the dainty red lentils).

1 vegan Not-Chik-n bouillon cube

2 cups water

1 bay leaf

1 T toasted sesame seed oil

1-2 t curry powder (depending on your taste) salt to taste

additional water

1. Cook the lentils in the water, bouillon and bay leaf in a covered pot over low/medium heat. They should get mushy, so between 20-30 minutes should be perfect. You may need to add additional water if the lentils are still not mushy but the water has evaporated. I have mistakenly made burned lentil patty this way, and there's a reason that isn't the featured recipe.

2. Discard bay leaf and pour contents of pot into a food processor. Add oil, salt, and curry powder. Pure like the dickens. Thin with water as necessary to achieve a "dip" texture to your liking.

3. Serve with corn chips, rice crackers, or crudite. Great for a pot luck, but be sure to label it so people aren't horribly surprised when it isn't guacamole.

Easy. Delicious. Nearly impossible to mess up, unless you let the water boil off of the lentils or puree the spatula with the dip (Someone in our house who still owes me a new spatula may have also done this once).

Friday, August 31, 2012

The Artsy, Smartsy Smoothie

You know how to make a great smoothie, right? Well I didn't for a long time. I would end up with weird colors, poor mixing, and unusual flavors that didn't sit well. Here are my tips (and recipe) for a great smoothie.


Tips:

1. Use (some) ice: a lot of folks looking for nutrient density skip this step, which is a big mistake. Ice keeps the smoothie cool when blender blades get hot.


2. Freeze your fruit: tempting as it may be to throw in a few things from the counter top, smoothies are really best when the fruit is frozen. I freeze quite a bit myself, whenever a bunch of berries are starting to look sad, or a mango will not be used in time I freeze small 4 oz. containers packed full of stone fruits, kiwi or berries.


3. Avoid seedy berries: blackberries and raspberries are delicious... but they have seeds that create an unsavory texture inside of a smoothie. These frozen berries are great additions to oatmeal, so no need to waste them.


4. Use banana: I always add 1/2 frozen banana per serving to each smoothie. The creamy mixture literally cannot be achieved by anything else. When you have a bunch on the counter, peel, break in half and throw into a container in the freezer.


5. Add some veggies: if you're using a simple blender, stick with raw greens (don't freeze them). If you're using a higher powered contraption, like a Vitamix, you can use other veggies like carrots.


6. Include a mix-in or two: You can simply add some ground flax seed, or flax seed oil. Hemp seed, chia and others are great additions, too. My favorite is a premixed, pre-pulverized product by NuDe Food, which also has probiotics. The secret to seeds and oils is to include them last. Just stir them in, otherwise the smoothie can take on an odd gummy texture. This is not true with the NuDe Food mix in; you just add it right along with everything else.


7. What's your liquid?: I use non-dairy milks most of the time, because they are most nutritious. I usually use 3/4 fortified unsweetened organic soy milk and 1/4 fortified vanilla almond milk. You could certainly use juice or other milks, just make sure the flavor profile fits well. Also be sure to use enough liquid. Your liquid should almost cover the solid ingredients (except fresh greens).


8. Add some cinnamon! Lots of health benefits, including some evidence that it helps with blood sugar. And tasty.


Mango Smoothie (with secret veggies)

5 ice cubes

1/2 frozen organic banana

1/2 c frozen organic mango chunks

1 handful washed, fresh organic spinach

1/2 washed organic carrot (chopped, if using a blender)

1 T NuDe Food probiotic blend

3/4 c organic, fortified, plain soy milk

1/4 c organic, vanilla almond milk

1/2 t ground cinnamon

Layer the ingredients into your blending device or vitamix in the order recommended above. If you are using a blender, you may need to stop after about 30 seconds, remove the container from the base and stir the ingredients with a long spoon. If using a Vitamix, just use the tamper. Sometimes the greens like to float on top!

Pour out and serve. Any excess can be frozen into small 1/2 cup containers and make ideal ice packs for meals on the go. They are not edible straight from the freezer, but after being out in a lunch sack until lunch time, they're back to the perfect temperature.

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Chocolate Zucchini Cake

Too much zucchini? A problem no more! You will love this cake, either with or without gluten. Kids love it, too, even though it has quite a lot of fruit/veggie in it. Adapted from an old family favorite. Makes great muffins, too (although you should call them cupcakes)
Yield: 12 solid servings, 24 cupcakes. Ingredients: 2 T soft Earth Balance (or butter substitute of your choice) 1/4 c vegetable oil of your choice 1 mashed banana 1 1/4 c sugar 2 egg substitutes (or eggs, beaten) 1 t vanilla 1/2 c milk of choice 1 t lemon juice 1 t baking soda 2 1/4 c whole wheat flour (or rice flour for GF version) 4 T cocoa powder 1/2 t baking powder 1/2 t cinnamon 1/2 t ground cloves 2 c zucchini, shredded 1/2 c chocolate chips 1/2 c walnuts, toasted (optional) 1. Preheat the oven to 325 and grease an 11x13 pan. 2. Add lemon juice to milk to sour it (it will get chunky and is supposed to!). 3. Combine Earth Balance, oil, banana, and sugar and beat to combine. Mix in egg/substitute and vanilla. 4. Dissolve baking soda in milk mixture, stir, and add to the other liquid ingredients. Stir to combine. 5. Sift together dry ingredients and mix into wet ingredients until just combined. 6. Mix in shredded zucchini and pour into prepared pan. 7. Top with chocolate chips and nuts. 8. Bake at 325 for 40-45 minutes. YUM! Have you been to my website lately? More than just good eats, I've got workshops and new classes coming soon. Check them out! www.karikwinn.com

Monday, August 27, 2012

Tempeh Fajitas

I love this recipe for fajitas because it is so quick and easy. You can skip marinating the tempeh to save time. If you're vegan, be sure to buy vegan worchestershire sauce. This recipe is also gluten free! Time: 20 minutes (if you skip the steaming and marinating)
Serves: 4

Ingredients:
1 package tempeh
2-3 bell peppers, sliced
1 bundle green onions
8 corn tortillas
3 Tbsp vegan worchestershire sauce
2 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp dry garlic
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp cumin
salt to taste
fajita fixin's of your choice

Optional tempeh preparation:
Steam the tempeh for 15 minutes. This can remove some bitterness, but I don't find it necessary.

1. Slice cooled tempeh into strips. Soak in 2 Tbsp worchestershire sauce for 15-30 minutes.
2. Combine remaining worchestershire sauce with oil, spices and salt. Slice peppers. 3. Add tempeh and soaking sauce and toss to coat.
4. Heat a cast iron skillet to 8 of 10.
5. Add tempeh to skillet, turning once until slightly charred. Reserve soaking liquid.
6. Toss pepper slices and green onions with soaking liquid.
7. Remove tempeh and add peppers, onions, and all soaking liquid to the pan. Stir once or twice and cook for a few minutes.
8. Remove the pan from heat, add tempeh and serve immediately.