Thursday, June 17, 2010

Chunky Veggie Soup 'n Spelt Dumplings



I had some produce to use up so I made this easy and comforting soup! The dumplings were an afterthought and I'm glad I made them. Extra comfort food-iness!

2 TB Earth Balance margarine
1/2 tsp. Vegemite (optional)
2 onions, cut into chunks
3 large carrots, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tomato, cut into chunks
2 ribs of celery, sliced
3 small yellow potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 small broccoli crown, seperated into florets
4 -1" slices of firm or extra firm tofu
water or veggie broth
1 TB olive oil
1 tsp white miso
1 TB summer savory
1/2 tsp poultry seasoning
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1 TB soy sauce
2 TB cornstarch mixed with 2 TB water
salt and pepper to taste

For Dumplings:
1 cup flour (all purpose or white spelt)
2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/3 cup plain rice, almond or soy milk

Heat margarine in a soup pot. Add Vegemite and stir around to let it dissolve with the margarine. Saute onions and garlic briefly then add all veggies and water to cover. Bring to a boil and add olive oil, miso, dried herbs/spices, soy sauce and cornstarch mixture. Lower heat and let simmer until veggies are tender.

Meanwhile saute slices of tofu in olive oil with salt and pepper until browned on both sides. Cut into cubes and set aside.

Prepare dumpling dough:
Mix flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl. Add rice milk and stir until dough forms. Add a little more rice milk if too dry.

When veggies are tender add tofu and bring soup back to a boil. Season with salt and black pepper. Add balls of dough by the teaspoon on top of the boiling broth. Cover and let boil for 5 minutes. Dough will double in size.

Monday, June 14, 2010

Bulgur, Beans & Broccoli Burrito.


I was seriously stumped as to what I was going to whip up for dinner tonight. I wanted to eat something filling yet something that would take no time at all to make. I opened up my pantry and the first thing I saw was a container of bulgur. I've been following the 'My Veggie Kitchen' blog which recently featured some quickie meals made out of bulgur. I decided to try the beans and bulgur taco filling but use it for a burrito. I used pinto beans instead of refried beans and I also added a couple tablespoons of La Victoria taco sauce. It was the perfect filling for my whole wheat tortilla along with steamed broccoli, avocado, "sour cream" (made from Vegenaise, lime juice and taco sauce mixed together) and habanero hot sauce!

Saturday, June 12, 2010

A Moroccan Lunch.


I made two beautiful Moroccan salads for myself today to enjoy on my backyard patio. The one in front is called 'zalouk' which is a cooked eggplant salad with onions, garlic, tomatoes and green peppers flavored with cumin and paprika. The one in back is called 'khizou harra' which is a cooked carrot salad that is flavored with cumin, paprika, lemon, olive oil and cilantro. The zalouk recipe is from 'Olive Trees and Honey' cookbook (one of my absolute favorites!).


Such vibrant color! This carrot salad recipe is from a book called "Food of Morocco".


Served with warm whole wheat bread and a little bit of cauliflower bean dip that I made last week. Gotta have some protein!

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Sauteed Kale and Black Eyed Peas with Tomato Couscous


I was inspired to use kale and beans together after looking at the latest post over at the Mitten Machen blog. I can't say I've ever cooked the two together. So glad I tried it because it was really good and went perfectly atop a mound of tomato couscous (w/ a dollop of harissa for some heat!). I had a small cup of leftover tomato soup from the other day and used that with some water to cook my couscous. Such a great revamping leftovers idea as well as a beautiful color.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Macaroni w/ Esme's Sauce and Roasted Veggies


If you haven't tried Esme's simple sauce, you must! It's equal parts tahini, miso, nutritional yeast (or mustard), soy sauce, lemon juice (or vinegar), olive oil and a little crushed garlic. Delicious on pasta as seen here. For best results, heat above ingredients in a saucepan and stir til thickened, adding a little water if too thick, then toss with pasta. (I use about 4 TB of each ingredient.)


I accidentally over-roasted my yellow squash, carrots and potatoes. Oops.


But it all tasted delicious anyway!

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Salads!


I got some beautiful CSA veggies and fruits from a friend and I made these beautiful salads.


Aprium, peaches, strawberries!

Easy Jambalaya.


Haven't made this in a long time. It cooks up quick and is very delicious!

Jambalaya

4 TB olive oil
2 links Tofurky Italian sausage, sliced into chunks
1 large onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
2 ribs celery, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups white rice
2 cups vegetable broth or water
1 14oz. can stewed tomatoes, with juice
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (or less if you don't want it too spicy.)
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp thyme
salt and pepper to taste

Heat oil in a large pot at medium heat and saute sausage chunks until browned. Remove sausage and set them aside. Add onion, green pepper, celery and garlic to the pot and saute until slightly softened. Stir in rice and vegetable broth. Break up tomatoes and add to the pot with the juice. Add spices and browned sausage. Bring to a boil. Lower heat to low and simmer covered for 30 minutes or until rice is tender.