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Pasta Con Tanti Funghi alla Crema / Pasta with Many Mushrooms Cream Sauce

Pasta with Many Mushrooms Cream Sauce

I made this pasta on my birthday and I am telling you, NO ONE, unless they were crazy, would miss the dairy, butter, or cheese in this recipe. The cashews offer a super creamy, velvety texture; paired with the divine savory intensity of the mushrooms is SUPER FRICKEN YUM. Shitake, porcini, and maitake mushrooms are going to lend the most flavor, however, the combo of onion, garlic, mushroom and wine is LEGENDARY and I wouldn’t be to concerned about your selection. Clearly the above picture was prior to me getting the parsley on it- the parsley adds a level of freshness that is SO YUM, but not required. I have even squeezed fresh lemon into the mix prior to serving- it brightens the deliciousness up but is so not necessary. You could totally make this as a fettucini or linguine, just be sure to thin the sauce a bit so that the mix isn’t too heavy for the pasta. Oh, also…crack a TON of black pepper into the mis ALL ALONG THE WAY.

HAVE FUN!!! I LOVE THIS DISH!

4c mixed fresh mushrooms (shitake, maitake, crimini, portobellos, button), thinly sliced

3T extra virgin olive oil

1 medium onion, thinly sliced

2 cloves garlic, smashed and minced

1c white wine

1t smoked salt *optional (can use reg pink salt)

1t smoked chipotle powder *optional or 1/2t red pepper flakes

Fresh cracked black pepper- LOTS OF IT

1/4c fresh parsley, minced- reserved for end

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1c raw cashews

2T nutritional yeast

1 clove garlic

1T mellow miso paste

1t ume vinegar

1t brown rice vinegar

1-2c water

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1-pound gluten free pasta- rigatoni, linguine or farfalle- cooked al dente

tossed in 1T vegan butter or olive oil

In a large, heated, skillet or cast iron pan, over medium heat, add the olive oil, hot pepper and onions and sauté until they onions begin to soften. Add the minced garlic and the sliced mushrooms and sauté until the mushrooms have a golden crust on the edges. Add the wine and sauté and move the mix quickly around the pan. Season the mushroom mixture with salt and pepper to taste. Remove about 1 cup of the mushrooms and set aside.

—

In a blender, add the cashews, garlic clove, miso, vinegars and about a ½ cup of water to get the mix blended. Process until smooth and taste- it should be on the saltier side, you will be adding more water to the sauce.

Add about another cup of water to the cream mixture to thin it out. Add the cream to the mushrooms remaining in the skillet and over medium low heat, incorporate the mushrooms into the cream sauce., add water if it seems to thick, if it seems to watery, let some of the water cook out, gently stirring frequently.

Add the cooked pasta into the skillet of cream sauce and cook just until heated through. Finish with a little bit of vegan butter or olive oil and add in the fresh parsley. Serve immediately. FRICKEN UNBELIEVABLY DELICIOUS.

Sticky Sesame Ginger Tempeh

This is so delicious, fast and easy to make. I eat this with sprouted quinoa or brown rice with a big side of fresh or sautéed greens.

SO FRICKEN YUM.

Sticky Sesame Ginger Tempeh

1 package of tempeh, cut in half, then evenly into slices

1large clove garlic, smashed and minced

3T extra virgin olive oil

2” piece of fresh ginger, grated

2T unhulled sesame seeds black or white

2T shoyu or tamari

1t hot sesame oil

3T grade B maple syrup or agave

In a large cast iron skillet or frying pan, heat up over medium heat, add the oil and the garlic and distribute the garlic around the pan- add in the tempeh, face down neatly in the pan.

Pan fry for about 2-3 minutes or until browned, then flip- add more oil if the pan is dry, and continue to pan fry until the 2^nd side is golden brown.

Add in the sesame seeds, grated ginger, and the hot sesame oil and turn the heat up to medium high and then deglaze the hot pan with the shoyu/tamari- toss the tempeh in the pan until the pan is dry and all of the sauce is coating the tempeh. Add the maple syrup all over the top and toss quickly to coat. Cook only until the maple syrup begins to caramelize and thicken, about 1-2 minutes. Turn out into a serving dish.

CAREFUL NOT TO TASTE OFF OF ANY SPOONS! CARAMEL IS REALLLLLY HOT AND STICKY!

Red lentil Dal with Spinach

I made this tonight- SO delicious..I steamed white basmati rice with cumin seeds and it was a perfect whole, quick, satisfying meal. I had a 1/2 of a fresh tomato left over that needed to be used so I added it to the mix- could use more tomato for sure or omit entirely. Totally gluten free.

I highly recommend. XO

Red lentil Dal with Spinach

1 onion, small dice

1” fresh ginger, grated

2T fresh green curry paste

1t mustard seeds

1t cumin seeds

1t ground cumin

1/4t cayenne pepper or 1 pepperonicini

3T olive oil

1t turmeric powder

1/2t pink salt

1/4t black pepper

1c red lentils, uncooked

3T fresh cilantro, chopped *opt

1 fresh tomato, medium dice *opt

2c fresh spinach, cleaned and trimmed

4c water- boiled

In a large pot, heat up the spices; cumin, mustard, turmeric, dried pepper (red and black) until fragrant. Add the olive oil and sauté the onion with the ginger in the olive oil just until golden. Add the tomatoes and lentils and cover with the boiling water. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes uncovered or until the lentils have softened. Add the spinach and mix in, cover for 5 minutes. Adjust the seasonings. Serve over white or brown basmati rice.

Raspberry Shallot Vinaigrette

You could definitely omit the fruit or add in another fruit of your choosing but the raspberries give this dressing a beautiful pink color. I ate this over spring greens with raw dehydrated sunflower seeds and cubed gluten free smoked tofu.. #DELICIOUS

Raspberry Shallot Vinaigrette

1/2c extra virgin olive oil

1/4c red wine vinegar or lemon juice

2T apple cider vinegar

2T Dijon mustard

5 fresh raspberries

1T real maple syrup or raw agave

1 shallot, smashed and minced

salt and pepper to taste

Add all of the ingredients into a blender except the olive oil. Blend well. While the motor is running, drizzle in the olive oil. This will cause the dressing to emulsify. Season to taste.

Curried Moong Dal Soup (Yellow Split pea)

Moong Dal is a traditional Indian pulse, it is a yellow split pea with the hull removed. It has a sweet and nutty flavor to it and makes a perfect addition to any vegan, gluten free diet as a quick cooking source of vegetable protein. This is one of my most favorite of the lentils. The soup cooks relatively fast and has a tremendous amount of flavor.

CURRIED MOONG DAL SOUP

Wheat-Free, Gluten-Free

1-1/2c moong dal, (yellow split peas) washed and drained

1 large onion, coarsely chopped

2t chipotle powder

1/4t black pepper

1/2t cayenne pepper

1 vegetable bouillon cube (or veggie broth to replace the water)

3T extra virgin olive oil

4c boiling water

1T mild curry powder

2t cumin powder

1t turmeric

1t salt or to taste

1/2c fresh cilantro, minced

Bring 6c of water to a boil in case you need more water

In a large soup pot, add the olive oil and sauté the onions until golden and soft. Add the salt, chipotle powder, black and red pepper and the other spices. Add the split peas, mixing them into the vegetables. Add the boiling water, the bouillon cube (or broth). Bring to a boil and reduce heat and simmer for 30-40 minutes. In the last few minutes of cooking, add in the fresh cilantro.

Serve with fresh cilantro sprinkled on top.

At this point, the soup is delicious as is or can be pureed to make a lovely, smooth, soup.

FOR PUREED SOUP:

In batches, in a blender or vitamix*, puree the split pea soup. Adjust the seasonings before serving.

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

Roasted Cauliflower with Garlic & Olive Oil

So simple, so fast and so delicious. I ate this with a fresh green salad and a bowl of sprouted, steamed quinoa.

Roasted Cauliflower with Garlic & Olive Oil

1 head cauliflower, cleaned, trimmed, and sliced into 3/4″ slices

2 cloves garlic, smashed and thinly sliced

3T olive oil- more if needed

pink salt and pepper

Preheat the oven to 425 Degrees

In a large roasting pan, drizzle some olive oil on the bottom of the pan.

Layer in the cauliflower, evenly spacing the slices.

Add the garlic sliced over the cauliflower.

Salt and pepper generously and drizzle the remaining olive oil over the top of the slices.

Roast for 15-20 minutes or until the edges of the cauliflower begin to brown and the cauliflower is tender.

Serve hot or cold.

White Girl Pho / Asian Noodle Soup

This is a favorite go to soup. I LOVE the flavor of this soup. It reminds me of a macrobiotic soup I used to get in Los Angeles at a restaurant called Inaka. They would use glass noodles, also gluten free. I use rice vermicelli, but glass noodles (mung bean noodles) or any other rice pasta of your choosing would be equally delicious. I adore the Japanese sweet yams, they are white in flesh color and subtly sweet. This is a fast, awesome, satisfying, winter treat.

Asian Noodle Soup

1 small onion, thinly sliced

1 clove garlic, smashed and minced

1 small carrot, thinly cut on the bias

1 stalk celery, thinly cut on the bias

1 honkin’ large handful of baby spinach

1/2 pound of tofu, cut into small cubes

1 small japanese yam or sweet potato, thinly cut on the bias

1t hot sesame oil

3T olive oil

2T Tamari

1” piece of fresh ginger, sliced or grated (slices can be removed, grated adds more flavor but floats around in the soup)

1/2 pound of asian style rice noodles

2 dried or fresh shitake mushrooms, thinly sliced

1t red chili flakes or 1/2 fresh hot pepper

4c hot water

1t toasted black or white sesame seeds *optional

salt and pepper to taste

In a heated soup pot, add the olive oil. Saute the onions, garlic and mushrooms until golden in color and aromatic. Add in the tamari, and the hot water.

Add in the sweet potato, fresh ginger, tofu cubes and bring to a low boil, reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until the yams have softened. At this point, taste the broth, add in more Tamari if necessary, and also some salt and pepper.

Bring the temperature up again to a low boil and add the hot sesame oil, the uncooked noodles, carrots and celery and cook just until the noodles are done through.

In the last few minutes of cooking, add in the fresh spinach. Season if necessary.

Serve immediately.

Basic Brown Rice

Brown Rice

Brown rice is a whole grain. It is naturally gluten free and is a staple in my diet. Unlike white rice, brown rice has all of it’s goodness intact and thus contains a ton of nutrition otherwise lost in the refining process. Brown rice contains the highest amount of B vitamins out of all grains. Additionally, it contains iron, vitamin E, amino acids, and linoleic acid.

Brown rice is high in fiber, extremely low in sodium, and is composed of 80% complex carbohydrates. Because brown rice is a whole food, it takes longer to digest than white rice, providing the body with a sustained energy.

I make at least 4 cups (more if you are cooking for several peeps) of rice so I have plenty of rice for use during the week. Typically the first night I will eat the grains steamed, mixed with olive oil and nutritional yeast in addition to greens, tempeh, tofu beans etc. The following days, I can use any leftovers in soups or in stir-fries or bean loaves, it could also be re-steamed and/or re-heated.

Soaking Brown Rice
I soak my rice a day in advance, usually before I go to bed or 1^st thing in the morning (at least 8 hours); I rinse, wash and drain as much rice as I would like to prepare and then cover the washed grains with fresh water and put that on the stove top or counter (covered to keep unwanted pests and dust out) over night, and cook the grains the following day or later that evening. I find the rice to be more flavorful but also more digestible when soaked. It also cooks about 10-12 minutes quicker than un-soaked rice. It is up to you whether you refresh the water or use the soaking liquid to cook the rice in.

Here is some more information about soaking vs. not soaking brown rice from Integrative Nutrition:

Phytic acid is a naturally occurring organic acid in the outer layer or bran. All grains contain phytic acid to some degree, but brown rice contains a relatively high level. When brown rice with untreated phytic acid enters the intestines, the phytic acid mixes with calcium, magnesium, copper, iron and zinc. The chemical reaction that takes place prohibits those minerals from being absorbed and utilized by the body. Some sources say that eating grains with untreated phytic acid will cause the body to lose bone mass and will eventually lead to overall mineral deficiency. However, soaking brown rice and other grains will eliminate the consequences of phytic acid by producing beneficial enzymes and raising the amount of nutrients present in brown rice. Others believe that un-soaked brown rice is healthier, as it stays in the digestive system longer than soaked grains, thus providing more energy.

The Benefits of Brown Rice

· Generates energy
· Promotes good digestion
· Quenches thirst
· Alleviates diarrhea caused by spleen-pancreas deficiency
· Relieves mental depression

Buying & Storing

Look for quality brown rice that contains a small amount of green grains, I always purchase organic and store it in airtight glass jars in a dark cupboard. My go-to is short grain, however there are several varieties including sweet, long grain, basmati, jasmine etc. that will all vary in taste and tooth feel…I suggest finding your favorite! Short Grain Brown rice is a grain I always have in the house….ALWAYS….

Basic Brown Rice

Makes 3 cups
Serves approx. 4

1c brown rice

2 cups of water or vegetable broth

1/2t pink salt

*Directions:

Place all ingredients in a pot with a tight fitting lid. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and let it cook uncovered for 5-7 minutes on a lower heat. I let about 2/3rds of the cooking liquid cook out uncovered and then when the water is barely visible in the pot, I lower the heat to it’s lowest setting and cover it. I find this helps from the sticky rice water from seeping out of the sides and making a mess, it also keep the rice from becoming water logged and soggy.

Cover and let simmer for 30-40 minutes, if you are not experienced with cooking rice, you’ll want to check on it about 10 minutes prior to the anticipated finish time so as not to burn the rice to the bottom (If you do burn it, it is okay, just try it again!)

Turn off the heat heat and let stand for at least 10 minutes. Fluff with fork and serve. One of my favorite ways of eating brown rice is to drizzle it with good extra virgin olive oil, nutritional yeast, salt and pepper and toss it all together well….DELICIOUSNESS…

*May also be prepared in a rice cooker with the same ratio of ingredients.

Gluten Free Jam Dots

These are INSANE-IN-THE-MEMBRANE. SO FRICKEN delicious…Nutty, rich, crunchy…NOT MISSING or wanting for ANYthing. I used an all fruit jam, apricot and also a mixed berry made by Bionaturae which is fruit juice sweetened. The sugar based jams will have a glossier look to them but choosing your favorite jam will be what produces the best cookie for you!

Gluten Free Jam dots
makes 20 cookies
1c All Purpose Gluten Free flour Mix
1c roasted almonds
1c Gluten Free oats- to be ground
1t cinnamon
1/2t salt
—-
1/2c maple syrup
1/2c safflower oil
1t vanilla
—
3T jam
preheat oven to 350º
If you are starting with raw almonds, roast them on a cookie sheet @ 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes, careful not to let them burn. Cool thoroughly before running through the food processor.
In a small bowl, mix all of the wet ingredients together, the maple syrup, oil, and vanilla.
Put all of the dry ingredients into the food processor individually; the roasted almonds (make sure they are cooled completely), gluten free. Place all dry ingredients; oats, almond meal, cinnamon and salt into a large bowl.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and mix with a spatula until everything is well incorporated.
With a one ounce ice cream scoop or two spoons, place batter balls onto a *parchment lined cookie sheets. With a one-cup measuring cup, slightly flatten each cookie-This process is a little easier when the cup is dipped into warm water between each cookie. Using a one-teaspoon measure, press the dome side into each cookie, this is where the jam goes. This process is a little easier when the teaspoon is dipped into warm water between each cookie.
Using a 1/2 teaspoon measure, scoop your choice of jam or fruit preserves into the center of each cookie.
Bake for 12 minutes and then rotate the pans in the oven (to insure even baking) and continue to bake for another 5 to 7 minutes. Let cool on the pans for another 5-6 minutes then remove to a cooling rack.

*At Simple Treats, we use Silpats, non-stick silicone cookie sheet liners which are reusable up to 400 times even at high temperatures. You can find them through mail order or in any kitchen supply store. They are VERY convenient and easy to clean up, plus you don’t have to use any added
oil.

Chocolate Coconut Milk Moose

This seriously takes like the inside of a Milky Way Candy Bar…..FRICKEN delicious.

Chocolate Coconut Moose

13.5 oz coconut milk (1 can)

1/3c water

 1c chocolate chips

1T maple syrup

1/4t salt

1 1/2t agar

1t vanilla

Measure out all of the other ingredients and have them ready.

In a saucepan on the stove over a low to medium flame, combine the milk, chocolate chips, maple syrup, agar and salt, stirring frequently. Continue cooking over a low flame until the chocolate chips melt, about 10-15 minutes. The mixture should look like hot chocolate, creamy and full- bodied.

Place the contents of the saucepan into a blender. Caution, hot liquids in a blender can be extremely dangerous. Fill only half way to the top of the blender and proceed in batches if necessary. * Add the vanilla and taste the mixture. Adjust the seasonings to your tastes. Make sure all of the adjustments happen before you pour it to set.

Pour the mixture out of the blender through a sieve, lined with cheesecloth, or through a very fine mesh strainer, into a large serving bowl. The straining will catch any lumps, clumps and/ or impurities (like uncooked agar).

To make individual servings, pour mixture directly into several, small, serving bowls Allow this to cool and set for at least 5-6 hours, best overnight.

Serve with a nut crème and fresh berries.