Meatless Monday Recipe-Sauteed Brussels Sprouts with Bacony Bits

Sauteed Brussels Sprouts with Bacony Bits
Vegan; Serves 4; 30 minutes

2 1/2 pounds Brussels sprouts, trimmed
1 tablespoon Sesame oil
1/4 cup onion, diced
1 clove of garlic
1 Tablespoon thyme
1 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground pepper to taste
2 Tablespoons Bacony Bits
2 teaspoons lemon juice (optional)

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. If sprouts are very small, cut in half; otherwise cut into quarters. Cook the sprouts until barely tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Drain.

2. Add oil to the pan and heat over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, stirring often, until soft but not browned, reducing the heat if necessary, about 4 minutes. Stir in thyme (or savory) sprigs, salt and pepper. Increase heat to medium-high, add the Brussels sprouts, and cook, tossing or stirring occasionally, until tender and warmed through, about 3 minutes. Remove the herb sprigs. Add the bacony bits, thyme (or savory) leaves and lemon juice, if using, and toss.

Meatless Monday Recipe-Pumpkin Burgers

Pumpkin Burgers
Vegan; Makes 6 patties

With all of the pumpkin I still have, I'm finding different recipes for it. I made these last, and they are really good! Since my pumpkin had already been pureed, these didn't take very long to make. I served these with an old favorite, chipotle mayo and Brussels sprouts on the side (recipe will follow).

1 15oz. can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 cup fresh pumpkin puree
egg replacer equivalent to 1 egg
1 red bell pepper, diced
1/4 onion, diced (add more if you like onion)
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon coriander
1/2 teaspoon chili powder (if you like it a little hotter add 1 teaspoon)
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup bread crumbs

1. Saute garlic, onion and red bell pepper, until soft. About 5 minutes.

2. In a food processor, add chickpeas, egg replacer, cumin, chili powder, and coriander. Pulse until smooth.

3. In a large bowl, combine flour, breadcrumbs, chickpea mixture and pumpkin until mixture is stiff enough to from and hold patty shape. In a skillet (I used a little oil to coat the pan) over medium high heat, cook patties until golden brown. About 5 minutes on both side.

Meatless Monday Recipe-Vegan Caramel Fruit Dip

Vegan Caramel Fruit Dip

For those who will entertaining over this up-coming holiday season, this is perfect to set out with cut up fruit. This is also perfect for those with little ones, watch out though, there is a lot of sugar. The boys LOVED this one!

1 cup dates
2 Tablespoons vanilla extract
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/3 cup hemp milk

1. Place all of the ingredients in a blender. Pulse until smooth and chill until ready to be served.

Meatless Monday Recipe-Tzatziki Sauce

Tzatziki Sauce
Vegan

When you're craving Greek food, one simply cannot forego the Tzatziki sauce. I made this last night to go with the Seitan Gyros, and even Grant said "this is his favorite dish, and really likes the sauce." This took the longest....

1 cup cucumber, finely diced or minced
1 cup soy yogurt
1 cup vegan mayonnaise
1 oven roasted garlic clove, minced (I had left over from the pizza)
1/2 a large garlic clove, minced (I had this left over, too)
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon of parsley (I used dry)
1/4 teaspoon of paprika
1/8 teaspoon of dill
1 pinch of sea salt
a dash of Cayenne pepper

1. Mix all of the ingredients in a bowl and chill until ready to use....

Meatless Monday Recipe-Seitan Gyros

Seitan Gyros
Vegan; 30 minutes or fewer

After having a REALLY hard day (started with a root canal at 7:30 am and ended with picking my car up from the shop, with work in between)! I was not really wanting to do a gourmet meal, so this was SUPER quick.... I served these with Falafels to make the meal feel more complete. Grant did mention that this was his favorite meal, so endorsed from the pickiest eater!

1 package of Seitan
1 cup of spinach
1 tomato sliced
4 pieces of naan bread, heated (worked just like pitas)

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and heat up the naan.

2. Over medium to medium-high heat, cook the Seitan. I bought mine in strips, so all I had to do was start cooking....

3. Place toppings in naan (just like a taco) and serve with the vegan Tzatziki Sauce!
Enjoy...

Meatless Monday Recipe-Tomato Tofu Feta Open-Faced Sandwich

Tomato Tofu Feta Open-Faced Sandwich
vegan, makes four slices

Last week, when Bruce was leaving for out of town, I made these for a light brunch. Since we had tomatoes that needed to be used, this was the perfect recipe! Bruce LOVED it and I know that I'm going to have repeat this recipe!

4 slices rosemary sourdough bread, toasted
1 large heirloom tomato, sliced into half moons (or a few small)
1/2 cup tofu feta (recipe in blog)
2 handfuls of mixed greens or herb salad
white wine vinegar
white pepper over top - to taste


Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Place bread on a cookie sheet, and place 2 tomato slices on each slice. Top with tofu feta and drizzle with white wine vinegar. Add white pepper and toast till heated through, about 10 minutes.

3. Serve over greens on plate and enjoy!

Meatless Monday Recipe-Breaded Broccoli and Tofu

Breaded Broccoli and Tofu
Vegan, 15 min

Now that broccoli is in season here in Colorado Springs, hit those farmer markets and try this recipe out! Bruce is not a fan of broccoli, and he had 3 servings of this.... I served this with Rosemary Roasted Potatoes that is located in the blog. It made a perfect light meal, and the tofu helped make the meal feel complete. Happy Cooking Everyone!

2 cups of broccoli, chopped
1 package of firm tofu, pressed (see notes) and cubed
3 Tablespoons earth balance
3 Tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves of garlic, chopped
1/2 cup of whole wheat bread crumbs (I used Italian seasoned and Panko)
1/3 cup ground cashews (I added garlic red bell pepper seasoning to it)
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1: To press the tofu, place between 2 plates and place a can of beans on top. Continue to prep.

2: Clean the broccoli well and put them in boiling water for about 5 minutes to blanch them. Rinse and set aside.

3: In a large cast iron or sauté pan, melt half of the earth balance and half of the olive oil.

4: Add the chopped garlic and tofu. When tofu is golden add the broccoli.

5: When the broccoli is browned and "crispy", add the bread crumbs and the rest of the earth balance and olive oil.

6: At the last minute, add the cashew mixture until golden brown as well.

7: Add salt and pepper to taste, and serve!

Enjoy! They are really, really good.

Meatless Monday Recipe-Buffalo Tofu Bites

Buffalo Tofu Bites
Vegan; 1 hour

With an hour being the time, I promise-this is the type of recipe that is not as hands on. Step number 3 is what may take the most hands on, however I promise this is worth it! Grant and Max liked it, and this is perfect for any tale gate parties that are coming up!!

1 cup of hemp milk
2 tbsp corn starch
1 15 ounce block of firm tofu (organic), pressed to remove excess water
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup Earth Balance butter, melted
1/4 cup Saso Roasted Red Pepper Chipotle Sauce
1/2 tbsp of garlic powder
a dash of black pepper

1.Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2. In a medium sized bowl mix the hemp milk with the corn starch and set aside.

3. In another medium sized bowl mix together the flour, paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder and salt. Next, cut the tofu in triangles; to do this first slice the tofu in half so that there are now 2 slabs of tofu, then cut each slab into thirds on the short side, then cut in half on the long side. Now you should have 12 small squares of tofu, slice each one of those on an angle to get triangles.

4. Now place the tofu triangles into the milk mixture and coat them, then dredge them into the flour mixture and get each side covered completely. Cover dish or bowl and refrigerate for an hour.

5. In a large bowl whisk together the melted butter, hot sauce, garlic powder and black pepper. Dip each piece of tofu in the mixture and place on a lightly oiled baking sheet. Bake for about 30-35 minutes turning halfway through. If you want them crispier just bake them a little longer. I served these with a vegan ranch dressing.

Meatless Monday Recipe-Tofu Feta

Tofu Feta
Vegan; Gluten-Free

I made this (again) to go with the fabulous meal for Bruce and the boys. Even Bruce mentioned that this wouldn't slip past a Greek, but it was an amazing meal.

1 block extra-firm tofu, drained and pressed to remove any extra water (see notes in the blog for an easy tip)
3 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
3 Tablespoons kalamata or other olive juice (from a jar or can of olives packed in water, not oil)
4 Tablespoons of lemon juice
2-3 teaspoons sea salt (I used pinches instead of teaspoons)

1. The night before, freeze the pressed tofu overnight in a freezer safe plastic bag.

2. The next day, let the frozen tofu thaw for about 4 hours and then press again to remove any moisture. (When I did this, I hand squeezed it and there was a lot of moisture.) Crumble into 1/2 inch chunks into a medium bowl.

3. In a smaller bowl, whisk together the apple cider vinegar, olive juice, lemon juice and 2 teaspoons of the sea salt. Drizzle over the tofu and stir to combine.

4. Let rest in the fridge for 1 hour (I let it sit for 30 minutes), stir again and let rest 1 hour longer (I skipped this "rest" step). Add the remaining teaspoon of salt to taste, if desired.
**Will keep fresh in an airtight container for 1 week.

Found: Great Gluten-Free Vegan Eats

Meatless Monday Recipe-Zucchini Fritters

Zucchini Fritters
Vegan; Serves 4; 30 min. plus baking

I comprised this recipe from 3 different ones, taking the best out of each and then making the recipe vegan. I could have used 1 more grated zucchini, but they still came out tasty! Bruce told me that he would love to have these again, so I may even surprise him with a repeat! ~_^

2 cups grated zucchini squash
4 Tablespoons all purpose flour
1/3 cup cornmeal
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 clove of garlic, finely minced
1 egg replacer
2/3 cups tofu feta
1-2 teaspoons crushed red pepper (depending on taste)
Kosher salt and black pepper to taste

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Place zucchini inside a tea towel or flour sack towel and squeeze out excess moisture.
In a bowl, add the ingredients adding the zucchini last. The mixture with be sticky and thick. Continue to stir, it will thin down. You want it to look like a thick cake batter.

3. On a parchment lined baking sheet, divide batter into 6 mounds on the parchment using a spoon or ice cream scoop. Then flatten each mound with a spoon or your hand to form 4 inch rounds.
Bake for 15-18 minutes or, until the fritters are deep golden brown on the bottom. Then turn to broil and place on the second highest rack in your oven. Broil on high for a few minutes, you want to crisp them up but watch carefully so they won't burn (I skipped this step). Served with cashew cream or marinara sauce.

Recipe adapted from The Yellow House.

Meatless Monday Recipe-Mushroom "No-Meat" Balls

Mushroom "No-Meat" Balls
Vegan; Makes about 24

I made these to go with some mushroom pasta that Bruce and picked up while shopping at the Farmers Market. I made a simple tomato sauce and garlic bread with a tofu feta and artichoke heart topping.

3/4 cup cooked brown rice
1 lb. Portobello mushroom caps (should make 2 cups when finely chopped, about 3 caps)
4 tsp. olive oil
1/2 leek, diced
1 vegan egg (EnerG egg replacer works great)
1 cup dried Italian bread crumbs
1/3 cup almond/nutritional yeast mix (half nutritional yeast, half finely milled almonds)
1/4 cup parsley (fresh or dry works with this measurement)
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. freshly ground pepper


1. I had Bruce help me out and get the rice started for me in the rice maker. This gave me time to get the mushrooms started and the tofu feta for the side dish. In food processor, pulse mushrooms in batches until finely chopped-almost paste like.

2. In large nonstick skillet, heat 2 tsp olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook, stirring often, until softened, 2-3 mins. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring, until most of the liquid has evaporated, 3-5 mins. Add to bowl with rice; let cool.

3. Preheat oven to 400F. Spray baking sheet with cooking spray. Add vegan egg, breadcrumbs, almond/nutritional yeast mix, parsley, and salt to cooled rice mixture and mix well. Form mixture into about 24 oval-shaped nuggets, each about 2 by 1.5 inches.

4. In clean large nonstick skillet, heat remaining 2 tsp olive oil over medium high heat; tilt to coat bottom. Add half the nuggets and cook until browned on one side, about 2 mins, and sprinkle black pepper over the nuggets. Turn nuggets over onto prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining nuggets. Bake until nuggets are browned and firm, 15-20 mins.

Meatless Monday Recipe-Green Chile Stew

Green Chile Stew
Vegan; 45 minutes or longer

Bruce and I served this over baked butternut squash. We had gone out shopping earlier in the day and bought some fresh fire roasted green chilies. Since most of my ingredients were already sliced, this is a super great recipe for left overs.

5 cups low-sodium vegetable broth, divided
1/4 diced onion
2 cloves minced garlic
1 diced potato (I used half a sweet potato and 1/2 a blue potato-left overs from a prior dish)
1 can no-salt diced tomatoes (I used a can that had green chilies)
1 can no-salt pinto beans, rinsed
8-10 fresh chilies or 2 cans green chile
1 Tablespoon cumin
1 Tablespoon thyme (I added a little of rubbed sage to the thyme)
2 cups cooked quinoa (I spiced mine with cumin and curry-left over from a prior dish)
1/2 zucchini, sliced (also left over from a prior dish)

1. Sauté 1 cup of veggie broth, onion and garlic for about 10 minutes.

2. Add the rest of the ingredients and simmer over medium heat for 45 minutes to an hour (depending on how big/thick you cut your potatoes) until potatoes are tender.

Meatless Monday Recipe-Cajun Chickpea Patties

Cajun Chickpea Patties
Serves 4

I made these for Bruce and the boys when they got back from Florida. Bruce missing my cooking, loved these and what was even better-the boys liked them too! In this household, we tend to like things spicy so you may have to adjust the heat. I served these on toasted buns with the chipotle mayo and for a side made a cucumber and tomato salad. (That was not a big hit with the boys.)

I hope everyone had a nice Labor Day!

INGREDIENTS

1 tbsp oil
1/4 cup diced onion
3/4 poblano pepper, diced and seeded
2 15 oz can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp paprika
pinch of cayenne pepper
1 tsp adobo sauce
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
2 tbsp flour
1 tbsp cornstarch
salt and pepper to taste
oil for frying


1. Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Saute onion, and poblano pepper for 5-7 mins, until softened. Remove from heat.

2. Place chickpeas in a food processor along with the onion mixture. Pulse until chickpeas are no longer whole, but dont process them too much. Place chickpeas in a bowl and add spices, hot sauce, and parsley. Mix well. Add flour and cornstarch and mix well.

3. Heat oil in a frying pan over med/med-hi heat (around 350 degrees). Shape chickpea mixture into 4 patties and fry in batches, about 2-3 mins per side, or until crispy and browned. Flip a few times if they are browning too quickly. If you have trouble forming the patties, add some more cornstarch to hold it all together.

Adapted from Vegan Dad Blog

Meatless Monday Recipe-Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Vegan; 45 minutes

This is great as a side dish, and use flavored infused balsamic vinegar. I used a serrano pepper (which I ran out of) and then used a white wine balsamic vinegar. These came out SO good, use the ingredients below as the guideline-using as much or as little....

Ingredients:

Brussels sprouts
garlic, minced
Olive Oil
Freshly Cracked White Pepper
Sea Salt
Balsamic Vinegar

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°. Trim the stem end off the rinsed Brussels sprouts, remove any bad leaves, then cut the sprout in half lengthwise.

2. Place in a bowl and add enough olive oil to lightly coat them – just a tablespoon or so – again depending on how many you are making. Now add a tablespoon or two of balsamic vinegar – about the same amount as the olive oil, garlic, sea salt and white pepper. Marinade for about 5 minutes.

3. Toss this all together well and place on a non-greased baking sheet cut side down. Place in oven and roast 15 minutes. Then turn the sprouts over and cooking another 15 minutes. If your sprouts are large you may need a little more time. Enjoy!

Meatless Monday Recipe-Jalapeno Poppers

Jalapeno Poppers
vegan, makes 10 poppers

I made these last month for a pot luck, and everyone LOVED them... I made about 40 of them to make sure there were plenty for people to enjoy. If you make as many as I did, please wear gloves, my fingers were burning for days after. ~_^

These are great for any football parties coming up!

5 large jalapeno peppers, de-seeded and halved

cheese mixture:
1/4 cup vegan cream cheese
1/4 cup Daiya cheddar cheese shreds

Flour Mixture:
2 Tbsp whole wheat flour
1 Tbsp Nutritional Yeast
1 tsp garlic powder
dash of chipotle powder
pinch of salt and pepper

Panko Bread Crumbs

small flat bowl of hemp milk (about 1/4 cup)

1+ cups olive oil

Directions:

1. Prep your jalapenos by halving them and carefully removing the seeds. Set aside.

2. Get your "breading" station set up. You will have a bowl for each of these: cheese mixture (fold the shreds into the cream cheese), flour mixture, panko crumbs, soy milk.

3. Start prepping your jalapenos. Here is the method: stuff with cheese, roll in milk, roll in flour, back in milk, roll in panko crumbs, set aside. Pressing the panko crumbs into the wet cheese layer really helps. Continue this process until all the jalapenos are stuffed and breaded.

4. Pour your oil into a large pot over med-high heat. Test the oil for heat-readiness by dropping one panko crumb into the oil - if it sizzles, the oil is hot enough. If you can get by with cooking all your poppers with 1 cup of oil, great. But if you want a more saturated "fry" you may need to add more.

5. Pan-fry each jalapeno popper for about 90 seconds on each side. Flip with care.

6. Transfer poppers to a paper towels to cool for a few minutes before serving.

Found: kblog.lunchbox.com

Meatless Monday Recipe- Not Your Traditional Waldorf Salad

Not Your Traditional Waldorf Salad
Vegan; Serves 6; 30 minutes or fewer

When my sister had asked me to find recipes for jicama, I knew the perfect recipe to try out. Using what Bruce and I like instead of what is called for in the true Waldorf Salad, this is a tasty light meal. Serve with some garlic bread, but better yet, use it in a sandwich and it's good eating.....

Salad:
1/4 cup broken pecan nuts
1/2 jicama, chopped into 1/2 inch pieces
2 bosc pears, cored and cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1 cup red grapes
1/2 a pound of spinach

Dressing:
1/2 cup vegan mayonnaise
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon maple syrup
1 Tablespoon parsley

1. To Make Salad: Preheat oven to 350. Spread pecans on baking sheet and toast 8 to 10 minutes, or until fragrant. Set aside to cool.

2. Combine jicama, pears, grapes and toasted pecans in a large bowl.

3 To Make Dressing: Stir mayonnaise, lemon juice, maple syrup and parsley in a small bowl. Season with black pepper, if desired.

4. To Serve: Arrange a handful of spinach on each plate or bread and top with 1 cup of salad and other slice of bread, if making a sandwich.

Adapted from The Classic Waldorf Salad

Meatless Monday Recipe-No Ordinary Hash-browns

No Ordinary Hash-browns
Vegan; Serves 2

Hash-browns tend to be a very southern dish. I'd never even heard of it till I had been living in San Antonio, TX for a while. Instead of potatoes, jicama takes the place. This dish has the same texture with a tiny bit of an extra crunch and less calories.....

Ingredients

2 cups of jicama, peeled and grated
1/2 onion, chopped
1-2 Tbs. oil or earth balance
1/4 teaspoon nutritional yeast
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon vegan Parmesan cheese

In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium high heat. Add the onion and cook until translucent. Add the jicama, nutritional yeast, vegan Parmesan cheese, and pepper and cook until brown. Add as a side to mixed fruit and soy vanilla yogurt or some tofu scramble....

Meatless Monday Recipe-Chipotle Vegan Mayo

Chipotle Vegan Mayo
2 servings

This is a great spread for sandwiches and with the measurements below make it as you go, so that it doesn't go bad. This makes a great addition to "Mock" Chicken salad-for an added kick add more adobo sauce.

2-3 Tablespoons Vegan Mayo
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons adobo sauce
1 chipotle pepper, diced

Mix ingredients together and spread on sandwich of your choice.

Meatless Monday Recipe-Not Your Mothers Potato Salad

Not Your Mothers Potato Salad
Vegan; Serves 4

Using the Chipotle Mayo (recipe in the blog) as the perfect pairing to this recipe.... Depending on if your taking this to a picnic or a potluck, adjust the measurements accordingly.

1/2 a pound of blue potatoes, scrubbed, peeled and chopped
2 Tablespoons of olive oil
zest and juice of 1/2 a lime
2 Tablespoons of chopped fresh cilantro
3 Tablespoons of chipotle mayo
2 Tablespoons of WayFare Pig Out-Whole Grain Bacony Bits (I picked up from Nooch in Denver, CO)

1.Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2. Place blue potatoes in a small to medium casserole dish. Drizzle with oil. Bake for 50 minutes or until tender. Transfer to a bowl, and prep the rest of the ingredients.

3. Make the chipotle mayo and mix in with the potatoes, until well coated. Add the lime zest, lime juice and the cilantro, mixing again. Toss bacony bits and serve warm or room tempature.

Meatless Monday Recipe-Italian Stuffed Mushrooms

Italian Stuffed Mushrooms
Vegan; Serves 2; 45 minutes

So, I made these 2 nights ago, and they came out fabulous. However, the one complaint from Bruce is "You don't make enough food!" I only had 8 mushrooms, so a girl works with what shes got.... To turn this into a main dish, use more little mushrooms or the large portabella mushroom caps. Sorry about missing last week, I was busy protesting the rodeo.... Happy Eating!

8 open-cap mushrooms (I used button)
4 Tablespoons olive oil, divided
1/3 cup dry white wine, divided
1/3 cup onion, diced
1 large clove of garlic, minced-divided (or 2 small cloves)
1 zucchini, chopped (I used 1/2 a yellow and 1/2 a green)
1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs
1 Tablespoon tomato paste
2 Tablespoons chopped fresh basil
2 Tablespoons pine nuts
1/4 cup Daiya Mozzarella cheese
parsley and crushed red pepper to taste
black pepper to taste

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Remove the stalks from the mushrooms and chop finely. Reserve the caps.

2. Heat 1 Tablespoon oil and 1/2 white wine in a cast iron skillet. Add the onion and half the garlic and onion, sauté till the onion becomes translucent (about 2-3 minutes). Add mushroom stalks and zucchini, cook for about 3-4 minutes stirring occasionally.

3. Stir in bread crumbs, basil, tomato paste, and pine nuts. Spoon mixture into mushroom caps. Sprinkle parsley, crushed red pepper, black pepper and cheese.

4. Place mushrooms in oven-proof dish and pour the rest of the oil and wine around them. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until stuffing is cooked trough and cheese is melted (if you have extra stuffing, sprinkle around the mushrooms in the baking dish). **NOTE: IF the mushrooms are drying out drizzle some olive oil half way through the baking time.**

Meatless Monday Recipe-Peach Blackberry Crumble

Peach Blackberry Basil Crumble
Vegan

While shopping at farmers markets, when I lived in SA-I picked up the blueberry infused balsamic vinegar. Shopping last week at the local farmers markets in COS, I picked up peaches, blackberries and basil. At that moment, I was inspired for what I was making for my potluck. This is the perfect dish that screams summer and will be the talk of anywhere you take this.... Never a bite left to take home ~_^

4 peaches, peeled and chopped
4 cups blackberries (2 pints)
2 tbsp blueberry infused balsamic vinegar
1 large handful of basil leaves, chopped
1⁄4 cup agave nectar or maple syrup – or more, depending on tartness of your berries

1. Preheat oven to 400. Combine the above in an oven-proof casserole dish, mix
and set aside.

5-6 tbsp flour
3 heaping tbsp brown sugar
1 stick cold earth balance

Cut butter into flour and sugar, then rub with your fingers to make a chunky,
crumbly mixture (not uniform). Sprinkle it over the top of the fruit, bake 30
minutes until golden and bubbly.

Adapted from Animal Vegetable Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver

Meatless Monday Recipe-Lime-Cucumber Dill Salad

Lime-Cucumber Dill Salad
Vegan; 30 minutes

So, this is a twist on a classic summer salad. Bruce and I were shopping at the Farmers Market (I'm not sure which one, still learning the city ~_^ ) and picked up some fresh dill. Well, knowing that he was wanting something light, I asked if he could pick up some cucumbers. For those of you growing your own, here is a great recipe-super fast!

2 cucumbers (2 pounds)
1 tablespoon salt
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon sugar
2 tablespoons fresh
the juice from 1 lime, plus the zest (add less depending on your taste)
crushed red pepper (add as much or as little depending on your taste)

Directions

1. Slice the cucumber lengthwise, remove the seeds, and slice thinly.

2. In a colander, toss the cucumber with the salt and let it sit and drain for 20 minutes. Press the liquid out of the vegetables and rinse well with cold water.

3. In a medium bowl combine the vinegar and sugar and stir well. Add the cucumber and the lime juice including zest and toss to coat. Stir in the dill and crushed red peppers.

Meatless Monday Recipe-Light Creamy Alfredo Sauce

Light Creamy Alfredo Sauce
Vegan; 30 minutes or fewer; Serves 4

I made this last night, and it was a HUGE success! Grant and Max both had 2 servings, and Bruce liked that it was the lightest Alfredo sauce that he has ever had... This recipe is SUPER quick and VERY kid friendly! I guess this will be one of the few repeat recipes, since I try to keep it fresh for all of you....

12 oz fettuccine or pasta of your choice
2 cups hemp milk (or non-dairy)
4 cloves garlic, minced
6 Tbsp. Daiya mozzarella cheese shreds
4 Tbsp. fresh parsley, chopped
ground black pepper, to taste
ground nutmeg, just a few pinches (to taste-no more then 1/8 tsp.)
2 cups vegetables of your choice (I used broccoli, mushrooms, yellow squash and sweet bell peppers) chopped and steamed

1. Cook pasta according to package directions.

2. Steam veggies together.

3. Place in a large nonstick sauté pan (I used my cast iron skillet) non-dairy milk and garlic. Bring to a simmer, stirring frequently. Add the Daiya cheese, continue cooking until the "cheese" melts and the sauce thickens. Add nutmeg and black pepper.

4. Stir in pasta and veggies, tossing gently and serve.

Meatless Monday Recipe-Apple Yellow Squash Sandwiches

Apple Yellow Squash Sandwiches
Vegan; Serves 2

So humor me here, I promise this is really good. Bruce came home for lunch to my surprise, and was famished. Currently I'm between temp assignments, so even if he does make it home, I'm at work. Well, since I was getting myself cleaned up from unpacking and cleaning-just getting back from San Antonio there is a lot to do. Having this on hand, and making some fresh hummus (the last batch was eaten on the way to San Antonio), this turns into a quick gourmet sandwich.

1/2 yellow squash, sliced
1 Fuji apple, sliced thin
Vegan pepper jack cheese slices
spinach or any green
hummus
4 slices rosemary sourdough bread, lightly toasted

1. Heat apple slices and squash slices in a skillet, just until heated through and fragrant. Spread hummus on the slices of bread, add spinach (if using), pepper jack cheese, apples and squash. Slice in half and serve with fruit or chips.

Meatless Monday Recipe-Spicy Tomatillo Banana Pepper Salsa

Spicy Tomatillo Banana Pepper Salsa Vegan While I was visiting friends in San Antonio, TX. I was able to hit my usual farmer market (Legacy Oaks) and got caught up with my farmers. Mr. Estrada (one of my favorite people) had the banana peppers, tomatillos and the tomatoes. Bruce got to go with me, and asked what I had in mind, well.... I wasn't expecting the salsa to be the kind of spicy that you feel in your ears, but his oldest finished the half that was mango free. My friends liked the mango version, even with the heat level. 1 pound small sweet tomatillos, shucked 1/2 pound banana peppers, seeded (save some of the seeds-to taste) 1 pound cherry tomatoes (I used an orange variety that was more sweet then tart) 1 habanero pepper, seeded 1/4 cup onion, coarsely chopped 1/2 bunch of cilantro, coarsely chopped 2 Tbs. lime juice salt to taste **NOTE: To cut the heat add 2 mangoes (which I had to, so I could leave for friends) or 1 cup pineapple and cut the salsa recipe in half. 1. Heat a pot of water and add tomatillos. They will change to a lighter green-white color, remove before they burst. Depending on size, this can take up to 15 minutes. 2. Pulse in a blender or a food processor tomatillos, banana peppers (some seeds) and tomatoes. Add habanero pepper, onion, cilantro and lime juice, pulse again. ** Add the mango or pineapple if using, and pulse

Meatless Monday Recipe-Banana or Mango Lassi

Banana or Mango Lassi Lassi is a sweet and spicy beverage from India that traditionally is made with yogurt. This dairy-free version is delicious and makes a wonderful breakfast or snack. Ingredients Makes 3 servings 2 cups fortified plain or vanilla soy- or rice milk 1 frozen or fresh banana, or 1 small ripe mango, peeled and cut into chunks 3 pitted dates, chopped 1 teaspoon ground cardamom 1/4 teaspoon black pepper Directions Combine all ingredients in blender and process until very smooth and creamy. Serve cold. Tip: Lassi is best served well chilled. If the nondairy milk and fruit are cold, you can serve at once. If they are room temperature, the lassi will taste best if it is chilled in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. Per serving (3/4 cup): calories: 135; fat: 2.6 g; saturated fat: 0.4 g; calories from fat: 17.3%; cholesterol: 0 mg; protein: 5.8 g; carbohydrates: 24.4 g; sugar: 13.1 g; fiber: 3.3 g; sodium: 85 mg; calcium: 188 mg; iron: 1.8 mg; vitamin C: 3.7 mg; beta-carotene: 11 mcg; vitamin E: 2 mg Recipe by Jo Stepaniak found in Breaking the Food Seduction by Neal Barnard, M.D.

Letter to the Editor: World Hunger Day

Dear Editor,
What does World Hunger Day (May 28, 2012) and The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation have in common? This is why I’m writing you today, and to give you some reasons as to why genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are not the answer to world hunger and that going with an organic locally grown plant-based diet is the answer.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation purchased 500,000 shares of Monsanto in 2010 worth a total of $23 billion USD. Monsanto has a proven track record of selling sterile seeds at excessive costs to poor farmers claiming higher yields of crops, and when the crops don’t produce; the farmer often commits suicide. In fact, thousands of farmers and their families have this as their tragic story. Corn, Soy Beans, Canola and Cotton are the top four GMO seeds that get sold to farmers here in the US and developing nations. Bill Gates has been quoted “GMOs are the solution to world hunger.”

He said this in January of this year, when in 2008 there was a study conducted by a team of 900 scientists and researchers from the International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science and Technology for Development (IAASTD) finding that GMOs are not the answer to solving the world hunger issue, to put it simply. According to the World Food Programme (WPF):

There are 1.02 billion undernourished people in the world today. That means 1 in 6 people don’t get enough to eat. And, while there are people in the world like Allan Savory and Kenyan Professor Mary Abukutsa-Onyango promoting the indigenous food revolution and are dedicated to the reintroduction of 100 species of the lost 200 indigenous vegetables being cultivated by an organic process including seed production and processing in Kenya, we can make a difference here in our backyards.

Instead of just making that donation to the food bank, look to cutting meat out for one day (cattle consume 16 times the amount of grain then they produce in meat), look at eating local from the Farmers Markets, look for the organic products and look for the fair trade produce. When we take a stand with the Farmers here and internationally, we prove that our health, family and environment are all the same.

Your Reader,
JM Fortune

Meatless Monday Recipe-Eggplant Parmesan

Eggplant Parmesan Serves 8; Prep Time 30 min; Baking Time 45 min. Tip: This is a freezer friendly recipe. Prepare as directed through step 4. Wrap with foil and freeze for up to 3 months. This is my go to recipe for Eggplant Parmesan! Everyone who I have made this for or shared the recipe with has LOVED this dish!!!! Bruce loves it "'cause it's not slimy" and it's a healthier version since there isn't a lot of oil being used or being pan fried. 4 Tablespoons egg replacer, (follow package instructions) (or 3 egg whites and 1/4 cup water) 2 small eggplants, cut horizontally into 1/4-inch thick slices 1/3 cup all-purpose flour 2 cups dried Italian bread crumbs 1 can (28 oz.) crushed tomatoes 1 1/2 cup shredded Daiya mozzarella cheese (or use organic mozzarella cheese) 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (I use nutritional yeast) 1.) Preheat the oven to 400F. Spray 2 baking sheets with vegetable cooking spray. In a shallow dish, combine egg replacer and water. 2.) Dredge eggplant in flour; tap off excess. Dip slices in egg-replacer mixture, turning to coat and allowing excess to drip back into the bowl. Coat eggplant with breadcrumbs. 3.) Place eggplant in a single layer on prepared baking sheets. Bake, turning once, until golden and tender, about 30 minutes. 4.) In bottom of an 8-inch square baking dish, spread a layer of tomatoes. Place a layer of eggplant over tomatoes; sprinkle with 1/3 of mozzarella. Repeat layering with remaining ingredients. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top. 5.) Bake until heated through, about 15 minutes. Place dish on a wire rack to cool slightly.

Meatless Monday Recipe: Simple Sautéed Seasonal Veggies with Ginger Pearl Barley

Simple Sautéed Seasonal Veggies with Ginger Pearl Barley Vegan; 30 minutes or fewer While cooking the pearl barley with the ginger juice, all I could smell was ginger and was afraid that the dish was going to be too much. However, it came out with a subtle flavor, and was perfectly balanced with the veggies. Bruce and I both loved this dish, and it's on the list of repeat recipes.... (There are so many that it's hard to repeat!) The longest part of the recipe is cooking the barley and use as much or as little of the spices.... Sorry about not having accurate measurements..... Happy Mothers Day to all of the moms out there, you are the Earth of your family.... Ingredients 1 cup pearl barley 1 cup water 1 cup ginger juice olive oil, enough to coat the pan (If you're watching your oil/fat intake-use vegetable broth) Seasonal Veggies (I used one of each) 1 clove of garlic, minced 1/2 sliced yellow bell pepper, sliced into strips 1 yellow squash, sliced 5 stalks of asparagus, sliced into approx. 1 inch pieces 1 tomato, diced 1 teaspoon minced or zested fresh ginger 2 pinches of parsley 1 pinch rosemary 1. Combine ginger juice, water and pearl barley in a pot. Bring to boil, then simmer until the liquid is absorbed. (Being at a higher altitude, I had to add more water...) 2. Sauté garlic until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add asparagus for about 3 minutes or until tender. Add the ginger and peppers (you may have to add more veggie broth-if using) sauté for about 5 minutes add the spices. 3. Combine veggies with pearl barley mixture and enjoy. Bruce and I paired this with some garlic/rosemary bread and dry white wine...... Start following me on twitter and my blog for more recipes and kitchen tips thecompassionatevegan.blogspot.com compassionate vegan@compassionateve

A Different Meatless Monday

So, I've been getting a lot of requests for a list of kitchen staples from my friends and some family.... So, instead of a Meatless Monday Recipe-that I missed.... Helping out with Herb Fest, helping Bruce move and him getting sick-I've been a busy girl.... Whew! I Miss All of my friends in San Antonio, and I keep you in my thoughts and list to return e-mails.... I'm working on the e-mail part... hugs and giggles.... Kitchen Staples Greens: Spinach Kale Swiss Chard Keep fresh longer if you clean it {rinsed/patted dry/in a paper bag in the crisper} Any of these can be substituted for each other. Beans: Chick Peas/Garbanzo Beans Red Beans Black Beans Pinto Beans Always rinse if you're using the cans. Are less expensive when you buy in bulk. Grains: Quinoa {Is related to the Chard family, but is most associated with this category} Bulgur Wheat Couscous Pearl Barley Rice {Brown/Long Grain/etc.} Quinoa is a complete protein by itself. Any of these can be substituted for each other. Are less expensive when you buy in bulk. Can be made in a rice maker. Non-Dairy: Soy {Organic} Almond Coconut Hemp {Great source of omega 3 and 6, always THC Free} Most of these can be substituted for each other. Can be found as “ice cream”. Non-dairy cream cheese {Non-hydrogenated oils} Soy Yogurt {Organic} Vegan Mayo Seeds/Nuts/Dried Fruit: Sun flower Flax Sesame Flax is another great source of omega 6 {it’s better ground} Walnuts Cashews Almonds Peanuts Great source of healthy fats. Raisins Cranberries Dates Mangos Mix dried fruit and nuts to make your own trail mix. Are less expensive when you buy in bulk. Great as toppings for “ice cream” or soy yogurt. Veggies: (Fresh/Seasonal) Sweet Potatoes Tomatoes Zucchini Mushrooms {buttons/portabellas} Wipe clean, and keep fresh in a paper bag in the fridge. Bell Peppers Veggies: (Frozen) Peas Corn {Organic} Green Beans Fruit: (Fresh) Lemons/Limes {Organic if you are going to use the zest} Apples/Pears Can be interchanged in the recipes that call for either one. Bananas