Tag: cooking at home

Simple “Tastes Like Chicken” Tofu Slices

Simple “Tastes Like Chicken” Tofu Slices

This taste is SO my childhood!!! My mother used to make roasted chicken wings with this salt and it was one of my favorite meals. Hot or cold, this shit tastes like chicken!!! Hot, it has an awesome, satisfying, crunch…cold, the texture gets even more toothsome. . I imagine coarsely chopping it into small pieces and making an amazing “chicken“ salad from the cold pieces- if they even make it to the fridge in the first place….not kidding…amazing.

Simple “Tastes Like Chicken” Tofu Slices

1 Pound tofu, thinly sliced in rectangles, about ¼” thick

2-4T Olive oil

Jane’s Mixed Up Krazy Salt to taste

1T nutritional yeast

—

Pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees.

In a roasting pan or dish, drizzle about 3T of olive oil on the bottom of the pan.

Place a slice down in the oil, sprinkle the herbed salt on the side facing up, then flip it over and salt the other side. Continue to do this until all of the tofu is covered in both oil and salt. Sprinkle nutritional yeast over the top of all of the slices.

Roast in the oven/ convection oven for 30 minutes or until golden brown.

This tofu is absolutely delicious, hot OR cold.

THIS SHIT TASTES LIKE CHICKEN

Simple “Tastes Like Chicken” Tofu Slices bite

 

Ellen’s Vegan Chicken & Rice

Ellen's Vegan Chicken & Rice

Ellen’s Vegan Chicken & Rice

I was watching a cooking show on traditional southern cooking and was inspired to make this simple, loving, nourishing porridge style comfort food- completely gluten & cruelty free 😉

Wheat-free, Gluten-Free

1-1/2c white basmati rice or long grain

1 medium onion, minced

1/2t turmeric (fresh or dried)

4.5oz of Beyond Meat Chicken Strips (1/2 a package), room temperature, thinly sliced

2 vegetable bouillon cubes

1/2t black pepper

1t-pink salt

1t-smoked salt

1t chipotle powder *optional

1/4c extra virgin olive oil

6c boiling water

1t salt or to taste

Bring 6-8c of water to a boil.

In a large soup pot, add ½ of the olive oil and sauté ½ of the onions, until golden and soft. Add the sliced vegan chicken and sauté over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until it shows signs of crisping and the onions caramelize and darken. Remove from the pot to a dish, cover with a plate or lid and set aside.

In the same pot, add the remaining olive oil and onions, salts and peppers and sauté just until the onions are golden and aromatic. Add in the hot water and the vegetable bouillon. Stir in the uncooked rice. Bring to a low boil and reduce heat and simmer for 30-40 minutes, uncovered, stirring occasionally adding additional water if needed. In the last 5 minutes of cooking add back in the cooked chicken.

Adjust the seasonings before serving. If there is excess water, cover the pot to allow it to be absorbed. Serve on its own or with a side of fresh, steamed or sautéed greens.

White Girl Gingered Cabbage & Corn Congee

*White Girl Gingered Cabbage & Corn Congee

 This is an incredibly comforting and healing food. It is reminiscent of a Chinese egg drop soup, the broken rice lends a rich, starchy consistency to the soup that just feels amazing going down. I had squirreled away the most gorgeous corn this past summer and in lieu of BEING DONE WITH THIS WINTER and getting ready for the spring….I pulled it out of the freezer. Of course the ingredients can change but the combination was so satisfying plus the addition of the Beyond the Meat vegan chicken…it just a bowl of yum. I love this as a breakfast too!

White Girl Gingered Cabbage & Corn Congee

6 strips of Beyond Meat Vegan No Chicken, thawed, cut into small pieces

3/4c white broken rice or short-grain white rice

1 vegetable bouillon

1/2c yellow or red split dal

2-inch piece of ginger, minced or grated

2 stalks celery, medium dice or cut on the bias

1/4 small head of green cabbage, chopped

2 teaspoon salt + more to taste (I add ½ smoked salt, ½ pink)

½ large onion, minced

2 clove garlic, minced

1c corn niblets

2T coconut oil

1/2t smoked chipotle powder

—

6 to 8 cups boiling water

In a large pot, heat up 2t of coconut oil. Add in a pinch of the minced ginger, a pinch of minced garlic and about 1T of the minced onion. Sauté the vegetables over medium high heat just until golden. Add in the chopped cabbage and continue to sauté over medium high heat, just until tender, about 3-5 minutes. Remove from the pot and set aside.

In the same pot, add the remaining coconut oil. Add the onions, ginger, garlic and celery and sauté over medium heat just until golden. Add in rice and the split peas and the vegetable bouillon. Cover with about 4-5 cups of boiling water and mix well. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to low. Allow the mixture to cook partially covered for at least 45 minutes, stirring frequently, adding water if necessary- there should be plenty of water for the porridge to ‘grow’ into. After about 30 minutes, add in some of the salt and chipotle and check for seasonings. It should be thickening as the rice and the dal start to break down. Add water in as necessary to achieve the desired consistency- I prefer mine on the thicker side, but still very much soup like. Overall, it should be ready after about an hour of cooking but will only get softer over time.

In the last minutes of cooking, add in the corn, the vegan chicken, and the sautéed cabbage.

I like to also add in some fresh ginger at the end to give it a fresh kick.

Salt and pepper to taste…this IS comfort food.

Broccoli Mushroom Onion Black Olive Red Pepper Tofu Ricotta Lasagna with Red Sauce

Broccoli Mushroom Onion Olive Red Pepper Tofu Ricotta Lasagna with Red Sauce

I love lasagna. I love it. I have my Nana’s small and large lasagna pan. Usually by the fall I am ready for some serious food- This. Is. Serious. Food. I created a twist on my favorite tofu ricotta with some little local beauty peppers, including a cherry bomb, my favorite of all peppers. It makes for a subtly spicy kick that is perfect with the creaminess of the lasagna. In all lasagnas, its about the components. The sauce, the filling (tofu cheese), the veggies. I make it so each component has a ton of flavor so when put together, they all make this symphony of flavors. You can use this recipe as a guide but it is so easy to change out the components to suit your taste.

I have used the Red Pepper Tofu Ricotta Filling and the basic Red Sauce recipe for two of the components. I will list the others in recipe below but feel free to create!!!

Components:

Putting it together:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
  • ladle in about 1 cup of fresh sauce in the bottom of the baking dish
  • place down one layer of noodles
  • layer in the tofu filling
  • layer in broccoli
  • layer in noodles
  • layer in sauce- some vegan cheese if using
  • layer in mushroom filling
  • layer in noodles
  • layer in sauce
  • layer in tofu filling
  • layer in last layer of noodles
  • cover the top layer with fresh sauce
  • top with vegan cheese if using
  • Cover with tin foil and bake for 45-55 minutes.

Mushroom, Onion & Black Olive Filling

1 pound of Crimini or Button mushrooms, dry dusted, trimmed and cut into quarters or slices

1 medium onion, small dice

1 clove garlic, minced

1 can organic pitted black olives

2T mirin or white wine (mirin is sweet)

2T extra virgin olive oil

1/2t pink salt

1/4t fresh black pepper

1/4t red pepper flakes

—

Heat up a large cast iron pan or skillet over medium heat. Add in the olive oil and sauté the onions and garlic until golden and aromatic. Add in the mushrooms. Pan fry until the sear and get browned on all sides. Season with the salt and peppers. dd in the mirin and sauté off heat for a minute then resume back over the heat. Add in the olives, crushing them with your hand as you add them in. Cook until heated through. Taste and adjust the seasoning accordingly.

Sautéed Broccoli with garlic

1 bunch broccoli, washed, trimmed, and cut into smaller size pieces

1 clove garlic, minced

1/4t cayenne pepper flakes

2T extra virgin olive oil

1/4t salt

—

In a large skillet (could be the same pan from above) heat up the olive oil over medium high heat and sauté the garlic just until golden brown. Add the salt, red pepper, and then add the broccoli. With a fork or a pair of tongs, move the broccoli around the pan cooking until bright green and tender. Remove from the heat. When cooled, coarsely chop the broccoli and set aside.

Savory Chickpea Pancakes

savory chickpea pancakes

These are scrumptious little bits of amazing. I LOVE them. They are so easy to make and super satisfying.  You could easily add in veggie combinations, spices and flavors of your own choosing, maybe even make them into a sweet variation. I love  this particular combo dipped in Herbed Tamarind Sauce. S P E C T A C U L A R. Eat warm, hot or room temp.

Savory Chickpea Pancakes

1/2c garbanzo bean flour

2/3c water

1/2t baking soda

1/4t turmeric

1/2t cumin

1/4t chipotle powder

1/4t onion powder

1/4t pink salt or to taste

1 lemon, juiced

2/3c fresh spinach, coarsely chopped

1/3c fresh cilantro, minced

—

Coconut oil for pan-frying.

—

Preheat cast iron pan over medium heat.

In a medium size bowl, combine chickpea flour, water, baking soda, turmeric, cumin, onion powder and salt to taste. Mix well, being sure there are no clumps. Add in lemon, stir and you will notice the batter rise and foam. Add in spinach and cilantro and combine thoroughly.

In the hot pan, add in about 1T of coconut oil.

Using a preferred measure (I used a Tablespoon measure), spoon out the batter into medallions in the pan.

Let the pancakes cook for 4-5 minutes. Flip and cook another 4-5 minutes, making sure the pancakes are cooked throughout.

Serve with tamarind dipping sauce.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hearty Fall Vegetable Bean Soup with Greens

hearty fall veg soup

I broke into my stash of local corn I turned into frozen niblets this summer, mostly everything else is still available in abundance. SO MUCH YUM in a bowl. I used baby limas, I love their creamy mellow, nutty, flavor. You can use any kind of pasta you like or omit it completely- SO. GOOD. WITH.

Hearty Fall Bean Soup with Greens

Wheat-free * Gluten-free

1 medium onion, medium dice

1c tomato puree (I use the bottled glass tomato puree, not a fan of tomatoes in cans)

1 carrot, cut in moons

1 clove garlic, minced

2c baby Lima or cannelini beans, cooked and drained

1-1/2c potatoes, medium dice (about medium, or 4-5 small)

1c corn niblets

2c greens (kale, spinach, Swiss chard) torn into bite size pieces

2t turmeric, fresh or 1t dried

2t hot red pepper flakes

1/4t black pepper

3T extra virgin olive oil

1-2 vegetable bouillon cubes

1/4c fresh basil *optional

2c cooked gluten free pasta- your choice- elbows, ziti, penne, fusili (I used GF elbows)

1t pink salt

6c boiling water

1t salt or to taste

Bring 6c of water to a boil.

In a large soup pot, add the olive oil and sauté the onions, carrots, garlic, salt, pepper, red pepper, and turmeric until golden and soft. . Add the potatoes and the tomato puree and then the boiling water, then the bouillon cube (or powder).

Bring to a boil and reduce heat and simmer for 30-40 minutes.

Add the cooked beans. In the last 5 minutes of cooking, add the greens, fresh frozen corn, cooked pasta and the basil. Garnish with fresh basil and nutritional yeast.

Chickpea Chana Masala

*chana masala chickpea

Chana Masala

You can make this as spicy hot or mild as you prefer, I LOVE a good kick so I put a whole hot pepper into it- whole, so I can fish it out after cooking so as not to mistake it for a cooked tomato. You can use canned or jar tomatoes with this but with local tomatoes still abundant, I made this using fresh. If you do use canned or jarred, you may need to add a little bit of sugar (maple syrup, sucanat, agave) to offset the bitterness.

 3T coconut oil

2c-cooked chickpeas

1 onion, small dice

2 clove garlic, smashed and minced

1T ground cumin

2” fresh ginger, grated

1 hot pepper, sliced or chopped

2t mustard seeds

2t turmeric OR 1T Fresh grated

2t curry powder

2-3c fresh tomatoes, diced

2t pink salt

1t black pepper

2c water

—

4c fresh baby spinach- reserve until serving.

1c fresh cilantro, coarsely chopped- reserve until serving.

In a large pot over medium high heat, add the coconut oil, onions, garlic and spices and sauté until the onions are translucent. Add the chopped tomatoes and the chickpeas. Cover with about 2 cups of water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium low and the let the mixture cook and mingle until the water has reduced and it looks more like a stew. Just before serving, add the spinach and the cilantro. Serve with Basmati or Jasmine rice.

Roasted Hot & Sweet Sweet Potatoes

*roasted japanese sweetpotatoes

Roasted Hot & Sweet Potatoes

2-3 small sweet Japanese potatoes, sliced on a diagonal or cubed

1/2 onion, thinly sliced

1/4″ fresh turmeric, grated *opt

1 clove garlic, minced or sliced

3T local grade B maple syrup

3-4T extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil

1t cinnamon

1 hot red pepper, sliced

1/2t pink salt

1/4t fresh black pepper

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees

Toss all ingredients in a large bowl; making sure everything is well coated. Place in a shallow baking dish or roasting pan and put in the oven for 30 minutes, then toss and baste the vegetables with the roasting juices and continue to roast for an additional 20-30 minutes. Delicious warm or cold.

Cream of Zucchini Soup

*cream of zucchini soup

Cream of Zucchini Soup

This is the perfect way to use them, showcasing their sweet summer flavor. Roasting the zucchini first enhances the entire flavor of the soup but it is also an additional step in the preparation and is not necessary for a delicious soup.

Wheat-Free, Gluten-Free

1 large onion, coarsely chopped

1 large zucchini, chopped

1/4t chipotle powder *optional

3T coconut oil

6c boiling water

1 veg bouillon

1t salt or to taste

—

1/4c cashews

1/2-1 whole fresh jalapeño

large handful fresh parsley or basil *optional

___

Bring 6c of water to a boil.

—

In a large soup pot, add the oil and sauté the onions until golden and soft. Add the zucchini, salt, and black pepper. Continue to sauté until the zucchini softens and turns bright green.  Add the boiling water, the bouillon cube (or powder). Bring to a boil and reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.

 —

In a blender or vitamix, add the zucchini mix, the cashews, and the jalapeño. Blend first at low speed and finally walking it up to full power. Let run for about 30 seconds.

Adjust the seasonings again after blending.

*Caution: blending hot liquids can be extremely dangerous. Fill the blender only half way and proceed in batches if necessary.

Hearty Summer Black Bean Soup with Greens

*Hearty Summer Black Bean Soup with Greens

Local greens, tomatoes, corn, onions and garlic- this soup is so satisfying and absolutely delicious.

Hearty Summer Black Bean Soup with Greens

Wheat-free * Gluten-free*

1 large onion, medium dice

2c fresh tomato medium dices or crushed tomatoes

2 cloves garlic, minced

3c black beans, cooked and drained or 2 cans

1 medium sweet potato, medium dice- I Japanese yams which are less sweet than orange

1 medium white potato, medium dice

2c fresh corn niblets

2c greens (kale, spinach, swiss chard)

2t smoked chipotle powder

2t cumin

1t turmeric

2t chili powder

1/4t black pepper

1/4t cayenne pepper

3T extra virgin olive oil

1-2 vegetable bouillon cubes

1/4c fresh parsley *optional

1t-smoked salt

6c boiling water

1t salt or to taste

Bring 6c of water to a boil.

In a large soup pot, add the olive oil and sauté the onions and garlic with until golden and soft. Add in the cleaned greens and sauté until wilted. Remove just the greens from the pan and set aside, reserving for later. Add the beans, spices, salt, black and red pepper, and sautéing for 2-3 minutes. Add the tomatoes, and both the sweet and regular potatoes, then the boiling water, and the bullion cube (or powder). Bring to a boil and reduce heat and simmer for 30-40 minutes.

In the last 5 minutes of cooking, add the sautéed greens and the fresh parsley. Garnish with fresh parsley and nutritional yeast.