Spicy Southwestern Chili

1 28 oz can diced tomatoes
1 16 oz can refried black beans
1 16 oz can pintos (do not drain)
2 soy chorizo (TJ's brand)
1 7 oz chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
4 cloves garlic
1 white onion
1 red pepper
cumin, oregano, salt and pepper
red chili flakes


In a large (stock) pot, on medium heat, saute onions and spices, add garlic and stir well. Next, saute crumbled soy chorizo (or other slausage) until browned. Add in tomatoes and then the beans. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring often, with lid cracked. After about 45 minutes, check the consistency. If you prefer the chili thicker, remove the lid and cook for an additional 20-30 minutes (or longer) on low. Remove the chipotle peppers before serving or storing.

Tonight, we served the chili with rosemary mashed potatoes and a swiss chard salad.

Egg Noodles with Swiss Chard and Cherry Tomatoes

1/2 pound egg noodles
28 oz can cherry tomatoes
1 bunch green chard, without stems
olive oil
salt and pepper
oregano
3 cloves garlic

Mix together tomatoes, spices and olive oil in a pot, on medium heat. When the tomatoes are bubbling slightly, add in the minced garlic and stir. Cook for at least 10 minutes, then add in chopped swiss chard. Stir well and cover. Cook for about 10-20 minutes (or longer). Meanwhile, boil water and cook noodles. Drain and rinse with hot water.

** In retrospect, I wish I had made the sauce with onions and red pepper flakes as usual. I also wish I had added in some wine or vinegar. Alas.**

When the sauce is ready, stir in the egg noodles and allow to sit for a few minutes before serving. Top with parmigiana or other delicious cheese.

Red Headed Step Cabbage and Potatoes

1 head red cabbage
3 yukon potatoes
1/2 white onion
4 carrots
3-4 cloves garlic
2 cups swiss chard stems
1/2-1/3 red bell pepper
rosemary
thyme
salt and pepper
1 tbls jewish soup mix
1/2-1 cup water

In a large pot, saute onions in olive oil and add spices, soup mix and garlic. Add in potatoes and about half a cup of water (or more if need), cook at least 10 minutes. Stir in carrots and other vegetables, adding more water to prevent stickage. Cook covered until potatoes are done. Check frequently to stir and ensure that the vegetables are not sticking to the bottom. Total cook time should be about 20-30 minutes.

Serve with couscous.

Coconut Pecan Crusted Brownies

Adapted from Epicurious.

For topping
3/4 cup unsweetened flaked coconut
3/4 cup pecans, chopped
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

For brownie layer
1 1/4 sticks (10 tablespoons) unsalted butter
1 1/3 cups granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
3 large eggs
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate melted
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

Make topping:


In a 1 1/2-quart bowl stir together topping ingredients until combined well.

Make brownie layer:
In a 1 1/2-quart saucepan melt butter over moderately low heat. Melt in semi-sweet chocolate and stir frequently. Remove pan from heat and stir in sugar and vanilla. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well with a wooden spoon after each addition. Into a bowl sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt and stir into butter mixture until just combined well.

Spread batter evenly in pan and sprinkle with topping. Bake brownies in middle of oven 30 to 35 minutes, or until a tester comes out with crumbs adhering to it. Cool brownies for 20 minutes or so before eating.

Slausage, Apples and Potatoes, Oh My!

In a dutch oven...

Two granny smith apples, chopped
1 red onion
1 white onion
4 italian vegan sausages
4 small yukon potatoes
3 tbs garlic, pressed
3 cups (approximately) swiss chard stems, chopped
3/4 cup kale
Red wine vinegar
1 cup of veggie kosher broth
Salt, pepper
Rosemary
Savoury
Vegan butter

Preheat oven to 400

Add a dollop of vegan butter to the dutch oven. Layer ingredients in the pan: potatoes, apples, onions, chard stems, kale, and slausage. Pour in 1/2 cup red wine vinegar and veggie broth. Add seasonings and garlic on top. Stir to mix well. Cover and cook.

Check and stir after 20 minutes. Add additional vingear if needed.

Cook for a total of about an hour. Test potatoes to determine if the dish is done.

Twin Lentils and Swiss Chard

1 cup split chickpeas
1/2 cup urid split beans
1 onion, chopped
3/4 pound swiss chard
1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
1 cup diced tomatoes
4 cloves garlic
7 cups water
1 tbs dried Ginger
1 tbs Coriander
1 tsp Cumin
2 tbs Garam masala
2 tsp Hungarian paprika
1 tsp Turmeric
generous portion Chili flakes
Cayenne
Salt and pepper
1/4 tsp Baking soda

Saute onions, garlic and spices in oil. Add tomatoes. Add chickpeas and split beans. Add water and bring to a boil. Add in half of the swiss chard, return to boil. Then cover and cook on medium. Cook for approximately an hour, stirring to prevent stickage. When beans are soft, uncover and add the remaining chard. Add in 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda. Reduce heat to low, stir and cook off excess liquid. Add in red pepper. Add more salt and pepper if needed.

Serve with saffron rice.
Cook rice with 2 tbs vegan butter and 1 pinch saffron threads.

Cabbage with Urid Split Beans

1 head cabbage
1 cup urid split beans (or other mung beans)
1 tomato chopped, or 1 cup diced tomatoes
1/2 onion, diced
Garam masala
Cumin
Corinader
Turmeric
Ginger
Red pepper flakes
Salt and pepper
Vegan butter
Approximately 4 cups water

Saute onions and spices in butter, in a large pot (or stock pot). Add tomatoes and split beans. Add in cabbage and stir well. Cover with water (approximately 4 cups.) Bring to a boil. Cover and reduce to simmer for 45 minutes. Stir occasionally. When the beans are soft, uncover and let the water boil off for about 10-15 minutes, until it is the desired texture. Serve with channa aloo masala and rice.

Channa Aloo Masala

Although this recipe sounds very simple, it was incredibly rich and delicious.

1 can chickpeas, drained
4 small potatoes (yukon gold), chopped
1/2 onion choppped
3/4 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes
Garam masala paste
Fenugreek
Turmeric
Garlic
Salt and pepper
Cayenne and red pepper flakes
Vegan butter

Saute onions in vegan butter until soft. Add garlic and other seasonings. Add tomatoes and cook for several minutes.
Add chickpeas and potatoes. Stir and bring to a boil.
Cover and cook for 20-30 minutes until potatoes are soft.

Spinach and Tofu Stuffed Shells

Adapted from Vegweb "Vegan Stuffed Shells"

1 extra-firm tofu
5 tbls nutritional yeast
nutmeg
1 onion, chopped
1 bag frozen spinach (1 lb)
4 cloves garlic
2 tbls olive oil
1 box jumbo shells
salt, pepper
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp basil

Cherry Tomato Sauce
1 28 oz can cherry tomatoes (Wholefoods brand)
1/2 cup old wine
Cayenne
Salt and pepper
Basil, thyme, oregano

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Blend tofu and olive oil in food processor. Reheat spinach in microwave and press out excess liquid. Add nutmeg, nutritional yeast, spinach, onions, garlic, and spices. Blend until smooth.

Cook sauce on the stove.
Add one layer of sauce on the bottom of a large baking dish.

Stuff shells with spinach mixture and place into baking dish. Cover with remaining sauce. Cover with foil.

Bake for 30 minutes, then uncover and bake for another 10 minutes.

Allow to sit for at least 10 minutes before serving.

Pineapple Tempeh

Adapted from Vegweb

1 tempeh block
1.5 cups frozen pineapple
1 cup carrots, sliced thinly
2 garlic cloves, diced
1/2 red onion, chopped
1/4 cup green onions, chopped
1 cup fresh kale
2 tbs chili garlic sauce
2 tbs tamari
1 tbs cornstarch
1 pinch of turbinado sugar
Chili oil
Juice of one orange

Heat chili oil. Fry tempeh until crispy, drain on paper towel.
In remaining oil, fry onions and garlic. Add carrots and cook for 5 minutes.
Add tamari to the pan and vegetables. Mix in chili sauce and pineapple, allow to cook down.
Add in tempeh and juice of one orange.
Mix cornstarch with water, add in slowly and stir until desired thickness.
Serve with rice.

Vegan Mac and Cheese

Adapted from Veg web "Best Vegan Mac and Cheese"

1.5 cups rice milk
1 cup water
1/3 cup tamari
1.5 nutrional yeast
1 tbl paprika
1 tbl garlic powder
1/4 block of tofu
1/2 c. olive oil
1.5 lbs pasta
1 dollop mustard

Preheat oven to 350
Boil water and cook pasta
Add ingredients to food processor (but do not overfill!!!!)
Drain pasta and add to large baking dish
Cover with sauce
Bake about 15-20 minutes, until browned on top

Cabbage tomato soup

Sorry, no pix.

1 head cabbage
1 32 oz vegetable juice (Wholefoods brand)
1 16 oz can tomato sauce
3-4 carrots, chopped
Garlic
Cayenne
Sherry
Salt and pepper
Extra water

Chop up cabbage and carrots and garlic.
Place all ingredients (except sherry) into a large stock pot.
Bring to a boil, cover and reduce to low.
Cook for at least 4-5 hours, stirring occasionally. Add water if necessary.
Add sherry to taste and more cayenne.

Serve with baked potatoes!
This soup was so good the first time, but it was even better the second day. And even better (I shit you not) after we froze it and defrosted.

We're back

Sorry for the delay. It's been a busy few months. Below we have posted a few brand new recipes and some that are back-dated. XO, jennifer and stef